MxMIndia

Category: Top Stories

  • For a tech-driven future envisioned using AI

    LS Digital joins Billabong High International School to launch campaign

    Billabong High International School Malad has collaborated with LS Digital, a digital marketing transformation (DMT) company, to spearhead a campaign titled ‘Future Re-imagined’, to foster creativity and innovation among its students. This initiative was led by Dr Radhika Srinivasan, Principal, Billabong High International School Malad, aimed at empowering students to envision a new world, driven by the transformative power of AI.

    Said Manesh Swamy, CCO and SVP, LS Digital: “Our interactions with students at Billabong High International School have always left us spellbound. Their thought process, the way they fearlessly think, communicate confidently, and have unique ideas, most of this is because of the differentiated approach to teaching and learning at the school. Students today are constantly exposed to and immersed in technology, with this initiative we thought of merging students thoughts with generative AI and bringing their ideas to life. We approached this more like a social experiment, while creating these images we wanted to stay true and close to the student’s imagination. The results are an incredible mix of generative AI and traditional graphic design coming together to breathe life into these students visions. The reaction of parents and students to the AI expo told us that we did a great job of bringing it alive. The best part of this ‘Future Reimagined’ campaign is that the students at Billabong High International School are even more keen to learn and experiment with Generative AI, and we will be felicitating a series of workshops for them in phase-2.”

  • Urge people to take the first step for their oral health

    TV9 Network, Sensodyne launch oral health initiative

    World Oral Health Day falls on March 20 (that’s tomorrow) and TV9 Network and Sensodyne have joined hands to spread awareness to the people on following their “funda-dental” duties and being sensitive to oral health.

    Said Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer (Broadcasting & Digital), TV9 Network: “In the post-Covid scenario, people are prioritising health and fitness. However, oral health holds key importance when it comes to well-being as it contributes to one’s overall health and quality of life. With this idea in mind, TV9 Network has partnered with Sensodyne to spread awareness and enable people to #TakeTheFirstStep towards oral hygiene.”

    Talking about the initiative, Amit Tripathi, Chief Revenue Officer, TV9 Network added: “Optimal oral health is crucial to the wellness of people of all ages. With its wide reach in seven languages, TV9 Network is well poised to help Sensodyne reach out to our viewers to disseminate the impactful message of being sensitive to oral health. With media amplification across digital and broadcast, we are spreading awareness in multiple languages.”

    Added Navneet Saluja, Area General Manager, Indian Sub-continent, Haleon, manufacturers of Sensodyne: “It’s an absolute privilege to continue our partnership with TV 9’s Oral Health Summit for the second consecutive year. As an organisation committed to improving everyday health with humanity, we proudly support this significant initiative and thank all the stakeholders from various sectors including government, public health experts, and representatives from key dental forums, for joining us. I’m confident that through our collaborative efforts and collective expertise, we will be able to set the right tone for oral health in India and elevate our country’s overall health. After all, oral health, often overlooked, is intricately linked to general well-being. Additionally, with Sensodyne’s latest education campaign #BeSensitiveToOralHealth, launched this World Oral Health Day, we’re further taking forward our agenda of bolstering oral health literacy and tackling preventable oral health issues through free dental consultations across the country.”

  • To innovate digital advertising

    Concept Group partners with Numb3r

    Concept Group, independent agency network, has partnered with Numb3r Impact Agency, led by Rishi Kishnani and Tanmay Bahulekar, to “revolutionise traditional advertising paradigms and introduce a new era of creativity and innovation”.

    Said Vivek Suchanti, Chairman of Concept PR: “I’m thrilled to partner with Numb3r, an agency that resonates with my belief in adaptable creative video solutions. It’s refreshing to be part of a fluid, new-age agency where learning and the development of AI tools are at the core of our innovative approach.” Suchanti, as we know, has invested in many startup agencies in the past.

  • The India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief was speaking at India Today Conclave

    Media cannot play the role of the opposition: Kalli Purie

    Kalli Purie at India Today Conclave 2024

    In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief Kalli Purie Saturday said the media cannot play the role of the opposition.

    “Expecting it to do that leads to unfair charges of Godi or Modi media,” she remarked while delivering her thank you note towards the end of the two-day-long India Today Conclave.

    Purie’s comments came in the backdrop of the election commission announcing the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which is set to further raise the political temperature in the coming months when media will be subject to larger scrutiny and attack.

    “If the opposition is in disarray the media cannot be blamed for it. We cannot present another side equally strongly if it doesn’t exist,” Purie said, adding: “We are observers in this boxing match. We are not the players. If one side is weak or doesn’t show up, we cannot jump into the ring. This is not fear. This is a matter of rules, roles, and competence. We are the medium. We are not the message,”

    Delivering another “thank you” note after the keynote speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Purie said, “Recently, I had the good fortune of walking from the old parliament to the new parliament. They are just 30 steps apart. But it’s like walking between two Indias. The one I was born in and the one I will pass on to the next generation. I love them both.”

    “But they are a world apart. The new parliament is pristine, organised, efficient, full of light, and holds a lot of promise and hope for the future. The old is musty, dusty, full of our rich history, the corridors whisper of our triumphs, great debates, and remembrances, embodying the soul of our ancient nation and young democracy. Walking between the two is a surreal experience. You enter in one century, and you come out in another. It is the story of your leadership, Prime Minister, in 30 steps,” she said.

    “Both of them have their own charm, and I believe both are essential if we are going to be a great nation. I hope that you will be able to bridge the two as only you can. The great Indian spirit in an enriched, enlightened new avatar,” Purie concluded.

  • To elevate its digital presence

    Cheil’s Experience Commerce wins mandate for Nissin Geki Korean Noodles

    Experience Commerce (EC), the integrated digital agency within the Cheil Network, has secured social the media mandate for Nissin Geki Korean Noodles.

    With this partnership, Experience Commerce aims to elevate Nissin Geki’s digital presence by deploying targeted social media initiatives designed to enhance brand awareness, engage the target audience, and drive organic growth across platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

    Said Daisuke Okabayashi, Vice President of Marketing at Indo Nissin Foods Pvt Ltd: ”Today, Nissin Geki Korean noodles stand as the preferred choice among young K-Lovers, boasting bold hot and spicy flavours. The immense love for Korean noodles among enthusiasts is evident. Since 2021, we’ve experienced consistent growth, and we’re now poised to accelerate our trajectory even further. It’s paramount for us to align with a strategic partner who deeply comprehends our brand ethos and can craft compelling campaigns across social media platforms. Our decision to collaborate with Experience Commerce is a strategic one; we trust in their expertise and approach, and we’re confident they will not only deliver the desired results but also contribute significantly to our aggressive growth plans.”

    Expressing enthusiasm about the partnership, Meera Ghare, Vice President and Business Head at Experience Commerce, added: “Partnering with Nissin Foods presents a thrilling opportunity for us to leverage our agency’s expertise and market acumen to drive exponential growth for the Nissin Geki Korean Noodles brand. With our collective focus on capturing the imagination of today’s youth and young adults, particularly Gen Z who are K-Lovers, through dynamic and immersive social media content, we aim to revolutionise the narrative surrounding Korean-style noodles in the Indian market.”

  • For sustained growth, innovation

    HT Media announces leadership changes

    HT Media Group has announced key leadership transitions in line with its commitment to sustained growth in operational strategies and nurturing talent within the organiation.

    Ahijit Dutta, the current National Circulation Head for the Print Business, is transitioning to a new role within the organisation. Indra Narayan Das, formerly Chief Revenue Officer for North 2, will succeed Ahijit Dutta as National Circulation Head. Swati Sharda will take over from Indra Narayan Das as CRO for the North 2 and East regions. Vijay Nair takes over from Swati Sharda as Head of Events. Jaideep Dahiya, currently the Head of Ad Operations and Pricing, is promoted to CRO for the West region. Roopali Dhawan, currently leading the school edition – PACE, will now head the Ad Operations division.

    Said Rajeev Beotra, Executive Director of the Group: “These leadership changes reflect HT Media Group’s commitment to sustainable growth and market leadership through continuous innovation. We believe in nurturing internal talent and acknowledging deserving achievements, as they bring invaluable insights and understanding of our audiences and stakeholders, powering us to continually evolve with their changing needs. I am confident that with this restructuring, we will continue to steer our business towards an even brighter and more successful future.”

  • To bridge gap between brands and consumers with Real-Time, Data-Driven Personas

    Media.Monks launches AI-powered consumer insight solution

    S4Capital’s operating brand Media.Monks, a digital-first, data-led advertising and marketing services company, has launched Persona.Flow, a professional managed service that “gives brand marketers the ability to talk to their data”.

    Notes a communique: “As a consultative AI partner, Media.Monks aids brands in leading the new economy and becoming AI-first through the deployment of customized solutions. Unhindered by traditional agency compartmentalization, Media.Monks’ in-house team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and creatives boast profound expertise in AI and machine learning technologies. Consistently at the forefront of integrating and applying these technologies, Media.Monks is pioneering a revolutionary commercial model for the marketing and advertising industry that addresses brands’ most urgent commercial requirements.”

  • Has been signed as the new face of ‘Cheeky Singles’, Star Sports’ special weekly

    Star Sports collaborates with YouTuber CarryMinati for IPL 24

    As the countdown to IPL 2024 begins, Star Sports has collaborated with YouTuber and content creator, CarryMinati aka Ajey Nagar. The 24-year-old Delhi-based creator, who is popular for his expletives-laden satirical roasting videos, has been signed as the new face of ‘Cheeky Singles’, Star Sports’ special weekly show that captures the fun side of the sport.

    The show is being written by Vishal Dayama, who has worked with CarryMinati on some of his previous YouTube sketches.

    Notes a communique: “With a long-term vision to transform sports broadcasting, the collaboration will marry CarryMinati’s authentic brand of sharp humour and strong youth connection with Star Sports’ vast cricket viewership, promising an unprecedented viewing experience. The first episode airs on March 21, 9:30 pm, on the Star Sports Network.”

     

    Now will CarryMinati minus all the abusive words lose his following on Star Sports?

  • To strengthen its integrated communication activities

    XLRI Delhi-NCR partners with Mavcomm Consulting

    XLRI Delhi-NCR has announced its association with Mavcomm Consulting to strengthen its integrated communication activities

    Said Dr Fr K.S. Casimir, Director, XLRI Delhi-NCR: “We are happy to welcome Mavcomm Consulting on board as our integrated communication agency. As XLRI Delhi-NCR continues to expand its presence and influence in the education sector, effective communication and digital engagement have become imperative. We believe that Mavcomm’s expertise and innovative approach will play a pivotal role in amplifying our institutional voice, enhancing our visibility, and fostering stronger connections with our stakeholders. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that will further elevate our reputation and support our mission of nurturing future leaders as XLRI strongly believes in the greater good and shaping the management education sector and the community at large.”

    Added Anand Mahesh Talari, the Founder & Managing Director of Mavcomm Consulting Pvt Ltd, added: “We are honoured and thrilled to have been selected as the integrated agency for XLRI Delhi-NCR. XLRI Delhi-NCR is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and leadership development, and we are excited to collaborate with such a prestigious institution. At Mavcomm we are passionate about leveraging strategic communication and digital marketing to drive impactful results. We look forward to working with XLRI Delhi- NCR to enhance its brand visibility, engage with its stakeholders effectively, and support its mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.”

  • Close to 70 series and movies across languages and genres

    Prime Video upcoming slate features a diverse range of new series

    Prime Video unveiled close to 70 series and movies, with most of them premiering on the service over the next two years at its second Prime Video Presents India showcase on Tuesday. Notes a communique: “With 40 Original series and movies, and 29 of some of India’s biggest and most anticipated movies, the new slate promises to bring the best of Indian entertainment to delight and engage customers.”

    Said Sushant Sreeram, Country Director, Prime Video, India: “At Prime Video, it has been our focus to super-serve Indian customers with the best of entertainment across formats. From clutter-breaking Original series and movies, direct-to-service premieres to post-theatrical launches of some of the biggest hits across languages, our goal is to be the first choice of entertainment for every customer. Our content broke new grounds in 2023, helping India remain a front runner, across international locales, in new customer adoption and Prime member engagement. We are humbled by the love we have received from our customers, and want every story on our service to be someone’s favourite show or movie. In sync with this, we are thrilled to unveil our biggest, most diverse slate till date, and are certain that our upcoming series and movies will continue to enthrall audiences, not just in India but around the world.”

    Added Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, India and Southeast Asia, Prime Video: “At Prime Video, it has been our ongoing mission to be a global showcase for diverse, authentic and rooted Indian stories, that can transcend linguistic and geographical borders,” “In just 2023, our content was watched in over 210 countries and territories, in any given week, and trended in the top 10 on Prime Video worldwide for 43 of the last 52 weeks. It has been gratifying to witness the national and global impact of our shows and movies, and this fuels us to further champion Indian content on the global stage. As the home for storytellers and talent, we are also excited to partner with some of the most prolific names in Indian entertainment, and empower dynamic, new voices, to create stories that are fresh, powerful, inspiring and entertaining. We are confident that our upcoming slate of series and movies will pave the way for even more compelling narratives from India to emerge.”

  • In Mumbai

    Emvies to be held on March 22

    The Advertising Club is gearing up to host the latest edition of the Emvies. With a total of 1892 entries received, Emvies 2024 will take place on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Mumbai.

    Of 1892 entries received, 471 were shortlisted. The final round of judging was evaluated by seasoned marketing professionals and select creative directors. Emerging as a gold standard amongst media awards, the Emvies 2024 has over the years grown in scale and strength.

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, South East, and North Asia, and President of The Advertising Club: “At The Advertising Club, we take immense pride in promoting excellence in the field of Advertising, Media, and Marketing and the Emvies is a testament to our continuous effort. I’d like to express my gratitude to the jury for giving their precious time, and to the media agencies and brands for demonstrating strong ideas to foster growth of the Advertising, Media, and Marketing industry.”

    Added Punitha Arumugam, Chairperson Emvies Committee: “The increase in the number of entries for Emvies 2024 underlines the industry’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries. We are delighted to recognize the dedication and strategic brilliance reflected in these entries. It has always been our endeavour to celebrate groundbreaking media campaigns that have significantly contributed towards building resonance for brands.”

  • To become largest player in the Indian local language market

    Warner Music partners JetSynthesys’s Global Music Junction

    Warner Music India has expanded its partnership with Global Music Junction (GMJ), the music and entertainment subsidiary of JetSynthesys.  The companies struck a distribution deal in 2021, but this new agreement sees Warner Music make a strategic investment in GMJ, giving it a seat on the Board.  The move, notes a communique, will establish Warner Music India to become the largest player in the central Indian music market.

    Says Alfonso Perez Soto, President, Emerging Markets, Warner Music: “This is a significant milestone in the expansion of our presence across India.  Working with the amazing team at GMJ last year not only strengthened our partnership but enabled us to better support artists from the central regions of India, bringing them the best artistic support that any company can provide, and helping them connect with fans across the country and around the world.  India is one of the most exciting music markets in the world and with GMJ as a partner we’re right at the heart of it.”

    Added Rajan Navani, CEO and founder of JetSynthesys: “Our journey with Warner Music has been remarkable, highlighted by some successful collaborations. The indigenous languages in which we operate, such as the Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Oriya, Kannada and Gujarati language markets in India, have seen incredible growth in the recent past. Warner Music’s investment in Global Music Junction and its continued collaboration with us will fast track the increasing expansion of India’s regional music industry. With our combined collective vision and understanding of audience preferences, we aim to strengthen the ecosystem by meeting the growing fan demand in the music and entertainment space. We are looking forward to more successful outcomes from our longstanding collaboration.”

    Said Jay Mehta, Managing Director of Warner Music India: “Our partnership continues to have a significant presence in the places in the Indian market which are growing most rapidly, and so enables us to be the fastest music company in our expansion.  GMJ is a leading player in five language markets in central India and works with some of the biggest names in Indian music and show business.  This is a critical moment in our expansion across the country as we seek to position Warner Music India as the number one choice for all discerning artists and labels.”