MxMIndia

Author: Our Staff

  • To position itself as a youth-centered content network

    Fever FM unveils new brand identity and tagline

    Fever FM Network has unveiled a new brand identity and tagline ‘Happening Hai’. Fever listeners will now get to select and cancel songs and playlists on air, choose their RJs, and even curate shows, among other features.

    Said Ramesh Menon, CEO, Audio, HT Media Group: “We are excited to launch the ’New Fever’ with a focus on the new age, digital savvy, younger generation. The new Fever will be curated by the listeners, for the listeners. It revolutionizes the way we ever experienced radio. Your love for the brand has shaped us over the years and provided us with insights to deepen our understanding of your needs. We are confident you will have a wonderful time engaging with us terrestrially and digitally on the ’New Fever’.

     

  • For expansion in the western region

    The Good Edge appoints Vinu Lal for Pune

    The Good Edge, a public relations firm, has appointed Vinu Lal, a journalist-turned-entrepreneur, as Director. As part of the agency’s expansion in the western region, Lal will set up the company’s Pune office with a mandate to develop that region.

    Since 2020, Lal has been on a sabbatical with assorted content assignments with London-based Capital.com and Hong Kong-based Insurance Asia News.

    Notes a communique: “As part of the agency’s expansion in the western region, Vinu will set up the company’s Pune office with a mandate to develop that region.”

  • The building materials company

    Akshay Kumar signed as Brand Ambassador of SG Mart

    SG Mart Ltd., the building materials brand, has signed Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. SG Mart aims to expand its brand presence across the nation post this.

    Said Shiv Bansal, Joint Managing Director of SG Mart Ltd: “We are delighted to announce Akshay Kumar as the esteemed brand ambassador of SG Mart. Akshay’s versatility and dedication to excellence match the core values of the platform as it features cutting-edge building materials from industry-leading Indian brands. Through this alliance, we aim to establish a connection with our valued customers, ensuring that our exceptional marketplace becomes the preferred choice in the infrastructure market as construction projects rise in the country.”

  • For markets in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru

    Liqvd Asia rolls out commercial for Infino ice-cream

    Devyani Food Industries Ltd (DFIL), a part of the RJ Corp group, has introduced Infino, a premium ice-cream brand in the markets of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. As part of this launch, DFIL has unveiled two digital video commercials (DVC), conceptualised by Team Liqvd Asia.

    Commenting on the DVC launch, Sudhir Chavan – CEO, DFIL said: “Brand Infino is an embodiment of elegance and exquisite taste. With the brand’s launch, our aim was to redefine the ice-cream landscape, offering a sensory journey that transcends consumer expectations. With our brand films the objective was clear – we need to depict the essence of indulgence, decadence and sophistication, thereby showing the world our brand’s unique offering and superior quality. We believe this launch will not only redefine ice-cream experience for consumers but also set new standards for premium offering in the Indian market. Selecting digital launch for both our “brand films” was a strategic decision rooted in the dynamic landscape of consumer engagement. In a world where digital platforms are omnipresent, we aimed for a wide impact with our target audience across platforms and markets. The films that we have released embodies our brand ethos and communicates how the brand and products are perceived.”

    Sunil Gangras, Head of Creative Services, Liqvd Asia added: “When we were thinking about manifesting the magic of Infino in the creative expression, we wanted to disrupt the premium segment with a product that not only smacks of elitism but also is dazzlingly different in every aspect of design, and we wanted to dial up indulgence in every frame and every conversation. Our single-minded proposition was to establish INFINO as an ‘Out of this world’ brand and hence, we gave it a creative spin by creating its own universe of delight and decadence. This was achieved through a narrative that landed right on the discerning taste buds. Our creative strategy was crafted in a way that makes Infino drool-worthy and desirable enough to drive trials for this premium ice-cream brand and make a dent in the universe.”

  • Unveils "digital evolution"

    Asianet News M&E is now Asianxt Digital Technologies

    Asianet News Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, a pan-India media-tech player, has announced its rebranding to Asianxt Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

    Other than Asianetnews.com, a multilingual digital news and entertainment hub catering to audiences in eight languages, the company also owns the powerful Asianet News Network, featuring leading news brands such as Asianet News (Malayalam), Asianet Suvarna News (Kannada) and the Kannada Prabha daily. Complementing its news offerings, Asianxt also has in its portfolio IndigoMusic.com, the international music brand with a following in markets like Bengaluru, Goa etc. As part of this change, Asianxt has unveiled a new brand logo and identity.

    Neeraj Kohli
    Neeraj Kohli

    Said Neeraj Kohli, CEO of Asianxt Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd: ” Our vision is to serve content across audiences, agnostic of any platform, language and geography. With Asianxt, we aim to transcend barriers and offer diverse and engaging content to global consumers. This rebranding is a strategic move towards realizing that vision. We are confident that our renewed focus on technology and digital-first values will resonate with our audiences and stakeholders alike.”

    Rajesh Kalra
    Rajesh Kalra

    Added Rajesh Kalra, Executive Chairman of Asianxt Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd: “This is a pivotal moment for us as it is a reflection of our commitment to embracing a digital-first future. As Asianxt, we aim to continue to push boundaries and set new standards for journalism. We are excited about the possibilities this transformation opens up for us and our audiences.”

  • Appoints Kumar Priyesh as Brand Director

    Stellantis India strengthens leadership at Jeep

    Kumar Priyesh
    Kumar Priyesh

    Stellantis India announces the appointment of Kumar Priyesh as Brand Director for Jeep.

    Said Aditya Jairaj, CEO and MD Stellantis India: “We are thrilled to welcome Priyesh to the Jeep India team. His rich experience and strategic acumen will play a pivotal role in propelling the Jeep brand to new heights in the Indian market. We eagerly anticipate his leadership and the transformative impact he will bring to fortify Jeep’s presence in the country.”

  • To be based in Mumbai

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Balakrishna Gajelli as ECD

    Balakrishna Gajelli
    Balakrishna Gajelli

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe in India, has appointed Balakrishna Gajelli as Executive Creative Director (ECD). He will be based in the agency’s Mumbai office and report to Kartik Smetacek, Chief Creative Officer at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. He has worked with FCB Ulka, BBDO India and Leo Burnett India in the past.

    Commenting on his appointment, Smetacek said: “This will be the second time I’m working with Bala. He’s a solid thinker, a talented designer and a trustworthy individual. In recent years, he’s also gained a lot of experience with non-traditional work, working on some on India’s most awarded campaigns. It’s fantastic to have him be part of our team.”

  • Campaign conceptualised by Ogilvy India

    Zoya Akhtar & Cadbury partner for V-Day

    This Valentine’s Day, Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk from Mondelez India, plays cupid once again to highlight some “unforgettable” love stories around us.

    The brand has joined forces with filmmaker Zoya Akhtar who brings in her expertise to help couples craft their cherished moments into beautiful memoirs.

    Speaking about this, Nitin Saini, VP- Marketing, Mondelez India, said: ” Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk continues to reign as the ultimate curator of Valentine’s Day celebrations. We believe the priceless romantic moments are not always the expensive ones, therefore with this campaign, we wanted to celebrate the everyday magic of a deeper and meaningful love and create a platform for couples to express their unique stories in a truly personal and heartwarming way. The idea was to create an experience that couples could revel in by watching a movie on them, by them and gush over the cute moments that are a testament of their love. The collaboration with Zoya Akhtar adds an extra layer of creativity, ensuring this campaign will be an unforgettable celebration of the diverse and beautiful stories that make each love story unique. Combined with the power of technology, this collaboration will bring love stories to life that is bound to touch hearts.”

    Added Kainaz Karmakar and Harshad Rajadhyaksha, CCOs, Ogilvy India: “Where there’s love, there’s a story. And there can’t be a better gift than your story made into your own AI movie. When Akshay Seth came to us with the ‘Story of Us’ we instantly loved it, but the execution was a challenge. It involved a partnership between Cadbury Silk x Zoya Akhtar x AI x Disney+Hotstar x Millions of personal stories! Since this is the first time customized AI video generation at scale is being attempted, it took a lot for all the moving parts to come together but they finally have. The interface, with Zoya Akhtar as your guide nudges you to dig into your story and pull out the best nuggets. Then AI will turn that into a mini movie featuring Avatars of the two of you. The best stories will feature as an anthology on the streaming platform Disney+Hotstar.”

     

  • Anticipated to reach a projected value of US$15.84 billion

    Digital AdEx set to double in 2023-24

    The Indian advertising market has experienced an impressive upswing, surpassing expectations and establishing itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. It secured the 8th spot in the  global ad spend, emerging as the fastest-growing market among the Top 10 in 2023. Initially projected to grow at a moderate rate of 8–10% in the fiscal year 2022-23, the digital advertising sector defied expectations. Fueled by Economic Tailwinds in 2023-24, digital ad expenditure is forecasted to more than double, reaching US$ 21 billion by 2027-28.

    Currently, notes the report, India’s advertising sector has shifted digitally with the rise in smartphone and internet users. According to IBEF, this has fuelled a thriving digital ad market, projected to reach US$ 7.9 billion by 2027 with a 12.3% CAGR. While TV and traditional marketing holds their ground, the internet and digital platforms dominate. Social media leads with 30% of ad expenditure (Rs. 8,757 crore or US$ 1.05 billion), followed by online video at 28% (Rs. 8,319 crore or US$ 1 billion). Paid search constitutes 23% (Rs. 6,895 crore or US$ 892.23 million) and display banners make up 16% (Rs. 4,816 crore or US$ 579.2 million).

    What to expect in 2024?

    The dynamic landscape of digital marketing in India demands constant awareness of evolving trends for sustained business growth. Projections indicate that advertising revenue in India is set to hit Rs. 394 billion (US$ 5.42 billion) by 2024. Says Vaasu Gavarasana, COO at RMT (Red Matter Technologies), Mentor & Marketing Coach at T-Hub and IIT Madras: “Anticipate significant shifts in marketing approaches, notably a surge in TV advertising expected to reach Rs. 394 billion (US$ 4.89 billion) in 2024. Outperforming global counterparts, Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising is poised for growth at a remarkable CAGR of 9.9%. The digital industry is gearing up to contribute 38% to India’s overall advertising sector, matching television’s impact. Expect a substantial uptick in spending on social media marketing, fueled by the ascent of short videos and internet advertising”.

    Factors contributing to Digital Marketing and Advertising In 2024, various factors will shape the landscape of digital marketing and advertising. Television is poised to dominate the Indian media market, capturing 40%, closely trailed by print media at 13%, and the burgeoning OTT and gaming industries at 8%. This landscape creates a ripe environment for digital advertisements on these platforms including the advertising-based video on demand (AVoD) segment which is projected to experience significant growth, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 24%, reaching a substantial US$ 2.6 billion by 2025.

    As we look ahead, an estimated 600-650 million Indians will actively engage with short-form videos, dedicating 55 to 60 minutes of their day to this content, as reported by IBEF. By 2027, India is poised to become the fourth-largest TV advertising market globally, trailing only behind the United States, Japan, and China. Additionally, mobile internet advertising is set to claim a significant share, constituting 73% of internet advertising income in India by the same year, shaping the ever-changing digital advertising terrain.

    These developments signal a transformative period for digital advertising, impacting businesses across all levels and ushering in a new era of interactive marketing and innovation. The future promises a dynamic landscape, where strategic adaptation to emerging trends will be pivotal for businesses seeking to thrive in this evolving digital marketing environment.

  • To bolster influencer marketing campaigns with AI-enabled solutions

    Hypothesis partners with Togglehead

    Hypothesis, an AI-enabled influencer marketing platform, has partnered with Togglehead, a digital agency. Hypothesis will bolster Togglehead’s data-driven approach to execute the agency’s marketing campaigns.

    Said Himani Agrawal, Senior Vice President – Product & Analytics at Hypothesis: “We are thrilled to partner with Togglehead, a fast-paced independent agency. By leveraging decades of knowledge gathered from bringing creators and brands together, we are committed to empowering Togglehead with an innovative AI-enhanced tool that focuses on enabling influencer marketing with data driven processes in a super easy to use interface. Hypothesis is a first-of-its-kind platform that tackles the pain point of limited access to verified creator information and the challenge of navigating through ‘the many’ to find ‘the one’. This, along with automated campaign tracking, makes it well positioned to save time and drive efficiencies in the entire influencer marketing journey.”

    Added Aatef Bham, Co-founder & Director – Digital Business at Togglehead: “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Hypothesis, a cutting-edge AI-powered influencer marketing tool. At Togglehead, we’ve always been committed to staying at the forefront of digital innovation, and this collaboration with Hypothesis exemplifies that dedication.”

  • To help boost brand's reputation

    DigiStreet Media bags mandate of SLCM

    By Our Staff

    Leading aggregate solutions company Sohan Lal Commodity Management has appointed DigiStreet Media as its strategic partner to handle the digital and creative mandate.

    Commenting on the partnership, Charu Goswami, Head of Corporate Communications at SLCM, said: “In an era where digital presence is crucial, we are thrilled to entrust DigiStreet Media with our digital and creative mandate. Their proven track record and innovative approach align with our objectives, and we believe this partnership will elevate our brand in the digital realm.”

    Added Darpan Sharma, CEO & Strategist at DigiStreet Media: “The opportunity to partner with SLCM is truly exciting, and we are eager to play a role in shaping their digital and creative trajectory. Our objective is to leverage the art of compelling storytelling and creative concepts to not just meet but exceed the expectations associated with the digital & creative mandate.”

  • Both are expected to bring fresh perspectives and contribute significantly to the continued growth of M&E

    Kevin Vaz & Arjun Nohwar appointed Chair & Co-chair of FICCI Media & Ent Committee

    By Our Staff

    Kevin Vaz
    Kevin Vaz
    Arjun Nohwar
    Arjun Nohwar

    The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), announced the appointment of Kevin Vaz, CEO – Broadcast Entertainment, Viacom18 as the Chairman of FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee. It also announced Arjun Nohwar, General Manager for India & South Asia for Warner Bros. Discovery, as Co-Chair.

    Said Leena Jaisani, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI said, “FICCI, as the apex industry association, has consistently led the charge in fostering collaborations with diverse stakeholders within the realms of Indian commerce and government.  In navigating the complexities of this dynamic landscape, FICCI remains steadfast in its commitment to driving meaningful policy discussions and facilitating their effective adoption, thereby shaping a vibrant and progressive future for the media and entertainment sector in India. FICCI is confident that Mr Vaz, with his wealth of experience, will bring fresh perspectives and contribute significantly to the continued growth of the Media & Entertainment industry.”

    Said Vaz:  “The Indian Media and Entertainment industry is at an interesting tipping point in time. While the interplay of technology, content and consumer behaviour is reshaping the very definition of the sector, in India there is a clear headroom for growth across categories and a confluence of interests between multiple players in the ecosystem. At a global stage, the soft power inherent to our industry can act as a leverage multiplier to India’s growing cultural influence. I feel honoured to be given the responsibility to lead this committee and look forward to interacting with stakeholders across the board to further our sector’s footprint.”

    Added Nohwar: “Accepting the mantle of Co-Chair at FICCI’s Media & Entertainment committee is an honour for me and I look forward to engaging with industry leaders, government stakeholders, and policy makers. Together, with a shared commitment, we aspire to build synergies that not only guide our industry towards unparalleled growth but also solidify its standing as a global leader. In this endeavour, I look forward to working closely with Kevin Vaz (Chair) and Sandhya Devanathan (Co-Chair), leveraging our collective expertise to chart a visionary course for the industry. FICCI’s steadfast dedication to fostering collaboration and shaping progressive policies is laudable, and I am particularly excited about the prospect of contributing to the dynamic evolution of the Indian Media & Entertainment landscape.”