CMRSL

CMRSL reported a challenging FY25, with revenue declining by 14.09% to INR 75.03 crores, and Q4 FY25 revenue at INR 18.59 crores. EBITDA stood at INR 3.73 crores and PAT at INR 2.26 crores for the full year. Management expressed dissatisfaction with the performance, attributing margin contraction in Q4 (operating margin ~3.05% vs ~12% previously) to investments in manpower and technology that did not yield anticipated growth. In response, the Board is proactively implementing process changes, technology automations, and sales engine improvements, aiming to reverse the trend and restore growth in the current financial year.

The overall advertising industry grew by approximately 6% in the past year, with digital marketing spends increasing by about 15%. CMRSL experienced a reduction in client spending, particularly in international operations due to softness in ad rates and geopolitical uncertainty, with international revenue at INR 20.85 crores in FY25 compared to INR 28.76 crores in the previous year. However, the company noted an improvement in its programmatic business in India. Management highlighted key global trends including the transition to AI, the rise of connected TV (OTTs), and the growth of the app ecosystem, areas where CMRSL is actively picking up campaigns and strengthening partnerships.

CMGalaxy, the company's AI-leveraged marketing platform, is actively onboarding clients and receiving positive feedback, contributing to profitability. While specific revenue figures for CMGalaxy were not disclosed, management emphasized ongoing investment in AI technology to enhance the product's functionality, including customization and third-party integrations. The company believes CMGalaxy addresses a major industry problem of full attribution and data alignment, differentiating it from competitors who often focus only on click-through rates, and management is open to providing a demo to interested investors.

CMRSL has invested significantly in training, automation, and AI tools, leading to improved efficiency across operations, sales, and finance. This includes streamlining invoicing and project management through an in-house MIS platform and leveraging AI for campaign management and data analysis using tools like Canva and video creation. The company's partnerships remain strong, with Google providing a credit line in Singapore and Meta enhancing its partnership, both expected to drive further growth and opportunities in the current financial year.

The company announced a dividend of INR 2 per share for the year, subject to shareholder approval, aiming for consistency in shareholder returns. Management acknowledged the company's stock valuation as attractive and is exploring various options, including a potential buyback, citing historical instances where promoters exercised such options. A loan of INR 9 crores to the Parent Company, initially an advance for a building stake, is being paid back with interest, and the Chairman assured that the Parent Company's financial restructuring (including a rights issue up to INR 10 crore) would not impact CMRSL's cash flow.

CMRSL holds an 18.64% equity stake in Appacus Private Limited, a startup integrated with multiple buyer-side apps on ONDC, operating on a drop-shipping model. The TechBzar Team, associated with Appacus, has listed over 1,400 products on ONDC, marking good progress for the early-stage venture. The Managing Director clarified his limited involvement in Stage OTT, prioritizing CyberMedia's core businesses. Additionally, management committed to updating the investor section of their website with current FY25 reports and presentations, addressing a concern raised by an analyst regarding outdated information.