MAM
Shaw Wallace ropes in Kannada actor to promote beer brand
BANGALORE: Shaw Wallace Breweries (SWB) has roped in popular Kannada actor Darshan as the new brand ambassador for the beer brand Knock Out.
In his role of a brand ambassador, Knock Out Star Darshan will be a part of the Knock Out promotion blitzkrieg, beginning with Darshan’s soon to be released Kannada movie, Shastry.
Darshan has acted in over 18 movies in macho roles that depict strength of character. His roles in movies like Karya, Ayya, Darshan, and Kalasipalyam have ensured a huge fan following, states an official release.
South, Shaw Wallace Breweries operations director Ashok Dhingra says, “Knock Out has been the favourite of Karnataka for over two decades now. The unique taste combined with consistent quality has been the cornerstone of its success. With this tie up with South India’s popular star Darshan, we hope to provide a rewarding experience to our consumers and bring them closer to the brand.”
Speaking on the occasion, Shaw Wallace Breweries marketing director Vinod Giri said, “Knock Out has defined strong segment in Karnataka for decades. It is an appreciation for those strong men who successfully stand up to everyday challenges without making any fuss about it. Darshan embodies the same values and therefore we consider this a perfect fit which will go a long way.”
Giri, while speaking with Indiantelevision.com, said that Orchard was handling the Ad-campaign, which will be mainly ground visibility based. Giri, however was tight-lipped about the ad budgets and the endorsement deal with Darshan and Malvika.
MAM
Beacon Group appoints Dr Rajesh Patel as Group CEO
36-year healthcare veteran to lead Beacon Diagnostics, Vector Biotek, Biogeny.
MUMBAI: A new chief, a fresh diagnosis and a sharper prescription for growth. Beacon Group has appointed Dr Rajesh Patel as its Group Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026, signalling a decisive push to scale its presence in the diagnostics and IVD space. Patel steps into the role with 36 years of experience across the healthcare and diagnostics industry, bringing a career shaped by leadership roles spanning sales, marketing, business development and operational strategy. His mandate is both expansive and precise: to steer the group’s overall strategic direction while tightening coordination across its three core entities Beacon Diagnostics, Vector Biotek and Biogeny Diagnostics.
In practical terms, that means driving cross-company synergies, accelerating market expansion and strengthening organisational capability areas increasingly critical as diagnostic players compete for scale in a fragmented yet rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem. The group is positioning itself to capture unmet demand across chain laboratories, key accounts and standalone labs, segments that remain underserved despite growing diagnostic needs.
The appointment comes at a time when the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) sector in India is entering a more competitive and innovation-led phase, with companies focusing not just on product pipelines but also on service delivery, integration and customer-centric models. Beacon’s leadership appears to be betting that Patel’s execution-focused approach can help translate ambition into operational momentum.
Welcoming the appointment, Chairman Dr D K Joshi described Patel’s induction as a strategic move aligned with the group’s long-term vision, emphasising the role of leadership depth in navigating the next phase of growth.
For Beacon Group, the message is clear, in a sector where precision matters, leadership is the new differentiator—and this appointment is intended to set the tone for what comes next.
