MAM
ACKO launches ‘ACKtually Speaking’ featuring R Madhavan
Mumbai: ACKO, an insurtech company, has launched a podcast series, ‘ACKtually Speaking with Maddy’, hosted by their brand ambassador, R Madhavan. The podcast series aims to address challenges and questions that individuals face in their financial lives that often remain unanswered. The series will have honest and upfront conversations with prominent guests and experts across industries who will navigate socially relevant topics that may also have a financial impact, such as untimely illness or death, stress, parenting, etc with R Madhavan. The podcast series is designed to be thought-provoking, while offering actionable insights, making it a reliable and authentic knowledge base.
Through this innovative platform, ACKO is committed to driving positive change for all. The podcast series aims to cover topics that are most relevant and not covered or comprehensively addressed across many other sources and also offer actionable insights to the listeners that can be easily understood and implemented. This is aligned to the company’s overall strategy of making financial decisions convenient, transparent, and accessible to all Indians.
The first episode of the series tackles the disconnect between the way life insurance is sold and what the product is meant for. Host R Madhavan dives deep with Varun Dua, challenging the perception of insurance as a tax-saving scheme that can provide returns. Instead, it positions insurance as a crucial tool for securing one’s future. The episode goes beyond product features and addresses the social stigma around death and the troubles that families go through when a loved one passes away without a will. It offers a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of life insurance.
Varun Dua, sharing his thoughts on the podcast series, said, “Acktually Speaking tackles the complexities and grey areas that all of us face in our financial lives. Our goal is to break the taboo or social stigma around these conversations and help listeners understand the impact that their financial choices can have on their lives.” R Madhavan echoed the same sentiments and said, “A lot of us refrain from asking questions because we feel we might be judged or we might offend those close to us, so we hesitate. We also end up feeling lost or unsure in terms of whom to ask or trust with such advice. But what if we could unpack these questions together, in a way that’s authentic and honest? That’s the spirit behind Acktually Speaking. We’re starting with life insurance, a topic that sparks confusion for many but this is just the first chapter. Acktually Speaking aims to be your guide, fostering conversations around the questions we’ve all grappled with but never quite dared to ask.”
The first episode also addresses various other critical themes of life insurance, shedding light on significant disparities between Western and Indian perspectives on death planning, common mistakes Indians make while purchasing insurance, the importance of refraining from seeking investment returns on insurance, and practical advice on estimating life insurance needs. Additionally, the episode highlights the potential financial vulnerabilities faced by Indians in their 30s due to inadequate planning.
Each episode promises to offer valuable insights and actionable advice, delivered in an engaging and accessible format. The series will be available for viewing on ACKO’s YouTube channel.
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.
