MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Joshi is an accomplished digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience in leveraging social insights and trends in emerging technology

    Cheil Worldwide appoints Avinash Joshi as Head of Social Media

    By a correspondent

     

    Cheil Worldwide SW Asia has announced the appointment of Avinash Joshi as Media Director, where he will be responsible for the agency’s social media practice.

     

    Joshi is an accomplished digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience in leveraging social insights, trends in emerging technology and human interaction to understand, explain, predict and influence consumer behaviour in digital, social and emerging channels.

     

    Hari Krishnan

    Confirming the appointment, Hari Krishnan, COO, Cheil Worldwide, SW Asia said, “Avinash is an incredibly passionate yet methodical advocate of social media. His multi-faceted experience across project management, creative, technology and media will be immensely valuable for our clients at Cheil India.”

     

    “While most of the digital verticals are headed by seasoned skill leaders at Cheil India, social media leadership had remained a gap area for us. With Avinash coming onboard, am sure, we will not just offer best in class social solutions but strengthen our overall digital offering to clients,” said Rajesh Bhatia, Senior VP & Head Digital, Cheil Worldwide, SW Asia.

     

    Joshi joins from SapientNitro were he was serving as Digital Account Director and Social Media Lead-India, growing the practice through relationships in North America, Europe and APAC.

     

    Over the years he has managed brands including Coca Cola – Burn, Sprite & Thums Up, Citibank India, Citibank US, Unilever – Lifebuoy & Lipton, Pernod Ricard – Chivas Regal & Blenders Pride, Yum – Taco Bell India, Fiat Chrysler – Fiat and Jeep India, Abbott, MetLife, Carlton and United Breweries, Lava International – Xolo, United Nations, UNICEF, United Nations Statistics Division, United Nations Development Programme, etc.

     

  • The courses being offered by this academy will be in subjects pertaining to self enhancement skills that matter to today's modern Indian women

    TOI unveils Femina Believe academy for women

    By a correspondent

     

    Borrowing a leaf from the legacy of Femina  and its connect with the modern Indian women, The Times of India Group has launched ‘Femina Believe Learning Academy’, a first of its kind learning academy in India. Targeted towards women from all walks of life, the practical and contemporary courses being offered by this academy will be in subjects pertaining to self enhancement skills that matter to today’s modern Indian women in their professional and social life.

     

    Extending the group’s presence in the field of education and training, Femina Believe will be a part of the ‘Times Center for Learning’, which was launched last year.

     

    The academy aims at empowering women through the power of training and will conduct short intensive workshops in a variety of subjects ranging from personality enhancement to culinary skills.

     

    As a part of the brand launch campaign, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut will be the face of the brand.

     

    Speaking at the launch, Kangana Ranaut said, “I am delighted and honoured to be a part of Femina Believe. This empowering initiative will help women to transform and manage everyday pressures of life with the help of practical workshops and discover a brand new self.”

     

    Women can choose from an array of courses mentioned on the academy’s website. Definitive learning, practical curriculum and a high level of interaction will be the core focus of these courses and will be conducted by best in class professionals, who will combine their unrivalled experience in subjects with training skills par excellence.

     

  • App delivers an easy-to-navigate summary of the top International news stories twice a day

    Yahoo News Digest now available in India

    By a correspondent

     

    Yahoo has announced the launch of International edition of Yahoo News Digest for both iOS and Android users in India. With this app, users can stay on top of all the need-to-know International news, twice a day, on their mobile phones.

     

    Every morning and night, Yahoo News Digest will deliver a summarized version of the top International news, in an easy-to-navigate design. Using algorithmic and human editorial curation, each story is a collection of “atoms” — articles, maps, Wikipedia entries, videos, and photos — that make it easy for users to “digest” the news quickly. The “Digests” provide a definitive summary of all the top International news so that users can stay on top of what’s happening in the world.

     

    The app covers stories from important news categories like – News, Technology, Sports, Business, World etc. Users can scan the summary, as well as read “Atoms,” which convey different dimensions of the story from the who, what, when, how, and why of a topic.

     

    The Android version of the Yahoo News Digest is built specifically with a new homescreen widget that will display the most recent unread digest for easy viewing. Unlike other homescreen widgets, the Yahoo News Digest widget keeps track of the digests that have been read.

     

    Yahoo News Digest will use the Summly technology, acquired by Yahoo last year.

     

  • The decision follows a case filed by India TV against India News for using a deceptively similar channel name

    Delhi HC asks India News to run scroll saying its not associated with India TV

    By A Correspondent

    The Delhi High Court has directed India News to run a continuous scroll on its channel saying that it is not associated with India TV in any way. The decision follows a case filed by India TV against India News for using a deceptively similar channel name.

    A similar directive was given to India News earlier by the Court last year when India TV challenged it for using an identical name.

    But after running the scroll for short period, India News stopped running the communication. India TV recently moved High Court with a contempt petition. Taking cognizance of the same, the Court has issued orders to India News for immediate compliance with the direction of the Court. The High Court has also ordered India News to submit their revenue accounts with the Court.

  • MxMIndia is now looking at Senior Reporters in Delhi and Mumbai and a junior reporter in Mumbai

    MxMIndia is hiring journos in Mumbai & Delhi. Only those with high energy, enthusiasm & integrity need apply

    Business-to-business publications have earned a bad name. News stories get published or quashed because of business linkages. In the near-three years of our existence, we have resolutely practised what we’ve believed in. The occasional plugs or accommodating requests from contacts aside, we have been fiercely independent, even at the cost of losing revenues. We write about people who do not advertise with us and we do not necessarily write about entities who advertise.

     

    We are media-neutral. We write about our competition, and cover their events if invited. We are fiercely opposed to paid content and strictly adhere to our Code of Ethics.

     

    Over the years, we have had some of the best journalists in the business on our rolls or writing for us.

     

    MxMIndia is now looking at a Senior Reporter each in Delhi and Mumbai and a junior reporter in Mumbai. The Senior Reporter must have at least two or three years’ experience and the junior reporter could well be just out of college.

     

    Good English writing and speaking skills, a pleasant personality, loads of confidence and a desire to grow as a journalist are essential.

     

    Those interested can mail their CVs with links to writing samples at: editor@mxmindia.com. Only those who are in agreement to our Code of Ethics need apply.

     

  • Maxus New Delhi has won the media investment mandate for Paytm, widely regarded as the country's largest mobile commerce platform

    Maxus wins media mandate for Paytm

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading media agency Maxus has won the media investment mandate for Paytm, widely regarded as the country’s largest mobile commerce platform. The business will be managed by Maxus, New Delhi.

     

    Paytm started with mobile recharge and utility bill payments and today it offers a full marketplace to consumers on its mobile apps. Paytm has over 12 million registered users. In a short span of time, Paytm has scaled to more than 7 Million orders per month.

     

    Said Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and CEO of Paytm, said: “Maxus has come on board to help us with our media investments and planning. What impressed us about the team at Maxus is their simple, effective and to the point approach with focus on a lot of new media vehicles and initiatives such as content, experiential etc. We look forward to working closely with the team.”

     

    Said V Narayanan, General Manager, Maxus New Delhi, “We are truly delighted with the win and look forward to creating a long term partnership with Paytm and One97communication. Mobile commerce and marketing is the future, and Paytm is pioneering several products and services in the field. We currently envisage an integrated strategy using our global proprietary Relationship Media Framework to create a deeper engagement with targeted consumers using smart media solutions.”

     

  • After issuing a denial last week, Zee News CEO Alok Agrawal announced his move from Zee New to RIL via a tweet

    Alok Agrawal quits @ZeeNews to join @RIL

    By A Correspondent

     

    Alok Agrawal
    Alok Agrawal

    When we called Zee News CEO Alok Agrawal last week to confirm the news of his quitting, he denied it. But, of course, the fact that he wasn’t present at a conclave of group CEOs at Zee, was enough indicator that something was amiss. The Zee spokesperson too said she wasn’t aware of the development.

     

    Last weekend, the news was circulated internally at Zee and yesterday (Monday), Mr Agrawal confirmed the news via a tweet. “Delighted to share my move to Team #RIL. Thank you Team @ZeeNews,” he wrote.

     

    Zee Media Corp of which Zee News is a part is a successful news media firm and flagship channel Zee News channel is counted among the Top 5 Hindi news channels though the Top 3 slots are occupied by Aaj Tak, ABP News and India TV.

     

  • His key responsibility will be to drive growth for the digital offering of Havas Media in India

    Havas Media appoints Ranjoy Dey as Head – Digital

    By a correspondent

     

    Ranjoy Dey

    Havas Media Group, India has appointed Ranjoy Dey as Head – Digital. His key responsibility will be to drive growth for the digital offering of Havas Media in India.

     

    An MBA graduate, Dey has about 19 years of experience having worked extensively in the digital marketing domain. Prior to Havas he was COO at Ignitee Digital and was earlier with Digitas India. Dey has handled brands like Nestle, Samsung, Reckitt Benckiser, Dabur, ITC, JK Tyre, Axis Bank, SanDisk, Airtel, Pizza Hut Delivery, amongst others. His works have won several National and International awards including the PMAA, MAA Globes, Abbys and DMA.

     

    Anita Nayyar

    Speaking on the appointment, Anita Nayyar, CEO Havas Media Group India and South Asia said, ‘Digital at core’ is not only our group philosophy but our mission in India. Havas Media Group had a great run in 2013 and in 2014 won key digital accounts of Yepme.com and Xolo. We are committed to deliver digital across platform, across devices. It is clearly our focus area of growth year-on-year to give clients integrated incremental value fulfilling their business objectives. Ranjoy has the attitude, the all round experience and the energy to drive organic and inorganic digital expansion in the India market; we are delighted to have him on board to jettison the digital strength at Havas Media Group forward.”

     

    Mohit Joshi

    “Young India is a hotbed for digital and 360marketing with challenging and exciting times ahead for all of us. Havas has some of the best digital and media tools and trainings in the industry that have delivered rich rewards to clients across the globe. Ranjoy will be a good navigator to bring to the table innovation and real value for the present and future clients of Havas Media in India”, added Mohit Joshi, Managing Director, Havas Media India.

     

  • McCann Worldgroup, India has bagged 4 Golds & 2 Silvers at the prestigious One Show Awards that concluded recently

    McCann India triumphs at One Show

    By a correspondent

     

    McCann Worldgroup, India has bagged 4 Golds & 2 Silvers at the prestigious One Show Awards that concluded recently.

     

    The agency was awarded Gold for the foll work: Full Page or Spread – Campaign – Premier Tissues India Ltd – Author Headphones; Art Direction – Single or Campaign – Premier Tissues India Ltd – Author Headphones; Full Page or Spread – Single – Premier Tissues India Ltd – Mark Twain and one in the design category for Designer Initiated – Happy Life Welfare & Dabbawala Foundation – Share My Dabba.

     

    The Silver winners include Posters – Single – Penguin Group (India) – William Shakespeare; Posters – Single – Penguin Group (India) – Mark Twain.

     

    The entries that received a Merit nomination include Full Page or Spread – Single – Penguin Group (India)- Oscar Wilde; Posters – Single – Penguin Group (India) – Oscar Wilde; Posters – Single -  Premier Tissues India Ltd; P.O.P. and In-store – Campaign - Premier Tissues India Ltd – Origami; and Full Page or Spread – Campaign – Yatra Online – Shoelace Monuments

     

    Prasoon Joshi

    Sharing his views, Prasoon Joshi, Chairman-CEO and Chief Creative officer of McCann India said, “One Show is a very prestigious show and winning 4 Gold pencils is really rare; we at McCann will cherish it for sure. I thank One Show on behalf of the entire team for this honour.”

     

  • Infibeam will hold majority stake in the Company and Sony Music will hold a 26 per cent stake post completion of transaction.

    Sony Music Entertainment Buys Strategic Stake

    By A Correspondent

     

    Infibeam Incorporation Pvt ltd (Infibeam) and global music giant Sony Music Entertainment have announced a definitive agreement, where in Sony Music has bought strategic stake in Infibeam Digital Entertainment (P) Ltd (INDENT). Under the agreement, Infibeam will hold majority stake in the Company and Sony Music will hold a 26 per cent stake post completion of transaction.

     

    INDENT with its clear strategic focus will offer an attractive platform to large and medium music labels in India and International. Any music label or brand holding rights to content can use the Indent platform to engage customers and monetize by distributing digital as well as physical content under their own brand with payment integrations.

     

    Commenting on the agreement, Shridhar Subramaniam President India and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment said, “INDENT fills a need gap for all Music rights owners. As the digital eco system keeps evolving, there has been a strong need for an independent technology company that music companies can partner with to build innovative services and offerings. Every content owner has aspirations to reach consumers and brands directly, Indent empowers these labels with a scalable and commerce ready platform.”

     

    Vishal Mehta, Founder & CEO Infibeam shared, “INDENT continues to build state-of-the-art inclusive digital platforms powering music applications installed on millions of mobile phones and high quality experience to music lovers.  Indent will enable brands, technology and music on common interface with innovative customer engagement models.”

     

    With large repository of music content, INDENT will continue developing applications for many large labels and brands with integrated Telco billing, OEM bundling and social platforms. Currently, INDENT offers its service to SONY Music, INRECO (The Indian Record Manufacturing Company Ltd), to name a few.

     

  • There will be no mid-morning update on Friday, the 16th. However, follow our live tweets, comments by our Columnists, a Google Hangout and more…

    Look out for the MxMIndia’s Special Coverage on Results Day

     

    Although every election is bigger than the previous ones, General Elections 2014 was by far the biggest for the media. These were the first general elections after the social media explosion. It was a ‘Made for Television’ election.

     

    On Friday, May 16, we will not come to you with our regular mid-morning edition. However, we have a special offering for that day:

     

    1. Livetweeting through the counting process. Our brand of commentary on the way the election results are being covered. Follow our Twitter handle: @mxmindia

    2. A very special edition at 4pm that day. Special Columns by Ranjona Banerji, Shailesh Kapoor and Amith Prabhu. Plus Mediaah! Also, a lot more of news and reactions.

    3. A Google Hangout on the election results at 5pm discussing the election coverage. To be aired live on YouTube and where you can interact with our guests.

    Our edition on Monday, May 19 will also carry a detailed review of the media coverage

     

  • Around 80 employees are currently serving a month's notice and will be given salaries for three months' towards their full-and-final settlement

    As UTV Stars goes Bindass, 80+ staff laid off

    By Shobhana Nair

     

    Last fornight, Disney India announced its first big move since the exit of founder-CEO Ronnie Screwvala. UTV Stars, which was launched with much fanfare in August 2011, was going to adopt the Bindass branding.

     

    However, while one expected it to be a minor rationalisation of resources, reports received by MxMIndia indicate that a sizeable part of the production team – including show producers, reporters, cameramen and editors have been given the pink slips earlier this month. Around 80 employees are currently serving a month’s notice and will be given salaries for three months’ towards their full-and-final settlement.

     

    Interestingly, UTV Stars was the only channel from the stable (other than the business channel which the group once owned) with a strong inhouse production unit. While the channel has a reasonable viewership given the nature of its offering and some of its shows have a fair following, what didn’t work for it was the fitment in the larger scheme of Disney India.

     

    The new Bindass-branded channel is scheduled to be launched in October this year with fresh packaging, content and a brand name. Sources say the company is mulling a music channel, given the opportunities in that space.

     

    The spokesperson from Disney India was unavailable for comment.