MAM
Harjyot Singh Arora gets fizzy APAC promotion at PepsiCo
GURUGRAM: Pop the cap and pour one out—Harjyot Singh Arora has just landed himself a promotion that’s anything but flat. After six years of navigating PepsiCo’s labyrinthine beverage empire, the marketing maven has been crowned head of media, digital and investments for the entire Asia-Pacific region. It’s the kind of career trajectory that would make even Mountain Dew enthusiasts feel caffeinated.
Arora’s ascent through PepsiCo’s Bangkok headquarters reads like a masterclass in corporate agility. Since joining in 2019, he’s ping-ponged between roles with the energy of a shaken fizzy drink. His previous stint as sector lead for media, data and commerce capabilities saw him juggling everything from consumer analytics to thought leadership—presumably without dropping the ball, or the bottle.
But it was his 17-month spell as category lead for flavoured carbonated soft drinks that really showcased his mettle. Leading the charge for 7UP and Mountain Dew across Asia’s business unit, he shepherded innovation pipelines and propped up profit-and-loss statements from Thailand to Timbuktu (or at least the parts of Asia that matter to PepsiCo’s bottom line). Before that, he piloted the launch of functional juices in south-east Asia.
His pre-PepsiCo CV is equally colourful. Stints at Kansai Nerolac Paints, Mahindra Group and Starcom MediaVest Group gave him the chops to tackle brand strategy, media buying and consumer engagement. He even flogged ice cream for Allanasons’ London Dairy brand—proof that selling frozen treats in Mumbai’s sweltering heat requires a cool head.
Now ensconced in his new perch, Arora will oversee how PepsiCo splashes its cash across advertising, digital channels and strategic investments throughout APAC. It’s a role that demands equal parts data wizardry, strategic nous and the ability to keep multiple brands bubbling along nicely. With his track record of squeezing results from tight margins and fizzy categories alike, PepsiCo has clearly bet on the right bottle. Cheers to that.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: 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.
