MAM
Reshmy Warrier returns to WPP Media to lead Unilever business planning
MUMBAI: Reshmy Warrier has rejoined WPP Media as head of business planning and operations for Mindshare’s Unilever account, marking a homecoming after more than 14 years shaping content strategy at Star and Zee5.
Warrier will steer advanced planning, strategic insights, product development and automation for WPP’s Team Unilever, bringing a mix of media savvy and data-driven flair to one of the world’s most powerful brand portfolios.
She spent nearly six years at Zee5 as senior vice-president of global content strategy and platform operations, driving a 30 per cent surge in SVOD conversions and an 8 per cent rise in viewership. Earlier, at Star, she led strategy and programming for the English entertainment business, keeping shows like MasterChef Australia and Koffee with Karan at the top of the ratings.
This is Warrier’s third stint at WPP Media and her second at Mindshare Fulcrum, where she once handled Unilever’s beauty and haircare brands, managing a Rs 200-crore media budget and executing high-profile campaigns such as Dove’s “Hair Damage Meter” and India’s first logo-based augmented reality ad.
Her career began in outdoor advertising with Cactus Imaging and Kinetic Worldwide before moving into client leadership at Mindshare. Warrier described the move as “a new chapter powered by AI, tech and data to deliver impact-driven solutions for Unilever.”
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.
