MAM
Allied Media’s new biz wins are worth Rs 1.5 bn
MUMBAI: Percept’s media buying and planning division Allied Media said in a statement today that it has won businesses worth Rs 1.5 billion over last two months.
The new clients of the agency include DB Realty, Sahara Q Shop, Baskin-Robbins India, Just Dial, Italy Tourism, and DSK Hyosung.
The company said that the marketing spends of these brands is a good Rs 1.5 billion. Allied Media will offer these clients a 360 degree media service, which would encompass strategic planning, media buying and implementation.
With this, the capitalised billing of Allied Media has scaled up to Rs 12 billion. Allied media has set up a new special business cell and a core strategy cell supported by Data Centre. This initiative has resulted in Allied Media bagging these key clients, the agency said.
Geared to meet the emerging market scenario, the strategy cell promises to offer its clients consulting, modeling and easy-to-use customisable software solutions for communication planning, ROI modeling, targeting and segmentation. The newly introduces business cell and strategy cell that aims to give the clients a competitive advantage in the media and communications domain.
Allied Media CEO Shripad Kulkarni said, “On Buying and Implementation, for some time now, we are already the best in class. Our USP is our unique approach to marcom solutions for our clients. Marcom Solutions have got to be customised and dynamic. And, our approach fuses marketplace dynamics, consumer research, statistical analytics and practical common sense analytics in good measure. As we hone it better, it will deliver even better results.”
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
