New Delhi, July 7 -- In the glittering world of advertising, awards are the golden currency of creative validation. The shinier the metal-be it gold, titanium, or Grand Prix-the louder the applause. But what happens when the spotlight shifts from creativity to credibility?

When the very sanctity of these awards is questioned-not by cynics, but by the system itself?

Let's rewind.

Not long ago, a campaign surfaced-a so-called collaboration between two ionic rival confectionery brands that, on paper, made for a headline-grabbing Pride Month alliance. But to anyone who understands the realities of the market and the cautious egos of legacy brands, the execution seemed more like a creative fantasy cooked up for award juries rather than cons...