MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Fever 104 FM and Reliance Commercial Finance has launched Fever iDream, which will give budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to earn Rs 25 lakh

    Fever 104 FM & Reliance Commercial Finance launch iDream

    By A Correspondent

     

    Fever 104 FM and Reliance Commercial Finance has launched Fever iDream, which will give budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to earn Rs 25 lakh. Fever 104 FM, which is said to reach over 15 million listeners across key metros, aims to provide a platform that will enable people to realise their business aspirations.

     

    Launched on September 3, 2012, Fever iDream is a campaign that gives listeners a chance to present a great business idea. The best idea will earn Rs 25 lakh as seed capital to pursue their own venture. Reliance Commercial Finance will sponsor the funding and will give an opportunity to listeners to make their dreams of starting their own SME business come true.

     

    All the listeners have to do is log onto www.fever.fm/idream, fill in basic details and submit their business idea. The jury members will evaluate the submitted ideas and shortlist the ten best ideas from each of the four cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. From these 40 contestants, four finalists will further get shortlisted and awarded Rs 2 lakh each. The final round will be broadcast on TV (Bloomberg TV India) where the best deserving candidate will earn Rs 25 lakh.

     

    The jury includes Vivek Khanna, Business Head – Mint, K V Srinivasan – CEO, Reliance commercial finance and Harshad Jain – Business Head, Fever 104 FM. They bring with them years of operational and strategic experience and will be involved in identifying the brightest business idea.

     

    Mr Jain said, “Fever iDream is the first such radio innovation where common people can fulfil their business aspirations and become their own boss. The concept is aimed towards helping budding entrepreneurs who have the capability but lack funds. Reliance Commercial Finance and Fever iDream can change lives and I am sure it will be a huge success”.

     

    Mr Srinivasan said, “There is an entrepreneur in all of us. However there are only a few who dare to dream big, who want to start their own venture, and who have the ability to make it. Radio is a mobile medium and offers cost-effective reach. Moreover we have UTV Bloomberg as the broadcast partner. Together, we want to reach out to a large number of entrepreneurial people and enable the most deserving to live his/her ambition.”

     

  • Allied Media has appointed Shilpa Dhanu as Head – M3 Project & Strategy Team. In her new role, Ms Dhanu will be responsible for the Centralised Data Analytics Cell and will be based in Mumbai

    Allied Media ropes in Shilpa Dhanu

    Shilpa Dhanu

    By A Correspondent

     

    Allied Media has appointed Shilpa Dhanu as Head – M3 Project & Strategy Team. In her new role, Ms Dhanu will be responsible for the Centralised Data Analytics Cell and will be based in Mumbai. She will be reporting to Shripad Kulkarni, CEO, Allied Media and with a core team of senior and junior analysts will take care of research & analytical needs for clients across India. Shilpa will have a mandate of assisting and steering the strategy team of the company to newer heights. She also will be responsible in creating newer avenues and strategising various offerings of the company for the clients.

     

    Allied Media last year had launched “Centralised Data Analytical Cell” that specialises in leveraging various strategic initiatives across all media companies of the Percept Group for the clients. It will be conducting research and collating data on key sectors and industries on a round-the-clock basis. This data will help in giving a tailor-made report to the client and will help in effectively measuring all their communication campaigns including ATL, BTL, social media, word of mouth and other vehicles optimally.

     

    Shilpa Dhanu has more than a decade’s experience and has worked as Senior Manager-Consumer Insights – Star Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. She has also had a successful stint in UTV, Carat Media Services Ogilvy & Mather, MTV India, Zenith Optimedia, Initiative Media, and CSRIdentity.com where she has been instrumental in handling Research & Strategy for them.

     

  • Havas Media has announced the launch of mobile marketing brand Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia with Michael de Souza being appointed General Manager of the newly launched agency

    Havas Media launches Mobext in S’pore, M’sia

    By A Correspondent

     

    Havas Media has announced the launch of mobile marketing brand Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia with Michael de Souza being appointed General Manager of the newly launched agency.

     

    Mobext Singapore and Malaysia will leverage the strengths of sister agency MPG and Havas Digital siblings Media Contacts and Ecselis and their strong portfolio of clients like Resorts World Sentosa, DBS Bank, NTUC Fairprice, Abbott, to expand its business in the market.

     

    Currently present in 19 markets globally, Mobext offers an end-to-end mobile marketing agency service to clients. The agency’s offering in Singapore will include messaging services like sms and download; mobile internet services like WAP consulting and development, mobile display, mobile search; proximity based services including LBS and mapping. It will also offer integration through reporting and analytics by Havas Digital’s campaign management platform.

     

    Mr de Souza is a digital strategist with broad agency, ad network, media planning and content development experience. He joins the agency from global advertising network Buzzcity Pte Ltd, where he served as a VP for Media. During his 12-year career, he has managed cross-channel campaigns and developed content for brands including Coca-Cola, Nestle, EAGames, Disney, Nike and MTN.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Vishnu Mohan, CEO of Havas Media Asia Pacific said, “Singapore and Malaysia are strategically important markets for Havas Media and very advanced when it comes to mobile penetration and usage. We think that the time is just right for the launch of Mobext in the two markets. Our vision is to be the only pure-play mobile marketing agency network with truly regional scale across the entire Asia-Pacific, with strong mobile leaders in every major Asian market. This will allow us to work with the largest advertisers across the region for region-wide mobile marketing agency campaigns.”

     

    The launch of Mobext in Singapore follows the launch of the agency brand in Asia Pacific starting from India in the second quarter of 2011. This year in February, the media group acquired a majority stake in Snapworx Mobile Inc in the Philippines, following which the agency was rebranded as Mobext.

     

  • The lifestyle channel NDTV Good Times is completing five years soon. Taking the celebrations to the audiences, the channel has announced the launch of new shows in the coming months

    NDTV Good Times completes five years

    By A Correspondent

     

    The lifestyle channel NDTV Good Times is completing five years soon. Taking the celebrations to the audiences, the channel has announced the launch of new shows in the coming months. While the Second Season of the popular food show Vicky Goes Veg and the new season of Aditya Bal’s Chakh Le series are scheduled for September; October will see The Kingfisher Calendar Hunt in its fourth season.

     

    The channel will also enter the all-new segment of home d̩cor with the introduction of two completely novel shows РWhole New World, and Living Right Royally under the Royal Reservation brand umbrella.

     

    Smeeta Chakrabarti, CEO, NDTV Lifestyle, said, “As a team, we have endeavoured to offer novel and trend setting content to our viewers. This year will see more innovative programming, with our foray in to clutter breaking home segment programming, and as custodians of Indian Lifestyle, our soon to be announced Lifestyle Awards in November.”

     

    Shibani Sharma Khanna, Channel Director, NDTV Good Times, said, “We are elated to turn five. NDTV Good Times has always strived to offer the best programming and we have managed to raise the bar higher with each offering. We promise to offer more vigour, zest and diversity with new formats and genres in the coming year and would like to thank our viewers for their constant love and support.”

     

    Projit Chakrabarti, Head, Marketing Services, said, “On the back of our genre defining programming and clutter breaking content initiatives, we’ve literally created a new season – summer, spring, autumn, winter and Good Times. And one needs only tune-in, log-on or walk-in to live the good times.” NDTV Good Times continues to enjoy its niche position as lifestyle channel in the country, with Highway On My Plate, Kingfisher Calendar Hunt, I’m Too Sexy, Heavy Petting, Band Baajaa Bride, Chakh Le India and No Big Deal as its most popular and loved shows.

     

    Beamed directly across international markets such as US, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Maldives, the channel is present across all major analogue cable markets, and all six DTH platforms in India.

     

  • The first edition of PRAXIS, the first weekend summit in India by and for Indian PR and Corp Comm professionals, is to be held at Pondicherry on November 23 and 24

    PRomise Foundation for PR announces PRAXIS 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    The PRomise Foundation for Public Relations, has announced PRAXIS 2012 – India’s first weekend summit for Public Relations and Corporate Communications professionals to be held at Le Pondy in Pondicherry on November 23 and 24. The summit will bring together students, professionals: young & mid-level and veterans of the Public Relations business under one roof to discuss various aspects that impact the profession.

     

    The summit will be inaugurated by Prof. Dr. J. V. Vil’anilam, author of Public Relations in India and former Vice Chancellor – Kerala University who will make opening remarks. The inaugural keynote address will be by eminent PR practitioner and New Jersey based author of several bestsellers on Public Relations -Deirdre Breakenridge who is making her debut India visit exclusively for the summit.

     

    There will be three power panels with PR firm leaders and senior corporate communicators discussing Creativity, Measurement and Talent in Public Relations besides a special session on the art of Storytelling by two bestselling authors Anita Nair and Ashwin Sanghi. Another summit highlight will be Rapid Fire, a series of short presentations by nine professionals from different walks of life sharing their experiences and contributions to the business of Public Relations in India.

     

    The inaugural gala will include a live concert and the second day will have a special keynote address by an eminent personality. Both these elements are being finalized and will be announced in due course. The event sponsors will be some of the leading public relations firms, a media measurement company and an academic institute among others. The Holmes Report will be a media partner. Participants may register by accessing the microsite at bit.ly/PRAXIS2012

     

    The Foundation has a Board of Advisors consisting of senior professionals from academics, media, corporate communications, marketing and business. A Board of Mentors comprises country heads of the leading Public Relations firms. The younger professionals consist of Supporters and Friends who contribute time and ideas to the smooth running of the various initiatives.

     

    Shane Jacob and Amith Prabhu, both of whom work full-time with leading Public Relations firms, are summit co-chairs and are putting together PRAXIS 2012 in their spare time with the help of like-minded professionals from 15 other organisations who are all trying to create a platform for the profession on a voluntary basis.

     

    The PRomise foundation is a one of a kind non-profit that has been created by young Public Relations and Corporate Communications professionals with one goal: To do PR for Public Relations. It is guided by a Board of Advisors and a Board of Mentors. Its initiatives are managed by volunteers who contribute time and ideas as Trustees, Supporters and Friends. More information at www.promisefoundation.com

    CONTACT – Email: promisefoundationforpr@gmail.com; Twitter: @PRomiseFdn; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/iprcc/

     

  • Cheil has taken on new team heads for Activations, Interactive and Retail

    Cheil Worldwide SW Asia adds to leadership strength

    Vikas Khanna
    Rajesh Bhatia
    Manish Shukla

    Cheil Worldwide SW Asia has announced the appointments of Vikas Khanna as Head - Activations, Rajesh Bhatia as Head – Interactive and Manish Shukla as Head of Retail.

     

    Mr Bhatia joins from Euro RSCG 4D where he was President; Mr Khanna from G2Rams- a WPP group company aligned with Grey Worldwide where he was VP & Branch Head, and Mr Shukla from Retailscape.

     

    Confirming the appointments, Alok Agrawal, COO, Cheil WW, SW Asia said, “The story of our growth trajectory is already known. Nima’s joining has tripled our creative strength. Now with Vikas, Rajesh and Manish on board, our leadership team has become even stronger. This enables us to further capitalise on the demands of the marketplace and take brand Cheil to even greater heights.”

     

    A digital evangelist with over 17 years of work experience, Rajesh Bhatia has been driving innovative digital and integrated marketing strategies for some of the leading global brands including Nokia, IBM, Max Life Insurance, Airtel, Reckitt Bencksier (Dettol, Harpic, Vanish, Veet, Mortein) and Unilever, among others.

     

    Having taken to digital and data led consumer marketing almost a decade ago, Mr Bhatia has been a part of the evolution of new age communication in India and has been helping brands transition from traditional marketing communication to effective marketing in the digital world. Leveraging his rich experience and core competency of ‘creating ideas and concepts’, he has been the chief architect and creator of one of India’s largest virtual communities – igenius (www.igenious.org) for Max Life Insurance.

     

    An experienced professional in events, BTL and activation, Vikas Khanna comes with over 13 years of work experience. His extensive understanding of the business has earned him a longstanding portfolio of client relationships.

     

    Over the years he has managed brands including BlackBerry (RIM), Cisco, Audi, BMW, M3M, Genpact, Hyundai, GE, Canara HSBC, ITDC, HTC, among others.

     

    Manish Shukla brings with him a wide range of business expertise, experience and relationships in the area of Retail Marketing & Management. Over the years he has consulted to a wide range of clients such as HUL-Wall’s Ice cream – Danone International, Evian, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Bacardi – Martini, Bharat Shell, Braun, Parker, Airtel, Shaw Wallace, Samsung, LG – CDMA Phones and Barista Coffee Bars. He moves from Retailscape which he set up in 1996.

     

  • Mother Dairy milk has changed its milk pack with a new exciting look. The new look of village graphics highlights how milk from the farm reaches the consumer's home

    Mother Dairy milk revamps packaging

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mother Dairy milk has changed its milk pack with a new exciting look. The new look of village graphics highlights how milk from the farm reaches the consumer’s home.

     

    The official spokesperson for Mother Dairy said, “Mother Dairy is a brand synonymous with quality, trust, and purity. We wanted to communicate the same approach in our packaging as well. Our new brand packaging is both impactful and informative in communicating our brand value to end users. Setting a new standard in the dairy industry with this packaging change, we are confident that these products will be enthusiastically received by our consumers. Consumer research shows that villages are synonymous to purity. We have taken this insight and brought it alive in our packaging.”

     

    Mother Dairy milk is available in six variants which are differentiated on the basis of color. In order to avoid any confusion among consumers, the new packs will be available in the same color for all the variants but with new design. This packaging change is prevalent across all regions where the Mother Dairy milk is available viz. Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.

     

    The new pack has been designed by South Asia’s leading brand consulting and design company named Ray and Keshavan, The Brand Union. Speaking on behalf of Ray and Keshavan, Meeta Malhotra, Director, says ‘Mother Dairy is an amazing brand that is loved and trusted by consumers across all demographics. The new milk pack interprets the core promise of purity and trust in an entirely contemporary way. It is always a privilege to work with Mother Dairy because the brand has an Indian heart and soul while meeting the highest global standards of quality.’

     

  • WPP has combined its various teams working with Y&R, Wunderman, VML, MEC and GHG to come under the umbrella of Red Fuse Communications

    WPP integrates teams for Colgate-Palmolive under ‘Red Fuse Communications’

    By A Correspondent

     

    This isn’t a first for advertising and marketing services network WPP, but should help the servicing of a key client a great deal. Adland globally has been abuzz with the AdAge newsbreak that WPP has combined its various teams working with creative network Y&R, direct & marcom agency Wunderman, digital shopVML, media agency MEC and healthcare communications firm GHG to come under the umbrella of Red Fuse Communications.

     

    According to the report in Advertising Age, WPP’s Global Managing Partner Stephen Forcione will be CEO, Red Fuse. Mr Focione has been heading the Colgate account thus far and will also be Digital Lead for WPP’s Top 30 clients. Colgate-Palmolive is the 34th largest marketer in the world as per the magazine’s DataCenter. Mumbai will reportedly be among the six cities where the Red Fuse roll-out will happen this year.

     

    Although the Ad Age report quotes the Colgate CMO, the official press areas of both WPP and Colgate are silent on the development.

     

  • 'Boardroom Badshah' Shahrukh Khan is on the cover of Entrepreneur’s third anniversary special issue.

    ‘Entrepreneur’ celebrates 3 years

    By A Correspondent

     

    Monthly magazine Entrepreneur has completed three years in India with its anniversary special issue now available on the stands across the country. Entrepreneur’s 36th issue includes a mix of stories and voices, which captures the essence of the Indian enterprise – from blue-chip companies including family-owned businesses, small and medium enterprises to start-ups.

     

    On the cover story of the issue is a man who is thought of mostly as an actor and entertainer, but does a lot more when the spotlight is not on him. Shahrukh Khan has followed his instinct and his passion to build a business group that covers sports, films and more with his business philosophy. Entrepreneur’s story looks at how Khan, with his very own brand of management style, has made his top team function virtually like co-owners, taking each of the businesses he runs to success.

     

    The special issue is also loaded with a lineup of 12 of India’s biggest business leaders – the likes of Kumar Mangalam Birla, Adi Godrej, NR Narayana Murthy, Malvinder Singh, and K Anji Reddy – who have spelled out their predictions for India, its economic landscape and challenges, and what it would take for entrepreneurs to succeed to the year 2015.

     

    The issue also features a parting note from Kaushik Basu, India’s chief economic advisor for the last three years, as he recounts his successes and failures, and a look at the three Nair sisters – the third generation of the Leela Group of hotels – and how they are taking the homegrown hotel brand into the next stage of its growth.

     

    Entrepreneur Editor-in-chief Sourav Majumdar said, “Entrepreneur has always sought to be a catalyst in the exciting entrepreneurial ecosystem in India, providing credible information and trends to arm our readers with. In our 3rd Anniversary special issue, we have sought to present to our readers the best thoughts, trends and stories which encapsulate the best of the Indian entrepreneurial spirit. It is also a time when we renew our resolve to be the business owner’s magazine of choice.”

     

    Sandeep Khosla, CEO, Network18 Publishing commented “When we launched Entrepreneur in India, we were focused at providing a magazine which is fully dedicated to the needs of the Indian business owners. Witnessing the magazine’s growth in the last three years, we are convinced that Entrepreneur has remained true to its spirit, continuously facilitating entrepreneurship across industry sectors.”

     

  • Decoding Communication is a book that helps in deciphering this complex subject through its fluid and anecdotal writing

    Decoding Communication launched by TRA Publishing

    By A Correspondent

     

    Communication is a universal remedy. It helps bridge relationships, sustain knowledge and also makes chance more predictable. Communication builds a nourishing environment for organisations, brands and individuals to grow. In today’s environment of information overload, it is imperative that anyone interested in understanding, influencing and managing communication, has full knowledge of the subject and Decoding Communication is a book that helps in deciphering this complex subject through its fluid and anecdotal writing.

     

    Sam Balsara, Chairman and Managing Director of the Madison Group, says about the book, “Decoding Communications is an excellent read for both students and practitioners of communication. It helps provide a conceptual framework to better understand what we do intuitively and why it works and sometimes doesn’t. Chandramouli needs to be complimented on coming up with this alongside running two successful companies. The purpose of all business is to create ‘Trust’ and if it succeeds in doing that, business succeeds.”

     

    Author N Chandramouli is the CEO of the Comniscient Group which has interests in several communication businesses. He has been a communication consultant to several global companies that include brands like DHL, Henkel, Botox, D&B and J&J. He lectures in several communication colleges and is also the author of The Brand Trust Report, India Study (2011 and 2012), and Decoding Communication. More information is available at www.nchandramouli.com.

     

  • Sonia Kapoor takes charge at CNBC-TV18, Sterling Ferreira will lead CNBC Awaaz.

    Honcho changes at CNBC-TV18, Awaaz

    By A Correspondent

     

    CNBC-TV18 & CNBC Awaaz announced changes to their revenue leadership team. Sonia Kapoor, who was earlier managing West & South regions as SVP & Regional Head for CNBC-TV18 & CNBC Awaaz, has now been elevated to National Revenue Head for CNBC-TV18. Sterling Ferreira has been appointed National Revenue Head for CNBC Awaaz. Ferreira was earlier in charge of national sales at CNN-IBN. The move is a part of the leadership re-alignment now underway at Network18 News Media, the client facing ad sales unit which manages the advertising interests of the news and factual entertainment channels at Network18 Group.

     

    Speaking on this development, Anil Uniyal, CEO, CNBC-TV18 & CNBC Awaaz said, “Both Sonia and Sterling have been remarkable contributors to the brands they have been entrusted with over the years. Sonia’s been instrumental in establishing CNBC-TV18 as a benchmark in the monetization of news brands and her perspective in charting the next phase of its growth will be critical. Sterling comes in with stellar experience across a variety of news brands, which will be crucial as we go on to unlock the tremendous potential of CNBC Awaaz.”

     

    On her elevation, Ms Kapoor said, “It’s been a momentous journey so far and my experience with CNBC-TV18 has been intense, enriching and very satisfying. I look forward to bringing it to bear as we thrust forward and further strengthen the brand. I look forward to working closely with all channels teams in adding a new dimension to this growth path.”

     

    Ms Kapoor has over a decade of experience in ad sales including stints at the Indian Express Group, TV Today Network. She joined the Network18 Group in 2002. Mr Ferreira has over two decades experience spanning a variety of media including the Indian Express Group, Business Standard, ABP, Tata, Red FM. He joined the Network18 Group in 2005.

     

    Mr Ferreira commented, “CNBC Awaaz is at a very interesting juncture in its success story. With its refreshing approach to content, CNBC Awaaz is well aligned to deliver audiences and value to clients as growth, consumption and thus spends move beyond the metro markets. I hope to work with the CNBC Awaaz editorial and marketing teams in ensuring that we build further on the unique position the brand has achieved already.”

     

    Commenting on the larger re-alignment at Network18 News Media, Sanjay Dua, CEO, Network18 News Media said, “We have a diverse portfolio of brands, each with a sharply defined market proposition and strong track record with clients. Our goal now is to build further on this leadership, both in terms of innovations as well as stronger network deliveries and this re-alignment is a step in that direction. Both Sonia and Sterling are great leaders and we’re confident they’ll help us chart the next phase of growth for CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz.”

     

  • Digital marketing agency Digitas has announced the launch of its integrated e-commerce offering in India, an end-to-end e-commerce solution for brands seeking to launch and maintain a professional and effective retail presence on the internet.

    Digitas India launches integrated e-commerce

    By A Correspondent

     

    Digital marketing agency Digitas has announced the launch of its integrated e-commerce offering in India, an end-to-end e-commerce solution for brands seeking to launch and maintain a professional and effective retail presence on the internet.

     

    This e-commerce solution has a vast selection of technology capabilities; it can be used to build every store conceivable, from a small boutique to an entire online mall. Digitas’ offering not only builds the online store but helps the store owner achieve their desired ROI, ensuring traffic and motivation to buy by romancing the customer throughout the consumer’s online journey.

     

    Kanika Mathur, President, Digitas India said, “We romance the customer using insights, visual presentation and technology to give them a unique experience leading to enhanced ROI and business results.”