Brands
NatGeo inspires Goafest to go green
MUMBAI: In its 12th year, the festival pledges to reduce its environmental footprint with the help of National Geographic. The much awaited Goafest 2017, organized by the AAAI and The Advertising Club will be hosted in Goa from 6 – 8 April, 2017. Like every year, this year too promises to showcase and recognize the most incredible creative and planning work of the year. However, there is one significant change in the awards for the first time in its 12th year history.
Goafest has pledged to be more conscious of its environmental footprint in its 12thedition. For this cause, it has partnered with National Geographic, an iconic brand which has inspired people to care about the planet for more than 129 years. National Geographic will come on board as the ‘Green Partner’ to help make the festival not only a congregation of the country’s best creative and planning minds, but also one that is conscious about its actions, and their impact.
Some of the initiatives include the organizing committee using recycled paper and making available a system of carpooling for the delegates. However, both National Geographic & Goafest agree that the organization committee adopting a host of initiatives will not be enough. Real impact and change will happen if the delegates themselves are involved and engaged in this initiative.
Consequently, National Geographic will create an awareness drive throughout the festival to shock, educate and inspire delegates for the need to be environmentally conscious. Delegates will also be encouraged to do their bit, from collecting water they would’ve wasted to ditching plastic bottles for the much sought after National Geographic branded water bottles.
FOX Networks Group India Business Head Swati Mohan said, “National Geographic has been educating and inspiring people to care for the planet. Our association with Goafest is another endeavor in the same direction – to make our incredible industry aware and conscious about preserving the planet. We are confident that the country’s best creative and planning minds will adopt this cause and be our partners to spread this important message.’’
Goafest chairman Ashish Bhasin adds, ‘’This year, apart from being this festival that is associated with excellence, we wanted Goafest to be a festival that is conscious and responsible. This year, Goafest is Green through the various initiatives that we have adopted. We couldn’t find a better partner than National Geographic for this cause.”
National Geographic reaches 139 million television viewers in India and globally the entire portfolio to 700 million consumers each month.
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
