American Pistachios Growers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

American Pistachios Growers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 13, 2024

American Pistachios Growers (APG) has named Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s top cricket players, as the brand ambassador for California-grown pistachios for the 2024-25 season. The announcement was made by APG’s India office, highlighting Bumrah’s association with the brand as a move to promote the nutritional benefits of pistachios among Indian consumers.

Garth Thorburn, the Minister Counselor for Agriculture at the US Embassy in India, expressed excitement about this partnership, stating, "Jasprit Bumrah's unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, makes him the ideal ambassador for American Pistachios Growers (APG).” He further mentioned that the collaboration is significant due to the number of Indian-origin pistachio growers in California, strengthening ties between the two nations. Thorburn added, “This partnership promotes a shared vision of health and wellness for people everywhere.”

image

Bumrah, who is exclusively represented by RISE Worldwide, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration. “I’m delighted to partner with American Pistachio Growers. For an athlete, nutrition plays a huge role in performance, and I find pistachios to be a perfect snack. They are packed with protein and healthy fats, offering me sustained energy throughout the day. American pistachios are my go-to because they provide the nutrients I need to stay at my best,” said Bumrah.

Diet specialist and celebrity nutritionist Dr. Siddhant Bhargava also spoke about the health benefits of pistachios, particularly for athletes. “American pistachios are a powerful ally for athletes. They're rich in antioxidants that protect healthy cells from free radical damage and provide complete protein essential for muscle regeneration and repair. They also offer beneficial fats, fiber, and crucial nutrients that support peak performance and overall health,” he explained.

Sumit Saran, the Indian representative of APG, expressed pride in associating with Bumrah, acknowledging his remarkable achievements that have inspired many. Saran pointed out that India is a growing market for American pistachios, and although India does not produce pistachios, awareness of their health benefits is driving demand. “With Jasprit Bumrah, we are looking to take the information about American pistachio nutrition and health to health-conscious consumers across the country,” Saran added.

American pistachios are available on major e-commerce platforms and with leading dry fruit retailers across India. Consumers can find them by searching for "California pistachios," with several brands offering them in the country.


Black Rock Hotels & Resorts Promotes Narendra Saini as Operations Manager

Black Rock Hotels & Resorts Promotes Narendra Saini as Operations Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 17, 2026

Black Rock Hotels & Resorts has promoted Narendra Saini to the position of Operations Manager, recognising his contribution to the company and his successful tenure as Director – Food & Beverage at Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur.

As part of his new responsibilities, Saini will lead operations at Pushkara Resort & Spa, Pushkar, one of the flagship properties in the group's expanding hospitality portfolio. He will oversee overall resort operations, guest experience, team leadership, financial performance, operational excellence and the implementation of the company's service standards across the property.

image

The promotion reflects Black Rock Hotels & Resorts' continued focus on recognising internal talent and creating leadership opportunities for high-performing professionals. During his journey with the organisation, Saini has consistently demonstrated strong operational expertise, leadership skills and a guest-first approach, making him well suited for this expanded role.

Commenting on the appointment, Anshul Bhargava, Founder & Chairman of Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, said:

"At Black Rock, we firmly believe that leadership is built through dedication, performance, and the ability to inspire teams. Narendra's journey within the organization is a reflection of our people-first culture and our commitment to nurturing talent from within. We are confident that his experience and passion for hospitality will further strengthen Pushkara Resort & Spa and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of the group."

Black Rock Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen leadership across its portfolio by investing in talent development. The company remains focused on building a hospitality platform driven by operational excellence, exceptional guest experiences and long-term career growth for its people.


Reliance Consumer Products Appoints Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand

Reliance Consumer Products Appoints Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 16, 2026

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has announced the appointment of Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand, further strengthening its presence in the hospitality and food service segment.

An alumnus of Amrapali Institute of Hotel Management, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Deepak brings more than a decade of experience across hospitality operations and HORECA business development.

He began his career in 2014 as a bartender at The Westin Pune before joining JW Marriott Bengaluru as a Bar Executive. In 2017, he moved to Jaipur Marriott, followed by a role as Assistant Bar Manager at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru in 2018.

In 2021, Deepak took up an international assignment with Le Méridien Dubai as Bar Incharge. Returning to India in 2023, he joined Royal Orchid Hotels as Multi Outlet Manager, where he oversaw multiple food and beverage operations.

Before joining RCPL, he served as Business Development Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand at Himmaleh Spirits, focusing on strengthening business relationships within the hospitality sector.

With his extensive experience across premium hotels and the beverage industry, Deepak is expected to play a key role in expanding RCPL's HORECA business in Uttarakhand.


Mercedes-Benz India Announces Key Leadership Changes Across Sales & Marketing

Mercedes-Benz India Announces Key Leadership Changes Across Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on July 15, 2026

Mercedes-Benz India has announced a series of strategic leadership changes within its Sales & Marketing function, reinforcing the company's focus on enhancing customer experiences through real-time data, artificial intelligence, and integrated retail finance solutions. The organizational changes will come into effect from September 1, 2026.

As part of the new appointments, Nandita Godbole, currently General Manager – Digital Customer Unit, has been appointed Head of Marketing, succeeding Amrit Baid. Amrit Baid will take over as General Manager – Retail Finance & Pre-Owned Cars, while Jamsheed Bhadha, currently General Manager – Product Planning & Sales Planning, will transition to a new role within Mercedes-Benz in Dubai. Sanjay Kochar, presently General Manager – TEV & BEV Sales, will succeed Bhadha as General Manager – Product Planning & Sales Planning.

Commenting on the organizational changes, Brendon Sissing, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "Our people remain the driving force behind Mercedes-Benz's customer centricity and sustained success. These organizational changes reinforce our commitment to creating exceptional customer experiences using real-time data strategies, AI deployment, and integrated business capabilities, while building future-ready leaders by offering broader cross-functional exposure to our talents."

Nandita Godbole has held several leadership positions across Marketing, Retail Sales, and the Digital Customer Unit at Mercedes-Benz India. In her new role, she will focus on leveraging artificial intelligence, real-time data, and predictive insights to create more personalized and seamless customer experiences across every stage of the ownership journey.

Amrit Baid, who has successfully led Marketing and Customer Experience initiatives, including campaigns such as Dreams Day, Wish Box, and G-Tribe, will now lead the Retail Finance & Pre-Owned Cars business. Mercedes-Benz India said the appointment aligns with its strategy of integrating retail finance more closely into the customer journey. The company's retail finance portfolio has grown to over ₹15,000 crore and currently supports more than 50 percent of the vehicles retailed through financing programmes such as Star Agility.

The leadership changes reflect Mercedes-Benz India's continued emphasis on nurturing internal talent, strengthening cross-functional leadership, and accelerating innovation-led growth while delivering a more connected and customer-centric luxury automotive experience

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.