MAM
AI to transform marketing strategies, not its core – Vikram Sakhuja
MUMBAI: Artificial intelligence (AI) has gone from being a buzzword to an indispensable tool, revolutionising industries across the globe.
At the 19 India Digital Summit, Madison Media & OOH at Madison World group CEO Vikram Sakhuja shared his views on how AI is transforming marketing strategies without disrupting its core principles. Spoiler alert: marketing fundamentals are safe, but the methods? They’re getting an AI upgrade!
Sakhuja made it clear that while AI is rewriting the “how” of marketing, the “why” and “what” remain rooted in human understanding. “The core principles of marketing will largely remain unchanged. What will evolve and transform are the methods of marketing,” he said during a thought-provoking session hosted by India Today Group consumer revenue group CMO & COO, Vivek Malhotra.
Malhotra posed the billion-dollar question: Can publishers leverage AI-driven algorithms to help the ad industry scale to $1 trillion? Sakhuja’s reply was simple: AI’s learning thrives on data. “You can’t just write an algorithm; it’s the data fed into the system that enables learning and improvement over time,” he noted, adding that companies like Google are refining AI engines to optimise media spends through better data.
Can AI foster human connection? The answer is a surprising yes.
Are algorithms too mechanical to form meaningful consumer bonds? Not according to Sakhuja. “AI can create a deep connection. For instance, when Meta launches a trailer, the number of shares it gets is a real-time pulse check,” he explained. AI helps broadcasters and advertisers bypass traditional targeting and focus on consumers who actually engage.
And the examples don’t stop there. Think about Cadbury’s Diwali campaign, where Shah Rukh Khan’s virtual presence personalised messages for neighbourhood stores. That’s AI delivering local charm on a national scale.
Sakhuja dismissed the notion that AI is the sole domain of new-age brands. “Of course, legacy brands can embrace AI,” he said. He highlighted how even routine tasks like food delivery via Swiggy or Zomato rely on AI, demonstrating its seamless integration into daily life.
The takeaway? Age doesn’t matter if you’re willing to innovate.
But wait, what about data validation? With great data comes great responsibility.
Sakhuja cautioned about the dangers of bad data—what he called the “garbage in, garbage out” problem. Feeding unvalidated data into AI can lead to “hallucinations” (no, not the psychedelic kind) where outputs are wildly off-mark.
The solution? “Validation checks are crucial to ensure accuracy and prevent biases. The key is balancing AI’s capabilities with human oversight,” Sakhuja advised, adding that ethical use and privacy concerns need to stay top of mind.
Three ways AI supercharges marketing:
1 Precision targeting: AI identifies who’s engaging and how, skipping old-school guesswork.
2 Customised experiences: From localised campaigns to dynamic messaging, AI personalises at scale.
3 Smart scaling: Brands like Cadbury use AI to connect with millions while keeping it personal.
Final thought: Will AI replace humans? Not likely. Sakhuja pointed out that AI is a tool, not a replacement. “Human judgment remains critical. Over-reliance on AI could erode the creativity and ethics that define good marketing,” he concluded.
So how will your brand embrace the AI wave without losing its human touch?
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.
