New Delhi, Apr 09: The second edition of the ad:tech Honours reached its pinnacle at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, as the industry’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies were crowned winners. Held on the sidelines of ad:tech New Delhi, the ceremony celebrated those at the intersection of creativity and technology, recognising the “engines” driving modern brand engagement.
Presented in association with the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter and new partner Huella, the 2026 awards expanded to 22 categories, reflecting the surge in AI, Programmatic, and Retail Tech adoption over the past year.
2026 Awardees
Across a diverse spectrum of categories, the following winners were recognised for excellence in leveraging technology to deliver measurable impact:
Affiliate & Partner Marketing
Lyxel & Flamingo (Boat)- Silver
Paytm Ads (Giva)- Silver
AI & Creative Automation – AI-Driven Dynamic Creative Optimisation
Laqshya Media Limited (Tata Coffee)- Silver
Mobavenue Media Private Limited (Uniqlo)- Gold
AI & Creative Automation – Creative AI Collaboration
Rediffusion Brand Solutions Private Limited (Dabur Amla)- Gold
The Salt Inc. Consulting Private Limited (Kotak Education Foundation)- Silver
AI Conversation Agents
Laqshya Media Limited (Marriott) Gold
AI in Marketing – Predictive AI
Strong Metrics (Navi)- Silver
Tyroo & Criteo (Libas)- Silver
Commerce & Retail Tech – Immersive Retail Tech
Orient Bell Limited- Silver
GenAI in Marketing – GenAI-Led Creative
Laqshya Media Limited (Marriott)- Silver
The Salt Inc. Consulting Private Limited (Kotak Education Foundation)- Silver
Sumimoto (Sumi Max)- Silver
Influencer Management
Publicis (Nescafé)- Silver
Influencer Marketing – Influencer Measurement & Analytics
Glad U Came Private Limited (Dominos)- Gold
Marketing Automation – Omnichannel Marketing Automation
CereOne Media Pvt. Ltd. (Intel)- Silver
Globale Media (Paytm Money)- Silver
OTT Innovation
ADMOTT Private Limited- Silver
Performance Marketing – Search, SEO, and Performance Marketing
Arm Worldwide (Niva Bupa)- Silver
Publicis (Nespresso)- Gold
The Trade Desk (Spotify)- Silver
Programmatic & Emerging Media – Connected TV Advertising
Animmoov Digital Media Pvt Ltd (Asus)- Silver
Lyxel and Flamingo (Boat Nirvana)- Silver
Mobavenue Media Private Limited (Boat)- Gold
Programmatic & Emerging Media – Interactive DOOH
Laqshya Media Limited (Tanishq)- Silver
Laqshya Media Limited (Tata Coffee)- Gold
Programmatic & Emerging Media – Retail Media Advertising
Cheggout Services Private Limited- Silver
Paytm Ads (Versuni)- Gold
Social Media – Community & UGC Engagement
Under 25 (Oppo)- Silver
Vayner Media India (Iqoo)- Gold
Innovation
Segumento- Silver
The ceremony underscored a significant shift in the marketing ecosystem, where the convergence of data and creativity is no longer optional but essential for success.
The expansion from 8 categories last year to 22 in 2026 highlights the rapid evolution and increasing complexity of the Indian MarTech ecosystem. This growth reflects a decisive shift toward specialised technological applications, from AI-driven creative automation and predictive intelligence to immersive commerce. By broadening the scope of recognition, the awards spotlight how data and creativity now work in tandem to optimise customer journeys and deliver high-performance business outcomes.
Beyond the trophies, the new partnership with Huella provided a tangible boost to this year’s innovators. Selected winners received NEXad advertising credits, a strategic incentive designed to amplify their success stories. This support enabled winners to leverage Connected TV (CTV) through interactive, high-impact formats, extending the reach of their pioneering work while showcasing the potential of next-generation media channels.
