MAM
Nagesh Alai, Sandeep Seth, Richard Murphy to head APAC Effie Awards 2016 jury
MUMBAI: The Asia Pacific Effie Awards has named three more heads of Jury for the 2016 Awards in FCB Worldwide vice chairman – global Nagesh Alai, SK-II global brand director Sandeep Seth and McDonalds CVP digital, growth & foundation markets Richard Murphy .
Alai has been part of the APAC Effie Jury for the past two years and is currently a member of the APAC Effie Committee. A key force behind the Group’s sound fundamentals & success, he has been with FCBUlka Group for 25 years now. Between 2006 and 2011, FCB Worldwide handed over to Alai the finance and operational responsibilities of Asia Pacific & Africa region and prior to his recent assignment, he was group chairman of FCBUlka Group in India.
He is also actively involved with the industry having been the president of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) from 2010 to 2012. He currently serves as an executive member of the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA), various committees of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
Alai said, “Advertising is all about creating awareness about a brand and triggering a behavioural change in the consumer. Effies platform recognises this truism. Hence, it’s an honour to be associated with APAC Effies it as a Head of Jury and help in selecting the best of the best advertising in the region.”
Seth has almost two decades of marketing experience across nine countries in APAC and Greater China, and a deep expertise in the Beauty and Prestige industry. He currently heads SK-II’s global marketing and commercial operations. He is also leading P&G Asia’s marketing talent rejuvenation movement.
“I feel extremely honoured to be on a Head of Jury for APAC Effie. Brands and advertising is a huge passion area. We are in a new era of advertising as the digital revolution has completely transformed how brands and consumers interact. It is an exciting time and I am looking forward to be inspired by the great work that everyone has been leading in the industry,” Seth said.
Murphy, with a brief to drive digital transformation at a market level, covers some 90+ countries across the globe and includes setting and aligning the agenda for digital, ensuring that markets are clear about the expectations the business has of them and to help drive a modern approach with customers.
“I am delighted to be invited as a Head of Jury for APAC Effie. Effectiveness is the core of the advertising business and what we strive to achieve. I’m glad to play a part in Effies in championing marketing effectiveness and am excited to see the great works from the region,” Murphy added.
This completes the Heads of Jury line-up for the 2016 Awards.
Awards chairman Cheuk Chiang said, “I’m absolutely convinced that with such a distinguished and experienced group of practitioners, the Effies in APAC will redefine and set new standards for effectiveness. It comes at a time when marketers want greater accountability and stronger results but fail to do this consistently. Inspiration will come from the best and most effective work that has been interrogated, scrutinised, evaluated and judged by the best in the business. There will be something to learn for all of us and it’s truly an honour to be working alongside such a distinguished and experienced group of thought leaders.”
Finalists will be announced in March 2016, with the Awards Gala set to take place in Singapore end April 2016.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
