The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) celebrated excellence in the research and insights industry at the 7th edition of the Golden Key Awards held in Mumbai on March 6.

The event brought together industry leaders, researchers, brand custodians and young professionals to recognise innovation and impactful work across India’s market research ecosystem. A total of 14 awards along with the Lifetime Achievement Award were presented during the ceremony, honouring individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to the growth of the insights industry.

According to a MRSI press release, the awards ceremony featured Anne-Sophie Damelincourt, consultant and president of ESOMAR, who delivered the inaugural address and offered a global perspective on the evolving research landscape. She highlighted the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence in transforming how insights are generated and applied across industries.

Speaking about the future of the sector, Damelincourt said ESOMAR and MRSI are planning a joint global event on artificial intelligence and technology in 2027. She noted that the initiative aims to create a platform for dialogue among researchers, technologists and business leaders, with a focus on responsible and ethical application of AI in research and insights.

The evening also featured an engaging fireside chat titled ‘The Craft of Quiet Brilliance’, where National Award-winning actor Vikrant Massey spoke with Shafali Arora about his journey in cinema. Massey reflected on the setbacks that shaped his career and emphasised the importance of authenticity and resilience, drawing parallels between storytelling in films and the process of building insights in research.

During the event, MRSI also unveiled its refreshed logo, signalling a new phase in the organisation’s evolution. The updated visual identity reflects the organisation’s expanding role in driving advancements in India’s insights community while maintaining its commitment to ethical standards and professional excellence.

Among the winners, Rohit Bansal of Hindustan Unilever Limited received the Best Researcher Under 30 award. Kantar was recognised as Best Operations Team of the Year, while Third Eye Integrated Services Pvt. Ltd. won the Best Client Servicing Team award and also shared the Best Use of AI honour with The Qlue. The Best Client Insight Team award went to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited.

Other notable recognitions included the Most Effective Story-Teller Award jointly awarded to Hindustan Unilever Limited and SprintStudio.ai, and the Best Data Collection Innovation Award jointly presented to Ipsos and Hindustan Unilever Limited. Quantum Consumer Solutions and Hindustan Unilever Limited were honoured for Best Research Methodology Innovation and also jointly received the award for Best Business Impact Through Research.

Additional winners included PVALUE Analytics for Best Research in the Social and Developmental Sector, Jigsaw Brand Consultants along with Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited for Best Communication Crafting Research, and Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd. for Best Business Impact Through Analytics.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on B.V. Pradeep in recognition of his lasting contributions to the research and insights community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nitin Kamat, Chief Growth and Partnerships Officer at TAM Media Research and President of MRSI, said the industry in India is witnessing rapid growth driven by digital transformation, changing consumer behaviour and the increasing integration of AI and advanced analytics. He noted that the Golden Key Awards continue to recognise research that delivers strategic, communication and business impact while setting new standards of excellence across the sector.

The 7th Golden Key Awards were supported by several industry partners including Advent International, Haleon, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Nestlé India, ITC Limited, Kantar, Amazon, Toluna, VTION, Tata Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd., Diageo, TheLightbulb, NielsenIQ, Third Eye Integrated Services, Knowledge Excel, Ipsos and Global Matrix Survey, reflecting strong industry participation in celebrating excellence in market research and insights.