MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific & the India Today Group have partnered to launch Discovery Channel Magazine in India in mid-2013

    Discovery partners India Today to launch channel mag

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific and the India Today Group have announced their partnership to launch the Discovery Channel Magazine in India. The magazine to be initially launched in English, will be launched towards the middle of the year. Mirroring the different genres featured on the Discovery Channel, the Discovery Channel Magazine will cover a wide spectrum of topics including nature, adventure, marvels, sci-tech, history, the universe, forensics, seekers, survival, info-tech, psychology and the environment.

     

    To be published monthly, Discovery Channel Magazine will have a contemporary design and feel and will stay true to the DNA of the Discovery brand. The editorial will deliver a compelling read, with strong injections of humour and emotion.

     

    Rahul Johri

    Rahul Johri, Senior Vice-President & General Manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “Discovery Channel Magazine will provide additional touch points for our viewers and will serve as an extension of Discovery Channel’s ability to satisfy their curiosity on a broad range of subjects. We are delighted to launch the magazine in partnership with the India Today Group – one of India’s leading and most respected media companies.”

     

     

    India Today Group’s CEO, Ashish Bagga, commented, “India’s growth and the exposure of the average Indian to the world have created a market for globally acclaimed quality knowledge products. Discovery Channel Magazine with its high quality content will fill the void in this space in the Indian market. We are excited to launch this magazine and feel strongly that this will add to the vast portfolio of diversified, market leading products of the India Today Group and will add to the depth of our relationship with our customers.”

     

    Discovery Channel Magazine is currently sold in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand at newsstands, and is also available for subscription sales in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.

     

    Discovery Channel Magazine recently won the Award for Excellence in Magazine Design, at the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) 2012 Awards for Editorial Excellence.

     

  • The 80-page Tinkle Special Digest in Hindi will debut in March

    Tinkle Special Digest for Hindi hinterland

    By A Correspondent

     

    Tinkle toons have learnt a new language – Hindi. Tinkle, from the house of ACK Media, is set to launch the latest extension of its massive franchise: Tinkle Special Digest in Hindi. 

     

    “One of children’s favourite comic brands for decades, Tinkle includes monthly magazines, digests, double digests and holiday specials. We are now extending its reach into the Hindi heartland by launching its latest offering, Tinkle Special Digest, in Hindi,” said Manas Mohan, COO, ACK Media, adding, “Tinkle has been in the market for more than 30 years and has gained a deep understanding of what it takes to educate children in the most entertaining manner. We decided to widen our reach, using this knowledge and expertise to leverage our entry into the world of Hindi comics – reaching out to more number of children all over the country.”

     

    “In Tinkle Special Digest, we have placed emphasis on the purity of language and content, making it a unique introduction to the Hindi comic genre. At the same time, we have stuck to the motto followed by our parent brand Tinkle – ‘Where Learning Meets Fun’. We are quite sure the Tinkle Special Digest will cater to the needs of our young readers, giving them education with entertainment,” said Priyamvada Rastogi, Editor, Tinkle Special Digest.

     

    The 80-page Tinkle Special Digest in Hindi will debut in March.

     

  • After a sluggish spell, ad spends in the M&E sector are likely to pick up, says India Ratings' report on the 2013 outlook

    Media & Entertainment adspend to pick up in 2H13: India Ratings

    By A Correspondent

     

    India Ratings has a negative outlook for the media & entertainment (M&E) sector for 1H13, as moderate economic growth and cost reduction initiatives by corporates are leading to sluggish growth in advertising spending (adspend). The outlook is stable for 2H13, as the Indian economy is likely to start picking up thus driving higher adspend by corporates.

     

    Overall, the financial performance of TV broadcasters is likely to be moderate in 1H13 before improving in 2H13. India Ratings expects TV broadcasters and multi-system operators (MSOs) to benefit due to mandatory digitization as local cable operators (LCOs) will not be able to underreport subscriber numbers. Mandatory digitization will also be highly positive for DTH operators, as the overall market expands. TV broadcasters are also likely to benefit from the government’s decision to increase foreign direct investment limit in the sector to 74% from 49% earlier. However, digitization process is highly capital extensive as cable and DTH operators sell set-top boxes at subsidized rates.

     

    The agency expects margin pressure on the print media industry to remain for most of the year. The industry is hurt from both revenue and cost sides as adspend growth is low and newsprint prices have remained firm. Over the last one year, there has not been any volatility in newsprint prices, but publishers using imported newsprint have suffered due to INR depreciation.

     

    India Ratings expects that online advertising will be the fastest growing segment over the medium to long term, but its contribution to the M&E industry may remain smaller than that of TV and print.

     

    Improved corporate revenue and margins leading to higher adspend would be a positive for the industry. Also, a significant fall in domestic and international newsprint prices and/or rupee appreciation against the US dollar would help improve margins for newspaper publishers and thus may resulting in a stable outlook for the print media sector.

     

    However, a continuation of the current economic slowdown, muted corporate growth and stressed margins may put pressure on adspend growth, thus further aggravating problems for the industry.

     

    India Ratings-rated M&E companies include: Hathway Cable & Datacom Ltd. (‘IND A-‘/Stable), Prime Focus Limited (‘IND A-‘/Stable), Rajasthan Patrika Private Limited (‘IND BBB+’/Stable) and Stargaze Entertainment Private Limited (‘IND BB-‘/Negative).

     

    The full report, 2013 Outlook: Indian Media & Entertainment, is available at www.indiaratings.co.in.

     

  • The second Comic Con India Awards honoured and felicitated the best Indian comics and comics creators of 2012 on February 7 in New Delhi. Comic Con India Awards is an initiative of Comic Con India, which was established in 2011

    Comics are serious business at 2nd Comic Con India awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    The second Comic Con India Awards honoured and felicitated the best Indian comics and comics creators of 2012 on February 7 in New Delhi. Comic Con India Awards is an initiative of Comic Con India, which was established in 2011.

     

    The CCI Awards aim to recognize the work of the professionals in India’s comics industry, bring into focus the novelty of this art form and acknowledge the efforts of numerous writers, artists and publishers in this field.

     

    Jatin Varma, Founder, Comic Con India, said, “CCI Awards is where we honour and felicitate the best Indian comics and comics’ creators, and give them the recognition they deserve, among their peers.”

     

    Harsho Mohan Chattoraj is the winner of the Comic Con India grant for best unpublished work. He received a grant of Rs 75,000 and a publishing deal with Comic Con India.

     

    This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was a posthumous award given to an iconic Indian cartoonist, the late Mario Miranda. Last year at the 1st CCI Awards, the lifetime award was given to R K Laxman.

     

    The jury consisting of Neelabh Banerjee (Author & Artist), Vaibhav Kumaresh (Artist Animator) and Abhishek Sharma (Writer & Filmmaker) went through the entries submitted, shortlisted them and eventually announced the winners.

     

    The nomination list and winners in each category:

    1. Best Web/Digital Comic:

    Sufi comics (www.suficomics.com), by Sufi Studios

    The Beast Legion Issue 6 Onwards (www.thebeastlegion.com), by Jazyl Homavazir.

    Old School (digital.level10comics.com), by Level 10 Comics. – (Winner)

     

    2. Best Graphic Novel/Comic Book of the Year:

    Jim Corbett – Friend Of The Wild, by ACK Media.

    Sudershan (Chimpanzee), by Hachette India.

    Tina’s Mouth, by Harper Collins India.

    Steve Jobs: Genius By Design, by Campfire Graphic Novels. (Winner)

    Draupadi: The Fire-Born Princess, by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Agent Vinod: The Jungfrau Encounter, by Westland Ltd.

     

    3. Best Penciller/Inker/Penciller-Inker Team:

    Abhijeet Kini, for Angry Maushi. Published by Abhijeet Kini.

    Saumin Patel, for Agent Vinod: The Jungfrau Encounter. Published by Westland Ltd. (Winner)

    Meren Imchen, for Sudershan (Chimpanzee). Published by Hachette India.

    Abhishek Malsuni (Pencils), Sunil Paswan (Inks), for The Legends Of Aveon 9: The Train To Vexadus. Published by Rovolt Comics.

    Abhishek Malsuni (Pencils), Sunil Paswan & Jagdish Kumar (Inks) for The Legends Of Aveon 9: The Race To Revelations. Published by Rovolt Comics.

    Manu for Draupadi: The Fire-Born Princess. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Rajesh Nagulakonda for Krishna: Defender Of Dharma. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Naresh Kumar for Martin Luther King: Let Freedom Ring. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Deepak Sharma for Odayan – Issue 1-5. Published by Level 10 Comics.

     

    4. Best Colourist:

    Yogesh Pugaonkar for Ravanayan 06. Published by Holy Cow Entertainment.

    Neeraj Menon, Vikrant Shitole, Jignesh Gajjar for Jungfrau Encounter. Published by Westland Ltd.

    Balram Bannerjee for Batu Gaiden. Published by Level 10 Comics.

    Shashank Mishra for Legends of Aveon 9, Book 1 & 2. Published by Rovolt Comics.

    Sachin Nagar for Sundarkaand: Triumph Of Hanuman. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels. (Winner)

    Vijay Sharma & Pradeep Sherawat for Martin Luther King: Let Freedom Ring. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Anil C K for Abraham Lincoln: From The Log Cabin To The White House. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Kavita Singh Kale for My Facebook Friends. Published by Tulika Publishers.

     

    5. Best Cover:

    Aghori, Book 1, cover art by Vivek Goel. Published by Holy Cow Entertainment.

    This Book Makes No Sense, cover art by Priya Kurien. Published by Scholastic India.

    When Crows Are White, cover art by Garima Gupta. Published by Scholastic India. (Winner)

    Mad Maladies (Vol. 1, Issue 11), cover art by Somesh Kumar. Brainwave Magazine

    Tinkle Digest #247, cover art by Somnath Pal.

    Black Bread White Bear, cover art by PRABHA Mallya. Published by Harper Collins India.

    The Legends Of Aveon 9: The Train To Vexadus, cover art by Yin Yuming (Imaginary Friends Studios, Singapore). Published by Rovolt Comics.

    Steve Jobs: Genius By Design, cover art by Amit Tayal. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Draupadi: The Fire-Born Princess, cover art by Manu (Pencil/Ink), Anil C K (Color), Rajesh Nagulakonda (Design). Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Shiva – The Legends Of The Immortal (Book ll), cover art by Amit Tayal. Published by Vimanika Comics.

    I am Kalki – The Red Book (Vol 2), cover art by Amit Tayal. Published by Vimanica Comics.

     

    6. Best Writer:

    Yogesh Chandekar for Agent Vinod: The Jungfrau Encounter. Published by Westland Ltd.

    Tripti Sah for Jim Cobett – Friend Of The Wild. Published by ACK Media.

    Rajesh Devraj for Sudershan (Chimpanzee). Published by Hachette India.

    Jason Quinn for Steve Jobs: Genius By Design. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels. (Winner)

    Mechael Teitelbaum &Lewis Helfand for Martin Luther King: Let Freedom Ring. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

     

    7. Best Continuing Graphic Series:

    Aghori by Holy Cow Entertainment.

    The Watchbearer, Tinkle Digest #248, 249.

    Those Mongol Barbarians! – Tinkle Digest #242, 243, 244 .

    The Legends Of Aveon 9: The Train To Vexadus – Book 1 of 7 by Rovolt Comics. (Winner)

    The Legends Of Aveon 9: The Race To Revelations Book 2 of 7 by Rovolt Comics. (Winner)

     

    8. Best Graphic Anthology:

    Sufi Comic: The Wise Fool Of Baghdad by Sufi Studios.

    The Obliterary Journal Vol. 1 by Westland/Blaft Publications.

    Tinkle Digest #250 .

    Tinkle #600 .

    PAO: The Anthology Of Comics 1 by Penguin Books India. (Winner)

     

    9. Best Children’s Illustrated Book (Ages 13 & below):

    Just Like A Bug, written by Anushka Ravishankar, illustrated by Shilo Shiv Suleman. Published by Scholastic India.

    Let’s Go Time Travelling, Life In India Through The Ages, written by Subhadra Sengupta, illustrated by Tapas Guha. Published by Puffin Books India. (Winner)

    Getting Granny’s Glasses, written by Ruskin Bond, illustrated by Sayantan Halder. Published by Puffin Books India.

     

    10. Best Publication for Children:

    The Blue Umbrella by Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Ltd. (Winner)

    Brainwave, Doomsday Alert (Vol. 1 Issue 12).

    Tinkle Digest #252 .

    Tinkle #600.

    The Deadly Royal Recipe, written by Ranjit Lal. Published by Duckbill Books.

    Oops the Mighty Gurgle, written by Ram G Vallath. Published by Duckbill Books.

    Sundarkaand: Triumph Of Hanuman by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Martin Luther King: Let Freedom Ring by Campfire Graphic Novels.

    Tinkle Holiday Special #39.

     

    11. Best Children’s Writer:

    Anushka Ravishankar for Just Like A Bug. Published by Scholastic India.

    Jerry Pinto for When Crows Are White. Published by Scholastic India.

    Subhadra Sengupta for Lets Go Time Travelling, Life In India Through The Ages. Published by Penguin Books India. (Winner)

    Anoushka Ravishankar for Moin The Monster Songster. Published by Duckbill Books.

    Shyam Prakash for Sundarkaand: Triumph Of Hanuman. Published by Campfire Graphic Novels.

     

  • The two-day Indian Magazine Congress which begins in Mumbai today is a must-attend event for stakeholders

    Growth mantras beckon @ IMC 2013

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    By the time you read this, the seventh edition of the Indian Magazine Congress (IMC) would have been be kicked off by AIM president Tarun Rai. The two-day conference has been organised by the Association of Indian Magazines (AIM) and is the most significant gathering of the magazine industry in India. The attendees include people from the Indian magazine fraternity including representatives from the Ministry of Information, Magazine Publishers, Media owners, Marketers and advertisers, Media planners and buyers, Magazine Editors, Brand Managers, Circulation specialists, Magazine Distributors, Researchers, Media and financial consultants and Industry analysts.

     

    Tarun Rai

    According to recent IRS figures, the magazine industry is definitely facing tough times. However, Mr Rai opined, “All media is facing tough times. In fact, as per the latest Madison Media Outlook, magazines have done better than projected by showing a growth of 4.5 percent over 2012. And yes, publishers do recognize that the economic environment of the country is tough and advertising spending will be more conservative.”

     

    The theme ‘Magazines: New Directions. New Opportunities’ will explore the digital opportunities for the magazine industry. Mr Rai said, “Digital is the big opportunity for magazines. We have now more vehicles to take our content to people. More easily. The challenge, though, is to quickly learn to repurpose our content for digital. To equip our people through training to best exploit the digital opportunities. To recruit new talent where needed.”

     

    The line-up of speakers is as impressive as the theme itself.

     

    “Yes, we do have a great line-up of speakers. We have very senior professionals from media, marketing and creative. We also have 15 international speakers who have flown down specially for the IMC. The delegates cannot afford to miss any session starting with the opening address of Nitin Paranjpe,” said Mr Rai.

     

    The speakers include names such as Chris Llewellyn, President and CEO, FIPP, UK; Peter A. Kreisky, Chairman, Kreisky Media Consultancy, USA; Andrew Duck, Managing Director, Audience Media, Vietnam; Fabrizio D’Angelo, MD, Hubert Burda Media, Germany; Mike Lovell, International Director, Meredith Corporation, USA; Sandra Gotelli, International Publisher and Head of Licensing, Mondadori, Italy; Torsten Klein, President, Gruner + Jahr International, Germany.

     

    MxM India brings to you the profile of the not-to-be-missed-speakers.

     

    Chris Llewellyn has been serving as Federation of the Periodical Press (FIPP) president and CEO in the organisation since 2009. He has been a member of the FIPP Management Board since 1999, and served as its chairman between 2005 and 2007. FIPP is the worldwide magazine media association that represents companies and individuals involved in the creation, publishing or distribution of quality content, in whatever form, by whatever channel, and in the most appropriate frequency, to defined audiences of interest.

     

    Peter Kreisky founded Kreisky Media after being at the helm of Mercer Management Consulting’s worldwide media and entertainment practice for 10 years, preceded by a career at McKinsey & Company and CBS Inc. His experience spans Europe and North America, in just about every sector of the media industry. The Kreisky Media Consultancy provides corporate strategy and management advisory services for top management, focused exclusively on the media and entertainment industry: magazine, book, and newspaper publishing, digital media, the Internet, television, music, motion pictures, information, advertising, media retailing.

     

    Audience Media is an innovative company offering the latest multi-media marketing and communication solutions to clients around the world, including Photo Review Australia, BBC Good Food and PrintNZ. The company was founded in 2011 by Andrew Duck, Rolf Rohwer and Mike Coker. Audience Media intends to stay at the forefront of developing technologies.

     

    Fabrizio D’Angelo, head of Hubert Burda International, has also served as FIPP’s Vice-Chairman. In February 2012, Hubert Burda Media pooled its international print activities in a new umbrella organization, Burda International (BI). It was then that Burda CEO Dr. Paul-Bernhard Kallen appointed Fabrizio d’Angelo as Managing Director. However, Mr. d’Angelo has been in charge of BHI since December 2008.

     

    Mike Lovell leads the licensing of Meredith’s leading consumer brands outside the U.S. Meredith is the leading media and marketing company serving American women. It is the industry leader in creating content in key consumer interest areas such as home, family, health and wellness and self-development and uses multiple distribution platforms – including print, television, online, mobile, tablets, and video – to give consumers content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners.

     

    Sandra Gotelli of Mondadori, Italy has been managing the International editions of Mondadori Magazines since 2006, which includes: 15 Grazia editions (7 weeklies, 1 fortnighly, 9 monthlies); Casaviva: 7 editions, Interniand Sale & Pepe. Mondadori is one of Europe’s top publishing companies.

     

    European Gruner + Jahr International (G+J) publishes close to 285 print titles and accompanying homepages in over 20 countries, has printing plants in Germany and the United States, and owns professional websites. In 2012, the group bought India-based startup SeventyNine, a mobile media distribution and analytics platform for Rs 38 crore. In January 1998, Torsten-Joern Klein joined G+J AG, where he was named Publishing Director of Berliner Zeitung and Berliner Kurier, published by Berlin Newspaper Publishing Group. From 2000 through the end of 2003, Torsten- Joern Klein was Managing Director of Berlin Newspaper Publishing Group, responsible for all of Gruner + Jahrs newspaper operations in Berlin. He was appointed member of the G+J Executive Board in January 2004. He is President of G+J International and has the responsibility for all magazines and online activities of Gruner + Jahr outside Germany.

     

    On the one hand we have BusinessWorld turning fortnightly, and on the other Discovery Channel Magazine announcing its entry into India. This may be the right time to take home received knowledge, and follow it to grow and progress.

     

  • The awards, to be given on March 2, honour individuals who are determined to uncover the truth, expose injustice, change the system, and help create a better India

    IBN Network presents 5th edition of Citizen Journalist Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    IBN Network, in partnership with Idea Cellular Ltd, is back with the fifth edition of its Citizen Journalist Awards, an initiative to empower the Indian citizen. Promoting the principles of inclusive journalism, these awards honour individuals who are determined to uncover the truth, expose injustice, change the system, and in the process, help create a better India for themselves and their countrymen.

     

    This year, the Citizen Journalist Awards will be given under four categories:

     

    > Fight for Her Rights – This category will recognize women CJs who are fighting for justice and their right to live a life of dignity

    > Citizens Against Corruption – This category will recognize CJs who are fighting for a corruption-free India

    > What an Idea Sirji – This category will recognize CJs who have come up with innovative ideas to bring about a change

    > CJ Video & CJ Photo – This category will recognize those alert CJs who captured a crime, an illegal activity or rules being flouted in the form of videos and pictures

     

     

    The award ceremony will be held on March 2, 2013.

     

    The Citizen Journalist Awards adheres to a stringent selection process where the IBN Network Editorial Board shortlists the nominees in the first phase basis their stories featured on the IBN channels and/or on the CJ microsite www.ibnlive.com/cj. The IBN Network team then deliberates on the nominees, before reaching a majority decision on the winners.

     

    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat, said, “The CJ initiative has become a mass movement that has seen a lot of participation from across the nation. The Citizen Journalist Awards is a salute to all those citizens, who have taken the responsibility to fight for a better life for their countrymen.”

     

     

  • The first edition of the Yuva awards, that aim to find Yuva Icons of India, will be held in the capital on Feb 18

    First India TV Yuva Awards on Feb 18

    By A Correspondent

     

    The India TV Yuva Awards are set to take place in the capital on February 18, and aim to recognize and honour youth icons of India.

     

    The jury, chaired by Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan and consisting of well-known personalities across categories like Kapil Dev, Vandana Luthra , Professor Pushpesh Pant and India TV chairman & editor in chief Rajat Sharma, will decide the final winners of the Yuva Awards. To ensure credibility in the nomination process, C voter, a well renowned research agency, is on board as the official tabulator. Basis their analysis, a final list of nominees has been closed.

     

  • Gaana.com has tied up with the South Indian Music Companies Association, giving it access to over 55,000 songs covering the best of music in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam

    Gaana.com ties up with Simca, acquires music from 79 more regional labels

    By A Correspondent

     

    In a move to further reach audiences in South India and other regional markets, Gaana.com has tied up with Simca (South Indian Music Companies Association). This tie up gives Gaana access to over 55,000 songs covering the best of film, Carnatic and popular devotional music in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.

     

    Avinash Mudaliar, Head of Gaana.com, said, “Gaana is constantly expanding its catalogue of music, and our association with SIMCA demonstrates our increased commitment to expand into the regional markets, particularly South India. We’ve seen that nearly 28 percent of our consumption on our website and new mobile apps comes from South India, and we hope to serve our users there better. Since the launch of its mobile apps, Gaana has nearly 400,000 downloads in the first 3-4 weeks, and is the top music app in the iPhone App Store.”

     

  • The application will enable easy access to spiritual conversations and articles from the website The Speaking Tree

    Times Internet launches Speaking Tree app for iPad

    By A Correspondent

     

    Times Internet Limited has announced the launch of spiritual networking website www.speakingtree.in as an application for iPads. The application will enable easy access to spiritual conversations and articles 24×7.

     

    The Speaking Tree iPad app hosts a range of spiritual information such as tips on meditation, spiritual blogs, forums and master discourses, as well as conversations between spiritual seekers and masters. Users can also create and share their personal spiritual diary with friends and acquaintances and help spread words of wisdom.

     

    Archana Vohra, Vice President, Times Internet Limited, saiad, “The Speaking Tree iPad application enables one-click access to spiritual conversations. We hope that it will revolutionize the accessibility of spiritual information on the web and help users gain answers to pertinent questions in today’s materialistic world.”

     

  • The Broadcasting Industry Awards are organised by the World Brand Congress

    Rahul Johri named ‘CEO of the Year’ at Broadcasting Industry Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rahul Johri

    Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President & General Manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, has been conferred with the CEO of the Year award at the Broadcasting Industry Awards, organized by the World Brand Congress. The award was given in recognition of Mr Johri’s strategy in establishing Discovery as the leading non-fiction media company in the country and his inspiring leadership to build a robust and varied portfolio of eight unique channels, led by the leading factual entertainment brand – the Discovery Channel.

     

    Mr Johri has been the driving force in company’s expansion and growth including its localization strategy and launch of multiple language feeds across brands. His venture to launch the game changing channel in the kids genre, Discovery Kids, has received industry wide applaud. His recent initiative is Discovery’s association with India Today Group to launch Discovery Channel Magazine in India. He said, “It is an honour for the entire company. I am grateful to my team, our esteemed partners and stakeholders in the region who have shared the spirit of commitment in making Discovery as one of the most respected television brands in South Asia.”

     

    “The distinction compliments Rahul Johri’s innovative thinking and creative leadership which has translated into business excellence,” declared the awards jury.

     

    Having joined Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific in 2001, Mr Johri currently leads its South Asia operations. He is responsible for the overall growth strategy of India’s highest quality factual and lifestyle portfolio including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World, Discovery Tamil and Discovery Kids.

     

    He is also credited with having commissioned a range of acclaimed series including Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan, What Not to Wear: India, Oh My Gold!, and Be Blunt with Adhuna Akhtar. He also spearheaded Discovery Channel’s association with Yash Raj Films for the latest release Jab Tak Hai Jaan and with the Indian Army for its women officers’ expedition to Mount Everest in 2012.

     

    Mr Johri is a Board Member and Treasurer of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). He is also a member of the media and entertainment committee of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and member of the Media & Entertainment Division of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

     

  • The first edition of the Yuva awards, that aim to find Yuva Icons of India, will be held in the capital today

    First India TV Yuva Awards to be held today

    By A Correspondent

     

    India TV is all set to honour the youth icons of the nation with the first edition of the Yuva Awards at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi this evening.

     

    The awards, to be given in six categories, namely Politics, Sports, Music, Film, Television and Business are an aspirational salute to young icons who, through their grit and determination, have inspired many and shown exemplary leadership and extraordinary excellence in their respective fields with achievements much bigger than their age.

     

    The winners have been decided basis a stringent process of nominations through nation-wide research by a well-known research agency, followed by audience votes.

     

    The jury, chaired by Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, consists of well-known personalities across categories like Kapil Dev, Vandana Luthra , Professor Pushpesh Pant and India TV chairman & editor in chief Rajat Sharma.

     

    Ritu Dhawan, India TV MD & CEO, said, “These awards are a salute to the budding next generation of India, it is an honour getting to honour them on behalf of a nation that is on the rise, with a sense of achievement and pride.”

     

    The awards have real estate major Prateek Group as presenting sponsor and Galgotias University as an associate.

     

  • Notable panellists from the fourth estate gathered at the Indian Magazine Conress to put forth their views on the topic 'Church vs State: Has the wall between editorial and business breached?

    IMC 2013: Editorial vs business: the debate rages on…

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s been an oft- debated topic at most industry forums but one can be assured of a new twist to crop up each time the subject comes alive. It was no different at the Indian Magazine Congress where notable panellists from the fourth estate gathered to put forth their views on the topic ‘Church vs State: Has the wall between editorial and business breached?’

     

    Flagging off the discussion, Khozem Merchant, India Head at Pearson began by saying that the shape and tone of print media has undergone a drastic shift in recent years with the emergence of paid content. A concept that was pioneered by the Times of India, paid content has changed the way the business of newspapers operate while managing to reinforce the state of the advertisers in this country, he said. While on the one hand it has underpinned the economics of this industry on the other it has subjugated the craft of journalism. The good thing to have happened is that there has been a spurt in the rise of niche magazines; this on the back of the Indian print industry managing to do well in recent times, said Mr Merchant.

     

    Terming the debate an irrelevant one, Hormazd Sorabjee, editor, Autocar India said, “In my opinion, the debate is not a valid one. Where we are concerned, we are not influenced at all by the advertisers. We have moved to an era today of high cover pricing and still have audiences who read us. We will in way allow our practices to be compromised.”

     

    But while maintaining editorial integrity remains a priority, for Mr Sorabjee there was a need to reach out to the advertising community as well. “We need to offer advertising solutions that have a reading value. While we do need advertisers to sustain the business the editorial-advertising division cannot be breached.”

     

    Taking off from where Mr Sorabjee left, Krishna Prasad, editor-in-chief of Outlook said that according to him, the Church vs State wall had been breached the reason for that was due to content. While everybody was focusing on the business side of the trade, Mr Prasad highlighted that nobody cared to talk about the core of the business – training journalists in mastering the art. “The fact is that content and journalism are two key facets that we need to focus on. But in India, the market leaders have played a damaging role in getting the toothpaste out of the tube. It is essential that we do not continue to dabble in business beyond a certain limit.”

     

    According to Indrajit Gupta, editor, Forbes India his magazine has always tried to provide journalism that is respected. But he cautioned that it was necessary for editors to see business realities as well. “Before we launched our magazine we spent a fair amount of time researching and understanding what the market reality was. If the focus for magazines happens to be content, then you have to keep the consumer at the centre. The onus lies on both the editors as well as advertisers to make this a reality. But it is essential that instead of reach magazines should be sold via engagement,” reasoned Mr Gupta.

     

    Answering a question on whether editors needed to play multiple roles, Mr Sorabjee said that it was essential for editors to be seen as well-rounded figures. Where his magazine was concerned, it shared a close association with the advertisers as it was a niche offering. After all we are being measured by our readers, which is good but the business reality is that we need to have innovation to enhance value.”

     

    Mr Gupta said that most brands do not carry the conviction that is desired out of them. Adding he said: “While most editors are reluctant even business managers have failed to show creativity. This may lead one to be held ransom by the advertisers. This is the case especially with Events and other such offerings that lack differentiation. At the end, it has to be an editorial-driven activity.”

     

    Adding on to his earlier point, Mr Prasad stated that the troubling part with India’s media growth investment has been its investment in journalism that has been abysmal. “While it’s a fact that owners are making revenues they need to plough it back in the business.”