Brands
Mars swallows Kellanova in a $36 billion snacking supernova
VIRGINIA & CHICAGO: It’s official: Mars has finally polished off Kellanova. The McLean-based confectionery colossus announced on 11 December that it had completed its acquisition of the snacking empire, uniting chocolate bars with cheese crackers and marshmallow treats in what might be history’s most delicious corporate marriage.
The deal, worth a cool $36 billion when announced in August 2024, transforms Mars from a mere candy titan into a full-spectrum snacking superpower. Mars Snacking global president Andrew Clarke could barely contain his excitement. “Today marks a transformative moment,” he gushed, presumably whilst munching on a Snickers-Pringles combo.
The newly supersized Mars Snacking now boasts a portfolio that reads like a convenience store’s greatest hits. Kellanova’s billion-dollar brands—Pringles, Cheez-It and Kellogg’s cereals—will cosy up alongside Mars stalwarts like M&M’s, Snickers, Twix and Skittles. Add in the health-conscious pretenders RXBAR, Kind and Nutri-Grain bars, and you’ve got every dietary persuasion covered.
The family-owned Mars, which also peddles pet food through Royal Canin and Pedigree, now commands a $65 billion empire with over 170,000 associates worldwide. That’s a lot of mouths to feed—and even more mouths to feed snacks to.
Kellanova shareholders gave their blessing in November, regulators rubber-stamped the deal on 8 December, and Bob’s your uncle: instant snacking supremacy. The combined beast will serve “more consumers globally,” which is corporate-speak for “we’re coming for your cupboards.”
One thing’s certain: whether you fancy savoury, sweet, crunchy or chewy, Mars now owns your cravings. And with 50,000-plus snacking associates plotting innovations, resistance is futile. The munchies monopoly has arrived—and it’s absolutely famished.
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
