MAM
Top marketer Somasree Bose Awasthi steps down from Marico amid shifting FMCG landscape
MUMBAI: Somasree Bose Awasthi has stepped down as chief marketing officer at Marico Ltd, ending a nearly three-year stint at the helm of the company’s marketing function. The news was confirmed today by individuals familiar with the development.
Somasree joined Marico in late 2022 after a distinguished 15-year career at Godrej Consumer Products, where she rose through the ranks and contributed significantly to brands such as Godrej Aer, HIT, Cinthol and Godrej No.1. At Marico, she focused on strengthening marketing capabilities, mentoring teams, and championing innovation across a wide portfolio.
During her tenure, she was credited with bringing sharper consumer insight to the table and driving impactful brand work that resonated in an increasingly competitive FMCG landscape. Her approach combined strategic vision with deep empathy for the consumer—qualities that earned her recognition across the industry.
Her departure comes at a time when Marico, like much of the sector, is navigating a complex retail environment shaped by evolving customer preferences and the convergence of digital and offline channels. The next marketing leader will inherit a strong brand foundation—and the challenge of building on it in a dynamic market.
Somasree’s next move has not yet been announced, but industry observers and executive search firms will be watching closely.
MAM
Times of India launches SFI Expo for sports, fitness and infrastructure
New exhibition to bring together stakeholders across India’s growing sports ecosystem in July 2026.
MUMBAI: The Times of India is stepping onto the field with a brand-new playbook this time, not with ink and paper, but with a full-scale exhibition that promises to score big for India’s sports industry. The Times of India has announced its entry into the exhibitions business with the launch of The Times of India Sports, Fitness and Infrastructure (SFI) Expo. Set to be held in July 2026 in New Delhi, the expo aims to create an integrated platform that connects the entire value chain of sports, fitness, technology and infrastructure.
Powered by 187 years of credibility across print, digital and experiential media, TOI is positioning the SFI Expo as a major collaborative hub for sports enterprises, infrastructure companies, government bodies, fitness and wellness firms, athletes, innovators and communities.
The exhibition will cover everything from planning and building world-class sports facilities to enabling advanced training environments and performance solutions, with a strong focus on innovation in training, recovery and technology.
Speaking on the initiative, Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) president for eesponse & brand capital Surinder Chawla said, “India is entering a dynamic new era. Both traditional and new sports are growing exponentially. Government initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India are nurturing young athletes and steadily strengthening India’s imprint on the world sporting arena. This exhibition aims to unite stakeholders across the sports value chain and help accelerate India’s journey towards a robust, world-class sporting ecosystem.”
Designed as an annual platform, the TOI SFI Expo will facilitate dialogue, partnerships, knowledge exchange and investment opportunities, supporting the development of a more inclusive and future-ready sporting landscape in India.
From match reports to match-making for the entire sports ecosystem, The Times of India is now extending its legacy of influence from the newsroom straight into the arena. With the SFI Expo, TOI isn’t just covering the game, it’s helping build the stadium, the training tech, and the future of Indian sports.
