GECs
Nielsen: Global ad spend up in first half of 2013
MUMBAI: Global ad spend has hiked 2.8 per cent on a year-over-year basis for the first half of 2013, according to Nielsen’s Global AdView Pulse report, which finds that marketers in Latin America had the highest increase in spending for the period.
For the second quarter of 2013, expenditures grew 3.5 per cent.
All regions contributed to the global growth, except Europe, where there was a six per cent decline for the period from January to June. Latin America was booming, with gains of 13.1 per cent to $13.5 billion. There was a quarterly growth of 3.9 per cent in the Middle East and Africa. The Asia Pacific had growth of 6.4 per cent and North America of 2.7 per cent.
Within Latin America, Argentina contributed significantly to the growth in the region, with a nearly 30 per cent increase in ad spending. Indonesia, China and the Philippines all contributed double-digit growth in the Asia Pacific for the first half of the year, with expenditures reaching $51 billion. In Europe, ad spending was up in Norway (2.5 per cent), Switzerland (0.6 per cent) and Greece (7.4 per cent), though all other countries in the region saw a decline.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
