MAM
Piyush Pandey inducted, industry veterans celebrate growth at IAA Leadership Awards 2024
Mumbai: The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) hosted the grand 11th edition of the prestigious IAA Leadership Awards on August 6 at the Taj Lands End hotel in Mumbai. The awards served as a platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of industry leaders.
This year’s ceremony saw the presence of numerous distinguished guests, including senior marketing, advertising, and media professionals, who gathered to honor the exceptional accomplishments of the award recipients.
The awards covered various sectors, including automobiles, financial services, FMCG, e-commerce, edtech, retail, and consumer durables, acknowledging the diverse achievements and innovative contributions of outstanding professionals.
IAA inducted Ogilvy’s executive chairman India, Piyush Pandey, into the IAA Hall of Fame. When reached for comment on his induction, he said, “It’s always a great honor to be recognized by our own people. I believe in work done for our people and our clients in India, so this means a lot. I have won several lifetime achievement awards outside the country, but these were awarded for the work I have done in India, making it all the more special.”
RK Swami Ltd. chairman and managing director Srinivasan Swamy who had bagged the “Force For Good” award, commented on the importance of events like the IAA Leadership Awards, “It’s crucial to celebrate success in the marketing community, particularly when brands perform exceptionally well. Showcasing these achievements through awards highlights the excellence in the A&M industry and the work of the marketing professionals behind them.”
News18’s managing editor, special projects, and senior anchor, Anand Narasimhan, won the title of IAA TV Anchor of the Year. Bollywood stars Ananya Pandey and Vicky Kaushal received the IAA Brand Endorser of the Year awards in the male and female categories, respectively, for their ability to connect with audiences and effectively promote brands. The creative agency head of the year was awarded to Ogilvy’s current executive chairperson, Hephzibah Pathak. EssenceMediacom CEO South Asia, Navin Khemka won the media agency head of the year.
During the event, Jio Finance Ltd.’s head of brand & marketing, Rajesh Raman, discussed the current marketing landscape. He noted, “The shift has already happened with digital media and ChatGPT coming into play. Clients have reworked their marketing plans, and many sectors like BFSI are gearing up to use digital media. The industry is set for significant growth, driven by India’s large and growing youth base. The next 15 years will witness unprecedented growth, making this a remarkable time for advertising and marketing.”
He further added, “Despite market volatility, indices suggest that growth will soon surpass significant thresholds. Consumer demand has surged post-COVID, with high interest in new products and loans. COVID, in retrospect, acted as a blessing, as it led to a pent-up demand surfacing. The industry has reassessed and improved since then.”
He concluded by saying, “I am very positive about the industry’s future. Media growth and brand experimentation are at an all-time high. India’s cultural influence will now be exposed to the global stage, with the world looking at 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.
