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Nielsen, Arbitron to study outdoor advertising
MUMBAI: This is one traffic stopping study all agencies would die to get their hands on.
Nielsen Media Research, the giant of broadcast ratings, will begin testing an outdoor ratings system in Johannesburg, South Africa, while another giant, Arbitron, will conduct a similar test in Atlanta later this year. The outdoor advertising industry, supported thus far by counts of cars passing particular billboards and other displays, provided by the Traffic Audit Bureau. Now, the Outdoor Advertising Association has pledged a whopping $ 3,15,000 for the two studies to enable the compiling of demographic data, a first for the industry. Outdoor receives about four per cent of US advertisers’ budgets, compared to eight per cent in the rest of the world, says Arbitron.
Arbitron plans to release results from its Atlanta test in next year’s second quarter. Its system uses a combination of travel diaries kept by 1,000 consumers and a portable global positioning system carried by a subsample of 50 people to track exposure to outdoor messages both in-car and out-of-home. The big sample size ruled out using all electronic methods of compiling the data needed, hence the use of diaries. The Arbitron system can be used affordably in top 25 markets.
With additional backing from outdoor companies including Clear Channel Outdoor and JC Decaux, Nielsen will test an in-car GPS system with 100 consumers in Johannesburg. If the test is successful, Nielsen plans to test a portable GPS device next year in a US market. Neither system is however likely to replace the TAB’s traffic counts. “Both initiatives can enrich information about outdoor by providing demographics,” says TAB president Joe Philport. “We’ll work with both.”
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.
