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  • While Aamir pocketed a few crore rupees as the nation wept on Sunday morning over the female foeticide issue, must say it's a commendable social effort, writes Anil Thakraney in Hard Knocks

    Anil Thakraney: Oprah Khan

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Some observations on Aamir’s much publicized chat show.

     

    Satyamev Jayate (SJ) reminds me of Oprah’s talk show. Ordinary people’s tear jerker stories, and all the emotions involved. It’s a good idea. Have always wondered why Ms Winfrey hasn’t inspired India so far.

     

    While Aamir pocketed a few crore rupees as the nation wept on Sunday morning over the female foeticide issue, must say it’s a commendable social effort. If SJ inspires even a few people to stop killing the girl child, all the big moolah spent on its production becomes worth it.

     

    I am not sure if the malls and the streets in the urban areas were deserted, like it used to happen on the Ramayana/Mahabharata Sundays. I did tweet to ask for clues, but didn’t get enough responses to form an accurate opinion. Even if the young gen continued with their routine stuff, who knows, as more episodes roll by, they might want to watch the show. Though I have my doubts. Sadly, I don’t think the ‘Har Ek Friend’ virtual India desires to connect with the real India. Even if Aamir is in the house.

     

    In an earlier post I have already mentioned that the simultaneous broadcast on DD is an excellent idea. So even if the metros ditch SJ, the producers are assured of reasonable TRPs.

     

    On the show itself: I like Aamir’s sincerity. He exhibits all the right expressions and makes all the right noises. Tears, concern, disappointment, shock, anger, hope… that he is a talented actor, must help. Also, happy that Aamir chose to launch his TV career with a show that matters. Very different from all the other big stars who indulge in mindless game shows. This is what makes Aamir special. Good luck to him.

     

    Most importantly, the show isn’t boring. This was the concern many had expressed once it was announced that SJ will deal with serious social issues. Aamir manages to pack in a little entertainment. A few laughs and some gana bajana too. This also helps break the tension. Having said that, one hour would have been just the right duration. 90 minutes is pushing things a bit.

     

    Also, there is an attempt to provide solutions. The show doesn’t stay at the level of discussing morbid details. That’s good. But it’s important that Aamir doesn’t forget to do the follow-ups he’s promising on air. And disappears as soon as his pay check arrives. The star is notorious for his fly-by-night activism.

     

    Lastly, Aamir kept repeating he’s not a judge, and that he would leave that activity to the courtrooms. A good lesson for all the news channel anchors who love dishing out justice to the aam junta every single evening.

     

    Net net: A promising show that can lead to some social change. Maybe only a little change, but it’s a good start all the same.

     

     

    PS: An interesting presentation on how advertising objectifies women. Should serve as an eye opener for all of us in the ad industry. Have we, in the search for higher sales, been corrupting our culture and values? Something to chew on, lots to introspect on.

     

  • Sunday mornings have typically been low on ratings as observed by the detailed analyses done by Stratagem Media for MxMIndia

    Why SJ will rule weekends; Stratagem analysis: Weekday Show #23 > Weekend Show #1

    By A Correspondent

     

    The only way the ratings graph can go with Satyamev Jayate is up. Guess that’s the one-line message that comes from the detailed analyses that Mumbai-based Stratagem Media has conducted for MxMIndia on the eve of the launch of Aamir Khan’s megashow.

     

    The statistics underscore what’s always been known but never possibly said. So concentrated is the emphasis on the weekday primetime and weekend blockbusters or award shows that the Sunday morning primetime has been ignored. Stratagem founder and CEO Sundeep Nagpal recounts how Sunday mornings would see 80 per cent viewership for Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan and BR Chopra’s Mahabharat. That of course was another era with just one channel dominating the airwaves.

     

    The charts presented by the Stratagem team offer interesting insights (please click on links to view tables):

     

    1. Programme #1 on weekends gets ratings which equals that of Programme #24 on weekday primetime

     

    2. It is observed that Share and Average time spends of Star Plus is better whereas for Weekend the Share and Average Time spends of Sony is better

     

    3. It is observed that the programmes on Sunday-11:00 – 12:00 Hrs timeband are repeats telecast and ratings of these is naturally low

     

    Stratagem also looked specifically at Sunday programming.

     

    1. It is observed that the programmes on Sunday-11:00 – 12:00 Hrs timeband are repeats and hence ratings are low

     

    2 .It is observed that Share and Average timespends differs in different quarters of the year

     

     

    3. The GRP are comparatively low for Sunday 11:00 – 12:00 Hrs timeband

     

     

     

  • Brand Airtel is looking at making the most of its sponsorship of Satyamev Jayate

    Airtel slashes SMS rates for Satyamev Jayate

    As the country eagerly awaits Aamir Khan’s debut show on television – Satyamev Jayate to take off, one brand that is ready to make the most from the association is Airtel.

     

    Echoing the sentiments derived from partnering with such a show, Bharat Bambawale, Director – Global Brand, Bharti Airtel, said, “As a brand for the masses, Airtel has always taken the lead in associating with events, shows and initiatives that resonate well with the preferences of today’s India. With connecting with people spread across India as a common focus area for both Satyamev Jayate and brand Airtel – we are excited to be associated with this show and look forward to the role it will play in entertaining the masses while bringing inspiring stories to the fore.”

     

    As a gesture towards supporting the cause, the telecom brand has even reduced the cost of SMSes to the show from Rs 3 to Re 1. The revenue collected via SMS will be donated by the company towards charity. As part of this integration, brand Airtel will be associated with the show via integrations like Airtel 3G video calls to participants, exclusive availability of Satyamev Jayate title track on Hello Tunes for Airtel customers, transfer of donation amount to NGOs through Airtel Money etc.

     

    The show which aims to tackle burning social issues and will feature the stories of real people, will be aired in over 8 languages across Star TV network channels and others at 11 am, every Sunday starting May 6.

     

  • The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has welcomed the Tariff Order but sought clarity on carriage fees that are crippling the industry

    IBF welcomes Tariff Order, seeks clarity on Carriage

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has welcomed the initiatives taken by the I & B Ministry and TRAI in bringing about much needed reforms in the cable sector.

     

    The Tariff amendments and the new Interconnect regulations for Digital Addressable Cable brought about by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will inject necessary transparency across the value chain. With a slew of consumer friendly measures – namely choice of packages and introduction of Basic Service Tier, TRAI has ensured that all subscribers of varied socio economic background are duly taken care of and provided for. IBF also welcomes the mandate to enhance the channel carrying capacity to a minimum of 200 channels wef July 1, 2012 and 500 channels wef January 1, 2013.

     

    The new interconnect regulations have brought within its wake the much awaited specifications for digital addressability while at the same time laying down the eligibility criteria for availing signals. The reporting requirements will help the government in plugging leakages while the provisions on disconnection of signals will ensure that all stakeholders are aware of their rights and obligations.

     

    Overall the Tariff Order and the Interconnect Regulations read with the amended Cable TV Act and Rules are steps in the right direction and will help the country to make the digital transition.

     

    However, a big area of concern for Broadcasters is Carriage Fee. The Broadcasters have taken up this issue in various discussions with the TRAI and the Government in the past. Carriage Fee has crippled various broadcasters, especially the smaller sized companies, and it has restricted a broadcaster’s ability to invest in content and other activities of a channel. Therefore, there is an urgent need to revisit this issue and IBF will seek clarity on this matter from TRAI.

     

    India is on the threshold of a digital makeover and IBF trusts that this will, over a period of time, make way for more freedom to stakeholders as digitalization acquires critical mass and the country gains more confidence in bridging the digital divide.

     

  • Director Satyajit Bhatkal talks on how Satyamev Jayate has been on Aamir Khan’s mind for over two years… and how, the perfectionist that he is, Aamir is present at every moment of the show

    SJ is Aamir’s baby, completely: Satyajit Bhatkal

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    With just two day to go for the launch of Satyamev Jayate, the show has created much curiosity among everyone. The industry’s well-kept secret is Aamir Khan’s maiden entry into the small screen.

     

    Talking about the show, Satyajit Bhatkal, director of the show, told MxMIndia that although the team has been working on the show for over two years, the concept is very old. “The idea of something like the show has been on Aamir’s mind for over years now. It is his baby completely. Along with his small team which I’m part of, Aamir worked on it for many years. And only when the idea of clear did we approach the channel which again added to the concept.” The channel, Star Plus, will air the show on May 6 at 11 am.

     

    It’s a known fact that Aamir is a perfectionist so it won’t be a surprise if he wasn’t involved in every aspect of the show. “He was there at every moment of the show. Even today he’s here. A lot of attention has been given to details and extensive research was done to produce the show,” said Bhatkal.

     

    Speaking on the morning slot of a Sunday morning, the director laughed and said, “It’s only in the metros that we tend to laze around on a Sunday morning. Most of the country is up and about early. So, I don’t think the morning slot should be an issue.”

     

    Like everyone else, the director too is keeping his fingers crossed about the show he described as ‘nothing ever seen before on TV’ and hopes to reach out to every Indian. “It’s not always entertainment which might click with people; we are hoping that our show will be able to garner people’s interest for long and good.”

     

    Photograph: Fotocorp

     

  • Interestingly, media planners point out that one of the plus points of IPL5 is that it has been consistent in its ratings, which will lead to better ROI for advertisers

    IPL 5: 38 matches later, ave TVR touches 3.41

    By A Correspondent

     

    The ratings for the first 38 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 5 continue to be lower than the previous seasons. According to TAM Sports, CS 4+, All India, IPL 5 delivered a TVR of 3.41 per cent in the 36 matches played so far during the tournament. Interestingly, media planners point out that one of the plus points of IPL5 is that it has been consistent in its ratings, which will lead to better ROI for advertisers.

     

    It may be recalled that first 27 matches of season 5 delivered a TVR of 3.53 per cent and the first 16 matches, a TVR of 3.65 per cent. The inaugural season (IPL1) however continues to remain the highest viewed season with a TVR of a whopping 4.84 per cent. Too much cricket in the past few months,India’s dismal ODI and Test match performance and too many matches in season 5 leading to cricket fatigue are said to be the possible reasons for the low ratings.

     

    Media planners believe that as the tournament progresses, especially towards the semi-finals and the finals, the ratings are expected to further increase. According to Mr Dinesh Vyas, GM, MEC India: “IPL 5 may have been receiving the lowest TVR as compared to the previous seasons, but it is also the only programme on television which has been delivering consistently. Therefore a TVR of 3.41 per cent for the first 36 matches is a good. In fact, now is the time that we will see more and more people viewing IPL matches and the ratings will only further increase.”

     

    Mr R Venkata Subramanian, Senior Director-Investments, MPG India was of the view that one of the plus points of season five is its consistency: “There has been consistency in the ratings which is certainly beneficial for advertisers however the numbers continue to be lower than the previous seasons. Despite some really good matches, the numbers have been low, probably because of too many matches leading to cricket fatigue. Nonetheless as the tournament progresses, I do expect the viewership to grow but, I don’t expect a dramatic increase.”

     

    Source : TAM Sports, Period : First 38 matches of all IPL Seasons, TG : CS 4+ yrs, Market : All India, Channel : MAX

     

    * In IPL 1 one match (47th) was abandoned due to rain
    * In IPL 2 two matches (7th & 13th)were abandoned due to rain
    * In IPL 4 one match (20th) was abandoned due to rain
    * In IPL 5 two matches (32th & 34th) were abandoned due to rain

     

     

     

  • Kolkata office of LMG has been appointed to handle the media planning and buying business of OCL and Eden City Group

    LMG Cal wins OCL & Eden City biz

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Kolkata office of LMG has been appointed to handle the media planning and buying business of OCL and Eden City Group. Both the businesses amount to a cumulative billing of over Rs12 crore.

     

    OCL India Limited, manufacturers of Konark Cement, is the flagship company of Dalmia Group and is one of the largest cement manufacturers in the country. Konark brand is a market leader in state of Odisha. Commenting on this win, SG Kedia, Dy Executive Director, Cement Marketing of OCL said: “We were looking at a credible partner to help us in our pursuit to reach out to our consumers, but in a very targeted and planned manner. We were looking at multimedia capabilities and brand centric thoughts from our partners and Lintas Media Group demonstrated both the things well. We look forward to work closely with them and help our brand reach success.”

     

    Eden City Maheshtala is one of the largest housing projects in South Kolkata. Commenting on assigning the business to Lintas Media Group, Mr. Biswadeep Gupta, GM of Eden City Group said: “We liked the category understanding demonstrated by LMG, and also found their media recommendations practical and innovative.”

     

    Suresh Balakrishnan, of Lintas Media Group expressed his appreciation for the team at Kolkata and the professional reputation that they have built in the market. Mahesh Motwani, Executive Vice President who heads the Kolkata Office said: “Kolkata is a market which is on the path of growth and we are very happy to associate with these reputed brands in the city. We value long term relationships and our growth comes from the continued growth of our clients.”

     

    These wins make LMG Kolkata a dominant player in the Kolkata market. Lintas Media Group at Kolkata already handles the media mandate for prestigious clients in the market such as Amul Hosiery, Eveready, PC Chandra, Tidewater, Khadims, Srei,  La Opala besides others.

     

  • There's more reason than one why there's much excitement about mega-show Satyamev Jayate that kicks off on May 6

    The Importance of Being Aamir Khan

     

    By Biswadeep Ghosh

     

    Do you know anyone who hasn’t heard of Satyamev Jayate, a Sunday show with which Aamir Khan will make his debut on the small screen? Impossible, unless your reclusive acquaintance inhabits a cocoon and has no access to the television, newspapers and the internet. The most intelligent strategist in the Hindi film industry, Aamir has emerged from behind an impenetrable veil to discuss the show with the media. He has discarded his aura of exclusivity that makes him unreachable so often, the result being that journalists are relishing each and every moment in the company of the superstar. They are reporting on his first ever serial faithfully, making Satyamev Jayate, a forthcoming Aamir Khan event many Indians are waiting for.

     

    Those who have followed Aamir’s career with detached objectivity know a few things about the man. He has manufactured an image of being ‘serious about what he does’, as if his counterparts in the entertainment industry are a bunch of flippant characters for whom life is one big joke that never ends. As part of his image-building exercise, he has highlighted his social activism, a quality he seemed to have developed after being in the industry for a long time. He is his own USP, using the power of which he is giving veiled hints about what Satyamev Jayate will offer to the viewer.

     

    A ‘thinking man’s actor’ and a ‘perfectionist’, Aamir has given countless interviews while humming a tune of mystery-heightening ambiguity. ‘It’s about connecting people, touching human hearts. It’s about human stories, coming to understand what life is like. For me, the show has been a kind of a personal journey,” he told the Indian Express. Please read the excerpt again. What exactly is he saying? Actually, very little, but that is the idea anyway. He has been categorically clear that he doesn’t want to discuss the specifics. It is as if Satyamev Jayate is an Alfred Hitchcock thriller whose plot will give the criminal away before the film begins.

     

    The show that has been dubbed in many languages will be telecast on the Star network and Doordarshan. The Star-Doordarshan tie-up will ensure viewers everywhere, whether they live in a Vasant Vihar mansion in New Delhi or in a village named Hatgamariya in Jharkhand. That it is being shown on an early morning Sunday slot implies that everyone, right from hardcore Aamir Khan fans to reluctant TV watchers, will be tempted to check it out. Cricket being the only area in which satellite television channels have shared network space with Doordarshan in the past, Satyamev Jayate will inevitably get the maximum number of viewers of a non-cricket show in the initial stages at least.

     

    Not that promotion of films or television serials is a new phenomenon. In today’s times when nobody can ensure a film’s success, even Salman Khan who hardly ever promoted his films till recently has changed gears to talk about his releases before they hit the marquee. The strategy has worked. Always the most active channel-hopper, Shah Rukh Khan’s marketing of Ra.One redefined the way in which a film is being sold by the Hindi film industry. Of course, Ra.One did not succeed the way it was expected to. But SRK tried.

     

    The master strategist, however, isn’t SRK: and certainly not Salman. It is Aamir. While both SRK and Salman have had their share of flops, facts prove that Aamir has had the least number of failures at the box-office. Even a mediocre film like Ghajini rocked, its success story partly written by viewers who went to watch Aamir’s eight packs: a fact that was marketed very smartly through his interviews and other promotional campaigns. When he produced Delhi Belly, he went all out to discuss the film’s ‘language’: one big reason why many viewers hit the halls to watch it.

     

    The big satya is that Aamir is better at the game that everyone plays. Not that his approach makes the success of Satyamev Jayate, a hundred percent certainty. Major film stars have hosted hyped shows, many of which have flopped. Amitabh Bachchan created history with the success of the first edition of Kaun Banega Crorepati, but Shah Rukh Khan failed to make the sort of impact his diehard fans believed he would. SRK did experience some success as the host of KBC’s third edition, but his decisions to host Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tezz Hain? and Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout had disastrous consequences. Govinda as the host of Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke made zero impact. The Salman Khan-steered show Dus Ka Dum started off really well. By the time the second season came to an end, however, its popularity had withered away. Akshay Kumar experienced success with Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. Yet, few bothered to see him in MasterChef India: Season 1.

     

    Aamir’s well-disguised expressions have spun a lot of curiosity about Satyamev Jayate. The show’s reach is far wider than that of others hosted by film stars so far. If it succeeds, it will write an extraordinarily significant chapter in the history of Indian television. If not, the story of its failure will be discussed for a long time: more so, because it has been made by a man who owns a magic wand which nobody else does.

     

    The star is at the centre of a shrewdly developed promotional campaign. But once Satyamev Jayate hits the small screen, it won’t be long before hype gets jettisoned by the people’s acceptance or rejection of the real thing. The suspense around the show will guarantee a full house on the opening day inside each household. Having been there, done that, Aamir surely knows that is not enough.

     

  • In Freaking News, which will now appear every Tuesday and Friday, Ranjona Banerji reviews the fare in the morning papers and the nightly news. And sometimes the afternooners, the newsmags and all that's on the Web

    [MJR] Jingoist of the year award to Times Now

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    For some reason best known only to Times Now, the channel decided to huff and puff over a Barack Obama campaign ad, which said that not only did Republican presidential candidate hopeful Mitt Romney outsource jobs to Mexico and China as a CEO, but as governor he also outsourced a task to a call centre in India.

     

    My god, the insult – Obama has spent, said Times Now, a million dollars to “trash India”. This news played over and over again on the channel all evening, even as it had to compete with the other “big story which we are tracking” – the release of Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon by the Maoists (that’s another example of a TV extravaganza).

     

    On the Newshour last night, there was Goswami, filled with nationalistic pride, surrounded by Chidananda Rajghatta of The Times of India looking a bit embarrassed, Pramit Pal Chaudhuri of Hindustan Times looking smug and embarrassed, Mohandas Pai, once of Infosys, looking amused and not sure if he could tap sufficiently into his inner jingoist and a few other guests.

     

    Goswami launched full steam into his heartfelt anguish at this perfidy by Obama – when the facts said that Indian companies contributed millions of jobs and billions of dollars to the US economy (a few gazillions and who knows, India might solve all the US’s economic problems). But guest after guest pointed out that all this was election rhetoric and that anger with outsourcing was now normal campaign guff and that whoever won would do little to change US policy.

     

    Goswami, as he watched his argument crumble, smiled wryly and changed tack. He was not, he said, talking about the inner workings of the US election process. He was bothered about perception and stereotyping. Luckily he found one guest who weakly agreed, sorta kinda.

     

    After 15 minutes of sound and fury signifying nothing, and guaranteeing a good laugh for all viewers, the debate petered out as everyone just repeated the same thing. Goswami ended by asking why the Indian government could not spend some money to issue a counter ad. Indian pride, one can only hope, was restored amongst those viewers who spend their time picking up stones and weeds everywhere, hoping to find an insult to India and then demand reparation.

     

    On Friday morning, interestingly, only The Times of India was interested in this story.

    (An aside: the other fight for Indian pride was on the internet over Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher and some chips ad where he mimics an Indian. The Indians won because on the internet, power operates differently!)

     

    * * *

     

    Stewart by the way, took on the sex scandals in the US secret service, hardly guffaw-inducing stuff compared to Goswami.

     

    * * *

     

    Meanwhile, the collector: all day TV told us that the kidnapped by Maoists collector Alex Paul Menon was about to be released. We were treated to some pictures of some bush and scrub with very bad communication lines and no collector. Then in the evening an exhausted man appeared, only to be mobbed by eager reporters. This is one of the fault lines of modern journalism and you have to feel for both parties. The media needs the story and the collector needed some rest. He looked as he himself said, “shattered”.

     

    Since Zee had most of the pictures, everyone had to credit it. Headlines Today and NDTV, instead of showing the bush and scrub, showed us Menon’s father-in-law. The CNN-IBN website told us that the collector was freed hours before he appeared out of the wilderness.

    No explained whether that was inside information or a false start to the race.

     

    Jai Hind!

     

  • On May 1, 2012, Palasa, the creative thought shop, completed 8 years of its journey in the industry

    Palasa’s 8 years of challenging the conventional

    By Shubhangi Mehta

     

    What started as small agency of five creatives in 2004 at Shah and Nahar Industrial Estate is today seen as a well-established and dependable communication partner equipped with a team of 22 creatives. Indeed, Palasa is an energetic hotshop with clientele spanning across various verticals, from technology to lifestyle products.

     

    Says the agency’s founder Sandeep Bomble: “Palasa is a thrilling ride of endless possibilities. Life has been one mad ride with thrilling ideas, fervour running in the nerves of every creative. Challenging the conventional and coming up with newer ideas at every opportunity is the crux of the Palasa belief and its ultimate success story since its inception.”

     

    The diktat is clear: “It’s not what you want to say, but what they want to hear. In this consumer-driven world, it is important to communicate through various innovative mediums, discover newer prospects to reach out the hearts of millions.”

     

    The Power of an idea can be everywhere, and this is what is communicated effectively through Palasa’s work. It is this hub that has cleverly shaped and built the identity of the brands like iBall, YOU Telecom, Circle, and so on right from the scratch.

     

    Palasa has essentially focused on removing barriers between ATL and BTL. In fact it has re-defined the way BTL advertising is perceived: by executing it with a class of breakthrough ideas and not mere adaptations.

     

    Laying emphasis on BTL advertising, Palasa successfully launched its sister concern, GOD – Gang Of Designers – where cutting edge designing takes life, encompassing corporate identity, brochures, packaging, conceptualising designs to events et al. The clutter breaking communication has won Palasa laurels, both nationally and internationally.

     

    The Abby win for Umax DM, at Goafest 2011, for Circle’s Vein packaging and best art direction, for JJAAAN’s Radio spot in 2010 and a bevy of awards still under its hat, and print ads occasionally featured in ‘The Archive’, are witness to Palasa’s versatility at 360-degree marketing.

     

    Palasa successfully completed its 8 years of trials, tribulations and victories on May 1 – ‘8’ standing beautifully unique, holding within it the power of infinity, beckoning the effervescing minds at Palasa to venture and seek crevices untouched. Three, err, eight cheers to that!

     

     

  • MediaVest will handle the media planning and buying duties for the Ramdev Chilly Powder and Ramdev Asafoetida (hing)

    MediaVest adds Ramdev Foods to its kitty

    By A Correspondent

     

    Keeping the momentum, MediaVest Worldwide added the media business for Ramdev Food Products Pvt. Ltd. to its kitty. MediaVest will handle the media planning and buying duties for the Ramdev Chilly Powder and Ramdev Asafoetida (hing). The new business will be managed from MediaVest Mumbai office.

     

    Ramdev Foods Pvt. Ltd. is a leading producer of spices and masala mixes since 1965 and offers a range of premium Indian spices turmeric, chilly powder, coriander – cumin powder, and so on.

     

    Confirming MediaVest’s appointment, Mr. Pradip Patel, Director, Ramdev Food Products Pvt. Ltd. said, “We were impressed by MediaVest’s strategic approach and the team was extremely focused and efficient with the ideas they shared with us. We are certain that our alliance with MediaVest will help us break clutter and maintain a leadership position in the spices category.”

     

    Dinesh Rathore, Vice President, MediaVest Worldwide, said: “We are thrilled with the win and look forward to partnering with Ramdev Foods. With MediaVest, Ramdev Foods will certainly be able to achieve their communication objectives.”

     

    Starcom MediaVest Group is one of the youngest, largest and most diversified media networks in the country. It prides itself on its ‘people first’ approach at workplace. In addition to communication strategy development through its two networks – Starcom Worldwide and MediaVest Worldwide.

     

  • Editor Alan Rusbridger announces Guardian to partner with MediaGuru to hold inaugural Activate Summit in India

    Guardian Media partners with Mediaguru

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Guardian, London has entered into a partnership with MediaGuru and is to hold one of its 2012 Activate Summits in India for the first time.

     
    The Guardian Activate events bring together many of the world’s brightest and most influential figures to debate how technology is driving positive social change on a global scale. The first Activate event took place in London in 2009 and the event expanded into the US market last year with the first Activate New York taking place in April 2011.

     

    Previous speakers have included Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, Craig’sList founder Craig Newmark and NYU professor Clay Shirky.

     

    The 2012 Guardian Activate summit in India is currently planned to take place in October in Delhi, and will be organised in partnership with MediaGuru, the media consulting, technology and entertainment company which has a presence in London, Singapore and all across India.

     

    The Guardian-MediaGuru partnership will see the Activate brand expanding into other territories, including Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. It will also see an ambitious expansion of the Activate digital platform on guardian.co.uk, which will become an online content and networking hub for professionals working with technology to drive global change.
    Announcing the expansion, Alan Rusbridger said: “Technology is bringing the world closer together and at the Guardian we’re committed to encouraging debate between diverse, global audiences in line with our open and digital-first strategies. We’re thrilled to be bringing the Guardian Activate summit to new countries where technology is having a real impact, and look forward to joining and facilitating more fascinating conversations about the influence of web technologies in person, as well as online.”

     

    Sanjay Salil, Managing Director, MediaGuru, said: “By 2020, it is predicted that India will have 600 million internet users, making it the biggest open internet access market in the world. MediaGuru is proud to be bringing the Guardian Activate platform to India, where a gathering of technology, media, and social innovation leaders can help shape India’s technology and new media agenda.”