MAM
Starcom MediaVest Group announces two key hires
MUMBAI: Starcom MediaVest Group has announced a couple of management changes and key appointments to strengthen the organisation.
The media agency has appointed Gerald Roche as VP for the south division operating out of Banglore and Sameer Kapoor as VP at their Gurgaon office.
Sameer Kapoor – Vice President Starcom Worldwide Gurgaon
This announcement comes in the wake of SMG solidifying its position as an employer of choice and is a step towards becoming the leading Media Agency in the country.
Starcom MediaVest Group India CEO Mallikarjunadas CR said, “The appointments of Sameer and Gerald reflect SMG‘s commitment to attracting the best and brightest talent to our agency.”
“Sameer and Gerald are reliable leaders with robust backgrounds in business development and client relationship management. They will fit very well within our strongly established client-driven culture and we are sure they will continue their successful runs with us,” added Mallikarjunadas.
On his appointment Roche said “I‘m truly delighted and encouraged that SMG, anchored by its analytics resources, has digital (and not just television) at the front and center of its media planning and I look forward to contributing to this team effort in no small measure”
Gerald Roche – Vice President Starcom Worldwide South
Prior to Starcom, Roche was heading the Media buying division for Madison Media Infinity and Platinum Media. In a career spanning over fifteen years he has worked with Sony Entertainment Television, Dubai Outdoor Media, Mindshare, Carat Media Services, OMD Dubai, Bozell Prime Dubai.
He has handled different clients in his earlier stints like Asian Paints, Axis Bank, Bharti AXA Life Insurance, Britannia Industries, Cadbury / Kraft Foods India, IDFC, Marico, McDonald‘s India, Tata Chemicals and Turner Television (Imagine TV).
Kapoor on the other hand brings to the table his decade long experience, he has worked with Madison Media Plus, Madison media, Initiative media, Optimum media solutions and Universal McCann with the various clients – Hyundai, General Motors , Maruti, Bharti Airteland Bacardi Martini. He will be heading Samsung for Starcom in his new stint.
“I look forward to working with a great organisation and a great client like Samsung. Starcom is going from strength to strength; I‘m excited to be a part of this growth oriented organisation and being present while we achieve greater heights of success,” said Kapoor.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
