MAM
Coca-Cola seeks review of US media planning and buying business
MUMBAI: The Atlanta-based cola major Coca-Cola will review its US media planning and buying business, with the goal of consolidating its business into one agency account.
The planning and buying business of Coca-Cola US is worth $301 million. Vice president of integrated communications at Coca-Cola David Raines is running the review. In India, Madison Media is the agency of record (AOR) for Coca-Cola India.
“As part of the recent integration of all our businesses, we will be looking at one firm to do communications planning, media execution and strategic analysis and media tracking for the entire beverage portfolio in the USA – soft drinks, juices,” Coca-Cola spokesperson Mark Martin was quoted as saying.
Currently, media planning and buying accounts for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola have been divided between Publicis Groupe’s Starcom MediaVest and Interpublic Group of Co’s Universal McCann. Starcom MediaVest Group’s Starcom, Chicago, handles planning for Minute Maid Juices, while sibling MediaVest, New York, handles all other brand planning. Universal McCann handles buying for all the brands.
Martin said the two new players that have been invited to make presentations for the campaign in October are WPP Group’s MindShare and Aegis Group’s Carat along with the existing ones.
One hopes that Interpublic Group of Cos’ Universal McCann and Publicis Groupe’s Starcom MediaVest Group, both New York, will be able to defend their respective buying and planning accounts.
Also, from India’s point of view, there will be major complications if MindShare US bags the account and there is a re-alignment in India – because WPP Media in India handles Coca-Cola’s ace rival Pepsi account.
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.
