MAM
Three Mumbaities emerge winners of Pepsi ‘Khufiya Card’ contest
MUMBAI: The summer of 2005 is a bonanza for Pepsi lovers in the country with Pepsi’s unprecedented ‘Khufiya Card’ consumer initiative. The initiative received unprecedented response from consumers across the country.
Michael John, Vani Rao and Subodh Bodke from Mumbai have just got richer by Rs 100,000 as part of the ‘Pepsi Khufiya Card’ promotion. According to the trio, who have always been Pepsi lovers and never thought drinking Pepsi could bring in such a huge reward.
Said John, “I can’t thank Pepsi enough for this pleasant surprise. Dekhte hi dekhte kismat badal gayee.”
The nationwide ‘Pepsi Khufiya Card’ promotion is valid on multi-serve packs (two litre and 1.5 litre) of Pepsi, Mirinda Orange, Mirinda Lemon, Mountain Dew and 7UP. Every consumer who gets a ‘Khufiya Card’ on purchase of any of these products is assured of a prize.
The ‘Pepsi Khufiya Card’ initiative, for the first time makes TV advertising an ‘interactive medium’ in consumer promotion. It gives consumers an opportunity to discover their prizes by simply holding the Khufiya card against the blue TV screen during the airing of the Pepsi Khufiya ad. The consumer just needs to peel off the seal on his khufiya card, and hold the card against the blue ‘promo window’ in the TV ad, to reveal his prize.
The prizes are divided into four levels. While there the top prize is Rs 250 million, there are other prizes of Rs 100,000, Rs 1000 and Rs 100. In addition there are “Rs 40 off” deals on some cards, whereby consumers can redeem these cards to get a discount of Rs 40 on any purchases in participating groceries and restaurants.
According to Pepsi Foods Pvt Ltd executive director (marketing) Punita Lal, “Pepsi, in its inimitable way, adds a lot of fun and excitement to the summer months. The path breaking ‘Khufiya Card’ is a unique device that integrates the TV campaign with the promotion in a very innovative way, and directly engages the consumer in the promotion while watching the ad on his TV screen.”
The storyline of the ad, featuring Pepsi brand ambassador Saif Ali Khan, revolves around a bumbling detective’s failed attempts to crack the case of the mystery card. Conceptualised by JWT, the ad is directed by ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar.
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.
