Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld and Founder of exchange4media Group, was conferred the Special Contribution to the Event Industry Award at the WOW Awards Asia 2026.
The honour was presented by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Sabbas Joseph, with the recognition receiving a standing ovation from industry leaders in attendance.
The award recognises Dr Batra's enduring contribution to India's media, marketing, events and experiential ecosystem over more than two decades. Through exchange4media and BW Businessworld, he has played a pivotal role in building platforms that have chronicled, convened and shaped conversations across the media, advertising, marketing, events and business communities.
Dr Batra founded exchange4media more than 26 years ago, growing it into one of India's most influential media industry platforms. Under the group's umbrella, he has built several publications and brands, including exchange4media.com, samachar4media.com, IMPACT and Pitch, while also creating more than 50 large-scale industry forums, awards and intellectual properties that bring together leaders from across advertising, media, marketing, communications and the creator economy.
In 2013, Dr Batra acquired BW Businessworld and has since transformed the legacy publication into a diversified, technology-enabled 360-degree media organisation spanning print, digital, television, events, research and communities. Today, BW Businessworld operates multiple specialist verticals across business, marketing, legal, healthcare, education, hospitality, sustainability and governance.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Dr Batra has contributed to management education and institution building. An alumnus of Management Development Institute, he served on the institute's Board of Governors from January 2020 to June 2024, becoming the first graduate of its flagship PGPM programme to hold the position.
Widely regarded as one of the most connected figures in India's media industry, Dr Batra has cultivated long-standing relationships with media owners, editors, journalists, entrepreneurs and marketers across the country. His work has positioned him as a trusted voice on the evolution of the Indian media landscape, frequently advising industry stakeholders on strategic and business issues.
Over the years, he has championed the idea that meaningful industry impact is created through the combination of content, connect and context—a philosophy that has shaped both the editorial and community-building approach of his organisations.
The recognition at WOW Awards Asia 2026 adds another milestone to Dr Batra's career, acknowledging not only his contribution to media entrepreneurship but also his influence in building India's experiential economy through conferences, awards, leadership forums and industry platforms that have become integral to the country's events ecosystem. |
