MxMIndia

Category: Awards

  • The awards honour the best in journalism across six categories, spanning a range of mediums from print and broadcast to online and photography

    Diageo awards winners of Women’s Empowerment Journalism Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    Diageo has announced the winners of the Women’s Empowerment (WE) Journalism Awards 2015, recognising exemplary work in women’s empowerment reporting at an Awards Gala Dinner held in Hong Kong recently.

     

    The award recipients of the WE Journalism Awards 2015 included:

     

    • Print Story of the Year: Ruhi Kandhari, Tehelka (India)

    Entry: How Women Pay The Price For Population Control

    • Broadcast Story of the Year: Pearl Maria Forss, Channel NewsAsia (Singapore)

    Entry: Women Fight Back

    • Online Story of the Year: Bec Zajac, Freelance (Australia)

    Entry: Power And Gender: How Schools Are Taking A Lead In The Campaign To End Violence Against Women

    • Photo Story of the Year: Altaf Qadri, Associated Press (India)

    Entry: She Sought Good Life In Delhi, But Found Trash

    • Journalist of the Year: Bec Zajac, Freelance (Australia)
    • Media Title of the Year: Vogue India (India)

     

     

    The WE Journalism Awards was established to recognise and honour outstanding achievements in the reporting on women’s issues as part of Diageo’s ‘Plan W: Empowering Women through Learning’ community initiative. The awards honour the best in journalism across six categories, spanning a range of mediums from print and broadcast to online and photography.

     

    “Journalists are a powerful force whose reporting can compel people to sit up, take notice and create change. Through the Awards, we honour and express our heartfelt gratitude to this brave group of individuals who work tirelessly to uncover stories about prevailing women’s empowerment issues in our society which must be told. Congratulations to all our winners,” said Sam Fischer, President Greater China and Asia, Diageo.

     

    The winners were selected by three luminaries of journalism and social-activism including Monique Villa, CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, award-winning independent journalist, Shaili Chopra, and Yan Mei, one of China’s leading media women and Senior Partner at Brunswick Group.

     

    Submissions came from a range of local, regional and international media platforms across 18 participating markets; Australia, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, over the past year.

     

    Each winning journalist received a cash prize of US$1,000, while the winning media title received a cash prize of US$3,000 to support reporting of a women’s empowerment initiative.

     

  • This year's program features some of the world's great creatives such as R/GA's Global Chief Creative Officer, Nick Law; AKQA's Chief Creative Officer Rei Inamoto; Design Army's Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer Pum Lefebure; and Hollywood actor/producer Paul J. Alessi

    Adfest announces speaker line-up

    By A Correspondent

     

    ADFEST has unveiled its line-up of Speaker Sessions for 2015, and this year’s program features some of the world’s great creatives such as R/GA’s Global Chief Creative Officer, Nick Law; AKQA’s Chief Creative Officer Rei Inamoto; Design Army’s Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer Pum Lefebure; and Hollywood actor/producer Paul J. Alessi.

     

    A few sessions include ‘How to make a brand bad-ass’ by R/GA’s Global Chief Creative Officer, Nick Law; The Gunn report 2014; Circle of trust by brand strategist Sidharth Loyal; We will fix it in post by Juice., Warsaw & Wroclaw; Bad is bad by Chung Su Ko of Cheil Worldwide; ROI of the bad: do shocking ads really work? By Hando Sinisalu, CEO of Tallinn, Estonia; Be bad – a technologist’s guide to breaking creative rules by Proximity Singapore; and Young Lotus 2015 Fresh Blood among others.

     

  • StreetWear as a brand is aimed primarily at the 18-25 year old woman in India

    VML India wins StreetWear’s digital mandate

    By A Correspondent

     

    VML India has been awarded the Digital AoR responsibilities by StreetWear India, after a multi-agency pitch in December.

     

    StreetWear is a cosmetics brand in India since 2004. In October 2014, the brand re-launched itself with new packaging, reinvented formulation and a new brand story. In 2015, StreetWear aspires to become India’s most stylish cosmetic brand for millennials. To do this, the brand needs to appeal to the TG in ways beyond a favorable price point.

     

    This is the digital mandate which VML India is expected to fulfil, using digital to create a strong emotional connect with the audience translating into increased usage and consumption.

     

    StreetWear Color Rich by Revlon leads its communications with a philosophy #whynot. It strives to inspire young women to experiment with color to express themselves. It re0-launched the brand with a #whynot blog, where 4 StreetWear brand ambassadors share their #whynot stories. Supported by branded content across social channels and in-campus activations, StreetWear spread the #whynot message with color. In a latest extension of this campaign, it is on a journey with fashion blogger Rhea Gupte as she explores street fashion across India.

     

    A Revlon Spokesperson said, “StreetWear as a brand is aimed primarily at the 18-25 year old woman in India. Digital therefore becomes our lead channel to build relevance and affinity with this audience. We have worked with VML for Revlon and are confident they will turn around digital for StreetWear as they did for Revlon.”

     

    Tripti Lochan

    Tripti Lochan, CEO VML said “We have had an exciting and fulfilling journey with Revlon since 2012 and are extremely happy to be able to extend that relationship to include the StreetWear brand. StreetWear is a fresh, dynamic brand in the cosmetic space and we are keen to partner with them on this digital foray.”

     

  • The veteran adman and awards administrator on why the 10th edition of Goafest is a must-attend

    Ajay Chandwani: 6 reasons on what one can expect at Goafest 2015 (and why it’s a must-attend)

    By Ajay Chandwani

     

    Goafest has in the last decade become one of the world’s significant ad festivals in numbers and has weathered many ups and downs to retain its premier position of Asia’s most happening learning and awards platform. What can we expect from Goafest in its tenth year of operation?

     

    1.Some exciting presentations from high quality international speakers like Ted Lim of Dentsu, Alan Moseley of 180 Amsterdam, Niel Stewart of Facebook and also speakers from domains other than advertising like mythologist Devdutt Pattanik. Knowledge and learning is an equal partner with celebration of creativity and innovation. This will be amply displayed.

     

    2. For the first time, Youth Labs in Creative and Media will be introduced as a lively interactive platform aimed at keeping the young delegates engaged with more than just beer and sand. Industry stalwarts who are not easily accessible to the young delegates will conduct these sessions.

     

    3. Apart from an inclusive Conclave which has already been enlarged in audience reach and scope, there is a Leadership Summit on the last day which will address some critical issues in Marketing, Advertising and Communication by thought leaders from these domains.

     

    4. A smooth transparent judging process for Abbys which has already been appreciated by the juries and chairpersons involved last year in the annual feedback session. All the rigor introduced in sifting through any controversial or proactive “only for awards” entries will go through the auditors scanners before and during the jury sessions. The organisers have promised to honour all decisions of Jury after Awards have been decided.

     

    5. New companies participating in Abbs from diverse fields like Public Relations, Branded Content, Brand Activation, Publishers, Broadcasters, apart from Design and the fast growing vertical of Digital and Mobile advertising.

     

    More than anything else, Goafest is a young ad person’s dream platform as it offers more than just a heavily subsidised festival that lays out competition, learning from the gurus, fun on the beach and the ultimate social lubrication that takes networking to a new high.

     

    It’s not surprising to meet people you have worked with years ago in different companies and often different cities after many years of disconnect.

     

    CXOs find themselves aged and surrounded by young turks who are the new generation of a profession that refuses to get old, often discussing the new rules of engagement and making the digital communities of today come alive.

     

    Last year, a record 275 companies participated which is expected to increase further this year as E-commerce, M-commerce and Mobile has already ushered in a whole new breed of players and participants.

     

    6. A slicker, exciting, entertaining and professional show as we have partnered with experts in the event business.

     

    All in all , expect more than just paragliding, volleyball on the beach and the very Goan twist in the rain dance that has become a festival property.

     

    The writer is Director, Percept Ltd and Member,  Award Governing Council, Goafest Abbys and Joint Secretary, Adclub Management Committee

     

  • Adfest 2015 lived up to its promise of providing a creative forum and stimulus for learning, reports Sanjeev Kotnala

    Sanjeev Kotnala@Adfest: Well-choreographed storytelling


    By Sanjeev Kotnala

     

    ‘Seamless Storytelling’, ‘You Are The Hero’ and ‘Jury Crossfire’ were the central thought pieces theme that ran through Day 2 and 3 at ADFEST 2015 Pattaya. Amply demonstrated with engaging presentations that ran like clockwork. Hats off to the team behind the scene.

     

    The thoughts that kept echoing long after the presentations were over and were too loud to be ignored, I share a few of them with you…

    ‘INVOLVING’

    If you tell someone – he will soon forget it, if you show someone he may remember it but if you are able to involve him – he will understand it. First coined by Confucius remains as relevant as ever. As communication heroes we need to be doing that.

    ‘STORYTELLING’

    To do that, we need to be able to use the art of storytelling. A smart beginning, introduce character, middle where things get complicated, a turning point and a satisfying end. Sound even though art of storytelling is a natural art not everyone is good in it. Get a good storyteller in your team.

    ‘MAKE IT MEMORABLE’

    You have your own world and if you look in your life, you will have few distinctly memorable points of reference. That is your world. And we should operate in our world.  Our job is to make things memorable. As in life you get more in return for surprises and unexpected than for doing the expected. It is true for the communication, event, trigger you press with the audiences. And while you are at it- try thinking how will you create personally unforgettable experiences for your own life to expand the world you live in. Go ahead and in the next 180 days – do what has never been done before.

    ‘THE NEW REALITY’

    ‘Virtual Reality’ and ‘Augmented Reality’ seems to be a medium that is set for explosions in terms of advertisers to adapt and the consumers to be delighted with. They truly engage the customer. In a way they have the capability of creating captive audience by drawing complete attention, focus and engagement. The way forward with software that is becoming of superior quality day by day and the ease of delivering it like- Google box- is giving that force needed to take it to another level.

    SELLING AN IDEA

    Clients live and die by how well their brands are ding in the marketplace. Empathize with them. Use logic and reasoning to back up your sell. Clients are really wanting to be assured that they are doing the right thing. Show them the case studies and trends to convince them how other brands have succeeded doing something similar and how we could lose out if the competition beats us to the idea. But reassure them with a contingency plan. At the same time, you must demonstrate how passionately you believe in your idea. If even you are not 100% convinced wit your work, why should the client believe in it.

    ‘YOU ARE NOT AN ADMAN’

    This was a title devised a long time back, when all you did was Advertising. Now you are hardly doing that. You are doing a lot more, lot more defined, at times niche but hugely more practical, relevant, engaging, involving and strategic. So, first change yourself in your approach to work. Try doing unexpected; bring in the most unexpected solution to an expected problem.

    ‘WORK LIFE BALANCE’ – Pum Lefebure Idea

    May not work till you see them as two compartments. Pum shared that at the start of the year she takes a cube and places the most important thing for her life (this year she shared it was health). On two sides she places two things that make her happy. Like Family and Creativity. Then on the other two sides she places the two things that make her professionally happy. Like Travel and something. And at the base she places her goal. Because it should be the foundation and not something you are trying to jump and access. And the most important thing should be at the top, without which nothing would really matter. She says she plays with that Cube a lot and it helps her keep her focus.

    Adfest lived up to its promise of providing a creative forum and stimulus for learning. By showcasing every entry (not just the shortlist), the great cultural diversity of work was available to be absorbed. Some of it was stunning and one believes will continue to get more applauded as the year goes by.

    Learnings from: Andrew Petch, Executive Creative Director of Ace Satchi & Satchi Manila, Gosling of Happy Finish- Augmented reality, Jonathan Samway, Executive Producer at Moth Projects, Sydney, Katsuaki Hashida (Hakuhodo Kettle, Tokyo) & Takahiro Hosoda (TBWA Hakuhodo, Tokyo, Lotus News, Oz Dean, Creative Director- We Are Social Australia. Pun Lefebure, Co founder of Design Army and Sa’ad Hussein, Chief Creative officer & executive Director of TBWA\Kuala Lumper

     


    Sanjeev Kotnala is Head Catalyst at Intradia and believes the best way forward for an organisation is to enhance its interanal team’s potential and capabilities instead of depending on external resources. He is a Management, Marketing and Braand consultant and conducts specialised workshops in the area of IDEATION (Harvest and Liberate) and Innovation (InNoWait). To contact email sanjeev@intradia.in  or tweet at s_kotnala visit www.intradia.in  www.sanjeevkotnala.com.

     

  • The event was held at Hotel Taj Vivanta in New Delhi on March 20, 2015. The Flame Awards is recognised as the Oscars for the Indian Rural Marketing business

    Viscomm wins RMAI Award

    RMAI FLAME Award being collected by Puneet Vidyarthi, GM & Head of Rural,JCB India Ltd (2nd from Right), Rajesh Grover, MD, VISCOMM (extreme right)

    By A Correspondent

     

    VISCOMM, a leading full-service BTL agency has bagged top honours at the Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI) Awards held recently. At an event held amidst the big names in rural marketing, the marcom firm collected the award along with its client JCB India Limited for the initiative ‘Sunehra Kal’.

     

    The event was held at Hotel Taj Vivanta in New Delhi on March 20, 2015. The Flame Awards is recognised as the Oscars for the Indian Rural Marketing business.

     

    Rajesh Grover, Managing Director of VISCOMM, said, “We’ve been doing some interesting work over the last decade for JCB India Ltd. JCB allows us to experiment with innovative marketing solutions in the rural space. Sunehra Kal engages progressive farmers using the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) platform. It is delivered through a unique experiential learning game, with simulations of various real life situations, wherein the audience themselves analyse the outcomes of their decisions taken during the game.”

     

    Rajesh Grover
    Amit Gossain

    Said Amit Gossain, Executive Vice President – Sales, Marketing and Business Development, JCB India Ltd: “We are truly delighted that our partners VISCOMM who co-developed the ‘JCB Sunehra Kal’ programme with us have won the award for this one-of-a-kind initiative. This customer engagement initiative aims at instilling the idea of ‘Entrepreneurship for Livelihood’ among farmers. The overwhelming success of this programme and this award is a testament of the tireless efforts and hard work put in by both the teams to deliver this world-class experience to customers.”

     

  • This year India shares 'Country of the Year' with GroupM Philippines

    GroupM India rules at the eMMies 2015

    By A Correspondent

     

    GroupM India has won the ‘Country of the Year’ award at the eMMies 2015, the regional awards for GroupM Asia Pacific. The ‘Country of the Year’ is the grandest award at the eMMies and is given to the country that delivers the best business performance while upholding the highest standards of GroupM values. This is the second time GroupM India has won this prestigious award. This year India shares ‘Country of the Year’ with GroupM Philippines.

     

    Commenting on GroupM India’s strong showing, Mark Patterson, CEO GroupM Asia Pacific said, “India continues to set a gold standard in the region through continuous refreshment, reinvigoration, expansion of services and unique influence in the market whilst maintaining a close, collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit throughout GroupM. India does this year on year which make their performance all the more special and worthy of recognition. If there was a country of the decade award it would be India’s.”

     

    CVL Srinivas

    CVL Srinivas, CEO, GroupM South Asia said, “India is extremely proud to receive the ‘Country of the Year’ award at the eMMies this year. 2014 has been one of our best years. We are especially proud of our talent who have embraced challenges in a very dynamic market and delivered true value to our clients. However what is most heartening is that we live up to the highest standards of quality among our peers in the larger GroupM family.”

     

  • The account will be handled out of LIQVD ASIA's Mumbai office. Indiabulls is an Indian conglomerate with its headquarters in Gurgaon & Corporate Office in Mumbai

    Liqvd Asia wins digital mandate for Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited

    By A Correspondent

     

    LIQVD Asia has won the digital media mandate for Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd. [IBHFL] in a multi-agency pitch. LIQVD Asia will be re-launching their digital marketing initiatives immediately. The campaign for the IBHFL products will start from India and will be gradually penetrating into other markets such as UK & UAE.

     

    Indiabulls Group has presence in Housing Finance, Real Estate, Asset Management and Securities businesses. All the group companies are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.  Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd (IBHFL) was incorporated in May 2005, registered as a Housing Finance Company and is regulated by National Housing Bank.

     

    Commenting on the newly signed partners, Rahat Ahmed, Marketing Head – IBHFL said, “There has been a marked shift in consumer and brand behavior in the recent years. Digital has disrupted the way brands communicate with their customers; it allows us to engage with customers in a space where they spend most of their time. This helps us to have targeted conversations with specific audience. Digital allows us to go beyond the corporate website and humanize the brand.  We are happy to have found concurrence in our thought process with Team LA. Innovation is an attribute that echoes in every team member of the agency for relevant and worthy solutions.”

     

    Arnab Mitra

    Arnab Mitra, Managing Director, LIQVD Asia said, “We are overwhelmed and extremely excited to work with Indiabulls. The team will work with 100 per cent commitment to live up to the confidence that the brand has showed in us. We would like to deliver innovative ideas ensuring maximum reach and value for IBHFL through our “Digital. On Road” strategies.”

     

  • This makes it the 45th award for Power of 49 across local, regional and global forums

    Maxus wins big at Festival of Media

    By A Correspondent

     

    The award winning spree continues for global consultancy firm Maxus, as it has bagged a Silver award for the Utility/Public Service Award at a glittering ceremony at Festival of Media Asia Pacific concluded recently.

     

    Maxus, which has won business over Rs 400 crores in the the last one year, continues to gain recognition as the undisputed leader in their space. This also makes it their 45th award for the Power of 49 across local, regional and global forums.

     

    Maxus won the award for its much talked about campaign Power of 49- the media movement that brought about fresh and exciting rigour for the brand Tata Tea.

     

    Kartik Sharma

    Maxus South Asia Managing Director Kartik Sharma said, “Maxus has made strong and consisted efforts to become future ready and lean into change in a competitive ecosystem. This work is special as it really brings out the power of a great idea in a holistic and integrated manner and the wins are testimony to this. We are thankful to Tata Global Beverages in believeing in Maxus and giving us the complete freedom to bring this great idea to life. We are also thankful to all our media partners for their unconidtional support and making this campaign a roaring success. We are of course ecstatic about the win!”

     

  • As India's economic growth firms up, Corporate India is demanding sharper insights, strategic partnerships and world-class execution

    Madison PR adds 45 new wins in 2014-15

    By A Correspondent

     

    Madison Public Relations has announced that 2014-15 has been yet another year of high growth for the agency. The agency has added 45 new marquee brands to its already formidable client roster.  The agency attributes its success to its innovative campaigns, digital PR, measurable business results and a strong work-life culture, where employees are encouraged to have fun at work, enabling high creativity and productivity.

     

    The agency with its focus on client delight, has established strong capability in the FMCG, Pharma, Hospitality, Luxury and Lifestyle segments and has been known for its long standing relationships with iconic brands and industry leaders such as Procter & Gamble, Britannia, Cafe Coffee Day, Godrej & Boyce, Levis, PUMA, GSK, Go Air, Apollo Health, HBO, Zee News and Lifestyle for many years.

     

    Sam Balsara
    Paresh Chaudhry

    Sam Balsara, Chairman & Managing Director, Madison World, said, “Increasingly more and more clients are wanting to augment their advertising spends through intelligent use of what the Public Relations discipline has to offer and I am glad that Madison PR has a cutting edge offering in this discipline which has registered substantial growth for the 3rd consecutive year.”

     

    Commenting on this year’s performance CEO, Paresh Chaudhry said, “As India’s economic growth firms up, Corporate India is demanding sharper insights, strategic partnerships and world-class execution. Increase in Digital innovation and engaging influencer- communication has led us to win National and International awards. I am extremely proud of my team’s deep commitment and passion to delight our clients. The year gone by has been a milestone in the journey of Madison PR with tremendous efforts being made in channelizing communications towards the digital route and the growth is a testament to Madison PR’s ability to address today’s dynamic client needs”.

     

  • The agency also won a bronze for the same campaign under the category of Best Launch Campaign

    Madison Media bags only Gold at Festival of Media

    By A Correspondent

     

    Madison Mediahas won a Goldat the Festival of Media Asia-Pacific Awards held in Singapore last week. The agency won the award for its innovation for Saffolalife World Heart Day under the category Public Service Award. The agency also won a bronze for the same campaign under the category of Best Launch Campaign. Madison Media is the only agency from India to win a Gold at the award show held in Singapore.

     

    World Heart Day (WHD) which falls on September 29 every year is a time when Saffola life makes Indians wake up and take note of their heart health using disruptive media campaigns.In 2014, the plan was to get women to take care of their heart because 3 out of every 5 women in India over the age of 35 develop a cholesterol disorder which goes undetected and Heart disease is the No. 1 Killer amongst Women. With WHD falling on a weekday, the strategy was to influence the decision-makers of the organizations, to influence the decision-makers of the households into action and to get men to take a break from their busy life for their wives and take them for a free cholesterol test.

     

    Commenting on this award, Shekhar Banerjee, Sr. Vice President, Madison Media said, “The media strategy not only delivered strong uplift in mind measures but we are proud to say that we saved lives. Over 24 corporate houses encouraged their employees to go for the test and over 1.35 lac individuals finally took cholesterol test.”

     

    Madison Media Group is the country’s foremost Media agency and has been on an account winning spree, having won a host of new businesses including Amul Hosiery, Viber, Lenskart, Metro Cash and Carry, DHFL and a host of other businesses. The agency was also in the news recently for handling the media mandate for BJP for the national elections and for Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi election.

     

  • Melt-ing is the preserve of Goafest, industrypersons say. Unique alliance struck between Pratap Bose & Rajesh Kejriwal at a party late last year

    Kyoorius to partner Goafest?

     

    By Noor Singapuria

     

    Is the Kyoorius Melt Fest mulling a move to be part of Goafest?

     

    The annual extravaganza organised by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and the Advertising Club may have taken a decision to embrace Kyoorius Melt, the all-new festival of creativity that was announced by paper magnate-turned-media baron Rajesh Kejriwal yesterday.

     

    The idea reportedly came from a veteran advertising professional who has requested anonymity. His view: “When I first heard about an adfest called ‘Melt’, I thought it’s happening as part of Goafest. After all, in Goafest despite the beer and the babes and the beaches, you melt in Goa,” he said adding:  “Whether you are walking around in hardly anything or if you are wearing a black or green kurta like your boss, it’s damn hot.”

     

    According to the grapevine, the first talks happened at a party held late last year in New Delhi. As it happened, Advertising Club President Pratap Bose and Rajesh Kejriwal were standing at the bar. And after drinks were served to them, in a classic case of cigarette-lighting diplomacy, Kejriwal lit Bose’s cigarette, followed by his own and they got talking.

     

    Bose appreciated the gesture, a person close to the development told this writer. “This is the ultimate sign of humility in a man-to-man relationship,” she said referring to lighting of the cigarette. Plus for Goafest and the Abby and Kyoorius, it will be a win-win.

     

    It is learnt that Kejriwal is keen on organising the fest in January, just before the Republic Day. The weather is nice with a gentle breeze blowing over the Mandovi and the Arabian Sea. What grabbed the deal was the luxurious transportation on offer. “We are in discussions with a luxury cruise liner like QE3. The idea is to get everyone to celebrate the fest in Goa and then let it culminate in a cruise ride from Goa to Mumbai.”

     

    It is learnt that the original idea was to have the Creative Abby on the cruise, but then the security committee suggested that there is a risk. If an agency doesn’t win a coveted Abby, the NCD may want to dump himself or herself in the Arabian Sea. We don’t want all of this so our Awards Security Committee has suggested that you should conduct the awards inhouse. On his part, Kejriwal liked the fact that like him the Goafest folks also want to do their bit for the fraternity. “Right from the time the shortlists are announced, we now keep available a large number of shrinks. This year, we have tied up with a leading mental health hospital in South India. They will supply psychiatrists and counsellors  because people get awfully depressed and then mouth all types of expletives,” a committee member told MxMIndia. This is our way of giving back to the community. Click here to read the rest of this report.