MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • No matter how fast the news cycle turns, ongoing stories demand ongoing coverage. But inefficient as the media may be in general, the deliberate silencing here is at another level, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: Umbrella dance on Republic Bharat

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiThe image from yesterday, June 15, 2023, is from the cyclone Biparjoy when it hit the coast of Gujarat. No, not landfall or local damage or strong winds or stormy seas.

    Instead for the media, it is this amazing coverage of the cyclone – before landfall – by TV person Sweta Singh for Republic Bharat.

    A large screen in the studio shows a stormy coast. Singh enters the studio with an umbrella and then does a talented umbrella dance. She turns and twists as if she really feels the wind in the video playing behind her. The storm itself, say factcheckers, is from Florida.

    Some people have proposed that a video of a somewhat more intrepid TV reporter from Pakistan beats this. Especially since he jumps into sea to prove how deep it is. But that TV reporter was actually out in the storm. This TV person has combined acting with “coverage” in the most award-winning way possible.

    If these were the videos of the day, the news of the day was far, far worse. But you may have to take my word for it. Dancing TV personalities with their colourful parasols are not that interested in these other subjects.

    Manipur continues to burn. It started over six weeks ago and shows no sign of stopping. What possible dance can one do, when arson and violences continues. Although I would put nothing past our TV people. But as we know, anything that might show our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bad light is best ignored.

    Thus, this happens and it is not the story of the day:

    https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/jun/16/manipur-violence-union-minister-rk-ranjan-singhs-house-set-on-fire-in-imphal-2585620.html

    That is, a Union minister’s house is attacked by petrol bombs. There were 22 security personnel on duty who say they were overwhelmed by the mob. Unless we acknowledge that something continues to be wrong, there will be no solution. The question though is, does this government want a solution? It is very good at pointing fingers at others and ignoring its own mistakes. The mainstream media has consistently been party to this tactic and so far, it shows little sign of change.

    https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2023/jun/16/manipur-looks-for-structural-adjustments-2585416.html

    If you have watched any prim time debates on our top TV channels or any news coverage countering Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s claim that Modi’s “exemplary leadership” has “unleashed the true potential of North Eastern States” in light of the unrest in Manipur, do let me know (see screenshot).

    And then, the very slow action by the Delhi Police on complaints by India’s wrestlers that they were sexually abused by Wrestling Federation chief and BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Singh. The Delhi Police only acted after the Supreme Court intervened. The mainstream media ignored the public protests or vilified the wrestlers. The Delhi Police wants to withdraw the POCSO case against Singh because that is the most damaging, after the father of the minor girl claimed he filed the complaint out of anger.

    https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/minor-wrestlers-fathers-u-turn-not-decisive-in-probe-into-sexual-harassment-case-against-brij-bhushan-sharan-singh-legal-experts/cid/1943740

    https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/wfi-chief-brij-bhushan-singh-wrestlers-protest-minor-statement-fir-posco-act-delhi-police-2393284-2023-06-15

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/wrestling/cancellation-of-pocso-case-disappointing-say-wrestlers/articleshow/101033319.cms

    No matter how fast the news cycle turns, ongoing stories demand ongoing coverage. But inefficient as the media may be in general, the deliberate silencing here is at another level.

    As the prime minister prepares for his state visit to the USA next week, you can be guaranteed that this will be the focus for television and most of the print media. It provides them with an easy excuse for not covering the problems in the rest of India.

    And as for Uttarakhand and its sudden move towards rampant communalism, what can one say? The court has managed to stay one “mahapanchayat” by militant Hindutva organisations for now. But the damage is probably already done.

    https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/uttarakhand-high-court-maha-panchayat-purola-uttarkashi-rising-communal-tension-230686

     

    https://scroll.in/article/1050942/everyone-is-frightened-muslims-in-uttarakhands-purola-recount-a-campaign-to-hound-them-out

    Not that the mainstream media is interested in the state, unless there’s some natural calamity.

    It’s been 10 years since the devastating flash floods of 2013.

    One more disaster buried deep somewhere. Why do I go so far? How about the worst train accident in 20 years. Was that this month? Really? So much has happened since, no?

    Rah! Rah!

     

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

     

  • Omnicom Media Group is exclusive launch partner

    Criteo launches supply-side platform for commerce

    By Our Staff

     

    Criteom the commerce media company, has announced the launch of Commerce Grid, a supply-side platform (SSP) built for agencies and publishers looking to connect media and commerce with programmatic.

     

    Said Brian Gleason, Chief Revenue Officer at Criteo: “Commerce Grid is another milestone in our transformational roadmap, enabling our existing and future clients to engage in the massive commerce media opportunity. While publishers recognise the opportunity, they’ve also struggled to find a clear path on how to access commerce budgets and buyers. With Commerce Grid, we’re able to connect them directly to commerce demand and opportunities, while giving agencies and brands the flexibility to access desired commerce segments, coupled with premium supply, through their preferred demand platforms.”

     

    Omnicom Media Group (OMG) served as an exclusive agency partner for the launch. Said Megan Pagliuca, Chief Activation Officer at OMG: “Commerce Grid marks a significant step forward for the industry by enabling both flexibility and performance. This gives us a new opportunity to find and reach the right audiences by leveraging existing buying systems and workflows to deliver superior commerce outcomes for our clients.”

     

  • ASCI releases guidelines on ‘Online Deceptive Design Patterns’ in ads

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has published  comprehensive guidelines for ‘Online Deceptive Design Patterns in Advertising’, to “empower businesses, designers, and stakeholders to create user-centric experiences while promoting transparency, trust, and ethical standards in the digital landscape”.

     

    The following are the areas that the new guidelines address:

    1. Drip Pricing: Drip pricing refers to a practice in which elements of the costs are not revealed up front, and the total price is only revealed at the very end of the buying process or after confirmation of purchase. This creates ambiguity around the final price as well as prevents easy cost comparisons. The guidelines require quoted prices in advertisements and e-commerce sites to include non-optional taxes, duties, fees and charges that apply to all buyers. Incomplete price representations upfront would be considered misleading.

    2. Bait and Switch: When an ad or an element in an ad directly or indirectly implies one outcome of the consumer’s action but instead serves up another, it is misleading.

    3. False Urgency: Stating or implying that quantities of a product or service are more limited than they are is considered misleading. In case of a complaint, the advertiser would be required to demonstrate that the stock position at the time of the appearance of the limited quantity message was of a level where the urgency communicated could not be considered misleading.

    4. Disguised Ads: An advertisement that is of a similar format as editorial or organic content must clearly disclose that it is an ad. Examples could be influencer posts, paid reviews, and ads placed in a manner to appear like editorial content.

    Said Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI: “With the government and the industry echoing their belief in self-regulation, we believe that the guidelines we have issued today will play a crucial role in fostering a more ethical and trustworthy advertising ecosystem and protecting consumer trust. These guidelines will require businesses to create communication and systems that respect user autonomy, improve transparency, and encourage well-informed choices.”

     

    Added Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary Department of Consumer Affairs: “We welcome the new ASCI guidelines related to advertising. Deceptive online patterns are also a violation of the Consumer Protection Act. We look forward to working with ASCI and the industry to support a robust self-regulatory mechanism for the larger framework on online deceptive patterns”.

     

    The guidelines will be applicable from September 1, 2023.  To read the detailed guidelines, please visit link: https://www.ascionline.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Guidelines-for-Online-Deceptive-Design-Patterns-in-Advertising.pdf

     

  • CenturyPly and its advertising agency, Wunderman Thompson, also onboarded Scam 1992 director Hansal Mehta for the film

    CenturyPly Club Prime gets onscreen Harshad Mehta for a push

    By Our Staff

     

    Plywood brand CenturyPly has embarked on a marketing campaign where it has partnered the Scam 1992, the OTT show on SonyLIv that had received rave reviews.

     

    Now we all know the various shades of grey that one associates with Harsha Mehta, but CenturyPly has tied up with the show and brought in the Pratik Gandhi who plays Harshad Mehta in the show to hardsell the product.

     

    CenturyPly and its advertising agency, Wunderman Thompson, also onboarded Scam 1992 director Hansal Mehta for the film.

     

    Commenting on the campaign,  Keshav Bhajanka, Executive Director, CenturyPly, said: “It’s very easy to get conned when buying plywood. A customer has a hard time, having to weigh the pros & cons of various brands of plywood in order to arrive at the right choice. CenturyPly has always kept the customer front & centre in everything that it does. In line with its corporate philosophy, this new advertisement for Club Prime is intended to give peace of mind to customers, helping them make the best ‘investment’.”

     

    Speaking on the film, Arjun Mukherjee, VP & Senior ECD, Wunderman Thompson, Kolkata, said, ‘Who better to speak about investment in India than the Big Bull himself? Who better to recreate the imagery of Harshad Mehta than Hansal Mehta? Who better to enact that role than Pratik Gandhi? When one brings together all in a commercial, along with the iconic music, one can hope it’s going to be a memorable watch.”

     

    The question is: will you buy a product that’s being pushed by Harshad Mehta, even if it’s in an ad?

     

     

  • Saregama's music catalogue from Hindi, Telugu and Bhojpuri is now available on both Jio TV and Jio TV+

    Saregama partners Jio to launch 3 music channels

    By Our Staff

     

    Leading music label Saregama has partnered with Jio TV to introduce three new music channels. The channels – Saregama Music, Saregama Telugu, and Saregama Hum Bhojpuri, will be available for all Jio subscribers on mobile phones through the JioTV app and on smart TVs through the JioTV+ app, giving them access to a portfolio of 400+ hours of music entertainment across languages.

     

    Notes a communique: “Featuring some of India’s most loved songs, Saregama Music will be the ultimate destination for Bollywood music lovers on JioTV which hosts 1000+ channels and is available for free for all Jio sim users. The Saregama music channel on JioTV will offer curated programming for all seasons, which will range from film music to Saregama originals, recreations, ghazals and devotional songs. The programming line-up will consist of music from the likes of Arijit Singh, Badshah, Armaan Malik, Shreya Ghoshal, Neha Kakkar, Sunidhi Chauhan and many more.”

     

  • Himanshu Singhal appointed as VP of Sales (APAC)

    DangleAds Technologies hires to drive company growth

    By Our Staff

     

    Himanshu Singhal

    DangleAds Technologies appoints Himanshu Singhal as the company’s Vice President of Sales – APAC.

     

    In his new role, Himanshu will be responsible for leading business operations in the APAC region and will be driving revenue growth. He will work closely with the company’s leadership to develop and execute strategic sales initiatives, build partnerships with clients/publishers, and identify new business opportunities.

     

    Said Pulkit Narayan – Founder and CEO of DangleAds: “We are thrilled to have Himanshu Singhal on board as our new VP of Sales (APAC),” Currently, DangleAds is focused on building & scaling its in-house Programmatic Platform – AudienceConnect.AI where we have onboarded various ad exchanges and direct publisher partnerships to make supply available through Display, Rich Media and Video as well as making inventories available for ConnectedTV. The global expansion strategy with new offices in Europe, United Kingdom, UAE, Singapore and India along with multiple strong hirings further empowers the team to offer its services worldwide with an unwavering contribution to the field of digital advertising. We look forward to working with Himanshu to take DangleAds Technologies to new heights.”

     

  • Unlike earlier times when multitasking was the prerogative of a few, today multitasking is a basic tool of survival, writes Vikas Mehta

    Vikas Mehta: The Gen Z Redux – Part 2

    With apologies to none at all

    By Vikas Mehta

     

    Vikas MehtaUnsurprisingly, I received some bouquets and brickbats for my last post on Gen Z. Unsurprising also, since most of the parents refuted my views about Gen Z (I can only imagine how they are coping with their children) and some Gen Z actually complimented me on the article.

     

    However, there were some notable exceptions where the parents actually thought that I was onto something and gave me examples of their children. And in one case, a Gen Z actually queried me as to why I think some points about Gen Z were complimentary when he thought they were actually negative.

     

    Let’s dive in.

    The point which most parents grudgingly admitted to was the self-confidence and drive of Gen Z to achieve what they wanted. Their comfort with technology, specially. The disdain too, most agreed to but also admitted that they tend to ignore it as they are technologically not even close to the Gen Z.

     

    The interesting thing was that most parents were against the concept of multitasking. How can one study and listen to music and watch sports at the same time? Is the tendency to focus and be the best in one thing not a better approach? Is it multitasking or multi distractions, asked another.

     

    I do admit that traditionally multitasking may not be the best way forward for a youngster. It’s only a few geniuses who can be at the top of each task they are doing simultaneously. But, let’s not forget the times we are living in. We are switched on 24/7. There is information overload. Newer technologies and evolution of gadgets is a realty. And all this leads to peer pressure too. So, in my opinion, multitasking is a basic hygiene need. Unlike earlier times when multitasking was the prerogative of a few, today multitasking is a basic tool of survival.

     

    Just look at today’s education system and the overhaul that’s in the pipeline. Higher education institutes will have no option but to allow interdisciplinary subjects. A humanities student could choose programming as an elective. Or a computer science UG student could opt for economics as an elective. And it’s not just about taking an elective for fun. It is already serious business. I have met students of fine arts who admit that their drawing skills are poor but they use programming to express and illustrate their ideas. Now tell me isn’t this multitasking? Even honours courses today offer double specialisation. Multitasking anyone?

     

    And therefore, if students today are not picking up such options they are losing out on a skill which could soon be a requisite. And peer pressure, of course. “What, you are doing a course on charcoal sketching and you do not know how to use a computer to illustrate your idea?” Today, if youngsters are not multitasking, they are labelled as lazy. Parents, multitasking is a fact and it will soon be a defining feature of what your child is. Ignore it at your own peril.

     

    I was therefore pleasantly surprised when one of my students actually raised the quality issue on multitasking. Does multitasking leads to anything being done, especially when one is unable to compartmentalise, was the question posed to me? The youngster who asked me this was on an intense onsite internship. He was also being supportive of a friend thousands of miles away, who had lost a parent. At the same time, he was reading my blog and appreciating and commenting on its nuances. Hadn’t he had answered himself?

     

    Shorter attention spans and lacking an eye for details was another criticism I came across about Gen Z. Being a part of the generation where we were told that the god is in details, I could not have agreed more. But then let’s not forget that in today’s technology age there are enough tools available that take care of the above deficiencies. A proficiency in spelling or grammar is not a must to write a good research report, a thesis or even a news item. For there are enough software programmes available which will not only correct your language but will take your thoughts and ideas into a great prose.

     

    We fear that ChatGPT will allow machines to take over even the creative domain. My take is that programmes like ChatGPT cannot work unless you give them proper guidelines and directions. So, creativity can still belong to the human domain and finessing it could be the technology domain.

     

    Shorter attention span does have a downside, though. It also leads to short term thinking. Too much of living in the present. Not wanting to think beyond the obvious. We say that the leaders should be visionaries. Unfortunately, short attention span will not allow Gen Z to have a long0term perspective. There is a problem now. Let’s solve it. Long terms implications is either too much of an effort or let it become the prerogative of the machines. That’s where, in my mind, will the machines start taking over.

     

    I know, I am connecting dots and maybe being complicated. That’s long-term thinking. And because long-term thinking is an attribute that may dwindle if attention spans are limited. The more one debates, the more one analyses, the future become clearer. As one parent put it very nicely, my son says that overthinking is a weakness. It’s not. It’s a virtue. Cultivate it. Or the machines will take over that and we all know what Deep blue did to Garry Kasporov more than two decades ago.

     

    I think Gen Z is a quantum leap in generations in the last over a millennium. It’s like moving from LP vinyl records to digital music. Rather than fight this change we must embrace it. Only then can we identify and rectify its flaws too. Together.

     

  • To strengthen creative capabilities

    Option Designs appoints Mayank Gaur as New Creative Director

    By Our Staff

     

    Mayank Gaur
    Mayank Gaur

    Option Designs, a digital marketing firm, appoints Mayank Gaur as its new creative director. With more than three decades of experience in the advertising sector, Mayank brings to the company a wealth of knowledge and a successful track record.

     

    Jaspreet Singh, the Co-Founder and National Creative Director of Option Designs, said: “Mayank Gaur’s extensive experience and track record of successful campaign creation make him an invaluable asset to the agency, and we are beyond thrilled to have him joining our team. With the addition of Mayank as Creative Director, Option Digital is prepared to strengthen its creative capabilities and offer its clients even more effective digital marketing solutions.”

     

  • With the Pataudi brother-sister duo

    TVA Productions films Myntra’s House of Pataudi Ad

    By Our Staff

     

    Myntra, fashion e-commerce platform,  unveiled House of Pataudi in October 2018 with Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. The brand collections are inspired by Saif Ali Khan’s personality statement, which considers his Pataudi heritage and contemporary fashion.

     

    In a recent ad film, House of Pataudi brand, highlighted Indian traditions and ethnic clothing. The film focused on the brother-sister banter during which they discovered unexpected twinning on a festive day. Soha opens her surprise gift and finds a gorgeous ‘House of Pataudi’ outfit. She discovers unexpectedly that her outfit matches that of her brother & they looked terrific when twinning!

     

    On the day of the shoot, Saif and Soha were seen enjoying this unique concept and were often caught in an exchange of laughter. Along with creating the commercial, TVA Productions also executed the whole campaign photoshoot for the brand.

     

    Harish Ramaswamy, Deputy Director, Marketing for Myntra’s House of Brands portfolio, said: “Working with TVA Productions with such a talented cast was incredible. It is one of the best brand shoots we have ever done. Special thanks to TVA for making this happen on such short notice. Despite many challenges and tight timelines, they remained available at 7 a.m. or 11 p.m. Throughout the process, the team ensured a smooth execution and timely delivery. This couldn’t have been done with anyone else, so big thanks to TVA.”

     

    Tarika Gulabani, the co-founder of TVA Group, added: “We are delighted to be able to work with such a wonderful team at Myntra, who trusted us with this project. It was an interesting concept for us to crack. At TVA, we prioritize quality over everything else. Working with the House of Pataudi and Myntra team was fantastic and great fun.”

     

  • As their first brand ambassador

    Rashmika Mandanna to promote NIC ice-creams

    By Our Staff

     

    NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams (NIC), a part of Walko Food Company Pvt. Ltd., unveils Rashmika Mandanna as their first-ever Brand Ambassador. Rashmika’s association with NIC is poised to enhance its presence.

     

    NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams offers a range with fresh fruit flavours like Ratnagiri Alphonso Mango, Tender Coconut, Chunky Sitaphal to indulgent flavours like Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel and Smooth n Creamy Belgian Chocolate and authentic Indian-inspired creations such as Gulab Jamun, Gajar Halwa, Sheer Khurma and Motichoor Ladoo Ice Creams.

     

    Expressing his views, Sanjiv Shah, Director, Walko Food Company Pvt Ltd, said: “We are filled with pride to have Rashmika Mandanna with us as NIC’s first brand ambassador. Her charm and appeal make her the perfect embodiment of our brand values. This partnership holds immense significance for us as it represents our commitment to cater to a wide audience’s diverse tastes and preferences. Together, we embark on a thrilling journey to create moments of pure happiness and share the bliss of indulging in the perfect ice cream treat.”

     

  • For its Lubricants business

    Shahid Kapoor roped in as brand ambassador for Shell India

    By Our Staff

     

    Shell India has onboarded Bollywood versatile actor Shahid Kapoor as the brand ambassador for its Lubricants business. Shell is looking to expand its customer base and will bank on Kapoor’s pan-India popularity and youthful energy across all age groups.

     

    The brand also launched its new campaign, ‘Rukna Mushkil Hai,’ for Shell Advance range of motorcycle oils today. Aimed towards everyday Indian riders, the new campaign celebrates the rider community.

     

    Said Amit Ghugre, Automotive Sales and Marketing Manager, Shell Lubricants India: “At Shell, we constantly strive for progress. This collaboration strengthens our goal to support the hardworking spirit of bikers and power their progress. Shahid is an obvious choice as he has the right appeal and passion for love for bikes that has endeared him to millions of Indians, as a beloved youth icon. We are truly delighted to have Shahid on board as the Brand Ambassador for Rukna Mushkil Hai.”

     

  • An unfair question to ask, but, as we have said in the past, we don't profess to be fair while asking questions. Just joking. Here's Dr Bhaskar Das in the June 19 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | It’s not yet the end of H1 of 2023, but without looking at performance numbers, who according to you has been the star media performer this year?

    Bhaskar DasAn unfair question to ask, but, as we have said in the past, we don’t profess to be fair while asking questions. Just joking. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the June 19 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. It’s not yet the end of H1 of 2023, but without looking at performance numbers, who according to you has been the star media performer this year?

     

    A. Since there is no audited third-party data on business performance ranking so far as media companies are concerned, a perception-based ranking would be fraught with lack of reliability. Having said that, if one goes by the ‘noise factor’, I can imagine companies like Alphabet, Meta and Jio would continue to be the leading winners as business taking into account both the demand and supply side of the business (SVOD and AVOD).