MAM
Olive Crown Awards Open Entries for 16th Edition
MUMBAI: When advertising does more than sell and starts to save, it earns its stripes and sometimes, an Olive Crown.
The International Advertising Association – India Chapter and the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations have opened entries for the 16th edition of the Olive Crown Awards, inviting work that places sustainability at the heart of creative communication. Over the years, the awards have built a reputation as one of the world’s most respected platforms recognising ideas that drive environmental and social responsibility.
According to IAA India president Abhishek Karnani Olive Crown Awards go beyond advertising excellence. He said the honours celebrate creativity that meaningfully communicates sustainability, while also recognising corporates that have made tangible contributions to sustainable practices and NGOs that continue to push the needle on environmental action. The awards also feature the Green Crusader of the Year, presented to an individual whose work has had a significant impact in advancing sustainability.
The awards’ global pull has only strengthened with time. Olive Crown Committee chairperson Janak Sarda noted that entries now come in from across the world, with international winners often travelling to India to receive their trophies in person. He also acknowledged the creative call-for-entries campaign developed by K. V. Sridhar and his team at Hypercollective, a division of Nihilent Ltd, describing it as a labour of love.
Importantly for agencies, brands and organisations sitting on purpose-driven work, the awards remain accessible. The entry deadline is February 2, and there is no entry fee, lowering barriers for participation and encouraging a wider range of voices to be heard.
Entries can be submitted online via https://ocawards.awardor.com. As sustainability continues to move from the margins to the mainstream, the Olive Crown Awards are once again asking the industry a simple question with a complex answer: can creativity help make the world greener, and can it do so at scale?
MAM
DB Group names Abhay Dubey as chief brand marketing
Seasoned marketer brings regional muscle and launch savvy to DB
LUCKNOW: Dainik Bhaskar Group has appointed Abhay Dubey as chief brand marketing, strengthening its leadership bench as the media major sharpens its focus on brand-led growth.
Dubey steps into the role after a high-impact stint as regional marketing manager at Reliance Broadcast Network, where he led data-driven regional campaigns and rolled out new initiatives from concept to completion. Based in Lucknow, he steered end-to-end account marketing, orchestrated launch events, and fine-tuned go-to-market strategies with a sharp eye on budgets and brand visibility.
Before that, he served as area marketing manager at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, handling business development, media buying and integrated branding campaigns across Uttar Pradesh. His remit included planning new service launches and working closely with creative agencies, media owners and government departments.
Dubey also held the position of brand manager at EM3 Agriservices Pvt. Ltd., where he drove product launches, demand generation and stakeholder engagement. Earlier in his career, he was head of marketing at Saffron Communications Pvt. Ltd., overseeing integrated campaigns across sectors, and began his journey at Jagran Engage, building experience in advertising and lead generation.
With expertise spanning digital marketing, brand management, demand generation and below-the-line advertising, Dubey brings both strategic planning skills and hands-on execution experience to the table. His track record suggests a marketer who is as comfortable crunching numbers as he is crafting narratives.
At DB Group, he is expected to shape sharper brand strategies, amplify market presence and ensure campaigns that do not just make noise, but make sense.
