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Event

Market Research Society of India to spotlight ‘The Power of And’ at 33rd Annual Market Research Seminar 

Market Research Society of India’s (MRSI) welcomes Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India as a keynote speaker for the 33rd Annual Market Research Seminar. Dr. Garg’s inaugural address will deep-dive into the topic ‘Driving Impact Through Data Insights: Harnessing Public-Private Synergies for a Viksit Bharat @ 2047’. His session will spotlight the increasing importance and role of data and insights in aiding India’s growth. The seminar will also witness thought-leadership sessions by Karthik Nagarajan, CEO of Hogarth; Aradhana Lal, Senior Vice President- Sustainability & ESG at Lemon Tree Hotels; Aditya Kasyap, Head – Fabricare at Unilever, in addition to discussions and presentations around the Seminar’s central theme ‘The Power of And’.

A session titled Harnessing Multiplicities: Navigating Many Indias’ will present distinct perspectives from K Ramakrishnan, Managing Director- South Asia, at Worldpanel by Numerator; Vishnu Shankar, Chief Cluster Officer of &TV, FTA & Music Programming at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., and Narayana Health’s Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dr Ashish Bajaj. Furthermore, a panel on ‘Joys and Dilemmas of Insight in the Age of Technology’ will bring industry leaders, including HUL’s Vice President Consumer Insight, Oslando Desouza; Nestle India’s Director & Executive Vice President, Strategy, Marketing & Communication, Chandan Mukherji; Bharti Airtel’s Head Consumer Insights & Intelligence, Subhranshu Rout; Kantar’s Executive Managing Director- South Asia, Insights Division, Deepender Rana; Purple Audacity’s Chairwoman, Sharmila Das; Toluna India’s Managing Director, Dixit Chanana;  and Smytten’s Co-founder, Siddhartha Nangia

A landmark gathering for India’s business, marketing and research & insights community, MRSI’s 33rd Annual Market Research Seminar received the highest number of submissions, surpassing 100 Original Research papers with 22 shortlists across 4 synopsis topics under the larger theme, ‘The Power of And’. The first synopsis topic ‘Method to the Madness’ discusses how methods were bent, broken or bridged and what new methodologies, tools and/or data collection methods were born. ‘Innovation at the Edges’ challenges legacy without discarding it to showcase innovations in product, service or user experience. The third, ‘Technology as an Intersection’ explores the collaboration between logic and intuition, where technology empowered human touch. The final synopsis ‘The Human Mosaic’ introspects how the industry is equipping and skilling leaders of tomorrow in a multi-generational reality with innovative in policies and practices.  These Original Research papers highlight the width and depth of research in India, showcase innovative thinking, the imperative nature of human insights, and the integration of technology. 

Speaking about the Seminar, Nitin Kamat, Chief Growth & Partnerships Officer, TAM Media Research and President at Market Research Society of India said, “Each year, MRSI’s Seminar has showcased the power of our research and insights sector in new ways. The platform has paved the way for new practices, shaping the future of research, business strategy, and consumer understanding nationwide. There is no doubt that our people have been powering growth for brands across industries even in the most challenging times, and we look forward to the original papers this year on a topic that is powerful and highly relevant.”

Rituparna Dasgupta, Executive Vice President – Network Research & Consumer Insights at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited and Chairperson of the 33rd Annual Market Research Seminar, shared, “The MRSI Annual Seminar has firmly established itself as the cornerstone of India’s research and insights industry, and this year’s theme ‘The Power of And’ is shaping the realities of today’s world. We are confident that through this year’s theme, our industry continues to drive innovation, and push the boundaries of thinking.”

Roosevelt Dsouza, APAC Head of Customer Success at NielsenIQ India and Committee Co-chair, further added, “MRSI’s seminar has become a benchmark for excellence in research, fostering collaboration, inspiring the next generation of professionals, and showcasing India’s capabilities on a national and global stage. It plays a pivotal role in steering business growth, driving meaningful insights, and catalysing innovation across sectors, making it a vital hub for the insights community.”Supported by Lead Partner SmyttenPulse AI, the Seminar will bring together top leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across industries to discuss how insights and intelligence can drive India’s growth journey. The 33rd Annual Market Research Seminar is supported by Associate Partners Toluna and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited; Premium Session Partners Kantar, Nestlé, ITC, and Hindustan Unilever Limited. Scheduled for September 11–12, 2025, MRSI’s Annual Market Research Seminar will take place at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram. 

by Vivek Kumar

W7Worldwide proudly announces that Abdulrahman Inayat has been recognized as PR Leader of the Year at the prestigious Athar Festival 2025, in a category presented in association with the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) — the global representative body for PR associations and consultancies. Representing the world’s leading PR consultancies and national associations across more than 80 countries, ICCO serves as the global voice of the public relations industry. This recognition underscores Inayat’s exceptional leadership and W7Worldwide’s continued contribution to advancing the communications landscape across Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and international markets. “This achievement is not only personal; it reflects the collective dedication of our W7Worldwide team and the transformation we are witnessing across the Saudi communication landscape,” said Abdulrahman Inayat . “We are proud to contribute to shaping a globally competitive PR industry that mirrors Vision 2030’s ambition and creativity.” This honor adds to a recent series of distinctions recognizing Abdulrahman Inayat’s leadership in the communications sector. He was previously elected Chairman of the Regional Board of the International Public Relations Network (IPRN) for the Middle East and North Africa. He also made history as the youngest board member of PRCA MENA and was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award, further underscoring his influence across the regional marketing and communications landscape. Meanwhile, W7Worldwide has received over 30 awards in recent years across local, regional, and global platforms, being recognized among the leading communications consultancies in the region. “Abdulrahman’s recognition as PR Leader of the Year exemplifies the excellence and ambition driving the Middle East’s creative marketing and communications community forward,” said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Motivate Media Group and Festival Co-Founder. W7Worldwide has evolved into one of the region’s most respected homegrown communications consultancies, earning international acclaim for its strategic thinking, innovative storytelling, and deep cultural understanding. The agency continues to lead the way in positioning Saudi and MENA communications excellence on the global stage. About W7Worldwide W7Worldwide is a homegrown, award-winning communications consultancy known for its strategic insights, thought leadership, and culturally grounded storytelling. With a proven track record of partnering with more than 100 clients across diverse sectors, the firm has built deep expertise in reputation management and strategic communication, helping organizations strengthen trust and visibility. Operating across the MENA region and international markets, W7Worldwide continues to elevate Saudi communications leadership on the global stage.

by Vivek Kumar

The inaugural edition of CARE (Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability) forum series by Trescon, is set to become the MENA region’s most influential platform for sustainability investment and climate innovation. The forum will unite regional and global leaders driving the Middle East’s clean energy transition. Co-located with DATE, a Digitization, AI & Emerging Tech Summit, CARE MENA will take place on 26-27 November at the iconic Madinat Jumeirah. “With the GCC committing billions to renewable infrastructure, CARE MENA offers a unique, action-oriented platform where capital meets climate ambition,” said Naveen Bharadwaj, Group CEO, Trescon. He continued, “From solar and hydrogen to green finance and industrial decarbonisation, the series will spotlight investable opportunities that support net-zero goals and drive regional climate action.” Talking about the series, Jens Y. Zimmermann, President, Orios Venture Partners, said, “Looking forward to CARE and learning more about new developments, trends & investment opportunities in climate & renewable energy.”  For start-ups, scale-ups and climate tech ventures, CARE MENA is a launchpad and a great opportunity to secure investments.  “I’m looking forward to CARE as a platform to uncover investment opportunities in climate tech and renewables,” said Kevin Holliday, CEO, Venturebeam. Ahmed Refaie, CEO & Global CIO, G.P.I. Global Partners Investments Limited said, “CARE gives an opportunity for climate finance and investment practicing professionals to deploy capital in an environmentally impactful and responsible way.” Whether seeking Series A investment, strategic partnerships or market access, participants will gain direct exposure to venture capital firms, institutional investors, family offices, and sovereign funds. Backed by some of the region’s most prominent investors — from the Royal Group and Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) to ARM Holding, Venturesouq, Plug and Play, and others — CARE MENA is set to spark high impact collaborations. Talking about the opportunities at CARE, Sofia Kostiunina, Managing Director, 100VP commented, “From the VC perspective, I see CARE as an excellent platform to identify breakthrough opportunities in renewable energy and climate tech.” Flagship initiatives include: CARE ESG Awards, hosted by Trescon and supported by ESG MENA, will also spotlight and celebrate the “Responsible Investor of the Year” and the “Young Sustainability Pioneer of the Year”. Sessions at the summit will explore regulatory reform, capital flows and technology deployment, with a sharp focus on commercial viability and regional scalability. With the help of its sponsors including Emtribe, Cero Hero, Enjazponic, S&P Global and others, CARE MENA will also feature investor roundtables, pitch sessions and partnership forums — ensuring that conversations lead to commitments. For founders, it’s a chance to pitch to decision-makers. For corporates, it’s a front-row seat to the next wave of green innovation. And for investors, it’s access to the region’s most promising ventures and infrastructure projects.

by Vivek Kumar

TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, India’s largest deeptech summit, set the tonefor one of the nation’s most significant science and technology developments — the launch of the ₹1lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund by Prime Minister Narendra Modi atthe Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. At the two-day TiEcon Delhi-NCR, a keynote fireside conversation titled “Quantum Leap: AcceleratingIndia’s Tech Sovereignty” brought together Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science& Technology (DST- GOI), and Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR. Thediscussion highlighted India’s focus on strengthening deep-tech capabilities through collaborativeR&D, private sector participation, and startup-led innovation – a vision that aligns closely with theobjectives of the newly launched RDI Fund. Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, GOI said, “India stands at adefining moment in its deep-tech journey. The Research, Development and Innovation Fund is afirst-of-its-kind initiative to empower corporates, industries, and startups across sunrise sectors suchas quantum, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. With liberalized norms and atwo-tier fund management model, it aims to catalyse private sector R&D, promote IP creation withinIndia, and strengthen our path toward technological sovereignty. The government’s role is to enable,not control – fostering risk-taking and long-term R&D investment that builds India’s innovationstrength.” Sharing his perspective, Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “India’sambition to achieve tech sovereignty depends on uniting scientific excellence with entrepreneurialexecution. By deepening collaboration between academia, research, and startups, we can turncutting-edge discoveries into world-class products. TiE Delhi-NCR continues to be a catalyst for thisecosystem, connecting innovators, investors, and policymakers to drive India’s next wave oftechnological breakthroughs.”The session followed the inaugural keynote by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister ofCommerce and Industries, who emphasised the government’s vision to build a deep-tech ecosystempowered by innovation and youth engagement. Organised by TiE Delhi-NCR, TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 brought together policymakers, investors,founders, and global thought leaders to discuss India’s next growth frontier in technology andentrepreneurship. For over 25 years, TiE Delhi-NCR has been a driving force in India’s innovationlandscape, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and investment that continue to shape the country’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.About TiE Delhi-NCR TiE Delhi-NCR is one of the most active and vibrant chapters of TiE Global, dedicated to fosteringentrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, and funding. With a legacy spanningover two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR continues to empower innovators and founders, driving India’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.