MAM
LinHealth is now ICC Lowe LinHealth
MUMBAI: Lowe Lintas & Partners‘ healthcare solutions agency LinHealth Communications will now operate in strategic partnership with ICC Lowe and has been rechristened ICC Lowe LinHealth, in India. ICC Lowe encompasses 13 agencies around the world and has a global presence within the IPG network of healthcare agencies.
ICC Lowe is a global healthcare communications organisation with multiple full-service offices in the US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region and offers solutions to healthcare marketers such as Vertex, Biogen Idec, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis and Gilead.
ICC Lowe integrates specialiced services in advertising/promotion, medical education, strategic planning, branding, digital solutions, mobile, sales training and consumer health marketing to build world-class brands and create positive outcomes that can transform the lives of healthcare consumers.
LinHealth president Dr Mehul Shukla said, “The aim is to bring into India all the latest and the most relevant technology and services in the healthcare communications space. And also to share with our global network, the skills and various Marcom models that have been developed, tested and perfected by LinHealth, here, in India.”
ICC Lowe president Paul O‘Neill said, “The addition of LinHealth represents a significant expansion for ICC Lowe beyond its considerable strength in the US and EU. The quality of the management team led by Dr Mehul Shukla and the superior reputation of LinHealth in India made the decision to enter this key market vastly easier. Their integrated business model and company values align ideally with ICC Lowe and we are tremendously excited to be working together.”
Lowe Lintas & Partners chief executive officer Joseph George said, “With access to ICC Lowe‘s tremendous experience and expertise in healthcare communications around the globe; ICC Lowe LinHealth will now be able to deliver truly expert solutions to the Indian Pharma and Medical market.”
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.
