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McDonald’s bestowed ‘Marketer of the Year’ by ‘Advertising Age’
MUMBAI: McDonald’s Corporation was awarded the “Marketer of the Year” by Advertising Age magazine, for the brand’s marketing achievements around the world in 2004.
“I’m lovin’ it! We’re honored to be recognised with one of the most coveted awards in the advertising and marketing world,” said McDonald’s chief executive officer Jim Skinner. “The two pillars of McDonald’s revitalisation have been operational excellence and leadership marketing, our strategic priorities that have helped reconnect our brand to customers. Next year, we’ll build on all the momentum we’ve achieved in 2004 to further drive our business and to surprise and delight our customers.”
“We consider hundreds of companies for this honour every year,” said Advertising Age’s editor in chief Rance Crain. “Revitalizing marketing at one of the world’s most recognised brands is a tall order for any company. But McDonald’s had a plan and the leaders to get it done. We saw innovative marketing at McDonald’s, breakthrough strategies that went around the world to revitalise the brand.”
In choosing ‘Marketer of the Year’, Advertising Age looked at a number of criteria, including the company’s business performance, strong leadership, advertising creative and marketing effectiveness.
Mc Donald executive vice president and global chief marketing officer Larry Light pointed out that the ‘I’m lovin’ it’ campaign marked for the first time, McDonald’s worldwide business being united and aligned behind a single theme and brand direction.
“Marketing innovation at McDonald’s has attracted a lot of attention this year, both from the news media and customers. In fact, advertising awareness of I’m lovin’ it’ in our top ten countries recently reached 86 per cent — another sign that we’re connecting with customers like never before,” said Light. “We’ve broken into new territory in all aspects of marketing this year, and it’s only the beginning. We’ve changed the voice of our advertising, celebrating what our customers love about life, which is why you see a dramatic difference in tone and attitude at the Golden Arches.”
“We’re fortunate that both Jim Cantalupo and Charlie Bell had the foresight to see how the ‘Plan to Win’ could help revitalise our business,” said Skinner. “It’s thanks, in large part, to their strong support of marketing and their intense focus on recapturing our leadership role in that arena that has helped make I’m lovin’ it’ so successful.”
“All around the world, our local markets created compelling adaptations of I’m lovin’ it,’ as evidenced by the many awards that our new brand campaign has received,” said McDonald’s senior vice president global marketing Dean Barrett. “We set ourselves apart by only looking for the first, biggest and best opportunities, aligning ourselves with top talent around the globe such as Destiny’s Child, Justin Timberlake and Yao Ming. And, there’s much more to come next year so stay tuned!”
Advertising Age began naming an annual ‘Marketer of the Year’ since 1971, McDonald’s was honored once before in 1989 when it was bestowed “Marketer of the Decade.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
