MAM
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi hires Reliance Jio’s Meraj Hasan as VP – planning
MUMBAI: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has named Meraj Hasan as vice president – planning.
He joins the agency from Reliance Industries, where he was working on the company’s 4G service – Jio and will be based out of Mumbai.
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi CEO and managing partner Anil S Nair said, “Meraj’s appointment is part of a significant ramp up in our strategic planning division. Our sincere attempt is to make each and every brand at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi a Lovemark and hence give it the highest possible strategic input.Meraj comes as a leader who will drive this agenda across as many brands in the Mumbai office.”
Hasan added, “An opportunity to strategically steer some of the best global as well local brands in the country is what pulled me towards L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, when I wanted to do my ‘Gharwapsi’ of sorts to advertising. A few meetings with Anil and the gang and exposure to the rocking work that they are doing confirmed that this is perfect place to do so. We found our fit in each other.”
“Today’s consumer isn’t just buying a brand, she is buying into cohesive and compelling storyline around the brand, irrespective of the platforms and Lovemarks is a fantastic way of doing so. The idea is to build an enthusiastic team of bright minds and tell such stories for our brand. I’m really looking forward to this gig,” he added.
In his career spanning more than 15 years, Hasan has worked across agencies like Lowe Worldwide, Y&R, Ogilvy, TBWA and McCann.
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.
