MAM
Taboola strengthens its presence in India, onboards Kanika Mittal as country manager
Mumbai: Taboola, a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, helping people discover things they may like, today announced continued growth for Taboola India. Taboola is a market leader in India with partnerships across major publishers in the country, including India Today group, NDTV, Zee Group, The Indian Express, ABP, and Network18. In September, Taboola India celebrates its monumental milestone of 10 years in the market, with a gala event in honor of key publishers and advertisers and strengthening of its leadership team.
To spearhead and further accelerate Taboola India’s recent momentum, Taboola has appointed Kanika Mittal as the new country manager for Taboola India. With over 19 years of visionary leadership and a demonstrated history spanning digital, tech, e-commerce, retail, and consumer goods, Mittal brings a wealth of experience to her new position, marked by a proven track record to drive growth, and implement strategic initiatives in the digital landscape.
Assuming her new role as country head for Taboola India, Mittal will shoulder the responsibility for our Indian operations, with a primary objective of propelling revenue growth and solidifying our cherished partnerships. Furthermore, Mittal will take a central role in nurturing and expanding Taboola’s publishing partnerships in India, actively contributing to their trajectory. Her multifaceted responsibilities extend to elevating brand, reputation and culture with a focus on growth to contribute to the organization’s overall success.
As the former country head at Twitter, she drove revenue growth, cultivated a high-performance culture, and fostered cross-functional collaboration. Her notable achievement includes spearheading the ‘India 5X by 2025’ initiative, propelling India towards exponential revenue and audience growth. Previously, as country marketing director at Reebok (adidas group), she successfully repositioned the brand into a premium fitness label, championed an omni-channel, digital first approach, and pioneered a groundbreaking women’s-first movement with #FitToFight.
Mittal advocates for purpose-driven brands, founded D.E.A.R. Indiya, curated The Enchanted Festival of Stories, and authored ‘The Adventures of Sugi & the Banshee’. which is now an Amazon Bestseller. She’s received accolades for digital, business and brand leadership, and she was actively involved in mentorship through organizations like the Marketing Society in India and the Vedica Scholars Program for Women.
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.
