MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • The rebranding reflects the many shifts company has undergone in the recent past, as well as its aspirations for future

    Amagi Media Labs undergoes rebranding exercise

    By A Correspondent

     

    Amagi Media Labs has announced the unveiling of its new corporate brand theme, logo and visual elements. The rebranding reflects the many shifts company has undergone in the recent past, as well as its aspirations for future.

     

     

    “Our spirit and communication, which was about rebellion and establishing a new order now evolves to mirror the new positioning. From being a game changer in TV advertising, we are shifting our focus to sustaining leadership in geo-targeted advertising and cloud based TV broadcasting,” said Baskar S, Co-founder at Amagi Media Labs.

     

    Amagi pioneered the concept of geo-targeting in TV advertisements in India, with its patented ad network launch in 2008. With maturing of the industry and wide acceptance of the platform by 2000+ advertisers in the country including like HUL, P&G, Wipro, Johnson & Johnson, GSK etc, this industry is anticipated to stage a lot of action in the coming years.

     

    ‘Technology enabled disruption’ is the driving philosophy at Amagi. The newly crafted visual elements is a testimony for the same, with scatters meeting barcodes in vibrant yellow and grey, symbolising technology being flexed to disrupt norms & conventions.

     

    The new website and updated social media pages are already live. The entire re-branding project is expected to be completed by November 2014.

     

  • The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were launched with much fanfare last night along with Apple Watch

    Lean, Bigger iPhone + the Watch

     

    By Sneha Johari
    with MxMIndia Bureau

     

    If bandwidth speeds went down across the country on Tuesday evening, blame it on Apple. For, around 10.30pm on September 9, the appointed hour had arrived. Apple unveiled its new toys at the Flint Center, the very place where Steve Jobs had first introduced the Macintosh.

     

    Apple has been using the “iAppleProduct” tag on its devices ever since Steve Jobs introduced the very first iMac computer in 1998. Sure enough, the iPhone, the iMac, the iPod and the iPad all have “i”s in them. But what does the “i” signify? “iMac comes from the marriage of the excitement of the Internet with the simplicity of Macintosh. Even though this is a full-blooded Macintosh, we are targeting this for the #1 use that consumers tell us they want a computer for, which is to get on the Internet – simply, and fast. And that is what this product is targeted for,” said Steve Jobs. He used these terms to describe what the “i” in Apple products stood for: Internet. Individual. Instruct. Inform. Inspire. You can watch the address here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BHPtoTctDY

     

    Finally, after months of apprehension and a million rumour mills later, we have what is called the 4.7″ Apple iPhone 6 and the phablet 5.5″ Apple iPhone Plus. The change from the previous iPhone models is quite obvious with a design similarity to the Apple iPad Air with thinner and curved edges. The iPhone Plus has a better resolution of 1920×1080 with a 401 pixel density. This is also going to be known as the Retina Display (Macbookpro users will be familiar with this term for high resolution display). The iPhone 6 Plus will be 7.1 mm thin.

     

    Apple says that the iPhone 6 is the thinnest phone they have ever made at 6.9mm thinness. Both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus have better battery life and improved cameras. While most of these features have been guessed correctly by experts, Apple has also introduced Apple Pay through an NFC chip and Apple does not store your information on these devices. There is also what is called the one-handed mode with which you can navigate a website forward and backward by swiping it. Double tapping the home button will result in popping down of the image on the screen to use the phone easily with one hand.

     

    Talking about performance, the iPhone 6 Plus comes with a 64-bit A8 processor and runs iOS 8 with virtually no change in design. Apple Health will be useful in tracking your vitals by collectively keeping your data in one place.

     

    With some major changes to the camera, iOS 8 features autostraightening, cropping, automatic color correction and 2 sliders for lightness and color. It also has a brand new camera sensor.  Both the iPhone 6 as well as the iPhone 6 Plus have an 8mp camera with a True Tone flash and 43mp panoramas! The 6 has digital stabilization whereas the 6 Plus has optical image stabilization.

    As for video, you can capture full HD at 1080p at either 30 or 60fps due to the new M8 motion coprocessor.

     

    The iOS 8 App Store will let developers create short video app previews with a better control on app-buying by kids called Family Sharing. The battery for the iPhone 6 will last up to 10 hours in 3G and LTE mode and 11 hours on WiFi and video. The WiFi802 support will let you access the internet at a blitzkrieg speed of up to 150mbps downlink.

     

    The pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will begin on 12 September and will be available in the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Japan, Puerto Rico, Canada, France, Hong Kong and Singapore. The 16 GB version will cost $199 on contract in the US and for another $100, you can buy the 128GB version for $399. The iPhone 6 Plus will be available in gold, space and silver colors. It will cost $299 on contract for the 32GB device and $399 on contract for the 128 GB (See Table for prices in the US, Singapore and HongKong in Indian Rupees).

     

    Apple also launched the Apple Watch with the specially designed and engineered Digital Crown with which you can scroll, zoom and navigate easily. You can send and receive messages, answer calls to your iPhone along with sending sensitive data such as your heartbeat. The Apple Watch will be available for $349 in the US starting early next year and will run the latest version of iOS 8.

     

    Will the Apple Watch herald an all-new era in gizmo-land just as the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad have in the past?

     

    Given that it does from Apple it sure will create quite a stir. Let’s wait and watch.

     

    Handset US US Rs Singapore Sing Rs Hong Kong HK Rs
    6 plus 749 45689 1288 63112 6388 51104
    6 649 39589 988 48412 5588 44704
    5s 549 33489 848 41552 4688 37504

    Unlocked phones. All conversions have been rounded off on the higher side
    Assuming following conversion rates: USD: Rs 61, SD: Rs 49, HKD: Rs 8

     

    The Press Releases from Apple:

    1. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Announces-iPhone-6-iPhone-6-Plus-The-Biggest-Advancements-in-iPhone-History.html

     

    2. The Apple Watch: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Unveils-Apple-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever.html

     

    3. Apple Pay: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Announces-Apple-Pay.html

     

    4. On iOS8 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Announces-iOS-8-Available-September-17.html

     

     

  • The effort at this stage lies in showcasing the suitability of equity mutual funds as the asset class for wealth creation over the long term

    Phase 3 of Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund campaign takes off

    By A Correspondent

     

    Jaanoge Tabhi Toh Maanoge (JTTM) – the uniquely executed Investor Education Initiative from Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company Limited, a part of Aditya Birla Financial Services Group, and investment manager for Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund (BSLMF), entered Phase III with the launch of its third TV commercial which has broken across national television. Directed by Shimit Amin, the TVC is created by Taproot, Mumbai. The effort at this stage lies in showcasing the suitability of equity mutual funds as the asset class for wealth creation over the long term.

     

     

    Ajay Kakar

    Commenting on the choice of theme, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer – Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group said, “As subject matter experts, we know the opportunity Indian equity mutual funds present to investors. The investor experience however seems to be marked either by their fear of volatility or expectation for short-term gain. Our objective this time around is to try point out how patience and long-term duration of investment can be key to fruitful returns in equity mutual funds.”

     

    Chief Executive Officer, A. Balasubramanian, Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company added, “It is the need of every citizen to plan his financial goals for a better tomorrow. Our endeavour is to make investors realize that equity mutual fund is an asset class that demands investment discipline and long-term commitment so that they may make the most of this asset class to achieve their long-term aspirations.”

     

    The objective of the latest campaign from Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund is to empower the viewers to self-realize the opportunity of investing in equity mutual funds. This has been brought about by addressing the investor’s anxiety over equity mutual funds by highlighting the fact that in the long run, equities have given better returns when given enough time.

     

    Speaking about the campaign Pallavi Chakravarti, Creative Director, Taproot India said, “The Jaanoge Toh Maanoge initiative has always drawn parallels between mutual funds and real life. This time we needed investors to understand the merits of staying invested in equity mutual funds for a long period of time, because good returns are not an overnight phenomenon; which led us to the all-too-real life analogy of anxious parents. The kinds we see all around us, who expect miraculous things from their kids in very little time. Hopefully the film will tell parents and investors alike, in a light-hearted yet insightful way, that good results take time.”

     

    The campaign stresses how investors need to be patient with equity mutual fund investments. The latest television commercial subtly mimics the unrealistic, short-term expectation of the investor by projecting a dedicated parent who expects a reputed Tuition Center to make his son a topper overnight. In doing so, the brand slips in the message how ‘Good Results Take Time’ by reiterating that spending time staying invested (letting your money grow over time) is much more important than timing the market (Entering and exiting the market to make a windfall)

     

  • Acquisition extends Adelphi's worldwide multi-perspective healthcare solutions

    Adelphi Worldwide acquires The Planning Shop International

    By A Correspondent

     

    Adelphi Worldwide, part of The DAS Group of Companies (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group, announced that it has acquired The Planning Shop international (TPSi,) a London-based healthcare brand and research agency. TPSi will join Adelphi’s portfolio of healthcare evidence and solutions businesses, strengthening even further their global research and insight capabilities in the United States and Europe, working across the product and health intervention lifecycle.

     

    Stuart Cooper, Adelphi Worldwide’s CEO, commented, “We are delighted to welcome TPSi to the Adelphi Group. I have admired their creative skills in developing a unique agency and branded solution-based offer in the global space. They complement superbly our research presence across the spectrum, from molecule idea development to tangible brand – delivering the right solution and communication for patients and healthcare professionals. This really strengthens even further our top flight presence as a group in this sector. They will complement also our DAS and Omnicom partners, dedicated to effective creative communication solutions, some of whom they already work with.”

     

    Adelphi provides services in strategic marketing, marketing and business intelligence, real-world observational research and disease specific programmes, health and economic outcomes research, market access, pricing and reimbursement research, health communications, medical education and strategic product development consultancy.

     

    Kim Hughes TPSi CEO said, “The fit between Adelphi’s product development focus with the brand focus of TPSi provides numerous synergy opportunities. Partnering this real world, market access and communications expertise will create value for our clients. We are confident we have found the ideal home for our business,” he concluded.

     

  • Three-day film festival to screen a collection of compelling stories and evidence of the real impacts of climate change directed by some of India's most eminent filmmakers

    Good Relations and UNF to host Clima Film Fest ’14

    By A Correspondent

     

    At a time when climate change debates around the world is reaching a new crescendo, Good Relations India, a strategic communications consultancy and Ennovate Global, a specialist in climate change research and communication in partnership with the United Nations Foundationare hosting the Clima Film Fest 2014 to broaden awareness on climate change issues across India.

     

    The three-day event will take place at M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai on September 12-13, 2014 after a grand inauguration by His Excellency Dr. K. Rosaiah, the Governor of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on September 11, 2014.

     

    With over 3000 Registered participants, 16 Films screened, 14 Issues in focus, 13 Environmental and media experts, 12 Filmmakers, more than 10 Settings explored across India; several international platforms showcased; and with 6 Partners, 4 Venues, 4 Thematic sessions, 4 Film Sessions, 3 Festival days with an encompassing platform, the event will present a collection of compelling stories across India highlighting evidences of the real impacts of and adaptations to climate change directed by some of India’s most eminent filmmakers during the festival.

     

    Commenting on the awareness campaign, Dr. Iris Good, Deputy Chairman, Good Relations India said, “Good Relations has recently effectively and strategically managed the communication of Assessment Report (AR-5) by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in India pertaining to impacts, adaptation and vulnerability (Working Group II); and mitigation options (Working Group III). It is an absolute honour for us to organize and host an event of global significance with distinguished partnership of organizations representing the cause of Climate change in India.  An opportunity that I feel will demonstrate GRI’s expertise in Strategic communications and CSR management.”

     

    Clima Film Fest ’14 aims to integrate science, creativity and communication via films to show evidence of the real impact of and adaptations to climate change.  The film fest is supported by renowned environmental and academic organizations including C P R Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC), Panos South Asia and M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women.   In the run-up to the Secretary General’sClimate Summit at UN headquarters on September 23, 2014, the film fest aims at creating maximum buzz about the impacts of climate change on our lives.

     

  • Vodafone Red caters to these existing and emerging needs of customers, supported with a best-in-class service experience

    Vodafone announces new initiative – Vodafone Red

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vodafone India has announced the launch of Vodafone Red, an all-in-one,integrated, worry-free solution, exclusively for postpaid retail and enterprise customers. With the increasing use of smart phones, mobile internet and apps, customer needs too are rapidly evolving. Vodafone Redcaters to these existing and emerging needs of customers, supported with a best-in-class service experience.

     

    An industry first initiative, Vodafone Redwas developed following extensive research and after gaining deep insights about customer usage and preference. It is a unique and innovative product proposition that goes beyond a conventional tariff plan. Vodafone Redeliminates the need for multiple rentals for voice and data and brings in a new concept of integrated solutions across multiple segments to give worry free connectivity to its customers.

     

    Launching this latest strategic initiative from Vodafone India, Vivek Mathur, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone India said, “Vodafone has always been the preferred brand for discerning, postpaid customers. WithVodafone Red,we offer our postpaid customers a new and unique proposition that captures their need for increasing volumes of voice and data through multiple devices across family members. The built in conveniences, loyalty programme, focus on safety & security and a dedicated relationship manager, makesVodafone Redholistic and delightful.”

     

  • Dettol has been consistently voted by Indian consumers as one of the most trusted brands for over a decade

    RB appoints McCann World Group for projects on Dettol in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading consumer health, hygiene and home company RB (formerly called Reckitt Benckiser) has appointed McCann World Group, India as the creative agency for Dettol in India on a project basis. Havas WW will continue to be the Agency of Record on Dettol in India and globally.

     

    Dettol has been consistently voted by Indian consumers as one of the most trusted brands for over a decade. With a legacy of more than 80 years, it has become the trusted champion of health. The development is in line with the ambition of Dettol to further strengthen communication across its portfolio in India.

     

  • Star India CEO Uday Shankar will once again be President of the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF), the apex body of broadcasters in India.

    Uday Shankar re-elected President of IBF

    By A Correspondent

     

    Uday Shankar

    Star India CEO Uday Shankar will once again be President of the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF), the apex body of television broadcasters in India. At the 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) IBF held in New Delhi on Wednesday, and the Board of Directors meeting thereafter, Mr Shankar was elected President.

     

    The IBF Board also elected Punit Goenka as Vice President – Measurement, N P Singh as Vice President – Distribution, Rajat Sharma as Vice President – Strategic Affairs and Rahul Johri as Treasurer.

     

    Commenting on the development, Uday Shankar said: “I am privileged to be trusted by the members of IBF to lead the industry body at a critical juncture when the industry needs to leap to the next level by working collaboratively with the Government and other stake holders.”

     

    The move is seen to be significant as the all-important television viewership measurement system of joint industry body BARC is scheduled to be functional in the next few quarters.

     

  • The three-day Kyoorius Digital and Design Festival took off in Goa with much enthusiasm

    Curious about Kyoorius?

     

    We were wondering how we should do this curtain-raiser. We’ve already interviewed the Kyoorius Founder and CEO Rajesh Kejriwal. We will bring you daily despatches, but although it’s all about design and creativity, what makes Kyoorius Designyatra (and the IAA Kyoorius Digiyatra) are these numbers. So if you aren’t here this year, do make it next year.

     

    A disclosure: MxMIndia is partnering Kyoorius. But you know we aren’t plugging them only because of that. We partner many other conferences and events which we don’t even cover.

  • The Marico Managing Director & CEO takes over from Hemant Bakshi who is relocating to Unilever Indonesia as Executive Vice President.

    Saugata Gupta is elected ISA chairman

    By A Correspondent

     

    Saugata Gupta

    The newly elected Executive Council of the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) met on September 11, 2014 and elected Saugata Gupta, Managing Director & CEO , Marico Limited, as Chairman.  He takes over from Hemant Bakshi who is relocating to Unilever Indonesia as Executive Vice President.

     

    Mr Gupta has been lending his support to the ISA for a long time as his colleagues from senior levels in marketing and media have been active in different committees of the ISA, an ISA communiqué noted. An MBA from IIM Bangalore, Mr Gupta has worked with Cadbury (India & UK), ICICI Prudential and Marico. Currently Managing Director of Marico Limited, Mr Gupta believes in an empowering work culture that would create ownership and make a difference in to the entire business ecosystem.

     

    On his election as Chairman of ISA, Mr Gupta said: “Our focus would be on making industry partnership stronger and in particular to extend all support that is needed to help BARC come up asap with industry-wide accepted and accurate TV Audience Research data representing viewers across the country. I am looking forward to the exciting times ahead for advertisers, industry partners and fraternity associations to work as a stronger team to harness overall growth of advertising which in turn will help grow businesses and the Indian economy”

     

    Other members of the Executive Council are:

    Atul Agrawal, Vice President – Corporate Affairs, Group Corporate Communications, Tata Services Ltd.

    Abraham Alapatt, Chief Innovation Officer & Head – Marketing and Service Quality, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.

    Narendra Ambwani, Director, Agro Tech Foods Ltd.

    Jimmy R. Anklesaria, Director – Business Development, Bajaj Corp Ltd.

    J. C. Chopra, Director, Infogain India Private Limited

    Paulomi Dhawan, Strategic Advisor, Raymond Limited

    Sonali Dhawan, Brand Director, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Ltd.

    Rajiv Dube, Director, Group Corporate Services and Strategy, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Ltd.

    Sunil Kataria, Chief Operating Officer – Sales, Marketing & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

    Beena Leji Koshy, Vice President  & Head Advtg. & Brand Development, Bajaj Electricals Limited

    Ajoy K. Misra, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Global Beverages Limited

    Anisha Motwani, Director &Chief Marketing Officer, Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    Siddhartha Mukherjee, Director – Chocolate Category and Media, Mondelez India Foods Limited

    Bharat V. Patel, Independent Director, Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co.Ltd.

    Sanjiv Puri, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Limited

    Chandrasekar Radhakrishnan, Head – Communications, Nestle India Ltd.

    R. Ramakrishnan, Vice Chairman, Joint MD & Group CEO, Polycab Wires Pvt. Ltd.

    Samir Singh, Executive Director, Personal Care Products, Hindustan Unilever Limited

    Brahm Vasudeva, Chairman, Hawkins Cookers Ltd.

  • Agency accelerates position as a leading commerce player

    Razorfish named Global Strategic Partner by Hybris

    By A Correspondent

     

    Digital shop Razorfish has named a Global Strategic Partner in Hybris Software, a SAP company and the world’s fastest-growing commerce platform provider. The development comes on the heels of the recent announcement that Publicis Groupe has acquired Crown Partners, a leading full service firm that drives commerce and content solutions, to align with the Razorfish business.

     

    Razorfish and Hybris have worked together for a number of years to offer their clients integrated commerce experiences with technology at their core. The agency has previously been recognized by the platform provider as a Regional Gold Partner in 2013. Hybris’ most recent decision to deem Razorfish a Global Strategic Partner is based on the anticipated powerhouse that will result from merging the Razorfish and Crown organizations.

     

    “Razorfish’s deep understanding of hybris’ omni-channel commerce platform is evident in how it’s been effectively leveraged to deliver dynamic commerce experiences to many of their clients,” said Pat Finn, senior vice president, global channel & partnerships at Hybris. “For many marketers, implementing a successful digital commerce strategy can be very challenging with the need to deal with different partners, suppliers and departments. By providing a one-stop-shop for CMOs, Razorfish makes the implementation and management of digital commerce programs easy, quick and effective.”

     

    Amplifying Razorfish’s well-established position in the commerce space, the integration of Crown gives the agency’s clients access to cutting-edge commerce, marketing and content technology platform-related services, including historically strong alliances both organizations maintain with the hybris platform.

     

    Collectively, Razorfish and Crown have executed over 100 commerce engagements and 13 go-lives on hybris in the past year. To learn more about Razorfish’s Global Strategic Partnership with hybris, visit the hybris partnership page.

     

  • Eight bands performed live from the HIT 95 FM studios to make the birthday party a loud one on-air

    Hit 95 FM turns station into live stage on eve of 8th anniversary

    By A Correspondent

     

    On eve of its eighth anniversary, Delhi’s HIT 95 FM carried out a unique initiative where it turned the station into a live stage. The station hosted “Live and Loaded”, where eight bands performed live from the HIT 95 FM studios to make the birthday party a loud one on-air.

     

    The Revisit Project, Kitchensink, Red Mawkin, The Circus, Shadow and Light, Dhruv Visvanath, Barefaced Liar and Half Step Down each performed live for an hour, 9 am onwards, turning the programming of the station into a truly live experience.

     

    Each hour was dedicated to a particular band, and they got the freedom to express themselves through their music, talking about their journey and playing their music for the audience, making the radio experience what it was supposed to ideally be – live, warm, and immediate in its evoking of emotion.

     

    It was the first time that such a long and well known lineup of bands descended on radio. It was another attempt by the station, which has for years been lending constant support to the independent music scene through primetime play of indie songs, live interviews over the weekend with the Breakfast Jam (a two hour interview slot Saturday morning 10 am to 12 noon) and the Jampad (a one hour interview slot, Monday to Friday 11 am to 12 noon), to make the station truly representative of the flavour of Delhi’s music scene, and of the talent that exists within our own borders.