MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • The Reliance Broadcast Network GEC is now available on DD Direct+

    Big Magic spreads reach with DD Direct+

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big Magic, the general entertainment channel from the Reliance Broadcast Network stable, has inked a carriage deal with free DTH player DD Direct+. This comes close on the heels of a distribution alliance with Videocon d2h.

     

    Sunil Kumaran

    Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Kumaran, Business Head, Big Magic said: “We are happy to add DD Direct+ to our distribution bouquet.  Since DD Direct+ penetrates into the deeper pockets where even cable TV finds it difficult to reach, the alliances allows us to take this content to newer audiences, otherwise difficult to reach.”

     

  • The business and financial portal is relaunching its property section with an online property expo

    moneycontrol.com re-launches property section

    By A Correspondent

     

    moneycontrol.com is relaunching its property section with an online property expo. Along with the property showcase and news, users can also chat with leading property experts and address their queries (link: http://www.moneycontrol.com/property/).

     

    Speaking about this new section, Rubeena Singh, Business Head, moneycontrol.com, said: “More and more users are searching for properties and property-related information online. Today, real estate has become a very important part of the investment portfolio.”

     

  • The jury comprises entrepreneurs Mahesh Murthy, Vishal Gondal and Neeraj Roy

    Bloomberg TV’s Pitch Season 3 moves to second phase

    By  A Correspondent

     

    Business news channel Bloomberg TV India has announced that its popular show The Pitch has moved into its second phase. The first phase, which was a nationwide call-for-entries, saw the channel receive close to 5000 entries.

     

    Subsequently the jury, comprising of successful entrepreneurs Mahesh Murthy, Vishal Gondal and Neeraj Roy, have identified the Top 25 contenders. These 25 contenders will present their Elevator Pitches to the jury for a place in the Top 10. The jury will evaluate these aspirants on the brilliance of their business pitches and their individual excellence.

     

    Starting September 6, the show will air on Bloomberg TV India at 10.30 pm on Fridays and 5 pm on Sundays.

     

  • Rahul Kishore on why he thinks people will read his book on Facebook statuses – 'Tere Social Status Ki Aisi Ki Taisi'

    Jaldi 5 with Rahul Kishore: The world lacks humour & people with arrogance, attitude & sarcasm

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    Rahul Kishore oozes with over-confidence. Yet, for all his Dilli aggression, there’s a huge soft side. He zealously guards time for his family, his game of badminton and the various people in his life – the family included. At first, his Facebook status messages seemed like those the funny guy in college cracks to impress girls. But when I saw that they had quite a following, I suggested he put them in book form. That was over a dinner and some drinks. And I did that many times over a couple of years when we would meet for a drink or a coffee. By then, RK was sold on the idea and he was sure he wanted to do the book.

    The deal was that I would put it together for him, and he would get a sponsor for the publishing. My colleague and MxMIndia’s technology studio head Rafiq Barak painstakingly picked out data of around five years. All the messages, comments and counter-comments!  And then I convinced friend and celebrated cartoonist (and radiologist) Hemant Morparia to draw some toons for the book.

    Soon enough, Red FM came in to sponsor the effort and MxM’s (and my) role diminished. But that was fine. They were producing and promoting the book, and had put in the money.

    Earlier this week, the radio station’s PR agency sent me a press release on the book – called ‘Tere Social Status Ki Aisi Ki Taisi’. The folks didn’t have a copy and I missed getting it from Rahul when he was in Mumbai recently. But it’s getting rave reviews, I am told.

    In keeping with the ‘Bajaate Raho!’ credo of the book and benefactor, I bowled a few bouncers to Rahul Kishore (who btw is Senior VP at Mogae Media). He took them with much ease. And has been pretty candid in his response on his TV news biggie friends.

    So, given this disclosure, that I have played some part in the book’s evolution and that that he’s been a friend, read on:

     

    01. So you really think there are people who would want to read your status messages?

    Y-E-S, I do! The world lacks humour and people with arrogance, attitude and sarcasm… I love to do what I do and they love to stalk me… especially husbands!

     

    02. I remember talking to you about putting together your statuses in a book form after a few drinks. You took me seriously?

    I only take you seriously when you have had a few! Also, you contradict yourself! 🙂

     

    03. How did you manage to convince Red FM to bring it out? (wanted to use the word con, but thought of being polite)

    I have surplus charm. Plus Nisha Narayanan is a very astute businesswoman… she saw the potential. And I am not sure who conned whom!

     

    04. You appear to have a special love for some communities?

    Yes, Bongs… but it’s misplaced. I am a Bong-baiter not a Bong-hater… they fascinate me with their clannishness. It’s the only community which puts up Bong statuses on an English forum!

     

    05. And the news anchor/editor triumvirate of Rajdeep-Barkha-Arnab (who often feature in your statuses)?

    I like to watch TV news and they are the good ones. All the other English ones irritate me…

     

    05a. Let me put you into a spot. Who of the three do you rate the best and why?

    Rajdeep is not an anchor. He appears to be more of a business head. That is dangerous, he carries a lot on his shoulders.

    Barkha, I love. She is a very dear friend and so intelligent. Yes, she does get carried away at times but I enjoy her shows. Also, she’s very gutsy and driven!

    Arnab… I love to hate him or hate to love him, he is the most watchable! Newshour is a must-see in my home for my kids! It’s not easy to take on the factory that produced all three and ruled for five years. Also, he always makes time for me. That fascinates me. I also respect the fact that he is not part of the social circuit and is able to wreck any defence on TV. Most well-prepared!

  • iProspect Communicate2 is assigned the 360-degree digital marketing mandate for Thomas Cook India

    Thomas Cook gets Communicate2 for digital mktng

    Aegis Media’s iProspect Communicate2 has bagged the digital marketing mandate of travel major Thomas Cook. The agency’s Mumbai office will handle the business and will be responsible for managing the entire range of digital marketing activities spanning across performance marketing in terms of SEO, SEM and Social Media. iProspect Communicate 2 was selected after a multi-agency that spanned over two months.

     

    “At Thomas Cook India, our overarching digital strategy is to position our full service travel portal  thomascook.in as India’s first, effective “click-brick hybrid” to serve effectively the “pure click” younger generation customer at one end, the “pure brick” less Internet savvy customer at the other end – and most importantly, the very large spectrum of segments between these two extremes that in reality, is where the real opportunity lies!” said Amit Madhan – Chief Operating Officer – IT & E-Services, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.

     

    Commenting on the win, Vivek Bhargava, MD, iProspectCommunicate2, says, “This is a great win for us. I believe it is not about digital marketing anymore, digital is the age we are living in. Today digital can be leveraged to gain a competitive advantage in the market, iProspect Communicate 2 looks to fill the vacuum of a premium performance product in the Indian Digital Space”.

     

  • Leading automotive enthusiast magazine to hit newsstands in September

    Evo mag to enter to rev up auto mag scene

    Sirish Chandran, Editor, EVO India (left) with Publisher Rohan Pawar

    By A Correspondent

     

    Did we hear a fall in sales of automobile companies? And if that would lead to a drop in advertising in the various car and bike magazines, read on.

     

    Evo, the leading auto enthusiast mag is all set to launch in India later this month. To be christened ‘Evo India’, the magazine will bring its readers the thrill of driving – and riding as well.

     

    An unwavering focus on driving/riding reviews and adventure, up-to-date news, opinion, technology, guides and group tests are what have elevated Evo to its status as the world’s leading enthusiast motoring brand, notes a communiqué and adds: Evo India will continue to emulate those high editorial standards and will stand out from other automotive magazines, by being more lavish in its photography, design and content with some of the best writers in the world – and India! – penning evocative driving and riding adventures.

     

    “We will endeavour to give the Indian automotive enthusiast a one-of-a-kind thrilling automotive experience that keeps him – and her! – coming back for more,” said Rohan Pawar, Publisher of Evo India. “To live up to Evo’s ‘The Thrill of Driving’ credo will be as much as a challenge as it promises to be an adventure,” Editor Sirish Chandran added.

     

  • With an emphasis on quality, value and services penetration, MGL has unveiled a new eco-friendly green brand identity

    Mahanagar Gas unveils new eco-friendly logo

    Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), the provider of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in and around Mumbai unveiled a new logo today.

     

    The logo has an element of green, blue and yellow which highlights its qualities of providing safe, efficient and reliable energy.

     

    The vision of the company is incorporated in the new logo, notes a communiqué. Added a release: the green pitch added in the background defines the nature of the eco-friendly fuel, natural gas offered by MGL, this also resembles the Company’s efforts towards a sustainabletomorrow by supplying pollution free natural gas, which has been embodied in the clean blue flame. A yellow ring surrounding the green pitch symbolises the natural gas pipeline that protects the eco-system with the company’s green practices.

     

  • Chandramohan Mehra of SBI life has been elevated as Country Head – Emerging Business

    Chandramohan Mehra to head emerging eusiness at SBI Life Insurance

    By A Correspondent

     

    Chandramohan Mehra of SBI Life has been elevated as Country Head – Emerging Business. In his new role, he will lead online sales, cross-selling and international operations of leading private life insurer SBI Life.

     

    Spearheading branding and marketing communication initiatives, Mr Mehra has driven multiple marketing campaigns in the last seven years at SBI Life. Amongst the popular campaigns were “Future Guaranteed”, “Old Boy Cricket” and “Jab Hum Honge Saath Saale Ke”. An Insead and BITS Pilani alumnus, his earlier assignments were at Kotak and FCB Ulka where he managed HDFC Bank and Tata Motors brands.

     

  • New services will enable Advertising Standards Council of India facilitate speedy complaint lodging and tracking of complaint status

    ASCI launches new website and online complaints & monitoring system

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has announced the launch of a newly designed website www.ascionline.org, which incorporates an Online Complaint & Monitoring Service (OCMS), which is key to delivering transparency and speedy resolution of complaints.

     

    With the introduction of the OCMS, consumers can now lodge complaints via the new ASCI website, the ASCI Facebook page, email, smartphones, toll-free telephone or regular post. Irrespective of how consumers complain, they will receive a Complaint Tracking number which will help them track the exact status of their complaint on the new ASCI website. Additionally, if they so choose, they can receive regular updates on the status of their complaints via email and/ or SMS.

     

    ASCI’s members will get an added advantage as they will be provided with a unique individual login id and password for their OCMS account. This will give them a single window to lodge regular and fast track complaints or seek advertising advice.

     

    Commenting on the new ASCI website & OCMS launch, Arvind Sharma, Chairman of ASCI, said: “The new website through its  attractive  yet simple  construct  makes it easier for consumers, activists, regulators and industry members to actively participate in ASCI’s advertising self- regulation process. We also hope that the new facility to track their complaints online will further drive all stakeholders’ confidence in ASCI.”

     

  • 400 hours of comedy content and 35 new exclusive shows featuring leading stars Cyrus Broacha, Vir Das, Kapil Sharma, Bharti, Krushna, VIP, Saurabh Pant and Sugandha

    YouTube launches Comedy Week in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    We aren’t armed with research to endorse this view, but comedy (other than porn and moviews) is possibly the most watched on the internet.

     

    So we weren’t really surprised when YouTube, in collaboration with leading Indian content producers and production houses, announced the launch of Comedy Week in India. Running from September 5 till 12, YouTube will play over 400 hours of comedy content at www.youtube.com/comedyweek.

     

    The week will feature a range of content including comedy scenes from Bollywood, TV comedy shows (Comedy nights with Kapil),Great Indian laughter challenge, MTV Bakra, Kahani Comedy Circus ki), mimicry, and regional language comedy content in Telgu, Tamil, Marathi, Punjabi, Malayalam, Gujarati and Kannada.

     

    As part of Comedy Week, YouTube, in partnership with production houses, has also launched over 35 new YouTube exclusive shows featuring stand-up comedy acts from the biggest names in comedy in India.

     

    Speaking at the launch of Comedy Week, Gautam Anand, Director Content partnerships for YouTube APAC said, “Here in India, comedy shows contribute to over 30% of total watch hours within the TV shows category, and in the past year, their viewership has shown one of fastest growth in viewership. Bringing Comedy Week to India allows us to give India’s audiences more of the content they love and discover new content that they can only enjoy on YouTube.”

     

    Sandeep Menon, Director Marketing for Google India, also launched YouTube’s first television commercial in India for comedy week. The two TVC on YouTube for Comedy week will be 45 seconds each featuring Cyrus Broacha (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofwiT0pSbqs) and Sudesh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kCiZJ5M65s)

     

    Comedy week will also feature content from premium broadcasters and film production houses like Rajshri, Eros, T-series, Shemaroo, Disney, Star, Colors, SabTV, Sri Adhikari Brothers, Telguone, MTV, Yash Raj films who will showcase content from this existing catalogues and specially produced content for Comedy Week.

     

     

     

  • Ms Dharmaraj will take charge as Chief Marketing and Growth Initiatives Officer and Ms Rao will be Chief Talent Engagement Officer

    Genesis BM elevates Deepshika Dharmaraj, hires Kavita Rao

    By A Correspondent

     

    Deepshikha Dharmaraj

    Leading PR and communications firm Genesis Burson-Marsteller has announced the appointment of Deepshikha Dharmaraj, in a new leadership role, as Chief Marketing and Growth Initiatives Officer and Kavita Rao, joins the firm as Chief Talent Engagement Officer.

     

    Ms Dharmaraj, who has been with the firm for 19 years, will focus on the agency’s marketing and growth initiatives, and will continue to oversee the Genesis B-M Learning School.

     

    Kavita Rao

    A former Genesis B-M employee, Ms Rao will lead the talent function. She was until recently Global Head of Communications at HSBC Technology & Services.

     

     

     

     

    Prema Sagar

    Speaking on these appointments, Prema Sagar, Principal and Founder, Genesis Burson-Marsteller said, “At Genesis Burson-Marsteller, we are committed to investing in exceptional quality talent and by appointing Deepshikha and Kavita in their new roles, we are strengthening our marketing and talent functions.”

     

     

     

    Nikhil Dey

    Meanwhile, announcing other executive movements in the firm, Nikhil Dey, President, Public Relations added: “Sheena Sharma, Chief Client Studio and Corporate Responsibility Officer, will focus and lead all executive communication trainings for our clients and the firm while she continues to be Mentor South.  Kriti Makhija, Chief Financial and Compliance Officer, ensures the financial health, compliance, governance and IT infrastructure of our business.”

     

  • There will be no edition on Monday, September 9 on account of Ganesh Chaturthi

    Ganesh Chaturthi holiday. Also MxMIndia’s 2nd anniversary & our new office

    There will be no edition on Monday, September 9 on account of Ganesh Chaturthi. We will be back with our newsletter and update on Tuesday, September 10.

     

    Meanwhile, we also celebrate our Second Anniversary on September 9 and will move into a new office in Mumbai from that day.

     

    Look out for a special announcement on Tuesday, September 10.