MAM
IdeateLabs wins 360-degree Marketing mandate for Hafele India
MUMBAI: IdeateLabs, one of India’s largest independent digital-first creative agency has won the complete communication mandate for the luxury brand Hafele India. The win comes after the brand invited several leading agencies for a 360 pitch, facilitated by Landor Consultancy (Part of the WPP Group).
Hafele’s mandate to IdeateLabs consolidates the responsibility of Creative, Content and Media with one agency. This includes, developing the Marketing Blueprint, Creative Strategy, Brand Architecture, Media Planning & Execution, Reputation Management, Social & Digital Assets, PR, Performance Marketing and Content Creation. Starting with increasing brand awareness and building a strong community of consumers & influencers, the agency intends to take it all the way to showcasing Hafele’s innovations and creating thought leadership for the brand.
On acquiring the prestigious account, Vrutika Dawda, Director, IdeateLabs commented, “Hafele India is not just another win. It is the opportunity to draw upon our many talents and employ them in a focused manner for brand Hafele. Building brands is all about building the right conversations. This has been our differentiator and our philosophy. Here’s a great chance for us to build it in a true 360-degree approach. For sure, dynamic story-telling and disruptive formats will play a vital role. We are keen to be a part of Hafele’s business ambitions and explore concepts that will redefine the way a brand communicates.
Commenting on this partnership, Sanjay Swami, Head – Marketing Services, Hafele India said, “We were looking to partner with an agency who understands the luxury lifestyle industry on one hand, and who has a holistic brand perspective, on the other. Having been partners for a few years on the digital front, IdeateLabs understands our brand and our growth plans in India and South Asia regions. We are entering a phase of dynamic growth and are confident that IdeateLabs is the right partner who can help us get there”.
Häfele is an international leader in the manufacturing and supply, space for kitchen fitting, furniture fittings and architectural hardware. With a legacy of over 95 years, Hafele India has expanded its product portfolio to Appliances, Lighting, Sanitaryware and Surfaces.
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.
