MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • To deliver meaningful solutions to clients

    Havas Media inks partnership with KlugKlug

    Havas Media Network India, the media agency of Havas India, and KlugKlug, the Influencer Tech platorm, have entered a partnership. This collaboration is aimed at introducing solutions in the space of influencer marketing signaling a commitment to elevate the impact and effectiveness of influencer-driven campaigns.

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, SEA & North Asia (Japan & South Korea): “At Havas India, it has been our endeavour to introduce cutting-edge expertise that not only complements our current integrated Village ecosystem but also helps our client partners grow their business meaningfully. While we have already been leveraging influencer marketing as a substantial expertise, this strategic alliance with KlugKlug will enable us to further bolster our offering, making way for a more transparent, tech-driven, and organised ecosystem. I wish both the teams the very best and look forward to some impactful work together.”

    Commenting on the partnership, KlugKlug Co-Founder & CEO, Kalyan Kumar, added: “KlugKlug is absolutely delighted to embark on this journey with Havas Media Network India by adding a scientific layer to the world of influencer marketing for clients. This is a further validation of how closely KlugKlug brings forth ‘data that matters’ for greater business impact. Having successfully validated our technology across India and globally, this is a massive stepping-stone in our efforts to bring true value to the accelerating influencer marketing landscape. With Havas Media Network India’s guidance on continuous improvements, we should be unveiling some Made-In-Bharat global-first innovations in the very near future.”

  • For a tech-driven future envisioned using AI

    LS Digital joins Billabong High International School to launch campaign

    Billabong High International School Malad has collaborated with LS Digital, a digital marketing transformation (DMT) company, to spearhead a campaign titled ‘Future Re-imagined’, to foster creativity and innovation among its students. This initiative was led by Dr Radhika Srinivasan, Principal, Billabong High International School Malad, aimed at empowering students to envision a new world, driven by the transformative power of AI.

    Said Manesh Swamy, CCO and SVP, LS Digital: “Our interactions with students at Billabong High International School have always left us spellbound. Their thought process, the way they fearlessly think, communicate confidently, and have unique ideas, most of this is because of the differentiated approach to teaching and learning at the school. Students today are constantly exposed to and immersed in technology, with this initiative we thought of merging students thoughts with generative AI and bringing their ideas to life. We approached this more like a social experiment, while creating these images we wanted to stay true and close to the student’s imagination. The results are an incredible mix of generative AI and traditional graphic design coming together to breathe life into these students visions. The reaction of parents and students to the AI expo told us that we did a great job of bringing it alive. The best part of this ‘Future Reimagined’ campaign is that the students at Billabong High International School are even more keen to learn and experiment with Generative AI, and we will be felicitating a series of workshops for them in phase-2.”

  • Urge people to take the first step for their oral health

    TV9 Network, Sensodyne launch oral health initiative

    World Oral Health Day falls on March 20 (that’s tomorrow) and TV9 Network and Sensodyne have joined hands to spread awareness to the people on following their “funda-dental” duties and being sensitive to oral health.

    Said Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer (Broadcasting & Digital), TV9 Network: “In the post-Covid scenario, people are prioritising health and fitness. However, oral health holds key importance when it comes to well-being as it contributes to one’s overall health and quality of life. With this idea in mind, TV9 Network has partnered with Sensodyne to spread awareness and enable people to #TakeTheFirstStep towards oral hygiene.”

    Talking about the initiative, Amit Tripathi, Chief Revenue Officer, TV9 Network added: “Optimal oral health is crucial to the wellness of people of all ages. With its wide reach in seven languages, TV9 Network is well poised to help Sensodyne reach out to our viewers to disseminate the impactful message of being sensitive to oral health. With media amplification across digital and broadcast, we are spreading awareness in multiple languages.”

    Added Navneet Saluja, Area General Manager, Indian Sub-continent, Haleon, manufacturers of Sensodyne: “It’s an absolute privilege to continue our partnership with TV 9’s Oral Health Summit for the second consecutive year. As an organisation committed to improving everyday health with humanity, we proudly support this significant initiative and thank all the stakeholders from various sectors including government, public health experts, and representatives from key dental forums, for joining us. I’m confident that through our collaborative efforts and collective expertise, we will be able to set the right tone for oral health in India and elevate our country’s overall health. After all, oral health, often overlooked, is intricately linked to general well-being. Additionally, with Sensodyne’s latest education campaign #BeSensitiveToOralHealth, launched this World Oral Health Day, we’re further taking forward our agenda of bolstering oral health literacy and tackling preventable oral health issues through free dental consultations across the country.”

  • To innovate digital advertising

    Concept Group partners with Numb3r

    Concept Group, independent agency network, has partnered with Numb3r Impact Agency, led by Rishi Kishnani and Tanmay Bahulekar, to “revolutionise traditional advertising paradigms and introduce a new era of creativity and innovation”.

    Said Vivek Suchanti, Chairman of Concept PR: “I’m thrilled to partner with Numb3r, an agency that resonates with my belief in adaptable creative video solutions. It’s refreshing to be part of a fluid, new-age agency where learning and the development of AI tools are at the core of our innovative approach.” Suchanti, as we know, has invested in many startup agencies in the past.

  • The India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief was speaking at India Today Conclave

    Media cannot play the role of the opposition: Kalli Purie

    Kalli Purie at India Today Conclave 2024

    In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief Kalli Purie Saturday said the media cannot play the role of the opposition.

    “Expecting it to do that leads to unfair charges of Godi or Modi media,” she remarked while delivering her thank you note towards the end of the two-day-long India Today Conclave.

    Purie’s comments came in the backdrop of the election commission announcing the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which is set to further raise the political temperature in the coming months when media will be subject to larger scrutiny and attack.

    “If the opposition is in disarray the media cannot be blamed for it. We cannot present another side equally strongly if it doesn’t exist,” Purie said, adding: “We are observers in this boxing match. We are not the players. If one side is weak or doesn’t show up, we cannot jump into the ring. This is not fear. This is a matter of rules, roles, and competence. We are the medium. We are not the message,”

    Delivering another “thank you” note after the keynote speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Purie said, “Recently, I had the good fortune of walking from the old parliament to the new parliament. They are just 30 steps apart. But it’s like walking between two Indias. The one I was born in and the one I will pass on to the next generation. I love them both.”

    “But they are a world apart. The new parliament is pristine, organised, efficient, full of light, and holds a lot of promise and hope for the future. The old is musty, dusty, full of our rich history, the corridors whisper of our triumphs, great debates, and remembrances, embodying the soul of our ancient nation and young democracy. Walking between the two is a surreal experience. You enter in one century, and you come out in another. It is the story of your leadership, Prime Minister, in 30 steps,” she said.

    “Both of them have their own charm, and I believe both are essential if we are going to be a great nation. I hope that you will be able to bridge the two as only you can. The great Indian spirit in an enriched, enlightened new avatar,” Purie concluded.

  • Why every episode of Shark Tank India is a must-watch…

    Why every episode of Shark Tank India is a must-watch…

    Sanjeev KotnalaShark Tank India is a programme I think every youngster with the thought of getting on the entrepreneur–startup landscape must watch. If not, it is their loss. It is different that the term reality show is not seen in a positive light by many, but a logic- and reason-driven ‘I am out’ works. Not a surprise when one hears a group member silently react to the next weekend’s programme by ‘I am out’.

     

    The Learning

    There is so much of learning in Shark Tank. It tells one what to watch out for, what the investors could be looking at, what is the right time and type of pitching, how the investors look at the founder’s history and passion to punt at the idea.

    It also explains various terminologies and demonstrates time and again why an entrepreneur must have a deep domain knowledge. It is superbly motivating and encourages the audience to try out and live their life. After Bigg Boss (Colors), Shark Tank India (Sony TV) is now one of my favourite reality shows and I am catching up on the episodes that I may have missed on YouTube.

    It is a good programme to learn from the approach of others, especially when it concerns success and failure. If one really immerses in the programme (which is recommended), it has the potential to help reflective self-meditation.

    It is an entertaining and educational experience. Many times, you get involved and like in a match pray for someone to get the investment. At some other time, you pat yourself in seeing the idea, its scalability or raising a question just like what the sharks do in the episode.

    It is a no cost training for the Indian entrepreneurs to learns about investing and pitching and be prepared in their real life to better negotiate the ground realities. If nothing else, it exposes them to the way how they should be evaluating their own business ideas and innovations. And that is a huge learning.

     

    The Sharks

    Shark Tank has brought the few famous dreamers and achievers from young India face to face with the other set of people wanting investments. People like Aman Gupta (Boat), Amit jain (Cardekho), Anupum Mittal (Shaadi.com), Ashneer Grover (ex-founder BharatPe), Azhar Iqubal, Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth), Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Radhika Gupta (MD & CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund ), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO Rooms), Ronnie Screwvala (UpGrad), Varun Dua (Acko), Vineeta Singh (Sugar Cosmetics) have featured in the episodes since 2021 in the three seasons.

     

    Deals

    The first two seasons collectively had 87 episodes with some 244 deals worth approximately Rs 95 crore of investment across all the sharks. Season 3 (expected 35 episodes)  is streaming now and is expected to be of a bigger scale with higher value of deals.

     

    Concept

    The concept of the show is simple and straightforward. It entails the entrepreneurs and the founders making business pitches to a set of five sharks (investors- mostly self-made multi-millionaires) for investing in their business. They quote their ask and in terms of money against a pre-set percentage of equity.  The pitch presentation mostly is based around the people-their role-product or service- the turnover and financials. Basis that short interaction, the Sharks go on to probe further before deciding if they were willing to invest and at what valuation and how much. The discussion goes on to: possible duplication, other competition, status, EBITA, Profitability and future plans.  The negotiation is usually around the valuation and quantum of investment as well as how many sharks are individuality and or collectively participate in the investment- if any.

     

    Some Thoughts

    There have been cases when people have been on the show more for visibility and marketing then really needing an investment, but that is the smartness of the entrepreneur and the failure of the TV channel’s production team in scrutinising the candidates.

    There have been also cases when the promised investment has not been finally made because in the due diligence process, the sharks realised that the product or the service or the sales and the financial condition or parameters were not what they were shown- shared and presented on the show. It all happens, and any bad noise must be taken with a pinch of salt.

     

    My Learnings

    Through the shows I have seen, witnessed, and realised how wonderfully innovative people are.  It gives one more confidence on the path the country is taking, personally I have been introduced to few products that I have ended consuming like the Honey Twigs or while searching for a product presented on the show (Bacca Bucci), have been exposed to others like Mocobara and ended up purchasing them.

    Every episode has a learning embedded in it. It depends upon you how much you absorb from the show. Maybe reading the book Sponge and Catalyst could help.  I have my own understanding and thoughts from the show.

    • Investors are investing on to the founder and their dreams.
    • Investors at the end is looking for an exit bat a later date and a multiplier to their investment.
    • The founder – leader must deep dive on the category and know it as well as its supplementary and complimentary products and services.
    • Burnout is a term that is losing its importance and profitability and scalability is more important.
    • There is a stage before which one should not be looking at investors.
    • The investor should be synergic t the category and bring in more than just money.
    • The entrepreneur must negotiate the best deal.
    • The sharks are sharks because they are more concerned about their investment and hence the entrepreneur must be very clear about their ground realities.
    • The entrepreneur must have a valuation and investment below which they know they will walk out in-spite of which shark is making them the offer.
    • It may sound good- but must be clear that the multi shark investment may not always be a better deal.
    • At times one must stop being emotional and evaluate the future. Sometime, the best advice may not be further investment but closing the venture.

     

    Net-net

    You have an idea or not but want to be an entrepreneur at some stage of your life- or even if you don’t ever want to be starting your business- watch the show and enjoy free entertainment and learning.

  • To elevate its digital presence

    Cheil’s Experience Commerce wins mandate for Nissin Geki Korean Noodles

    Experience Commerce (EC), the integrated digital agency within the Cheil Network, has secured social the media mandate for Nissin Geki Korean Noodles.

    With this partnership, Experience Commerce aims to elevate Nissin Geki’s digital presence by deploying targeted social media initiatives designed to enhance brand awareness, engage the target audience, and drive organic growth across platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

    Said Daisuke Okabayashi, Vice President of Marketing at Indo Nissin Foods Pvt Ltd: ”Today, Nissin Geki Korean noodles stand as the preferred choice among young K-Lovers, boasting bold hot and spicy flavours. The immense love for Korean noodles among enthusiasts is evident. Since 2021, we’ve experienced consistent growth, and we’re now poised to accelerate our trajectory even further. It’s paramount for us to align with a strategic partner who deeply comprehends our brand ethos and can craft compelling campaigns across social media platforms. Our decision to collaborate with Experience Commerce is a strategic one; we trust in their expertise and approach, and we’re confident they will not only deliver the desired results but also contribute significantly to our aggressive growth plans.”

    Expressing enthusiasm about the partnership, Meera Ghare, Vice President and Business Head at Experience Commerce, added: “Partnering with Nissin Foods presents a thrilling opportunity for us to leverage our agency’s expertise and market acumen to drive exponential growth for the Nissin Geki Korean Noodles brand. With our collective focus on capturing the imagination of today’s youth and young adults, particularly Gen Z who are K-Lovers, through dynamic and immersive social media content, we aim to revolutionise the narrative surrounding Korean-style noodles in the Indian market.”

  • For sustained growth, innovation

    HT Media announces leadership changes

    HT Media Group has announced key leadership transitions in line with its commitment to sustained growth in operational strategies and nurturing talent within the organiation.

    Ahijit Dutta, the current National Circulation Head for the Print Business, is transitioning to a new role within the organisation. Indra Narayan Das, formerly Chief Revenue Officer for North 2, will succeed Ahijit Dutta as National Circulation Head. Swati Sharda will take over from Indra Narayan Das as CRO for the North 2 and East regions. Vijay Nair takes over from Swati Sharda as Head of Events. Jaideep Dahiya, currently the Head of Ad Operations and Pricing, is promoted to CRO for the West region. Roopali Dhawan, currently leading the school edition – PACE, will now head the Ad Operations division.

    Said Rajeev Beotra, Executive Director of the Group: “These leadership changes reflect HT Media Group’s commitment to sustainable growth and market leadership through continuous innovation. We believe in nurturing internal talent and acknowledging deserving achievements, as they bring invaluable insights and understanding of our audiences and stakeholders, powering us to continually evolve with their changing needs. I am confident that with this restructuring, we will continue to steer our business towards an even brighter and more successful future.”

  • To bridge gap between brands and consumers with Real-Time, Data-Driven Personas

    Media.Monks launches AI-powered consumer insight solution

    S4Capital’s operating brand Media.Monks, a digital-first, data-led advertising and marketing services company, has launched Persona.Flow, a professional managed service that “gives brand marketers the ability to talk to their data”.

    Notes a communique: “As a consultative AI partner, Media.Monks aids brands in leading the new economy and becoming AI-first through the deployment of customized solutions. Unhindered by traditional agency compartmentalization, Media.Monks’ in-house team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and creatives boast profound expertise in AI and machine learning technologies. Consistently at the forefront of integrating and applying these technologies, Media.Monks is pioneering a revolutionary commercial model for the marketing and advertising industry that addresses brands’ most urgent commercial requirements.”

  • Has been signed as the new face of ‘Cheeky Singles’, Star Sports’ special weekly

    Star Sports collaborates with YouTuber CarryMinati for IPL 24

    As the countdown to IPL 2024 begins, Star Sports has collaborated with YouTuber and content creator, CarryMinati aka Ajey Nagar. The 24-year-old Delhi-based creator, who is popular for his expletives-laden satirical roasting videos, has been signed as the new face of ‘Cheeky Singles’, Star Sports’ special weekly show that captures the fun side of the sport.

    The show is being written by Vishal Dayama, who has worked with CarryMinati on some of his previous YouTube sketches.

    Notes a communique: “With a long-term vision to transform sports broadcasting, the collaboration will marry CarryMinati’s authentic brand of sharp humour and strong youth connection with Star Sports’ vast cricket viewership, promising an unprecedented viewing experience. The first episode airs on March 21, 9:30 pm, on the Star Sports Network.”

     

    Now will CarryMinati minus all the abusive words lose his following on Star Sports?

  • To strengthen its integrated communication activities

    XLRI Delhi-NCR partners with Mavcomm Consulting

    XLRI Delhi-NCR has announced its association with Mavcomm Consulting to strengthen its integrated communication activities

    Said Dr Fr K.S. Casimir, Director, XLRI Delhi-NCR: “We are happy to welcome Mavcomm Consulting on board as our integrated communication agency. As XLRI Delhi-NCR continues to expand its presence and influence in the education sector, effective communication and digital engagement have become imperative. We believe that Mavcomm’s expertise and innovative approach will play a pivotal role in amplifying our institutional voice, enhancing our visibility, and fostering stronger connections with our stakeholders. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that will further elevate our reputation and support our mission of nurturing future leaders as XLRI strongly believes in the greater good and shaping the management education sector and the community at large.”

    Added Anand Mahesh Talari, the Founder & Managing Director of Mavcomm Consulting Pvt Ltd, added: “We are honoured and thrilled to have been selected as the integrated agency for XLRI Delhi-NCR. XLRI Delhi-NCR is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and leadership development, and we are excited to collaborate with such a prestigious institution. At Mavcomm we are passionate about leveraging strategic communication and digital marketing to drive impactful results. We look forward to working with XLRI Delhi- NCR to enhance its brand visibility, engage with its stakeholders effectively, and support its mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.”

  • Close to 70 series and movies across languages and genres

    Prime Video upcoming slate features a diverse range of new series

    Prime Video unveiled close to 70 series and movies, with most of them premiering on the service over the next two years at its second Prime Video Presents India showcase on Tuesday. Notes a communique: “With 40 Original series and movies, and 29 of some of India’s biggest and most anticipated movies, the new slate promises to bring the best of Indian entertainment to delight and engage customers.”

    Said Sushant Sreeram, Country Director, Prime Video, India: “At Prime Video, it has been our focus to super-serve Indian customers with the best of entertainment across formats. From clutter-breaking Original series and movies, direct-to-service premieres to post-theatrical launches of some of the biggest hits across languages, our goal is to be the first choice of entertainment for every customer. Our content broke new grounds in 2023, helping India remain a front runner, across international locales, in new customer adoption and Prime member engagement. We are humbled by the love we have received from our customers, and want every story on our service to be someone’s favourite show or movie. In sync with this, we are thrilled to unveil our biggest, most diverse slate till date, and are certain that our upcoming series and movies will continue to enthrall audiences, not just in India but around the world.”

    Added Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, India and Southeast Asia, Prime Video: “At Prime Video, it has been our ongoing mission to be a global showcase for diverse, authentic and rooted Indian stories, that can transcend linguistic and geographical borders,” “In just 2023, our content was watched in over 210 countries and territories, in any given week, and trended in the top 10 on Prime Video worldwide for 43 of the last 52 weeks. It has been gratifying to witness the national and global impact of our shows and movies, and this fuels us to further champion Indian content on the global stage. As the home for storytellers and talent, we are also excited to partner with some of the most prolific names in Indian entertainment, and empower dynamic, new voices, to create stories that are fresh, powerful, inspiring and entertaining. We are confident that our upcoming slate of series and movies will pave the way for even more compelling narratives from India to emerge.”