Quick exit

Given that his short-lived branded sugar business contributed just 1 per cent of the company’s total turnover of Rs 930 crore, the tycoon may not be too perturbed while making his exit from the area. But the move would surely raise a question mark over his ability to help Balrampur expand outside his core area — bulk sugar. To make their point, critics would also be making references to the failed foray he made into the IMFL sector two years back. But as they say, entrepreneurship is also about recognising failures early enough. On this count, Vivek scores high.

Entertaining move

Just out of the long drawn ‘parting game’ from his brother, exhausted he must be, but Anil Ambani is in no mood for retrospection. It’s surely time for ‘Camera Lights and Action’. Nobody had any inkling that he would literally be moving towards ‘camera’ and lights so soon. As his first ‘grab’ the tycoon will be buying 51 per cent stake in Adlabs Films, the popular entertainment content developer and multiplex company promoted by Manmohan Shetty and Vasanji Mamania. While a sum of Rs 100 crore will be paid to buy out Mamania’s stake, Rs 260 crore is to be invested in the company through a preferential share issue. Those in the know, however, insist that bits of this deal, preceded the peace formula.

The deal marks the tycoon’s heightened foray into the fast growing entertainment sector. He also has plans to make an open offer for a further 20 per cent of Adlabs through one of his subsidiaries, Reliance Land Pvt Ltd. For the time being however, it appears, the tycoon is in no mood to upset the management committee consisting of Manmohan Shetty and his daughter Pooja. But he would of course like to induct more members on Adlabs board.

While Shettys get the moolah required for expansion, the tycoon is perhaps looking at the wider issue of business synergy between entertainment content and telecom. Providing entertainment and news over broadband and to mobiles is on the rise abroad, even though it is yet to pick up in a big way in India. Having a content provider in the kitty will only help Reliance Infocomm differentiate its service better from its competitors.

Coffee express

C. Sivasankaran is trying to redefine the ‘experience of coffee drinking’ in India. He will be unveiling two new formats — top end coffee lounges and highway bars, to expose customers to new experiences. This will be his first major business revamp of Barista.

The tycoon will be setting up his first top-end lounge in New Delhi’s South Extension covering an area of 3,000 sq ft. It will serve a range of specialty coffee along with continental food and desserts. He is likely to launch at least 4-5 lounge bars in the other metros during the year.

Sivasankaran has tied up with Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL) to set up his chain of ‘Barista Coffee on the go’ bars on major national highways. The outlets will serve low-priced coffee along with convenience food menu like sandwiches.

Starting from Delhi-Chandigarh highway, the tycoon will be eyeing other popular highways in the country. Seems the tycoon is eager to experiment with new formats to expand his top line.

dilipcherian@hotmail.com