MAM
Lowe signs up Rs 400 million worth of new business
MUMBAI: Over the past month ad agency Lowe has signed up over Rs 400 million worth of new business. These gains include VIP luggage, Tata Tea, The Telegraph, ICICI – PACT, Convergys India, State Innovations in Family Planning Services Agency and Polaris.
An official release informs that Lowe maintained its strong new business momentum, registered in the first half of the year. During this period it won new businesses worth Rs one billion from accounts such as Bajaj Caliber, Bajaj Wind, Hansaplast and Camlin. The agency’s president and COO Pranesh Mehra said, “I am happy that our new business initiative is bearing fruit in all our offices in India. This strong new business growth is a result of the endorsements we get from our existing clients for the work we do for them.”
These wins come on the heel of the agency’s impressive showing at the recently held Effie Awards that honour outstanding effectiveness in advertising and marketing communication. Earlier this year Lowe had won two Silver Effies for its Balbir Pasha/PSI and ICICI Prudential campaigns, and two Bronze Effies for its Lifebuoy and LG Golden Eye campaigns. Lowe was the only agency where all four of its shortlisted entries had made it successfully to the Finals, and had gone on to win the coveted awards the release adds.
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.
