Brands
Škoda drives emotion with Heartbreak campaign
MUMBAI: They say love hurts, and Škoda Auto India is proving it with Heartbreak, a tongue-in-cheek campaign celebrating the coveted Škoda Octavia RS, created in collaboration with BBH India.
The limited-edition Octavia RS, launched as part of Škoda’s 25-year anniversary in India, sold out in a blistering 20 minutes, leaving enthusiasts heartbroken, and inspired.
At the centre of the campaign is a high-octane brand film that channels the car’s rally-bred spirit, turning FOMO into full-blown automotive passion. But the heartbreak doesn’t stop there.
Fans can head to an interactive microsite, octavia heartbreak.skoda-auto.co.in, to explore the playful ‘Non-owner’s manual’, a witty guide for those who didn’t manage to grab one of the 100 cars.
Adding to the fun, Škoda also launched ‘Driver’s Seat’, a special body perfume inspired by the RS’s thrill, letting fans “smell the drive” even without the keys.
Škoda Auto India brand director Ashish Gupta said, “The ‘Heartbreak’ campaign celebrates not just those who own the Octavia RS, but also the countless fans who’ve kept its spirit alive. True performance isn’t just felt on the road, it stays with you.”
BBH India chief creative officer Parikshit Bhattaccharya added, “When you’ve got 100 cars and a million fans, you create a coping mechanism for heartbreak. Every element of this campaign was crafted to make the experience unforgettable.”
From film to fragrance, microsite to memes, Škoda’s Heartbreak proves that even when love for a car goes unrequited, the passion can still go full throttle.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
