MAM
Tonic Worldwide launches ‘Craft’
Mumbai: Tonic Worldwide – a digital-first creative agency, has announced the launch of ‘Craft’ – a community platform that recognises the relevance of craft, celebrates creative work and helps budding talent with the resources to succeed.
In an era marked by relentless technological advancements the creative industry finds itself increasingly detached from their craft. The leadership at Tonic Worldwide found the need for an industry-wide initiative – a first-of-it’s-kind platform that unites creatives from advertising, filmmaking, branding, product design, animation, visual FX, web design and other commercial creative mediums to share knowledge and collaborate to keep the crafts alive. The platform is anchored by three main pillars:
● Spotlight: This segment showcases case studies across advertising, branding, product design, filmmaking, animation, visual FX, web design and other creative mediums. The idea is to question creativity and its subsequent creations in turn creating knowledge hubs and pools for talent to upskill and excel.
● Stage: Get access to learn from the best in the industry through masterclasses, round tables and quick tutorials, which empower creatives with the resources to succeed. Experts dissect their craft for budding and professional creatives to absorb and adopt.
● Studio: The platform organizes workshops, designathons, writer retreats, filmmaking sessions, hackathons, and other events which serve as incubators for creativity, enabling participants to bring their ideas to life while providing brands and communities with fresh, innovative perspectives.
Speaking on this initiative, Tonic Worldwide founder & CEO Chetan Asher said, “The technological advancements have been rapidly changing the way we perceive craft. Here is a platform where craftswomen and men come together to focus on the basics, learn from each other’s process and collaborate with the ecosystem that includes advertising, marketing, communication and other commercial creative mediums”.
Head of Craft & chief curator Ashwin Dutt Ponamgi added, “A craftsperson lives for the process, and not just the outcome. If you notice, there are many innovative and groundbreaking pieces of work that go unnoticed. It has become increasingly important to create a community that shares the love for their craft, celebrates various art forms and sustains old techniques. We aim at lauding good work, engaging creatives in community events, and imparting knowledge through curated workshops”.
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.
