MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Designed to attract customers

    HyFun processed foods unveils new brand identity, logo & brand mascot

    HyFun processed foods and vegetables rebrands with fresh new logo and introduces its inaugural brand mascot: Funzy.

    Said Haresh Karamchandani, Managing Director & CEO of HyFun Foods: “We’re thrilled to unveil our new logo, which embodies the spirit of HyFun Foods – joyful, innovative, and committed to quality. With this rebranding, we’re not only celebrating our past achievements but also setting the stage for an exciting future filled with convenient food, delicious flavours, and a robust range of frozen food products.”

    In addition to the new logo, HyFun Foods is excited to introduce Funzy, its lovable mascot. With its infectious energy and playful charm, Funzy represents HyFun Foods’ new communication strategy, designed to attract customers.

  • Before joining Zee Media, he served as National Head for The Q

    Pankaj Rai is Business Head of Wion & Zee Business

    Pankaj Rai
    Pankaj Rai

    Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) has announced the appointment of Pankaj Rai as the new Business Head for Wion and Zee Business

    Raj brings over 15 years of extensive experience spanning the realms of broadcast and digital media. Before joining Zee Media, he served as National Head for The Q. Prior to that, he held a significant role at Zee Entertainment for more than a decade, managing revenue portfolios for channels such as Zee TV, Zee Cinema, and Zee Bollywood in the North and East regions.

    Notes a communique: “We are confident that his expertise will further strengthen our team and propel us towards our goals.  We are excited about the fresh perspectives and ideas he will bring to the table as we continue to grow and innovate.”

  • MxM Live with Yashwant Deshmukh

    MxM Live with Yashwant Deshmukh

    Yashwant Deshmukh is a prominent figure in the field of opinion polling and political analysis, known for his expertise in deciphering public sentiment and electoral trends. As the founder, editor and managing director of CVoter, a near-30-year-old  global agency specialising in public opinion research and data analytics, Deshmukh has played a pivotal role in shaping political discourse and decision-making processes across various nations. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of socio-political dynamics, he continues to be a trusted authority in providing insightful perspectives on elections and governance worldwide. Deshmukh and his company, Dataeye Asia, are now also focusing their energies on conducting the Consumer Mood of the Nation (COTN), overlaying the recently launched the Indian Socio-Economic Classification (ISEC).

    In this interview with Pradyuman Maheshwari, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, MxMIndia, Yashwant Deshmukh speaks on opinion polling, his views on ISEC and the Consumer Mood of the Nation studies that his company will produce.

    Watch. Enrich yourself. Enjoy. Like.

    For more news and updates on media and advertising, check our website http://www.mxmindia.com.

  • Entries are open for the awards

    Ad Club campaign for Abby

    The Advertising Club has unveiled a campaign for the upcoming Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024.

    Speaking on the initiative, Ajay Kakar, Chairperson, Awards Governing Council, Abby Awards said: “At The Advertising Club, we are committed to bringing forward and honouring the masterpieces and the masterminds. The Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024 serve as a testament to the extraordinary work that our industry creates and its potential to shape the future. With this campaign, we invite the industry to come forward, submit their best work, and together elevate the collective creativity to unparalleled global heights.”

    Added Alok Lall, Executive Director, McCann Worldgroup India:  “We believe in celebrating not just the present achievements but also the future that we are collectively building for our industry. The Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024 serve as a beacon for the creativity that defines our industry’s trajectory.”

    Entries are now open for Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024.

  • MxMLive with Rana Barua

    MxMLive with Rana Barua

    In early January 2024, it was announced that Rana will extend his remit to include South East and North Asia. The expansion of Barua’s scope adds nine additional markets under his leadership in his new role as Group CEO India, South East and North Asia. His new titled reads: Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia

    Over the last few weeks, he has met with the media, talking about his new role and vision for his agency network.

    As part of a new season of MxMLive, Pradyuman Maheshwari, Editor-in-Chief spoke with Rana Barua over an interview via Zoom.

    Watch. Enjoy. Like.

  • A storytelling initiative of cricket enthusiasts

    SBI Life launches campaign in collaboration with Tape A Tale

    Ravindra Sharma
    Ravindra Sharma

    SBI Life Insurance launches campaign ‘Beyond The Boundary’ in collaboration with Tape A Tale to honour cricket enthusiasts by conceptualising a platform to narrate inspiring fan stories.

    Sharing views on the significance of the event, Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communications, and CSR, SBI Life Insurance said: “Cricket in India is more than just a sport; it is a religion for millions of fans. While the players are worshiped like heroes, it is equally important to recognize the cricket fans, as they play a crucial role in the success & popularity of this sport. Thus, in an effort to honor these fans of cricket, SBI Life conceptualized a novel initiative ‘Beyond The Boundary’ in association with Tape A Tale; providing a platform to enable them to narrate inspirational stories about their tryst with cricket, albeit outside the pitch. ‘Beyond the Boundary’ is an enabler for every cricket fan to continue to relentlessly pursue their dreams.” He further added, “The narratives showcased are not merely tales of cricket; they transcend boundaries, representing stories of determination, perseverance, and the perfect balance between pursuing individual dreams and fulfilling familial responsibilities. This initiative clearly aligns with our brand core ‘Apne Liye Apno Ke Liye’ with every cricket enthusiast who dares to dream. We hope to inspire the cricketing fans across the nation to dream big and pursue them responsibly by facilitating platforms that give voice to the unsung heroes and showcase their compelling stories.”

  • Revenue leads will now report directly into MD & CEO Punit Goenka

    Zeel streamlines revenue vertical, Rahul Johri quits

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has announced strategic changes in the revenue vertical of the broadcast business. Revenue leads will now report directly into MD and CEO Punit Goenka post the resignation of Rahul Johri, President-Business South Asia, the former CEO of the cricket board BCCI and Discovery Networks and a slew of news entities.

    With immediate effect, Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer, Advertisement Revenue and will now directly report into the MD & CEO.

    Notes a communique: “In line with the strategic approach undertaken by the MD & CEO, this announcement is the first step towards streamlining the organization, in order to optimize the resource allocation and enhance productivity. The Company has accepted the resignation of Rahul Johri. In his stint at Zee for over three years, Johri has led the revenue and monetisation vertical.”

    Said Goenka: “With his rich expertise and experience, Rahul has added immense value to the organisation. I wish him all the success in his future endeavours. I am most certain that with his passion towards the sports and media business, he will continue to contribute towards the industry at large. I also look forward to working closely with Ashish and team, with an aim to drive higher growth in the advertisement revenue segment, as the linear business landscape unlocks more growth opportunities.”

    Commenting on his decision, Johri said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Punit and the entire team. Zee is an ‘Academy of Talent’ and I will always be a proud alumni. I will continue to work towards the upliftment of the sports and media industry, leveraging my expertise to unlock its potential. I wish Punit and team Zee all the very best.”

    Meanwhile, in line with the new lateral structure being implemented, other than Sehgal, all other reportees of Johri, will report into the office of Goenka.

  • Former Prasar Bharati CEO the role of Artificial Intelligence in marketing

    Trust is paramount, especially in the age of AI and deepfakes: Vempati

    “Trust is paramount, especially in the age of AI and deepfakes,” said Shashi Shekhar Vempati at the Branding and Marketing Summit, hosted by ASSOCHAM last week. The former CEO of Prasar Bharati spoke on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on the marketing landscape. Vempati highlighted the critical significance of data privacy and ethical considerations amidst the proliferation of AI and deepfakes.

    “The future of marketing lies in embracing AI and automation while upholding the values of data privacy and ethical practices,” he said, adding: “Innovative technologies such as generative AI not only break language barriers but also offer invaluable insights for crafting exceptional customer experiences.”

    Reflecting on his tenure at Prasar Bharati, Vempati shared insights into the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in combating misinformation. “Our experience during the pandemic highlighted the critical role of media in dispelling misinformation and fostering trust.”

  • Detox from the Information Highway

    Detox from the Information Highway

    Ranjona BanerjiDoctors will scream themselves hoarse that there’s no such thing as “detox diets”. Our bodies have inbuilt ways of removing unwanted extraneous matter which is what keeps us going all our lives. If someone has gone out of their way to poison us, a day of juice and starvation is also of no use. Because starkly put, we may not have that much time.

     

    But. An occasional – or often – detox from the information highway (people, the misinformation highway is no way at all times) is definitely effective. The past few days, I have not checked the news and sadly, it has not destroyed my life in anyway at all. The endless obsession of being part of a conversation on the news cycle has dictated most of my life. Nor can I deny that I love sparring on social media, getting into the nitty-gritty of life via news break, and being on top of the “have you heard” game.

     

    Although I confess that I never was on top of that game! I like to know what’s happening, but I won’t go overboard to get there.

     

    To not know at all is an art that needs a bit of practice, but is oh-so satisfying. The past few days have vanished in friends and old times, sightseeing, shopping and eating. Do I know what has happened in the world? Umm, no.

     

    Playing catch up is its own kind of fun, except that you lose the nuance.

    People have been most upset about the following, depending on where I checked.

     

    The Big Movie Prize Day: why did this one get it and not that one, how could anyone wear that and yahoo to Donald Trump’s meltdown and of course he’ll win and he won’t.

     

    The Fancy Dress Man: How many changes can One Man manage in a day, what are those strange glances through a strew of garlands and who pays for all this.

     

    The Flying Horse Snooping Ring: The Spymaster met the Warring Seller and well, Destroyer of Innocents. Was it to buy more software to sneak into devices of anyone who is not a fan of eternal cosplay?

     

    The Travelling Man: Whatever he does is open to scrutiny so basically, why did he travel when Fancy Dress Man was also travelling in order to display his exotic feathers? Travelling Man should be Stay Put Man. And Silent Man. And Do Not Question Man and so on.

     

    The India Conundrum: This is a civilisational puzzle that no one can solve. This includes those who want to change its name and those who want to use one name as an acronym. The Travelling Man, the Switch Twich Man, the ED Who Man, the MMM Lady and various other people play excellent games like Jwaar Baata, Tana Bana and so on as they grow and shrink and move and flex.

     

    The Big Bank Ignorance Claim: As we know we all get fraud calls day and night. And this Big Bank Ignorance Claim is the biggest fraud of all. Luckily the Zoom Lecture Series on Occasionally Practised Ethics HQ has twigged on and now the Big Bank is being forced to spill some beans. Or maybe bonds. Something like that.

     

    Now that I have more or less caught up, I shall enter the whirlpool once again. Or soon. Whenever I do, it’ll be news to me!

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.

  • This is a question that has been disturbing us for a while, so we sought wisdom from our Wizard with Words. Here's the March 12 edition of Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | What does it speak of a society where you can’t be openly critical or critique someone because you are worried about being damned by the powers that be later?

    Bhaskar DasIf you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

    Q: What does it speak of a society where you can’t be openly critical or critique someone because you are worried about being damned by the powers that be later?

    A: Needless to say you have perceived the feeling which was articulated in the question. The answer could be both “Yes” and “No” depending on who has what kind of episodic evidence to defend it. Hence I am, in general, against any generalisation. For example, the very fact you have asked me this question, and I am not against it, is a proof of not-so-dystopian state of affairs.

    In fact, there has been evidence of such intolerance, if you may, from antiquity. You must have read Animal Farm by George Orwell in 1945. Even today, you would find similarities, all over the world, of this satirical/ allegorical novella. So, your perception is nothing new. We experienced it during the Emergency in 1975.

    It is a fact that rage, anger, intolerance have gone up in society all over the world, albeit at different degrees. They may be unexpected in a democratic society but the very fact that we can discuss this is a sign of its vibrancy in our country. You may have many evidences to support your observation but, trust me, that in a ubiquitous digital environment that we live in, many alternative opinions are continuously communicated through the social media, which can torment both the perpetrator and the perpetrated. So, no worries.

  • And Swagat Sarangi, Co-Founder, Smytten as Co-Chair

    IAMAI’s Digitally Native Brands committee appoints Vikas D Nahar as chairman

    The Digitally Native Brands (DNB) Committee of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has appointed Vikas D Nahar, Founder & CEO, Happilo, as the new Chair and Swagat Sarangi, Co-Founder, Smytten, as the new Co-chair, following their election to the posts.

    Said Nahar: “As I step into the esteemed position of Chairperson of the DNB Committee within IAMAI, I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me. The election represents not only a transition of leadership but also a reaffirmation of our shared dedication to the growth and progress of our industry. With heartfelt gratitude, I envision fostering collaboration, innovation, and ethical standards, knowing that together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of digital businesses. Let’s embark on this journey with gratitude and determination, knowing that our collective efforts today will shape tomorrow’s success.”

    The DNB Committee Co-chair Swagat Sarangi shared his perspective on the potential of India’s Digitally Native Brands sector and consumer brands, stating, “I am honoured and excited to take on the role of Co-Chair for the Digitally Native Brands Committee. There can’t be a better time in India to build consumer brands. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the ecosystem, fostering collaboration and ensuring better access and support from all stakeholders for the digitally native brands”.

  • To work across brands handled by both offices of the agency

    Nisheeth Srivastava is ECD at BBH

    BBH India, the creative agency within Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Nisheeth Srivastava as Executive Creative Director (ECD). Based out of New Delhi, Srivastava’s mandate involves working across brands handled by both offices of the agency and reporting directly to Parikshit Bhattaccharya, Chief Creative Officer of BBH India.

    Welcoming him to the BBH team, Bhattaccharya said: “Nisheeth’s appointment is in line with our objective of building a high talent density team. His vast body of work is a potent combination of culturally rooted insights and progressive ideas. His experience in handling big brand mandates will add another dimension to our game, specifically in Delhi. He joins a high energy, super collaborative creative leadership team comprising Ashwin Palkar, Swati Balani and Arvind Menon. I look forward to their combined magic as they curl a few into the top right corner for our clients.”