MAM
Dentsu India ropes in Asheesh Malhotra to head Mumbai division
MUMBAI: As part of its strategic intent to bolster operations, Dentsu India has roped in Asheesh Malhotra to head its Mumbai office. He will report to Dentsu India CEO Simi Sabhaney.
With over 20 years of experience across leading agencies including Mullen Lowe Lintas Group, Bates CHI Partners and Ogilvy, Asheesh has been instrumental in building brands such as Unilever, Mondelez , ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Castrol, BP, and Toyota.
His last stint was as executive director at PointNine Lintas, Mullen Lowe Lintas Group. He has also won accolades like the Effie’s, Kyoorius, and Spikes in India and the Asia Pacific region.
On his appointment, Sabhaney said, “We are truly delighted to have Asheesh come on board to lead the Mumbai operations. His experience of having led omni channel functions makes him the perfect choice in line with our growth strategy and the changing media landscape.”
Commenting on his new role, Malhotra said, “My focus will be on building new partnerships and growing our existing client relationships. I believe that the age of transformation (from traditional to digital or vice versa) is over. If you haven’t hopped on to that wagon yet, you best not. You cannot be running an agency with a siloed mindset. DAN, with its true One P&L structure, has integration at its core and it brings together the best of creative minds, media, data and technology to bring the best ideas and value to our clients. In today’s context, this is true integration and I am truly excited to be part of this journey.”
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.
