BW Marketing World: Merit Awards 2026

About the Event

BW Marketing World, in association with BW Businessworld, presents the 3rd edition of ‘BW Merit Awards 2026′, the quintessential recognition for exceptional marketing work, achievements and leaders in India.
The BW Merit Awards 2026 laud those who have demonstrated notable and impactful marketing strategies and have further contributed to the greater good of the company and the entire ecosystem.
This award will also help propel unique business ideas, marketing practices and strategies amongst the younger talent who look forward to making it big in this industry and unlocking the maximum opportunities for themselves.
The BW Merit Awards 2026 Jury, comprising senior corporate leaders and marketing stalwarts, will meticulously choose the best-in-class marketing initiatives and leadership from the 35 categories, spanning different sectors, across three broad sets Industrial awards.

eminent Jury Members

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Why Attend the BW Merit Awards Conference and Awards?

Opportunity to Meet Top Marketing Leaders
Interact with CMOs, brand heads, and industry pioneers who are redefining the marketing landscape.
Insightful Panel Discussions
Gain first-hand insights into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations through power-packed conversations with industry experts.
Amazing Networking Opportunities
Connect with senior professionals, decision-makers, and like-minded peers from the marketing and media ecosystem.
Learning from Thought Leaders
Take away actionable strategies and fresh perspectives that can be applied to your own brand or organization.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Categories for the BW Merit Awards 2026

INDUSTRY AWARDS A – BEST USE OF CHANNELS & PLATFORMS
1. Use of Content: Recognise an idea presented across channels with effective content in the shape of a video/ blog/ photograph/ short film, for example.
2. Use of Media: Identify a marketing campaign that effectively communicates the campaign message across media such as TV, radio, print, outdoor, OTT, or internet platforms.
3. Use of Digital/Social Media: Analyse a marketing campaign that has successfully used social media or digital platforms to promote the client’s goals and has had a substantial impact.
4. Use of Influencers: Honour a marketing effort that employs social media or digital channels to promote the client’s aims and make a significant impact.
5. Use of Events: Honour a marketing effort that used both on-site and virtual events to achieve quantifiable results. Product launches, conferences, seminars, award ceremonies, concerts, press conferences, gaming events, and so on are all examples of events.

INDUSTRY AWARDS B – BEST IN SECTORS
1. Automobile: Identify marketing campaigns carried out by organisations of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers ranging from mini and hatchback to utility vehicles, light/ medium / heavy commercial vehicles, auto spare parts manufacturers across various vehicle categories, tyre manufacturers and heavy industrial vehicles such as earth movers.
2. BFSI: Evaluate marketing initiatives carried out by banking businesses, financial institutions and services verticals, insurance corporations, and lenders.
3. Consumer/Personal Tech: Evaluate marketing activities carried out by consumer applications such as online taxi aggregators, food tech, fintech, online vehicle selling/ comparing platforms and so on.
4. Consumer Durables: This category includes electrical home appliances, huge electronic gadgets and so on.
5. Consumer Electronics: Identify marketing activities done for mobile phones, earphones, headphones, buds, smartwatches and other similar devices.
6. Education: Honour marketing activities carried out by educational institutions or online education portals/ websites / mobile applications, etc.
7. Energy (Power/ Oil & Gas/ Renewables etc.): Honour marketing initiatives carried out by energy/power businesses, oil and gas companies and renewable energy companies.
8. Enterprise Tech (B2B): Evaluate marketing initiatives carried out by software service and software vendors, technology enablers and IT support companies.
9. FMCG – Personal Care: Evaluate Personal care product companies run marketing efforts for soaps, shampoos, hand sanitisers, hair oils, skincare and haircare products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, detergent soaps and powders, and so on.
10. FMCG – Foods & Beverages: Honour marketing campaigns carried out by organisations in the confectionery, health food & organic food, fresh food, packaged food, dairy goods, snacks & drinks industries. It excludes raw food production, which is part of the closely connected agriculture business.
11. Healthcare (Online Medical Pharmacies/ Doctors): Analyse marketing initiatives carried out by consumer healthcare companies, healthcare providers, medical technology firms, healthcare equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, online medication suppliers/ apps, online doctor appointment booking apps/ websites and so on.
12. Professional Services: This category includes law companies, marketing services businesses, management consultants, and so on.
13. Media & Entertainment: Analyse marketing activities carried out by film production companies, web series creators, OTT platforms, broadcasters, record labels, musicians, celebrities, and so on.
14. Real Estate & Construction: Identify marketing initiatives carried out by real estate and construction firms.
15. Retail & Ecommerce: Identify marketing initiatives carried out by consumer outlets, supermarkets, department shops, stand-alone retail outlets, online retail platforms offering consumer items, fashion and beauty products, luxury fashion outlets/online platforms, and so on.
16. Sports & Leisure: Honour marketing initiatives carried out by sports equipment makers, athletic and gym apparel manufacturers, and fitness centres.
17. Travel, Tourism & Leisure: Evaluate marketing initiatives carried out by hotels, restaurant businesses, airlines, and tourism boards.

INDUSTRY AWARDS C – BEST OF CAMPAIGNS
1. Campaign in Not-For-Profit: Identify a marketing campaign with a social purpose or awareness message that was carried out by NGOs, government or public organisations, trusts etc.
2. Campaign in Corporate Social Responsibility: Evaluate a marketing campaign with a message for a social cause or to raise societal awareness that was carried out by private organisations, MNCs, or others.
3. Surrogate Marketing Campaign: Evaluate a marketing campaign that uses a surrogate strategy to transmit the campaign message indirectly through the promotion of a different product or service.
4. Regional Marketing Campaign: Analyse a marketing campaign that was carried out at the local or regional level to communicate in a specified geographic area and demonstrate successful and quantitative effects.
5. Small Budget Campaign: Analyse a marketing campaign that demonstrated quantitative effect while operating on a minimal budget of up to INR 6 lacs.
6. Tech Enabled: Analyse marketing initiatives that are innovative in their use of technology such as AI/ML/AR/VR/Robotics & Automation, etc.
7. Persistent Long-Running Campaign: Identify marketing initiatives that have been ongoing for at least three years and how inventive the campaign has become year after year. Entries in this category will only be considered for campaigns that were started in 2021 and are still running on various media platforms.
8. Best Integrated Digital Campaign: This award recognises the most outstanding digital marketing campaign that seamlessly integrates various online channels and platforms.
9. Best SEO Campaign: This award honours the marketing campaign that demonstrated exceptional expertise in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
10. Best Organic Content Campaign: This award celebrates the marketing campaign that excelled in creating and distributing high-quality, engaging, and shareable content.
11. Best Digital Crisis Management: This award recognises brands that have effectively navigated and mitigated digital crises.
12. Best Digital New Product Launch: This award acknowledges the most successful digital marketing campaign that accompanied the launch of a new product.
13. Marketing Campaign of the Year: This prestigious award recognises the overall excellence and impact of a comprehensive marketing campaign that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness.
14. Best Re-Release Marketing Campaign: Refers to a marketing strategy designed to reintroduce a campaign that was initially released previously but is now being brought back to the market, often with added features or in a new format.
15. Best Festive Marketing: marketing campaigns designed to take advantage of seasonal or holiday periods, where brands tailor their messaging, promotions, and content to resonate with the festive spirit and the unique behaviors of consumers during those times.
16. Best B2B Marketing Campaign/Best Corporate Video (B2B): refers to a marketing strategy designed specifically for businesses that sell products or services to other businesses (business-to-business, or B2B). The focus of a B2B marketing campaign is to demonstrate how a company’s offerings solve problems or add value to other businesses, often through the use of data, case studies, thought leadership, and professional credibility.
17. Best Brand Integration (YouTube), Best Brand Sponsorship Campaign (YouTube) : This type of integration focuses on creating a harmonious connection between the brand and the content creator, ensuring that the promotion doesn’t disrupt the viewer’s experience but instead enhances it and the long-term relationship between the brand and the influencer, amplifying the brand’s message through their established platform and audience.
18. Best Use of Video in Moment Marketing : Moment marketing is all about delivering the right message at the right time by leveraging real-time events, trends, or cultural moments. When executed well, video can be one of the most impactful tools for moment marketing, capturing attention and driving engagement instantly.
19. Best Viral Influencer Campaign / Best Global-Led Influencer Campaign: A viral influencer campaign is one that spreads rapidly across social media, gaining massive organic engagement through shares, comments, and participation. These campaigns often leverage relatable storytelling, humor, challenges, or controversy to capture widespread attention.
20. Technology of the Year : The Technology of the Year award recognizes a breakthrough innovation that has made a significant impact in its industry, transforming the way businesses and consumers interact with technology. This could be a groundbreaking product, software, platform, or service that has redefined efficiency, accessibility, or user experience.
21. Best Email Marketing of the year : The Best Email Marketing of the Year award recognizes an outstanding email campaign that effectively engaged audiences, drove conversions, and demonstrated creative excellence. This campaign should showcase strategic execution, personalization, and data-driven insights to maximize impact.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
1. Marketing Innovator of the Year (Under 35): Awarding the individual who has introduced groundbreaking and innovative marketing strategies.
2. Best Marketing Communication Professional (Under 35): For an individual who has excelled in communication strategies, including public relations, media relations, and corporate communication.
3. Best Digital Marketing Professional (Under 35): Recognizing excellence in digital marketing and online campaigns, including social media, SEO, content, and influencer marketing.

STAGES OF BRANDING

A.1 Category Creation
Recognises initiatives that introduced an entirely new product or service category to consumers, or fundamentally redefined how an existing category is delivered by presenting it in a distinctly new format. The category should have been established within the last two years.

A.2 New Product Launch
Honours the successful launch of a new product or service. Entries should highlight the identified consumer need gap, the strategic marketing communication developed to address it, and how the offering was positioned as relevant and distinctive. This includes the complete marketing mix and programmes that built awareness and preference.

A.3 Brand Extension
Celebrates brands that have successfully expanded into a new product or service category, either for the same target audience or a new one. Entries should outline the consumer need gap, the core equity of the parent brand, and how this equity was strategically leveraged for the extension.

A.4 Brand Rejuvenation
Recognises brands that addressed stagnation or decline by redefining their value proposition. Entries should detail the challenges faced, gaps that limited growth, and the strategic changes across marketing mix elements, communication, and programmes that revitalised the brand—beyond just a standalone campaign refresh.

A.5 Transformational Growth
Honours brands that identified unmet consumer needs and disrupted the market with a game-changing value proposition, achieving a significant competitive advantage. This category is for brands that have existed for over two to three years and demonstrated over 50% growth within a year.

A.6 Customer Relationship Marketing
Rewards sustained customer retention strategies that strengthen loyalty and deepen relationships with existing customers. Entries should demonstrate consistent engagement through direct marketing, social media, personalised offers, newsletters, catalogues, and loyalty programmes.

A.7 Customer Experience
Recognises programmes, innovations, and initiatives designed to enhance the customer journey across all touchpoints—from pre-purchase to purchase, post-purchase, and repeat interactions—delivering a seamless and delightful experience.

A.7(i) Post-Purchase Support and Customer Insights
Honours initiatives focused on customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty through after-sales support, loyalty and rewards programmes, customer feedback mechanisms, follow-up surveys, and exclusive community engagement.

A.8 Use of Consumer Insight
Recognises cases where a clearly defined business challenge was successfully addressed using consumer insights derived from qualitative or quantitative research, social listening, ethnography, small data, or similar methodologies.

A.9 Use of Analytics / Big Data / AI
Honours solutions to business challenges driven by the strategic application of analytics, big data, artificial intelligence, or machine learning to deliver measurable impact.

A.10 Long-Term Marketing Strategy (3 Years or More)
Rewards sustained marketing strategies that demonstrate measurable success over three years or more. Entries should clearly define long-term objectives, outline phased strategies over time, and present results that evidence long-term impact and effectiveness.

A.11 Best Pivot Initiative
Recognises agile and innovative thinking demonstrated through a strategic pivot in business model, product, or experience—often in response to external challenges. Entries must show creativity, strategic clarity, effectiveness, and tangible business outcomes.

A.12 Brand Purpose
Celebrates brands that have embedded purpose at the core of their strategy and operations. Entries should demonstrate tangible outcomes—such as business growth, transformation, enhanced engagement, societal impact, awareness creation, or meaningful behaviour change.

A.13 Best Use of Segmentation
Honours excellence in customer or market segmentation that drives targeted strategy execution and business success. Entries should show how innovative and creative use of segmentation and targeting tools helped achieve clear business objectives.