MAM
Zee sports new look in changing media landscape
MUMBAI: India’s biggest television media company, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel), is turning “cool”, in a major rebranding exercise that aims to reflect the progressive outlook of its channels.
The need for change has come after a gap of six years, a period in which the television landscape has changed dramatically and the reach has exploded.
Zeel has coined the tagline ‘Umeed Se Saje Zindagi‘’ for all its channels (barring the sports channels) and sported a new corporate brand identity.
Behind the new look is the company’s objective to take forward a progressive outlook.
Unveiling the new brand identity for flagship Hindi general entertainment channel Zee TV, Zeel MD and CEO Punit Goenka said he believes that the time is right to “infuse renewed freshness into the brand and reflect an identity that truly articulates our spirit.”
The essence is captured in the new tagline. “The new positioning is about a celebration and vindication of a woman’s emerging beliefs and a reflection of her changing hopes, dreams and optimism,” said Goenka.
The new logo is designed by the in-hose team at Zeel, based on the creative inputs from its agency Draft FCB-Ulka.
The aqua blue colour new logo features a stylish font. Zeel said that the new age design with its upward flourish signifies the upward movement of desires and wishes.
The abstract form of the ‘Z’ and vibrancy of aqua blue bring in modernity and freshness to the brand.
“The unshackling of the ‘Z’ from the box symbolises today’s woman’s zest for life and confidence to go out in the world beyond her home. The overall design has a progressive feel and reflects the idea of looking into the future with hope and depicts a more dynamic and spirited outlook. The rainbow of hope is a very important element of the new packaging. It is colourful, ethereal and symbolically emphasizes the promise of ‘Umeed Se Saje Zindagi’… celebrating hope and life,” said Goenka.
Draft FCB-Ulka has also developed the new corporate brand TVC. Produced by Equinox, the TVC captures “the sky” in “our canvas”. This was brought through by the protagonist in the TVC—the girl-child—and her desire to succeed. It’s a metaphor for the woman, echoing the emerging paradigms with fresh beliefs and a zest for life.
The film is directed by ad film-maker Ram Madhvani while the music is composed by Rajat Dholakia.
The new logo, packaging and positioning was unveiled in the event ‘Umeed ka Naya Chehra’ on 19 June at 9 pm.
Zeel is also kicking off a 360 degree advertising campaign to promote the new brand identity.
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.
