MAM
The Media Edge buoyed by increase ad spends by Tata group companies
MUMBAI: Rediffusion DY&R India’s media division The Media Edge (TME) headed by Divya Gupta is gearing up for some high-profile campaigns. The media independent is also vying with other top media agencies like Lowe’s Initiative and Madison Media for the No. 2 position behind the country’s largest media independent WPP Media comprising MindShare and Maximise amongst others.
Between September and December 2003, TME will be involved in the most ambitious advertising campaign ever conceived by Tata group company Titan Industries Watch division.
Titan Industries Watch COO Bijou Kurien confirms that the company will spend Rs 85-90 million on a multimedia advertising campaign during the next quarter. “Ogilvy and Mather Bangalore has been our creative agency right from the very beginning. The releasing agency will be The Media Edge.”
In a move aimed at enhanced synergy, economies of scale and enhanced media clout, the Tata group has recently decided to channelise its media operations through a single agency – The Media Edge. The collection ad spend of the entire Tata group is supposed to be in the range of Rs 1.5 billion.
TME media director Divya Radhakrishnan, who was present during the Titan Industries new world watch launch press conference held in Mumbai on 23 September 2003, adds that there is heightened activity on other Tata group accounts. They are Tata Motors automobiles (Indigo, Indica, Tata SUVs, commercial vehicles amongst others), Tata Indicom (the ISP and Internet services), Tata AIG (insurance joint venture company) amongst others.
Sources also add that Indian Hotels – Taj group of hotels – will start its campaign sometime towards the end of the year in November and December 2003.
Looks like the increased activity within the Tata group will definitely give a fillip to the consolidated billings of The Media Edge.
Also read:
The Mediaedge bags Tata Engineering AOR account
The Mediaedge bags AOR business of SKF Bearings, Keo Karpin
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.
