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Nielsen Q2 net income jumps to $103 mn
MUMBAI: Global research company Nielsen‘s net income for the second quarter increased to $103 million compared to $69 million in the second quarter of 2011, driven by an overall reduction in costs.
Revenues for the second quarter decreased 1 per cent to $1.38 billion compared to the second quarter of 2011. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter increased 1 per cent to $389 million.
“Nielsen delivered solid second quarter results that reflect the reliable growth and stability of our businesses. We continue to benefit from the value we create for our clients and their confidence in our unique ability to serve the media and consumer goods industries across the globe,” said Nielsen CEO David Calhoun.
Revenues for the first half of 2012 increased 1 per cent to $2.72 billion compared to the first half of 2011 while adjusted EBITDA for the first half increased 2 per cent to $721 million.
Net income for the first half of 2012 was $128 million compared to a net loss of $112 million for the first half of 2011. The 2011 first half results included charges of $206 million, net of tax, associated with the IPO.
As of June 30, 2012, cash balances were $283 million and gross debt was $6.56 billion, excluding the $288 million mandatory convertible subordinated bonds due 2013.
Net debt (gross debt less cash and cash equivalents) at the end of the quarter was $6.27 billion. Capital expenditures were $152 million for the first half of 2012 as compared to $142 million for the first half of 2011.
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Barista partners Ginny Weds Sunny 2 with mango campaign
Cafe chain blends cinema buzz with summer menu and 20 per cent offer.
MUMBAI: Love may brew slowly, but marketing clearly doesn’t especially when coffee meets cinema and mangoes steal the spotlight. Barista Coffee Company has partnered with the upcoming hindi film Ginny Weds Sunny 2 as its official beverage partner, in a move aimed at tapping into youth culture through entertainment-led engagement. The collaboration is not just a logo placement exercise. Instead, Barista is translating the film’s high-energy vibe into its cafés with a themed summer menu titled “Main Hoon Mango”, accompanied by a limited-period 20 per cent discount on combo offerings across outlets.
Actors Medha Shankr and Avinash Tiwary feature in the campaign, seen engaging with the mango-themed menu inside Barista cafés, a visual cue designed to blur the lines between reel and real-life consumption moments.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in how consumer brands are leveraging hindi film industry not just for visibility, but for immersive, on-ground engagement. By embedding the film’s narrative into its product experience, Barista is aiming to drive footfall, especially among younger audiences who increasingly seek experiential touchpoints over traditional advertising.
Barista Coffee Company CEO Rajat Agrawal described the partnership as both a branding and growth play, focused on expanding reach beyond the existing customer base and aligning with evolving consumer preferences.
The emphasis on a seasonal, flavour-led hook mango, one of India’s most culturally resonant ingredients adds a timely layer to the campaign, aligning with summer consumption trends while riding on the film’s promotional momentum.
For Barista, the move is part of a larger positioning shift. Rather than operating purely as a coffee retail chain, the brand is increasingly framing itself as a lifestyle destination, one that intersects with entertainment, conversation and shared experiences. By integrating cinema into its physical spaces, Barista is effectively turning cafés into micro-extensions of the film’s universe, where consumers do not just watch a story unfold but participate in it sip by sip.
The 20 per cent offer further nudges trial, lowering the barrier for consumers to engage with the themed menu while amplifying recall through a tangible incentive.
Brand-film collaborations are hardly new, but their execution is evolving. Where earlier partnerships relied on co-branded ads or product placements, the current playbook leans towards immersive storytelling and retail integration.
In that sense, Barista’s “Main Hoon Mango” push is less about promotion and more about participation inviting consumers to experience a slice of the film within a familiar, everyday setting. As the film industry continues to act as a cultural amplifier, such partnerships underline a growing truth, in today’s attention economy, it is not enough to be seen brands must be experienced.
And if that experience comes with a mango twist and a cinematic backdrop, all the better.
