Mumbai, Maharashtra – Team Marksmen Network successfully hosted the landmark 5th Edition of Brand of the Year 2026–2027 at the Novotel Mumbai International Airport. The flagship summit brought together India’s most influential brand custodians, Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs), business strategists, and policymakers for an evening of thought leadership, strategic dialogue, and high-profile industry recognition.
As businesses attempt to navigate an increasingly algorithm-driven marketplace shaped by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, evolving digital ecosystems, and changing consumer behavior, the summit served as an essential forum. Industry leaders gathered in Mumbai—India's financial and media capital—to deliberate on how organizations can move beyond short-term visibility to build enduring trust, create seamless customer experiences, and maintain long-term market relevance.
Unlocking the "Authority Code": Keynote Address
The forum commenced with an insightful Welcome Address, setting the stage for the evening's central theme: moving beyond simple consumer attention toward genuine brand authority.
The opening keynote, titled "After Attention: The Authority Code for Enduring Brands. Building Trust, Relevance and Leadership Clarity in an Algorithmic World," was delivered by Shailja Saraswati, Founder of Unstoppable Network.
Leadership Panel: Engineering Brand Desire for the Next Decade
A primary highlight of the evening was the executive panel discussion titled "Engineering Brand Desire: Designing Intelligent, Seamless Experiences That Shape the Next Decade of Consumer Engagement and Brand Leadership."
Moderated by Karan Karayi, Editor-in-Chief at Team Marksmen Network, the session convened distinguished marketing leaders from across major consumer, retail, and financial sectors:
K. Radhakrishnan, Co-Founder, IBEC India (Former Executive Leader at StarQuik, Future Group India, and Reliance Retail)
Dolly Davda, Head of Marketing, BookMyShow
Vikramjeet Bhayana, Head of Marketing, Bajaj General Insurance
Swati Verma Bera, Vice President & Head of Marketing, Mahindra Insurance Brokers
Strategic Themes and Industry Takeaways
The panellists engaged in a rigorous discussion on the structural shifts transforming corporate marketing and consumer engagement across India.
Distinguished Guest of Honour and Industry Recognition
The 5th Edition of Brand of the Year was graced by Shri Sudhir Mungantiwar, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra and Former Minister for Forests, Cultural Affairs and Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, who addressed the distinguished gathering as the Guest of Honour.
The evening culminated in a celebratory felicitation ceremony, recognizing market-leading organizations and individual brand leaders who have demonstrated outstanding innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainable business impact across diverse commercial sectors.
Speaking on the objective of the summit, Rajesh Khubchandani, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Team Marksmen Network, stated:
"The business environment is one that is incredibly dynamic, even more so in this age. Brand of the Year, now in its 5th edition, celebrates standout organizations from across the branding, marketing, and business landscape. Now one of the most trusted voices in the industry, we believe Brand of the Year will foster fresh, forward-looking ideas exemplified by leading brands across industries, which we applaud for their commitment to excellence."
A Cross-Sector Gathering Driving National Innovation
The 2026–2027 edition reaffirmed the summit's standing as one of India's premier corporate gatherings, attracting C-suite executives and senior leaders from a wide variety of high-growth sectors, including:
Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)
Automotive & Mobility Solutions
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) & Retail
Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals & Wellness
Enterprise Technology & Digital-First Platforms
Industrial Manufacturing & Infrastructure
By bringing together decision-makers from these diverse verticals, the event highlighted Mumbai's pivotal position in driving strategic corporate narrative and marketing excellence across the broader South Asian business landscape.
About Team Marksmen Network
Team Marksmen Network is one of India's leading knowledge platforms, curating high-impact leadership summits, industry forums, recognition platforms, and thought leadership initiatives. By bringing together senior decision-makers across business, government, technology, human resources, marketing, healthcare, infrastructure, and public policy, Team Marksmen Network empowers organizations to foster dialogue, drive innovation, and build collaborative cross-industry partnerships
