AD Agencies
Think Design signs MoU with IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation
Mumbai: Think Design, Havas India’s UI/UX specialist agency, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation. The MOU aims to foster a beneficial collaboration between the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Mandi and Think Design (TD). The TIH, which focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, was established with the backing of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (GoI), and is housed at IIT Mandi.
The goal of the MoU is to provide a formal platform for Think Design and iHub to collaborate in mutually advantageous areas of Research & Development to support the adoption of solutions that have social and economic consequences. The partnership aims to raise public awareness and help build skills in the usage of technologies, such as those used to develop Assistive Technologies, Experience Technologies, and Device-led Technologies. The MoU will also result in the sharing of information and resources to increase the impact of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) collaboration for case-specific products and solutions.
“IIT Mandi iHub envisions to be an internationally recognized hub that nurtures HCI research, enables technology translation for industry, and scales skill development,” stated IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation CEO Somjit Amrit, speaking about the MoU.
“In keeping with this resolve, we are eager to collaborate in addressing real-life problem statements through the integration of translational research that leads to industry acceptance. Industrial design is critical to the transition from prototype to product and commercialization. With that in mind, a collaboration with an industry leader like Think Design is expected to help the industry to incorporate the most recent and relevant research, resulting in a faster Go-To-Market with product-market fits, which would improve user experience,” he said.
“As a pioneering design and research consultancy, our focus has always been to bring path-breaking ideas to the market,” said Think Design chief strategy officer Hari Nallan. “Our collaboration with IIT Mandi’s Technology Innovation Hub is critical and will help us further our mission. The partnership’s breadth and areas of involvement are cutting-edge and highly relevant to the market’s current needs. I’m very happy to launch this meaningful effort that will benefit not only Think Design and IIT Mandi TIH, but also society as a whole,” he further added.
AD Agencies
Tawana Burnett to lead social and influencer jury at Abby Awards 2026
Meta’s Apac leader takes the reins for Abby Awards, adding flair to social content
MUMBAI: Tawana Burnett, Meta’s Head of Top Accounts and Agencies for Apac, has been named jury chair for the new social content and influencer ,arketing category at the Abby Awards 2026, powered by The One Club | The One Show.
With a 25-year career spanning the US, EMEA, Latam, and Apac, Tawana has worked on campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands and leading advertising agencies. At Meta, she guides CMOs, business leaders, and agencies on harnessing digital and emerging advertising solutions to accelerate brand growth.
Before joining Meta, Tawana led award-winning product teams at Intuit, LeapFrog, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer, helping launch iconic products including QuickBooks, Listerine, Advil, and ChapStick.
A champion of diversity, she was featured in Adweek’s Women Trailblazers in 2019 for mentoring more than 15 women-led startups and for her work on the #biascorrect campaign that promotes women in leadership. She was also recognised in Ad Age’s Global Leading Women Class of 2023, The List in 2024, and served as juror for Spikes Asia and Mad Stars 2024.
Tawana has held leadership roles in the Singapore Inclusion Council at Meta, the IAB SouthEast Asia & India Board, and currently serves on the boards of IAA SEA and the Ronald McDonald House in New York City. Originally from New York, she now lives in Singapore with her husband and daughter.
The Abby Awards 2026, presented by The One Club | The One Show, will be held during Goafest 2026 from 20 to 22 May in Goa, celebrating creativity across the region.
