MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • Ah, well, it may not be a good thing to say that the execs of one industry segment are joyous at the expense of the other, but the unfortunate fact of the matter is that the streaming sultans have been causing sleeping nights to the legacy television majors. So we asked Dr Bhaskar Das this question for the April 25 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | CNN+ is shuttering, Netflix has reported a dramatic fall in subscribers. Do we see the linear television bosses laughing?

    Bhaskar DasAh, well, it may not be a good thing to say that the execs of one industry segment are joyous at the expense of the other, but the unfortunate fact of the matter is that the streaming sultans have been causing sleeping nights to the legacy television majors. So we asked Dr Bhaskar Das this question for the April 25 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. CNN+ is shuttering, Netflix has reported a dramatic fall in subscribers. Do we see the linear television bosses laughing?

     

    A. The shutter down decision of CNN’s streaming service within months of its launch might be a result of multiple factors (my guess):

    a. the priorities of the new merged entity (with Discovery being the new custodian) might be different from the old entity,

    b. there might be a preference for a hybrid model of monetisation that includes both subscription and advertising. Over-dependence on one over the other might stymie the flexibility to balance the demand and supply side of the business,

    c. the objective may be not to fritter away finite resources on different initiatives. Doing things differently might make more sense.

     

    These are my guesses as an outsider. They don’t purport to predict the logic of the same with precision.

     

    Today’s business environment, dominated as it is by VUCA, does not give anyone the option of laughing at the cost of the other. In a Darwinian environment of survival of the fittest, it is prudent to mind one’s own business, literally and metaphorically.

     

  • Necessary for every journalist to maintain fairness, neutrality and balance

    Editors Guild urges restrain while reporting communal unrest

    By Our Staff

     

    The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has urged editors and journalists to exercise utmost restraint, and observe the highest professional standards, in reporting communal disturbances that have erupted in various parts of the country.

     

    The statement said:

    “While EGI is cognizant of the hazards faced by on-ground reporters in riot-like situations, it is dismayed to note that due diligence has been wanting in the evaluation and presentation of reports of the clashes between communities. This is especially evident in electronic, digital and social media.

     

    “In the understandable desire to be first with the news, and to catch the eye of news consumers, many editors and reporters appear to be rushing to conclusions, and assigning responsibility to one or the other community, without a full appreciation of the facts, context and calculations at work. This could have lasting implications.

     

    “As the long arc of communal violence in the country shows, most incidents are rarely what they seem to be on the surface. The patronage of politicians, police, officials and non-state actors is well documented. It is, therefore, incumbent for editors to bring their experience and perspective to the newsroom in these surcharged times.

     

    “EGI believes it is necessary for every journalist to make the extra effort to maintain fairness, neutrality and balance, and not allow themselves to become pawns in the larger game of polarisation. Journalism has many noble objectives as well as professional obligations. Helping preserve social peace and communal harmony—by not fuelling rumours; by not being partisan; by not setting citizen against citizen—is one such worthy professional obligation.”

     

  • To drive creative integration and content creation

    Wondrlab appoints Sameet Ali Soni as Content Lead

    By Our Staff

     

    Rahul Mahahjan & Sameet Ali Soni
    Rahul Mahahjan & Sameet Ali Soni

    Wondrlab has appointed Sameet Ali Soni as Content Lead. He joins from Wunderman Thompson Bengaluru where he was AVP and Senior Creative Director. Soni is tasked with leading creative integration and content creation on a large set of key accounts. At Wondrlabm Soni will report to Amit Akali, Co-founder and CCO, Wondrlab and What’s Your Problem, while partnering Rahul Mahajan who was recently promoted to Creative Lead.

     

    Said Akali: “We’ve done away with the 13/14 designations that other agencies have. Our senior-most creative positions are our ‘Content Leads’ and ‘Content Directors. Sameet is someone I’ve worked with at the beginning of his career. Even then, he was a special talent creating the iconic Bingo Mad Angles ‘Board Room’ film. While he brings many more skills with him now, he brings the same love for advertising. The last year (our first at Wondrlab) has been amazing with us winning some of the biggest and most exciting brands. That are looking for the platform first, new-age, truly integrated work. The coming days are full of opportunities and I am sure someone senior and experienced like Sameet and Rahul will help us make the most of it.”

     

  • To focus on expansion across key business verticals

    Chimp&z Inc elevates Ashish Duggal as COO

    By Our Staff

     

    Ashish Duggal
    Ashish Duggal

    Chimp&z Inc, tge digital marketing agency, has elevated Ashish Duggal, erstwhile Vice President – Growth & Operations to the role of Chief Operating Officer of the company effective from April 2022. In his new role, Duggal will focus on accelerating the agency’s expansion across key business verticals by adding new revenue streams and will continue to report to the group founders – Angad Singh Manchanda and Lavinn Rajpal.

     

    Lavinn Rajpal & Angad Singh Manchanda
    Lavinn Rajpal & Angad Singh Manchanda

    On the elevation, Manchanda and Rajpal said: “Ashish is a thinker with an acute understanding of our clients’ evolving requirements. He has a track record of harnessing creativity in all its forms to deliver rapid growth and results.  His knowledge and erudition about the ever-changing digital market always came to fruition for the agency. We wish him the best for his new role and hope that he continues to deliver strategic solutions that will uplift Chimp&z Inc.’s success metrics.”

     

  • To focus on new business development across the Southern market

    Carat India appoints Megha Jain as VP – Planning, South

    By Our Staff

     

    Megha Jain
    Megha Jain

    Carat India has appointed Megha Jain as Vice President – Planning, South. She will report into Anita Kotwani, CEO, Carat India.

     

    As per the mandate, Jain will focus on new business development and growth for Carat across the Southern market including Bengaluru and Kochi, while overseeing the agency’s existing clients.

     

    Anita Kotwani
    Anita Kotwani

    Commenting on the appointment, Kotwani said: “The game plan for Carat India is to bring in leaders with integrated skill set that can enhance client relationships. Megha’s focus will be to drive strategic stewardship with our key clients in Bengaluru and other Southern markets. She will also be instrumental in helping us drive growth for the Southern market. Enriched with experience to work with top brands, she will add huge value to our global and local clients. I am thrilled that Megha will be part of the talented team and I believe she will be an asset to the organisation.”

     

  • The channel will adopt metaverse technology for the show's promotions

    Colors designs digital campaign for ‘Dance Deewane Juniors’

    By Our Staff

     

    Hindi GEC Colors has developed a digital and marketing campaign for its new kids’ dance reality show – Dance Deewane Juniors.

     

    Speaking about the campaign, Sapangeet Rajwant, Head of Marketing and Digital, Hindi Mass Entertainment, Viacom 18 said: “The marketing space has seen a dynamic and unprecedented shift in the recent past with ‘digital- first’ becoming the new mantra.  The advancement in technology has enabled brands to connect and communicate with our viewers across the country in real-time thus enhancing their reach manifolds. At Colors, we have always been at the forefront of innovating and tapping into newer avenues to put across our message and with Dance Deewane Juniors, we intended to design to build an immersive ecosystem in both online and offline mediums. Along with several other innovations, we have for the first time set foot in the metaverse arena by creating various virtual and experience-led touchpoints. We have mounted our campaign to bring alive the joy and excitement amongst the audience.”

     

  • It wasn't our intent to question the originality credentials of our creative fraternity. So let's hear it from Dr Bhaskar Das in the April 26 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | Isn’t it ironic that on World Intellectual Rights Day, copyright is still considered as the right to copy?

    Bhaskar DasIt wasn’t our intent to question the originality credentials of our creative fraternity. So let’s hear it from Dr Bhaskar Das in the April 26 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. Isn’t it ironic that on World Intellectual Rights Day, copyright is still considered as the right to copy?

     

    A. Ha ha. I liked your play with words on copyright. But I feel you have tried to paint the whole creative industry with the brush because of a few alleged black sheep, here and there. We should not lose faith in the creative capabilities of the industry.

     

  • Kamath will work on strategic initiatives for Publicis Groupe

    Subhash Kamath moves to advisory role. Dheeraj Sinha will also be Chairman of BBH, Russell Barrett is CEO & CCO

    By Our Staff

     

    Publicis Groupe India announced that it has appointed Dheeraj Sinha as the Chairman of BBH India in addition to his existing mandate as CEO & CSO, Leo Burnett, South Asia. Partnering Sinha will be Russell Barrett, as CEO & Chief Creative officer, BBH India. Subhash Kamath moves into an advisory role for the group on other strategic initiatives.

     

    Said Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asia: “I would like to thank Subhash for his leadership and contributions on BBH. Today BBH India is synonymous with truly world-class advertising. With Russell as CEO and CCO of BBH India and Dheeraj taking additional charge as Chairman, BBH India, we will further accelerate the agency’s spectrum of capabilities and creative product to deliver unmatched value to clients. Dheeraj comes with an impeccable track-record on growth, and this is also a testament of the strong leadership talent we have”

     

    Added Kamath: “It’s been a fantastic journey of 13 years, having founded this agency from scratch in India. It’s an agency built on a very strong people’s culture with creative excellence & strategic thinking at its very core. But I’ve been doing this for a very long time and as I enter the twilight of my 35-year career in advertising, I believe it’s time to hand over the baton to the next generation of leadership as I transition into an advisory role for Publicis Groupe. I’ve known Dheeraj for many years, and I know his passion for strategy & creativity. Along with Russell and Sanjay and many of the talented ‘black sheep’ in the organisation, I know I’ll be leaving BBH in very safe hands.”

     

    Said Sinha: “BBH is a dream brand amongst creative agencies. The brand has always believed in great work powered by sharp thinking. I have been a great admirer of its philosophy and the work that BBH has done globally. I am very excited with this opportunity. We have some great work, clients, and teams at BBH. Our goal will be to be one of the topmost agencies in the BBH network globally, creating work for our clients that brings them growth and glory.”

     

    Added Barrett: “BBH is an amazing brand, and this is an exciting new chapter in the exceptional story that has been scripted so far. I’ve enjoyed an enriching partnership with Subhash, Sanjay and Arvind, as we’ve done some proper black sheep work together. I now look forward to partnering with Dheeraj, who I’ve worked with before, and I can say from experience, that he brings a lot of energy and dynamism to every interaction and piece of work he touches.”

     

  • Aims to spread the message of living a good life among digital modern consumers

    Times Prime unveils campaign with Mithila Palkar

    By Our Staff

     

    Times Prime, the lifestyle membership programme from The Times of India group, has partnered with actor Mithila Palkar of Little Things and Karwaan fame for its More Every Moment Campaign. The campaign aims to spread the message of living a good life among India’s digital native modern consumers.

     

    Announcing the launch, Harshita Singh, Business Head at Times Prime said: “Times Prime is disrupting the digital subscription market with its innovative offerings. The new campaign created with Wondrlab and Mithila Palkar will resonate with users and connect them with the brand and its promise. Mithila is the perfect fit for Times Prime’s appeal. Our digital native young user base and potential subscribers can relate to her persona and the characters that she has played across web series, mainstream films, and TVCs. This association lends well not just to our brand but also to our More Every Moment campaign.”

     

  • It demonstrates one more low in a long list of lows that Indian journalism now aspires to, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Thrilled by the pain of others!

     

     

     

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiThis is Navika Kumar of Times Now on Twitter on April 20, 2022. She has some fancy designation which is an insult to anyone else who has ever held that designation or aspires to it.

     

    “Dramatic increase in demand for bulldozers. Are we increasing domestic capacity for manufacturing or will we have to depend on imports?? #JustAsking JJ”

     

    The context: Properties in the national capital were destroyed by the municipal authorities. This was presented as part of what is called a “demolition drive” in the Indian media where encroachments and illegal buildings are brought down. However, this “drive” which has filled this Times Now “editor” with such glee, followed a complaint made by a BJP leader which was part of a new pattern in India. Create a communal situation and then accuse only Muslims of riots (started by Hindus) and then use demolition equipment – bulldozers, earthmovers – to destroy their homes and livelihoods.

     

    The “drive” that Kumar enjoyed so much was stopped by the Supreme Court but officials of the BJP-run New Delhi Municipal Corporation continued with it as long as they could, in blatant contravention of an order from India’s apex court.

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-stays-demolition-drive-in-jahangirpuri-for-two-weeks/articleshow/90973632.cms

     

    The seriousness of the situation – part of the total breakdown of communal relations, of law and order, of Constitutional democracy being carried out the by the BJP-RSS in India – was better presented, obviously, in The Hindu and The Wire than in Navika Kumar’s sister publication The Times of India.

    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/dangerous-deceptions-the-hindu-editorial-on-jahangirpuri-demolition-drive/article65342304.ece

    https://thewire.in/government/jahangirpuri-demolitions-not-legitimate-anti-encroachment

     

    What is Navika Kumar made of? If she ever was a journalist, then the facts of the case have not made it to her tweet. Nor has the basic tenet of questioning all official actions been fulfilled. And on the basis of humanity, of compassion? To have such joy in the prospect of people losing their lives and livelihoods?

     

    Sadly, she is not the only one. Big names in the Hindi TV anchor world – Amish Devgan of News18 and Anjana Om Kashyap of AajTak – were equally thrilled at the devastation caused to the poor. Kashyap even jumped onto a bulldozer to get the experience of destruction first hand. Embedded “journalism” if you like.

     

    There is a lot of anger amongst journalists over what The Times of India or the Bennett Coleman group has become. A bit like the way India’s public intellectuals continue to rail against the Congress party while applauding the fascist control of the BJP. The truth is that TOI has long been all things to all people. Under Girilal Jain, it was definitely leaning towards the Hindu right. It is an establishment paper, and for a while it was even run by the government because of ownership litigation.

     

    However, having worked for TOI during one of India’s worst moments – the Gujarat riots of 2002 – I can emphatically state that in spite of all the pressure put on the newspaper by Narendra Modi, by Arun Jaitley and our own marketing department, the editors and owners supported our endeavours to report and comment on the terrible violence unleased on Muslims by RSS subsidiaries with the support of the state government. There are excellent, hardworking journalists within the group. But their voices are being muffled day by day.

     

    And we now reach this moment where a senior editorial person does not just support the government but is thrilled by the pain of others. There has been no action against her yet so one can only assume her bosses share her excitement at the suffering of India’s poor.

     

    The excuse made by the Jains about the “federal” nature of Bennett Coleman’s various media arms cannot hold under such circumstances. That is just shucking responsibility by pretending that you’re being tolerant and inclusive. Kumar was once made to apologise for abusing Rahul Gandhi on her TV show.

     

    Frankly, this tweet is much, much worse. It demonstrates one more low in a long list of lows that Indian journalism now aspires to.

     

    I shudder to think of the young people entering journalism inspired by Kumar’s sickening hatred of India’s people, India’s religious minorities and India’s Constitution.

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia every Tuesday and Friday. Her views here are personal

     

     

  • And the bad news is that the more you ignore the bad news, the sooner disaster will creep up on you without your knowing or preparing, writes Ranjona Banerji

    There is no good news…

     

     

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiI met a brave and relentless activist yesterday, a man fighting for fair compensation for people who lost their lives in a man-made environmental disaster. Through his story what stood out was the fact that the media is not there when you need them. Journalists may show up, but they are not always likely to report on what you tell them. More probable is that they will not show up at all.

     

    I met a brave young journalist, who covers issues that are anathema to the administration: sectarian assaults and segregation, human rights, the distressing effects of environmental disasters on humans. Large mainstream media houses are unwilling to cover these subjects, and in some cases, friends say that they have strict instructions not to carry or cover events of sectarian violence, especially when perpetrators are from the majority religion. There is fear for personal safety and for the family. Do they know where I live? Will I be attacked?

     

    Is it remarkable that in this India, reporting on human misery or documenting environmental damage would be so scary and terrifying for the media?

     

    I know you expect me to say “Of course, yes”. But think about it. The destruction of between 6000 and 3 lakh deodar trees in the Himalayas affects all of us.

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/6k-deodar-trees-of-bhagirathi-eco-sensitive-zone-to-be-felled-for-widening-of-char-dham-road/articleshow/91056619.cms

     

    But the problem is the road that is responsible for their destruction. The road ravaging its way through the mountains, a road described as the prime minister’s pet project. For such a road, no environmental law is so big that it cannot be sidestepped, no court is so powerful that it can overturn the decision, and no human stands a chance. And you can forget about trees, forests, water, the environment.

     

    Yawn, yawn, yawn, some more climate change stuff says the editor. No young Greta Thunberg to abuse here either. And my next increment depends on my limiting criticism of the mighty leader and the mighty majority community. How do you like my new saffron scarf? The owner gave it to me last night.

     

    Am I being unfair?

     

    The environment affects us all. But so what?

     

    A newspaper owner once said to me: “I want only positivity in the newsroom, not negativity”.

     

    It was a dogwhistle directed at me, only I did not know the term dog whistle outside dogs and whistles at that time.

     

    What he meant was the opposite of what he said: He wanted to create a toxic atmosphere where no one employed was allowed to complain about working conditions or criticise company policy. That is not “positivity”. That is a labour camp.

     

    It is similar when people groan: “O, there is no good news in the media. It is full of negativity.”

     

    What is good news in the context of news? That your neighbour’s daughter has won a scholarship? Your son has got married? You doggie has had pups?

     

    You don’t need a massive mainstream media vehicle to tell you any of this. And you’re lying if you say you would consume this news on a daily basis: even the lies and disinformation on Whatsapp will soon be much more exciting. In fact, consumers of news already find misinformation on Whatsapp more exciting than actual news.

     

    There is no good news. And the bad news is that the more you ignore the bad news, the sooner disaster will creep up on you without your knowing or preparing.

     

    Let me put it this way: How would the Covid19 pandemic had worked if all media houses had concentrated only on positivity and “good news” and ignored the virus?

     

    Yes. No one here to read or watch anything.

     

    The good news: the planet has a better chance of survival.

     

    Hmm. I seem to have worked myself into a spiral. O well. I would still choose the planet.

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia every Tuesday and Friday. Her views here are personal

     

  • Flexible one-stop solution combines media metrics and e-retail data

    Havas Media floats global e-commerce vertical

    By Our Staff

     

    It’s raining new business and new business divisions at Havas Media, the media agency arm of Havas Group India. It has now announced the launch of Havas Market, a full-service e-commerce offering that aims to empower consumers in their shopping journey, providing meaningful e-retail experiences and generating incremental business for brands.

     

    To lead this division, HMG India has appointed Sharukh Lakhani as Lead – Havas Market. Lakhani joins from Wavemaker where he led the e-commerce media strategy for clients including Mondelez & Sun Pharma.

     

    Rana Barua
    Rana Barua

    Commenting on the launch, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India, said: “With the launch of Havas Market, India is poised to become a leader in creating meaningful shopping experiences. The division will give clients access to real-time market intel to help them form better decisions on the back of data and technology. I’m excited about the Group’s ambitious plans, forging into new avenues, that not only strengthen our capabilities, but also ensure upskilling of our people and processes, thereby providing a seamless and integrated experience to our clients.”

     

    Mohit Joshi
    Mohit Joshi

    Added Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Group India: “The current e-retail landscape in India is very competitive and complicated for the consumer. From fashion, beauty, electronics and mobile, to food, healthcare and entertainment, each product category has witnessed a significant growth in e-commerce spends. India already has close to 200Mn+ online transacting users. Given Havas Media Group India’s diversified client portfolio, we identified a great opportunity to develop an in-house e-commerce practice. With Havas Market, we want to become the go-to-market entity in the industry, offering an end-to-end solution and optimizing clients’ e-retail business. I’m confident with Havas’ existing capabilities and the stellar team of experts, we will be able to scale the vertical to even greater heights.”