MAM
FCB Kinnect appoints Neha Mishra as chief talent officer
Mumbai: FCB Kinnect has announced the appointment of Neha Mishra as chief talent officer, a role she will also assume for FCB/SIX India. She moves from erstwhile VMLY&R, where she was chief people officer for India.
In this pivotal role, Neha will spearhead the development and execution of the agency’s talent strategy, with a focus on pioneering skill-building and talent initiatives across FCB Kinnect’s offices in Mumbai, Delhi NCR & Bengaluru. Her work will strengthen the agency’s dedication to fostering a people-centric and value-driven culture.
Her appointment is a strategic move to bolster FCB Kinnect’s dedication to fostering a collaborative environment and advancing the best talent across its diverse agency portfolio.
With over 23 years of experience, Neha has worked with companies like VML & Glitch, IL&FS, Bombay Dyeing and Birla Sun Life Insurance, among others. She is also a Clinical Psychologist by education and a certified Life & Leadership Coach.
She also transformed performance management processes into robust, technology-driven programs, and created career development opportunities to support professional growth. In her previous roles, Neha focused on enhancing workforce diversity, elevating inclusion standards, and fostering an emotionally supportive work environment.
Speaking on the appointment, FCB Kinnect & FCB/SIX India CEO Rohan Mehta said, “Neha’s depth of understanding of new-age talent practices, along with her warm and approachable demeanor will be instrumental in building a culture that is empathetic, insightful, and well-rounded. I am confident that, under Neha’s leadership, Kinnect will continue to strengthen its position as the country’s leading integrated agency, delivering world-class capabilities to its clients.”
FCB Kinnect & FCB/SIX India chief talent officer Neha Mishra added, “I deeply believe that a progressive and inclusive culture that promotes meritocracy, innovation and boldness is the bedrock of a successful organisation. I look forward to working closely with Rohan, Chandni and all kinnectors to accelerate the agency’s growth journey, with people at the heart of it all!”
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.
