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Select Direct offers unique medium, DM tools for building industry
MUMBAI: Ad agency veterans are now teaching a thing or two to ad industry professionals who are seeking ways to facilitate direct interaction between the trade – manufacturers of products or services and professionals who use these services. After all, direct marketing (DM) is the best way to communicate to niche segments especially self-employed professionals!
Select Direct Marketing Communications, founded in 1993 by former Pratibha Advertising CEO and Trikaya Grey Client Servicing Director, Ramesh Iyengar and his wife Ameeta Iyengar have developed a unique tool called LOCATOR. Iyengar is leveraging his exhaustive 21-year experience in advertising and marketing to offer customised solutions to manufacturers.
LOCATOR is a bi-annual product reference guide used by architects, interior designers, engineering and building professionals. In fact, LOCATOR has already won a gold award in the category of best media invention of the EMVIE awards under the aegis of the Advertising Club, Bombay.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Select Direct Marketing Communication’s director, Ameeta Iyengar says: “Indian manufacturers needed a marketing communication vehicle to send product information, directly to architects and interior designers. Advertising agencies who create visibility for the product can now recommend LOCATOR as a specific direct marketing communication tool which ensures that product related information is always available with this target audience. This benefits the manufacturers, as now he does not have to worry about recall for his product at the very crucial design stage.”
Select Direct’s expertise at content management has provided the cutting edge to LOCATOR and has made it distinctly unique from all other printed options available to manufacturers in India today to reach this valuable target audience.
Iyengar believes that LOCATOR can be easily extended to serve the needs of the hotel, medical and healthcare industry in time to come.
Well, those advertising agencies, which have clients from the manufacturing sector, can now approach an industry professional for consultation.
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.
