MAM
SET popularises its characters through interesting promos
MUMBAI: Whether its Jassi from Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin or Pooja from Yeh Meri Life Hai, Sony Entertainment Television is working on series of interesting programming and marketing initiatives for viewers to empathize with the main protagonists of its prime time shows.
Sony is currently running a ‘Jassi Hum Tum’ contest involving a interesting tussle between Jassi and Karan Kapoor, a role of cartoonist portrayed by Saif Ali Khan in the forthcoming movie Hum Tum.
In the promotional campaign for Yashraj Films’ Hum Tum, Karan, who is working with the Times of India in the movie, will have an argument with Jassi on May 27 during Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. Karan, who as in the movie is indifferent to her co-star Rani Mukherjee and other women, will be involved in a similar situation with Jassi.
Says SET senior vice-president marketing Albert Almeida, “It’s a three-way promotion between Sony, Yashraj Films and the Times of India. The plot of the movie or Saif’s character has been smartly woven with Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. Saif will be seen in a cameo, having similar differences with Jassi (as with Rani) soon.”
On the objective behind the new initiative and the recent one, where Jassi and her friend Nandu were shown on NDTV during the India Fashion Week (held in the Capital recently), Almeida said, “The whole idea is to make viewers relate with these characters, emphatise with them and also to bring in additional viewers by usage of other mediums.”
The interactive contest is about choosing an option for what is Jassi’s problem, according to Karan Kapoor. Viewers can either use SET’s four-digit SMS code or log onto SET’s web site for an opportunity to meet Saif Ali Khan.
Such contests soon will be extended to other characters from Sony. “Its not only Jassi. We have plans for others like Saaksshi and Pooja,” said Almeida.
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.
