MAM
IMG acquires Australian fashion firm
MUMBAI: Sports and lifestyle management and marketing firm IMG has signed an agreement to acquire Australian Fashion Innovators (AFI) and with it the fashion event, Mercedes Australian Fashion Week.
The acquisition also includes the management and production of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program in Australia and New Zealand, the Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Award programme which is currently held in six countries throughout Asia, the Singapore Fashion Festival and other fashion events around the Asia Pacific region that are in development, including events in India, China and Japan.
Australian Fashion Innovators former CEO Simon P. Lock will be the MD of the newly formed IMG Fashion Asia Pacific .
IMG currently owns and operates a number of the fashion events. These include Olympus Fashion Week (New York ), Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios (Los Angeles ), Fashion Fringe (London). In India IMG produces the Lakme India Fashion Week. It also owns and publishes the magazineThe Daily in New York.
IMG Fashion Asia Pacific will operate initially from four offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Hong Kong. The Sydney office will continue to share the offices of The Lock Group, which owned AFI. The Melbourne office will be based at IMG Australia’s corporate offices in St. Kilda Road, St. Kilda. All existing AFI staff will be involved in the new venture and the transition, and will join with IMG staff to work with current sponsors of the events and suppliers, maintain relationships with designers, retailers, the media and the Australian industry in general.
Lock says, “This new venture will benefit from the combination of the experience, expertise and networks of both IMG and my former AFI team. It is the best thing to happen to the Australian fashion industry since Mercedes Australian Fashion Week was first established in 1996. It means that our events and our industry will now benefit through the international alignment of an organisation that owns and has relationships with other international fashion weeks on the circuit. For Australian designers this will mean new opportunities for growth. For MAFW it means increased marketing influence globally.”
IMG Fashion Asia Pacific will provide focussed resources to grow the Asia Pacific fashion industry through a number of initiatives, while adding value to existing ventures and events. The new company will position itself as the most professional, creative and connected fashion event and fashion media content developer in the Asia Pacific.
Brands
Mana Projects names Ranbir Kapoor brand ambassador amid rebranding
Bengaluru developer unveils new identity focused on design and nature.
MUMBAI: When real estate meets reel star power, the foundation for a new brand story is often laid brick by brick. Mana Projects, the Bengaluru based real estate developer, has appointed actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador while unveiling a refreshed brand identity aimed at aligning the company with the evolving expectations of modern urban homebuyers.
The announcement marks a new phase for the developer, which has spent over two decades building residential communities in Bengaluru, particularly along emerging growth corridors such as Sarjapur Road.
The updated brand identity reflects the company’s emphasis on design led living and environmentally conscious development. According to the developer, the new positioning focuses on creating residential spaces where architecture, nature, engineering and lifestyle planning work together to shape meaningful living experiences.
Mana Projects chairman and managing director D. Kishore Reddy said the rebranding represents a natural progression as the company adapts to the expectations of a new generation of homeowners.
“This rebranding represents the natural evolution of Mana Projects as we align ourselves with the aspirations of a new generation of homeowners, particularly millennials who form the backbone of Bengaluru’s dynamic homebuyer community,” Reddy said.
He added that today’s buyers increasingly look beyond basic housing to spaces that combine design, sustainability and a strong sense of community.
“At Mana, our philosophy centres on creating homes where space is purposeful, design is intelligent, nature is respected and engineering ensures long term sustainability. Our association with Ranbir Kapoor reflects this new chapter as we continue to build communities that enable people to truly live brilliantly,” he said.
Kapoor, who has been associated with several lifestyle and consumer brands, said the partnership resonated with his own understanding of what makes a home meaningful.
“A home is one of the most meaningful investments people make in their lives, and it should reflect comfort, warmth and a sense of belonging,” Kapoor said.
“What impressed me about Mana Projects is the brilliance of their thought, the way design, nature and functionality come together to enhance everyday living. I’m delighted to be associated with Mana Projects as they continue to create homes that inspire modern urban families to truly live brilliantly.”
The collaboration will be introduced through a large scale integrated campaign spanning digital platforms, outdoor media and experiential activations, making it one of the developer’s most prominent branding initiatives in recent years.
Founded in Bengaluru, Mana Projects has built a portfolio of residential developments that emphasise thoughtful architecture, amenity rich neighbourhoods and environmentally sensitive planning. The company’s projects often integrate open spaces, green landscapes and energy efficient engineering to support sustainable urban living.
With Bengaluru continuing to attract young professionals and technology workers, the developer believes the city’s housing market is increasingly being shaped by buyers seeking well planned communities that balance functionality with quality of life.
Looking ahead, Mana Projects plans to expand its presence across the city by developing future ready residential projects designed to accommodate emerging lifestyle trends such as hybrid work culture, community driven living and multigenerational households.
By combining a refreshed brand identity with a high profile ambassador, the company hopes to strengthen its position in Bengaluru’s competitive real estate market while appealing to a new generation of homeowners seeking homes that blend design, nature and modern living.
