MAM
Photo finish for Cartoon Network’s brand promotion Toon Cricket
Cartoon Network’s brand popularisation drive Toon Cricket 2002 has scored some more brownie points for the channel this year.
If the network’s figures of over 30,000 spectators are an indication, the exercise is certainly reaping rich dividends – the audience has grown since the inaugural match in 1999, when the combined audience for the Mumbai and Delhi matches hovered around 24,000. According to an official release, the match held in Mumbai last Sunday ended in a tie, with the two teams Jerry’s Racers and Tom’s Chasers score 28 runs in 2.3 overs for the loss of two wickets each.
As part of the initiative, viewers were asked to help the toon captains and umpires regarding important decisions such as bowling order and the selection of the Toon of the Match. Promotional and marketing initiatives that the channel used to increase awareness about the event included an online contest where free passes were given to kids who correctly chose the captains. The channel had also roped in cricketers like Saurav Ganguly for hoardings across the city. The promo line used was ‘It’s a mad game, but someone’s got to play it’.
A Toon Cricket Mobile also did the rounds of city schools on the days preceding the match where one could catch a glimpse of the characters undergoing net practice..The event was presented by Pepsi and co-sponsored by Joyco (Solano), TI Cycles, Colgate, ACT II Popcorn, Cadbury Gems and Boost.
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.
