MAM
Mediaedge:cia announces new European management team
MUMBAI: Mediaedge:cia has announced a new management team for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mark Austin will continue as chairman, Europe, Middle East and Africa, with Melanie Varley promoted to CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa. They will report in to the agency’s global executive chairman Charles Courtier.
Austin and Varley will be based in the Europe, Middle East and Africa headquarters in London. Varley takes over from Dominic Grainger, who has now become GroupM Europe, Middle East and Africa managing director.
Austin and Varley have worked closely in the development of Mediaedge:cia globally and regionally since the company was launched in 2002. Their objective will be to further drive the growth and success of Mediaedge:cia across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Austin will focus primarily on Europe, Middle East and Africa strategy development, management of the local markets, mergers and acquisitions (including commercial development of MEC’s Interaction and Content businesses) and managing MEC’s talent to its full potential.
Varley’s task centres on the continued development of all European based clients and MEC product and services. She will play a key role in the management of the business’ specialist capabilities (such as Global Solutions, MEC Interaction and MEC Sponsorship).
Courtier was confident that this management team would continue to build on MEC’s success within the region. “I’m delighted with this partnership of Mark and Mel. They are both highly experienced operators within the industry and deeply committed to our vision of communications planning and implementation, Active engagement proposition and the role we play as a founding partner of GroupM,” he said.
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.
