MAM
Maruti Suzuki to spend Rs 200 mn for Ertiga launch campaign
BANGALORE: Indian automobile major Maruti Suzuki Ltd plans to spend around Rs 200 million towards mass media communications for ‘Ertiga’, its first car in a new category of vehicles – ‘Life Utility Vehicle’ (LUV).
The annual mass media spends for this fiscal are Rs 300 million say industry sources.
“We typically spend around 65 per cent of the budget for a vehicle at the launch stage,” revealed Maruti managing executive officer (Marketing & Sales) Mayank Pareek while speaking with www.indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a press conference to announce the global launch of the vehicle.
“A teaser campaign has been on since the last ten days. Over the next few days, we plan to start airing a TVC to promote the Ertiga,” revealed Pareek. Maruti has planned a multimedia campaign for the Ertiga. This includes press advertising; outdoor, television and digital.
In the recent years, Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) have emerged as the fastest growing sub-segment among utility vehicles (UV) showing a growth of 20 per cent CAGR over three years. The Ertiga is based on its very popular Swift platform and is priced to attract families that aspire to buy a UV but can’t afford one.
Lowe Lintas handles the creative duties, while Initiative takes care of the media buying duties for Ertiga.
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.
