Brands
Lufthansa takes off with Sreeleela for Insider 2.0 travel storytelling
MUMBAI: When a rising star meets Europe’s sky-high classic, you know the journey won’t be ordinary. Lufthansa German Airlines has rolled out the latest chapter of its Insider campaign, this time headlined by actress Sreeleela, who brings a touch of homegrown charm to the airline’s premium global pitch.
The campaign steered by Mindshare India with its UK counterparts and supported by WPP Media reimagines Lufthansa not just as a carrier but as a travel-lifestyle brand. Dubbed Insider Guide 2.0, it turns the spotlight on London’s cultural and culinary secrets, with Sreeleela exploring the city alongside UK creator Anastasia. From hidden haunts to haute cuisine, the duo presented a version of London few tourists ever see.
For today’s premium Indian traveller, the sweet spot lies in blending indulgence with authenticity. The campaign taps into that appetite: immersive journeys that go beyond glossy itineraries, mixing Lufthansa’s signature service with storytelling that feels personal.
Lufthansa Group head of marketing for South Asia, Southeast Asia & Pacific Sng Ju Stephanie summed it up as “experience-led travel, powered by authentic influencer engagement,” while WPP Media South Asia’s Amin Lakhani called it a “cross-border collaboration that raises the bar for cultural nuance and consumer connection.”
With Insider 2.0, Lufthansa isn’t just chasing wanderlust; it’s serving up a menu of global discovery with an Indian garnish. For a brand that has long been a bridge between continents, this campaign ensures the story soars just as high as the aircraft.
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
