10th Indian Delegation to Dubai, Gitex & Expand North Star – World’s Largest Startup Investor Connect
Event

Brands rising above the clutter

Consumer behaviour is a strange old thing. Just when you think you have the formula nailed down, the benchmarks get shifted just that further bit out.

Believe in brand loyalty? Think again. Studies show that among older shoppers, brand loyalty is now a thing of the past. And younger buyers are not much different, with those in Asia and the Middle East showing a greater propensity than ever to switch to higher-priced brands, even more so than their counterparts in the West.

With new demands thrust upon brands by a new breed of savvy, worldly-wise, and discerning consumers, it is now a case of having to adapt to stay relevant in a world of atypical trends. It’s not just buying behaviours, but entire value systems and worldviews that are changing. No longer is it enough for a product or service to satisfy a narrow need. Progressive thinking is now the norm, with a sense of elevated purpose and demands bundled along with it.

Balancing these many demands is a challenging act, but a few brands are doing so admirably, after having finely honed their understanding of who today’s consumers are, what they desire most, and how to best shepherd them into their fold. These are the coterie of brands that will be held aloft as shining exemplars of excellence at the third edition of Team Marksmen’s Brand of the Year 2024, scheduled to be held on 20th June in New Delhi.

Brand of the Year 2024 represents a unique cohort, all of whom have built their success stories by crafting relationships that have withstood the test of time, as opposed to building their brand on something more transient or merely flirtatious.

This unique industry platform showcases brands that remember that the consumer is king, and that serving them in new, sometimes unexpected ways is vital if they are to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. Just as brand leaders hope customers stay loyal to them, brands must stay loyal to the philosophy of consistently delivering what their customers desire. It is one of the few constants in an age of flux.

Brand of the Year 2024 is a research-based industry initiative where some of the sector’s leading experts will share insights into the essence of successful brands, the foundations of creative thinking, and the new growth principles that have benefited others. The event will conclude with a celebratory ceremony honoring these brands. Informed by an industry-wide consumer study conducted by LeadCap Ventures, brands are evaluated on the following parameters:

  • Personalized Customer Experiences
  • ⁠Authenticity and Purpose
  • ⁠Brand Storytelling
  • ⁠Customer Engagement
  • ⁠Leveraging AI⁠
  • Uniqueness and Innovation

Speaking ahead of the event, Rajesh Khubchandani, Co-founder and CEO, Team Marksmen Network had this to say. “Branding is the art of crafting an indelible imprint on the minds of your audience. It’s the fusion of strategy and creativity, where every touchpoint becomes a canvas to paint your story. Mastered well, branding transcends mere logos and slogans; it becomes the beating heart of your organization, resonating with your customers’ deepest desires and aspirations. Harness its power, and you wield the ability to forge unbreakable bonds, ignite loyalty, and elevate your brand to the realm of the iconic – a legacy that endures long after products fade.”

To know more about this unique initiative, write to us at contact@teammarksmen.com.

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.