AD Agencies
Golden Key Awards unlock excellence in market research with top honours
MUMBAI: The world of market research and insights had its moment in the spotlight as the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) hosted the Golden Key Awards 2024 on 21 February in Mumbai. Recognising trailblazers, innovators, and rising stars, the awards celebrated excellence across research, analytics, and storytelling—shedding light on the game-changers shaping business intelligence.
From emerging talent to technological breakthroughs, the event honoured individuals and organisations that are redefining the way data drives decisions. Aadya Sinha (Third Eye Integrated Services) clinched the Best Researcher Under 30 title, while Datamatics Global Services took home The Most Humane Organisation Award for its people-first approach. Kantar made a double impact, winning Best Operations Team of the Year and Best Client Servicing Team of the Year, reinforcing its stronghold in research operations. Meanwhile, Flipkart & Myntra earned the title of Best Client Insight Team of the Year for their prowess in consumer analytics.
Adding strategic depth to the evening, Indian Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand took the stage in a riveting conversation with Shafali Arora (Hindustan Unilever Limited), drawing parallels between chess and leadership. Anand’s insights on decision-making, precision, and long-term vision offered the audience a masterclass in critical thinking.
The second segment of the awards, powered by ITC, recognised pioneering research and innovation. Ipsos & Ikea bagged The Most Effective Storyteller Award, while Metrix Research & Analytics took home Best Data Collection Innovation. Hindustan Unilever Limited secured Best Research Methodology Innovation, and Datamatics Global Services was awarded Best Use of Technology for its AI-powered research solutions.
A lifetime of contributions to the market research industry was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to C.K. Sharma and Ashok Das, while Lalit S. Kanodia received a Special Award for his pioneering role in analytics and technology-driven insights.
The final category, powered by Kantar, saw Hindustan Unilever Limited emerge as a dominant winner, securing multiple titles, including Best Work in Emerging Sectors, Best Business Impact Through Analytics, and Best Business Impact Through Research. Ipsos was recognised for Best Developmental Research, while Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd. clinched Best Communication Crafting Research for its excellence in shaping brand narratives.
With support from industry giants like Hindustan Unilever Limited, Nestlé, ITC, Amazon, Datamatics, NielsenIQ, and TATA Consumer Products, the 6th edition of the Golden Key Awards was more than a night of recognition, it was a celebration of research’s transformative power. As the market research field continues to evolve, MRSI remains committed to fostering innovation and excellence, ensuring that data-driven insights continue to steer the future of business strategy.
AD Agencies
Microsoft shifts global media account from Dentsu to Publicis Groupe: Reports
Closed review ends decade-long tie-up; Xbox remit may remain with Dentsu
MUMBAI: Microsoft has reassigned its global media planning and buying business to Publicis Groupe, according to media reports, ending Dentsu’s long-standing stewardship of one of the advertising industry’s biggest accounts.
The move follows a closed review and marks a notable shake-up in the global media landscape. Dentsu, which managed the account through Carat, had held the mandate since 2014 and successfully defended it in a 2018 review.
While the broader business is shifting, Dentsu is expected to retain media responsibilities for Xbox, according to media reports, though the exact contours of that arrangement remain unclear. None of the parties involved have publicly outlined the transition timeline or the full structure of the handover.
The scale of the account underscores the significance of the change. Estimates from COMvergence, cited by Ad Age, peg Microsoft’s global media spend at roughly $700 million last year.
For Publicis Groupe, the win deepens an already expanding relationship with the tech giant. Earlier this year, Microsoft Advertising partnered with Publicis Media Exchange and Epsilon to integrate Epsilon’s data into its platform, aiming to sharpen targeting across search, native and display formats.
The decision reflects a broader industry shift, as large advertisers increasingly favour agency partners with strong first-party data capabilities, AI integration and platform-led solutions. Publicis Groupe has been leaning into this model, positioning its data assets and technology stack as a central differentiator.
For Dentsu, the loss is significant. Media remains a core pillar of its global business, and the development comes close on the heels of leadership changes, including the appointment of Takeshi Sano as global chief executive officer.
The shift also carries a touch of irony. Microsoft and Dentsu have worked closely beyond the client-agency relationship, including collaborations around AI tools such as Copilot to support media and creative workflows.
As the dust settles, the message is clear: in today’s data-driven, AI-powered media world, relationships may be long, but they are rarely permanent.
