Come December 6, and all eyes will be on the winner of this year’s IMPACT Person of the Year (IPOY) award. Each year, the award is given to a person or group of persons who have made maximum impact on and influenced the industry through their contributions to the Media, Marketing and Advertising world.
Nominations are based on a person’s substantial contribution to his/her own business as well as industry bodies and the possibility of practices adopted by him/her having far-reaching effects in the foreseeable future.
“It is a fantastic property. It inspires people to look up to the winner, who has contributed and been recognized by the industry and his peers. I think awards are a nice form of recognition that everybody loves.” RAJ NAYAK, CEO, Colors
“This is a good way to recognize people for their outstanding work. Since it has been around for years; it has become an event to look forward to and it accords recognition to at least one person, which is good!” SAM BALSARA, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison World
“It has gained a lot of credibility over the years. Some very deserving people have won in the past, and I am sure it will go on to gain more strength and stature.” NAKUL CHOPRA, CEO, Publicis, South Asia
“It is a very good property. Year after year, the right person gets chosen. It also gives the reason for people who are there in this industry, to aim to become IMPACT Person Of The Year or at least get nominated for it. It is absolutely relevant for people in this industry.” I VENKAT, Director, Eenadu
“It has been awarded to many worthy individuals. I think it is a great property to have and it is kind of envious to be on that list. Whoever the winner is this year, cheers to him.” PRATAP BOSE, COO, DDB Mudra Group
“The nominees are all very talented and have delivered through the course of the year. I think it is a great way to motivate people — it gives them that high to go ahead. For that winner, it is a reward for his work.” SHASHI SINHA, CEO, IPG Mediabrands
The esteemed nominees for this year’s Impact Person of the Year award (in no particular order) are:
BHARAT PATEL, Ex Chairman, ISA
&
HEMANT BAKSHI, Chairman, ISA
During their respective tenures, Bharat Patel and Hemant Bakshi have honed the reputation of the ISA as a credible, pro-active body working for a better environment in the industry.
CVL SRINIVAS, CEO, GroupM South Asia
Under CVL Srinivas’ leadership, GroupM India has won new businesses and launched several initiatives in digital, content, experiential marketing and analytics. The media company also won the Porter Prize this year.
PUNIT GOENKA, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL)
Under Punit Goenka’s leadership, the ZEEL network has successfully established a global presence. He also played a crucial role in the industry’s paradigm shift towards digitization and setting up BARC.
RAHUL SHARMA, Co-founder, Micromax Informatics Limited
Rahul Sharma helmed the transformation of the 13-year-old start-up Micromax Informatics from a supplier of parts to Nokia to being one of the most consumed mobile and tablet brands in India.
RAJAN ANANDAN, Managing Director, Google India
Rajan Anandan has been working relentlessly to build Google’s search business and the online video platform YouTube. He also drives the brand’s impetus on mobile as a marketing platform and has built a strong Team Google India.
SAMEER SUNEJA, Global CEO, Perfetti Van Melle
Sameer Suneja, the first non-Italian Global CEO of Italian confectionery giant Perfetti Van Melle, is credited with the brand’s high growth in India, along with innovative product positioning and cutting-edge ad campaigns.
VINEET JAIN, Managing Director, Times Group
Vineet Jain has transformed the Times Group into a vibrant media conglomerate, with substantial properties in print, radio, television, digital and new media. He is the group’s chief strategist, marketing visionary and content architect.
Wait and watch to see who emerges winner!
LINE OF AWARDEES
Started in 2005, the first IPOY award was given to the then CEO of Star India Network, Peter Mukerjea, followed by Editor-in-Chief of CNN IBN, Rajdeep Sardesai in 2006. Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group, received the award in 2007, while two concurrent awards were given in 2008 to Raghav Bahl, Founder of Network18 and Lalit Modi, then IPL Commissioner. Rajesh Kamat, then CEO of Colors and Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India, won IPOY awards in 2009 and 2010 respectively. In 2011, advertising genius Agnello Dias of TapRoot India and the then Group CEO of Network18 & Viacom18, Haresh Chawla were honoured with the IPOY award. In 2012, the award went to former Information & Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni.
