MAM
McCann Erikson appoints Suraja Kishore as head planning
MUMBAI: There’s some change at top at the McCann Erikson office. The agency has roped in Suraja Kishore from Publicis Ambience for its Mumbai office as the head planning.
Suraja comes with over 17 year of experience and has worked on Idea Cellular – What an Idea, and the iconic Tata Tea – Jaago Re campaigns. On his new role, he said, “McCann Erickson is known for its creative force and it has brands that enjoy scale and size. I think it is the right place for strategic planning to make a real difference. I look forward to creating transformational brand stories that are based on powerful human truths.”
He is a postgraduate from Tata Institue of Social Science and began his career as a copywriter at the then Chaitra Leo Burnett. He began is planning stint in Mudra Delhi. He has worked on diverse categories and brands such as Croma, Ginger Hotels, Lakme, Axa Insurance, Citibank, Park Avenue Men grooming products, World Gold Council, Renault Duster, Henko Detergent, Tata Automotive, Hershey’s Milk Mix, Electrolux, Yamaha Motorcycles, Ariel Detergent and Suzlon, among others.
McCann Erikson president Govind Pandey said, “Suraja will gainfully enhance ME’s strategic planning prowess. He is a seasoned professional and has an interesting and rich way of seeing life and people. His contribution will enhance relevance for our brands by adding depth and nuance to our solutions.”
McCann Erickson Mumbai senior VP and GM Namrata Nandan added, “McCann Mumbai’s team is strengthened with Suraja’s addition, and we look forward to working together and creating great work for our brands.”
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
