MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • The morning and working hour timings of World Cup matches have made millions of sport lovers follow the action on dedicated websites, apps and social media

    More ads go digital as ICC World Cup action shifts to sites, apps

    By Vijaya Rathore & Ravi Teja Sharma

     

    The morning and working hour timings of matches in the ongoing cricket World Cup have made millions of sport lovers follow the action on dedicated websites, apps and social media, prompting several big and small brands to latch on to digital advertising like never before.

     

    Brands across industries, including Lufthansa, Accenture, Tissot and Hero are looking to catch the on-the-move consumer on a variety of platforms including official broadcaster Star India’s starsports.com, social media sites, cricket portals and apps such as Hotstar.

     

    “Some of our clients have looked at digital very seriously. Hero, for instance, has bet heavily on digital and it is really doing well for the brand,” said Praseed Prasad, national director for digital trading at media buying firm GroupM India. Another client of his, Pepsi Lays, has chosen to do more on the digital side and only advertise on television during select matches in the World Cup this year.

     

    A spokesperson for Star India says they have seen an exponential growth in consumption online. This World Cup, Star has got around 35-40 advertisers, including Lufthansa, Accenture, CarTrade, Tissot and Hero for its online platforms, with about 20% of those exclusively on the digital medium. “Revenues from digital will be significant this time,” the person said.

     

    Hero is the co-presenting sponsor of the World Cup 2015 digital. “The medium has seen exponential growth in terms of traffic,” a Hero MotoCorp spokesperson said. It is the lead sponsor on the property with branding/inventory in terms of video inventory, logo presence, banner ads, special sections such as replay and match insights, and has also launched a dedicated app, Hero Super Skipper, the spokesperson said. “This association is a strategic move, owing to a perceptible shift in viewership patterns in favour of digital medium.” The India-Pakistan match at the beginning of the tournament, for example, got over 25 million views on Star’s digital platforms, the highest in the world for a single game.

     

    Firms such as DishTV have created fresh campaigns around the World Cup. “Most digital campaigns are either in the form of graphics or extension of TV campaigns but we created one especially for the digital medium and that has helped us reach the young consumers, the millennials,” said Salil Kapoor, COO of DishTV.

     

    He said the interactive nature of the digital space helps consumers to make purchases by routing them to the firm’s call centres if they wish to. Also, a television ad campaign costs at least 3-4 times more than a digital campaign, Kapoor said. DishTV has shot a campaign with brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan to promote their HD channels during this world cup.

     

    Digital adoption by brands is on the rise with large companies now allocating significant spends to this medium. “From about 2-3% of a large company’s marketing budget, digital is now in double digits,” says Ahmed Naqvi, CEO at digital and social media agency Gozoop.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2015, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.

    All Rights Reserved, Licensed to republish

     

  • While Star India acquires Screen from the Indian Express group, News Corp gobbles up VC Circle

    Murdoch’s empire makes 2 buys in India

     

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    There were film magazines and film magazines and film magazines. And then there was Screen. A brand born just four years after the country’s independence earned its rep of being a serious film trade publication.

     

    While Filmfare (and later Star & Style, Cine Blitz and Stardust) were built in the fanzine model, Screen was meant for people in the business of cinema or for serious consumers of film information.

     

    There were some trade publications like ‘Trade Guide’ or ‘Film Information’ or ‘Box Office’, but Screen was bigger. Editors like BK Karanjia and later years Udaya Tara Nayar and Bhawana Somaaya.

     

    But over the years, a decision to go in for softer content plus the concentration on film coverage in the dailies ensured that the popularity of Screen eroded, even as the respect for the weekly continued.

     

    Realising the Indian Express group launched the Screen awards and also went in for a digital edition. However, competition on the digital medium was stiff, as newer brands – with no ‘Established in 1951’ pedigree – gaining popularity amongst netizens.

     

    Albeit a brief period when Screen Awards were aired on Colors, the Express group and Star India have had a long and healthy relationship. In early 2014, Screen Awards moved to Life OK and while it was touted as a business decision, industry insiders had then said the reason why this was done was a bigger pact between Express and Star. But that didn’t happen immediately even as there were rumours that the Indian Express was looking at selling Screen at a valuation in the region of Rs 30 crore.

     

    On Monday, March 9, evening, Star India announced the acquisition to the media in general with exclusives to some favoured publications. As part of the transaction, Star will get exclusive ownership of the “Screen” brand franchise including all archival material and transfer of key employees. “The Screen acquisition will yield huge benefits for Star India and for hotstar our digital platform,” said Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India. “We couldn’t be more excited.”

     

    “Screen is a strong and reputable franchise and gives us access to the entertainment editorial suite and the tinsel world, where news that shapes trends is made by film stars, directors and producers,” Mr Shankar said in the communique, adding “The acquisition of Screen will allow us to strengthen and expand the content brand online while taking the awards platform to the next level. There are strong synergies and the combination of the quality content and awards franchise with Star’s presence across television and digital platforms is strategic and scalable.”

     

    “We are delighted to enter into a transaction with Star India. Screen is one of the most reputed film and entertainment properties in the country. We have built this business with lot of passion and are confident that Star will nurture it and take it to greater heights” said Viveck Goenka, Chairman and Managing Director the Indian Express Group.

     

    Speaking on the transaction George Varghese, CEO Indian Express said “Screen is one of our leading properties on the entertainment side of the business. Our decision was driven by our belief in Star’s focus to grow this business, which we believe would translate into adding value for all stakeholders including employees.”

     

    The acquisition will integrate the Screen awards property with Star, besides adding a consumer brand to the network’s digital business. The acquisition makes Star poised to become steward of the great Screen franchise that the Indian Express Group has built over the past many years. Star is uniquely positioned to preserve and build the market presence of Screen through its shared values and complementary resources. This acquisition will enable Star to expand the awards franchise and build the content brand to the next level by taking it online.

     

    Industry analysts say the Rs 30 crore valuation may seem high for the weekly print publication or just the brand, but add the awards to the bouquet and it’s a steal given the yearly fee that Star would be required to pay the Express group for the telecast of the awards. Another analyst who didn’t want to be quoted said that while Star could have set up its own awards, by buying the Screen brand name, it ensures that no other television network can take advantage of the Screen equity.

     

    Amongst film awards, while the Filmfare Awards are considered to be the #1 and most respected and sought after awards, Screen comes second followed by Zee Cine and IIFA and a slew of others. Stardust, which was until last year, the lowest in the ladder appears to have climbed the pecking order given that it has received a shot in the arm post the association with Colors.

     

    Star India is a fully owned subsidiary of 21st Century Fox which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. After the split in businesses recently, the news operations come under News Corp, which in turn has acquired VCCircle, a smartly packaged digital news site dealing in private equity, venture capital and start-ups. VC Circle also runs successful conferences and training programmes. On Monday, News Corp announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the VCCircle Network, which includes VCCircle.com, Techcircle.in, VCCEdge, VCCircle Training, in addition to a premium-content driven conference business. The terms of the acquisition, which is expected to close in this month, were not disclosed.

     

    “This important investment is a sign of our faith in India’s future and our enthusiasm for working with and building up emerging talents in the country,” said News Corp Chief Executive Robert Thomson. “India is an increasingly meaningful part of our portfolio, which is itself increasingly digital and global.”

     

    “For the past decade, we have built a strong franchise with proprietary data, information, content, and networking capabilities around India’s digital business world,” said P V Sahad, Founder and CEO of VCCircle Network. “Being a part of News Corp will now allow us to accelerate our already aggressive growth plans.”

     

    VCCircle Network is owned by Mosaic Media Ventures Pvt Ltd and has about 100 employees across India, with its headquarters in Noida. Mr Sahad, and the management group, will become part of News Corp’s India team. Mr Sahad will report to News Corp Senior Vice President, Strategy, Raju Narisetti (formerly editor of ‘Mint’).

     

    The VCCircle acquisition builds on News Corp’s recent digital investments in India. In November, News Corp acquired a 25% stake in PropTiger.com, India’s leading online residential real estate platform. In December, News Corp acquired BigDecisions.com, which aims to help Indian consumers make smarter financial decisions through interactive, decision-making tools powered by sophisticated algorithms and data. News Corp also has a presence across India through its Dow Jones, Wall Street Journal and HarperCollins Publishers businesses.

     

    The question which everyone seems to be asking is what next will the Murdoch empire target for acquisition? Could it be more non-news publications with a strong digital play? Guess only time will tell. We’ll bring you a ringside view and some unbiased analyses.

     

  • Online retailer Snapdeal is in advanced talks to acquire Komli Media in a deal that values the ad technology company at about $300 million, the same as when it raised funds from investors last year

    After Flipkart’s Adiquity deal, Snapdeal eyes Komli for $300m

    By Pankaj Mishra & Jayadevan PK

     

    Online retailer Snapdeal is in advanced talks to acquire Komli Media in a deal that values the ad technology company at about $300 million, the same as when it raised funds from investors last year.

     

    The deal will give Snapdeal engineering capabilities in Bengaluru as it battles Flipkart, as well as help it notch up advertising revenues by selling space on the ecommerce site, according to a person familiar with the deal. “These guys have so much traffic, it makes sense to monetise it,” said another person. According to audience measurement platform SimilarWeb, Snapdeal had an estimated 79.8 monthly visitors in February and Flipkart, 110.5 million.

     

    Flipkart recently made clear its plans to sell advertising on its platform. The ecommerce firm also acquired ad technology company Adiquity. “This is incorrect, we are not acquiring Komli media,” a spokesperson for Snapdeal said. An e-mail to Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl was unanswered at the time of going to press.

     

    Amar Goyal, CEO & Chairman of Komli Media, declined to comment on the deal. Komli, founded in 2006, has raised $97 million in five rounds from investors including Nexus Venture Partners and Peepul Capital. It employs nearly 300 people across India and started as a digital advertising network – buying and selling advertising inventory online in Asia Pacific.

     

    Goel also set up Pubmatic, focused on technology for online advertising in the US in 2008. Inmobi, another ad-network based in Bengaluru, was founded a year later and went on to raise $200 million from Japan’s Softbank.

     

    Driven by increased spending by ecommerce companies, India’s online advertising market is set to grow by 30% this financial year to reach a total size of Rs 3,575 crore, according to the Digital Advertising India report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2015, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.

    All Rights Reserved, Licensed to republish

     

  • Industry estimates say the broadcaster could make up to Rs 950 crore from advertising this year

    MSM makes most of IPL ‘mauka’, nets 9 sponsors

    By Ravi Teja Sharma

     

    Multi Screen Media, the official broadcaster of the Indian Premier League, has managed to sign up nine sponsors for season eight even as the ongoing Cricket World Cup is giving it stiff competition. The league has signed up Amazon and Vodafone as presenting sponsors this season and advertisers including Hero MotoCorp, Intex Mobiles, Cardekho.com, Pepsi, Vimal Pan Masala and Paytm as associate sponsors, according to Rohit Gupta, president of Multi Screen Media.

     

    Rohit Gupta

    “We had eight sponsors last year but this year we might have to increase our sponsorship slots to 12,” said Gupta. Although Gupta declined to comment on the revenues that Multi Screen Media expects to get from IPL 8, industry executives indicated that the broadcaster could make up to Rs 950 crore from advertising this year, coming close to its revenue figure in 2013, when the league had 76 games.

     

    With 60 games, IPL made about Rs 800 crore last year. IPL has been riddled with controversies over the past few years, especially the spotfixing and betting scandal that rocked it in 2013. However, Gupta said such controversies do not impact viewership.

     

    “For consumers, it is the best cricket being played and till the cricket is good, viewership won’t drop,” he said.

     

    In 2014, despite the controversies, a watershed election and the first half of IPL being moved to the United Arab Emirates, the tournament saw its viewership grow 7% from that in the previous year, to 192 million from about 175 million.

     

    Ratings for IPL, according to Gupta, have been stable for the past three to four years.

     

    With the IPL coming close on the heels of World Cup, advertisers were cautious initially, Gupta said. “But we were able to convince them because we had ratings to back us.”

     

    Vinit Karnik, national director, sports and live events at GroupM ESP said it was never an either-or situation between the World Cup and IPL for advertisers.

     

    “India has an appetite for both, which is what was proven in 2011 as well,” he said, pointing out that IPL is a seasonal league and people have planned marketing campaigns around it. “It is part of the calendar for marketers now,” he added.

     

    Controversies have, however, impacted the brand value of the league.

     

    According to brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, IPL’s brand value peaked in 2010 at $4.13 billion but dropped to $2.92 billion in 2012. It picked up again in 2013 to rise to $3.03 billion.

     

    Another brand valuation firm American Appraisal India pegged the value of the IPL at $3.2 billion before the start of the 2014 edition of the tournament.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2015, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.

    All Rights Reserved, Licensed to republish

     

  • The role will be in addition to his responsibility as CEO of IBN Network

    Avinash Kaul appointed President of A+E Networks|TV18

    By A Correspondent

     

    Avinash Kaul

    AETN18 board of directors have appointed Avinash Kaul as President of A+E Networks|TV18. Kaul will be responsible for the day-to-day operational, strategic and financial management of the joint-venture. The role will be in addition to his responsibility as CEO of IBN Network.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, AP Parigi, Group CEO, Network18 said, “As A+E Networks | TV18 enters a new phase of growth, I’m confident that Avinash is the right person to lead the company forward. He has a proven ability to create strategic clarity, ensure disciplined execution, and deliver results. We believe that his passion for innovation will help ensure that the venture will continue its stellar growth trajectory.”

     

    Sean Cohan, Executive Vice President, International, A+E Networks added, “Avinash brings vast media expertise, foresight and knowledge of the Indian market to the venture. Under his leadership, we are well-positioned to realize our shared vision of strong and vibrant entertainment services in India.”

     

    With a career spanning over 16 years, Kaul has rich experience in a variety of roles in sales, marketing and general management across genres like News and Entertainment, Movie and Lifestyle in India. Prior to this, Kaul held the position of CEO – TV Division of BCCL, managing Times Now, ET Now and zoOm. He has also worked in leadership and various capacities in networks like Star, NDTV Media and Discovery Networks, among others.

     

  • Puthiya Thalaimurai is the leading news channel in Tamil Nadu, across all TGs outperforming all other news channels in the market

    Fourth Dimension hikes ad rates of Puthiya Thalaimurai

    By A Correspondent

     

    News channel Puthiya Thalaimurai from Tamil Nadu has announced a hike in its ad rates by about 25 per cent. This is the first time in the last three years that the leading news channel has taken the decision to increase its rate.

     

    Puthiya Thalaimurai is the leading news channel in Tamil Nadu, across all TGs outperforming all other news channels in the market. It was launched in August 2011 and has been growing exponentially in viewership week on week. It has been the most preferred regional news channel, attracting large audience across all socio economic categories. Puthiya Thalaimurai is the only news channel in Tamil Nadu without a political alignment and is also a leader in its category.

     

    Shankar B

    Fourth Dimension Media Solutions CEO, Shankar said, “We haven’t had a substantial rate increase in the last three years. Our prime time and super prime time properties have grown beyond our expectations and we sincerely thank our advertisers for having stood with us. The rate increase will be effective from first week of April ’15.”

     

  • Here are some tributes to the iconic editor and journalist

    And some tributes on Twitter…

     Here are some tributes to the iconic editor and journalist. We will have this updated soon…

    #RIP Vinod Mehta: Lucknow loved its boy’s saafgoi http://t.co/oaV1z6kAmX via @TOILucknow pic.twitter.com/zl1WKejCw4

    — Times of India (@timesofindia) March 9, 2015

    My fondest memories of Vinod Mehta is him sitting in one of those Arnab Goswami ‘grids’ on TV, drinking whiskey & caring a damn ! — Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) March 9, 2015

     

    Last days with Vinod Mehta: Defiant in death, as in life http://t.co/AvezcznEOD pic.twitter.com/da6JTBNvXN — Firstpost (@firstpost) March 9, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta “did not court people in high offices or flaunt his friendships with the mighty” writes @urjourno : http://t.co/70FjlEtBGy — Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) March 9, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta began as an editor and died as an editor. My piece: http://t.co/3cqSqPo8Hf — mj akbar (@mjakbar) March 9, 2015

     

    Nice well written piece by a former colleauge on #VinodMehta , throws a lot of insight into the journalist in him http://t.co/JTJbUq34Ad — Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) March 9, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta — “The publication of the Radia tapes in Outlook magazine was among his finest moments” http://t.co/bq12CwBMcP

    — Tufail Ahmad (@tufailelif) March 9, 2015

     

    A gentle obit to a fine journalist. Vinod Mehta RIP – we need more of your ilk http://t.co/4BzBpf8SKi

    — Meera Sanyal (@meerasanyal) March 9, 2015

    The only thing that Vinod Mehta will have to answer for is the fact that he could have given Arnab Goswami a job in print media. — RushdieExplainsIndia (@RushdieExplains) March 9, 2015

    Vinod Mehta Was The Editor I Never Had http://t.co/GWmf4Xduyp a heartfelt tribute by Arnab G. — Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) March 9, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta was an Editor of a different mould. Big loss to journalistic world. My heartfelt condolences. RIP

    — Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) March 9, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta’s death is a loss to journalism. His absence will be felt in every debate.

    — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) March 8, 2015

    #PresidentMukherjee condoles the passing away of Vinod Mehta, says the eminent journalist made immense contribution to journalism . — President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) March 8, 2015

     

    “The hardest thing to forget about Vinod Mehta is the air of childlike excitement.” Our lovely obit, by Anjali Puri: http://t.co/xwW3Inttju — Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) March 8, 2015

     

    I express my heartfelt condolences to Shri Vinod Mehta’s bereaved family.His demise has left a big void in the field of journalism.

    — Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) March 8, 2015

     

    #VinodMehta made Indian journalism stronger, more interesting.Carried criticism in his papers like he did praise. Rare. #RIP

    — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 8, 2015

    Vinod Mehta ji will always be remembered for his bold journalism and consistent refusal to compromise with principles — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) March 8, 2015

    Vinod Mehta breathed his last at AIIMS where he was admitted, he died of multi-organ failure http://t.co/GU84nchfQt pic.twitter.com/SndBbGA0H3 — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) March 8, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta was one of the few editors I met in my early days in Mumbai. He was generous & direct. Will miss him & his straight forwardness

    — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) March 8, 2015

     

    RIP VINOD MEHTA – TV News debates won’t be the same with out you sir-

    — Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) March 8, 2015

    May you rest in peace Vinod Mehta. God Bless — barkha dutt (@BDUTT) March 8, 2015

     

    Always looked up to him as a journalist/editor, although never worked with him and often disagreed with his views. RIP Vinod Mehta — Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) March 8, 2015

     

    My condolences on the passing away of Vinod Mehta, my former boss and the Last Editor Standing. Praying for his soul and his family.

    — Pankaj Pachauri (@PankajPachauri) March 8, 2015

     

    Vinod mehta; the editorial chairman of outlook passes away; RIP in sir. You were an institution.

    — bhupendra chaubey (@bhupendrachaube) March 8, 2015

    Shocked to hear of the demise of veteran Journalist Shri Vinod Mehta. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to his dear ones — Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) March 8, 2015

    Outlook Grp announes with deep sadness the demise of its founder Editor-in-Chief and editorl chairman, Vinod Mehta, in New Delhi, today” RIP — Prabhu Chawla (@PrabhuChawla) March 8, 2015

     

    My former and much beloved editor, Vinod Mehta, is no longer amongst us. A courageous, ethical and a truly great man is lost to journalism.

    — Saikat Datta (@saikatd) March 8, 2015

    — Saikat Datta (@saikatd) March 8, 2015

    Frank & direct in his opinions, Vinod Mehta will be remembered as a fine journalist & writer. Condolences to his family on his demise.

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2015

    Vinod Mehta, outstanding chronicler of almost everybody’s foibles, your irreverence will be missed. RIP. — Nalini Singh (@nalinisinghtv) March 8, 2015

     

    Deeply saddened to hear of Vinod Mehta’s passing away. Great editor to work with, became a great friend too. RIP

    — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 8, 2015

     

    In an age of Pygmy editors who won’t stand up to be counted, Vinod Mehta was exceptional. The old school of Mumbai editors. RIP — Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 8, 2015

    Here’s the picture I’d like to remember Vinod Mehta by. pic.twitter.com/WovQLq0xyl — Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) March 8, 2015

     

    Mourning Vinod Mehta the last of an old guard of Bombay journos who made the shift to Delhi but lost none of his irreverence or decency.

    — vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) March 8, 2015

     

    Vinod Mehta was the finest editor I worked with. A perfect gentleman who never lost his cool. You’ll always remain in my heart. RIP

    — Geeta Pandey (@geetapandey) March 8, 2015

     

    This is how I’d like to remember Vinod Mehta, along with my editor and Guru Busybee Behram Contractor. pic.twitter.com/y1GQFiiDSU

    — Veejay Sai (@veejaysai) March 8, 2015

  • The awards honour the best in journalism across six categories, spanning a range of mediums from print and broadcast to online and photography

    Diageo awards winners of Women’s Empowerment Journalism Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    Diageo has announced the winners of the Women’s Empowerment (WE) Journalism Awards 2015, recognising exemplary work in women’s empowerment reporting at an Awards Gala Dinner held in Hong Kong recently.

     

    The award recipients of the WE Journalism Awards 2015 included:

     

    • Print Story of the Year: Ruhi Kandhari, Tehelka (India)

    Entry: How Women Pay The Price For Population Control

    • Broadcast Story of the Year: Pearl Maria Forss, Channel NewsAsia (Singapore)

    Entry: Women Fight Back

    • Online Story of the Year: Bec Zajac, Freelance (Australia)

    Entry: Power And Gender: How Schools Are Taking A Lead In The Campaign To End Violence Against Women

    • Photo Story of the Year: Altaf Qadri, Associated Press (India)

    Entry: She Sought Good Life In Delhi, But Found Trash

    • Journalist of the Year: Bec Zajac, Freelance (Australia)
    • Media Title of the Year: Vogue India (India)

     

     

    The WE Journalism Awards was established to recognise and honour outstanding achievements in the reporting on women’s issues as part of Diageo’s ‘Plan W: Empowering Women through Learning’ community initiative. The awards honour the best in journalism across six categories, spanning a range of mediums from print and broadcast to online and photography.

     

    “Journalists are a powerful force whose reporting can compel people to sit up, take notice and create change. Through the Awards, we honour and express our heartfelt gratitude to this brave group of individuals who work tirelessly to uncover stories about prevailing women’s empowerment issues in our society which must be told. Congratulations to all our winners,” said Sam Fischer, President Greater China and Asia, Diageo.

     

    The winners were selected by three luminaries of journalism and social-activism including Monique Villa, CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, award-winning independent journalist, Shaili Chopra, and Yan Mei, one of China’s leading media women and Senior Partner at Brunswick Group.

     

    Submissions came from a range of local, regional and international media platforms across 18 participating markets; Australia, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, over the past year.

     

    Each winning journalist received a cash prize of US$1,000, while the winning media title received a cash prize of US$3,000 to support reporting of a women’s empowerment initiative.

     

  • The initiative will bring out-of-this-world films, once-in-a-lifetime music events, unique sports experiences and a global movement that will light up entire communities

    Game to take on the #PepsiChallenge?

    By A Correspondent

     

    Pepsi has unleashed its biggest socially-led, content driven initiative ever with a variety of global and local challenges designed to galvanize consumers around the world to defy convention, make every moment epic, and truly “Live for Now.” Issued on Pepsi social and digital channels and via renowned ambassadors from around the world, #PepsiChallenge will incite consumers to take on different challenges for amazing life experiences and rewards.

     

    Imbued with the cultural standing that has become its trademark, the 2015 content- driven, socially-led Pepsi Challenge will bring world-class films, music events, unique sports experiences and a global movement that will light up entire communities.

     

    “Pepsi Challenge is an iconic piece of our brand equity and in many ways established our can-do attitude and spirit,” said Kristin Patrick, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverage Brands. “When we talked to consumers around the globe about what challenge meant to them today, they resoundingly said that it entailed challenging convention and daring to do something differently. We used that sentiment as our inspiration to expand beyond just taste and re-imagine the Pepsi Challenge for new generations, creating this cross-pollination of experiences, events, community and social advocacy, designed to ignite a mindset that challenges the status quo, our fans and ourselves.”

     

    The global challenges will be augmented by regionally relevant challenges designed to capture the authentic essence of each market. Examples from around the world include, among others, an interesting challenge in India that urges youth to stop being spectators and uncork their creativity; regional food-focused challenges in Thailand; and a Latin America summer music challenge tied to La Gira Refrescante.

     

  • Book and Showreel have been guest edited by Malcolm Poynton, Global Chief Creative Officer of Cheil

    The Gunn Report releases book and showreel honouring the best in advertising

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Gunn Report, the global index for creative excellence in advertising, has published its 2014 Book and Showreel, a round-up and showcase of the world’s best advertising performance in the year January to December 2014 based on the results of 45 global, regional and national creative award contests.

     

    The Gunn Report 2014 Book and Showreel have been guest edited by Malcolm Poynton, Global Chief Creative Officer of Cheil, who has written the Introduction ‘Ad Agencies, who needs ’em?’ as well as chapter commentaries and analysis of the featured award-winning work.

     

    Also included are ‘Messages to the Industry in 2015’ by guest essayists Jean Lin, Global CEO of Isobar, and Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman of McCann Worldgoup. Whilst their career stories are quite different, their messages are remarkably similar:

     

    In Jean Lin’s essay ‘Creativity Liberated’, she suggests that “only two major roles exist in a contemporary creative team: the storyteller and the software developer”. And that “We have to get used to the fact that the game-changing ideas, at times, come not from the storyteller but from the software developer”. She goes on to say that “Great ideas create immediate results, in real-time. And most of the time, the right solution to the actual problem will not be an ad.”

     

    Rob Reilly’s essay ‘Creative Is The Only Way To Survive’, pursues the theme that ‘In today’s reality, influencing people’s minds and behaviour requires more than great advertising’. Analysing creative problem-solving, Rob cites examples where clients and agencies innovate in ways that demonstrate that they are truly responding to their customer needs, such as the creation by American Express of ‘Small Business Saturday’; Barcelona’s Teatre Neu’s ‘Pay Per Laugh;’ and the world’s oldest corporation, the Catholic Church, which brought in a new CEO, Pope Francis, who through creativity has single-handedly revived a struggling brand.

     

    In addition, The Gunn Report Book includes:

    – League Tables of the most awarded ads in Film, Print/Out of Home, Digital and All Gunns Blazing (the Integrated/Titanium/Innovative et al work)

    – League Tables of the world’s most awarded Agencies, Digital Agencies, Networks, Advertisers, Production Companies, Directors and Countries.

    – More than 170 award-winning ads showcased with their synopses and credits.

    – The Gunn Report for Media 2014, a global evaluation of media creativity, innovation and effectiveness.

    – Cases for Creativity 2014:The Year of Share by James Hurman, Founder and Principal of Previously Unavailable

    – Consolidated Tables based on sixteen years of overall performance 1999-2014

    – The Showreel of the Year, a DVD featuring the top 126 most awarded commercials and campaigns in 2014

     

    “This edition of The Gunn Report Book and Showreel bring together and showcase the very best creative campaigns of 2014 as selected by the hundreds of industry professionals that have sat is darkened rooms around the world, voted and debated for countless hours to award great and brave ideas that impact brand communications worldwide,” says Donald Gunn, a champion of creativity and Founder of The Gunn Report.

     

    “Not only is it a reminder of the ground-breaking ideas that make this industry special, but also serves as a unique and essential educational and inspirational tool for those who want to learn more about the power of creativity,” added Donald Gunn.

     

  • Bang in the Middle will work in creating the new campaigns across mediums to make the brand cooler and desirable

    Zovi.com brings Bang in the Middle on board

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zovi has appointed Bang in the Middle as its communication agency. There was no formal pitch for the account.

     

    Zovi has aggressive plans for the brand. The ever expanding ecom landscape is opening up new opportunities and Zovi is looking at expanding both the offering and geographical spread. Bang in the Middle will work in creating the new campaigns across mediums to make the brand cooler and desirable.

     

    Manish Chopra, CEO Zovi.com said, “We are on a new growth curve and we needed a partner who is hungry, willing to experiment and work inventively to create the following for the brand. We found that in ample measure in Bang in the Middle.”

     

    Naresh Gupta, Managing Partner and CSO, said, “Zovi.com is a terrific brand, early to move into the fashion space and today is well placed to ride the new wave that the country is witnessing. Zovi has given us a very challenging mandate and we are delighted to be on board.”

     

  • With only five-and-a-half measurable days as per the TAM measurement cyle, newly launched flagship Hindi GEC &TV from the Zee Entertainment stable has opened at 90612 GVTs

    &TV opens with 90612 GVTs

    The numbers are out. &TV has opened at 90162 GVTs in the first week of its launch.

     

    With only five-and-a-half measurable days as per the TAM measurement cyle, newly launched flagship Hindi GEC &TV from the Zee Entertainment stable has opened at 90612 GVTs. The launch happened with roadblocks across the Zee network of channels as well as very visible outdoor and print campaign.

     

    Detailed ratings of the various shows including Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘India Poochega – Sabse Shaana Kaun?’ are awaited