The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) hosted the 11th edition of the Olive Crown Awards on 3rd September 2021 at Four Seasons Hotel, Worli, Mumbai, celebrating excellence in sustainability and green advertising. The event was attended by senior professionals from marketing, media, and advertising across the country. Zee Entertainment was the presenting partner, with Discovery Communications as the associate partner.

Aaditya Thackeray, Minister of Environment, Tourism & Protocol (Govt. of Maharashtra), was named ‘Green Crusader of the Year’ for his efforts to save the Aarey Forest, promote urban forests, lead beach cleanups, and inspire a ‘Climate of Hope.’ In his address, he emphasized the need for communication professionals to help spread awareness about the climate emergency.

Award Highlights:

• Green Campaign of the Year – Gold: Bhamla Foundation for ‘Dhak Dhak Dharti’
  

• Green Brand of the Year – Gold: IIFL Home Finance Ltd
  

• Green NGO of the Year – Gold: Project Mumbai for ‘The Mumbai Plastic Recyclothon’
  

• Most Awarded Agency: Heartbeat Creative Lab, Taiwan (4 Gold, 2 Silver); followed by Ogilvy (6 Silver)

An esteemed jury featuring industry leaders such as Bobby Pawar (Havas India), Josy Paul (BBDO), Tista Sen (Wunderman Thompson), Carlton D’silva (House of Awe), and Kaushik Roy (Reliance Industries), evaluated entries across 20 categories.

Megha Tata, President, IAA India & MD, Discovery Communications India, noted the evolution of brands from ‘doing something green’ to fully committing to sustainability.

Neeraj Roy, Chairperson, IAA Olive Crown Awards & CEO, Hungama, highlighted that millennials and Gen Z prioritize sustainability, making it vital for brands to embed ethical practices into their core.