India Brand Summit kicks off in Mumbai

India Brand Summit 2004, the three-day marketing and brand event, flagged off in Mumbai on Thursday.

The summit that aims to bring together the brains behind some of India's most successful brands, was chaired by Rajeev Karwal, managing director and chief executive officer of Electrolux Kelvinator.

It emphasised the theme: Are Indian marketers building a brand or simply achieving volumes through Price?

HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, who was the chief guest at the event, said: "It is the challenges of today that was going to change the fortunes of tomorrow. With global branding now sharing shelf space with home grown ones, competition has never been stiffer."

The panel discussion was followed by the 'Daks Awards for Brand Excellence 2004' applauding personalities and companies who have proven their forte in the branding arena.

The Life Time Acheivement Award went to HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, Hiranandani Group Chairman Dr L H Hiranandani and Wipro Corporation Chairman & MD Azim Premji.

The award for Brand Builder of the year was shared by Foster's India MD Pradeep Gidwani, NDTV President Dr. Pranoy Roy and HLL Non-executive chairman MS Banga.

The award for Brand Excellence was bagged by Star Plus and marketing professional of the year was Biocon India VP- marketing Rakesh Bamzai. ICICI Bank MD & CEO K V Kamath was named the CEO of the year and McCann - Erickson walked away with the Agency of the year award.

The event is being sponsored by Business Standard and Institute for Technology and Management, the Star Network, Airtel and Chevrolet.

(* This is an upated version of an earlier story)