MAM
OMD appoints Pankaj Nayak, Rochelle Chhaya into key leadership team for APAC
MUMBAI: OMD has announced the appointment of two new members into its Asia Pacific team. While Rochelle Chhaya has been appointed as chief operating officer (COO), Pankaj Nayak will be joining as the chief marketing officer (CMO), effective immediately. The decision has been taken to harness the network’s growing momentum and drive further growth across the region.
Formerly the chief digital officer for Omnicom Media Group APAC, Chhaya brings unrivalled visibility on the client-agency-partner ecosystem. Her comprehensive knowledge and experience will allow her to tackle the operational challenges and opportunities that arise when developing an agency model for the future.
As COO, she will be responsible towards mapping out what the future client-centric, digitally powered and data-led agency model looks like for OMD.
Nayak brings over 20 years of industry knowledge and experience to this role, having previously served in a client leadership capacity with the network and most recently, as Omnicom Media Group APAC’s business development director.
As CMO, Nayak will be tasked with continuously enhancing the network’s approach in engaging both new clients and existing ones. This will involve developing a strategy for the seamless manifestation of the network’s new brand promise of Better Decisions, Faster throughout the client relationship, ensuring a consistent telling of the OMD story across clients and markets.
Commenting on the appointments, OMD APAC CEO Stephen Li said, “As we return to the top of the charts and scale even greater heights, both globally and in APAC, it is imperative that we have the right leadership in place to ensure our agencies and clients continue to maximise their potential.”
“Given her impressive track-record in delivering market-leading digital solutions, Rochelle has earned the trust and respect of our clients and partners over the years. She has also become a well-respected voice in the industry. There is no one with as strong a 360 overview of our business as her, which will be extremely valuable in developing OMD’s agency model for the future,” Li continues.
“Throughout his tenure with both the network and the Group, Pankaj has come to know the organisation inside and out, developed significant relationships internally and externally, and has touched on the development and growth of every single market in the region. He is perfectly suited for the CMO role and I have every confidence that OMD will continue to elevate its new business momentum under his leadership.”
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.
