MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • Get together for The Good Report Ranking to promote sustainability

    Warc & Act Responsible collaborate for best campaigns

    By Our Staff

     

    Warc, the global marketing insights company, and publisher of the Warc Rankings and Act Responsible, the international non-profit association and largest source of the world’s best ads for social and environmental issues, have collaborated for The Good Report, a ranking of the world’s best use of creative communications to promote sustainability and social responsibility to raise awareness of major social and environmental issues.

     

    The Good Report is compiled by ACT Responsible, the international non-profit association and largest source of the world’s best ads for social and environmental issues, in collaboration with WARC, the global marketing insights company, and publisher of the WARC Rankings.

     

    A total of 1,259 campaigns produced by 796 agencies for 1,000 advertisers (non-profit, public sector, and commercial brands) across 80 markets were evaluated for this latest Good Report.

     

    Of the top 40 campaigns featured in The Good Report 2021, 21 are for non-profits, 15 for commercial brands (including two produced in collaboration with non-profits) and four for public sectors. A total of 45 agencies (34 are from networks and 11 are independent agencies) across 21 markets are represented.

     

    The top 25 agencies are made up of four independent and 21 networked agencies covering a total of 16 markets. Of the top 20 networks, three are independent and 17 are owned by holding companies. The top ten brands include six non-profits and four for-profit.

     

    The Good Report 2021 top ranked campaigns and companies promoting good are:

     

    Campaigns

    #1 Boards of Change, FCB Chicago/FCBX Chicago, City of Chicago

    #2 The Hiring Chain, Small New York, CoorDown

    #3 Water Light, Wunderman Thompson Bogotá, E-Dina Energy

    #4 True Name, McCann New York, Mastercard

    #5 Made to Make a Difference, Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne, The Royal Australian Mint

     

    Agencies

    #1 Publicis Conseil, Paris

    #2 FCB Chicago

    #3 FCB Ulka Mumbai

    #4 Wunderman Thompson, Bogotá

    #5 Small, New York

     

    Networks

    #1 FCB

    #2 McCann Worldgroup

    #3 TBWA\Worldwide

    #4 Havas Group

    #5 Publicis Worldwide

     

    Advertisers

    #1 WWF

    #2 City of Chicago

    #3 CoorDown

    #4 E-Dina Energy

    #5 Mastercard

     

    Countries

    #1 United States

    #2 France

    #3 Brazil

    #4 United Kingdom

    #5 Australia

     

    Said Hervé de Clerck, ACT Responsible Dream Leader: “With the Good Report, ACT Responsible continues its mission of promoting, inspiring and uniting the communications industry for the greater Good. We truly believe advertising has a major role in educating and promoting good to help make the world a better place and we are proud to celebrate this work every year. Producing The Good Report with the collaboration of the WARC Rankings team is a great privilege.”

     

    Added David Tiltman, SVP Content, WARC: “Creativity as a force for positive change has never been more important. WARC is delighted to collaborate with Act Responsible to continue shining a light on the agencies, brands and NGOs that are creating breakthrough ideas that not only matter to society but can change behaviour.”

     

  • The question is self-explanatory, the answer is as expected. But with the necessary spin that only Dr Bhaskar Das can give. Here's the April 7 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | It’s World Health Day today. Given the Covid-19 pandemic, do you see health being the dominant sector in the next five years? For our A&M industry included?

    Bhaskar DasThe question is self-explanatory, the answer is as expected. But with the necessary spin that only Dr Bhaskar Das can give. Here’s the April 7 edition of Das ka Dum. 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 World Health Day today. Would you say that given the Covid-19 pandemic health is going to be the dominant sector in the next five years? For our A&M industry included?

     

    A. Absolutely. There is no choice. This is not the last time that we are witnessing a deadly virus. So, both at consumer vigil end and at the healthcare facilities end, we shall notice significant behavioural shift and impactful investment in the sector.

     

  • The campaign will span across AstaGuru's digital channels

    AstaGuru launches month-long digital campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    AstaGuru, the online auction house, has launched a month0long digital campaign the ‘Month of Masters’ as a tribute to Indian modernists.  The campaign aims to create greater awareness and appreciation for modern Indian art. The campaign will span across AstaGuru’s digital channels like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and  Linkedin.

     

    Commenting on the campaign Sunny Chandiramani, VP -Client Relations, AstaGuru Auction House said: “Celebrating the Month of Masters, AstaGuru also celebrates its own spirit.Since its inception, AstaGuru has consistently engaged with works by great modernists. Offering such rare and historic artworks to our collectors also enabled us to understand the trajectory of artists’ vision very closely. In many ways, celebrating the Month of Masters is also reflecting on all that we have witnessed, learnt, and explored.”

     

    Added Sneha Karki Gautam, also VP – Client Relations at AstaGuru: “A visual journey into the beauty of Modern Indian Art is an extremely enriching experience. What makes celebrating the Month of Masters even more special is that April is the birth month of several revered modernists like Somnath Hore, K H Ara, F N Souza and Akbar Padamsee. It also commemorates the birthday of two Navratnas of Indian art, i.e, Raja Ravi Varma and Jamini Roy. Moreover, April 15 is also celebrated as World Art Day which also calls for a celebration.”

     

  • The Free Press Journal launches Konkan digital edition after signing MoU

    FPJ & Goa’s Fomento Media to share content

    By Our Staff

     

    The Free Press Journal (FPJ) and its sister publication Navshaki  have formally entered into a news content sharing pact with Fomento Media. The latter publishes the relatively new English daily newspaper, The Goan and the Marathi daily Goanvartha. The MoU was signed and a Free Press Journal Konkan digital edition was launched in the presence of the Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant at Dona Paula in Goa.

     

    Said Ashok Karnani, Director of Free Press Journal group of newspapers: “This is the right time to join hands with other newspapers for content sharing rather than having multiple editions taking into consideration the steep increase in the cost of the newsprint and also the Epaper culture that appeals immensely to the present generation in the age group of 18-30 years.”

     

    Added Joe Louis, Director (Media) of Fomento: “It is the beginning of a great partnership between two well-known Media Houses which will ensure better quality content to be shared between the two and will give them a much larger reach and readership and thus reach out to audiences across the globe.

     

  • To spearhead strategic thinking for the agency

    Carat appoints Sayami Podder as AVP – Strategy

    By Our Staff

     

    Carat, the media agency from the house of Dentsu, has appointed Sayami Podder as Associate Vice President (AVP) – Strategy. In her new role, Podderwill be spearheading strategic thinking for the agency. She will also offer insights to the existing agency clients across the West and South regions. She will report to Anita Kotwani, CEO, Carat India.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Kotwani said: “Talent today is the key differentiator that clients look for. Our core focus is to always ensure that we have the best talent that comes on board and joins the Carat family. Sayami’s diverse expertise across data & analytics, research, communication planning and media strategy, is certainly something that will drive growth for the clients. We see her as the ideal team player to lead Carat’s vision of ‘Designing for People’ in the West & South markets.”

     

    Added Podder: “The consumer journey is no more linear, and the media ecosystem is constantly evolving to accommodate our new age audience. Carat is already known for its strategic thinking and integrated approach. With my expertise in data science and creative thinking, I am looking forward to building an insight-led strategy that will generate incremental and sustainable growth for our clients. I am delighted to begin this new journey under Anita’s dynamic leadership and contribute to Carat’s growth story for India.”

     

  • Will be responsible for expanding growth metrics for Mindshare

    Mindshare elevates Ruchi Mathur to CGO

    By Our Staff

     

    Mindshare India has announced the elevation of Ruchi Mathur to Chief Growth Officer. Mathur, who was previously Head – Client Leadership, Mindshare North & East, will now be responsible for expanding growth metrics for Mindshare through new business development and unlocking growth opportunities within existing businesses. Along with Mindshare, she will closely work with the GroupM leadership to scale in partnerships, and capability offering and drive Mindshare’s good growth agenda.

     

    Said Amin Lakhani, CEO – Mindshare South Asia: “Ruchi is a passionate leader and has a proven record of driving excellent business results within the Mindshare group, in the North and East especially. She is instrumental in boosting operational efficiency for helping our clients achieve their objectives. With more than two decades of media expertise, Ruchi brings in a unique set of perspectives and skills that will help hone our strategic direction and grow our organization. I am looking forward to her continued contribution within the system and am confident that with her expertise, we will continue leading towards client delight.”

     

  • Will be responsible for social media marketing and website planning

    Yellophant Digital wins Oxemberg mandate

    By Our Staff

     

    Yellophant Digital marketing agency has won the digital mandate for Oxemberg, a men’s fashion clothing brand from the Siyaram group. The agency will be responsible for social media marketing and website planning as part of its digital duties.

     

    Said Prashant Awasthi, Marketing Head – Siyaram Silk Mills Ltd: “I’m looking forward to working with the Yellophant team. We were most impressed by the vision they had for our brand. They are masters of their craft and know how to make brands stand out from the rest. We are thrilled to kickstart the project and our entire team is looking forward to a successful collaboration with Yellophant Digital.”

     

    Added Preksha Seth, Co-Founder, Yellophant Digital: “We’re glad to have a clothing brand as big as Oxemberg onboard. Coming from the Siyaram group of family, our team is more than pumped to get started and work with the Oxemberg team. The enthusiastic response from the entire Oxemberg team during our pitch gave me an insight that this partnership will bear fruit in the coming months, and we are excited to put our strategy into action and create something exciting across all platforms.”

     

  • Will CODA winning the Oscar change our perception towards deaf inclusion, asks Shruti Pushkarna

    Representation matters. Inclusion matters. Disabled lives matter.

    The Oscar audience applauding Best Supporting Actor Troy Kotsur in sign language. Picture: Screengrab from the Oscar award ceremony – Access/ABC

     

     

    By Shruti Pushkarna

     

    Shruti PushkarnaCODA (Child of Deaf Adults) was named the ‘Best Picture’ at the 94th Academy Awards presented in Los Angeles on March 27, 2022. Equal rights and disability inclusion advocates across the world, reveled at this historic win.

     

    Personally, I felt vindicated. As someone who firmly believes in integrating persons with disabilities into the mainstream, I have consistently decried stereotyping, misconstrued portrayals and minimal visibility of the subject and the community in the media.

     

    We have seen several Hollywood and Bollywood productions in the past, focused on the subject of disability and social issues around it. What makes CODA worthy of such an esteemed accolade?

     

    Unlike its predecessors, the disabled characters in this gripping family drama are played by deaf actors. The central character of the movie is seventeen-year-old Ruby Rossi who is the sole hearing member of a deaf family. She is torn between her desire to pursue her passion of singing and helping her parents and brother with their fishing business. After years of playing the interpreter and the link to the ‘speaking’ world, she finds it hard to prioritise her dreams.

     

    The film has several scenes which bring out the unique identity of each family member, through the interactions between parents, children, siblings and the external environment. In an emotional exchange following her choir recital, Ruby’s father feels her vocal cords as she sings exclusively for him, so he can ‘experience’ what others can ‘hear’.

     

    Soon after the official announcement, social media platforms were full of admiration for the cast and their outstanding performances. Troy Kotsur became the first deaf male actor to win an Oscar (Best Supporting Actor) for his role of Frank Rossi (Ruby’s father) in the film. Sign language memes and GIFs populated timelines with ensuing threads on accepting differences, accommodating diverse groups and adopting new ways of communication to stop the ‘othering’.

     

    There was also a flurry of coverage in the Indian media, especially news items showcasing awe-inspiring stories of successful hearing and speech impaired people. Journalists and critics compared the American production to some of the Indian films that have tackled similar themes. One piece deemed CODA as the ‘spiritual successor’ of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Khamoshi that released in 1996. It’s true that both the movies revolve around a young girl torn between responsibilities towards her deaf family and personal aspirations to pursue music. Yet, the depiction, characterisation and messaging vary in more ways than one.

     

    Following the coverage on cinematic representations of deafness and disability, I also recalled the 1972 Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri starrer, Koshish. It’s the story of a deaf-mute couple and their everyday struggles, including the challenges of raising a son. Unlike the Oscar winner, there is little use of sign language on screen and the hearing child ends up giving in to his parent’s desire.

     

    None of the Bollywood productions have been brave or open enough to cast disabled actors for an authentic performance. In a way, we have only witnessed an ableist act projected on the big screen. Films like Black, Margarita with a Straw, Paa, Guzaarish et cetera attempted to address the social stigma around different types of disabilities but somehow, ended up propagating a misconceived idea. Exaggerated fictional accounts and over-dramatisation reinforced stereotypes in the minds of audiences.

     

    The same is true for some Hollywood portrayals. Disability advocates have criticized the shallow understanding of issues and incorrect depictions in films like Rain Man, The Theory of Everything, My Left Foot and so on.

     

    Does the prerequisite to entertain supersede the need to educate and sensitize? Does dressing up the reality make it more palatable and less alienating?

     

    More than the credible rendition, what truly sets CODA apart for me, is a critical shift in the approach towards inclusion. Through the movie and ultimately through Ruby’s choice of going off to Berklee College of Music, the onus to include no longer lies only with the deaf. The surrounding able-bodied fishing community takes cues from the Rossi family and finds ways of interacting, socialising and transacting in mutually beneficial ways.

     

     

    Shruti Pushkarna is a former journalist who now works as a programmes and media specialist for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Shruti was part of the founding team of MxMIndia and now writes for MxMIndia every other Thursday. Her views here are personal. She can be reached via Twitter at @shrutipushkarna

     

     

  • The sad truth is that our collective silence over the past eight years has killed journalism, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: Silence will kill journalism!

    Ranjona BanerjiBy Ranjona Banerji

     

    A group of journalists met at the Delhi Press Club, or the Press Club of India that is, to say this: “silence will kill journalism, we must speak up”.

    The immediate trigger is the attack on journalists by a mob who were part of an audience at a ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat Sabha’ in Delhi, as well as the arrest of journalists who covered the leak of a Class 12 English exam paper in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.

    They might as well have added the journalists in Madhya Pradesh who were forced to strip down to their underwear by the police after they protested the arrest of a filmmaker.

    Silence will kill journalism.

    It’s an intriguing thought process here in the India of 2022.

    How much journalism do we see around us and how much is straightforward propaganda for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its policies of hatred?

    This “Mahapanchayat” was organised by various offshoots and cohorts of the RSS and speakers are well-known for their “hate speeches” against Muslims. Which is why they were invited to speak. Most of the journalists attacked by the mobs were Muslim. These journalists were arrested by the Delhi police.

    https://thewire.in/media/watch-how-the-attack-on-journalists-at-the-hindu-mahapanchayat-in-burari-unfolded

    Subsequently, the “hate speech” makers, long-time offenders, were also arrested:

    https://www.siasat.com/narsinghanand-chauhanke-booked-for-hate-speeches-at-hindu-mahapanchayat-2302251/

     

    Journalists who reported on the exam paper leak were also arrested.

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ballia-police-nabbed-scribes-to-hide-failure/articleshow/90716540.cms

     

    And these are the journalists who were arrested and forced to strip:

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-protesters-including-journalist-forced-to-strip-down-to-undergarments-inside-lock-up-photos-go-viral/articleshow/90713142.cms?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIDes

     

    That’s Delhi, UP and Madhya Pradesh.

    A Hindu priest in Lucknow is on video calling for people to rape Muslim women. Police are “investigating” the matter. Lucknow is in UP.

    https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-camera-hatemongers-rape-threat-to-muslim-women-in-up-amid-cheers-2869943

    There is another viral video of a “reporter” from Sudarshan News, a BJP propaganda channel whose owner Suresh Chavankhe is one of the “hate speech” makers at the Hindu Mahapanchayat, haranguing a shop manager at a Noida branch of Haldiram’s, the snacks manufacturer, over the use of Arabic, misunderstood as Urdu, on their packaging. Noida is in UP.

     

    https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/04/06/how-to-deal-with-sudarshan-news-reporters-learn-from-haldirams-store-manager

     

    Two things are clear from these incidents. The first the consistent and constant assault on Muslims by people connected to the RSS-BJP and the other is attacks on journalists who try to expose any official wrongdoing, by the public and the police.

    Nothing is new here.

    What is new is a large bunch of journalists acknowledging that “our silence will kill journalism” and that “we must speak up”.

    Because what we have also seen right now is official assaults on two prominent journalists who are known to speak up against Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP. Both Rana Ayyub and Aakar Patel were stopped from leaving India. Both had been invited to speak on the state of India. Both had to go to court. And luckily both these times, the Indian judiciary stood up for the law. It’s not easy to speak up and it takes a lot of courage to stand up to tyranny.

    https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-high-court-junks-circular-that-grounded-rana-ayyub/cid/1859139

    https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/court-directs-cbi-to-withdraw-look-out-circular-against-former-amnesty-india-chief-aakar-patel/article65300345.ece

    As someone who has tracked the death of journalism in India for a few years now, I want to laugh and cry.

    Laugh because the tense used in the Press Club of India statement is so very wrong. There is no “will” for the kill. Death blows have been struck, most from within our own community and we are in our last throes.

    And cry because it has taken so long for a few people to make a public announcement.

    https://www.newsclick.in/Our-Silence-will-Kill-Journalism-We-Must-Speak-up-say-senior-journalists-Burari-attack

    I am now waiting for the usual bunch of brainless suspects to make various historical connections to earlier attacks on journalism in order to ameliorate the situation for the BJP and Hindutva forces. Nehru, Indira Gandhi and so on will be blamed, the BJP will claim precedent and today’s attacks will be justified because political parties now in opposition did similar things in the past.

    I am also wary of how long this epiphany will last. The bulk of the India media is either in cahoots with the Hindutva project or is under the thumb of the RSS-BJP. Islamophobia is rampant across TV channels. The Indian police, which breaks its own laws at the best of times, is now even more hellbent in choosing political patronage over India’s laws. And the mobs have been emboldened to attack because they know they will be saved.

    The sad truth is that our collective silence over the past eight years has killed journalism. Some sad remnants remain, tatters flying in the wind, ready to be assaulted by mobs and stripped by the police. Propaganda channels masquerading as journalists harangue people and corporates who do not toe the Hindutva line.

    But speak. Please join the few of us who have always spoken and speak. If we’re all loud enough, maybe someone will hear?

    Now I’m laughing. And crying.

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.

     

  • The TVC campaign is conceptualised and created jointly with Creativeland Asia

    Godrej Appliances ad stars Ayushmann Khurrana

     

     

    Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, has announced that Godrej Appliances has launched its new television campaign featuring actor Ayushmann Khurrana, to showcase its air conditioning expertise.

     

    Commenting on the latest campaign, Swati Rathi, Head – Marketing, Godrej Appliances said: “Godrej has invested heavily in state of art manufacturing of Air Conditioners and the new portfolio has a lot to offer. The versatile offerings needed focused storytelling and the multi edit campaign brings alive the brand philosophy of Soch Ke Banaya Hai or Things Made Thoughtfully in an engaging manner with Ayushmann Khurrana playing the protagonist.”

     

    The TVC campaign conceptualized and created jointly with Creativeland Asia is being aired on TV and digital platforms across India capitalizing on the IPL eyeballs and beyond as well. Adding some thoughts, Anu Joseph, Chief Creative Officer, Creativeland Asia said, “Air-conditioners are great to have. But, sometimes they come with their own set of problems. Godrej ACs have a solution for each one of them. The idea was to make short, quirky and highly impactful ads that highlighted the problem and showcased the solution that Godrej ACs have for you.”

     

  • The film is to promote a portfolio of four new limited-release beers

    Bira launches new brand film

    By Our Staff

     

    Bira 91, the premium beer company, has launched ‘Imagined in India’, a portfolio of four new limited-release beers, with a new brand film.

     

    Commenting on the launch,  Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91 said: “For this generation of consumers, beer means flavor, and we deliver on that promise. ‘Imagined in India’ is an attempt to bring together the many flavors of India and its creative energy fueled by emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and startups. Each beer is brewed with unusual ingredients – local and seasonal – which makes them unique and bursting with flavor. Experimental. Creative. Flavorful. Limited – each of these flavors – Bollywood IPA, Kokum Sour, Brown Ale, and Mango Lassi is sure to elevate the beer experience of Indian consumers.”

     

    Sharing the idea behind designing the packaging of Bollywood IPA, artist Ranganath Krishnamani said, “Conceptualising the packaging of a flavor so bold and dynamic, that it takes you to the heart of Mumbai, where all things Bollywood originated, was truly exhilarating. Incorporating the charming art deco cinemas in Colaba, the iconic ‘kaali-peeli’ cabs, and the vintage colour scheme was the perfect way to capture Bollywood on a can.”

     

  • Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kapoor reminisce about their journeys on BEST buses, promote digital bus travel

    BEST Launches Pudhe Chala campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking – best known for its BEST buses and electricity supply services to South Mumbai, has launched two brand films under the Pudhe Chala campaign. Made by filmmaker Abhinay Deo, the films star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actor Anil Kapoor reminiscing their BEST bus journeys from their younger days.

     

    Notes a communique: “Just like for all Mumbaikars, BEST buses played an important role in Mr. Tendulkar’s and Mr. Kapoor’s lives. In the films, we see them re-living these experiences. Mr. Tendulkar recalls how he used to take a bus early morning to reach Shivaji Park for cricket practice on time; and Mr. Kapoor reveals that he took buses from his then Chembur home to studios and auditions across Mumbai. Both stars generously volunteered details of their real life bus experiences, which were crafted into the script. Both end the films by saying that BEST helped them move ahead in life and achieve their dreams, and highlight that now BEST itself is moving ahead with its new digital travel services.”