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  • Designed to elevate the culture of creativity

    FCB announces Creative Council for India

    FCB Group has launches its Creative Council in India. According to a communique, the Council is designed to elevate the culture of creativity, embrace new-age problem-solving, and set global benchmarks for exceptional work across the group by leveraging new-age tools using technology and data.

    Said Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO of FCB Group India & South Asia: “At FCB Group India, we believe that creativity is the heart of everything we do. The launch of the Creative Council is a testament to our commitment to ‘Creativity is an economic multiplier’, fostering an innovative, creative culture and continually pushing the boundaries of what’s new. This council will work together to solve real client problems, enabling us to deliver work that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our clients and the industry at large.”

  • In collaboration with Northern Illinois University

    BrandMusiq presents research study on Sonic Brand Personality

    BrandMusiq, a sonic branding firm, in collaboration with Northern Illinois University, has unveiled a study at the AMA Summer 2024 Academic Conference in Boston. The research, titled “Flute is Sophisticated, Piano is Competent – Designing a Sonic Brand Personality,” explores how instrumental timbre and musical tempo work together to shape brand personality and consumer preference. This study represents a significant advancement in understanding the nuanced interplay of auditory cues in branding.

    Said Rajeev Raja, Founder and Soundsmith, BrandMusiq: “It was an honour to present our research once again in Boston, a city renowned for its academic rigor and innovation. Our study offers invaluable insights into the strategic use of sonic elements in branding, helping marketers craft auditory identities that truly resonate with their audiences.”

    Added Professor Vijaykumar Krishnan, Chair of the Department of Marketing at Northern Illinois University: “Presenting our work at the AMA Summer Conference was a remarkable experience. This research underscores the importance of carefully aligning instrumental timbre and tempo to convey a brand’s personality. This understanding is crucial for marketers aiming to create memorable and effective sonic identities.”

  • Death is a taboo subject. No one wants to discuss it, writes Sanjeev Kotnala

    Sanjeev Kotnala: Join me in a Conversation about Death

    Sanjeev KotnalaDeath is the ultimate truth—one thing that will happen. We all know it, but we are not comfortable with the idea. Death, for not-so-unknown reasons, is not normalised like Birth. I believe it is hugely misunderstood and unnecessarily feared. We must look at it as a culmination, a celebration of a well-lived life, a milestone for the time you are allotted on the planet Earth, the completion of a part of a journey—not the end!

     

    It becomes easy to accept death when you believe in and accept duality in life. Somehow, I do not understand people not accepting death as a part of life. Hence, I use every possible opportunity to understand and normalise death.

     

    Death is a taboo subject. No one wants to discuss it. There are so many definitions and types of death—the least understood phenomenon of life.

     

    One of my searches led me to read about Death Café.  It seemed my kind of place, and I wanted to experiment.

     

    Origin Of Death Café

    Death café is a concept started by Jon Underwood in 2011 and continued by his wife, Donna Molley, after his death. It is based on the ideas of Café Mortal that Bernard Crettaz initiated after studying the rites and customs accompanying death in society. The website suggests that more than 17932 Death Cafés have been conducted in 89 countries since September 2011.  I am unsure if India is part of that circle.

     

    What Is Death Café?

    The idea of a Death café is not necessarily one of comfort, finding and giving solace, or helping people come to terms with their loss.

    It is about coming to terms with the very idea of death.

    It is to normalise discussions around death.

    A place where it might be possible to appreciate and maximise the pleasure of our finite lives – because death is normalised there.

    ‘We worry about the future and remain entangled in our past. In the process, we fail to live in the present, an essential part of life. Death Café, in its own way, helps you realise this part of life. I believe an increased awareness of death may help people make the most of their (finite) lives.  (Original statement attributed to Donna Molley).

     

    Inspiration for Conversation Around Death

    Jon Underwood was motivated to start Death Café after reading the work of Bernard Crettaz in the Independent newspaper.

    I want to experiment with a Death Café in India. Maybe name it Conversations

    Around Death (CAD), as ‘Mauth Pe Charcha’ sounds morbid, unappealing, and not being the fitting descriptor.

    Maybe keep a bit of a differentiated format that is not entirely bound by the social franchise and guidelines of Death Café, which I appreciate and acknowledge as being exceptionally honest and straightforward.

    There are cultural differences, and hence, a bit of tweaking in the process. However, the purpose is essentially the same. It has worked in some 80+ countries, but I am unsure how it will work in India.

     

    What do I Expect to Happen in Conversation Around Death?

    Conversation Around Death is expected to be a regular meeting of strangers to remember what matters over a nice cup of tea or coffee and a bite of a snack.

    There is no agenda, objective, or theme.
    One will try to keep the discussion around death with the sole purpose of normalising it. It will help the participants realise that death is one of the many events in a person’s lifetime, and there is no need to give it undue importance.

    However, one will be conscious not to lead people to a conclusion or course of action. Conversation Around Death is not aimed at creating a cult or a sect that is more comfortable with death than others.

    In India, where we have different understandings of life, religion, and life after death, maybe we need ‘Conversation Around Death’ to come closer to them—one process at a time.

     

    Will You Attend Conversation Around Death?

    I know it is tough to find people keen to talk about death, and finding people willing to host the ‘Conversation Around Death’ is even more challenging. My attempt with a few restaurant owners drew expected objections. Hence, NO, I don’t have a suggestion for the venue. It is open if someone wants to volunteer space in a restaurant, home, or meeting hall.

     

    Why attend a ‘Conversation Around Death? 

    Your friends and relatives may laugh if you tell them you are going to meet a group of strangers to discuss death! Some may wonder if you lack emotions. You will have to be honest and trust yourself.  It is not about demystifying death. It is just getting to be an attempt to be on good terms with death- accepting it as a normal human phenomenon- maybe a milestone in life. Maybe expect a stimulating discussion on a less understood subject or get some help overcoming the loss of someone dear.

     

    Success – No Guarantee

    Don’t expect much. I am unsure if the first ‘Conversation Around Death’ will succeed.  We all know that success is contextual. However, I am sure many will share a similar thought and may wish to join the conversation with their perceptions and prejudices. And I don’t think anyone will have an issue with that. Maybe it is just a question of seeking- identifying, and reaching out.

     

    Moderating Conversation Around Death

    One does not need to be a psychologist, psychotherapist, or priest to discuss death in such a meeting dedicated to normalising ‘Conversation Around Death’. It requires a normal conversation with every bit of personal misinformation, perceptions, realities, and understanding, as no one knows what is true or right.

    It would be nice to have a moderator who is conversant with people’s expected behaviour on the subject. I don’t have one, and I am sure I am not the one. However, I am willing to lead and moderate the discussion if required.

    Such a voluntary self-interest meeting will typically be a non-homogeneous group. Hence, participants respect one another’s beliefs and avoid any attempts to convert or change someone’s beliefs. No one is an expert or wants to be acknowledged as an expert.

     

    So Where Could the Conversation Around Death Lead?

    The answer is simple- I don’t know.

    It will entirely depend upon how the group pilots the discussion.

    Maybe, at first, one could discuss what death is like. Why do we fear Death? How do our views of death impact the way we live life? Why is death misunderstood? What is your biggest fear of death? What do you want your legacy to be? What is the thing one wants to do before dying? How and what is empty dying? What are the rituals about death? And why are the rituals important? Maybe someone may want to discuss- Is there life after death?

    As I said, maybe it will be a free-flowing conversation with no constraints. Maybe we will need to remind ourselves not to deviate from the topic—death.

     

    So, What am I Waiting for?

    I may not be ready to take the leap of faith. I want someone to join in making the first ‘Conversation Around Death’ a reality. No, I am not worried – what if no one turns up? But I am waiting for someone to step up and offer a convenient place to hold ‘Conversation Around Death’.  Maybe a coffee shop, café in a hospital, gym, restaurant, college, company, or club could give us some space.  If you have a space- please connect.

    The infrastructure requirement is minimalistic: a few chairs and Tea-coffee snacks to keep the discussion flowing between the expected 10-15 participants. Yes, ‘Conversation Around Death’ could happen online, but I believe it would be best done offline. However, an online version could be considered if there is enough push.
    The gathering is neither for profit nor a charity; hence, the participants are expected to pay for their tea, coffee, and snacks.
    If you are willing, connect with me and let us try one soon.
    I am game for a small start on any Friday or Saturday in Mumbai.

     

    Net-net

    Here is a thought.

    Once we accept – and there is no way reason why we won’t accept the fact that one day we all will die, it is for ourselves to decide what we are going to do in the limited time we have in hand.

    I push people to think through this in my Brand-I workshop because, in the end, it is not about when, where, why, and how we die but how we live.

    Someone in the news around Death Café said it so beautifully. “We live knowing that everything dies. Like the sun, it’s a fact of life. And, like the sun, we tend not to look right at it. Unless you’ve experienced a recent death, it’s probably not something you discuss. But a Death Cafe is trying to change that with a serving of tea and cake”.

    So, if you want to join hands to take it forward or have a place and interest, please do connect. I would hate for such a beautiful, powerful thought to die because of a lack of support.

    How about an insurance or wellness brand stepping in to help?

  • We thought we could provoke our Wizard with Words to give a controversial response to the report of this study that we published on Tuesday. But that wasn’t to be, as always. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the September 18 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | A study on happiness found that only 23% of A&M&E employees are happy.  From your experience, are our people really so ‘dukhi’?

    Bhaskar Das PhotographIf 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. A study on happiness found that only 23% of A&M&E employees are happy. From your experience, are our people really so ‘dukhi’?

    A. I have a very different view on happiness. I don’t believe that organisations can deliver it to individuals. It’s not a Swiggy order.

    Happiness is inside-out and not outside-in. One has to find one’s own happiness.  I am not denying the existence of allegedly toxic environment in many organisations (not unique to A&M&E industry only). It can happen as a culture or due to poor/ insecure leadership, etc. One can’t wish that away.

    In fact organisations are not conditioned to take care of the happiness quotient of individuals, though enough platitudes are uttered to address that. These days, even social media, I understand, contributes to growing emotional alienation of individuals.

    The only way to handle this growing malaise is to inculcate self-awareness and be incharge of one’s emotional health and defy external negative forces to influence one’s internal thermostat.

  • Online news consumption has surpassed TV – but broadcasters still most widely trusted

    Online news consumption has surpassed TV – but broadcasters still most widely trusted

    By Stephen Cushion

    More people in the UK now access news online than on television, according to new survey data from the media regulator, Ofcom. This is the first time Ofcom’s annual news consumption poll found online media use ahead of TV news.

    The immediate press reaction to the survey suggested television is in terminal decline, with online media replacing TV news. Ofcom itself pitted one format against another by declaring in the study’s headline: “TV loses its crown as main source for news.”

    Yet rather than the survey reflecting a “generational shift” in audience behaviour, the truth is it has been going on for decades.

    The rise of smartphones has fuelled more consumption of news directly on apps, including social media. This is part of a broader trend in how media has permeated our lives. Where once people slept more than they used media, today they spend more time – estimated at well over eight hours per day – consuming a wide of range of new and old media.

    But as opposed to greater online media consumption signalling the death of television news, the box in the corner has proved highly resilient. In 2024, Ofcom’s survey showed 70% of people said they used TV to access news, a fall of just 5% since 2019. By contrast, two-thirds of respondents used online media to access news five years ago, compared with 71% in the latest survey.

    The numbers suggest that many people have not given up on TV news, but rather have gone online in addition to watching television. The concept of “dual screening” – simultaneously watching television while tweeting views on political events or scrolling social media – has been around for years.

    In the first ever televised UK leaders’ election debate in 2010, a quarter of young people in a survey revealed they had posted election-related comments on Facebook and Twitter while watching the debate. This shows that, for some time now, watching TV or scrolling through social media platforms is not just about consuming media, but about participating in a shared conversation.

    The shift towards online news use is far greater among younger than older age groups. But suggestions that young people are collectively turning away from traditional media in favour of relying exclusively on TikTok can be misleading.

    Often, what they are consuming – even on newer platforms – is still produced and posted by traditional media.

    For example, it is estimated that half of the BBC’s young audiences accessed election coverage through social media. This could be anything from 30-second videos to longer explainers of topics in the news.

     

    Trustworthy sources at critical moments

    Ofcom’s research also shows television’s influence at critical points in time. Another survey conducted by the regulator found that television was the most popular way people consumed news and information during the 2024 UK general election.

    During the pandemic, surveys consistently showed a majority of people turned to television to understand the latest guidance. In the opening weeks of the health crisis, the BBC News at Six and Ten were together attracting 20 million viewers per week. At the same time, people questioned the credibility of online and social media sources.

    During the start of the pandemic, our research at Cardiff University examined people’s news diets. We found almost all participants trusted and valued broadcasters’ impartiality, including their online and social media coverage. Again, this tells us that people are using online formats to access the same, traditional sources of media.

    Much of the reaction to Ofcom’s recent survey has conflated a rise in online news with the public being more exposed to conspiracy theory websites, or false and misleading disinformation from social media.

    Many people have invested their trust in broadcasters’ online news services. But, in doing so, they may be more likely to encounter false or misleading information when scrolling through social media sites.

    Ofcom’s survey found that audiences ranked TV, radio and public service media generally the highest in terms of trust, accuracy and
    usefulness. This shows how important broadcast media still is, despite the shift in people accessing news online and being exposed to unregulated sources across social media platforms.

     

    Changing habits

    This is not to say that people’s engagement and trust in news is not changing. Ofcom’s election survey revealed that the oldest respondents were more likely to turn to news providers and official sources to help them make decisions about where to cast their vote. On the other hand, 18- to 24-year-olds relied more on the opinions of those around them.

    Such disparity hints at different generational perceptions of authority. This was also the case for Reform and Green Party voters, suggesting that the more ideologically distant respondents were from the mainstream political consensus – from either a right- or left-wing perspective – the more they distrusted traditional media.Moving forward, Ofcom has promised to review public service broadcasters’ news output, particularly what they produce and share online.

    This review appears to be more focused on audience perceptions than the nature of journalism produced. But without interpreting the editorial value of news, it will prove difficult to make judgments about how public service broadcasters inform people’s understanding of the world online.

    In my view, we need more research examining the editorial content of public service media – to assess what kind of information and analysis they are producing for audiences across social media platforms and online news sites.The Conversation

     

    Stephen Cushion is Chair Professor, Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

  • To feature Hollywood blockbusters from the Warner Bros. catalog

    Warner Bros. Discovery revamps DTamil Channel

    Warner Bros. Discovery has announced a revamp of its DTamil Channel.

    In its new avatar, DTamil will feature Hollywood blockbusters from the Warner Bros. catalogue, top global superhero shows, classics, and its signature non-fiction programming. The channel will also feature local original productions from Discovery+ and Discovery Channel.

    Said Sai Abishek, Head of Factual & Lifestyle Cluster at Warner Bros. Discovery, South Asia: “By bringing captivating Hollywood stories and offering hit global movies and TV shows to the Tamil cinema-loving audience, we are proud to deliver a robust blockbuster slate with Warner Bros.  catalogue gems, now with a brand-new flavor in language of their choice. By presenting engaging content tailored to diverse audience preferences, the revamped DTamil channel is poised to deliver premier global entertainment. We are committed to enhancing the daily viewing experience for our Tamil- audience, offering a rich mix of cinema and valuable viewing options.”

  • For the launch of the Zomato Dining Carnival

    Zomato collaborates again with Entourage Films

    Entourage Films has announce another collaboration with Zomato for the launch of the Zomato Dining Carnival.

    Said Sharat Katariya who directed the film: “The film beautifully reflects the joy and spontaneity that the Zomato Dining Carnival is all about, bringing the essence of the campaign to life. Ahsaas and Adarsh were the perfect fit to bring that quirk to life, their individual performances brought an extra layer of charm to the campaign. They fully embraced the playful nature we intended to capture and delivered it with exceptional flair.”

    Added Harshil Dhawan – Creative Head of Zomato, who has conceived the campaign:  “When dining deals are so irresistible, every moment feels like a cue to make a plan! With the Zomato Dining Carnival in full swing, featuring over 8,000 restaurants and up to 50% off, we’ve turned spontaneous cravings into spontaneous plans. Our films hilariously capture how an epic dining deal can make you drop everything and head out for a feast, no matter where you are or what you are doing.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYwg9l_WhNg

  • Patel is a typeface designer from Vadodara (Baroda)

    Vadodara’s Shaily Patel is Young Guns 22 finalist

    Vadodara -based typeface designer Shaily Patel is among the talented young finalists from 18 countries in The One Club for Creativity’s prestigious Young Guns 22 competition, celebrating global creative professionals age 30 or younger.

    Notes a communique: “Young Guns is the industry’s only global, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies and celebrates today’s vanguard of young creatives.  This year’s entries were judged by a diverse jury of 101 creatives — many of whom are past YG winners — from 45 countries.”

    This year’s winners will be announced on October 30, 2024, and celebrated at a special in-person party on November 13, 2024 at Sony Hall in New York.

  • To enhance Pay-TV User Experience and monetization opportunities

     To the New, Irdeto join forces

    To the New, the global digital technology services company, and Irdeto, the digital cybersecurity platform, have expandied their partnership to address the needs of Pay TV and streaming operators which aim to support content super aggregation for end users.

    Said Narinder Kumar, Co- Founder & CEO, To the New: “Our partnership with Irdeto focuses on revolutionizing OTT experience with a rich, flexible, and extendable solution, which enables content providers to delight their audiences across platforms, while also opening up new avenues for monetization.”

  • She will soon be featured as a playable character within BGMI

    Deepika Padukone partners with Krafton as Brand Ambassador

    Krafton, makers of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), are partnering with actor-producer Deepika Padukone to the world of BGMI. This exclusive one-year collaboration will see the actor as the brand ambassador of BGMI.

    Said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, Krafton India: “We are excited to partner with Deepika Padukone, a Global Ambassador & Icon to create unforgettable moments for our players. This collaboration is an endeavor to push boundaries and deliver fresh experiences for BGMI fans. By bringing together the worlds of gaming and entertainment with the biggest star Deepika Padukone at its forefront, we aim to create a truly immersive and engaging world within BGMI.”

  • M, E & A is the second-last among 18 sectors surveyed by ‘Happiest Places to Work’. Fintech leads with 40% of employees being happy, real estate/construction employees at 20%

    Only 23% of Media, Entertainment & Advertising employees happy: survey

    Media, Entertainment and Advertising is the second-last category among 18 sectors in an employee happiness study conducted by Happiest Places to Work, in Association with the Happiness Research Academy. Fintech leads with 40% of employees being happy while real estate and construction is at the bottom where employees happiness is at 20%

     

    The Happiest Places to Work, in association with Happiness Research Academy, has released its latest report titled ‘Happiness at Work – How Happy is India’s Workforce ?- 2024’.  This report is the result of an all-India research exercise that examining patterns of happiness across various genders, age groups, geographies, and industry sectors within India’s urban workforce.

     

    The “Happiness at Work” report spoke with 2,000 respondents across 18 industry sectors.
    Said Namrata Tata, Director, Happiest Places to Work: “This report offers crucial insights into the current state of workplace happiness in India. The stark disparities in happiness levels across different demographics and sectors are a call to action for organizations to prioritize employee well-being.”

     

    Key Findings:

    • 70% of the Indian workforce reports being unhappy at work: A significant majority of employees across the nation are grappling with dissatisfaction in their professional lives.
    • Wide disparities in happiness levels within the same age cohorts: People of the same age are experiencing vastly different levels of happiness, indicating that factors other than age play a crucial role in workplace satisfaction.
    • Gender and geographical gaps in happiness: The report highlights notable differences in happiness levels between men and women across different regions and industry sectors. In the East and Central zones, women report higher levels of happiness, whereas in the North zone, men are significantly happier than women.
    • Sectoral happiness rankings: The Fintech sector has emerged as the happiest industry, while the Real Estate sector is reported as the least happy.
    • 54% of employees are considering leaving their organizations: This alarming statistic points to a potential wave of resignations, particularly among employees who feel unsupported or unfulfilled at work.
    • Conducive environments reduce turnover: Employees who have the opportunity to pursue personal interests within a supportive environment are 60% less likely to leave their jobs.
    • Millennials at risk of departure: The intention to leave is highest among Millennials, with 59% of them contemplating a job change.
    • Collaboration and expression challenges: 63% of employees experience inertia in collaboration due to conflicts, while 62% struggle to express their views openly.

     

    The Happiness Research Academy plans to make this report an annual publication, nots a communique. With each successive report, the Academy aims to uncover trends that will become indispensable to evidence-based management practices in India.

    To access the report, https://happiestplacestowork.in/report/#latest-report

     

  • We thought we could provoke our Wizard with Words to give a controversial response. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the September 17 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | Do you think infotainment is diluting the substance of journalism, or is it a necessary adaptation to capture audience interest?

    Bhaskar Das PhotographIf 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. With the line between news and entertainment blurring, do you think infotainment is diluting the substance of journalism, or is it a necessary adaptation to capture audience interest in a fast-paced world?

    A. The die was cast quite some time back, when tech replaced/ complemented authentic readers of content to be an algorithm-based trendspotting/ pattern recognition and predictive modelling of human behaviour. The introduction of anthropomorphism has only multiplied this trend.

    Your observation of blurred line of news and entertainment is so valid— news channels, digital platforms like Meta, WhatsApp, YouTube, paid content, lack of investment in quality content, etc have contributed to this realisation. The real casualty is the ‘TRUST QUOTIENT’ of news content generators, and in a creator economy, they are available dime a dozen.

    The unfortunate part is that from non-news platforms, entertainment/ timepass might be a dominant logic of consuming their content, but for pure-play news platforms, the blurred line of news and entertainment will only erode the credibility quotient of news.