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Nike dominates Cyber Lions at Cannes
CANNES: Just did it! Shoemaker Nike seems to have stolen a march over all by dominating this year’s Cyber Lions. The brand has won seven Lions for work that was conceptualised in four different countries.
An adage report says the Cannes Cyber Lions jury awarded just three Golds – the fewest in recent years. This makes Nike’s efforts laudable as the company won the Web site Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row. Nike Goddess Web site was one of seven Nike cyber efforts to win a Lion.
The site titled “Panna Ko” was created by a Copenhagen based agency Framfrab that had won the award twice before, in 2000 and 2002, both times for Nike work. The Interpublic Group of Cos.’ R/GA, New York, bagged four trophies — including the only U.S. Gold — for its Nike Lab and Nike Goddess Web sites.
The report aslo adds that Grand Prix for online ads was awarded to another Scandinavian agency, Sweden’s Forsman & odenfors, for the launch of the Volvo XC 90, an integrated campaign that relied heavily on its Web component.
The US led the way with 10 Lions; Brazil won nine; and the UK bagged six.
Amongst the other winning agencies were: the New York based Bartle Bogle Hegarty won a Silver for its online launch of Axe deodorant; the Boston based Circle earned a Silver for Ikea work; and the New York based Omnicom Group’s Atmosphere BBDO struck Silver with its online campaign for General Electric Co.
Meanwhile, after opening its account with four Lions, Indians took a bow again at Cannes. Cannes has awarded a Silver Lion to the Hong Kong office of Saatchi & Saatchi for a creative idea that was conceptualised by the Bangalore office of Saatchi & Saatchi India. The winning ad was a print entry in the Health & Nutrition category – Procter & Gamble’s brand Oil of Olay called “Golds”. The creative credits for the award winning print ad go to Ramesh Ramanathan, Ryan Menezes, Vinod Lal Heera Eshwer and Dinesh TP amongst others.
The press ad, with just the words ‘0 to 60 in 100 years’ on it, and a bottle of Oil of Olay at the bottom right-hand corner was a brainchild of the Indian foursome.
It looks as if Indian brains are oozing out glocal ideas with a universal appeal!
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.
