MAM
Zenith adjudged best media agency of 2001 in Asia Pacific
Zenith Media has been adjudged the ‘Media Agency of The Year 2001’ in Asia Pacific by Media Magazine.
A slew of key accounts in one of the most demanding years, Zenith won the honour for the second time in four years, beating key competitors like The Media Edge, MindShare, OMD and Universal McCann, according to a company release. “Zenith put on nearly 17 per cent in new business…and invested in consumer insights such as its study of China’s rural children and working towards single source data for the mainland’s TV markets. On top of this it continues to invest in talent and creativity across its regional network…Zenith owes its winning streak to the talent and tools it has at its disposal. Ultimately, agencies are about people and Zenith has recruited, retained and even rehired key talent to spearhead growth,” the award citation reads.
In the last year, Zenith Media won a number of key accounts, including the prestigious Procter & Gamble buying account in China and planning accounts in IndoChina and Singapore. Other accounts won in China were Sony, Danone, Amway, 999, Huiren Pharmaceuticals and the drinks brand Robust. In Japan, Zenith Media won the AXA Direct and Renault accounts. Some other major wins for Zenith Media in the region have been Timberland, Puma and 3Com.
In the past quarter in India, Zenith Media has picked up LML Ltd., P A Time Industries (Maxima Quartz) and Ozone Ayurvedic Limited in Delhi. In Kolkatta, Zenith Media has gained Jindal Industries and Shalimar Paints. The Mumbai branch has won International Coffee as well as planning for Tata AIG.
In Asia, Zenith Media is in the top 3 in 8 out of the 10 countries that it operates in, and in India, Zenith Media handles more than Rs 30 billion worth of media buys.
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.
