MAM
Yahoo! India launches ‘Mobile Mega Fest’
MUMBAI: Marking the 10th anniversary of it’s parent company, Yahoo! India today announced the Yahoo! Mobile Megafest, an offer for mobile users across the country. Staring 21 March , mobile consumers will get an opportunity of downloading select ringtones, wall papers, polyphonic tones, mobile games, logos and picture messages free of cost through the Yahoo! India shotcode 8243.
Yahoo has also tied up with all its cellular partners like Hutch, Orange in Mumbai, Airtel, Oasis Cellular, Escotel, Aircel, Spice and Dolphin in Mumbai for coming up with this never before mobile offer in the country. For entering into this world of free mobile content, all a consumer needs to do is: SMS the word ‘Free’ to 8243.
Yahoo! India Mobile head Vishal Maheshwari said, “Yahoo! India’s mobile content, whether its ringtones, wall papers or java games is becoming a craze among the mobile users. Yahoo being one of the first providers of Short code access content is keen to expand the market for content based services, both in terms of attracting non users as well as increasing the depth of consumption among existing subscribers. We feel the Yahoo! Mobile Megafest will accomplish a lot of good for the mobile community’s a whole in terms of expanding the market for mobile content.”
During the Yahoo! Mobile Megafest, consumers can download unlimited content from a chosen list; whether it’s ringtones from latest Bollywood tracks, or fast paced mobile games like Desert Rally or Banana split no download fee will be charged. Only standard operator charges for SMS to shortcode 8243 will apply during this Megafest.
Normal download costs vary (depending on the operator) from Rs. 7 – 10 for ringtones to Rs. 50 – 99 for mobile games. For wall papers the standard rate of download is Rs. 10, for polyphonic tones its Rs. 10 -15, while the rate for downloading a logo or a picture message could vary from Rs. 3 – 8. Consumers will be freed of these charges during the Yahoo! India Mobile MegaFest. The Yahoo! Mobile Megafest will be on from March 21st to March 31st 2005.
“I request all Yahoo! India mobile users to participate in the Mobile Megafest and make Yahoo!’s 10th Anniversary celebrations a huge success in India. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for mobile lovers.” concludes Maheshwari.
Brands
Honasa’s Varun Alagh targets next Rs 500 crore brands as profit doubles
Profit doubles as Mamaearth rebounds and new labels race to scale
MUMBAI: Honasa Consumer’s co-founder and chief executive officer Varun Alagh has set his sights on building the company’s next crop of Rs 500 crore brands, as the beauty and personal care firm delivered record revenue and nearly doubled its profit.
The Mamaearth parent reported revenue of Rs 602 crore, up 21.7 per cent year on year, with volume growth of 30 per cent. Ebitda rose to Rs 66 crore at a margin of 10.9 per cent, while profit after tax reached its highest-ever quarterly level.
“We have delivered our highest-ever quarterly revenue and almost doubled our PAT,” Alagh said. “The fundamentals we have rebuilt over the past few quarters are clearly delivering outcomes.”
With Mamaearth back to double-digit growth and The Derma Co sustaining strong momentum, Alagh believes the next wave of brands is ready to step up.
“It’s a race to become the next Rs 500 crore brand,” he said. “Reginald Men, Dr. Sheth’s, BBlunt, even Staze in colour cosmetics, each of them has the right to win in its category.”
Honasa’s portfolio of young brands grew more than 25 per cent during the quarter. The Derma Co, its science-led skincare label, has now achieved double-digit Ebitda margins and continues to gain share in sunscreen and actives-based skincare.
Mamaearth, once the company’s sole growth engine, has returned to the teens in year-on-year growth after a strategic reset.
“We focused on superior formulations, sharper communication and six core categories,” Alagh said. “We are seeing strong share gains, not just growth riding the market.”
Importantly, over 90 per cent of Mamaearth’s growth came from existing distributors and large retail partners, reflecting stronger consumer pull rather than mere expansion of reach.
From a channel perspective, e-commerce grew over 20 per cent, while general trade and modern trade delivered more than 25 per cent growth in secondary sales. Direct distribution now contributes nearly 80 per cent of revenue.
Honasa has also made a calculated entry into men’s skincare with the acquisition of Hyderabad-based Reginald Men. Alagh believes the category is at an inflection point.
“In the last two to three years, we’ve seen searches for ‘sunscreen for men’ and ‘face wash for men’ grow multi-fold,” he said. “Men want multi-benefit products without complicated regimes.”
Beyond category expansion, the acquisition strengthens Honasa’s footprint in South India and broadens its talent base.
The company reiterated its target of expanding Ebitda margins by around 100 basis points annually.
“Our endeavour is to unlock at least 100 basis points every year through a mix of A&P efficiency and overhead leverage,” said chief financial officer Raman Preet Sohi.
While advertising spends in absolute terms have risen, improved effectiveness has driven percentage efficiencies. Gross margins remained broadly stable, with guidance to maintain levels above 70 per cent.
With legacy FMCG giants sharpening their digital play and acquiring new-age brands, Alagh remained unfazed.
“Competition is not new to us,” he said. “We were born in categories where much larger players existed. The real value gets created when you focus on the consumer and where the consumer is moving.”
For Honasa, that focus now extends beyond one hero brand. As Alagh put it, the company is not content with a single success story. It wants a stable of them, each marching towards the Rs 500 crore mark.
