Awards
CNN-IBN Indian of the Year returns with its 9th edition
MUMBAI: English news channel CNN-IBN is back with the ninth edition of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year. The award salutes iconic Indians who have made a significant contribution to India in the last calendar year. Hindustan Times has been the editorial partner of this initiative since its inception in 2006.
The year 2014 has been a momentous year in the history of India and has given rise to a set of role models who have been true ambassadors of brand India. The luminaries who have contributed to strengthening the foundation of the society in their own way are chosen from six different categories – politics, sports, entertainment, business, public service and global Indian. The winners of these will be felicitated at a glittering ceremony to be held at Taj Palace, New Delhi on 17 March, 2015 by the vice president of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari.
The selection criteria adheres to a unique and transparent process, which includes nominations from the Network18 editorial board, ratified by a jury panel consisting of a select group of distinguished personalities bestowed with the most prestigious Padma honours – former Attorney General of India Padma Vibhushan Soli Sorabjee (jury chairman), Padma Bhushan Deepak S Parekh (chairman, HDFC), Padma Shri & four-time National Award winner actor Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair, former president of NASSCOM Padma Kiran Karnik and Indian tennis champion Padma Leander Paes.
Over the years, the recipients of this award have included the NGO Stop Acid Attacks (2013), Indian chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (2012), Anna Hazare (2011), Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (2010), A R Rahman (2009), G Madhavan Nair (2008), E Sreedharan (2007) and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006).
Speaking on the occasion IBN Network CEO Avinash Kaul said, “We take immense pride in announcing the ninth edition of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Awards. We have created a benchmark in lauding the most influential, deserving and dynamic Indians, over the years. The success of the award in the past has raised the bar for this initiative and we are looking forward to a great show this year again.”
CNN-IBN managing editor Radhakrishnan Nair added, “Indian of the Year is our endeavour to acknowledge achievers, who have been exceptional in their respective fields in the last calendar year. We at CNN-IBN are privileged to bring them to the fore as an inspiration to others and honour them with these awards.”
Awards
Ajay Kakar to chair jury for ad:tech Honours Awards 2026
Industry leaders join jury as nominations surge for marketing tech awards
NEW DELHI: The ad:tech Honours Awards 2026 are gearing up for a bigger second edition, with Ajay Kakar, head of corporate branding at Adani Group, set to chair the jury for India’s technology-focused marketing awards.
Organised in partnership with the International Advertising Association India Chapter, the awards celebrate the growing influence of technology in shaping modern advertising and marketing outcomes. This year’s edition has drawn a strong response from across the industry, signalling rising momentum around innovation in marketing technology.
The organisers say the nominations reflect a wide range of ideas and approaches, highlighting how brands and agencies are increasingly leaning on platforms, tools and data to sharpen their campaigns and connect with audiences more effectively.
Leading the evaluation process, Kakar will head a jury made up of senior leaders from across brands, agencies and technology platforms.
The jury panel includes Amaresh Godbole, CEO, digital technology business at Publicis Groupe; Bishwajeet S, head of marketing and PR at Volkswagen India; Carol Goyal, executive director at Rediffusion and CEO of Aesthetic Intelligence Lab; Kushal Sanghvi, director at Komerz; Lara Balsara, executive director at Madison World; Rana Barua, group CEO India, sea and North Asia; Deepak Oram, senior vice president growth marketing and martech; and Priyanka Khaneja Gandhi, head of marketing and creative solutions at Amazon Ads India.
The ad:tech Honours Awards aim to recognise not just creative campaigns but the smart use of technology that delivers measurable impact and business results. Categories this year reflect the rapidly evolving digital landscape, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, data-driven marketing, content ecosystems, automation, martech and adtech integration, and commerce-led marketing.
The winners will be announced on 17 March 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi during ad:tech New Delhi 2026. The event is expected to bring together leaders from brands, agencies, platforms, creators and technology partners for an evening celebrating the ideas and innovations shaping the future of marketing.iconductor industries.
