MAM
pepsi’s ‘World Cup Ke Shikari’ begins airing
MUMBAI: With the World Cup 2003 just days away, the frenzy in the advertising world is scaling new heights. The latest is the series of Pepsi promo campaigns slated around the World Cup, the first one being the World Cup ke Shikari TV started appearing on various television channels from today.
The 50-second ad conceptualised by Pepsi’s ad agency JWT has been directed by ad man Prahlad Kakkar. The advertisement features Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, VVS Laxman, Mohammad Kaif and Harbhajan Singh and a lion called “Jock”.
The ad, which has been shot on location in Mumbai and South Africa, shows the players practising cricket. However, when the players decide to take a Pepsi break, to their utter horror, they discover a lion lying next to their Pepsi. The ad tells a hilarious story about how the players retrieve their Pepsi from the lion.
Not surprisingly, Pepsi has simultaneously rolled out the Pepsi Badaa Shikari Hunt contest in association with Max, Nickelodeon and MTV. Six young lucky winners of the contest will get an opportunity to lead the Indian Cricket Team onto the ground during the Cricket World Cup 2003, states a release .
To enter the contest , participants are required to write a letter to the Indian Captain…”Dear Sourav …”, telling him why he or she should be leading the team, the release adds. Six of the best entries along with a parent or friend will travel to South Africa on an all expense paid trip, to lead the team onto the grounds .
In addition, autographed goodies like sling bags, team shirts, stumps with posters and Pepsi Shikari gear will be given away as prizes through a number of other promotions as well.
According to the release, Pepsi is set to launch its next promo called Sher Ke Mooh Mein Haath Dalopromo as well. Yet another consumer campaign Pepsi Piyega Toh Shikari Ban Jayega promotion offering similar merchandise is also slated for a launch soon, the release adds.
To attract consumers and encourage participations in the promotions and contests, Pepsi has also put up spectacular outdoor and attractive shop signages and merchandising based on the World Cup theme across 2500 outlets .Specially designed Pepsi World Cup trucks are also roaming the streets in cities and towns.
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.
