MxMIndia

Category: Top Stories

  • Brings premium and award-winning shows and movies

    Prime Video launches MGM+ on Prime Video Channels

    Prime Video has launched MGM+ on Prime Video Channels bringing premium and award-winning shows and movies.

    Said Vivek Srivastava, Head – Prime Video Channels, Prime Video, India: “We’re thrilled to launch MGM+ as a Channel for our customers in India, offering an extensive library of blockbuster, much-loved, and premium content at a single destination – Prime Video. Since launch, our objective with Prime Video Channels has been to provide our customers with increased choice, improved accessibility and greater convenience of watching their favourite content all within a single app. In a short span of time, Prime Video Channels has offered increased reach to both local and global streamers to expand their footprint in India, allowing them to connect with a vast and diverse audience across the country. We are certain that with its vast library of iconic movies and series, MGM+ will entertain and delight Indian customers.”

    Added Michael Katzer, head of MGM+ International: “We’re excited to partner with Prime Video India to deliver exceptional entertainment to Indian audiences through MGM+. The streaming service brings a huge range of premium quality, successful movies, much-loved series as well as ageless classics, spanning multiple genres including sci-fi, suspense, action-thriller, romance, and much more. The expansion of MGM+ in India further cements Amazon’s commitment to invest in and grow the MGM+ channel internationally, while enhancing the content offering available to subscribers.”

  • As Head of Marketing & Insights of Core News Brands

    HT Media Group names Saurabh Sharma

    Saurabh Sharma
    Saurabh Sharma

    HT Media Group has named Saurabh Sharma as Head of Marketing and Insights for its core news brands for both print and digital.Under Sharma’s leadership, the marketing teams for Hindustan Times and Hindustan will align, streamlining operations and maximizing synergies.

    Notes a communique: “This organisational change underscores the Group’s commitment to sustained growth and agility, providing meaningful career advancement opportunities within the organisation.”

  • To help expand global reach

    Infinity gets Satyendra Mallik as CEO

    Satyendra Mallik
    Satyendra Mallik

    Infinity Advertising Services, an integrated advertising and communication organisation, has appointed Satyendra Mallik as its new Chief Executive Officer.

    Said Ajay Adlakha, Managing Director, Infinity: “We are thrilled to welcome Satyendra Mallik in Infinity family. His exceptional leadership skills, coupled with his extensive experience across various industries, make him the ideal to lead Infinity into its next phase of growth.”

  • To enhance the brand's digital presence

    Maverick Global secures marketing mandate for Shiv Naresh Sports

    Shiv Naresh Sports has mandated Maverick Global as its digital marketing and communication partner.

    Said Omm Dev Sharma, Director of Maverick Global: “We are delighted to collaborate with the esteemed brand Shiv Naresh Sports. Shiv Naresh has a long-standing reputation for supporting Indian players with high-quality sports apparel and equipment. Our objective is to expand its reach and create awareness among aspiring athletes. As sports enthusiasts ourselves, partnering with a brand that shares our commitment to motivating athletes brings us immense joy and energy to deliver innovative campaigns.”

    Commenting on the association, Shiv Naresh Managing Director – Shiv Prakash Singh added: “We are pleased to appoint Maverick Global as our communication partner. While we have been actively involved in various initiatives, we recognise the need to enhance our mass appeal and digital presence. With Maverick Global expertise, we aim to amplify our brand visibility and educate a wider audience about Shiv Naresh products. We trust that Team Maverick Global will elevate our brand to new heights.”

  • Amid steep competition among advertising professionals

    Admitad launches agency certification programme

    Admitad has announced the launch of a training and certification programme for agencies. It is set to provide agencies with a comprehensive platform to upskill their teams and unlock a world of business and marketing opportunities. This initiative will contribute to the rapid growth of the affiliate marketing market and ease the transition to a new advertising paradigm for agencies.

    Said Neha Kulwal, Managing Director, APAC & India at Mitgo: “Agency managers will learn how to launch, expand, and amplify affiliate programs for their clients, understand the nuances of the affiliate marketing industry, discover new business models and monetization options for agencies and the most relevant marketing activities.”

  • Lux celebrates 100 Years of legacy

    Suhana Khan is Brand Ambassador of Lux

    Lux beauty soap has announced Suhana Khan as the brand’s newest ambassador for its iconic body wash range.

    Said Severine Vauleon, Global Brand Vice President, Lux: “For a century, Lux has redefined indulgence with its exquisite fragrances, challenging conventional beauty standards and empowering women worldwide. Crafted in collaboration with the world’s leading perfumers, Lu remains dedicated to inspiring moments of self-care and luxury. With Suhana Khan joining our journey we aim to inspire the next generation of women to embrace self-care rituals and express their beauty unapologetically.”

  • Offers actionable insights into consumer preferences

    The Podcast Pulse: Report unveils Podcast landscape

    The Podcast Pulse, a report on podcast consumption, has been released by UNPAC Research with the support of Ideabrew Studios.

    According to a communique on the report, in 2020, India surged to become the third-largest market for podcast listeners globally. This was with just 12% engaged with podcasts. That number has grown to 15%, leaving a vast untapped audience waiting to be explored. The Podcast Pulse addresses this gap by offering actionable insights into consumer preferences, content choices, favored hosts, and preferred platforms.

    The methodology behind The Podcast Pulse involved engaging 2,170 individuals across 10 cities in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Indore, Patna, and Jaipur, the report gauged awareness and listenership statistics. Additionally, detailed interviews with 1,800 active listeners provided insights into their behaviour and preferences, a communique adds.

    Key findings from the report include:

    • 82% of respondents were initially unaware of podcasts, highlighting a significant opportunity for awareness-building efforts.
    • 78% of consumers discovered podcasts less than a year ago, indicating a recent surge in interest.
    • Authenticity and vulnerability in podcast conversations are highly valued by listeners, fostering a deeper connection with hosts and content.

    The report also explores consumption patterns, including weekday vs. weekend trends, preferred episode lengths, and the rise of regional language content. Regional podcasts are identified as a driving force in shaping the industry’s future, offering audiences a more relatable and culturally resonant listening experience.

    Said Sheetal Choksi, Director, UNPAC Research: “We believe The Podcast Pulse is a gamechanger, providing insights into India’s podcast consumption and offering a roadmap for creators and platforms to navigate the evolving preferences of Indian audiences, empowering industry professionals and stakeholders to unlock its full potential. As a podcaster myself, I experienced firsthand the challenges in accessing comprehensive data about our audience. Beyond some basic data, no one was able to answer questions like who was listening to podcasts, when, why certain genres did well, etc. This realization was the genesis of The Podcast Pulse – an earnest attempt to fill the void and provide actionable insights for the entire industry.”

    Added Aditya Kuber, CEO, Ideabrew Studios: “At Ideabrew Studios, we are passionate about fostering innovation in audio storytelling. The Podcast Pulse not only showcases the immense potential of podcasts in India but also underscores the importance of diverse and authentic narratives in shaping the future of audio entertainment. This report will be a definitive look into podcast consumption data for advertising agencies, brands and everyone looking to meaningfully engage with a large audience.”

  • To enhance brand and visibility

    Lubi Pumps unveils campaign with Gujarat Titans

    Lubi Pumps, manufacturer of water pumps and motors, has partners with Gujarat Titans for the Indian T20 League 2024 season. In celebration of this collaboration, the brand has launched an ad campaign featuring key players from the team.

    Said Ronak Porecha, Director of Lubi Pumps, stated on the campaign: “We believe in serving nationwide communities through reliable water pumping solutions. And there is no better way to unify the communities in India than the sports, particularly cricket. Through Lubi Pumps partnership with Gujarat Titans, we are instilling our commitment to providing high-performance products & services to connect deeply with consumers. As the nation soaks itself in the fervour of cricket, we seek to resonate with the spirit of our consumers and enhance Lubi’s brand visibility in the market.”

    Added Colonel Arvinder Singh, COO – Gujarat Titans: “Lubi Pumps is a brand that shares Gujarat Titans’ commitment to excellence and high performance. Lubi Pumps’ innovative approach to power progress through water solutions aligns perfectly with Gujarat Titans’ vision for growth and success.”

  • To promote medical tourism

    ETML wins mandate for Manipal Hospitals’ intnl biz unit

    ETML has bagged the digital mandate for Manipal Hospitals’ International Business Unit with an aim at promoting medical tourism.

    Commenting on the win, Raghav Kansal, Founder & CEO of ETML, said: “We are excited about this strategic partnership with Manipal Hospitals, as it aligns perfectly with our vision to enhance accessibility to top-tier healthcare services globally. With the help of our strong Growth Advertising & Analytics acumen, our primary focus will be on positioning ourselves as a preferred destination for international patients seeking world-class medical care in a welcoming and culturally rich environment. We aim to play a crucial part in guiding the brand towards attaining sustainable business growth.”

  • An initiative to normalise discussions on good toilet behaviour across the country

    News18, Harpic collaborate for Swachhta Aur Paani campaign

    Harpic and News 18 have collaborated for Mission Swachhta Aur Paani campaign, an initiative to normalise discussions on good toilet behaviour across the country. The celebration saw participation from Mission Swachhta Aur Paani campaign ambassador, Akshay Kumar.

    During the celebration, Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of External Affairs & Partnerships – SOA, Reckitt, said: “Since its inception, Harpic Mission Swachhta Aur Paani has been working towards integrating a culture of cleanliness in society, particularly among youth, ensuring clean toilets become second nature. Events like G20, which championed ‘India for the World,’ and the profound philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam have deeply inspired and reinforced our commitment. At Reckitt, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of universal sanitation as we continue spreading the message of toilet hygiene and sanitation, helping build healthy habits among masses. While our progress has been commendable, we acknowledge there is more to be done and this marks just the beginning of our journey towards a Swachch Bharat.”

    Added Avinash Kaul, CEO Network18 (Broadcast) and MD of A + E Networks added: “As India strives towards the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat-2047’, establishing itself as a developed global power, our commitment as a responsible media organisation to support and contribute to this goal is unwavering. Through initiatives like Mission Swachhta Aur Paani, we are dedicated to promoting mass social awareness programs with a transformative agenda. Network18 will continue to encourage efforts for a Swachh and Swasth Bharat.”

  • We thought we could provoke him into an answer on this first Friday of May. But, as always, that was not to be. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the May 3 edition of Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | Despite the social media backlash, some iconic personalities continuing to feature in ads promoting surrogates? Are we being too prudish and should we let biggies make monies?

    Bhaskar DasIf you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

    Q: Despite the social media backlash, some iconic personalities continuing to feature in ads promoting surrogates for alcohol and pan masala. Are we being too prudish and should we let the biggies make some monies?

    A: A classic case of ‘dharam sankat’ for the entrepreneur—ie the promoter has to run the business with all the imperatives of growth and keep the survival of employees in mind. On the other hand, there are ethical- and health-related issues. Finally, another stakeholder in the whole exercise is the Brand Endorser. It’s an economic engine, bereft of any other social costs.

    In any dilemma like this one, needs to decode who gets benefitted by the nebulous nature of the subject. All the stakeholders are benefitted, apart from the government. In a country of functional anarchy, obfuscation has economic value. ASCI alone can’t fight it as protocols to protect the interest of the consumers could not be clearly fixed. So a ‘chalta hai’ attitude dominates the discourse on the subject. And polity pontificates about self-regulation. So consumers have to look after themselves through the maze of disinformation, till a solution is found.

  • To drive further business growth

    Priya Barve joins WPP as Client Lead for HUL

    Priya Barve
    Priya Barve

    Priya Barve has joined WPP as India’s Client Lead for Hindustan Unilever Limited. Barve brings over two decades of experience in advertising and marketing, and has held leadership roles with Google, Mondelez, and Leo Burnett across Asia-Pacific.

    Commenting on the appointment, WPP Chief Client Officer for India, Shubha George, said: “A consummate professional, Priya brings a wealth of experience in aiding business success and digital transformation, as well as key local insights that needed to win in many Indias. HUL is one of WPP’s key clients, one with whom we have had the pleasure of working with for a number of years. We are delighted to see Priya joining the team to lead such an important client relationship and look forward to driving further business growth and innovation together with Unilever.”