MAM
Havas Group India appoints Neeraj Bassi as chief strategy officer
MUMBAI: Havas Group India has further strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Neeraj Bassi as the chief strategy officer, effective immediately. This is in sync with Havas Group’s aggressive growth strategy and its mission to create meaningful work for its clients.
In his new role, Neeraj will lead strategy and drive the next phase of growth across Havas Creative and Media and report to Havas Group India group CEO Rana Barua.
Bassi moves from Publicis India, where he was chief strategy officer and managing partner and leverages over two decades of varied experience, across categories. He has worked with some of the most reputed agencies like Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, McCann and renowned market research networks such as TNS, IMRB, NFO in India and overseas.
While Bassi is credited for many iconic brand campaigns, he has also provided strategic guidance and brand solutions for a host of brands including Unilever, Audi, Cadbury Dairy, BMW, Honda, Milk, Asian Paints, Unilever, Nestle, Philips, HSBC, Adidas, Voltas, Sprite, Max Life, and Dabur among others. He is also the recipient of multiple awards across reputed award forums in India and globally that recognises effectiveness like Effies (India & APAC), AME, WARC, etc.
Bassi is a passionate teacher at his alma-mater MICA and also closely involved with the placement process for MICA.
Barua said, “Neeraj has been in the industry for over two decades and comes with rich experience and insights in handling strategic planning across brands and categories. He has a proven track record of building brands successfully and positioning them ahead of their competitors. His strategic inputs and a deep understanding of the consumer mindset will further help us to make a meaningful difference to brands and consumers.”
Havas Group India group chairman and chief creative officer Bobby Pawar said, “Neeraj is a seasoned professional known for his deep strategic understanding of the brands. I am confident that his skill set, and experience will take Havas to new heights and will help us build a stronger foundation for the agency’s future. I am delighted to welcome Neeraj to the group and look forward to working with him and adding value to our client’s portfolio.”
“Our industry is in transition today, where consumers’ preferences and behaviours are evolving on a continuous basis and they are spending time engaging with a host of media platforms. In this dynamic context, the Havas Village way of working, is exactly what clients need. I am looking forward to working with the dynamic leadership at Havas and leveraging the true potential of the “Together” strategy, to drive growth of brands that we work on and to add value to our client’s business,” added Neeraj on his new role.
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.
