MAM
Maitri trunk calls glory as Farhan bags Kerala’s first Red Elephant
MUMBAI: When elephants dance, they leave a mark and Muhammed Farhan just left one for the history books. The 22-year-old art director at Maitri has delivered Kerala its very first Red Elephant at the Kyoorius Design Yatra 2025, bagging the top honour for his packaging design for ITC Foods’ Bingo! festive gift packs. The brief was no small fry. Bingo! wanted festive gifting to feel modern and premium while sticking to a lean budget. Farhan responded with not one but two inventive packs that wowed the jury and stood out in a sea of entries.
Pack A took inspiration from Warli art, a tribal form famous for its geometric motifs. Farhan cleverly wove Bingo!’s beloved snacks chips, nachos and Tedhe Medhe into celebratory Warli compositions. The design used a single strip with a looping mechanism, adaptable to hold varying snack quantities.
Pack B went the nutty route, quite literally. Mandala-inspired and constructed with cashews, almonds, and exotic mixtures, the modular design borrowed from India’s classic tiffin box. Each paper unit clicked neatly together, allowing portions to be added or removed while staying securely locked.
This wasn’t Farhan’s first brush with Kyoorius acclaim. He has already won four Blue Elephants and was shortlisted for the Young Maverick award at Goafest 2025 all without a formal design education. But this Red Elephant marks a historic leap, both for him and for Kerala.
Maitri managing director Raju Menon couldn’t hide his pride: “Farhan joined us at 18, and his meteoric growth has been a delight to watch. We’re all very proud of our young star.” Maitri group creative director Francis Thomas added, “We knew this day was coming.”
Farhan himself called the moment “unforgettable,” adding that representing Maitri on such a stage was an honour he would always carry.
For Maitri, the win is more than just an award. It underscores the agency’s reputation for nurturing raw talent and pushing creative boundaries. For Farhan, it’s a reminder that sometimes the boldest ideas come from the youngest hands and they can carry the weight of an elephant.
MAM
Shanu Singh steps down as director – The Economic Times brand at BCCL: Reports
Marketing leader joined BCCL in July 2025 to lead brand strategy for the business daily
MUMBAI: Shanu Singh has stepped down from her role as director of The Economic Times brand at Bennett, Coleman & Co Limited, according to reports.
Singh joined the company in July 2025 to lead brand strategy and integrated marketing initiatives for the flagship business daily across platforms. During her stint, she worked on strengthening brand positioning, deepening audience engagement and advancing advertiser-focused initiatives.
A marketing executive with nearly two decades of experience, Singh previously served as chief marketing officer at ASK Asset & Wealth Management. She has also held senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Her next move has not yet been announced.
