MAM
IAA announces its new Initiative ‘World Goes Digital’
MUMBAI: The International Association of Advertisers (India Chapter) has announced its series of webinars with the theme ‘World Goes Digital‘. Through this initiative the body hopes to connect professional marketers and agencies with trends, ideas, strategies and success stories from the digital frontier.
IAA India Chapter president Srinivasan K Swamy said, “With digital media gaining prominence, an increasing number of advertisers are reaching out to consumers via the internet and mobile platforms. However, there is still a fair deal of inertia when it comes to embracing the interactive world.”
Free Press Journal director Abhishek Karnani and Mahindra Special Services Group head – marketing and public relations Manish Advani will be co-chairing the IAA webinar series.
Speaking on the same Karnani said, “Our attempt is to build a platform where professionals can share knowledge and experience on the digital medium. The interface will allow a live interaction with each of the experts we will bring to the series.”
“We are using the Google Hangout platform for the interaction. And coincidentally, we have Google India managing director Mr. Rajan Anandan, in our inaugural session on Wednesday, 25 April at 3pm,” said Advani.
Anandan who heads Google in India has also been he was managing director of Microsoft‘s sales marketing and services business in India. He is currently also on the Advisory Board of Innovize Tech and 24/7 Techies.
In the last few months, the IAA India Chapter has conducted a series of activities like the IAA Leadership Awards, IAA Mentorship Webinar, a Gender Sensitization Seminar, and the IAA Olive Crown Awards apart from the monthly “IAA Debates” on topical issues concerning the industry.
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.
