News Headline
Trivago becomes top brand in 2019’s final week rankings of BARC
MUMBAI: The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) of India has released its data for top advertisers and brands for the period between 21 December and 27 December, respectively.
The data reflects the top 10 advertisers and brands across genre on Indian television, including OOH screen, (U+R): 2+, Individuals NCCS All, demonstrating ads that were inserted the most in week 52 of 2019.
Top Advertisers:
The BARC top advertisers list for the final week of 2019 noticed little changes. While the top three performers remained the same, some shuffles happened in the subsequent names.
Hindustan Unilever, as always, remained on the top spot. It had made 174328 insertions. Following it were ITC Ltd and Ponds India, with 43543 and 40261 ad insertions on TV, respectively.
Brooke Bond Lipton India improved its position by two spots as it ranked fourth in week 53. It had made 28848 insertions. Procter & Gamble rose from eighth rank to sit on fifth spot, with 26048 insertions.
Other top brands in pecking order were as follows: Cadburys India Ltd, Wipro Ltd, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, Reckitt Benckiser (India) Ltd, and Colgate Palmolive India Ltd.
Top Brands:
Trivago once again picked the top spot, rising from its second position last week, in the week 53 rankings of week 53. It had made 13721 insertions on television during the week. Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion traded ranks with Trivago, and slipped to second position with 13309 insertions.
Almond Board of California, the last week’s new entrant, improved its position significantly from seventh spot in week 52 to third spot in week 53. Its insertion count stood at 13126. Surf Excel Easy Wash slipped to a spot to rank fourth, with 12432 ad insertions. Lux Toilet Soap also slipped a rank and came in fifth with 10931 insertions.
The subsequent pecking order was as follows: Clinic Plus Shampoo, Vivo V17, Santoor Beauty Soaps, Lifebuoy Toilet Soap, and Attica Gold Company, respectively.
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.
