MAM
Optimise Media India elevates Shaan Raza as CEO
Mumbai: Optimise Media India, a performance marketing solutions provider has elevated deputy managing director Shaan Raza to the position of CEO of the company. Raza has taken over from managing director and founding CEO, LD Sharma, who will remain as managing director and will play a leadership role in taking performance marketing to the next level in India, said the company on Tuesday.
In her new role, Raza will be overseeing the expansion of Optimise India operations, building new partnerships, enlarging product portfolio, onboarding of new clients, shoring up headcount, and therefore further cement the company’s position as a leading performance marketing solutions brand in India and beyond.
“Shaan has been a phenomenal asset to Optimise India for almost a decade. A digital native, over the years, She has developed an intuitive knack and understanding of how the digital business landscape operates and has even been a pioneer of sorts in many respects,” said Optimise Media, India Managing Director, LD Sharma. “She has played a key role in bringing forth the concept of performance marketing as a niche component of digital marketing toolkit to Indian businesses grappling with digital transitions. Because of her vision and insights, she has become one of the most sought-after performance marketing professionals in the industry.”
“I have been highly impressed by Shaan’s contribution and achievements in taking the idea of performance and affiliate marketing to new levels among Indian businesses and enterprises,” said Optimise Media Group, group chairman, Richard Syme. “This has been fairly evident from Optimise Media’s own remarkable progress in the Indian market. As an emerging digital economy that India is, besides the obvious opportunities, I would also appreciate the challenges and hurdles that Shaan and others may have faced while exploring new business opportunities there.”
“In the short period that I have worked with her, Shaan has come across as a thorough professional who plans and thinks through every possible move and step with all probabilistic scenarios that she would need to accomplish a certain goal,” said Optimise Media, COO – India Operations, Nitin Sabharwal. “While she is a hands-on team player herself, she also has this innate talent for putting together highly motivated teams whose members swear by her leadership. At the same time, her power of networking is unmatched. I have no doubt that the new role would further galvanise her into working even harder and bring more revenue and growth to Optimise Media, India.”
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.
