MAM
Initiative adds 3 new accounts worth Rs 250 million to its kitty
MUMBAI: Initiative, the flagship arm of Lintas Media Services has been mandated to handle the media for both Classic (makers of Polo and Smash clothing) and IIHT (full service with SSCB) in Bangalore.
In addition to this, the agency has also bagged the PC Chandra Jewellers account in Kolkatta. The collective worth of these three accounts is said to be worth Rs 250 million.
Initiative president Kartik Iyer says, “The efforts of the teams in Bangalore led by Joydeep Raha and Kolkatta led by Mahesh Motwani have been exemplary. We will strive to make each of these businesses benefit tremendously from our commitment to provide not just effective, but also knowledge based planning. With our value based insight, strong logistic support and intelligent media solutions we hope to vastly strengthen the brand teams’ efforts.”
Lintas Media Group director – Media Services Lynn de Souza said, “Our Eastern practice is strengthened with the addition of PC Chandra and Bangalore is definitely honoured to have been selected by these two accounts. All new accounts that we partner are always a privilege.”
Lintas Media Group’s brands include Initiative, Insight, Interactions, and Intellect. Lintas Media Group clients include Maruti Udyog Ltd, Bharat Petroleum, Bajaj Auto, ITC LTD, UTI, Idea Cellular, MRF, Eveready, Reynolds, Enamour, Saint Gobain, Revlon, Bombay Dyeing, Siemens, amongst others.
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.
