Awards
Distraction relaunches Gameshow Zone
MUMBAI: International format distributor Distraction adds two hot new properties to its classic gameshow catalogue, now re-launched as The Gameshow Zone.
“These shows have an enduring appeal that hits the classic gameshow revival trend head on,” commented Distraction CEO Michel Rodrigue. “They are stellar examples of the qualities that have made formats so successful. Extremely strong audience retention, clear structures, proven track records, strong production histories… they have all the makings of sure-fire, long-term winners.”
Teasers: From U.S. producer Merrill Heatter, Emmy award winning creator of the legendary Hollywood Squares, comes a format classic that combines the performers, questions, gags and bluffs of Hollywood Squares with the challenging, play-along style of Wheel of Fortune.
Teasers is a fast-paced, fun-filled format with high production values and ‘can’t miss’ game play. Six celebrities – sitting in two rows of three boxes – answer the questions. Two contestants decide if the panellist has given the correct answer. A correct guess earns a contestant a piece of a six-part word puzzle, superimposed on his or her ‘box’, and the contestant has a chance to solve the puzzle.
This entertaining word game is perfect for either a weekly or stripped slot, and with the proven power of funny celebrities plus the involvement of the word game, Teasers is sure to be at least as successful and unpredictable as its predecessor.
Black Cat: A game of trade and cunning, Black Cat is the Magnolia adaptation of a popular Italian card game. Three contestants race to the last card over four rounds of the game before coming to the gold pyramid and the final jackpot prize. The rules of play are simple, but contestants must overcome obstacles in each round as they compete to keep the winning cards and stay in the game. One alone will move on to the final round, where eight prizes await. Only four are worth cash, however, and whether or not the contestant wins them depends on what’s in the cards.
In the end, the only sure winner with Black Cat is the broadcaster. This one-hour format is now airing on Italia Uno and showing a strong performance against rival Deal or No Deal in the access prime time slot. Even successful series such as The O.C. and Smallville are falling short of the audience appeal of Black Cat, which has improved Italia Uno’s ratings in Italian television’s most challenging timeslot.
Distraction’s Gameshow Zone groups these new offerings with successful formats such as In the Dark, which airs in Thailand, Indonesia and Russia, among other countries.
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.
