MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • It will draw on the local newsgathering expertise of the ETV network of news channels whose Hindi services cover seven states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

    News18.com launched aggregating ETV’s news

    By A Correspondent

     

    We had received an alert on Friday that Network18 was to make an “important announcement on Monday”. Given that there has been some significant news coming from the premier news media group over the last few months, we pushed aside all our appointments. And issued a ‘Red Alert’ in our newsroom.

     

    On Sunday (yesterday), we visited ibnlive.com to get our news updates only to find the homepage taken over by news18.com. The website had been launched. Regulars at ibnlive.com are familiar with news18 as it has been beta-ing on ibnlive for a while.

     

    And then we received this release from Network18 this morning announcing the launch of the online news website from Network18: News18.com. Billed as India’s first web, mobile and tablet service to focus on news at the state and city level.

     

    Available on the web, on mobile phones and tablets, and as downloadable apps for iOS and Android devices, News18.com currently covers seven states: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It will expand to the remaining states of the country over the next 18 months, notes a communiqué.

     

    News18.com draws on the local newsgathering expertise of the ETV network of news channels, whose Hindi services cover these seven states. Highlighting the importance of local news, Lakshmi Narasimhan CEO, Web18 said, “News18 is a completely fresh approach to covering news online. With Internet penetration and smartphones users galloping in Tier2 and 3 towns, it is important to provide a convenient platform to consume news.”

     

    Arunava Sinha, Head, IBNLive.com and News18.com is confident that readers will enjoy the interactive user-experience of the site. “News18.com will give readers a totally fresh and unique content experience.”

     

    Meanwhile, the Red Alert in our newsroom has been called off. Enjoy the day, the boss just ordered.

  • Last year, there were a 31 shortlists from India, and for the 2014 edition, it's 13

    Only 13 Indian shortlists at Festival of Media APAC

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Festival of Media Asia-Pacific (FOMAP) 2014 has announced the shortlist for its awards. Last year, there were a 31 shortlists from India, and for the 2014 edition, it’s 13.

     

    The fest hopes to bring together media owners, agencies and brands for three days of networking, celebration and speaker session. The Festival of Media Asia-Pactific will be in Singapore from March 16 to 18.

     

  • The English monthly magazine will be priced at Rs 150 and will be edited by Jamal Sheikh

    India Today group launches Discovery Channel Magazine

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Discovery Channel network has expanded its portfolio in India beyond television with the launch of Discovery Channel Magazine in association with the India Today group, who will be the publishers of the magazine in India.

     

    A three-time winner at the globally acclaimed Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards for Editorial Excellence, Discovery Channel Magazine will cover a wide spectrum of engaging stories from India and around the world. Jamal Shaikh, who also edits a few other magazines from the India Today group, has been appointed Editor. The editorial board for the magazine in India from Discovery includes Rahul Johri and Rajiv Bakshi.

     

    Rahul Johri

    Said Rahul Johri, SVP and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific: “The launch of Discovery Channel Magazine is a natural extension of our strategy to inform and entertain consumers with compelling content across platforms. We are delighted to partner with the India Today Group and are confident that we will be able to combine our strengths to satisfy the aspirational consumers. An insightful read on a wide range of subjects, the magazine will stand out for its energetic and exciting layout, distinct content and mesmerizing photographs.”

     

    Ashish Bagga, Group CEO, The India Today Group, added, “Discovery Channel Magazine will encompass the DNA of Discovery’s channels into a more in-depth look that only print medium can offer. It will also add a new dimension to the diverse portfolio of magazines already published by The India Today Group.”

     

    A monthly magazine in English, it will be available for sale on newsstands and leading book stores around the country at a cover price of Rs 150.  The magazine is available in other Asian markets like Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau and New Zealand.

     

  • While Dainik Jagran continues to be #1, Hindustan has climbed up to #2 position as Dainik Bhaskar is #3

    Dainik Jagran is #1 daily in IRS, Hindustan is #2

    By A Correspondent

     

    The RSCI has released the findings of the readership study for 2013. While Dainik Jagran continues to be #1, Hindustan has climbed up to #2 position as Dainik Bhaskar is #3. Malayala Manorama is #4, Daily Thanthi at #5, Rajasthan Patrika at #6 followed by The Times of India at #7. Amar Ujala, Matrubhumi and Lokmat are at #7, #8 and #9.

     

    The Indian Readership Survey (IRS) is billed as the world’s largest continuous study tracking print and other media consumption, demographics, product ownership and usage, etc.

    IRS 2013 covered a sample of more than 235,000 households, across India. The sample was  spread across Urban India (~ 160,000 households) and Rural India (~ 75,000 households). The Nielsen Company conducted the extensive study.

    The key information areas covered being:

    -       Readership of print publications for a wide range of local, regional, and national newspapers and magazines.

    -       Reach and consumption of other media – Television, Radio, Digital and Cinema.

    -       Demographic profiling

    -       Consumer Durable Ownership and FMCG Usage.

    (Source: MRUC website – topline findings and release notes)

  • The head of the MRUC's technical committee on the new round of IRS numbers, the surprises thrown up and why he prefers to spend time on techcoms than playing golf or potter around the house

    Jaldi 5 with Paritosh Joshi, IRS TechCom head: Await one more round before arriving at judgement

    The best way to get Paritosh Joshi to respond is to your mail is to write to him in Verdana, 10 points. We did exactly that, with a request to respond to our questions on the Indian Readership Survey (IRS). Mr Joshi is head of the MRUC’s technical committee as also a member of the core technical committee of BARC. With an eye for detail – in research methodology, numbers and words, the broadcast industry captain was heading to the capital for the Delhi leg of the IRS announcements when MxMIndia requested him for this quick Q&A:

     

    01. From RFP to the release yesterday, the new-look IRS has taken a while in making. The fact that it has been released indicates you are satisfied with it, but are you happy with the way the entire process has gone?

    Yes, I am. This edition was not easily constructed. A brand new JIC, RSCI had just been formed after years of inconclusive dialogue. The legacy study was discredited for suspect fieldwork and overburdened by ad hoc modules. Negotiating through all this history and delivering a completely overhauled study less than a year after the final release of the old edition has been very satisfying.

     

    02. It has surely thrown up some surprises with some sharp rises and exits from the top performers list for some? For instance, Hindustan forging ahead of Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day being among the Top 10 English dailies and dna exiting that list.

    I am of the view that as a TechCom person, I have to do the best possible job of design and process management. The numbers are outcomes that distill the voice of respondents. I will add that any audience measure only makes sense as a time series. I would humbly urge all stakeholders to let at least one more round be published before arriving at judgement.

     

    03. In fact, dna has put out a front-page note below the masthead questioning the data put out. While one is not questioning the credibility, integrity and intent of anyone, how can we explain such sharp variance from the last study findings?

    Our study release notes are at pains to explain the big changes not just in design and data gathering but even in key definitions. I might add that we jettisoned the old model precisely because it had been repeatedly questioned for ethics and methodology. If it is now being held up as a standard of evaluation for the new study, we need never have gone to all this effort.

     

    04. In terms of the data thrown up, there’s a fair bit beyond the hard numbers. Although it may not be your concern as technical committee head, but the true advantages of the new IRS study will be realized only if the data is employed optimally? Are subscribers being educated on how to use the data?

    Our curtain-raiser yesterday was very emphatic on this subject. There are mountains of data that IRS gathers and the only ones that get attention are the AIR numbers. The deep insights, though, lie in demographics, product linkage, media mix consumption patterns and so on. I don’t think RSCI or MRUC can really conduct training sessions for this but anyone who plays around with the data will readily find all this material.

     

    05. As a media practitioner, what according to you is the biggest takeaway from the new IRS?

    Our practices in the Audience Measurement Sciences are dated and in urgent need of overhaul. If we want the underlying media markets to grow, we cannot afford to ignore measurement.

     

    06. One last question:  chairing the technical committee at MRUC or being part of the core techcom at BARC is a thankless job. It’s like being secretary of your housing society. And there’s no money to be made either, at least officially. It’s obviously prestigious and satisfying, but wouldn’t you be rather doing something more fun. Potter around the house, play golf, write a book?

    The pottering and writing happens anyway (don’t play golf but I DO run). The joy of giving something back to the industry that has given me so much is a reward in and of itself but the ability to stay abreast of everything and connected with all the participants in the business is a huge cherry and icing on that confection.

     

  • dna has put on a front-page note saying there is a "clear mismatch" between the IRS numbers and its own database of readers

    Knives out. dna questions new IRS numbers

    By A Correspondent

     

    Okay, it would be incorrect to suggest that a streetfight is on. But in what is decidedly not a common sight post the release of readership data, news daily dna, has put on a front-page unsigned note headlined: dna questions new IRS numbers.

     

    This is what the note says:

    “The Indian Readership Survey (IRS) 2013 is out in the public domain. However, dna contests the data presented by Media Research Users Council (MRUC).

     

    There’s a clear mismatch between the survey figures and our own database. dna has a robust subscription base and we have the names, contact numbers and addresses of most of our readers, who have opted for a paid subscription scheme. This also shows our loyal reader base, which is extremely stable.

     

    We would, therefore, like to know the basis of IRS’ readings. There seems to be an honest error on the part of MRUC and we have written to the Director-General and the Chairman of the Technical Committee of MRUC for a clarification.

     

    We trust the IRS would take corrective measures immediately”

     

    A senior media researcher who spoke to MxMIndia on anonymity said it was indeed unusual for a newspaper to frontpage its peeve on the readership numbers. “The stakes are high in a market like Mumbai, so dna could ill-afford a negative outlook.” But is the paper right in feeling aggrieved, we asked. “Everyone is right in feeling so. While there will be shifts in previous numbers when a research methodology changes, such a significant change is inexplicable.”

     

    Meanwhile, even though the fight hasn’t commenced, the knives are out for sure. And as we know from the past, the Zee group, of which dna is now an integral part, is known to put up a good fight.

     

  • Since it is incorrect to compare with the last IRS figures, it would be prudent to do an analysis only after the next round

    IRS 2013: Toplines & Top 10s + Why it’s incorrect to analyse numbers

    By Our Research Associate

     

    The Indian Readership Survey (IRS), billed as the world’s largest continuous study tracking print and other media consumption, demographics, product ownership and usage, etc, released the first round of 2013 figures. IRS 2013 covered a sample of more than 235,000 households, across India. The sample was  spread across Urban India (~ 160,000 households) and Rural India (~ 75,000 households). The Nielsen Company conducted the extensive study.

     

    The key information areas covered being:

    – Readership of print publications for a wide range of local, regional, and national newspapers and magazines.

    – Reach and consumption of other media – Television, Radio, Digital and Cinema.

    – Demographic profiling

    – Consumer Durable Ownership and FMCG Usage.

     

    The RSCI has released the findings of the readership study for 2013. While Dainik Jagran continues to be #1, Hindustan has climbed up to #2 position as Dainik Bhaskar is #3. Malayala Manorama is #4, Daily Thanthi at #5, Rajasthan Patrika at #6 followed by The Times of India at #7. Amar Ujala, Matrubhumi and Lokmat are at #7, #8 and #9. (Source of information until here: MRUC website – topline findings and release notes)

     

    The tables in the slideshow alongside are self-explanatory. As per the request of the IRS authorities, we have refrained from comparing the figures put out in the last report given that it wouldn’t be an apple-and-apple comparison. The figure given to the media are only toplines which don’t really reflect much, except create an incorrect perception. Also, since it is incorrect to compare with the last IRS figures, it would be prudent to do an analysis after the next round. In fact it would have been nicer for the RSCI/ MRUC/ Nielsen to reveal the figures only after the second round along with the first one.

  • The second phase of the campaign was launched a few days back with a two-minute TVC, digital and print advertising and exhibitions which will draw people to understand the problem and donate

    Taproot launches second phase of TOI campaign on farmer suicides

    By A Correspondent

     

    Taproot India has released the second part of the farmer suicides campaign it has created for The Times of India.  The awareness campaign began in April last year with an exhibition, traffic to which was driven by a print and outdoor campaign. As part of that communication, 12 portraits of dead farmers were created using dry, burnt hay. These portraits were displayed and auctioned and the proceeds from each portrait were given to the families of the deceased.

     

    “The objective of this campaign is to raise awareness of this issue so that steps are taken to support the farmers. In addition the campaign will also attempt to provide an alternative source of income  to the farmers families that have been affected,” said Rahul Kansal, Executive Director, Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd, the publishers of The Times of India.

     

    Rahul Kansal

    Given the response to the initial phase, the second phase of the campaign was launched a few days back a two-minute TVC, which is also a part of a digital campaign that got implemented around the same time. Webchutney is the digital agency. Along with the television message, hoardings have been planned in different cities, starting with Mumbai. Followed by a print campaign and a second round of exhibition planned at Feb end in Nagpur, The whole agenda of the campaign is to have more and more people wake up to the issue and generate sufficient funds for the hugely affected farmer community, notes a communiqué.

     

    Santosh Padhi

    “One Indian farmer committing suicide every 30 minutes is indeed a shocking piece of news. Our attempt is to make people realise the seriousness of the issue and request people to donate or spread the message. The more we spread the message the higher our chances of saving a few lives,” said Santosh Padhi, Chief Creative Officer and Co-founder, Taproot India.

     

    All proceeds go towards helping the community learn alternative means of livelihood and to support the families of the bereaved. The initiative has been carried out with support from Samaj Sevak Charitable Trust, an NGO working for the same cause, thereby ensuring the funds reach those rightfully in need. The initiative has also gained support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure effective implementation of all its programmes.

     

    “India’s economic strength comes from the farmers and all that they produce. Close to 60 percent of people are still directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. For centuries, the entire nation has been heavily reliant on the farmers. So it’s only right that now when they are suffering, we try and do everything from donations to awareness programs to ease their pain and put an end to their sufferings,” said Vivek Khilare, Secretary and Divisional Head, Samaj Sevak Trust, Mumbai

     

  • TBWA\India announced the appointment of Rajshekar Patil as Creative Director based in the Mumbai office

    Rajshekar Patil joins TBWA as CD

    By A Correspondent

     

    TBWA\India has announced the appointment of Rajshekar Patil as Creative Director based in the Mumbai office. With over 10 years of experience in advertising, Mr Patil has worked at BBH, Grey, Ogilvy & Mather and Contract where he was last employed.

     

    “Raj’s maturity as a creative director, digital smarts and an innate ability to spot opportunities for brands makes him a great resource to our young, ambitious and inventive creative department,” added Parixit Bhattacharya, Chief Creative Officer at TBWA\ India Group. “I look forward to some disruptive work from him and the team.”

     

    Commenting on his appointment, Mr Patil said, “It’s always exciting to join people who have worked beyond borders. TBWA has a pedigree that is truly global. So, the next step is to quickly get to the important part – great work and good fun.”

     

  • MxMIndia learns that a few leading dailies are planning to collectively and individual contest the IRS in Court. They are currently seeking legal opinion on the same.

    Key newspapers likely to contest IRS numbers in Court

    By A Correspondent

     

    Does it help having a stakeholder-led body supervise measurement exercises? Logically, it should, but often it could mean more problems.

     

    Paritosh Joshi

    Running the technical committee and the MRUC and RSCI is a thankless job, and as Paritosh Joshi, head of the MRUC and IRS techcom, told MxMIndia in an interview, “as a TechCom person, I have to do the best possible job of design and process management. The numbers are outcomes that distill the voice of respondents.”

     

    The problem is that a large number of the key newspapers are unhappy with the new set of readership figures. While the response was muted at the Mumbai launch of the new IRS, the murmurs got louder when the report was unveiled in Delhi on Wednesday.

     

    Sensing a negative outcome from the stockmarkets, a leading listed newspaper company even engaged investor analysts with data to point out what it consider as anomalies. As reported earlier, dna had also questioned the data by way of a front-page note.

     

    MxMIndia learns that a few leading dailies are planning to collectively and individual contest the IRS in Court. They are currently seeking legal opinion on the same.

     

    When alerted about this, a senior MRUC functionary told us that Court cases files by aggrieved members and newspaper groups after the publication of readership numbers is nothing new for the MRUC.

     

  • The Delhi High Court has deferred its decision on staying the TV ratings guidelines to February 11

    Decision on TV ratings guidelines pushed to Feb 11

    By A Correspondent

     

    As per reports that have just come in, the Delhi High Court which was to have announced its decision on the Kantar Media petition on the government guidelines on television audience measure will now happen on February 11.

     

    It may be remembered that the 30-day period after the government guidelines were issued this month on January 16 is due to end on February 14.

     

    *Please await a detailed report by 7.30pm today (Jan 29)

     

  • Star Plus was at 606 (previous week 626), Colors at 449 (467), Zee at 441 (471), Life OK 375 (347), Sab 323 (318) and Sony was at 254 (258)

    Colors back at #2 as Life OK biggest gainer in Week 4

    By A Correspondent

     

    Week 4 of 2014 saw Colors revert to the #2 slot with Life OK numbers increasingly dramatically on the back of the Life OK Screen awards aired last Saturday.

     

    Star Plus was at 606 (previous week 626), Colors at 449 (467), Zee at 441 (471), Life OK 375 (347), Sab 323 (318) and Sony at 254 (258).

     

    As always, this info is based on what a TAM subscriber told us. Nothing official about it. But it’s reliable.

     

    We expect Sony’s ratings to leapfrog next week given the numbers of the Filmfare Awards.