Brands
When no-show gym goers star in a fitness ad
MUMBAI: What if your unused gym membership finally did some heavy lifting? That’s exactly the cheeky idea behind SW Network and Anytime Fitness India’s new campaign, a clever take on the universal truth that many people pay for gyms they rarely visit.
The campaign’s heart lies in a playful ad film that swaps guilt for good humour. It shines a light on the relatable cycle of enthusiasm, excuses, and self-awareness, proving that everyone deserves a fresh start, no matter how many workouts they’ve skipped.
Once the film struck a chord, the message spilled onto billboards across major cities, each carrying a witty reminder of India’s most common fitness confession, the ghost gym-goer.
“We wanted to approach a very real human truth with warmth and wit,” said Sociowash co-founder Raghav Bagai. “This campaign is about saying we understand you, and we’re rooting for you.”
Echoing that sentiment, Anytime Fitness India CEO Vikas Jain added, “At Anytime Fitness, we’re more than a gym. We know life gets in the way, and we want to help people find their way back, with positivity, not pressure.”
The creative spark came from Sociowash creative director Vaibhav Mukim who said, “The truth itself was creative enough. We didn’t need to exaggerate it.”
With its mix of storytelling, humour and heart, the campaign fits right into Anytime Fitness’s be fit fest initiative, proving that fitness doesn’t have to be perfect, just personal.
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
