MAM
Traditional media to lose takers in post-Covid2019 world: Mark Reed
NEW DELHI: Most of the ad spends deducted from traditional media might not come back post-pandemic, predicted WPP CEO Mark Reed at the e-FICCI Frames conclave today. He was talking to EsselPropack Ltd CEO Sudhanshu Vats in a fireside chat. The duo talked in depth about the growth of digital technologies in the media and marketing industry in the post-pandemic world.
Reed, however, was quite positive that the industry will be quick to move back to growths it showcased in the earlier years. He said, “Advertising spend will definitely bounce back but it will be defined by changes in consumer behaviour. If we look at the UK and the US market, the dip that the print industry witnessed during the lockdown, it might not be able to get back (revenue in pre-Covid2019 times). The demand will be generated through digital and is not going to traditional media in the same manner.”
He supported his hypothesis by sharing the growth in the stock values of digital companies like Alphabet, Apple and Tesla in the western markets, despite an overall dip in the stock market.
Reed insisted that even the viewing habits of consumers across the globe will be leaning towards digital platforms going forward. “If we talk about traditional broadcasters in the western market, the core programming like sports, live events, and television shows have dropped in frequency. This will make the users move to digital counterparts like Netflix.”
He added that digital properties like esports will definitely be able to maintain the growth it witnessed during the covid times.
Speaking about the Indian market, Reed showed great positivity in the growth prospects of the economy as well as consumer sentiment once the lockdown is lifted, however some categories will take a little longer to bounce back.
Sharing some data, he noted that most Indians are looking towards visiting a hair salon while most of them are not looking forward to going out to restaurants for at least a few months. International travel might take a few years to get the same attention.
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MAM
Ad:tech honours 2026: Full list of winners announced
Expanded awards spotlight winners across 22 categories as industry doubles down on intelligent automation
NEW DELHI: Marketing’s tech elite took the spotlight as the ad:tech honours 2026 returned with a sharper focus on AI, data and immersive media, signalling how deeply technology now underpins brand strategy. Held at Yashobhoomi on March 17, the second edition drew industry leaders to celebrate innovation that is reshaping engagement and performance.
Presented with the International Advertising Association India chapter and new partner Huella, the awards expanded from 8 to 22 categories, tracking the rapid convergence of creativity, automation and analytics.
The winners’ list reads like a snapshot of marketing’s future. In affiliate and partner marketing, Lyxel & Flamingo – Boat and Paytm Ads – Giva took silver. Mobavenue Media Private Limited struck gold in AI-driven dynamic creative optimisation, alongside a silver for Laqshya Media Limited.
Creative AI collaboration saw Rediffusion Brand Solutions Private Limited win gold, with Saltinc Consulting Private Limited securing silver. Laqshya Media Limited continued its strong run, taking gold in AI conversation agents and adding multiple wins across categories, including silver in GenAI-led creative and both gold and silver in interactive DOOH campaigns for Tanishq and Tata Coffee.
Predictive AI honours went to Strong Metrics and Tyroo, both silver, while Orient Bell Limited picked up silver in immersive retail tech. In GenAI-led creative, Laqshya Media Limited, Salt – Kotak and Sumimoto each secured silver, reflecting the crowded race in generative creativity.
Publicis bagged silver in influencer management and gold in performance marketing, where it shared the stage with Arm Worldwide and The Trade Desk, both silver. Glad U Came Private Limited stood out with gold in influencer measurement and analytics.
Marketing automation saw CereOne Media Pvt. Ltd. and Globale Media win silver, while ADMOTT Private Limited claimed silver in OTT innovation.
Programmatic media categories highlighted the shift to advanced targeting and connected screens. Mobavenue Media Private Limited clinched gold in connected TV advertising, with Animmoov Digital Media Pvt Ltd – Asus and Lyxel and Flamingo taking silver. Cheggout Services Private Limited won silver in retail media advertising, while Paytm Ads – Versuni secured gold.
On social platforms, Vayner Media India took gold in community and UGC engagement, with Under 25 – Oppo winning silver. Segumento rounded off the list with silver in the innovation category.
Jaswant Singh, country managing director at ad:tech India, underscored the momentum, saying generative AI and data-driven decision-making are now central to marketing impact. Neena Dasgupta, IAA mancom member and chief executive and founder at The Salt Inc Consulting, added that the awards celebrate not just technology, but “the people, the creativity, and the relentless effort behind it.”
Backed by Comexposium Group, ad:tech New Delhi has long tracked digital disruption. Now, with the honours, it is rewarding those who are not just adapting to change but engineering it.
In an industry racing towards automation, the message from 2026 is unmistakable. The future of marketing will be written not just in ideas, but in algorithms.
