MAM
Mediacom wins J&J baby products media planning business
MUMBAI: Mediacom India, the specialist media independent of Grey Worldwide, has won the planning of a certain section of Johnson and Johnson baby products’ account. Initiative Media (Lowe Lintas) was also in the fray but lost to Mediacom, which already handles the entire Johnson and Johnson agency-of-record (AOR) business. Media sources claim that the business is around Rs 150 million. However, the remaining part of the media planning will still be handled by McCann Erickson India.
Mediacom India handles blue-chip accounts such as Om Kotak, Kotak Mutual, SET MAX, Gujarat Ambuja, Marico Industries.
and Arvind brands.
Media reports also indicated that Mediacom India was also planning to forge more alliances with smaller agencies for media planning and buying.
Mediacom was expecting a 50 per cent growth in 2002 compared with the previous year and had touched the Rs five billion mark in its billings.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
