MAM
Publicis Capital bags HPL’s creative biz
MUMBAI: Publicis Capital, a division of Publicis Communications, has won the creative duties of HPL Electric and Power following a multi-agency pitch that took place in Delhi.
Publicis Capital‘s responsibility will be to take care of the corporate brand as well as packaging design and creative communications for HPL‘s range of products.
The brand‘s spends on above and below-the-line activities are in the range of Rs 150-180 million.
Publicis Capital CEO Hemant Misra said, “The phenomenal growth of HPL is a harbinger of the brand value waiting to be unlocked. I look forward to this opportunity of partnering with the brand owners to take the brand to its rightful place in the consumer space.”
HPL joint managing director Gautam Seth said, “We have been aggressively introducing various products and innovations in the market. This made it imperative for us to associate with an agency which understands and connects with our diversified target group. We are excited to partner with Publicis Capital and look forward to create a distinct identity for HPL and for our various products, keeping in mind the essence of the brand.”
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.
