Brands
Royal Stag is now ‘India’s most valuable brand’
MUMBAI: Royal Stag, the leading whisky brand from Pernod Ricard India has been chosen as ‘India’s Most Valuable Brand’ in the liquor category in an in-depth ranking of Indian brands. The ranking was undertaken by one of Asia’s leading brand rating companies, World Consulting & Research Corporation (WCRC) in association with KPMG.
Royal Stag has been awarded “The 100 most valuable brands of the year” in the country in terms of innovation, aspiration and admiration from a shortlist of nearly 750 brands. The WCRC ranking is the largest multi-platform ‘brand trust’ and ‘loyalty benchmark’ project involving the most prestigious brands in the Indian market.
Royal Stag, by virtue of its unique value propositions and attributes was adjudged as the leading brand, having successfully reinforced a profound and meaningful connect with its customers. In line with the brand philosophy of “It’s your life, Make it Large”, Royal Stag, reaches out to consumers who believe in looking beyond materialistic success, and for whom it is important to earn stature, dignity and respect.
Speaking about the award, Raja Banerji Assistant Vice President Pernod Ricard India said, “The award is a testament of the hard work that has gone into making Royal Stag – an iconic brand. I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed in taking this brand to exhilarating heights. This was an outcome of a rigorous ranking exercise and we are pleased to be recognised as one of the best brands in the country. We are confident that Royal Stag will continue to power ahead with the same passion and commitment”
Created in 1995, Seagram’s Royal Stag and Royal Stag Barrel Select (more recently in 2011) are the flagship brands of Pernod Ricard India. A delectable blend of Indian spirits and imported Scottish malt, Royal Stag set an industry benchmark by becoming the first liquor brand in India without artificial flavouring. With this award, Pernod Ricard intends to continue to its strategy of building strong premium brands.
Brands
Rohini Laya Venkateswaran named executive director at Gillette India
P&G veteran with two decades of experience steps into leadership role
NEW DELHI: Rohini Laya Venkateswaran has been appointed executive director at Gillette India Pvt. Ltd., bringing with her more than two decades of experience across sales, strategy and brand leadership within the consumer goods sector. In her new role, she will help steer the company’s strategic direction and growth while strengthening its footprint in the grooming and personal care category.
Venkateswaran joins the board after a long career at Procter & Gamble, where she spent nearly 21 years shaping sales strategy, building brands and driving market expansion across India and international markets.
Most recently, she served as chief sales officer for India at P&G. Prior to that, she was vice president and country manager for east gulf markets, overseeing operations in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar while also guiding sales strategy across the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she led sales strategy and planning for India while serving as marketing leader for brands such as Olay and Old Spice. During this stint, she focused on reshaping go-to-market channels and building awareness through digital, social and influencer-led campaigns to drive growth.
Her journey at P&G also included roles such as director sales strategy and planning leader India, associate director modern retail and ecommerce, regional manager for Delhi and Rajasthan, and several key account and trade marketing roles across the country. She also spent time in the United States working on the P&G Walmart international team, collaborating on global retail initiatives.
Venkateswaran holds an MBA in marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering.
With her mix of sales acumen, brand-building experience and global exposure, Venkateswaran’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on growth and market leadership for Gillette India.








