MAM
Pearson India ropes in Vicky Kaushal as brand ambassador
Mumbai: British multinational education company Pearson on Monday announced Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal as its new brand ambassador. With this, the London-headquartered learning company aims to step up its India efforts and accelerate its growth plans as the global digital powerhouse of learning.
India is a strategic growth market for Pearson, focused on driving transformational change and digital innovation. Kaushal as the brand ambassador will help the company in building a strong relationship with youth and strengthen its direct-to-consumer proposition, said the company in a statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vicky Kaushal as our brand ambassador. His recent achievements and contributions towards the entertainment industry have made him one of the most popular youth icons in the country. He is an inspiration for the youth of the country, motivating them to dream big, chart their own journey and strive for the best,” said Pearson India and Asia MD Siddharth Banerjee. “Today, the Indian Education system is at the cusp of a digital transformation, and we are certain that this partnership will help us create a strong, meaningful connect with learners, thereby forming a highly vibrant education ecosystem in the country.”
Kaushal will feature in Pearson India’s upcoming campaign and activations in strengthening Pearson’s connect with the learners. An engineer himself, Vicky has appeared in several acclaimed films like “Masaan,” “Uri,” “Sardar Udham” among others.
“Today’s youth are innovators, builders, creators, and leaders of the future. They are the hope of a brighter tomorrow and education is the key to unlock their true potential and empower them to rise and shine. I am happy and excited to be a part of Pearson’s mission to promote quality education and connect with young minds,” said Kaushal on the brand association.
Pearson’s collaboration with Kaushal is a testament to the company’s commitment to continuously evolving with changing times as it enters a new era of direct to customer, it said. The company would also be working along with other influencers and personalities in the education ecosystem to strengthen its digital proposition in the region.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
