Brands
Ranveer Singh joins Crossbond as brand ambassador for India push
Engineered wood brand taps star power to boost reach and design appeal
MUMBAI: Crossbond has signed Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador, marking a key step in its efforts to expand visibility and strengthen its presence across the Indian market.
The engineered wood and decorative panel brand plans to roll out an integrated campaign featuring the actor, with a mix of print and visual media set to go live from early April. The campaign will spotlight its flagship products, including HDMR Max and Boiltough, with a focus on durability and reliability.
Backed by the Metro Group, Crossbond has built a portfolio spanning MDF, HDMR and particle boards, along with laminates, acrylic panels and flooring solutions. These products cater to a wide range of applications, from furniture manufacturing to interior design and architectural projects.
The company is positioning this association as more than just a celebrity endorsement. By bringing Singh on board, it aims to connect more deeply with architects, interior professionals, dealers and end consumers, while reinforcing its image as a modern, design-forward brand.
Speaking about the partnership, Ranveer Singh said he was drawn to the brand’s focus on strength and finish. “I’m excited to partner with Crossbond, a brand that stands for strength, reliability and modern design. Whether it’s furniture, interiors or modern spaces, strength and finish matter. That’s what Crossbond is all about.”
Crossbond managing director Ram Agarwal said, “This partnership with Ranveer Singh marks a proud milestone in Crossbond’s journey. His energy and individuality align strongly with our evolving brand vision. As we expand our presence across India, this collaboration reflects our commitment to inspiring a new era of design, craftsmanship and innovation.”
With new campaigns in the pipeline, the brand is betting on a blend of product strength and star appeal to stand out in a competitive category. If all goes to plan, Crossbond’s next phase of growth could be as bold and high-energy as its new ambassador.
Brands
UK’s OnlyFans seeks US investor at $3bn valuation after owner’s death
The adult video platform is seeking stability after the death of its billionaire owner
LONDON: OnlyFans is looking for a new partner. The London-based adult video platform is in advanced talks to sell a minority stake of less than 20 per cent to Architect Capital, a San Francisco-based investment firm, in a deal that would value the business at more than $3bn (£2.2bn).
The move is driven by an urgent need for stability. Leonid Radvinsky, the Ukrainian-American billionaire who owned OnlyFans, died of cancer last month at the age of 43, leaving the future of one of Britain’s most profitable privately held businesses suddenly uncertain.
The choice of Architect Capital is not arbitrary. The firm has deep expertise in financial services, which aligns neatly with OnlyFans’ ambitions to offer banking products to its creators, many of whom have long struggled to access basic financial services because of the nature of their work.
The numbers behind OnlyFans are, by any measure, staggering. The platform posted revenues of $1.4bn in the year to 30th November 2024, with a pre-tax profit of $684m, up four per cent on the prior year. Payments to creators totalled $7.2bn over the same period, a rise of nearly ten per cent. Radvinsky personally collected $701m in dividends from the business in 2024 alone, on top of more than $1bn in such payments he had already received. The platform, run through its parent company Felix International, hosts 4.6m creator accounts, with performers keeping 80 per cent of subscription proceeds and the platform pocketing the remaining 20 per cent. It has 377m fan accounts in total.
The current minority stake talks represent a notable scaling back of ambitions. In January, OnlyFans was reported to be in discussions with Architect about selling a majority stake of 60 per cent. Before that, the company had explored a sale to a consortium led by Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based investment firm. Neither deal materialised.
OnlyFans has built an enormously lucrative business on content that mainstream finance has long refused to touch. Now, with its owner gone and a $3bn valuation on the table, it is looking for the kind of respectable institutional backing that might finally persuade the banks to take its calls.
