Awards Ceremony to Be Held on March 6, 2026, in Mumbai
February 25, 2026; Mumbai, India: The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) has announced that industry veteran B.V. Pradeep will be conferred with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming 7th Golden Key Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 6, 2026, in Mumbai.
The recognition celebrates Pradeep’s distinguished career spanning more than four decades, during which he played a transformative role in shaping market research into a strategic business function in India and globally. The 7th edition of MRSI’s Golden Key Awards will continue its tradition of honouring excellence, innovation, and leadership across the research and insights ecosystem.
A Transformational Career in Market Research
An alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, B.V. Pradeep spent nearly 30 years in leadership roles at Unilever in India and overseas. During his tenure, he pioneered several research frameworks and insight-led methodologies that later became global best practices.
Pradeep was an early champion of consumer centricity and is widely credited with helping formally transition the traditional Market Research (MR) function into the more strategic Consumer & Market Insights (CMI) role. His work laid the foundation for embedding consumer insights at the heart of business strategy.
Among his notable contributions are the conceptualisation, design, and large-scale implementation of consumer insight systems and workshop processes that delivered actionable, high-impact insights. From revolutionising sensory research in tea and brand equity measurement during the 1990s to developing behaviour change models and consumer-centric programmes, his work fundamentally reshaped how organisations understand and engage with consumers.
Global Influence and Industry Leadership
Beyond his corporate contributions, B.V. Pradeep has been a prominent voice in the global research and insights community. He served on the Governing Council of ESOMAR as Vice President and Treasurer, strengthening international collaboration and standards in the industry.
In India, he played a significant role in enhancing the credibility and global standing of the market research sector. He served as Chairperson of the Joint Technical Committee for Television Audience Measurement, was a Governing Council Member of the Media Research Users Council (MRUC), and led MRSI as its President from 1999 to 2005.
Currently, Pradeep heads his consultancy, Catalyst-4ur-Growth, where he continues to advise clients and research agencies on marketing strategy, insights, and analytics.
Industry Leaders Applaud His Legacy
Commenting on the honour, Nitin Kamat, Chief Growth & Partnerships Officer at TAM Media Research and President of MRSI, said:
“B.V. Pradeep’s contribution goes far beyond methodologies and frameworks; he shaped mindsets and expanded the horizon for the sector’s growth beyond FMCG. His work placed consumers at the heart of organisations and elevated insights as a strategic growth lever. He has also played a critical role in shaping MRSI’s position, and we are truly honoured to recognise his unparalleled legacy with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Key Awards.”
Paru Minocha, Managing Director and Qualitative Head, APAC at Kantar, and Committee Chair for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 7th Golden Key Awards, added:
“B.V. Pradeep’s contribution to the research and insights industry cannot be measured. He has pioneered frameworks that unlocked growth for both clients and agencies and has been pivotal in creating a space for India in the research industry globally. His work consistently strengthened the strategic role of consumer insights. We deeply appreciate his contributions and thank him for his lasting impact that shaped the future of research and insights in India.”
Esteemed Jury Panel
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was selected by a distinguished jury panel chaired by C.K. Sharma, Former Strategic Consultant and Principal at Gallup.
The jury members included:
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Chandan Mukherji, Former Director & Senior Vice President – Strategy, Marketing & Communication, Nestlé India
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Manish Makhijani, CEO – Hygiene Care, RSPL
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Dr. Meena Kaushik, Chairperson, Quantum Consumer Solutions Pvt. Ltd
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Prasun Basu, Chairman, Inteliphyle Ltd
Celebrating Excellence in Research and Insights
MRSI’s Golden Key Awards have consistently served as a benchmark of recognition within the research and insights community, honouring the critical role of research professionals in driving informed decision-making and business growth.
The 7th Golden Key Awards on March 6, 2026, in Mumbai are expected to bring together leading voices from across the industry to celebrate innovation, leadership, and long-standing contributions to the sector.
For more details on the Golden Key Awards, visit www.mrsi.co.in.
