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[Podcast] Media Minds: Havas Media Group’s Anita Nayyar talks about the evolving ad industry
MUMBAI: Havas Media Group is one of the most successful agencies in India right now. Having worked with a diverse bouquet of brands like OYO, Kohler, YepMe, Philips Lighting, DLF, and Reckitt Benckiser over the years, the agency owns a stronghold on the media and marketing industry.
For the second episode of its podcast ‘Media Minds’, Indiantelevision.com met Havas Media Group CEO India and South East Asia Anita Nayyar and discussed with her the ever-changing dynamics of the advertising industry and the trends that are going to be the making and breaking points for it in the coming years.
Speaking about the evolution that the advertising industry has seen, Nayyar shared, “We have come a long way as far as the advertising and marketing industry is concerned. If we look at today, we are instilling pride in indigenous content and really have the consumer as the focal point. Much more than just selling the products, we are promoting national integration.”
She added, “This shift has also happened because there has been a change in the audience that we are talking to. Specifically, the millennials who have adapted to the internet really very fast.”
Answering our question of whether brands should follow an integrated approach of advertising or keep their traditional and digital agencies separate, Nayyar mentioned that it is not the consumer who is looking at various media as different propositions but the brands. She emphasised that for the campaigns to be successful and interact in a holistic manner, integration is the right approach to follow.
She also highlighted the key trends, including AR, VR, video, voice, etc., and how the brands can effectively leverage them for their campaigns.
Listen to the complete interaction on the second episode of ‘Media Minds’ here:
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.
