MAM
Perfetti leverages Nimbuzz‘s Chatbuddy for its marketing campaign
MUMBAI: Cross-platform global communications solution provider Nimbuzz has roped in confectionary manufacturer and marketer Perfetti Van Melle India (PVMI) as the company‘s first client for its mobile-based brand interactive platform Nimbuzz Branded Chatbuddy.
Under this partnership, Nimbuzz has developed a unique proposition for Perfetti‘s latest marketing campaign “Mentos Batti Jalao” by leveraging its Chatbuddy module.
Mentos currently has a contest in progress by the name Khooni Kaun Hai? A television commercial consisting of a series of clues is being aired and the viewers are asked to guess the killer‘s identity in order to win a prize.
Chat Buddy will enable PVMI‘s confectionary brand Mentos to leverage the mobile platform and establish a one-to-one connect with its target audience by directly connecting with 25+ million Nimbuzz users as chat friend.
Under this initiative, the Chat Buddy will allow Nimbuzz users to install Mentos Batti Jalao Buddy on their mobiles, participate in the contest and solve the murder mystery. The Mentos Batti Jalao Buddy will also release daily hints to unfold the mystery. This Chat Buddy will be visible to all Nimbuzz users across India.
“With the ever-increasing mobile user base in India, mobile is an important medium for marketers today. With an average time of 55 minutes per session spent by a user, Nimbuzz offers a great platform for us to connect with our target audience on a one-to-one basis,” said Perfetti Van Melle India Director Marketing Nikhil Sharma.
Nimbuzz head-sales Anubhav Sharma said, “We are thrilled to connect with the excitement of Mentos and we are confident that Khooni Kaun Hai mystery will bring more enthusiasm for our users. We are pleased to work with some great marketing minds from PVMI, Maxus India and certainly, this endeavour will bring a change in the mobile advertising thought process.”
Maxus South Asia head of digital Unny Radhakrishnan added, “Mobile phones have now become an indispensable consumer touchpoint. Marketers, solution providers and technology partners are discovering newer and innovative ways to interact with consumers instead of interrupting them. Here, Chat buddy enhances the overall communication story delivered in traditional channels by offering consumers real time interaction with brand on their personal handsets.”
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.
