MAM
Super Jury brings the hammer down on the Abbys controversy
MUMBAI: As the winds of controversy blow through the Indian ad land post the 2013 Abbys Awards, the Super Jury constituted by the Awards Governing Council (AGC) has decided that all the awards given will stand.
The decision has been made with the intent of maintaining the sanctity of the Abby awards. The Super Jury ruled that enough time had been provided between shortlisting of entries and the announcement of the winners for any party to raise objections/concerns. As a result, any speculation after the Abby Awards/Goafest will not be entertained.
It also declared that the awards that had been rescinded due to similar complaints for DHL (agency BBDO Proximity) and Electrolux (agency DDB Mudra Group) will be reinstated.
The AGC has also noted that for the future rules pertaining to reviews will be further clarified and strictly adhered to.
The Super Jury comprised of Agnello Dias, Carlton D‘silva, Josy Paul, K S Chakravarthy, Nitish Tiwari, Piyush Panjwani, Prasoon Joshi, Prashant Kalyankar, Rakshin Patel and Sonal Dabral. The decision was taken following a meeting on 23 April.
This year, the creative Abbys became a hotspot for controversies with agencies dropping out, scam ads being exposed and last minute requests to withdraw entries, even after the awards were announced. Many believe that Abbys 2013 opened up Pandora‘s Box for the ad industry with issues of scam ads, client-agency communication, creative liberty, and plagiarism coming to the fore.
One would only hope that this is the end of the matter on awards this year, but only time will tell.
Brands
Hyundai Venue crosses 1 lakh bookings, adds HX8 Diesel AT variant
New top-spec automatic diesel trim brings ventilated seats, OTA updates and paddle shifters.
MUMBAI: Hyundai Venue just hit the jackpot and upgraded the prize because when you cross 1 lakh bookings, you don’t just celebrate, you throw in paddle shifters and ventilated seats for the ride. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced that the all-new Hyundai Venue has achieved 1 lakh bookings, cementing its strong position in the compact SUV segment. To mark the milestone and further enhance customer choice, the company introduced the new HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant.
The HX8 Diesel AT is powered by the proven U2 1.5L CRDi diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adds a host of premium comfort, safety and convenience features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-tone leatherette seats with VENUE branding
- Electric 4-way driver seat adjust
- Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
- Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology
- Electric parking brake with auto hold
- Rear disc brakes
- Ambient lighting on crash pad and central console
- Drive mode select (Eco, Normal, Sport)
- Traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow)
- Paddle shifters
HMIL, managing director & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 1 lakh bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience.”
Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the Venue continues to appeal to buyers seeking a feature-rich, comfortable and future-ready compact SUV. The new variant reinforces HMIL’s focus on delivering advanced technology, safety, comfort and value while adapting to evolving customer preferences.
In a segment where bookings are the real horsepower, Hyundai isn’t just counting milestones, it’s handing drivers an automatic upgrade that makes every journey feel like the victory lap.
