MAM
Fido Dido takes on Yana Gupta in 7 UP campaign
MUMBAI: Pepsi’s lemon-lime brand 7UP has kicked off its new campaign for 2005, co-starring brand mascot Fido Dido with Bollywood star Yana Gupta.
According to Pepsi Foods executive director (marketing) Punita Lal, “While reinforcing the refreshment cues, the advertising brings out the core of Fido’s persona – fun, wit & out of the box thinking. The brand proposition ‘Refreshingly Imaginative’ is best reflected in this advertising and the new baseline ‘Andaaz sabse cool’.
The new 30 second TV ad has been produced by Farah Khan who last year directed the box office hit ‘Main Hoon Naa’. Excited about the new campaign Farah said, “It was wonderful putting Fido in the typical Bollywood quawaali setting, giving him a little koti & gale mein rumaal. He added a lot of fun and fizz on the sets. He is every director’s dream, no starry hang ups, bilkul bindas.” The music has been composed by Anu Malik.
In this TVC, created by J Walter Thomson, Fido matches his wits in a Bollywood style quawwali muquabla with popular model Yana Gupta.
Says Yana of her co-star Fido: “I had so much fun shooting this spot with Fido. He is just so cool. In fact I love how he always finds a smart and witty way to get his favorite drink 7UP”. The sign off for the campaign: “Andaaz sabse cool!” is also the new tag line for 7UP.
The campaign breaks in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada & Telegu across TV channels in India on 22 February. Besides television, this campaign will also be visible on billboards across the country and at all soft drink stores. The sound track will also be on high rotation on FM radio channels, informs an official release.
A series of “Fido Chowks” (Fido Square’s) which are fun hang outs, are also being put up around the country.
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.
