MAM
Live Viacom18 takes engaged entertainment to an all-new-scale in India
MUMBAI: Launched in 2013 to enable the vision of OneViacom18, Integrated Network Solutions (INS) has grown at a swift pace. While the world toils to build ecosystems, Viacom18 takes the phenomenon to the next level by monetising its own ecosystem.
INS, in less than two years, has created close to 13 large format properties in the music and entertainment space. Moreover, it has engaged close to millions of fans across its 207 on-ground events.
Live Viacom18, the creator of a wide spectrum of multi-dimensional and impactful properties in the music and entertainment space all year, entered a new phase in 2014. The division, amplified brand experiences by leveraging the several strengths of the network while engaging more than 20 million individuals on the digital platform and a further 75 million on television.
INS SVP and business head Jaideep Singh believes that the future of entertainment is engaged entertainment. While in 2013, it built a strong foundation; in 2014 it spent scaling up its properties.
“Our focus has been to bring engaged entertainment to the people no matter where they are, where they are from and what their preference in genre is. Thus we are taking our properties to tier II markets, to clubs, to colleges amongst others. It’s exciting time of Viacom18 and we believe in 2015 live entertainment will grow at an even more rapid scale.”
What started as 16 on-ground events in 2013 has extended to 210 events in 2014. The much awaited, Vh1 Supersonic, which began as a year-end festival in its first year is now an IP which has increased its reach among consumers with 50 campus gigs and 50 club nights leading up to the main festival scheduled from 27 December to 30 December in Goa.
Property extension for MTV Bollyland has manifested into 12 city concerts from its origins in one gala night in Delhi, while MTV Live saw concerts with key Bollywood musicians in three different cities this year. EMERGE associated with international artists like Dismantle, Go Go Berlin and The Virginmarys on three-city tours leading to nine Dance Music extravaganzas. In total, INS brought to fore over 320 artists performing at various events.
To top it all, in December 2014, INS also helped global smartphone manufacturer, vivo, enter India. Commenting on the partnership of vivo and Viacom 18 Singh stated: “Viacom 18 is doing path-breaking work in the brand solutions space. vivo has a global partnership with Viacom and this is our first case study in terms of how INS can offer end-to-end brand launch solutions to a client.”
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.
