MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • The series kicks off on November 15th and will air each Saturday at 8:30pm

    Ganga Gaurav to air on BIG MAGIC Ganga

    By A Correspondent

     

    BIG MAGIC Ganga, the regional channel for Bihar and Jharkhand region, has announced its latest innovation Ganga Gaurav. The upcoming series, a first of its kind, will bring forth inspiring stories of legends for their contribution in the field of arts, literature, music, sports, social reforms, history or politics. This biopic series based on real people and their real stories of pride and achievement, kicks off on November 15th and will air each Saturday at 8:30pm.

     

    Ganga Gaurav will present a series on the contribution of these heroes who have been revered and admired through an interesting 30 minute special which will feature an excellent story board along with interesting trivia and rich content through interviews with family and friends, revealing interesting personal information. Supported strongly by research the show will feature a blend of authentic information collected from books, articles, interactions at different stages of their lives, which will be deeply rooted in the region and hence poised to be lapped by audiences.

     

    Commenting on the new show launch, Lavneesh Gupta, COO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “BIG MAGIC Ganga has built itself to the No. 1 player of the region on the back of distinctive offerings basis in-depth local research. Created around the pegs of pride of association and culture we are very happy with the way Ganga Gaurav has shaped. The first ever regional biopic series, we are confident of it being a hit amongst audiences, while offerings marketers an excellent platform.”

     

    Ganga Gaurav will be promoted through an aggressive multi media campaign across TV, Radio, OOH, Print and Digital. The channel will also promote the show heavily through on ground local activations.

     

  • Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand, the flagship entertainment channel from RBNL will be called 'Big Magic Ganga' from tomorrow

    Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand to be called ‘Big Magic Ganga’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand, the flagship regional entertainment channel from the Reliance Broadcast Network stable, rechristens itself to ‘Big Magic Ganga’, at midnight on August 15.

     

    With this move, the channel consolidates and fortifies its position in the market, enhancing an authentic regional flavour through locally shot programmes, derived from local insights like ‘establishing self identity’ and ‘preserving local culture’.

     

    The name Ganga emerged after research by research firm Dragon Fly, which tested several options for names as well as channel positioning in the market. With the name ‘Ganga’ emerging the winner, the channel will serve clean, value oriented but modern and variety filled entertainment which celebrates the region’s culture, notes a communiqué.

     

    As part of its long-term endeavor of further developing the market, the channel also sets up a production unit in Patna which will nurture local talent.

     

    Commenting on the change, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network said: “Big Magic Ganga delivers to audiences an authentic, highly engaging entertainment destination which has made it the No 1 channel of the region. Our production set up in Patna is part of our long-term commitment to grow this regional market while creating excellent opportunities to hone skills of local talent. With this re-branding exercise, we consolidate our position, strengthen our hold, and cement our leadership position in the region. It remains our endeavour to offer audiences exceptional television engagement, and marketers a great platform to ride on.”

     

    Recognizing the high affinity for this rich regional content amongst the large migratory population across the country, the Channel has recently inked distribution deals with national DTH platforms like Reliance Digital TV, Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV. Additionally, the Channel is available on Hathway, Incable, Manthan, Digicable, GTPL, Siti Cable, Maurya, DEN and other all independent operators.

     

    Accelerated with a high definition drive, BIG Magic Ganga launches with a 360 degree marketing campaign, which includes television, outdoor, activations, print and innovations across multiple locations.

  • The event is centered on the region's biggest festival Chatt Pooja

    Big Magic Ganga to host another mega event in Jharkhand

    By A Correspondent

     

    Backed by the success of its last on-ground event Jai Baba Baijanath in Deogarh – Jharkhand BIG MAGIC Ganga, the regional entertainment channel from the Reliance Broadcast Network bouquet will launch its second on-ground property Jai Chatti Mai with bhojpuri superstar Nirahua. The event is centered on the region’s biggest festival Chatt Pooja and is yet another innovation from Jai Chatti Mai that will have devotional programming elements from 25th - 30 of October.

     

    Backed by the insight that religion and festivities rule the hearts and pulse of audiences, the special offering has been crafted to ensure an entertainment package with excellent appeal. Additionally, in keep with the learnings from a recently held on-ground show titled Jai Baba Baijanath with singing star Pawan Singh, which saw more 20,000 audiences engage with the on ground event and millions tuning to watch it on television.

     

    Commenting on this enormous exercise building local connect, Lavneesh Gupta, COO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “As as leader, BIG Magic Ganga takes pride in connecting with the region’s largest festival, through the cultural ethos of the state. We are taking this bold initiative of organizing for the first time a live event on the banks of the Ganga, which shall be televised throughout the evening. Similar to the other popular events on the banks of Ganga, we hope this event representing the culture and identity of the region will grow in such magnitude over the next few years. We thank our partners, distributors and people of the region who have experienced our offerings and accepted it.”

     

  • The new offline feature lets people watch videos for short periods of low connectivity or no internet connection

    YouTube launches buffer-free offline video service

    By A Correspondent

     

    L To R-Mr. Ajay Vidyasagar, Regional Director, YouTube Partnerships

    YouTube announced the launch of an offline feature as part of a larger initiative to make it easier for users to enjoy video on mobile devices. This is part of YouTube’s first release of its ad-supported offline feature on Android and iOS, which was announced earlier this year with the launch of Android One smartphones.

     

    The new offline feature for the YouTube app lets people take videos offline, using WiFi or their data plans. Once taken offline, the videos can be viewed without an Internet connection for up to 48 hours, allowing people to enjoy YouTube videoswithout worrying about slow connections. For videos where this feature is available, people can choose to add the video for offline viewing by tapping on the offline icon that sits under the video frame.

     

    John Harding, Vice President of Engineering at YouTube, said, “In a country like India, the future of the Internet is mobile. 85 per cent of the internet population will connect to the Internet with a mobile phone before any other device. Already, we’re seeing over 40 per cent of our traffic in India come from mobile devices, and we want to make sure we are making YouTube as enjoyable as possible for these mobile-first users. By launching this offline experience on YouTube in India today, we hope to help people move past the challenges of data connection, speed and cost to enjoy a smooth, buffer-free version of YouTube.”   “We are delighted to launch this new offline experience on YouTube with some of India’s household names for entertainment and music, including T-Series, Saregama and Yashraj Films.

     

    Making these popular videos available for temporary offline viewing will help fans connect more easily with their favorite content, and we hope to continue helping Indians affordably access YouTube over the next year. This new feature will also help our partners bring more viewers to their content and find even greater success on our platform,” said Ajay Vidyasagar, Regional Director of YouTube Partnerships, YouTube Asia-Pacific.   The launch of YouTube’s offline feature is the latest effort in series of initiatives to make video content more affordable and accessible to the large base of mobile Internet users in this country. Earlier this year, YouTube worked with Tata DoCoMo to introduce “YouTube Recharge,” a new video data add-on for prepaid users that gave them more affordable access to YouTube on their mobiles devices.

  • It will be led by Sunil Kumaran, Network Strategy and Services Head – Reliance Broadcast Network

    RBNL unveils dedicated divisions for trade & account planning

    By A Correspondent

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network announced the launch of a dedicated division for trade solutions and account planning. With the intent to provide strategic media solutions to clients, this move will see the strategy and solutions team coming together to deliver value to marketers. The functioning of the team comes into play with immediate effect and will be led by Sunil Kumaran, Network Strategy and Services Head – Reliance Broadcast Network.

     

    With an endeavor to work with clients for best utilization of media spends, the Account Planning team would understand clients marketing and communication objectives and then come back with propositions which best utilize the RBNL strengths to meet the set objectives. The division will provide marketers associating with RBNL a much stronger proposal to increase the effectiveness of the media plans. This will be done through a deeper understanding of content, media consumption and local consumer insights which RBNL has acquired over the years of its existence and a strong radio entity.

     

    Speaking on the initiative, Sunil Kumaran, Network Strategy and Services Head – RBNL said, “The idea is to ensure partners investing in our brands are getting the best value. Over the years with our Research, Strategy and Creative teams we have built a much deeper understanding of consumers and how they engage with media, how creative propositions can improve campaign effectiveness and how performance of our stations and channels can be effectively put to use to provide a strong marketing solution for client.  This division will focus on utilizing this expertise to service clients partnering with us.”

     

  • If any Indian filmmaker, however big a stalwart, wants to make the greatest love story of Indian cinema, he would know his benchmark is set incredibly high, writes Shailesh Kapoor

    Shailesh Kapoor: DDLJ: A Thousand Weeks, A Million Memories

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    There’s little that can be written about Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) by the way of facts, that’s not commonly known or easily found. This month, the 1995 film completes 1,000 weeks at the box office, holding forte in the morning show at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir for almost two decades now.

     

    DDLJ is the original NRI romance, of which we saw many versions for almost 15 years, till the overseas market saturated and Salman Khan changed the rules with his brand of homemade cinema with the likes of Wanted and Dabangg. Over years, DDLJ has influenced many directors, writers and actors, in both films and television. Earlier this year, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starred in a semi-spoof-semi-modernised version, called Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

     

    But nothing, it’s now well understood, would ever come close to the original. If any Indian filmmaker, however big a stalwart, wants to make the greatest love story of Indian cinema, he would know his benchmark is set incredibly high.

     

    I have lost count of how many times I have revisited the film, in whole and in parts. But I distinctly remember half a dozen visits to the theatre in October-December of 1995, many of them to the infamous Uphaar cinema in Delhi, which was a short ride away from the IIT campus.

     

    Even in those days, when film marketing was not an assault being unleashed on us through a mix of media, DDLJ had become an event film leading upto its release. I don’t remember what exactly would have led to it, but it just seemed the right follow-up film to the immensely popular family film Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (HAHK), which had released more than a year earlier but was still running strong in the theatres in late 1995.

     

    The second half of DDLJ was HAHK-like in many ways, in that it evoked the same family values and emotions that HAHK managed to. There was always a split verdict on which half was better, and over the years, the first half may have won that debate. But I firmly believe that it is the second half that brought the families to DDLJ, and created repeat value.

     

    DDLJ was re-released in 2005 on the completion of 500 weeks. Watching it in a half-filled multiplex was an odd experience, after many packed-house screenings a decade back. I’m not sure if classics should be re-released at all. It takes away from the house-fullness of it all, if there were a term like that.

     

    Sometime in 2011, I was at Mannat, waiting for SRK, who was running late for our meeting. It was Sunday night 9pm and Max started airing DDLJ. Watching the film for about two hours at SRK’s home is as surreal as it can get. If ever there was any element of ‘star-struck’ in me, I saw the last of it that night!

     

  • Presenting TAM data for Week 49 (November 30 to Dec 6, 2014) for various Hindi and Regional Entertainment Channels in select India markets

    TAM numbers for Hindi & Regional Channels in Week 49

    Namaskaar, Vannakkam, Hello. It’s that TAM, er, time, of the week when we bring you TAM ratings for the key GECs. So here we are presenting you TAM data for various Hindi and regional entertainment channels for Week 49 of 2014 – that’s November 30 to Dec 6, 2014.

     

    Note this list is not exhaustive and does not include some key and growing regional markets. Also, as you possibly know, this data is not sourced from TAM. So we’ve sourced it from a friendly subscriber. While we are confident that the numbers are correct, we urge advertisers and our readers in general to verify the data.

     

  • Anjana will be working in close coordination with the India Web Portal, Ditto TV and Zee Digital teams

    Anjana Kshetry is Head – Brand Solutions, Zee Digital

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has announced the appointment of Anjana Kshetry as Head – Brand Solutions, Zee Digital. In her new role, Anjana will report to Debashish Ghosh, Chief Knowledge Officer, Essel Group.

     

    Anjana will be working in close coordination with the India Web Portal, Ditto TV and Zee Digital teams. She will also be responsible for leveraging the ZEE Sales team for integration of digital propositions with TV sales propositions in the most optimum manner. Furthermore, she will be looking at Brand integration opportunities in the digital arenas being explored with Essel Vision.

     

    Anjana was previously the Senior Vice President – Sales & Brand Solutions, heading the National Sales portfolio for Brand Solutions and Zee Khana Khazana. She has been associated with ZEE for about 14 years, and has worked with the organization in multiple capacities. She started in the Marketing Team for the Zee English cluster and subsequently led the national sales portfolio for Zee Music, Zee Café & Zee Studio and Zee Khana Khazana. She has spearheaded various client led sales initiatives for building client relations at the top levels by way of CRM activities.

     

  • The channel has brought on board music composers Salim Sulaiman to compose an upbeat and memorable audio composition

    Zee refreshes look, adopts core proposition of ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Punit Goenka

    At its recently hosted annual awards show – Zee Rishtey Awards, Zee TV announced an evolution in its core proposition from ‘Ummeed Se Saje Zindagi’ to ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’. Punit Goenka, ZEEL MD & CEO unveiled an all-new, vibrant and dynamic brand packaging that resonates with its core ethos, while staying relevant to the changing palate of its loyal audiences.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Zee TV Business Head Pradeep Hejmadi said, “Zee TV’s core proposition of Ummeed se saje Zindagi was about a celebration and vindication of a woman’s emerging beliefs and a reflection of her changing hopes, dreams and optimism. This essence was embodied by each of our protagonists who emerged as role models and harbingers of hope for the masses. In that sense, Zee TV will always stand for Ummeed. It is the articulation that will change to reflect the changing times. Today, with India poised for growth, there is a feeling of ‘a new hope, every moment’.  Zee TV’s new slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures this spirit and its brand philosophy as also its content will reflect the same!”

     

    Pradeep Hejmadi
    Nitin Karkare

    Zee TV has rolled out a 360-degree marketing campaign across HSM to unveil the new identity. The creative agency FCB Ulka has conceptualized a simple visual device of ‘fingers crossed’ to bring alive the new proposition. The channel has also brought on board ace music composers Salim Sulaiman to compose a very upbeat and memorable audio pneumonic to bring alive the essence of the new brand proposition.

    Nitin Karkare, COO, FCB Ulka said, “Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed – the power of the moment that can bring hope/ummeed being the notion and tagline, the creative idea had to be something that not only sticks to people’s minds, promotes a telegraphic take-out of the message but also has a viral potential to become the talk of the town.”

     

  • 1,00,000 consumers across, Mumbai, Bangalore & Pune will receive a message, which will play the FreeCharge video directly without requiring the consumer to click on a link

    MEC, FreeCharge explore new smart messaging platform

    By A Correspondent

     

    MEC along with FreeCharge have harnessed a new ‘Smart Messaging Platform’ to reach out to consumer’s mobile phones with branded high quality, rich media such as videos, images, audio clips and more, directly, rather than having to push links.

     

    The smart messaging platform commonly known as MMS+ technology merely requires the consumer to have a data-enabled mobile phone. It works across all platforms - iOS, Android and Windows and does not require users to download any application to support it.

     

    For the very first time 1,00,000 consumers across, Mumbai, Bangalore & Pune will receive a message, which will play the FreeCharge video directly without requiring the consumer to click on a link.

     

    Sidhraj Shah, National Director Activation, MEC, said “The MMS+ technology offers hyper-personalisation opportunities including tracking consumer reaction to the call for action, which is not possible with the current SMS platform. At MEC, we are constantly scouting to offer new experiences and technologies for our clients, to engage with their customers. With ‘Smart Messaging platform’ we have only scratched the surface.”

     

  • He will spearhead overall responsibility of strategic and operational management of the News Nation Network and will oversee the group's portfolio of assets spanning news broadcasting

    RK Arora joins News Nation as CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    RK Arora

    Former iTV Network Group CEO R K Arora has joined the News Nation network as Chief Executive Officer. Credited with building and consolidating many news broadcast brands, Meanwhile, it is rumoured that some more senior iTV group executives may also join Mr Arora at News Nation. It may be recalled that many top IBN business executives had joined NewsX in the recent past at senior positions.

     

    In his new role, Mr Arora will spearhead overall responsibility of strategic and operational management of the News Nation Network and will oversee the group’s portfolio of assets spanning news broadcasting.

     

    Mr Arora has an experience of 24 years and brings with him industry expertise and as Group CEO of the iTV Network which he joined in 2012, he managed the group’s six news channels -NewsX, India News and four regional news channels in the Hindi heartland and was instrumental. in the company’s transformation and its unprecedented growth within a short span of 2 years. Prior to ITV, he was CEO with BAG Network (News 24, E24 and Darshan 24). He was also associated with India TV since its inception.

     

    Said Abhay Oswal, Chairman, News Nation Network a communiqué: “Arora’s illustrious track record make him an ideal choice to lead News Nation Network. He brings a unique combination of astute business acumen and in-depth industry knowledge. Arora has the vision, tenacity and integrity to ensure that News Nation Network will quickly become the success we expect it to be and we are committed to support him to strengthen the company’s leadership in the news genre”.

     

    On his appointment, Mr Arora said, ‘I am delighted to be joining News Nation Network as Chief Executive Officer as it moves into the next exciting phase of growth and development. I’ve watched News Nation Network’s impressive strides on both the programming front and in building a unique content network that is clearly unmatched in the marketplace. The company is in a perfect position to dramatically expand in the market and I’m thrilled to take on the role and be a part of the success of News Nation Network.

     

  • Following the Uber incident, risking being called prudish and unprogressive, Sanjeev Kotnala shares what he asks every female acquaintance to follow

    Sanjeev Kotnala: LESSONS WASTED: You need to protect yourself

    By Sanjeev Kotnala

     

    Uber Rape is the name social media has given to the unfortunate event in Delhi. As expected, the verdict was out much before the culprit was apprehended. The discussions and debates as usual will continue for some time. The questions raised are important, but soon, we would get back to our routine. We will forget the lessons learnt until the next incident. Then once again the collective conscience will demonstrate another blip. We would believe we have done our part of the duty. We will demonstrate adaptability and flexibility by accepting the state we live in.

     

    Banning Uber and all app-based taxi services is a perfect example of kneejerk reaction from the powers-that-be. It had to show some action. I am surprised no one asked for the resignation of some minister. We will have to wait to see, how soon it be erased from the collective memory of the citizen, the government, the brands and the consumers?

     

    If one was to believe the government, then Uber and other app-based taxi services are unsafe ONLY in Delhi. ONLY Delhi police is at fault for providing an unfair character certificate. ONLY the car-owners in Delhi hiring such drivers are at fault. Life in the rest of the country goes on.

     

    The underpaid and overworked policemen along with the Uber management have taken the easy way out. Someone else is paying the price for it. They have flouted the processes designed to deliver on the ‘unsaid promise of Safety’. Uber must be prosecuted for this.

     

    Trust is one thing and allowing rampant process failure another. The consumer banks upon the brand that they trust to be diligent in their processes. However, loopholes exist and we remain culpable to repeated offence. Uber and the Delhi police or the car-owners are not the only one exploiting the system or taking the easy way out. Hence, what is needed is a system overhaul.

     

    Maybe it’s time that the police team that gave the wrong certificate, the car owner who was not diligent in seeking proper documentation be tried as accomplice/ abetting rape. So should we all, who do not respect law. We hardly find it necessary to get police verification for our household help (drivers included). We pride ourselves in bribing to get certificates. Yet, we find someone else doing so wrong!

     

    We repeatedly elect politicians known to be corrupt. Educated senior employees indulge in sexual exploitation with no fear. People known to the victim commit most rapes and sexual misconduct. Yet, what we do is accept and adapt.

     

    We live in a jungle raj. No one can deny that. The government has repeatedly demonstrated its impotence in controlling such acts. The laws are not stringent enough. The police-government-friends-families and all around are insensitive and just voyeuristic b*****ds. They speak politically correct language. They all remain immune because they believe it will never happen to them.

     

    Even if you disagree in current state of affairs, the onus of safe conduct for women and other people rests entirely on them as an individual and partially on us as part of the society that allows it to continuously torment us. Risking being called prudish and unprogressive, I share what I ask every female acquaintance to follow. These no way are foolproof. Following them is no guarantee of safety. These can act as a deterrent.

     

    1. This country is not safe. DO NOT take a cab or any public transport service alone at night.
    2. The males of this country cannot be trusted. DO NOT get outnumbered in male company in evening parties and events. Seek the safety in numbers.
    3. The people around you cannot be trusted. Enjoy life. Learn that enjoying does not necessarily mean drinking. DO NOT drink more than you can handle.
    4. ALWAYS get a male to drop you. If there is no male, then leave in company of other female friends.
    5. Use the technology; ALWAYS share the CAB NUMBER PLATE and the MUG SHOT of the driver on WHATSAPP before starting the journey.
    6. During the journey, ALWAYS remain in touch with someone trustworthy. Talk to them. Repeat the CAB INFORMATION.
    7. Do not hesitate. ALWAYS carry the SPRAY. Hold it in your hand, so that you do not have to search for it in case the need arises. Use if at slightest provocation. This country can leave with coughing irritated males.
    8. Know your city. Know your routes. Know the people you are with. NEVER ask/ seek help from unknown people.
    9. NEVER get out of the crowded part of the city.
    10. ALWAYS keep the windows of the hired vehicle open.
    11. If you are driving by yourself, NEVER stop until you reach your destination.
    12. People will take care of themselves. DO NOT stop to help anyone if you are driving alone.
    13. Do take a course on self-defence.

     

    Meanwhile pray that no such incidents happen. It seems only God can save women in this country.