MAM
James Bailey named Media CEO at dentsu UK & Ireland
LONDON: Dentsu has handed the reins of its UK and Ireland media business to James Bailey, naming him Media CEO with immediate effect as the network accelerates its Media++ growth strategy.
Bailey steps up from his role as CEO of iProspect UK, where he has led the agency since its 2021 consolidation with Vizeum. During that time, he oversaw a unified operation across six locations and secured major account wins including Kering, eBay, Netflix and Tapestry.
The appointment comes at a time when dentsu is repositioning media as more than just buying and planning. Under its Media++ approach, media is framed as the engine for client growth, bringing together audience strategy, activation, content, CRM, data and technology.
Bailey will report to Annette Male, CEO of dentsu UK and Ireland. He takes over from Shenda Loughnane, who has been leading the media organisation on an interim basis since July 2025 alongside her global role at dentsu X.
Loughnane now takes on an expanded remit as market lead for Ireland while continuing as global president of dentsu X. Based in Dublin, she will report jointly to Will Swayne, global practice president for media and integrated solutions, and to Bailey.
During Bailey’s tenure at iProspect, the agency placed third in Recma’s UK media rankings in 2025, second in campaign’s new business rankings and earned a shortlist spot for Agency of the Year at the Campaign Media Week awards. Bailey himself was shortlisted for Media Agency Leader of the Year, adding to his earlier recognition as a three time Campaign top ten media suit.
Annette Male said Bailey had built “something transformational” at iProspect and would now focus on ensuring each of dentsu’s media brands had the tools and ambition to drive growth for clients.
Will Swayne added that both Bailey and Loughnane had played key roles in shaping the Media++ strategy and would help accelerate its rollout across the UK and Ireland.
For his part, Bailey said he was keen to nurture what he called some of the most future ready media talent in the UK, with the aim of building a world class team focused on measurable growth for clients.
Loughnane said she was delighted to take on the Ireland leadership role, adding that the combination of global insight and local experience would drive integrated growth in the market.
The leadership changes reflect dentsu’s push to align its regional structure with the Media++ strategy and sharpen its growth focus across both markets. With Bailey now steering the UK and Ireland media business and Loughnane anchoring the Ireland operation while continuing her global remit, the group is betting on a blend of local leadership and international scale to drive its next phase of expansion.
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.
