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  • The Gujarat Tourism is now branding one entire Reliance Metro Airport Express train for a period of three months with the 'Khushboo Gujarat ki' campaign

    Delhi to get a whiff of Gujarati flavour

    By A Correspondent

     

    The ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ Campaign featuring the mega star Amitabh Bachchan is currently omnipresent. Whether you switch on the TV or tune in to your favourite FM Radio Station or flip through the magazines and newspapers, the Khushboo of Gujarat is inescapable.

     

    Now the Gujarat Tourism is now branding one entire Reliance Metro Airport Express train for a period of three months. The ‘Khushboo Gujarat ki’ Campaign in its entirety would be branded on both the outer body and insides of the train by BIG Street, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd’s OOH arm.

     

    The train would be jointly flagged off by Shri Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of Gujarat and Shri Sanjay Kaul, Commissioner of Tourism & Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. on March 7 from the Reliance Metro Airport Express New Delhi Metro station.

     

    Gujaratis considered to be a land of myriad of opportunities. Though the impression about Gujarat is only that of land of ‘industrious people’, the state, renowned for its beaches, holy temples, and historic places of interest with immense architectural wealth, wildlife sanctuaries and hill resorts, also offers a lot to an avid traveller.

    The USP of Gujarat Tourism is its diversity of tourism products. It is being promoted as a complete family destination.

     

    The state has been ranked as the third best unsung tourist destination of the world by Lonely Planet. Gujarat Tourism also won the prestigious PATA Gold award for its coffee table book –‘The White Rann’ in the Secondary Destination Category.

  • In its second year, the event comprises a conclave featuring master class sessions and an Experience Zone, culminating into one of the biggest tech awards night of the country

    NDTV Good Times to hose ‘Gadget Guru Conclave & Awards’ 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    NDTV Good Times has announced the second edition of the much anticipated and coveted Gadget Guru Conclave and Awards 2012.

     

    In its second year, the event comprises a conclave featuring master class sessions by the likes of Sony, Dolby and Canon, amongst others and an Experience Zone showcasing the best that the tech world has to offer. All this will culminate into one of the biggest tech awards night of the country, to be held on March 12 atKingdomOfDreams, Gurgaon. An exciting addition this year is the Launch Pad initiative, which is a unique platform for the latest innovations and product launches by renowned brands.

     

    The Gadget Guru Awards are the biggest the country has seen in the field of Consumer Electronics, Gadgets and Technology and provide a unique opportunity for experts from the industry to ideate, discuss and analyze the latest trends.

     

    The event will be hosted by NDTV’s Tech Gurus Rajiv Makhni and Vikram Chandra, the duo behind the flagship tech show Gadget Guru, bringing the latest technology-related news and reviews to the consumers.

     

    Sharing his views on NDTV’s long term relationship with technology and the Gadget Guru Conclave & Awards 2012, Vikram Chandra, CEO, NDTV Group, said: “It’s great to be back with the second edition of the Gadget Guru Conclave and Awards. We were truly inspired by the overwhelming response received last year and have decided to go even bigger this year with additions like master class sessions and the Launch Pad”

     

    The awards have 18 categories which include Audio Product of the Year, Audio and Video Innovation of the Year, Portable Audio Product of the Year, Computer Peripherals of the Year, Computing Product of the Year, Consumer Electronics of the Year, Gadget Eye Candy of the Year, Budget Phone of the Year, Smartphone of the Year, Imaging Product of the Year, TV display of the Year, Celebrity Endorsement of the Year, App of the Year, Gaming Product of the Year, Technology/Innovation of the Year, NDTV Gadget of the Year (Viewer’s choice), NDTV Gadget of the Year (Jury choice) and Portable Computing Product of the Year.

     

    Talking about the unprecedented success of the first edition of the awards and its bigger and better version this year, Smeeta Chakrabarti, Chief Executive Officer, NDTV Good Times said: “Gadget Guru Awards have become a benchmark in the field of technology and gadgets and we are extremely excited about the second edition. The awards will celebrate the best innovations in the tech world over the past one year and will honour those brands and companies who have made a place in the consumer’s hearts.”

     

    The distinguished jury for the awards features award winning actor Gul Panag, tech expert – Atul Chitnis, techonolgy consultant – Kishore Bharagava, Nishanth Padiar – Editor, Stuff Magazine, Ashish Bhatia – Independent technology writer and

    columnist, Prasanto Kumar Roy – President and Chief Editor of Cyber Media’s ICT Group besides Vikram Chandra & Rajiv Makhni. A special audio jury includes KJ Singh – National Award Winner for Sound Design in Omkara and Milinid Rane Rao – Electro-Acoustic Expert.

     

    Speaking about the jury and the credibility of the awards, Rajiv Makhni, Editor,

    Technology, NDTV Limited, said: “The Gadget Guru Awards are the most esteemed and anticipated awards in the Indian tech space. The award jury has some of the most respectable names in the industry and an extremely rigorous and exhaustive process has been put into place for the nominations and selection of winners.”

     

    Gadgets launched between February 1, 2011 and January 15, 2012 are eligible for this year’s nominations. All nominations have been tested and rated by NDTV Good Times’ Knowledge Partner, Living Digital. The final winners will be shortlisted based on the test results and an extensive jury meet process and rating system verified by Ernst & Young.

     

    NDTV Good Times is the flagship channel of NDTV Lifestyle, part of the NDTV Group. Launched in September 2007, NDTV Good Times quickly becameIndia’s top-ranked English-language lifestyle television channel. NDTV Good Times presents world-class, aspirational lifestyle programming that advocates living large. The lineup of shows covers every aspect of the lifestyle genre to portray and cater to an increasingly globalIndia.

  • Janhavi Samant will head MiD DAY Hitlist along with Center Stage, Hot Property and Big Break. Ms Samant will take charge from outgoing editor Shubha Shetty Saha.

    MiD-DAY has a new entertainment editor

    By A Correspondent

     

    MiD DAY has appointed Janhavi Samant as the new entertainment editor for Hitlist. Ms Samant will take charge from outgoing editor Shubha Shetty Saha. Ms Samant has been working with MiD DAY for more than six years now and heads the editorial for Center Stage, Hot Property and Big Break.

     

    Speaking on the new assignment, Ms Samant said: “It’s a privilege and pleasure to be working with Hitlist. It’s one of MiD DAY’s most popular sections and will continue to be so. The Hitlist masala will work its magic.”

     

    “Hitlist is the most successful section in the entertainment sphere and Janhavi takes over Hitlist with a lot of experience. And I am confident that under her leadership, Hitlist will become an even bigger success in the city ofMumbai,” saidManajit Ghoshal,MDand CEO of MiD DAY Infomedia Ltd.

     

    Ms Samant started her career as a trainee in MiD DAY in 2000 and worked there for three and a half years. Then she moved on to Bombay Times and then to Hindustan Times, before returning to MiD DAY.

    Ms Samant will be reporting to Sachin Kalbag.

    MiD DAY is a part of Jagran Prakashan Ltd (JPL), India’s leading media and communications group with its interests spanning across Print, OOH, Activations, Mobile and Online that covers all of India as its footprint.

    MiD DAY has become the quintessential physical connect for the uber-social generation to consume their local city news today. Over the last couple of years, the newspaper has been on a mission to up its engagement quotient with these social netizens.

    To add to the dynamic product delivery through content, MiD DAY has also been creating a unique experience for its readers and clients through globally awarded marketing initiatives. The print innovations like 3D Impact Jacket, Format innovations and promotional activities like the MiD DAY Bollywood Lunch Contest, MiD DAY Happy Hours @ Work & @ Home, MiD DAY Media Nights, MiD DAY Corporate Cricket League & many others have won top honours across International Award functions such as INMA, IFRA Cross Media Awards & Asia Multimedia Publishing Awards.

    The company also has an established presence in the multimedia space, with its web version, www.mid-day.com with presently over 23 million page views per month as well as MiD DAY news feeds on cell phones which have over 2 lakh subscribers across the country. MiD DAY is available in Mumbai and Pune.

     

  • Mr Rao will be responsible for growing sales and leading the team across the country, to grow client base and revenues for these channels.

    Yashraj Rao is National Sales Head for BIG Love & Spark

    By A Correspondent

     

    BIG CBS Networks announced the appointment of Yashraj Rao as the National Sales Head for its channels – BIG CBS Love and BIG CBS Spark. As part of his new role, Mr Rao will be responsible for growing sales and leading the team across the country, to grow client base and revenues for these channels. In his current profile, he will report to Vishal Rally, Business Head – BIG CBS Networks.

     

    With almost nine years of sales experience across industries, this trained pilot with the Indian Air Force holds a PGDBM from Birla Institute of Management. He began his career with Monster.com as a Corporate Relationship Manager, before moving into the Life Insurance Industry with Aviva Life Insurance as Assistant Manager, in the Corporate Sales portfolio. From there he moved to HDFC Life where he grew quickly from a Relationship Manager – Group Sales to Associate Vice President – Group Sales.

     

    A multifunctional sales, marketing, business development and professional services executive, Mr Rao comes armed with a combination of dynamic technical skills and proficient sales knowledge. His new profile marks his entry into the dynamic M&E industry. With skill sets which include relationship building, negotiating favourable deals, securing strategic alliances and laudable client development, Mr Rao is confident of being able to grow the market while offering excellent ROI to Clients through the Channels.

     

    Speaking on the appointment, Mr Rally, Business Head, BIG CBS Networks said: “Yashraj’s sound background across the dot com and insurance sectors along with skill sets, when combined with his ability to listen to prospects’ needs and develop solutions to meet their requirements, are what will work in his favour to lead the team to further growth. We are happy to have him on board and wish him an excellent innings at BIG CBS.”

     

    Commenting on his appointment Mr Rao said: “I feel honoured to take on this responsibility and feel proud to be part of an excellent media conglomerate. I look forward to working with the dynamic team here and am confident it will be long and fruitful journey for both.”

     

  • The occasion is the second birthday celebrations of AlphaOne,Amritsarwhich was attended by politicians, retailers, media, shoppers, corporates and celebrities

    Over 100,000 throng AlphaOne for grand celebrations

    By A Correspondent

     

    The AlphaOne team recently celebrated its second anniversary on March 5. Dr. Prodipta Sen, Executive Director, Marketing, Corporate Affairs & Retail, Alpha G:Corp, along with Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP, Tarun Chugh, Mandip Singh Manna,Punjabpoliticians, Dalbir Pannu, JV Partner, and Alpha team members cut the cake for the anniversary celebrations.

     

    Dr Sen addressed the media with the promise of adding further value to Amritsar. “AlphaOne substantially elevates the customer expectation and experience by constantly providing a truly cosmopolitan experience to Amritsaris, customized especially for them.”

     

    As a gesture of gratitude toAmritsarand Amritsaris, Dr Sen announced the launch of their landmark initiative, ‘Be the Change Club’. “This unique club is the next level of our initiative, ‘Amritsar Sparkling’. It will integrate AlphaOne’s CSR initiatives in the city.

     

    ‘Be the Change Club’ would consists of registered volunteers who would benefit from various learning programs, self-governance, personal development, health education programs, sports activities as well as career orientation counselling and seminars. The club will help members to contribute to the betterment of the city with initiatives based on that. The team believes in the progressive values of Learn, Earn and Return. Dr Sen said that they are seeking active participation from principals of colleges and institutions in supporting this cause by encouraging their students to join this collective initiative.”

     

    The logo of ‘Be the Change Club’, was unveiled by the AlphaOne Management at the bash. The unique club would engage in city welfare activities like green campaign, cleanliness drives, boosting civic amenities, among others.

     

    AlphaOne, since its launch in March 2010, has been adding value to the lives of families and youngsters ofAmritsarby creating opportunities for wholesome participation for all.

     

    The crowd witnessed and thoroughly enjoyed the first-ever Flash Mob inAmritsarat the Central Atrium of AlphaOne to mark the unveiling of ‘Be the Change Club’.

     

    The day started on a reverent note with Shri Sukhmani Sahib Path followed by Lamp lighting in the Central Atrium. The Alpha Team, for the first time, gave awards to recognize excellence to the retailers at AlphaOne in several notable categories, namely, Best Store Employee Award, Best Store Team – Anchor, Vanilla, Food Court, Entertainment and Special Dining, Best Store Manager – Anchor, Vanilla, Food Court, Entertainment and Special Dining Best Marketing Efforts – Vanilla, Best Store – Anchor (Consumer’s and Jury’s Choice), Best Store – Vanilla (Consumer’s and Jury’s Choice) and Best Store – Food Court (Jury Choice).

     

    An inspiring Sufi (Fusion) rock band performance by Satvik group was the climax to the day’s celebrations.

     

    AlphaOne offers the best of national, international and regional brands while also retaining the best of the vibrant Amritsari spirit. It caters to the city ofAmritsar, and as a corporate citizen involves itself with initiatives that qualitatively and quantitatively contribute to the betterment of societal welfare in the realms of health, positive public awareness, entertainment, community participation, cultural and spiritual well-being.

     

  • The conclave introduces Thinktent, a platform for aspiring professionals and students to interact with speakers. Live budget analysis roundtable managed by Business Today editors

    IndiaToday Conclave 2012: Securing the global promise

    By A Correspondent

     

    The India Today Conclave, India’s largest thought festival for the finest minds from across the country and the world, is scheduled to take place in the capital on March 16-17. The theme this year is The Asian Century: Securing the Global Promise. The focus, as usual, is on contemporary concerns as well as on innovations. But the Conclave will have a wider reach this year. Because India Today firmly believes that the more ideas are shared the bigger they become.

     

    The India Today Conclave goes free with ThinkTent, a brand new innovation this year, to increase the reach of the Conclave and to engage theIndiaof tomorrow-young executives and management students. Conceived as an outdoor event in a massive and comfortable tent, ThinkTent will beam proceedings live, via giant screens, concurrently with the Conclave.

     

    Not just that, the audience will get the opportunity to interact with Conclave speakers, who will also be available for photo ops and autograph sessions. One can register for ThinkTent at the Conclave website and, if selected, can be a part of ThinkTent for free.

     

    The Conclave is also proud to present a debriefing session from the Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, a day after he presents the Budget to the nation. March 17 will open with the Finance Minister’s keynote address, explaining his budget. Delegates will get the rare opportunity of interacting with him over a Q&A session.

     

    On March 17, Akhilesh Yadav, the young Samajwadi Party leader, who has pedaled his party to sweeping electoral success, will address the Conclave. But he will not be the only one. There will be the opportunity to listen to a range of new heirs of political dynasties from acrossIndiaand its neighbours-from Namal Rajapaksa, MP,Sri Lanka, to Sajeeb Wazed, Special Adviser toAwami League,Bangladesh, Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Shehrbano Taseer, Journalist,Pakistan.

     

    With India Today’s culture of being in step with news, this year there will be a concurrent session, The Business Today Budget Studio@India Today Conclave, on March 16. The live budget coverage will be accompanied by senior editors from Business Today, India’s premier-most business magazine, and experts from the world of finance explaining the implications of the budget and answering queries.

     

    As usual, the Conclave promises to be a star-studded affair. Beginning with an inaugural keynote address by social activist Anna Hazare on ‘Yeh Dil Maange No More Corruption’, the two-day conference will reflect the full range of contemporary interests, passions and concerns: India’s favourite cricketers Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh on the zigzagging fortunes of Indian cricket; superstar Kareena Kapoor on the rise of the New Heroine in Bollywood; His Excellency Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Leader of Opposition and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, on arguments for democracy and a keynote address by Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary of State of the United States of America and Nobel Laureate.

     

    The conclave will close with  Imran Khan,  Pakistan’s legendary cricket captain and chairman of the political outfit, Tehreek-e-Insaf, delivering the Dinner Keynote address. The event will be followed by a gala dinner, specially created by British gourmet chef, Rob Rees.

     

    With some of the finest minds from around the world assembling inNew Delhi, The India Today Conclave will once again provide the perfect platform for a free and frank exchange of ideas.

     

  • Customers to benefit from integrated attribution solution for ad campaign analysis

    MediaMind and Encore Media Metrics Announce Partnership

    By A Correspondent

     

    MediaMind, the leading independent provider of integrated digital advertising solutions, announced recently its partnership with Encore Media Metrics to deliver cross-channel, full-funnel attribution as an extension of the MediaMind platform.

     

    Marketers can now receive deep, actionable insights through robust, attribution-based reports through the partnership. As an integrated solution, MediaMind and Encore are reducing the cost, complexity and level of effort normally associated with advanced analytics.

     

    Attribution solves the ‘last-click’ problem by allocating partial credit to each impression, click and interaction that influence conversions. Through Encore’s statistically validated attribution model, marketers can see the true performance of each channel, vendor, placement and keyword. Encore also measures the optimal frequency for converters while quantifying opportunities to expand reach and increase ad efficiency. Armed with these insights, marketers can optimize campaigns effectively and efficiently while gleaning a deeper understanding of customer engagement cycles.

     

    “Advertisers and their technology partners are challenged to optimize every dollar in a media buy,” said Gal Trifon, General Manager, MediaMind and Chief Digital Officer, DG. “Collaborating with Encore provides our customers another opportunity to maximize campaign performance at a channel, vendor, placement and keyword level, as well as determine optimal frequency, engagement cycles, and KPIs for search, display, affiliate, email, social and other digital media.”

     

    “With the fragmentation of digital media, advertisers and media agencies find it increasingly difficult to track how consumers respond to cross channel campaigns,” said Steve Latham, Founder and CEO, Encore Media Metrics. “By integrating the Encore solution with the MediaMind platform, advertisers will have easy access to advanced insights into their ongoing campaigns while saving time, money and energy.”

     

    “To date, the biggest hurdle faced by our customers to full-funnel, cross-channel views is the level of effort required to deploy yet another point-solution across each campaign,” said Jordan Khoo, MediaMind APAC Regional Director. “We’re very pleased to be able to bring an integrated attribution solution to our customers to reduce their workload.”

     

    MediaMind, a division of DG (NASDAQ: DGIT), is a leading global provider of digital advertising campaign management solutions to advertising agencies and advertisers. MediaMind provides media and creative agencies, advertisers and publishers with an integrated platform to manage campaigns across digital media channels and a variety of formats, including rich media, in-stream video, display, search and mobile.

     

    Encore Media Metrics helps advertisers and media vendors optimize performance through better analytics. Encore helps clients measure performance across channels and beyond the last click, producing actionable insights while reducing the cost and complexity of media measurement.

     

  • The radio play is aimed to make the youngsters understand that there is an alternate way of thinking for everyday situation they come across

    Fever FM’s new radio play – Gandhi

    By A Correspondent

     

    After the success of Ramayana, Fever FM will air a new radio play, Gandhi beginning March 12. Fever FM is said to have put together a story for the youth that revisits the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The radio play, Gandhi, is aimed to make the youngsters understand that there is an alternate way of thinking for everyday situation they come across.

     

    With celebrated artists such as Farooq Sheikh, Rajit Kapoor, Heeba Shah and Sachin Khedekar as a part of the play, Gandhi promises to be one of the most ambitious and out of the box radio projects of all time. Farooq Sheikh will be voicing the role of Bharat, Rajit Kapoor voices Gandhi, Sachin Khedekar voices Ambedkar and Heeba Shahand voiced Kasturba Gandhi.

     

    Harshad Jain, Business Head, Radio & Entertainment, HT Media Ltd said: “Mahatma Gandhi needs no introduction. He is one of the greatest men this country could possibly ever have. Through Gandhi, we are paying a tribute to the Father of Our Nation and reliving the life of the man for the present day world. This is another ‘first’ that Fever 104 FM brings for its listeners. Packaged with great music and superior production quality, I’m sure it will be loved and much appreciated across age groups”.

     

    Fever FM’s radio play, Gandhi is sliced over 60 episodes. The first episode will be aired on March 12. Gandhi will be a two month long series with episodes airing every day.

     

    Fever 104 FM (radio operated by HT Media Ltd.) is available in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata with a vibrant, youthful, creative and interactive programming, that just lets the music play! HT Media Ltd’s association with Virgin brings global strengths and expertise in radio markets across the world including Bangkok, South Africa,ParisandMalaysia. With the best quality and most quantity of music on-air, constantly playing only the top contemporary hits Fever 104 FM is synonymous with less talk, more music.

     

  • The magazine aims to capture the attention of new home owners and renovators, architects and designers as well as design enthusiasts

    Conde Nast India launches Architectural Digest

    Deepika Padukone with Alex Kuruvilla (MD Conde Nast India) & Manju Sara Rajan, Editor of Architectural Digest India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Publishing group Conde Nast India launched their fourth magazine title, the Indian edition of AD Architectural Digest, following the success of premium luxury magazines Vogue, GQ and Conde Nast Traveller. Architectural Digest in India will position itself as the most trusted authority on design, architecture and living.

     

    AD India is the ninth edition of the magazine, after the United States, Italy, Germany, France, Mexico, Russia, Spain and China. It is targeted towards the affluent Indian population in the age group of 25 to 50 years who aspire for fashionable living spaces. The magazine aims to capture the attention of new home owners and renovators, architects and designers as well as design enthusiasts.

     

    Speaking on the launch of Architectural Digest in India, Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director of Conde Nast India said: “Having established leadership in the luxury lifestyle magazine space with Vogue, GQ and Conde Nast Traveller, we are happy to extend our portfolio and bring Architectural Digest in India, recognized as the world’s design bible – the most trusted authority on design, architecture and living to Indian homes.”

     

    The bi-monthly magazine will be priced at Rs150. AD’s editorial content is broadly divided into four key parts, including AD Discover with a focus on news, trends and lifestyle; AD Perspective bringing to light the people who matter; AD Spaces featuring the most beautiful homes and the AD Inside section sharing advice and tips on the must-have products. Key target markets for the magazine include metros like Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore.

     

    Manju Sara Rajan, editor of Architectural Digest India shared: “The editorial content of this bi-monthly magazine will contain photo spreads of the best homes in the world, feature stories on the latest trends and people in design plus advice on practical solutions for home improvement. AD will become an essential resource for refined home-owners planning luxurious spaces.”

     

    “By showcasing the best of contemporary Indian design and key international trends, AD will help readers visualise, plan, adapt and innovate homes to reflect the personalities of the people who live in them,” she added.

     

    The launch event of AD was held in Delhi on March 9 at the Aman in association with India Design Forum (IDF) and supported by Absolut elyx and Maserati.

     

     

    Architectural Digest, an interior design magazine published by Conde Nast was founded in 1920. The magazine is aimed at an affluent and style-conscious readership. AD is positioned as the most trusted authority on design, architecture and living. The Indian edition of AD Architectural Digest will present the very best of international and Indian architecture and design.

     

    Conde Nast, a division of Advance Publications, sets the benchmark for magazine publishing excellence. Conde Nast currently operates in 24 countries, publishing 126 magazines, and with 98 innovative websites from Conde Nast Digital.  Recent print launches include GQ inBrazil, Wired in the UK and Italy, Vogue in Turkey, and Conde Nast Traveller in India . Conde Nast India is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Conde Nast International.

     

  • This year’s edition will see world renowned radio guru, Tony Hertz, conducting a workshop on the art and craft of radio advertising

    Mirchi Kaan Awards to celebrate best in radio advertising

    By A Correspondent

     

    Introduced in 2004, the Mirchi Kaan Awards acknowledges and honours the contribution of individuals and organizations that have led the way in creating clutter breaking radio advertising. The awards have been instituted to encourage continued creative focus on radio advertising and are now synonymous with excellence in creativity in radio.

     

    While every year, the journey to the awards ceremony is a fun-filled, vibrant process keeping in mind the personality of Radio Mirchi, this year the focus is centred solely on the quality of work. Which is why, this year’s edition will see world renowned radio guru, Tony Hertz, conducting a workshop on the art and craft of radio advertising. Mr Hertz’s passion for radio has seen his career, which spans over 40 years and across six continents, as creative director at multiple agencies and the boss of two radio specialist outfits.

     

    With his experience, he has served twice on the Cannes Lions Radio Jury, on the 2011 D&AD Radio panel and as president of the Clio Awards Radio Jury. Apart from 22 Clios, multiple Gold and Silver ILR Awards, London International Awards and The New York Festivals Awards, Tony is also the only person to have won both D&AD Black and Yellow Radio Pencils.

     

    The country’s most prestigious radio awards, Mirchi Kaan will work towards raising professionalism and talent among writers. And their new mantra is to listen, learn and shine.

     

    The last date to send entries to Kaan Awards is March 18.

     

    Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL),India’s leading private FM radio broadcaster, popularly known as Radio Mirchi, operates across 32 cities in the country. Launched in 2001, Radio Mirchi has the highest listenership across the country and a track record of developing innovative content, thus expanding and retaining its audiences and advertisers through the years. Radio Mirchi has delighted listeners and the industry with its exciting properties like the Purani Jeans Film Festival and the Mirchi Music Awards.

     

    Radio Mirchi’s continuous innovations across different platforms like Visual Radio or Mirchi Mobile have been instrumental in gaining leadership in the private FM Radio industry. Radio Mirchi makes its international foray with the launch of the brand in the UAE. From February 1, Radio Mirchi will be heard inDubai,Abu Dhabiand Al Ain and will the first Indian radio brand to go international.

     

  • Financial portal moneycontrol.com’s new commercial features 'rockstar netas'

    Budget comes alive on moneycontrol.com

    By A Correspondent

     

    Moneycontrol.com recently launched its Budget 2012 campaign Rock the Sabha, which shows some well-known political personalities hitting the high notes.

    The latest moneycontrol.com commercial, which is currently on the air, has set the ball rolling for moneycontrol.com’s Budget 2012 campaign. With key politicians like P Chidambaram, M Karunanidhi, Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee playing guitars and jiving to the beats of rock music, the rock concert effect introduces the Budget 2012 coverage on moneycontrol.com in an unexpected way.

    The bold punchline, ‘Budget Comes Alive’, brings to life the brand’s rather sober attitude and creates the right amount of curiosity towards the newly incorporated interactive elements like poll, debates, slideshows, online chats, LIVE blogging and videos on  moneycontrol.com’s budget page, said a release from the company.

    Commenting on the campaign, Lakshmi Narasimhan, CEO, Web 18, said, “Apart from communicating that moneycontrol.com presents the biggest Budget coverage online, one of the key objectives of this campaign was to give a fresh perspective to moneycontrol.com and reach out to new users.”

    Ravi Deshpande, Chief Creative Officer, Contract Advertising, said, “Moneycontrol.com is the undisputed No.1 financial portal of the nation. It has redefined the way finance is presented and consumed in today’s day and age. Which is why we thought its communication too has to make a bold, emphatic statement. If the Budget campaign is disruptive, it’s only to mirror what the brand is actually doing in the marketplace.”

    Kaushik Roy Senior Creative Director & AVP, Contract Advertising said, “It’s absolutely eye-opening! The way in which moneycontrol.com is taking the boredom out of the Budget presentation. The ‘Rock the Sabha’ campaign is an attempt to make that point loud and clear. We hope it will attract newer, younger audiences, in addition to exciting millions of existing users.”

    The ad can be viewed at http://t.in.com/budget2012.

     

  • India-based marketing solutions company Basil Group has acquired UK design and production agency Fourninety Ltd.

    Basil acquires 490 Limited in UK

    By A Correspondent

     

    The India-based marketing solutions company Basil Group has expanded with the acquisition of UK design and production agency Fourninety Ltd in February 2012.

    Fourninety Ltd comes into Basil’s fold with a 45-member team and two photography studios. Previously owned by MSQ Partners, they have offices in Leeds and Milton Keynes. Focusing on planning, client services, creative and production, the acquisition will bring together a team of over 100 global marketing specialists to work closely with clients including Unilever, Diversey, SC Johnson, Home Retail Group and Rentokil.

    The acquisition is a first for the Basil Group, which is aiming to build a global marketing communications group.  Before the acquisition of Fourninety Ltd, Basil had a 70-strong team with clients in North America, UK, Europe and India. The group aims to use an acquisition strategy to give clients the leverage of right-shoring and decoupled pricing to manage their marketing communications budgets. Basil would probably be the first agency group which will deliver a de-coupled service option to customers at the beginning of every relationship.

    Ramesh Krishnamurthy, managing director of the Basil Group, said, “Fourninety represents an excellent acquisition for us. It brings together a team of people with the same passion for thinking and creativity, enabling us to work closely with our clients to develop solutions that really work for them. Our vision is to create a global network that delivers across all media platforms, efficiently and cost effectively.”

    The Basil Group is private equity funded for organic and inorganic growth in the global market. Customers in India can thus avail of London-based strategy, creative and design and India-based creative production services.

    Barbara Boyes, managing director at Fourninety Global (previously known as Fourninety Limited), said, “We’re in a very different marketing world from the one we started out in over thirty years ago. In such a rapidly changing environment, clients want clarity and cost effective solutions. We believe that our new business model will support this by simplifying complex processes, reducing pain points and offering enduring solutions. We are delighted to be a part of the Basil Group and relish the opportunity to be able to offer true global scalability to our clients.”