Brands
Budweiser Experiences x VH1 Supersonic back for another edition of music fiesta
MUMBAI: VH1 Supersonic presented by Budweiser Experiences will witness the latter’s very own stage-Budxawakening-for the first time ever. Music enthusiasts will be in for stellar performances headlined by techno maestro – Paul Ritch, with subsequent high-energy acts by Bart Skills, Layton Giordani, Ash Roy, Tuhin Mehta, Browncoat, Sequel, BLOT!, KOHRA, Arjun Vagale, Colin Benders and Gaiser. For an unmatched festival experience, select guests will also get exclusive access to the Budweiser Viewing Stage – providing for a panoramic view of the musical madness.
In addition, there will be an exclusive Budweiser Brew District with tons of engaging experiences for people to feel more energised and integrated into the festival vibe. Barber shops, tattoo parlours, immersive photobooths and a chance to purchase merchandise from Budweiser’s limited edition Street wear collection.
As a precursor to the festival, Budweiser will be rolling out special packs, allowing one and all to live and feel the VH1 Supersonic vibe, irrespective of where they are. The pack consists of a special scratch card with a unique code, which on being sent to the registered number, leads to an array of assured rewards. Few lucky winners will also get a chance to win passes to the main festival, uniting the Budweiser tribe for a one of its kind experience.
Commenting on the association, AB InBev vice president marketing – South Asia Kartikeya Sharma said, “Over the years, music has evolved to be a passion point that is vehemently shaping culture in India. Identifying the same, at Budweiser, we have ensured that we resonate and bond with our brew lovers through this very point – enabling them to live and witness world class music experiences. With VH1 Supersonic, we have ventured to enthral fans with an all-encompassing Budweiser escapade – bringing them fresher and newer avenues to enjoy their music. We are excited to grow this partnership with immersive experiences such as the BUDXAWAKENING stage and the Budweiser Brew District. This year especially, our patrons are in for a treat with the VH1 special pack rollout, an activation we expect to be spreading the energy of the festival – to all enthusiasts beyond just the festivalgoers.”
The special packs will be available in stores near you, while the music aficionados can grab their festival passes on BookMyShow.com
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
