MAM
India thrives at APAC Effie Awards 2016, taking the top awards
MUMBAI: Indian emerged as a major winner at the APAC Effie Awards 2016 awards, with Indian agencies taking away several awards at the Awards Gala last night at Intercontinental Singapore, celebrating Asia Pacific’s most effective marketing campaigns.
Mullen Lowe Lintas Group, India was named APAC Effie 2016 Agency of the Year, bagging 8 metals, while BBDO India’s ‘Share The Load’ campaign for Procter and Gamble took home the grand Effie.
Going by metals tally, Colenso BBDO/Proximity was running behind with three agencies in the tie for the third place, BBDO India, Barnes Catmur and Friends Dentsu and Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai.
On the network level, BBDO Worldwide took the lead, with a total haul of 17 metal awards followed by Ogilvy & Mather and Mullen Lowe Group coming in the second and third position respectively.
Two new Special Awards were added this year – Brand of the Year and Marketer of the Year to recognise the joint efforts and close collaboration between clients and agencies to produce successful work. The awards were presented to Ariel Matic and Procter & Gamble respectively with their entry ‘Ariel – Share The Load’ being the best of show for the night, clinching the Grand Effie, on top of a Gold and a Silver. These Special Awards are accorded based on the points received on all winners and finalists.
The Awards Gala attended by some 200 industry professionals presented a total of 66 Effies – One Grand Effie, 12 Golds, 21 Silvers and 32 Bronzes.
As in previous years, India remains the strongest market in the region on the effectiveness stage, contributing the highest number of metal winners last night. Following in the ranking were New Zealand and Australia.
Congratulating the winners, Effie Awards 2016 Chairman Cheuk Chiang said:”It is a massive acknowledgement. To get here having gone through two rigorous rounds of judging by a stellar team of industry professionals is a significant and incredible achievement and indeed something to be proud of. These winning cases represent the best in Asia Pacific and I hope they only serve to inspire the industry further in producing great work that drive real business results.”
Organised by the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA) and Tenasia Group, the APAC Effie Awards honour the region’s most outstanding marketing communication works that have proven results in meeting strategic objectives.
Winners and finalists will contribute points towards the ranking on the 2016 Effie Effectiveness Index, the global ranking which identifies and ranks the most effective marketers, brands by analyzing finalist and winner data from worldwide Effie competitions.
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Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
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If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
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● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
