MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Ignitee will help Fujifilm's youthful and contemporary brand imagery in sync with its technically-superior product range

    Fujifilm awards digital mandate to Ignitee

    By A Correspondent

     

    Fujifilm India has appointed digital marketing agency Ignitee Digital to manage its social media campaigns and digital communication. Fujifilm India, which has been already very active on Facebook has decided to aggressively explore and leverage the social media platform and Ignitee will help them establish the youthful and contemporary brand imagery it seeks.

     

    Fujifilm hopes to connect with the tech-savvy Indian youth and aims to provide consumers with more opportunities to interact and engage with the brand. Towards this end, Ignitee will manage not only consumer engagement across all social networking sites but also the digital media planning and buying for the brand across digital platforms.

     

    Ranjoy Dey, COO, Ignitee Digital Services commented, “We are thrilled about partnering with Fujifilm. The digital camera segment is extremely cluttered, and every brand is vying for consumers’ attention on digital and social media. We are looking forward to the unique challenge to create a distinct and cutting-edge platform on digital media for the brand. We strongly believe that our approach and ideas for Fujifilm will bring forward the unique value proposition of the brand and its products – attracting the right set of consumers for an engaging interaction.”

     

    Ignitee Digital’s integrated service offering that varies from social media optimization to online reputation management to developing creative campaigns will bring dynamism and an increased level of consumer engagement in Fujifilm’s initiatives. “We are establishing Fujifilm as a brand that’s constantly focused on delivering more value for the consumer. While we are delivering that through our innovative and technically-superior product range, we want to further establish our value proposition by giving the consumers more opportunities to interact and engage with the brand & the product range on the digital & social media platforms. In our competitive market segment, through Social Media as a key medium, Fujifilm intends to highlight its young and contemporary brand imagery and bring its target audience closer to the brand. For this, we have chosen Ignitee Digital as our partner, keeping in mind their expertise and differentiated thinking on utilizing social media for leading brands. We are looking forward to an exciting association,” said Sriwant Wariz, National Marketing Manager, Fujifilm on getting Ignitee Digital Services on board.

     

  • The mobile advertising network has signed up Airtel as its first telco partner; other global partnerships are in the pipeline

    Vserv.mobi launches AudiencePro

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vserv.mobi, a global mobile advertising network, has launched AudiencePro that boasts of being first-of-its kind platform that presents a game changing opportunity for the entire mobile ecosystem, including Telecom providers, Advertisers, Publishers & App Developers. This launch makes Vserv.mobi the first Mobile Ad Network in the world to roll out an offering that combines its scale & audience, with telcos, to offer unprecedented audience targeting opportunities to advertisers.

     

    The Vserv.mobi AudiencePro platform allows advertisers targeting based on demographics, spending power, network usage, location, content relevance and device specific data, to reach the right audience. The AudiencePro platform will allow advertisers to reach mobile subscribers with highly relevant ads, displayed on multiple inventory sources across the Vserv.mobi network, including 20,000+ Apps powered by its AppWrapper technology, enabling targeted advertising at a massive scale. The platform will include support for all creative formats, including rich media formats such as Full Screen Ads, Video and HTLM5 interactive ads.

     

    As part of the launch, the company also announced that it has signed up Airtel as its first telco partner for this revolutionary platform. Dippak Khurana, CEO & Co-Founder, Vserv.mobi said, “AudiencePro is the world’s first platform that brings together the power of mobile ad networks with credible user data from telcos, to enable unprecedented levels of audience targeting for advertisers. After the revolutionary AppWrapper monetization platform, this is our second game changing technology, that will unlock tremendous value across the entire mobile ecosystem. Given our understanding and presence across emerging markets, we are already working towards rolling out the AudiencePro platform with partners across the globe.”

     

    The company has also confirmed that its AppWrapper platform has become more powerful and will now enable premium AudiencePro ads in the same one-click approach. The AudiencePro platform will also benefit mobile internet users, who will get relevant ads aligned with their consumption needs. As a global company, Vserv.mobi upholds high standards of user privacy, and will offer consumers the flexibility to opt out of these targeted AudiencePro ads completely.

     

    Rohit Verma, VP, Telecom, Vserv.mobi, said, “Telcos, especially in emerging markets, have been looking for Mobile Advertising opportunities in today’s ‘app’ified world, and advertisers are always seeking richer audience profile insights, thus the AudiencePro platform provides a powerful solution to both these challenges, while delivering higher monetization to our publisher and developer partners. AudiencePro offers telcos a unique innovative approach to mobile advertising and help move forward the mobile ecosystem.”

     

  • Dentsu Communications has won the creative mandate of Jos Alukkas, one of South India's largest jewellery groups

    Dentsu Communications wins Jos Alukkas business

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dentsu Communications has won the creative mandate of Jos Alukkas, one of South India’s largest jewellery groups.

     

    Jos Alukkas’s relationship with gold began as early as 1964 and it is now one of the south’s largest jewellery groups. They take pride in being the first jewellery group for having received an award for quality.

     

    With expansion plans targeted at scaling the national market and the Asia Pac region they plan to invest over Rs 550 crore in the following year to establish itself further in the southern markets while slowly moving into the four metro cities at the same time. They already have 26 showrooms spanning Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh.

     

    Jos Alukka, Chairman of Jos Alukkas, expressed satisfaction on appointing Dentsu Communications and said, “We are happy to be associated with the Dentsu team who will partner us in our journey ahead. The team has a good understanding of the market and we believe they’ll help us connect better with our customers.”

     

    Commenting on the expansion, Arijit Ray, CEO Dentsu Communications said, “Jos Alukkas is a brand of great stature and enjoys a deep connect with people in the South. We are absolutely thrilled to have a reputed Jewellery House like Jos Alukkas as our first client in our Kochi operation. Apart from being a great brand we are delighted to work with some great people at Jos Alukkas. I am sure Saji Jayakumar and the team at Kochi will work very closely with the brand team to take this relationship to next level”

     

    Ashwin Parthiban, Regional ECD South, Dentsu Communications said “I’m really looking forward to working on a brand with such a sharply defined raison d’etre.”

     

    Jeejo PP, Corporate Marketing Manager, Jos Alukkas added, “The recent campaign with superstar Vijay and his mother Shobha Chandrashekar is the talk of the town. We’re looking forward to do more exciting work with the Dentsu team which will stand out from the clutter.”

     

    About Dentsu Communications

    Dentsu Communications is one of the three full-fledged advertising agencies that are a part of the Dentsu network in India. With its headquarters in Bangalore, it has branch offices in Gurgaon, Chennai, Mumbai & Kochi. Dentsu Communications is a part of the Dentsu India Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dentsu Inc., Tokyo. Mr. Rohit Ohri is the Executive Chairman and Mr. Soumitra Karnik is the National Creative Director of the Dentsu India Group.

     

    About the Dentsu India Group

    The Dentsu India Group, a 100% subsidiary of Dentsu Inc., Tokyo, comprises four independent, full-service advertising agencies – Dentsu Communications, Dentsu Marcom, Dentsu Creative Impact and Taproot India, a media company – Dentsu Media and a digital company – Dentsu Digital. Besides the core advertising and media business, the group also houses world-class expertise in the areas of communication design, activation and sports marketing. Fully integrated with the Dentsu Network, the Dentsu India Group is geared to usher ‘The Dentsu Way’ in India to deliver, not just incisive integrated communication solutions to clients but also, embody the world-class service quality which Dentsu is known for the world over.

     

    About Dentsu Inc., Tokyo

    Founded in 1901, Dentsu Inc. has held the position of the world’s largest single-brand agency for almost 40 years. Through its unique “Integrated Communication Design” approach, Dentsu offers multinational clients the most comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services in the industry. While continuing to pursue innovation in the digital arena, Dentsu is active in the production and marketing of sports, movies, anime and other entertainment content on a global scale. The Dentsu Group has more than 6,000 clients and close to 20,000 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.dentsu.com

     

     

  • Realm Media's "Coot-Coot" activates McAfee's Mobile Security App in partnership with Airtel

    Realm activation popularizes McAfee mobile security application

    By A Correspondent

     

    Since consumers are already exposed to various anti-virus options for their smartphones McAfee joined hands with Airtel to promote their mobile security application, with the challenge being to create an acceptance for McAfee Mobile Security.

     

    For this, Realm Media, an integrated media agency of the Indraksh Group, strategized, designed and executed a three-day out-of-home activation programme at the Airtel Campus in Gurgaon. The objective was to create a buzz for the launch of McAfee’s Mobile Security Application with basic features for all Airtel subscribers with smartphones.

     

    Savio A

    Savio A, Sr Manager, Client Servicing, Realm Media Solutions Private Limited; said, “For this campaign Realm created the ‘smart protection for your smartphone’ concept which was promoted using a BTL + Digital approach. From designing of the creatives to strategizing & executing the entire plan we worked closely with both brands to ensure that the launch not only creates an impact from a brand perspective however also generates an amplified brand recall. We launched our show stealer ‘Coot Coot’ the latest YouTube sensation and the face of the campaign who is smart, cool, friendly, fun-loving, confident, happy and free from worries because he always feels protected, whether he is on the go or in whatever he does. We encourage people to see this MMS mascot as their ‘new best friend’ in whose company they will always feel secure & protected.”

     

    Krishita Motwani

    Krishita Motwani, Marketing Manager-India, Consumer Mobile Small Business Division, McAfee, said, “Having worked with Realm in the past and knowing the passion and commitment they bring to the table, they were our preferred agency. Realm Media functions more like an extended arm of our marketing team. They understood our tonality and got their plan in action for the activation, which was a success and garnered us the expected ROI.”

     

     

    Yuvraj Agarwal

    Yuvraj Agarwal, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Indraksh Media & Realm Media Solutions Pvt Limited, said, “Today clients are constantly striving to use innovative ways of engaging with the TG. With Krishita’s support and guidance, the team at Realm worked tirelessly to create an out of the world experience that actively brought the brand message to life and allowed the TG to have a lasting impression. Coot-Coot as a concept is absolutely great and can be carried forward in an engaging manner and successfully used across media platforms.”

     

  • Niloufer Dundh tells MxMIndia about taking the entrepreneurial route with the launch of Ventes Dundh

    Solo is the way forward for Niloufer Dundh

    By Johnson Napier

     

    Having spanned diverse verticals under the ambit of Media during her almost two-decade-long professional career, former vice-president of Integrated Media at Hungama Digital, Niloufer Dundh has now taken the entrepreneurial route by announcing the launch of Ventes Dundh. To operate as a sales consultancy unit, Ventes Dundh will offer solutions in the realm of Media Sales, Branded Opportunities and Consultancy.

     

    In a note addressed to her well-wishers, Ms Dundh has cited her joining hands with three interesting opportunities that she have been following and monitoring for the past six months. These companies are in the space of:

     

    • Rural Mobility space, an ability to reach out to farmers. “I have always maintained that the real power of mobile will be when it can reach where SBI can’t possibly open a branch nor can Levers distribute its product. Finding a mobile grass root solution is always a challenge and I believe the company I have tied up with has the ammunition to provide meaningful opportunities to brands,” said Ms Dundh.
    • A kid’s digital eco-system, a confidential project which will be launched in Mar 2013. “I have always believed in Indian kids (my stint at Hungama TV showed me the untapped potential in the kids’ television space), now the India kid is on the net and is open to a world for herself. This is the core thought behind this project,” added Ms Dundh.
    • Crowdsourcing, something that has already shown great traction with brands and in the years to come will become a must do for brands who wish to be taken seriously in their digital initiatives. “In my digital tenure, I have experienced the true requirement for this and the poor quality that prevents brands to use this content in the way that they had envisaged it.”

     

    Elaborating further about her projects, Ms Dundh told MxMIndia, “I have handpicked these projects looking at their need gap in a client’s media and advertising options. But the domain will be largely digital. Moreover, the opportunities are immense in the journey going forward as the projects allow for good brand synergy and engagement.”

     

    When asked about her plans for raising a team and panning out operations across India, Ms Dundh asserted, “There will be no team as such and I will be operating solo for the first six months. I’m doing so as I want to work for the joy of working and feel the true pulse of being an entrepreneur.”

     

    On her decision to float a consultancy unit at a time when the market is not exactly welcoming of new ventures, she said, “In fact it is the best time to go solo as people buy from people they trust and I am confident my sales-oriented approach of the past would have left a strong impact with clients and agencies who will want to work with me in the future. Also, the need of the hour is to show brands relevancy and good engagement options; the time for me-too and one-fits-all is over.”

     

  • In a cluttered real estate market, Bengaluru's Bhartiya City had to be positioned to attract without overwhelming the customer

    Integrated media approach to launch Bhartiya City

    By A Correspondent

     

    Bhartiya City from the Delhi-based Bhartiya group is a 125-acre integrated real estate development. Positioned as the ‘City of Joy’ in Bengaluru, it is envisaged as an integrated township.

     

    The Insight: Target consumer research conducted by the Bhartiya Group showed that key milestones in life such as marriage, children and career go hand in hand with property purchase, and all of this happens between the age group of 25-34-years, with over 40 percent of the potential segment considering a property purchase falling in this age group.

     

    The Marketing Approach: The objective was to launch and market Nikoo Homes, branded residences that were the first product line to be launched. This was a B2C marketing programme. In parallel or subsequently other products such as an IT SEZ, a hotel, a hospital would be launched which would be broadly B2B marketing.

     

    Focusing the key value proposition and the phasing of the supporting elements was important – Bhartiya City had to be positioned as a city with a vast array of features, facilities and advantages without overwhelming the customer.

     

    The Challenge & Opportunity: Real estate is a highly cluttered category and a typical newspaper issue had a number of players offering similar products. There was limited differentiation between brands and products and real estate advertising typically also followed a standard format. Focus group research showed that credibility for real-estate ads was minimal with readers discounting most of the communication and relying on the evidence of their eyes at site visits, past track record of the builder and word of mouth.

     

    Integrated Approach: There was close linkage between the product design and positioning, the marketing collateral and communication strategy. The role of the campaign was to make Nikoo Homes and Bhartiya City top-of-mind and generate site visits. At the site a 40,000+ sq feet ‘Discovery Centre’ displayed life-size flats and multimedia tools to walk potential residents through the making of the city.

     

    Creative Route: The creative challenge as per Wieden+Kennedy, Delhi, was to capture the feeling of living in a city, with simple pleasures brought to life through complex design and planning. The thought was brought to fruition by W+K with a true-to-scale image created by illustrator Rod Hunt for the launch campaign as well as across integrated media such as press, OOH, sales collaterals, films, the website and installations at the Discovery Centre.

     

    An integrated media campaign orchestrated by Lintas Initiative ensured that the campaign was visible across print, outdoor, buses, radio – each with its own story, yet aligned with the master communication plan. Activation was a key and unique element to position the city – within three months the grounds had played host to Slayer, Santana and Guns ‘n’ Roses. The promotion and subsequent concert attendance ensured that Bhartiya City was on the map.

     

    During the launch and subsequent days over 1,000 people visited the site daily and conversion rates from those visits have far exceeded the industry average.

     

    Jessie Paul of Paul Writer, who advised Bhartiya on the marketing effort, said, “A key factor has been focusing on building the product and brand with the belief that sales will follow. Some of the elements – like concerts – are unique to our marketing mix and have enabled a rapid ramp-up of awareness.”

     

    According to Subhas Warrier, EVP, Initiative, Bengaluru, the consumer insights analysed on a typical property purchase scenario in bengaluru helped them to establish the role for a multi-media strategy that included TVCs, print, radio, outdoor and digital. “Outdoor played a crucial role in addressing the IT catchment area in different parts of the city. We were able to provide sound communication plan that cut-through the clutter and reached out to our potential customers in the most cost-effective manner,” he said.

     

  • 'India's Angels' starts on Jan 19 and will focus on the investor community which drives entrepreneurship in India

    CNBC-TV18 launches series on VCs, angel investors

    By A Correspondent

     

    Shereen Bhan

    CNBC-TV18 is set to launch ‘India’s Angels’, special TV series on Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors and Seed Funds. The series attempts to bring to the forefront the role of the most critical cog in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It will focus on the investor community that is responsible for investing funds that fuel and drive the entrepreneurship and start up scenario in our country. With the objective of introducing India to motivating stories, CNBC-TV18’s Executive Editor Shereen Bhan will put together this special series featuring some of India’s most prominent early stage investors.

     

    Angel Investors and Seed Funds are increasingly evolving as the key financiers for startups and early stage enterprises. They are evidently playing a crucial role in revolutionizing the start-up ecology. A shocking revelation proves that 90% of the startups fail to sustain beyond initial years, only due to shortage of funds. So what makes some start ups click? What do the VCs and Angel investors look at before funding? Do VCs get allured with fancy ideas or do they calculate the feasibilities of business matrices?

     

    CNBC-TV18’s ‘India’s Angels’ will try and find answers to some of the above mentioned questions and bring you an insight into the thinking of some renowned startup benefactors. The show is designed in a dynamic manner to comprehend and encourage the prospective entrepreneur pool in India. The special series will capture successful financers, along with the entrepreneurs they have funded.

     

    Find out more about why Google India’s Chief Rajan Anandan, has turned Angel. Why Deep Kalra, Founder of Makemytrip is now backing other entrepreneurs. How Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder of One97 Communications has managed to set up a 100 million dollar fund. Also Watch some of India’s best known VC’s like Sanjeev Agarwal of Helion Ventures, Jayant Sinha, Managing Director of Omidyar Network India Advisors, Bharti Jacob, Co-founder of Bangalore based Seedfund, Sasha Mirchandani and Prashant Choksey, Founders of Mumbai Angels on the changes in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, their investment and mentoring mantras.

     

    Commenting on the series, Executive Editor Shereen Bhan said, “Startups have gained a lot of momentum, but we are still at a nascent stage. We believe that collectively a lot of work needs to be done to aid and sustain this sunrise sector. We consider the emergence of startup investors as an extremely vital element for the much needed entrepreneurial thrust. India’s Angels is more than just inspiring and we don’t want to just narrate a tale and stop there. We intend to play a constructive role of evangelizing young risk takers, give them the confidence to embark on their entrepreneurial mission.”

     

  • Pradeep Dwivedi has moved from Tata Teleserves to join Dainik Bhaskar Group as chief corporate sales and marketing officer, and will be based in Mumbai

    Pradeep Dwivedi leaves Tata Group for Dainik Bhaskar

    By A Correspondent

     

    Pradeep Dwivedi

    Pradeep Dwivedi has joined DB Corp Ltd. (Dainik Bhaskar Group) as Chief Corporate Sales & Marketing Officer (CCSMO). He will be based out of Mumbai and will report to the Managing Director, Sudhir Agarwal.

     

    Mr Dwivedi comes with a rich 19 years of management experience in B2B and B2C domain across functions and industries. He has wide-based expertise in leading Sales & Marketing, Service Delivery, Risk Operations and Business development. He has earlier worked with Tata Teleservices Ltd., American Express Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, GE Capital and Eicher Motors Ltd. As CCSMO, he will be responsible for overall Sales Revenues and will be leading nationwide Corporate sales for the group publications, Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi), Divya Bhaskar (Gujarati) & Divya Marathi (Marathi). He will also be responsible for trade marketing and establishing brand amongst the corporate market, and will be the Bhaskar representative with press, industry and government forums.

     

    Announcing the appointment, Sudhir Agarwal said, “Pradeep is a very accomplished seniorsales and marketing professional, and with him taking charge the group would benefit from diversity of his experience to take on the emerging challenges and further strengthen the group’s leadership in media sector.”

     

    Prior to joining DB Corp Ltd, Mr Dwivedi was with Tata Teleservices as Regional Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President- Enterprise Business.

     

    Speaking at his role and responsibilities at Dainik Bhaskar group, Mr Dwivedi said, “I am excited at the opportunity of joining the leadership team at India’s largest & most innovative newspaper group, working with our esteemed corporate customers and agency partners to firmly establish Dainik Bhaskar Group’s businesses and realize the vision to be the largest and most admired media brand enabling socio-economic change.”

     

    Mr Dwivedi is a MBA from Punjab University, (UBS) Chandigarh, India. He has also done an Executive Programme from the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, at Tata Management Training Center.

     

  • The smart media company will use its newly launched network, Ripple, to power the publishing group's rich media and video advertising

    India Today Group partners with Affle

    By A Correspondent

     

    Smart media company Affle has announced its partnership with the India Today Group to power all video and rich media advertising for the group through Affle’s recently launched rich media and video ad network, ‘Ripple’.

     

    As a part of this partnership the India Today Group will employ Affle’s ‘Ripple’ ad network to serve all video ads on its online properties and to serve video and rich media ads across India Today Group’s properties on the iPad/Tablet platforms. The announcement comes close on Affle’s declaration of similar partnerships with Yahoo! & ESPN Cricinfo for rich media and mobile advertising in India.

     

    Anuj Kumar

    Commenting on the partnership, Anuj Kumar, Co-founder & CEO Affle, said, “We have experienced tremendous growth on the Ripple network since its launch in August 2012. Our technology innovations for engaging media experiences are delivering great returns for top publishers and advertiser partners, and we are very pleased to welcome the India Today Group as a partner for Ripple. In recent months top advertisers like Samsung, Nokia, Google, Microsoft, Maruti Suzuki, Adidas, Coca Cola, Hyundai have partnered with us to deliver cutting edge ad experiences across our network and we believe that our leading advertisers would also welcome the addition of a highly reputed publisher partner like the India Today Group on Ripple.”

     

    Ashish Bagga, CEO, India Today Group said, “Over the years the India Today group has built some very solid digital assets for its top properties including India Today, Business Today, Aaj Tak, Cosmopolitan and many others. We are seeing tremendous growth on video consumption on these digital properties with an increasing consumption skew on mobile devices, and are thus very pleased to partner with an industry leader like Affle to integrate their innovative advertising technologies and benefit from their well-established partnerships on the Ripple ad network business.”

     

  • The coffee table book features the best print campaigns of around 70 brands created by 23 leading creative agencies in India

    Bhaskar announces second edition of Mosaic

    By A Correspondent

     

    Encouraged by the success of Mosaic 2011, Dainik Bhaskar Group is now gearing up for an even bigger second edition of ‘Mosaic – India’s Best in Print’. The coffee table book features the best print campaigns of around 70 brands created by 23 leading creative agencies in India.

     

    Mosaic 2011 not only compiled excellent print creatives but had comments by leading media experts on what made them stand out and which were their five favourite ads from the 123 ads printed. With an added feature of the National Creative Directors commenting on what made them choose the creatives as their best, Mosaic is a collector’s publication.

     

    Commenting on Mosaic 2012, Sudhir Agarwal, MD, D B Corp Ltd. said “As a leading national media organization, we are proud to have co-created the first edition of Mosaic in 2012 as the compilation of Best in Print advertising and marketing in India. It illustrates the way the print medium has been used with a significant impact to deliver on brand promise and is a ready reference for professionals practicing the art for the possibilities in print category. The response has been tremendous and I believe, more than 9,500 copies were downloaded in addition to the 4,500 physical copies of the book circulated within the agencies and marketing organizations. A few copies have, in fact, been forwarded by some of the agencies to their counterparts globally as a reflection of Indian work. The teams at the Dainik Bhaskar Group have been working to further improve on Mosaic in its second edition and we are excited to make it more salient and inclusive.”

     

  • Times Internet (TIL) announced that it has developed mobile applications for its flagship online music portal, Gaana.com. Simultaneously, Gaana is now available as an application for Android, iOS, Blackberry and J2ME devices

    Gaana.com launches mobile apps

    By A Correspondent

     

    Times Internet (TIL) has announced that it has developed mobile applications for its flagship online music portal, Gaana.com. Simultaneously, Gaana is now available as an application for Android, iOS, Blackberry and J2ME devices, giving music lovers access to millions of songs on their mobile phones. Users can now listen to music wherever they’d like– on their way to work, on a treadmill, while waiting for a train or when peacefully enjoying a great day outside.

     

    Gaana’s mobile applications have been built to provide a full-service music experience, creating more depth than any offering available today. Some of its features include:

    – Access to over 1 million songs, including Bollywood, Hollywood, Tamil, Telegu, and regional music

    – Social listening: see what your friends are listening to

    – My zone: an ability to see your history, your favorite songs, playlists, albums and artists across your computer or mobile phone (automatically synced in real-time across all devices)

    – Radio mode: make your own radio station automatically, based on any song you play, using our proprietary recommendation algorithm

    – Easy interactions: one-click abilities to favorite a song or share a playlist, via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

    – The best curated playlists from radio channels like Radio Mirchi and others, to help you find new music you’ll love

    – The service is completely free to the end user

     

    According to Comscore (Nov 2012) Gaana has been the leading music service on web, with nearly 3 million visitors per month, who spend nearly 2.5x more time per visit than visitors of other music sites in India.

     

    Satyan Gajwani, CEO, Times Internet, said “We are so proud of the Gaana experience on mobile. Indian consumers love their music, and we’ve built a product that matches their expectations for excellence across every screen that matters to them. Gaana on mobile is feature-rich and intuitive to use, and we intend to use this as a base to build even more functionality and offerings for our users, across all platforms.”

     

    The app is available for download free of cost from gaana.com, or on the iTunes App Store, Google Play Store, Blackberry App World, Nokia Ovi Store, or Samsung App Store.

     

  • Alok Sanwal, the CEO and Editor at Jagran Prakashan Ltd, discusses the i-next journey and the way ahead

    Jaldi 5 with Alok Sanwal: There’s much acceptance of i-next now

    By Tuhina Anand

     

    Alok Sanwal, the CEO and Editor at Jagran Prakashan Ltd has been spearheading a publication that has been targeting youth in mini-metros. For i-next, the journey has been that of discovering a new niche all together with immense potential. Mr Sanwal discusses the journey taken and the way ahead.

     

    01. How do you see i-next positioned among number of titles and how has it evolved over the years?

    We are very specific in targeting our audience and have a demographically, geographically defined TG of 15-35 age group from mini metros lying in the upper middle socio-economic strata. This has somewhat ensured that there is only sporadic congruence of audience for i-next and other titles in the region. The narrowly defined TG of i-next gives it a chunk of unique and loyal readers. We are comfortably placed both in terms of numbers and revenues. Over the years, our biggest strength has been to know our limitations. As a compact daily, the space crunch is always there; coupled with the fact that it is still a very nascent brand, i-next’s unique, youthful imagery remains our key asset. Our evolution has been firmer, clearer and we are far more focused on our core brand promise and are now more in line with the changing youth sensibilities.

     

    02. It’s been doing well so far… so why the revamp?

    Firstly, a lot has changed around us in the past 5-6 years. When i-next was launched in 2006, the social networking scenario was not a hot cake. Orkut was an infant. My Space was there, but nobody really heard about it. But soon everyone was ‘Facebooked’ and ‘Twittered’. In 2009, we got a survey through IMRB for insights into launching a website for the newspaper and we realized that even in tier 2 metros the digital era was on. Besides social media networking, youth today use it for all sort of things like iTunes, mp3 players, games apps and product & services purchases. The digital era had stuck which is now in its prime. The changes had to be incorporated to address the digital dimension of youth. For example, a page specially dedicated to youth gadgets (‘tech it easy’) has been added to i-next.

     

    The second trigger was an urgent necessity for an extremely clean design with lot of white space. i-next now has a new aerodynamic logo, which reflects the dynamism and energy of youth and a new masthead. The paper design was digitally synchronized. The changed folio has picked up page links of web pages and tweets are shared in widget form. A lot of re-alignment of fonts was also done to make the Hindi English text integration more seamless.

     

    03. Going ahead, what should we expect from i-next in terms of content, circulation and marketing?

    We have always strived to achieve international standards of excellence across every department. Dailies like Le Monde and Gazetta inspire us to set new industry benchmarks. i-next has a very focussed content branding and all our subsequent product extensions will centre around the unique brand core that i next has. Content shall continue to be more interactive, more engaging. Our editorial colleagues are trained to be more of curators of the news rather than the editors, thus channelizing better, the depth and breadth of the news pool. In circulation, new initiatives will be taken, many of them industry first. New reader loyalty schemes shall be floated soon, working on our clearly defined TG. More emphasis shall be laid on brand positioning and bigger activations modules shall be worked out and at least 3-4 big ticket activations shall run throughout the year, some of which, in these markets, have already become more or less synonymous with i next.

     

    04. What has been the response of advertisers to the improved i-next?

    The response from advertisers has been extremely encouraging. Everybody likes it and clients are specifically asking for i-next from amongst all other group publications from Jagran. Last year too was very good and we have grown by 52 percent in advertising revenue in the cities having i-next editions. There is a much greater acceptance of the product now and for majority of local clients i-next is part of their core print media vehicles.

     

    05. Can you talk of two initiatives that did well for i-next last year and which you want to take forward this year?

    Basically we are in entertainment and information arena. Last year we had witnessed a very successful launch of inextlive.com, the digital arm of i-next through iktara, a unique online folk singing contest. The enthusiasm shown by the audience has encouraged us to come up with it season-2, slated for later this year. In education, we organized a mega engineering aptitude seminar in association with one of the leading technical universities of India. It was a major success for us both in terms of revenues, as well as brand positioning. We are already looking for more such initiatives in future.