MAM
Havas Media’s Mobext reaches Singapore and Malaysia
MUMBAI: Havas Media has launched its mobile marketing agency Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia with Michael de Souza as general manager of the newly launched agency.
Mobext Singapore and Malaysia will leverage the strengths of sister agency MPG and Havas Digital siblings Media Contacts and Ecselis and their portfolio of clients like Resorts World Sentosa, DBS Bank, NTUC Fairprice, Abbott, to expand their business in the market.
Mobext is currently present in 19 markets globally and offers a truly end-to-end, mobile marketing agency service to clients. In Singapore the agency will offer messaging services like SMS and download; mobile internet services like WAP consulting and development, mobile display, mobile search. It will also provide proximity based services including LBS and mapping. Besides, it will offer integration through reporting and analytics by Havas Digital‘s campaign management platform.
de Souza is a digital strategist with broad agency, ad network, media planning and content development experience. He joins the agency from global advertising network Buzzcity Pte Ltd, where he served as VP for Media. During his 12 year career, he has managed cross-channel campaigns and developed content for brands including Coca-Cola, Nestl?©, EAGames, Disney, Nike and MTN.
Havas Media Asia Pacific CEO Vishnu Mohan said, “Singapore and Malaysia are strategically important markets for Havas Media and very advanced when it comes to mobile penetration and usage. We think that the time is just right for the launch of Mobext in the two markets. Our vision is to be the only pure-play mobile marketing agency network with truly regional scale across the entire Asia-Pacific, with strong mobile leaders in every major Asian market. This will allow us to work with the largest advertisers across the region for region-wide mobile marketing agency campaigns.”
Mobext head of mobile APAC Arthur Policarpio said: “We invest in people, and with Michael, we have a leader with years of experience in mobile who can provide our clients with expert advice in this field. We are likewise the largest mobile agency network in the world, with offices in 19 markets, allowing us to leverage significant international experience in mobile best practice.”
The launch of Mobext in Singapore follows the launch of the agency brand in Asia Pacific starting from India in the second quarter of 2011. Earlier in 2012 in February the media group acquired a majority stake in Snapworx Mobile Inc in the Philippines, following which the agency was rebranded as Mobext.
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.
