MAM
Initiative adds 3 new accounts worth Rs 250 million to its kitty
MUMBAI: Initiative, the flagship arm of Lintas Media Services has been mandated to handle the media for both Classic (makers of Polo and Smash clothing) and IIHT (full service with SSCB) in Bangalore.
In addition to this, the agency has also bagged the PC Chandra Jewellers account in Kolkatta. The collective worth of these three accounts is said to be worth Rs 250 million.
Initiative president Kartik Iyer says, “The efforts of the teams in Bangalore led by Joydeep Raha and Kolkatta led by Mahesh Motwani have been exemplary. We will strive to make each of these businesses benefit tremendously from our commitment to provide not just effective, but also knowledge based planning. With our value based insight, strong logistic support and intelligent media solutions we hope to vastly strengthen the brand teams’ efforts.”
Lintas Media Group director – Media Services Lynn de Souza said, “Our Eastern practice is strengthened with the addition of PC Chandra and Bangalore is definitely honoured to have been selected by these two accounts. All new accounts that we partner are always a privilege.”
Lintas Media Group’s brands include Initiative, Insight, Interactions, and Intellect. Lintas Media Group clients include Maruti Udyog Ltd, Bharat Petroleum, Bajaj Auto, ITC LTD, UTI, Idea Cellular, MRF, Eveready, Reynolds, Enamour, Saint Gobain, Revlon, Bombay Dyeing, Siemens, amongst others.
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.
