MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Focuses on relevance of a good CIBIL TransUnion Score and Credit Report in order to avail faster access to loans and credit cards

    CIBIL launches its first TVC

    By A Correspondent

     

    Credit info company Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL) has launched its first ever television commercial focusing on the importance that the CIBIL TransUnion Score has for individuals when applying for loans and credit cards from banks and credit institutions.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, CIBIL MD Arun Thukral said: “The CIBIL TransUnion Score and credit report have been key criteria in lending decisions in India for a large part of the last decade. Our campaign carries a simple yet compelling message. It emphasizes the importance that the CIBIL TransUnion Score has in the lending process and hence, creates the possibility of providing consumers access to loans more easily.”

     

    While explaining the concept of the TVC, Harshala Chandorkar, Senior VP, Consumer Relations & Communications said: “The philosophy that we at CIBIL embrace is: you are a product of what you have created. Being diligent with payments builds “reputational collateral” and you no longer have to rely on family, connections or assistance from anybody as long as you have control of your own financial destiny.  This basic philosophy was weaved in with the focus of the TV Commercial which is the CIBIL”

     

    PostScript Advertising was the creative agency and the TVC was directed by Shivendra Singh of Dungarpur Films.

     

  • The Mumbai-based agency has bagged the PCI account

    Pest Control India creative account goes to Eggfirst

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mumbai-based agency Eggfirst has bagged the creative mandate of Pest Control India. Eggfirst will be responsible for driving the PCI brand and its repertoire of products and services for the year 2013-14.

     

    “PCI is known in the market as a trusted and reliable pest control brand, but not everyone knows about the vast variety of pest management services we offer,” said Joshua Rao, Executive Director, PCI. “Also, we wanted to make people aware that PCI is not just another pest control operator; we have amongst the most advanced R&D facilities with state-of-the-art quality control and safety measures. Eggfirst was able to capture this vision perfectly and understood the image we wished to create in the market.”

     

    Ravi Banka

    Ravikant Banka, CMD, Eggfirst added: “PCI is a trusted brand with a legacy of over five decades, the biggest in pest control in India. For us, it is an opportunity to infuse fresh energy in the brand and take it to newer heights.”

     

  • An animated character is created to explain simple analogies and demystify oft-used jargons

    SBI Mutual Fund launches investor education campaign in Tier 2/3 cities

    By A Correspondent

     

    SBI Mutual Fund has launched SBI Fund Guru, a pan-India, multi-lingual multi-media investor education campaign, which a communiqué says is “considered to be the first in the asset management industry in recent times”.

     

    The campaign’s creative strategy gives SBI Fund Guru, a warm, friendly and welcoming face with whom investors would feel comfortable interacting. SBI Fund Guru would be showcased across digital television, radio, print, OOH media and during on-ground activations.

     

    Said D P Singh, Chief Marketing Officer – Domestic Markets, SBI Mutual Fund: “Traditionally, Indian investors have been wary of investing in stocks, and considering the global uncertainty and domestic economic subduedness,   investors have shied away from investing in Mutual Funds. SBI Fund Guru Campaign revolves around making investors understand mutual funds as an asset class better. The more and better we understand mutual funds, the more affinity we build. The SBI Fund Guru campaign in essence, creates that personification not just for SBI MF but for the Mutual Fund category itself.”

     

    Added Sakshi Dalela, Head – Corporate Communication: “Generally it is perceived that Investing in MFs is complicated and hence to address these fears and concerns, we created an affable animated character ‘SBI Fund Guru’ who would explain simple analogies and demystify oft-used jargons.”

     

  • He will now be responsible for broadcasting and DTH customer segments across MEASAT's footprint on 91.5 East

    Vishal Maathur elevated to new role @ MEASAT

    By A Correspondent

     

    MEASAT Satellite Systems has announced the promotion of Vishal Mathur from Director (South Asia) to Senior Director, Sales and Marketing.

     

    In his new role, Mr Mathur will be responsible to build the MEASAT’s customer base with a focus in the broadcasting and DTH customer segments across MEASAT’s footprint on 91.5 East.

     

    Mr Mathur joined MEASAT in 2006. During his seven years with the satellites supplier, he has been instrumental in expanding the company’s position across South Asia.  Prior to joining MEASAT, Mr Mathur has worked with Zee Telefilms, ESPN Star Sports and Ten Sports.

     

    MxMIndia View: Way to go, Mr M. Even the sky’s not the limit, and in your case, literally!

     

  • The recently set up Global Sports Entertainment And Media Solutions Pvt Ltd (GSEAMS) gets in to maketing three regional movies for Viacom Motion Pictures

    GSEAMS to market 3 regional films for Viacom

    By  A Correspondent

     

    Global Sports Entertainment And Media Solutions Pvt Ltd (GSEAMS, recently set up by Arjun Singgh Baran and  Kartik Nishandar, have signed a three-movie marketing deal with Viacom Motion Pictures. GSEAMS has already done the marketing alliance of the first regional movie of Viacom “Zapatlela 2 -3D”  and will be involved in handling the marketing for “72 Miles – Ek Pravas” and “Kumari Gangubai Non Matric”.

     

     

    Said Mr Baran: ‘We have been quite fortunate to have been involved with the promotion of Viacom Motion pictures’ first regional movie Zapatlela 2-3D within 10 days of our company’s launch. After the success of the movie, we have been thankful to the Viacom team specially Jayesh Muzumdar (Viacom Regional Movies – Business Head) and Neeraj Joshi (Viacom Regional Movies- Marketing Head) to have extended the deal to two more regional movies.”

     

    Commenting on the association, Mr Nishandar that GSEAMS couldn’t have asked for a better association to start its movie marketing division.

     

    Kartik Nishandar
    Arjun Singgh Baran

    Said Mr Muzumdar: “I have known Arjun and Kartik for a few years and have been aware about their work on the 50 strong IPs created during their days at Reliance. Movie marketing at various levels such as alliances and tie-ups help grow the topline and visibility for a movie. We look forward to working with the team and create an exciting association.”

     

    MxMIndia View: Good to see regional cinema being promoted in a big way!

     

  • Chennai Live 104.8 FM is back with Season 4 of its Band Hunt, the Chennai FM radio station's annual competition for upcoming, independent bands

    Chennai Live Band Hunt is back with Season 4

    By A Correspondent

     

    Chennai Live 104.8 FM is back with Season 4 of its Band Hunt, the Chennai FM radio station’s annual competition for upcoming, independent bands.

     

    Band Hunt activities took off on July 29 and the first gig was held on August 9. The auditions will happen on August 30 in Chennai and September 8 in Bengaluru.

     

    Over the last couple of years, Chennai Live has been promoting independent bands from across the country in an effort to recognize and promote new talent, notes a communique. The station also has a dedicated Indian bands section called the ‘Indian Music Hour’ along having an on-ground platform called the ‘Purple Fest’ and the annual talent hunt called “Band Hunt”.

     

    Said COO Prem Kumar: “The response over the last couple of years has been tremendous and it’s so  amazing that we have such a huge talent pool waiting to be discovered which is exactly the intent behind events like ‘Band Hunt’. The bands discovered through band hunt have gone to become big names and are in the current list of top bands in the country.”

     

    “We want to make Season 4 of Band Hunt a bigger success than its last three editions. Previously, we had bands from other cities come to Chennai just to participate in the Band Hunt. That motivated us to take it to Bengaluru starting last season which was met with a huge response. In fact, last year’s winning band “The News” was from Bengaluru. We hope to make it a multi-city ‘hunt’ soon.”

     

    Chennai Live Band hunt is sponsored by Aloft Hotel and powered by Merit in association with Pasta Bar Veneto  & Prestige, the man store.

     

    MxMIndia View: Talent hunt and reality shows have unearthed some really good talent in the past. Three cheers to Band Hunt!

     

  • Landmark South Mumbai hoarding asks people to send a blank tweet with the hashtag #AMomentOfSilenceForOurHeroes

    Mumbai Police & Draftfcb+Ulka billboard to observe moment of silence for lost heroes

    By  A Correspondent

     

    Over the years, Mumbai Police and Mumbai Traffic Police along with Draftfcb+Ulka have spread the message of a ‘Safe Mumbai’ via a prominent hoarding spot at Babulnath in South Mumbai. This is the hoarding at the junction of the tail of Marine Drive/Girgaum Chowpatty with a road on the left leading to Raj Bhavan/Walkeshwar/Malabar Hill and to the right to Hughes Road/Peddar Road/Warden Road/North Mumbai.

     

    For the past 20 years this billboard has achieved an iconic status with some of the  most impactful & thought provoking messages on road-safety. Various campaigns created over the years have made motorists smile, sit up, take notice and buckle up/switch off their cell while driving, stick to their lanes etc. Basically encouraging citizens to be responsible when you are on the road.

     

    On the occasion of India’s 67th Independence Day, Mumbai Police and Mumbai Traffic Police in association with Draftfcb+Ulka has taken on a larger theme of paying tribute to India’s lost heroes. The hoarding urges fellow Indians to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country by observing a moment of silence. But with a twist – asking people to send a blank tweet with the hashtag #AMomentOfSilenceForOurHeroes as a mark of respect for the brave heroes.

     

    K S Chakravarthy

    “We dedicate this Independence Day to our lost heroes. This is a brilliant initiative and we support it.”-  said VivekPhansalkar, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic K S ‘Chax’ Chakravarthy, National Creative Director, DraftfcbUlka Advertising said”I absolutely loved the idea the minute I saw it – it is simple, it asks for just a minute, and the novel idea of asking for a blank tweet as a symbolic ‘minute’s silence’ will, we hope, help to make people pause and reflect – for much longer than a minute – how much the nation owes those who went before.”

     

    MxMIndia View: Idea achcha hai, but too long a hashtag!

     

  • Jack in the Box opens office in Delhi and announces appointment of Delhi and Mumbai business heads

    Jack in the Box elevates Abhishek Gupta, appoints Mairu Gupta to head Delhi

    By A Correspondent

     

    Jack in the Box Worldwide, the integrated communications brand of The 120 Media Collective with clients including Pepsi, 7Up, Louis Philippe, Nivea, Epic TV and EkStop, has opened an office in Delhi and brought Mairu Gupta on board as Vice President & Business Head, Delhi. Abhishek Razdan has been promoted to Senior Vice President & Business Head, Mumbai.

     

    Both Mr Razdan and Mr Gupta will report directly into Roopak Saluja, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, The 120 Media Collective.

     

    Mr Razdan has headed client servicing at Jack in the Box for over a year. Mr Gupta was  most recently at SapientNitro as India Marketing Lead.

     

    Roopak Saluja

    On this new dual Business Head structure and the setting up of the Delhi office, Roopak Saluja, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, The 120 Media Collective said: “The value a Delhi-Gurgaon presence will bring to our PepsiCo mandate is unquestionable. While that’s the immediate driver of the decision, we’ll be pitching agressively and responding to long-time requests to establish a presence there, allowing us to ramp up to a mid-size office by the end of the year. This dual decentralized structure makes perfect sense in the evolution of JITB, lead by two very competent professionals who are not only extremely passionate about delivering strategic and creatively excellent work but have proven abilities in nurturing client relationships with a long-term strategic view.”

     

    Said Chief Talent Officer Heather Gupta: “Expanding into Delhi is a natural progression for us.

     

    We are delighted to be able to expand our footprint, geographically, and I am confident that under Mairu’s leadership, our Delhi office will soon become a force to be reckoned with.”

     

    MxMIndia View: Hmmm. Delhi-NCR is where the action, er, moolah is!

     

  • DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund has brought on board BBH India to handle its creative mandate

    BBH India wins DSP Blackrock Mutual Fund

    By A Correspondent

     

    DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund has appointed BBH India to handle its creative mandate. The pitch was called for in June 2013 and involved six other agencies:  JWT, McCann, TBWA, Publicis, Ogilvy and Saints & Warriors.  BBH India will now be solely in-charge of developing the brand architecture and the brand positioning with DSP BlackRock, rolling out of the engagement modules across traditional and new age platforms that are consumer and distributor focused.

     

    On the win Aditi Kothari, Executive Vice President and Marketing Head at DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund said, “We believe that marketing can no longer remain a support function in the financial services world. It can truly bring differentiation and deliver business impact in the new world, if done the right way. BlackRock had recognized this last year and hence brought in a strong focus to build the brand globally. We at DSP BlackRock also understand this well and recognized the need to position ourselves the right way to the new, emerging India. Our pitch process was tough, since we knew that our new creative agencywill play an important role in laying down the foundation of a strong communication strategy. We are confident of achieving our objectives with our new partner BBH India”

     

    Subhash Kamath

    On the win, Subhash Kamath, CEO and Managing Partner BBH said, “We are absolutely delighted that DSP BlackRock has awarded us the account, it was a great pitch to win. In today’s economic situation, proper investment planning is becoming crucial for everyone and we are looking forward to partnering DSP BlackRock in meeting these challenges.”

     

    Russell Barrett, CCO and Managing Partner BBH said on the pitch: “All of us here at BBH had an absolute blast working on this pitch. That we had so much fun working on it, reflected in the work presented at the pitch itself. There’s nothing more satisfying than that. Now, we need to translate this win into great, creative, market moving work.”

     

    On the win Sanjay Sharma, Head Planning said, “Financial services communication is a sea of sameness. Despite a challenging regulatory framework we feel there is a definite opportunity to introduce new ideas, new conversations that capture people’s imagination and make them see the category differently. We are delighted to partner DSP BlackRock.”

     

  • MxM Filmi Focus: After Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam, Vijay starrer-Thalaivaa faces delay and loses money.

    Another Kollywood film faces the music

     

    By Sangeetha Kandavel

     

    In January, high drama preceded the release of actor Kamal Haasan’s magnum opus Vishwaroopam. The movie was initially stalled, following protests by Muslim groups that were concerned about the portrayal of their community. ‘Vishwaroopam’ did release eventually, but not before a nervy period of protests and a showdown that the actor had with the state government.

     

    Cut to the present, where another high profile actor is going through what Haasan had gone through just seven months ago. The Vijay-starrer Thalaivaa (which means leader), made at a budget of Rs 60 crore, has been stalled. But the comparison ends there.

     

    For, unlike during Vishwaroopam, the state government has said it has got nothing to do with the stalling. Thalaivaa was blocked after a little-known group calling itself Tamil Nadu Oppressed Students Revolutionary Force threatened theatres and multiplexes in the state.

     

    “It’s a complete mystery,” a trade analyst, wishing anonymity, points out. No names of theatres that have received these threatening messages have been disclosed. The police also seem to have washed their hands of this issue. The Thalaivaa team has also been denied permission to protest. So, what’s happening?

     

    Nobody has a clue. In Tamil Nadu, no one with stakes in this issue wants to throw light on it. There have been no statements from either the directors’ union or the producers’ council. Those in the movie business don’t want to talk on record, as rumours rule the roost. “We cannot speculate anything. There is no transparency,” says C Lakshmanan, assistant professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies.

     

    The Politics-Movies Link

    What the issue has managed to highlight once more is the film industry’s unhealthy dependence on the government, a fallout of how the world of movies and politics interact seamlessly here.

     

    “Tamil Nadu has an established history where film and politics cannot be separated. Either the state should come out clearly or the film producer or actor should explain what the exact problem is,” says Mr Lakshmanan.

     

    That’s why getting the administration to back the movie’s release seems to be the only way out for Thalaivaa. But Vijay and producer Chandraprakash Jain, who says he will come to the streets if the film doesn’t get released soon, haven’t been able to meet chief minister J Jayalalithaa till now.

     

    Vishwaroopam didn’t start a trend. Back in 1973, actor-turned-politician MG Ramachandran faced the heat in trying to get his movie Ulagam Suttrum Vaaliban released. Closer to date, the movie Dam 999 was banned by Tamil Nadu, in the backdrop of the Mullaiperiyar dam dispute between the state and Kerala. Kamal Haasan even had to change the title of one of his movies, which later became Virumandi, after protestors of a particular caste alleged that the original title was a derogatory reference.

     

    The film industry-politics links are that strong in this part of the world. Five of the state’s chief ministers, including Jayalalithaa and arch-rival M Karunanidhi, have emerged from the film industry. Even Opposition leader Vijayakanth is an actor. The government machinery controls the movies business in different ways.

     

    Unlike in any other state, there’s a cap of Rs 120 on theatre tickets, with a row of seats to be offered at Rs 10! The rule was brought in by Karunanidhi and hasn’t been changed by Jayalalithaa. Tamil Nadu used to give entertainment tax exemption depending on whether a movie has a Tamil title or not. Now, the markers used for tax sop qualifications are a bit fuzzy. Thalaivaa, which got a U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, didn’t pass muster with the review panel of the Commercial Taxes Department. Reasons:  violence as also use of a lot of Hindi and English, according to media reports.

     

    For the industry, the stakes are so high that they rather not mess up their relationships with the government. The Tamil language film industry, also known as Kollywood, is one of the biggest regional language industries in India. In 2012, it churned out some 150 films. Though small-budget movies have ruled the roost recently, big-budget, mass hero films are still a big draw.

     

    Vishwaroopam was one such. So is Thalaivaa. What makes the issue intriguing is the fact that the movie lead-stars Vijay, a popular actor who is said to have political ambitions. Vijay, who made his debut about two decades ago, was one of the few high-stakes film personalities who took a stand against the earlier DMK-led government.

     

    During the elections in 2011, he threw his weight, and that of his numerous fan clubs, behind Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK. The name thalaivaa does have a political ring to it but its makers have denied it has a political message. Film historian Theodore Baskaran says, “Such incidents indicate the fact that the film industry is not functioning independently. This is not a healthy sign.”

     

    He likens the situation to one that existed during the freedom struggle when the British censored any topic that related to social issues — labour, poverty and freedom struggle. “During that time, producers and director made more movies on mythology. A similar trend will happen in Tamil Nadu cinemas too if this continues. It will curb the growth of cinema as a creative art form.” Even if Thalaivaa, which released in markets outside Tamil Nadu, miraculously gets released this second at home, the question will still remain: what happened?.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2013, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • The Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, to be held this from September 15-17 in Singapore, has announced its final jury line-up with Josy Paul, Chief Creative Officer and Chairman, BBDO, Sanjiv Sharma, Chairman, Optimystix Entertainment and Sudhir Sharma, Creative Chairman & CEO, Indi Design among the names announced

    Josy Paul, Sanjiv Sharma and Sudhir Sharma also in Spikes Asia jury

    By A Correspondent

     

    Josy Paul
    Sanjiv Sharma
    Sudhir Sharma

    The Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, to be held this from September 15-17 in Singapore, has announced its final jury line-up. The names of judges for Branded Content and Entertainment, Craft, Design, Film, Print, Radio and Outdoor; Integrated and PR were announced by the organizers in a communique. The names of jury members for Creative Effectiveness, Digital and Mobile, Direct and Promo & Activation and Media categories have been released.

     

    Josy Paul, Chief Creative Officer and Chairman, BBDO, Sanjiv Sharma, Chairman, Optimystix Entertainment  and Sudhir Sharma, Creative Chairman & CEO, Indi Design are among the Indian jury members. There is no jury member from India in the Craft, Integrated and PR categories. This makes a total of five of the 16 categories with no Indian jury member (digital and mobile categories announced earlier had no Indian jurors). There are a total of six Indian jurors in the 78 members name for the Spikes Asia categories (in the earlier list Chandrasekar Radhakrishnan, Pratap Bose and Ajit Varghese were named).

     

    Branded Content & Entertainment Jury

    Anthony Freedman, Group Chief Executive Officer, Host, Australia – Jury President

    Angus Gordon, Head of Creative Content, The Well, Singapore
    Ean Hwa Huang, Creative Director/Partner, Merdeka LHS, Malaysia
    Jeremy Paul, Managing Partner, Fuse APAC, Asia Pacific
    Kentaro Ichiki, Creative Director, Hakuhodo Inc., Japan
    Christopher Harrison, Head of Invention, APAC, Mindshare, Asia Pacific
    Nancy Lan, Head of Newcast China, ZenithOptimedia, China
    Sanjiv Sharma, Chairman, Optimystix Entertainment, India

     

    Craft Jury

    Sheungyan Lo, Chairman, Asia Pacific Creative Council, JWT, China – Jury President
    Andrew Hook, Creative Director, DDB Singapore
    Badong Abesamis, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R Philippines, The Philippines
    Peter Grasse, General Manager, Curious Film, Regional, Australia & New Zealand
    Rob Galluzzo, Executive Producer, Managing Director, Finch, Australia
    Russell Miranda, Executive Creative Director, Grant McCann Erickson, Sri Lanka
    Thananuj Ebrahim, Executive Producer, Hay Day Films, Thailand

     

    Design Jury

    Derek Lockwood, Worldwide Director of Design, Saatchi & Saatchi, New Zealand – Jury President
    Christine Pong, Founder & Partner, Twohundred Limited, Hong Kong
    David Smail, Chairman & Executive Creative Director, BBDO, Vietnam
    Hsintzu Wang, Director of Visual Development, The eslite Spectrum Corporation, Taiwan
    Jung A Kim, Creative Director, Innocean Worldwide, South Korea
    Richard Westendorf, Executive Creative Director, Landor, Singapore
    Stone Lei, President, 180 China, China
    Sudhir Sharma, Creative Chairman & CEO, Indi Design, India
    Yagi Hideto, Creative Director, Art Director, Dentsu, Japan

     

    Film, Print, Outdoor and Radio Jury

    Tham Khai Meng, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer & Chairman, Worldwide Creative Council, Ogilvy & Mather, Global – Jury President
    Andrew Petch, Executive Creative Director, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, The Philippines
    Andy Fackrell, Executive Creative Director, DDB Group, New Zealand
    Chris Chiu, Founder / Chief Creative Officer, Ren Partnership, Regional, Singapore
    Giap How Tan, Head of Art, Grey Group, Singapore
    Gigi Lee, Executive Creative Director, Y&R, Malaysia
    Hisashi Hayashi, Creative Director, Dentsu Inc., Japan
    Josy Paul, Chief Creative Officer and Chairman, BBDO, India
    Norman Tan, Vice-Chairman & Executive Chief Creative Director, Lowe Worldgroup, China
    Steve Coll, Executive Creative Director, Havas Worldwide, Australia
    Surachai Puthikulangkura, Managing Director, Illusion Co., Ltd., Thailand
    Tim Green, Executive Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Singapore
    Yehoon Lee, Creative Director, Cheil Worldwide, South Korea

     

    Integrated Jury

    Tham Khai Meng, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer & Chairman, Worldwide Creative Council, Ogilvy & Mather, Global – Jury President
    Anthony Freedman, Group Chief Executive Officer, Host, Australia
    Chris Chiu, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Ren Partnership, Singapore
    Derek Lockwood, Worldwide Director of Design, Saatchi & Saatchi, New Zealand
    Gigi Lee, Executive Creative Director, Y&R, Malaysia
    Jose Miguel Sokoloff, Chairman Lowe SSP3, President Creative Council Lowe Worldwide, Lowe SSP3, Global
    Lynne Anne Davis, President & Senior Partner, Asia Pacific, Fleishmann Hillard, Asia Pacific
    Masaru Kitakaze, Executive Creative Director, Corporate Officer, Hakuhodo, Japan
    Mike Cooper, Worldwide Chief Executive Officer, PHD, Global
    Steve Coll, Executive Creative Director, Havas Worldwide, Australia

     

    PR Jury

    Lynne Anne Davis, President & Senior Partner, Asia Pacific, Fleishmann Hillard, Asia Pacific – Jury President
    Angela Spain, General Manager, PR & Activation, Draftfcb PR & Activation, New Zealand
    Eduardo Fuentes, President, Fuentes Publicity Network Inc., The Philippines
    Danny Phan, Managing Director, Burson Marsteller, Singapore
    Kelvin Yeo, Managing Director, MSLGROUP, Singapore
    Marion McDonald, Managing Director, Strategy & Measurement, APAC, Ogilvy PR, China
    Masato Mitsudera, Executive Creative Director, Beacon Communications/Leo Burnett Tokyo, Japan
    Rob Lowe, PR Director, Eleven PR, Australia
    T. Marlene Danusutedjo, Director of Public Relations, Four Seasons Hotels Jakarta, Indonesia

     

    Said Terry Savage, Chairman of Lions Festivals, on the announcement: “With so much inspiring and forward-thinking work coming from the region, we’re delighted to have such a great team confirmed to judge this year’s entries. We look forward to seeing these talented individuals come together in Singapore to collectively judge and ultimately decide on the winners of the 2013 Spikes Asia awards.”

     

  • Infectious-created campaign gets English daily dna to unveil new multiple media brand campaign – 'Good is in our dna'

    dna on do-good mode, launches brand campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    English daily DNA (now written in lower-case – dna) has unveiled a new brand campaign – ‘Good is in our dna’.

     

    The attempt is to offer an all-year programme that will connect with good samaritans and provide citizens with a platform to contribute and spread the ‘good’ cheer. The campaign has been conceptualized and designed by Infectious, the ad agency set up in April this year by former Saatchi & Saatchi honchos Ramanuj Shastry and Nisha Singhania.

     

    Sorbojeet Chatterjee

    Said Sorbojeet Chatterjee, Senior Vice President – Marketing, dna: “This is a start to try and put the good back in the mornings. While, as a responsible newspaper we need to cover everything taking place around us, we plan to focus on the positive stories of human achievement and courage. The campaign has kickstarted with readers being able to sign up as Ambassadors of Good and the response has been overwhelming.”

     

    Ramanuj Shastry, Director – Infectious added: “In a day and age where we are surrounded by negative stories there is a desperate need for some good news. The people of our country need hope and something positive to start their day on. And who better than a media brand like dna who can not only give us the good news but also mobilise the people in our country to do some good.”

     

    The campaign will see an extensive use of print (naturally!), outdoor and radio. “Unlike a typical campaign that just looks at a spike, this is a year-round plan with a lot of editorial integration and reader engagement,” said Mr Chatterjee. And will we see any activations? “There will be one tent-pole activation every month which will see readers participate for a noble cause.”

     

    The first leg of the campaign has invited readers to sign up as “Ambassadors of Good”, and the response has been overwhelming, informed Mr Chatterjee.

     

    dna has been on an aggressive advertising campaign ever since its relaunch in April. The first two brand campaigns were done by the publication’s creative agency Genesis which continues to be the primary creative agency. A recent campaign for the graphic novel series that has been introduced in the paper was executed by an inhouse creative team.