Latest news with #ETSharkAwards
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Shark Awards 2025: Swiggy, Axis Bank, Tata Salt, Ogilvy Group India win big
Drum rolls! The wait is finally over. The ET Shark Awards , a tentpole property of ET Brand Equity, which is a celebration of marketing excellence , has unveiled the winners of its 7th edition. The ET Shark Awards stand as a beacon, recognizing and celebrating the trailblazers who have pushed the boundaries of excellence in the Indian marketing and advertising landscape. The coveted Campaign of the Year award was proudly taken home by Tata Salt for their impactful campaign, The Unforgettable Salt. The work was presented by Tata Consumer Products Ltd. & Wavemaker India Pvt. Ltd. Swiggy bagged Brand of the Year. Ogilvy Group India secured the prestigious Agency of the Year. Axis Bank received the Disruptive Brand of the Year (Silver) for its Devanagari PIN work by AutumnGrey, a Grey company. Individual excellence was also celebrated. Anoop Manohar, Chief Marketing Officer, Axis Bank, and Siddharth Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer, Britannia, jointly awarded Marketer of the Year. Prasanth Kumar, CEO – South Asia, WPP Media, received CEO of the Year (Network Agency). Harshil Karia, Founder, Schbang, was recognized as CEO of the Year (Independent Agency). Falguni Nayar, CEO, Nykaa, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement of the Year award. The Rising Star of the Marketing World was awarded to Savio Cerejo. Click here to view all Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners. PwC, the knowledge partner for the awards, conducted meticulous due diligence for all entries, shortlisting them for a three-city jury process. The shortlisted entries were then evaluated against predefined parameters by a panel of over 100 CMOs, marketing heads, and creative leads from leading brands in India. The entries were assessed using a comprehensive set of criteria designed to identify truly outstanding work, including campaign objectives, challenges, strategy implementation, message alignment with the target audience, and overall impact. The shortlisted entries were later evaluated by a panel of Grand Jury members, comprising India's top CEOs, MDs, and founders. The Grand Jury was chaired by Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India, a name that truly needs no introduction in the Indian business fraternity. Talking about the winning entries, Shivam Puri, MD and CEO of Cipla Health, who was a part of the Grand Jury of the awards, said, "The way digital has gone deep into every single marketing communication in each of these winning entries makes you realize that it's actually ingrained deep into what we do everyday (as consumers)." According to Geetika Mehta, Managing Director, Nivea India, the entries were of a very high caliber, with many in the social space as well, which she thinks was much needed. "It's really nice to see new work coming up year on year, which is creative," she added. Sangeeta Pendurkar, CEO – Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, concluded by saying the winning work gave the Grand Jury a great perspective of the kind of work that's happening in the country today.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Shark Awards 2025: RoI, AI, and purpose-driven storytelling take centrestage
The 7th edition of the ET Shark Awards served as a powerful barometer for the evolving landscape of Indian marketing. The shortlisted entries indicate that work emerging from across the country is increasingly sophisticated, data-driven, and deeply attuned to consumer needs. According to India's leading marketing heads, who formed the jury for this year's ET Shark Awards , the campaigns that stood out underscored a strategic pivot towards impact and consumer connection. This suggests that brands aren't moving away from the fundamentals, and perhaps never will. Presenting the top trends spotted by our esteemed jurors Hearting consumers, always At the core of all effective campaigns, as repeatedly emphasised by the jurors, lies an intense focus on achieving and maintaining relevance with the consumer. This goes beyond superficial engagement, delving into a profound understanding of audience needs. The jurors reviewed several campaigns that identified a clear problem and uncovered deep consumer insights before proposing a solution. Abhishek Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer , Edelweiss Life Insurance, highlighted, 'What I could see is the ability of marketers to use consumer insights and then come up with solutions. It is not just a solution, it is a consumer insight solution. There is a problem, for that problem there is an insight, and for that insight there is a solution.' Anvesha Poswalia, Head of Marketing – Digital Business at Shemaroo Entertainment, reinforced this, stating that a lot of the good work (that she evaluated at the ET Shark Awards this year) had a very simple consumer insight at the heart of it. Regional nuances get refined A significant shift identified by the jurors was brands' acute awareness of India's diverse cultural fabric. Rumi Ambastha , VP - Marketing at Mila Beauté, noted how brands have started to understand the importance of diving deep into different pockets of India. This signifies brands' move towards tailoring messages to local sensitivities for deeper resonance. Ambastha observed that several brands are going on the ground to do research on what really works for the regional cohorts. Madhu Singh, VP - Electric Mobility, TVS Motor Company, also observed that a lot of the work entered into the ET Shark Awards this year featured several regional nuances. Another trend he saw clearly shaping up was age-based targeting by brands. Maturity hits RoI-centric marketing The prevailing sentiment among the jurors was a strong pivot towards measurable business outcomes, signalling a mature approach to marketing investment where profitability takes centrestage. A key observation was the industry's return to business fundamentals and profitability. While stellar insights drive a campaign far and beyond the corners of social media, what brings it home is execution, aligning it to the right business objectives. Neha Rao, VP - Marketing, Bikaji Foods International, said, 'Today, everybody's become really cognizant of RoI-driven marketing. While I don't think that sort of takes away the soul of it, it also gives it a newfound purpose.' This indicates that while creative brilliance is valued, its ultimate purpose is now often assessed by its contribution to the brand's financial health. According to Gaurav Ramdev , Chief Growth & Marketing Officer, Protean eGov Technologies, many brands today are looking at marketing communication from a 360-degree lens. This points to a cohesive and synchronised effort across all touchpoints, ensuring a consistent brand experience, he opines. AI for amplified creativity Technology's role in marketing has become undeniably central, but the jurors at the ET Shark Awards saw brands using it as a strategic application rather than for its own sake. Tejnoor Grover , Associate Director, Marketing - MPL, was particularly impressed with the multi-channel approach taken by several brands. He observed that digitisation is now used as a tool to reach mass audiences. That said, Grover also highlighted how brands are rolling out sophisticated deployment across various digital touchpoints, elevating experiences. The increasing use of AI was a notable observation for most jurors. AI for distribution, creativity, and scalability has been the focus of many brands whose work was entered at the ET Shark Awards this year. The elevated use of technology with AI layers stood out for many jurors. Marketers are of the opinion that brands are now looking at AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and strategic thinking. Focus on purpose-driven storytelling Amidst the analytical rigour, the jurors affirmed the enduring power of compelling narratives, particularly those rooted in strong brand purpose and a clear message. Santosh Singh, President & Global Head – Marketing & BE, Tata Technologies, made a close observation. According to him, brands are focusing on purpose more than ever before. Even the newer ones on the block are looking at establishing their brand purpose very early on. 'This indicates a strategic shift towards building deeper, values-based connections with consumers,' he added. Chirag Kishan Aga, Chief Marketing Officer, Godrej Pet Care, shares similar views. Insight-led storytelling continues to positively impact campaigns. This reinforces that the most impactful stories are those that emerge directly from a profound understanding of the consumer, making them relatable and authentic, he said. Ratnesh Kumar Pandey, Director & Head – Marketing, Lauritz Knudsen, highlights that even with complex execution, a strong, simple core idea can resonate most powerfully. That means, at the end of the day, it's all about that one idea. The takeaway from the work entered at the ET Shark Awards is that marketers are demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of a fragmented media landscape, orchestrating integrated campaigns and bravely exploring unconventional avenues to engage with consumers. Note: PwC India, the Knowledge Partner for the awards, conducted meticulous due diligence for all entries, shortlisting them for a three-city jury process. These shortlisted entries were then evaluated against predefined parameters by a panel of over 100 CMOs, marketing heads, and creative leads from leading brands in shortlisted entries were later evaluated by a panel of Grand Jury members comprising India's top CEOs, MDs, and founders. The Grand Jury was chaired by Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India — a name that truly needs no introduction in the Indian business awards ceremony will be held on July 4, 2025, at Grand Hyatt, BKC, Mumbai, where the winners will be revealed and their work will be celebrated.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
My First Win with Cipla Health's Shivam Puri
HighlightsShivam Puri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Cipla Health, recalls his first professional achievement as an Area Sales Manager at Hindustan Unilever Limited, where he transformed a declining area into one of the best-performing units. The foundational experience taught Shivam Puri the importance of a positive mindset and teamwork, which became central to his leadership philosophy and approach to overcoming challenges. Puri emphasizes the significance of instilling a winning mindset among his team, highlighting that creating a proactive attitude remains a top priority for him to this day. It's not everyday you hear about the foundational victories that set India's most prominent business personalities on their path. In our special feature, 'My First Win,' we turn back the clock with CEOs to discover the cherished awards and recognitions that truly mattered. These early honors, whether a student accolade or a surprising industry nod, did more than just enhance their CVs; they left an indelible mark on their mindset, fueled their ambition, and sculpted their leadership style. Today, we present the story of Shivam Puri , MD and CEO of Cipla Health . Puri vividly recalls his inaugural professional triumph , a formative experience during his tenure at Hindustan Unilever Limited . 'My first win is very clearly etched in my memory. It was as the Area Sales Manager at Hindustan Unilever Limited for erstwhile Andhra Pradesh,' Puri recounts. He describes inheriting a challenging situation: 'At that time, I inherited a declining area and a disheartened team.' The transformation that followed was remarkable. 'The same team within two years became one of the best-performing units within the branch,' he states with evident pride. Puri pinpoints the core of this success: 'The biggest change that helped drive this was a mindset shift.' That pivotal experience left an indelible mark on his leadership philosophy. 'That experience taught me to see challenges as opportunities and the criticality of team mindset in shaping victories,' he explains. This lesson became a guiding principle, transforming his approach to obstacles. 'Every hurdle hence becomes a chance to create upside.' To this day, instilling a positive and proactive attitude remains paramount for Puri. 'To this date, creating a winning mindset amongst the team always tops the agenda for me,' he concludes, underscoring the enduring impact of that first significant professional win. Puri was part of the Grand Jury for the 7th edition of the ET Shark Awards.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
My First Win with Quest Retail's Shriti Malhotra
It's not everyday you hear stories of the first wins that shaped some of India's leading business personalities. " My First Win " is a special feature where we rewind the clock with CEOs to uncover the awards they received and still cherish. From student accolades to unexpected industry recognition, these honors didn't just look good on their resumes; they left a lasting mark on their mindset, ambition, and leadership style. That's because sometimes, the first big win tells the best story of a person: who they were, and who they have become. Today, we bring to you the story of Shriti Malhotra , Executive Chairperson of Quest Retail , The Body Shop India . Malhotra shares her first memorable win from high school, recalling how her team won the district basketball championship in Lucknow. 'We were rank outsiders who toppled the big team. That match for me was about a championship to be won, a game to finish, and a 'gold' to celebrate. The memory and mindset of aiming for gold has remained with me since.' According to her, sports is more than just competition. 'It's about character, courage, and determination. It's about planning to win, preparing to win, and expecting to win. This mindset has nudged me to bounce back from failure and keep going despite setbacks.' 'The podium win taught me that grit, focus, and the value of showing up on court for every practice session, day after day, with passion and purpose was the key,' she tells us. However, the biggest learning for her was that, 'you never win alone.' Teamwork isn't just a strategy; it's about strategy in action on the field. 'You learn to pass when needed, fight when required, and trust those playing alongside you. Those same skills, collaboration, resilience, accountability, continue to lead me in the workplace,' she concludes. Malhotra was part of the Grand Jury for the 7th edition of the ET Shark Awards.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
My First Win with Castrol India's Kedar Lele
Winning an award is more than just a trophy or a plaque; it's a powerful confidence booster. It offers tangible validation and public acknowledgment that can profoundly shift perspectives and shape one's personality. In this special feature series, we rewind the clock with some of India's leading CEOs to uncover the awards they received and still cherish. From student accolades to unexpected industry recognition, these honors didn't just look good on their resumes; they left a lasting mark on their mindset, ambition, and leadership style. That's because sometimes, the first big win tells the best story of a person: who they were, and who they have become. Today, we feature Kedar Lele , Managing Director of Castrol India . A seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience, Lele spent two transformative decades at Unilever before joining Castrol. There, he held various leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where he was responsible for Sales & Customer Development, South Asia. Lele's tenure at Unilever was marked by strategic contributions that fueled consistent and competitive growth, including spearheading the company's e-commerce initiatives in India and leading Unilever Bangladesh as Chairman & Managing Director. Lele recalls that the first real recognition he received in his professional life was the ET 40 Under 40 award . 'I still remember how it felt: equal parts disbelief, pride, and a quiet moment of reflection. Until then, I was simply focused on doing good work, learning constantly, and building teams that could deliver real results. Awards weren't on the radar,' he says. That first win made him pause. 'It made me realize that others were noticing, not just the outcomes, but the intent behind them. That changed something in me. It gave me a sense of responsibility: not just to keep pushing forward, but to bring others along. That moment stayed with me,' he adds. It reminded him that while recognition isn't the goal, it can be a powerful milestone; one that grounds you and pushes you to think bigger, not just about what you want to achieve, but how you want to lead. 'A decade later, being part of the jury for the ET Shark Awards brings it full circle. It's a chance to celebrate those early sparks in others, because sometimes, a first win can light the way for everything that follows,' he concludes. Lele was part of the Grand Jury for the 7th edition of the ET Shark Awards.
