MAM
Happy mcgarrybowen appoints Choudhry as COO – advt, makes key changes
MUMBAI: Happy mcgarrybowen, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network, has announced key structural changes to further strategise its business approach and strengthen its top-line leadership. As part of this change, PM Praveen Das, Co-founder and MD, Happy mcgarrybowen, will spearhead growth of the specialised units for Design, B2B and Social Behaviour Change Projects (SBCP).
Das said, “The dream here is to use ‘design thinking’ to contribute something unique to design from India and create value for our clients. We also want to help B2B clients with solutions that fall between a digital and communication agency by leveraging technology and creating unique experiences with UI and UX, VR, AR, AI, Machine Learning, IOT (internet of things), etc. In SBCP too, we have been trying to use technology to solve communication challenges even as we patiently engage with continuous research and feedback to create and recreate communication for change. Yes, the process is slow but fulfilling and effective if done well. To accomplish this, we have put together a talented, top-of-line team of experts to deliver results.”
Meanwhile, Happy mcgarrybowen has roped in Samarjit Choudhry as chief operating officer (COO), Advertising. Armed with more than 20 years of experience, Samarjit’s mandate here will be to run and grow the agency’s advertising business across the country. Prior to this, Samarjit was with Ogilvy Bangalore where he held the position of chief growth office. He was also instrumental in setting up Orchard in Bangalore and Black Pencil for the Leo Burnett Group. In his new role, he will report to Kartik Iyer, co-founder and CEO – Happy mcgarrybowen.
Choudhry said, “Most agencies give lip service to integrated thinking. At Happy, it’s actually a way of life. This brings a unique perspective to the table and a very different understanding of the shopper of today. Also Kartik and Praveen are not just great people to work with, they are truly Happy people also. I quite look forward to our journey ahead of taking Happy mcgarrybowen to the Delhi and Mumbai markets.”
Iyer will continue to oversee the advertising discipline for Happy mcgarrybowen. On the developments, Iyer said, “We have always wanted Happy mcgarrybowen to be a hybrid agency with multiple capabilities. Between Praveen and me, we are very clear what we want for Happy mcgarrybowen in the future. So it just makes absolute sense to split forces and give the attention each discipline needs.”
“Samarjit comes with a rich experience of having built business units. His personality, in a lot of ways, echoes the values we believe in at Happy. We have entrusted him with the responsibility to running and growing the advertising business across the country. So we can concentrate on attracting the best talent and improving the creative product,” he added.
Brands
Prataap Snacks posts Rs 1.14 crore Q4 profit, EBITDA up 319 per cent
Yellow Diamond maker posts turnaround with Rs 1.14 crore profit, 10 per cent dividend proposed
NEW DELHI: Prataap Snacks Limited has staged a sharp turnaround in the fourth quarter of FY26, reporting a 319 per cent surge in operating EBITDA and a return to profitability after a challenging previous year.
The Indore-based company, known for brands such as Yellow Diamond and Avadh, posted income from operations of Rs 420.18 crore for Q4 FY26, marking a 5 per cent year-on-year rise. Operating EBITDA climbed to Rs 20.59 crore, while margins stood at 4.9 per cent.
Most notably, the company reported a profit after tax of Rs 1.14 crore for the quarter, reversing a loss of Rs 11.94 crore in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share improved to Rs 0.48 from a negative Rs 5.00 earlier, signalling a steady recovery in performance.
For the full financial year, consolidated income rose 1 per cent to Rs 1,724.65 crore. Annual operating EBITDA grew 68 per cent to Rs 81.81 crore, while the company posted a net profit of Rs 9.72 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 34.27 crore in FY25.
Reflecting this improved performance, the board has recommended a dividend of 10 per cent, equivalent to Rs 0.50 per share on a face value of Rs 5.
Prataap Snacks Limited managing director Amit Kumat said the recovery was driven by sharper execution and data-led decision-making, including the use of Sales Force Automation analytics. The company also expanded its distribution network to over 5,000 distributors and strengthened its presence on quick commerce platforms.
Looking ahead, the company expects double-digit revenue growth in FY27, though it remains cautious about inflationary pressures on key inputs such as packaging materials and edible oil. Management plans to offset these through tighter cost controls and calibrated pricing strategies.
With profitability back on track and operations stabilising, Prataap Snacks appears to be regaining its footing in an increasingly competitive packaged foods market.
