IAA Olive Crown Awards 2024, hosted by the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association on 5th April at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai.

VML wins ‘Green Agency of the Year’ and bags 9 awards across categories.

Key Winners:

• Green Brand of the Year – Gold: The Times of India

• Corporate Crusader of the Year – Gold: Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd (for ‘Mathrubhumi SEED’) and The Times of India (for ‘#UnplasticIndia’ & ‘Saving Our Stripes’)

• Green Campaign of the Year – Gold: VML for ‘#UnplasticIndia’

• Green Crusader of the Year: Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, known as the Forest Man of India, for transforming a sandbar into the 550-hectare Molai Forest in Assam through decades of tree planting and environmental activism

• Young Green Crusader of the Year: Malhar Kalambe, founder of BeachPlease, for his extensive clean-up drives at Dadar Beach, Mithi River, Airoli Mangroves, Elephanta Caves, and Carter Road, and for using social media to raise awareness and mobilize volunteers

• Green NGO of the Year – Gold: Earth Brigade Foundation

• Most Sustainable Marcom Personality: Ramesh Narayan, honored by EARTHDAY.ORG

• International Green Campaign of the Year – Gold: Grameenphone Ltd & Grey Advertising, Bangladesh for ‘Green Solar Network’

• Committee Special Mention Award: Recognized an anti-plastic initiative led by Asif Bhamla (Bhamla Foundation), with contributions from Neeraj Roy, Ricky Kej, Shankar Mahadevan, and Armaan Malik

The Olive Crown Awards, now in its 14th year, celebrate individuals and brands championing sustainability and green communication. The event saw participation from senior professionals across advertising, marketing, and media industries.

Partners included:

• Cooling Partner: Blue Star Ltd

• Radio Partner: Radio City

• Associate Partners: The Hindu Group, ZEE News, Vijay Sales, Rajasthan Patrika, ASUS, and News18

• Outdoor Partner: Laqshya Media Group

• Strategic Partner: Awardor

The winners were selected by an esteemed jury comprising Anupama Ramaswamy (Havas Worldwide India), K.V. Sridhar (Nihilent Ltd & Hypercollective), Prateek Bhardwaj (Lowe Lintas), Tista Sen (Creative Brand Consultant), and Carlton D’Silva (Musemakers & House of Awe / VML).

Janak Sarda, Chairperson, Olive Crown Awards, added, “The strong participation and continued support from partners and jurors underscore our shared commitment to protecting the environment. Planet Earth needs more such dedicated friends.”

The awards were presented across 17 categories, spotlighting outstanding contributions in green advocacy and sustainability-driven communication.