MAM
The stage is set for WPP’s ‘Date with Data’ – a day-long data summit
MUMBAI: Spearheaded by WPP India, alongside WPP’s Data Alliance, Date with Data is a day-long summit that showcases and discusses the impact of data. Catering to clients and partners of WPP, the event will take place on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at the ISDI–WPP School of Communication in Mumbai and will provide all attendees with a reference for understanding consumers, creating ROI for clients, and growing businesses within an evolving technological landscape.
The day will begin with curated masterclasses on Data Visualisation-To Drive Data Adoption And Data Driven Thinking; Building A Data Driven Organisation; Unlocking The True Potential Of Mobile Data; Data Privacy And Responsibility And Connecting Data (Data Integration) and Generating Targeted Insights (Data Analysis). These sessions will be conducted by experts from Google Cloud, InMobi, Kantar and Data Alliance.
The afternoon comprises four panel discussions, where speakers and panellists will discuss and evaluate the influences of data through topics such as Decoding The Consumer: Fundamentals to Future, which will address advancements in insights, research and analytics; Connected Commerce: Decoding The Last Mile, which will highlight how data and analytics are being leveraged to bridge the gaps in commerce; Audience Planning: A Journey Or A Destination, which will touch upon innovative approaches of using data and lastly, Data As a Source of Creative Expression, which will explore how data can be used to inspire creative content and communication planning.
Leading marketing professionals across industries will be participating as panellists and moderators. These include Vasuta Agarwal, Vice President and General Manager, South Asia, InMobi, Aditya Swamy, Head of Agency Partnerships, Google, Shubhranshu Singh, Global Head of Brand, Royal Enfield, Shuvadip Banerjee, Vice President of Marketing Services, ITC Limited, Siddarth Banerjee, Executive Vice President Brand and Marketing, Vodafone, Gaurav Jeet Singh, Head of Media- South Asia, Unilever and Rahul Gautam, Vice President of Marketing, FORD India.
Panellist for the ‘Data As A Source Of Creative Inspiration’ session, Shubhranshu Singh, Global Head of Brand, Royal Enfield says, “Data is at the centre of transforming generic functional benefits into solutions & brings them alive through creative plans as it helps integrate all facets to engage with the end-consumer. While product sale remains the end goal for most of brands, the role of data and the insight it brings in devising campaigns is integral for growth and sustainability. Everything to do with data must meet the highest level of adherence to law and consumer expectations and trust. I am really looking forward to discussing the creative influences in the data and technology space.”
Sunder Muthuraman, CEO (APAC), Global Chief Client Officer, Kantar, Analytics Practice, who will be moderating the panel that discusses ‘Audience Planning: A Journey or A Destination’, says, “We collectively journey in a world where data is enmeshed with content, media, brands and consumers. Date with data summit is a wonderful step along this journey; it is a step where we will interact with thought leaders and experts.”
The participants at this day-long summit will include brand custodians of some of the best brands in India, including Vodafone, Star India, Unilever, Google, InMobi, Zee TV, Godrej, PepsiCo, Marico Reliance Industries and Mondelez among others.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
