Awards
Oprah Winfrey to be inducted into NAACP Hall of Fame
MUMBAI: The queen of the talk show Oprah Winfrey will be inducted into the National Association for the Advancement of coloured People (NAACP) Image Awards Hall of Fame in the US.
The Hall of Fame Award will be presented during the 36th edition of the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. The awards ceremony will broadcast on 25 March on Fox.
Image Awards chairperson, Clayola Brown said, “Oprah Winfrey is an extraordinary woman whose work has inspired and motivated people of all races and cultures. We cannot fully express what an honor it is that she is joining us so we can celebrate her remarkable life and accomplishments.”
NAACP board of directors chairman Julian Bond said, “Oprah Winfrey has set the standard for achievement – as a television icon, actress, producer, broadcast pioneer and successful entrepreneur – she is the model for others. We are proud to salute her.”
The Hall of Fame award is bestowed on an individual who is a pioneer in his/her respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. This individual is recognised for their impact in the US and internationally, and for a career which exemplifies high artistic achievement, professionalism, and public service.
As the supervising producer and host of The Oprah Winfrey Show which airs in India on Star World she has entertained enlightened and uplifted millions of viewers for the past two decades. Her commitment to use her life to make a difference in the lives of others has extended beyond the realm of television into philanthropy, education, publishing and film. Together Oprah’s influence and generosity have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today.
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.
