AD Agencies
McDonald’s India and Sanjeev Kapoor reunite to showcase new Protein Plus Range
MUMBAI: McDonald’s India (West & South) has announced the return of culinary icon Sanjeev Kapoor for a new brand film highlighting its newly launched innovative and first-of-its kind ‘Protein Plus Slice’. This marks the continuation of the successful partnership that began with the Multi-Millet Bun launch last year.
This entertaining brand film, conceptualised by DDB Mudra captures a memorable encounter at McDonald’s where Kapoor, stationed behind the counter, meets a young fitness enthusiast and his spirited little brother. When the older brother orders his usual favourites, Chef Kapoor introduces them to the revolutionary Protein Plus slice with his characteristic charm. What unfolds is a humorous competition between the brothers, when the elder one requests two slices, his younger brother immediately ups the ante by asking for three slices. The film perfectly illustrates how customers of all ages can personalize their protein intake while enjoying McDonald’s favourites.
The film emphasizes on the 100% vegetarian plant-based ‘Protein Plus Slice’ co-developed by CSIR – Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI). Chef Kapoor talks about this slice, which offers 5g of protein per slice, allowing customers to add 5g, 10g, or more protein to their burgers without compromising on taste.
Westlife Foodworld CEO Akshay Jatia said, “At McDonald’s India, we have always believed in giving our customers more choice, and this time, we are giving them the power to personalize their protein intake. The Protein Plus Range allows them to enjoy their favourite McDonald’s burgers without compromising on their protein needs or the taste. It also reflects our ongoing commitment to our ‘Real Food, Real Good’ philosophy, bringing together flavour, nutrition, and food science. Together, we remain committed to crafting menu items that are both wholesome and delicious, combining locally available ingredients in a way where great taste and nutrition go hand in hand.”
Kapoor said, “It feels great to continue my association with a brand like McDonald’s that constantly innovates its menu, suiting the tastes and preferences of varied customers. Their entry into the protein enhancement initiative is commendable, and I like the fact that their Protein Plus range perfectly balances taste with nutrition. I believe this range is a true innovation in personalized nutrition.”
DDB Mudra Group chief creative officer & executive director Rahul Mathew said, “McDonald’s is for everyone. It’s a belief that the brand is built on. And it’s this belief that we’ve extended to extra-protein seekers with the new Protein Plus Slices. So, whether you’re just making up for your nutritional needs or following a workout regimen, McDonald’s is for you as well.”
The Protein Plus Range launch marks McDonald’s India’s second strategic collaboration with the CFTRI, following the successful introduction of Multi-Millet Buns. The campaign on the Multi-Millet Bun had also featured Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
The film closes with Kapoor saying, ‘That’s My McDonald’s’, underscoring the brand’s commitment to blending great-tasting burgers with more nutritional goodness. Customers can now savour their favourite burgers in a nutritional avatar with extra protein at their nearest McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, on-the-go via Drive-Thru and also can order through the McDelivery App and Swiggy.
AD Agencies
Abhay Duggal joins JioStar as director of Hindi GEC ad sales
The streaming giant brings in a seasoned revenue hand as the battle for Hindi television advertising heats up
MUMBAI: Abhay Duggal has a new desk, and JioStar has a new weapon. The media and entertainment veteran has joined JioStar as director of entertainment ad sales for Hindi general entertainment channels, adding 17 years of hard-won revenue experience to one of India’s most powerful broadcasting operations.
Duggal is no stranger to big portfolios or bruising markets. Before joining JioStar, he spent a brief stint at Republic World as deputy general manager and north regional head for ad sales. Before that, he put in three years at Enterr10 Television, where he ran the north region for Dangal TV and Dangal 2, two of India’s leading free-to-air Hindi channels. The north alone accounted for more than 50 per cent of total channel revenue on his watch, a number that tends to get attention in any sales meeting.
His longest stint was at Zee Entertainment Enterprises, where he spent over six years rising to associate director of sales. There he commanded the Hindi movies cluster across seven channels, owned more than half of north India’s revenue across flagship properties including Zee TV and &TV, and closed marquee sponsorships across the Indian Premier League, Zee Rishtey Awards and Dance India Dance. He also handled monetisation for the English movies and entertainment cluster and the global news channel WION, a portfolio that would stretch most sales teams twice his size.
Earlier in his career Duggal closed what was then a Rs 3 crore single deal at Reliance Broadcast Network, one of the largest in Indian radio at the time, before that he helped launch and monetise JAINHITS, India’s first HITS-based cable and satellite platform.
His edge, by his own account, lies in marrying data and instinct: translating audience trends, inventory signals and client demands into long-term partnerships built on cost-per-rating-point discipline rather than short-term deal chasing. In a media landscape being reshaped by streaming, fragmented attention and AI-driven advertising, that kind of rigour is increasingly rare and increasingly valuable.
JioStar, which blends the scale of Reliance’s Jio platform with the content firepower of Star, is doubling down on its advertising business at precisely the moment the Hindi GEC market is getting more competitive. Bringing in someone who has spent nearly two decades doing exactly this, across some of India’s most watched channels, is a pointed statement of intent. Duggal has spent his career turning audiences into revenue. JioStar is clearly betting he can do it again, and bigger.
