New Delhi: CNN-IBN has also emerged as Asia’s best after bagging three awards at the 15th Asian Television Award 2010 held in Singapore yesterday. With these prestigious wins, the channel holds the distinction of being the only Indian TV channel to win three major awards in 2010 at the prestigious Asian Television Awards.

The award is the industry’s most significant and celebrated event, recognising excellence in TV programming, production and performance.

The channel received awards for its outstanding, inclusive programming and content ( India at 9 with Rajdeep Sardesai – Best News Programme for the 2nd consecutive year ,The Citizen Journalist Show – Best Cross-Platform Content ,Karan Thapar for Devil’s Advocate – Best Current Affairs Presenter for the 5th time ).

‘India at 9’ CNN-IBN’s flagship primetime daily newscast anchored by Rajdeep Sardesai that won the Best News Programme for the 2nd consecutive year presents the day’s top stories in the most informed, compelling and intelligent manner. It showcases the newsmakers of the day, along with live debate with top players who influence the country's socio-political agenda. The show over a period of time set very high editorial standards backed by strong production values.

‘The Citizen Journalist Show’, CNN-IBN’s flagship inclusive initiative that gives the citizens a platform to stand up and ask why, won the award for the Best Cross-Platform content. A Citizen Journalist has the spirit to be the change he wants to see. Equipped with a camera and the passion to uncover the truth, CNN-IBN CJs have unfolded compelling stories that have had an impact and have lead to policy changes.
Karan Thapar, the country’s most incisive interviewer was also recognised as the Best Current Affairs Presenter for the 5th time for his show ‘Devil’s Advocate’. This hard hitting show aimed at uncovering nothing but the truth sees Karan putting a contention to test with a noted personality.

The award ceremony also ‘Highly Commended’ some of the most watched and critically acclaimed CNN-IBN shows and specials (Best Documentary Programme (30 Mins or Less) – Toxic Story (a documentary on the 25th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy) ,Best Single News Story/Report – Toxic Story (a documentary on the 25th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy) and Best Talk Show – Devil’s Advocate)

CNN-IBN was also ‘Highly Commended’ under the Cable & Satellite Channel of the Year category. While IBN18 Broadcast Ltd that broadcasts CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat was ‘Highly Commended’ under the Cable & Satellite Network of the Year category.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat said, “We are very proud to be the only Indian TV channel to win three awards at the Asian Television Awards 2010. This is really an unprecedented feat that asserts the fact that CNN-IBN’s dominance goes beyond borders. We thank our viewers for showing immense faith in us as we continue our quest to deliver the best and the most path-breaking news programmes.”

Kolkata: ITC completed a 100 years  on  the  24th  of  August, 2010. A glorious moment  in its history, the occasion was marked by celebrations across all its offices and facilities in India, with Company flag-hoisting ceremonies to commemorate  and  pay  homage to the spirit of the institution.

At a special Centenary event, in Kolkata, Chairman  Y C Deveshwar,  addressing  a 29,000 strong audience of employees across the country through a webcast,  said  that: “Innovation  should  be a source  for  creating  consumer delight as well as triple  bottom  line performance so as to generate greater value for the shareholder and the society. Value  creation  for  the  Indian  society is best achieved  by  creating sustainable livelihoods and replenishing  natural capital.” Emphasising on the need for competitive vitality,  Chairman  Mr Deveshwar underscored the need to leverage knowledge  resident  across  diverse businesses in its   world class   human  resources  to  create “Champion  Teams” that would continuously innovate to  deliver competitively superior customer value. He  reiterated  his  firm  belief  that the unique amalgam  of  ITC’s Vision, Values and Vitality has ensured that the Company is ‘Future-ready’.

The  event  also  included the felicitation of the winners  of  the  ‘Voice of ITC’ contest  –  a one-of-its-kind  internal talent contest, that saw more  than  a 1000 entries, out of which the final 15  were shortlisted to record the ITC Anthem. The ITC  anthem, ‘Kal ki Oaur’, formally released on this  occasion, expresses ITC’s abiding commitment to  growth,  transformation  and development as it steps into the next century..

As  part of  the  ITC  centenary  initiative, the Classmate ‘Ideas  for  India Challenge ’ was also launched.  Engaging  the youth of the country, the nation wide programme invites ideas which have the potential  to  transform  their India of tomorrow. The Classmate ideas for India challenge will reach out  to  25  lakh  students  across 30 cities, 500 schools and 200 colleges.

A unique  internal  contest,  ‘Think  Next’  was launched  on the occasion of ITC’s centenary. This enterprise-wide  competition is aimed at fostering innovation  as  a  key  driver  for  growth  and a differentiator to remain competitively superior in the  global marketplace. The contest would unfold over  the  following  months  and  reward the most innovative   ideas  from  among  ITC’s  employees, touching  upon diverse areas like systems, product development,  knowledge  management  and other key processes.

ITC’s  employees also signed the ITC Pledge – an oath  of  duty and dedication that reaffirms their commitment to the organisation and its core values and beliefs

The  ITC story is a journey of transformation from a  single  product  company  to a well-diversified business   conglomerate  with  interests  in  Fast Moving   Consumer  Goods,  Hotels,  Paperboards  & Packaging,     Agri-business    and    Information Technology,  with  a market capitalization of over Rs  100,000  crores and a Profit after Tax of over Rs 4000 crore.

This long and inspirational journey of  challenge  and  change  has unfolded in tandem with  India’s  own evolution and growth across ten decades. It   has   been   the   journey  of  an organization  that  has  consciously  put  Country before  Corporation  –  an enterprise that proudly echoes  the  credo  “Lets Put India First”.

It has been   a   journey  of  leadership,  not  only  in shareholder  value  creation,  but also in serving all   stakeholders   and   in   meeting   societal expectations.  It  has  been  a  voyage  that  has brought  ITC  global recognition as an exemplar in sustainability practices – the only company in the world  of  its  size  to be carbon positive, water positive  and solid waste recycling positive. This long and eventful travel across a century has been particularly  meaningful and satisfying because it has   enabled ITC to create  over  5  million sustainable livelihoods.

Anand : Amul has bagged International Dairy Federation and Srishti G-Cube Awards .The awards were given to GCMMF (Amul) for Nutri-marketing initiative  and for the best environmental initiative in the “sustainability category” during the 4th Global Dairy Conference held from 27th April to 29th April 2010 at Salzburg Congress Centre, Austria.

As a first step on 15th August 2007 the milk producers of more than 15,000 village dairy cooperative societies had planted 18.9 lakh tree saplings across 19 districts of Gujarat, after the flag hoisting ceremony. Initially “One member, one tree plantation” was the basis. Inspired by the thumping success, they carried out similar exercise on 15th August 2008 on “one member, three tree plantation” basis, in which 52.74 lakh tree saplings were planted.

In the year 2009, the milk producer members again conducted mass tree plantation drive on Independence Day. After the flag hoisting, each member took an oath to look after the sapling till it grows into a tree. Upgrading the green movement, they planted around 84.04 lakh saplings on “one member, five tree plantation” basis. Hence in the last three years milk producers of Amul have planted around 155.68 lakh tree saplings.

Earlier on 3rd October 2007, Amul had received IDF award at Dublin, Ireland for Nutri-marketing initiative in Nutrition and Health category for launch of Pro-biotic ice-cream for the first time in the world.

Amul has also bagged the prestigious Srishti G-Cube Award for Good Green Governance in the service category. At a glittering function held at New Delhi on April 22, 2010 H.E. Shri Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, Hon’ble Governor of Orissa presented the award. Shri D. K. Bhatnagar, Asst. Manager (Admn. & Personnel), New Delhi received the award on behalf of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (marketing body of Amul) the apex marketing federation of 13 District Milk Unions of Gujarat.

Srishti Green Cube Awards are Annual Awards for Good Green Governance for going extra step beyond required compliance. The awards are positioned as “Thank you notes” from our society at large and to present the winners as examples for their peers to follow.

Amul has been in the forefront of White Revolution through milk cooperative movement since independence. Now, by receiving these awards, it has shown the resolve of the milk producers towards betterment of our environment through tree plantation.

Both these awards were conferred on GCMMF (Amul) in recognition of the untiring efforts of its milk producing members and the employees of the dairies for their commitment for betterment of environment.

Mumbai:Brands that have been around for a century or so are rare indeed. But many of our favourite brands are over a 100 years old. From the toothpaste you use in the morning Colgate, to your mouthwash; Listerine; Quaker Oats your breakfast cereal; The Heinz ketchup on the table..Hershey…the chocolate syrup in your glass of milk.

The confectionery you chew as you step out to work could be from Wrigleys; the Mineral water in your century old Audi could be Evian. Your Levis denims ; the cards that liven up and evening of entertainment or a day at the casino…made by Dal Negro, a producer of fine playing cards since 1756; or the Miller beer you sip into at a night of revelry..all centurion brands.

The latest to join the bandwagon is ace luggage and travel accessories maker; that’s turned 100 in 2010. Unlike Samsonite; which is popularly known across the world; there are lesser known brands like Nedo of Germany, the leading maker of survey equipment. Trangia is a Swedish outdoor stove beloved by hikers. Coleman (outdoor equipment), Royal Doulton (china), Square D (electrical equipment), the list continues to inspire awe;

So what are the keys to becoming a centennial brand? Consistency of quality. Decades of well-honed messages. Integrity and ingenuity.

Experts like to talk about product life cycles, as if the birth and death of brands were the most natural thing in the world. Yet there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of global brands, big and small, that manage to remain young and vital, well into their tenth decade and beyond. But as in the case of most 100 year old brands like Samsonite; it’s the continuous capacity to re-invent; cross-cultural teams; entrepreneur-professional balance such as seen in Dr.Ramesh Tainwala; President Greater Asia Samsonite that wins.

Mumbai : ASUS’ reputation as a design leader has been further cemented with the recent addition of eight iF product design awards to its already-crowded mantelpiece. An international expert jury commissioned by iF named the ASUS UX Series notebooks, UX30 notebook, P30 notebook, chiclet keyboard, Eee PC™ Seashell Series netbooks, EeeKeyboard PC, CG 5290 desktop PC and SBC-04D1S-U external Blu-ray disc combo drive as winners of the prestigious awards.

The iF product design award is known the world over as a “seal of outstanding design”, and entrants are evaluated on design quality, finish, choice of materials, degree of innovation, environmental impact, functionality, ergonomics, visualization of intended use, safety, brand value and branding, and universal design. The attainment of eight awards demonstrates ASUS’ strength in market research, material development, mechanical design, industrial design and packaging, and bears testament to the cohesiveness and expertise of ASUS’ diverse, international team of designers-a team which has previously also garnered numerous G-Mark and red dot design awards.

Bengaluru :Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces has been once again recognised for its excellence and service for its properties – Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives and Taj West End Bangalore – at the Leading Hotels of the World Annual Convention held in Venice, Italy in November 2009. The high standards of these hotels and their commitment to excellence has been identified post a rigorous, anonymous inspection covering hundreds of meticulous criteria spanning from product to behavioural standards.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives sets a new benchmark of excellence, winning the eighth annual Commitment to Quality Award in the Asia Pacific region and receiving the Grand Prize Winner award for displaying outstanding levels of quality in all elements of a luxury hotel experience.

The Taj West End, Bangalore has been presented the Fourth Annual Commitment to Excellence Awards, acknowledging hotels whose concept of service and makes an exceptional effort towards community development and extending beyond service, to areas of the environment, community outreach and cultural support.

Espoo, Finland :Nokia is the world’s most sustainable technology company according to the 2009 -10 edition of the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes that went live last week. Already rated for several years as the leader within the Europe and Communications categories, this year Nokia was also chosen as “World Technology Supersector Leader” making it number one across the entire global technology sector.
 
The Dow Jones Indexes are globally respected rankings of how well the world’s leading corporations are integrating sustainability into their businesses. Selecting components from 2,500 companies in over 50 countries, the indexes are relied upon by leading institutional investors.
 
Commenting on the news, Rick Simonson, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Nokia said, “Achieving the world number one slot across the entire global technology industry is a great achievement. It reflects the continued and strong commitment by Nokia employees to sustainable business practices. We remain committed to action in this area because acting responsibly is not only the right thing to do, it is also undoubtedly the best thing for our business.”
 
Nokia has been integrating environmental and sustainable activities into the way it does business for more than a decade and the company considers the environment in ALL of the devices it makes by reducing environmental impacts in packaging, energy consumption, materials and manufacturing processes, and recyclability.
 
Nokia works with a number of public sector bodies, NGOs and voluntary groups to harness the power of mobile technology to address environmental, social or economic issues. Some of its most recent projects include developing dedicated mobile software that is being used by health workers to help monitor and fight the outbreak of disease in Brazil, and using mobile devices and connections to delivers high quality educational materials to children in remote or unprivileged areas in Brazil, the Philippines, and South Africa.
 
As part of its climate change strategy, Nokia is constantly working on reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency across its business. Some of its actions include reducing travel, investing in research and development of new technologies using renewable energy resources, and plans to increase the usage of green electricity which already accounts for 25% of all energy the company consumes.
 
The company has also built a network of energy efficient and environmentally sensitive offices and works across its network of suppliers to set and develop high environmental and social standards.
 
Nokia’s sustainability strategy has received growing external recognition. Earlier this year Nokia’s long standing commitment to environmental action was recognized at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona where the company received the GSMA’s first award for Outstanding Environmental Contribution. In August, Nokia was also chosen as India’s “Green Company of the Year” in the 10th Annual Voice and Data 100 Awards.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has featured in Forbes’ Asian Fab 50 list, which is a compilation of the best listed companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

As many as 13 Indian companies have featured on the list, including Reliance Industries, Infosys Technologies and Tata Steel, besides Mahindra .

This year, Forbes started with a universe of 910 companies with at least $3 billion in revenue or a $3 billion market capitalization. Candidates are then shortlisted on the basis of each company’s five-year track record for revenue, operating earnings and return on capital. Post this, the companies’ most recent results, share-price movements and the outlook for the year ahead are scrutinized. A loss in the last fiscal year knocks the company out. Judgment calls must be made, given the differences in transparency, accounting and conditions among countries.

Forbes on Mahindra: “In a down year – sales off 12%, net earnings 29%-the company still outperformed the pack and makes a repeat appearance on the Fab 50. India’s biggest maker of sport-utility vehicles-led by its flagship Scorpio brand-and tractors started more than 60 years ago as a jeepmaker. Re-entered the passenger-car segment with the Logan in April 2007 under a joint venture with Renault, but sales have been miserable. Plans to start selling pickups in the U.S. in January and an SUV model in December

Safexpress has been honored with two highly prestigious Awards for the ‘Best Supply Chain Company of the year’ and the ‘Best Logistics Provider of the year’ in the Express, Logistics and Supply Chain Conclave 2009.

Safexpress, the ‘Knowledge Leader’ and the ‘Market Leader’ of the Indian Supply Chain & Logistics Industry has been honored with two highly prestigious Awards for the ‘Best Supply Chain Company of the year’ and the ‘Best Logistics Provider of the year’ in the Express, Logistics and Supply Chain Conclave 2009. The conclave was held on 17-18th September at Hotel Taj Lands End in Mumbai.

The Express Logistics & Supply Chain Conclave is the flagship event of the Supply Chain & Logistics industry in India. The objective of this ELSC Conclave was to bring together all the top Industry Leaders under one roof to discuss the emerging trends in the Asian Supply Chain, issues that are affecting the industry and understanding the Supply Chain opportunities and efficiencies at the time of Global Economic slowdown.

This was the third edition of the Express Logistics Supply Chain Awards where the top performing Supply Chain & Logistics companies across Asia were recognized for their contribution to the industry. These Awards were decided on the basis of a Research conducted by A.C. Nielsen. The Research findings were put forth to the ELSC Advisory Council comprising luminaries from Top Supply Chain & Logistics companies across Asia, who eventually chose the winners from the nominated finalists on the basis of specific performance parameters. The Awards were presented in a glittering ceremony in Hotel Taj Lands End on the 17th of September.

Speaking on this occasion,  Vineet Kanaujia, GM – Marketing, Safexpress said, “It’s a matter of immense pride and honor for us to have received these Awards. We are working very hard to provide the best Supply Chain practices to our esteemed customers who have shown their loyalty towards our services over the last decade. Our company has built and nurtured customers’ trust as well as loyalty through its customized solutions and dedicated services. The business model of the company and the way it operates is what distinguishes Safexpress from its competitors.”

In this forum, Mr. Kanaujia was also awarded with the ‘Professional of the year’ Award for his involvement towards the growth of this sector. Speaking about this Award, he said, ‘It is indeed a very big honor to receive this Award. I thank the Jury for conferring this very prestigious Award upon me.”

Talking about the success story of Brand Safexpress, Mr. Kanaujia said, “Our strategy for growth revolves around adding maximum value to its customers at every level, right from providing world-class Warehousing support to managing Time-definite Express Deliveries. Over the years, Safexpress has been relentlessly working towards carving its own niche in the Supply Chain & Logistic space, which has made the company stand out in a league of its own”.

The company has recently been chosen as the ‘Most Promising Brand of the year’ in a consumer research conducted by ICMR, India’s foremost research body. This research involved a thorough study of around 40,000 international, national and regional brands across the country.

Safexpress has firmly entrenched itself as the ‘Knowledge Leader’ and the ‘Market Leader’ of the Supply Chain & Logistics industry. The company has expanded its reach to 562 destinations all across India through more than 3,500 GPS enabled vehicles. Safexpress provides Express Distribution, Third Party Logistics (3PL) services and Supply Chain Consulting.

Pioneered and driven by ‘Logistics Guru’ and CMD, Safexpress, Mr. Pawan Jain, the company has today given a new face to the Indian Supply Chain & Logistics Industry with the implementation of innovative and state-of-the-art services. Growing at a phenomenal rate, Safexpress is the undisputed leader in the Indian Supply chain and Logistics Industry. The company plans to achieve a turnover of Rs. 1000 crores by 2010.

Identifying the need for acknowledging and rewarding success in retail, India Retail Forum 2009 concluded with the annual Images Retail Awards, where India’s top retail companies, professionals and concepts were felicitated.

The evening was a grand finale with scintillating performances by singer Raageshwari Lumba and the renowned stand up comedian Daniel Nainan (popularly known as Dan Nainan) flown in all the way from New York. Raageshwari with her high energy bhangra numbers and Dan with his mimicry and one liner kept the audience in rapture and left everyone in the audience asking for more.

Amitabh Taneja, Chief Convenor, India Retail Forum, said, “The environment was very invigorating, and the competition, very, very tough! Inevitably, there was a new breed of leaders and learners who, while creating their own niches in the business has helped shaping the business for the good.”

The sixth edition of Images Retail Awards , the saga was an occasion to confab with the stars of India Retail Inc. under the spotlight, as also to appreciate the width and depth of one of the world’s most potent retail economies.

In the times of Global slowdown India Retail Forum 2009 has provided an opportunity for the members of Retail fraternity to collaborate and grow in their business.

The Images Retail Awards acknowledges Indian retailers who have invested in adopting best practices at the back end and front end – including the most proficient awards for various categories like the best Retail Group, for excellent customer Relations, a special award for smart strategy, marketing strategy etc., award for repositioning, award for Fashion & Lifestyle, for Health & Beauty etc

The awards were selected by a nationwide consumer and Industry poll and nominations, backed up with performance assessment by an IRA team of Analysts and Jury.

The fact that the IRA recognizes every aspect of retailing was evident from the 19 award categories that covered key retail segments, formats & operational efficiencies. The Images Retail Awards followed strict international benchmarks in deciding the top honors with IRIS Retail Intelligenceas Knowledge Partner and global consulting firm AT Kearney as the Process Approver. The selection process involved self-nominations as well as a countrywide poll to short-list the nominees. Over 11,000 consumers and some 1000 professionals voted for their most admired retailers across formats & categories.

The glamour studded evening saw Future Group win the award for the “Most Admired retailer Group of the Year”. Mr. Rakesh Biyani, Director, Future Group while accepting the recognition said that it was the constant support of their loyal consumers that enabled them to repeat this feat year after year.

Mr Mehul Choksi- Chairman & MD- Gitanjali Group, got honored as the Most admired retailer of the year- Marketing Strategy, while Shoppers Stop walked away with the award for Most admired retailer for Customer Relation

Amongst a plethora of retail stalwarts gracing the stage to honor the esteemed awardees, the evening also saw Mr. Parag Munot – MD, Kalpataru Builders hand over the keys of their newly launched retail space, The Korum Mall at Thane to some of their esteemed clients namely Westside and Star Bazaar amongst others.

The Images Retail Awards was the culminating event of the two day India Retail Forum 2009 (IRF) – the magnum opus of Indian retail that brought together World’s Best Retail Minds, Brands, Products, Services &Ideas to Energise Indian Retail.

1.Most admired retailer for Fashion and Lifestyle: Bata
2.Most admired retailer for Food and Grocery: Food Bazaar
3.Most admired retailer for Catering Outlet: Café Coffee Day
4.Most admired retailer for Leisure: Odyssey
5.Most admired retailer for Consumer Electronics: Croma
6.Most admired retailer for Entertainment: Big Cinemas
7.Most admired retailer for Telecom and Mobile: The Mobile Store
8.Most admired retailer for Health and Beauty: Kaya
9.Most admired retailer for Home and Office Improvement: Home Centre
10.Most admired retailer for Department Store: Westside
11.Most admired retailer for Rural Retailing: IOC Kisan Seva Kendra.
12.Most admired retailer for Retail Launch: Easy Day
13.Most admired retailer for Speciality Retailer: Mom & Me
14.Most admired retailer for Hypermarket: Big Bazaar
15.Most admired retailer for Customer Relation: Shoppers Stop
16.Most admired retailer group of the year: Future Group
17.Most admired retailer of the year- Smart Strategy: Spencers and More
18.Most admired retailer of the year- Marketing Strategy: Gitanjali Group
19.Most admired retailer of the year- Repositioning: Marks & Spencers