MxMIndia

Tag: Anil Kapoor

  • When we spoke with some of his closest aides from Ulka (and even earlier), most felt too devastated to share a long tribute. While we were able to catch a quote from veteran adperson Nagesh Alai, the quotes from Ambi Parameswaran and Shashi Sinha are from an article we had done in September 2013 when Kapoor was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Advertising Agencies Association of India

    Nagesh Alai, Shashi Sinha & Ambi Parameswaran on Anil Kapoor

    Anil Kapoor, Chairman Emeritus, FCB Ulka, passed away in Mumbai on Monday after a prolonged illness.  

     

    A little about Kapoor from our archives and courtesy the Ulka website: His love for challenges saw him taking charge of Draftfcb+Ulka (Ulka Advertising, at the time), turning it into the fastest growing agency in India and taking its rightful place as one of the ‘Big Five’. With the formation of Draftfcb in 2006, Mr Kapoor was appointed as Draftfcb President with responsibility for Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

     

    He was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Draftfcb + Ulka, after a 22-year stint with the company and its other associated agencies. As one who is known to make things happen, his role expanded naturally into industry bodies. He is a Past President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation of 2007-08 and was also on the Management Board of the National Readership Survey and the Television Audience Measurement Research. He was also on the Editorial Advisory Board of The Economic Times. In May 2002, Mr Kapoor was also inducted into the Foote, Cone & Belding’s Worldwide Board.

     

    Before joining Draftfcb+Ulka Kapoor was with the Boots Company, India, for 14 years, where, as the Marketing Director, he launched a string of brands, all of which went on to become No. 1 in their markets. At Boots, he also set up two field forces, one for consumer products and the other for ethical pharmaceutical products. Before that, he was with the legendary agency MCM and though not the cause, he says he had to preside over its closure – quite a learning experience! Kapoor grew up in Delhi and graduated with a BA in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and then did his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

     

    When we spoke with some of his closest aides from Ulka (and even earlier), most felt too devastated to share a long tribute. While we were able to catch a quote from veteran adperson Nagesh Alai, the quotes from Ambi Parameswaran and Shashi Sinha are from an article we had done in September 2013 when Kapoor was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Advertising Agencies Association of India. 

     

    Nagesh Alai

    Nagesh Alai

    Veteran adperson, business advisor and columnist

     

    A vision of purpose and a mission of execution was the hallmark of a man called Anil Kapoor. A huge banyan tree under whom everybody flourished. Quite simply,  Ulka shone brighter because of his effulgence. A true leader who will be sorely missed by legions of people and brands. The advertising and marketing fraternity have lost a doyen…. Anil was a wonderful persona of a tough exterior and a soft interior who would go out of the way to help people close to him. He was a mentor par excellence. A void difficult to fill.

     

     

    Shashi Sinha

    Shashi Sinha

    CEO, IPG Mediabrands and Lodestar UM

     

    They don’t make people like Anil Kapoor these days.

     

    I have had the good pleasure of working with Draftfcb+Ulka a few years before he joined the agency from a strong client background. In fact that possibly ensured that he was very focused on deliveries.  As someone who helmed the agency for many years and even now as Chairman Emeritus, we and our clients included have always known him to be a no-nonsense man. Forthright, never into any frivolous conversation. He was always focused on the task on hand.

     

    He had a keen eye on the business and would actively engage with all his clients.  Even now when some of us meet him, his observations are pertinent to the business and may I say: bang-on. Anil Kapoor has always been an excellent people manager considering his team has been together for so long.

     

    I have always had an excellent rapport with him and have found in him a Guru whom I admire and respect.

     

    Ambi ParameswaranAmbi Parameswaran

    Veteran adperson, author and columnist

     

    I have worked with Anil Kapoor for over two decades and I have seen him in various roles, as Head of Marketing of a large British multinational, as a CEO of a pioneering media company and as a CEO of a struggling ad agency. One thing that defines him is his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude. When he joined Ulka no one thought he had a chance of saving an agency that was fast sinking. In fact someone who is revered in advertising world even told me that I was mad to join Anil Kapoor in his mission of saving an ailing Indian agency. Anil proved all his detractors wrong though his passion, attitude and commitment to the cause. He also showed the industry how to build a strong team and keep it together for two decades. How to build an agency group entirely from within, and without the help of international experts and hand-me-down accounts. He demonstrated how to partner clients at senior levels to launch one successful brand after another,  in tough market conditions. As Ulka became FCB Ulka and later DraftFCB Ulka, his managerial and leadership skills got recognized on the global stage, many times over.

     

    Anil Kapoor, who was seen as an outsider in the Industry, was soon accepted as an equal and may be as a ‘more than an equal’. He went on to play leadership role in various industry bodies such as AAAI and ABC. He was instrumental in setting up the independent NRS survey in the mid-’90s. He also played a very vital role in helping the formation of IBF as a body that could work with AAAI to create norms and processes on how agencies work with television.

     

    We don’t have too many people in advertising industry today who can fill his shoes.

     

  • It has been executed by Ayappa KM, Co-founder, Early Man Films, the production agency

    Cred’s campaign stars Anil Kapoor and other 1990s

    By A Correspondent

     

    Cred, an app-based platform for credit card payments, has launched a campaign three ad films slated to launch over the course of IPL, and starring actor Anil Kapoor along with other iconic celebrities from the 1990s The campaign has been conceptualised by an in-house team and executed by Ayappa KM, Co-founder, Early Man Films, the production agency.

     

    Speaking about this exciting campaign to kickstart the IPL Season, Trupthi Shetty, Lead – Growth and Engagement at Cred, said: “We are extremely excited to be associated with IPL 2020. At CRED, we believe in rewarding good financial behavior and with this campaign, we are positive that our message of encouraging financial literacy and educating viewers on the rewarding benefits of responsible financial behavior would come through in an entertaining manner. With Anil Kapoor and others lending their inimitable styles and unique personalities to each video, we are sure audiences would definitely relate to this campaign and our association would be off to a rewarding start.”

     

    Sharing these views, Anand Menon, Executive Producer & Co Founder, Early Man Film added: “It was a massive challenge for us to turn around this production keeping in mind the current scenario. But the fact that we had an opportunity to use these celebrities in a unique and entertaining way to tell the CRED story, made the effort worthwhile. We hope everyone enjoys these films and they bring a much needed smile to people’s lives.”

     

     

  • The company is encouraging more and more people to keep themselves fit and healthy

    Bajaj Allianz Life rolls out second edition of plank initiative

    By A Correspondent

     

    Bajaj Allianz Life has bought back its popular plank Initiative this year with #PlankForIndia. Bajaj Allianz Life is raising the bar with the second edition of their plank initiative for two reasons – first, for every plank the company will contribute monetarily towards the training and development of India’s emerging sports stars and second, through the cause of supporting India’s future athletes, the company is encouraging more and more people to keep themselves fit and healthy.

     

    Said Chandramohan Mehra, Chief Marketing Officer, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance: “We believe that sustained good health is essential to achieve Life Goals. Through #PlankforIndia initiative, we want to encourage everyone to pursue good health, and support a good cause of helping India’s emerging sports stars get their Life Goals done.”

     

    The initiative was flagged off on social media by actor Anil Kapoor.

     

     

  • The campaign positions 'Micromax Living' as a smart lifestyle proposition for Individuals who seek comfort and convenience in every aspect of life

    Anil Kapoor promotes ‘Micromax Living’ credo in latest campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Taking ahead its vision of strengthening the consumer electronics segment, Micromax Informatics has releaseda campaign for its LED TV segment featuring Bollywood star Anil Kapoor.

     

    The campaign positions ‘Micromax Living’ as a smart lifestyle proposition for individuals who seek comfort and convenience in every aspect of life. The campaign has been launched for the range smart televisions with a unique TV Mirror feature that lets the consumer mirror the TV screen on his smartphone and vice-versa.

  • As Season 1 of the international TV mega-series 24's Indian adapt drew to a close on Saturday, the Colors CEO spoke on how the series fared for the channel and whether a second season is being planned

    History will remember ’24’ as a gamechanger in Indian television: Raj Nayak

    As the clock ticked to the closure of Season 1 of ’24’, the social media was buzzing with chatter on how the Colors mega-series saw Anil Kapoor giving one of his best ever performances. There were others who spoke about the international teleseries’ superior production qualities and how the entire cast put up an excellent act. For Colors and its CEO Raj Nayak, the acquisition and airing of 24 was a huge gamble. In a business where just hiring the best talent doesn’t guarantee success, 24 is sure to raise the bar much on fictions on Indian entertainment television. MxMIndia spoke to Mr Nayak on the how Season 1, which concluded on Saturday (December 21) did for his channel. Excerts from an interview:

     

    So how was the ’24’ experience?

    For me, it’s been the best experience in my career. And I would say that because my Board gave me the consent and support to go ahead and do a show of such a magnitude that too a fiction show and experiment with something when everybody was sceptical about it. I think people were sceptical because of two things – one, the cost and, two, the quality would be compared to the international format.

     

    Was it ‘Paisa Vasool’ for the channel?

    Yes, it was Paisa Vasool. I think it was Paisa Vasool because from a strategic point of view, we went with our eyes open. We knew we wouldn’t make money on Season 1, even though we have recovered most of the cost because of the way we monetized it.

     

    From a channel and brand perspective, 24 has done several things for us. First, the buzz it has created for me in two months time is possibly the entire PR, we got for our other shows not just in India but globally. Second, it has brought to a Hindi general entertainment channel viewers who probably never watch us – the South Mumbai crowd, for instance now discuss our ’24’. Third, it has also demonstrated how cleverly you can integrate a product within a show if you think it through and do it well. I think that’s what happened with Tata Motors which went on record that its sales has gone up by 30 percent because of 24. You may or agree or disagree with the ratings, but for me, this is the proof of the pudding. Clearly, what 24 has done is create an impact. And it’s not that it ends here. I will re-run 24 on a daily format. When and where I do it is a different issue…

     

    As a daily?

    Yes, I will strip it to make it a daily. There were many people who missed it on weekends. People would call me often to ask me when the repeat airing was on for a DVD. There is an audience that wants to watch a show like this again and again and again. So if I give it a break and I strip it to a daily format, we will see what it can do again.

     

    Hmmmm.

    Purely from the RoI point of view, I think 24 was a super success.

     

    What about Season 2? Is that on?

    We haven’t finalized anything yet but there is intent. Seeing the success of Season 1, I believe Season 2 will do better…

     

    No dates firmed up?

    No, we haven’t finalized anything yet

     

    Internationally, it’s an annual

    Yeah! That would be idea here as well. As you know, internationally Season 1 didn’t go well, Season 2 picked up big time and I think that’s a trend that will happen here as well.

     

    Are your sponsors going to continue with you for Season 2 as well?

    Well, first of all, I would want them to pay double the money because we didn’t know how successful 24 would be (laughs). But, honestly, we also didn’t realize the magnitude of how much value the content would generate and we were very keen on closing the deal because we were going to production then. We have an excellent relationship with Tata motors and from my engagement, they are very happy and I am sure they would want to come in be part of Season 2.

     

    Looking back, would you have done things different to get rated better?

    Yes, we would have done a few things differently. We have realized   and we have analysed what went wrong and what went right and that is something we will ensure that we will fix in next season.

     

    Any one thing that you could tell us?

    Well, while keeping it intellectual and slick and everything, there could be a five percent deviation in terms of dumbing it down without taking away the original content and the storytelling, but just making the television grammar a little more Indian.

     

    Do you think India is ready for slick or as they in Mumbai lingo a chikna show?

    I think India is ready, We know one can’t achieve things overnight. History is often written in retrospective, later in life. This will be one show that will definitely be written about as a gamechanger for Indian television content

     

    Any more international show that you are looking at?

    I am very and I have also heard that all broadcasters are equally keen and in discussions.

     

    We’ve heard Grey’s Anatomy is being done by another GEC…

    From what I learn, they are not doing the original version. They haven’t got the rights for it and are possibly recreating something similar. Shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal etc are easily adaptable

     

    So does Comedy Nights come back to being twice a week?

    Yes, Comedy Nights with Kapil will go twice a week again from the first week of January.

     

  • The game is fast-paced and score-based where the player is a third-person, cover-based shooter whose goal is to single-handedly foil terrorist operations organized within Mumbai

    Colors takes ’24’ action to a 3D game

    Mr Raj Nayak CEO COLORS, Mr Ankush Arora SVP Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (Commercial) Tata Motors and Anil Kapoor at the launch of 24 The Game at a Mall in Mumbai

    By Fatema Rajkotwala

     

    Following the mega launch of the Indian version of the espionage drama ’24’ earlier this month, general entertainment channel Colors announced the launch of an interactive mobile game, ‘Safari Storme 24 – The Game’ for an experience of the show on a 3D game format. ’24 – The Game’ was launched last weekend in the presence of a live audience at Mumbai’s Phoenix Market City Mall.

     

    Developed by Gameshastra Solutions, the game aims at offering viewers to experience the real-time action of the show offline. It has been made available for free download in India on iOS and Android platforms and will allow players to live the life of ATU Chief Jai Singh Rathod, portrayed on-screen by Anil Kapoor. The game follows the show’s Season 1 plot where the male protagonist races against time to combat terror and protect the Prime Ministerial candidate from assassination.

     

    Anil Kapoor, actor and co-producer of the show, enthusiastically connected with the crowd at the launch. Speaking about his digital counterpart he said, “As audiences take on my role as ATU Chief Jai Singh Rathod on their mobile phones, players will have to race against time to protect the city against terror attacks. The fast-paced game shares multiple characteristics with the show which will only add to viewers’ overall experience.”

     

    Talking about the USP of the game, Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors said, “This is India’s first-ever 3D game based on a television show. The game is also unique because the various levels and themes of the game will progress as the show progresses. It is an innovation that brings us closer to our audiences.”

     

    The game is fast-paced and score-based where the player is a third-person, cover-based shooter whose goal is to single-handedly foil terrorist operations organized within Mumbai. ’24 – The Game’ allows to audiences to step into the shoes of ATU Chief Jai Singh Rathod and explore his various characteristics over a course of 30 levels. Players will be privy to an arsenal of weapons along with support powers like health packs, additional guns, Harrier Strike and Missile Barrages that can be purchased through redemption of points earned during the game. All players will also be able to compare their standing as they race against time with each other through the Local Leaderboard which will share their score details with other gamers. The quickly accessible and intuitive control schemes allow players to experiment with 4 types of A.I. that come with a variety of actions and behaviours.

     

    Gamification is a great innovative medium and the latest buzz word in the ad world. It breaks through the clutter as it gives brands a unique platform to present to its customers key attributes of the product.

     

    Tata Motors’ SUV brand Safari has partnered with the show for in-film placements. How much of these efforts translate into sales? Speaking to MxMIndia, .Ankush Arora, Senior Vice President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (Commercial), Tata Motors said, “The association has been great for our brand Safari, as the first Indian SUV and 24, as the first thriller-drama-action show is a great fit. We feel that the character that the lead protagonist plays perfectly suits the brand too. ”

     

    Talking about future associations and customer initiatives for Safari, he added, “We have a very strong loyal customer base and we are looking at extending that to a digital platform by starting a Safari Owner’s Club. We will be announcing it very soon. Our association with the show will continue and be taken all around the brand.”

     

  • Ad industry strongman Anil Kapoor felicitated with AAAI lifetime achievement

    By A Correspondent

     

    They don’t make people like him these days. Forthright, never into any frivolous conversation, he is known as a no-nonsense man in the industry,” said Shashi Sinha, CEO, IPG Mediabrands and Lodestar UM on Anil Kapoor, Chairman Emeritus, Draftfcb+Ulka group who was felicitated with the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) Lifetime Achievement Award last evening (Friday, September 27) at an event attended by top ad industry honchos and senior advertisers.

     

    Accepting the award from the AAAI, Mr Kapoor said: “There is never a dull moment in advertising. For me it was simply a passion. I strongly believe advertising agencies are solution providers and not suppliers of creativity.”

     

    Making his opening remarks, AAAI President Arvind Sharma said Mr Kapoor is a huge influence on the industry.

     

    Mr Kapoor was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Draftfcb + Ulka in 2010, after a 22-year stint with the company and its associated agencies. He is a Past President of the AAAI, Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation of 2007-08 and was also on the Management Board of the National Readership Survey and the Television Audience Measurement Research. In May 2002, Kapoor was also inducted into the Foote, Cone & Belding’s Worldwide Board.

     

    Before joining Draftfcb+Ulka, Mr Kapoor was with the Boots for 14 years, where, as Marketing Director, he launched a string of brands, all of which went on to become market leaders. Before that, he was with the legendary agency MCM. He graduated in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and then did his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

     

    “One thing that defines him is his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude. Anil Kapoor, who was seen as an outsider in the Industry, was soon accepted as an equal and may be as a ‘more than an equal’,” said Dr M G Parameswaran, Executive Director and CEO, Draftfcb + Ulka.

     

    Photographs by Fatema Rajkotwala

     

  • Shashi Sinha & M G Parameswaran pay tribute to Anil Kapoor who will be presented the Life Achievement Award by the AAAI

    Anil Kapoor: An ‘Outsider’ who was more than an ‘Equal’

     

    All roads lead to the Trident at Nariman Point today (Sept 27) as the Advertising Agencies Association of India felicitates and awards Anil Kapoor, Chairman Emeritus, Draftfcb+Ulka with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

     

    A little about Mr Kapoor, courtesy the Draftfcb+Ulka website: His love for challenges saw him taking charge of Draftfcb+Ulka (Ulka Advertising, at the time), turning it into the fastest growing agency in India and taking its rightful place as one of the ‘Big Five’. With the formation of Draftfcb in 2006, Mr Kapoor was appointed as Draftfcb President with responsibility for Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

     

    He was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Draftfcb + Ulka, after a 22-year stint with the company and its other associated agencies. As one who is known to make things happen, his role expanded naturally into industry bodies. He is a Past President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation of 2007-08 and was also on the Management Board of the National Readership Survey and the Television Audience Measurement Research. He was also on the Editorial Advisory Board of The Economic Times. In May 2002, Mr Kapoor was also inducted into the Foote, Cone & Belding’s Worldwide Board.

     

    Before joining Draftfcb+Ulka, Mr Kapoor was with the Boots Company, India, for 14 years, where, as the Marketing Director, he launched a string of brands, all of which went on to become No. 1 in their markets. At Boots, he also set up two field forces, one for consumer products and the other for ethical pharmaceutical products. Before that, he was with the legendary agency MCM and though not the cause, he says he had to preside over its closure – quite a learning experience! Now a confirmed Mumbaikar, Mr Kapoor grew up in Delhi and graduated with a BA in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and then did his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

     

    Dr M G Parameswaran

    Executive Director and CEO, Draftfcb + Ulka

    I have worked with Anil Kapoor for over two decades and I have seen him in various roles, as Head of Marketing of a large British multinational, as a CEO of a pioneering media company and as a CEO of a struggling ad agency. One thing that defines him is his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude. When he joined Ulka no one thought he had a chance of saving an agency that was fast sinking. In fact someone who is revered in advertising world even told me that I was mad to join Anil Kapoor in his mission of saving an ailing Indian agency. Anil proved all his detractors wrong though his passion, attitude and commitment to the cause. He also showed the industry how to build a strong team and keep it together for two decades. How to build an agency group entirely from within, and without the help of international experts and hand-me-down accounts. He demonstrated how to partner clients at senior levels to launch one successful brand after another,  in tough market conditions. As Ulka became FCB Ulka and later DraftFCB Ulka, his managerial and leadership skills got recognized on the global stage, many times over.

     

    Anil Kapoor, who was seen as an outsider in the Industry, was soon accepted as an equal and may be as a ‘more than an equal’. He went on to play leadership role in various industry bodies such as AAAI and ABC. He was instrumental in setting up the independent NRS survey in the mid-’90s.  He also played a very vital role in helping the formation of IBF as a body that could work with AAAI to create norms and processes on how agencies work with television.

     

    We don’t have too many people in advertising industry today who can fill his shoes.  While Anil Kapoor continues to serves as the Chairman Emeritus of Draftfcb Ulka Group and continues to play the role of an advisor to the Group which he built,  he has not been involved with industry affairs for almost a decade. I am sure it is the industry’s loss that he decided to move on. But then, all things have to change, and that is not an entirely bad thing after all.

     

    Shashi Sinha

    CEO, IPG Mediabrands and Lodestar UM

    They don’t make people like Anil Kapoor these days.

     

    I have had the good pleasure of working with Draftfcb+Ulka a few years before he joined the agency from a strong client background. In fact that possibly ensured that he was very focused on deliveries.  As someone who helmed the agency for many years and even now as Chairman Emeritus, we and our clients included have always known him to be a no-nonsense man. Forthright, never into any frivolous conversation. He was always focused on the task on hand.

     

    He had a keen eye on the business and would actively engage with all his clients.  Even now when some of us meet him, his observations are pertinent to the business and may I say: bang-on.

     

    Anil Kapoor has always been an excellent people manager considering his team has been together for so long.

     

    I have always had an excellent rapport with him and have found in him a Guru whom I admire and respect.

     

  • Race for weekend eyeballs gets keener as Colors to launch drama series '24'

    Anil Kapoor’s ’24’ to launch on Colors on Oct 4

    By Nandini Raghavendra

     

    The race for the weekend eyeballs gets keener from October as General Entertainment Channel (GEC) Colors announces the launch of its most ambitious drama series-24. Beginning October 4, the show, an adaptation from the cult American series, will ride on the already popular Bigg Boss (BB) show with a 10 am slot, Friday and Saturday for 12 weeks in 24 episodes.

     

    Raj Nayak

    Both the time slot and days are important, as these are the two days that host, Salman Khan visits the BB show. “You get to see both Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor on the same day!” says Colors CEO, Raj Nayak.

     

    Since it is a new genre, the GEC is hoping to build the show and funnel in viewers riding on the immense draw of both Khan and the show.

     

    Colors has been building both its non-fiction as well as weekend programming.  Pre-Jhalak, the dancing reality show, their non-fiction contributed only about 10 % to their overall ratings while in the last four weeks this percentage has increased to as much as 30%. This has also increased their ratings by at least 25%.

     

    The show which catapulated them to top slot in non-fiction in the last few weeks, was Comedy Nights With Kapil which will now be moved to once a week on a Sunday slot.

     

    Mounted like a film, 24 is an expensive show which has approximately cost Colors, close to Rs 150 crore in rights bought from actor producer Anil Kapoor who acted in the original series and also plays the lead, Jai Singh Rathod in the Indian adaptation. While sponsor revenues are said to have brought in close to Rs 80 crore, they are also looking at raising the 10-second slot to approximately, Rs 3.5-4 lakh keeping in mind the 12 minute ad cap to be implemented from October.

     

    Mr Nayak had said in May that they would be left with no choice but to raise their prices by at least 30%.  Title sponsor Tata Motors feels the show shares the same values of speed, strength and absolute power. “As Anil Kapoor runs against time, the Safari Storme is the perfect vehicle that supports his agility and total control. It made sense to tie up with a show which has all the characteristics of our SUV,” said President PVBU Tata Motors, Ranjit Yadav.

     

    Yet, a lot rides on whether this new genre will work across audiences or not and if so to what extent.  Shooting in real time, split screens, are all new for the Indian audiences.

     

    With a stellar cast like Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher, Mandira Bedi and Tisca Chopra among others, helmed by director Abhinay Deo and a writing team led by Rensil D’Silva, a lot of production houses are betting on this genre working as it opens a huge library on content to adapt and produce from.  While Mr Nayak is sure this will be a game changer for the entertainment channel, he is also confident of recovering his investment. “With 24, we are introducing the Indian audiences to a new hybrid genre of entertainment that sees an interesting amalgamation of fiction and reality. The never-seen-before action, thrill, suspense, drama and the exhilaration of solving complex cases real-time within a span of 24 hours, should draw in the eyeballs,” said Manisha Sharma, weekend programming head, Colors, who is excited to be the first-ever network to produce and air the local adaptation of the international series outside the United States.

     

    The award-winning American TV series ran for eight seasons and aired its last episode in May 2010. It had unprecedented success across 43 countries in eight languages. Actor producer Anil Kapoor holds the rights of the 192 episodes for a period of four years extendable to another ten, in what his lawyers, Naik and Naik says is definitely one of the highest licensee deals for a fiction-format show on Indian TV. “I couldn’t have asked for a better team of actors than the ones on 24. Everybody is a hero on the show and the precision and technique that each one of them use to portray their individual characters is unique. Their never-say-die attitude and the passion and enthusiasm put in by each one of them makes me want to strive harder and perform better and better,” said Mr Kapoor who plays Jack Bauer and makes his small screen debut with this show.

     

    Equally excited is director Abhinay Deo about the show. “We have shot ’24’ like a feature film. It is more like cinema on television. Creating a body of work such as 24, is a lifetime opportunity where I could use my craft to the fullest. I have attempted to create a visual medley of powerful characters led by Jai Singh Rathod,” said Mr Deo.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2013, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • The Advertising Agencies Association of India will present Mr Kapoor the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday, September 27

    AAAI lifetime achievement award for Anil Kapoor, Emeritus Chairman, Draftfcb+ Ulka Group

    By A Correspondent

     

    Anil Kapoor

    The Advertising Agencies Association of India will present Anil Kapoor, Emeritus Chairman, Draftfcb+ Ulka Group with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the highest honour given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the advertising Industry.

     

    The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai. The last recipient of the AAAI lifetime achievement award was Piyush Pandey. There was no award presented for 2011 and 2012.

     

    Piyush Pandey

    Here’s a short note on Mr Kapoor from the Draftfcb+ Ulka’s ‘Ulka 50 years’ website:

    ” ‘Never say die’, that’s Anil’s attitude to life. His love for challenges saw him taking charge of Draftfcb+Ulka (Ulka Advertising, at the time), turning it into the fastest growing agency in India and taking its rightful place as one of the ‘Big Five’. With the formation of Draftfcb in 2006, Anil was appointed as Draftfcb President with responsibility for Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

     

    “Recently, he has been appointed Chairman Emeritus of Draftfcb + Ulka, after a 22-year stint with the company and its other associated agencies. As one who is known to make things happen, Anil’s role expanded naturally into industry bodies. He is a Past President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation of 2007-08 and was also on the Management Board of the National Readership Survey and the Television Audience Measurement Research. He was also on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Economic Times, the second largest circulating business newspaper in the world. In May 2002, Anil was also inducted into the Foote, Cone & Belding’s Worldwide Board.”

     

    “Before joining Draftfcb+Ulka, Anil was with the Boots Company, India, for 14 years, where as the Marketing Director, he launched a string of brands, all of which went on to become No. 1 in their markets. At Boots, he also set up two field forces, one for consumer products and the other for ethical pharmaceutical products. Before that, he was with the legendary agency MCM and though not the cause, he says he had to preside over its closure – quite a learning experience! Now a confirmed Mumbaite, Anil grew up in Delhi and graduated with a BA in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and then did his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.”

     

  • With Renault, Anil Kapoor has made a complete fool of himself as even though the idea isn't terribly bad, the rendition is awful, notes Anil Thakraney

    Debrief: Renault Pulse: Pulsating with boredom

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    On Tuesday I reviewed the crappy census ad, and had said that the bad old nineties are back. As if to prove the point, Renault has signed up Anil Kapoor as brand ambassador for their hatchback called Pulse. Before I proceed further, I must share what Shah Rukh said to me in the year 2007. He said Anil Kapoor used to scoff at him for acting in TV commercials, boasting that he (Kapoor) would never do ads. Soon after the success of Slumdog Millionaire, Anil Kapoor was seen selling Mont Blanc pens, which must have made SRK snigger quite loudly. But at least that was a half decent ad. With Renault, the yesteryear actor has made a complete fool of himself.

     

    The idea isn’t terribly bad, but the rendition is awful. Kapoor borrows his son’s Renault Pulse, and this, well, sets his pulse racing. And he suddenly starts behaving like a ‘crazed teenager’, in his office and at his home. Extremely poor interpretation of pulse-racing, they could have had so much fun with it. To make matters worse, the direction sucks, the expressions are forced, and Kapoor ends up looking like a bumbling idiot. And because he ends up looking like that, as a viewer, my mind stays focussed on him, and the brand gets completely lost in the process. I don’t know, at the end of the commercial, what it is about the car that will send my pulse racing. Renault Pulse remains at the level of yet another hatchback in the market. In short, a total flop show.

     

    As for Kapoor, he should practice what he once preached to SRK: Stay away from advertising, more so if this is the kind of creative that sets his pulse racing.

     

    Rating: (On a scale of 1-5): 0. Poor script. Poor direction.

     

    Anil Thakraney is a senior journalist and commentator. He is also Editor-at-Large, MxMIndia. The views of the writer are his own. He can be reached via Twitter at @anilthakraney

     

  • Colors has bought the broadcast rights for an Indian version of popular American action thriller television series '24' from actor Anil Kapoor in a deal pegged at around Rs 150 crore

    Colors buys rights of ’24’ for Rs 150 cr

    By Nandini Raghavendra

     

    Colors has bought the broadcast rights for an Indian version of popular American action thriller television series ’24’ from actor Anil Kapoor in a deal pegged at around Rs 150 crore. Mr Kapoor, who has also acted in the American version of the serial, had acquired the rights of the same from Fox TV more than a year ago.

     

    His production house Anil Kapoor Films will produce the Indian version, where the Indian actor will also play the protagonist, Jack Bauer. This will be Mr Kapoor’s first on Indian television after three decades in Bollywood that included superhit films such as Mr India, Tezaab, Saaheb, Meri Jung, Ram Lakhan and Parinda.

     

    Raj Nayak

    Raj Nayak, chief executive officer of Colors, said this will be a game changer for the entertainment channel from Viacom 18. “So far, content was an area limited financially, which this series will change with its scale, production standards, indoor and large outdoor shoots,” he said.

     

    Mr Nayak is confident of recovering his investment with brand tie-in opportunities as well as advertising, but is willing to wait. “We may do a first look of this series like a movie,” he said.

     

    The award-winning American TV series ran for eight seasons and aired its last episode in May 2010. It had unprecedented success across 43 countries in eight languages.

     

    India is the first country outside of the US to get rights to adapt the espionage thriller. “We hope this will pave the way for many more local versions of this brilliant series in other international territories,” Fox International Television president Marion Edwards said in an email reply.

     

    Unwilling to reveal the deal size, Ameet Naik of Naik & Naik, the lawyers for Anil Kapoor Films, said that Mr Kapoor holds the rights of the 192 episodes for a period of four years extendable to another ten, and this is definitely one of the highest licensee deals for a fiction-format show on Indian TV. Mr Kapoor said the producers of the US show, will be coming and overseeing in the early stages.

     

    “We have put together a dedicated team comprising of director Abhinay Deo (Delhi Belly fame) and writer Rensil D’ Silva who will be writing the Indian adaptation along with Colors, programming team led by Manisha Sharma,” said Mr Kapoor of the show that catapulted him to international fame with his role of Omar Hassan in Season 8 of the international series.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

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