MAM
Rei Inamoto is ADFEST 2015’s Grand Jury president
MUMBAI: Worldwide chief creative officer and vice president Rei Inamoto at AKQA has joined ADFEST 2015 as its Grand Jury president.
Originally from Tokyo and now based in New York, Inamoto has been instrumental in putting AKQA on the map as one of the world’s most formidable agencies whose clients include Audi, Nike and Red Bull, among other leading brands. He oversees AKQA’s creative vision and output globally and played a pivotal role in the agency’s selection as one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies as well as multiple Agency of the Year accolades.
“The true insight of this highly technological world we live in is this: the most powerful force in our universe isn’t technology, it’s imagination,” said Inamoto.
He added, “It’s our imagination that allows technology to advance our industry, society and most importantly, humanity. As Grand Jury President of ADFEST 2015, I look forward to witnessing the most imaginative ideas that force us into the next chapter of our universe.”
Inamoto helped launched AKQA in New York in 2004 and now provides global creative leadership across all of AKQA’s 14 offices. He has been named twice on Creativity Magazine’s annual “Creativity 50”list, was named one of “The Top 25 Most Creative People in Advertising” by Forbes, and was inducted into “The Hall of Achievement” by the American Advertising Federation.
“Rei is without doubt one of the most influential thought leaders in the creative industry today. As Grand Jury President, his responsibilities are large – not only will he preside over all 18 Lotus categories, he will also oversee a super panel of Jury Presidents judging the Integrated Lotus, INNOVA Lotus, and the very unique Lotus Roots categories. We can’t wait to welcome him to Thailand next year,” said ADFEST president Jimmy Lam.
ADFEST 2015 will take place from 19 to 21 March at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand.
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.
