MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • The quantum increase by TV Street Maps in coverage, from 700 head-ends last year to 2,200 already so far, translates into more robust and widespread distribution data collection

    TV Street Maps increases reach by over 300%

    By A Correspondent

     

    TV channel distribution and connectivity monitoring system TV Street Maps (TSM) has announced an increased coverage in its geographical coverage. TSM’s footprint now stands at 2,200 cable head-ends and control rooms across more than 1,700 towns across the country. This is a massive increase from the 250-odd towns that TSM covered till last year.

     

    Given the continuous ground level changes that happen at the cable operator’s end in terms of channel availability and lineup, TSM delivers day-to-day TV channel monitoring by head-ends and towns to the TV industry. TSM also monitors Cable & DTH Channel Packs, Pack prices and EPG quality – all of which are mission critical for the TV industry in view of digitization.

     

    The quantum increase by TV Street Maps in coverage, from 700 head-ends last year to 2,200 already so far, translates into more robust and widespread distribution data collection. TSM Business Head Joydip Kapadia says, “We’ve seen tremendous support from broadcasters for our initiatives. They understand that in the fast evolving digital landscape, distribution, reach and quality play key roles. The consumer is spoilt for choice and the onus is on the broadcasters to ensure that their channel is readily available to viewers in the best possible quality. Last year, TSM promised the industry a huge expansion and we have delivered it.”

     

  • Brand strategy and design firm DY Works has announced the appointment of Rekha Pamani-Gulati as Chief Operating Officer

    DY Works gets new COO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Brand strategy and design firm DY Works has announced the appointment of Rekha Pamani-Gulati as Chief Operating Officer.

     

    Ms Gulati began her professional career at the Golden Tulip Hotel Chain, Ghana (West Africa), and later established base in Mumbai with The Concern India Foundation and DMA Branding, where her team serviced prestigious accounts such as Unilever, Mahindra, Godrej, Dabur and Air India.

     

    Welcoming Ms Gulati, Alpana Parida, President, DY Works said, “Rekha’s cross-cultural experience and strong understanding of both Indian and International markets will be invaluable in creating unique and meaningful brand propositions for our clients.”

     

    On her new role at DY Works, Rekha Pamani-Gulati said, “I’m excited to take on this new challenge. In recent years the company has built an impressive client portfolio and strong team. As Chief Operating Officer, I look forward to building this further.”

     

  • Shashi Sinha, Abhinay Deo and Sabbas Joseph are among those in the juries for the Design, Film Craft, Media, Promo & Activation, and Radio Lions categories

    Cannes Lions announce remaining jury line-up

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which this year celebrates 60 years of creative excellence in advertising and communications, has completed the jury line-up by naming the members of the Design, Film Craft, Media, Promo & Activation, and Radio Lions categories.

     

    The remaining five juries will be led by Jack Klues, Chairman, Vivaki (Media Lions); Joe Pytka, Director, Joseph Pytka Productions, USA (Film Craft Lions); Mary Lewis, Creative Director, Lewis Moberley, United Kingdom (Design Lions); Ralph van Dijk, Founding Creative Director, Eardrum, Australia (Radio Lions); and Rob Schwartz, Global Creative President, TBWA Worldwide, USA (Promo & Activation Lions).

     

    Philip Thomas, CEO of Lions Festivals, said, “It is a privilege to have an assembly of such esteemed industry professionals in Cannes to judge and award the best work. And we are particularly delighted to count on 11 past Cannes Lions jury presidents amongst the total 308 jury members taking part in this year’s 16 different juries. The time, commitment and integrity applied to their task ahead will have a profound effect on moving the industry forward at a global scale.”

     

     

    The extended deadline for submitting entries is 19 April. Information and tips on how to enter are at http://www.canneslions.com/awards/. Judging and announcements of the shortlisted and winning work will take place in Cannes, France, during the festival week, June 16-22.

     

  • The information ministry has sought recommendations from the TRAI for laying down comprehensive guidelines and accreditation mechanisms for TRP (Television Rating Points) rating agencies in India, to ensure transparency and accountability in the rating system

    TRAI seeks views on TV ratings guidelines, accreditation

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on ‘Guidelines/Accreditation Mechanism for Television Rating Agencies in India’. The Minisgtry of Information and Broadcasting MIB has sought TRAI’s recommendations for laying down comprehensive guidelines and an accreditation mechanism for TRP (Television Rating Points) rating agencies in India to ensure transparency and accountability in the rating system.

     

    A release from the TRAI said that since TRP ratings indicate the popularity of a channel or a programme and assists advertisers, broadcasters and advertising agencies in making business decisions. Better ratings would promote a programme/channel while poor ratings will discourage a programme/channel or content. Incorrect ratings will lead to production of content which may not be really popular while good content and programmes may be left out. Therefore, there is a need to have an accurate measurement and representative television ratings for the programmes.

     

    The importance of a credible, transparent and representative television audience measurement system is recognized the world over. At present television rating in India is being done by only one agency and issues related to credibility and transparency of the ratings services in India has been raised by certain stakeholders.

     

    The key issues discussed in the consultation paper pertain to:

    Establishing an accreditation mechanism for the rating agency

    Methodology of audience measurement

    Sample size

    Secrecy of sample homes

    Cross holding between rating agencies and their users

    Complaint redressal

    Sale and use of ratings

    Disclosure and reporting requirement

    Audit competition in rating services

     

    Written comments are invited from the stakeholders by May 9, and counter-comments by May 16.

     

  • MSLGroup's MSL India has been appointed by the Singapore Tourism Board, Lenovo Smart Phones, Sheth Developers & Realtors, Usha International, V-Guard Industries and PC Jewellers for integrated communications briefs

    MSL announces six new wins

    By A Correspondent

     

    MSL India, part of MSLGroup India, Publicis Groupe’s flagship strategic communications and engagement company and the largest public relations and social media network in India, today announced the win of six new clients; Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Lenovo Smart Phones, Sheth Developers & Realtors, Usha International, V-Guard Industries and PC Chandra Jewellers. This large number of client wins reinforces MSLGroup’s position as India’s leading communications agency.

     

    MSL India will provide creative, strategic programmes, unbound by channel to drive brand building, corporate reputation management, corporate responsibility and crisis and issues management.

     

    Jaideep Shergill

    Jaideep Shergill, CEO, MSLGroup India, said, “Today, it’s not enough to offer capabilities within one channel. MSLGroup India is perfectly positioned to partner with our clients for integrated communications offerings, where our strategy and creative are communicated through traditional PR, social media, digital solutions, creative, content, marketing and experiential.”

     

    MSL India fought a multi-agency pitch to win an integrated communications brief for Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The mandate will draw on MSL India’s strength in delivering engagement campaigns across traditional PR and social media. The agency will be providing strategic counsel for digital campaigns and manage social assets in order to drive perceptions of Singapore as an international tourist destination. This assignment reflects STB’s strong relationship with MSLGroup, with the brand now working with the agency in two of Asia’s key growth markets – India and China.

     

    As Lenovo, the world leader in personal computers, continues its expansion into smart phones, it has tasked MSL India to support their business objective of consolidating its leadership position across all four screens – computer, TV, mobile and film.  MSL India will develop an integrated strategy to communicate the arrival of the PC+ era and the brand’s commitment to technology and innovation. Expanding their technology portfolio, MSL India will also work with V-Guard Industries to develop its core communications strategy to support business expansion plans.

     

    PC Chandra Jewellers, one of the largest and most established jewellery brands in eastern India has entrusted MSL India with an integrated assignment spanning PR, social media and experiential. MSL India will help position and promote PC Chandra Jewellers as a leading lifestyle brand. In addition, MSL India will partner Usha International, a renowned name since 1935 in multi-product consumer durables manufacturing, marketing and distribution. MSL India has been entrusted with corporate reputation management and product-related communications for the company’s diverse portfolio.

     

    MSL India also won Sheth Developers & Realtors, which has extended its real estate presence in India with its retail development Vivacity in Thane – one of the largest malls in India. With deep expertise and experience in the real estate and retail sector, MSL India will provide strategic counsel to the brand, executing holistic communications solutions reaching out to key stakeholders in Mumbai.

     

  • [story unavailable]

    [story unavailable]

    [story unavailable]

     

  • The acquisition triggers the launch of the Razorfish brand in India, and the move follows a number of acquisitions recently announced by Publicis Groupe

    Razorfish acquires Neev; aims to be No 1 in 18 months

    By A Correspondent

     

    Publicis Groupe announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Neev, one of India’s leading technology services providers specialising in eCommerce, SaaS (Software as a Service) and cloud applications across web, social and mobile. Neev will be aligned with Razorfish, one of the largest interactive marketing and technology companies in the world.

     

    The acquisition triggers the launch of the Razorfish brand in India, and the move follows a number of acquisitions recently announced by Publicis Groupe and further strengthens its digital leadership globally as well as its presence in India and the greater APAC region.

     

    Kanika Mathur

    Kanika Mathur, Managing Director for Razorfish and Digitas India said, “Neev is one of the leading technology services company specialising in e-commerce and cloud applications across social and mobile. It’s more like a mini-Razorfish in India and that was what was exciting about the venture when we spoke to each other. Razorfish is all about business transformation using technology. It’s about creating new business models for clients and about providing a brilliant experience to the consumer.”

     

     

     

    Srikant Sastri

    Srikant Sastri, VivaKi Country Chair for India, who is overseeing the acquisition of Neev, said, “With the acquisition of Neev, we have added cutting-edge tech capabilities. We are now twice as large as any other global network in terms of digital team-strength and revenues, and unparalleled in breadth and depth of digital skills.”

     

    Founded in 2005 and based in Bengaluru, Neev has aggressively grown and now employs a team of 250 specialists, of which over 220 are technologists, with experience and expertise in leveraging cloud and mobile technologies and promoting innovation that drives business success.

     

    Elaborating on the agency structure Ms Mathur said, “Neev is growing very aggressively and by the end of first quarter next year we think we’ll be about 450-odd people in India. I think digital marketing as well as digital technology is being adopted at a very fast pace in India and Asia Pacific, so we do feel that we are on a huge growth curve on that front. While our technology hub will be in Bengaluru, we will be present across New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.”

     

    When asked about the agency’s clientele in India, Ms Mathur said that they would initially be tapping global clients at Razorfish and have already started engaging with a few of them. “While we cannot disclose any names as yet but it would suffice to say that we will be moving very fast in the Indian market.”

     

    Explaining the market and how it has evolved over the years, Ms Mathur said that the space that Razorfish operates in is growing very rapidly. “But when we look at the market we tend to look only at media buyers. If you were to look at technology and using digital to enable new services and products, that’s really the space that we operate in. We can’t really say that the market is about media only. Media, creativity and technology – the intersection of this is where we are placed right now.”

     

    As for the anticipated growth story, Ms Mathur said Razorfish had a good growth in 2012-13 at about 40 per cent and would like to keep on doing better as they go forward. “While right now we are one of the top 3 players, the goal certainly is to be the No 1 player in the next 12-18 months.”

     

    The agency will operate as Razorfish Neev led by Neev CEO, Saurabh Chandra. He will report into Kanika Mathur with a direct connection to Ray Velez, Global CTO for Razorfish.

     

  • Percept director Ajay Chandwani is on the jury of the Golden award of Montreux Festival being held in Switzerland this week

    Ajay Chandwani on Montreux fest jury

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Golden award of Montreux Festival in Switzerland is scheduled to have its jury deliberations on April 25 this year in the Swiss resort town of Montreux. Also known for its annual jazz festival, the timing of the Montreux Advertising Festival is such that it is a good precursor to Cannes and Clio. The Festival of Media Global is also being held in Montreux from April 28 to 30.

     

    This year’s Montreux golden awards jury includes Frank Bodin of Havas Switzerland, Peter Sun of Y&R, Mike Sutherland of BBDO London, Luis Dias of Draft FCB Lisbon, Max Posch of Fashion TV and Olivier Teepe founder of Cloudfactory Netherlands.

     

    Ajay Chandwani

    Ajay Chandwani, Director, Percept Limited is also on the jury this year as Asian participation is rising at the Festival. “Montreux is a great place to see the world’s best work before the work hits Cannes and other Festivals .”

     

    BBDO New York and AMV BBDO from UK dominated the golds won last year. Being Pan European in focus with American and European agencies doing well in the past,  the Montreux festival has been gaining awareness in India and Asia.

     

    Last year, Leo Burnett India won 2 golds in Print Craft for Bajaj Exhaust Fans and BBH India won a gold in the TV film category for World Gold Council.  Webchutney also won a gold in the Best Use of Mobile Media category.

     

    Details on www.goldenawardmontreux.com.

     

  • At the CII CEOs' roundtable on broadcast, I&B Minister Manish Tewari mooted the idea of a 'techno-commercial' regulator for the broadcast sector

    Think aloud for a Broadcast Regulator: Manish Tewari

    By A Correspondent

     

    Manish Tewari

    Reiterating the government’s commitment for smooth cable TV digitization and protecting consumer interests, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari has asked the broadcast industry to ‘think aloud’ for a separate broadcast regulator.

     

    Speaking at the 4th CII CEOs’ roundtable on broadcast, the minister mooted the idea of a ‘techno-commercial’ regulator for the broadcast sector, which is witnessing rapid changes in the wake of cable TV digitization. He also made it clear that content will not be regulated by the government.

     

    Mr Tewari said that a viable measurement system for assessing audience tastes and preferences would enable the broadcasting industry to position sustainable revenue models. The broadcasting industry needed to initiate immediate steps for setting up the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), he said, adding that the digitization process had created a model where the given database emerging from the process could be analyzed and expanded exponentially. The government was willing to provide this data to an industry-created body. This body in turn could utilize the data for use in the public space. The initiation of this industry-led process would ensure a two-way flow of information necessary for analyzing advertising trends and models.

     

    KVL Narayan Rao, Executive Vice Chairperson, NDTV Ltd outlined how for some broadcasters, carriage fees remains burdensome and subscription revenues are not forthcoming as yet. “Issues such as TRAI regulation on 12-minute ad cap are the issues that need to be deliberated upon,” he said.

     

    Elaborating further, the Mr Tewari said that there had to be a balance between the evolution of technology and the regulatory architecture. In view of the changes taking place in the broadcasting space, a discussion was necessary within the industry regarding the need of a regulator on techno-commercial grounds. Referring to the digitization mechanism, he said that all stakeholders had to ensure that they work together for creating an enabling environment. “This is critical in view of the consumer being the biggest stakeholder and end-beneficiary. The government is aware of the needs of the consumer and desires that the whole process of implementation ought to be done causing the least pain to the biggest beneficiary, ie the consumer. Digitization as a process has to be viewed as a game changer as far as the media landscape in this country is concerned, as benefits will accrue to all the stakeholders involved and each plays a vital role in the growth of the industry,” he said.

     

    In a major relief to broadcast channels, Mr Tewari maintained that a solution would be brought about to the TRAI’s recent regulation barring television channels from telecasting more than 12 minutes of advertisements every hour. He said the broadcast landscape is changing in the country with digitization, and this issue of fixing time slots for advertisements will be taken up at an appropriate time. He also expressed concern over the TAM TRP data and said that the BARC should be created at the earliest.

     

    Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, said that the entire exercise of digitization was to bring out a transparent mechanism, credible subscriber data and finally ensure that the dividends of digitization reach the end consumers. “We have discarded a system which was not transparent and are moving towards a system which has to be transparent,” he said.

     

    The government favoured domestic manufacturing and deployment of set-top box and may also consider fixing certain percentage (for domestic manufacturers) for reaching out to the next 50 million consumers in the subsequent phases of digitization, Mr Varma said, and requested domestic set-top box manufactures to match up with quality, price, and competitive standards as acceptable to MSOs.

     

    The ministry is also looking at the status of channel aggregators, in the wake of queries on their ‘legal status’ in the digitization process.

     

  • The projections are published in a new report called India Pay-TV & Broadband Markets

    130mn digital pay-TV homes by 2020 to contribute $17 bn in revenues

    By A Correspondent

     

    New projections released by Media Partners Asia (MPA) indicate that digital pay-TV penetration of TV homes in India will grow from 28 percent in 2012 to 54 percent by 2017, and reach 60 percent by 2020. Digital penetration of total pay-TV homes will double from 35 percent in 2012 to almost 70 percent by 2020. The projections are published in a new report called India Pay-TV & Broadband Markets.

     

    “A successful start for the roll-out of digital addressable systems (DAS) has revived interest in pay-TV among strategic and financial investors,” said MPA executive director Vivek Couto, adding, “The real benefits will become clearer in 2H 2013 and beyond, as multi-system operators (MSOs) drive addressability and work with last mile local cable operators (LCOs) to ramp up tiering, billing and collections. Regulators are committed to curbing delays in the next phases of DAS, while the DTH industry is keen to revive growth by capitalizing on digital transition.”

     

    MPA forecasts indicate that total digital pay-TV homes will grow from 47 million in 2012 to 110 million by 2017 and 130 million by 2020. This implies that the pay-TV industry will remain in a prolonged investment mode, with significant capital intensity. Both DTH and cable operators already have high levels of debt; as the larger phases of DAS come into play, the majority of additional funding will have to come through equity, via IPOs and M&A, the MPA report states.

     

    Total industry revenues will grow at a CAGR of 11.4 percent between 2012 – 17 and 10.2 percent between 2012 and 2020, reaching US$17 billion by 2020 versus US$7.8 billion in 2012. Total pay-TV homes are expected to grow from 128 million 2012 to 167 mil. by 2017, and 183 million by 2020. Pay-TV penetration of TV homes will grow from 80 percent to 85 percent between 2012 and 2020, adjusted for multiple connections in a household.

     

    Cable impact

    Over the medium term, the majority of cable investments will be directed towards digital infrastructure, helping to build operator scale and improved addressability. In the long run, investments will be more focused towards acquiring primary subscriber points and the expansion of high-ARPU products such as broadband and HDTV. According to MPA, the total proportion of cable households with DAS climb from 15 percent in 2012 to 50 percent by 2020.

     

    DTH growth

    In the DTH space, concerns focus on the growth of active subs (i.e. paying customers, net of churn and subscriber suspension), which has moderated in recent times. MPA says that the growth in active subs will rebound however, as more markets undergo analog switch-off. MPA forecasts indicate that active DTH subs will grow from 32 million in 2012 to 64 million by 2017, and 77 million by 2020.

     

    Broadcasters

    Subscription fees for pay-TV channels crossed US$1 billion in 2012, driven by the growing strength of aggregators. This growth has yet to factor in digitalization, which will result in a bigger share of subscription revenue for broadcasters. Operating margins will remain under pressure in the short-to-medium term, due to heavy investments in content for existing channels and gestation losses on new channel launches.

     

    MPA expects total pay-TV channel revenues, including advertising and subscription to grow from US$3.6 billion in 2012 to US$6.6 billion by 2017, and to US$8.6 billion by 2020. The pay-TV ad market is expected to grow at a 10 percent CAGR over 2012-20, while broadcaster subscription revenues are expected to grow at 15 percent over the same period.

     

  • Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Google India, is the new Chairman of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). He will take over from Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO, InfoEdge

    Rajan Anandan takes over as IAMAI chairman

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rajan Anandan

    Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Google India, is the new Chairman of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). Mr Anandan will be taking over from Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO, InfoEdge.

     

    Speaking about his new role, Mr Anandan said, “I am excited to take over this responsibility at a time, when the industry is going through an exciting transition. The digital industry has reached an inflection point and is growing steadily. IAMAI, which has been working persistently towards the growth of the medium, is also growing. We plan to engage and interact more closely with the government to ensure that the online industry registers a balanced growth in the years to come and the internet user base widens.”

     

    Kirthiga Reddy, Director of Online Operations and Head of Office, India at Facebook, is the new Vice-Chairman, and will take over her new role from Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra.

     

  • Yahoo! has announced two new mobile experiences – Yahoo! Weather for iPhone (also iPod, and iPod Touch) and Yahoo! Mail for iPad and Android tablets

    Yahoo! Weather & Yahoo! Mail on mobile

    By A Correspondent

     

    Yahoo! has announced two new mobile experiences – Yahoo! Weather for iPhone (also iPod, and iPod Touch) and Yahoo! Mail for iPad and Android tablets. Images from the Flickr community show current local conditions, with forecast details, so that instead of reading about the weather users can now see the weather.

     

    Yahoo!’s goal is to have amazing photos for every weather condition that cover the globe – morning, afternoon, and night – across every city in the world. Users can submit photos of their favourite places to the Yahoo! Flickr group.

     

    Yahoo! Mail for tablet brings users a new email experience, with a lean-back, magazine-style feel.

     

    * Tap the full-screen button in the lower left corner of your message to expand it across the entire screen. If you want to reply, delete, file or star a message simply tap anywhere on the screen and Yahoo! Mail’s familiar icons will appear.

    * To move to the next message on your iPad, simply swipe, as if you’re turning the page in a magazine.

    * To flip through messages even faster, simply tap on the side of the screen to rapidly scan through your inbox.

    * Focus on the messages you care about most with a new feature that lets you easily sort by sender in Yahoo! Mail’s split-screen view.

    * Select a message in your inbox on the left side of the screen by checking the box that appears with the email. You will then see that sender’s name appear on the right side of your screen.

    * Swipe on the sender’s name and you will see Yahoo! Mail’s familiar icons appear to delete, file, star or mark as unread or spam.

    * You’ll also see a plus sign that will indicate how many more messages you have from that sender. If you select that, it will pull all the messages from that sender and then you can star, delete or file them all at once. Just think – you can easily take control of your inbox with just a few taps.