MAM
Xavi Bech de Careda joins DDB Mudra Delhi as VP
MUMBAI: DDB Mudra Delhi has appointed Xavi Bech de Careda as DDB Mudra Delhi vice president planning.
Careda will report to DDB Mudra Group Delhi President Vandana Das and DDB Mudra, Delhi and Mumbai senior VP planning Aditya Kanthy.
De Careda started his career as a food technology researcher in the R&D team of Unilever Research. He then joined BDDH and has also worked with BBH and McCann Healthcare in London. He moved to Barcelona in 1997 and worked with BBDO Tiempo, Rapp Collins and DDB Barcelona as a brand and communication strategist.
He has over 15 years of work experience de Careda has handled world-class brands such as Audi, Bayer, Fujitsu Italy, Marcilla Coffe, Natura Bisse, Panasonic and Volkswagen to name a few.
De Careda said, “After spending some months travelling in India the thought of a professional challenge here seduced me, and following DDB Mudra Group‘s call, things have moved at a fast pace. As it is with brands and business here; I am convinced that a very fruitful relationship awaits me in India.”
DDB Mudra Group group CEO and managing director Madhukar Kamath said, “Delhi is the growth market for the DDB Mudra Group. We have a large presence already. Our offerings in advertising, media, digital, CRM, experiential, shopper marketing, retail and strategic branding enable us to work with a varied client portfolio. Xavi, with his rich and diverse experience will add to the unique base of talent that we have in the DDB Mudra Group in Delhi today.”
Das said, “We are very thrilled about Xavi joining us. We are looking forward to huge amounts of learning that he would bring to the table and his contribution towards nurturing and building brands for DDB Mudra in Delhi.”
Kanthy added, “We‘re thrilled that Xavi will work with us. He‘s an experienced DDB hand, knows the culture well and has an intuitive understanding of how we work. Xavi‘s widely traveled and has a deep appreciation of the arts. He‘ll add a unique flavour to the conversations we have at the agency and with our clients. He‘s the quintessential DDB man – talented and nice! The right guy to lead our team of bright young planners in Delhi.”
In addition to having worked with agencies, de Careda also gives lectures at business and design schools in Barcelona like the ESSERP Business School, Instuito Europeo di Design and Universitat Blanquerna and has been a presenter for a bi-monthly radio show on advertising on Barcelona‘s leading radio channel ‘Catalan‘.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
