MAM
Andréa Mallard steps in as chief marketing officer at Microsoft AI
WASHINGTON: Microsoft AI has tapped Andréa Mallard as its new chief marketing officer, bringing in a seasoned operator with deep experience in product-led storytelling as the company accelerates its bet on responsible artificial intelligence.
Mallard took charge earlier this month, joining the leadership team led by Mustafa Suleyman. Her appointment signals Microsoft’s intent to shape not just the capabilities of AI, but how it is understood, trusted and adopted at scale.
In a post announcing her move, Mallard described AI as the most consequential technological shift of her lifetime, one that will shape how future generations live and work. That, she said, was precisely why she chose to join Microsoft AI, to help build technology that serves people rather than the other way around.
Mallard arrives with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of product, design and marketing. Most recently, she served as global chief marketing officer at Pinterest for over seven years, where she oversaw product marketing, design, communications, growth and an in-house creative studio. During her tenure, Pinterest scaled its user base and advertising business while sharpening its identity as a positive, discovery-led platform.
Her work at Pinterest earned repeated industry recognition, including being named to Forbes’ list of the world’s most influential CMOs, AdWeek Brand Genius and AdAge Marketer of the Year. Her teams launched several of the platform’s signature initiatives, including Pinterest Predicts, its annual trend forecast, and Pinterest Presents, its global advertiser summit.
Before Pinterest, Mallard held senior marketing roles across consumer, health and apparel brands. She was chief marketing officer at Athleta, where she helped drive double-digit growth and led the brand’s transition to B Corp status. She also served as chief marketing officer at Omada Health, a digital health company later named a World Economic Forum tech pioneer.
Earlier in her career, Mallard spent nearly eight years at design firm IDEO, where she helped establish and lead its global brand strategy practice across Europe and the US. She began her career in media and publishing, with roles at Forbes, Rodale and Canada’s CBC.
Alongside her executive role, Mallard serves as a board director at Hydrow, Kajabi and Twenty First Century Brand, and has previously advised electric mobility firm Unu Motors. She holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and has lived and worked across Europe and North America.
At Microsoft AI, Mallard will be responsible for shaping how the company communicates its AI ambitions to consumers, enterprises and policymakers at a time when scrutiny of the technology is intensifying.
Her brief is clear. Build belief. Earn trust. And make sure the story of AI keeps pace with its power.
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.
