MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • As the Silver Partner for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

    AMFI partners for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

    The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has partnered with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as a Silver Partner for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

    Said Navneet Munot, Chairman of AMFI,: “Our para-athletes exemplify the indomitable human spirit through their courage and tenacity. Their path to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games serves as a powerful testament to the idea that with determination, no obstacle is insurmountable and no dream unattainable. This partnership transcends mere collaboration; it is a tribute to every victory over adversity and every dream that soars high. AMFI takes immense pride in supporting these exceptional individuals, whose resilience and perseverance inspire us all to push our boundaries. We stand alongside them on this extraordinary journey, celebrating their unwavering commitment to representing our nation with pride and honor.”

    Added President PCI, Mr Devendra Jhajharia: “We are delighted to see a huge interest from corporates in supporting our athletes, and it truly feels we have come a long way over the years. Our athletes made history in Tokyo with overall 19 medals. We are confident the contingent will perform even better in Paris and make the nation proud. It is an honour to have partnered with AMFI in this endeavour. We welcome them on board as we get ready together to celebrate and cheer our Indian heroes on their quest to conquer Paris.”

    Said Neerav Tomar, Founder & Managing Director, IOS Sports & Entertainment: “We are elated to support our Paralympics athletes via establishing a partnership between PCI and AMFI. Our Indian para athletes have already showcased their tremendous skills on the world’s biggest stage, and have achieved numerous laurels and accolades over the years. To further their cause and to play a small role in ensuring their success means the world to us. We are thrilled to be a part of their journey and we wish them the best for the upcoming Games in Paris.”

  • Entertainment in Limbo

    Entertainment in Limbo

    Shailesh KapoorIn more than 25 years of observing the Indian media and entertainment industry closely, there has never been a period like the one we are in currently. Every mainline sector of the industry is going through a phase of stagnancy or descendancy. It is difficult to say if any of this will change anytime in a hurry.

    The television industry has been struggling to hold on to pay subscribers. The drops are not sizeable in percentage terms. But in a country where more than 30% of the population still doesn’t have access to TV, growth should be a given. Instead, we are looking at stagnant numbers. Because BARC India hasn’t conducted a baseline study in a while, this data point is open to debate. On the revenue front, the EY-FICCI report projects positive revenue growth, but that’s a little hard to believe in the current scenario.

    On the content front, big-ticket cricket is the only marquee property type that television has to show. Nothing on mainline Hindi GECs is in that league anymore.

    Over the last couple of years, the popular narrative suggested streaming is the future, and television will slowly make way for it. But the streaming numbers paint a picture of their own. In our recently published OTT report, India’s digital video audience size went up by 14%, from 481 Mn to 547 Mn. But this entire growth comes from the AVOD segment, largely on the back of new audiences who have entered the category via YouTube and social media videos.

    As new audiences enter, one would expect those already there to move to the next level. In case of OTT, this would mean from AVOD to SVOD. That hasn’t happened at all, and the total paid subscriptions seem to have frozen in time. Audiences outside the Top 15 cities are not keen to pay for OTT subscriptions, and the Top 15 cities have reached their saturation point post the pandemic.

    The evident slowdown in content production makes the picture look gloomier. The number of originals on OTT this year may be a good 30-40% less than 2023. Next year could be even lower. Creators (producers, writers, directors) who were navigating multiple projects last year are now in sustenance mode.

    The theatrical category is doing decent numbers, but matching last year’s box-office will be a tough ask. In any case, a handful of big films are driving the box-office, and the long tail has weakened considerably, leading to a lot of scepticism, and a general drop in the number of Hindi releases. We are currently in one such period, where there are no major releases for several weeks after Stree 2’s release on Independence Day.

    The silver lining comes via positive signs on the larger consumer sentiment and demand in the country. Evidently, media advertising will ride on this sentiment. But that could be the only tangible positive for the Indian media industry currently.

    Hopefully, there are positive developments round the corner, which will pleasantly surprise us. For now, the next few months may be those of wait and watch.

  • To develop and execute social media strategy for Udaan

    SW Network bags mandate of Udaan

    SW Network advertising agency has been chosen to lead the creative mandate for Udaan, the eB2B platform working to solve the core trade problems faced by small and medium businesses by leveraging technology and bringing the benefits of eCommerce to them.

    Said Pranav Agarwal, Co-founder, SW Network, said, “Digital engagement is critical in today’s business landscape, and our partnership with udaan is a testament to that. We are committed to crafting social media campaigns that not only enhance udaan’s brand visibility but also resonate deeply with its large community of users. Through our innovative storytelling and compelling visual content, we are aiming to not just drive engagement but also foster a lasting connection with every stakeholder in udaan’s ecosystem. Our goal will be to solidify udaan’s position as the top eB2B platform in India.”

  • Debuts Aaj Tak HD and The Lallantop for Consumers

    Samsung TV Plus expands its channel offerings

    Samsung TV Plus, the brand’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service in India, has announced the launch of Aaj Tak HD and The Lallantop on its portfolio.

    Said Kunal Mehta, Head of Partnerships, Samsung TV Plus India: “Our endeavour is to bring unparalleled access and exceptional value to our audiences and advertisers on the Samsung TV plus platform. The addition of Aaj Tak HD and The Lallantop channels will provide increased access to the latest news from the world of business, politics, entertainment and more. This partnership with TV Today Network is a testament to that commitment,”

    Added Salil Kumar, CEO – Digital Business, TVTN: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our two new FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India. This partnership represents a significant milestone for us, as it allows us to bring our diverse and engaging content to a broader audience through one of the most popular and innovative smart TV platforms. With numerous options available for connected TV viewers, this collaboration enables us to broaden our audience and engage with those embracing new technologies, ensuring our content remains accessible across diverse viewing ecosystems.”

  • As official ticketing partner for key IPs

    Nodwin Gaming partners with Insider.in

    Nodwin Gaming has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with Insider.in, the ticketing and events platforms.

    Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, Nodwin Gaming said: “We are delighted to team up with Insider.in as our official ticketing partner across 3 of our iconic IPs. Our past collaborations have always been exceptional and this partnership is a natural progression in our shared vision for excellence. NODWIN Gaming is committed to becoming the premier destination for youth entertainment with our exclusive IPs, and this partnership is a significant step toward that goal. Insider.in’s expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance audience experiences for Comic Con India, NH7 Weekender and DreamHack India. Together, we look forward to creating iconic memories  and delightful experiences for everyone.”

    Speaking about this strategic collaboration, Varun Khare from Insider.in added: “We are thrilled to announce this multi-year ticketing partnership with Nodwin Gaming for their iconic IPs like NH7 Weekender, Dreamhack and the globally renowned Comic Con editions. Our longstanding partnership has been a testament to our shared commitment to excellence in live entertainment that focuses on providing unmatched entertainment to fans across the country. With tremendous fan support for all of these IPs, we are excited to elevate consumer experiences and set new benchmarks in the industry.”

  • Amid Channel and Platform Expansion

    India TV restructures sales team

    India TV has restructured its sales team to align with its expanding presence across television, Connected TV, and streaming platforms.

    Under the leadership of Sudipto Chowdhuri, Chief Revenue Officer, India TV’s sales team has been restructured into three pivotal divisions. As National Head, Mini Harrison will head India TV Television, bringing with her 29 years of experience from News24 and Zee Media Corp Ltd. Her regional team includes Manan Sheel Bhasin (North), with 20 years in television monetisation; Supreeth S Gondkar (South); Shyamotpal Chanda (East); and Arghya Roy Chowdhury (West), an ad sales expert with two decades of media industry experience, previously at Zee Media.

    Avdhesh Kumar, The National Head, will lead Connected TV and streaming platforms, drawing on over 15 years of expertise with roles at Inshorts, Star Jalsha, Channel V and The Walt Disney Company. Under Avdhesh Kumar’s leadership, the regional heads are Pratibha Mishra (North and East), with 14 years in revenue growth and strategic partnerships, and Shriram Devati (South and West), known for his success in go-to-market strategies from Sun Tamil Cluster Channels and Zee Talkies.

    Sourav Dev, the National Head overseeing Speed News, brings substantial sales and marketing experience from Times Network and TV Today Network. His team includes Subhadip Bandopadhyay (North and East), with 15 years in market development, and Sreyashi Banerjee (South and West), with 22 years of experience, recognised for significant revenue contributions and tentpole sales.

    Notes a communique: ‘The aim of this restructuring is to enhance India TV’s presence across channels and platforms, enabling the company to respond swiftly to market dynamics and deliver increased value to advertisers. With a leadership team boasting extensive industry experience and regional expertise, India TV is well-positioned to drive its sales strategy into this new phase of growth.”

  • To support aspiring creators

    Instagram launches Creator Lab in India

    Instagram has launched a Creator Lab in India. This initiative aims to provide support to young people across India who are interested in content creation.

    As many as 14 content creators feature in the content on Creator Lab, who represent diverse geographies, genres and growth journeys. Some of them are Aabir Vyas, Govind Kaushal, Meethika Dwivedi, Raghav Sachhar, and The Vixens Crew. The creators will share takeaways around three themes that are essential to achieving sustained success:

    The content is available in English and Hindi, depending on the comfort of the creators who’re part of the videos. Going forward, more content will be added to the Lab, and the content will also be captioned in 6 Indian languages – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Hindi. Here’s the link to the Lab.

    Said Paras Sharma, Director, Global Partnerships, Meta, India: “We are dedicated to empowering creators to express themselves freely and succeed in their own unique way. We recognize that success means different things to different people, and we are constantly seeking ways to add value through product features, programs, collaborations, and economic opportunities. To support aspiring creators, we are now launching Creator Lab, a resource that provides content by creators, for creators. Our goal is to help creators across the country take advantage of this opportunity and achieve their goals.”

  • Helps people reuse their cooking oil

    D-tech partners with Almond Branding to launch ‘Purifry’

    D-tech has partnered with Almond Branding to launch ‘Purifry’, a new product that promises to help people reuse their cooking oil (used for frying) without the fear of contamination.

    Said Dr Deepa Bhajekar who has developed this product:: “’Purifry Power packs’ is a unique and new concept for the Indian market. Identifying a brand name, message and packaging design that immediately conveys what the product does goes a long way in easy education and understanding by the Indian consumer. This was also the first time we were entering the D2C space hence the criticality of getting the branding right! Almond Branding proved to be the best partners to get our product out on the shelves. Since the launch, Purifry has been able to get more than 10,000+ customers on its own website, Amazon and Flipkart in just four months.”

    Added Shashwat Das, Founder, Almond Branding: “At Almond Branding, our mission is to bring innovative products like PURIFRY to life through strategic and impactful startup branding. By clearly communicating the product’s benefits and ensuring an engaging visual identity, we are confident that PURIFRY will make a significant difference in the way households manage cooking oil reuse.”

  • To deliver unified view of Marketing Campaigns and Drive Faster Execution

    Adobe announces Workfront Planning

    Adobe has announces Workfront Planning to deliver a unified view of marketing campaigns and attempting to drive faster execution.

    Said Amit Ahuja, Senior Vice President, Digital Experience Business at Adobe: “The daily work of the modern marketer has become increasingly complex, as different teams charge forward on individual campaigns without much visibility into the efforts of their colleagues. The net result is fragmented marketing operations where too much time is spent trying to align programs and stakeholders, a problem Workfront Planning solves by providing a centralized solution to plan campaigns, deliver marketing briefs and orchestrate work across teams.”

  • Conceptualised by Lowe Lintas

    Tanishq unveils new campaign to celebrate equality in marriage

    Rivaah by Tanishq has launched a campaign that celebrates the modern bride who charts her own narrative.

    Conceptualised by Lowe Lintas, the campaign highlights the bride’s progressive mindset and beliefs, and how they hold true for her wedding as well. Notes a communique: “Marking a new milestone, Tanishq is launching its first-ever 3-minute-long multilingual film on Television, representing India’s diversity and adding to the brand’s legacy of compelling and expansive storytelling. This multi-starrer film features actors from various regions, further emphasising Tanishq’s deep connection and resonance with diverse audiences from across states in India.”

  • TVC campaign conceptualised by Lightbox agency

    Godrej launches Cinthol Foam Bodywash with TVC

    Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) has introduced foam-based bodywash format under its Cinthol brand. Named as Cinthol Foam Bodywash, the launch is supported by a TVC campaign conceptualised by Lightbox, the in-house creative studio of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

    Speaking about the launch, Neeraj Senguttuvan, Head – Marketing (Personal Care), Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said: “The Indian bodywash market is growing as consumers seek to enhance their daily routines with a more sensory and luxurious shower experience. Our latest innovation, Cinthol Foam Bodywash, was developed to meet this demand, making luxurious bathing an everyday indulgence. This innovative formula dispenses instant foam, creating a rich lather that effectively cleanses and leaves the skin feeling exceptionally clean and pampered.

    Added Gaurav Kumar, Lead Creative Strategist – Lightbox, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL: “The TVC showcases a fun video of a girl and monkeys enjoying the foam body wash together, highlighting how easily it rinses off. It emphasizes the ‘soap in a bottle’ format, which makes it convenient to use anywhere without the need for a loofah. This campaign reflects our commitment to engaging storytelling that connects with our audience in a fun and relatable way.”

  • Unlike earlier, news television has not blanked out Rahul Gandhi's latest Bharat Jodo Yatra, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: ‘Pappu’ no more!

    Ranjona Banerji PhotographAs the USA is enthralled by its electoral processes, there is some conversation over how the normally rightwing media – like Fox News – appears to be tiring of former president and repeat Republican candidate Donald Trump. Apparently, Fox has a few times cut Trump off and switched to the Kamala Harris campaign. The implication is that Harris’s presidential bid has so enthused the Democrats and the nation, that no media house, no matter how committed to one ideology (Trumpism), can ignore the wider world.

    However, knowing how the rightwing media operates, the more normal sections of society should not hope for any substantial return to balance. When push comes to shove, the right will switch back to its core competency. In most cases, this means pushing some form of bigotry and hatred over common sense.

    Of course, when it comes to western democracies, the media totally aligns when it comes to approval of genocide committed by Israel on Palestinians. You don’t even need any investigation. The approval of deaths of Palestinians and the inability to even name Israel as the killer stares the observer in the face.

    You can see in the three examples that I have provided below, even when there is disapproval of Israel, headlines are carefully calibrated to avoid any blame. Let us put this in context. In other instances, the media loves to sensationalise even trivial bits of pointless news and aim for “clickbait” headlines to draw you in. “Cure for cancer found!”: the article if you read it will tell you that no cure has been found but someone is working on something.

    “Asteroid about to hit Earth!”: no asteroid is going to hit Earth is what the story will say. And so on.

    But somehow outrage or even simple human compassion for the deaths of Palestinians is hard to find, whether you look right or left.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/29/eus-top-diplomat-seeks-sanctions-against-israeli-ministers

    https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-eu-sanctions-relations-trade-7bdc4df36661081a2e408f3c7ff24863

    https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/media-groups-call-on-european-union-to-suspend-treaty-impose-sanctions-on-israel/article68567762.ece

    Palestinians are undeserving, it appears, across the board.

    There are several obvious conclusions to be drawn from this. Do I have to spell them out?

    No, I didn’t think so.

    Meanwhile, back in India, it appears that some sections of the Indian media are doing some similar sidesteps with Rahul Gandhi. Unlike earlier, TV has not blanked out his latest Bharat Jodo Yatra. Videos of Gandhi giving martial arts demos are viral on social media and being discussed on TV. His name also appears to have changed from Pappu. I saw Aaj Tak had some sort of clip on “Rahul Bhaiyya” and “Modi Kaka”. So now, Rahul Gandhi is a relative. A sort of national brother while Narendra Modi has been relegated to an “uncle”. In internet terms, “aunty” and “uncle” are not compliments. Just saying.

    However, when it comes to women’s issues, rape, safety of women in the workplace and everything else we get periodically worried about after a national incident, the legacy media is very clear. The ghastly rape in Bengal is more important than ghastly rapes elsewhere. Since the rape and murder of the junior doctor at RG Kar hospital in Kolkata on August 9, there are have been innumerable news stories about more awful rapes and murders of women and girls across India. But the legacy media will only pick them up and provide indepth coverage if they happen in non-BJP ruled states. Uttar Pradesh? No. Madhya Pradesh? No? Uttarakhand? No. Bengal? Well, obviously.

    We like to be consistent it seems. And generally vile.

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