MAM
Teen Bandar wins big at Shorty Impact Awards
MUMBAI: When purpose meets powerful storytelling, the world takes notice. Teen Bandar, the integrated marketing agency known for blending strategy, creativity and data-driven craft, has clinched top honours at the 10th Shorty Impact Awards, becoming the only Indian agency to be recognised this year.
The agency struck gold for its work on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, earning nominations in six major categories, including brand voice, government and politics, social justice and audio and music. Teen Bandar walked away with a win in brand voice and secured the audience honour in government and politics, marking a standout moment on the global stage.
Hosted at The Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on 18 November, the Shorty Impact Awards celebrate the world’s most purpose-led digital work. Entries are judged by The Real Time Academy, a panel of global industry leaders who assess clarity of idea, execution, innovation and real-world impact across platforms.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra itself was a massive undertaking. Spanning 6,700 km over 67 days from Manipur to Mumbai, the 2024 movement aimed to amplify issues of social and economic justice while engaging citizens across India. Teen Bandar shaped how the journey was documented and understood, building a unified brand identity through real-time content, daily updates and a distinct, people-first voice.
Co-founders Savio Joseph and Prashant Chari called the win a milestone for the decade-old agency, noting that the Yatra tested their team’s storytelling rigour across scale and geography. They said the global recognition reinforces their belief in work that informs, inspires and connects diverse audiences.
The award strengthens Teen Bandar’s position as a creative force capable of bringing clarity, emotion and purpose to complex narratives, opening new avenues for partnerships with brands seeking meaningful, story-driven communication.
Brands
Jubilant Foodworks to end Dunkin’ franchise in India
Pizza chain operator will not renew agreement when it expires at end of 2026.
MUMBAI: When the doughnuts stop turning and the coffee goes cold, even a global giant like Dunkin’ can find the Indian market a tough brew to crack. Jubilant Foodworks has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’ when the pact expires on 31 December 2026, according to a Reuters report. The operator, best known for running Domino’s outlets in India, said it would evaluate options for its existing Dunkin’ stores, including a potential sale or transfer of franchise rights, in consultation with the US-based brand.
The decision follows years of underperformance in a market where local tastes and intense competition have made it difficult for international coffee-and-doughnut formats to gain traction. Jubilant, which has increasingly focused on its core pizza business and newer bets like Popeyes, indicated that the exit would not materially affect its financial or operational position.
Dunkin’ accounted for just 0.61 per cent of Jubilant’s revenue in the fiscal year ending 2025 and recorded a loss of approximately Rs 191 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company operated 27 outlets as of December 2025, having shuttered seven stores over the preceding year.
The retreat comes even as Jubilant’s broader business shows signs of momentum. The company reported a 65 per cent rise in quarterly profit for the October to December period, reaching Rs 70.9 crore, up from Rs 42.91 crore a year earlier.
For Jubilant, the exit reflects a sharpening strategic focus. For Dunkin’, it marks another setback in a market that has proven resistant to imported café concepts without significant localisation.
In the cut-throat world of Indian quick-service restaurants, sometimes the sweetest deals are the ones you quietly walk away from leaving more room for the brands that truly rise to the occasion.
