MAM
Rediffusion-Y&R gets Kamlesh Pandey and Bugs Bhargava Krishna in advisory role
Mumbai: Rediffusion-Y&R has announced that the agency‘s ex-creative people Kamlesh Pandey and Bugs Bhargava Krishna will be working closely with the agency‘s creative leadership team as creative counsels in an advisory role.
Krishna will work closely with Rediffusion-Y&R president India and Sri Lanka D Rajappa as creative advisor.
Pandey will also work closely with Rajappa and the creative leadership team in the agency as a creative consultant.
Rajappa said, “Bugs and Kamlesh are exceptionally creative professionals and the young talent at Rediffusion will benefit greatly from this engagement. Through their wide-ranging experiences and exposure across films, television, theater and advertising, they have developed a flair for identifying great ideas and creating timeless works of communication, because they deeply understand the pulse of the Indian consumer.”
Krishna said, “Rediffusion is undergoing a breathtaking transformation with lots of exciting things happening in there, and I am happy to be part of this great agency that has created some of the most iconic brands in this country.”
“Rediffusion is more like a family to me. Which is why even after I left Rediffusion, I continued to maintain a close relationship with the agency. This is a personal involvement for me, not just a professional commitment, unlike what other consultants do,” Pandey added.
Pandey, a mass media veteran, has over 30 years of diverse experience in advertising, television, and films. He has written more than 45 Bollywood films till date, including Chaalbaaz, Tezaab, Rang De Basanti, and Delhi-6.
Krishna had worked on campaigns such as the Give Me Red campaign for Eveready Batteries; Thums Up‘s Taste the Thunder; Kingfisher‘s King of Good Times; Kerala Tourism‘s God‘s Own Country; and India Tourism‘s Discover India Discover Yourself in his earlier stint with Rediffusion-Y&R.
After Rediffusion, Krishna moved on to work with JWT and then finally with Saatchi & Saatchi as their national creative director. Then he shifted his focus to films, television, and theatre. He has played different roles in movies like Taare Zameen Par, Kaminey, Dum Maro Dum, and Delhi Belly.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
