MAM
Ogilvy’s Choudhary only Indian to make it to Cannes’ ‘See It Be It’
MUMBAI: In 2014, Cannes Lions launched See It Be It. A programme that responded to the gender imbalance in the advertising industry – only 25% of agency creatives are women, and just 11% reach creative director level. The stats for India, being woefully lower.
Every year, 15 future leaders from all over the world are chosen to be part of this programme. And this year, Sakshi Choudhary from OgilvyOne, Mumbai, has made it as India’s sole representative.
Following a series of written submissions and a rigorous interview, Sakshi secured her place at See It Be It from among hundreds of entrants across the globe. The programme involves a series of specially curated sessions at Cannes Lions that include workshops, behind-the- scenes with jury members and one-to-one mentoring with leaders from the global advertising fraternity.
A delighted OgilvyOne Worldwide president Vikram Menon said: This is truly wonderful news. It is a proud moment for all of us at Ogilvy. Sakshi has been a stand-out performer ever since she became part of the Ogilvy family and this is just reward for years of commitment to her craft. Hopefully, this inspires many more women to push for leadership positions in the coming years.
Sakshi Choudhary is at present the creative supervisor at OgilvyOne Mumbai where she manages some of the agency’s iconic brands including Dove and Coca-Cola. A multiple award-winner, she has also been recognised among ‘India’s Top 30 under 30’ – a listing of the country’s 30 Most Promising Young Achievers in the Media and Advertising Industry under the age of 30. Outside her day job, Sakshi is the founder of The Seesaw Project – an initiative that seeks to simplify the complex issues of gender bias, using art.
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.
