MAM
Mavericks appoints Gaurav Tuli as new digital and tech director
MUMBAI: When brands talk clicks, The Mavericks wants to talk connections and its latest hire proves it’s serious. The integrated marketing communications agency has appointed Gaurav Tuli as director digital & tech, a move set to sharpen its AI-first, insight-led storytelling play. Armed with over 16 years of cross-market experience across India and Canada, Tuli has worked on marquee accounts including Bayer, Ford, Wendy’s, Jamie’s Italian, Pepsico, Swaraj Tractors, Hyatt, Interglobe, Oriflame, Luminous, and Himel. His track record spans sectors as varied as Auto, Healthcare, FMCG, Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Alcobev, Education and Beauty blending tech with creativity to deliver campaigns that don’t just convert, but connect.
At The Mavericks, Tuli will anchor digital transformation with new service lines built on Generative AI, predictive analytics, and automation. But for him, AI isn’t about replacing creativity, it’s about amplifying it. “The intersection of data, technology, and creativity is where the most exciting things are happening,” he said. “From Generative Engine Optimisation for AI discoverability to predictive performance models, these tools help brands move faster, listen smarter, and create more meaningfully.”
The Mavericks India founder & CEO Chetan Mahajan echoed the sentiment, noting: “Integrated communications is no longer about channels ,it’s about cohesion. In the digital age, integration means agility, real-time impact, and context. Gaurav will be integral to building that ecosystem.”
With brands now seeking outcome-driven communication rather than vanity metrics, The Mavericks’ appointment signals its ambition to push boundaries. For Tuli, the task is clear: keep brands discoverable, scalable, and emotionally resonant in an AI-led, digital-first world
Brands
Jubilant Foodworks to end Dunkin’ franchise in India
Pizza chain operator will not renew agreement when it expires at end of 2026.
MUMBAI: When the doughnuts stop turning and the coffee goes cold, even a global giant like Dunkin’ can find the Indian market a tough brew to crack. Jubilant Foodworks has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’ when the pact expires on 31 December 2026, according to a Reuters report. The operator, best known for running Domino’s outlets in India, said it would evaluate options for its existing Dunkin’ stores, including a potential sale or transfer of franchise rights, in consultation with the US-based brand.
The decision follows years of underperformance in a market where local tastes and intense competition have made it difficult for international coffee-and-doughnut formats to gain traction. Jubilant, which has increasingly focused on its core pizza business and newer bets like Popeyes, indicated that the exit would not materially affect its financial or operational position.
Dunkin’ accounted for just 0.61 per cent of Jubilant’s revenue in the fiscal year ending 2025 and recorded a loss of approximately Rs 191 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company operated 27 outlets as of December 2025, having shuttered seven stores over the preceding year.
The retreat comes even as Jubilant’s broader business shows signs of momentum. The company reported a 65 per cent rise in quarterly profit for the October to December period, reaching Rs 70.9 crore, up from Rs 42.91 crore a year earlier.
For Jubilant, the exit reflects a sharpening strategic focus. For Dunkin’, it marks another setback in a market that has proven resistant to imported café concepts without significant localisation.
In the cut-throat world of Indian quick-service restaurants, sometimes the sweetest deals are the ones you quietly walk away from leaving more room for the brands that truly rise to the occasion.
