MAM
First global edition of EEMAX Awards ropes in 19 sponsors
MUMBAI: Indian event industry’s apex body – Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), which will be taking its annual awards global this year, has roped in as many as 19 sponsors.
Some of the brands that have come on board are Renault (Automobile partner), Colors (Conclave partner), Maharashtra Unlimited (State partner), CNBC TV18 (Official broadcast partner), Videocon (Support partner), Pepsi (Beverage partner) and Bacardi (Beverage partner) amongst others.
The EEMAX Global Awards are scheduled for 20 September, 2015 in Mumbai and will be preceded by the EEMAX Global Conclave on 19 and 20 September. The awards aims to identify, celebrate and honour the best events and experiential marketing projects from India and around the world.
EEMA received a huge number of entries for the EEMAX Global Awards. Agencies across India, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the US have send in their entries and registered for the event.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com EEMA president Sabbas Joseph said, “The number of entries has been over whelming. It is certainly beyond expectation. We will give away 30 awards and I am looking forward to the awards night.”
The three level selection process, involves taking the award entries through a screening jury, a global jury and peer voting by members of EEMA to choose the winners in 29 categories that span entertainment events, social events, sporting events, weddings, exhibitions, digital events, government events, education programs and CSR.
“Indian event companies, which run operations globally is what triggered us to take the awards global. For the first year, we will be honouring a chosen few international icons,” informed Joseph.
The EEMAX Global Awards are a clear sign of India’s event industry going global. Indian event companies are being retained by international clients and brands for development of activation programs as well as corporate events, mega public events and also sporting galas.
The event industry in India has grown exponentially over the last two decades with multiple entities operating in this space, in various segments and levels across 100+ cities in India. “Not long back companies used to spend only two per cent of their marketing budget in experiential marketing, but now they spend 15 to 20 per cent and that shows the progress of the sector,” added Joseph.
Adding entertainment to the awards night will be performers like All India Backchod (AIB), Shaan, Ustaad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shillong Choir.
“The positive side of the event sector will be discussed and portrayed throughout the conclave, and taking India international will be the theme this year,” Joseph summed up.
Interestingly, the international jury for EEMAX Awards includes the likes of Parineeti Chopra, Dia Mirza, Vikas Bahl, Vivek Oberoi, Prasoon Joshi, Neha Dhupia and 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.
