As CNBC-TV18 turns 15, it has launched a special initiative - Indian Business Icons - to form a league of the 15 most powerful business icons in the country, on the basis on public voting, reports Simran Sabherwal
Ratan Tata, NRN Murthy, Adi Godrej, Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal – these are some of the most admired names in the Indian business fraternity, inspiring millions with their work acumen. To celebrate 15 years of the channel and the achievements of these stalwarts, CNBC-TV18 has launched ‘Indian Business Icons (IBI) 2015’. What makes this list unique is the fact that it will not be decided by a high-powered jury, but by the public who will have the final say by way of their votes.
The Selection Process
The selection process started with the editorial heads of CNBC-TV18 putting together a list comprising 30 top business icons after a rigorous process. The mantle for selecting the top 15 icons was then passed on to the Indian public, which has the opportunity to vote for leaders who have left an indelible mark on the Indian business landscape.
Says Senthil Chengalvarayan, Editor-in Chief, CNBC-TV18, “These business icons are household names in India, and have steered their individual companies to exponential growth and success. Their vision and drive have made India a business force to reckon with.” Adds Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, “While it is an honour to be acknowledged by one’s peers, it is truly humbling when the felicitation is by the people of the country. As CNBC-TV18 celebrates 15 years of leadership, we take this opportunity to look at the heroes of the past 15 years of Indian business.”
Campaign for the Icons
To popularize the initiative and help viewers make an informed choice, CNBC-TV18 has started airing short films about each of the nominees, highlighting the person’s achievements over the last 15 years, and contribution to the Indian economy. In addition, an extensive campaign through TV, Print, Radio & Digital has also been undertaken to promote the initiative. Viewers can cast their vote across multiple platforms, including the channel’s website, Facebook, Twitter (#IBI2015) and even via missed calls.
Voting for the month-long campaign started on January 12, and has created a buzz online over who should be a part of the CNBC-TV18 Indian Business Icons list. The campaign has also reached out to the Indian diaspora, courtesy Yahoo, the online partner. Commenting on the response received, Anil Uniyal, CEO, CNBC Channels says, “The record breaking response that we have received has easily made this the most successful public voting campaign in the business space till date in India. This was also the first time we used Twitter as a means for voting keeping in mind how active the business community is on the medium and as it is increasingly the choice of the thinking Indian.”
Commenting on the voting trends so far Priyanka Tiku, Head of Marketing, CNBC-TV18, “The live leader board of the votes has been extremely dynamic.” The result of the final 15 business icons, selected on the basis of public voting, will be audited by Grant Thornton, an independent auditor.
THE CONTENDERS
Here’s the elite list of business leaders who are in the race to be in the Final 15 of CNBC-TV18’s Indian Business Icons.
1. Adi Godrej
2. Aditya Puri
3. AM Naik
4. Anand Mahindra
5. Azim Premji
6. Chanda Kochhar
7. Deepak Parekh
8. Deep Kalra
9. Dilip Shanghvi
10. E Sreedharan
11. KV Kamath
12 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
13. Kishore Biyani
14. Kumar Mangalam Birla
15 Yusuf Hamied
16. N Chandrasekaran
17. Nandan Nilekani
18. NRN Murthy
19. Pawan Munjal
20 PRS Oberoi
21. Rahul Bhatia
22. Rajiv Bajaj
23. Ratan Tata
24. Sachin Bansal/ Binny Bansal
25. Shiv Nadar
26. Sunil Bharti Mittal
27. Uday Kotak
28. Venu Srinivasan
29. YC Deveshwar
