MAM
Ambani, Swamy, Sakhuja, Dabral, Joshi, Bhan win Colors’ IAA Leadership awards
MUMBAI: The International Advertising Association’s (IAA) India Chapter has announced the winners for the fifth edition of the coveted Leadership Awards in Mumbai.
Powered by Colors, the event was flagged off by Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani and deputy minister of the diplomacy, PM’s office, Government of Israel, Dr. Michael Oren.
(The book) “Gandhi – The Great Communicator” was unveiled on the occasion. The awards saw leaders representing advertising, marketing and media honoured by a group of pre-eminent guests.
The ceremony saw the industry veteran
RK Swamy BBDO CMD Srinivasan Swamy inducted into the Hall of Fame Awards. The IAA Media Agency Leader and Creative Agency Leader Award went to Madison Communications’ Vikram Sakhuja, and Ogilvy and Mather’s Sonal Dabral, respectively.
The coveted IAA Media Leader Award went to Rajan Anandan, Google while Ambani adjudged as the IAA Business Leader of the Year.
Excellence in Journalism was celebrated with Rahul Joshi, Network18 News, winning the IAA Editorial Leader award, and Shereen Bhan, CNBC-TV18 winning the IAA Leader – TV Anchor of the year. The Brand Endorsement Leader award went to Amitabh Bachchan and Alia Bhatt.
Ambani said, “I believe leadership is about setting new standards as demonstrated by our team at Jio.”
Narayan, newly elected President of IAA, said, “The esteemed jury and an exhaustive list of quantitative and qualitative parameters have helped recognise outstanding campaigns.”
Oren said: “I can think of no two countries in the world (other than India and Israel) that have had a greater impact on history and art.”
Viacom18 Media COO Raj Nayak said, “We feel privileged to partner with The International Advertising Association in recognizing and rewarding leaders in our country.”
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.
