MAM
Aegis Media appoints Alex Crowther to head General Motors’ biz
BENGALURU: Aegis-owned media agency, Carat — a media communications specialist and a player in digital and diversified media solutions, has appointed Alex Crowther, former CEO of MediaCom Asia Pacific as Global Client President, effective immediately.
Crowther, in this role, will be responsible for leading the General Motors business and continuing Carat’s track record of global success in managing the USD 300 crores global account.
“Alex is the perfect person to lead the continued momentum and growth of General Motors’ global business for us,” said Aegis Media Americas & EMEA CEO Nigel Morris. “He’s a rare talent who brings extensive global experience and a proven track record working with major global brands across categories, but specifically with automotive. He has the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to find innovative ways to drive GM’s business forward in today’s convergent media landscape.”
Crowther returns to Carat, where he once worked at Carat International, after a 19-year hiatus, and brings 26 years of global experience in the media industry. Prior to Carat, Alex was CEO Asia Pacific for the global media network MediaCom, part of WPP’s GroupM, sitting on the Asia Pacific board of GroupM and global board of MediaCom. During his first three years at MediaCom, Alex helped to double to size and scale of the business in Asia Pacific by winning multiple Proctor & Gamble country assignments, Coca-Cola in several territories and many other globally recognised brands.
Morris continued, “Steven has been part of the Carat GM leadership team since the onset of our relationship, helping to open Carat’s office and global hub for the GM partnership in Detroit. He led the successful transition of Carat’s GM business across more than 70 markets and will move on to do more great things for other global and U.S. clients across our network.”
Prior to MediaCom, Alex served as President/CEO Americas and Asia Pacific of integrated communications network Davinci, a part of Omnicom. Based in the US — much of it in Detroit, he was President/CEO Americas and Asia Pacific and as co-founder was instrumental in the company’s rapid growth from a standing start to a presence in more than 60 markets in seven years. During his time at Davinci, the agency managed the global media for Chrysler and Mercedes Benz as well as Mitsubishi Motors in North America.
“Automotive has always been a passion of mine and a cornerstone in my career, so it only makes sense that I return to Detroit, especially to work at a global-leading media agency that is consistently ranked as the number 1 network by RECMA. Carat is the only network that truly understands convergence and is redefining the value of media to create better business value. I can’t wait to get started,” said Crowther.
Crowther replaces Steven Feuling, who will be relocating to San Francisco and assuming a new role at Carat. During Feuling’s tenure as Global Client President for GM, Carat helped GM achieve significant gains from both a consumer and business perspective, including Interbrand naming Chevrolet as one the Top 100 Global Brands in 2013.
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.
