MAM
New faces at AP International
MUMBAI: Ann Cook has joined AP International as director of international client relations, making it the first external appointment to the senior management team the newly named division of the Associated Press charged with expanding AP business outside of the United States.
Cook, who joined the organisation on 1 December at the London headquarters, will be responsible for all aspects of international customer relationship across the portfolio of AP products, says an official release. She will report to Ian Ritchie, Vice President-Global Business and Managing Director of AP International. Till recently, Cook was managing director of the International division of Frank N. Magid Associates, a media research and consulting company.
Prior to joining Magid, Ann was Director of Marketing for Granada Sky Broadcasting and as such was one of the four-strong management team that took the business from zero revenue to 30m turnover and profitability in five years, says the release.
In another appointment, Nick Evansky has been appointed Director of AP International Services & Technology. Evansky will be responsible for all technical infrastructure and technology for all AP products and services outside the US. Evansky will be part of the international executive team reporting to Ian Ritchie, Vice President-Global Business and Managing Director of AP International, and will also sit on the AP Services and Technology executive team in New York, reporting to Jeffrey Hastie, Deputy Director Services and Technology.
Prior to joining AP, Evansky held a number of key roles in television production and broadcast organizations, including NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). He has been a member of the APTN team since it began in 1994. He became Director of Technology for APTN in July 2000.
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.
