Awards
adidas India congratulates the 2018 Arjuna awardees
New Delhi, 26th September 2018: Young athletic sensation Hima Das is in headlines yet again and this time for being awarded with the highest sports honour in the country, the Arjuna Award. At only 18, the Indian sprinter who is now popularly being referred to as “Golden Girl” and “Dhing Express” has made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the world level.
Hima, a tenacious and perseverant teenager, became the first ever Indian athlete to win a gold medal at a global track event when she won the women’s 400m at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Finland, followed by three podiums at the recently concluded Asian Games in Indonesia. She recently bagged a partnership deal with global leader in sporting goods industry, adidas, which will equip Hima with the very best offerings from adidas for her racing and training needs, as she continues her journey to becoming the best sprinter in the world.
Congratulating Hima on her award, Mr. Sean Van Wyk, Senior Marketing Director at adidas India said, “Hima truly exemplifies the immense potential of young athletes in India. Her perseverance and commitment has inspired a nation. Being honoured like this is recognition of her capability and achievements as a top sportsperson and it also says a great deal about the country’s improving prowess in athletics.”
He further added, “ The growing list of awardees reflects India’s emerging interest in sports. We at adidas believe that through sport we have the power to change lives and we are committed to nurturing grassroots sports in India by empowering young talent and inspiring athletes everywhere – boys and girls, men and women. We congratulate all of this year’s winners.”
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.
