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Rentrak inks deal with Portland’s TV rep firm Katz
MUMBAI: Rentrak has inked a deal with Katz Television Group, Portland’s television sales company, which represents more TV stations and broadcast groups than any other firm in the country.
The new agreement will provide Katz with Rentrak’s full suite of local market ratings services, including its automotive and political Advanced Demographics, for all common client stations.
Katz will use Rentrak ratings and Advanced Demographic information to gain a deeper understanding of how local TV audiences view television across the entire year, in every local market. Using Rentrak insights, Katz is able to sell the value and relevance of their partner stations’ audiences, not just their size.
“Katz Television Group is committed to working with innovative companies that help us best represent our station partners to the national agency community. Rentrak has proven to be a unique, forward-thinking company that is committed to pushing the local TV industry into a new era of measurement,” said Katz EVP of strategy, analytics & research Stacey Lynn Schulman.
“We look forward to working with Rentrak in developing the systems and interfaces that will make them a valued currency with our trading partners. Consumers are shifting behaviors and consuming content across many screens. The time is now to work with progressive organizations like Rentrak who can help develop new opportunities for local stations to expand their businesses,” Schulman added.
“We are very excited for our new partnership with Katz Television Group and are eager to work closely with them and all of our mutual client stations in the national spot marketplace,” said Rentrak executive vice president of local television Steve Walsh.
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.
