Brands
WhizCo partners with Blackberrys
Mumbai: In a remarkable stride towards innovation, WhizCo, India’s premier influencer marketing agency in India, continues to redefine possibilities by venturing into the realm of augmented reality. In collaboration with Blackberrys, a renowned menswear brand, WhizCo has introduced a fascinating AR filter named “Cheer for India” tailored for the Cricket World Cup, 2023.
The primary objective behind “Cheer For India” was to deeply resonate with the passionate Indian cricket fanbase, transforming their way of showing support for Team India. Concurrently, the collaboration aimed to establish a formidable brand identity for Blackberrys as the official clothing partner of this highly anticipated sporting event.
WhizCo’s proficient AR Development team dedicated itself to developing an immersive and interactive 4-in-1 AR filter. “Cheer For India” is not merely an Instagram AR filter, but an engaging game that celebrates India’s love for Cricket. The filter’s first frame lets users feel the cricketing spirit as they hold a bat and don a helmet. In the second frame, they raise a slogan-bearing placard for spirited selfies. Frame three transforms’ users into press conference stars, holding a trophy and delivering champion speeches into virtual microphones, while the fourth frame adds patriotic flair with the Indian tricolour on users’ faces, perfect for capturing patriotic selfies or sharing heartfelt messages for Team India. The 4-in-1 AR Filter enables users to have an on-field experience and showcase their enthusiasm in a fun and engaging way.
This creative initiative reflects Blackberrys and WhizCo’s dedication to delivering captivating and innovative augmented reality experiences that deeply resonate with the audience.
WhizCo CMO & co-founder Prerna Goel conveyed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “The collaboration with Blackberrys has been an exhilarating journey for us. Our team’s dedication and ingenuity ensured the seamless execution of this AR filter venture.” She further added, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Blackberrys, a renowned menswear brand, and take pride in contributing to their endeavour to extend their reach to a wider audience”
In the words of Blackberrys, “The ‘Cheer For India’ AR filter is a remarkable testament to our partnership with WhizCo and our collective commitment to redefining the way fans express their support for Team India in the digital landscape. Through this innovative filter, we’ve not only aimed to deeply resonate with the passionate Indian cricket fanbase but also to establish a powerful brand identity for Blackberrys as the official wardrobe partner of Star Sports Cricket Live for the much-anticipated Cricket season,” said Blackberrys VP – brand experience Rajesh Sethuraman.
As a frontrunner in the influencer marketing and creator management sphere, WhizCo boasts a vast network of over 100,000 content creators. spanning more than 15 categories and 12 languages. The agency’s foray into augmented reality opens new avenues for brands to enhance their engagement strategies. WhizCo’s entrance into this innovative space mirrors its commitment to fostering creativity and building meaningful connections between brands and their audiences.
In a digital landscape marked by constant evolution, WhizCo’s pioneering venture into augmented reality with The “Cheer For India” AR filter stands as a testament to WhizCo’s dedication tos innovation and its remarkable success in merging technology and emotion to craft a truly immersive experience.
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.
