MAM
Global net spend up, print down: Nielsen
MUMBAI: Advertising is on the rise around the globe and across nearly all media types, according to Nielsen‘s Global AdView Pulse report.
Gains in areas such as Internet (7.2 per cent), radio (6.6 per cent ) and TV (3.1 per cent ) offset the 1.3 per cent decline in magazine spending in the first half of 2012, leading overall ad investment to be up 2.7 per cent.
Internet advertising made a powerful surge in the emerging markets of the Middle East and Africa (30.3 per cent) and Latin America (20.6 per cent). Interestingly, despite being down in overall ad spend, Europe saw the third highest increase in Internet ad spend of any region (11.2 per cent ).
While television continues to hold the majority of advertising dollars globally (61 per cent), the medium saw the biggest increases in Middle East & Africa (30.1 per cent), Latin America (6.2 per cent) and North America (4 per cent). TV investments declined 2.2 per cent in Europe and grew nominally in Asia Pacific (1.4 per cent).
Magazine spending fell significantly in both Europe and North America, but magazines and newspapers both saw growth in other markets including Latin America, Asian Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.
Cinema experienced a noteworthy 40.2 per cent gain in the Asia Pacific market and a marginal gain in Europe of .4 per cent. This led to an increase of 5.9 per cent globally despite decreases in Latin America (-21.1 per cent) and the Middle East & Africa (-19.1 per cent).
Outdoor media ad spend grew during the first half of 2012, with the biggest gains in the Middle East & Africa (38.8 per cent) and the Asia Pacific (16.7 per cent).
Radio, which saw a global increase of 6.6 per cent, was also up in all regions measured.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
