MAM
Niranjan Kaushik quits McCann to float Acid with Sameer Desai
MUMBAI: After serving McCann, Mumbai, as senior creative director for two and half years, Niranjan Kaushik has quit the agency to launch Acid Brand Communications (ABC) with Sameer Desai, founder of DesignCode.
Says Kaushik, “It‘s the era of entrepreneurial agencies, thanks to Mark Zuckerberg for setting a fine example. Our effort is to provide clients with top notch creative and strategic thinking minus the fanfare of a multinational set up. Our collective years of experience across industries will help us bring a lot of value to the table.”
Kaushik and Desai have been a team since 1998 at Ogilvy, Mumbai with the duo having worked together on brands like Indian Express, Onida and Samsonite in the past.
Having launched a brand campaign for ISTA Group of Hotels recently, they are currently working on the brand launch for ASK, a wealth management firm.
Kaushik‘s career spans over 13 years, across agencies like Ogilvy, Batey Singapore, LHM Singapore, Contract Mumbai and McCann Mumbai. Over the years, he has worked on brands like HSBC, Asian Paints, Shoppers‘ Stop, Mercedes Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Airlines, Disney, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Loreal.
Over a career spanning 17 years, Desai has worked with agencies like DaCunha, Lowe, Ogilvy, Ambience Publicis and Contract before setting up Design Code. He has worked on brands like Park Avenue, Marico Industries, HSBC, Shoppers Stop and Asian Paints.
Brands
YFLO appoints Tania Nijhawan as president for 2026-27 term
Dentist-entrepreneur to lead women’s body amid rising focus on leadership
NEW DELHI: Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), the women’s arm of FICCI, has appointed Tania Nijhawan as its president for the 2026-27 tenure, effective April 2026, at a time when conversations around women’s leadership in India are gaining fresh momentum.
A cosmetic and paediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience, Nijhawan is the founder of Udana Wellness, a multi-speciality clinic in Vasant Vihar known for its focus on advanced treatments and patient-centric care. She also serves as director at Nijhawan Group and is an active investor in start-ups across health, wellness and hospitality, including Nuts For Us.
Her academic credentials include advanced training from global institutions such as New York University, the University of Southern California and University College London, shaping her multidisciplinary approach across dentistry and wellness.
YFLO has long positioned itself as a platform for leadership, entrepreneurship and professional growth, bringing together women across industries to drive dialogue and collaboration. Under Nijhawan’s leadership, the organisation is expected to sharpen its focus on cross-sector engagement and meaningful, future-facing conversations.
Speaking on her appointment, Tania Nijhawan said, “YFLO has always stood for meaningful engagement and forward-thinking dialogue. I look forward to building a platform that not only encourages exchange of ideas but also actively supports emerging voices and creates opportunities for collaboration across sectors.”
She added, “The Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, is not just a policy shift, it is a generational opportunity. It acknowledges the urgent need for women to have a stronger voice in shaping the nation’s future. True progress lies not just in representation, but in enabling women to lead with agency, confidence and impact.”
As president, Nijhawan will focus on curated programming, high-impact industry conversations and initiatives that bring together women across disciplines. Her theme for the year, “Lead With Your Light,” signals a push towards purpose-led leadership and greater confidence among emerging voices.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for YFLO, one that aims to align leadership, enterprise and policy at a time when women’s voices are increasingly central to India’s growth story.
