MAM
Adrienne O’Hara appointed chief communications and public affairs officer at Discovery Global
CALIFORNIA: Discovery Global has named Adrienne O’Hara as executive vice president and chief communications and public affairs officer, effective 7 January 2026. In the newly created role, O’Hara will report to Gunnar Wiedenfels, president and CEO, and oversee all global communications and public affairs as the company readies itself to operate independently following the planned spin-off from Warner Bros. Discovery.
O’Hara brings 20 years of experience leading communications strategy for Fortune 500 companies, most recently serving as senior vice president of global communications and engagement at Gap Inc., where she guided enterprise communications, stakeholder engagement and brand reinvigoration across a $15 billion portfolio. She has previously led communications for Old Navy and spent over a decade at Toys“R”Us, navigating restructuring, acquisitions and rebranding initiatives.
At Discovery Global, O’Hara will drive corporate, financial, employee, executive, brand and crisis communications, alongside public affairs and stakeholder engagement. Her remit is central to shaping the company’s narrative, elevating employee experience and enhancing brand impact across a portfolio reaching 1.1 billion viewers in 68 languages across 200 countries.
“Adrienne is a proven leader with deep experience guiding iconic branded portfolios through transformation and change,” said Gunnar Wiedenfels. O’Hara added, “Discovery Global has an extraordinary portfolio and a clear opportunity to redefine its market positioning. I look forward to partnering with Gunnar and the global team to shape the company’s story and drive growth.”
With O’Hara on board, Discovery Global moves closer to its next chapter, a standalone global media powerhouse with unmatched reach in live television, sports, news and streaming, poised to scale its digital offerings and international footprint aggressively.
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.
