MAM
Havas Media APAC hires Naman Sharma as head- research & analytics
MUMBAI: Havas Media Asia Pacific has appointed Naman Sharma as the head of research and analytics for Asia Pacific.
Based out of Singapore, Sharma will lead research and analytics discipline at Havas Media and manage the deployment of the group‘s proprietary tools across APAC. He will also be responsible for the roll out of Econometric Modelling function.
Sharma will report into Havas Media chief strategy officer SK Biswas.
His last stint was with OMD West Africa where he was heading research and strategy.
Biswas said, “Research and analytics as a discipline is the cornerstone of an effective marketing strategy and we have been putting a lot of emphasis on the discipline to ensure the most efficient use of marketing dollars for our clients. We are fortunate to have found someone of Naman‘s calibre to join the team. He has extensive experience in primary market research with a specialisation in large syndicated media researches. I have no doubt that he will prove to be a major asset not only for us but for our existing and prospective clients as well.”
Sharma added, “I am very excited by the opportunity to work with Havas Media. One of my key responsibilities is to lead seamless integration of group‘s proprietary tool DSS Suite across all markets in Asia. This is probably the most evolved, contemporary and comprehensive decision support system present in the world today and I am confident that they will help us deliver superior marketing RoI to our clients.”
Sharma joins the agency with more than 12 years of experience in the communications industry, having worked in leadership roles with media agencies OMD and Carat. Prior to joining OMD, he had also worked with AC Nielsen and Media Research Users Council.
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.
