MAM
Piyush Pandey inducted, industry veterans celebrate growth at IAA Leadership Awards 2024
Mumbai: The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) hosted the grand 11th edition of the prestigious IAA Leadership Awards on August 6 at the Taj Lands End hotel in Mumbai. The awards served as a platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of industry leaders.
This year’s ceremony saw the presence of numerous distinguished guests, including senior marketing, advertising, and media professionals, who gathered to honor the exceptional accomplishments of the award recipients.
The awards covered various sectors, including automobiles, financial services, FMCG, e-commerce, edtech, retail, and consumer durables, acknowledging the diverse achievements and innovative contributions of outstanding professionals.
IAA inducted Ogilvy’s executive chairman India, Piyush Pandey, into the IAA Hall of Fame. When reached for comment on his induction, he said, “It’s always a great honor to be recognized by our own people. I believe in work done for our people and our clients in India, so this means a lot. I have won several lifetime achievement awards outside the country, but these were awarded for the work I have done in India, making it all the more special.”
RK Swami Ltd. chairman and managing director Srinivasan Swamy who had bagged the “Force For Good” award, commented on the importance of events like the IAA Leadership Awards, “It’s crucial to celebrate success in the marketing community, particularly when brands perform exceptionally well. Showcasing these achievements through awards highlights the excellence in the A&M industry and the work of the marketing professionals behind them.”
News18’s managing editor, special projects, and senior anchor, Anand Narasimhan, won the title of IAA TV Anchor of the Year. Bollywood stars Ananya Pandey and Vicky Kaushal received the IAA Brand Endorser of the Year awards in the male and female categories, respectively, for their ability to connect with audiences and effectively promote brands. The creative agency head of the year was awarded to Ogilvy’s current executive chairperson, Hephzibah Pathak. EssenceMediacom CEO South Asia, Navin Khemka won the media agency head of the year.
During the event, Jio Finance Ltd.’s head of brand & marketing, Rajesh Raman, discussed the current marketing landscape. He noted, “The shift has already happened with digital media and ChatGPT coming into play. Clients have reworked their marketing plans, and many sectors like BFSI are gearing up to use digital media. The industry is set for significant growth, driven by India’s large and growing youth base. The next 15 years will witness unprecedented growth, making this a remarkable time for advertising and marketing.”
He further added, “Despite market volatility, indices suggest that growth will soon surpass significant thresholds. Consumer demand has surged post-COVID, with high interest in new products and loans. COVID, in retrospect, acted as a blessing, as it led to a pent-up demand surfacing. The industry has reassessed and improved since then.”
He concluded by saying, “I am very positive about the industry’s future. Media growth and brand experimentation are at an all-time high. India’s cultural influence will now be exposed to the global stage, with the world looking at India.”
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
