MAM
MAIA estates appoints Sanaa Ruia as creative director
Mumbai – MAIA Estates has announced the appointment of Sanaa Ruia as its new creative director. With a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades in luxury branding, design, and entrepreneurship, Sanaa brings a fresh, globally-inspired perspective to the company. Her appointment marks a pivotal moment in MAIA Estates’ journey, signalling the brand’s mission of bringing modern creativity, innovation, and excellence into real estate.
Sanaa’s educational background includes a postgraduate degree in Luxury Marketing from the London School of Arts, where she honed her expertise in high-end branding and consumer experiences. Her early career in the fashion industry laid the foundation for her refined aesthetic sensibilities and ability to push creative boundaries. A decade ago, Sanaa founded Nomada, an accessories brand that rapidly gained international recognition, with a presence in over 35 luxury stores worldwide, including markets in Miami, Athens, Lisbon, Bodrum, and Muscat.
Sanaa’s entrepreneurial journey with Nomada also extended into corporate solutions and strategic gifting, where she catered to prestigious clients such as Estée Lauder, Nykaa, Vistara Airlines, and the Manipal Group. Her commitment to ethical craftsmanship and social responsibility is best reflected in her efforts to employ 125 workers in Dharavi, emphasising fair wages and local craftsmanship.
Sanaa’s connection with MAIA Estates runs deep. Her collaboration with the brand began through Nomada, where she worked on key design projects that have shaped her understanding of MAIA’s ethos and brand identity. This familiarity, coupled with her multifaceted expertise, will enable her to spearhead creative initiatives that span marketing strategy, project branding, interior design, and landscaping.
“I have always believed that creativity is not just a skill set but a mindset,” said Sanaa Ruia, speaking about her new role. “Being a design-centric person means having a keen eye for aesthetics, functionality, and innovation in everything I do. This approach to creativity is inherently versatile, allowing me to adapt and shape it to different contexts, including real estate. I look forward to translating this ethos into my work at MAIA Estates. Real estate is an incredibly dynamic industry, and it’s exhilarating to be at the intersection of design and development. I am excited to work closely with the team at MAIA to bring a fresh perspective to our projects and create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.”
MAIA Estates founder & CEO Mayank Ruia commented on Sanaa’s appointment: “Sanaa’s unique design sensibilities, coupled with her strong business acumen, make her an invaluable addition to the MAIA team. Her ability to blend aesthetics with strategic thinking is exactly what we need to further distinguish ourselves. With her at the creative helm, we are poised to push the boundaries of high-quality living while staying true to our core values of innovation and excellence.”
MAM
McDonald’s India NE names Sara Arjun brand ambassador
Actor returns for nostalgic Buddy Meal campaign at Rs 119 for two.
MUMBAI: Sara Arjun just came home to McDonald’s because some love stories start with a childhood ad and end with sharing fries as grown-ups. McDonald’s India – North and East has appointed actor Sara Arjun as its brand ambassador, bringing her back to the brand that first captured her on screen as a child. The collaboration launches with a playful TVC introducing the Buddy Meal, a value offering priced at Rs 119 for two burgers (McAloo Tikki or Veg Surprise), two Cokes and one medium fries.
The film recreates the classic “girlfriend-boyfriend” banter from her original McDonald’s ad, with Sara joking about today’s “demanding” relationships before her buddy admits he just wants a simple McAloo Tikki. The voiceover lands the punch: “Shukar hai McDonald’s Buddy Meal for 2 hai… starts at just Rs 119,” closing on the tagline “Khao Meal, Baat Karo”, a celebration of uncomplicated joy and shared moments.
MMG Group and CPRL vice chairman Anant Agarwal said, “Sara’s return to McDonald’s is a wonderful reminder of the deep emotional connections many customers have grown up with. With the Buddy Meal, we are celebrating friendship, nostalgia and the simple joy of sharing a McDonald’s meal together at great value.”
Sara Arjun added, “McDonald’s has been a special part of my journey since childhood. Returning to the brand for this campaign feels incredibly nostalgic. The Buddy Meal captures the simple joy of sharing food and laughter with friends.”
Available for a limited period across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India via dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, the McDonald’s App and leading delivery platforms, the Buddy Meal taps into the brand’s legacy of creating relatable, feel-good moments.
In a fast-food world chasing trends, McDonald’s brings back a familiar face and a simple truth: sometimes the best dates don’t need grand gestures just good burgers, cold drinks and great company at a price that leaves everyone smiling.
