MxMIndia

Tag: Hindustan Times

  • Sachin Kalbag is back at Mid-Day, as Editor-in-Chief

     

    Sachin Kalbag
    Sachin Kalbag

    Senior journalist Sachin Kalbag has been appointed Editor-in-Chief (Print and Digital). He has joined the Dainik Jagran group-owned Mumbai daily today. He will also oversee the group’s weekly paper, Sunday Mid-Day and the website, mid-day.com.

    This is Kalbag’s third stint with the paper, having joined it as a trainee in 1994. He has also worked across various publications over the last three decades, and other than being Editor of Mid-Day from 2011 to 2015, he was also Resident Editor of The Hindu’s Mumbai edition (2015-18) and Executive Editor of Hindustan Times (2018-22). Since 2022, he has been working with The Takshashila Institution as Senior Fellow. For a bit, he was also Washington DC correspondent with the now-suspended DNA newspaper.

    Kalbag takes charge from Tinaz Nooshian who has moved on.

     

     

  • Co-presented by Snapchat, along with WhatsApp as Technology Partner and Hindustan Times as Digital Partner

    Goafest 2024 updates: 50+ partners

    Goafest 2024 has unveiled the names of partners for its 17th edition. Scheduled to take place from May 29 to 31, 2024 at The Westin Mumbai, Powai Lake, supporting Goafest 2024 as the ‘Co-presenting’ partner is Snapchat along with WhatsApp as the ‘Technology Partner’, and Hindustan Times as the ‘Digital Partner’.

    Brands like Tata Motors, Mondelez, ITC Foods, Britannia, Guinness World Records, NoBroker, and MakeMyTrip, to platforms like ShareChat, Sony Liv, Flipkart Ads, Amazon Ads, Spotify, MiQ, The Trade Desk and Whisper Media are also associated as are broadcasters, publishers and content studios including ABP News, Amar Ujala, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Dangal TV, Disney Star, Eenadu, Femina, Flowers TV, Goldmines Telefilms, Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, News18 Network, Radio City, Rajasthan Patrika, Sakal Media, Sakshi, Sri Adhikari Bros, Sun TV, The Hindu Group, TV9, Viacom18, Vijayavani and Zee Media. Then there’s the bevereratwallahs: PepsiCo, Kingfisher, Pernod Ricard.

    Speaking on these partnerships and engagements, Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and CEO of GroupM, South Asia said: “We are delighted to have Snapchat as our Co-presenting Partner, WhatsApp as our Technology Partner and Hindustan Times as our Digital Partner, for Goafest this year. As South Asia’s largest creative fest, Goafest’s incredible significance continues to attract brands and advertisers, presenting them with an opportunity to deepen their engagement with the industry at large. On behalf of the organizing team, we welcome and are very thankful to all our partners and look forward to forging successful long-term associations that celebrate creativity, foster knowledge and thrive with adaptability.”

  • The proposed restraints will result in imposing control on normal business activities, worries Indrani Sen

    Do we really need rules to control cross-media ownership?

     

     

     

    By Indrani Sen

     

    Indrani SenAlmost four months back on March 12, 2022, TRAI released consultation papers on media ownership, particularly related to cross-media ownership in India. This is not the first time that TRAI has raised the issue. However, after a comment made by the I&B Ministry, all the industry media bodies and associations have responded indicating unequivocally that there is enough plurality in the ownership of media in the Indian market and there is no need to be concerned about making regulations related to cross-media ownership.

     

    The western world has been grappling with the advantages and disadvantages of cross-media ownership over the last few decades. The seeds of cross-media ownership were probably sown during the post second world years during the 1950s when the American policy-makers had realised that control of world media can help to make America a superpower and encouraged transnational expansion of US media.  Since the 1980s, the business practices as well as the economic environment in the world began to change dramatically across industries with companies either merging or taking over other companies operating in the similar field and media industries also followed suit. However, American domestic media saw a dramatic change in cross-media ownership as the media ownership pattern changed dramatically due to mergers and take overs.

     

    “In the United States as of 1985, 90 per cent of all media companies were owned by 50 different companies. Through acquisitions of smaller companies by larger ones, 90 percent of media companies are now concentrated under the ownership of just five corporations: Comcast, Time Warner, The Walt Disney Company, News Corp and National Amusements.” (Source: https://www.lawyersnjurists.com/article/effect-of-cross-media-ownership/)

     

    In India, though the owners of Times of India, India Today, Hindustan Times, as well as some regional print media owners have cross-media ownerships, the magnitude of their holdings are far away from reaching any alarming stage or creating an environment of controlled messages influencing public opinions. In recent years cross-media holdings in India have created a free and competitive environment. The advocates for freedom of speech need not worry about control of public opinion due to cross-ownership ownership in India, particularly when under the present Government we seem to have indirect controls over the content of news media. The media associations’ claim that the plurality in media ownership is absolutely correct.

     

    If we examine the advantages and the disadvantages of cross-media ownership, then we find that the advantages probably out weigh the disadvantages in a country like India where media penetrations across traditional as well as new media have still huge scope of growth. The biggest advantage of cross media ownership is reduced cost which allows the media owner either to pass on the benefit to the consumers or to invest in further expansion of their media business and in the process if they also increase their profitability that should be excused as a normal part of doing any business. The creation of synergy is another important advantage of cross media ownership resulting in better products at reduced costs. The expansion of distribution network is another huge advantage along with increase in business security. As far disadvantages are concerned, the misuse of media power, the concern that one particular voice may become too powerful if distributed through different media vehicles across different media segments appears to be the main issue against cross media ownership.

     

    The four industry bodies, the IBDF, NBDA, INS, and AROI, representing TV broadcasting, print media, and FM radio companies, have strongly made the following points:

    1. There is no need for controlling cross-media ownership as there is enough plurality of ownership in Indian M&E market.

    2. There is no requirement for a common mechanism to monitor ownership of print, television, radio, or other Internet-based news media as already different mechanisms exist in different media sectors for monitoring editorial content, etc.

     

    While teaching the subject Economics of Media Business, I give examples of various vertical, horizontal and diagonal integrations done by different media houses in India. The proposed restraint on cross-media holdings will result in imposing control on the normal business activities in the media industry and discriminate against them in comparison with other industries are allowed do all three types of integrations. Such constraints would also violate the constitutional rights of the media houses from transmitting information and would hamper the constitutional rights of citizens to receive information under Article 19(1)(a).

     

    Finally, as the telecom companies have now become the biggest distributor of news and consumers are creating their own news/ circulating fake news on social media portals using the facilities offered by the telecom companies, it is fair to have a parity between the current rules and regulations governing media industry and the telecom industry and the TRAI should review the same before imposing new controls on traditional and digital media industries.

     

  • Captures spirit of motherhood #HTSalutes in new film

    Dentsu Impact partners with HT editorial initiative

    By Our Staff

     

    Dentsu Impact, in partnership with Hindustan Times (HT), has rolled out a new campaign for Mother’s Day. The film captures the unwavering and boundless ethos of motherhood. #HTSalutes is a Hindustan Times’ editorial initiative, which celebrates the story of a woman who finds motherhood while caring for a lost and hurt child in a war zone.

     

    Said Aparna Bhawal, Vice President, Marketing – Hindustan Times: “Mothers are the epitome of resilience and strength, and it is the bond between a mother and her child that gives us hope in the most adverse of times. Motherhood is an emotion unbound by any restraints and is not defined by borders or birth. We found Mother’s Day to be the most fitting occasion to celebrate this very spirit of motherhood and its soft yet strong nature. This video is our tribute to the beautiful bond marked by unconditional love and solicitude.”

     

    Added Anupama Ramaswamy, Managing Partner & National Creative Director, Dentsu Impact: “The world needs more mothers. Because mothers work ceaselessly to keep humanity and hope alive, wherever they are. With all that is happening in the world today, we believe only a mother can lead us on the path of kindness, love and empathy. It is a mother’s spirit to make the world a better place that #HTSalutes. And this film is our humble attempt to celebrate this spirit.”

     

    Talking of the project, Bob – Director, Good Morning Films said: “The story when narrated to me by Anu (Anupama), had such a different take on motherhood and was so boundless that I immediately got excited to do the film. Also, hats off to the team at Hindustan Times, to do a film that potentially arouses various sentiments within the system and beyond. This happens around us; we sometimes forget that motherhood is not just a state of being, but also a spirit. Through our film, we have captured the spirit of motherhood that knows no boundaries. And also have broken the format of normal stories set in a native context. Ours is a classic story that can be felt across borders. It was a mammoth task to shoot within a day, but thanks to the entire crew for their support (Robin and the Istanbul line production team) and most importantly, my cinematographer, Satchit Paulose, who battled with me to finish the film in the given 16hours.”

     

  • Will include digitised versions of original historic creatives

    HT launches NFTs on historic events

    By Our Staff

     

    With the advent of technology and the constant-evolving digital space, Hindustan Times is foraying into web 3.0 by launching NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) that will include digitised versions of original historic creatives which were published in Hindustan Times through the decades under the banner of ‘HT Timeless Tokens’.

     

    To begin with, HT has launched NFTs that celebrate India’s Republic Day on January 26, 2022, which are available on Beyond Life, an NFT marketplace and platform that facilitates the creation, sale, and purchase of ownership rights to digital works of art via NFTs.

     

    Said Kamesh Elangovan, COO & Co-Founder, GuardianLink.io: “With industries like tech, finance, lifestyle, music and media advertising companies moving into the crypto/NFT ecosystem, new opportunities are set to be unlocked in the space of Web3. The secondary marketplace for NFTs at GuardianLink.io will see more and more collectors investing with knowledge on the future monetization of their NFTs. The partnership with Hindustan Times, opens yet another avenue to explore the world of NFTs in the media and marketing industry.”

     

  • Grand Finale on Republic Day

    Hindustan Times is to host online school quiz

    By Our Staff

     

    Hindustan Times is set to host online school quiz on January 23, 2022, culminating with the Grand Finale on Republic Day, January 26, 2022. Popularly known as ‘ClassAct’, the name syncs with school students acing their way to popularity through quizzing. The quiz show will be hosted by quizmasters-Dr Navin Jayakumar and Avinash Mudaliar.

     

    Said Dr Jayakumar:  “Quizzing is a sport and not a test of IQ. It is a sport involving bits of information – facts that may or may not be of practical use but which are always interesting. And like all sports, practice makes perfect.”

     

    Added Mudaliar: “A good quizzer is also good at lateral thinking and is seldom just a ‘rattu’ (one who mugs up information from some source prior to a quiz). Contrary to popular belief, you can seldom win a quiz these days with that strategy, as quizzing today requires you to immerse yourself in the knowledge that is at your fingertips and connect the dots between various points of information to arrive at a possibly right answer.”

     

     

  • Dentsu Aegis Network’s creative agency has worked on the print and digital communication campaign of the relaunch

    Hindustan Times refreshes brand

    By  A Correspondent

     

    HT Media Group re-launched its flagship brand Hindustan Times, in a digital-first avatar. The refreshed HT product portfolio, including HT City and Brunch, have gone in for a new look-and-feel.

     

    HT has also unveiled its new positioning – First Voice, Last Word. Said Editor-in-Chief Sukumar Ranganathan in a statement: “Now more than ever before, there is need for news that is credible and contemporary. This is the driving principle behind our relaunch of the Hindustan Times, which seeks to be the First Voice, yet have the Last Word.”

     

    The paper has been redesigned by newspaper refresh veteran Dr Mario Garcia.

     

    Said Rajan Bhalla, Group CMO, HT Media Ltd: “The media landscape has undergone immense transformation in the past decade and despite the testing times, Hindustan Times continues to make strides as a market leader to give the ‘news consumers’ what they are seeking and how they are seeking it. This refreshed product fits the fast-paced, knowledge seeking needs of the millennials without alienating the older generation who are also fast adapting to the new ways of news consumption. We are extremely excited about this new offering and are certain that this raises the bar for the news industry in our country.”

     

    Dentsu Aegis Network’s creative agency has worked on the print and digital communication campaign of the relaunch.

     

     

  • Campaign reaches over 12 million people on Social Media

    Hindustan Times salutes India’s bravehearts

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hindustan Times has unveiled a fresh initiative ‘#HTSalutes’ in collaboration with Dentsu Impact amidst the lockdown period. The campaign’s singular objective is to pay tribute to the heroes who are currently in the line of duty during the nationwide lockdown.

     

    This integrated campaign comprises a film, print and digital media.

    Speaking about the campaign, Soumitra Karnik, CCO, Dentsu Impact said: “The idea was to not just recognise the brave efforts of certain professionals, but also to capture the emotional angle of how safe people are feeling at home because of these brave efforts. The film and print ads have been designed to connect with everyone emotionally.”

     

    Added Rajan Bhalla, Group CMO & Chief Business Officer, HT Media: “Hindustan Times always steps forward to serve the nation through credible news via responsible journalism— and this campaign recognises all professionals, groups and communities embodying the same responsible value. HT salutes our real heroes who put the nation first before self and risk their lives in an effort to contain the pandemic. These warriors have taken the lead in boldly stepping forward in the fight for a better tomorrow. We will cover seven core constituents (medics, journalists, police, essential service providers, SMEs providing necessary life-saving equipment, chemists, groceries) under the programme. After all most of us are safe at home because some have chosen to step out.”

     

     

  • The website was launched on February 17 with columns by Ranjona Banerji, senior journalist and columnist (and MxMIndia Consulting Editor); Tushar Gandhi, activist and great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and Engineer himself

    Ex-journo Ashraf Engineer launches AllIndiansMatter.in

    By A Correspondent

     

    He’s moved from journalism to communications strategy, but writing and matters of national interest have always been dear to him. Ashraf Engineer, former journalist with Hindustan Times, Times of India, Mid-Day, Maharashtra Herald and also an author and currently Principal Consultant at Pitchfork Partners, has launched a digital platform for commentary, called Allindiansmatter.in, on issues that matter to India. It is a “home for conversations with and about the country,” he said.

     

    The website was launched on February 17 with columns by Ranjona Banerji, senior journalist and columnist (and MxMIndia Consulting Editor); Tushar Gandhi, activist and great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and Engineer himself.

     

    Banerji wries about what happens when the media abdicate their responsibility. Gandhi has kicked off a three-part series on the India of the Mahatma’s dreams. Engineer, meanwhile, argues that India is rediscovering itself through the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

     

    Added Engineer: “All Indians Matter is a citizen’s effort to engage – through commentary by a variety of writers on a wide range of issues – with everyone who cares about India, its Constitution, its liberal and secular values. It is a response to the political, social and economic situations we find ourselves in. Normally, it would be the domain of the news media, but it’s been found wanting in the past few years. As a result, many of the issues that should be highlighted are sidelined and the voices that should find a megaphone are muffled. Allindiansmatter.in is a simple, clutter-free website that shines the spotlight on the commentary, cutting out complex navigation, multiple sections and visual dazzle. The writing is what it’s all about, and that’s the way it’ll stay even if it evolves into something bigger.”

     

    He added that the initiative is personal one. The website finds an extension on Twitter (@allindianscount), Facebook and Instagram (@allIndiansmatter).

     

     

  • It may be noted that the data (and its interpretation) has not been independently verified by MxMIndia. But, of course, there is no reason for us to believe that it is incorrect

    MRUC release HT Group data

    By A Correspondent

     

    Two-and-a-half weeks after data for the all-important print measurement currency, the Indian Readership Survey, the data for the Hindustan Times Media group which were curiously held back, have now been released.

     

    According to a communique received from HT Media, Hindustan Times continues to make strides in all the major markets and winning the faith of the readers who have made it the No. 1 daily in Delhi-NCR, the No. 1 daily in Punjab and it continues to dominate the largest English readership markets of Delhi-NCR + Mumbai, combined. It may be noted that the data (and its interpretation) has not been independently verified by MxMIndia. But, of course, there is no reason for us to believe that it is incorrect.

     

    Notes the communique: In Delhi-NCR, Hindustan Times continues to be the undisputed No 1 newspaper for the 16th time and is the most read daily with more than 18 lakh AIR, 37% higher than the closest competitor. HT continues to strengthen its presence in Punjab and has emerged the No 1 newspaper of the region yet again with an AIR of 3.21 lakh In Mumbai, HT has grown its readership significantly to reach AIR of 8.9 lakh. Mint, HT Media’s business daily, consolidated its No. 2 position among the leading business dailies in India with an Average Issue Readership of 3.42 lakh. Hindustan with 5.47 Cr readers is the second largest newspaper in India with dominance across its key markets

     

    Talking about the latest IRS results, Rajan Bhalla, Group CMO, HT Media Ltd., said “We are ecstatic about the trust that our readers continue to show in all our publications. We take the responsibility that comes at the back of this trust earnestly and like always, we will continue to deliver unparalleled value for both, our readers and advertisers”.

     

    Said Rajeev Beotra, CEO, Print, HT Media Ltd: “Print continues to be one of the most trusted media in India and therefore the latest IRS results come as no surprise with growth in both, Hindi and English readership. They are in fact validation to the faith of the readers and the advertisers, who continue to choose print as their go-to medium and we are delighted that this faith comes across even stronger in all the HT Group publications’ key markets.”

  • Over four lakh students from across a thousand-plus schools in the New Delhi NCR region received the new-look paper

    HT revamps school edition

    By  A Correspondent

     

    Hindustan Times launched its revamped school edition under the HT-PACE programme across the Delhi-NCR region. Over four lakh students from across a thousand-plus schools received the new-look paper

     

    Talking about the HT-PACE programme, Anapoorna Sehgal, Head – Education, HT Media said: “The Hindustan Times School Contact Programme is today a trusted partner of schools, well-established as a front-runner of all similar initiatives in the country. Our mission to bring the world into the classroom has received tremendous impetus from an eager school community with principals, educationalists and students partnering with us to make learning a fun filled, life-long engagement via the powerful medium of the newspaper, supported by a gamut of activities, events, workshops and curriculum modules.”

    On the new edition, Kunal Pradhan, Executive Editor, Hindustan Times, said:
    “There is an information overload these days, and it is important how news is curated, particularly for young minds. They need content that is enlightening, entertaining and informative. We have taken feedback from students and teachers and put together something especially for them. This is a revamped paper that will constantly evolve as we get more inputs because we believe that the readers of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

    To start with, The school edition has been revamped for Delhi-NCR and this will be followed by a revamp of the Mumbai and Chandigarh school editions from next month.. The school edition can be viewed at http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

  • May be a bit late, but the Empire is trying to hit back with a simple communication, notes Sanjeev Kotnala

    ‘Print Is Proof’ needs wider collective commitment

     

    By Sanjeev Kotnala

     

    Sanjeev Kotnala

    The coming together print publishers is a rare celestial aberration. However, this is not the first time when some of the largest print houses have got together. We know when they collectively questioned the IRS and hence MRUC some years back. Even at that time, people viewed it as a disturbing disruption, but it led to something good, a better more robust IRS.

    In the current era of the voyeuristic audience with limited attention, video-led consumption, social platform-based news sharing necessitating instant gratification, the print is unfairly being treated as a media that has lost its sheen.

    May be a bit late, but the Empire is trying to hit back with a simple communication celebrating Print in its regality.

    A few weeks back, major print players – Dainik Bhaskar Group,  The Hindu Group, Hindustan Times, The Times of India, released their campaign on owned media. Full-page advertisements shoutig ‘Print is Proof’.

    It will be great if the HT campaign ‘Print is the Answer’ or another such campaign can get teeth by print coming together in a heightened B2B initiative.

    There is no doubt that print is still the most credible media by a margin. The barrage of fake news and the impulsive sharing of it is something everyone has experienced. I hope that many other print houses bury their hatchet and believe in each other’s intent to join the movement. Even if it may just be doing a post-purchase dissonance correction among the loyalists…

    Print proposes and wants the audience to believe that in the fastest-finger-first digital media, tracing the origin of news is a tough proposition. And that only in print the story before it is printed and delivered to you goes through multiple filters and crosschecks.  Unfortunately, the argument is not without holes. And the current generation does not believe the statement print makes: “If we don’t have the facts, we don’t print the news. It’s that simple. For us, the starting point of any story is verification”. Or ‘if a digital story doesn’t check out, it can always be deleted’.

    In its current avatar, the new generation feels that print is also as much about sensation, colouring, tinting and or manipulation of news. In the polarised and pressurised ecosystem prevalent in the country, it is foolish to believe that ‘No one edits the editor’. However, a large part of the audience from the print dominant era still believes ‘What’s Printed Is True’.

    India is one of the few countries where print still holds its position and continues to grow in circulation.

    I would be personally thrilled if the print houses can come together and do a collective correction in cover pricing. It’s much needed. In my view, it will still deliver a better financial position, even if the fringe readers drop out. Print needs it.

    Whatever may be their reasons to join the initiative, it needs to continue its momentum. More groups need to join in and help sustain the campaign and widen its reach through multimedia exposure funded by a collective kitty. Being in print alone is not the answer.

    Some other print advantages are capabilities to keep the story alive till its natural conclusion, share-and re-share the ground facts and developments, address individual sub-segment differentially and place advertisements contextually. But, just ‘Print is Proof’ may be a weak war cry that can lose steam fast.

    ……………………………………

    DISCLAIMER: I must confess I have not been able to check if the campaign has a digital, TV and or an outdoor avatar. It will be great if it exists and or the collective takes the initiative in this direction.