MAM
Mudra celebrates 25 years; unveils new corporate identity
MUMBAI: Mudra Communications celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking it as an important milestone in the agency’s young history.
Symbolically, the silver jubilee year celebrations were held in the agency’s birthplace from where the journey began 25 years ago, in Ahmedabad.
On the landmark of 25 years in the industry, Mudra Communications CEO and managing director Madhukar Kamath said, “ Today, we are marking 25 years of effective communication, 25 years of building successful brands and more importantly 25 years of building the largest Indian advertising agency. An achievement that belongs to every Mudraite.”
Over the last 25 years, some of the agency’s s more memorable advertising include: Only Vimal, I Love You Rasna, My Daddy Strongest, Humko Binny’s Mangta, The world in your pocket, The Mint with the hole, Team Samsung, Mc Donalds mein hai kuch
baat, Kar lo Duniya mutthi mein, Underline your presence, The Honest Shirt.
The day was marked by festivities, and events involving both clients
and employees. These included a Ganesh and Lakshmi Pooja at Mudra Towers, a felicitation of the founders and a culmination of the festivities in the evening with the families of all Mudraites.
On the choice of Ahmedabad to kick of the celebrations
Kamath added, “ We started in Ahmedabad, we wanted to thank our founding clients. To thank the entrepreneurs who entrusted us with enormous responsibilities. That of building national brands like Vimal, Rasna, Dhara, Krack, Dermicool, Livon, Itch Guard to name just a few. It was a very humble beginning for Mudra. We started off with one client and a 500sq.ft office in Ahmedabad. Our objective then was very simple; it was to create the best contemporary advertising, which it did. With the passage of time Mudra has evolved from an advertising Agency to an communications group. It’s been quite a journey”
Mudra is seeing this as a good time to celebrate the past and commemorate the agency’s achievements. But more importantly sees this as an opportunity to establish its commitment to the future.
Mudra also unveiled its new corporate identity. The agency has
made an interesting choice of launching the new identity; the change is being led by their digital presence. As a statement of the agency’s
readiness for the future, the logo was launched online on the new mudra website.
Commenting on the launch of the new identity Kamath said, “ Our new identity is forward looking. The new Mudra logo is simple,
contemporary and modern. Yet it remembers to pay respect to the history of the agency as well as the culture we thrive in. It is a reaffirmation of our past and a pact with the future.”
The agency views the corporate identity as more than just a
change of look. It reflects a series of changes on the ground that
reflects Mudra’s relentless pursuit for leadership in the industry.
November last year saw Mudra tie up with Omnicom’s direct
marketing speciality outfit Rapp Collins Worldwide and saw the launch Rapp Collins India.
Close on its heels was the acquisition of Kidstuff Promos and Events
Company, a promotional marketing agency in the country. This
marked Mudra’s foray in to the promo marketing space.
Finally, Mudra strengthened its existing relationship with DDB Worldwide by entering into a strategic alliance with Tribal DDB Worldwide, the digital interactive arm of the DDB group, to set up a new entity called ‘Tribal DDB India.’ This enabled Mudra to align with the global company for interactive branding solutions, leverage on the skills and knowledge of Tribal DDB and use it to enhance their services to existing clients.
Summing up the new focus of the agency, Kamath said, “ I am confident that we will emerge as the pre-eminent, marketing communications group in India. The most admired and valuable group. We set out to unlock the creative potential in every Mudraite for better results 25 years ago. The growth that we have had, the brands that we helped build, the clients that we have worked alongside and grown with make us proud. Make us happy. Make us resolve to continue our passion for finding a better way, to make compelling connections between people and brands.
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.
