MAM
Chalo signs DViO Digital as its digital agency
New Delhi: The popular public transport technology company, Chalo, has appointed DViO Digital as the digital (creative) agency.
The mandate puts DViO in charge of the brand’s digital & social media management. The primary focus of the campaigns across all platforms will be to generate awareness among bus users and operators as well as increase app downloads.
DViO will be involved in developing a digital-first brand & creative campaigns, enhancing Chalo’s reputation as a reliable brand in the mobility space. In addition, the agency will also be responsible for creating campaign strategy, ideating for co-branded activations, and performance campaign management i.e., deploying digital media for the effective distribution of the content to build TOM, preference and divert traffic to the website.
Founded by Vinayak Bhavnani, Mohit Dubey, Priya Singh Dubey, and Dhruv Chopra in 2014, Chalo offers real-time bus tracking as well as digital payments in buses through the Chalo App and the Chalo Card. It has a presence in 40 cities across 13 Indian states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and others.
Speaking of the association, DViO Digital founder & CEO Sowmya Iyer said, “At DViO Digital, we lead brands through digital transformation and assist businesses in their growth journeys. A lot goes behind establishing a brand online and creating active conversations. With our unique creative strategy, media campaigns and content creation at play, we are sure to establish Chalo as a tech-forward, customer-focused brand in the market.”
Adding to it, Chalo’s CMO Dhruv Chopra, said, “We are delighted to onboard DViO Digital as our digital partner. Chalo is in the phase where the company is rapidly growing its footprint in the country. In DViO we saw the right team with a fantastic blend of speed and execution and strategic understanding that can help us reach our ambitious goals. We are glad to partner with them and look forward to an exciting journey together.”
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.
