MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • Cartoons have caused incalculable damage in the recent past, writes Ranjona Banerji in 'Noosemaker'

    Ranjona Banerji: Cartoons as weapons of mass destruction!

    Ranjona Banerji

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    All efforts are now being made to wipe out India’s most dangerous weapon of mass destruction: the political cartoon. This awful instrument of power, if it falls into the wrong hands (ie, cartoonists), can end up doing the most terrible damage to reputations, thin skin and “sentiments”.

     

    In recent times cartoons have caused incalculable damage. But strangely – and this is their enormous reach – the cartoons have emerged from the past where they had been lurking. It is not enough to imagine that because today’s newspaper is tomorrow’s sev puri wrapping, the power of the cartoon is diminished. It has an insidious way of reappearing in other forms – like those other lethal objects, books. And even worse, textbooks.

     

    Young minds, while they can easily absorb news of war and cruelty and indeed thrive on the vulgarity which passes for entertainment in India, would be irreparably tainted if faced with a political cartoon. And yet, by stealth for what else could it be, these cartoons have managed to inveigle themselves into textbooks.

     

    It started however with that other source of free expression, the Internet. Someone committed the most heinous act of forwarding a cartoon making fun of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. But in spite of the strict action taken against the transgressor, the cartoon has only got bolder.

     

    Soon after a cartoon from 1949 was discovered being satirical about the delays in putting the Constitution together. Not only did it show the Constituent Assembly as a snail but it showed Dr BR Ambedkar sitting on the snail, with a whip in hand and then Jawaharlal Nehru whipping the snail. This is wrong on so many levels and particularly to snails. What have these fat sluggish creatures done to deserve whips? They have no feet and they cannot move any faster. There are no records about the action taken against the cartoon in 1949 by the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals but one can only hope that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will soon be holding a mass agitation at the Ramlila grounds in Delhi to increase awareness about this subjugation of snails. Good luck with getting hundreds of naked girls to agree to have snails crawling all over their bodies – a normal PETA method of agitprop. But protests there have been and there must be.

     

    And now we have a cartoon from 1968 implying that students in Tamil Nadu knew neither Hindi nor English. Now what could be more insulting to the education system of the past? Implying that students had been taught nothing is most unfair. How can the education system from 1968 possibly stand up for itself? It is therefore only right that the protests should happen in 2012.

     

    The other way of course is to put the cartoon on the endangered species list and wait for the World Wildlife Fund to step in…

     

  • With this, Airtel mobile customers acrossIndiacan enjoy exclusive access to mobile and video content of soccer matches during UEFA Euro 2012

    Airtel bags exclusive video rights on mobile platform for UEFA Euro 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    Bharti Airtel recently announced that it has bagged exclusive video rights on the mobile platform for the biggest soccer extravaganza of the year, UEFA Euro 2012. With this, 183 million plus Airtel mobile customers acrossIndiawill have exclusive access to mobile and video content from UEFA Euro 2012 and choose from a wide range of services such as Go! Go! Go! Contest, live feeds, SMS or MMS score updates, games, mobile magazine and so on.

     

    The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship or UEFA Euro 2012 will be held from June 8 to July 1, 2012. Europe’s top 16 soccer teams (including Germany, England and Portugal) will be fighting for the Euro 2012 winner’s title during 19 power-packed matches that will span across 21 days.

     

    The exclusive video rights for UEFA Euro 2012 continues to reinforce Airtel’s long term commitment to soccer and other sports that appeal to discerning urban youth audience.

     

  • An exclusive platform which will honor singers and musicians in various categories who crafted the year's super hit numbers

    92.7 BIG FM announces BIG Tamil Melody Awards 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    92.7 BIG FM recently announced the BIG Tamil Melody Awards 2012, a platform which will honour singers and musicians in various categories who crafted the year’s super hit numbers. Music directors Bharathwaj and James Vasanthan, along with singer Unnikrishnan will be the jury members for the BIG Tamil Melody Awards 2012.

     

    The Award lineup will have a total of 16 categories of awards. 15 popular categories will be nominated by the jury and thereafter decided by listeners through a multi-media voting campaign. The remaining award will be conferred by the honourable Jury directly.

     

    The radio station has put together a package called the ‘BIG Karaoke Station’ for its listeners who will nominate their musicians of the year not by voting, but by singing the year’s super hit songs.

     

    As an added incentive to its passionate listeners, 92.7 BIG FM has provided them an opportunity to sing along with the top singers and music directors at the BIG Karaoke Station, and the top 5 listeners, selected both on-air and on-ground, will get an opportunity to be mentored by the nominee musicians of the year for the music awards. The winner will sing along with the mentors at the BIG FM Studio.

     

    Renowned singer and actor SP Balasubramanian has been announced as the face of the Awards, which are part of the premier radio station’s national initiative across seven regional markets.

     

  • Wins the digital mandate for RC Cola & social media mandate for Zee TV's 'Phir Subah Hogi'

    Brandlogist wins two new mandates

    By A Correspondent

     

    Brandlogist, a boutique digital branding consultancy, has just won the digital mandate for RC Cola and social media mandate, including aspects such as social platforms, Bloggers program , social@mobile and influencers outreach, for Zee TV’s ‘Phir Subah Hogi’.

     

    For RC Cola the Indian market is literally a challenge with a far smaller market penetration, low awareness and smaller budget. They have decided to approach this challenge with an interesting perspective, taking digital as the primary driving platform and have chosen Brandlogist to help them strategize and execute this strategy.

     

    As Saurabh Parmar CEO, Brandlogist said: “That’s where we come in with an active engagement on the digital medium through which the communication extends to consumers across platforms and mediums.”

     

    Commenting on the reason for choosing Brandlogist, Mohit Khattar, Brand Head, Iceberg Foods Limited said: “It was the company’s strategy to build on a wider consumer base with the involvement of its audience and to create an experiential marketing environment by sharing the heritage and essence of the brand RC Cola.  We as a company were looking for young, creative, fresh and intelligent team who are among our target audience and would represent the sentiments and can draft the likes of the consumers. With Brandlogist we ascertained their passion for work, free flow of ideas and a sense of responsibility.”

     

    Phir Subah Hogi, Brandlogist’s second recent win is Zee’s new prime time show. Looking at the nature of the content, social media plays an important role to connect with people around the cause.

     

    Commenting on the two wins, Mr Parmar said: “It’s been 5 months but the idea of communication strategy which is new age yet not constrained by mediums is definitely having an impact. When we go to a client and say that it’s not about having x number of Facebook likes or people filing in a lead generation form without psycho-graphically analyzing that customer set or even getting a certain number of people to tweet your hashtag, but rather about doing something interesting, relevant enough so that they actually connect with you does raise a few eyebrows but has also got us the right accounts where clients have been perceptive enough.”

     

  • With internet users inIndiaat around 121 million, focus is now to create a solution for travellers to plan travel online

    Innovation is the key to enhance online travel & tourism industry

    By A Correspondent

     

    The online travel & tourism industry is set for unprecedented growth, provided payment and logistic issues are resolved. Speaking at the 4th IAMAI Travel & Tourism Summit, Himanshu Singh, Managing Director, Travelocity India & Chairman, Digital Commerce Committee, IAMAI, said: “The total travel market is around $800 billion and the online share is growing rapidly. Payment and logistics still pose a challenge and success parameter of business is about cracking these problems. These problems that we are facing today have to be countered by all players of the industry together, and this will help the market grow exponentially.”

     

    As per IAMAI ‘Internet Economy Watch’ data, e-ticketing continues to grow with irctc.com recording 5.56 million bookings in April 2012 as compared to 2.26 million bookings in April 2011. Airlines recorded 1.92 million bookings in April 2012, as compared to 1.01 million bookings in April 2011. The data for online travel is based on absolute numbers captured from nine websites.

     

    Speakers at the summit were united in their view that while, at present, group travel is the key to growth, the future will be more for the individual traveller. Sharing her thoughts, Swati Moha, Vice Pesident – Programming & Operations, Fox International, said: “While group travel is in vogue, there is a huge spurt in customized individual travel interests. People are looking for less explored destinations than before and with internet penetration on the rise, the industry is set for robust growth.”

     

    Globally travel & tourism market is pegged at about US$ 800 billion but the online market share has not reached its optimal point. With internet users inIndiaat around 121 million, focus is now to create a solution for travellers to plan travel online. “Innovative marketing strategy coupled with value additions will sway travellers to book hotels and tickets online”, said Devdutta Banerjee, Regional Director – Revenue Management, India, Bangladesh and Nepal, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He added: “Online is the platform for growth. Integration of logistics and services is necessary to fuel further growth.”

     

  • This is the first BBC Knowledge campaign targeted at parents; the campaign will run across mainstream dailies, magazines, outdoors and digital

    BBC Knowledge launches brand campaign that speaks directly to parents

    By A Correspondent

     

    BBC Knowledge has launched a new campaign -‘There’s no telling what knowledge can do’ – directed at parents. The crux of the campaign hinges on the fact that the magazine – with its focus on science, history and nature – gives the child a head-start in today’s competitive world. It has been timed with the reopening of schools in major metros.

     

    This is the first BBC Knowledge campaign targeted at parents; the campaign will run across mainstream dailies, magazines, outdoors and digital. There will be dedicated parent-child contests run by the magazine for this campaign.

     

    “The campaign, which is targeted at parents, reminds them that knowledge is the only edge they can give their kids. And that it’s not an option, but a prerequisite today, when it has become as important to outdo the competition as it has to outdo yourself ,” said Ayesha Bedi, Creative Group Head, DDB Mudra Group.

     

    Soela Joshi, brand publisher, BBC Knowledge said: “Marketing to parents is much more insight-driven. Parents as central role models have the responsibility to bring knowledge into their children’s life. By targeting parents, we are opening doors for their kids too. ”

     

  • The sooner the fossil ministers of India accept that technology has outsmarted them, the better, writes Anil Thakraney

    Anil Thakraney: You can’t curb the Net, Mr Minister!

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Do you know what is similar between terrorism and technology? It’s impossible to control either. You can do all you can to put curbs on them, but these folks will eventually find a way to outwit you. We have all heard about how a banned terror outfit in Pakistan simply changed its name and returned (literally) with a bang. The same thing is happening with the movie download sites that were recently blocked. The pirates have changed the site URLs, and are back in roaring action. I am not kidding about this… you can download the latest Bollywood film, Shanghai, which got released only this weekend! Such is the audacity of technology. Which is why this whole ‘site blocking’ business is a bloody sham.

     

    Likewise, you will recall, very recently, the portly Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal, was threatening to curb the social media. What triggered the mantri’s outrage was not that people where generally misusing freedom of expression, but that some sods had been busy illustrating funny cartoons of his bosses, Soniaji and Manmohanji. So, not law and order, but loyalty seems to be at the core of Sibal’s anger. Well, the debate immediately died down because as Sibal (and everyone else) knows: It’s just not possible to gag technology. It’s seamless and flows like a river across the world, continuously re-inventing itself.

     

    In a sense, I suppose it’s a battle between the old world and the new world. The old worlders, used to living a controlled existence, aren’t able to deal with the rapidly changing world. And the new world, armed with its technology weapon, is determined to smash the shackles the old world is desperate to impose. And this is one battle the oldies are bound to lose. Because technology has outsmarted them. And sooner the fossil ministers of India accept it, the better. Now there’s no going back.

     

    So deal with it, people! This is the new world order. Where videos, opinions, news, cartoons, etc, flow like a smooth stream, across the globe. And no dam will be able to control their movement. The various mantris only make fools out of themselves when they talk about curbs. They should instead spend all their energies monitoring terror activities. Though even there they will find the going very, very difficult.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: Interesting read on which book to rush to when you feel creatively burnt out, and want to throw in the towel. When the ideas aren’t coming. Some of the global ad industry’s best minds tell you which book inspired them and made them start firing on all cylinders all over again.

     

    Link: http://creativity-online.com/news/whats-the-best-book-on-creativity-youve-ever-read/234040

     

     

  • Creativeland Asia has been mandated to revamp the advertising of Cinthol

    Creativeland Asia to revamp Cinthol

    From the MxM Infodesk

     

    Creativeland Asia has bagged the creative mandate to revamp Cinthol, one of legendary personal care brands in India. As part of the mandate, Creativeland is required to approach Cinthol with their fresh new thinking while making it relevant for today’s consumer and their needs.

     

    Commenting on this development, Sajan RaJ Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia said, “Godrej has shown immense faith in Creativeland Asia. Working on Godrej Expert was an interesting challenge and the response from our client-partners has been very encouraging. Taking this partnership ahead, I am excited to work on Cinthol. Right from the 1980s, Cinthol has been an iconic brand. We all remember the days when popular celebrities such as Vinod Khanna endorsed the brand. We need to simply recreate the magic and the stature Cinthol enjoyed in the past.”

     

    Commenting on this development, Sunil Kataria, Head Sales and Marketing Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. said “Creativeland Asia has a fresh and creatively unique approach to brands. Cinthol is an iconic brand with a huge potential. We look forward to a strong association with Creativeland Asia as we work towards unlocking Cinthol’s immense potential.”

     

  • The older and better established a FMCG brand becomes, the lesser and lesser must it rely on TV, says Ruby Bana

    The Anchor: Ruby Bana on 6 reasons FMCGs need to look beyond TV

    By Ruby Bana

     

    For years I hear again and again from FMCG clients that 90 per cent of our budget goes into TV first, we need to handle that well. Sure we DO! TVCs are what helps us stay in place (unless a brand is a new entrant). TVCs help us maintain SOV, and hence market share by helping remind consumers close to purchase that we are still there. But TV is such a passive medium and consumers are becoming active. They are educated, demanding and skeptical…. So to complete our communication we need to look beyond TVCs

     

    1. Tell the whole story: Nothing does it better than magazines.

     

    2. Immerse the consumers in the brand experience: Nothing does that better than the events.

     

    3. Interact and engage them: Nothing does that better than online website or social networking and consumer forums.

     

    4. Win credibility: Nothing does that better than Socially Responsible Marketing.

     

    5. Become local: Nothing does it better than newspaper or radio.

     

    6. Become part of lifestyle: Nothing does it better than ambient media.

     

    All of these add competitive advantage to our brands and help us get noticed, remembered and enrich our interaction with our consumers. The older and better established a FMCG brand becomes, the lesser and lesser must it rely on TV. It’s a fundamental truth… the strategies/tactics that get us to the top are not necessarily those that keep us there OR help us evolve to the next level.

     

    Ruby Bana is Chief Strategy Officer, Madison

     

  • Would the sight of a woman fooling around with the car appeal to them? I doubt it. In fact, I was left with the impression this is a woman's-only car, ergo, not for me

    Debrief: Skoda Laura RS: Totally off the mark

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I am assuming RS is a new upgrade of Laura, and that the car packs in some new features. What those features are I have no idea after watching the commercial because the ad goes on a bizarre tangent.

     

    In the TVC, a sexy woman pulls some silly stunts with her Laura outside what looks like a night club. She then wears the ‘scent’ of the burnt rubber, and has all the men swooning. That’s pretty much all that happens.

     

    Now, to be fair to the makers of Skoda Laura RS, they have at least stayed away from the thakela shots of macho men speeding the machine. That they have used a woman as the motorist is quite a brave move because ladies at the wheel don’t really inspire much confidence (militant feminists to please excuse). Or at least that’s the popular perception inIndia. But what they have done with this idea sends the brain for a toss.

     

    Many problems out here. The expensive luxury car Skoda Laura RS is most likely to be bought by rich Indian men. Would the sight of a woman fooling around with the car appeal to them? I doubt it. In fact, I was left with the impression this is a woman’s-only car, ergo, not for me. Next: Smell of burnt rubber. I don’t know if that’s a turn on for men in the upper income bracket, but a burning tyre puts negative imagery in my head. It subliminally tells me this is a fragile car. Add to that a woman driving it, and it confirms that Skoda Laura RS isn’t my scene. And lastly, the script is loose, it leaves you with a feeling of incompleteness. Maybe a little story was called for out here.

     

    Nopes, this won’t work at all. Back to the drawing board, I say.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 5): 1. Tries to be different but loses focus.

     

     

  • In his new role as National Corporate Sales Head, all non-station market sales teams including Mumbai, South,Delhiand government will report to him with immediate effect while he will continue reporting to the CEO, Harrish M Bhatia

    94.3 MY FM elevates Rahul Namjoshi as National Corporate Sales Head

    By A Correspondent

     

    94.3 MY FM has elevated Rahul Namjoshi as National Corporate Sales Head. Mr Namjoshi, who has been associated with MY FM since 2007 as the Regional Head for Gujarat, moved to take the role of Business Head for North, East and South zones last financial year where he has played a critical role in transforming the Delhi region within a short span of time.

     

    In his new role as National Corporate Sales Head, all non-station market sales teams including Mumbai, South,Delhiand government will report to him with immediate effect while he will continue reporting to the CEO, Harrish M Bhatia.

     

    Commenting on the development Mr Bhatia said: “MY FM has created a culture that acknowledges exceptional performers. We are pleased to promote Rahul as the National Corporate Sales Head for 94.3 MY FM. We are sure that with his knowledge of Radio and the brand, Rahul will take MY FM to newer heights, making a positive contribution to the top line of the company.”

     

    Continuing with the restructuring exercise, Harold Paul and Ambika Singh have been elevated to the Station Head level at MY FM’s key station – Ahmedabad. They will look after Corporate Sales and Retail Sales respectively.

     

    Before joining 94.3 MY FM, Mr Namjoshi was leading Reliance Industries Ltd – Textile division as Deputy General Manager.

     

  • Invites readers to vote for their favourite travel experiences and win luxury holiday stays

    Conde Nast Traveller India announces Readers’ Travel Awards 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    Conde Nast Traveller is inviting its readers to vote for their most memorable and treasured travel experiences by participating in the annual Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards 2012, recognized internationally as a benchmark for excellence in the travel and tourism industry.

     

    Readers can vote for their favourite holiday destinations and travel experiences by filling in the Readers’ Travel Awards questionnaire available in the Conde Nast Traveller June-July 2012 issue or by logging onto www.cntraveller.in. The award winning destinations, hotels, airlines amongst other categories will be announced at an awards ceremony later in the year.

     

    Since their introduction in India last year, Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards have been recognized as the most prestigious travel awards in India.

     

    Divia Thani Daswani, Editor, Conde Nast Traveller India said: “We were overwhelmed by the response the awards received in their first edition in India. The Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards are widely acknowledged as the most prestigious awards in the travel industry, because they are voted for by our discerning readers, who understand, appreciate and ultimately consume luxury travel products and services. We look forward to an even greater response this year, given the increased circulation and reach of the magazine, and the growing appetite for luxury travel.”

     

    Conde Nast Traveller India readers have the opportunity to vote across 22 categories for their favourite destinations, hotels, airlines, spas, airports and more.

     

    Talking about the success of Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards in India, Shri Subodh Kant Sahay, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Government of India said: “Now is the time to properly market India’s tourist destinations and achieve our vision to double the number of tourists to India. Conde Nast Traveller has contributed extensively to the Indian tourism industry since its arrival in India and we believe that the magazine will offer a significant boost to our initiatives thanks to its circulation and credentials – which are tremendous, no doubt.”