MAM
Mediaedge:cia rebrand sponsorship division
LONDON: WPP’s Mediaedge:cia (MEC) has created MEC:Sponsorship as the specialist sponsorship consulting division of MEC.
The global media communications specialist is looking to reinforce its commitment to providing clients with a holistic communications service. Building on the success of its UK operation, MEC claims to have accelerated the growth of the sponsorship business with the newly christened division.
Specialising in strategy, negotiation, management and activation across all forms of sponsorship, MEC:Sponsorship which was formerly known as Total Sponsorship will work in partnership with MEC to deliver insightful and innovative solutions for new and existing clients worldwide.
MEC:Sponsorship managing director Jeremy Clark said, “In the past two years, we have doubled the size of the team in the UK as a result of the changing media environment and increasing demands from clients for sponsorship expertise. We hope that this re-branding will help to stimulate additional interest among clients for an independent sponsorship consultancy service that is wholly focused on maximising the return on their sponsorship investment.”
MEC UK chairman Rob Norman added, “Our sponsorship division has clearly demonstrated its ability to add value to our clients. It is a live symbol of our group’s commitment to communications planning and implementation. The brand change from Total Sponsorship to MEC:Sponsorship will enable more MEC clients to take advantage of the services that are on offer.’
MEC:Sponsorship recently created Norwich Union’s Do the right thing campaign, using its sponsorship of UK Athletics as a platform to assess and address the decline in physical activity among children across the UK. The company also runs Visa’s Olympic leverage programme across Europe. In addition it has managed broadcast sponsorships for Sony Ericsson and Schwarzkopf.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
