MAM
Akshay Mathur exits Tyroo after a decade of dealmaking and digital domination
MUMBAI: For a man who’s helped launch more platforms than most people can name, Akshay Mathur knows when it’s time to log out. After a 10-year ride at Tyroo (part of the Smile Group), the digital advertising heavyweight has officially stepped down, closing a chapter that helped define Asia’s adtech playbook.
Mathur has built a career few can rival, working across the digital trenches at marquee names like The Times Group, Yahoo! India, People Group, Komli Media, SVG Media, Dentsu, and most recently Tyroo. His name has become synonymous with unlocking monetisation potential, building revenue-first operations, and striking platform partnerships that actually scale.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with some of the most dynamic people, partners and platforms in the industry”, said Mathur. “Each chapter has been about building, learning, and growing – and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into what comes next.”
While his next move remains under wraps, the speculation machine is already humming. And for good reason. Mathur’s fingerprints are all over Asia’s digital economy. From go-to-market playbooks to cross-functional growth machines, he’s been the architect behind some of the region’s most strategic monetisation efforts.
In a 25-year career that reads like a roadmap of the region’s digital evolution, Mathur has played a starring role in scaling global platforms and adapting them to Asian nuances. Think enterprise sales, partner-led monetisation, and performance-brand hybrids—he’s been there, scaled that.
Widely viewed as a key force in the rise of platform-led adtech in Asia, Mathur departs Tyroo with his influence very much intact and his next move eagerly anticipated.
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.
