MUMBAI: The world of market research and insights had its moment in the spotlight as the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) hosted the Golden Key Awards 2024 on 21 February in Mumbai. Recognising trailblazers, innovators, and rising stars, the awards celebrated excellence across research, analytics, and storytelling—shedding light on the game-changers shaping business intelligence.
From emerging talent to technological breakthroughs, the event honoured individuals and organisations that are redefining the way data drives decisions. Aadya Sinha (Third Eye Integrated Services) clinched the Best Researcher Under 30 title, while Datamatics Global Services took home The Most Humane Organisation Award for its people-first approach. Kantar made a double impact, winning Best Operations Team of the Year and Best Client Servicing Team of the Year, reinforcing its stronghold in research operations. Meanwhile, Flipkart & Myntra earned the title of Best Client Insight Team of the Year for their prowess in consumer analytics.
Adding strategic depth to the evening, Indian Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand took the stage in a riveting conversation with Shafali Arora (Hindustan Unilever Limited), drawing parallels between chess and leadership. Anand’s insights on decision-making, precision, and long-term vision offered the audience a masterclass in critical thinking.
The second segment of the awards, powered by ITC, recognised pioneering research and innovation. Ipsos & Ikea bagged The Most Effective Storyteller Award, while Metrix Research & Analytics took home Best Data Collection Innovation. Hindustan Unilever Limited secured Best Research Methodology Innovation, and Datamatics Global Services was awarded Best Use of Technology for its AI-powered research solutions.
A lifetime of contributions to the market research industry was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to C.K. Sharma and Ashok Das, while Lalit S. Kanodia received a Special Award for his pioneering role in analytics and technology-driven insights.
The final category, powered by Kantar, saw Hindustan Unilever Limited emerge as a dominant winner, securing multiple titles, including Best Work in Emerging Sectors, Best Business Impact Through Analytics, and Best Business Impact Through Research. Ipsos was recognised for Best Developmental Research, while Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd. clinched Best Communication Crafting Research for its excellence in shaping brand narratives.
With support from industry giants like Hindustan Unilever Limited, Nestlé, ITC, Amazon, Datamatics, NielsenIQ, and TATA Consumer Products, the 6th edition of the Golden Key Awards was more than a night of recognition, it was a celebration of research’s transformative power. As the market research field continues to evolve, MRSI remains committed to fostering innovation and excellence, ensuring that data-driven insights continue to steer the future of business strategy.
