MxMIndia

Category: THE ANCHOR

  • One Big Idea by Kishor Kate: It’s okay to do away with gifts

    By Kishor Kate

     

    My job requires me to be a Jack of all trades. So even though I don’t actually write stories or go on sales calls, everytime I answer a phone call and take the message, I have to digest the information that is being handed down. By now, I know what the message really means when I hand it over to the team. When I visit other offices for submission of invoices or collection of cheques, I notice the congenial atmosphere that exists in most media companies. At first I used to think it’s because of the relations of the respective bosses, but I know find it a common trait of media companies. This is not necessarily the case elsewhere where everything is a lot more formal. It is always good for people to enjoy their work and have fun at their workplace without sacrificing on discipline.

     

    What I find noteworthy in my job and it’s perhaps my ‘One Big Idea’ for the industry is our clear policy about gifts. As per the Code of Ethics, we don’t accept most festive giftables. You are most often greeted with a grunt, but recently when a courier company representative praised us for our policy, I felt good about it. It’s the right thing to do. I hope all media companies adopt this as their ‘Big Idea’.

     

  • One Big Idea by Ananya Saha: The Right Mentors

    By Ananya Saha

     

    How many of us have mentors in the industry? By a mentor, I do not imply a person corrects, as grammar and the like can now be corrected by MS Word (only if one is open to competition from a comp), but someone who can lead them ethically. A lot of us entered the field wanting to be P Sainath or Prannoy Roy. Are we not disillusioned when we work in this industry for paycheques rather than creative satisfaction or ethical reporting?

     

    From Copy Writing to Reporting to Editing to PR to what not (change it in whatever order you prefer) to finally quitting the industry altogether: is the story that is generally becoming the norm. Is there anyone who can stop and ask us: ‘what are you exactly looking for?’ Or tell us if we are not cut for it? Or guide us and take us to the next level from ‘stuck in the rut’ to a ‘passionate vocation’? I am sure that media is not losing talent for it will attract many more as semester ends. But media is losing the faith. Who is responsible?

     

  • It took us nearly 50 years to cross the 10 million landlines mark post- Independence, but less than 15 years to cross the 900 million mark in mobile connections as of now.

    One Big Idea by KV (Pops) Sridhar: Smartphones herald the new technological world order

    By KV (Pops) Sridhar, Chief Creative Officer, Indian sub-continent, Leo Burnett

     

    The last few decades of India have witnessed a plethora of changes, myriad remarkable ideas and lots of inspirational work leading to the progress of mankind at a staggering rate. Some ideas out of these have transformed the way we think, act and live today. We as a country have been riding on the shoulders of such giants to storm the gates of progress. However, if I have to put my finger on the single biggest game-changing idea that has influenced our present and future, it has to be the advent of technology which has transcended the boundaries of just connecting people to giving immense power in their hands.

     

    It took us nearly 50 years to cross the 10 million landlines mark post-Independence, but less than 15 years to cross the 900 million mark in mobile connections as of now. Technology has a way of bringing about change faster than one can anticipate. The arrival of smartphones plus 4G combined with entertainment has turned out to be revolutionary. Imagine the sheer power of the combination of smartphones and 4G if they are available at cheaper prices. The most powerful tool in the hands of man has been technology, which has redefined the rules of the game. Today, a smartphone empowers us in a way that was hard to imagine a few years ago, allowing people to interact even without the knowledge of language by a slight touch of a tiny icon. 4G enables you to have entertainment at a pace that leaves us gasping for more.

     

    How smartphones have been embraced by our country itself is amazing. We essentially are a ‘voice country’ where we call more rather than send SMSes or voice messaging. We like to talk to a person directly. With smartphones, without even typing a single word one can get to know the weather report, or by a single touch speak to anyone. The array of apps that comes with it takes us into a world that we never even dared to dream of earlier. So much empowerment and knowledge in our hands at all times seems at times too good to be true.

     

    With 4G the smartphone user base in the country is certain to shoot up from the current numbers of 27 million. Suddenly it will change the way people live in the country, making it one of the biggest game-changers of the future. Smartphones powered by 4G and packed with entertainment at a cost less than a tankful of petrol ( for cars) will alter the way we live our lives and embark on our progress.

     

    We are talking about a storm that is rising. People are hearing and watching everything through this device. People today are living their lives through this device. Thanks to smartphones, the position of mobile phones has shifted from beside the ear to in front of the eyes. This is going to have a tremendous impact and bring a change to people’s lives taking it ahead of its times. Imagine an Indian version of Siri in 3000 dialects of Indian languages. This is where the power of technology and future lies.

     

  • Concluding our series of 'One Big Idea' contributions published in the MxMIndia Annual 2012 with the opening remarks by the MxMIndia editor-in-chief and CEO

    One Big Idea: Final word by Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Over the last few months, we have been bringing you various comments from industry stakeholders and the MxMIndia team that were part of the MxMIndia Annual 2012 published last year. We had fun bringing these to you online as we did in print… hope you found them interesting and adding value to your perspectives on the business. The last of these is by our editor-in-chief and CEO, Pradyuman Maheshwari. Meanwhile, work on the Annual 2013 has just begun… look out for it!

     

    The problem with annuals and anniversary specials is that they are big and fat and while we all enjoy breezing through the pages and appreciate the great work done, most often we keep them aside and never really get back to reading them again.

     

    My own workdesk has some of these tomes, a few over a decade old.

     

    So what should a publication barely a year in the business have as the theme of its Annual?

     

    We’re living in a world where the attention span is sub-140 characters. Given this, we went ahead with a brief to industry captains and leaders: give us ‘One Big Idea’ for the business of media and advertising, in not more than 250 words.

     

    There are some who have kind-of stuck to the brief. Many others haven’t. But we didn’t go about trimming these. So enjoy the Big ideas, some of these really biiiiiig!

     

    ~~

     

    It wasn’t easy putting together the Annual. We are working with a small editorial and business team. The team which produced this also works on the daily online edition. But it was fun. Many, many thanks to all those who’ve helped with the cause… especially Alok Kapuria and Johnson Napier who’ve been at it for over a month.

     

    ~~

     

    So what’s my One Big Idea for the industry? I don’t think there’s one idea that fits all. Or perhaps there is: Transparency.

     

    When MxMIndia set up operations in June 2011 and launched the site a few months later, one of the first things we did was to set up a Code of Ethics. Now, why have a Code when doing business ethically and with credibility ought to be a given?

     

    I am often reminded that it’s tough being ethical when you’re running a business. My retort: does this mean a hospital is right in administering sub-standard drugs to ensure profitability? Isn’t it wrong for an educational institute to dupe students with false claims and promises?

     

    There are inefficiencies at all levels in our country, so why bother when it plagues media and advertising? According to me, once the media is cleansed, our society will also rid itself of a lot of ills.

     

    Guess it’s time to give a wake-up call to ourselves: Jaago Re!

     

    ~~

     

    It’s been an enjoyable 15 months bringing you MxMIndia. My sincere thanks to all those who believed in us. To our friends and families, who’ve stood by us. To the industry and professionals who’ve had the faith in us.

     

    We weren’t the first in the business. There was a slowdown looming. In fact we were badly hit by it. We made many of the mistakes that start-ups make. We’re possibly still making them.

     

    However, we’ve got our basics in order. In the niche media, it’s critical to ensure editorial integrity. While it’s not a crime to be profitable, it’s imperative that you don’t sell your editorial columns for cash. And don’t give away awards for a consideration or to curry favour.

     

    Our credo is simple: we write about people and entities even if they don’t advertise with us. And we don’t necessarily write about them just because they advertise.

     

    It’s worked so far. My brief to the MxM editorial team is: engage with one and all. Stay in touch with them, and don’t worry whether or not they are advertising with us.

     

    This Annual is a testimony of the MxM way.

     

    ~~

     

    It’s a tightrope walk for me as editor and business head. In the light of the controversy around the arrest of two TV news executives, one of who wore the twin hats of editorial and business head, I have been wondering whether I should give up one of these roles. Unfortunately, the size of our operations doesn’t allow for this to happen. Not yet. However, I can assure you that there’s a Chinese wall up there in my head which ensures that we stick to our core editorial values. Even as we strive to make monies.

     

    We are looking at coming to you in a printed form more regularly. Until then, enjoy the MxMIndia experience online. Alag chhe! Or should I say: Industry wohi, Soch nayi?

     

    Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Editor-in-Chief and CEO

    Email: pradyumanm@mxmindia.com

    BBM: 29FEA79C

     

  • Love for the land should be much more than just standing ramrod straight when the national anthem plays. Loosen up people, says Prathap Suthan

    Prathap Suthan: 8 fun ideas for Republic Day without being unpatriotic [Recall]

     

    This was first carried on MxMIndia in January 2012. Save the Kolaveri context, all of it is still relevant and we felt it was worth carrying given that it’s Republic Day on Sunday.

     

     

    By Prathap Suthan

     

     

    I better walk the tight rope here. Caught as we are between two completely disconnected groups of Indians.

     

    One is a grizzled leadership that’s way too hemmed in, frugal, and touchy about the tricolour and its marching bells and regimented whistles.

     

    And the second is a younger generation who are anything but bothered with the antediluvian huff we make about pride and other mushy matters of the soul.

     

    Come to think of it, in these days of viral Kolaveri, the Republic Day and its patriotism shouldn’t continue to be seen as the preserve of those sitting behind bulletproof glass.

     

    Our Republic Day shouldn’t lie trapped in strict Government imagery. We must ease up on the straitjacket we have strapped ourselves in. Our nation is free. Not bound.

     

    It must be the day ofIndia. Celebrated with more freedom and fun. It must be more popular and populist. The democracy should celebrate it. Less stiffness, and more abandon.

     

    Love for the land should be much more than just standing ramrod straight when the national anthem plays. Loosen up people. We cannot be snoozing all day on the 26th.

     

    So what can we do to inject fun into this grave day? Please add your own versions.

     

    Though please don’t skid over the edge, and start redefining bikinis. Some amount of restraint is good. Atleast in public.

     

    1. Instead of curling into your couch to watch the parade on TV, get your society to hire a big screen. Watch the parade like an IPL final. Get some hot samosas and jalebis. Give flags to all the kids, and watch the soldiers pound the Rajpath. I can guarantee monster goosebumps.

     

    2. Ride a horse. Get off your cars and bikes, and live true horsepower. Get on the back of an old unemployed filly and relive a bit of royalty on hooves. I am sure you won’t be able to gallop. But I am pretty sure that fine equine discretion will lead you to the difference between a canter and a trot. Pay the local ghodawalla some attention. I am sure he will smile a wider smile.

     

    3. Invent a patriotic dish. Give it the finest name possible. Buy from theRepublicofChicken. Or do something that needs a handful of saffron. Ouch. Don’t do the tricolour rigmarole pudding. It’s too cliched. Make the Dal of Thunder, The Saffron Inquisition, or the Great Onion of Panipat.

     

    4. Step out of home, and go and meet your neighbourhood fauji. Remember them. Those gallant valiant men with moustaches curled. Also do shake hands with the neighbourhood cops. They might expect a rolled up currency note. Instead, wish them a great day.

     

    5. Fight for the flag-raising event. Let a younger member raise the flag. Why do we depend on brash old men? The nation belongs to the little ones. Instill nationalism early in their lives. They will never forget. They will be grateful. Jai Hind!

     

    6. Add a flourish of Indianess to the Armani ensemble you wear everyday. Applies to both originals and fakes. Or offset the affected kurta you will stuff yourself into on Republic Day. Basically, try a new thing, and wear a Gandhi cap. You could wear it on your monkey cap if you are a devout Bangla. But there’s something earthy that happens when you switch to khadi. Gurkha cap also doesn’t work for me.

     

    7. I think we should make an effort to commercialize the day. Why waste a full day sitting at home? Imagine the plight of the millions people who eke out their living on a daily basis. For them, it’s a forced holiday. Maybe we should take the lead and get the great T-shirt sale going. Or we should begin a series of Republic Day picnics; initiate a nationwide drive to buy a compulsory flag for all homes, or do something else that will go to annually fund war widows or something as noble.

     

    8. How come there’s no tradition connected to this day? Barring that really long speech the society elder will deliver. In which he will talk more about himself, his childhood, how Nehru almost shook his hand, and how he braved British boots. Maybe we should all speak in Hindi that day. Maybe we should only eat Indian food. Maybe we should have a fireworks show where the whole city is invited. Or maybe we will have a citizen’s parade in the city stadium.

     

    Whatever we choose to do, we must celebrate in our own way. We must take the celebration to the people. We must make it more meaningful and involving. Otherwise this country’s pride will get locked up inside octogenarian ministries. And we will all have breakfast at 3 pm.

     

    Prathap Suthan is the Chief Creative Officer at iYogi.

     

  • One Big Idea by Ranjona Banerji: Time to reclaim lost territory

    Ranjona Banerji

     

    The media – print and television – is under greater public scrutiny than ever before. And thanks to the internet, there’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Every person with a smart phone thinks that he or she has all the skills to become a journalist, the way all bloggers believe that they are writers.

     

    The only way forward for the print media is to reclaim lost territory. No point going as far back as to the ivory towers but at least to disconnect from television news and win back some credibility. It’s going to be a long haul because once doubts creep into a relationship – well, you know that it’s not always a happy ending.

     

    The media has reached a kind of Abraham Lincoln point – where it can’t fool all of the people all of the time. So the intelligent thing (yes, am going out on a limb here) might be to cut back on all those clever little fool-the-reader devices like “promotional feature” without mentioning that it’s the same as an advertisement and those nifty private deals with corporates which ensure editorial that’s, well, you know…

     

    As far as the English media is concerned I know there are many people who want to jump back on to the grammar bus but I give you a mixed metaphor here: that ship has sailed. Instead, a little more leg work, a little less PR-dependency and you might get readers more worthwhile stories.

     

    The best thing about 2013 though would be a few more old-style editors. You know, the type that didn’t let PR and marketing people even enter the newsroom. Ah well, a girl can dream…

     

    — The writer is a senior journalist and commentator. She is also Contributing Editor, MxMIndia

     

  • 'Dev Anand was mortal?' went one Facebook reaction, and indeed it seemed as if the 'evergreen hero' would sing and dance his way through life forever. Adman Piyush Pandey lists but half a dozen of the eternally memorable songs picturised on Dashing Dev

    The Anchor: Piyush Pandey picks his 6 all-time favourite Dev Anand numbers

    By Piyush Pandey 

     

    When asked to list my favourites, I actually wrote down these songs on a piece of envelope recalling his work. I don’t use the internet so I didn’t rely on Google to help me with these songs. These are songs that have left an impression on me and are stored somewhere within me. [First published: December 5, 2011, updated September 25, 2023]

     

    #1 Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya, har fikr ko dhuen main udata chala gaya from the movie Hum Dono. The philosophy of life that the lyrics of this song embody makes it my favourite. It’s about being happy, and not looking back but moving ahead in life.

     

     

    #2 Yeh dil na hota bechara, kadam na hote aawara from the movie Jewel Thief. All the songs I am listing express emotions in a beautiful manner. These do not rely on any kind of musical gimmick but are genuine pearls on life and its ways.

     

     

    #3 Hum bekhudi mein tumko pukare chale gaye, sagar mein zindagi ko utare chale gaye from Kala Pani. The song is a perfect example of stringing emotions with powerful lyrics.

     

     

    #4 Apni to har aah ik toofan hai, upar wala jaan kar anjaan hai from Kala Bazaar. The song plays a pun on the word uparwala. It’s picturised in a train and Dev Anand in the song actually means the girl on the upper berth but puns the word to signify uparwala as God.

     

     

    #5 Dil aaj shayar hai, gham aaj nagma hai from Gambler. Dev Anand’s songs, like the man himself, reflect his passion for life. He had been romancing life through all of his songs and somewhere this passion kind of drips from the work he did.

     

     

    #6 Phoolon ke rang se, dil ki kalam se tujhko likhi roz paati from Prem Pujari. I am a big fan of Dev Anand’s, and have seen some of his movies like Johnny Mera Naam repeatedly.