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  • Nokia, TATA top; Anna pips Sachin, Salman and Amitabh as the most trusted personality

    Nokia, Tata star in India’s most trusted brands report

    By A Correspondent

    Trust Research Advisory, the authority on the measurement of Trust among brands, is out with the Brand Trust Report 2012, the much anticipated results of India’s Most Trusted Brands.

     

    The Brand Trust Report, India Study, 2012 (BTR 2012), lists India’s 1,000 Most Trusted Brands even though it studied over 17,000. The report is the result of a comprehensive primary research conducted on 61 components of trust – a proprietary tool of Trust Research Advisory. The research was conducted with 2,718 ‘influencer’ respondents from 15 cities, generating more than 2 million data-points from 12,000 hours of research.

     

    The research was done on salaried SEC A population as they have more engagement with people and brands. Other detailed parameter of the audience chosen for the survey also exists. According to Mr. N Chandramouli, CEO of Trust Research Advisory, rigorous back checks were done to eliminate any anomalies that might appear in the survey and the parameters were set very high for the research.

     

    He said, that according to an AC Nielsen report, $1 trillion was spent on communication last year… Considering the huge amount of money, it is of paramount importance that the money is used correctly. Mr. Chandramauli said that even though the top positions have not drastically changed over the last year, yet the trust index pattern has changed. In 2011 report, the top two brands had the trust index equivalent to the next 65 brands. However, this figure has dropped down to the next 6 brands in 2012 report. This means that the gap between the top players is decreasing and in the upcoming years one can see a drastic turn around.

     

    Talking about research methodology Mr Chandramauli said “If you want to focus on trust, we can’t focus on trust but the ingredients of trust… The survey studies such 100 trust metrics in extraordinary details.” The three components of trust are the tactile, the vicarious and the imagined concepts of trust.

     

    Nokia and Tata retained their first and second positions as India’s top two Trusted Brands this year. Sony, the Japanese electronics leader, slipped to fifth position, outranked by the two aggressive Korean chaebols, LG at 3rd position and Samsung at 4th position. Maruti Suzuki improved its position by one notch and is India’s 6th Most Trusted Brand this year. Bajaj, ranked 7th, is a new entrant this year in the Top 10 (last year it was ranked 12th); LIC and Airtel’s positions are unchanged from last year at 8th and 9th rank respectively. Reliance slipped to 10th Most Trusted Brand this year (from sixth last year).

     

    Among 22 personalities listed among in BTR 2012, Anna Hazare has gained the nation’s trust ahead of Sachin Tendulkar, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, featured in that order. Most Trusted leaders in some other categories are Armani in Branded Fashion, DLF in Construction, NIIT in Education, ONGC in Energy, PVR in Entertainment, Pepsi in F&B, Dabur in Healthcare, Taj Hotels in Hospitality, Google in Internet, ACC in Manufacturing, Thomas Cook in Services, Being Human in Social Sector, Hewlett Packard in Technology, and Air India in Airlines.

     

    Mr Chandramouli, said: “In life, without trust, there is nothing. Each time a human engages with anything, the basis for all decisions is trust. Be it brands, other humans, or just ideas, one will react to them on the basis of the trust it generates. Last year was tumultuous for several brands, but those which focused on trust, have gained market-share, revenues and profits. On the other hand, the brands which have focused only on the latter, have invariably lost both. Focus on building trust and all else will follow automatically.”

     

    Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra, has elaborated on Trust is Everything concept for the Mahindra brand in the report: “No great secret lies behind the highly-trusted Mahindra brand. Consistent delivery against every promise is the single biggest driver of trust for our brand. Apart from this, factors like high quality products and services, adherence to highest standards of corporate governance, the very high integrity of the leaders who run the company and adherence to a set of values in conducting business have helped the Mahindra brand earn the trust of all its stakeholders.”

     

    The report, priced at Rs10,000, is available exclusively at TRA offices.

     

  • Wins awards for Mildred Pierce, Game of Thrones and Enlightened at the 69th Golden Globes.

    HBO wins 3 Golden Globes

    By A Correspondent

     

    HBO recorded three wins at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards for Mildred Pierce, Game of Thrones and Enlightened. The award ceremony took place on January 15 in Los Angeles.

     

    Kate Winslet won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for Mildred Pierce. Mildred Pierce is the story of a proud single mother struggling to earn her daughter’s love during the Great Depression in middle-classLos Angeles. The five-part miniseries, produced in association with MGM and directed by Oscar nominee Todd Haynes, was adapted from the story by James M Cain’s 1941 novel of the same name.

     

    Peter Dinklage won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for Game of Thrones. This epic HBO Original fantasy series is based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ books. It traces the struggle for the Iron Throne where kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men… all will play the Game of Thrones.

     

    Both Mildred Pierce and Game of Thrones premiered in 2011 on HBO India.

    Laura Dern won Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series for her turn as Amy, a self-destructive health and beauty executive who has a very public workplace meltdown in Enlightened. The series is an offbeat HBO Original Series which follows Laura Dern’s Amy as she navigates an unconventional path between who she is, who she wants to be… and what everyone is willing to tolerate from her.

     

    HBO was launched in South Asia in September 2000, as a 24-hour English language movie channel.  HBO is the only English movie channel to feature cutting-edge award-winning original productions year on year. In 2011, HBO has won 19 Primetime Emmy awards already, which is maximum for any network.

     

  • Aradhana will have content taken from Kathakar and Morari Bapu, Kajal @ 9 will deal with issues and concerns ranging from relationships to career.

    Two new interactive programmes from MY FM Ahmedabad

    By A Correspondent

     

    On January 16, MY FM announced that it is all set to launch two new interactive programs – Aradhana and Kajal @ 9 – in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. These shows will have unique content with big names driving it.

     

    The show titled ‘Aradhana’ will be aired from 6 to 7 every morning in the spiritual time band and have content taken from Kathakar and Morari Bapu.

     

    Kajal @ 9, a show hosted by eminent Gujarati writer Kajal Oza Vaidya, will be aired from 9-12 pm, Mon – Fri. The show, going on air from January 16, will have Ms Oza Vaidya resolving issues and concerns, ranging from right from relationship to career. Ms Oza Vaidya’s first show will be based on Uttarayan, the kite flying festival ofGujaratand relationships.

     

    Harrish M Bhatia, CEO MY FM said: “We are committed to provide quality and innovative content to our listeners. We feel great that highly prominent and renowned personalities are extending their support to fulfill our commitment. The shows are interactive in terms of knowledge and entertainment.”

     

    MY FM, the radio business of DB Corp Ltd, took a bottom-up approach and started functioning from the Tier II cities of the country where the Bhaskar Group already had a stronghold. It set up its first station in Jaipur in 2006 and slowly expanded to 17 cities.

     

  • It is the first ever Indian shopping portal to deliver mobile devices directly from manufacturers to users.

    Nokia, Indiatimes join to launch NokiaShop

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nokia India in association with Indiatimes Shopping announced the launch of Nokia’s online store- NokiaShop, the first online shopping portal in India to deliver mobile devices directly from the manufacturer to the users.

     

    Nokia Shop will offer the entire portfolio of Nokia devices as well as accessories to the consumers at the convenience of online shopping.

     

    The association between the two leading organizations will serve as a game-changer in the growing Indian e-commerce space as users can now buy handsets directly from the manufacturer, without needing any dealer or reseller in between. For the online space this is an unprecedented initiative and will bring about a major shift in consumer behaviour in the mobile phone category.

     

    According to Viral Oza, Director- Marketing, Nokia India: “At Nokia, we have always invested ahead of the curve in setting up a formidable retail network. Today, as online shopping gains momentum, we are the first mobile handset company to set up a branded online store. Through our association with Indiatimes Shopping, we are confident that we will be able to offer a superior online shopping experience to our consumer by giving them an opportunity to buy directly from Nokia.”

     

    “This partnership is a step further in our aim to bring more offline brands to the online space. With our brand strength, resources, knowledge and credibility in the e-commerce space, we are confident of providing Nokia the right platform to connect with its users,” says Rishi Khiani, CEO, Times Internet Ltd.

     

    Regarding the tie up, Gautam Sinha, Director Technology & e-commerce head, Times Internet Ltd said: “We are pleased to partner with a top brand like Nokia and help them reach their online customers. We hope to witness strong synergistic growth capturing majority of online mobile handset market in the next few months.”

     

    Consumers can make purchases from Nokia.indiatimes.com, and payment options are through credit card or cash on delivery. Customers can also convert their payment amount into interest-free EMIs.

     

    The Nokia Shop offers the entire range of Nokia devices, including smartphones, dual SIM phones, touch and type, Qwerty, touchphones and value phones. The prices offered on the online store are Best Buy prices.

     

    A recent report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) revealed that India’s e-commerce market is growing at an average rate of 70 per cent annually, and has grown over 500 per cent in the past three years alone. Given the potential of e-commerce industry, Indiatimes and Nokia are confident of high growth in the mobile phone category within the next two quarters.

     

  • George Sebastian, who won a gold in the Maharashtra Posts exhibition, is the GM of Mathrubhumi and an avid philatelist.

    Mathrubhumi’s George Sebastian wins gold at stamp show

    By A Correspondent

     

    Matrubhumi general manager George Sebastian’s stamp exhibit titled ‘The Sun – Myths & Manifestations’ has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Thematic category, at Mahapex 2012, the philatelic exhibition organised by Maharashtra Posts in Pune. The awards were given at a glittering function, attended by prominent philatelists and stamp enthusiasts at the Shiv Chatrapati Krida Sankul, Balewadi.

     

    Mr Sebastian’s award-winning exhibit traced the various aspects of sun worship by different religions and cultures around the world, starting from the Incan and Mayan civilisations, right to the Egyptian and Indian civilisations.

     

    The impact of the ancient Sun cult Mithraism, on Christianity and other religions was brought in to focus by Mr Sebastian through the medium of philately.

     

    Stamps and covers from erstwhile states of Jaipur, Gwalior, Junagadh and Mewar illustrated the importance of Surya, as a god, in official insignia of early indian kingdoms.

     

    The impact the Sun has on literature and in our daily lives has been portrayed through stamps from around the world. Beautiful stamps and miniature sheets showcased aspects of solar eclipse, Copernicus’ heliocentric theory, and even Albert Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2, found expression through stamps.

     

    Mr Sebastian, actively encouraged by his father, started collecting stamps at the age of 5. The exhibit ‘The Sun – Myths & Manifestations’ took over four years to complete. The exhibit also won the Trophy instituted by Col Dutta for ‘Best Research’.

     

  • The ranking of the best launches of fiction and non-fiction Hindi GEC shows has been derived from Ormax Media's awareness tracking tool Showbuzz.

    Colors dominates Ormax Media’s list of most effective launch campaigns in 2011

    By A Correspondent

     

    Colors delivered the best fiction launch campaigns in 2011 across Hindi GECs, while Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) on Sony was the top non-fiction launch campaign of the year, according to Ormax Media.

     

    The ranking of the best launches of fiction and non-fiction Hindi GEC shows has been derived from Ormax Media’s awareness tracking tool Showbuzz, which measures the awareness levels of new shows across various Hindi GEC channels. This ranking is a measure of the effectiveness of the campaign, irrespective of how the content fared thereafter.

     

    In the fiction shows ranking, Colors controls the top three positions and a total of four spots in the top 10. Listed below are the top 10 fiction launch campaigns of 2011:

    Rank Program Channel
    1 Phulwa Colors
    2 Mukti Bandhan Colors
    3 Sasural Simar Ka Colors
    4 Parvarish Sony
    5 Diya Aur Baati Hum Star Plus
    6 Parichay Colors
    7 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge Sony
    8 Hitler Didi Zee TV
    9 Mahadev Life OK
    10 Dharam Patni Imagine TV

     

    In the non-fiction list, Sony has three shows in the top 10, including KBC at the top spot. Bigg Boss Season 5 (Colors) is a close competitor to KBC, in terms of their launch impact. Listed below are the top 10 non-fiction launches of 2011:

    Rank Program Channel
    1 Kaun Banega Crorepati Sony
    2 Bigg Boss Colors
    3 Zor Ka Jhatka Imagine TV
    4 Sach Ka Saamna Life OK
    5 X-Factor India Sony
    6 Khatron Ke Khiladi Colors
    7 Ratan Ka Rishta Imagine TV
    8 Just Dance Star Plus
    9 Maa Exchange Sony
    10 Wife Bina Life Star Plus

     

    Research and consulting firm Ormax Media (www.ormaxmedia.com) specializes in the media and entertainment industry, working with India’s leading broadcasters, film producers, radio networks, print publications, media agencies and DTH service providers in the areas of qualitative research, quantitative research and consulting.

     

    Ormax Media is also the owner of 19 proprietary research products that are being used widely across the media industry. Set up in 2008 by Vispy Doctor and Shailesh Kapoor, the company partners with 81 leading media brands.

     

  • For this project, Big Digital has brought together different verticals of the RBNL network for an effective and widespread promotion and visibility.

    Big Digital to handle digital promotions for Sadda Adda

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big Digital, the digital arm of Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd, has been promoting the Ramesh B Agarwal’s multi-starrer Sadda Adda, across various mediums. The youth-centric movie, which released on January 13, has attracted eyeballs due to its promotions on popular youth destinations on the digital space.

     

    Big Digital has embarked on various activities including Facebook and Twitter page management. The Facebook page is constantly kept updated with interesting insights about the movie, cast and constant interactions and discussions. The page is also kept updated with PR activities of the team and exciting contests. Big Digital is also promoting the songs on mobile via SMS push and WAP promotion.

     

    The YouTube channel’s promotional videos and songs of Sadda Adda have received over 87,000 video views so far (http://www.youtube.com/user/SaddaAdda). Popular websites like Yahoo! and Rediff have also been promoting the film and songs.

     

    For this project, Big Digital has brought together different verticals of RBNL network for an effective and widespread promotion and visibility. The partners include radio partner 92.7 BIG FM, TV partners BIG MAGIC and BIG CBS along with BIG Street for the OOH promotions.

     

    A spokesman for Big Digital said, “Sadda Adda’s widespread promotion on the digital platform has helped the film gain tremendous buzz and popularity. The film is for the youth and hence digital marketing has played a huge role in gaining eye balls. We hope to build many such properties for our clients.”

     

  • The partnership will focus on developing a comprehensive communication offer

    APCO Worldwide and Aakriti Promotions form strategic partnership

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading global communication consultancy, APCO Worldwide’sIndiaoperations on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership with Aakriti Promotions & Media Ltd, a premier Ahmedabad-based advertising agency. The partnership will focus on developing a comprehensive communication offer.

     

    APCO and Aakriti had recently partnered to deliver the integrated communication campaign for Vibrant Gujarat 2011Summit, which had attracted participation of more than 200 trade associations and trade delegations from 101 different countries. Investment announcements valued at more than $460 billion were made. APCO has been retained for the 2013 summit.

     

    Commenting on APCO’s first such partnership in India, Philippe Maze-Sencier, executive director of APCO Worldwide for India, the Middle East and Africa said: “India is a growing market for APCO, and this partnership strategically integrates APCO and Aakriti’s services to provide a 360-degree communication service to present and future clients.”

     

    Sukanti Ghosh, APCO Worldwide’s managing director inIndia, added: “We are very excited about the opportunities we see in partnering with Aakriti, which will accelerate our plans for APCO’s growth inIndia.”

     

    Pankaj Mudholkar, advertising veteran and managing director of Aakriti, said: “Our strategic partnership with APCO will help us provide integrated services to our existing clients and expand opportunities nationally. APCO’s acclaimed strategic communication record mixed with Aakriti’s expertise in above-the-line and below-the-line advertising activities will enable the partnership to deliver the best holistic service in the industry.”

     

    Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout theAmericas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa andAsia. As well as winning several awards for its work inGujaratincluding ‘Best Government Communications Campaign in Asia-Pacific’, APCO Worldwide was recently declared South-East Asia Consultancy of the Year by The Holmes Report. With two full-service offices inNew Delhiand Mumbai, APCO Worldwide inIndiaserves the communication needs of a number of global corporations, government entities and NGOs across diverse industry sectors.

     

    Headquartered in Ahmedabad, Aakriti provides integrated communication services and its clients include top corporates like Adani, Cera, Sai infosystems and Gujarat Gas Ltd in Ahmedabad; Transstadia in Mumbai; and Alpha G Corp in Delhi.

     

  • The idea behind the campaign is to make the masses aware that their life, dreams and future are not necessarily in their control.

    Radio Mirchi and Birla Sun Life’s campaign to protect families

    By a Correspondent

     

    After a TVC and launch of an independent microsite, Birla Sun Life Insurance roped in Mindshare and Radio Mirchi to spread the message of their campaign, Protection Solutions. The idea behind the campaign is to make the masses aware that their life, dreams and future are not necessarily in their control. There is always an element of the unexpected – fate – and it is best that they don’t leave dreams to fate. The objective of the campaign is to inspire people to secure their families, and not to leave their dreams to fate.

     

    Mr. Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group, said: “As a brand, we believe in identifying unarticulated needs of our customers and contextualizing the role that we can play to meet these needs. It is important to play a role of a facilitator to sensitize the customer to the uncertainties of life and empower him with solutions that protect his priceless dreams. In order to communicate and effectively engage the customers, it was important for us to select an appropriate activation and media planning partner and our association with Mirchi and Mindshare best helped us to reach out to the masses.”

     

    The campaign is spread over three weeks, across eight markets and encompasses the theme of ‘safety, security and protection. Mindshare and Radio Mirchi urged people to come forward and share their stories of luck and survival.

     

    Abhishek Ray, of ‘Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster’ and ‘I am Kalam’ fame and Kavita Krishnamoorthi, the versatile singer and former actress, are said to have come together to create a song that will inspire the listeners to take the necessary steps and protect their families.

     

    Radio Mirchi also organized a massive on-ground activity in 64 housing societies across 8 metros. The activity, ‘Birla Sun Life Insurance presents My Family Day’, mixed a lot of fun activities while giving an opportunity for families to bond together. This gave most family members to display various strengths to protect their families.

     

    Birla Sun Life Insurance also gave away a maroon coloured band to individuals who pledged to protect their families. The idea behind the activities was to get the audiences to take a pledge to protect their families.

     

  • Lalit Choudary, MD, Performance Cars receives the award for the Sport Sedan of the Year

    Aston Martin Rapide wins ET Zig Wheels Award 2011

    By A Correspondent

     

    The ET Zig Wheels Awards 2011 have given the Indian automotive industry a solid platform and direction for growth. Over the years ET Zig Wheels has grown into an esteemed brand. As the journey continues, the organizers believeIndiacan be a global capital for the automotive industry.

     

    With a wealth of stunning small cars and affordable mid-size segment stunners to choose from, the special jury panel of the 2011 ET ZigWheels Awards 2011 awarded the Aston Martin Rapide as the Sport Sedan of the Year.

     

    For an international auto major just starting to find its feet in the country, being adjudged as the Sport Sedan of the Year (CBU), is a noteworthy accomplishment. It has just been a few months since Lalit Choudary, Managing Director of Performance Cars, introduced the coveted Aston Martin brand inIndia.

     

    Mr Choudary was confident of their partnership with Aston Martin. He said, “Partnering Aston Martin offers us a unique opportunity to bring one of the world’s iconic brands to one of the most discerning and fast growing markets.”

     

    The range of models, the comfortable ride quality the car offers on Indian roads and the exclusivity of Aston Martin has been identified worldwide. Now Mr Choudary is poised to position Aston Martin as the finest car in the luxury auto sector.

     

  • The most-read business daily launches applications for all mobile and tablet formats.

    Economic Times, now on mobile and tablet

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Economic Times,India’s most-read business newspaper and most-visited business and finance site, has now launched mobile applications for the iPad, iPhone, Android phone, BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Phone.

     

    The apps combine ET’s cutting edge business news and market analysis with the best browsing experience, thanks to the simple navigation and clutter-free layout.

     

    The applications have been designed keeping in mind the audiences’ preference for live coverage of the business news and markets. All the apps provide in-depth and analytical coverage of the stock markets, with live stock quotes from BSE and NSE.  The sleek user-friendly apps feature the latest and most important news as it happens, along with the choicest of analysis and features from ET’s print editions.

     

    These apps also provide forex rates, commodities updates and news about the global markets. Stock recommendations and experts’ views from ET Now are featured through the market hours. Users can also track the stocks on their watch-list and monitor live gainers, losers and movers.

     

    Announcing the launch of these applications, Rishi Khiani, CEO of Times Internet Ltd, said: “This stack of ET Mobile apps fill an important need for ET readers. Within a short time of launch, ET’s iPad & iPhone apps topped the most popular charts on the Apple website. We have received a phenomenal response to our Android app as well. The latest entrants to our portfolio are apps for both Nokia Symbian/Anna smartphones and also for Windows. All the apps will be constantly upgraded and more features added in the weeks to come.”

     

    All Economic Times applications let users share articles or photos on Facebook and Twitter, and also via e-mail.

     

     

  • Within two days of launch, the new HFZ videos garnered over 1.5 lakh views and tremendous positive word-of-mouth on social networks.

    Airtel’s HFZ online campaign enters next phase

    By A Correspondent

     

    The youthful rendition of Airtel’s ‘Har Friend Zaroori Hai, Yaar'(HFZ) campaign and its accompanying foot-tapping friendship anthem resonated well with people of all age groups and backgrounds.

     

    On January 4, the company further extended this brand idea with the launch of its new online viral campaign on www.youtube.com/airtel and released seven entertaining videos depicting “friend types”: ‘Status Update Friend, Activist Friend and Filmi Friend and others, sourced from the online audience through an initiative on Facebook.

     

    Within two days of launch, these new HFZ videos garnered over 1.5 lakh views and tremendous positive word-of-mouth on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

     

    As part of the next phase of this campaign, Airtel, on Tuesday, released the next leg of these in videos – which viewers will be able to access, unlock (using the concept of ‘Gamification’) and share with others on social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Upon doing so, viewers will be able to gain points on the leaderboard and stand a chance to win exciting prizes daily as well as the grand prize of a trip to Ibiza.

     

    Airtel will periodically release a total of 20 videos on the web through the month of January.