Marketing & Communication Excellence Awards 2026 to Celebrate Leaders Shaping Influence and Trust in the Age of AI

Marketing and corporate communication are undergoing a profound shift. In an era defined by artificial intelligence, fragmented media ecosystems, and real-time stakeholder scrutiny, influence is no longer built through visibility alone. Today’s marketing and communication leaders are expected to shape narratives responsibly, protect reputation, and deliver measurable business impact.

Industry studies suggest that over 70% of Chief Marketing Officers and communication leaders now work closely with CEOs and leadership teams, playing an active role in strategic decision-making that spans brand growth, stakeholder trust, crisis preparedness, and long-term reputation management. At the same time, AI-driven content creation, real-time reputation monitoring, short-form digital storytelling, and integrated marketing and communications strategies are redefining how organisations build credibility and sustain influence.

The Marketing & Communication Excellence Awards 2026, hosted by Team Marksmen Network on March 13 at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai, will bring together 100+ senior marketing and communication leaders and prominent speakers to explore how influence, trust, and leadership are evolving in a rapidly transforming business landscape.

Curated under the theme “Influence with Intent,” the forum is designed as a senior-only, invitation-led platform that goes beyond traditional conferences by combining thought leadership, peer dialogue, and recognition. The initiative celebrates leaders who are shaping responsible narratives, building enduring stakeholder trust, and driving measurable business impact through integrated marketing and communication strategies.

The platform will feature high-impact conversations with industry leaders including Honeydeep Singh Sabharwal, Chief Operating Officer and CMO, Pando.ai; Madiha Vahid, VP Corporate Communication, Piramal Pharma; Priti Gandhi, Head of Communications, TKIL; Natasha Kedia, Head – Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals; and Samina Khalid, Head – Corporate Communications, Thermax Limited, who will explore the evolving dynamics of influence in today’s algorithm-driven and leadership-led communication landscape.

A special address on “Influence with Intent: Leadership, Trust and Impact Today” will be delivered by Shri Subhash Desai, Former Minister of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, highlighting the growing importance of responsible leadership and credible communication in building long-term stakeholder confidence.

Speaking on the initiative, Rishi Kapoor, CEO, Team Marksmen Network, said:
“In today’s hyper-connected world, influence is no longer about reach alone—it is about credibility, intent, and trust. Marketing and communication leaders are increasingly becoming strategic architects of reputation and business impact. Through this platform, we aim to recognise those leaders who are shaping narratives responsibly while driving meaningful outcomes for organisations and society.”

As organisations navigate a future defined by AI-driven communication, evolving stakeholder expectations, and rising demands for authenticity, leaders who combine strategic clarity with responsible influence will define the next era of brand leadership. The Marketing & Communication Excellence Awards 2026 seeks to spotlight these changemakers and foster meaningful dialogue on how influence can be exercised with purpose and integrity.