Brand and marketing veteran V Shantakumar has joined Pitchfork Partners Strategic Consulting LLP as a senior strategist and board member.
Shantakumar will work closely with co-founders Sunil Gautam and Jaideep Shergill, and the team at Pitchfork Partners, to support its aggressive growth and diversification plans. Shantakumar has been involved with Pitchfork Partners for more than two years as a consulting partner on several assignments; the new role will take his relationship to the next level.
Shantakumar is a veteran of more than four decades in marketing and advertising. He retired as chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi India in 2008, and was an advisor to the worldwide Saatchi & Saatchi Network through to 2010. That year, he founded an independent strategy advisory service called Doing Think focused on helping create sustainable business advantage using a proprietary process called Context Engineering.
Said Gautam and Shergill: “We are excited to have Shanta join us. His credentials are impeccable and Shanta’s ability for creative thinking and strategy are par excellence. With his guidance and support, Pitchfork Partners will take the next leap towards redefining the communications landscape of India.â€
Added Shantakumar: “I am thrilled to be an integral member of the Pitchfork team. Although I have been involved over the past two years, the relationship today is more solid and allows me to contribute to my fullest. Sunil and Jaideep are great friends, and I am really excited to work with them to realise the Pitchfork dream.â€
Star India has announced the launch of Star Bharat from the evening of August 28. The channel will replace Life OK.
While the channel has been announced by way of a brand film and an all-new credo of “Bhula ke darr, kuch alag karâ€, a basic programming line-up has also been announced. These being a devotional music reality show titled’ Om Shanti Om’ which has Baba Ramdev as its ‘Maha Judge’. Then there’s a sitcom title ‘Kya Haal Mr. Panchaal?’
Star Bharat’s launch campaign film has been conceptualised inhouse and directed  by Chak De India director Shimit Amin.
How does one determine the big news of the day or week? In a regular world, it might be continued coverage of the deaths of children at a hospital in Gorakhpur. Or continued coverage of a rail accident in Muzaffarnagar, with negligence being alleged. Or a fast-breaking scam in Bihar, involving an NGO and political and bureaucratic patronage. Or devastating floods in Assam and Bihar. Or hundreds of cows dying in “shelters†run by BJP politicians in Chhatisgarh?
Not of course if you are “patriotic†television channel, which occasionally dabbles in news. Bihar, UP, Chhattisgarh where these events have taken place are all BJP-run or BJP-coalition states. Therefore, if you are “patriotic†television channel which dabbles in news, the top subjects of the day are obvious: “Are Muslims patrioticâ€, “How to distinguish a real patriot from a pseudo-patriot†and why we must all chant Vande Mataram 20 times a day to prove we are Indian.
A few deaths here and there, a few rail tracks removed, an oxygen supply disturbed, heavy rainfall – well, that is life, that is death, this is India. Vande Mataram, as Navika Kumar of Times Now informed us a couple of weeks ago, that is the “real issueâ€.
Just a small comparison with the United States (I hear the groans of “O no, not againâ€, I do!). The Economist, in a piece headlined “Unfit†on US president Donald Trump and his inability (refusal?) to condemn white supremacists, says: “Having equivocated at his first press conference on Saturday, Mr Trump said what was needed on Monday and then undid all his good work on Tuesday, briefly uniting Fox News and Mother Jones in their criticism, surely a first.â€
That is, two news outlets from opposite ends of the spectrum, found Trump’s inability to condemn events at Charlottesville unacceptable. Fox News has been Trump’s main support and his main source of news since his campaign. But the president’s equivocation on a dangerous subject was unacceptable even to his supporting media act.
How often have you seen this sort of reaction from the Indian media, particularly the Indian television media?
For instance, undertrials in all sorts of cases eventually get bail and/or acquittal because of the extreme slow pace of the Indian judicial system. This includes people accused of terrorist acts. If the accused are Muslim, the usual reaction is the horror of having a terrorist out loose in society. Few reporters and TV anchors have much idea about jurisprudence, the importance of an investigation and evidence or even of the concept of bail. Bail is often seen as being equal to innocence.
However, when Lt Colonel Shrikant Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegoan Blasts case gets bail, a TV anchor on one of our not-always patriotic channels is full of pain for the poor accused, having spent so many years in jail. The same or even equivalent pain was not felt on television when earlier this month all 10 accused were acquitted in a 2005 case in Hyderabad, where a bomb went off at a Task Force office. Those acquitted – acquitted mind you for lack of evidence, not given bail – were Muslim.
This is the “new India†sometimes not so different from the old India, except this sort of blatant divisiveness was not always so evident in the media.
When Rakesh Sinha of the RSS is given ample space in newspapers and on television to claim that the RSS played a major role in India’s freedom struggle – without providing any evidence – and this space is given “to be objectiveâ€, then you can clearly see how our national discourse is being directed and by whom.
Meanwhile, to keep up their part of the bargain to be incompetent, some Indian newspapers have been telling us for days in their headlines that the AIADMK “may merge†yesterday, today, tomorrow, day after. Few tell us that this merger will possibly help the BJP gain more seats in the Rajya Sabha.
My headline for the day: “It may or may not rain tomorrow, people may or may not die and India may or may not win a cricket match.â€
Amazon Prime Video India has announced the creation of multiple reality shows for India, a first for a digital streaming service. The lineup comes to life with three new reality shows – Jestination Unknown, The Remix and Comic Kaun featuring stars such as Vir Das, Anu Menon, Amit Trivedi, Sunidhi Chauhan and Nucleya; and comedians Tanmay Bhat, Sumukhi Suresh and Abish Mathew.
Said James Farrell, Head of Content, Prime Video, Asia Pacific: “Reality shows are now more popular than ever, across a variety of genres. Customers globally have told us how much they enjoy reality shows, like the Japanese Prime Video fan favorite, The Bachelor Japan. With the launch of multiple new Original reality shows, we’re aiming to offer our Indian customers a variety of quality new reality content to enjoy.â€
Added Vijay Subramaniam, Director, Content, Amazon Prime Video India, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to engage with our customers. We know Indians enjoy reality TV, so we are creating new originals with the best new concepts and local Indian talent. We’re excited to add more variety to our service, and continue to reinvent the way Indian customers watch TV.â€
Roposo, a homegrown digital platform, has unveiled its first digital campaign that brings to the fore the offerings and services on Roposo’s latest avatar of ‘TV by the people’. Featuring actor Amol Parashar, the digital campaign shows how the platform is the ideal go-to destination for the youth to share their lives online and connect with like-minded audiences.
Expressing his enthusiasm on the digital campaign launch, Mayank Bhangadia, CEO and Co-founder, Roposo, said, “Roposo is the world’s first TV by the people. The video’s concept is based on the thought that every individual is a star and has a global audience on Roposo.’
Directed by Dipro Ghosal and produced by Ruchir Arun and Debadrita Ghosh under the banner The Bard, Ashish Verma has penned the dialogues, and Ragul Dharuman has cranked the camera for the digital campaign shot in Mumbai. Roposo’s team, led by Reechal Vardhan, had internally worked on the idea of the ad film, finalised the script, and the style of the video.
Two stories about the media released in the past week need further attention. The first is in The Indian Express about NDTV being sold to Spicejet owner Ajay Singh. The second is in thewire.in about why Bobby Ghosh, editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times, has resigned after less than two years in the newspaper.
Although NDTV has denied the sale to Spicejet, rumours have been floating around. A politician put up a hint on Twitter before the story itself appeared. The Express story says that Spicejet will now hold 40 per cent of NDTV and Prannoy and Radhika Roy will hold 20 per cent. Spicejet will also have editorial control.
That NDTV needs a cash infusion is not new. But editorial control to a known BJP supporter is the matter of concern. After the CBI raids on NDTV this June, there was plenty of speculation that the government was gunning for it because of the channel’s criticism of some government policies and of particular aspects of rightwing behaviour by the BJP’s larger family across India.
Right now, in news television, NDTV is a rare bird that stands up to the government now and then, especially when compared to its rival channels which either ignore government mistakes or act as public relations agents of the Modi government. Some anchors are bolder and freer than others, which is what makes NDTV a target for Bhakts and the BJP’s online army.
By comparison, Times Now is a bad copy of Republic TV, NewsX is a bad copy of Times Now, India Today TV is largely a pro-government puppet with occasional forays into criticism, Republic TV openly conflates “patriotism†with being pro-Modi, CNN
​-​
News18 has more balanced reportage than the rest although its debates and star anchors can go anywhere at all. Mirror Now tries to contrast with Times Now, to give BCCL its “all things to all people†cover. All of these channels , one way or another, use deflection to cover up any bad moves by the BJP and all BJP governments. The concentrated focus on Karnataka, Bengal and Kerala by these channels tells you clearly what the BJP’s next targets are.
The fear of a government takeover of the media goes deeper than the possible capitulation of NDTV. A more disturbing story has been carried in thewire.in about how Bobby Ghosh was asked to leave Hindustan Times, for his anti-government stance in the paper and on social media. Anuj Srivas’s detailed, informative story points to Ghosh’s “hate tracker†initiative which angered the government. And in a meeting between Shobhana Bhartia, owner of HT, and ​Prime ​Minister Narendra Modi, this displeasure was made clear.
The link appears below and is worth reading.
But what this means is that there is a direct attack on a free and fair media in India. Social media trolls may dub everyone who criticises the BJP as a Congress stooge blah blah but that “insult†is so old that it is now dry as dust and meaningless. The BJP has been in power at the Centre for three years and any journalist who covers for it is now sold out and without any credentials.
Rumour tells that there is a longer list of editors who the government wants to get the chop. Ghosh has said nothing yet. When and if he does, we will have an inkling into the future of a free media in India. So far, the portents do not look good.
Dentsu Aegis Network has announced the India launch of Amplifi, its media investment arm that comprises four specialisations – Investment Management, Global Media Partnerships, Amnet and The Story Lab. Kartik Iyer, President Media Agencies and Amplifi will spearhead the initiative.
Ashish Bhasin
Speaking on this launch, Ashish Bhasin Chairman & CEO South Asia said: “We are excited to launch Amplifi in India under Kartik’s leadership and bringing together the four key capabilities under one structure. In today’s world, our media partners have much more to bring on table for our clients, than just media inventory.  Amplifi’s is uniquely placed to drive this supply-side convergence by harnessing data, technology, insight and content to help all members of the Dentsu Aegis Network operating model.â€
Added Iyer: “Our constant endeavour has been to bring best in class solutions for our clients that enable their business growth. The launch of Amplifi is another step in that direction and I am very excited with this opportunity.â€
Sujata Dwibedy
As part of this launch, Sujata Dwibedy takes over as Group Buying and Trading Head from Harsha Joshi who is moving on. Said Bhasin on Joshi’s exit: “Harsha, with her vast experience, has been a huge contributor in the growth of the media group. We wish her all the very best for her future.â€
Kartik Iyer
Speaking on Dwibedy’s appointment, Kartik said, “Sujata, with over 20 years of media trading and strategy experience, has extensively worked across sectors such as FMCG, telecom, airlines, finance, alcohol and beverages and has led teams in the areas of planning, research, buying and strategy. Her holistic perspective will enable a better integration of all buying and trading functions across the group, in both online and offline media. Sujata will be supported by Prashant Nandan who has over 10 years of expertise in strategic digital marketing, media planning, media buying and content marketing across agencies like Isobar, Maxus and Motivator. Over the past three years, he has been leading buying for Isobar and now moves to Amplifi to deliver the digital buying and trading expertise to the group.â€
Speaking on her appointment as Group Buying and Trading Head, Dwibedy said, “I am delighted to have been chosen for this responsibility to drive ROI and deliver value to Dentsu Aegis Network clients. In today’s rapidly changing media marketplace, I look forward to working with our agencies and media partners to deliver this value across media to our clients.†The Story Lab, launched in 2015 in India, will continue to operate as part of Amplifi under the leadership of Sunil Kumaran.
It was a dream that was waiting to become one big reality. When the rest of India was hooked on to the goings-on of the Gulf War in 1991 through relay from international news channels, a bunch of visionaries were contemplating launching a private channel that would do something similar in India. Thus was sown the seed of India’s first and private Hindi channel, Zee.
When we spoke with him in October 2012 on the occasion of Zee’s 20th anniversary, Ashok Kurien, the man who ran Ambience Advertising which handled the ad business of Essel Group, recountedto Johnson Napier how a chance conversation took shape to create one of India’s earliest and most successful Hindi channels. Mr Kurien continues to be on the Board of Directors of Zee Entertainment.
Do you recall how you reacted when Mr Subhash Chandra first came to you with the idea of launching Zee? From what we hear, it’s after your reassurance and active support that he got into it.)
January 1991: Subhash, my client at Esselworld, and I were watching the Gulf War ‘Live’ on CNN. It was our early exposure to satellite TV in India.
“Why can’t we do this here in India?†the conversation went.
“What do you know about TV?†asked Subhash.
“More than anyone else,†I replied, having spent many years on the ad agency side: Concepts and Pilot programmes, Sponsored programmes and FCT during the Doordarshan days…
“Write me a business plan,†said Subhash.
I did… and the rest is history.
Of course, Subhash was way ahead of me, with advice and plans from some ex-Doordarshan people.
The first 5 or 6 years, working hands-on to help Subhash build India’s first private TV station, was the most exciting chapter of my life.
Zee changed the Indian entertainment scenario, and along with it changed the Indian consumer forever.
Zee obviously had the advantage of being the first mover in the Hindi space, and later there were many others who entered the scene. What according to you is the reason Zee has been such a success story?
Zee moved fast, was always the first, and stayed far ahead of everyone for over the first decade.Zee understood the emotions and tastes of the Indian consumer. It took a long time for the competition to figure it out… mainly by hiring Zee TV’s people.
Other than being a director on the Board, are you active in advising the Zee management presently?
No advice to Zee at all….. unless I am asked to.I have played a role in helping Dish TV grow to leadership over its first 3 or 4 years, and now helping to take the Zee group into new media with India.com.
If there was one thing that Zee could have possibly have done differently in these 20 years, what would it be?
Zee should have launched a Tamil/South channel 15 years ago. But it was my error of judgement and ill advice that prevented that. My one, big, unforgettable mistake!
Zee, it’s said, mirrors Mr Subhash Chandra’s personality: dynamic, aggressive, a maverick, often restless, cost-conscious, risk-taker and a visionary. He’s been a friend for many years, would these descriptors be appropriate (for him and Zee). And how much would you attribute the success of Zee to Mr Chandra and in recent years, his family?
Subhash’s personality is all this and more. He is fearless and will walk where angels fear to treadBut as a friend I have seen the warm, but very private, human side of him too. He has great inner strength, and this too is inbuilt in Zee’s DNA.
Zee’s success was driven almost 100 percent by Subhash for many years, and only in the last decade or so did the professionals who joined Zee start contributing majorly.
Punit has reinvented the ‘creative magic’ that Zee started with 20 years ago.
India TV has announced the elevation of Piyush Padmakar, Anita Sharma and Amrendra Pratap Singh as Managing Editors. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma announced key elevations and appointments in editorial leadership on Wednesday.
Anita Sharma
Said Sharma: “I am extremely pleased to announce this young, energetic and truly aggressive team to lead the editorial function. With this new team in place, I feel very confident that the channel and the company continues to follow its aggressive growth path.â€
Piyush Padmakar
In other key elevations, Sachin Sahay has been made Editor-Output and Pranay Yadav who has been elevated as Editor-Political. Also,Utpal Chaudhry has been appointed as Editor – Input and Surender Gumber has been elevated as Editor – Assignment who will now head the assignment department, news gathering and logistics.
All smiles: L to R: Chris Anderson with you-know-who (Uday Shankar and Salman Khan… uff, okay, Shah Rukh Khan
By A Correspondent
Star India is not known to hold press conferences often. Why, other than a select few, their business heads don’t even speak to the media. But then when they do, it’s almost always something very big.
And what happened on Thursday was significant as it was about yet another ‘hat ke’ show, which goes beyond entertainment, but will air on entertainment channel Star Plus.
It was about ‘TED Talks India Nayi Soch’ (TTINS) and will star Shah Rukh Khan as host. It is TED’s first collaboration with a television network globally, and it will be the first time ever when a TED Talk will be aired on television first. The show is scheduled to start some time later this year (which leaves December, November and a bit of October in 2017) and we still don’t know what time it will be aired. On a Sunday morning (like Satyamev Jayate) or weekday primetime or weekend primetime.
When we normally talk of new shows, the report is generally based on a press release, and with some extra answers and info thrown in. But then this is Star Plus, and the network is headed by a former journalist (Uday Shankar) who still thinks like a journalist. The head of the content studio (Gaurav Banerjee) is also a former journalist, so one is sure they wouldn’t mind us toeing their line of ‘nayi soch’ and first looking at the challenges ahead for the new show.
1. This isn’t the first time that Star Plus has retained megastar Shah Rukh Khan as a host. In the early 2000s, he hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati, and later to host Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?, the Indian version of ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?’.
Then in 2011, he returned to Imagine TV’s ‘Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout’, the Indian version of ‘Wipeout’. While his film awards shows have rated well, his three key television appearances as a star host have seen dismal results. Duds, one could say. Will TTINS work for SRK and Star Plus? Don’t know, Can’t say.
2. The last time Star Plus had done an eclectic show – and an activisty one – it did phenomenally well for it in terms of perception etc, but it didn’t bring in truckloads of ratings. In fact the show – Satyamev Jayate – went off air after its third season. This time though it’s Shah Rukh Khan as the host and the invited speakers will have their own draw with crowds. We don’t know the final list of guests but the grapevine has it that Karan Johar is one of the speakers. And Oprah Winfrey has been invited. Google’s Sunder Pichai is also on the list. The show will be in Hindi, and will hence appeal to audiences across (well, so was SJ, but then that was serious stuff). It is said the show may also be dubbed or subtitled in other languages. We don’t know yet.
3. For a certain set of audiences who like to visit TED events or watch TED talks, the TED franchise has diluted considerably. There are TEDx events happening in every gully and nukkad. There could well be a TEDxRamkrishna Nagar or TEDxPandit Paluskar Chowk… TED is everywhere and in the interests of reaching out to the world, it’s really going places.
So TTINS is perhaps in TED’s line of taking the brand to the billions. Next stop: China, we are sure.Â
TED, we know is a not-for-profit (and guess not-for-loss too), but over the last year-odd it has diluted its equity much with it core audience. But then this is all about building new audiences…
The show is being produced by Freemantle, so one assumes that if it’s a success, the all-new format will be taken elsewhere. Regional channels, please note. Yes, why not TED Bhojpuri or TED Telugu or Bangla. Whatever…
Let’s hear the bytes from the press release:
Uday Shankar, Chairman and CEO, Star India: “At Star we have always believed that conventional definitions of content exist only to be challenged. I have been a big fan of TED and felt that there is no reason why these ideas should not be made accessible to all Indians in a language of their choice. Television should offer a spectrum of content which includes not just the traditional definition of entertainment but also content that feeds the human passion for knowledge, which stokes curiosity and inspires people. The timing is perfect -. India is a young country with big dreams and potential. It is a time when the world is looking to India for the next big idea. I am excited by the Star TED partnership as it opens up a world of ideas and truly inspires “Nayi Sochâ€. Joining us in our endeavour is Shah Rukh Khan whose charisma and enthusiasm will be pivotal in connecting with our viewers.”
Actor Shah Rukh Khan: “It is a huge honour to host this show. When two giants like Star India and TED come together we’re sure to fire up a billion imaginations. Bringing the power of ideas to people’s living rooms across India and reaching out to especially the youth of our country, is something that’s really exciting. I want our youth to be inspired to think of new ideas. Simple and unique ideas that pack a punch. Ideas that can change lives.â€
Chris Anderson, Head of TED: “TED Talks India Nayi Soch marks an unprecedented step in TED’s ongoing effort to bring big ideas to curious minds around the world. Combine India’s impressive thinkers and its growing appetite for knowledge with Shah Rukh Khan’s global fan following and Star’s massive reach, and we have a real shot at offering millions of people the empowerment that inspiring speakers can bring. We’re delighted at this partnership. The Star team and Shah Rukh Khan have created riveting television that takes the TED platform to a platform to a whole new place.”
You’ve read the quotes from the three biggies, you’ve read the challenges, we listed, but let’s see why this deserves to be a success:
1. Entertainment television needn’t have only mindless entertainment. Every now and then, it must look at some purposeful stuff, and stuff that can set you thinking. Almost all GECs have tried it, Star and Colors more so. Zee too has, Sony is currently running KBC.
2. Good content needs good patronage. Ask us. We champion this adage. Where else will you read a story like this? A story that points out the challenges that Star has upfront. But, then we do it. And we get the patronage, though we could do with some more. Similarly, we would urge viewers to watch the show, assuming it’s good. And we have no reason to believe it won’t.
3. Remember Shah Rukh Khan is the original television star. He is television’s child. Fauji was the name of the show. Agreed he hasn’t worked on television post that, but then he tries. And that’s what matters
4. It’ll be inspirational stuff, from many, many people. We are sure the TED standards will be maintained, so even if it’s Karan Johar, we can be sure it’ll be more than a jig or talking about all the things that he wrote in his book.
Now, let’s wait for the launch date and time. But that’ll be on another day, in another story.
It’s the Big Night for media agencies in the country. There are awards for media agencies through the year. There’s the Media Abby, the Kyoorius Media Awards and another by the exchange4media group. There are a few more by the regional ad clubs.
But, ask anyone which is the most sought after. And they’ll tell you its the Emvies.
Emvies 2017, incidentally, the seventeenth edition of the premier awards held to honour measurable and significant contributions in the field of media, is being held today (Friday, October 13) evening in Mumbai.
The shortlists are out, but it’s still early days to figure who’ll be the winner:
http://www.theadvertisingclub.net/index.php/40-awards/emvies/3880-final-emvie-2017Mindshare has been on a winning spree for the Media Agency of the Year as has Hindustan Unilever as Client of the Year.
Although the shortlisted entries do not include name of the media agencies, those in the business are obviously aware of whose work has been shortlisted.
Do look up MxMIndia tomorrow (Saturday) for the results and tally.
The 2016 awards:Â http://www.mxmindia.com/2016/09/mindshare-hul-bag-top-emvies-honours/
The 2015 awards:Â http://www.mxmindia.com/2015/09/its-mindshare-on-the-top-again/
The 17th edition of the coveted Emvies 2017 saw Mindshare bagging the top honour – the coveted Agency of the Year trophy. Wavemaker, the new agency born out of the merger of Maxus and MEC, came a close second.
As for Client of the Year, the honour was shared by Vodafone and Star India. The Grand Emvie was bagged by Madison and Asian Paints for Best Media Innovation – Media – Digital Search.
Speaking about the changing dynamics of campaigns and the importance of being relevant, Punitha Arumugam, 2017 Awards Chairman for Emvies, said, “India has been at the forefront of many ingenious campaigns that showcase high effectiveness and the EMVIEs remain committed to recognising such outstanding communication stories. Being one of the most trusted and coveted awards in the category, the Emvies continue to scale with increased participation and representation from across industry stakeholders.â€
Elaborating on the scale and the entries, Partha Sinha, 2017 Awards Co-Chairman for Emvies said, “The Emvies 2017 has successfully contributed towards recognising high impact media campaigns that have made a difference. It continues to be one of the most coveted awards within the industry.â€
In his welcome address, Vikram Sakhuja, President of The Advertising Club said: “In its 17th year now, the Emvies has continued to grow in scale and strength, emerging as the gold standard amongst media awards. With a jury consisting of over 211 distinguished industry leaders from across the country, this has been a transparent process to select transformational work. We are engaging with some top global content sites to showcase the best of our archives to the world.
​By Ranjona Banerji
By A Correspondent