MAM
After a 7 year hiatus, Coca-Cola to sponsor Academy Awards on ABC
MUMBAI: After a seven-year absence from the red carpet, The Coca-Cola Company is back in the spotlight as the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage sponsor of the Academy Awards telecast on ABC.
Beginning in March 2006, seven commercials featuring Diet Coke and other Coca-Cola brands will air during the biggest entertainment program on television. The annual broadcast of the Academy Awards reaches an average audience of 42 million people, second only to the Super Bowl in total viewership.
“Our brands, especially Diet Coke, have been synonymous with entertainment and style for decades, so our association with the Academy Awards telecast makes perfect sense,” said Coca-Cola North America senior vice president, Coca-Cola Brands Katie Bayne.
“Today, more than ever, people are passionate about the world of film. By refreshing movie goers in theaters across the country, featuring celebrities in advertising, and participating in the Academy Awards telecast, we offer people multiple ways to enjoy the entertainment lifestyle,” she added.
The sponsorship of the Oscars telecast adds another component to the roster of high-visibility entertainment and sports properties that Coca-Cola will activate in 2006, including the Olympic Winter Games, the World Cup, American Idol, NCAA, NBA, NASCAR, and NHRA.
Brands
Nestlé India posts 14.9 per cent sales growth, profit rises in FY26
FMCG major sweetens returns with dividend as strong domestic demand leads
NEW DELHI: Nestlé India has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, with sales and profits rising steadily on the back of robust domestic demand.
The company posted total income of Rs 231,949.5 million for FY26, up from Rs 202,645.5 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 14.9 per cent. Domestic sales remained the key driver, increasing 14.6 per cent to Rs 221,187.0 million, while exports contributed Rs 9,527.6 million to the overall tally.
The final quarter of the financial year added extra momentum, with total sales rising 23.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. This helped lift the company’s annual profit to Rs 35,446.0 million, up from Rs 33,145.0 million in FY25.
Shareholders are set to benefit as the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share. This comes on top of the interim dividend of Rs 7.00 per share paid in February 2026. The record date for the final dividend has been fixed as 10 July 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 3 July 2026. If approved, the payout will begin from 30 July 2026.
During the year, the company’s paid-up equity share capital doubled to Rs 1,928.3 million following a 1:1 bonus share issue, strengthening its capital base. The results were also supported by a Rs 1,207.8 million credit from exceptional items, including a Rs 2,023.2 million writeback from resolved income tax litigation, partially offset by restructuring costs and expenses related to new labour codes.
On the cost front, material costs rose to 44.8 per cent of sales for the full year, compared to 43.6 per cent in the previous year, reflecting ongoing input cost pressures. Despite this, the company maintained solid profitability, with EBITDA coming in at Rs 53,060.6 million.
Overall, Nestlé India’s performance underscores its ability to balance growth and margins in a challenging environment. With steady demand, disciplined cost management and consistent shareholder returns, the company appears well placed to carry its momentum into the next financial year.
