Below The Line
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year is back to recognise achievements of exceptional Indians
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 has returned with the fourteenthh edition of its highly anticipated flagship awards platform, Indian of the Year (IOTY). Regarded as India’s biggest and most credible news television awards, IOTY celebrates exceptional achievements of Indians who are inspiring the world through their triumphs. The recent editions have seen names such as Shah Rukh Khan, Neeraj Chopra and Virat Kohli as the winners of the coveted title of Indian of the Year.
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2024 awards are set to honor individuals in seven categories: entertainment, sports, rising sports star, youth icon, business, climate warrior, and social change. Each category includes five nominees whose work in the past year has made a significant impact, reaching new heights and inspiring generations to come.
In the sports category, nominees include India’s Olympic medalists Manu Bhaker, Swapnil Kusale, PR Sreejesh and cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana.
The rising sports stars category has Aman Sehrawat, D Gukesh, Abhishek Sharma, Smriti Mehra, Shafali Verma and Sarabjot Singh as the nominees.
The star-studded nominees in the entertainment category include Shraddha Kapoor, Vijay Sethupathi, Pankaj Tripathi, Fahadh Faasil, and the Laapata Ladies team.
The youth Icon category features Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor, Nikhil Kamath, Nancy Tyagi and Jaya Kishori.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj, Team HAL and Apollo Hospitals JMD Dr Sangita Reddy are nominated in the business category.
In the climate warrior category, UNICEF India’s youth advocate Vinisha Umashankar, climate change activist Hina Saifi, sustainability activist Soumya Ranjan Biswal, environmentalist Chami Murmu and entrepreneur Kriti Tula are nominated.
The social change category includes nominees such as Women in Cinema Collective, social activists Tatwashil Kamble & Ashok Tangade, singer and philanthropist Palak Muchhal, and change makers Adhik Kadam and Laljibhai Prajapati.
The jury for this edition comprises environmental activist Afroze Shah, former solicitor general of India Harish Salve and former judge of the supreme court of India Indu Malhotra.
Network18 CEO Smriti Mehra – English & Business News said: “CNN-News18 Indian of the Year is a marquee recognition that resonates deeply with audiences across the country. Its immense popularity stems from a legacy of celebrating excellence, making it a trusted platform that not only inspires viewers but also delivers unmatched value to brands that associate with it.”
CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob added: “Built on the success of its past blockbuster editions, Indian of the Year has cemented its place as India’s premier recognition platform. With a history of honouring icons who define the nation’s spirit, this edition promises to elevate the legacy, showcasing stories that continue to inspire and unite.”
The selection process will be a mix of both jury and public voting; with 50 per cent of the decision-making power given to the audience, and the remaining 50 per cent is entrusted to the jury, striking a balance between collective choice of the masses and the discerning eye of experts.
RP-Sanjiv Goenka group is the presenting partner and Reliance Industries is the associate partner for this edition of CNN-News18 Indian of the Year.
The voting process and jury round will culminate in a spectacular grand finale where the winners will be revealed and honoured.
To vote for your favourite nominee, please visit www.indianoftheyear.com
MUMBAI: Jayaram Nair, a seasoned brand activation guru, has launched Intensity, a joint venture with Tribes Communication, and is relocating to Bengaluru to spearhead the new venture. Nair, who boasts 26 years of experience in the cut-throat world of BTL media, is promising to deliver “high impact solutions” across India’s sprawling marketing landscape.
“I’m excited to announce my new gig,” Nair declared on LinkedIn, “Intensity is a fresh venture, a JV with the award-winning Tribes Communication. We’re talking integrated brand building, folks, and we’re ready to get going.
Nair’s resume reads like a who’s who of Indian advertising, with stints at Cheil India, Percept Ltd, and Publicis Groupe. He’s a self-proclaimed “growth specialist,” “motivator,” and “change leader,” with a knack for P&L management and a “practical approach” to problem-solving.
“I’ve been around the block,” Nair quipped, “From Mumbai to Gurgaon, I’ve seen it all. Now, I’m bringing that experience to Bangalore, but let’s be honest, the whole world’s my playground.”
Intensity, backed by Tribes’ extensive network across 14 cities, is set to offer a full suite of brand building services, from live events and retail branding to loyalty programs and gaming events. Nair’s experience in “dark marketing” (read: cigarette promotions) suggests he’s not afraid to tackle tricky briefs.
“With a handpicked team and a pool of top-notch partners, we’re ready to fuel growth,” Nair asserted. “We’re not just building brands; we’re building empires.”
He will be operating from Bengaluru, but it is clear his ambition is to take on the whole of the Indian market.
This move marks a bold step for both Nair and Tribes, as the duo aims to carve out a significant slice of India’s burgeoning marketing pie. With Nair’s experience and Tribes’ reach, they are setting their sights high.
