MAM
QYOU Media to acquire influencer marketing firm Chtrbox
Mumbai: QYOU Media Inc on Tuesday announced that it has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire leading Influencer marketing company Chtrbox in India.
The acquisition is part of the company’s continued focus on India, and in the creator economy and content domain. QYOU Media will initially purchase a majority stake in Chtrbox, with a three year earn out. Founder and CEO Pranay Swarup and COO Julie Kriegshaber will continue in their leadership roles with Chtrbox.
Founded in 2016 Chtrbox is a data-driven influencer marketing, with a diverse pool of over three lakh influencers, from celebrities, social media stars, Gen-Z creators to micro and nano influencers. According to the company, it will continue to run as an independently positioned brand, while benefiting from QYOU Media’s complementary businesses including the TV channel – The Q.
Highlighting the common goals shared by the companies QYOU Media Inc., CEO and co-founder, Curt Marvis, said collective synergies between the two businesses could not be better aligned. “Our channel in India, The Q, with its massive recent ratings growth shows the power of the right creator led content. When we combine this with Chtrbox’s digital acumen and unparalleled knowledge of the world of influencer marketing, it is truly a match made in heaven,” he said.
QYOU Media has been built with ‘influencers’ at its core. Its India TV Channel, The Q is also primarily creator-led and records nearly 100 million viewer impressions weekly. The acquisition is aimed at substantial expansion of QYOU’s influencer marketing business in India and also deliver immediate and accretive capabilities to QYOU’s India broadcast operations, said the company.
Chtrbox, CEO and founder, Pranay Swarup said, “With QYOU, we gain access to massive distribution reaching millions of households, while we continue to power awesome creator-led content across digital platforms and apps. Our biggest stakeholders are influencers and brands and they now have the opportunity to positively influence millions more.”
The Q India, chief operating officer, Krishna Menon said, “Chtrbox will also help strengthen our presence in the rapidly rising digital streaming space. Together, we are perfectly positioned to consolidate and advance influencer marketing, content development, distribution and engagement to the next level in India. We welcome Chtrbox to The Q family.”
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.
