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Promax &BDA sets foot into Middle east and African terrains
MUMBAI: – Promax &BDA Europe has re-branded itself as Promax & BDA EMEA. (Europe, Middle East & Africa) in a move to expand and focus into the Middle East and African territories, where Promax &BDA intend to launch specific and localised conferences in Dubai and Cape Town in 2005.
This was announced by Promax & BDA Senior Vice President and Managing Director Carmen Alzner.
“The entertainment business is going through a revolution and evolution at the same time and it’s becoming extremely competitive in every corner of the world,” said Alzner. “The Arabic speaking world is a vibrant and growing market and the need for promotional marketing instruction has never been greater. Meanwhile, Promax &BDA has not had any exposure in Africa and we are looking forward to introducing marketing concepts and promotional techniques to the branding community in this region of the world. As an organization, we need to travel to these countries, particularly where travel budgets are limited, but the demand for promotional and design knowledge is high, to teach and show our members about effective techniques. By adding these territories to our outreach, it only made sense that the name of the organization should also be changed to reflect our global standing, outreach and expansion.”
Alzner is in the planning stages on the Dubai conference (which will be known as Promax &BDA Arabia and the Cape Town workshop and will be announcing the dates shortly. The Dubai event will be modeled after the European conferences. It will consist two days of intensive and instructional sessions highlighted by a keynote address from a well-known figure from the world of branding and marketing. Also in the offing is plans to launch the first ever award competition for the Middle Eastalong with a number of networking and social events.
The Cape Town event will be a one day workshop and will be modeled after the Promo 101 concept, where intensive workshops are held with the objective of motivating and inspiring the promo team, teaching the best practices to engage and attract the viewer as well as encouraging innovation and revealing the secret to managing effective promo time. Alzner, who successfully produced and presented such an event in Moscow last year, recently teamed with the organization’s Asia chapter where they conducted Promo 101 workshops for the first time in Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Hong Kong in the fall of 2004.
To support the expansion, Alzner has also expanded the London-based staff. Richard Oban has joined Promax & BDA EMEA as head of sales. In his new role, Oban will generate and secure sponsorships for the conferences and one-day events. Oban comes to Promax & BDA EMEA from the Commonwealth Business Council, which is financed by African investors with the purpose of establishing media assets in the country. Based in London, Oban managed a team of sales agents in four African countries and was responsible for generating advertising revenue for an African investor magazine, Africa-investor.com and Africa investor awards. Oban began his career with BskyB in 1995 as a senior manager and later became head of distribution and affiliate sales for Discovery Channel, Europe.
Also, new to the Promax & BDA EMEA team is Venetia Berry, who joins the organisation as an event producer. In her new role, Berry will handle the logistics and details of setting up the conferences and one-day events at the various locales in Europe, The Middle East and Africa. Since 1996, Berry has worked as a producer for such broadcast design companies as Kemistry, XTV @ One Post and Red Pepper Film Company. Most recently, Berry has been a freelance producer based in London since January 2004.
Established in 1955, Promax & BDA is the world’s premier body for promotion and marketing professionals working in electronic and broadcast media. BDA is the world’s leading association of broadcast and multimedia designers. With a membership of over 4000 companies and individuals drawn from more than 65 countries, and with conferences taking place in Europe, USA, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and the UK, Promax & BDA is an international organisation uniting the individuals who will pioneer tomorrow’s electronic and broadcast media.
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.
