MAM
Star media account poised to shift to Mindshare from TME
MUMBAI: Months after the loss of Star India’s media account to TME, Mindshare has managed to swing the entire Star Network account back into its coffers.
The account size is pegged at Rs 200 million if one takes card rate prices as the currency for calculation.
Although Star India officials, when contacted, declined comment, reliable sources have confirmed the development to Indiantelevision.com. Interestingly, the incumbent TME was appointed as Star India’s media agency only in September last year. When Mindshare had earlier lost the media account, Star India officials had stated the reason to be a mis-match of objectives between the two parties.
It is worth noting that the Star Network’s entire creative account, with the exception of Star One, is currently handled by O&M (also a WPP group company). The creative duties of Star One are with Lowe.
The next 90 days are crucial at Star as Star Plus’ most pivotal property for 2005 KBC II unleashes on 5 August.
Although, it is still unclear as to why the account has actually shifted hands, there is no gainsaying that Mindshare has managed to bag the account at a very strategic point, considering Star’s future plans.
While Mindshare and TME, were both tightlipped on the same when questioned, Indiantelevision.com has been given to believe that the transition process from TME to Mindshare is slated to take place over the next 15 days.
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.
