GECs
Synovate boosts Asia Pacific capabilities with Indian acquisition
HONG KONG: Global market research company Synovate has announced its full acquisition of Blackstone Market Facts in India. Mumbai headquartered Blackstone Market Facts is one of the largest full-service research agencies in India, with twelve offices around the sub-continent, says a company release.
According to Synovate Global chief executive officer Adrian Chedore, Blackstone Market Facts becomes Synovate’s first fully-owned Indian operation. “Synovate already had partial ownership – 25 per cent – of the company, but we felt the Indian market had so much potential that we wanted to ensure our full involvement in and commitment to what we see as a stellar future,” says Chedore.
Synovate, which generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of leading research solutions. Companies which became Synovate on 6 January 2003 were Market Facts and its subsidiaries in the Americas; Asia Market Intelligence and Research Fact in Asia Pacific; and Market&More, Pegram Walters, Demoscopie, The Sample Surveys Research Group, INNER Strategic Research and MEMRB Custom Research Worldwide in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Says Blackstone managing director Alok Shanker, “The deal would give the company the scale, scope and reach it needs to take full advantage of opportunities in the Indian marketplace.”
Synovate will integrate Blackstone Market Facts into the group, giving existing clients in India immediate access to all Synovate research solutions and the global network of more than 80 offices in 47 countries, says the release.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
