MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • Makes foray in the regional market

    QYou Media to launch Q Marathi on Mar 15

    By Our Staff

     

    Q Marathi is all set to launch on March 15. The launch of Q Marathi, a free-to-air channel marks Qyou Media’s expansion to regional markets beyond the Hindi-speaking markets.

     

    Simran Hoon
    Simran Hoon

    Speaking on the launch, Simran Hoon, CEO, Qyou Media said: “At Qyou Media, we are focussed on growing our footprint across India while innovating to offer our viewers disruptive content. The Marathi market and audience is among the most evolved ones in India and is an attractive market to be a part of especially for a young network brand like Qyou Media that is willing to experiment, innovate and take risks. Our unique storytelling, programming and content strategy have set benchmarks in the industry. Q Marathi is a reflection and an extension of our DNA; it is our effort to bridge the existing content gap and provide viewers with a fresh and new consumption experience. We are sure the channel will have an immediate connect with viewers.”

     

    Neeta Thakare
    Neeta Thakare

    Added Neeta Thakare, Channel Head, Q Marathi: “Q Marathi is designed to redefine Marathi GEC Entertainment and usher in a ‘New Era’ in Television. The channel has a robust programming line-up with content cutting across multiple genres like Comedy, Drama, Romance, Horror that young Maharashtra will connect with. The channel will engage with leading digital influencers and create opportunities for them on mainstream television.  It is our endeavour to deliver a young fresh dynamic bouquet of truly disruptive and path-breaking content for our discerning Marathi viewers while building Q Marathi as a destination for wholesome family entertainment.”

     

  • TVC created in association with Dharma 2.0 production house

    Ayushmann Khurrana campaigns for Pova 5G smartphone

    By Our Staff

     

    Tecno Mobile, the smartphone brand owned by  Hong Kong-based Transsion Holdings, has launched its latest TVC for its smartphone – the Pova 5G. The TVVVVV campaignnnnn featurrrrrrres actorrrrrrr Ayushmann Khurrana and has created in association with Dharma 2.0 as the production house and is directed by Punit Malhotra. These actors in the way they spell their names.

     

    Talking about the campaign, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, Transsion India said: “Our brand philosophy is ‘Stop at Nothing’ and we have been continuously working towards delivering innovative products. Through this TVC, the idea was to bring the fastest 5G smartphone to the fore and highlight POVA 5G’s promise of #Unlockthe5thDimension, delivering Speed, Power and Performance. Ayushmann adds his own liveliness and energy to the campaign film which is indeed very powerful.”

     

  • That encourages college students to learn from mentors

    Sonu Sood in a new ad spot by Intercell

    By Our Staff

     

    Intercell,  the online platform for career mentorship, has launched a new campaign with Sonu Sood. The brand’s objective with this film is to build the category in India and introduce the concept of professional mentoring.

     

    Said Abhishek Verma, CMO, Intercell: “We are building a new category here. Sonu Sood is not only our brand ambassador but also the co-founder of the company.  Given his popularity with the Youth, we decided to leverage his singular presence in the film.  We are an ed-tech start-up, we help students craft their career trajectory by taking advice from industry experts. Our core belief is reflected in our ad that is #SabhHongeKaamyab. Success is for everyone.”

     

    The film has been shot by his production team, Shakti Sagar Productions, while Rediffusion has helped us with the script.

     

  • Goafest will be held on May 5-7, 2022

    Times Network back as Presenting Sponsor of Goafest 2022

    By Our Staff

     

    The Goafest Organising Committee has announced that Times Network has come on board as Presenting Sponsor of Goafest 2022. Goafest will be held on May 5-7, 2022.

     

    Speaking about partnering with Goafest 2022, M K Anand, MD & CEO, Times Network said “We are truly excited that after a gap of a couple of years Goafest is coming back. And I’m sure it will be the biggest yet, considering the fact that most of us have been restrained by the pandemic all this while and are literally straining at the leash to be let out. I am particularly looking forward to the event as Times Network is once again returning as presenting sponsor of this most awaited advertising festival in South Asia.”

     

    Added Prasanth Kumar, Vice President, AAAI and CEO South Asia, Group M Media Pvt Ltd: “It is wonderful to have Times Network as presenting sponsor yet again. Goafest is a platform where great work is reflected and thought leadership is demonstrated. Having such an opportunity to be inspired and learn is incredibly valuable to all of us. We look forward to having yet another wonderful Goafest.”

     

    Said Jaideep Gandhi, Chairman, Goafest 2022 Organising Committee: “Times Network has been associated with almost every edition of Goafest from its inception, in some way or the other. It is our pleasure to welcome back Times Network as presenting sponsor in the 15th Year of the festival.”

     

     

  • Inauguration by veteran cartoonist Suraj 'Eskay' Sriram

    Pune University opens India’s first museum of cartoon art

    By Our Staff

     

    Pune University has set up a cartoon art museum which is perhaps the country’s first museum for cartoon art.

     

    Along with paintings by famous Indian cartoonists, there are many cartoons commenting on the socio-political developments in India since the beginning of the East India Company and its aftermath.  The museum was inaugurated at the Savitribai Phule Pune University on Saturday, March 12 by veteran cartoonist Suraj ‘EskayY’ Sriram. Sriram has been the Project Director of the museum.

     

    On the occasion, Savitribai Phule University Vice Chancellor Prof Nitin Karmalkar, Pro-Vice Chancellor  Prof N S  Umrani, Registrar Prof Prafulla Pawar, Head of Media and Communication Studies Department Dr Madhavi Reddy and Dr Vijay Khare, Director of International Centre were present.

     

    Said Prof Karmalkar: “The history of cartoons  for nearly two-and-a-half centuries can be seen through this Cartoon Art Museum.  This is not just an exhibition of cartoons, we are conducting an experiment through which we are thinking about how the students will be educated in the future through courses, research and actual experience.”

     

    Added ‘Eskay’, whose brainchild the project has been: “The university will help in reaching out to more and more art lovers and in the future it will also provide a platform for young artists for research and art exhibitions. Not only cartoons but also many books on cartoons are available in this gallery which will be used by the students for further study.”

     

    Senior faculty and a heritage management specialist Dr Priya Gohad is Curator of the museum.

     

  • Mindshare, Wavemaker and MediaCom achieve the Top 3 agency rankings

    GroupM ranked No 1 in net new business in APAC & LATAM

    By Our Staff

     

    GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, has been ranked highly in the 2021 new business report issued by COMvergence, the independent and international research bureau measuring the performance of major global ad and media agencies. The study, which ranks GroupM first in net new business in both Asia Pacific and Latin America, reports $11.5 billion in total wins and retentions by GroupM agencies globally in 2021.

     

    As per a press release issued by GroupM, its wins and retentions in 2021 were the highest in the industry overall and nearly double its total wins and retentions for 2020. Among agency networks, Mindshare, Wavemaker, and MediaCom dominate the top three rankings respectively in Asia Pacific.

     

    Of GroupM’s top three markets, two were in APAC – China with $2.1 billion in growth and India with $1.2 billion – as the group finished first by a wide margin in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Additionally, the U.S. saw $2.3 billion in growth last year, a 37% increase over 2020’s totals.

     

    Said Christian Juhl, GroupM’s Global CEO: “COMvergence’s report speaks to the strength and momentum of our business,” “Our commitment to responsibility is resonating strongly in the global marketplace. We’re growing the fastest where it matters most, with the right partners, in the right markets, with clients that share our vision for making advertising a force for good in the world. I’m grateful to our teams for the hard work they put into making 2021 a record-breaking year for us and to our clients for the faith and trust they put in us to help them achieve their business goals.”

     

    Added Elizabeth McCune, GroupM’s Global Chief Growth Officer: “Last year was the busiest ever for our industry on the new business front,” “In an especially demanding year, GroupM not only demonstrated that we are the most compelling new solution for global brands committed to responsibility and innovation in media and marketing, but we also retained more business from our existing clients than any other group.”

     

  • Without any further ado, let's read what Dr Bhaskar Das says in Das ka Dum dated March 14. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | We see many senior executive movements in marketing and advertising. Would you say it’s business as usual?

    Bhaskar DasWithout any further ado, let’s read what Dr Bhaskar Das says in Das ka Dum dated March 14. Read on…

     

    If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar.

     

    Q. We see many senior executive movements in marketing and advertising. Would you say it’s business as usual?

     

    A. A work-related transfer is often a route to help an employee gain wider and broader experience within the business, apart from an exposure to a multi-market, multi-cultural environment. Besides, a change of  work environment compels employees to adapt and learn to manage change and improve their  ability to deal with ambiguity, if any.

     

    While the above are purported to narrate some meta points about transfers, this has been a long, established practice in a majority of successful organisations. The recency of the transfers that you have referred to seems to have some cognitive bias that favours recent events over historical ones. Net-net, it’s a normal career progression path specially for fast trackers in the corporate sector  (there may be some instances of ‘perceived’  punishment posting of course. But they are more exceptions than rules).

     

  • With brand ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana and his brother Aparshakti

    Pune University opens India’s first museum of cartoon art

    By Our Staff

     

    As a part of its ongoing ‘Property Sahi. Aur Ab Services Sabhi’ brand campaign, Magicbricks has launched two new TVCs featuring brand ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana, reiterating its transformation to an integrated, full-stack platform for all property needs. While the first TVC gave viewers a glimpse of the new range of diverse services offered at Magicbricks, the two new TVCs focus on key pillars of home loan and expert advice services.

     

    Elaborating on the campaign, Devarshy R. Ganguly, Head of Marketing, Magicbricks, said: “The two new TVCs focus on important pillars in the home buying journey- home loans and expert advice & assistance; thus, reinstating our brand purpose that Magicbricks is a one stop solution for all property related needs. Through its succinct messaging, the campaign emphasizes how Magicbricks is committed to addressing customer challenges; thus enabling a hassle-free experience.”

     

    Talking about the campaign, Ankur Suman- Partner & ECD- RK Swamy BBDO, said, “The campaign had to reflect the slice of life situations in a typical Indian family. So, we set the stories in relatable situations, be it with “property experts” in our families or the loveable sibling with annoying quirks. The never seen before casting of Aparshakti Khurrana as Ayushmann’s brother makes the creative all the more credible.”

     

  • The new 'Give Me Red' cult campaign has been created by Rediffusion Kolkata.

    Eveready goes red again in new campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    Eveready Battery has released a new commercial with its signature tagline ‘Give Me Red’. The tagline symbolises both hi- octane energy and exhilaration. The new Give Me Red commercial has been created by Rediffusion Kolkata, led by creative director Aritra Bhattacharya and strategic support by Navonil Chatterjee.

     

    Said Anil Bajaj, Business Head for Battery and Torch Business: “Eveready has always stood for the younger generation breaking traditional moulds of thinking. The latest Eveready commercial is fun. It is a bit of surprise and incredulity. Yet it has so much of endearment and brand proximity. The energy, enthusiasm & drive of the youth to be NOT just Ready, but Eveready for everything is captured in this campaign.”

     

    Added Dr Sandeep Goyal, Managing Director, Rediffusion Brand Solutions: “Give Me Red is a cult campaign. We at Rediffusion are delighted to have remained part of the 30 years journey of the Give Me Red creative thought. The skydiving bride is the new shero. She is spunky. She is the new consumer – expressive and outwardly directed while being immensely self-confident and self-willed.”

     

  • Her last day at work is April 18

    Nandini Dias, the Constant @ Lodestar UM moves on

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    Nandini Dias, CEO of Lodestar UM, has decided to move on. After being the agency’s CEO for nearly a decade, Dias joined the agency a little less than three decades back. Her last day with the IPG Mediabrands agency is April 18.

     

    Said Dias: “I leave Lodestar UM in the hands of a strong, capable, and empowered team that has stayed vested and bonded with me for a long time. In fact, almost all of the top 30 have been with me throughout my tenure as CEO – something that I am particularly proud of. So it was with a heavy heart that I had to break the news to them about my decision to move on. It is rare that one gets the opportunity to hand over the reins after an organisation’s best years, but this year was one of Lodestar UM’s finest. Over a dozen new businesses, over 20 international awards, Campaign’s Agency Of The Year – Silver, RECMA recognized it as the agency with highest Vitality and personally, my being recognised as the Media Agency CEO Leader Of The Year by the International Advertising Association (IAA) and feted by the Governor of Maharashtra. I couldn’t choose a greater milestone year in which to hand over the baton and go out on a high.”

     

    So what next? No decisions yet, she said. “I started out with a fledgling agency and am handing over the Media Agency of the Year as I move on. So I am looking forward to taking a well-earned break for the first time in my life and am excited to see how things will unfurl.”

     

    Added Shashi Sinha, CEO, Mediabrands India:  “Nandini has been my partner, ally, and friend for 27 years. She has led from the front to build Lodestar UM ground up to make it what it is today. A dynamic, vibrant top three agency in the country. Passion is what defines Nandini, whether it is creating business solutions, building strong media properties for her clients or making a difference to our society and communities or just bringing her teams together to celebrate a festival or a win, Nandini did it all with remarkable fervor. At a personal level, I will miss her terribly. But I have always believed that a good leader is defined not by what has been built but by what is left behind. Nandini leaves her indelible mark on Lodestar UM in the solid and hugely capable leadership team that she has nurtured and I can say with all confidence that they will only continue to build on her legacy.”

     

    Over the years, Dias has been recognised with numerous honours by several bodies – starting with being the Media Planner of the Year in 1998 to going on to be the Media CEO of the Year on various platforms in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021. In 2018, she piloted a pan-industry citizens’ initiative – WorkToLiveToWork – that pushed a radical solution to save commuter lives on their way to work, for which she was awarded the prestigious ‘Gamechanger Of The Year’ award. She’s won over 100 awards at Asia-Pacific Spikes, Festival Of Media Global and APAC, Creative Media Award, several Cannes Lions and many, many local awards.

     

  • We couldn't not check if our Wizard with Words gets suitably provoked with his answer to our question today. Ha ha. Some day, we hope he will. Until then, here's Dr Bhaskar Das says in Das ka Dum dated March 15. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | It’s the day when you hear (some) people say: Beware the Ides of March. Anything that we should be careful about in A&M?

    Bhaskar DasBeware the Ides of March! We couldn’t not check if our Wizard with Words gets suitably provoked with his answer. Ha ha. Some day, we hope he will. Until then, here’s Dr Bhaskar Das says in Das ka Dum dated March 15. Read on…

     

    If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar.

     

    Q. It’s the day when you hear (some) people say: Beware the Ides of March. Anything that we should be careful about in advertising and media?

     

    A. Yes, on March 15, Julius Caesar was warned about the Ides of March and it proved to be true in his case when he was murdered. I have no idea why the day has become inauspicious. But the rest of us don’t need to worry, unless all of  are surrounded by the likes of Brutus, perhaps.

     

    Having said that, are we not been careful at individual and collective levels against many adverserial forces in life in general, whether in our personal lives or at the workplace? Besides, there are pandemics, pollution, threat of war etc that are affecting humanity at large. And they are neither confined to March 15, nor during the month of March. We have to be proactively alert about the future as it is getting increasingly uneven.

     

  • To oversee planning and delivering website development and social media

    Digital Refresh Networks bags Mukharochak Snacks mandate

    By Our Staff

     

    Digital Refresh Networks, the creative and digital marketing solutions company, has won the digital mandate for Mukharochak Snacks. The tasks taken by the Digital Refresh Networks team are website development, social media, and Google ads.

     

    Speaking about the association, Barin Mukherjee, Co-Founder, CEO, Digital Refresh Networks said:  “Mukharochak has been a part of Bengal’s legacy for decades now. Not only that, but it has also been an integral part of our childhoods. Which is why it fills us with joy more to enhance their digital presence across content community and commerce. The partnership is almost personal. We are truly honored to bag this mandate and look forward to a long-term partnership with them.”