MAM
Kinnect launches CX practice, appoints Bharatesh Salian to lead
Mumbai: Digital media company Kinnect on Wednesday announced the launch of its customer experience (CX) practice. The agency has named Bharatesh Salian as senior vice president – marketing science and CX, who will be heading this new division.
The CX practice will provide meaningful brand interactions throughout the consumer journey. It unites nearly 100 of Kinnect’s creative, media, and technology talent pools across locations.
“Kinnect CX will provide e-commerce and order management solutions, CRM, loyalty and first party data management programs, platform consulting and implementation services, ML, AI & data led solutions, omnichannel consumer experience journeys and web 3.0 solutions. The offering will help partner with clients towards their digital transformation journey and fuel their customer-centric ambition,” said the agency in a statement. “Deployment of a complete state-of-the-art usability testing lab is in the works and will be operational by 2023,” it added.
“Kinnect has strong partnerships with brands across experience design, CRM, and data delivery, but what we realised is it could be more effective together—with the client, at new business, in sharing best practices and unlocking new doors,” commented Kinnect CEO Rohan Mehta. “According to today’s new reality, people are accustomed to online experiences and expect them to translate as smoothly and effectively as they would in person. Through the KinnectCX network, we’ll be able to more efficiently and smoothly put together a bespoke team for each opportunity, with expertise in strategy, design, analytics, technology and content.”
Saliana is a seasoned professional with more than 22 years of experience in the digital media and customer experience space. His past stints have been with large networks such as Publicis Groupe, Omnicom Media Group, and IPG.
“Times have changed, and marketing online has hit a revolution,” remarked Bharatesh Salian. “It’s no longer about the one-sided conversation but rather about building relationships and having conversations with our consumers in a hyperconnected world. It’s also about pushing the boundaries to understand your consumer better and make communication plans carved out of customer journeys.”
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
