MAM
Dentsu acquires French cross-activation agency ZoneFranche
MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired the Paris based cross-activation agency ZoneFranche SAS, which has strengths in experiential marketing.
Founded in 2004, ZoneFranche has steadily captured an increasing share of the growing activation market, and is currently one of the leading agencies with a focus on consumer brand experience and experienced value.
The company also offers a wide range of communications services including digital, mobile, advertising and promotion solutions that leverage social media, customer relationship management (CRM), and other marketing activities to enhance the purchasing experience. These innovative, high-quality services have earned it high praise from prominent companies in France as well as in other countries.
Post-acquisition, ZoneFranche will become part of experiential marketing agency psLIVE, one of the Dentsu Group’s specialist brands. During the next 12 months, psLIVE will be realigned as MKTG, the Group’s lifestyle marketing brand headquartered in New York and one of its nine global network brands.
As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, in India Dentsu recently acquired Brian Tellis’ Fountainhead Entertainment, which will be merged with psLIVE.
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.
