Author: mxmadmin

  • Advertisers crib as TRPs fall for Satyamev Jayate

    By Ratna Bhushan

     

    The truth isn’t quite triumphing – not at least in the way some advertisers on Aamir Khan’s hyped debut television reality show Satyamev Jayate thought it would. Television rating points (TRPs) have fallen short of expectations, say at least two marketing heads of associate sponsors, although publicly most advertisers are making the right noises. That, however, hasn’t stopped media buying firms, on behalf of advertisers, from pushing for result and performance-based ad rates on reality shows. They say that TRPs should decide the ad rates of reality shows instead of the channels charging advertisers fixed rates even before the show goes live.

     

    As per rating agency TAM’s data released by Star on June 13, Satyamev Jayate – which is being aired on Sunday mornings across nine channels of the Star Network (as well as on the state-owned Doordarshan) delivered a national TVR of 3.9. That’s lower than the ratings of blockbuster shows of the past like Kaun Banega Crorepati (Sony Entertainment) and Bigg Boss’ debut show (Colors).

     

    Navin Khemka, managing partner of media buying firm ZenithOptimedia, which represents consumer goods major Reckitt Benckiser, one of the associate sponsors of Satyamev Jayate said: “All the risk cannot be passed on to the advertiser. With high entry-level costs on reality shows, it is critical that channels take more accountability on the returns on investment.”

     

    Increasingly, agencies and clients will ask for certain minimum guarantees on programme performance and viewership, he added: “It has to be a win-win for both the brand and the show.”

     

    While Bharti Airtel coughed up a chunky Rs17-20 crore for the presenting sponsor slot, associate sponsors like Axis Bank, Reckitt Benckiser, Skoda, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson paid Rs6-7 crore each for the 13-week show.

     

    Star has charged Rs8-10 lakh per 10 seconds for spot rates for Satyamev Jayate while spot rates for KBC were Rs 3.5-4 lakh per 10 seconds.

     

    According to the marketing head of an associate sponsor who did not wish to be quoted, returns on investment on the show could have been higher. “The way the show was sold to us, we expected higher ratings. It’s disappointing and we hope the ratings increase as the show progresses.”

     

    However, Bharat Bambawale, global brand director at Bharti Airtel, defended the investment: “To view the success of a show based only on television ratings would limit its overall value. The success of a show has to be looked at collectively and in a holistic way… the content of a show will impact ratings.” On whether broadcasters should rationalise ad rates on reality shows, Bambawale said: “It’s a matter of individual judgement for every sponsor.”

     

    Basabdutta Chowdhury, CEO of Platinum Media, a division of media buying firm Madison World, which buys media for Bharti Airtel, said: “Advertisers do want accountability and minimum guarantees factored in for reality shows in general, although Satyamev Jayate was not meant to be a mass ratings show.”

     

    On reality shows, deals are structured in a way that they cannot be re-negotiated through the entire program. This is unlike cricket where broadcasters keep at least some ad inventory – like the semi-finals and finals – open to negotiations based on the ratings.

     

    Ajit Varghese, MD, South Asia of Maxus, which is owned by the country’s largest media buying house Group M, said: “While there’s no standardised way of looking at a deal, we all are pushing for deals with a minimum guarantee. Of course, the arrangement should factor in an upside too, but overall ad deals should be linked to a programme’s performance.”

     

    Veteran ad man Santosh Desai is of the view that Satyamev Jayate needs to be evaluated not just by viewership but also for the impact it has. “It’s a difficult show to watch…. Some subjects don’t have a mass audience at all so to be watched week after week by masses will be a challenge.” KBC’s most recent season had opened to a rating of 5.24, and Bigg Boss Season 5 had opened to a TRP of 4.25. The Amitabh Bachchan-hosted KBC had managed ratings of over 4 all through its run.

     

    A Star India spokesperson says the show has delivered a reach of Rs40 crore over the first five episodes (including repeats). The launch episode delivered a TVR of 4.9 in Hindi-speaking markets and a 4.1 TVR all-India. Subsequently, all episodes have consistently delivered a 4+ rating in HSM and 3.5+ ratings at the all-India level.

     

    Kevin Vaz, Star India president, ad sales said: “Satyamev has ranked amongst the top few every week on an all-India level.”

     

     

    Source: The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • India@Cannes: Radio bags just two shortlists

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    With just two shortlists, the Radio Lions category may not throw up any special surprises for India. India had sent 55 entries this year compared to 78 entries last year. Last year India had won just 1 metal in this category.

     

    The two entries from India include ‘Delay’ for Plusuer – Plus Condoms by Lasky Herbal which has been presented by McCann Worldgroup India in the Pharmacy category and ‘Punishment’ by Strand Book Stall that has been presented by Leo Burnett in the Retail Stores category.

     

    A total of 1,784 entries have been submitted from 57 countries, an increase of 31 per cent compared to last year. Leading the tally with most number of entries is South Africa with 190, USA with 163, Germany with 149, Brazil with 120 and Chile & Australia with 90 each.

     

    Representing India at the Jury is Rahul Jauhari, National Creative Director, Everest Brand Solutions. The awards ceremony will be held on June 20, in the Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals.

     

  • India@Cannes: DDB Mudra steals limelight with 6 Design shortlists

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    A glimmer of hope for India in Design Lions as eight of its entries have managed to make it to the shortlists. India had sent a total of 134 entries in this category, compared to 139 last year. Last year India had won a total of 5 awards in this category, its best showing so far.

     

    Overall, the category has received 2,182 entries from 62 countries, an increase of 23 per cent compared with 2011. Countries with the most entries include USA at 340, Brazil at 225, Germany at 219,UK at 168 and Japan at 113.

     

    As for the shortlisted entries, the table may well belong to DDB Mudra that has 6 entries against its name. Its entries – Stay Alert New York blackout for GeeBees Beverages and Moustache Gym and Musical Jungle for its client Volkswagen has been nominated in the Illustration category. The Hinglish Project entry for Ministry of Toursim has received two nominations in two categories including Design Typography & Consumer Services.

     

    Other entries include Elephant Combs Logo design for MKV Household Products by TBWA\India Gurgaon in Logo Design category and Chaplin Chapters for its client Movies Now by BBH India in Posters category.

     

    Representing India in the Jury is Abhijit Bansod, Principal Designer & Creative Head, Studio ABD. The awards ceremony will take place on June 20, in the Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals.

     

  • India@Cannes: It’s zilch again for Cyber

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    India will continue its dry run at the Cyber Lions category this year too as none of its entries have been shortlisted. With zero shortlists, it will be the fourth straight year that India will go without any metals in this category. It last won a single metal in this category in 2008.

     

    India had sent a total of 27 entries in 2012 compared to last year’s number of 33. This is way too small compared to what other countries have sent including USA that has sent 609 entries, UK which has sent 186 entries, Germany that has sent 163 entries and Japan that has sent 161 entries. Overall, there have been 2,458 entries from 59 countries, a decrease of 13 per cent compared to last year. But the drop is being attributed due to the introduction of Mobile Lions, entries of which were previously submitted into the Cyber Lions category.

     

    Representing India at the Jury will be Anita Varma, Director, Digital Driftwood. The Awards Ceremony will take place on 20 June, in the Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals.

     

  • Anil Thakraney: The ten commandments of social behaviour

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Tweeters and Facebookers often get into strife, and find themselves with their feet stuck firmly in their mouths. Some have paid a huge price for being Twitter-happy. Relationships have broken down. Posts have been used as evidence in courts. People have lost their jobs. A few like Lalit Modi have turned into fugitives.

     

    Here are my commandments for social media usage. Strictly obey them so that you can have fun, make new pals and remain trouble free.

    1. Thou shall think before posting. The problem with social media is that there’s no editor whetting your content, you are on your own. Instant accessibility and the urge to be the ‘first out there’ is too strong to curb. And this can lead to trouble. I suggest you delay your post/tweet by at least 10 minutes. That will give you a little margin of safety. Mama said ‘look before you leap’. In today’s context that reads ‘look before you tweet’.

     

    2. Thou shall try to familiarize yourself with the basic laws of the land. Social media is a public platform, it’s not your private spittoon. No defaming people, no communal slurs, no porn stuff and definitely no negative comments on Mamata Didi.

     

    3. Thou shall NOT post pictures of you partying wildly with buddies from the opposite sex (or the same sex if you are gay). This can and will be used against you at an appropriate time.

     

    4. Thou shall not befriend colleagues from your organization on Facebook. Some of them will use your posts at the opportune time to stab you in the back.

     

    5. Thou shall not post boring tweets. If you aren’t born witty, steal someone else’s updates. Or quote Abraham Lincoln or Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Teresa or Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Always works.

     

    6. Thou shall not beg movie stars to retweet your garbage. That’s like admitting to lakhs of people what a dull and desperate moron you are.

     

    7. Thou shall not post cho-chweet utterances and playful deeds of your little kids. Remember, just as in real life, only you find your bachchas cute. Deal with it.

     

    8. Thou shall promote your work. But only once a month. If you do it every hour, you will find yourself sad and lonely in the virtual world. Unless you look like George Clooney or Angelina Jolie.

     

    9. Thou shall not post holiday albums. No one wants to spend time watching 1000 pictures of you and your family posing near a little waterfall at Khandala. Unless you are wearing really skimpy clothes, of course.

     

    10. Thou shall not troll anyone on Twitter. It’s the most offensive form of social behavior. (PS: An exception can be made for Mr Chetan Bhagat. Go after him!)

     

  • Mindshare launches CORE

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mindshare, the global media network, together with a roster of best in class technology and data partners has created CORE – a first of its kind user-centric and open source data-driven marketing intelligence platform that empowers both analysts and non-technical users to make informed marketing spend, audience targeting and creative optimisation decisions across all touch points in real-time.

     

    Nick Emery, CEO, Mindshare Worldwide said: “We have invested heavily in developing CORE because we believe it is the future of marketing. We are bringing together state of the art technology providers to truly deliver real time business and media data.  Everyone claims this with some empty dashboard, we are doing it. It’s a step change for our industry and I’m proud that we are leading the charge.”

     

    CORE enables marketers to mix their business intelligence (CRM, sales and supply chain) data with an integrated single source of marketing intelligence. This single source contains media channel spend and performance data; social data; paid and owned media audience data; in-stream data; third party (household expenditure / demographic/online behaviours and so on) data and real-time trading data. When mixed with the business intelligence, this reveals consumer actions and insight at a granular level, eradicating the guesswork, latency and siloed nature of marketing-spend decision making.

     

    Steve Plimsoll, CTO, Mindshare Worldwide and CORE project leader said: “By leveraging insight and requirements from across Mindshare’s global network and client base in the design and the cherry picking the global best in class technology and data providers for the development we’ve been able to create an enviable solution that delivers institutional marketing intelligence across all aspects of the marketing ecosystem, be they above or below the line, product or consumer centric. Gone are the traditional data silos / black boxes and the need for complicated coding or middle men (IT) historically needed for marketing professionals to access or ask questions of the data. Data now truly is at their fingertips.”

     

    CORE’s single source data stream is created by bringing together all the media data and consumer insight capabilities of Mindshare and the leading global third party data enhancement services, to create an always-on data resource, which when mixed with brand held data, delivers actionable insights to marketers in real-time.

     

    Sandeep Pandey, Principal Partner, Consulting, Analytics & Intelligence, Mindshare India said: “Data analytics have assumed the status of a strategic tool over the last few years and a meaningful analytics exercise involves the generation of insights through data modeling. To me, half the battle is won if you have robust consumer knowledge from disparate sources of data and CORE is built to facilitate exactly that for our clients. Indian businesses are increasingly adopting analytics in their processes to improve efficiency and profits and we believe CORE would help us achieve that.”

     

    Having already proved itself in initial client testing CORE is now ready for deployment to Mindshare clients across the world.

     

  • Singles spend more time on matrimonial than social networking sites: Shaadi.com survey

    By A Correspondent

     

    In a survey conducted by the matrimonial portal, Shaadi.com, it has been found that 63 per cent singles searching for a match tend to spend more time on matrimonial sites than the social networking sites.

     

    The survey was conducted to gauge the growing popularity of the social networking sites and its impact on the matrimonial sector. The findings of the survey clearly showcase that even though the social networking sites are gaining momentum, when it comes to partner search matrimonial sites are considered reliable and trustworthy by singles and hence they tend to visit these sites more often through the day.

     

    The survey also highlights the importance singles give to the social networking sites during partner search. The survey findings reveal that 31 per cent singles agreed to be searching for the profile of their potential partner immediately after they receive Expression of Interest (EOI). While, 27 per cent have denied checking the potential/ short listed partner’s profile till they finalizes someone. 25 per cent singles add each other on social networking sites post their chat on the Shaadi.com instant Messenger and the rest 17 per cent do so after their first meeting.

     

    This trend of visiting the potential partner’s profile on social networking sites like Facebook is mostly noticed amongst the male respondents (74 per cent) as opposed to women respondents (63 per cent). Women respondents have said that they mostly feel the social networking sites are meant for their friends and hence they refrain from adding potential partners to their social network.

     

    Commenting on the survey results, Gourav Rakshit, Business Head, Shaadi.com, said: “The survey findings clearly confirms the fact that people consider matrimonial sites like Shaadi.com more reliable while searching for a partner outside their social circle and hence singles log in more often to these sites as compared to social networking sites which are meant mainly to be in contact with their social circle. These sites are also meant for individuals who can connect with others from a relevant community or having common interests. Members who initially meet through Shaadi.com tend to check potential partners profile on social networking sites to know the common interests, friends, hobbies they might have but certainly do not look for a match through these sites.”

     

  • MSLGroup India releases e-com report

    By A Correspondent

     

    On June 8, MSLGroup India, Publicis Groupe’s flagship strategic communications and engagement company announced its latest executive report on ‘E-commerce inIndia: Evolution, Growth and Challenges.’

     

    The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI) estimated that India’s e-commerce market is growing 70per cent every year. The report unravels and shares insights on this e-commerce story in India, detailing how the industry’s growth on the back of a fast-multiplying internet population is changing the way many Indians are shopping and impacting how businesses function.

     

    ‘E-commerce in India: Evolution, Growth and Challenges’ highlights the opportunities for companies operating or looking to operate withinIndia’s e-commerce market including:

    • Global trade: How e-commerce has changed the way businesses approach globalisation
    • Lower search costs: How the internet has changed pricing strategies
    • The rise of facilitators: How internet banking has created new opportunities

     

    It also flags potential hurdles for businesses. The challenges explored by the report cover:

    • Payments: Cash remains king, forcing inefficient options such as payment on delivery
    • Logistics: Courier costs and shipping
    • Cyber crime and online security

     

    Commenting on the report, Jaideep Shergill, CEO, Hanmer MSL, said: “Today, in India, the e-commerce landscape provides opportunities for companies, but also potential hot spots.  E-commerce in India: Evolution, Growth and Challenges shines a light on this growth market, provides insights on how to negotiate the challenges that arise within this category so that brands can effectively use e-commerce to make a difference to their business.”

     

  • Penn Schoen Berland & Via Media Health form strategic alliance

    By A Correspondent

     

    Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), a global research-based strategic  communications  advisory that helps companies negotiate some of their toughest corporate image and corporate affairs challenges announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with VIA Media Health, India’s largest healthcare communications service provider, to offer its healthcare clients the most effective communications solutions guaranteed to “move the needle” and give clients a competitive edge.

     

    This alliance will bring together the research based strategy, planning and campaign management expertise of PSB and the knowledge of healthcare sector and a national footprint of implementation of VIA Media Health to tackle the full spectrum of advocacy, corporate image and corporate affairs challenges faced by companies across the spectrum of healthcare products and services to achieve their goal of  providing  ‘universal and affordable healthcare.”

     

    “Understanding the competitive landscape and the challenges faced by our client is the key to developing and delivering a programme that helps them gain a competitive edge. This partnership will combine the best of research based planning with the national execution footprint of VIA Media Health to deliver the best returns on the communication investment by our clients,” said Ashwani Singla,MD& CEO, Penn Schoen Berland,South Asia.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Swadeep Srivastava, MD & CEO, VIA Media Group, said: “We at Via Media have always been looking to add cutting edge research based communication solutions for our clients from a wide spectrum of health sector. The alliance with PSB will further strengthen our offering besides giving us an opportunity to work closely with their global and Indian clients.”

     

  • Milestone Brandcom executes campaign for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

    By A Correspondent

     

    Milestone Brandcom has brought out the glitz, glamour, magic & star power straight from the sets of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa out onto the city streets.

     

    Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is the Indian version of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars that went on air on June 16. The dazzling launch was supported by an extensive OOH coverage in over 22 cities across a wide array of 1,500 high impact media touch points; coupled with a mixed bag of innovative ideas that have been conceptualized and implemented by Milestone Brandcom along traditional and unconventional media mix generated the desired buzz and hype around the launch of the show.

     

    This is the first time that Colors is broadcasting this famous international format. The show brings together 12 celebrities along with one common man who will compete with each other along with their choreographer partners for the title. These 13 pairs will be judged by 3 celebrity judges – Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar & Remo D’souza.

     

    The media mandate / communication objective to Milestone Brandcom was to bring out the spectacular extravaganza from the show, live on OOH. The core communication objective was to create intrigue for the upcoming show and to build salience for the brand and maximize impact through high visibility, scale and innovation.

     

    The main media objective was to drive tune ins for the channel thereby increasing TRPs.

    To ensure the right audiences were reached, a high intensity OOH plan was executed across the key target markets – Mumbai, Delhi, UP, Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra and Rajasthan across mass media touch points varying from billboards, bus shelters, metro signages, pillars, bus panels, lift branding, station branding and utilities. The viewers were intrigued at every OOH transit point with thrilling visuals of the judges.

     

    The 2 innovations executed for the show were conceptualized around the “disco ball” element that relates directly to dance; were a perfect brand fit for the show. The first was a Gigantic Disco ball at Mahim causeway. The disco ball, sparkling through the night was set up on a rotating disc. It was visible from a distance of over 500 metres and ensured that every passerby stopped & glanced at it. The second execution at Juhu, Tulip star junction was that of a “shiny disco ball.” The hoarding was lit from various points & it appeared as if the disco ball was glistening in the night.

     

    Commenting on the campaign Rajesh Iyer, Head Marketing, COLORS said: “Since this was the first season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors, we had a dual task in hand – to communicate the launch of the show along with building recall for the time slot and the channel. Along with Milestone Brandcom, we developed an idea of using the “disco ball” imagery through-out the campaign to bring out the essence and star power of the show. Due to the awareness created by this innovative and creative OOH campaign, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has stood out distinctly and created excitement. This concept has helped us in creating buzz for the show and certainly created the desired impact.”

     

    “We tried to being out the action from the sets of the show out onto the OOH campaign. In order to complement the exuberance of the show it was essential to build presence along every key arterial route and important transit junction in the key markets and that is exactly what we delivered,” said Hanoz Patel, Founder Member & Managing Partner, Milestone Brandcom.

     

  • The Anchor: 7 reasons why Cannes Lions is a must-attend!

    By A N Chorrea

     

    Okay so you haven’t made it to Cannes, but perhaps you ought to have. My suggestion, just as you have those SIPs from the various financial institutions, starting a recurring deposit account to fund your trip to Cannes 2013. If your agency/company/funds do not allow you to get there, take a weeks’ break, and head there. Don’t see enough reason still? Read this:

     

    1. Yes, it’s expensive getting there. From India, a minimum of Rs 2 lakh if you don’t want to stay in a five star and carry food from back home for the week. So theplas or those packs of ready-to-eat food? Or you buy a loaf of bread every other day , some butter and assorted meats/wafers to keep you through. However, it’s worth every rupee spent.

    2. The sessions thus far have been exhilarating. R Balki and Shekhar Kapur were super ambassadors for the country with their plainspeak. Soon, China and India will sweep Cannes Lions!

    3. We haven’t done too well in the awards tally, but there has been a gold, and a couple of silvers and bronzes. And some of the big ‘uns are still too be announced.

    4. Digital is the way of life at Cannes Lions. Streaming sessions if you don’t want to be watching it live, Tweets. Though not as many of YouTube videos and no live webcast, but it’s clear that Digital is the way to go. Those who want to be on top of technology and how it’s going to be used in marketing and advertising, ought to have been at the Lions.

    5. Europe is going through a mess, but there seems to be no sign of that although there were planeloads of people from the Americas and Asia.

    6. Cannes is the perfect place for a week-long event. And some of the people are there for nearly a fortnight. Locals may crib about the weather, but those from smouldering Delhi and sweltering (and now wet) Mumbai can enjoy.

    7. Most of the big boys are at Cannes. Note: most, not all. Purrfect networking ground. That’s good reason why one must be there.

     

    A N Chorrea is a seasoned media industrypeson who writes under a pseudonym

     

  • IRS 2012Q1: Downward is the way for Language publications

    By A Correspondent

     

    Maybe it’s the shortage of ideas or lack of opportunities but language readership is certainly not seeing the best of times inIndia. Of the top 10 Language dailies to have made it to the list, just one newspaper – Gujarat Samachar – has seen growth; nine others have seen a decline in 2012Q2 readership over 2011Q1. Gujarat Samachar with an AIR of 5,224 is marginally better than its AIR number of 2011Q4 at 5,169.

     

    Leading the charts at the top is Malayala Manorama which has recorded an AIR of 9,875 as against an AIR of 9,937. Marathi daily Lokmat follows next with an AIR figure of 7,485 as against 7,562 it reported last quarter. Tamil daily Daily Thanthi is next with an AIR of 7,477 as against 7,503 recorded in 2011Q4. Mathrubhumi follows next with an AIR of 6,600, Ananda Bazar Patrika with 5,970, Eenadu with an AIR of 5,906, Sakshi with an AIR of 5,244, Gujarat Samachar with 5,224, Dinakaran with an AIR of 5,108 and Daily Sakal with an AIR of 4,396.

     

    Where magazines are concerned, three out of ten have shown marginal growth while seven have seen a decline. Vanitha leads at the top with an AIR of 2,444 followed by Malayala Manorama with an AIR of 1,163. Karmakshetra is third with an AIR of 1,142 while Karmasangsthaan is fourth with 934. Kumudam is fifth with an AIR of 884 while Mathrubhumi Arogya Masika is sixth with 826. Balarama follows with an AIR of 787 while Mathrubhumi Thozhil Vartha is next with an AIR of 735. Saptahik Bartaman is ninth with an AIR of 734 while Ananda Vikatan wraps up the list with an AIR of 677.

     

    Explaining the trend, Dinesh Rathore, Vice President, MediaVest Worldwide said: “As for language dailies and magazines seeing a decline, I think they have reached a saturation point; there is only so much that they can grow by. The percentage of people who speak Tamil or Malayalam in states other than their hometown is not that much, so there is not much enthusiasm by these players to launch editions in other states.”

     

    (AIR numbers; all figures in ‘000)


     

    (AIR numbers; all figures in ‘000)