MAM
Veena Gidwani is Madison PR’s new CEO
MUMBAI: Madison Communications chairman and managing director Sam Balsara has announced the elevation and appointment of Veena Gidwani as Chief Executive Officer of Madison Public Relations.
Gidwani has over 27 years of experience in marketing, advertising, media and public, had joined Madison PR three years ago, as Chief Operating Officer.
Speaking about her appointment Balsara says, “Ever since Veena joined us to lead Madison PR three years ago, as Chief Operating Officer, our customer delight levels have gone up tremendously, which in turn has led to clients assigning more businesses to Madison PR. In addition, an aggressive business development strategy has resulted in a spate of new client acquisitions.”
Prior to her appointment stint at Madison worked with Tata Infomedia’s creative agency, Design Shop India Limited as director and CEO. She has also worked at Prima Communications Ltd, the image management agency of Pressman Advertising, as the president, says a company release.
Besides the official duties, Gidwani is also the Western Indian coordinator of Public Relations Consultants Association of India and lectures regularly at colleges like Narsee Monjee and Xavier Institute of Communications and Symbiosis Institute of Communications Pune.
A part of the Rs 55 billion Madison Communications group, Madison PR has specialized units in creative, media, outdoor, rural and merchandising apart from public relations.
At present, Madison Public Relations’ clientele include Procter and Gamble (corporate and brands0, Sify, Café Coffee Day, Dr Batra’s Positive Health Clinics, ACC, JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Indo Nissin, and TBZ.
Reacting to her appointment Ms. Veena Gidwani said, “Our growth has been due to the efforts of the entire Madison PR team and we are fortunate to service clients across industries. My efforts will now be to grow the business further in newer industries with creative PR campaigns that deliver outstanding results.”
Amongst the clients serviced by Gidwani are Quantas Airways, Crompton Greaves, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Blue Star, Blue Star Infotech, J K Helene Curtis, Unichem Laboratories, Isibars, London Stock Exchange and Siemens.
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.
