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FMCG ad volumes show record growth amid pandemic threat
In a piece of good news for the television industry amid these pandemic times, ad volumes for the FMCG sector in April witnessed a record growth, said Broadcast Audiences Research Council (BARC).
According to BARC data released on Thursday, ad volumes for FMCG grew by 166 per cent and 42 per cent compared to 2020 and 2019 respectively. In April 2021, ad volumes for the building equipment category also witnessed a steep 200 per cent growth over April 2020.
Ad volumes for durables on Ugadi/Gudi Padwal Festival were at an all-time high in 2021, and 39 new advertisers debuted in the durables sector in April 2021. Some of the top brands that advertised in the durables sector include Symphony Air Coolers, Bajaj Ceiling Fans, Bajaj Air Coolers, LG Linear Cooling, and Liebherr refrigerators.
Despite the looming threat of Covid-19 in the country, TV ad volumes for January to April 2021 were at an all-time high when compared to previous years. The television monitoring agency revealed that the first four months of 2021 started on a very positive note with more ads on air as compared to the last four years.
Total ad volume increased by 39 per cent for the January to April 2021 period as against 2020, which also happens to be the all-time highest compared to the same period in previous years.
BARC India client partnership and revenue function head Aaditya Pathak said that the steady growth in ad volumes is an indication of advertisers’ belief in television to market their product even in these difficult pandemic times.
“Television continues to be resilient even during the most difficult times and data from January to April 2021 reinstates this sentiment. Advertisers continue to rely on television to reach out to the right audience in spite of Covid-19 limitations and lockdowns in various parts of the country. We are also witnessing many new advertisers turning to TV in this quarter adding to the positive sentiment for the medium,” added Pathak.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
