MAM
ZMCL launches Al-Driven PINEWZ Hyperlocal News app, Your PIN code, your stories
Mumbai: Brace yourself for a revolutionary transformation in the way you consume news with the imminent arrival of PINEWZ, the state-of-the-art AI-driven Hyperlocal News App! With an unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled accuracy and authenticity, this innovative app is poised to redefine our interaction with local news.
Through seamless integration of advanced AI technology, PINEWZ, by Zee Media Corporation Limited, will change the news consumption experience, promising citizens news precision and reliability that transcends conventional standards. It provides professional journalists with a platform to create online profiles and share impactful stories and videos, connecting directly with a local audience. This innovative Hyperlocal application is set to redefine our interaction with local news, promising unparalleled accuracy and authenticity tailored to your specific location using a unique PIN code delivery system.
PINEWZ employs a cutting-edge combination of blockchain technology, AI, and expert human moderation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to news delivery. This app also promises to take a proactive stance against misinformation, fake news, and deepfakes in the news sphere. Its content distribution model prioritizes speed and reliability, employing rigorous analysis of hyperlocal images, videos, and text to cross-reference facts. The Human Moderation Dashboard adds a final layer of verification, making PINEWZ the epitome of trustworthiness in hyperlocal news delivery, all precisely tailored as per your unique PIN code.
Emphasizing on the purpose-driven nature of the launch, Zee Media Corporation Limited spokesperson highlighted, “At PINEWZ, we seamlessly integrate cutting-edge AI with the art of human storytelling to craft a unique experience. Beyond being a mere app, we stand as your community’s storytellers, where diverse voices – ranging from everyday individuals to seasoned journalists. Picture a space where these local perspectives intertwine, offering a personalized narrative curated as per the users’ PIN code. We’re not just transforming how news is delivered, but look forward to elevating it into an art form. Join us on this journey, and together, let’s capture the authentic essence of your community as it unfolds in real time.”
In a world where information is abundant, PINEWZ stands as a beacon of accuracy, authenticity, and community-centric news delivery. Setting itself apart with an advanced AI-powered content verification system, it will cater to diverse stakeholders such as content creators, citizens, advertisers, local governments, and communities, the app provides a personalized news feed tailored to each user’s location and preferences.
Visit the PINEWZ site here– https://bit.ly/42ayo00
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
