MAM
Hoopr hits a global note with key leadership move
MUMBAI: Hoopr is turning up the global volume. India’s leading music licensing platform has announced the appointment of Deborah Smith as its head of international licensing & sync, signalling a bold new chapter in its global growth symphony.
Based in the UK, Smith will lead Hoopr’s international expansion, forging partnerships with global labels, boosting cross-border sync deals, and amplifying Hoopr’s 22,000 plus track catalogue of Hindi cinema, Indie, and regional music for worldwide audiences.
With marquee collaborations already in place with Yash Raj Films Music, Merchant Records, and others, Hoopr has redefined how brands and creators can legally and easily license trending Indian music. The company’s partnership with IPRS further ensures transparency and fair artist remuneration, making Hoopr a trusted bridge between creators, labels, and brands.
“Hoopr sits at the intersection of creativity and technology,” said Smith. “I’ve worked in the Indian market for years and have seen its vibrant musical pulse up close. My mission is to take that sound to new global stages.”
Hoopr co-founder and CEO Gaurav Dagaonkar called Smith’s appointment “a defining moment,” adding that her experience in publishing and sync will help the company accelerate its international ambitions and unlock new revenue streams for artists.
With over a decade of experience in the global music industry, including leadership roles at Horus Music and Anara Publishing, Smith has worked with brands like Apple, UEFA, Netflix, and Asian Paints, while championing India’s independent artists on the world stage.
For Hoopr, this move isn’t just business, it’s a beat that connects cultures. With Smith at the helm, the platform is ready to take Indian music from local playlists to global charts.
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.
