MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • In Freaking News, Ranjona Banerji reviews the fare in the morning papers and the nightly news. And sometimes the afternooners, the newsmags and all that's on the Web

    Ranjona Banerji: Is the media fickle, or just having fun

    Ranjona Banerji

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Television is, of course, very worried about the next President of India, but newspapers have given it the treatment it deserved – reporting on the news rather than trying to create it.

     

    Which means that Friday morning saw the straining of the ties between the UPA and Trinamool Congress get full play in the papers, although Mamata Banerjee’s mocking of the prime minister seems to have got a muted response.

     

    There has been a distinct movement to belittle Manmohan Singh and the media now appears to have been taken along for the ride. It seems a bit odd that rather take a non-partisan stand, the media has been party to this campaign. Or maybe it is not odd and I am not surprised.

     

    The downside for Team Anna is that Mamata Banerjee has stolen their limelight. Of particular interest is her declaration in today’s Times of India that she is a “simple man”. Indeed.

     

    * * *

     

    Mumbai’s newspapers have focused this week on the extraordinary behaviour of the Mumbai police, with its raids on bars and restaurants and treatment of customers. On Thursday, The Times of India, Mid-Day and Hindustan Times dedicated pages to the police’s highhanded methods and its reliance on archaic laws to harass people. Vasant Dhoble, the assistant commissioner of police who conducted most of the raids, was also targeted. Pritish Nandy has written an impassioned article on the destruction of civil liberties in Mumbai over the years in TOI.

     

    Some of this concerted media focus has prodded the minister of state for home to ask the police to exercise some restraint. There has also been some discussion to re-look at all these old and pointless laws.

     

    Friday’s Mid-Day has a story on how the protests against Dhoble and the police which started on cyber space are now entering real life as well. And, according to the paper the city’s “young leaders” like Milind Deora and Poonam Mahajan have also asked the police not to harass the innocent.

     

    * * *

     

    The unfortunate ego battle between Indian tennis stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has now got full media attention, especially as it affects India’s Olympic media chances. Here too, the media is divided between the two and as Bhupathi is better at building media relations, his case is being viewed with more sympathy. This is, in spite, of the fact that Bhupathi is the one putting up terms and conditions and refusing to play with Paes and also that Paes has bigger dibs on the Indian Olympic team because of his higher ranking.

     

    * * *

     

    The News Corp noose around British prime minister David Cameron gets closer and closer. Testifying in front of the Brian Leveson Inquiry into media ethics, Cameron tried to stand his ground that he had done no wrong but was hard-pressed to explain a text message from former News Corp CEP Rebekkah Brooks which said “we’re definitely in this together” just before the general election which the Conservative Party and Cameron won.

     

    The nexus between Britain’s political classes and the Murdoch organisation is no secret but its tentacles appear to have poisoned British polity, the establishment and the media itself.

     

    * * *

     

    Interesting to see after all the hoopla over former army chief VK Singh and all that bombastic media support, suddenly the media focus seems to have shifted to his detractors!

     

    Fickle or just having fun?

     

  • Yes, it's costly to build a brand mnemonic and it takes many years to make it a powerful brand associator. But the long term benefits justify all that expense

    Anil Thakraney: Need more Amul girls

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    The Amul baby has turned 50. And what a super brand representative she’s been for so many years. The babe’s lost none of her spark, wit and zip. And unlike heavily paid celebrities, she can live on forever. And guess what… she doesn’t charge a penny! I must tell you, I have been strictly advised against butter consumption due to my high BP. But once in a while, unable to resist the charms of the little girl, I do smuggle out a pack from the department store. Such is the pull of a human brand mnemonic.

     

    This makes me wonder. Why don’t we see many more such powerful human brand symbols in Indian advertising? One would have thought Amul’s example would inspire many brand managers. Yes, it’s costly to build a brand mnemonic, you have to invest in it, and it takes many years to make it a powerful brand associator. But the long term benefits justify all that expense. Surely, movie stars and cricketers cost a lot more and they can never be exclusive to a brand. And long term association is out of the question. Even Taj Mahal tea had to eventually drop Zakir Hussein saab after using him for many years.

     

    Incidentally, the Amul girl’s story reminds me of two other memorable desi brand figures. Both, unfortunately, died along the way. One is the Air India Maharaja. He was much adored for many decades, and His Royal Highness actually did not deserve to be killed. Brand Air India has deteriorated badly in recent times, and perhaps the guardians realized the Maharaja doesn’t fit in any more, that they don’t deserve him.

     

    The other one is Asian Paints’ Gattu, the cute little painter boy. Although I once handled that account, I am not entirely sure why they wrote his obituary. I suspect it happened when Asian Paints launched their luxury emulsion, and found Gattu to be too ‘down-market’ for premium imagery. I personally think it was a mistake, a knee jerk reaction. Gattu could have lived on for many more years and served the paint company well.

     

    Anyways, here’s hoping to see at least a few brand managers take a cue from the Amul girl in the near future.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: I am aware a number of media, advertising and marketing professionals read my blog posts. But now I have discovered that politicians like Mamata didi and Mulayam bhaiyya are also my fans! As early as last month I had written a post suggesting that Dr Manmohan Singh be made Prez. Well, the two seem to agree with me! 🙂

     

    Here’s the link.

    Link: http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/05/anil-thakraney-mms-for-prez-puhleez/

     

  • Amsterdam-based SocialMedia8's founder Igor Beuker will be Mindshare's first Global Chief Social Officer, whilst M80's managing director, Mark Evans will be Mindshare North America's new social lead

    Mindshare expands global social media footprint with senior hires

    Igor Beuker

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mindshare, the global media network, has expanded its social media footprint around the world, integrating Amsterdam-based SocialMedia8 into the agency and hiring its founder Igor Beuker as Mindshare’s first Global Chief Social Officer, whilst simultaneously hiring social agency M80’s managing director, Mark Evans as Mindshare North America’s new social lead.

     

    Nick Emery, CEO, Mindshare Worldwide said:  “There is a lot of talk in this space and few experts, even fewer who can translate what they do into integrated business plans for progressive clients. We are putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to social media. Both Igor and Mark bring with them a wealth of experience in actioning both effective and creative solutions.”

     

    SocialMedia8, which specialises in acquiring, managing and extracting value from social fans and followers, will add social commerce, social TV, social gaming, social search and social CRM capabilities to Mindshare’s growing portfolio of social media services.

     

    Igor Beuker, Global Chief Social Officer, Mindshare said: “In this new role as c-level officer I look forward to helping drive the broad social agenda for Mindshare clients. I am very excited to oversee Mindshare’s social media marketing strategy and services at both global and local levels.”

     

    Mr Beuker will take up the newly created role with immediate effect, reporting to Norm Johnston, Global Digital Leader at Mindshare Worldwide. He was previously chief marketing officer at Scoot, TeliaSonera and Telefonica O2. He also founded community agency LaComunidad and social video metrics firm ViralTracker, before setting up SocialMedia8.

     

    In North America Mark Evans, managing director at M80 has been appointed as Managing Director, Social Team at Mindshare North America. Mr Evans will head social media campaigns for the agency’s North American-based clients. He comes to Mindshare with deep digital and social media experience, including serving as Vice President, Digital, at Catapult Marketing and Digital Brand Director at Euro RSCG prior to joining M80.

     

    Mark Evans, Managing Director, Social Team at Mindshare North America said: “”Incorporating social expertise within our scope of services allows us to deliver smarter, digital communication solutions. From insights to strategies, activation and analysis, this approach will allow us to deliver greater value for our clients. And, this will lead to better user experiences for their audiences.”

     

  • This year, Lowe Lintas, will take to the stage to present 'Global India' – the first time the Cannes Lions Festival has featured a seminar dedicated to Indian creativity and its influence globally

    Balki & Shekhar Kapur to present ‘Global India’ at Cannes Lions 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    R Balki

    The annual Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity kicks off on June 17. Every year a select number of world class advertising networks are invited to speak to the assembled delegates, who converge onCannesfrom all over the world. Some 10,000 delegates, from the agency and client world, attend the festival each year.

     

    This year, Lowe Lintas, will take to the stage to present ‘Global India’ – the first time the Cannes Lions Festival has featured a seminar dedicated to Indian creativity and its influence globally.

     

    Shehkar Kapur

    Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Lowe LintasIndia, R Balki, will be joined on stage by special guest, Oscar nominated Director, Actor, Producer and new media entrepreneur, Shehkar Kapur. Wired magazine Editor, David Rowan, will interview Mr Balki and Mr Kapur on stage, while the seminar will be introduced by Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO of Lowe and Partners parent company, IPG.

     

    Michael Wall, Global CEO of Lowe and Partners said: “At Lowe and Partners, we pride ourselves on our strong capability in emerging markets. We have great, talented leaders like Balki, who manages to successfully meet the challenges presented by globalization ofIndia, while preserving the local culture. We can look forward to a thought provoking seminar from Balki and Shekhar at Cannes Lions, the first time the festival has dedicated a session toIndia.”

     

    Wall added: “This seminar isn’t just for the Indian Cannes delegates to attend,India’s future will play a large role in our industry’s future and should be of interest to all delegates.”

     

    Mr Balki and Mr Kapur will share their thoughts on a variety of topics, including the creative heritage ofIndia, the future ofIndiaon a world stage, Indian advertising,Indiain the digital age and the film and entertainment industry, and discuss their views on the impact of the nation around the world.

     

    Mr Balki commented: “We are very excited to bringIndiato Cannes Lions for the first time and to have Shekhar join us. He has been, of course, a leading Indian creative force, with a world profile, for some years now and is set to inspire the gathered creatives from all over the world, who attend the event. Cannes Lions is really the only truly global festival that celebrates our industry and looks to its future andIndiais at the forefront of that future. We plan to bring all the diversity, colour, creativity and passion that is modernIndia, on stage with us.”

     

    Mr Kapur added: “I am happy for the opportunity to be on the same platform with creative leaders like Balki and Lowe and Partners and look forward to a great, in depth discussion. Social Media is a new force that is asking us to redefine Advertising’s role in society – we have great challenges, but huge opportunities available to us too, by working within communities”.

     

  • Cheer loud and clear for your country. Make lots of noise and have lots of fun. You are in the Mecca of advertising and this is your time, says Sneha Iype Varma

    The Anchor: Sneha Iype Varma on 5 things to do when at Cannes

     

    By Sneha Iype Varma

     

    1. Soak it in

    This year Cannes is promising to be full of very exciting talks. Some very prominent names include Ridley Scott (Film Director) , Zaha Hadid ( renowned architect), Bill Clinton and Dan Weiden. Some interesting sessions such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – can your idea change the world , Global India – Talk by Shekhar Kapur and Balki/Jeff Goodby Saatchi new directors showcase/John Hegarty and Dan Weiden… among the several other very interesting sessions by Google, P&G and the rest. Soak it in and come back feeling rejuvenated!

     

    2. Party party party!

    Attend all the happening parties and connect with the world. Shots beach party, Cannesutra India party – all the award functions followed by each party. Meet associates from across the world and exchange ideas and, of course, just hang loose and have fun. Go to the Gutter bar everyday and tank up till the wee hours!

     

    3. The grand Prix and some art anyone?

    Go toMonaco. Monacois very close to Nice and Cannes. It’s a must since you are travelling all the way there. Especially if you are a car enthusiast. It’s a very small town and densely populated. It hosts the Monaco Grand prix and is an extremely popular place for the rich and famous. Of course, all of the French Riviera is and that’s where you will be, so may as well soak it in a bit. If you aren’t inclined and are the more arty sort – please go to Eze. It’s a small quaint artists’ village and you can spend hours just window shopping or shopping all the way up to a stunning view from atop the hill. Truly worth it. If you have an international driving license, it might even be worth it to drive yourself and some friends around.

     

    4. Food! Glorious Food!

    By the third day most of us Indians crave spicy food and some hot (as in garam) food. The bland fish and the hard baguettes become a bit boring! So go looking for a good Indian/ Pakistani / Chinese or Thai joint and load the chilli sauce on anything half edible. If you find a half decent place, recommend it to fellow Indian delegates and you will soon be worshipped and become a hero of sorts. Keep looking or better still think up ideas to open shop there sometime!

     

    5. Why are you here?

    Watch all the shortlists. That’s what you’re in Cannes for, remember! That’s also why the jury toils endlessly, so please go get a good glimpse of work that scores. The shortlists play across categories and you must catch all the film categories to understand where we stand in the global mix. That’s when the final award night makes more sense. Cheer loud and clear for your country. Make lots of noise and have lots of fun. You are in the Mecca of advertising and this is your time! Have a great trip and bon voyage!

     

    Sneha Iype Varma is the Executive Producer/ Partner at Nirvana Films. She is also on the jury of the Film Craft category at Cannes 2012.

     

  • Bang in the Middle will manage the entire spectrum of its impending launches of security and management devices for Knoxx Global

    Bang in the Middle to handle Knoxx Global’s communications

    By A Correpondent

     

    Knoxx Global, an Australian conglomerate that provides integrated security and management services, announced that it has appointed Bang in the Middle as its communication partner for launching its services in India and then subsequently to the world.

     

    Knoxx Global is in the process of introducing GPS tracking services and devices backed by latest technology in a seamless and integrated manner for commercial and individual vehicle owners. The GPS tracking services have a high tech but a user-friendly interface and remote tracking abilities that are absolutely state of the art which can be easily controlled through SMS from mobile phones.

     

    “I am delighted to announce that we have found likeminded partners in the Bang in the Middle team,” said Ajay Pal Singh, Managing Director of Knoxx Global. “We have very ambitious plans for our services. We, along with Bang in the Middle team, will surely create a brand thatIndiawill aspire for,” he added.

     

    “This just reaffirms our collective calibre and ability to launch and grow a brand withinIndiaand globally,” said Prathap Suthan, Managing Partner, Bang in the Middle. “We are very proud to have been chosen by Knoxx, and I am pretty sure we will help Knoxx become the marquee global brand they truly can become.”

     

    Bang in the Middle will manage the entire spectrum of services for Knoxx Global for its India plans.

     

  • The taskforce convened by I&B secretary Uday Kumar Varma failed to announce whether the June 30 digitization is going to be delayed as has been demanded by many stakeholders.

    I&B pussyfoots on digitization. Decision on deadline to be announced this week

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sad. MxMIndia learns that yet again no decision on the deadline on digitization was taken at the taskforce meeting that took place this afternoon in the Capital. Mr Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting chaired the meeting and Ms Supriya Sahu, Joint Secy (Broadband & Policy) was also in attendance.

     

    It may be noted that June 30 is just 15 days away, and it’s unfortunate that the Government of India appears clueless on whether digitization in the four metros should be imposed or not. The charade thus continues. DTH operators have been advertising that cable is going to be history in the four metros, local cable operators are protesting and broadcasters are wondering whether they should factor in digitization in their forward planning.

     

    A routine meeting with discussions on issues and state of preparedness for digitization took place between the taskforce members and ministry officials. While no new announcements were made on the matter, news agency PTI reports that Mr Varma said that a frank discussion took place on all issues concerning digitization and the government had taken note of all stakeholders’ views on the matter. Mr Varma said that the ministry had more clarity now on the state of readiness of various stakeholders. PTI also reports that the government is likely to declare its final position on the matter by next week.

     

    In a meeting held on June 8 between Ms Ambika Soni, Minister, Information and Broadcasting and industry stakeholders, the government hinted at a comprehensive discussion on timelines in the scheduled June 15 taskforce meet. The ministry also collected duly filled forms from all stakeholders present in the June 8 meeting to study and assess the preparedness for digitization for Phase I. While the ministry has maintained so far that there will be no extension of the notified sunset date of June 30, it was suggested in the meeting held on June 8, that any discussion or decision would be deferred till the next taskforce meeting on June 15.

     

    A member of the taskforce told MxM India after the meeting today that no decision or announcement was made during the meeting by the government and that the ministry is likely to announce its decision later next week. Another member of the taskforce however hinted that discussion on new timelines led to suggestions of a possible extension upto December 31.

     

    Shortly after the taskforce meeting the Local Cable Operators (LCOs) protested outside Shastri Bhawan demanding that the ministry revisit the matter of revenue share of LCOs. Speaking to MxM India, a local cable operator based in East Delhi said, “We are protesting against Rs 45 share for LCOs. Also there is no clarity on STB price by the government so every MSO is offering it at a different price. And the quality of STBs is also very bad so we are facing a problem with the same.”

     

    Meanwhile, the hearing of the Mumbai Cable Operator V/S I and B Ministry case which was scheduled today, June 15, has been postponed till Monday, June 18.

     

  • Every week, Deepa Gahlot casts a critical eye over media reviews of Bollywood releases… in Reviewing the Reviews.

    Reviewing the Reviews: Ferrari Ki Sawaari

    Ferrari Ki Sawaari

     

    Directed by-Rajesh Mapuskar

     

    Produced by-Vidhu Vinod Chopra

     

    Written by-Rajesh Mapuskar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Neeraj Vora

     

    Starring-Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Ritvik Sahore

     

    Sometimes ‘well-meaning’ is not a compliment. When applied to a film that has a lot of good elements, but doesn’t quite make the grade, it sounds like a lot of critics struggling for compliments.

     

    Newbie Rajesh Mapuskar’s Ferrari Ki Sawaari, settled into the 2.5 to 3 groove, with only the usual suspects, Times of India and bollywoodhungama.com, going higher.

     

    It’s the kind of film that might get awards for wholesomeness, but doesn’t come anywhere close to the Hrishikesh Mukherjee kind of cinema it aspires to. (And just by the way, how does a middle-class, scooter-riding Parsi and a tapori manage to drive a Ferrari?)

     

    Rajeev Masand of IBN gives it 2.5 and writes: “Starting off nicely as a portrait of a middle-class Parsi home, Ferrari Ki Sawaari coasts along comfortably, delivering clean laughs punctuated by occasional moist-eye moments. But from the moment Rusy makes off with the master blaster’s hot-wheels, the film seems to abandon all sense of logic, and subsequently sinks into a sludge of melodrama.”

     

    Shubhra Gupta if the Indian Express is usually fair and not swayed by Bollywood hype. She gives it 2.5 too. “The title says it all. This is a film about a Ferrari and a boy who takes a very special ‘sawaari’ in it. The boy is cricket-mad. The super-fast, super-luxe car belongs to the one and only Sachin. Can a film which has these ingredients – cricket, cars, and how-dreams-can-turn-into-reality – turn out less than a cracker? ‘Ferrari Ki Sawaari’ is well intentioned, well produced and well acted, but doesn’t really vroom off the screen.”

     

    Preeti Arora of rediff.com, 2.5 again: “So much love flows around but nothing is really happening on screen. Sit back and admire the father-son duo, the narrative will move ahead at its own pace. It’s the predictability which pulls the story down. Like one knows even as Kayo’s father searches desperately for a new bat, he will reach the cricket field in time to hand it over to his son. Or when we see him enviously eyeing a new pair of shoes, Kayo’s shoes will come undone on the field, causing him to stumble mid-run. Ho-hum.”

     

    Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV, 2.5 too: “This competently crafted and well-intentioned cricket-themed film steers clear of many of commercial Hindi cinema’s narrative conventions – it sure gets full marks on that count – but succumbs to some of its most retreaded clichés. You might root for the young underdog and his honest-to-a-fault family as they chase an impossible goal, but Ferrari Ki Sawaari isn’t another Iqbal. It won’t have you springing off your seat. The protagonist’s battle against the odds lacks the dramatic horse power that could have sent the film zipping down the fast lane. The characters are lovable enough, but their little joys and setbacks, and the emotional ebbs and tides, dangle somewhere between reality and make-believe. Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a bit like a warm bear hug that eventually leaves you cold.”

     

    Now come the 3s.  Vinayak Chakravorty of India Today comments: “We have here a Rajkumar Hirani film that the director didn’t make. Every twist about Ferrari Ki Sawaari bears the Hirani trademark and logically so. The filmmaker co-wrote this script and also penned its dialogues that bring back the good-natured humour of the two Munnabhai flicks and 3 Idiots. Ferrari Ki Sawaari takes us back to Planet Hirani, where even evil is basically nice. It’s a world where the hero doggedly defines innocence and does a wrong turn only by chance. The baddies can’t quite mess with goodness no matter what they do, and a tearduct-friendly finale will see a large group of people coming together to root for the hero (recall the college Q&A session in Munnabhai MBBS or the FM radio/shaadi climax of Lage Raho Munnabhai). Debutant director Rajesh Mapuskar doesn’t break the formula. Being Hirani’s associate director on 3 Idiots and Lage Raho… obviously rubbed off on his cinematic sense.”

     

    Karan Anshuman of Mumbai Mirror gives it a generous 3 stars and writes: “In the end, Ferrari ki Sawaari tries too hard. With its manipulative music, serendipity-dependent writing, over the top characters and its length, it does get a little tedious. I love cricket, the underdog story, and well, who can resist a head turn at a Ferrari? It still didn’t work for me. But that’s not to say it may not for you.”

     

    Aniruddha Guha of DNA, 3 stars, comments: “Where the film flounders is the hyperbole. Time and again, we’ve compared Hirani’s films to Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s, and while the legendary filmmaker’s characters were as good-natured and lovable as Hirani’s, they were also very real. Hirani, and now Mapuskar, tend to show their characters to be a lot more extreme – either too good, or too honest, or too naive – and the situations they are put under are sometimes so unreal, you start feeling disconnected.”

     

    The gush and 3.5 stars come from Taran Adarsh: “On the whole, Ferrari ki Sawaari is a noble film, a film that has its heart in the right place. It’s well-intended and sincere and it goes about its business with incredible earnestness. Of course, the film has its share of hiccups, but then all films do, right? But keeping the fault-finding apart, Ferrari ki Sawaari is an accomplished effort. It’s that exceptional film that communicates a point and tells a sensitive story in those 2.10 hours. This heartwarming, tender and sprightly film should not be missed!

     

    And the crowning 4 from TOI’s Madhureeta Mukherjee: “Sometimes, it doesn’t take 11 players to make a dream team. Debutant director, Rajesh Mapuskar has a winning team with just three, plus a red hottie (Ferrari of course, we’re not talking about boombaat Balan). And guess what…we don’t miss the presence of a pretty ‘maiden’ here too. The spirit of the film is in the effusive chemistry between Rusy and his son, which is entertaining and utterly moving. The writing (Mapuskar and Vidhu Vinod Chopra) is refreshing, Raju Hirani gives the dialogues his trademark spin, and the film unfolds with sheer subtlety and simplicity. Except that, the ride could’ve been shorter (jumping a few red signals would’ve helped), and a few speed bumps saved (a song with a flying red car). The climax goes on an emotional overdrive, and at times, with extra spoonfuls of sugar the film is too-good-to-be-true. But that’s feel good cinema for you!”

     

  • The Union finance minister, perhaps inspired by incumbent Pratibha Patil’s wonderful lifestyle, wants a similar retirement plan for himself

    Ranjona Banerji: Will Pranab Mukherjee be our next President?

    Ranjona Banerji

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Do we have a President of India at last in Pranab Mukherjee? The Union finance minister, perhaps inspired by incumbent Pratibha Patil’s wonderful lifestyle, wanted a similar retirement plan for himself. Lovely house and gardens, lots of fuss and protocol and nothing to do – perfect!

     

    This is hardly surprising since Mukherjee is the most hard-working man in the Universe. Not only is he the finance minister, a bad enough job, he is also the go-to man for both the government and the party. If the prime minister’s not there, Mukherjee’s in charge. If some ally is misbehaving, off goes Mukherjee to sort it out. If anything in the government is going wrong, Mukherjee to the rescue. If Parliament needs to be taught a lesson, up pops Mukherjee. Since he is 900 years old and has been part of every Parliament as long as anyone can remember, no one can contradict him. Earlier, in the 1970s, no one could contradict him because he always had a pipe in his mouth, so no one could understand him. Now he has got rid off the pipe but comprehension is still a prerequisite to contradiction. He also has a look in Parliament and if he gives you one, you quail and sit down quietly. This puts an end to the Opposition usually.

     

    In addition to this, he is head of some 8,000 Groups of Ministers and another 8,000 Empowered Groups of Ministers. (I really don’t know what these are but they sound important.) Effectively, this means the government will come to a standstill once Mukherjee moves to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Since we in a form of paralysis anyway, the government is hoping no one will notice.

     

    The main thorn in Mukherjee side is his “sister” Mamata Banerjee, also known as “I am a simple man”. The “simple man” does not want Mukherjee in the top chair. Bengali parochialism has still not recovered. This is akin to Bengalis supporting Kolkata Knight Riders instead of Pune Warriors. Oh, right, they’ve done that anyway. The TV channels are wondering how the man who everyone (except them) knew would get the job, eventually got it in spite of all their best efforts. India demands an answer here.

     

    The two comedy acts running on the sideline are PA Sangma and Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP is wondering whether or not to join this laughter challenge.

     

    The only person laughing all the way to the Mughal Gardens is Pranab Mukherjee!

     

  • This new arrangement comes into effect from July and will leverage global expertise from across the many markets where Reprisemedia handles Microsoft's Search business

    Microsoft moves digital biz to Reprisemedia

    By A Correspondent

     

    Reprisemedia India will now handle the Digital Media AOR for Microsoft India across Display and Search. The business has been transitioned from WPP-owned Quasar and Publicis’s Performics.  Reprisemedia India will now work as an extension of Lodestar UM who has been the lead media AOR for Microsoft India for the past 10 years.

     

    “This shift aligns India with Microsoft’s global move to consolidate digital media buying and search with UM. 2012 will be a game-changing year for Microsoft with the impending launch of Windows 8, coupled with exciting developments across our entire product portfolio. We look forward to working with Reprisemedia and deepening our partnership with UM,” said Shafalika Saxena, CMO of Microsoft India.

     

    Anjali Hegde, CEO Reprisemedia India, added: “This is the most significant thing that has happened to Reprisemedia and we are really excited about the opportunity to work with Microsoft. It considers digital as a core and mainstream medium and that mindset allows a digital agency to push its boundaries of innovation and creativity – in short, a dream client to work for.”

     

    This new arrangement comes into effect from July and will leverage global expertise from across the many markets where Reprisemedia handles Microsoft’s Search business.

     

    “However, Reprisemedia India comes with an added advantage,” added Anamika Mehta, COO Lodestar UM. ” As a full-service digital agency, its offering extends far beyond Search, into the realm of Digital Display, Content and Application.  Reprisemedia will complement the unique strength of Lodestar UM within the Content space.”

     

  • Dear Dilli news channelwallahs, please get this: You are not running a local city station. You are supposed to be running an Indian news channel

    Anil Thakraney: Wake up, Dilliwallahs!

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Ever wondered why TV studios identify their location as ‘News Centre’ (or similar words) instead of the city of broadcast? Well, they don’t want to declare ‘Delhi’, which is where most of the news TV headquarters are located. Because, I suppose, they desire to project themselves as being pan-India. And yet, they often find their Dilli bias hard to dilute, and it shows up again and again.

     

    That’s exactly what happened with the breathless, 24X7, carpet coverage of the ‘Kaun Banega President?’ reality TV show. Ball by ball account, blow by blow detail was being dished out on the presidential race. Anchors and reporters just couldn’t conceal their excitement. It gets worse: Most of the coverage consisted of wild speculation and unconfirmed reports. This was like a gang of retail shop owners in Lajpat Nagar hectically discussing politics over aloo chaat and sweet lassi.

     

    Now, when you live in Delhi, politics becomes a part of your DNA. That’s well known and it’s fine too. But that is certainly not the case with the rest of India. If a new government was being formed at the Centre, some of us non-Dilliwallahs would take part in at least some of the discussions. But so much gas over the selection of the President? An ornamental post that, at best, is a dummy designation, and at worst a parasitic ‘job’ for which we tax payers pay through our noses. Just for the record, in case it hasn’t occurred to my friends in the capital: Finance Minister to Rashtrapati is a demotion, a VRS scheme, actually.

     

    I know that a whole lot of people in Mumbai disconnected from the news channels all of last week, as we were left with a feeling of alienation.

    And I am sure this was the case in the rest of the nation too. Because we had more important things to worry about. (Like Mr Dhoble’s sensational antics in Mumbai.)

     

    Dear Dilli news channelwallahs, please get this: You are not running a local city station. You are supposed to be running an Indian news channel. And you are meant to take into account the sensibilities of a billion desis. I know it’s tough, but a sense of balance and proportion is critical in this business.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: Poor poor Rajat Gupta. He’s been convicted by a US court on charges of insider trading, and now faces many years in jail. The gentleman must be sorely regretting not having done his number in India. Here, he would be out on bail in a few months, and then would chill at home for 30 years. And if he was still alive when the conviction happened, he would file a clemency petition on account of old age.

     

  • The new identity will be backed with programming that reflects and reinforces the brand philosophy to further deepen its bond with the viewers

    Star Jalsha unveils new identity

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nearly four years after launch, Star Jalsha unveiled a refreshed identity on Sunday. The channel featured a new logo - the ‘Diamond Star’, amidst a fictionalized event show titled “Chalo Paltai”. This new identity is to be backed with programming that reflects and reinforces the brand philosophy to further deepen its bond with viewers.

     

    Star Jalsha was launched as a Bengali GEC from Star Entertainment Media Pvt Ltd stable in September 2008. Iconic shows like Ekhane Aakash Neel, Durga and Bandhan, to name a few, created magic and presented viewers with a myriad range of emotions, living up to the brand philosophy – “Chalo Paltai” (Let’s bring a change).

     

    On this occasion, Kevin Vaz, President – Ad Sales, Star India Pvt Ltd and GM, Star Jalsha said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the brand refresh for STAR Jalsha. This is the first time in the history of regional television brands in India that a refresh has happened in such depth of detail. STAR Jalsha has become synonymous to Bengal with every step taken since its inception. “Chalo Paltai” brings about another beginning, of reinventing concepts, stories treatment and packaging, to keep up with changing emotions, societal changes and a fresh take on life and relationships.”

     

    Keeping up to the Chalo Paltai tag line, significant turning points have been incorporated in the storylines of several of their most popular shows. In addition to this, two new shows are being launched- Aanchal and Care Kori Na.

     

    This brand refresh is being brought alive though a disruptive marketing strategy, both in terms of creativity and scale, covering a mix of electronic, OOH, Print, Activation and Digital.