MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • NDTV takes TAM, Nielsen, Kantar and others to court for $580 million

    NDTV takes TAM, principals to US court for $580 million [updated]

     

    By A Correspondent

    Leading news and lifestyle television broadcaster NDTV has taken TAM and its principals Nielsen and Kantar to court. “We confirm we have filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of New York State. Because the matter is sub judice, we have no further comments at this time,” said an NDTV spokesperson. And here’s the response from the TAM spokesperson: “TAM India, a 50:50 Joint venture between Kantar Media and Nielsen, doesn’t comment on any litigation.”

    According to a report in Courthouse News Service and Entertainment News Digest (link: http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/07/30/48808.htm and http://www.entlawdigest.com/2012/07/30/1672.htm) :

    It seeks $580 million on 42 counts, including negligence, gross negligence, false representations, prima facie tort and violations of the FCPA and Dutch Corporate Governance Code. It claims that the Dutch Corporate Governance Code requires that Nielsen, a Netherlands-based company, act in the interests of all corporate “stakeholders.”

    The Defendants include five Kantar entities, TAM and 14 Nielsen group entities, Nielsen CEO David Calhoun and its directors James Atwood, Jr., Richard Bressler, Simon Brown, Michael Chae, Patrick Healy, James Kilts, Iain Leigh, Eliot Merrill, Alexander Navab, Robert Reib and Scott Schoen.

     

    [we’re unlikely to see any more updates on this, but we will update the story in case there are any]

  • Affle, the digital media company, has announced the launch of Ripple – its rich media and video advertising network

    Affle unveils integrated ad network for all smart screens

    By A Correspondent

     

    Affle, the digital media company, has announced the launch of Ripple – its rich media and video advertising network. With the growing convergence of connected devices (PC, Mobile, Tablet & Smart TV), Ripple is an integrated ad network that will offer cutting edge advertising solutions across all smart screens. Developed in-house by Affle, which enable it to deliver advertising contextual to the kind of video content being consumed thus making it significantly more engaging for users and valuable for advertisers and publishers.

     

    A recent consumer research commissioned by Affle conducted by IMRB revealed that Online Video advertising is almost 3 times more likely to get users to search for the product vs. regular TV advertising and is 2.7 times more effective for enhancing purchase consideration vs. TV advertising. Affle has been very encouraged by these findings and believes that the overall user and usage growth in the video internet market coupled with greater ad effectiveness on this medium will help grow this market substantially in months to come.

     

    Calling the new technology as smart media for smarter screens, Anuj Khanna Sohum, Founder and Chairman, Affle Group, said, “Three major consumer and technology trends are leading the digital revolution in developing markets – increased consumption of video and rich media over internet, greater penetration of mobile internet on smart devices, cheaper and faster access to connected wireless networks. Ripple is designed to leverage these significant trends with the aim to accelerate the digital revolution globally. Given our successful history and extensive experience, we have a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the consumers, publishers and advertisers. Our innovation on the Ripple platform enhances the consumer experience and engagement with rich media and that we believe will add significant value to all key stakeholders in the digital media ecosystem.”

     

    Ripple differentiates itself significantly from other ad networks by having an integrated platform for delivering intelligent advertising across all smart screens and through its array of innovations which make advertising more contextual and richer in experience.

     

    Anuj Kumar, Co-founder and CEO, Affle, said, “We strongly believe that effective advertising is one which is engaging and relevant for consumers. Over the last one year we have been doing a lot of product level R&D and user research to create the Ripple platform such that advertising delivered through it will reach the most relevant consumer, on the most premium content and at the most relevant context across all smart screens. I am extremely happy that a lot of those efforts have made us build a solid product which has already attracted top partners like Samsung, P&G, Star, Business Standard, Dainik Bhaskar, Beoscope, Bolanews, Sambawa and many more across key Asian markets.”

     

    “We have built some exciting innovations in Ripple like our new ad engagement unit ‘Storm’ which utilises image search, voice recognition, face detection like technologies to identify the most relevant context in the content, to help deliver the most meaningful advertising. Our tests on some of these innovations have been hugely successful and we have observed significant increases in user engagement levels through such formats versus the regular digital advertising formats. I am confident that once commercially available these would get a lot more advertisers and publishers to work with us. We are also working on a lot of other next generation innovations currently, as we strongly believe that a solid technology backbone for Ripple could help us significantly enhance digital advertising effectiveness and the overall market size,” Charles Yong, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Affle, said.

     

     

  • Etihad Airways has appointed LinOpinion, the public relations division of Lowe Lintas and Partners, as its communications and public relations partner in India

    Etihad awards PR mandate to LinOpinion

    By A Correspondent

     

    Etihad Airways has appointed LinOpinion, the public relations division of Lowe Lintas and Partners, as its communications and public relations partner in India.

     

    Etihad Airways’ General Manager in India, Neerja Bhatia said, “We are delighted to partner with LinOpinion as they have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the aviation, hospitality, and travel and tourism industries. We are confident that we will benefit from their expertise and experience in the market.”

     

    Ameer Ismail, Executive Director Lowe Lintas and Partners, said: “LinOpinion continues to grow exponentially. This is a testament to the excellent work and dedicated efforts being carried out consistently by the LinOpinion team. Etihad Airways is one of the leading airlines across the world, and we are honored to partner with them in India.”

     

    Joseph George, Chief Executive Officer, Lowe Lintas and Partners said: “LinOpinion is one of the most respected and fastest growing PR firms in the country. It is our ambition to partner with leading global brands, and being appointed by Etihad Airways as their communications partner is an enormous privilege for our team.”

     

    Etihad Airways commenced flights from Mumbai in September 2004 and today operates services to eight cities across India.

     

  • The Forum Mall Bangalore, part of Prestige Group, has awarded its creative duties to TBWA\India

    TBWA wins creative mandate for Forum Mall

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Forum Mall Bangalore, part of Prestige Group, has awarded its creative duties to TBWA\India.

     

    The Forum mall is one of Bangalore’s most prominent landmarks and a destination for shoppers in Bangalore. The business was awarded to TBWA following a multi-agency pitch.

     

    Rama Raju, General Manager, The Forum Mall, said, “What impressed us was TBWA\India’s ability to think out of the box, their disruptive approach and most importantly, brand ownership, which convinced us to partner with TBWA.”

     

    Commenting on the win, Nirmalya Sen, Managing Director at TBWA India said, “Only the most mature marketers pick their communications partner on the basis of their credentials. We are delighted to partner one such company in the Prestige Group and we are looking forward to co-creating The Forum brand with them.”

     

    Arindam Sengupta, Vice President-South, TBWA India, added, “We are delighted to work with a client who shares similar ideologies and understands our approach to communication. It is indeed a challenge and an honour for TBWA to build such an iconic brand. We look forward, in all enthusiasm, to create some unconventional and fresh advertising for them, with them.”

     

  • Dainik Bhaskar celebrated two years in Jharkhand, which it had entered with the launch of the Ranchi edition in August 2010, followed by the Jamshedpur and Dhanbad editions in December 2010 and April 2011 respectively

    Bhaskar celebrates 2nd anniv in Jharkhand

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dainik Bhaskar celebrated two years in Jharkhand, which it had entered with the launch of the Ranchi edition in August 2010, followed by the Jamshedpur and Dhanbad editions in December 2010 and April 2011 respectively.

     

    Dainik Bhaskar offers its readers a tailor-made newspaper as per their needs and expectations. It is a voice of the area with a deep sense of reader connect and quality, unbiased news reporting – and that has lead to its tremendous success across editions.

     

    As part of the celebration, a special 16-page issue was released along with the main newspaper. Dainik Bhaskar in Jharkhand has been a voice raising citizens’ concerns on infrastructural development and progress. Last year on the first anniversary the special issue had spoken about the thought of “Badlav Miljulkar”- collective change. This year the special issue highlighted the socio-economic changes witnessed by the state in the last few years, taking it that much closer to achieving dream state status.

     

  • Draftfcb Ulka has announced the appointment of Naresh Kumar as Vice President, Planning for its Delhi operations.

    Draftfcb Ulka Delhi appoints K Naresh Kumar as VP Planning

    By A Correspondent

     

    K Naresh Kumar

    Draftfcb Ulka has announced the appointment of Naresh Kumar as Vice President, Planning for its Delhi operations. Prior to this, Mr Kumar has worked at Momentum Strategy (Bengaluru), Avalon Consulting (Delhi) and Law & Kenneth (Delhi) as well as an independent consultant in his career spanning 16 years.

     

    Having done engineering from BITS, Mesra and his PG in Advertising & Communications Management from NMIMS in 1997, Mr Kumar has gained a wealth of experience across consulting, market research and planning, across successful brands like Bharat Petroleum (Pure for Sure), MTR Foods re-positioning, Lakme, Tata Steel, Big Bazaar, GMR Infrastructure, ITC and Onida.

     

    Sanjay Tandon, COO Draftfcb Ulka Delhi said, “As a key player in the Delhi team, Naresh will help us sustain and strengthen our strategic credentials that are the building blocks of creating brandwealth for our clients.”

     

    Mr Kumar said, “Draftfcb Ulka has an amazing reputation as a strategic brand-building partner to clients. The quality and testimony of their client relationships, and their senior management personnel is ample proof of that. Joining Draftfcb Ulka is like coming home, and I look forward to a long and fulfilling innings here.”

     

  • Aegis Media's Vizeum India has announced their appointment as media AoR for Prism TV Private Limited to handle the 5 ETV regional channels namely ETV Marathi, Bangla, Kannada, Gujarati & Oriya

    ETV Network ropes in Vizeum to handle media

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aegis Media’s Vizeum India has announced their appointment as media AoR for Prism TV Private Limited to handle the 5 ETV regional channels namely ETV Marathi, Bangla, Kannada, Gujarati & Oriya.

     

    As ETV Network gears up for a refreshed strategy, Vizeum as the Media AoR has been appointed to play a pivotal role in the next phase of growth for the network.

     

    Confirming the same an official spokesperson from Prism TV said, “We are delighted to partner with Vizeum in our attempt to redefine the next phase for ETV channels. Building a brand around the network can present a lot of interesting challenges and we look forward to work with team Vizeum in getting people hooked to our regional channels.”

     

    Commenting on the win, S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said “All I would say with pride is, our dream of attracting clients and talent to Vizeum automatically in our 4th year of operation, rather than us having to go out, is becoming a reality.  I take this opportunity to welcome ETV Network into the Vizeum family. We are thankful to the client management for considering us worthy.”

     

    Vizeum successfully operates in 55 countries with a philosophy of in-depth understanding of the co existence of lives, brands and media in the actual world, through its process – motivation to media.

     

  • As part of his new profile Mr Chakravarthy, who has been associated with Reliance Broadcast Network right since its launch, will take on the mandate of the overall P&L and brand development for the joint venture's English channel portfolio.

    Anand Chakravarthy gets added role as Biz Head, BIG CBS

    By A Correspondent

     

    Anand Chakravarthy

    BIG CBS Networks has announced the appointment of Anand Chakravarthy as its Business Head. As part of his new profile Mr Chakravarthy, who has been associated with Reliance Broadcast Network right since its launch, will take on the mandate of the overall P&L and brand development for the joint venture’s English channel portfolio, that is, BIG CBS Prime, BIG CBS Love and BIG CBS Spark. Along with his new profile as Business Head for the BIG CBS JV, he will continue with his current designation as Chief Marketing Officer, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd.

     

    Mr Chakravarthy has been with Reliance Broadcast Network since 2006 and has played an instrumental role in taking the company from a pure radio company to a multimedia conglomerate that it is today.

     

    Sharing his initial reactions on the elevation with MxM India, Mr Chakravarthy said: “CBS is a brand that was launched two years ago, and I was part of the launch. While I have been doing marketing for quite some time now, for me to take over the business mandate is an opportunity to grow into a larger business role. We have some exciting shows lined up.”

     

    When asked on how he would juggle multiple roles including handling the marketing mandate of RBNL as well as being responsible for the P&L of the new English channels under BIG CBS he said: “On the marketing front, my role is more of providing strategic help and guidance to the different teams but my focus will be largely on the Big CBS business because it is still very young and requires a lot of attention. Also, I have been doing marketing for a long time so that comes easy to me. Though I was handling regional channels Magic and Spark, now to move to the English genre space will be a new experience for me as there is a new set of consumers, new set of products and a different set of challenges to meet. But the great thing is that CBS is a great brand and they bring some fantastic content to the table. Between BIG and CBS, building a joint venture is in itself a prestigious brand to work for. So it’s an interesting opportunity and I am looking forward to it.”

     

    Speaking on Anand Chakravarthy’s appointment, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. said, “Anand is one of our finest and most committed senior management associates. As the business takes a new leap with some amazing content – America’s Got Talent, American Idol, X Factor, Dexter and more, along with the impending digitization which will catapult these channels into another level, no one is better equipped than Anand to lead this initiative and focus on great content and communication, subscription revenue, and building greater value for advertisers.”

     

    Though it is still early days, Mr Chakravarthy already has his work cut out for him. He asserts: “The channels have taken off well and we have an objective to take them to a strong leadership position. The other thing is that we want to bring in more and more exciting content so we are just in the middle of the latest season of America’s Got Talent. Next is X factor that will be simulcast along with the US on September 14. We’re gonna follow that up with American Idol and the latest season of American Idol post that as well.” The focus, he says, is to bring in some of the marquee properties from the US which are familiar and well-known in India and start launching them simultaneously with the US. “Over the next six months, we want to cement our promise as a network that will deliver the latest, precious and hottest of American TV and will do that with a series of exciting launches,” affirmed Mr Chakravarthy.

     

  • Genesis Burson-Marsteller has announced new business wins across key business sectors including e-commerce, manufacturing, customer loyalty and fashion retail, marking strong momentum as it enters the second half of 2012

    Genesis BM starts Q3 with new business wins

    By A Correspondent

     

    Genesis Burson-Marsteller, which specialises in public relations, public affairs and digital marketing services, has announced new business wins across key business sectors including e-commerce, manufacturing, customer loyalty and fashion retail, marking strong momentum as it enters the second half of 2012. Genesis Burson-Marsteller is pleased to be working with such respected brands and companies including Flipkart, Loyalty One, and GAS.

     

    “GAS works with a philosophy of being simple and authentic. We were looking at working with an agency that shares similar values and represents GAS the best possible way.  We are very happy to be partnering with Genesis Burson-Marsteller as our Public Relations agency and looking forward to a successful association ahead,” stated Amit Dhanjani, Head of Marketing and Communications for GAS.

     

    Genesis Burson-Marsteller is celebrating its 20th year as a communications leader in India. “We are proud of the clients we have represented these last 20 years and in 2012 we continue work with great brands,” stated Prema Sagar, Founder and Principal. “As a firm that specialises in integrated communications, the range of businesses represented by these recent wins also demonstrates our ability to work with clients in all industries, helping them achieve their communications objectives.”

     

    Flipkart went live in 2007 with the objective of making books easily available to anyone who had internet access. Today, they are present across various categories including movies, music, games, mobiles, cameras, computers, healthcare and personal products, home appliances and electronics, stationery, perfumes, toys. They’re present in 37 cities, with over 11.5 million book titles, 14 different categories, more than 3 million registered users and sale of 30000 items a day; they are one of the leading e-commerce players in the country.

     

    GAS is a premium jeans wear brand with an international feel fueled by the idea of fashionable – yet functional and practical – clothes for intelligent, discerning and cosmopolitan people who look to clothing to express their own personality for every occasion. Today Grotto S.p.A. is a global, international company determined to continue to reinforce its presence abroad, with a particular focus on Europe and the Far East.

     

    Loyalty One is a global provider of customer insight and strategy, marketing and loyalty programs and customer experience management. Our roster of clients includes Fortune 1000 companies across the globe. Loyalty One’s industry-leading associates, practical experience and proven capabilities set the benchmark of thought leadership in the loyalty marketplace.

     

  • There is disunity in the ad business. These guys will never come together and sort out their issues. Perhaps it has to do with fat egos. Or perhaps it has to do with some degree of immaturity. Or both

    Anil Thakraney: The disunited ad world

    By Anil Thakraney

       

    In my recent interview with Prasoon Joshi of McCann for mxmindia, we discussed the key problems the ad world faces today. According to Joshi, it’s time the clause on ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ is enshrined in contracts with clients. So that the ad agency is adequately compensated for its idea, and doesn’t lose revenues after the client changes his agency while continuing to use the original idea in the brand communication. It’s a good suggestion, it makes a lot of sense, but I can assure you nothing will happen in this matter. As nothing ever does happen on all the problems that dog the desi ad world.

     

    In fact, each agency chairman states his/her own area of concern when I meet him/her for an interview. Piyush Pandey is very unhappy with the current agency remuneration structure. Balki continues to have serious issues with the way awards are given in the ad world. All these problems remain unresolved.

     

    What’s the reason for this inaction? It’s simple, and most industry leaders will agree with this view: There is disunity in the ad business. These guys will never come together and sort out their issues. Perhaps it has to do with fat egos. Or perhaps it has to do with some degree of immaturity. Or both. The disconnect cannot be because of intense rivalry, that happens in other industries as well. But their leaders do come together now and then to debate common issues, and, in fact, they sometimes form those nefarious cartels!

     

    I think all it takes is for one large-hearted agency chief to stand up, make some calls, and get everyone together under one roof. I am certain a number of issues will get sorted out in time if they put their heads together. It needs just one individual to bell the fat cats.

     

    Having said the above, let me hasten to add that some amount of bitchiness, mud-slinging and jealousy in a creative industry is fine. That happens in Bollywood as well. In fact, it can be fun at times. But if it’s coming in the way of solving pressing industry issues, then that’s not healthy at all.

     

    Grab some beers, people. At least break the ice. Cheers!

     

    ***

     

    PS: Haha. What a kickass warning sign! If this doesn’t prevent you from fingering around with switches in public places, nothing will!

     

     

     

  • Putting the spice into the edible oil landscape, Dhara's new campaign comes after a six-year break and addresses the health concerns of the new generation

    Dhara offers healthy variety to its TG

    By Tuhina Anand

     

    Dhara, which has in the past come up with successful taglines including ‘Dhara Dhara Shudh Dhara’ and ‘My Daddy Strongest’, has now after a gap of almost six years come out with a new campaign.

     

    India Ka Tadka is how Dhara has positioned itself in its current communication, which is about celebrating the fondness of food that Indians are known for and various emotions that come with food.  It also talks of the role that edible oil plays in daily Indian cooking, which also involve frying. Hence, Dhara offering guilt-free consumption of all things that are seen as sinful by switching to the brand that offers healthy variants of oil to choose from, thus also championing the rotating of different oils which is seen as a healthy choice.

     

    Offering an insight into the reason for the six-year gap before this campaign, Amit Kumar Taneja, Senior Brand Manager, Dhara, Mother Dairy, said, “In the year 2009, we revamped the entire packaging for the brand and then post that we have been doing a lot of work like creating a new brand identity based on its equity and heritage, introducing new variants and simultaneously focusing on distribution in regions with tactical media exposure. Taking a step ahead we thought that it is the right time to also introduce a national campaign now. Incidentally, Dhara has just entered its 25th year too.”

     

    The campaign tries to bring about an emotional connect, along with being relevant, to the consumers. Mr Taneja explained, “Edible oil is like salt which is a necessary ingredient for the everyday kitchen. Now there are certain reserves regarding consuming oil. So what we are essentially saying that research recommends changing oil variants frequently for healthy lifestyle, and we have taken the responsible route and provide those variants under the Dhara umbrella thus providing consumers reassurance that we are taking care of their health needs.”

     

    He added, “The message is being reinforced on Dhara packaging as well, which reads as ‘For optimum health benefits Dhara recommends consumption of more than one variant to get balanced quantity of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) along with a variety of micro nutrients present in different oils’. ”

     

    India ka Tadka essentially means that we have grown up hearing the crackling sound of tadka, and whenever we hear it, subconsciously we know that food is going to be served. Tadka is that wafting aroma of spices in oil which turns an ordinary meal into the most exquisite treat. It’s also a metaphor for the joie de vivre, the spice of life. The positioning tries to capture the significance of food even in our smallest of celebrations.

     

    The campaign is developed by DDB Mudra and shot by Thumbnail Pictures. It’s been launched pan-India with Hindi, Marathi, Kannada and Bengali edits. The OOH too is being tapped in different cities across India.

     

    Commenting on the TVC, Vandana Das, President, DDB Mudra, said, “We take a lot of pride in this campaign and our association with Dhara for so many years. With past campaigns like ‘Jalebi’ and ‘My Daddy Strongest’ done for Dhara, the benchmark was already set very high. What’s great and delights us is that we managed to partner the client in creating yet another campaign that not just breaks the category clutter but also captures a strong insight. India ka Tadka for sure depicts each one of us in some way or the other.”

     

  • The Media Research Users' Council has awarded the coveted contract for the research work for the Indian Readership Survey to The Nielsen Company on the recommendation of the Readership Studies Council of India (RSCI)

    Nielsen bags research contract for IRS

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s now official. The Nielsen Company has been awarded the coveted contract for the research work for the Indian Readership Survey. On a recommendation of  the Readership Studies Council of India (RSCI), the Media Research Users’ Council has decided in principle to award the contract for the IRS to Nielsen. The formal award of contract will follow a process of legal due diligence.

     

    The decision was arrived at after a comprehensive nine month process that began in November 2011, with the formation of the RSCI by its sponsors, the MRUC (Media Research Users’ Council), and ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation). The RSCI was mandated by the industry to oversee the conduct of a unified Indian Readership Study (IRS), billed as the world’s largest continuous readership study.

     

    The process involved the active participation of 20 senior representatives of advertisers, agencies and publishers who served on the RSCI Managing Committee,  as well some of the sub committees formed to vet every aspect of the submissions – from technical superiority to fieldwork integrity, research cost, organization strength and stability. Another 24 senior industry professionals contributed to the technical deliberations, under the chairmanship of the Technical Committee, Paritosh Joshi.

     

    “Proposals were received from the most hallowed names in the Media Measurement universe and the quality of submissions was uniformly high. The knowledge and skill on display drew upon the very finest professional capability available globally,” said Mr Joshi. “Developing an RFP award recommendation was an unusually challenging task. The Nielsen Company proposal, that has won the approval of the Council, was exceptional in its methodological rigour, comprehensiveness and future readiness. The design recommendation and resources committed to the project should enable the Indian Readership Survey to reassert its position of preeminence in Indian media measurement,”

     

    “Our objective through the process was two fold – One, to achieve the construct of a study that would be the gold standard all over the world in readership measurement. And two, to involve all industry stakeholders in the decision making process with a spirit of collaboration and teamwork,” said Lynn de Souza, Chairman of the RSCI.  The months and years ahead will present several challenges as we introduce a first ever data capture system – the Dual Screen CAPI (Computer Aided Personal Interview) – a system that will reduce interview time, respondent fatigue and confusion, and interviewer bias of any kind.

     

    “The MRUC’s belief in the  innovative techniques and technology proposed for the forthcoming Indian Readership Survey will certainly transform market research in India, improving quality and the effectiveness of gathering and applying consumer insights for businesses and marketers. Nielsen is honoured to have been chosen as its partner in this landmark study that will no doubt shape all future research across India.” said Prashant Singh, MD – Media, Nielsen India.

     

    Ms de Souza commended the work put in by industry seniors in the selection process. “I am overwhelmed by the seriousness and commitment of the many industry seniors who gave freely of their time on weekends, and holidays as well, to help the RSCI arrive at a decision. Thank you would not be enough. Ravi Kiran, our marketing Chairman, was also very helpful in enabling us to identify new revenue sources given that the new IRS will be captured, stored, disseminated and analysed digitally.”