MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • The media narrative, rather than focus on the info given to the Election Commission, and mismatch of facts, has either ignored the issue completely, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona banerji: Assault on free speech continues

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiThe assault on free speech by the Narendra Modi government does not stop, regardless of adverse reactions, anger, Constitutional impropriety, criticism, international opprobrium. The reasons are not hard to seek: by dint of his “popularity”, Modi has been given a free pass to override our most fundamental of democratic rights. And it is the Indian mainstream media which has played a major part in removing its own reason for existence.

    For instance, just watch the narrative over the Gujarat High Court turning down an order from the Central Information Commission that the details of Modi’s educational qualifications be revealed. The court not only quashed the CIC’s order based on a Right to Information application filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal but also fined Kejriwal Rs 25,000.

    Delhi University, from where Modi has his Masters in “entire political science” according to the certificates revealed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, amongst other BJP luminaries, claimed that Modi’s education details are not of public interest.

    It is true that educational qualifications or lack thereof do not debar any of us from contesting elections. It is also true that the prime minister’s affidavit filed with the Election Commission appears to have certain, let’s call them discrepancies, starting with the fact that “entire political science” is not a known subject. And that the School of Open Learning at Delhi University from where Modi has got his BA degree has claimed it has no data on students who graduated in 1978.

    The media narrative, rather than focus on the information given to the Election Commission, and mismatch of facts, has either ignored the issue completely. Worse, they have chosen to focus on whether education is important at all. The rest of the time we’re going on about the importance of education, in case anyone has forgotten. Others have fallen into that familiar pit of “revealing” how many people from Opposition parties have lied about their educational qualifications or lied about anything. The underlying intent is clear: if one politician has ever lied, this gives a free pass to all politicians to lie.

    This is how the accretion disk around a dictatorship is built. Not always by the swallowing of massive stars or other black holes. But by building up power and at the same time, silencing all opposition.

    The past week has seen a media blitz of the Prime Minister dressed up in safari gear wandering around a National Park to mark 50 years of Project Tiger. This is nothing about a massive PR exercise and has no bearing on tigers, wildlife, forests or anything at all to do with the environment. The rest of the time when government directives bypass all checks and balances to allow rampant development in vulnerable ecological zones, you rarely see the mainstream media anywhere there at all.

    The past two weeks has also seen massive communal conflagrations. In states where the BJP wants to make a mark. Some in areas which have managed to avoid Ram Navami processions and Ramzan without hurting each other and destroying properties in the past.

    How has the mainstream media reacted? The obvious way is to blame the state administration in non-BJP ruled states. The other is to blame Muslims for reacting to provocations. The third is to become triumphant about India as a Hindu nation. The fourth is to further inflame sectarian hatred and social divisions.

    And meanwhile, there are real problems which are routinely ignored by the media. Unemployment. Rural distress. Low spendings. Low manufacturing. Ditzy markets. Insufficient foreign funding. A low monsoon forecast. Agriculture. Massive healthcare issues.

    But these issues are not as sexy as the privilege following the world’s most popular leader around, giving him some free publicity, and never asking any questions.

    Of course, going by our recent track record, ask a question and pay a fine?

     

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

     

  • We know he loves following the game, and we also know that watches almost every game in men's and women's cricket. So here's Dr Bhaskar Das in the April 11 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | More than which team one is backing, the question that’s being asked by all is: which platform are you enjoying watching IPL on? Linear TV or Digital? What’s your preference?

    Bhaskar DasWe know he loves following the game, and we also know that watches almost every game in men’s and women’s cricket. So here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the April 11 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 or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

     

    Q. More than which team one is backing, the question that’s being asked by all is: which platform are you enjoying watching IPL on? Linear TV or Digital? What’s your preference?

     

    A. I definitely prefer the big screen experience – so linear TV as also Smart TVs which operate through the Amazon firestick or broadband platforms. The online experience via mobile devices and laptops must be good, but that’s for people on the move as also millennials or Gen-Zers. To quote the Virat Kohli ad for IPL 2023, for every match, a stadium-like feeling happens only with television. I would say: the big screen.

     

  • As Head of Advertising and Brand Management

    Bajaj Electricals appoints Devika Sachdev

    By Our Staff

     

    Bajaj Electricals Limited has appointed Devika Sachdev as the Head of Advertising & Brand Management. She comes with experience of 21 years in brand marketing and communications. In this role, she will drive the brands’ communication agenda and frame integrated marketing communications strategies across Bajaj, Morphy Richards and Nirlep. She will be responsible for crafting and executing brand strategies, media planning and digital marketing.

     

    Anuj Poddar, MD & CEO of Bajaj Electricals Limited, said: “Devika’s vast experience in building leading consumer-centric brands across a multitude of product categories puts her in a strong position to drive our ongoing brand transformation journey. What she brings to the table is her deep understanding of consumer insights and markets and translating that into strategic brand management. Over the next few years, she has the challenging agenda of fortifying our brands as we continue to drive growth. I am sure she will create value for the organisation, and I welcome her on board.”

     

  • Partnership is expected to create a significant impact in the Indian cycling industry

    Consult Blanco bags mandate of Avanti & Bergamont Bikes

    By Our Staff

     

    Consult Blanco, a digital marketing agency, has bagged the digital marketing mandate for Avanti and Bergamont Bikes, both of which are part of the Scott Group, a brand in the cycling industry.

     

    Jaymin Shah, CEO of Scott India, stated that Scott India is driven by a passion for cycling and adventure and that they take pride in revolutionizing biking as a means of transformation. They have witnessed tremendous growth in the adoption of cycling as a preferred lifestyle choice. He further added that Consult Blanco shares a similar passion to connect brands and consumers through meaningful media experiences. Therefore, they are delighted to have them on board as their media partners and look forward to a great partnership.

     

    Nisha Shetty, Founder of Consult Blanco, expressed her pride in bagging the integrated digital media mandate of Bergamont and Avanti Bikes in India. She noted that these are niche category brands that are revolutionizing the premium biking market in India. She further added that Consult Blanco is proud to be associated with them and is excited to further strengthen the brand’s journey and its vision through their adventurous partnership.

     

    Nishit Shetty, Co-Founder of Consult Blanco, highlighted that a healthy lifestyle has become a priority for everyone, and cycling as a sport or recreational activity has faced a massive transformation over the last couple of years. Therefore, they look forward to an adventurous partnership with Avanti and Bergamont India by further strengthening the brand’s journey and its vision. With this partnership, Consult Blanco will be responsible for the digital media mandate of both brands, including digital advertising, social media, and other digital initiatives. This partnership is expected to create a significant impact in the Indian cycling industry and lead to further growth and success for both brands.

     

  • To raises awareness about preventive measures for living healthy

    Narayana Health launches campaign on World Health Day

    By Our Staff

     

    Narayana Health, healthcare provider, launched a preventive care campaign called ‘#TakeCare’ on the occasion of World Health Day. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of preventive health care measures in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by encouraging people to #TakeCare of Yourself first.

     

    Commenting on the objectives of the #TakeCare, Dr Ashish Bajaj, Chief Marketing Officer, Narayana Health, said: “The campaign seeks to inspire positive change and create a healthier society. To achieve this goal, we are focusing on preventive care measures. Preventive care significantly helps in reducing the burden of illness and improves the quality of life for millions of people.”

     

    One of the key aspects of the #TakeCare campaign is to encourage people to undergo regular preventive care checkups. To achieve this goal, Narayana Health is offering attractive and affordable screening packages under its ‘Take Care of Yourself’ and ‘Take Care of Your Heart’ messaging. The check-up packages are designed to make it easier for people to prioritize their health by providing them with access to important preventive health screenings.

     

    Under the campaign, Narayana Health is also showcasing short films with inspirational messaging for people of all ages to take care of their health. These films will be shown on various platforms. The aim of these films is to inspire and motivate people to make positive changes in their lifestyles and prioritize their health and well-being.

     

  • Launched Cummins PowerPods channel jointly with Timbre Media

    Cummins wraps up ’60 Years of Powering India’ digital campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    Cummins India, power solutions technology provider, announced the successful culmination of its integrated digital campaign ‘60 years of Powering India’, an ode to its six decades of successfully powering India’s growth story. The four-month long campaign featured 60 legacy stories capturing key company milestones, its contribution to India’s growth journey, and stakeholder stories and testimonials. The campaign aimed at demonstrating the positive impact that the company has created on its stakeholders, communities, and the planet.

     

    Conceptualized and executed by Cummins India in collaboration with Zensciences – a digital marketing agency, the social media campaign. As a part of the campaign, the company also launched – Cummins PowerPods – their first and exclusive podcast channel in collaboration with Timbre Media, to present the stories of organizational significance to internal and external stakeholders. The campaign had a unique hashtag, #CumminsIndiaAt60, and was culminated with a campaign video, Six Decades of Cummins India.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Abhilasha Shukla, Communications Leader, Cummins India said: “In 2022, Cummins India completed the 60-year milestone and we wanted to create a unique digital campaign to celebrate our compelling and distinguished legacy. We collaborated with our leadership team to conceptualize the idea of the ’60 Years of Powering India’ campaign to highlight the integral role Cummins has played in driving the India growth story over the past six decades. Zensciences and Timbre Media, proved to be invaluable agency partners in bringing the legacy stories to life and delivering an impactful and memorable campaign.”

     

    Rahul Koul, Co-founder and Partner, Zensciences added: “Working with Cummins India on this campaign has been an absolute delight for Zensciences. We wanted to create a campaign that was inspiring, visually stunning, and emotionally impactful. We mixed different creative formats to tell the stories and showcase the impact that Cummins has made in India over the past six decades. The response to the campaign has been overwhelming and we are grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with Cummins on this journey.”

     

  • Dentsu X releases Motivations Study to help brands understand consumers better

    The Motivations that drive customer decisions…

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    Dentsu X has released its findings from its Motivations Study, to help brands better understand the innermost drivers that influence people to act in certain ways. By understanding these Motivations, Dentsu X can drive growth for brands by decoding behaviour and connect with valuable audiences like never before.

    The fact files dive into how Motivations play a role in customer decisions, and why traditional data often fails to capture these nuances. Profiling more than 400,000 people in 70 markets across the world, the study has identified six core Motivations that drive everyone at varying levels:

    • Accomplishment,

    • Affection,

    • Information,

    • Possession,

    • Power,

    • and Protection.

     

    Each core Motivation comprises 25 sub-Motivations that are defined by individual statements that help dive deeper into the uniqueness of each person and their drivers.

    The Motivations Study is being released as part of Dentsu X’s privately owned and operated consumer insight tool CCS. Through CCS, brands can understand audiences on a deeper, human level. This includes understanding media behaviours, lifestyles, passions, favourite brands, and category behaviours.

     

    The Motivations fact files include:

    • A deeper look at understanding people’s Motivations, such as why a customer buys a product and why they do the things they do.

    • How understanding Motivations is important for understanding target audiences and bridging the expectation gap to become more relevant.

    • How understanding Motivations is helping clients target truly relevant audiences with creative messages, plan intricate offline events and break biases in product positioning.

     

     

    Prerna Mehrotra

    Said Prerna Mehrotra, CEO, Dentsu Media APAC: “In today’s data-rich environment, for brands to be truly relevant, it is important for them to understand the underline motivations behind audience behaviours. We are excited to share local insights on how understanding motivations can close the disconnect between the product offering and what consumers really want. Even within markets, we see distinct nuances that make the core Motivation different from the sub-Motivation. This report will help our clients understand the human truths about their audience empowering the brand’s planning process across all marketing disciplines.”

     

  • In the Mumbai region, 2.4 million seniors will be living alone by 2031, says the report

    Ormax Compass releases report on post-retirement expectations

    By Our Staff

     

    Consumer knowledge firm Ormax Compass released its report titled ‘Expectations of Post Retirement Life’ which delved into the minds of senior citizens from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to see how they imagined their retired lives. The study pointed out that in the MMR region by 2031, there would be 2.4 million senior citizens who will be living on their own. It further shows how retirees are relooking at their post-retirement plans in recent years.

     

    Among the notable findings of the study, senior citizens in MMR are prepared to live alone in a nuclear environment. Many respondents expressed their belief that they would probably be the last generation to provide care for their aging parents, and did not expect their children to take care of them during their old age. They believe that they themselves need to be prepared financially, physically and emotionally to take care of themselves. They are very pragmatic about this, and do not wish to be a burden on their children or family.

     

    Maharashtra with an estimated population of 125 million has an elderly population share of 11.7%, which is higher than the national average of 10%. It is projected to increase further, to reach a 15% share by 2031.

     

    The Indian 60+ population was increasing faster at 3.8% pa as against 2% pa previously. This is based on the 2011 census where the senior citizen number was estimated at 103 million, accounting for 8.6% of the total Indian population. By 2021, the number has increased to 139 million accounting for 10% of the total population. Life expectancy at birth in India was 69 years in 2014, expected to be 71 years in 2030 and is projected to increase up to 75 years by 2050.

     

    Said Priya Lobo, CEO at Ormax Compass: “Analysing the mindset of senior citizens in MMR could benefit in creating a congenial living environment. We observed a shift in senior citizens’ thinking and by the next decade, it may become a norm for elders to live on their own. Besides real estate, the Ormax Compass analysis should be beneficial for designing financial programs related to insurance and even plan corporate benefits for retiring employees. Senior citizens may not have been high focus for the realty sector as much as younger buyers. But today, the market seems to offer a big demand owing to the increase in base and changing mindsets.”

     

    The study also offers crucial cues for property and urban developers:

    – Medical facilities: 100% of senior-citizens surveyed, believe that easily accessible and reliable medical facilities are crucial. In the wake of the pandemic and the stress around emergency facilities, respondents believe that residential facilities in close proximity to hospitals and other emergency facilities are needed.

    – Track record: 90% of senior citizens surveyed, expect realtors to have a proven track record when it comes to development of realty projects. Observing a similar property and first-hand experiences are reassuring and likely to enable a positive decision.

    – Community living: 80% of respondents felt staying in a likeminded community is key, away from the hustle and bustle of city life but yet connected to Mumbai is what matters to them, when it comes to planning for a retirement abode.

     

    Respondents averred that a good living abode would help meet the best years of their lives ahead in a peaceful manner. While there were several expectations, the respondents also cited concerns such as the inability to find good, reliable domestic help for doing mundane chores or unseen disruptions to an otherwise peaceful and relaxing life.

     

    With rising income levels and relatively good health, a growing number of Indian senior citizens are now economically independent and willing to actively seek and choose to pay for facilities and services to fulfil their needs. Retired living communities will play an increasingly integral role in addressing these growing Active Ageing needs.

     

    The MMR region is home to several large government corporations like BARC, ONGC, RBI, HP, BP etc. Many of these corporations provide accommodation to their staff until retirement. Many of these employees are expected to retire soon. This makes it a good catchment area for retired living residences.

     

  • 'Festivals of India Explored by Skoda'

    Curly Tales & Mashable join hands to unveil new webseries

    By Our Staff

     

    Curly Tales, travel, food, lifestyle and luxury platform, has teamed up with Mashable India media company to bring viewers a new web series that explores the vibrant festivals of India. Titled ‘Festivals of India Explored by Skoda’, the series offers a look into the diverse culture and traditions of India’s festivals.

     

    The web series features conversationalist Siddharth Aalambayan and actor from Uttar Pradesh, Srishti Shrivastava.

     

    Kamiya Jani, Chief Traveling Officer of Curly Tales, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Skoda India and Mashable India for our latest web series, ‘Festivals of India Explored by Skoda’. Collaborating with our long-term supporter Skoda makes it easier for us to explore content avenues. Partners like Skoda make our life easier and bring fresh and unique content to our users. At Curly Tales, we are purveyors of stories from Bharat, and we believe that every traveller should explore the Indian subcontinent before exploring the world. Through this web series, we aim to showcase the diverse and colourful festivals of India and give our viewers a glimpse into the rich culture and traditions that make India so special.”

     

  • Kaushik Kashyap as the head of its business in the South

    On Purpose gets Kaushik Kashyap to head south ops

    By our Staff

     

    On Purpose, creative communications consultancy, appoints Kaushik Kashyap as the head of its business in the South. He will be responsible for leading the firm’s business in Bengaluru while also designing a roadmap for its expansion in other markets.

     

    On Purpose Founder and Managing Director, Girish Balachandran, said: “The market in Bengaluru is witnessing a growing need for subject matter expertise and strong PR counsel for clients in technology, climate action and social impact. We are also experiencing an increase in demand from our clients in Delhi and Mumbai wanting to tap into markets in the South. With our presence here for the last 3 years, we are well positioned to offer clients local insights with world-class counsel. Kaushik brings two decades of experience in journalism and communications that will allow us to offer clients more seasoned counsel and execution.”

     

  • Revealed insights into content across sports, festivals, and social events

    Taboola releases India Readership Insights for March 2023

    By Our Staff

     

    Taboola, advertising agency, today released the readership insights for March 2023. Taboola Newsroom uses Topic Insights to analyse real-time audience data to identify themes that engaged Indian readers throughout the month. The surge in page view traffic revealed insights into the diverse interests of Indian audiences in content across sports, festivals, and social events. Here are some of the key insights revealed from the readership trends for March 2023:

     

    Sports:

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a highly anticipated T20 cricket league in India that typically starts in March, featuring some of the top cricket players from around the world. However, this year the league will commence in April. Mumbai Indians, one of the IPL franchises, recently unveiled a new jersey for the upcoming IPL 2023 season, which features their traditional blue and gold colors, along with a unique design featuring a gold pinstripe and the “MI” logo on the front. The jersey showcases the team’s sponsors, Samsung, and DHL, on the front and back, respectively. Fans of Mumbai Indians are excited about the new jersey launch and eagerly await the start of the IPL 2023 season. Mumbai Indians have won the IPL title five times, and the new jersey is expected to further elevate their reputation of success. In other sports news, the Taboola Newsroom witnessed an impressive 1059% surge in readership in the past 45 days. Big sports events present an excellent chance for marketers to maximize their campaign’s reach and efficiency by targeting relevant sports audiences, whose traffic is known to increase predictably during such events. A highly effective way to take advantage of this opportunity is by using high-impact packages that combine all sports-related audiences across the Open Web in India.

     

    Festival and Social Events:

    Holi: Holika Dahan is a significant Hindu festival, also known as Chhoti Holi, that is celebrated every year one day before Holi. According to the Hindu calendar, Holika Dahan falls on the Purnima Tithi (Full Moon Day) of the Phalguna month. This year, on the 15th of March, the Purnima Tithi began at 06:20 PM and ended at 08:59 PM. The auspicious time for Holika Dahan lasted for nearly two hours, from 06:39 PM to 08:33 PM. The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion throughout India, with people gathering around a bonfire to perform rituals and seek blessings for happiness and prosperity. According to Hindu mythology, Holika Dahan signifies the victory of good over evil, marking the burning of Holika, the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. This cultural celebration is held in high regard and is observed by many across the country, with the Taboola Newsroom seeing a 1156% rise in readership regarding the event. Similar to major sporting events, festivals also offer a golden opportunity for marketers to tap into an audience that is actively seeking out gift ideas for their loved ones. Smart brands can start planning their campaigns well in advance of the festive season in the latter half of the year, as it is sure to be a significant event. By leveraging contextual targeting, brands can effectively reach consumers as they research and browse gift options for their loved ones.

     

    International Women’s Day: To honour women’s contributions to society and to raise awareness about gender equality, International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th. The day is dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements and recognizing the obstacles they face. To commemorate the occasion, influential women such as politicians, activists, and celebrities have shared inspirational quotes to inspire and empower women. These quotes underscore the importance of women’s rights, gender equality, and the need for women’s voices to be heard. LiveMint has compiled a list of some of the most powerful quotes from influential women worldwide, which individuals can share to promote the message of women’s empowerment. The celebration of International Women’s Day and the inspiring quotes shared on this occasion serve as a reminder of the progress made in women’s rights and the ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality. The event has seen a 189% increase in readership on the Taboola Newsroom.

     

     

  • As exclusive commercial and marketing partner for the League

    Big Bang Media signs deal to relaunch Hockey India League

    By Our Staff

     

    Hockey India has announced Big Bang Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd. as its exclusive commercial and marketing partner agency. This marks a step toward the revival of the Hockey India League.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India, said: “I am very pleased today, because the Hockey India League was one of my top priorities when I assumed office as president of Hockey India. It will be a critical stepping stone for India and we are delighted to have Big Bang Media Ventures Pvt Ltd (BBMVPL) as our exclusive Commercial partners for the HIL. Their understanding of sport, esports, content, media & IP monetisation is unparalleled and we are very excited for what we could collectively achieve and deliver.”

     

    Big Bang Media Ventures Pvt Ltd (BBMVPL) is one of the country’s leading content, education, esports and talent management conglomerates with market leading brands viz Collective Artists Network, Phantom, Mythoverse, AISTS India, NASEF India under it’s umbrella. BBMVPL also recently conducted the Asia Open esports championship in partnership with the International E Sports Federation (IESF).

     

    Ravneet Gill & Madhu Mantena, Founders of BBMVPL, added: “The Hockey India League has been a global benchmark for the sport and we are pleased to be a trusted partner for Hockey India in managing the commercial aspects of the league. We are privileged to be part of this incredible and important initiative and look forward to support the launch of a successful league.”