The first edition of exchange4media’s Urdu Journalism 40 Under 40 Summit and awards was held at India International Centre in New Delhi on Friday. The 40 winners this year include journalists from print, TV and digital domains.

e4m’s Urdu Journalism 40 under 40 recognizes professionals across print, television and digital for their valuable contributions to the sector. The list includes editors, reporters, anchors, journalists, marketing & digital media professionals, videographers, news producers & video editors.

The inaugural jury was chaired by Dr. S.Y.Quraishi,  Former Chief Election Commissioner of India. Other esteemed jury members included: Dr. Annurag Batra Chairman and Editor-in-chief BW BusinessWorld and Founder, of exchange4media, Dr. Rakhshanda Jalil Writer, Translator, Literary Historian, Shahid Siddiqui Editor Nai Dunia, Muzaffar Ali, Filmmaker, Poet, Zafar Sareshwala, Former Chancellor, MANNU, Yusuf Jameel, Journalist, Columnist & Winner, CPJ International Press Freedom Award, Rajesh Raina Group Editor News18, Raj Babbar Actor and former MP, Dr. Shaikh Aquil Ahmad Director, NCPUL, Ministry of Education, GOI, Mir Alam Ali Zaidi, Journalist, Historian and Writer, Prof. Farhat Basir Khan Author, Strategist, Media Communication and Design Scholar, Suman Varma CMO Hamdard India, and Ambreen Khan Media Marketing Expert.

The inaugural edition attracted over 200 entries out of which 80 were shortlisted and presented before the jury.

Here is the full list of winners.

Emami Limited has announced its foray into juice category with ‘AloFrut’ through strategic investment in Axiom Ayurveda Pvt Ltd (“Axiom”) and its subsidiaries/associates by acquiring 26% equity stake for an undisclosed amount.  Axiom markets beverage products under the brand “AloFrut”.

Harsha V Agarwal, Vice Chairman & MD, Emami Ltd said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Axiom Ayurveda through a strategic investment in equity. This marks our entry into the juice category with ‘AloFrut’. With health & wellness being the buzzword for consumers today, we see tremendous potential in the segment. “AloFrut” product offering is very unique as these beverages are based on Aloe pulp inclusion in fruit juice which provides a perfect mix of taste and health together. We are excited to be present in this category which is in line with our corporate growth strategy to invest in categories or brands that not only have synergy with our existing business but offer potential for growth.  We look forward to add meaningful value to the brand.”

Commenting on the development, Rishabh Gupta, Founder, Axiom Ayurveda Pvt Ltd said, “Now-a-days consumers are moving away from the carbonated beverages and are looking for a healthier alternative with an equal importance to taste. Considering this trend where consumer is focussing on taste and health, we have tried to offer a perfect blend of the same which is a big differentiator from other beverage company offerings. We strongly believe in the potential that our brand has to offer.   It is exciting to have Emami come on board as a  strategic partner with wide industry experience who shares  our vision to make Alofrut a leader brand.”

Nestle has consolidated its European media account with WPP. The decision has been taken following a pitch process that began earlier this year, according to media reports.

The account will be handled by WPP OpenMind.

"The result (of the contract) will be better decision-making and media planning to allow campaigns to build brands and win consumer attention at scale," a Nestle spokesperson reportedly said in a statement.

WPP OpenMind will coordinate Nestle's marketing communications, including buying advertising space and planning campaigns.  The agency will not, however, be in charge of creative work such as animation, making jingles and other content generation, say one of the reports.

Swiggy India has called for a review of its media duties account, e4m has learnt. The mandate is currently with Havas Media Group India. 

According to reliable sources, the account is valued at Rs 200 crore. e4M has also learnt that the pitch process has seen participation from all big agencies, including Essence Mediacom and Madison.

Havas Media Group India won the account in 2016.

According to Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2023, Swiggy spent Rs 250-350 crore on advertising last year. 

e4M reached out to Havas and Swiggy for confirmation of the news, but is yet to get a reply.

The exchange4media Group is set to host the much-awaited e4m-Zee Media Business Leaders Meet on September 15 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The one-of-its-kind gathering will see the coming together of business owners, Managing Directors, CEOs and other business leaders of Kanpur under one roof and explore key topics of brand building. Driving the theme 'Building Bharat-First Brands', industry experts from across the city will share insights on the current scenario of the markets where MNCs and mega corporations are looking to take over the Indian market in their respective sectors.

The experts will throw light on several key topics like customer segmentation outside India's metros, integrating localization into the vertical stack, Online vs physical models where the leaders will discuss what works for Bharat, and more. The real Bharat-based brands are becoming the forerunners of legacy and tradition and the leadership these regional brands, which are rooted to their culture, are creating through a customer-first approach.

At the e4m-Zee Media roundtable, participants will discuss the business journey of brands, their success strategies, and challenges faced by them in the Indian market and how they contribute to the growth of regional and national economy. Several seasoned experts from the media, advertising, and marketing ecosystem will also participate in the event.

Our speakers for the e4m-Zee Media Business Leaders Meet include Rishi Katyal, Panem Steels Pvt Ltd, Rajeev Kumar Dwivedi, TTRC at LOHIA CORP LTD; Yogesh Agarwal, Rimjhim Ispat Ltd; Abhishek Gupta, Ashok Griha Udyog Kendra Private Limited; Rishabh Jain, Kataria Ecotech Pvt Ltd; RC Gulati, Jyoti Capsule Pvt. Ltd; Ajay Lohia, Threads (India) Ltd; Raman Tandon, Aditya flexipack; Udit Narain Trivedi, Naraina Group of Institutions and Divyansh Agarwal, KD Polymers Pvt. Ltd.

Gaurav Burman, a member of the Burman family and Director of Dabur International, has acquired a strategic 7.5% stake in healthcare start-up Mitsu. Mitsu is a mental health tech start-up offering a convenient and scientific self-therapy program that helps individuals who feel anxious or depressed build skills for lifelong emotional well-being.

"I am delighted to be a part of this healthcare revolution called Mitsu. Mental Health is an extremely important issue and affects most of us at some stage in our lives. Mitsu has developed a science-based approach to helping those who feel anxious or depressed in a novel, confidential, and affordable manner. I have been a firm believer in Mitsu from the very beginning, as early as its concept stage. This investment is part of my mission to invest in companies that are shaping the future of healthcare through innovative and people-centered solutions. I am confident that Mitsu will continue to take this fast-growing business to even greater heights,” said Gaurav Burman, who has now joined the board of Mitsu.

The company also has as angel investors successful entrepreneurs including Shivashish Chatterjee and Yuvraj Singh (founders of DMI Finance) and Harpreet Singh Grover (who founded and exited CoCubes).

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Gaurav Burman as an investor in Mitsu. His support and guidance will help us move ahead with our strategy to create an accessible, convenient, and scalable solution for mental healthcare that can benefit over 40% of the adult population,” said Mitsu founder Mr. Amit Singh.