MAM
OMG India CEO Jasmin Sohrabji gets south east Asian responsibility
MUMBAI: An increasing number of Indian media professionals are being given more and more regional and global responsibility by large global advertising agency and media groups.
Now joining the ranks of India-based Maxus Worldwide CEO Vikram Sakhuja, Aegis Group chairman India & CEO south east Asia Ashish Bhasin, is Omnicom Media Group (OMG) India CEO Jasmin Sohrabji. Following a recent restructuring in OMG in the Asia Pacific region, Sohrabji has been additionally made charge of the south-east Asian markets of Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand for OMD, PHD and M2M – brands OMG.
A release issued by the group says that “the restructuring effort is to sharpen focus on the continued growth of the Asia Pacific region.”
The new structure, which becomes effective 3 June, has two sub-regional assignments covering south east Asia and Greater China being added, in addition to Australia and New Zealand.
Sohrabji has been given responsibility of India and south east Asia, OMG China CEO Doug Pearce has added Greater China responsibilities overseeing Hong Kong and Taiwan to his roster, while Leigh Terry will continue to lead OMG’s operation in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to that, OMG Asia Pac, has a new CEO Cheuk Chiang who is replacing outgoing CEO Barry Cupples (who has got a global position in OMG based out of London). Sohrabji along with Pearce and Terry will report to Chiang.
Says Cupples: “Asia is vibrant and the lens of the world is on this region. The media and communications industry is being shaped by seismic shifts, and the south east Asia region is at the heart of many of these changes. OMG SEA and India has a strong and talented leader in Jasmin. She has a clear vision that will help in strengthening our eco-system. Jas has our complete faith and trust to be an even bigger star in the new role.”
Adds Chiang: “Bolstering our regional management capacity with a new sub-regional structure reinforces our commitment to this region. Jasmin is an asset to the senior leadership team and I am confident that under her guidance and vision, our presence in South East Asia and India will get stronger.”
Says Jas (as everyone in industry is prone to call her): “Setting up OMD India was a huge opportunity and which the India team is very proud of. I am looking forward to the additional responsibility and working closely with the south east Asian team to further strengthen the sub-region.”
She adds: “All the Asian markets are at very different points in their growth story or their life cycle. There can’t be a one uniform strategy addressing everyone. The India story will be very different from a Vietnam or an Indonesia. Mine is a management role; it will be more collaborative with the other countries that come under me.”
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.
