MAM
AFAA brings back Fast Track Professional Excellence Program
MUMBAI: The Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA), of which Advertising Council of India (A Division of STACA Trust) is a member, had commissioned a unique initiative last year called Fast Track Professional Excellence Program. It is a 30-hour skills improvement certification program, held in Malaysia. In its second year, the program this year will be held between 11 and 13 July 2014.
Fast Track Professional Excellence Program was designed with an aim to support the up-and-coming-stars of the industry in their growth. The Program empowers young professionals (below 35 years) from the advertising and marketing fields with the necessary skills to excel in their respective professions. This year too, The Standing Committee on Advertising (STACA) will be defraying substantial part of the expenses to send 4-6 young professionals for this program. It’s an expression of STACA’s and ACI’s commitment to the industry in India.
Commenting on the initiative, AFAA chairman Pradeep Guha said, “Post a successful pilot event in 2013, this three-day intensive residential Fast Track programme is back to guide young professionals to re-connect with their passion for the industry, and develop resilience, empowerment and leadership that will anchor them as they face the challenges ahead. I hope young marketing and advertising professionals will grab this opportunity to put their careers on the fast track.”
Young professionals can apply for the Fast Track Program sponsorship by writing an article about the problems face by their industry and also the possible solutions for these problems. The article (not more than 75 words) along with their brief profile (age, valid passport number, jobs details, etc.) should be sent out before 3 June 2014.
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.
