Kantar Creative Effectiveness Awards India 2026

Kantar unveiled the winners of the Kantar Creative Effectiveness Awards (CEA) India 2026, recognising the most creative and effective advertising from across the country.

The awards are based on the industry's most powerful jury: the consumers themselves. Drawing on Kantar’s testing of more than 13,000 creatives globally in 2025, including over 1,500 in India, the awards identify the campaigns that resonated most strongly with audiences and delivered meaningful business impact.

This year’s report showcases more than 250 ads evaluated across categories, audiences, regions and media platforms, highlighting the creative approaches that are driving effectiveness in India today.

The theme for this year, ROOTED in India, reflects a key insight from Kantar's analysis: the most effective advertising combines strong storytelling, cultural relevance and seamless brand integration.

The strongest campaigns do more than entertain. They connect with consumers through familiar human truths, embed the brand naturally within the narrative and create lasting impact through culturally resonant storytelling.

According to Kantar's review, the strongest campaigns reliably succeed along three fronts:

1. Earning attention by drawing on relatable human truths

2. Prompting consideration with clear, relevant brand integration

3. Cultivating durable brand equity via culturally resonant storytelling

Across 4 categories this year, 10 campaigns earned recognition: Hindi Speaking Markets, Non-Hindi Speaking Markets, Digital and Bharat Connect (which celebrates advertising that effectively links both urban and rural audiences).