Brands
Rage Coffee onboards Virat Kohli as brand ambassador & investor
Mumbai: Rage Coffee, a Delhi-based FMCG company that manufactures, markets, and distributes packaged coffee products has onboarded cricketer Virat Kohli as an investor and brand ambassador. With this association, the coffee brand said it seeks to entrench itself as a fan favourite in the market and create a pathway for customer acquisition.
“I’ve been using Rage Coffee products for some time, and I am excited to be a part of its growth journey. The team at Rage Coffee has shown high levels of business execution and stupendous growth over the last couple of years,” commented Virat Kohli. “Rage Coffee has developed some trailblazing products that conform with my innovative approach and align with my lifestyle. I see tremendous potential for the brand to become one of the most iconic coffee companies of our time.”
Previously, the digitally native coffee company had raised five million dollars of growth capital as part of its series-A funding round led by Sixth Sense Ventures in August 2021.
The brand is planning to expand its online presence and offline footprint pan-India and will utilise the fresh capital for marketing and distribution purposes, according to the statement. “Rage Coffee will use the funds to scale production, launch innovative new products and add senior management talent,” it added.
“Virat Kohli has set some unrivalled records in the top echelon of world cricket and is rightly known as the best batsman in the world,” said Rage Coffee founder and CEO Bharat Sethi, about roping in Virat Kohli as a brand ambassador and investor. “Apart from being a world-class athlete, Virat is also a fitness enthusiast who is committed to an attitude that fosters a healthy lifestyle and it seamlessly aligns with the ethos that Rage Coffee promotes. Our association with him sets us on a journey where we envision perfection through our constant efforts directed at being the best in our segment. Rage Coffee and Virat both share a mutual objective – to strive for excellence!”
Brands
Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer
Marketing veteran to lead brand, digital push and global expansion plans
CALIFORNIA: Chipotle Mexican Grill has appointed Fernando Machado as its chief brand officer, effective 1 June, as the company sharpens its focus on brand building and digital-led growth.
The move comes shortly after Chipotle Mexican Grill chief executive officer Scott Boatwright took charge, signalling a renewed push to strengthen the brand’s global positioning and accelerate international expansion.
Most recently, Machado served as operating partner at Garnett Station Partners, where he supported portfolio brands on marketing and growth strategies. Prior to that, he was chief marketing officer at Activision Blizzard, leading campaigns for major gaming franchises.
He has also held senior roles at Restaurant Brands International, working across brands such as Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, and spent over a decade at Unilever in global brand development roles.
In addition to his corporate experience, Machado is associated with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as dean of the Brand Marketers Academy, mentoring emerging marketing leaders.
At Chipotle, he will oversee brand strategy, creative direction and digital engagement, aligning marketing efforts with the company’s evolving consumer base and technology-led ambitions.
The appointment highlights Chipotle’s intent to blend strong brand storytelling with digital innovation as it looks to scale its presence in an increasingly competitive global market.
