MAM
SMG Convonix appoints Surajendu Sinha as VP & business head
MUMBAI: SMG Convonix has appointed Surajendu Sinha as vice president and business head (west & south).
Sinha will be responsible for overseeing all key client relationships and will lead the media team in these regions.
SMG Convonix CEO Vishal Sampat said, “SMG Convonix has always focused on providing real-time and meaningful digital solutions. We have always believed in staying ahead of the curve and Surajendu’s addition to the media team will allow us to do that by embracing changes in media and mobile faster. We’re focused on attracting reputed and experienced hands to lead our media teams and further bolster our offering. Surajendu fits the bill perfectly, and we’re glad to have him on board.”
SMG Convonix COO Sarfaraz Khimani added, “Media consumption trends clearly indicate the increasing skew to digital and mobile. Surajendu’s addition to the leadership team at SMG Convonix is a reflection of the evolution of the medium and its consumption, and to ensure that our solutions to clients are always impactful and leading-edge.”
Sinha has over a decade of experience in digital media planning and buying in companies like Neo@Ogilvy and Mindshare (Group M). In his last role at Mindshare, Sinha was senior director – digital media buying for Mindshare (west). He was responsible for growing digital revenues, rate benchmarking and driving annual strategic partnerships. He has handled clients like Kellogg’s, ICICI Bank, Idea Cellular, Ultratech, Birla White, Videocon d2h, HDFC Bank, Diageo, Tata Motors among others.
Sinha said, “The decision to join SMG Convonix was easy based on the great work done by the team on digital including SEM, SEO, SMM, Display, ORM and analytics for its various clients. It will be great to be working with a passionate bunch of people with a focus on strengthening the paid media and mobility functions armed with award winning, innovative media offerings and the addition of new revenue streams and benchmarking ensuring better value to be passed on to clients.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
