MAM
Superbrands Council evaluating over 700 brands
NEW DELHI: The Brand Council, a part of Superbrands India is currently evaluating over 700 brands in the country in 95 different categories to identify the strongest among the lot and award them the Superbrands status.
The Superbrands status is internationally recognised as the Oscar in the world of Branding.
Says Superbrands India CEO Anmol Dar, “The Superbrands concept is a winner in 18 countries worldwide. The discipline of branding has matured in India today and it is time to pay tribute to exceptional brands.”
Only the strongest brands will be shortlisted in this evaluation process and will be offered the opportunity to be a part of the first edition of Superbrands the book, a chronicle of India’s strongest brands for this year. The first edition of the book will be dedicated to the late ad guru Shunu Sen. The council members have decided to retain his name on the Council even after his demise as he was deeply involved with the Superbrands project in India since its inception.
The brand council includes executive director (New Ventures), HLL Dalip Sehgal, CEO, J Walter Thompson Mike Khanna, group president & national creative director, O&M, Piyush Pandey, business editor CNBC and MD TV 18 Raghav Bahl.
The members, each of whom is known to have an instinctive “feel” for brands, have been given a list of product categories and brands under each. These brands are being rated on a scale of 1 to 10. To ensure unbiased results, representatives of a brand are advised not to rate the brands in that particular category and the average mean score of the rest of the brand council members is taken as theirs.
The brand council is scheduled to meet later this month to discuss the findings. Once the brand council reaches a consensus that a particular brand in a category deserves to be invited for participation in the Superbrands Book, invitations will be sent out to them. Without the approval of the Brand Council members, no brand will find place in the publication.
An official release informs that in each of the countries that Superbrands operates in, it has an independent Superbrands Council. Comprehensive research is undertaken to identify the brands in various categories and that offer the consumer significant emotional and/or physical advantages over its competitors, which (consciously or sub-consciously) customers want, recognise and are willing to pay a premium for. The Brand Council, composed typically of doyens of business, industry, advertising, marketing and media – then reviews each of these brands and pronounce judgement.
Launched in the year 1993, Superbrands is a concept developed by UK marketing guru Marcel Knobil, the founder of the Superbrands Organisation and the chairman of the Superbrands Council, UK. Over the years, Superbrands has evolved into being a recognised, independent authority and arbiter of branding – it exists to promote the discipline of branding and to pay tribute to exceptional brands. It has been tracking the branding phenomenon for the past nine years and maintains councils in 18 different countries .
MAM
PwC India announces leadership change in Deals practice
Shashank Jain steps down as co-leader after nearly three decades with the firm.
MUMBAI: When one dealmaker steps off the pitch, another is ready to take the baton because in the fast-moving world of transactions, the game never really stops. PwC India has announced a leadership transition in its Deals practice, with Shashank Jain stepping down from his role as co-leader to pursue an opportunity in the industry. The practice will continue to be led by Mohit Chopra, ensuring continuity and sustained growth momentum.
PwC India partner and leader for advisory dinesh Arora paid tribute to Jain’s contributions. “We deeply appreciate the significant contributions made by Shashank over close to three decades he has spent with PwC, particularly his defining role in shaping and strengthening our Transaction Services practice in India,” he said. Arora highlighted Jain’s support for clients through some of the most complex and significant transactions in the Indian market, noting his deep technical expertise, sound judgment and nuanced understanding of the evolving M&A landscape.
The Deals practice remains a key growth driver for PwC India, and the firm expects continued expansion under Mohit Chopra’s leadership. He will continue to guide clients through complex transactions and transformational business moments, building on the strong foundation established over the years.
Reflecting on his journey, Shashank Jain said, “I have had an exceptional journey at PwC. I owe my growth and learning to the nurturing environment and leadership development that PwC provided.” He added that he had been working closely with Mohit and the larger team to ensure a smooth transition and expressed confidence that Chopra would take the Deals practice to newer heights.
From intern to respected deals leader, Shashank Jain has clearly closed many successful transactions and now, it seems, he’s ready to strike a new deal of his own.
