MAM
Vikram Gaikwad quits Creativeland Asia
MUMBAI: After six years in Creativeland Asia, Vikram Gaikwad has put down his papers as partner and executive creative director.
He has been with the agency since its inception in 2007. Gaikwad said, “I am very proud of what we have achieved at Creativeland in a very short time. With the coming of the New Year, I have decided to move on and make time for my other areas of interests. My heart and good wishes will always be with Creativeland and I hope they get every success they deserve.”
Commenting on the development, Creativeland Asia founder and creative chairman Sajan Raj Kurup said, “Vikram has been a great friend and an incredible support in my journey. Creativeland is thankful to him for all the support and service that he has extended. And I sincerely wish him the best for the new path that he has charted out for himself.”
Prior to Creativeland, Gaikwad had worked with Enterprise Nexus, Leo Burnett and Grey.
MAM
HUL appoints Pavan Bedi as CMO for Foods business
Veteran marketer with 22-plus years at Unilever takes charge of foods portfolio in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: HUL’s foods division just got a seasoned flavour boost because when it comes to seasoning success, Pavan Bedi knows exactly how to stir the pot. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has elevated long-time leader Pavan Bedi to chief marketing officer for its Foods business, the company confirmed on 23 February 2026. Bedi, who has spent over 22 years with the FMCG giant, shared the news himself on LinkedIn, writing: “I’m delighted to share that I will be stepping into a new role as CMO Foods, HUL”.
Before this Mumbai-based appointment, Bedi served as global brand vice president for more than four years. His career is dotted with high-impact global roles: he was global brand director for Pond’s (based in Singapore), driving innovation across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, led the high-profile rebranding of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely as global brand director; and spent six years shaping Lifebuoy’s “Purpose agenda” and “Social Mission”, forging public-private partnerships with the United Nations and other platforms.
Now overseeing HUL’s sprawling foods lineup from staples to snacks and everything in between Bedi steps into one of the company’s most dynamic verticals at a time when consumer tastes are evolving fast. His track record blending global scale, brand transformation, and purpose-led marketing makes him a natural fit for steering strategic growth and creative campaigns in the category.
In his LinkedIn post, Bedi underscored his enduring commitment to Unilever’s vision, framing the move as another chapter in a career built on long-term impact rather than quick wins.
For an organisation that thrives on trusted, household names, Bedi’s elevation is less a surprise and more a reminder, the best recipes for growth often come from ingredients that have been simmering for over two decades. Whether it’s rebranding icons or building purpose at scale, he’s now tasked with making sure HUL’s foods business stays as appetising tomorrow as it is today.
