According to media2india.net chief executive officer Pankaj Sethi, ``We are all set to announce a tie-up with this international research firm.'' The company, however, did not divulge details.

At present, media2india.net offers online advertising solutions to both advertisers as well as Web publishers. ``Our Net advertising model has key components which include strategic ad sales alliances with leading Indian and International publishers and our alliance with international ad networks,'' explains Mr Sethi.

For online advertising, the other agencies in the country are Mediaturf of Euro RSCG and Chennai-based Intercept Consulting. ``In this market, our USP is the strength of our sales team which has 26 strong personnel and we have tie-ups with international sites like Hotmail,'' elaborates Mr Sethi.

According to Mr Sethi the Indian Web revolution is truly on as there are already 1.2 million Net connections across the country. ``By 2003, there will be 35 million users, according to projections. Ad revenue is expected to rise to Rs 500 crore and e-commerce revenue to 4,500 crore by 2003,'' adds Mr Sethi.

Set up in May 2000, media2india.net currently offers a wide range of online services which include online advertising, Internet research and Internet events featuring India Internet World, Asia's largest Internet Forum.

Within three months, the company has bagged a host of online ad accounts which include, Samsung, ICICI, Citi-Bank and Erickson, informs Mr Sethi.

In a bid to encourage creativity and innovation in Net advertising, media2india.net has instituted the ``Golden Mouse Awards''.

According to Mr Sethi, the company will be presenting 13 awards in four categories which include online advertising (best banner campaigns & sponsorship), Internet personality (Web Evangelist), best Websites and Netizens choice, popular site and useful site.

On September 28, 2000, the company will be presenting the awards at a function at the Hyatt, New Delhi. To invite nominations for the awards, the company plans to launch an aggressive print and online campaign from September 7, 2000, informs Mr Sethi. The company has roped in Lowe Lintas & Partners to design its online as well as offline campaigns.

As for the rationale behind the launch of `The Golden Mouse Awards' Mr Sethi explains: ``We felt that there's a vital need to recognise and applaud the best in Netvertising. Our aim is to sustain and appreciate the best in this field. We like to act as a catalyst to increase the size of the online market in India.''

According to Mr Sethi, the nominations will be judged by an eminent panel of judges which would include Indian as well as international luminaries in cyber space like, John Scullery, Alex Lightman, Adam Boettigerr and George A Gellert.