MAM
Comcast to highlight Tsunami campaign with Zee at Ethnic Media event in New York
MUMBAI: A dozen media companies in the US will exhibit their best marketing campaigns at the NCM Expo 2005 in New York, the First National Expo of Ethnic Media.
On 9 June nearly 100 ethnic and youth media groups from across the US will exhibit the partnerships they’ve developed to turn business around, build audience and serve their communities. These exhibits will provide glimpses into the unparalleled reach into diverse markets ethnic media provide.
America’s largest cable company, Comcast, is highlighting its Tsunami Relief Campaign, a partnership with TV Asia, Zee TV and AZN Television (formerly the International Channel). This resulted in $10 million in airtime donated to relief organisations and $100,000 donation split between the United Way and the American Red Cross.
Comcast ethnic marketing manager Natalie Rouse says that ethnic media in the US were key to communicating to their customer base. “My customers are ethnically diverse. I am going to use ethnic media to get my message to my customers. This effort was extremely successful and the ethnic media played a key role”.
The Expo at Columbia University will also feature workshops and panel discussions such as Use It or Lose It — Capturing the Swing Vote Through Ethnic Media and The Internet Edge of Advertising.
Former Procter and Gamble global marketing officer Bob Wehling and other experts in advertising and social marketing will offer feedback on the campaigns. Another example of the ethnic media being used is that of Indian Country Today (ICT). This is one of the few national Native American publications in America. ICT partnered with G&G Advertising and the federal Office of National Drug Control and Prevention to bring socially relevant messaging to a community plagued by drug and alcohol abuse.
ICT was able to strengthen the message through its own editorial coverage, a synergy that comes when advertisers bring socially significant messaging to targeted communities through the media.
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.
