Brands
IFA Berlin unveils new innovation awards to spotlight tech breakthroughs
BERLIN: IFA Berlin, the world’s leading home and consumer technology event, has launched a new global awards programme: the IFA Innovation Awards. These awards, set to debut at IFA 2025 in Berlin, aim to celebrate exceptional innovation, design, and market impact within the industry.
Clarion Events managing director James McGough, stated that the awards will “recognise the Best of IFA, rewarding the incredible progress being made in home and consumer technology.” He added that the initiative would help identify brands “truly shaping how we live, work and play,” particularly those implementing AI and designing sustainable and accessible solutions.
Geekspin editor in chief and jury member Helena Stone highlighted that the IFA Innovation Awards represent “the natural evolution of IFA’s century-long commitment to showcasing the technologies that transform how we live, work, and connect.” She believes these awards will “spotlight the innovations that define the future of consumer technology” as IFA enters its second century.
The new awards follow IFA’s hundredth anniversary in 2024, which attracted over 215,000 visitors from 138 countries and more than 1,800 exhibitors.
The comprehensive programme will recognise innovations across various sectors, including smart home and IoT, sustainable technology, health and wellness tech, gaming and entertainment, mobile communication, audio-visual excellence, kitchen and home appliances, and emerging technologies. Winners will receive either the official IFA “Best of category” or “Innovation Award” certification, along with full licensing rights to use the awards logo. Additional benefits include an exclusive showcase at IFA 2026’s Innovation Gallery, prominent placement across IFA’s global media channels, and coverage in official IFA publications and social media.
Helena Stone affirmed that the IFA Innovation Awards are poised to “become the gold standard for consumer technology recognition in Europe and beyond,” with an international jury of experts ensuring the winners represent “truly groundbreaking achievements.”
The awards are open to manufacturers, designers, engineers, start-ups, and technology companies worldwide. Eligible products must be innovative consumer technology or home appliance solutions commercially launched between 1 February 2025 and 30 April 2026, and must be available in European markets. Applications are now open, with an independent panel of global technology experts, industry analysts, and innovation specialists overseeing the evaluation process.
Brands
Rohini Laya Venkateswaran named executive director at Gillette India
P&G veteran with two decades of experience steps into leadership role
NEW DELHI: Rohini Laya Venkateswaran has been appointed executive director at Gillette India Pvt. Ltd., bringing with her more than two decades of experience across sales, strategy and brand leadership within the consumer goods sector. In her new role, she will help steer the company’s strategic direction and growth while strengthening its footprint in the grooming and personal care category.
Venkateswaran joins the board after a long career at Procter & Gamble, where she spent nearly 21 years shaping sales strategy, building brands and driving market expansion across India and international markets.
Most recently, she served as chief sales officer for India at P&G. Prior to that, she was vice president and country manager for east gulf markets, overseeing operations in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar while also guiding sales strategy across the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she led sales strategy and planning for India while serving as marketing leader for brands such as Olay and Old Spice. During this stint, she focused on reshaping go-to-market channels and building awareness through digital, social and influencer-led campaigns to drive growth.
Her journey at P&G also included roles such as director sales strategy and planning leader India, associate director modern retail and ecommerce, regional manager for Delhi and Rajasthan, and several key account and trade marketing roles across the country. She also spent time in the United States working on the P&G Walmart international team, collaborating on global retail initiatives.
Venkateswaran holds an MBA in marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering.
With her mix of sales acumen, brand-building experience and global exposure, Venkateswaran’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on growth and market leadership for Gillette India.
