MxMIndia

Tag: Delhi Press

  • The theme is ‘Innovating for Building New Revenue Streams

    Indian Magazine Congress in Mumbai on May 3

    Association of Indian Magazines (AIM), is all set to organise the 13th edition of its flagship event, the Indian Magazine Congress (IMC). This will be held in Mumbai on May 3. This year’s theme is how “Magazine Publishers in India are Innovating for Building New Revenue Streams”.

    Speaking on the congress, Anant Nath, President of AIM and Executive Publisher of Delhi Press said: “In the digital age, marred by information overload and cluttered digital spaces, the need for highly engaged and involved communities is ever more important. Magazine brands nurture spaces for readers to break away from this clutter, allowing them to find solace and comfort in a manner that is aligned with their interests and with like-minded peers. Magazines have therefore innovated new ways of monetizing their rich content and the highly engaged and invested audiences, and the IMC will throw light on these evolving paradigms.”

    The conference will have a daylong programming on following themes:

    • Subscriptions and New partner alliance
    • Leveraging e-commerce for subscription growth
    • Editorial credibility and robustness at the heart of new publishing models
    • Building new IPs on magazine content
    • New paradigms in branded content
    • Creators as collaborators for engaging content solutions
    • Product management innovations for digital age
    • Magazines nurturing and monetising niche reader communities

    Speakers at the event include:

    • Elsa Esparbe Gener, RBA
    • Kerin James O’Connor, Atlas
    • Shashi Sinha, IPG
    • Thampy Koshy, ONDC
    • Prasanth Kumar, Group M
    • Alastair David Lewis, FIPP
    • Raj Chengappa, India Today
    • Gaurav Banerjee, Disney Hotstar
    • Suagata Mukherjee, Sony Liv
    • Sameer Nair, Applause Enterntainment
    • Hormazd Sorabjee, Auto Car India
    • Naresh Fernandes, Scroll.in
    • Alex Kuruvilla, formerly Conde Nast India
    • Pradeep Gairola, The Hindu
    • Manavdeep Singh, Pub Live
    • Aditya Berlia, Apeejay Education
    • Abhishek Baxi, Independent journalist/ tech influencer
    • Vanita Kohli Khandekar, Business Journalist
    • Rati Choudhary, Decor creator (Instagram)
    • Neha Anand, Mahindra and Mahindra
    • Aditya Gurwara, Qoruz
    • Arti Raghavan, Free speech lawyer
    • B Srinivasan, Ananda Vikatan
    • Anant Nath, Delhi Press
    • Manoj Sharma, India Today
    • Dhaval Gupta, Cybermedia
    • Anurag Batra, BW BusinessWorld/ Exchange4Media
    • Riyad Mathew, Malayala Manorama
    • Girish Mallya, NextGen Publishing

    The conference agenda is available at https://aim.org.in/imc13/

     

  • Held on July 1 in the capital

    Delhi Press holds Motoring Awards 2022

    By Our Staff

     

    Delhi Presss conducted the Motoring World Awards 2022 on July 1 in New Delhi. Motoring World, now in its 23rd year, tracks the automobile sector.

     

    Notes a communique: “Every year, the team at Motoring World sits down and takes a good look at all the four and twowheelers that were launched in the previous year, specifically the ones that they have thoroughly reviewed and tested. During this year’s jury round, all the nominees were evaluated and discussed thoroughly by the team, and at the end of this exacting process, they were left with the best automotive products in the country across several categories. For 2022, these were the winners in their respective categories.”

     

  • Stories in audio format from Grihshobha, Sarita, and Saras Salil

    Audible brings popular Hindi stories on Women’s Day

    By Our Staff

     

    On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Audible, the online audiobook and podcast service of  Amazon and Delhi Press have announced the release of over 60 popular Hindi stories, from the publishing house’s magazines Grihshobha, Sarita, and Saras Salil in audio format exclusively on Audible, absolutely free.

     

    Said Shailesh Sawlani, VP and Country GM, Audible India: “This International Women’s Day, we are bringing some already popular Hindi stories, from some of India’s most renowned Hindi magazines to life via audio. I hope all listeners enjoy the heightened listening experience these stories offer, and the convenience it offers to those multitasking throughout the day. With such initiatives now and in the future, we want to continue to bring unique, diverse content to our listeners across the country”

     

    Added Anant Nath, Executive Publisher of Delhi Press, added: “Our magazines are loved and admired by millions of readers, especially women, for their heartwarming and relatable stories that resonate with the myriad of emotional hues they live through in their daily lives. This Women’s Day, we are extremely pleased to bring a selection of these stories in audio format on Audible, to a wider audience.”

     

  • By the Department of Revenue & Tax Research Unit, Ministry of Finance

    Assoc of Indian Magazines invited for pre-Budget meet

    By Our Staff

     

    Association of Indian Magazines (AIM) had been invited to participate in the Pre-Budget meeting for union budget 2022-23 by the Department of Revenue & Tax Research Unit, Ministry of Finance. The meeting was held on December 8, 2021, under the chairmanship of Smt. Pragya Sahay Saxena, Member (L&S), CBDT, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

     

    AIM was represented by veteran mediaperson Paresh Nath from Delhi Press and Raj Mohan, Malayala Manorama, both former presidents. The AIM representatives highlighted the “debilitating impact that the pandemic has had on print media, and therefore the need for government support in lessening the tax and custom duty burden in publishing”. Further, AIM representatives requested a level playing field between magazines and newspapers in various government policies, in both expenditure and revenue, as there has been a long-standing concern that magazines are not getting the same benefits as daily papers, even though both come under definition of ‘newspapers’ under the PRB act.

     

    The key points of the memorandum are given below and the memorandum submitted to the ministry has been attached with the mail.

     

    A. Government ads in Magazines

    Given that as per IRS 2019, the total reach of magazines at 8.7 crores, is about 20% the total reach of Newspapers at 42.5 crores, DAVP should mandate that 15%–20% of the total DAVP ad spend to be spent on the magazine industry. At present it is not even 1%. This should also apply to all budgets allocated by the all-government ministries and departments, in both central and state governments.

     

    B. Input Tax Credit

    It was requested that for the purpose of GST, the government allows full Input Tax credit for both newspapers and magazines. Currently, publishers can only claim proportionate credit as circulation sale revenue is exempted, while advertising attracts 5%. Since newspapers and magazines are single products, it will be more equitable if the entire input tax is allowed for publishing of that single product. This will also be in line with Governments’ stated mission of minimising tax on information and knowledge.

     

    C. Customs Duty on Paper

    There is 5% Customs Duty on imported paper used by  newspapers and magazines. Domestic production of Standard Newsprint (SNP) is inadequate to meet the demand and Glazed Newsprint (GNP) and Light Weight Coated Paper (LWC) are not being manufactured indigenously at all. Therefore it was requested that these duties be completely withdrawn.

     

    D. GST of 12% on Light Weighted Coated (LWC) paper up to 70 gsm.

    At present, there is 5% GST on Standard Newsprint (SNP) and Glazed Newsprint (GNP), while 12% on Light Weight Coated paper (LWC). Magazine industry is largely using LWC while newspapers use SNP and GNP. Therefore in the interest of equity, it was requested that GST on LWC be withdrawn, or bring it at par with 5%.

     

    E. Exemption of GST on the Cover Paper

    Magazine covers are printed on a thicker paper so that magazines can be preserved for a longer period. AIM requests GST be exempt on thicker cover paper, on Actual User basis with RNI numbers, or at least GST be brought down to 5% on par with SNP and GNP.

     

    F. Clarity of Levying GST on Digital Magazines

    Newspapers, Magazines are exempted from GST under tariff item 4902. During the lockdown in Covid Pandemic when physical delivery of magazines were stopped, digital magazines were made available to readers. Therefore AIM requested that the government give a clarity on this that magazines/newspapers in print as well as on digital platforms will be exempted from GST.

     

    G. Tax Holiday

    Given the extremely adverse circumstances, AIM has urged the Finance Ministry to consider a general tax holiday for three years

     

     

  • The affable Editor-in-Chief and Publisher believes that with increasing literacy levels, magazines will grow

    Times aren’t good, but print media should not give up: Paresh Nath, Delhi Press

     

    By Ananya Saha

     

    Delhi Press has been on a growth path and much in the news lately: whether it was the acquisition of two-decade-old BS Motoring for an undisclosed amount or tie-up with US-based Highlights to launch two new children’s magazines. Delhi Press has been around since 1939, and has grown steadily from one magazine in 1940 to 35 titles in 2013. According to recent reports, Delhi Press is in talks to buy Man’s World and Rolling Stone magazine, though they prefer not to comment on this.

    MxMIndia interviewed Paresh Nath, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Delhi Press to know more.

     

    These are said to be tough times for the media, and magazines (in print) in particular. Why is Delhi Press then on an expansion spree (organic and inorganic)?

    Yes, times are not good for print media but one should not give up. We at Delhi Press think that the literacy rate is growing and with more money in pockets the will to purchase magazines is still there.

    If magazines seem to be in poorer state, it is because the cover prices of other print product, the daily newspapers, thanks to government advertising subsidy, are low. Magazines are, therefore, not able to distribute free and hence have lower readership. Otherwise interest in magazines will continue to be there and we hope it will grow with increase in literates.

     

    Delhi Press currently has 34 magazines under its fold. How are the magazines doing?

    Magazines are stable despite cover price increase. We think that the magazines are medium of choice and one has to make an effort to get one and that is why it is read and taken more seriously than other media. That is our strength. We have no plan to shut any magazine as of now.

     

    Delhi Press has had a rich past… right from the days it was set up pre-Independence, in 1939. How has it been since you’ve taken charge?

    Delhi Press had been steadily growing ever since inception. From one magazine in 1940 to 35 magazines now it had been a long and fulfilling journey and members of family and others have contributed to its growth.

     

    How has the magazine reader changed over the years?

    Like the society, the readers have also changed. Delhi Press has however been a step ahead. We had started opposing orthodox believes right from beginning and have even faced numerous cases because of our rational and modern approach. For us the change in readers has not been a shock as we had been urging him/her to change all the time. We welcome the change.

     

    Delhi Press already has two titles in its fold that are aimed at kids and young adolescents. Highlights Champ and Highlights Genies were also recently added. Would the magazines not compete with each other (more so, in terms of advertisers)?

    It is true that there will be some duplication and overlapping but Champak is in an Indian product and Highlights are foreign magazines. Those with more international outlook might prefer an International brand. In Champak, characters are Indian in Indian background but in Highlights these are more Western. We are sure that the two can survive simultaneously.

     

    For the titles that have regional as well as national language presence, which language is witnessing more growth?

    All languages are growing more or less uniformly. As far as our case is concerned we are doing better in Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and Bangla.

     

    The recent IRS does not show much promise when it comes to magazines. Grihshobha and Champak have shown degrowth as well. Are Indian magazines facing tough times?

    We do not have trust in the readership methodology. A Rs 3 publication is being equated with a Rs 30 or Rs 60 publication with no weight being given to the fact that the dailies are thrown around free all over while magazines cannot be as they do not get government money in the form of advertising. Not only that dailies that seem to have grown in recent years, actually grew because these entered into newer geographical territories. Methodology of readership survey is kept secret like nuclear technology. Yes as the magazines do not get government support, these find more difficult to fund money for promotion to retain and gain readers. There is pressure to improve paper and print quality in case of magazines while newspapers continue to be printed on the same newsprint. Indian magazines will continue to suffer as long as there is widespread discrimination.

     

    How is Delhi Press preparing itself for the online reader?

    Online readers have not started paying for content as yet and we do not know how to handle this. Content is king but kings do not come free and that seems to be the mantra of on line content. Now new technology is being developed where the content creator is making money and as soon as it is perfected we will jump into it.

     

    Tell us about the the strategy behind the BS Motoring acquisition?

    We did not have a lifestyle magazine in our group and this may be a good start.

     

    What are the changes that one would see in this magazine?

    Changes will happen but gradually and according to the need. The magazine as it is is well produced and Delhi Press will give it wider spread.

     

    Apart from acquiring, which categories is Delhi Press looking at to launch its own titles?

    We are likely to launch language editions of some of our magazines.

     

    When entering into new categories or new titles, what are the challenges that even an established player such as Delhi Press faces?

    Challenges are plenty. The advertising is now dispersed and pie has to be shared with dailies and electronic medium. It is not easy to convince the generation used to SMS and Facebook that the real reading is not from screen but from paper where you can pay more attention and do real serious thinking.

     

    How is Caravan doing? In terms of impact and mindspace it has picked up a fair bit… but we don’t see too many ads in it?

    We are very satisfied with the progress The Caravan has made. Its editorial team works very hard and has given a good challenge to established players. We miss some ads because of our editorial ethics that we will not promote alcohol, cigarette and pan masala at any cost. Ours is a highly independent group and has no industrial or political connections or financing. Commercial ads will take some time as the advertisers realise that this is no coffee-table magazine and that the reader returns to it again and again.

     

  • The partnership will create Highlights Champs and Highlights Genies for Indian children

    Highlights for Children & Delhi Press unveil new kids’ mags

    By A Correspondent

     

    North American children’s magazine publisher Highlights for Children and Delhi Press have collaborated to bring Highlights Champs and Highlights Genie magazines to India.

     

    Highlights Magazine (http://www.highlights.com/) uses stories, poems, and activities to engage children in early learning and helps them to develop a strong sense of curiosity, creativity, confidence, and caring. From its beginning in the 1940s, the magazine has celebrated children’s experiences in many different cultures and religions around the world.

     

    Highlights Champs is designed for children aged 6-12, and includes a mix of fiction, poetry, science, craft and readers’ contributions. It also features beloved content from Highlights magazine such as Hidden Pictures, the Timbertoes and Goofus and Gallant. Highlights Genies targets children aged 2-6 and uses stories, poems and activities to engage children in early learning and help them to develop a strong sense of curiosity, creativity, confidence and caring.

     

    “Parents in India place a high value on education and care deeply about helping their children develop strong learning skills at an early age. With a blend of Highlights’ exceptional content for children and Delhi Press’ unique understanding of the market, Highlights Champs and Highlights Genies will be ideally positioned to fulfill the needs of both parents and children,” said Paresh Nath, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Delhi Press.

     

    Highlights CEO Kent Johnson said, “When my great-grandparents started Highlights in 1946, one of the things they hoped to do in the pages of the magazine was celebrate children’s experiences in many different cultures around the world. I think they would be so pleased – and maybe astonished too – to see how far their ‘Fun with a Purpose’ magazine has travelled.”

     

    Highlights Champs and Highlights Genies will be available through subscriptions as well as in newsstands and books stories throughout India.

     

  • His appointment follows the induction of V Natarajan as Vice President- Brand Marketing and Strategy

    Sabyasachi Ghosh joins Delhi Press as Ad Sales Director

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sabyasachi Ghosh

    Sabyasachi Ghosh has joined Delhi Press as the Advertising Sales Director. He will be leading the advertising sales function across the group publications.

     

    Mr Ghosh was previously at Ananda Bazaar Patrika for four years, where he was leading the advertising sales for ABP and Telegraph, and then later their magazines division. Prior to that, he spent close to 17 years in GroupM in various roles, spanning both domestic and international markets. He started his marketing career in Response division of Times of India in Kolkata in 1988. Ghosh has a BA in Economics from Jadavpur University and an MBA from IISWBM, Calcutta University.

     

    At Delhi Press, Mr Ghosh will be in charge of managing the entire revenue stream for the group from advertising and sponsorship activities for its magazine brands, online sites, events and reader activations. His mandate is to work out the strategic and tactical programs for unlocking the latent values in many of the group’s publications that are already leaders in their respective genres, developing marketing extensions around the existing portfolio, as well as nurturing some of the recent launches and acquisitions. He will be reporting to Anant Nath, Director of Delhi Press.

     

    Mr Ghosh’s appointment comes on the heels of induction of V. Natarajan as Vice President- Brand Marketing and Strategy. In this role, Mr Natarajan is spearheading the overall responsibility of brand management of Delhi Press magazines and the corporate brand and strategy at the group. He is leading the brand management team, which is responsible for ideating, developing and executing brand management programs for various group publications.The brand team, through its initiatives, is to support both advertising sales and circulation sales for developing marketing programs to facilitate increased consumer awareness and equity for Delhi Press magazines. Natarajan comes with a rich experience of over 20 years in brand & marketing having worked with The New Indian Express, Business Standard, and the ABP group. Natarajan has an MBA from Faculty of Management Sciences, Delhi and an engineering graduate from Jadavpur University. He will also report into the Director, Anant Nath.