MAM
Olive Crown Awards Open Entries for 16th Edition
MUMBAI: When advertising does more than sell and starts to save, it earns its stripes and sometimes, an Olive Crown.
The International Advertising Association – India Chapter and the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations have opened entries for the 16th edition of the Olive Crown Awards, inviting work that places sustainability at the heart of creative communication. Over the years, the awards have built a reputation as one of the world’s most respected platforms recognising ideas that drive environmental and social responsibility.
According to IAA India president Abhishek Karnani Olive Crown Awards go beyond advertising excellence. He said the honours celebrate creativity that meaningfully communicates sustainability, while also recognising corporates that have made tangible contributions to sustainable practices and NGOs that continue to push the needle on environmental action. The awards also feature the Green Crusader of the Year, presented to an individual whose work has had a significant impact in advancing sustainability.
The awards’ global pull has only strengthened with time. Olive Crown Committee chairperson Janak Sarda noted that entries now come in from across the world, with international winners often travelling to India to receive their trophies in person. He also acknowledged the creative call-for-entries campaign developed by K. V. Sridhar and his team at Hypercollective, a division of Nihilent Ltd, describing it as a labour of love.
Importantly for agencies, brands and organisations sitting on purpose-driven work, the awards remain accessible. The entry deadline is February 2, and there is no entry fee, lowering barriers for participation and encouraging a wider range of voices to be heard.
Entries can be submitted online via https://ocawards.awardor.com. As sustainability continues to move from the margins to the mainstream, the Olive Crown Awards are once again asking the industry a simple question with a complex answer: can creativity help make the world greener, and can it do so at scale?
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
