MAM
W+K India CCO Santosh Padhi & president Ayesha Ghosh quit
Mumbai: Chief creative officer Santosh Padhi (Paddy), president Ayesha Ghosh, along with Shreekant Srinivasan (head of Delhi) have put in their resignations at W+K India.
Santosh Padhi joined W+K as CCO in early 2022, and was joined by Ayesha Ghosh shortly after. Together they opened W+K in Mumbai, and oversaw creative and business operations across Mumbai and Delhi. Combined, both offices created campaigns for these giant brands Jio 5G, Jio Fibre, Hero Vida, Jockey, Jindal Steel, Casio G-Shock, Hero Cycles, Firefox, Zoya Solitaires, Brownkind Skin care, Whistle dental care, among others.
Santosh Padhi (Paddy) stated: “I came into the W+K family with lots of excitement as I always followed their amazing work during my taproot days. I’m super proud that along with Ayesha and the solid team we managed to get some of the biggest brands in the nation, and had success on every front, be it people, reputation or clientele. We won over a dozen businesses and have managed to produce some beautiful work on the brands mentioned above. Not only me but we all really enjoyed the freedom the global team gave us on every front with total autonomy and many other wonderful things which I will always remember.”
“Unfortunately like most senior creative individuals even my heart is calling for something beyond this, something new, something that will give me a newer high, I have to depart in search of a new love,” Paddy added.
Ayesha Ghosh said, “The last 2.5 years have been quite exhilarating, right from stepping into this legendary agency, to setting up the Mumbai office, stabilizing and growing the Delhi office, delivering good results and adapting the unique W+K culture to India. Within a little over half a year of joining, it was satisfying to see the impact of our leadership. This wouldn’t have been possible without the passion and hard work of our employees. Every interaction with the W+K crew around the globe has opened my mind to new ways of thinking and new ways of measuring the worth of the work that we do. I hope I get to work with such a smart set of people again.”
Added Ayesha, “I’ve been meaning to pause for a while, dedicate more time to yoga and spend time with family. As for what comes next, I’ll see what the universe throws my way.”
An official statement from W+K stated: “We are grateful to Paddy and Ayesha for their efforts during these past two and a half years as they set up an office in Mumbai and brought in new energy and clients. We wish them all the best as they move on from the agency and take their talents into the world.”
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.
