MxMIndia

Tag: Ashish Bhasin

  • He belonged to a breed of ad folks who have virtually vanished today though client pressures may have mounted up to more staggering levels, writes Ajay Chandwani

    Noshir was always the ever-smiling jovial human being: Tribute by Ajay Chandwani

    By Ajay Chandwani

    Noshir Desai was in Lintas the go-to person to while away your client stress and agency blues. In the ninetees I was one of the Lintas Mancom colleagues of Noshir who used to navigate the agency.

    Noshir used to wear a few hats quite comfortably. From heading the media department of an agency. Before media got unbundled, Noshir used to deal with a bunch of achievers in planning, buying and rural activation. From Helen Anchan to Sainath Iyer, from Meenakshi Madhvani to Lynn D’souza there was always a delicate task which a generalist like Noshir played with much aplomb. Media in Lintas was the domain of the thirteenth floor of Express Towers which the honchos in management rarely visited and was often called the floor that actually worked and brought the money!.

    The television industry was getting revolutionised with the onset of Satellite TV and the end of the domination of Doordarshan. Noshir led the Lintas charge in this with media associations and breaking the press stereotype  role that most media heads played in those days. The focus had shifted from Pradeep Guha in print to Peter Mukerjea in Star TV and Rupert Murdoch. Noshir started handing over the media reigns to the specialists in planning and buying and rural activation.

    Noshir then played a mancom coordinator of Regional Offices of Lintas . This meant he had to interface between regional heads of Lintas and keep Alyque Padamsee and Prem Mehta abreast of the growth of regional offices. The mancom had illustrious heads in regions like Asit Mehra and Ashish Bhasin in Chennai, Fali Vakeel in Bengaluru, Nures Sayeed in Kolkata, Preet Bedi in Delhi. Of these the Kolkata office which recently completed 50 years in 2020 had  been managed by such luminary stalwarts as Stanley Pinto, Ajay Shrikhande, Pranesh Misra.

    Noshir Desai in his younger days

    Noshir built amazing relationships with regional clients like Tata and Titan, Brooke Bond and Lipton in Bengaluru, ITC and Philips in Kolkata, Kitply and Polar in Kolkata, Modi Xerox in Delhi.

    Noshir’s stint in MCM had made him understand how the creative output could radically improve in an agency. Kersy Katrak with Arun Kolhatkar and Kiran Nagarkar had set a pathbreaking trail in MCM and the likes of Christopher  Rozario, Viru Hiremath, Alok Nanda, Vikas Gaitonde, Kamlesh Pandey were making Trikaya and Rediffusion rock.

    Kersy’s advent in Lintas got Noshir excited to give shape to the dreams of Karishma the conflict agency of the Lintas Group. Kersy had broken down structures and formed art and copy partners using the MCM success model. In Lintas, Josy Paul and Neville D’Souza in special projects , Ryan Menezes and Sanjay Sippy in Lintas Bom 4. Agnello Dias and Mahendra Bhagat and Kiran Khalap  in Lintas Bom 3, and Adi Pocha in Bom 2 etc spurred Noshir to get in Quentin Coelho and make Karishma a creative boutique to target entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.

    Just round the time Noshir was consolidating Karishma, I had set up SSC&B Lintas at Lower Parel Phoenix which Alyque had fondly called Upper Worli to manage the drastic change from Express Towers in Nariman Point. At some point In the growth and development of Karishma, we had together found that the conflict management was the motivation.

    For, a second or third agency in the group was not being met. Noshir and I used to discuss this subject with great interest and depth with examples of Contract and HTA and Interface and FCB Ulka. Noshir loved the hyper-creative structure that  SSC&B Lintas had achieved with numerous International awards including India’s first ever Gold Lion at Cannes.

    Clients like Tata Safari, Sierra, Mercedes Benz, Smirnoff, Marico’s Parachute and later HUL’s Nihar, Kwality Walls Max made Noshir want to borrow a thing or two from the second agency culture.

    Noshir was the eternal optimist in all client relationships. He was the warm confiding friend or a patient problem-solver to others. He was passionate about building relationships most of which lasted a long time with many clients.

    His only mantra of management was to spread happiness and laughter round. Most meetings Noshir would gravitate  to end at the bar so that decisions could be taken! Noshir belonged to a breed of ad folks who have virtually vanished today though client pressures may have mounted up to more staggering levels.

    Keep smiling Noshir… you will always be fondly remembered in our hearts.

     

    Ajay Chandwani is a veteran strategic brand consultant. He was earlier Director on Lintas Mancom and President SSC&B Lintas

     

     

  • To nurture "select world class" advertising and media entrepreneurs

    Ashish Bhasin launches The Bhasin Consulting Group

    By Our Staff

     

    Ashish Bhasin, Co-Founder and Advisor RD&X Network and former CEO APAC Dentsu, has announced the launch of The Bhasin Consulting Group. The Bhasin Consulting Group will provide top level business and leadership mentoring for founders, CEOs and company Boards to help “turbocharge” their business growth, both organically and through Mergers & Acquisitions. It will, notes a communique, endeavour to create advertising and media entrepreneurs and businessmen and businesswomen of global standards, a much-needed skill in these times of rapid transformation.

     

    The Bhasin Consulting Group will only work with the senior-most leaders in select businesses with a long-term growth potential. They will provide mentorship through a long-term Top to Top relationship, which could include taking a significant minority stake in mentored businesses, in keeping with the skin-in-the-game philosophy of Bhasin.

     

    In the initial phase the consulting and mentorship will be targeted towards select growth -oriented young companies operating in the advertising, marketing services, digital and media space, across geographies.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Ashish Bhasin said: “There is a huge need for Business and Leadership Mentoring for CEOs, CXOs and Founders in young and growing companies with ambition. Often while these leaders have good domain expertise, many in the Advertising, Marketing Services, Digital and Media Industry lack top class business, entrepreneurship and leadership experience which is essential to navigate, transform and grow in today’s fast changing, complex business environment and for maximizing shareholder value. Building and integrating top performing teams and getting them to work with a common goal and vision, to deliver profitability and business success in complex situations is what I have accomplished over the past 35 years. I have had the opportunity to successfully lead a team of 14000 people across 18 countries, in diverse businesses and to drive organic growth as well as successfully complete 24 Acquisitions across India and APAC. Many of my mentees today have founded or lead large organisations. The Bhasin Consulting Group will provide the benefit of that experience and introduce world class best practices in this area, for the first time in India.”

     

  • He joins Dentsu from KPMG where he is a Senior Partner, responsible for overseeing both Clients & Markets and Consumer Markets, Life Sciences & Internet Business

    Dentsu finally gets a CEO from outside. Harsha Razdan is CEO, South Asia

    By Our Staff

     

    If you remember, Dentsu, the advertising and marketing services network, had a series of exits. Topping it all was the exit of big boss Ashish Bhasin. And then started a massive hunt for a CEO. Almost every biggie in the business was met with.

     

    When they couldn’t find anyone, they called in old warhorse Sunil Lulla to stand in.  Lulla had just moved out of BARC and was busy growing his own consulting gigs. But that was till December.

     

    And yesterday (Thursday), Dentsu Asia Pacific announced the appointment of Harsha Razdan as CEO, South Asia. This is effective May 1, 2023. So we will see him at Goafest 2023.

     

    Said Rob Gilby, CEO APAC, Dentsu: “India has been through the most profound and impressive digital transformation and the future of the digital economy is bright; with new opportunities being generated by the advent of 5G, proliferation of affordable devices, and the development of a new economy accessible to all,” adding: “Harsha is an exceptional leader with a deep strategic understanding of the competitive landscape. His background in brand building, overlayed with deep knowledge of tech-driven transformation brings formidable cross-capability expertise and will drive growth opportunities in creating a new value ecosystem for clients with consumers at the centre.”

     

    Added Razdan on his appointment: “It is a very exciting time to be leading an agency network in India, especially with the significant progress we are seeing in the digital development of our market and what that means for brands. India is leap-frogging other markets in its adoption and development of new technologies, and it’s critical that agencies are capitalising on new opportunities for brands to speak to new consumers. I can’t wait to get started.”

     

    Razdan has worked with PepsiCo and Unilever, and consulting practices including Accenture where he spent four years in the UK. He joins Dentsu from KPMG where he is a Senior Partner, responsible for overseeing both Clients & Markets and Consumer Markets, Life Sciences & Internet Business. He also sits on the Advisory Leadership team as well as the Global Consumer & Retail leadership team.  He will be based in Mumbai reporting to Rob Gilby, CEO APAC, dentsu.

     

  • This is the highest honour to be given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising Industry

    Arvind Sharma to be conferred with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2021

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Agencies Association of India today announced that AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021 will be conferred on advertising veteran Arvind Sharma.

     

    Sharma, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad (1975-77), led Leo Burnett for 21 years in a three decades-long association with the agency. He has led most A&M industry organisations and is now a serial investor and mentors to many entrepreneurs.

     

    Making the announcement, Anupriya Acharya, President, AAAI, said: “Mr Arvind Sharma has been a true pioneer. Apart from singlehandedly making Leo Burnett a top agency and a force to reckon with he has also groomed some of the finest talents in our industry. But more than that he has made a tremendous contribution to our industry across both the art and science of advertising. He is truly deserving of this honour.”

     

    Added Ashish Bhasin, Chairman of the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award Selection Committee: “Arvind is a deserving winner of this prestigious honour. Not only has he been a successful advertising professional, he has also contributed significantly to the industry in various capacities, including as President of AAAI and a key driver in launching Goafest. I am pleased to say that the entire committee was unanimous in conferring this award upon Arvind.”

     

    Some of the past winners of this award include Subhas Ghosal, Alyque Padamsee, Mike Khanna, R K Swamy, Piyush Pandey, Sam Balsara, Prem Mehta, Roda Mehta, Ram Sehgal, Madhukar Kamath and others.

     

    Although AAAI hasn’t announced the date, according to information received, the award event is likely to be held in Mumbai on December 16, 2021.

     

  • The winner will be announced on MxMIndia on Friday, December 17, 2021

    So who will be the 2021 MxMIndia Mediaperson of the Year

     

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    This is awards season. From politics, business and films to many, many, many awards in the A&M world. Not just in A&M, in PR communications, content… everything.

     

    But amongst all of this, there’s the MxMIndia Mediaperson of the Year award.

     

    And how are we different:

     

    1. No jury. So no influencing, no lobbying. No accommodation of one person this year, and another the next

    2. No sponsor. No pressure from anyone on who the award should go to

    3. No event. So no pressure of having a chief guest, sponsors for the event, and hence the pulls and pressures on ensuring that the winner is a “saleable” name

    4. Planning through the year. We ensure that those who do well in the end of the year don’t have an unfair advantage as they are top-of-mind

    5. Democratic, albeit partially. We invite nominations from the world, but the decision is ours

     

    Our winners so far:

    2020: The Independent Journalist

    2019:  Sidharth Rao

    2018: Piyush Pandey

    2017: Arnab Goswami

    2016: Ashish Bhasin

    2015: Punit Goenka, Shashi Sinha, Partho Dasgupta for BARC India

     

    So who will it be this year?

    There are a few people who are in our shortlist.

    We received 26 nominations for 12 people and two organisations in response to our call for nominations on October 13.

    So, who will it be?

    Well, it’s going to happen on December 17, 2021.

    It’s a Friday.

    We’ll announce the name by 12noon that day.

    No events. No drama. No tamasha.

    An honest award for the Mediaperson of the Year.

     

  • Ashish Bhasin quits Dentsu, seeks early retirement

    By Our Staff

     

    Ashish Bhasin

    It’s confirmed.  Dentsu APAC big boss Ashish Bhasin has decided to move on.

    According to an internal email, he has been granted early retirement

    Said Bhasin: “I have had a wonderful 13+ years and have enjoyed leading Dentsu India and Dentsu APAC. In this journey I was lucky to have a brilliant team, very supportive colleagues and have made some lovely friends for life. Dentsu is a great company and I wish them the very best.

    I am unable to comment on my future plans for now but in the meanwhile I am really looking forward to going to Harvard for the Advanced Management Program, for which I have secured admission for the next semester.”

    Meanwhile, Dentsu international has issued a statement:

    Dentsu International confirms that Ashish Bhasin, CEO Dentsu APAC & Chairman India is seeking early retirement from Dentsu after 13 years with the business. It is his last day today.

     We will announce a successor in due course. To manage this transition, Simon Jones, CFO APAC & Belli Mathanda, COO APAC will work closely with our global CEO, Wendy Clark, who will have a greater focus on the region during this time supported by the APAC Executive team.

     This strong team is well placed to continue the positive transformation underway in the region as we simplify how we operate and bring together our leading capabilities in service of our clients in Creative, Media and CXM to realise our global ambition to be the most integrated agency network in the world.

     In India, Peter Huijboom will continue his interim, day-to-day leadership of the business with the India leadership team, while we are in the final stages of our search and appointment of a new CEO in India.

     

     

  • Ashish Bhasin, CEO, APAC and Chairman India, and Peter Huijboom, Global CEO, Media and Global Clients will assume interim, day-to-day leadership of Dentsu India

    Anand Bhadkamkar quits Dentsu India

    By Our Staff

     

    It’s official. CEO Anand Bhadkamkar has quit Dentsu India. It’s his last day today (August 31).

     

    Ashish Bhasin, CEO, APAC and Chairman India, and Peter Huijboom, Global CEO, Media and Global Clients will assume interim, day-to-day leadership of Dentsu India while the business completes its search for a successor to Bhadkamkar, who leaves Dentsu today (August 31). Bhadkamkar, who had been a longstanding CFO of the network, had been given additional charge of Chief Operating Officer – India in April 2019. He was elevated to the position of CEO in September 2019.

     

    Notes a statement issued by Dentsu:

    “To stay ahead of the growth opportunities and potential we see for our clients and our teams we are moving forward into Dentsu India 2.0.  This is crucial to realising our global ambition of becoming the most integrated network in the world. In the last year, and despite the pandemic, we have started to optimise our portfolio of brands into six global leadership brands, making us more agile and simpler for our clients to access our world-class capabilities and talents. To accelerate this transformation, Ashish Bhasin, CEO, APAC and Chairman India, and Peter Huijboom, Global CEO, Media and Global Clients will assume interim, day-to-day leadership of Dentsu India while the business completes its search for a successor to Anand Bhadkamkar, who leaves Dentsu on August 31.

     

    “With this new structure, we are well positioned to unlock higher levels of business performance, innovation, and solution-led strategies for our people and for our clients. Our ambitions and goals are interconnected, and this is the beginning of dentsu India 2.0’s new and transformed path to success.”

  • Digital continues to drive recovery, returning to double digit growth in the region

    Dentsu Adspend Report highlights greenshoots of recovery in APAC

    By Our Staff

     

    Advertising investment is forecast to grow by 10.4% globally in 2021, according to the latest Dentsu Ad Spend Report. The twice-yearly report which combines data from 59 markets, anticipates US$634 billion will be spent globally with all regions enjoying positive growth.

     

    Adspend in APAC is expected to grow by 8.0% or US$17 billion to US$229 billion. In the region, Australia and India are forecasting particularly high growth rates in 2021, with 2021 growth expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in China.

     

    The pandemic-induced decline in advertising spend during 2020 has proved less severe than anticipated. Some trends in consumer behaviour and spend in advertising which emerged during the past year have remained.

     

    In APAC, the 6.2% rise in digital spend last year is forecast to grow by 12.8% in 2021 to reach US$124.5 billion, representing a 54% share of total ad spend. Forecasts for Social (33.4%) and Video (10.8%) will also rise, with Search also growing (7.8%) reaching US$23.1 billion in 2021.

     

    Offline/Linear ad spend will see a return to growth 2.8% to US$104.8 billion, following a 15% decline in 2020, however it is predicted that spend levels in APAC will remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

     

    While regional live events such Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Games continue to be a significant driver of growth in Linear TV ad spend in APAC (3.9% increase in 2021 to reach US$59.2 billion), the dentsu data suggests a shift towards CTV (Connected TV) and OTT (Over The Top) and audiences moving more towards digital media consumption mean Linear TV spend will remain below pre-pandemic levels until beyond 2021.

     

    With restrictions lifting on social activity, OOH will see a bounce back post impact of the pandemic, rising 7.5% in 2021 in the region. Cinema has a slightly longer recovery, with a further decline in 2021 (-5.0%) but expected to bounce back in 2022. Radio will also see growth (4.3%) in 2021.

     

    While most channels will return to growth in 2021 (Cinema in 2022), Print is seeing a slight decline in 2021 (–2.7%) and expected to continue declining in 2022, as it continues to evolve towards new modes of digital delivery.

     

    Looking at the industries who will see growth in ad spend this year, it will come as little surprise that government spending remains a key growth area, supporting the Covid vaccine rollout and other related initiatives. In APAC’s key markets, the travel and transport sectors, will still be affected by the uncertainty of the past year and see a muted increase in demand (4.9%), while Media & Entertainment is forecast to see growth (9.7%).

     

    The decline in APAC advertising spend prompted by the pandemic in 2020, has proved to be less severe than originally anticipated. While 2020 remains the weakest performing year since the global financial crisis, the decline in growth has been raised since Dentsu’s January 2021 forecast (from -8.0% to -5.2%.) In 2021, the market is seeing a recovery in growth (8.0%), an improvement (2.1% pts) on January’s predication. Looking to 2022, recovery is set to continue when spending is likely to reach US$243.6 billion and grow at a rate of 6.3%.

     

    Ashish Bhasin
    Ashish Bhasin

    Said Ashish Bhasin, CEO APAC, Dentsu international: “It is promising to see a return to growth in the APAC region with two of our markets in the top five contributors of ad spend growth; China and Japan. While China continues to see strong levels of growth driven by Digital and OOH, Japan’s growth will be buoyed by events like the 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games, and the House of Representative elections and the advertising spend associated with it, particularly in TV.

     

    In addition, Australia and India are two of the top year-on-year growth markets, forecasting a surge in ad spend. Australia has had a stronger economic recovery after the pandemic particularly in TV and Digital where the government focused much of their Covid-related campaigns, while India is expected to see a resurgence in Digital advertising spend though TV is still the main contributor with a 40.9% share.”

     

    Prerna Mehrotra
    Prerna Mehrotra

    Added Prerna Mehrotra, CEO Media APAC and MD Media Singapore: “We are optimistic that the region will bounce back to positive growth in ad spend, with some channels likely boosted higher than pre-pandemic levels. The main drivers behind the growth is economic recovery, with the APAC GDP set to increase by 7.3%, and a stronger-than-ever push to digital marketing. Serving as a stimulus the pandemic has accelerated digital adoption. Digital media will continue to drive ad revenue growth this year with strong performance in social (+33.4%) and video (+10.8%) and majority of spends in mobile. We will also see more investments diverted towards addressable and the digitalisation of OOH channels. Programmatic DOOH will also be a key growth driver in the future. With the growing numbers of SSPs and DSPs partnerships and an increasing demand for location-based solutions to ad-reaching consumers in these times of uncertainty, advertisers will benefit from the speed, flexibility and the targeting capability that the medium will provide.”

     

    Growth in global ad spend between 2019 and 2022

    Year-on-year % growth at current prices (January 2021 figures in brackets)

     

    Share of global ad spend by channel between 2019 and 2022

    January 2021 figures in brackets

  • Ex Microsoft’s Rashmi Vikram to lead DEI strategy across Asia Pacific markets

    Dentsu welcomes Chief Equity Officer in APAC

    By Our Staff

     

    Rashmi Vikram
    Rashmi Vikram

    Dentsu International has announced the appointment of Chief Equity Officer in APAC, Rashmi Vikram.

     

    Vikram joins Dentsu from Microsoft, where she was Group Diversity and Inclusivity Practice Lead, responsible for delivering success by making inclusion a habit, with the aim of creating inclusive products and services for Microsoft’s customers. Prior to Microsoft, Vikram was Country Head for India at Community Business, an NGO that champions inclusive business practices in Asia. Her other roles have included Diversity & Inclusion Specialist at Thomson Reuters.

     

    Ashish Bhasin
    Ashish Bhasin

    Said Ashish Bhasin, CEO of Dentsu International Asia Pacific: “Dentsu’s strength lies in making a difference. To do that, we seek out diverse perspectives, celebrate difference and empower everyone to bring their most authentic self to work. We encourage our leaders to build diverse teams, teams with a healthy, vibrant culture. A culture that enables every employee to do great work, build a phenomenal career and know they belong. We are very excited to have Rashmi on board to champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and we look forward to working with her to chart meaningful progress for our businesses in APAC.”

     

    Added Vikram in a statement: “I am passionate about the work I do and am excited to be working with the global, regional and country teams at Dentsu to champion, reinforce and build an inclusive culture.”

     

  • To make connections in other markets over food, music, sport, travel, books, etc

    Dentsu APAC launches Common Ground to unite employees

    By Our Staff

     

    Dentsu international has launched a new internal initiative for its 11,000 employees in 17 markets in Asia Pacific, entitled “Common Ground”. Notes a communique: “It is a way for employees at Dentsu to make connections in other markets and regions based on their common interests, whether that’s food, sport, music, travel, books, film or as obscure as stamp collecting. By using common interests as a way to reflect diversity, dentsu believes its people will shine through. Dentsu’s DEI lead in APAC, Merlee Jayme partnered with Gautam Reghunath, CEO, Dentsu Webchutney, to bring this initiative to life for diversity month believing that building strong relationships by understanding each other’s backgrounds is a big step to diversity.”

     

    Said Jayme: “People are at the heart of every great creative business and dentsu is a hallmark of that. With a clear strategy on how we want to build our identity in the region, bringing our people together in a fun, informal way is a meaningful start. We’re thrilled with Common Ground volunteers in Japan, Thailand, India, Philippines, and Australia exchanging Instagram handles and making travel plans to countries already. Common Ground has something for everyone at dentsu, and we’re proud to launch during diversity month. I can’t wait to see how it will bring people together in new ways across our network.”

     

    Added Ashish Bhasin, CEO, Dentsu APAC: “Our talent is as ingenious as they are diverse. Dentsu has always bet on the serendipitous connections across regions and fostering that kind of networking in such an organic manner is going to take us to new places. In a data-rich world, I’m proud all the pairings will happen based on actual interests and actual people. The team has asked me to be patient before I get to meet my dentsu twin!”

     

     

  • Mehrotra will report into Ashish Bhasin, CEO, Dentsu APAC and Peter Huijboom, Global CEO, Media & Global Clients

    Prerna Mehrotra in regional media role at Dentsu APAC

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dentsu International APAC today announces the promotion of Prerna Mehrotra into the role of CEO, Media, APAC reporting into Ashish Bhasin, CEO, Dentsu APAC and Peter Huijboom, Global CEO, Media & Global Clients. This is in addition to her current role as Managing Director, Media Group, Singapore reporting into Prakash Kamdar, CEO, Dentsu Singapore.

     

    Said Bhasin: “Prerna was a clear candidate for the role; having joined the business in 2016, she has gone from strength to strength excelling in roles across investment and media. This integrated view across our media portfolio and her acumen of over 20+ years sets her apart from the rest – I am looking forward to working with Prerna and driving growth for our clients together.”

     

    Added Huijboom: “I am delighted to have Prerna join my leadership team and drive dentsu’s Media strategy in this critical region. Her experience in key markets including India and China and her long-standing client relationships will ensure we continue to drive value – and excellence in everything we do.”

     

    And finally this is what Mehrotra commented: “The media landscape in this region has never been more complex. Over the past eight months, consumers expectations of what brands produce and how they behave has changed rapidly, and it will only continue. I am excited to be working with top talents from across our markets to create growth opportunities and long-term value for our clients.”

     

     

  • Yes, just thoda sa more intezaar. Friday, December 18

    It’s coming: The 2020 MxMIndia Person of the Year

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    Just three days to go for Friday, December 18. Our Big Day. The day when we will announce the 2020 MxMIndia Mediaperson of the Year.

    We are not driven by commerce. We don’t have a title or presenting sponsor. We know the industry has been in bad shape, but in that mess, we have had many stars.

    So who do you think will it be?

    As our readers are aware, over the last few years, the MxMIndia Mediaperson of the Year has earned the reputation of being the most credible barometer of the highest performer(s) in the fields of advertising, media and marketing in India in a calendar year.

    Last year’s winner of the accolade was Sidharth Rao on his rise and rise in the Indian creative world. For mainstreaming digital. In 2018, it was Piyush Pandey and in the previous year, it was Arnab Goswami for the launch of Republic TV. In 2016, we had Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia CEO Ashish Bhasin and for 2015 it was the BARC India core team of Punit Goenka, Shashi Sinha and Partho Dasgupta.

    As we said earlier, this year, the award will be presented online (on MxMIndia) on Friday, December 18, 2020. Wait for it.