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Times Group’s Vineet Jain conferred lifetime media honour
Managing India award crowns four decades of expansion, ambition and cultural clout
NEW DELHI: Vineet Jain has picked up another trophy, and this one comes with a lifetime tag.
At the 70th foundation day and 20th national management day of All India Management Association in New Delhi, the managing director of The Times Group was conferred the “lifetime contribution to media” award, presented by education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The honour formed part of AIMA’s 16th managing India awards, themed “Transforming for tomorrow: growth with resilience”.
AIMA’s citation was expansive and effusive. It hailed Jain as a “future-ready leader and agile entrepreneur” who has turned a legacy newspaper business into a diversified media powerhouse. Since the late 1980s, it noted, he has revitalised print while pushing aggressively into television, radio, internet, movies, music, sports, events, outdoor advertising, education and investments across 35 markets.
“He did not just grow a newspaper company; he built a multifaceted media empire that dominates information and entertainment in India and shapes the nation’s political and commercial awareness,” the citation said. “From television and radio to internet, movies, music, sports, events, outdoor advertising, education and investments, his leadership has created influential brands across every platform.”
Under Jain’s stewardship, television brands such as Times Now, ET Now and Zoom have expanded the group’s broadcast heft, while their digital avatars have chased new audiences online. Radio Mirchi, Gaana, Times OOH, Times Music and Magicbricks have emerged as category leaders. Legacy titles such as Femina and Filmfare have been retooled for new generations.
The group has also ventured beyond media. Through Bennett University and TimesPro, it has pushed into higher and executive education, while a national pickleball league signals a foray into the world’s fastest-growing sport.
AIMA credited Jain with balancing mass entertainment and intellectual ambition, citing the reinvention of the Filmfare awards and the Femina Miss India pageant nearly three decades ago, as well as the launch of the Times litfest.
Accepting the award, Jain struck a collective note. “It is a huge honour to receive this award. I dedicate it to my colleagues who have worked tirelessly to make The Times Group, India’s largest multi media company.”
He reiterated the group’s appetite for scale. “The Times Group is number one in every media vertical it has launched, and we will continue striving for excellence,” he said.
Four decades on, the message is clear. In a media market being torn up by technology and attention spans, Jain is still betting on breadth, brands and being number one.
MAM
8PM Packaged Drinking Water named Lead Trouser Sponsor for Sunrisers Hyderabad
Brand partners with IPL team for 2026 season with campaign ‘Rise in Orange, Celebrate with Black’.
MUMBAI: 8PM Packaged Drinking Water has found a clever way to stay in the game by hitching its wagon to one of cricket’s most exciting teams. The brand from Radico Khaitan Limited has announced its association with Sunrisers Hyderabad as the Lead Trouser Sponsor for India’s Premier Cricket League 2026. The partnership will see 8PM Packaged Drinking Water gain prominent visibility during the high-energy tournament.
To mark the collaboration, the brand has launched the campaign thought “Rise in Orange, Celebrate with Black.” The idea cleverly links the on-field intensity of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s iconic orange jersey with the off-field celebrations powered by 8PM Premium Black Packaged Drinking Water.
Radico Khaitan Limited chief marketing officer Kunal Madan said, “We are delighted to be associated with Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2026 season. With the league’s unmatched reach and the team’s strong fan following, this is a great opportunity to connect meaningfully with consumers across the country.”
Sunrisers Hyderabad enters the season with a formidable lineup featuring players such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, and Pat Cummins, making it one of the most watched teams this year.
A spokesperson from Sunrisers Hyderabad added, “We are pleased to welcome 8PM Packaged Drinking Water to the Sunrisers family. This association brings together shared values of energy, resilience, and excellence.”
The partnership underscores Radico Khaitan’s strategy of aligning with marquee sporting platforms to build contemporary, consumer-centric brands. By tapping into the emotional connect and massive viewership of the league, 8PM aims to deepen engagement and strengthen brand affinity during the cricket season.
In the fiercely competitive world of Indian cricket sponsorships, 8PM has chosen to play it smart, pairing the thrill of orange with the cool refreshment of black. As Sunrisers Hyderabad prepare for another exciting season, the brand is set to ride the wave of passion, performance, and celebration.
