MxMIndia

Author: Our Staff

  • Called ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’, it’s billed as the largest ever football talent hunt for Under-14 girls and boys

    News9 launches U-14 football talent hunt

    TV9 Network’s English news brand News9 has announced the launch of ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’, billed as the largest-ever football talent hunt aimed at girls and boys below 14 years of age.

    The occasion witnessed the participation of stalwarts of German football including Kay Dammholz, Head of International Media at the German Football Association (DFB), Peter Leible from Bundesliga, Gerhard Riedl, CEO of Riespo in Austria, Julia Farr of Borussia Dortmund in Asia, Anselm Küchle from the International Football Institute in Germany, Philip Klöckl, CEO of Strykerlabs in Austria, and Valentina Putz, also from Strykerlabs.

    Commenting on the initiative, Barun Das, MD and CEO of TV9 Network said: “The News9 ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ initiative is a matter of great pride for us, as it takes football in a whole new direction in India. We envision a future where Indian footballers are given opportunities to be in the global spotlight akin to any of the major footballing nations in the West. This is also one of the pillars that need to be leveraged in India’s ascendancy in the global head table. That starts by giving these players a level playing field, by making football a serious career option for these talented youngsters, and training them to be world-class players from a young age. This is not just about finding out what you are good at – it is about opening doors and lighting up thousands of dreams”.

    The talent hunt will run April through July and will be amplified across TV9 Network platforms reaching an approximate audience of over 220 crore viewers nationwide. Moreover, TV9 Digital, which has over 100 million unique users, will promote the initiative across all its multi-lingual platforms including its YouTube channels.

    “As we embark on this ground-breaking initiative, we stand at the crossroads of innovation and opportunity. Together, with our esteemed partners and the vibrant talent pool of India, we are poised to redefine the future of soccer,” said Peter Leible, Senior Advisor, Bundesliga.

    Registration for the talent hunt will begin shortly, with European football scouts set to evaluate the entries. Selected candidates will undergo scouting at various venues across India by the end of June.

  • Launches limited edition pack with Shahid Kapoor

    Shell Advance upgrades portfolio

    Shell Lubricants India unveiled its upgraded portfolio of Shell Advance Motorcycle oils and launched a limited-edition packaging featuring brand ambassador Shahid Kapoor, continuing a partnership on the Rukna Mushkil Hai brand campaign.

    Introducing the new and improved Shell Advance range, Amit Ghugre, Chief Marketing Officer, Shell Lubricants India, said: “For us, ‘Rukna Mushkil Hai’ is not just an emotion but a platform to empower riders to be truly unstoppable. Last year, we teamed up with Shahid Kapoor to echo the spirit of these motoring enthusiasts, and now we are taking it a step further with portfolio upgrades to offer stronger and more impactful consumer benefits. With our special edition packs, we hope to inspire more users to fulfil their passion for riding with Shell Advance engine oils.”

  • Anjana Om Kashyap’s show ‘Rajtilak’ will journey across 100 cities

    Aaj Tak takes the helicopter route for elections coverage

    What we are set to witness is the mother-of-all-elections. And for Hindi news television leaders Aaj Tak, even the sky is not the limit as far as the coverage goes. Star anchor-editor Anjana Om Kashyap will take the helicopter route for a special show titled ‘Rajtilak’. Kashyap will journey across 100 cities in India and to remote parts of the country.

    Speaking on this occasion, Rahul Shaw (CEO – TV & Radio, TVTN) said: “Rajtilak’ prioritises raw, unfiltered opinions and perspectives of citizens. As the most trusted news brand of the country, the citizens expect no less from AajTak. AajTak’s Helicopter shot in the final match of Indian politics will revolutionise the coverage, guaranteeing unprecedented reach and engagement with democracy in live action.”

    Added Sandeep Seksaria (Managing Director, LTK Industries) added: “LTK Group is proud and pleased to be associated with TV Today Network, India Today Group for this unique initiative Aaj Tak ka Helicopter Shot – ‘Rajtilak’. The communication objective of our brand Macho Hint and the Aaj Tak initiative matches perfectly well to be at the centre of the nation’s socio-political conversation. The idea of reaching out to the people across the nation aerially and bring to them the pulse of the nation is quite remarkable and Macho Hint is thrilled to be an honoured partner in this initiative.”

    Said Shashi Sinha, CEO of IPG Mediabrands India: “We are delighted to partner with Macho Hint of LTK Industries and Aaj Tak in this unique and innovative programme, Rajtilak Helicopter Shot.”

  • It's not just a trait that you find in India. Consumers across the world love some of the advertisements they consume. Here's the April 11 edition of Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | Many consumers still find advertising as intrusive rather than adding value. Is there a way in which they can be found to be adding value to the lives of people?

    Bhaskar DasIf 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: Many consumers still find advertising as intrusive rather than adding value. Is there a way in which they can be found to be adding value to the lives of people?

    A: In an AVOD-skewed marketplace as in India, advertising intrusiveness in content space is an ipso facto reality. The audience may not like it but they usually don’t mind when media marketeers get the content subsidised.

    Adding value to the lives of people through communication is easier said than done. It’s more a creative challenge where a communication needs to be integrated within the content architecture without vampiring the content integrity. But this demands more collaborative relationship between the brand owner and the media owner. A pretty tricky space! Finally, what will be good for the audience need not converge with pure play brand communication to increase the AIDA model.

    Key to terms used in response:

    AVOD: Advertising-based Video on Demand

    AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire (or Decision) and Action

  • To ramp up consumer reach

    Silver Spun expands to include influencer marketing

    Silver Spun Brand Solutions, an integrated marketing communications firm, is expanding its services by adding influencer marketing initiatives.

    Speaking about the development, Heeta Parikh, Founder, Silver Spun Brand Solutions, said: “As the digitisation of the world continues to bring global commerce and audience together, brands must adapt and act on innovative strategies. Our decision to incorporate influencer marketing into our portfolio arises from our deep understanding of our clients’ needs and the ever-changing dynamics of consumer engagement. With social media marketing at its peak and dedicated industry influencers being the most viable choice brands to engage the targeted audience, we felt it is the right time to be the informed mediator in bridging the gap for our existing and potential clientele in helping them reach influencer mindfully to ramp up their consumer reach and in turn contribute to their ROI.”

  • To drive business growth

    FCB India appoints Ashima Mehra as CEO

    Ashima Mehra
    Ashima Mehra

    FCB India, part of the FCB Group has appointed Ashima Mehra, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She was last with Leo Burnett India where she served as an Executive Director.

    Notes a communique: “As FCB India’s new CEO, Ashima will be responsible for overseeing the agency’s operations, driving business growth, nurturing client relationships, and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.”

  • To scale business and help expand team

    Frodoh World welcomes Shamsuddin Jasani as Strategic Advisor

    AdTech firm Frodoh World has onboarded former Wunderman Thompson CEO and digital native Shamsuddin Jasani as a Strategic Advisor. Jasani will help in the  teams expansion plans.  He will also play a pivotal role in the launch of Frodoh World’s digital Retail Media platform.

    Russhabh R Thakkar
    Russhabh R Thakkar

    Speaking on the development, Russhabh R Thakkar, CEO of Frodoh World, said: “Shams has always been a mentor to me and we believe that his invaluable expertise will catalyse Frodoh’s leadership in CTV innovation, Digital Retail Media and our overall company growth. With his strategic guidance, we are poised to pioneer groundbreaking advancements in the CTV space and new ventures in Retail Media further solidifying Frodoh World’s position as a frontrunner in the industry.”

  • 64 teams from over 2000 schools are set to compete

    Sony Liv to air Siddhartha Basu’s ‘Quizzer Of The Year’

    Remember Siddhartha Basu doing Quiz Time on Doordarshan in the mid-1980s? And various other shows like: Spectrum, The India Quez, The Beanstalk Quiz Summitt, Mastermind India, University Challenge, India’s Child Genius and of course Kaun Banega Crorepati.

    Basu and wife Anita Kaul Basu are now streaming Quizzer Of The Year (QOTY), a nationwide challenge on Sony Liv.

    It started from April 15 with zonal rounds hosted by seasoned quizmasters Joy Bhattacharjya and Col Vembu Shankar. Winning teams will advance to the quarterfinals, semi-finals, finals hosted by Basu, with the ultimate winner being crowned the Quizzer Of The Year.

  • To work closely with the core leadership team

    Havas Media gets Anand Kumar as President – South

    Anand Kumar
    Anand Kumar

    Havas Media Network India, the specialised media agency conglomerate of Havas India, has appointed Anand Kumar as President – South, Havas Media India to spearhead the operations in the southern markets.

    Anand will be based out of Bengaluru and report to Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India, and will work closely with the core leadership team of the agency. Kumar has worked in various media agencies in the past including Essence, Maxus, MEC, MPG amongst others.

    Said Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India: “We are now poised to embark on our next phase of growth, as we stay committed to making a meaningful difference in the industry. Our robust operations in the south, offer immense potential for marketers and as we continue to grow our business, Anand’s rich expertise will prove to be a huge leverage for us in the region. His addition to the team aligns perfectly with our commitment to staying at the forefront of media innovation.”

    Added Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India: “At Havas Media Network India, our team has grown to over 1000 members, reflecting our expanding presence both in terms of capabilities, talent pool and client base nationwide. Our operations in Bengaluru serve as a hub for numerous key and successful client relationships in the region. We are deeply ingrained in the southern market, leveraging our diverse competences via teams at PivotRoots, Havas Media India, and Centre of Excellence. As our network expands rapidly, we prioritize leaders who possess a profound understanding of the industry landscape. Anand’s appointment reflects our commitment to enhancing omnichannel planning capabilities and ensuring seamless workflows from client briefs to tangible business outcomes, particularly within the pivotal South market.”

  • Snehasis Bose elevated to Group Chief Strategy Officer

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Ekta Relan as CSO

    Paritosh Srivastava (Left) Ekta Relan (Center) Snehasis Bose (Right)
    Paritosh Srivastava (Left) Ekta Relan (Center) Snehasis Bose (Right)

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has strengthened its strategy leadership by elevating Snehasis Bose, its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), to the role of Group Chief Strategy Officer. With this, Bose will now oversee strategy across L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis India, and Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate. Additionally, Ekta Relan takes over the reins as the new Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. Together, Bose and Relan will collaborate to enhance the agency’s strategic initiatives.

    Commenting on the appointments, Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis India said: “Given the disproportionate growth all three agency brands have seen in client results, creative respect and revenue over the last few years, and the significant role the strategic function has played, it is the right time for us to introduce a force multiplier. Snehasis is a proven war horse who has been a great asset and most dependable partner to the agency. It’s a natural progression for him to bring his influence and impact across the other agencies. Ekta is a rare talent, with her wealth of experience and strategic acumen, she is the perfect strategic leader and cultural fit to take L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s spirit of ‘Our Client’s Business Is Our Business’ to the next level.”

  • Centred on its autograph collection, ‘My Embrace’

    Zoya campaign stars Sonam Kapoor

    Zoya, the diamond boutique from the House of Tata, has launched a brand campaign featuring its ambassador Sonam Kapoor.

    Centred on its autograph collection, ‘My Embrace’, an iconic collection, it embodies the brand’s homage to its timeless muse – the Zoya woman.

    Said Amanpreet Ahluwalia, Business Head of Zoya: “At Zoya we have always believed that women should be able to celebrate the joy of being just who they are, irrespective of the many roles they play in life. This collection journeys through the very soul of Zoya, a word which means ‘alive’. ‘My Embrace’ becomes an iconic symbol of self-acceptance, because you feel truly alive when you embrace who you are and are comfortable in your own skin.”

    Overseen by Creative Agency Spring Marketing Capital,  the campaign builds on previous successes exploring and celebrates every heroine’s love for her being.

    Added Arun Iyer, Founding Partner, Spring Marketing Capital: “Zoya’s design philosophy, inspired by the shape of an embrace, remains at the forefront. We’ve crafted this campaign around life’s authentic, joyous, and simple moments, set against expansive outdoor landscapes, which act as a blissful getaway. Collaborating with Sonam Kapoor gave us an opportunity to authentically showcase her joy in spaces synonymous with the Zoya brand.”

  • To drive growth across channels and regions

    ABP Network restructures sales team

    ABP Network has announced a series of strategic changes within its sales leadership team aimed at optimising operations, fostering enhanced collaboration, and positioning the company for success in the forthcoming year.

    Key highlights of the restructuring include:

    At the national level:

    • Parul Kamraelevated to National Sales Head for ABP News and ABP Asmita
    • Gautam Duttaelevated to National Sales Head for ABP Ananda
    • Shailendra Hegdeelevated to National Sales Head for ABP Majha

     At the regional level:

    • Saurabh Goelelevated to Region Head – North
    • Suman Mukherjeeelevated to Region Head – East
    • Madhvi Gajwanielevated to Region Head – West for ABP News, ABP Ananda, and ABP Asmita
    • Mahesh Bordeelevated to Region Head for ABP Majha in the West, in addition to his current role overseeing the Network for the rest of Maharashtra

    At branch level:

    • Sonali Chauhanto lead sales for ABP Ananda and ABP Majha in the North
    • Rishabh Duato lead sales for ABP News and ABP Asmita in the North
    • Saheli Dholto lead sales for Consolidated Team in the East
    • Kumar Luthriato lead sales for ABP News and ABP Asmita in the West

    For Spotlight:

    • Dhruv Bhattacharyahas been elevated to lead All India Sales for Spotlight. He will continue to manage States Business for the North
    • Surabhi Kesarwaniwill be Spotlight Head for North
    • Nishant Chaturvediwill be Spotlight Head for West and  South
    • Prashant Kumarwill join Spotlight team for West, based out of Mumbai

    Notes a communique: “As the organisation reflects on the achievements of the past year and gears up for an eventful election cycle, these changes, are designed to instill a sharper and more focused approach to its business. The new structure will empower sales teams, promote accountability, and enhance the company’s agility and responsiveness to market dynamics. This revamped structure reflects ABP Network’s unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and market leadership. By empowering the teams and streamlining operations, ABP Network is poised to drive sustainable growth and deliver exceptional value to its stakeholders.”