MAM
Best Foods awards media duties to ZenithOptimedia
MUMBAI: ZenithOptimedia India has bagged the media planning and buying duties for Best Foods after a multi-agency pitch.
The business was won through a competitive pitch amongst the top four media buying agencies in New Delhi.
Best Foods is one of the largest rice producers, engaged in supply and trade of series of rice, health and wellness products.
“As traditional Indian companies expand their market base to an evolved consumer, in an over cluttered marketplace, it becomes imperative to communicate through effective communication mediums. Our neutral touch point approach will help optimise the best marketing mix for the launch. We are very excited to work on yet another launch in India and are confident of achieving the desired ROI,” said ZenithOptimedia India CEO Satyajit Sen.
Best Foods business director Aayushman Gupta added, “We are delighted to have ZenithOptimedia as our media partners for our India launch. It is their deep understanding on launching brands in India and their holistic approach to reaching all consumer touch points helped us decided on ZO. They are able to give Best a complete 360 solution to our go to market strategy.”
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.
