MxMIndia

Category: XTREME FOCUS

  • Presenting the second part of the astrology forecast from Ganeshaspeaks.com for media & marketing pros for the Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces sun signs.

    Ganeshaspeaks forecast 4 media & mrktng pros – Part 2: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius & Pisces

    Here’s the second part of the astrology forecast from Ganeshaspeaks.com for media & marketing pros for the Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces sun signs.

     

    Libra (September 23 – October 22)
    Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
    Sagittarius (November 23 – December 21)
    Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
    Aquarius (January 21 – February 19)
    Pisces (February 20 – March 20)

     

    GaneshaSpeaks.com is #1 in India and #3 in horoscope portals on a global level. It offers accurate, reliable and trustworthy services online and on 55181(at premium rates) on all major telecom providers in India. Content syndication for print, TV, online, telecom and apps is one of the major verticals in GaneshaSpeaks.com. For more details, call +91-79-61604100 or send an email to contact@ganeshaspeaks.com.

     

    For those who missed it yesterday, here are the links:

     

    Introductory Note
    Aries (March 21 – April 20)
    Taurus (April 21 – May 21)
    Gemini (May 22 – June 21)
    Cancer (June 22 – July 2)
    Leo (July 24 – Aug. 23)
    Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept. 23)

  • We conclude our series of yearenders with a look at how good (and bad) 2011 has been for the newswallahs

    The Year in the News Media

     

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    This year started with a hangover – like all New Years should. But unlike the pleasant pain that goes with the knowledge of a party that may have meant over-indulgence but was fun just the same, the media started 2011 with one of those truly mammoth unpleasant hangovers.

     

    The outcome of the Radia tapes was, at best, a loss of reputation for a few well-known journalists but at worst, a loss of faith in the media as an institution. Public knowledge about the somewhat questionable dealings between journalists and publicist Niira Radia meant that the media could no longer hide in those famous ivory towers. Even more unfortunate was that the finger of suspicion was pointed at all journalists because of the transgressions of a few. It did not help matters that although Vir Sanghvi lost or surrendered his influential column Counterpoint in the Hindustan Times, Barkha Dutt did not just continue with NDTV, but went from strength to strength.

     

    So it was a somewhat cautious Indian media which initially tackled the phone-hacking scandal in the UK and the closure of the Rupert Murdoch-owned News of the World. Here was journalistic excess in order to get a story taken to a whole other degree – criminality. The tabloid press and the British public and celebrities have historically had an interesting and confrontational relationship. But the desire to delve into every aspect of the lives of the rich and famous – without the reverence shown in our part of the world – made for big sales and bigger profits. The readers loved the sleaze and watching the powerful cringe.

     

    But this scandal was something else. It was newspapers hiring investigators to pry into the private lives of ordinary citizens and using dubious methods like hacking into voicemail messages to gain information. One reporter lost his job for spying on British royals; but what was the punishment for breaking into the cell phone of a murdered teenager, deleting her messages and not only giving hope to her family that she was still alive but also materially distorting a police investigation into her disappearance?

     

    As it turned out, the reprisal was fierce and final: a newspaper which was over 150 years old was shut down and the British parliament had a public questioning of the owners and editor of News of the World – Rupert Murdoch and his son James and Rebekkah Brooks.

     

    The world’s media watched shocked as skeleton after skeleton popped out of the News of the World and NewsCorp cupboards. But surely there was no room for complacency here in India. After all, the problem was not just the Radia tapes; it was also the elephant in the room – paid news. Media houses – without or without the collusion of journalists – had been selling editorial space to political parties. The reader or viewer, of course, was left in the dark and assumed s/he was reading or watching real news stories.

     

    In the midst of all these depressing signs that some media introspection was required, we had all the uncomfortable revelations by Wikileaks, which turned international diplomacy on its head and exposed lies about the US role in the Iraq war and the black money held by European banks. The subsequent arrest of Wikileaks editor Julian Assange in the UK, on an old sexual assault charges filed in Sweden added to the drama. Was Assange really guilty as charged or was this an international conspiracy to get him extradited to Sweden and from there to the US to punish him for publishing secret cables and other information on the internet? The jury’s still out on that one.

     

    Wikileaks, though, emphasised once more how the internet was changing journalism and anyone who ignored it, did it at their own peril. Social media is playing the role of a catalyst in creating public opinion outside of the traditional media. The traditional media may not be destroyed but it will be damaged if it does not pay attention.

     

    Back in India, though, we still had a couple of dramas to play out. The new chairman of the Press Council of India, retired judge Markandey Katju, decided that he didn’t want to be head of a toothless body that was limited to the print media. He proceeded to write a series of articles attacking journalists, calling them frivolous, badly educated and shallow. He listed the sort of news that should be carried and slammed the choices made. He also said that the Press Council’s ambit had to be increased to include television.

     

    Katju may have been wrong and he may have been right in his opinions, but unfortunately for him, the Press Council remains toothless. And besides, instructing newspapers and TV channels on what aspects of news should and should not be carried impinges directly on the freedom of the press. No one spared Katju and so he quickly backtracked a little.

     

    Then, perhaps just to prove Katju right, media coverage of the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption agitation proceeded on just those shallow, one-sided and breathless lines that the former judge had bemoaned. This protest was covered as if it was the only one the country had ever seen. Numbers were inflated or exaggerated. Those who questioned aspects of the Jan Lokpal Bill were shouted down as enemies of the people. As is inevitable, the print media could not sustain its adoration of this movement and started asking uncomfortable questions. TV however continued with its happy path of supporting this “national movement” at all costs until, slowly, a bit of reason leaked into the emotion.

     

    The doubts had crept into TV studios after the standing committee submitted its version of the bill but the Anna Hazare movement remained adamant on its own stand. But it was really the indifference shown to the movement by the people of Mumbai which ended that love affair. Rather than focus their cameras on 4,000 people pretending they were 40,000, TV cameras panned empty grounds showing us how low the turnout was.

     

    In journalism, as in life, there are no absolute truths. But there are facts. In 2011, the facts have shown that the people are watching the media. And there’s hardly any place to run or hide. Like we’re forcing politicians and government servants to come clean on their dealings, a little bit of spring cleaning by the media would not be amiss in 2012.

     

     

  • MxMIndia commissioned GaneshaSpeaks.com to bring you detailed predictions for 2012

    Astro Forecast 2012: What the Stars Foretell for Media & Marketing Professionals

     

     

    The falling markets, beginnings of an imminent economic meltdown, social unrest and outbursts threatening to overthrow the established norms and systems, the innumerable political upheavals and many natural and man-made disasters – the year 2011 has seen it all and more. As we gear up to bid adieu to this eventful year, anxiety about 2012 is bound to cloud our minds. What will the new year bring with it? Will it mark an end to the trials and tribulations of the year gone by? Read ahead to know what Ganesha foresees for the year 2012.

     

    The year 2012 is going to be all about ‘changes’ and ‘transformations’. The year may well be called the year of ’21st century’s Renaissance’. Many of these changes will be for better, while many of these may also mean more turmoil. Remember that this transition is not without reason. The last decade, not just the last year, has seen a plenty of tumult. After numerous civil wars, natural calamities, political and economic crises, confusing circumstances and mixed signals, it is obvious that we gear ourselves up for some serious overhaul. And, hence the need for such a big shift!

     

    In 2012, the theme of transformation will also extend to a personal level. People may see themselves changing, absorbing, reacting, rebelling, adapting and, above all, evolving with the change in their metaphorical ecosystems. All the sun signs will need to be ready to welcome and embrace the change, as only then they will be able to extract the best out of some of the enchanting planetary aspects lined up for the year 2012. Out of the major planetary events lined up for the year 2012, two will exert a marked influence on almost all sun signs.

     

    The movement of Saturn, as it leaves Libra, in October 2012 will be hugely significant to all signs. It will make many signs heave a sigh of relief, but by then, many may have learnt some of the biggest lessons of their lives. The other major planetary event shall be the movement of Neptune, after 14 long years, from Aquarius into its own sign Pisces. Spirituality will surge, and so will the people’s faith in goodness and justice. Many individuals may see their belief system and outlook towards things getting altered with the events of the year. The best strategy for all the sun signs to maintain this year would be to keep a calm, composed and rational approach. Sorting out priorities and giving due time to loved ones and one’s own health will also help.

     

    Remember: All the changes may not take place at one go, but the year 2012 will surely see the beginnings of this long-term, crucial process. A process that will, in some years, create a new history. And, a process in which nature, history, anthropology, religion, politics, economics, media, globalization all will play their due parts. Whatever be the case, we sincerely hope the world becomes a better, more peaceful and evolved place to live in.

     

    Click on the links below to read the 2012 forecasts for the 12 sun signs,

     

    Aries (March 21 – April 20) Libra (September 23 – October 22)
    Taurus (April 21 – May 21)
    		 Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
    Gemini (May 22 – June 21) Sagittarius (November 23 – December 21)
    Cancer (June 22 – July 2) Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
    Leo (July 24 – Aug. 23) Aquarius (January 21 – February 19)
    Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept. 23) Pisces (February 20 – March 20)

     

    GaneshaSpeaks.com is #1 in India and #3 in horoscope portals on a global level. It offers accurate, reliable and trustworthy services online and on 55181(at premium rates) on all major telecom providers in India. Content syndication for print, TV, online, telecom and apps is one of the major verticals in GaneshaSpeaks.com. For more details, call +91-79-61604100 or send an email to contact@ganeshaspeaks.com.

  • The slowdown may be a dampner, but there's some reason for cheer as 2011 comes to an end. All our yearerenders linked here.

    The MxMIndia LookBacks for 2011

     

    LookBack 2011 coordinated by Ritu Midha

     

    By Ritu Midha

    The year 2011 has been full of ups and downs for the global economy. While it started on an optimistic note, the projections have been revised downwards several times since.

     

    LOOKBACK 2011
    The Year in News Media (Ranjona Banerji)
    Middle India on overdrive (Nielsen report)
    Top TV & Print Spenders
    The Year for GECs
    The Year for News TV
    What creative & media agencies won
    People Movements
    The winnings
    Filmwallahs dominate endorsements
    11 Noteworthy Happenings (Tuhina Anand)

    India was no exception – though it was largely due to the global slowdown – the government’s foot-dragger approach to many a policy, and high inflation rate did not help the matters any.

     

    The slowdown has led to tightened purse strings, however as per a Nielsen report, ‘Global Online Consumer Confidence, Concerns and Spending Intentions – 3rd Quarter, 2011’:  consumer sentiment in India is the most optimistic in the world, for the seventh quarter in a row. (Data Source: Nielsen global consumer online confidence survey, Q3, 2011)

     

     

    Click here to download the report from Nielsen website

     

    As for the economy, in January, World Bank predicted that in the year 2012, India would grow at a pace of 8.7 per cent (and the oft-compared economy, China would grow at a slower pace of 8.4 per cent).

     

    There is too much water under the bridge since then, and current fiscal is now expected to show growth figures of around 7%, as per Fitch, the credit rating agency.

     

    However, hope is back for 2012, with credit rating agencies reaffirming India’s ratings in the fag end of 2011.

     

    Moody’s, in a recently released report, reaffirmed India’s sovereign rating at BAA3. Though it has added that growth downturn is likely to persist for two more quarters.

     

    As per data released by Fitch in December 2011, the economy is likely to grow by 7.5 per cent in 2012-13. Though, in the current fiscal it is likely to be around 7 per cent.

     

    Interestingly, the government’s forecast is 7.5 per cent growth in the current fiscal. In its mid-year review released in mid-December, the government revised the growth projection to 7.5 per cent from 9 per cent forecasted in the pre-Budget survey.

     

    Another good news coming at the end of the year is easing out of food inflation. The index stood at 1.81 per cent in the period up to December10, 2011, while in the previous week it was at 4.35 per cent. The reason behind the improved numbers is the fall in the prices of cereals and vegetables.

     

    Inflation, till now, has led to a sharp increase in raw material prices, hurting the FMCG companies. As a result, leading FMCG companies like Hindustan Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, Godrej Consumer Products, Marico and Dabur were compelled to increase their product prices.

     

    However, according to a report by FICCI, the Indian FMCG market is now expected to grow at rate of 10 per cent (current estimates: Rs 2,600 crore) over the next 10 years and reach a size of Rs 4,13,000 crore by 2015, which would further increase to Rs 6,65,000 crore by 2020. It is good news for media fraternity, as FMCG is their main stay.

     

    In this back drop, let us check growth expectations of the media industry. In the beginning of the year, KPMG had predicted that the industry size would grow to Rs 341 billion – an approximate growth of 16 per cent.

     

     

    Meanwhile, as per PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates, the entertainment and media (E&M) industry in 2010 stood at Rs 646 billion as compared to Rs 580.8 billion in 2009.  This was lower than the projected growth rate of 15.1 per cent for last year. The reason for lower growth rate was the decline witnessed in the film segment. The other two key industry segments: television (15.4 per cent growth as compared to 15.6 per cent projected) and print (10.7 per cent as compared to 8.5 per cent projected), showed good growth. As per the estimates, the E&M industry size would have been Rs 735 billion for 2011, but this does not look achievable now.

     

    In December, both Zenith Optimedia and group M indicated a sluggish growth for 2012 globally.

     

     

    As per Zenith Optimedia, global ad spending in major media will grow to $486 billion (4.7 per cent growth). It had earlier predicted a 5.3 per cent growth in 2012. However, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) is expected to grow by an average 10.4 per cent a year and 33 per cent of the global growth is expected to come from the four Bric markets (Brazil, Russia, India, China).

     

    Group M, meanwhile expects a 6.4 per cent increase in global ad spending in 2012, As for 2011, it expected to show a 5 per cent increase in ad spends over 2010, to $490 billion.

     

    As for India, the experts believe that growth rate in 2011 would be in single digits, while Zenith Optimedia prediction of around 11% growth might hold true of 2012.

     

    Look out for the second part of our yearenders tomorrow

  • The new year means making new resolutions, and our industry is no different. MxM India spoke to the leading men of the industry to find out about their resolutions.

    Resolutions for 2012: I shall, I intend, I will…

    The new year means making new resolutions, and our industry is no different. MxMIndia spoke to the leading lights of the industry to find out about their resolutions for 2012.

     

    Tarun Rai, CEO, Worldwide Media

     

    The last few years have been very exciting for me and for Worldwide Media. The pace has been frenetic. The aim is to keep up the momentum. Keep up the excitement for everyone at Worldwide Media. We’ll need to be nimble and flexible since 2012 will bring some surprises. But we want to stay the course. Continue to produce great content for our readers and deliver value to advertisers. And provide opportunities to our employees. In my role as the AIM President, I want to raise the profile of our industry and get the attention it deserves from advertisers. Lots to do and we are raring to go.

     

    Mahesh Peri, Publisher, Outlook Group

    In this year I will really like to see digital media grow. I will like to embrace digital media and make it count on all the parameters. Not only do I want my own organization to do well in it, but the media industry on the whole.

     

    Sandeep Khosla, CEO, Infomedia18

    My professional goal is to take some of the publications we have to a number one brand. When I talk about brands I don’t just mean our publication business, but other media too where we are present – this includes doing well on the internet, ipad and blackberry apps. Also, this year we will also look forward to launching a couple of new magazines especially in the lifestyle segment. As far as personal goals are concerned, I will look forward to divesting more time and energy on philanthropic work, something that I have already been focusing on off late.

     

    Rahul Kansal, Chief Marketing Officer, Times of India Group

    My resolutions of late has been not to make any resolutions. But currently in my personal life I wasn’t to develop some more hobbies in a more passionate way. I have already embarked on trying to learn some music and I am taking it very seriously. There are too many professional goals and objectives to name. However, it is basically to ensure that Times of India and all our other brands remain buzzing, not only as newspapers but on all media generally.

     

    Harish Bijoor, Brand Expert and CEO of Harish Bijoor Consults Inc.

    My New Year resolution is not to make one this year. I have realized that when I make a resolution, something or the other bites into it and I am not able to keep my commitment hence breaking my resolution.

     

    Agnello Dias, Chairman and Co-founder, TapRoot India

    My resolution is to work towards making creativity work in other forms than just the way we have known advertising till now. It would be to look at creating other forms of creativity that can work as product valuation for the client and also create unique property for advertising agency which can be valued in the financial terms. Just to explain something like Kolaveri Di which could have been created by an agency.

     

    Dhunji S Wadia, President, Everest Brand Solutions

    Pitch Less – Win More: Use agency resources for existing clients who are paying for your services. Pitch only when the client is serious and not just interested in an agency fashion parade.

     

    Bottom-line and Not Mere Headlines: When acquiring new business, I would urge agency managers to look for bottom-line growth instead of just adding to the top-line (and creating headline news).

     

    Bring Sexy Back: Make the advertising business fun and attractive for all – people within the agency, clients and aspirants

     

    Spread The Good Word: Go to the right forums, seminars, institutes and keep waving the Industry flag high. There’s lots of good in the industry – it just needs the right evangelists.

     

    Mahesh Chauhan, Salt Brand Solutions

    2011 and Salt began my journey towards my dreams. 2012 will be all about continuation. So no doing the ‘new’, but doing a lot more of what we already do at Salt. And that really is about keeping things simple. Good company: There is a huge opportunity in the tough business environment of 2012. Clients today seek partnerships that deliver real value. We have traveled some distance in 2011. We must continue to become their preferred choice. Good work: Continue to focus on work. Continue to build on the enjoyment at work. Argue, fight, laugh, cry, shout, abuse, embrace: all for the simple cause of great work. Good looks: Continue to build on the capabilities at Salt. Continue to hire diverse and outrageous talent that makes us nervous. Foster them so that they create great work. All at Salt will look good! Continue to enjoy everyday. Continue to be simple. Continue to be true to Salt!

     

    Piyush Sharma, CEO, Media Transasia India

    On the first hand we will like to consolidate our existing businesses across the brands that we have launched over the last couple of years, while at the same time we will keep our eyes open to any new opportunity that might present itself in new spaces…just like we have done in the past. Here, I am talking about new product launches in magazine space in the Indian market.

     

    Manajit Ghoshal, CEO and MD, Mid Day Infomedia

    Very clearly, our goal and aim is to make Mid Day the number one and best local newspaper in Mumbai for young professionals. We have recently showed the best IRS figures in the recent IRS report and we will march towards our goal in 2012.

     

  • "100 reasons why…"? Or, "100 reasons what…"? Damn! Where do I start? says Ajay Kakar

    The ‘Special’ Anchor: Ajay Kakar offers ‘100’ pointers MxM must remember in its journey ahead

    By Ajay Kakar

     

    How time flies!

     

    It seems like just ‘yesterday’, that I was invited by MxM to contribute to its first ‘issue’ to hit the net. I was asked to write on a potentially controversial subject; “8 indications when you know it’s time to bid adieu to your agency”.  While I clicked away on the computer late at night, I was afraid of the potential backlash that I could receive, from the industry that had given me an alternate career and an identity, two decades ago, and till as recently as 2005.

     

    But I was fortunate to receive very warm and encouraging feedback from friends and till-then unknown names, alike, from both the advertising and marketing fraternities. Phew! That was a relief.

     

    And today, once again, it’s late in the night/early in the morning. And I am clicking away on my computer for the 100th issue of MxM. While I feel honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to these two key milestones in the life of this ‘new entrant’, what frightens me this time is that I have an open mandate to write on whatever topic that I like. But with a request that the piece should cover a 100 points! “100 reasons why…”? Or, “100 reasons what…”? Damn! Where do I start?

     

    Having been at the client and agency end, I know the importance of a ‘client brief’.  So here goes…

     

    100 pointers (in no particular order) for MxM to remember, as it continues on its journey towards the next many centuries…

     

    1. The Indian advertising, media and marketing fraternity is a small family. It’s as if we know everybody and all that there is to know.

    The opportunity is to widen our horizons. Introduce a fresh perspective. And increase/improve our learnings by making us realise that there is still a whole new world out there, waiting to be tapped

     

    2. Advertising. Advertising. Advertising. Our world seems skewed towards the visible and glamorous world of advertising, and more specifically the 30 seconder

    The opportunity is to make us realise that there are many powerful weapons in the communication armoury that remain untapped or inadequately used

     

    3. The same few names. All the time.

    The opportunity is to also bring to light the news and views related to the     yet unsung heroes, be they brands, agencies or people, who are blazing new trails, but are still below the radar.

     

    4. India is now being recognised as a strong potential, in the world of brands.  And still, there are miles to go, before we can be acknowledged as an undisputed force to reckon with.

    The opportunity is to bring the best of thinkers and doers from around the world to our doorstep, so that we can speeden up our learning curve.

     

    5. The media always has a pov on our industry.

    The opportunity is to not only have a pov, but to also partner the industry, actively, rather than be a mere bystander and observer.  To become a platform for transformational thinking.

     

    ….As all the loyal visitors of MxM will say, in unison, what is the purpose of my Pointers! MxM not only believes in all the opportunities listed by me, but it has been practising the same for the last 100 issues.

     

    I am a repeat and regular visitor to the site. I know that the site already believes in and practices all the Pointers that I have highlighted, above. I know that the site is addictive. And I join the site’s loyal base of visitors to salute the efforts of team MxM to remain an independent voice of the industry.

     

    The purpose of my piece is not to ‘preach to the converted’ ie. MxM. But to remind them of the path they have chosen. And successfully stuck to, so far. My aim is to remind them of the opportunity. And the need to stay with this path for the many centuries ahead.

     

    So today, let’s celebrate the century gone by, while looking forward to their journey ahead.  For, if you have set off on a path to perfection, the journey never ends. As they say, the match has just begun.

     

    PS: What happened to the brief (100 points)? I have exercised my right as a “client”, to change the brief.

     

    The client (and columnist) is always right! Lol – Ed

    Ajay Kakar is Chief Marketing Officer – Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Chief Sub-Editor Archita Wagle.

    Archita Wagle: A force to reckon with

    By Archita Wagle

     

    Before I joined MxM, I worked with a newspaper as a senior sub-editor for more than four years. I wanted a change, I wanted to write. MxM offered me a chance. Yes, it was a newly launched company, but when I was invited to be a part of the “founding team”, I decided to take a chance.

     

    For someone who has spent four years editing ‘journalistic’ copies ( that’s my term) and living with the journalistic timings (we ‘subs’ work in the evening and sleep in the morning) to adapt to the style and timings here (I report to work at 7.30 am most mornings) was intimidating. But I was always encouraged to learn and adapt, I was never yelled at for my mistakes, instead they were explained to me. And alongside my editing duties, I was given stories. My first story went as a BIG story. That was the day I was convinced that maybe I will not fail in this, after all.

     

    Ask any sub, we are the most under-appreciated lot. The people who read the newspaper always read the stories under the reporters’ byline. They never know the hard work that is put in by a sub to clean up a reporter’s copy, to make it an interesting read which will hold the reader’s attention – right from the headline to the last word in the copy.

     

    Therefore if I was asked to name one instance in these 100 days (I have been a part of MxM for less than 60 days till now) that I cherish the most, it would be the day I saw my name up on the website: Archita Wagle – Chief sub editor, acknowledging my contribution to the website.

     

    We are still growing… a lot of people aren’t aware of who or what we are. As we complete 100 days, I wish that soon we become a force to reckon with.

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Executive, Special Projects and Marcom, Insiyah Rangwala.

    Insiyah Rangwala: MxMIndia is here to stay and only to grow

    By Insiyah Rangwala

     

    I had always known that when I do start working I would like it to be for a start-up. Something new and exciting that is still figuring itself and its identity out. Being a part of that process was something I was sure I wanted to look for in my first job. After having graduated and looking forward to getting starting in the real world is when I heard about MxM India. It catered to a niche audience that interested me but I had barely any knowledge about.

     

    Finally after waiting for a while I had my first meeting with Mr. Pradyuman Maheshwari. I was nervous and excited to finally get started. It was a great conversation and I was immediately asked to start 3 days from then. When I got started at the office we were only 3 people. My first morning on my way to work I wasn’t sure what the atmosphere would be like as everyone was much older and experienced than me. I had questions running through my head such as what does one wear, what is okay to say what is not and how I should go about conducting myself.

     

    I was very pleasantly surprised by how relaxed everything was and how helpful Mr. Pradyuman and Mr. Alok were. They were extremely willing to share their knowledge and experiences which I believe was the best way for me to have gotten started. Not knowing anything about how this industry works they were kind enough to sit me down break all the information down and explain to me how things would progress. That is when I realized just how important the clients we service are. Our readers as well as our advertisers. I spent a large amount of time on creating a database with all our prospective readers and getting in touch with people that would be interested in the content we wanted to provide.

     

    Starting from there my job role expanded. We launched and it was a great experience being right at the heart of something that I believe is going to see a lot of success purely because of the innovation within the organization. Now we have expanded to a completely occupied office from where we were only 3 people on my first day. I can now say this with complete confidence that MxMIndia is here to stay and only to grow.

     

  • 100 days of MxM in the words of senior copy editor-cum-correspondent Akash Raha.

    Akash Raha: From Coming Soon to making it big

    By Akash Raha

     

    My journey in MxMIndia so far has been very entertaining and exciting. Starting off with a launch team and developing content from the beginning is always an exhilarating feeling. The feeling then is not of working ‘with’ a company, but rather that of building a company.

     

    I still remember the day when I got my first MxMIndia visiting card delivered, my name embossed on it in bold black. Behind the card, it read “MxMIndia– Coming Soon”. From ‘Coming Soon’ to making it big in the space of 100 days has been a short, yet fruitful journey.

     

    We have carved a special niche for ourselves in the media, marketing and advertising space amongst existing clutter. Completion of 100 days is a big and special milestone for the MxM family and yet there are ‘miles to go before we sleep’.

     

    Over the past few months, covering the print media and news broadcast beats, I was lucky to have been given the opportunity of interviewing and reporting on big developments.

     

    The journey began with two mega events – World Magazine Congress and AdAsia which our team covered comprehensively. Moreover, it gave the opportunity to interact with the big names in the industry.

     

    The print industry at the World Magazine Congress and INMA seem to be preparing for the coming digital revolution and seem to be appropriating the technology of the future. The times ahead seems to be exciting and adventurous for the print industry and for us, who report on all these developments.

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Office Operations and Support Kishor Kate

    Kishor Kate: The atmostphere of a start-up is fun

    By Kishor Kate

     

    When I came for the job interview at MxM near October end for the position of Office Operations and Support, I was clearly told that there’s a clear growth path ahead of me… and it’s in my hands how I define the way my job here shapes up. I generally run around for odd jobs in the office and supporting everyone in their work. But it has never been a bad experience. The people are friendly and always nice.  I have been encouraged to learn. The boss encouraged me to type and work on the computer. I am enjoying my work here. Yes, there are days when the work hours are long and I have to wait in the office till very late. But MxM is a startup, and it is a small and cozy setting. The experience of working in a office like MxM is definitely different than working in a regular office. The atmostphere here is fun.

     

  • 100 days of MxM in the words of Deputy Editor Tuhina Anand.

    Tuhina Anand: It was no mean task to have engaged the industry even before our launch

    By Tuhina Anand

     

    We started MxMIndia with a vision to provide our readers something more than the usual reporting that is done in this sector. The last 100 days have been a learning experience, with our quest to provide refreshing content to our readers thus pushing ourselves a little bit more to give that extra bit. It would have been no fun if we had churned out run-of-the-mill stuff day in and day out. As challenging as this might be, it has been no less than a roller-coaster ride.

     

    The biggest challenge was when we were working on our launch edition – September 7, 2011. The site was not launched and we had to approach the industry for news, views, interviews and case studies so that we could have all our sections going on the day of the launch. It was no mean task to have engaged the industry even before our launch and we were appreciated by many for our endeavour.

     

    But we managed to do this, all thanks to the experienced team that we have at MxMIndiawho do not shy away from pushing the boundaries.

     

    There was anticipation and palpable excitement on the day we launched. I remember comparing notes on the response we got from the industry. Since that first day, we have done many remarkable stories that have made the industry recognize us even in such a short period of time.

     

    I also remember once, for our daily segment that we call Anchor, we were looking for a marketer who could write for us. Ajay Kakar, CMO – Financial Services at Aditya Birla Group wrote a piece for us on ‘8 indications when you know it’s time to bid goodbye to your agency’. Kakar ensured that he sent his piece, even though it was late in the night.

     

    The journey has just begun. There would be many more 100s where we, as a team, will do our best to give the best in terms of reports and views to the industry.

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Executive Producer, MxM TV Shruti Pushkarna.

    Shruti Pushkarna: Of high-definition cameras and exclusive video chats

    By Shruti Pushkarna

     

    MxM India completes its 100 days today, on February 1. It feels like yesterday when I was out in the market, on the internet, making endless phone calls to zero in on the best buy for our video coverage. This would include a high definition camera, a tripod, a microphone and other accessories. After much running around (including the swarmed streets of Chandni Chowk), we finally bought a Kodak zi8 (http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/Zi8_Pocket_Video_Camera/productID.156585800).

     

    Much to my surprise at every event I covered with this camera, or any interview I recorded on it, my audience was awestruck with the compact equipment MxM team moved around with. Many mistook it for a phone, and in every break, be it over a cup of coffee or over lunch, I would be greeted with inquisitive fellas wanting to know more about the camera. And yes I would reiterate to each one of them that we shoot ‘on-air’ quality, full HD!

     

    I must confess, one idea that I borrowed from my past experience as a TV producer, was the decision to buy a gun mic. When you are at an event which is crowded with Television crews with their ‘heavy-duty’ equipment, the one thing that’s common between us and them is the good old gun mic. Believe you me, it puts you in line with the TV wallahs. Of course it’s handy at the same time. You just have to be clever enough to push your mic and slick camera through the aggressive TV crews and get your ‘bites’ for the day. One of my recent experiences being getting sound bites from the DoT Secretary, R Chandrashekar, at thE 6th India Digital Summit, when all TV journos and cameramen ‘gheraoed’ him.

     

    Enough tech talk, let’s move on to content. Among the events I covered in the last 100 days, the two big ones that stood out most in terms of video coverage were, the 38th FIPP World Magazine Congress (WMC) and AdAsia 2011. At WMC, we were lucky enough to get some great exclusive video chats with the FIPP President & CEO, Chris Llewellyn, AIM President and Worldwide Media CEO, Tarun Rai, Cybermedia Chairman, Pradeep Gupta, Kallie Purie, COO, India Today Digital and also members of the Organizing Committee, India Today Group CEO, Ashish Bagga being one of them. And before the conference commenced, on the launch of the event, I was lucky to be close enough to capture the King Khan doing his ‘chhammak challo’! That was my first to have got over a 2000 views within no time at all!

     

    At AdAsia again, we were fortunate to get all the ‘gurus’ of the ad world interact one-on-one with us. Piyush Pandey of Ogilvy & Mather, Prasoon Joshi of McCann, Michael Roth, CEO, Interpublic, Tom Doctoroff of JWT China, Ravi Deshpande of Contract India, CEO of BBDO in Asia, Middle East & Africa, Chris Thomas, and many more engaged with us in candid video interviews. Here again, we stood in line with the usual suspects of the TV world.

     

    Apart from events’ coverage, we had an early exclusive with Reckitt Benckiser’s Chander Mohan Sethi. Here too I struggled to make space with pushy TV crews but finally managed to get the desired answers.

     

    But what remains my personal favourite, was my interaction with whom I call the epitome of broadcast journalism, Mark Tully. He was candid, honest, precise. His love and belief in broadcast journalism did not deter him from highlighting the follies of the trade. He didn’t seem angry at what TV journalism looks like in the country today, he only seemed concerned. As a man who likes to call himself ‘a British who is much influenced by India’, his worry for issues, social and political, came through in almost all his responses pertaining to India’s developmental story. As a TV producer myself, I exchanged many stories with him off the camera, and some of them seemed similar to the ones he narrated to me from his times. For me it turned out to be quite a unique and enlightening discussion on ‘media’.

     

    There is so much more that I have experienced in these 100 days as part of team MxM, be it interviewing the likes of Vinod Mehta and Mark Tully or witnessing a new avatar of Arnab Goswami giggling like a school boy to Vinod Mehta’s jokes at the launch of the latter’s memoirs.

     

    But as the rhyme goes, ‘100 days, 100 days, so clap and sway and say hurray’!