MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • Ajit Balakrishnan, Founder and CEO, Rediff.com, will speak at the IAA Webinar on 'World Goes Digital', on May 23 at 3 pm, using Google Hangout

    Rediff’s Ajit Balakrishnan on IAA webinar on May 23

    Ajit Balakrishnan

    By A Correspondent

     

    Close on the heels of the successful inaugural webinar, the International Association of Advertisers (India Chapter) has announced its next webinar on ‘World goes Digital’. Ajit Balakrishnan, Founder and CEO, Rediff.com, will be the speaker at this webinar, being held on Google Hangout. The webinar with Mr Balakrishnan will happen on Thursday, May 23 at 3pm *(see Disclosure).

     

     

    Srinivasan K Swamy

    Srinivasan Swamy, President, IAA India Chapter, said, “IAA’s first webinar with Rajan Anandan, in April, was an impressive success. We had nearly 200 people participating and more than 1000 people seeing it on our YouTube channel later. Going by that, I am confident that this second webinar will have at least twice the number. A small service, that IAA is providing, for young professionals and others to learn more about the digital medium.”

     

     

     

    Abhishek Karnani

    Abhishek Karnani, Director, Free Press Journal and Manish Advani, Head – Marketing & Public Relations, Mahindra Special Services Group, are co-chairing this IAA webinar series.

     

    * Disclosure: MxMIndia is partnering IAA’s webinar initiative

     

  • Oh Yes Abhi, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari in MxMIndia Comment. Hurt them where it hurts most… turn the tap off the monies!

    Time for sponsors to pull out of IPL?

    The front pages of select dailies with the news on the arrest of the tainted cricketers

     

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t get myself to watch last evening’s Kings XI Punjab-Delhi Daredevils encounter. No, not because I thought it was fixed, but purely out of a loss of faith in the way the sport is played.

     

    The crisis of confidence is so much that one is now questioning all the bizarre-yet-not-impossible things that we’ve seen thus far in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. An ace fielder’s consecutive dropped catches, bad performances by various stars and of course the many batting collapses.

     

    We’ve just heard of spot-fixing with one team’s players, but one wouldn’t be surprised if there’s news of more cricketers and even entire teams dirtying their hands.

     

    Good money has raised the profile of the game (and hence the stakes) so much that it also brought in the bad money (fixing). Loads of it.

     

    I’ve read the reactions of some advertisers, including a few of the sponsors. They’ve given a mature response, as one would possibly expect of them.

     

    But what they haven’t fathomed is the anger of the average Indian.

     

    What they haven’t factored in is that the resentment against the sport (and sportsmen) could also turn against them.

     

    If Pepsi, Yes Bank, Star Plus et al indeed care for the sport, they must give it back to the sports organizers and sportsmen. Hurt them where it hurts the most. Withdraw the sponsorship! One is sure that there is a fine print in the sponsorship terms and conditions which can allow for this to happen.

     

    If Sahara really believes in national pride, they too must put the Indian team and Cricket Board on notice.

     

    I don’t know what the headquarters of organizations like Pepsi, Newscorp, Vodafone, Coca-Cola, Voltas etc which otherwise value integrity and the ‘spirit of the game’ think about this. I wonder whether their shareholders and Boards will be fine with their brands be associated with a tainted sport.

     

    While there’s nothing wrong in making money, it appears that a section of the administrators and players wouldn’t mind compromising on the sport for their gains.

     

    My suggestion is hence harsh and extreme, but that’s the only way in which cricket will be played like a sport: withdraw the sponsorship and the ads. Let IPL 6 continue without the money. If the TV channels want to continue to show it on telly, let them do it, but without the ads, one isn’t sure if they will spend the money on the coverage.

     

    Once we are sure that the clean-up has happened, the sponsors can come back.

     

    For me, Star Plus will show a ‘Nayi Soch’ if it does this. Ditto with Pepsi. Oh Yes Abhi!

     

  • MxMIndia editors pick links of must-read stories from across the Indian business and trade media

    Links of the Day (17 May)

    IPL scandal puts spotlight back on cricket betting

    http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/NLd7GPZu7q487UBbAMm6sI/Sreesanth-two-other-Rajasthan-Royals-players-arrested-for-s.html

    Mint/Gouri Shah, Vidhi Choudhary & Sahil Makkar

    Report carries quotes from a Pepsi spokesperson, as also from Havells, MSM and others.

     

    Sun TV’s net profit grows 12% on strong ad revenue

    http://www.livemint.com/Companies/ZHEdiizDDJY4HZhr7lR4sL/Sun-TVs-net-profit-grows-12-on-strong-ad-revenue.html

    Mint/S Bridget Leena

    The outlook looks positive as the company will raise ad rates by an average 19% for Sun TV from 15 July, notes this report

     

    MSM hikes ad rates for last few nail-biting IPL matches

    http://www.exchange4media.com/51028_msm-hikes-ad-rates-for-last-few-nail-biting-ipl-matches.html

    Exchange4media.com/Abhinav Trivedi

    Market experts predict that MSM, the official broadcaster of the tournament, is expected to rake in ad revenues in excess of Rs 800 crore, notes the report

     

    Broadcast Content Complaints Council warns Kids TV channels

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/digital/y2k13/may/maydig57.php

    IndianTelevision.com

    From report: “In an advisory to its members the BCCC chairperson justice AP Shah has stated that “while the BCCC wishes to avoid being a censoring agency, it advises all IBF member channels, particularly children’s/cartoon channels, to be more cautious in the selection of the content shown, considering the impressionable minds of their target viewers.The emphasis should be on the “best interest of the child”.”

     

     

  • While there is no recipe or element for success, the key is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience that meets the needs of kids, says Turner's Krishna Desai

    ‘Kids want to be good-hearted superheroes’

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    The children’s genre in the country has never been child’s play. Major networks have fought each other to remain ahead and with summer holidays on, the battle only intensifies.

     

    Krishna Desai

    The Turner network which has two children’s channels – Cartoon Network and Pogo – to its credit is going all out to be on top. So, what has been their secret to lure children to their channels? “As such there is no recipe or element for success, but over the years, our experience in the genre has taught us what appeals to kids. The key is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience that meets the needs of kids,” says Krishna Desai, Senior Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt Ltd.

     

    Their show Chhota Bheem is the most popular TV choice for kids according to Ormax in the year 2012. The network feels that the reason it is the most popular character because children aspire to be a good-hearted superhero like Bheem. “Also, one cannot strike out another important element to ensure kids keep coming back to the same show again and again and that is – humour! It is for the above reasons that Tom and Jerry is a timeless show. It’s been going for over 70 years, but is still one of the most popular shows on television across the world,” says Mr Desai.

     

    But today kids have a lot of options – shows on the internet, computer games etc – so what is the best way to keep the TG hooked? The network believes in giving kids the ultimate consumer experience. And, hence, engage kids across 360 degrees ensuring they are entertained at every touch point.

     

    “On air, we periodically conduct innovative contests wherein kids who win are rewarded with prizes such as iPods, PSPs, etc. For instance, last year, we did a highly successful exam contest with Roll No. 21 around the exam time that was a stress buster for kids. Annually, Turner conducts on-ground events for both, Cartoon Network and Pogo,” explains Mr Desai.

     

    Through their School Contact Programs, the network has increased the reach to over 1 million kids between Cartoon Network and Pogo. “These SCPs provide an excellent platform for our advertisers as well to interact with the end consumer,” adds Mr Desai.

     

    And considering the growth in popularity of mobile and internet platforms among kids, the network has also leveraged all their popular shows across these mediums. “Our strategic efforts of providing innovative games to kids across our websites and mobile applications have enabled us to make cartoonnetworkindia.com and pogo.tv the leading kids’ websites in the country with each site receiving over 5 lakh unique viewers per month. The Ben 10: Xenodrome mobile game that was launched a few months ago has got over a million downloads in India,” says Mr Desai.

     

    The network feel that digitization will bring about the biggest change to the broadcast industry including the kids’ genre. “With phase 2 under way, it will be interesting to see the level of STB and satellite penetration, thereby determining reach of all channels. It will also help broadcasters get a better understanding of the content consumption by audiences which in turn will enable broadcasters to deliver content better attuned to consumer demand. Digitization will also determine the effectiveness of the current revenue model. The current ad-driven model under-values and under-prices the kids’ genre. With a subscription based revenue model, broadcasters will hopefully receive a fair share of the revenue pie,” Mr Desai explains.

     

    So where does the network see the genre in the next few years? It feel that the growth of multi-TV households in India is also boosting the growth of the kids’ genre. And the demand from kids to be able to consume content ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ will lead to broadcasters aggressively focusing on delivering quality non-linear content.

     

  • South African newsweekly Mail & Guardian’s editor-in-chief Nic Dawes is set to join Hindustan Times as chief content and editorial officer

    From Friday: Nic Dawes to join HT as chief content and editorial officer

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nicholas Dawes

    South African newsweekly Mail & Guardian’s editor-in-chief Nicholas Dawes is set to join Hindustan Times as chief content and editorial officer.

     

    Although an HT spokesperson did not confirm or deny the development, Mr Dawes has announced this to his team at M&G today. He will be leaving the paper in September.

     

    A report in the paper’s online version quotes him saying: “I have been offered a remarkable opportunity to help lead a process of change and growth at the Hindustan Times, one of the most important newspapers in a country going through momentous and fascinating changes. I look forward to putting what I have learned at the M&G to work in that new environment and on a very large scale.”

     

    Sanjoy Narayan is currently Editor-in-Chief, Hindustan Times. According to the information available with MxMIndia, Mr Dawes will report to Mr Narayan, and play the role of a ‘managing editor’ in the newsroom. Mr Narayan is likely to inform his team of the same today.

     

    Photograph taken from Nicholas Dawes’s Twitter profile
  • The media would do well to keep it alive, which it will until the next big breaking story happens. And while the arrests, lifetime ban etc are fine, the only thing that will rid cricket of the malaise is the stoppage of monies

    1 Minute View: Fixing’s forgotten already?

    Popular editorial cartoonist Hemant Morparia’s pocket in today’s Mumbai Mirror possibly indicates what may happen with the spot-fixing controversy.  It could get forgotten soon. In fact, the excitement of last evening’s match where the Sunrisers beat KKR to get into the semis was good enough to have us forget about the whole episode of last week.

     

    Thankfully, the cops who have got much muck thanks to the Delhi gangrape and frequent glimpses of inefficient running are at it. Unless of course political pressure compels them to change course. Remember, the cricketing administration is manned by politicians of all hues with a minister in the Union cabinet as the IPL chairman.

     

    From the Mumbai Mirror, dated May 20

    The media would do well to keep it alive, which it will until the next big breaking story happens.

     

    The reactions we have received to our editorial comment last week have been mixed. Obviously we asked for the impossible: for sponsors to pull out. One can be sure that will never happen. But some flexing of muscles would help. Our sources tell us that there has been a precedence on this.

     

    Remember, while the arrests, lifetime ban etc are fine, the only thing that will rid cricket of the malaise is the stoppage of monies.

     

     

     

  • Sports motorcycle Bajaj Pulsar has recently crossed the one-million-fan mark on Facebook

    Pulsar Facebook fans cross 1 million

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sports motorcycle Bajaj Pulsar has recently crossed the one-million-fan mark on Facebook.

     

    Commenting on the accomplishment, Sanjay Saraswat, Vice-President (Marketing), Bajaj Auto Ltd, said, “Bajaj Auto considers its Facebook fan page reaching a million mark as a testimony to the sporty evolution that it has brought in the country. Much in line with the brand’s DNA, it created a community of bikers and biking enthusiasts. Over the social media these biking enthusiasts found the Facebook page a platform to share their videos, pictures, stories and travelogues. Overtime, this became a community of people who spoke a similar language. This is a true testament to the kind of brand power that we have with us in Brand Pulsar.”

     

  • Salar Kamangar will be presented with the Media Person of the Year honour on Wednesday, June 19, in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France

    Cannes Lions names YouTube’s Salar Kamangar as media person of the year 2013

    By A Correspondent

     

    Salar Kamangar

    The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is the world’s largest and most prestigious annual awards and celebration of creative excellence in advertising and communications. Every year, the Festival organizers present The Media Person of the Year Award to a prominent personality who is an influential figure in the development of today’s media landscape, ultimately playing an integral part in shaping the future of the industry.

     

    This year, Cannes Lions is honouring YouTube CEO Salar Kamangar.

     

    Founded in 2005, YouTube was acquired by Google the following year. Since taking on the role in 2009, Mr Kamangar has overseen the expansion of YouTube into a global broadcast platform. Under his leadership, YouTube’s site design and its investments have been reshaped to focus on channels and the emerging content creators behind them. YouTube’s usage has been increasing at tremendous rates, to six billion hours of video watched each month, a 50% increase over the past year. YouTube has also launched TrueView, the advertising format whereby advertisers only pay for ads watched, and has doubled the number of advertisers using it in the last year.

     

    Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions, said, “YouTube has become a global phenomenon under Salar’s leadership. The statistics say it all: more than one billion unique users a month watch more than six billion hours of video. In 2011, YouTube had more than one trillion views – a simply staggering statistic. But YouTube is more than a formidable communications tool of everyday life. YouTube has become a key way for people throughout the world to share their cultures and stories, helping us understand and connect with one another. And for businesses, YouTube is enabling the next generation of great channels, similar to how cable systems enabled the emergence of modern TV programming and advertising. In the coming years, YouTube will surely become ever-more important to content-creators and advertisers the world over, and so Cannes Lions is delighted to recognize Salar’s achievements and present him with the Media Person of the Year award.”

     

    Mr Kamangar said, “Content creators and advertisers alike are building successful YouTube channels that tap into a global community of fans, with more than one million of these channels now earning revenue. I’m delighted to accept this award not just on behalf of YouTube, but on behalf of the artists and producers across the world whose creativity has established YouTube as the global destination for video.”

     

    As Google’s ninth employee, Mr Kamangar’s early roles at Google included drafting its first business plan, starting its early legal and finance functions, and helping to found Google’s product team. While leading product management for Google’s advertising and monetisation products, Salar and his engineering partner designed and launched AdWords, helping the program grow into a business generating billions of dollars a year. Salar also led product management teams for Google’s web applications, including Gmail and Docs. Salar earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with honours from Stanford University.

     

    Salar Kamangar will be presented with the Media Person of the Year honour on Wednesday, June 19, in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France.

     

    Previous recipients of the Media Person of the Year Award include, Jack Dorsey, Creator, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Twitter; Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google; Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook; Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation; Tsuneo Watanabe, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings; Sumner Redstone, Chairman and CEO of Viacom; and Gerald Levin, CEO of AOL Time Warner.

     

  • Ventes Dundh has announced a partnership with Talenthouse India, a part of Reliance Entertainment, signalling its plans in the crowdsourcing segment

    Niloufer Dundh partners with Talenthouse India to tap crowdsourcing space

    By A Correspondent

     

    Niloufer Dundh

    Former senior vice president and head of Integrated Media at Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Niloufer Dundh, has announced a partnership with Talenthouse India, a part of Reliance Entertainment. This move signals Ms Dundh’s plans for her firm Ventes Dundh in the crowdsourcing segment and her belief in its appeal to brands.

     

    Ms Dundh has scored a six this IPL season, with a key role in Talenthouse’s crowdsourcing initiative for Vodafone’s IPL campaign where 22 children will wear the winning design comprising of jersey and cap while leading the final two teams to the ground. With an overwhelming response, Talenthouse (www.talenthouse.co.in) had crowdsourced 433 designs out of which Vodafone has chosen one design by Parth Gondaliya who received Rs 1,00,000 as cash prize.

     

    Besides providing the leading telecom brand in the country with an innovative method to crowdsource, Ms Dundh has connected one of her clients to an upcoming nation-wide campaign by Talenthouse. With a theme that is sure to connect with every Indian and targeted in its appeal to the youth, Talenthouse will announce this campaign over the next month.

     

    Speaking of the association, Ms Dundh said, “We often fail to meet the objectives of digital campaigns due to the poor quality of content. Good content has proven to be a differentiator for a brand, as it increases talkability and engagement quotients. This is a gap that I am confident that Talenthouse will fulfil, as we will be able to reach out to several brands across the country. Together with Talenthouse, we plan to up the ante and execute different projects and deliver unique crowdsourcing initiatives.”
    Arun Mehra, CEO, Talenthouse India said, “Crowdsourcing is essential for brands to be taken seriously in this increasingly digital age. Talenthouse has consistently delivered quality content for brands, having successfully engaged consumers. We are excited to work with Niloufer who has a strong reputation in the industry, with some stellar work to her credit. We have a string of projects in the pipeline that we are excited to announce and will continue to grow successfully in the crowdsourcing space.”

     

  • As per the agreement, Yahoo! has promised not to screw Tumblr up, which will operate independently as a separate business. Tumblr is home to, among several others, Amitabh Bachchan's blog

    Yahoo! to acquire Tumblr, promises “not to screw it up”

    By A Correspondent

     

    Yahoo! Inc and Tumblr announced yesterday that they have reached a definitive agreement for Yahoo! to acquire Tumblr.

     

    “Per the agreement and our promise not to screw it up, Tumblr will be independently operated as a separate business,” a communique notes. “David Karp will remain CEO. The product, service and brand will continue to be defined and developed separately with the same Tumblr irreverence, wit, and commitment to empower creators.”

     

    With over 300 million monthly unique visitors and 120,000 daily registrations, Tumblr is one of the fastest-growing media networks globally. Its popularity and engagement among creators, curators and audiences of all ages brings a new community of users to the Yahoo! network. The combination of Tumblr+Yahoo! is expected to grow Yahoo!’s audience by 50 percent to more than a billion monthly visitors, and to grow traffic by approximately 20 percent.

     

    The deal offers unique opportunities for both companies. Tumblr can deploy Yahoo!’s personalization technology and search infrastructure to help its users discover creators, bloggers, and content they’ll love. In turn, Tumblr brings 50 billion blog posts (and 75 million more arriving each day) to Yahoo!’s media network and search experiences. The two companies will also work together to create advertising opportunities that are seamless and enhance the user experience.

     

    The total consideration is approximately $1.1 billion, substantially all of which is payable in cash.

     

    “Tumblr is redefining creative expression online,” said Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer. “On many levels, Tumblr and Yahoo! couldn’t be more different, but, at the same time, they couldn’t be more complementary. ”

     

    David Karp, CEO of Tumblr, addressed the Tumblr community, “Our team isn’t changing. Our roadmap isn’t changing. And our mission – to empower creators to make their best work and get it in front of the audience they deserve – certainly isn’t changing. But we’re elated to have the support of Yahoo! and their team who share our dream to make the Internet the ultimate creative canvas. Tumblr gets better faster with more resources to draw from.”

     

    The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second half of the year.

     

    It may be remembered that in July last year, Amitabh Bachchan moved his blog to Tumblr. The former Tumblr editor-in-chief had then written on the staff blog: “…he’s right here on your dashboard. Go give him a warm welcome and a hearty follow-click.”

     

     

  • Ranked No. 3 tablet manufacturer company in the world, Simmtronics has awarded its media duties to Havas Media India

    Havas bags media duties for Simmtronics

    By A Correspondent

     

    Anita Nayyar

    Technology firm Simmtronics, ranked the No. 3 tablet manufacturing company in the world, has awarded its media duties to Havas Media India. The account size is pegged at about INR 50crores.

     

    Commenting on the win, Anita Nayyar, CEO Havas Media Group India and South Asia said, “It is a great win and further consolidates Havas Media’s position in India. It is also a very interesting category and we look forward to working with them.”

     

     

    Indrajit Sabharwal

    Speaking on the appointment, Indrajit Sabharwal, Managing Director, Simmtronics said, “We have very aggressive plans for the year and wanted a like-minded partner on board. It was a tough fight between equally competent agencies. Havas Media’s response, the understanding of our brief, the customized media solution recommended and their huge passion for our business was something we were looking for. We are pleased to have them as our partner and are sure they will contribute significantly to our business growth.”

     

     

     

    Mohit Joshi
    Smarth Bansal

    “The Havas knowledge of the Mobile and Telecom industry was impressive. Moreover they have worked with prominent brands, know how to build a brand amid the clutter today and how to position it appropriately”, added Smarth Bansal, Brand Manager, Simmtronics.

     

    Said Mohit Joshi, Managing Director, Havas Media India: “The past two quarters have been good for Havas with many new business aquisitions. With this win, we are very hopeful of keeping up this momentum through this quarter as well.”

     

     

     

  • Select links of stories handpicked by MxMIndia editors.

    Links of the day (21 May)

    Blogging lands Indian lecturer in Dubai jail

    The Times of India/Indrani Basu

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Blogging-lands-Indian-lecturer-in-Dubai-jail/articleshow/20160993.cms

    An Indian university lecturer landed in police custody in Dubai after he blogged against a private university based in Dubai, notes the report

     

    Now, news broadcasters’ self-regulated ad cap falls through

    http://www.exchange4media.com/51060_now-news-broadcasters%E2%80%99-self-regulated-ad-cap-falls-through.html

    Exchange4media.com/Abid Hasan

    The proposed ad cap planned to be self-imposed by news channels has not been implemented in right earnest.

     

    Advertisers cannot risk ignoring social media

    Mint/Gouri Shah

    http://www.livemint.com/Companies/tFSfmaPRES62ov6EgVyy9M/Advertisers-cannot-risk-ignoring-social-media.html

    Even in affluent districts in Mumbai, you get very variable Internet connections that hold India back, says GroupM’s Rob Norman in this interview

     

    How Sony Entertainment is driving its online ambitions

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k13/sony_special.php

    IndianTelevision.com/Zeba Warsi

    Nitesh Kriplani is driving Multi Screen Media’s online agenda. An interview-based report