MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • Radio City, today, is a leader in many of the markets it operates in, and is among the top 25 Great Places to Work across industries

    Apurva Purohit elevated to President – Jagran Group

    By A Correspondent

     

    Apurva Purohit

    Apurva Purohit, CEO of Radio City, which was acquired by Jagran Prakashan Ltd recently is joining the parent company as President – Jagran Group.

     

    In her new role she will be working with top management in overseeing the entire business operations and functioning of Midday, Inext, Jagran online and other print and non-print businesses besides Radio City and shall also participate in strategic decision making for the group. In addition, overseeing certain functional areas of the core business of Dainik Jagran shall also be part of scope of her work.

     

    Apurva brings with her 25 years of media experience ranging across partnering private equity players in building superior organizations and creating valuable businesses, and handling media businesses and brands. Prior to her entry into radio she has been part of the television space where she worked with BCCL & Zee Telefilms. She has launched successful TV brands like Zoom, India’s first lifestyle channel, fashioned the re-launch strategy for Zee TV and launched one of the largest media buying agencies in the country, Lodestar.

     

    Over the past 10 years she spectacularly led Radio City through a cycle of ‘Build-Grow-Consolidate’. Radio City, today, is a leader in many of the markets it operates in, and is among the top 25 Great Places to Work across industries.

     

    Commenting on this development Apurva said, “The Jagran group today stands at the threshold of a historic leap as it expands its footprint to access audiences across various demographics, geographies and distribution technologies. I am very happy to be part of this momentous journey.”

     

    Shailesh Gupta, Director JPL said “Apurva brings with her a wealth of experience in the media industry. She joins us at a time when the  Jagran group readies itself  to build further on its existing core businesses, and capitalize on the opportunities that are lie ahead in a media environment that’s being supercharged with digital, data and technology.”

     

  • Paritosh has since been working on number of Industry initiatives including the BARC

    Paritosh Joshi appointed CEO of India TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    India TV has announced the appointment of Paritosh Joshi as CEO. His last assignment was as CEO Star CJ Network. Paritosh has since been working on number of Industry initiatives including the BARC.

     

    Ritu Dhawan, Managing Director, India TV commented, “Paritosh has been part of India TV family for well over three years. It’s is a pleasure to welcome him home.”

     

    Paritosh Joshi

    Paritosh Joshi said, “I have been privileged to work alongside the terrific team here for several years and when Ritu asked me to take up this responsibility, it seemed like a natural next step.”

     

  • Paulo Aiello, former CEO of Star TV Asia and former Head of TMT investments at Morgan Stanley Asia and former Viacom18 COO and Colors CEO Rajesh Kamat to co-head Emerald Media

    KKR invests in CA Media, set up Emerald Media to further media investments. Rajesh Kamat to co-lead Emerald

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rajesh Kamat

    Global investment major KKR and The Chernin Group, LLC have announced a multi-faceted partnership that includes the creation of Emerald Media, a new enterprise to fund investments in the media and entertainment industries across Asia. KKR has committed up to $300 million to the Emerald Media platform from its KKR Asian Fund II and The Chernin Group will join as a minority co-investor. KKR has also acquired a significant, minority stake in CA Media, the existing Asian media portfolio of The Chernin Group.

     

    Leading industry veterans Rajesh Kamat and Paul Aiello will jointly head Emerald Media and will be joined by an experienced team of operating executives. Emerald Media will have offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Kamat and Aiello will continue to manage the CA Media platform, which includes assets in India (Endemol Shine India, Graphic India, Fluence, and Only Much Louder or what’s better known as OML) and in Indonesia.

     

    Emerald Media will focus primarily on providing growth capital ranging from US$15 million-US$75 million for both control and significant minority positions to media, entertainment, and digital media businesses in Asia, according to a communiqué.

     

    Said Joseph Y Bae, Member of KKR & Managing Partner of KKR Asia: “The growing middle class in the region is using its discretionary income on Internet connectivity, but the industry itself is fragmented. Investing behind proven leaders in industries with high growth potential and partnering with them to grow their business is a cornerstone of KKR’s Asia strategy. We look forward to working with experienced media leaders Rajesh and Paul in this dynamic sector.”

     

    Sanjay Nayar, Member of KKR & CEO of KKR India, added: “The media, entertainment and digital media segment across Asia especially in India enjoys attractive macro fundamentals, mirroring the trajectory of the region’s consumer sector. This is a fragmented industry, and we are excited to work with industry veterans to identify the next generation of media and entertainment companies we can partner with and support.”

     

    Peter Chernin, Chairman and CEO of The Chernin Group noted: “This partnership provides TCG and its fellow investors in CA Media with a unique opportunity to continue to work with a best in class management team and leading global investors at KKR in Asia.”

     

    Added Kamat: “The media and entertainment sector is on the cusp of a strong growth phase—driven by media convergence, an attractive investment environment, and rising discretionary spends. With the building blocks for growth in place, there is a significant opportunity to create a diversified portfolio of assets in this space, building on our accomplishments and ongoing work with CA Media and The Chernin Group,”

     

    Said Paul Aiello: “With the Asia media industry experiencing rapid and transformational changes driven by digitisation and growing internet and mobile penetration, Emerald Media will invest across mediums, demographics, and revenue models to continue driving such transformation.”

     

  • For some bizarre reason, I would have expected prominent members of the India Today TV team to have given the Arun Shourie interview more publicity on social media, considering the channel itself was flogging it all day before the broadcast, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: Arun Shourie criticises the government on Karan Thapar’s show and the channel’s editors play it down on Twitter?

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    So Arun Shourie, former editor, former minister in the AB Vajpayee government and now author and commentator, goes on Karan Thapar’s show on India Today TV again to discuss the Narendra Modi government. Shourie repeats what he said at a book launch last week and adds some extra garam masala to his criticism. The prime minister should stop acting like a section officer in the department of homeopathy and needs to be the moral leader of the country, he says. He also mentions that senior BJP leaders and ministers are frightened of writers and thinkers because they haven’t read a book in 20 years. He talks about how Nayantara Sahgal was an integral part of the movement which demanded action against those who participated in the anti-Sikh riots but her attackers have forgotten that.

     

    Indeed, Shourie, a former BJP member himself, criticised the government more effectively than any other commentator so far.
    http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/pm-modi-has-failed-to-fulfill-his-moral-responsibility-arun-shourie/1/514331.html

     

    India Today TV has in it two of India’s most patriotic journalists. The senior one, Rahul Kanwal, is always on the lookout for evil liberal journalists who criticise the government and are not patriotic enough. On his very popular Twitter account he often puts out pithy bits of news, with no links and no evidence that his own channel or media group has covered the same news, and asks why there is no outrage about it.

     

    Most often, these bits of news are to do with attacks, physical, mental or emotional, on Hindus usually by Muslims or Christians or non BJP-governments.

     

    This is what Kanwal had to say on Twitter (at the time I wrote this at 10 am on the morning of November 3) about the Shourie interview carried on his own channel, in which he holds some important position:
    “Arun Shourie launches another attack on @PMOIndia Wonder what his responses to these questions would’ve been if he had been made a minister.”

     

    Perhaps Kanwal should have better briefed Thapar on the sort of interview to conduct. In fact, Thapar, a very thorough journalist and one of India’s best TV interviewers, did ask Shourie a similar question which Shourie dismissed very effectively.

     

    For some bizarre reason, I would have expected prominent members of the India Today TV team to have given this interview more publicity on social media, considering the channel itself was flogging it all day before the broadcast.

     

    India Today TV however walks the cleverest line of balance between being pro-government and critical of government of all the channels. Karan Thapar and the absolutely brilliant cartoon series So Sorry do the job of bringing down egos in government and opposition, daytime anchors like Shiv Aroor are balanced and Kanwal and Sawant operate in Uber Patriot Off With Your Head If You Criticise The Central Government mode. Rajdeep Sardesai these days dances on both side of the Line of Political Control.

     

    Of course, this is how a media house must be. It has to represent all points of view, even those that may make it unpopular with the ruling party rather than sucking up all the time. Perhaps some senior staff in the India Today TV newsroom need to look at journalism with a little more perspective.

     

    **

     

    Gangster Chhota Rajan, just arrested in Indonesia, was once part of Bombay’s famed Underworld. He was an important cog in Dawood Ibrahim’s gang but apparently quit after Ibrahim and Tiger Memon orchestrated the 1993 bomb blasts. However, he has been on the run from the authorities, once even jumping out of a hospital window to escape arrest.

     

    Sadly, today’s journalists who have no memory of the time when the underworld ran Bombay, have fallen hook line and sinker for the romanticism game played by Bollywood. Which itself sang, danced for the Underworld in real life and also acted in gangster-funded films.

     

    So Chhota Rajan is being treated like he is some sort of a film star by the media. Some even call him the “patriotic don” (Hindu) as if that gives him some claim on clemency.

     

    Distateful and frankly disgusting.

     

  • BBDO India CEO Ajai Jhala on how the best technology brands create stories that are salient and simple

    3 reasons Tech Brands should keep it Simple

     

    By Ajai Jhala

     

    Albert Einstein famously said that the wire telegraph ‘is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles’. Radio operates in exactly the same way: You send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat.

    A memorable and simple story by one of the greatest scientists of all time, explains a technology of an earlier time. Today, so many decades later, there are still compelling reasons for technology brands to keep the message simple when communicating on TV. This has to do with three primary things – the nature of TV, the nature of people and the nature of brands.

    1. A plug-in drug

    TV is essentially a low-involvement medium which is best for story showing. That is why it has often been referred to as a ‘plug-in drug’. Television is about lean-back entertainment and works really well when information is delivered emotionally, and the absorption of it is implicit rather than explicit. The beauty is that emotions are so important for our survival and well-being, that they work best when we are in a low-involvement mode.

    2. Irrational rationalisers

    People are fundamentally emotional beings. We are not so much rational but rationalisers. We have been referred to as cognitive misers. Processing information is very exhausting and consumes a lot of our energy. That is why humans are hardwired for storytelling and not for data retention. We love to hear stories, not a recitation of a laundry list of specifications and features.

    3. Nature of Brands

    Brands are like leaky buckets, constantly having to recruit more people than they lose. Most consumers are promiscuous and are always shifting between a shortlist of brands. As heretical as it sounds, recent research demonstrates conclusively that differentiation matters less than standing out in a compelling way. Therefore, brands have to create salience in a manner that can incite feelings by owning a simple and powerful theme that is constantly refreshed with new TVCs.

    These three reasons, based on the nature of the medium, people and their relationship with brands, is why the best technology brands create stories that are salient and simple. The next time someone is crafting a TVC for a technology brand, it might be worth reflecting on something else Einstein said: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”.

     

    Ajai Jhala is CEO at BBDO India

    This article first appeared in dna of brands dated November 2, 2015

     

  • Prior to this promotion, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Revenue Head at India News

    Varun Kohli elevated to CEO, India News

    By A Correspondent

     

    Varun Kohli

    iTV Network has elevated Varun Kohli to the Chief Executive Officer of India News, the national Hindi News channel of the network. Prior to this promotion, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Revenue Head at India News.

     

    In his new role, Varun will be responsible for leading the growth of the channel to next level. With a professional experience spanning over 21 years, Varun is a seasoned sales specialist and is credited with creating sustainable business development and management strategies that have increased top and bottom lines and enhanced efficiency in organisations.

     

    Commenting on the elevation, Kartikeya Sharma, Managing Director, iTV Network said, “We are delighted to elevate Varun as the CEO of India News. This elevation is in line with our commitment to growth. His skills and wide experience  will surely help India news reach the next level of growth.”

     

    Varun reports to Sanjay Dua, CEO, NewsX and Group CRO, iTV Network who said, “Over the course of time, Varun has played a more central role in the leadership of the company and with his elevation to CEO, India News; he will take on an even wider role. His strong track record of delivering growth and understanding of industry will help our continued success, moving forward.”

     

    Prior to joining ITV network, Varun was the head of sales for IBN7. His distinguished career includes leadership stints at Amar Ujala, Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd., Deccan Chronicle, Dainik Bhaskar, Hindustan times and Indian express.

     

  • The new online destination will bring together Mashable's mission of inspiring, informing and entertaining its global community

    Mashable announces India launch

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mashable, the leading media company for the digital generation, and India.com Webportal Private Limited have announced the launch of Mashable India.

     

    The new online destination will bring together Mashable’s mission of inspiring, informing and entertaining its global community about how digital and technology are changing the world with India.com’s strength in generating original content for Indian audiences and widespread reach in the Indian digital space.

     

    “As a truly global media company, Mashable is very excited to be launching Mashable India, in partnership with the incredibly talented team at India.com, to better serve both our community and brand partners in India,” said Pete Cashmore, Founder and CEO of Mashable. “With technology and digital changing almost every aspect of our world, now could not be a better time to expand to one of the most diverse and unique areas of the world, India.”

     

    “We are thrilled to be building upon our already robust growth of the PMC and ZEE joint venture in the India digital publishing marketplace and am proud to be doing so with Mashable, a brand that has so effectively attracted and maintained a global audience in other international markets,” said PMC Chairman and CEO Jay Penske.

     

    Mashable India has a dedicated editorial team based in Mumbai and New Delhi for localized content to serve the ever growing and connected Indian audiences. Mashable India will offer the best global coverage from Mashable.com and augment it with extensive editorial coverage from India. Mashable India will also leverage the audience reach of India.com network properties.

     

    “We are delighted to begin the India operations of Mashable, which will offer unique content for the connected generation. The combined offering from India.com’s wide range of content and Mashable’s expertise will give readers a global and Indian perspective on things with a refreshing take,” said Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

     

    The addition of Mashable India continues the company’s global expansion, which has seen the launch of dedicated UK, Australia and Asia editions over the past year.

     

  • Subject to regulatory approvals, Multi Screen Media Private Limited (MSM) will be renamed as Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPN)

    MSM rebrands itself as Sony Pictures Networks

    By A Correspondent

     

    In sync with its intent of becoming the leading choice of television entertainment in India, Multi Screen Media (MSM) has rebranded itself. The rebranding includes both, the name as well as logo change.

     

    Subject to regulatory approvals, Multi Screen Media Private Limited (MSM) will be renamed as Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPN).

     

    Andy Kaplan, President Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) said “Our channels in India represent an important part of Sony Pictures Television’s global portfolio and we are proud to be part of the fabric of the diverse Indian culture. As we celebrate bringing the best entertainment to viewers in India for 20 years, it’s only fitting that these networks be branded as part of our Sony family. Like the Sony brand, which stands for innovation, creativity and delight, SPN brings the same qualities to our viewers.”

     

    NP Singh, CEO, Multi Screen Media (MSM) added: “As MSM, we’ve served television audiences worldwide for the last 20 years, during which time we pioneered new formats, new shows and actually set the trends for television entertainment. We changed the dynamics of how cricket and cinema were viewed on Indian television and contoured a variety of genres in TV entertainment. So, while ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ and ‘Dus Ka Dum’ created new waves in television gaming, ‘Boogie Woogie’ and ‘Indian Idol’ brought the commoner’s talent on the telly. We were also the first ones to embrace the cultural fabric of India by providing SAB – an out-and-out family humour channel.”

     

    “The strategic intent behind rebranding Multi Screen Media (MSM) into Sony Pictures Network (SPN) is to align with our parent company and thereby accrue the benefit of global synergies. The new logo is our way of creating a picture from a pixel; a campaign from an idea and a revolution in progressive television entertainment. Going forward, Sony Pictures Networks will steer its helm on three levers, namely – General entertainment, sports and digital. With a comprehensive bouquet of varied channels, we are equipped today to serve India’s population both, in the urban and rural areas as well across geographies.”

     

  • Ipsos results show continued growth in TV and strong growth in digital audiences

    CNN is leading network in Asia Pacific, notes Ipsos study

    By A Correspondent

     

    In India

     

    The latest Ipsos Affluent Survey findings released recently show CNN is the number one international news brand in Asia-Pacific. Regardless of platform (TV, web, mobile), metric (daily, weekly, monthly reach) or major target audience group, no other news brand has a stronger reach than CNN.

     

    In India, CNN is the #1 international news brand in total (monthly multiplatform) reach. CNN also leads in both TV (monthly and daily) and digital (monthly) reach in the country.

     

    Some of the survey highlights include:

    CNN is the #1 multiplatform news brand

     

    35% monthly reach in Asia Pacific

    35% greater than next news brand in Asia Pacific

    24% monthly reach in India

    21% ahead of BBC in India

     

    CNN is the #1 TV news network

    29% monthly, 20% weekly and 7% daily reach in Asia Pacific

    At least 50% ahead of next news network in Asia Pacific

    21% monthly and 6% daily reach in India

    17% ahead of BBC in monthly reach and 25% ahead of BBC in daily reach in India

     

    CNN is the #1 digital news brand

    11% monthly reach in Asia Pacific

    47% more than next brand in Asia Pacific

    49% ahead of BBC in India

     

    CNN is #1 in a growing genre

    Leads the international news genre and growing in both TV and digital audiences

    +8% year-on-year in weekly and monthly TV reach in Asia Pacific

    +26% year-on-year in monthly digital reach in Asia Pacific

    Year-on-year growth has been stronger still for TV (+103% daily reach, +39% weekly and +19% monthly) and digital (+102% monthly reach) in India

     

    As well as being number one in TV and digital, CNN leads all international news/business brands in key target groups in monthly multiplatform reach. Highlights include:

     

    CNN is #1 in business

    55% reach of top management, 49% of financial decision makers** and 44% of total business decision makers in Asia Pacific

    At least 2.2 times larger audience base than dedicated business news brands in Asia Pacific

    46.9% reach of top management in India

    55% greater audience reach than BBC amongst top management in India

     

    Vice President of CNN International Advertising Sales for Asia Pacific Sunita Rajan said: “The survey results are clear: no matter how the figures are analyzed, whether it’s by platform, metric or major target group, no other news brand has a stronger reach than CNN. It proves our strategy to be where our audience wants us, on all platforms all of the time, is working. It’s also encouraging from an industry perspective that the international news genre as a whole is growing. The fact CNN is the clear leader in a growing market is a testament to the hard working team at CNN International.”

     

     

  • Clovia recently raised a round of funding from IvyCap Ventures

    Havas Media awarded integrated media mandate of Clovia

    By A Correspondent

     

    Havas Media Group India has been awarded the integrated media mandate of lingerie and nightwear brand, Clovia, in a multi-agency pitch. Havas will chart the Clovia brand map with traditional as well as digital and mobile duties. To be handled from the New Delhi office, the account is estimated to be upwards of INR 30 crores.

     

    Clovia is an online-first brand of Lingerie and Innerwear, which brings premium products at affordable pricing to the Indian consumers through direct sales channels. Clovia is backed by Indian and European Conglomerates and is establishing foot prints across the globe

     

    Clovia recently raised a round of funding from IvyCap Ventures.

     

    Speaking on the appointment, Pankaj Vermani, Co-Founder CEO, Clovia, said, “We are enroute to scale Clovia as the number one lingerie and nightwear brand in India as well as looking at global markets. Havas Media was in sync with our brand vision as well as our customer first fundamentals. Their experience, strategic brand approach, knowledge of the e-commerce domain and nuances of new age businesses makes them perfect partners.”

     

    “Clovia is introducing a new wave of International styles and quality in the Indian consumer space. We found the same passion in Havas Media who understood the need to provide a world class shopping and product experience to the Indian woman”, continued Neha Kant, Co-Founder, CRO Clovia.

     

    Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group, India and South Asia said, “Clovia is a young lingerie brand with a niche e-commerce play backed by an omni-channel strategy; Lingerie domain is now gaining momentum in India but will be the next wave. Clovia is placed in a very interesting category with huge growth potential. We are confident that our digital at the core strategy will drive a lot of meaningful visibility for the brand. We look forward to partnering with them to scale in India.”

     

  • Singapore based Crayon Data joins Mindshare and industry leaders GroupM, Kantar, WPP Data Alliance and Jivox to create revolutionary, real-time marketing solutions

    Mindshare chooses Crayon Data to unveil FAST

    By A Correspondent

     

    In 2014, Crayon Data, one of the most innovative big data start-ups in the world, entered into a partnership with Mindshare to develop real time targeting solutions. Mindshare and Crayon brought together formidable synergies. They incorporated Crayon’s SimplerChoicesTM platform and algorithm based ad-targeting and personalization capabilities and Mindshare’s marketing ability, to form a single proposition to clients. The vision was to work together to build new products effectively integrating Mindshare’s digital assets and data into Crayon’s SimplerChoicesTM platform to build innovative products.

     

    Last week, this partnership bore fruit with the launch of FAST (Future Adaptive Specialist Team) Services - a unique solution suite, which aims to provide data led adaptive marketing services to brands. This suite will help brands make sense of the deluge of data that is engulfing marketing communications.

     

    “Marketers are drowning in data, struggling with how to best exploit it, to connect with consumers in mutually desirable ways,” said Gowthaman Ragothaman, Chief Operating Officer, Mindshare Asia Pacific.

     

    An enterprise’s internal data is not sufficient to understand how consumers’ tastes are evolving and what is relevant at the moment. Crayon Data’s proprietary platform, SimplerChoicesTM, harnesses the power of big data and uses complex machine-learning techniques, to apply cognitive thinking algorithms to collected data. This provides a lethal storehouse of information and insights for FAST.

     

    The launch of FAST in Singapore, is a response to the growing demand in emerging markets for data-led marketing initiatives.

     

    Suresh Shankar, founder of Crayon Data, said, “Media, analytics and behaviour is all going digital, and choices are proliferating, in every aspect of our life from media to daily decisions. Combining Mindshare’s proprietary data and research with Crayon’s data collection and analytical capability means even greater adaptive solutions for marketers. With Crayon, FAST has the ability to build real-time profiles and personalised engagement solutions for enterprises to offer to their consumers. There’s a data storm coming. FAST is every marketer’s bunker to weather it.”

     

    FAST’s solutions currently target five vertical market segments: consumer packaged goods (CPG), banking, consumer healthcare, telecommunications and automotive.

     

  • He will be bringing in fresh perspectives for the agency in areas such as content, social, experiential, and overall creative output

    BC Web Wise appoints Alabhya Vaibhav as Creative Director

    By A Correspondent

     

    BC Web Wise, the full-service digital agency, has appointed Alabhya Vaibhav as Creative Director, based out of Mumbai. The agency is strengthening its teams in Mumbai and Delhi by bringing new talent on board to reinforce its core offerings in digital marketing and creative content.

     

    Alabhya’s primary role will be to bring his traditional agency learnings on board and work together with the creative team at BC Web Wise to think bigger, think new and up the creative quotient. He will be bringing in fresh perspectives for the agency in areas such as content, social, experiential, and overall creative output.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Chaaya Baaradhwaaj, Founder-MD, BC Web Wise said, “Digital is not a niche medium anymore and there are clients who are doing exclusive digital advertising today. Adding to this is that we are delivering a lot of broadcast and video content for clients. Alabhya has the perfect mix of creativity and strategic outlook that aligns with our focus.”

     

    Mangesh Bhayde, Creative Director – Art, BC Web Wise said, “Alabhya brings extensive mainstream experience to the table. He’ll have a huge impact on driving excellence and diversity of our output.”

     

    Speaking about his new role, Alabhya commented, “Digital has always inspired me. This is a great opportunity to bring my passion to a medium that thrives on innovation and interactivity. Digital is more important today than ever, and I hope I can use my experience to help the team meet the raging demand for creativity and content day in and day out.”

     

    Alabhya’s portfolio spans creative work for clients like Vodafone, Samsung Mobiles, Honda, Gujarat Tourism, and Indian Airlines. He is armed with 13 years of experience and his past stints include Ushak Kaal Communications where he started his career, and later jaunts at R K Swamy BBDO, DDB Mudra, Dentsu Marcom, and Cheil Worldwide. He moves to BC Web Wise from Ogilvy & Mather where he was Associate Creative Director.