MAM
Project Worldwide taps Rasheed Sait and Neha Lobo for top roles
MUMBAI: Project Worldwide is getting serious about India’s marketing boom. In a move designed to fire up its growth engines across South Asia, the company has appointed Rasheed Sait as chief growth officer, India/South Asia, and brought in Neha Lobo as managing director of GPJ India, its flagship experiential agency.
The double announcement signals a renewed focus on scale, strategy and storytelling in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets.
A name synonymous with George P. Johnson (GPJ) India, Sait now steps into a broader role across Project Worldwide’s South Asia operations. As chief growth officer, he will oversee new business development, M&A, and the expansion of a Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, while continuing to advise GPJ India and sit on its board.
“Rasheed’s ability to build high performance teams, his entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a unique ability to straddle strategy with creativity, has been instrumental in GPJ India establishing itself as a trusted advisor to a number of our global and local clients. His deep knowledge of the India/South Asia market makes him the ideal candidate to bring our vision to life,” said Project Worldwide CEO Chris Meyer.
Replacing Sait at the helm of GPJ India is seasoned marketing pro Neha Lobo, whose 25-year career spans leadership roles at IBM, including APAC stints in digital marketing and sales development. Known for building high-performing teams and client-centric growth models, Lobo is now tasked with scaling GPJ India’s offering and cementing its spot at the top of the experiential food chain.
“We are thrilled to welcome Neha Lobo to the GPJ India family,” said George P. Johnson CEO Fiona Burder. “Her transformational leadership, deep industry knowledge, and passion for creating engaging experiences make her the ideal person to lead GPJ India into its next phase of growth. We are confident that under her guidance, GPJ India will continue to push the boundaries of experiential marketing and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
Together, Sait and Lobo form a high-powered duo primed to steer Project Worldwide’s next wave in India. As the market heats up, the agency is betting big on local know-how and global ambition—with zero plans to play it safe.
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Brands
Funskool India crosses US$40 million turnover in FY 2025-26
Toy manufacturer posts steady growth despite global headwinds.
MUMBAI: Funskool India has played its cards well turning challenges into steady growth while keeping the fun alive in the toy business. The country’s leading toy manufacturer has reported a turnover of $40 million in FY 2025-26, demonstrating resilience in a difficult global environment. The company recorded an average growth of 14 per cent over the past two years, with exports growing at a healthy 19% year-on-year.
While domestic business grew at a modest single-digit pace, Funskool saw encouraging traction in key categories such as Fundough (dough) and Handycrafts (arts & crafts).
Funskool India Ltd. CEO K.A. Shabir said, “We successfully navigated the challenges posed by US tariffs last year and continued to grow both our export and domestic businesses. Given the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia, we are currently working with a moderate growth outlook of 12–15 per cent, with plans to revisit our targets after Q1 once the situation stabilises.”
He highlighted strengthened partnerships with global companies including Spin Master (Canada), Moose Toys (Australia), Melissa & Doug (USA), Asmodee (France), Learning Resources (USA), and Buffalo Games (USA). The expansion of the company’s Goa plant is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Funskool expects a significant shift in domestic growth momentum for FY 2026-27, driven by new categories such as friction vehicles under the brand “BlazeTrix”, remote-control cars under “VoltRush”, and the addition of popular licences like Paw Patrol.
In an industry where playtime never stops, Funskool has shown that even in turbulent times, a smart strategy and strong partnerships can keep the business ticking along nicely. As it gears up for the next financial year, the company appears well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and bring even more joy to children worldwide.
