MAM
MRUC finds IRS 2013 data valid, lifts abeyance
MUMBAI: Finally, taking the decision on the latest Indian Readership Survey (IRS) data, the Media Research Users Council (MRUC) said the voluntary abeyance placed on the IRS 2013 has been lifted with effect from 20 August 2014.
The IRS 2013 data published on 28 January 2014, evoked several questions from the about the validity of the results. Therefore the Readership Studies Council of India (RSCI) requested subscribers to hold the study in abeyance while it took a revalidation exercise.
A committee was then formed with two co-chairmen, one from the publishing industry and one from the advertising agency industry. They decided that the methodology was in order and a process audit needs to be done which was awarded to Praveen Tripathi (Magic 9 Media).
The findings of this report were discussed by heads of four industry bodies- MRUC chairman, RSCI chairman, Indian Newspaper Society president and ABC chairman and a decision was to be taken. The heads also discussed it with the RSCI technical committee chairman and the two co-chairmen of the revalidating committee.
The audit took place in two stages. The first stage involved direct back checking of respondent homes post which a broad and deep forensic statistical analysis exercise was carried out to identify and isolate both fieldwork compliance deficiencies and incidences of the occurrence of unusual publication incidence in respondent interview records. By sieving the aggregate data set for these issues, the audit was able able to judge unequivocally whether the statistical deviations systematically changed any of the crucial readership outputs. The outcome was conclusive and unequivocal that the study results had not been impacted.
MAM
Continental Tires appoints Nevin Aslan-Özkan as Managing Director for India
Finance leader to drive growth in passenger vehicle segment from 6 April 2026.
MUMBAI: Continental Tires has put a fresh pair of tyres on its Indian leadership and this time, they’re rolling with strong financial horsepower. The premium tyre manufacturer has announced the appointment of Nevin Aslan-Özkan as managing director of Continental Tires India, effective 6 April 2026. She succeeds Samir Gupta, who stepped down on 5 April 2026 for personal reasons.
Nevin joined Continental in 2017 and has held key leadership roles in Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategy & Business Development across EMEA and APAC. Since May 2025, she has served as Chief Financial Officer for Continental Tires India, shaping the company’s financial strategy and performance.
In her new role, she will lead the company’s growth agenda in India, with a sharp focus on accelerating its presence in the passenger vehicle segment. This appointment comes at a pivotal time, following the recent launch of the CrossContact A/T² tyre, the first market globally to receive this product and a €10.5 million (approximately Rs 100 crore) investment to strengthen Continental’s position, particularly in the ultra-high-performance (UUHP) segment.
Nevin Aslan-Özkan said, “India continues to be a strong focus market for Continental Tires. Guided by our ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach, we will continue to deliver products and technologies designed for Indian roads.”
Samir Gupta, who joined Continental in 2012 and served as managing director since January 2022, was recognised for his significant contribution to expanding the brand’s footprint in India.
Continental is a leading global tyre manufacturer founded in 1871. The company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and employs around 78,000 people across 54 countries. Its Tires group sector, which includes premium car, truck, bus, two-wheel and specialty tyres, recorded sales of €13.8 billion in fiscal 2025 and employs more than 56,000 people worldwide.
With Nevin Aslan-Özkan at the wheel, Continental Tires India is clearly gearing up for a smoother and more aggressive drive in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets. The road ahead looks promising.
