Uday Kotak receives top honour, Prasoon Joshi enters Hall of Fame at IAA Leadership Awards 2025

The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) held the 12th edition of its annual Leadership Awards at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai, recognising individuals from the advertising, marketing, media, and business sectors.

This year's event aligned with the theme of artificial intelligence, symbolising the growing interface between technology and leadership.

Uday Kotak, Founder & Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank, was conferred the highest honour for his leadership and contribution to India’s financial sector, as ‘Business Leader of the Year’. “India has come a long way, from a time of limited access and opportunity to a nation brimming with potential and ambition. But this is not the time to get comfortable. We must stay hungry, stay restless, and embrace the journey ahead with purpose and passion. The future belongs to those who choose to build it, and I believe India’s best is yet to come,” Kotak said in his address.

Creative professional Prasoon Joshi, Chairman & CEO, McCann Worldgroup, was inducted into the IAA Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to the advertising and creative industries. “This industry was built by giants, and it’s their brilliance that continues to attract talent and elevate the craft. As we enter a new era shaped by AI, let’s not forget, there’s nothing truly artificial in artificial intelligence. It’s born of our human experiences, our emotions, our stories. The future will be defined not just by data, but by the yet-unexpressed brilliance within us. That is where humanity will continue to shine,” he remarked during his acceptance. 

Actors Kartik Aaryan and Tripti Dimri received recognition for their influence and strong connection with audiences in the male and female categories, respectively.

Sector-Specific Honours

• Creative Agency Head of the Year: Senthil Kumar (VML)
• Media Agency Head of the Year: Mohit Joshi (Havas Media)
• Media Person of the Year: Kevin Vaz (JioStar)

Industry Leadership Awards by Sector

• Force for Good Award: Ramesh Narayan, for his continued emphasis on ethical practices and social impact through advertising.
• Leader of the Year, Auto (Passenger Vehicles EV + UV): Nalinikanth Gollagunta (Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.)
• Leader of the Year, Auto (Two-Wheelers + EV): Yogesh Mathur (Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India)
• Leader of the Year, FMCG (Food): Jayen Mehta (Amul, GCMMF)
• Marketer of the Year, Consumer Durables: Pradeep Bakshi (Voltas Ltd.)
• Leader of the Year, Consumer Health: Ajay Khanna (Herbalife India)
• Leader of the Year, OTT: Karan Bedi (Amazon MX Player)

Sharing his thoughts, Karan Bedi, Director & Head, Amazon MX Player, said, “This recognition is for our entire team at Amazon MX Player. Everything we do at Amazon MX Player is driven by one goal — to bring viewers high-quality, free entertainment that’s rooted in local stories, appeals to audiences and enables advertisers across India. Seeing our content connect with so many of you is the most rewarding part of our journey. We are thankful to the jury and IAA for this recognition. It reinforces our belief in the service we’ve built and its role in shaping India’s entertainment landscape.”

Nandini Dias, Chairperson of the IAA Leadership Awards, “Now in its 12th landmark edition, the IAA Leadership Awards have evolved into more than a celebration of national excellence. As I look back, it’s clear, we are spotlighting individuals who are not only leading India but are destined to leave a mark on the global stage.”

Abhishek Karnani, President of the IAA India Chapter, underlined, “The IAA has always believed that with leadership comes great responsibility, towards our stakeholders, towards this glorious nation, and the only planet we can call home. This year, beyond honouring excellence, we’re taking steps toward a more conscious future by offsetting the event’s carbon footprint and launching initiatives focused on skilling, AI-readiness and continuous conversation. We’re proud to celebrate leaders who not only build brands but also shape culture, innovation and purpose.”