Brands
Ogilvy apologises to Malala Yousafzai
MUMBAI: Looks like Indian advertising is coming under the radar for constant controversies. This time Ogilvy & Mather India’s series of ads for Kurl On titled ‘Bounce Back’ trigged negative conversations. The ad series features Malala Yousafzai, Mahatma Gandhi and Steve Jobs.
The art work showcases a cartoon depiction of Pakistani young activist Malala being shot, and then miraculously coming back to life after a night’s rest on a Kurl On mattress. Social media was buzzing with thoughts that the ad is offensive at various levels. Considering the gravity of the situation, Ogilvy went ahead to undertake an investigation into process. There are no talks initiated for the other creatives that use Mahatma Gandhi and Steve Jobs as central characters.
The official release issued by the agency on its website stated, “We deeply regret this incident and want to personally apologise to Malala Yousafzai and her family. We are investigating how our standards were compromised in this case and will take whatever corrective action is necessary. In addition, we have launched a thorough review of our approval and oversight processes across our global network to help ensure that our standards are never compromised again.”
The agency also tweeted about the same.
It can be recalled that last year around the same time, the Ford Figo controversial posters caught the attention of the world. JWT’s Bobby Pawar and Ford India’s Sriram Padmanabhan had to take responsibility of this and had to step down.
So, who will take responsibility from Ogilvy? Any guesses?
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Brands
Magnum Ice Cream Netherlands takes control of Kwality Wall’s India from Unilever
61.9 per cent stake transfer reshapes ownership as Unilever exits promoter role
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited has entered a new chapter, with The Magnum Ice Cream Company HoldCo 1 Netherlands B.V. acquiring a controlling 61.9 per cent stake from a clutch of Unilever PLC-led entities, marking a significant shift in ownership.
The transaction, completed on March 30, 2026, follows a share purchase agreement signed in June 2025. The incoming promoter picked up over 145 crore equity shares, effectively taking control of the company and being formally classified as its new promoter under regulatory norms.
As part of the deal, the outgoing promoter group, including Unilever Group Limited and its affiliated entities, has fully exited its shareholding in the company. They have now been reclassified from promoter to public shareholders, closing a long-standing association with the ice cream business in India.
The board of Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited took note of the ownership change and approved a series of leadership updates alongside it. Ritesh Tiwari stepped down as director, while Abhijit Bhattacharya was appointed as chairperson and additional non-executive director. Tahir Toloy Tanridagli also joined the board as an additional non-executive director.
The reshuffle signals a broader strategic reset as the Magnum-led entity looks to steer the brand’s next phase of growth in India. The transition has been carried out in line with regulatory requirements, including disclosures tied to the open offer and reclassification norms under market regulations.
With Unilever stepping back and Magnum stepping in, Kwality Wall’s India is effectively getting a fresh scoop of leadership and direction. The coming months will reveal how the new promoter plans to scale the brand in one of the world’s most competitive ice cream markets.
