MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Suite of crazieRBrands online and mobile games lets players win a global adventure.

    Reckitt Benckiser plays easy to get

    By A Correspondent

    Global consumer products giant Reckitt Benckiser (RB), parent of Clearasil, Durex, Dettol, Harpic, Lizol, Veet, Mortein and other iconic brands, announced the launch of a collection of fun and easy-to-play online and mobile minigames called crazieRBrands. These games are available on RB.com and players have the opportunity to win an exciting and unforgettable trip for two, worth nearly £8,000, to one of eight amazing destinations worldwide – including New York, Cape Town, Bangkok, Barcelona, Switzerland, Iceland, Brazil or India.

    The selection of eight minigames in the crazieRBrands suite includes fast action and memory games presented by some of RB’s most famous Powerbrands. The Veet game lends an air of humour to the leg-waxing task and even cleaning a toilet bowl is rendered fun when playing the Lizol game.  Each of the crazieRBrands games rewards the player with the sense of achievement that comes with being at the top of their mental game – in addition to the potential to win an exciting trip for two.

    The online and mobile crazieRBrands games are designed to raise awareness of RB’s corporate brand among students and graduates early in their career, by improving recall of the RB brand and tying it back to its iconic, innovative Powerbrands such as Dettol, Harpic, Veet, Lizol, Durex and Clearasil. The games aim at further increasing the recall with the RB Brand.

    The crazieRBrands suite of games is available on iPhone and Android, aimed at the target demographic, of which roughly 70 percent owns a smartphone, and 81 percent plays mobile games on a weekly basis.

    Mr Chander Mohan Sethi, Regional Director – South Asia, Chairman and Managing Director Reckitt Benckiser (India) Ltd, said.  “We have a unique culture that’s most suitable for young professionals who enjoy quick decision-making, coupled with a fast-paced and agile environment. To continue our rapid growth we are always looking for innovative ways to make ourselves better known among the next generation of managers. These games are a great idea to help people make the connection with RB and the speed at which our business operates.”

    The crazierBRands games and mobile app have been developed in partnership with The Workroom and social media agency TAMBA.

  • For BEST food, ZenithOptimedia is the best choice (for media)

    By A Correspondent

    ZenithOptimedia India has been appointed as media planning and buying partner for BEST Foods Limited, one of India’s largest rice producers, engaged in supply and trade of rice, health and wellness products. ZenithOptimedia won the business through a competitive pitch amongst the top 4 media buying agencies in New Delhi.

     

    Confirming ZenithOptimedia’s appointment, Dr Aayushman Gupta, Business Director of BEST Foods Limited said, “We are delighted to have ZenithOptimedia as our media partners for our India launch. Their deep understanding on launching brands in India and their holistic approach helped us decided on ZenithOptimedia.”

     

    “In an over-cluttered marketplace, it becomes imperative to communicate through effective communication mediums. Our neutral touch point approach will help optimize the best marketing mix for the launch,” said Mr Satyajit Sen, CEO, ZenithOptimedia India.

  • Dainik Bhaskar and Reasonable Communications launch a mega cricketing talent hunt – the T-10 Gully Cricket initiative that reaches 250 districts across 16 states.

    Spotting cricket talent in the gullies

    By A Correspondent

    Cricket is one game that forms part of the Indian DNA. Every by lane across the country has its own khiladis with local superstars known for their cricketing prowess. IPL has taken the game a few steps ahead with new heroes lining the landscape. Entertainment is the name of the game.

    However, the fact of the matter is that for every 1,000 excellent cricketers, maybe just one gets the chance to play professionally. Hidden in somewhere within this milieu is another Kapil Dev or Sachin Tendulkar.  This is a platform to spot just this prodigal talent lurking in the shadows.

    Over the past two years, Reasonable Communications has launched this platform in a few cities in India. Today, the Dainik Bhaskar Group and Reasonable Communications have joined hands in an effort to make it bigger.

    Dainik Bhaskar Group, the country’s largest media house with a presence in 13 states and publishing 64 editions, has a firm belief in this latent talent across the country. The Dainik Bhaskar Group believes that it can leverage its extensive presence across the country and unearth the best cricketing talent who can then be groomed as ‘Gen Next’ for India.

    This mega cricketing talent hunt will be the largest both in terms of geographical reach and players involved. The T-10 Gully Cricket initiative reaches 250 districts across 16 states, to touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of aspiring cricketers. Watched by experts with a keen eye for talent, the shortlisted players will first play for state honours and then national honours.

    The stage is now set for Gully Cricket to become a frenzy, because it reaches out to those far-flung and mofussil areas where playing with a leather ball is just a dream. Not any more.

    One unique dimension of the T-10 Gully Cricket is that no cricketer who has played first class cricket or even club cricket can be a part of the selection process or play for any team. This ensures that only new talent gets an opportunity to display their skills.

  • History channel has made its mark in the very first week itself, with 19.8 million viewers across India tuning in.

    History chalks up high in 1st week

    By A Correspondent

    Making History from the launch week

    Factual entertainment channel History, which debuted its India edition on October 9, has made its mark in the very first week itself, with 19.8 million viewers across India tuning in. With a connectivity of 50 million households across on leading cable TV platforms, History cuts across segments and demographics, and took the Factual Entertainment Genre up by 24 percent in just the first week. History also garnered significant market share in the launch week across market clusters. In All India 1mn+ (including Metros), History ranks as a strong No 2 with 24 percent market share vis-à-vis Discovery (32 percent) and Nat Geo (18 percent) and ahead of the other factual entertainment channels. In 6 metros, History with 29 percent market share vis-à-vis Discovery (32 percent) and Nat Geo (14 percent) further reduces the gap between existing players and fortifies its entry into the genre.

    History also leads the factual entertainment pack in time spent per viewer with 32 mins vis-à-vis Discovery (20 mins) and Nat Geo (16 mins) which is an indication of differentiated programming and the stickiness quotient of History’s content.

    Source: TAM, Week 42’11, CS AB 15+, all India 1 Mn+, 0600-2400 hrs

  • The application provides 2,50,000 minutes of free of cost content in 12 Indian languages

    Jigsee enables video streaming on common mobiles

    By A Correspondent

    Jigsee, a company with operations based in Mumbai, made it possible to view videos on the basic mobile phones with limited memory, low processing power and shorter battery life.

    What makes the service attractive is the ease of use—by downloading Jigsee with a Rs 5 per day GPRS connection any one can watch videos of their choice for a few hours. And there is 250,000 minutes of content to select from.

    Jigsee has now enhanced its content to 2,50,000 minutes coverage in 10 Indian languages — Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Tamil and Telugu in addition to Hindi and English.

    Jigsee’s patent-pending technology allows common inexpensive phone users to enjoy free and uninterrupted viewing experience for superior entertainment, education and informative content.

    Jigsee has 36 content partners including top tier content owners 1take media, Gypsy Videos,  Mukta Arts, Point Zero, Speed Records, Spice Digital, Soor Mandir (largest Rajasthani music label),, Manorama, Mayura (largest Rajasthani music label), UTV, UTV Bindaas, Wave Music (Vee Gee), Khan Academy (educational content, including IIT-JEE prep material),  and Yuki.

    In the first 30 days of its launch, the application has been downloaded by over 250,000 users, who don’t own smart phones, broadband and even ready access to television. If the phone has minimum data rates of 30 to 40 Kbps, videos of any length flow through Jigsee’s platform flow in a continuous stream and the content is free of cost (though internet connection is charged as per the operators’ plans).

    Jigsee Beta can be downloaded for free via http://m.jigsee.com and at half a dozen app stores, including on the Appia (Opera Mobile Store, Mobile2day, Zedge), Airtel, Getjar, Ovi and Tata Docomo.

    Jigsee was founded in Canada by Ray Newal and Areef Reza, and funded by Sequoia Capital and the Indian Angel Network. At the core of Jigsee’s products lie specialized technologies which allow video and other forms of rich media content to be delivered in a continuous and resilient manner to basic mobile devices, over low-bandwidth networks.

  • The line-up has a collection of enthralling, nerve wrecking and entertaining movies this October

    PIX brings you Dynamite Diwali

    By A Correspondent

     

    PIX is amping up the Diwali excitement with its Diwali Dynamite throughout October, 11pm onwards. Pix has planned laughter, suspense, drama and action, right from the sensuous murder mystery Basic Instinct to the outrageously funny Grown Ups.  Diwali Dynamite will include blockbusters like Social Network, Jurassic Park, Gladiator, Nacho Libre, Mighty Heart, Salt, Road Trip and Mini’s First Time.

  • Radio Mirchi and IBN7 offer an off-beat look at current events, politics, people and happenings in a satirical tone, in the new show 2G.

    IBN7 partners with Radio Mirchi for 2G

    By A Correspondent

    IBN7 has partnered with Radio Mirchi for the promotion of IBN7’s new show, 2G that offers an off-beat look at current events, politics, people and happenings in a satirical tone. For the first time, Radio Mirchi is set to present on the television RJ Naved. Now viewers across the country will get a double dose of Mirchi Murga both on the Mirchi airwaves and on the television live and exclusive on IBN7’s brand new show- 2G.

    Commenting on the association, Mr Sachin Tagra, Vice President, Cluster Head, ENIL said, “We are thrilled to present RJ Naved on the television celluloid to his fans. Over the years, the concept of Mirchi Murga has become widely popular amongst our listeners owing to its novelty. It is a special treat for our fans this time as we bring Mirchi Murga to them LIVE on 2G on IBN7. We hope that we continue to add entertainment and fun to the lives of Mirchi listeners”

    Mr Piyush Jain, COO, IBN7 adds, “IBN7 has always believed in content innovation and bringing something different for our viewers. A show like 2G brings a daily dose of humour and lightens up the mood in the very serious genre of news. The concept of political satires is very popular across the world and an association with Radio Mirchi will help popularize this here as well. RJ Naved of Radio Mirchi was an obvious choice as a co-host of the show since he has all the wit and the brain to fit in the portfolio.”

  • Indian matrimonial industry pioneer Shaadi.com turns 15, celebrates World Matrimonial Week.

    Happy Anniversary, Shaadi.com!

    By A Correspondent

    Shaadi.com has completed 15 years of successful matchmaking and commemorated its anniversary by celebrating World Matrimonial Week from October 13 to 19. Through this week, Shaadi.com encouraged couples to pledge to do something special for their spouse. Over 1 lakh people have pledged gifts ranging from a romantic dinner to an iPad. The portal has already changed the lives of over 2 million people through successful marriages in the last 15 years.

     

    On the occasion of the company’s 15th anniversary, Mr Anupam Mittal, Founder andCEO, Shaadi.com said, “It is truly a proud moment for all of us. In these 15 years, Shaadi.com has succeeded in creating a compelling service that has touched the lives of millions of people. Constant Innovation and customer satisfaction has been the centrepiece of our strategy and as we grow, we will continue to strive to provide world-class professional matchmaking service.”

     

    Over the 15-year journey, Shaadi.com started with online business at its core and extended services to various platforms such as Mobile (through Shaadi.com Blackberry application), Television (through a show called Vivah) and on DTH (through Dish TV). In the offline space, Shaadi.com launched Shaadi Centres with a network of over 100 centres across 87 Indian cities. The ShaadiIM messenger, the first of its kind in the online matrimonial space, was launched by Shaadi.com to allow prospective partners to chat live, thus enriching the matchmaking process.

  • A week of surprises and a Diwali extravaganza airs from October 17 to October 21 at 6:30pm on Star Plus

    Diwali fun on Star Plus

    By A Correspondent

    Star Plus is treating viewers to a week-long Diwali celebration that ends on October 21, with drama, laughter and performances by some favourite television artists in Diwali Rishton Ki Mithas – Peedhiyan Anek, Tyohaar Ek.

     

    The  celebrations kick-started on October 17 with Lakshmi Pooja that showcased dance performances and aerial stunts, then for Bhai-Duuj there is shor-sharaba with some light-hearted moments between reel life siblings —Ahem-Kinjal and Ayush-Navya, and Antakshari between Suhana-Ishaan and the Kashyap family. King Khan and his chammak challo will make a special appearance with their latest track from Ra.One.

     

    The celebrations get louder as the television jodis and families get together to celebrate their happiness while commemorating the season of festivity by lightening everybody’s spirits.

  • Viewers will see Hollywood’s best in four special themes from October 3 to October 27 at 9pm

    WB to light up TV screens this Diwali

    By A Correspondent

    WB has a line-up of Hollywood movies throughout the month, packaged as a series of specials to help families celebrate the Festival of Lights. Titled Festival of Lights, the specials are running for four weeks under four themes commencing October 3 until October 27, every Monday to Thursday at 9pm. The line-up showcases Hollywood’s best in action, sci-fi, and adventure.

     

    Festival of Lights will kick off with the action-adventure genre movies such as The Tuxedo, Enter the Dragon, Blade II, Tekken and Superman II and also includes a line-up of movies in the ‘monster’ genre —Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed On, the fantasy genre — Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and action-packed films such as Torque and Speed Racer. Festival of Lights is co-presented by Nokia and Axe, in association with Airtel, Nivea, Tata Sky, Reebok.

     

    Viewers will also get to see some of WB’s best action movies featuring mind-boggling gadgets, explosions, kung fu, and adventure as part of its Diwali Heat special Fridays to Sundays at 9pm and 11pm.

     

    Ms Monica Tata, General Manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia, Turner International India, said, “We are happy to be showcasing the best of international film content to our audiences.”

  • Travel Channel announces a new travel talk show, ‘Livewire With Ash’.

    Explore launches travel talk show

    By A Correspondent

    Explore Travel channel, India’s first travel channel, has announced ‘Livewire with Ash’, a first-of-its kind talk show on travel, hosted by Indian travel industry stalwart Mr Ashwini Kakkar.

    Indian travellers are discerning when it comes to travel plans.  More and more Indians are travelling not just within the country but overseas too for work, pleasure, quick breaks and shopping.  They seek information that is relevant, reliable and practical.

    ‘Livewire with Ash’ is a relevant programme for the Indian traveller to get first-hand topical and reliable information while making decisions on travel. ‘Livewire with Ash’ is also an opportunity to hear the travel greats from Airlines, Hotels, Travel Operators and Tourism Boards on how they view the Indian traveller and their future plans for India.

    Guests on the show include Mr Subodh Kant Sahai (Union Minister for Tourism), Mr Raymond Bickson (CEO, IHCL and Taj Hotels Group Worldwide), Mr Adel El Masry (Director of the Egypt Tourism Authority, Asia), Ms Catherine Oden (Director of Atout France), Mr Michael Maedar (MD of Switzerland Tourism), Mr Sriram Narayan (Deputy Commercial Manager, South Asia, British Airways), Mr Randall Tan (Regional Director of Singapore Tourism Board), Mr Miguel Nieto-Sandoval (Former Tourism Counselor of Spain Tourism) and many more stalwarts from the travel ecosystem.

    The show airs on Saturdays at 10pm on Explore Travel Channel.

  • Publicis Groupe is among the leaders in third-quarter mergers and acquisitions rankings, with agencies from the group’s public relations network advised on approximately US$155 billion value of deals worldwide.

    Publicis among leaders in Q3 M&A rankings

    By A Correspondent

    Publicis Groupe’s global financial communications consultancies – operating as part of the MSLGROUP network – have ranked third worldwide in deal value for companies advising on mergers and acquisitions through September 30, 2011, Q1-Q3, according to Mergermarket, a  leading M&A intelligence service.  MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe’s flagship PR, speciality communications, and engagement network.

    Consultancies within MSLGROUP that contributed to the global performance were led by Kekst and Company (“Kekst”) who took the top spot overall for the number of deals handled in the US.

    Mr Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MSLGROUP, said, “Two years after we created the global network MSLGROUP, we’re proud to see our world-class agencies perform so well in the highly competitive mergers and acquisitions speciality sector.  Financial communications is an area we intend to invest in further.”

    MSLGROUP’s financial communications expertise is housed within six key agencies around the world:  Kekst, based in New York; Capital MSL based in London and Dubai; Hanmer MSL based in Mumbai; Paris-based Publicis Consultants; MSL Italia based in Milan and Stockholm-based JKL Group.