Brands
Vector Brand Solutions announces its operating leadership team
MUMBAI : Vector Brand Solutions on Tuesday announced its operating leadership and appointed Tushar Bhatia, Ripanka Kalita and Mandar Gore to lead business, creative and strategy respectively.
Earlier in November, Tilt Brand Solutions founder, chairman and MD Joseph (Joe) George had announced the launch of Vector – the group’s next brand & communications enterprise. “With the operating leadership of Vector now in place, I am certain that the vision and ambition for Vector, will be brought to fruition very soon,” stated George while speaking on Vector’s operating leadership team announcement. “With their pedigreed experience in delivering through- the-funnel results for clients, Vector will hopefully soon be the answer for all digital-first marketers. I am absolutely confident that the three of them will live and breathe every day, Vector’s operating philosophy of ‘Pace. Preference. Purpose. Performance.’”
Tushar Bhatia has joined Vector as a senior director – business, after his stint at Maple where he was the chief marketing officer leading the function. He has over 19 years of experience across advertising and marketing stints, across continents too. His prior experience includes leadership positions at Ogilvy Africa where he was the SPOC for Airtel Africa (19 countries), Barclays Bank, Coca Cola, Nestle, Barclays Bank and many more in Sub Saharan Africa. At Y&R Menacom, he was the lead for Nawras Telecommunications (QTEL) Bank Muscat and Khimji Lifestyle in Muscat Oman.
Over the years, Bhatia has also worked at Lowe Lintas and FCB Ulka where he partnered his clients on work for brands like Axis Bank, Canara Robeco MF, Indian Oil Corporation, Reliance Retail, ICICI Bank, Bisleri, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Ultratech Cements, and many more.
Ripanka Kalita has joined Vector director – creative. With over 17 years of experience across Mullen Lintas, Leo Burnett, McCann Erickson, Grey Worldwide and Infectious, Kalita has crafted distinct brand stories across categories and brands. Some of his stellar pieces of work have been seen on campaigns for brands like Pharmeasy, Motilal Oswal, Tata Cliq, Voot, Too Yumm!, Bajaj Avenger, Marico, Reliance Life Insurance, MTV Beats and many more. He has also picked up a number of metals during his career across Cannes, Kyoorius, and the Effies.
Mandar Gore has moved within the group as senior director – strategy. At Tilt Brand Solutions, he was leading strategy on brands like Licious, Livspace, 24 Mantra, The Pink Foundry, Groww, Swiggy to name a few. Gore had joined Tilt after over 16 years across advertising and brand consulting. In his earlier stints at FCB, Ogilvy and Sideways Consulting, he worked on brands like Bournvita, Kamasutra, Fosters, Amaron, Castrol, Mahindra & Mahindra and Pidilite, amongst others. His work on them has won him Indian as well as international effectiveness laurels at Effies India/APAC and AME.
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.
