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Leo Burnett’s Venkat Mallik to join Level Up! as MD
MUMBAI: After a one and a half year stint with Leo Burnett as national director, Venkat Mallik has put in his papers at the agency to join a new gaming company called Level Up! in the capacity of managing director.
Mallik’s last day at Leo Burnett will be 5 January, 2005 and he is slated to join Level Up! on 14 January, 2005.
Level Up! is the first Filipino online gaming publisher with presence in three countries namely Philippines, Brazil and India. In India, the company has pioneered the first massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG). For the first time, thousands of players from all over the country can play together in a virtual world, in real time, over the Internet.
The first game that the company has introduced in India is called Ragnarok Online, which has already begun its free Beta testing period to adapt to the local style and culture, including technical testing for connections to the game. The service will officially launch in early 2005.
Speaking about the same to indiantelevision.com, Mallik says, “Gaming is a new craze around the globe and we are looking at tapping the youth in a big way with our games. Our first game – Ragnarok – teaches strategy, word skill, reading comprehension and unlike other games, is not just about violence. It also has universal appeal to boys and girls alike.”
Talking about his shift from Leo Burnett, Mallik says, “Just like in an ad agency, here too a significant amount of brand building is involved and we will be looking at creating online and offline relationships with our target group.”
Level Up! is headquartered in Manila and was started by a group of entrepreneurs based out of Philippines. In India, the company has a presence in four cities – Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. Mallik says, “As of now we are present in four cities but we will be looking at extending our operations to the other metro and non-metro towns of India.”
While the gaming business is only a few years old, it sure is becoming the next big thing. Mobile gaming has already picked up pace in the country and online gaming is not far behind, with Reliance Web World gaining steady popularity among the youth. Mallik’s game plan, on the other hand will be to ‘level up’ to the challenge.
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.
