MAM
McDonald’s, the marketer of the year
MUMBAI: Winning a Cannes Lions is every brands and agency’s ultimate vision. And, for McDonald’s it has been a common phenomenon.
Since 1979, it has won 77 Lions and this year, it has been made the Marketer of the Year by Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
The award is presented to ‘brands that have distinguished themselves by inspiring innovative marketing of their products worldwide across multiple platforms and who embrace and encourage creativity in their brand communications produced by their agencies’.
Lions Festivals CEO Philip Thomas said, “McDonald’s consistently places creativity at the heart of its advertising and communications, and that has resulted in the brand receiving many Lions at the Cannes Festival. McDonald’s and its agencies have taken creative risks to produce meaningful work, and they see award-winning content earning higher returns – a success story that will, we hope, inspire other brands. We look forward to congratulating the team from McDonald’s by presenting this very important Creative Marketer of the Year Award in Cannes.”
The award will be presented to McDonald’s on 21 June in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France.
McDonald’s senior executive vice president and global chief brand officer Steve Easterbrook says, “McDonald’s is honoured to be named Creative Marketer of the Year. This award recognises the enduring and inspiring relationships we have with our agencies around the world. It’s a nod to our creative heritage and the power of the brand to connect with customers around the world with a local accent. Our restless energy moves us to uncover new ideas, and pursue excellence in insight, positioning, idea and craft. The honour of winning Creative Marketer of the Year at Cannes Lions recognises the hard work of many people throughout the McDonald’s system.”
Last year, the award was presented to Coca-Cola.
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.
