MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • 'Connecting Loculturally' is the credo

    Pad Group launches Hotcult

    By Our Staff

     

    Pad Group, an integrated communications agency that is running creative, digital and productions services for brands has announced the launch of its branded content venture – Hotcult. Notes a communique: “Hotcult aims to cultivate culture to produce distinctive human experiences that have a long-lasting influence on behaviour by focusing on culture, consumption, and commerce. Its proprietary concept – is ‘Connecting Loculturally’. The company is headquartered in Mumbai with offices in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

     

    Said Gautam Reddy, Founder and CEO of Pad Group: “When it comes to advertising, the one-size-fits-all strategy is slipping to the side-lines. The idea now is to think locally and culturally to ensure that any communication is current and timeless. The changing landscape is testament to the fact that culture and authentic representation is of utmost importance. Trends and countertrends may come and go, but culture always finds a new shape and form to prevail. Hotcult’s expertise lies in bringing out these hidden gems and fusing them with brand strategy in a very symbiotic manner, to create campaigns of great impact.”

     

    Hotcult shall be creatively led by Rupesh Kashyap as Chief Content Officer.

     

  • Called Krafton India Esports

    Krafton launches dedicated Esports channel for India

    By Our Staff

     

    Krafton, Inc., the South Korean video game developr, has announced the launch of its Esports YouTube Channel and Instagram Page for India called Krafton India Esports. This channel is aimed at fostering the growth of the Esports ecosystem in the country. The Krafton India Esports YouTube Channel and Instagram page will serve as a hub for all Esports enthusiasts.

     

    Speaking on the recent developments, Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton, Inc. India, said: “India has always been an important market for us, and we are committed to nurturing the Esports ecosystem in the country. With our dedicated Esports channels and upcoming tournaments we look forward to bringing engaging experiences and growing together with our gaming community in the country.” Signing off, he said, “I am excited to be battling along- with our Publishing Head- Minu against some very talented players at the Devs Vs Players event”

     

  • As its lead Brand Communications Agency

    Aditya Birla Capital appoints Dentsu Creative

    By Our Staff

     

    Aditya Birla Capital (ABC) has appointed Dentsu Creative India as its Lead Brand Communications Agency. The account will be serviced from the agency’s Mumbai office.

     

    As per the mandate, Dentsu Creative India will manage the creative services for ABC – the corporate brand, and five of its subsidiaries. This includes developing and implementing advertising campaigns across various mediums to enhance the brand’s communication and messaging.

     

    Darshana Shah, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Aditya Birla Capital said: “Dentsu Creative India has been a longstanding partner of ABC, and I am pleased to have them as the brand’s retainer agency across our numerous lines of business. This year, we have accomplished some truly exciting projects, with a sharp focus on our health insurance, life insurance, and mutual fund businesses. Collaborating with DENTSU CREATIVE has been an absolute delight, as their dynamic and enthusiastic team shares our vision of propelling the brand forward in the new digital-first consumer era. Together, we aim to leverage the trust associated with our parent brand, Aditya Birla Group, and bring the brand ABC to the masses in India. Our goal is to simplify their financial needs and become trusted a partner throughout their life stages. I am looking forward to the remarkable outcomes that this partnership will yield.”

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Indrajeet Mookerjee, President – South & West, Dentsu Creative India added, “We are delighted to be working with Aditya Birla Capital and to have won the mandate as the lead ATL agency. This reflects the trust that we have built over years of collaboration on key projects spanning mutual funds and health and life insurance, including the celebrated ‘Dear Money’ campaign, which was a defining chapter in Aditya Birla Capital’s communication journey. The confidence shown in us is a testament to the modern and creative solutions that DENTSU CREATIVE incorporates across businesses. We are truly honored to be a part of this journey and look forward to achieving many successful business and creative outcomes together.”

     

  • He replaces Sanjay Gupta, Vice President and Country Manager, Google India

    Harsh Jain to be IAMAI Chairman

    By Our Staff

     

    The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI, www.iamai.in) announced today that based on the governing council election, Harsh Jain, Co-founder, and CEO of Dream Sports has been elected the Chairman of the association.  He replaces Sanjay Gupta, Vice President and Country Manager, Google India. Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, and Satyan Ganjwani, Vice Chairman, Times Internet, have been elected the Vice Chairman and the Treasurer of the association replacing Shivnath Thukral and Harshil Mathur respectively. They would together form the association’s executive council along with the ex-officio member Dr. Subho Ray, President, IAMAI.

     

    The new 24-member Governing Council and the new Executive Council of the IAMAI will take charge from the present councils at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. The IAMAI Governing Council election is held every two years.  Eighty-three members of the IAMAI contested the elections this year following the end of the two-year tenure of the previous council.

     

  • The campaign commemorates the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger

    TOI rolls out campaign for Big Cat conservation

    By Our Staff

     

    The Times of India launched the “Saving Our Stripes” campaign to raise awareness about the importance of tiger conservation. The campaign commemorates the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, a centrally-sponsored scheme that started in 1973 and aims to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in specially constituted tiger reserves throughout India.

     

    Said Kaustuv Chatterjee, Director, TOI: “This year marks the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger, a world famous conservation model and success story. Times of India is giving the nation a popular film(s) and song on the occasion to drive home the importance of the project for future generations as well. Through this initiative, we are taking the message of conservation to the masses, signifying that tigers and forests are a national treasure and an inheritance for our children.”

     

    The “Saving Our Stripes” campaign has featured a variety of content across TOI’s print and digital platforms, including quirky contests, thought-provoking editorials, and a special Tiger Anthem curated by celebrated artists including Nalla Muthu (a national award-winning wildlife cinematographer) and Shantanu Moitra (composer and musician for Bollywood films like 3 Idiots and Parineeta).

     

    Added  Moitra: “The hearts of the toughest human beings will melt on seeing a tiger cub caressing its mother’s face. It will work because the song and visuals are from a cub’s perspective. I am hoping children will pick it up like the ‘lakdi ki kathi, kathi pe ghoda’ song of the 80s.”

     

    Elaborating on how music and films are the best mediums for communicating a message to people, Nalla said, “The minute you talk about tigers and poems, people remember William Blake’s ‘Tyger, tyger burning bright’ first. Using music or a narrative-driven medium like a feature film to convey a message can have a profound impact on an audience. Emotionally engaging content often resonates with people on a deeper level, making it more likely that they’ll remember the message and potentially act on it.”

     

    “The ‘Saving Our Stripes’ campaign is a call to action for all of us to do our part to protect these majestic creatures,” said Chatterjee. “By raising awareness about the importance of tiger conservation, we can help ensure that these magnificent animals continue to thrive for generations to come.”

     

  • TV is breathlessly hysterical, obviously: religion, pomp, costumes, everything that King Emperor loves, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: The Ungrateful Cheetahs

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiO yaay! The King Emperor brought in so many cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa. India is blessed! Look, look, he’s waving at the cheetahs. Look, look, the cheetahs are so lucky, because Narendra Modi has brought them to us.

    Er, six cheetahs have died since they were brought here.

    Shhh. If we in the media are going to mention this at all, we must say that the prime minister “ill-advised”. He never would have done it if he was well-advised. Because we in the media we know that the dearest Prime Minister only follows good advice.

    Besides, how dare these ungrateful cheetahs die like this?

    After all, how else did he introduce the pink Rs 2000 note and then withdraw it seven years later. He followed the best advice possible – his own. Thus the demonetisation of 86 per cent of Indian currency and introduction of the Rs 2000 note ended corruption, black money, counterfeit currency and terrorism in 1916 according to the Indian mainstream media. Not to forget those nano-chips that could track all the notes so Modi ji knew who was buying what. And now, in 2023, the removal of the Rs2000 note means that corruption, black money and terrorism will end one day. Everywhere such fabulous advice.

    Like the esteemed “gold standard” media magnate informed us, Modi has collected threads and connected dots well before the rest of have even distinguished between threads and dots and the spelling differences between collect and connect. Exactly what these threads and dots are the media never tells you. It could be how to wave at a boat or a train. Or it could be how to buy and sell members of some elected body. Collectively, if you connect all these, the media would call them masterstrokes and normal thinking people would call them manipulation.

    The extent of the manipulation is undoubtedly masterly. Weeks after violence broke out in Manipur and was masterfully ignored by the media and the Union Government because the Union Government was busy fighting an assembly election in Karnataka, the media now informs us that the estimable Union Minister will visit Manipur on May 29. Shah feels that Manipur “should maintain peace”. A noble sentiment indeed, reminiscent of a Modi aphorism.

    https://thewire.in/security/manipur-violence-one-killed-ministers-house-vandalised-in-bishnupur

    https://scroll.in/article/1049791/everyone-is-feeling-unsafe-in-manipur-a-surge-in-applications-for-gun-licences

    What is actually happening in Manipur is in fact what is actually happening with the cheetahs – death and pain because of bad government decisions and actions – but it is grossly unfair to expect the media to discuss that.

    The Gesture being louder than the Reality – due apologies to TS Eliot – the current focus is on the inauguration of Parliament and the Sengol which will be presented to the King Emperor on May 28. This is a recreation of the presentation of a Sengol which was made to Jawaharlal Nehru – yes, him, responsible for all India’s woes including the death of all these cheetahs.

    What is this ancient sceptre which no one has heard of? The jury’s out on this one. TV is breathlessly hysterical, obviously: religion, pomp, costumes, everything that King Emperor loves.

    The Times of India has given us one version, all rah-rah and straight from Modi’s personal advice to himself:

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/modi-to-do-a-nehru-repeat-1947-ritual-with-sengol/articleshow/100486898.cms

    And a completely different version from The Hindu, which is from unmentional sources like history, documents, academia:

    https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sengol-evidence-thin-on-governments-claims-about-the-sceptre/article66894055.ece

     

    The consensus of the clever is that the Union Government, sorry I mean the BJP, is wooing Tamils, who didn’t vote for them.

    Sound advice from the sound advisor to the PM, the PM himself, if you believe the media.

     

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

     

  • Partnership with Cosmos-Maya brings homegrown IP – 'Kanha – Morpankh Samraat'

    Nickelodeon to air new IP on Sonic & Colors Rishtey

    By Our Staff

     

    Nickelodeon is all set to bring its recently announced 13th homegrown IP – ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ on Sonic. Nickelodeon will extend the show beyond its channel, and make way to the Viacom18’s Hindi general entertainment channel Colors Rishtey, thereby strengthening the kids’ franchise’s presence across different age groups and widening its impact.

     

    Speaking on the latest addition to its homegrown IP lineup, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head, Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18, said, “At Nickelodeon, we have consistently set category benchmarks, revolutionising entertainment for young audiences. We believe that introducing a show like Kanha – Morpankh Samraat will help kids connect to their roots through inspiring tales from our rich cultural heritage. As we embark on this remarkable journey, we remain dedicated to strengthening our franchise while simultaneously extending our content beyond our kids’ network on Colors Rishtey, thus reaching new heights and connecting with the minds of kids and families alike.”

     

    Anu Sikka, Head – Creative, Content, and Research, Kids TV Network, Viacom18 further added: “At Nickelodeon, we prioritize our young audience and strive to provide them with content that they truly enjoy. We have always broken the mould by bringing unique stories and endearing characters. While Kanha is an evergreen character, it’s time to bring back his tales in a new avatar that appeals to a wider audience. Our partnership with Cosmos-Maya further amplifies our commitment to creating groundbreaking content that sparks imagination and ignites young minds.”

     

    Megha Tata, Chief Executive Officer, Cosmos Maya said: “As Nickelodeon embarks on the journey to create a new world with their latest IP ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’, we are thrilled to partner with them once again. This association strengthens our bond and reflects our commitment to delivering engaging and captivating content to young viewers. Together with Nickelodeon, we are excited to bring to life the adventures of Lord Kanha in an adolescent avatar.”

     

  • Follow up to the launch of Aaj Tak

    India Today Group to launch English news channel in the UK

    By Our Staff

     

    The India Today Group has announced the launch of India Today in the UK market from May 31. This is a follow-up to the launch of the Group’s Hindi news channel, Aaj Tak, in the UK market. Previously operating as a hybrid channel, Aaj Tak and India Today served UK audiences with unique content.

     

    With the launch of India Today, the English news channel will now be available as a free-to-air service, broadcasting in standard definition (SD) and accessible on Sky Channel No. 523.  This will position it alongside other prominent English news channels, including Sky News, BBC News, GB News and Talk TV.

     

    Meanwhile, Aaj Tak will continue to be available on Sky Channel number 710, providing uninterrupted access to Hindi content for viewers. The India Today Group, renowned for its comprehensive news coverage and commitment to delivering high-quality content, is thrilled to bring its linear presence to the UK audience.

     

  • What's your view on the issue? Well, read the response by Dr Bhaskar Das in the May 26 edition of Das ka Dum and form your view. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | On Day 2 of the Goafest & Abby, Leo Burnett was Digital Specialist Agency of the Year, FCB topped PR, Mindshare led in Tech. Would you say, the days of the specialist agency are over, or is it that the Big Boys are also going truly 360 degree?

    Bhaskar DasWhat’s your view on the issue? Well, read the response by Dr Bhaskar Das in the May 26 edition of Das ka Dum and form your view. 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. On Day 2 of the Goafest & Abby, Leo Burnett was Digital Specialist Agency of the Year, FCB was PR specialist agency, Mindshare Technology Agency of the Year. Would you say, the days of the specialist agency are over, or is it that the Big Boys are also going truly 360 degree?

     

    A. As they say, when everything changes, nothing changes. The circle ⭕️is conserved. I loved the focus on specialised capabilities of different agencies and they have won distinctions in their space. But that doesn’t mean that the other areas of an agency services are redundant or ignored. From that point of view, your last observation is true. Increasingly, marketers are looking at new age capabilities that encompass their business in a holistic manner (read 360 degrees) to access different cohorts of audience as per their tastes and preferences. In an exploded and imploded media landscape, an omnichannel understanding is more relevant than a unidimensional approach, unless a specific situation demands so.

     

  • The first set of Creative Abby awards were presented on Day 2 of the Abby. As also the Broadcaster award

    Leo Burnett bags a Grand Prix

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    The big news on Day 2 of Goafest was the awarding of the second Grand Prix of the festival and the first amongst the Creative Awards. Leo Burnett India was awarded a Grand Prix for Airtel’s ‘Airtel 175 Replayed’ campaign. The agency was also recognised as Digital Specialist Agency of The Year with a total of 15 metals. The category saw a total of 6 Gold, 15 Silver, and 37 Bronze Metals. There were six merits in the category.

     

    Meanwhile, COG Culture was awarded as Design Specialist Agency of The Year, with a total of 16 metals. The category saw a total of 3 Gold, 13 Silver and 16 Bronze Metals along with 17 merits.

     

    With a total of three Metals, Mindshare was recognised as Mobile Specialist Agency of The Year. The category witnessed a total of 15 metals with 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze and 4 merits.

     

    Mindshare was also recognised as Specialist Agency of The Year with four metals. The category had 3 Gold, 6 Silver, 7 Bronze and 4 Merits being awarded.

     

    FCB Group India was recognised as Direct Specialist Agency of The Year with 10 Metals in total. The category saw a total of 3 Gold, 12 Silver, 13 Bronze and 10 Merits being awarded.

     

    FCB Group India was recognised as Public Relations Specialist Agency of The Year with 8 Metals. The category had 6 Gold, 9 Silver, 7 Bronze, and 4 Merits in total.

     

    Meanwhile, with a total of 9 metals, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited was awarded as the Broadcaster of The Year Award. The category witnessed a total of 6 Gold, 8 Silver, 4 Bronze and 1 Merit.

     

  • For the second year in a row with two Grand Prix and a truckload of metals

    Leo Burnett rules Abby @ Goafest 2023

    By Our Staff

     

    After winning a Grand Prix on Day 2, and an indirect one on Day 1 where EssenceMediacom bagged a Grand Prix for the P&G’s The Missing Chapter, Leo Burnett was crowned Creative Agency of the Year. Of the 24 metals that are included in the Creative Agency roster, Leo Burnett took home 5 Gold, 9 Silver, 4 Bronze, and 6 Merits. LI was also recognized as the Branded Content & Entertainment Specialist Agency of The Year with a total of 7 metals including 2 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze. The agency also won the Brand Activation & Promotions Specialist Agency of The Year title with a total of 11 metals across 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 6 Bronze. Leo Burnett India also won a Grand Prix for Oreo India’s Oreo #BringBack2011 campaign.

     

     

    CEO Dheeraj Sinha and Chief Creative Officer Rajdeep Das were visibly ecstatic at the presentation of the Creative Agency of the Year, a title the agency bagged for the second year in a row. “Epic Brands, Epic Work and what an Epic Win,” exclaimed a tweet from the agency.

     

    Meanwhile, Good Morning Films was recognised as the Video Craft Specialist of The Year with a total of 20 metals that included 5 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze, and 4 Merits.

     

    The Young Maverick Gold Metal was awarded to Vasudha Roy, Abhijith SS, and Amaljith P of McCann Worldgroup India for Ujjivan Small Finance Bank’s Shagun Ka Lifafa campaign.

     

    The Diversity Equality & Inclusion was awarded to Leo Burnett India for P&G Whisper’s ‘The Missing Chapter’.

     

    VMLY&R won a Green Award for Unilever’ Smart Fill along with White Rivers Media for Astral Foundation’s Ice Stupas in Ladakh.

     

    Grey Group won the Red Abby for Netmeds’ SilenceCancerNotTheFight

     

  • We were debating whether we should ask this question or one on the IPL final. Mother Nature helped us make the choice. Here's Dr Bhaskar Das's response to our question in the May 29 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | We missed you at the Goafest and the Abby. What’s the buzz around the twin events that has been reaching you?

    Bhaskar DasWe were debating whether we should ask this question or one on the IPL final. Mother Nature helped us make the choice. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das’s response to our question in the May 29 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. We missed you at the Goafest and the Abby. What’s the buzz around the twin events that has been reaching you?

     

    A. I am touched that you missed me at Goafest. Whenever I hear about the so-called buzz (read whisper), I get reminded of a quote of Lord John Russell: It is impossible that the whisper of a faction should prevail against the voice of a nation. How is it connected? Simple. The journalistic secret desire of a so-called whisper didn’t reach me. What reached me are facts that can be equated with the voice of the M&A industry.

     

    Look at the facts:

    number of entries, partners who were excited to be part of the annual mega festival, inspite of a tepid sentiment of advertising market, the size of the number of delegates at the festival, great speakers (there is, of course, always scope for improvement for improving the quality of fertiliser to increase cognitive nutrition), the presence of both legacy players and new age tech-enabled players, the presence of FTA channels who generally used to shun Goafest (going by facts, and not perception) in the past, May heat was a challenge but it could not dampen the spirit of the participants from the annual celebration, etc etc. Nothing else reached me worth mentioning.

     

    Net-net Goafest rocked and the two industry bodies demonstrated exemplary camaraderie to execute the mother-of-all industry events in a befitting manner.