MAM
Praveen Tripathi takes over as Media Direction CEO; Tarkas joins ADAE
MUMBAI: RK Swamy BBDO’s independent media arm Media Direction has roped in veteran media and market research professional Praveen Tripathi as its CEO. Tripathi, who is currently CEO Hansa Consulting Division, will however not relinquish his position at Hansa.
Tripathi replaces Sandip Tarkas, who is slated to join Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Enterprises (ADAE) as head of media. As per information available with Indiantelevision.com, Tarkas will be heading media across ADAE’s Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Capital and Reliance Energy.
Media Direction’s PRP Nair will continue in his role as group advisor.
It is pertinent to note here that the Hansa Brand falls under R K Swamy BBDO and comprises a range of services under Hansa Research, Hansa MedCell, Hansa Outsell, Hansa Consultancy, Hansa Events & Exhibitions, Hansa Retail Identity, Hansa InfoSource and Hansa LoginAds.
Commenting on the development, RK Swamy BBDO CEO Srinivasan Swamy said, “We have been looking for a method to combine our immense strategic consulting services with our media offering. Bringing the two services under a common leadership is a logical step that will bring many benefits to our clients. We also believe that this will mean a better utilisation of our human resources, giving our people a lot more newer opportunities for career development. We are very excited with this step as it can potentially unleash a lot of energy.”
Tripathi said, “I have worked with three other media groups in the past. In comparison, I find the Media Direction team to be rock solid and doing a fabulous job for their clients. It will be a real pleasure to be a part of this successful team, and to bring in more and more clients into its fold. I am really looking forward to this challenge.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
