MAM
Menaka Menon joins Leo Burnett Orchard as EVP & branch head for Bengaluru
Actor Akshay Kumar, who has become the first male Bollywood Actor (Male) to score 20 million followers on Instagram, received an Instagram memento for the milestone.
The “Airlift” actor on Monday shared a photo of himself with the memento given to him by Instagram.
“Here’s another gold from the good people at Instagram. Glad to share, the first Bollywood Actor (Male) to cross the 20 million followers milestone is yours truly. Thank you all once again for the love, sending lots of love and prayers your way.”
Earlier this month, the actor was seen celebrating this milestone with streamers and a boomerang video.
On the work front, Akshay’s recently released movie “Gold” is riding high at the box office and have a couple of movies like “Kesari”, “Housefull 4” and “Good News” on board.MUMBAI: Leo Burnett Orchard, The Leo Group’s full service integrated agency, has strengthened its senior management.
The agency has hired Menaka Menon as EVP and branch head for Bengaluru. In her new role, she will report to Leo Burnett Orchard’s COO Prashanth Challapalli. Her last stint was with FCB Ulka Bengaluru where she was the vice president.
Speaking about bringing Menaka on board, Prashanth Challapalli says, “Our ambition for Leo Burnett Orchard is to firmly drive integration via the Power of One philosophy. This has a direct bearing on the kind of people we want to bring on board – people with multiple skill sets and a hunger to drive this agenda. Menaka is the perfect fit for us. She has worn different hats in her career and brings to the table the kind of ambition, drive and skill sets we were looking for at a leadership level. On behalf of everyone at Leo Burnett Orchard, I am very happy to welcome her on board and wish her great success.”
Menaka is an alumnus of MICA, and has almost 18 years of experience across advertising and media, with FCB Ulka, J Walter Thompson, UTV and BIG 92.7FM. Menaka began her advertising journey with account management, before moving on to strategic planning and moving to a Branch Head role.
Speaking about her new role, Menaka says, “Leo Burnett Orchard is an agency poised for the future, where integration is a way of life. I am excited to be part of a team that lives and breathes this philosophy. There is a real opportunity here to expand horizons and to serve the client’s and brand’s best interests as one united team, and I look forward to being part of this vision.”
Menaka replaces Sharmine Panthaky, VP and branch head Bengaluru, who has moved on from the agency.
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.
