MAM
Motivator retains Apple media mandate as AOR for iPhone, iPad and Mac
MUMBAI: Motivator, one of the country’s leading media agencies has retained the Apple brand media mandate for the iPhone iPad and Mac product. The account is under the Ingram Micro & Redington account, the exclusive distributors for Apple products in India.
Motivator won the account after a month long pitch process in December. The pitch process included higher weight for strategic strength, ability to think fresh ideas and execute them in alignment with Apple guidelines, Digital capability and precision execution. Motivator was chosen on the basis of strength of its strategic recommendation, its understanding of brand Apple and its executable ideas leveraging Apple’s iconic status without making it populist.
The iPhone account will be handled in New Delhi while the iPad and MAC mandates will be out of the Bangalore office. The agency has been handling the Apple account for the last 14 months. Motivator will also leverage GroupM’s specialist practices- Digital, Mobile, Activation, Social, Search, Analytics, Content and Trading. Apple India spends Rs. 150 Cr. on media including Print, Radio, Digital, Activation and Out of home, with Iphone leading the contribution with more than 70%.
In the last few months, the iPhone grew by 400% on the back of its new product launches and Buy Back offers. Ingram Micro and Redington decided to put the Iphone business on review given their ambitious growth plan.
Rabe. T. Iyer, Managing Partner, Motivator confirmed the news and affirmed that a top team is already in place to deliver from Feb 1st onwards. “Apple’s Iconic status coupled with ‘less is more’ approach puts a huge responsibility in building cutting edge solutions keeping to the brand standard, we have successfully done this for the last 14 months and are confident of pushing the envelope further to win in the market place”. He further added, “This year the emphasis is going to be on powering iPhone sales through innovative digital solutions besides a strong content strategy across platforms. Print’s tactical use will have to be balanced by creative use of media to keep the brand in the desirable space.”
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.
