MAM
Vandana Katoch launches creative agency ‘Clayground’
MUMBAI: Former DDB Mudra Delhi creative director Vandana Katoch has formally announced the launch of her creative agency – Clayground.
She had quit DDB Mudra in April to start her own venture, and had started the Delhi based agency a couple of months ago. The name, Clayground, Katoch said, is a toss-up between the words ‘clay‘ and ‘playground‘ – in other words, substance mixed with fun.
“After over 15 years in the industry I was still enjoying every bit of it. The idea of starting something of my own was brewing in my head for a while, but in i‘ll-do-it-one-day kind of way. Then an opportunity presented itself and I decided to take the plunge. The idea is to bring together like-minded people and create communication that is insightful and engaging,” Katoch told Indiantelevision.com.
She said that Clayground is a place where the process of creation is playful, while at the heart of it there is something solid. “For me, creativity begins with a truth or an insight and then one plays with it and enjoys the process. If either is missing, the work doesn‘t tick,” she added.
Katoch, who started alone, has a team of four people now.
Clayground is handling Jaypee Group as first client. Katoch has been working on the Jaypee account for six years now, over two agencies. “One fine day, I got a call from the client asking if I had thought ofturning entrepreneur. I felt honoured when Jaypee gave me the opportunity to start up by offering to be my first client. Clayground is on the roster of Jaypee Group‘s ad agencies. We look forward to doing projects across its different verticals,” Katoch said.
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.
