MAM
FCB India spins gold in PR specialist agency of the year at Abby Creative Awards by One Show
GOA: Day two of Goafest 2025 witnessed FCB India absolutely demolishing the competition in the public relations category, proving that sometimes the best way to handle PR is to simply be brilliant at it.
The agency swept to victory as ‘public relations specialist agency of the year’ with a frankly ridiculous haul of 66 points, built on four golds, three silvers, three bronzes and two merits. It was the sort of performance that left rivals wondering whether they’d accidentally entered a different competition entirely.
Leo India managed a respectable runner-up spot with 38 points, courtesy of three silvers, four bronzes and two merits—though one suspects they might have preferred trading some of that bronze for a bit more gold. Tribes Communication rounded out the podium with 26 points, bagging one gold, two silvers, one bronze and a merit in what can only be described as a thoroughly balanced performance.
The others made their presence felt too. BC Web Wise nabbed 10 points with one silver and one bronze, whilst Grey group and Mudra Max each scored eight points—Grey group with a single gold and Mudra Max with two bronzes. Meanwhile, ^a t o m network, Godrej Enterprises group, and Social Panga – Higa Digital all managed six points apiece, proving that in the PR game, every point counts.
Even the laggards got their moment. Grey Alchemy picked up four points with a bronze, whilst boAt Lifestyle and Digitas each secured two points with a merit—hardly earth-shattering, perhaps, but better than going home empty-handed.
The Abby Creative Awards 2025, powered by The One Show, continued their relentless march through specialist categories, with broadcaster, digital specialist, design specialist, mobile specialist, technology specialist, and direct specialist awards all up for grabs.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
