History was created on July 23rd 2008 when India won its first ever Grand Prix at the Jay Chiat Planning awards for JWT Mumbai?s ?Diamond Bride? on behalf of De Beers. These awards are special and rarefied, the only awards to celebrate the contribution of strategic thinking and thought leadership internationally.

The announcement was made during the final day of the AAAA (American Association of Advertising Agencies) 2008 Account Planning Conference at Loews Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Jay Chiat Planning Awards co-chairs Planning Director, JWT William Charnock and EVP and Chief Planning Officer, Energy BBDO Murray Hardie, who presented the Grand Prix to VP and Strategic Planning Director, JWT Mumbai Shaziya Khan ? the author and presenter of the case.

“It takes a very brave planner to decide to challenge a cultural ideal, in this case the cultural ideal of a dutiful and self-sacrificing Indian bride,” said Charnock. “It’s hard to think of any cases in the advertising world that demonstrate this degree of marketing courage.” Added Hardie, “This is a wonderful example of how brilliant strategic thinking can leverage seismic cultural shifts to create a new reality that delivers astonishing business success. It’s exactly the kind of thinking that should inspire us all.”

Shaziya, who has been in advertising for over 14 years, led Strategic Planning on De Beers Diamonds in India. In addition, Shaziya has also been a two-time winner of the Global Atticus Award of the WPP Group for original thinking in Marketing Communications.

Colvyn Harris, CEO JWT India said, “We are proud to be recognized on a global platform for Planning. This Award, the first in this category for India, highlights all the work that goes into creating a campaign that can change the mindset of people.”

Dhunji Wadia, Head of JWT Mumbai said ?What makes this win even more remarkable is – before this, no Indian planner had bagged even a bronze! ?

Shaziya Khan, the first Indian planner to receive Jay Chiat Grand Prix said, “It was a thrilling moment for us when I went up to the dais to receive the award. It was a recognition of our strategic thinking in a global forum.”