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  • The Film & Television Producers Guild of India & Wizcraft International Entertainment announce Award Nominees for the Best Film Talents

    The biggest films of 2011 vie for Chevrolet Apsara Awards 2012

    By A  Correspondent

     

    The biggest film and television award function in Bollywood, Chevrolet Apsara Awards 2012, by the Film & Television Producers Guild of India and Wizcraft International Entertainment, will take place on January 25 at the Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. The nominees for the best talents in Hindi film & television for 2012 were announced on Thursday.

     

    Nominees and winners are meticulously chosen by the members of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India, making it the official Award for the Film and Television industry.

     

    This year the Guild will also flag-off the’100 years of Indian Cinema’ celebrations, showcasing a special tribute dedicated to the legends of Indian cinema and their glorious years in Bollywood with a medley of hit songs from the yesteryears.

     

    Indian cinema had an exciting year in 2011 and saw a wide range of multi-genre films like No One Killed Jessica, Rockstar, Singham, The Dirty Picture and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, all of which are up for the Best Film Apsara.

     

    Counting the total tally, Rockstar has received the maximum number of nominations closely followed by Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

     

    Priyanka Chopra (7 Khoon Maaf), Katrina Kaif (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan), Rani Mukerji (No One Killed Jessica), Mahie Gill (Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster), Kangna Ranaut (Tanu Weds Manu), Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture) will be competing for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

     

    Salman Khan (Bodyguard), Shah Rukh Khan (Don 2), Emraan Hashmi (Murder 2), Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar), Ajay Devgn (Singham) have been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

     

    Shreya Ghoshal has been nominated for her sensational tracks Teri Meri (Bodyguard) and Saibo (Shor in the City) while Sunidhi Chauhan has been nominated for her foot tapping hits Te Amo (Dum Maaro Dum) and Aa Zara (Murder 2) for Best Singer – Female.

     

    Mohit Chauhan for Saada Haq and Naadaan Parindey (Rockstar), Akon & Vishal Ravjiani for Chammak Challo (Ra. One), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for Teri Meri (Bodyguard) and Mohammed Irfaan for Phir Mohabbat (Murder 2) will be competing for the Best Singer – Male category.

     

    In the Technical Category, films like Ra,One, No One Killed Jessica, 7 Khoon Maaf and Tanu Weds Manu have received the highest number of nominations.

     

    The popular TV show ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hai’ has garnered the highest number of nominations for the Apsara Awards 2012 including Best Drama Series, Best Director – Fiction, Best Actress & Actor in Drama Series, Best Writer & Best Ensemble Cast in the Television Category.

     

    Other nominations are Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur, Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega, Jhalak Dikhla Ja – Season 4, Just Dance and Kaun Banega Crorepati for Best Non-fiction Series.

     

    Ramesh Sippy, President – Film & Television Producers Guild of India said: “There are so many films in contention for the awards this year; it is fascinating in terms of the diverse kind of movies that were made. The growth has been remarkable. We have witnessed some awe inspiring work; the jury is sure going to have a tough time. Indian television has also seen a plethora of soaps and reality series doing very well which we are excited about.”

     

    Wiz Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd said: “We are honoured and we take great pride in partnering with the Guild to present The Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards. Like always the Awards will be packed with glamour, great performances, suspense and excitement…it’s going to be a riot.”

     

    Established by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, the Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards were initiated to honour exceptional talent and breed new potential within the film and television fraternity. Having garnered great popularity and success since the first awards in 2004, the Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards, powered by Micromax, have acknowledged talent, perseverance, innovation and pure artistry.

     

    In the last five years they have gained enormous momentum, receiving a large response from the Film & Television circles, reflected in the growing volume of entries received, year after year.

     

  • With the core thought of amplifying 'Always Hoyenga' on ground and build a high recall, Greenply has come up with a 10×10 Graffiti wall

    Greenply aims to make entry to Limca Book of Records

    By A Correspondent

     

    Greenply, the interior infrastructure company, has come up with an innovative marketing – “Greenply Always Hoyenga- largest graffiti wall in India”. The new marketing is in sync with its new campaign, Always Hoyenga, Greenply has come up with a consumer activation program to create a graffiti wall in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore and invite everybody to come and express their wishes for the future by either painting or writing on the wall.

     

    With the core thought of amplifying ‘Always Hoyenga’ on ground and build a high recall, Greenply has come up with a 10×10 Graffiti wall. This graffiti wall from each city will add on to creating the mega Graffiti wall measuring 27,000 sq ft in Kolkata creating the largest graffiti inIndiaand will bid to enter the Limca Book of Records.

     

    The Always Hoyenga campaign by Greenply is aimed at making durability more relevant and fresh for the audiences.

     

    The graffiti will be created on January 21 in Delhi at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj and in Mumbai at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, respectively; on January 22 in Bangalore at Garuda Mall, Ashok Nagar and in Hyderabadat City Centre, Banjara Hill respectively. The event will be from 11 am to 8 pm.

     

  • The 360 degree campaign gives movie buffs an opportunity to be a superstar and be featured on the channel

    Sony Pix launches new campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pix is all set to launch a brand new campaign for 2012 called ‘Big Break’ which gives movie buffs an opportunity to be a superstar and be featured on the channel. It is a 360 degree campaign which will have on air as well as off air promotions – radio, outdoor, print, online and on ground activities.

     

    The promotional on air and print campaign for ‘Big Break’ will run over a couple of months. The on ground activities will take place in key metros, as well as multiple promotions in colleges. Details of Big Break will also be shared on radio to encourage participation.

     

    In order to enhance convenience for the applicants, PIX has created a micro site to aid the masses to send in their entries and acquire further details about the campaign. An exclusive ‘Big Break’ application has also been created on for social networking sites like Facebook.

     

    To be a part of this campaign, all one has to do is send in a one minute video clip of themselves enacting aHollywoodscene of their choice. These entries will be reviewed by a special team appointed by PIX and ten lucky applicants will be flown down to Mumbai.

     

    PIX also offers the audiences innovative initiatives like the PIX Movie Club, Hollywood Top 10 and Chicks on Flicks to keep them updated on all thingsHollywood. These efforts have given PIX a distinctive identity offering entertainment beyond justHollywoodfilms.

     

  • Top 10 finalists submitting an idea for Tanishq’s Mia jewellery line Mia to win Rs1,00,000 each and get to collaborate with designers at Tanishq to design latest collection

    Tanishq inspires million thoughts through ‘My Expression’ competition

    By A Correspondent

     

    Tanishq,India’s largest and most preferred jewellery brand, on Thursday announced the launch of its first ever co-creation activity ‘My Expression’. The activity is an open for all contest aimed to identify and reward the best creative minds across the country.

     

    Interested participants are requested to submit an idea for Mia – the new Working Women’s line and the top 10 finalists stand to win Rs1,00,000 each. The selected idea will be used to in the next collection for Mia.

     

    To participate, users should first register by visiting the website www.myexpression.tanishq.co.in, login and then submit ideas. After logging in, users can choose to either enter text, or upload a picture or upload/paste the youtube link of their idea, explaining the concept in detail.

     

    Points will be awarded for originality and innovativeness of the idea, degree of detail in idea submission, the fit with the brand and ease of manufacturability. The deadline to submit idea is February 14, 2012.

     

    Once the ideas are collected, public will vote for their favourite ideas through an online poll system, and the top ideas will make it to the Jury Selection round, at the end of which the top 10 will win the cash prize of Rs1,00,000 each.

     

    A 3-member jury comprising eminent personalities including Revathi Kant, GM – Design, Innovation and Development, Tanishq, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Fashion Director, Vogue India and Shimul Mehta Vyas, Mentor, Textile Apparel and Accessory Design, National Institute of Design (NID) will evaluate designs and ideas to shortlist top 10 winners.

     

    Announcing the launch, Mr Sandeep Kulhalli, Vice President, retail and marketing, Tanishq, said: “My Expression is the first of its kind initiative in the Indian jewellery industry. We are excited about the contest as it is interactive platform to engage with our customers and fans.”

     

    He further added: “Through this engagement, we can also secure useful insights on Tanishq’s jewellery collection, and also find intelligent, creative and smart young designers with great ideas. We look forward to active participation and indulgence from our fans and help make co-creation a success.”

     

    “Tanishq has been one of the early adopters of digital media – Tanishq One, the collection targeted at men, was launched using only digital media, Tanishq Valentine 999 collection, targeted at youth, had digital media as the lead media and now Tanishq My Expression, India’s first co creation activity, is using only digital media,” said Unny Radhakrishnan, National director, Digital, Maxus.

     

    Tanishq, from the Tata Group, has been synonymous with superior craftsmanship, exclusive designs and guaranteed product quality. It has built for itself the envious reputation of being the only jewellery brand in the country that strives to understand the Indian woman and provide her with jewellery that meets her traditional and contemporary aspirations and desires.

     

  • Ford India has announced the appointment of P K Umashankar as vice president, customer service operations.

    P K Umashankar appointed VP of Customer Service Operations, Ford India

    By A Correspondent

     

    P K Umashankar has been appointed to a newly created executive position that will involve focusing on Ford India’s growing strategic emphasis on customer satisfaction as it gears up to live its commitment to the market and customers.

     

    In his new role, Mr Umashankar will lead the customer service and satisfaction initiatives across the company’s ever-expanding sales and service network in India and growing customer base and report directly to Nigel Wark, executive director, marketing, Sales & Service, Ford India.

     

    “Customer satisfaction is at the core of Ford’s commitment and we are delighted to have Uma lead our efforts on this front. Given his strong experience in ensuring quality, leadership skills and deep understanding of Indian customers, we are sure that in this strategic role Uma will lead in bolstering our efforts to achieve and grow more and more happy customers for Ford.” said Mr Wark. “This appointment also signals Ford’s focus on ensuring new levels of engagements and delighting customers through their complete ownership experience in India.”

     

    Mr Umashankar is passionate about quality enhancement and is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and a certified Six Sigma trainer. He was responsible for all Six Sigma projects in Distribution areas spanning Quality, Sales, Finance and Service at Ford India.

     

    In his over decade and a half long career with Ford India, Mr Umashankar has served different roles that include heading Regional Sales & Service Operations, North & East , Service Engineering, Service Marketing and Parts Operations. He steps up to the new role from being the General Manager, Product Marketing driving the product growth plans for India. Prior to that, he was General Manager, Customer Service Operations, where he looked after customer satisfaction and Parts & Service business at Ford India.

     

    Before joining Ford India, Mr Umashankar, who graduated in mechanical engineering from Madras University, served in the Indian Air Force as an aeronautical engineering officer for six years. He specialized in Aeronautical Engineering at the Air Force Technical College. He also holds an Executive MBA in Finance from LIBA, Chennai where he was a topper and a gold medallist.

     

  • Stalwarts from advertising and media paid fulsome tributes to the memory of Bal Mundkur, at a prayer meeting held in Mumbai.

    Industry veterans remember Ulka founder Bal Mundkur

    By a Correspondent

     

    Draftfcb Ulka Group held a prayer meeting in memory of the late Bal Mundkur, veteran adman and founder of what is today Draftfcb Ulka. The prayer meet was held on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan in Nariman Point, Mumbai.

     

    Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, South Asia Ogilvy & Mather India; Alyque Padamsee, theatre personality and ad film-maker; Gerson da Cunha, stage and film actor, social worker and author; and theatre veteran Dolly Thakore were some of the notable personalities from the advertising and media fraternity, other than the leadership team from Draftfcb Ulka who attended the prayer meeting.

     

    Shashi Sinha, CEO, Lodestar UM remembered the late Mr Mundkur as a man who was always a leader, and never a follower. A man who was very generous, always ready to help those who needed help, and a man who did not work for money alone but, also for a lot of noble causes which he did not give up even after his retirement. Mr Sinha pointed out that Mr Mundkur had left his cushy job to start his own agency, and that he named the agency – Ulka – at his mother’s suggestion.

     

    A two-minute silent prayer was observed in memory of Mr Mundkur which was again followed by close friends, associates, former colleagues etc. sharing their thoughts and memories of the late advertising veteran.

     

    Mr da Cunha highlighted the recently released ‘Ad Katha’, a special volume tracking the history of Indian advertising, as one of Mr Mundkur’s huge achievements. Mr da Cunha was also quick to point out that a lot of people not just owed Mr Mundkur the brands he created for them, but many owed him their career as well. Mr Mundkur has created great professionals, he said, while dedicating the 300-page ‘Ad Katha’ to the memory of Mr Mundkur.

     

    Mr Alyque Padamsee was also among those who spoke about Mr Mundkur at the prayer meet, saying he remembered Mr Mundkur as a man of rumbustious character. A man who had big ideas and was determined to see each one through. Mr Padamsee also added that his inspiration comes from Mr Mundkur, who was always ready to defend someone – ie, if you believe in something then stand up and fight for it.

     

    Mr Mundkur passed away in Goa on January 7, 2012 due to heart failure. Mr Mundkur had founded Ulka in 1961, ten years after he joined the world of advertising. In a span of another ten years, Ulka had become the fourth largest agency in the country, and by far the largest independent Indian start-up.

     

  • The second day of the digital summit saw discussion on social media, and the recent controversy over freedom of expression online.

    Digital Summit: Social media and content consumption

    By Shruti Pushkarna

     

    Day 2 of the 6th India Digital Summit organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) began with an informative session on where social media stands today. The session also touched upon some legal nuances with reference to the recent controversy on freedom of expression online.

     

    Social Media: Whose Food, Whose Poison?

    The panel consisted of Pawan Duggal, Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Cyber Law Expert, Pranesh Prakash, Programme Manager, Centre for Internet & Society, Shubho Sengupta, Digital/Social Consultant & Integrated Marketing Council, Coca Cola and Supriyo Gupta, Founder, Digilogue Communication. The session was moderated by Pradyuman Maheshwari, Editor-in-Chief & CEO, MxM India.

     

    Cyber law expert Mr Duggal started by outlining for the audience where the law stands on freedom of expression as far as the online medium is concerned. He agreed that as per the Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of speech but this is not necessarily an absolute right. The recent amendments in the law have changed quite a few things in cyber law jurisdiction; the most important being the introduction of the term ‘intermediary’. As an intermediary if one does not comply with the law, and allows inappropriate/offensive content to be published online, one can be exposed to both civil and criminal liability, depending on the case in question. While Mr Duggal agreed that there is no escaping the law, he also emphasized on the need for organizations like the IAMAI to step forward and ask for amendments to be made to the almost ‘draconian’ IT Act.

     

    For Pranesh Prakash the picture seemed grimmer than it’s painted out to be. He cited some examples of how the law is formulated in the country in a ‘cut & paste’ manner rather than with a proper understanding of the larger issue at hand. He expressed concern over how in the physical world law catches up in a very different manner as compared to the virtual world. He said, “Police can’t just walk into a bookstore and remove a book saying it is obscene, there has to be a valid court order banning the book. Then why should the likes of Facebook, Twitter etc. be held responsible for which they are not…”

     

    Intermediaries, said Mr Duggal, “…are not supposed to use their mind or judgment over an issue. They should just act upon a complaint or government’s advice.” It is when the intermediary starts using his/her judgment, that problem arises.

     

    According to Supriyo Gupta, the issue of intermediaries is not as big, rather it’s just a flawed process in a developing law. He noted, “The issue of intermediary is going to be a short lived one…the larger issue is that one has the right to publish but does one understand what it carries with it?” He said there is a need for companies to think whether they are going to be able to fix the way people are using social media, whether they use it responsibly or not.

     

    Talking about whether despite all controversy, social media is still the place for brands to be in, Shubho Sengupta was of the view that social media and brands don’t go together. He said, “Social media and brands aren’t an easy fit, and brands don’t understand this. What social media does is that it creates opportunity for two way communication. Brands need to understand that it’s (social media) the consumer’s world, and brands that are doing well in this space have taken cognizance of this fact that in social media space, consumer is the king.”

     

    The session concluded with all panelists agreeing with the fact that the law needs amendment and the government needs to be sensitized that for businesses to grow, legislation will have to be minimal. But unfortunately as Mr Duggal mentioned, “In an environment of coalition politics, amending the IT Act Is not a top priority.”

     

    Moving from Memorable to Meaningful

    The session started with a keynote by Anthony Rhind, Co-Global CEO, Havas Digital, and it was moderated by S N Bhaduri, Country Manager-Consumer Media, Thomson Reuters.

     

    Mr Rhind , in his presentation, stressed on the fact that we all live in an extremely well connected world, where consumers are influenced by choices and validations more so because of the growing social media experience. In such an environment, where consumers have ample choices to choose from, and where they also have the ability and option to avoid all kinds of communication, the big challenge faced by companies and brands is to engage the consumer at an all new level. For this to happen, Mr Rhind emphasized the need for data integration. He said, “Consumers are most likely to share their experiences post-purchase, especially if the experience is negative…” So there is a need for companies to target consumers in a more relevant way, and once that happens, more involved customers will influence a larger group. To target relevant consumers, it is important to ‘integrate and interrogate’ user-level data. Once you have the required data, companies can target the customers with personalized, more creative messages which will enable and encourage ‘dialogue’.

     

    So data integration is important to bring about more meaningful ways of targeting the consumer.

     

  • On the issue of freedom of speech online, R Chandrashekhar was firm on how every company across the world has to comply with the laws of the land and India’s case shouldn’t be any different.

    Video Report: DoT Secy hints at govt hardline on freedom of speech online

    Text and Video by Shruti Pushkarna

     

    DoT Secy on ICRIER’s report on Impact of Internet
    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea03D2jzvUY[/youtube]

    R Chandrashekhar, Secretary, DoT & SiT and Chairman Telecom Commission, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India appears certain that the government is going to adopt a hard line on the issue of freedom of speech line. Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the launch of a book based on the research by the Indian Council for Research & International Economic Relations (ICRIER) on the impact of the internet in India at the IAMAI’s 6th India Digital Summit in New Delhi, Mr Chandrashekhar also spoke onTRAI’s recommendations on spectrum allocation. Although he shied away from giving any real answers to the question, on the issue of freedom of speech online, he was firm on how every company across the world has to comply with the laws of the land and India’s case shouldn’t be any different from the rest of the world.

     

     

    DoT Secy on recommendations of TRAI on spectrum allocation
    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPbv8AFN04[/youtube]

    Earlier, the book titled India: Impact of Internet was released by Mr R Chandrashekhar. The report comes at a time when the government has just announced its grand plan for taking broadband to the masses, by taking it first to local panchayats. Following the launch, Mr Rajat Kathuria, External Consultant, ICRIER made a short presentation on the findings and recommendations of the study.

     

     

    Mr Chandrashekhar congratulated ICRIER at the launch of the report and welcomed the timing of the report and the benefits it will bring to the table in quantifying the actual impact of internet on society and economy.

     

     

    DoT Secy on recent controversy on digital freedom
    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiP-F_wtMWk[/youtube]

    The report stated that States with higher internet penetration can be expected to grow faster, and every 10% increase in Internet and broadband penetration in the country could potentially lead to the addition of 1.08%, to India’s gross domestic product (GDP). The report recommends increasing internet usage in the country, which is still very low at just above 100 million users.

  • RIL subsidiary, Reliance Strategic Investments buys 1.14% stake in DEN networks

    RIL buys 1.14% in distribution firm, DEN networks

    By Rajesh Naidu & Ameya Chumbhale

     

    Reliance Strategic Investments, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has bought a 1.14% stake in DEN Networks, one of the two listed cable distribution companies in India. As RIL has acquired interests in media firms dealing with content, it makes sense for the Mukesh Ambani-controlled group to invest in a distribution network now, several analysts told ET.

     

    RIL recently sold its stake in Ramoji Rao-promoted Eenadu regional channels to TV18 Broadcast, a subsidiary of media conglomerate Network18 Media & Investment. Through the deal RIL would have preferential access to the content of all the media properties of Network18 and its associates and its subsidiaries-these include digital media and the TV18 channels.

     

    “This may be the beginning of strategic investments in cable distribution companies as they will need huge sums to invest in digitalisation, as mandated by the government,” said Mr Devendra Parulekar, partner at Ernst & Young India. Another analyst who did not want to be named said RIL could increase this stake to 15% soon and then proceed towards buying out the promoters’ stake.

     

    Mr Parulekar said, “The digitalisation law will ensure steady revenues from cable distribution and this revenue remains steady even when there are recessionary trends in the markets.”

     

    On Wednesday, DEN’s stock went down by 0.78% to 63.75 while Hathway shot up by 7.84% to 136.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • Ogilvy & Mather announced that it has acquired a 33.3% position in STW's leading digital communications firm, DTDigital.

    Ogilvy expands in Australia with 33.3% stake in DTDigital

    By A Correspondent

     

    DTDigital, one of Australia’s largest and most successful digital agencies joined STW Group in 2003 and during the next eight years grew revenues from $1 million per annum to forecast revenue for 2012 of $14 million. Clients include Bunnings, Myer and NAB.

     

    For the past four years, DTDigital has been working alongside Ogilvy in Melbourne. Today DTDigital has more than 110 full-time staff in its Melbourne office.

     

    STW Group CEO Mike Connaghan said, “It’s not in our nature to sell parts of our prized assets but the logic in this instance was overwhelming. DTDigital already partners closely with Ogilvy Group Melbourne, and there are intentions to expand this partnership with Ogilvy to other markets. The integrated nature of many of our client campaigns makes it absolutely right for Ogilvy that we have DTDigital even further aligned with that business. It’s a good deal for all stakeholders.”

     

    STW Group owns 66.7 percent of Ogilvy Group Australia, with WPP holding the remaining 33.3 percent. The investment by WPP in DTDigital brings its ownership in line with that of Ogilvy Australia.

     

    “Ogilvy knows brand, social and CRM while DTDigital provides great digital, channel and technology skills making the combination a winning formula. We have worked in partnership for the past four years and acquiring part of DTDigital cements that relationship, allowing us to offer first class integrated digital to clients inside Australia and across Asia,” said Paul Heath, CEO, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific.

     

    DTDigital is an award-winning digital marketing design and technology company that has been a pioneer in the industry for more than 15 years.  Founded by STW Group’s Chief Digital Officer David Trewern in 1996, DTDigital evolved from a multimedia design studio into a business that’s helped transform some of Australia’s leading brands in the digital age.

     

    Success has come through a unique, full-service offering, which includes deep specialization in high-growth areas that are not typically part of an ‘advertising agency’ offer. DTDigital has developed capabilities in specialist areas beyond strategy, creative and production such as user experience, design and consulting, advanced web application engineering, e-commerce, email marketing, data and analytics, social media and social business strategy, mobile marketing and application development, and immersive ‘beyond the browser’ digital experiences.

     

    This breadth of specialist capabilities allow DTDigital to focus on innovation, conceptualizing, developing and connecting the entire digital ‘ecosystem’ for sophisticated clients that increasingly connect and transact with consumers via digital channels.

     

    “This deal accelerates DTDigital’s launch to the Sydney market. Andrew Baxter, David Trewern and Brian Vella were instrumental in bringing the businesses together in Melbourne and the same team will ensure it is an instant success in Sydney,” Mr Connaghan said.

     

  • The single biggest challenge, which overshadows everything else and is already upon us, is the crisis of talent, observes Vivek Sengupta of Moving Finger Communications.

    [PR Channel] Being small is our strength: Vivek Sengupta

    By Johnson Napier

     

    With a career spanning the domains of journalism, PR, public policy and advocacy there is very little that Vivek Sengupta, Founder & Chief Executive of Moving Finger Communications, hasn’t tackled in the field of communication. Though a small shop, Moving Finger has its hands full in offering mundane services to its clients apart from other specialised offerings that include messaging and media training workshops as well as modules in crisis preparedness and crisis communications. It also offers a cloud-based service for global PR and sometimes works with other PR agencies which do not have these offerings.

     

    In conversation with MxM India, Mr Sengupta analyses the plight of the PR industry in India, how small agencies stack up to the larger forces and why regulation against lobbying isn’t a desirable option for the industry in India. Excerpts:

     

    Q: How would you analyse Moving Finger as being a distinct communications agency in India?

    We are a communications consulting firm that provides solutions in the realms of PR, public affairs, public policy and advocacy. We also offer standalone products like messaging and media training workshops as well as modules in crisis preparedness and crisis communications. We also offer a cloud-based service for global PR. In these areas, we sometimes work with other PR agencies which do not have these offerings.

     

    We are small, and that is our strongest suit. For our size, we offer unmatched experience and expertise. It’s a lot like how independent bookstores hold their own in a market awash with large chain bookstores.

     

    Q: As founder and head of Moving Finger, what were the initial challenges you faced in putting the firm together?

    The challenges were the challenges of a start-up. They come with the turf and you take them in your stride.

     

    Q: How would you differentiate between running a specialist agency of your own versus working for a large PR house in India?

    Where I am concerned, in a large agency, running the business profitably and growing it were my primary concern. Servicing played second fiddle. Now, servicing is my primary concern. Running the business is secondary; though, in and of itself, it is of paramount importance.

     

    Q: How would you analyze the performance of the PR and Communications industry in India? Has it recorded a commendable growth story in 2011?

    In a challenging market scenario, the industry performed creditably. When the business environment is tight, CEOs and marketing heads watch spends very carefully. PR tends to do better than advertising because the spends are way smaller and, I dare say, you get bigger bang for the buck.

     

    Q: How do you view the increasing entry of international PR firms in India?

    This is not a very recent development. It has been happening for some time and had to happen. These firms have their own markets, we have our own. The pie is large enough for everybody.

     

    Q: In a changing communications scenario, how has the journalist-PR nexus evolved over time?

    I am not sure what connotation you attach to the word ‘nexus’. I hope it is positive! I think the journalist and the PR person have come to have a better understanding of each other’s role. The PR person understands that the journalist is looking for information, while the journalist understands that the PR person is looking to provide information. Both have the common objective of purveying information. When there is a match between the two needs, there is win-win – a consummation devoutly to be wished for.

     

    Q: How do you see digital impacting the way a PR agency functions?

    The goal of purveying information does not change. Digital is just another platform or means to that end.

     

    Q: What are the immediate challenges facing PR agencies in India?

    The single biggest challenge, which overshadows everything else and is already upon us, is the crisis of talent. You can get the business, but do you have good, competent people to service the business? However, this talent issue is something that many verticals grapple with. In the communications industry, the media itself is assailed by this challenge. Every editor whom I talk to laments the lack of talent.

     

    Q: Why is the PR and communications industry devoid of a strong and agile regulator? How will the industry grow without proper policing mechanisms in place?

    Why would our industry need a regulator? Who has asked for one? There has been some talk of “regulating” lobbying, as it has come to be understood in India (which is wider than the US or EU definition of engaging with law-makers). But, in my view, even that is not called for. We have before us the experience of the media with the Press Council of India. A watchdog for lobbying must surely not traverse the same path. It would be better to limit regulation to existing laws.

     

    Do you think consolidation will be the order of the day soon?

    Some amount of consolidation will happen and that will be perfectly in order.

     

    Vivek Sengupta is Founder and Chief Executive of Moving Finger Communications. He has had a varied career in journalism, public relations, public policy and advocacy. He can be contacted at vivek.sengupta@movingfinger.in

     

  • Veteran journalist leaves NDTV for the halls of government.

    Pankaj Pachauri is Communications Advisor in PMO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Senior television journalist Pankaj Pachauri has been appointed communications advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office.

     

    Mr Pachauri, 48, was managing editor of NDTV India. A statement from the government said, “The Prime Minister is pleased to announce the appointment with immediate effect of Shri Pankaj Pachauri as Communications Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office. Shri Pachauri, who will report to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will advise on communicating the Government’s programmes, policies and achievements to the media and the public at large, particularly using the electronic, print and new and social media.”