MAM
ZEE & SNEHA unite for maternal health program benefiting 8,000 women in Bhiwandi
Mumbai: On International Women’s Day, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), India’s leading content company, shed light on the groundbreaking initiative – Integrated Maternal and Child Health Program developed in partnership with the Society for Nutrition Education and Health Action (SNEHA). The program developed for communities in Bhiwandi, Thane District, stood as a beacon of empowerment for women across the region.
Recognising the urgent need for action, ZEE partnered with SNEHA to bolster this vital project, which has touched the lives of over 8,000 women from September 2022. Operating within Bhiwandi’s vulnerable communities, including married women of reproductive age, children aged 0-2 years, dedicated community volunteers, and essential systems staff; the program addressed a myriad of pressing health concerns. With ZEE’s support, SNEHA conducted a comprehensive assessment, uncovering prevalent health issues such as maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, along with the alarming rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases like tuberculosis and hypertension and diabetes within Bhiwandi’s 44 per cent urban slum population. The community grappled with a staggering 24 per cent rate of home-based child deliveries, coupled with late registration for hospital delivery, subpar immunization rates, and distressing instances of gender-based violence.
In response to these challenges, ZEE and SNEHA collaboratively developed and implemented a pioneering community-based urban healthcare model, addressing reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) concerns. This holistic approach extended to combating malnutrition, gender-based violence (GBV), tuberculosis (TB), and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in close partnership with the local public health systems in Bhiwandi.
Neonatologist and SNEHA founder Dr Armida Fernandez said, “We established SNEHA in response to the dire health challenges faced by low-income households, especially mothers and children. Our goal is to improve health-seeking behaviour and enhance the quality of public health services in underserved communities. Witnessing the transformation of 8,000 women through our program fills us with immense gratitude, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable support received from ZEE.”
Reflecting on the significance of this program and its success, ZEE president – HR and transformation Animesh Kumar said, “Partnering with SNEHA on this transformative initiative has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for us. Together, we’ve not only empowered communities but also created a tangible impact on maternal and child health in Bhiwandi. By synergizing our resources and expertise, we’ve reached thousands of women and children, providing them with the crucial support and care needed for a healthier tomorrow. Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, the success of this project serves as a powerful testament to the immense potential of collective action in driving positive change and fostering inclusive growth.”
Since the inception of the partnership, there has been a 12 per cent increase in the adoption of modern contraception methods among women. This substantial growth is testament to the fact that it provided women with a newfound agency to make informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
The comprehensive approach implemented by SNEHA and ZEE resulted in tangible improvements in community health indicators, with noticeable reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality rates, increased access to essential healthcare services, and heightened awareness about preventive measures. Furthermore, the collaborative effort fostered a sense of empowerment among women, enabling them to take charge of their health and well-being, thus paving the way for a brighter and healthier future for generations to come.
MAM
Ad:tech honours 2026: Full list of winners announced
Expanded awards spotlight winners across 22 categories as industry doubles down on intelligent automation
NEW DELHI: Marketing’s tech elite took the spotlight as the ad:tech honours 2026 returned with a sharper focus on AI, data and immersive media, signalling how deeply technology now underpins brand strategy. Held at Yashobhoomi on March 17, the second edition drew industry leaders to celebrate innovation that is reshaping engagement and performance.
Presented with the International Advertising Association India chapter and new partner Huella, the awards expanded from 8 to 22 categories, tracking the rapid convergence of creativity, automation and analytics.
The winners’ list reads like a snapshot of marketing’s future. In affiliate and partner marketing, Lyxel & Flamingo – Boat and Paytm Ads – Giva took silver. Mobavenue Media Private Limited struck gold in AI-driven dynamic creative optimisation, alongside a silver for Laqshya Media Limited.
Creative AI collaboration saw Rediffusion Brand Solutions Private Limited win gold, with Saltinc Consulting Private Limited securing silver. Laqshya Media Limited continued its strong run, taking gold in AI conversation agents and adding multiple wins across categories, including silver in GenAI-led creative and both gold and silver in interactive DOOH campaigns for Tanishq and Tata Coffee.
Predictive AI honours went to Strong Metrics and Tyroo, both silver, while Orient Bell Limited picked up silver in immersive retail tech. In GenAI-led creative, Laqshya Media Limited, Salt – Kotak and Sumimoto each secured silver, reflecting the crowded race in generative creativity.
Publicis bagged silver in influencer management and gold in performance marketing, where it shared the stage with Arm Worldwide and The Trade Desk, both silver. Glad U Came Private Limited stood out with gold in influencer measurement and analytics.
Marketing automation saw CereOne Media Pvt. Ltd. and Globale Media win silver, while ADMOTT Private Limited claimed silver in OTT innovation.
Programmatic media categories highlighted the shift to advanced targeting and connected screens. Mobavenue Media Private Limited clinched gold in connected TV advertising, with Animmoov Digital Media Pvt Ltd – Asus and Lyxel and Flamingo taking silver. Cheggout Services Private Limited won silver in retail media advertising, while Paytm Ads – Versuni secured gold.
On social platforms, Vayner Media India took gold in community and UGC engagement, with Under 25 – Oppo winning silver. Segumento rounded off the list with silver in the innovation category.
Jaswant Singh, country managing director at ad:tech India, underscored the momentum, saying generative AI and data-driven decision-making are now central to marketing impact. Neena Dasgupta, IAA mancom member and chief executive and founder at The Salt Inc Consulting, added that the awards celebrate not just technology, but “the people, the creativity, and the relentless effort behind it.”
Backed by Comexposium Group, ad:tech New Delhi has long tracked digital disruption. Now, with the honours, it is rewarding those who are not just adapting to change but engineering it.
In an industry racing towards automation, the message from 2026 is unmistakable. The future of marketing will be written not just in ideas, but in algorithms.
