MAM
Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival kicks off in Shanghai
MUMBAI: The Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival in Shanghai aims to offer delegates an extensive and topical two-day content programme, followed by an awards gala dinner which will unveil this year’s winners.
The jury has already been working to judge the 858 entries received and arrived at a shortlist.
Chaired by Citi head of global marketing Bob O’Leary, the 36 jury members will re-convene in Shanghai on 11 May to continue their judging and decide on the winners.
The shortlisted work will be exhibited at the festival. The awards ceremony gala dinner will take place on 13 May at which the winners of the 2011 awards will be announced. Delegates to the festival automatically gain entry to the awards.
Ongoing throughout the two days is a programme of seminars which has been put together by a content committee led by BBH Asia chairman Charles Wigley.
Focusing on this year’s theme of ‘unpacking effectiveness’, speakers include: Ogilvy Group UK VC Rory Sutherland, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide global CEO Christopher Graves, Draftfcb Greater China chairman and CEO Pully Chau and McCann Worldgroup director of strategic planning Asia Pacific Dave McCaughan.
Haymarket Asia MD Tim Waldron comments: “With entries nearly doubling year on year, the Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival is firmly established as the benchmark standard marketing effectiveness awards in the region. Delegates to the festival are set to experience a stimulating and educational two days. With such a fantastic speaker line-up they are certain to come away feeling truly inspired by their industry.”
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.
