MxMIndia

Tag: MxM3

  • Since MxMIndia launched on Sept 9, much may have changed. But not our resolve to adhere to our Code of Ethics.

    Pradyuman Maheshwari: 100 Days of not compromising on ethics

     

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    So how’s MxMIndia different from the others, I am often asked. There are various, and because a publication necessarily mirrors the personality of its editor, I think the basic difference that MxM has that the only thing you can expect from it is the unexpected. It’s got spontaneity, energy and integrity.

     

    In fact, to those of you who are in the know, it’s the last of these attributes (well, the loss of it) that possibly led to the birth of MxMIndia.

     

    The other important differentiator of MxMIndia is that the editorial team is not dependent on just one person. We have a number of people who have got a great amount of experience in relevant media.

     

    Our copy team is not into the nitty-gritty of media agencies and marketing… and hence you get copy that’s English. Yes, there may be booboos, but hey, the hygiene levels are high. At least we strive to keep them that way.

     

    We don’t intrude into your inboxes with breaking news. With always-on smartphones et al, innumerable mails a day is an emeffing pain. There have been several news breaks that we have had in our first 100 days… but we’ve only tweeted them or added them in our Facebook statuses.

     

    And the last differentiator is that for us our allegiance is to you, dear reader. It’s indeed challenging when the reader is also the one we are writing about and who is advertising on the site. It of course helps in having a Code of Ethics and having all my colleagues as signatories on that.

     

    As we complete our 100 days, we rededicate ourselves to the Code, which we reproduce here….

     

    Thank you for keeping the faith,

     

    Best wishes,

     

    Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    Coordinates: pradyumanm[at]mxmindia.com, BBM @ 23050B5D

    Whatsapp/Gtalk pradyumanm[at]gmail.com

    Twitter @pmahesh, Tel 98338 76278

     

    The MxMIndia Code of Ethics

     

    This code of ethics is not meant to be a treatise in ethics. We believe all MxMers are mature professionals, of sound character and have values we agree with.

     

    However, since a Code of Ethics is not really followed in organizations that some of our employees may have worked with in the past, we have a formulated an easy-to-follow set of Dos and Don’ts that each and every employee has agreed to follow. Also, there’s a general belief that many media companies (business-to-business and mainstream) follow unethical practices. It’s hence critical to put the record straight on why MxMIndia isn’t like the ‘many’ others.

     

    1. While the objective of MxMIndia is to be a profitable enterprise, our revenues will not come from compromising editorial standards. Excellence is what we are setting out to achieve, Ethically and with Integrity.

     

    2. We will not be influenced in any way by advertisers – past, present or future, and will write or comment on an individual, service or organisation regardless of whether or not it advertises with MxMIndia.

     

    3. We will not sell our editorial content. Content includes text, photographs or any visuals.

     

    4. Accuracy in presenting facts is of utmost importance and facts must be correctly presented.

     

    5. We will not present any bias in our news sections. If, however, MxM India does undertake a campaign, it will clearly state its editorial policy

     

    6. If there’s any advertisement that could be confused with editorial content in appearance, it will be clearly tagged as an Advertisement and be displayed in a style that is different from normal editorial content.

     

    7. Our reports and features will always attribute sources to people. In case, the source does not want to be named for fear of loss of employment or due to some sensitivity, every attempt must be made to look for an alternate source who could be named. If that fails, every attempt should be made to make the reader rest assured that our source is authentic and this may be done by describing who the source is.

     

    8. We have a no tolerance policy towards plagiarism. Employees may be given a warning if found plagiarizing, but in most cases, the services of any employee found plagiarizing – regardless of his/her seniority or utility to the organization – would be terminated within 24 hours of the Editor-in-Chief conducting his/her investigation on the act of plagiarism.

     

    9. If any attempt is made to influence us by way of a threat to withdraw advertisements, we reserve the right to expose such individuals and/or their organisations.

     

    10. We will not publish photographs off the internet. If a picture is be taken from the internet, it will be done only after written permission of the source. Else, we will own the rights for the picture which may be procured by buying rights for appropriate usage. Ditto for text. If we do carry syndicated content, the source needs to clearly be stated at the end of the article.

     

    11. Our journalists will take the permission of the interviewee to record his/her comments, especially when the meeting is not face-to-face.

     

    12. Unless approved by the Editor, we do not part with the transcript of any interview. A journalist may however play back a few quotes attributed to an individual.

     

    13. We will allow individuals or organisations adequate time to revert with their response to a question. In most case the adequate time would mean four to six hours. If it’s a non-critical story, then we would recommend holding the story for at most a day.

     

    14. We will not accept any gifts that attempt to influence us. These should be returned immediately. Gifts in the form of chocolates, mithai, flowers or basic promotional material that is of reasonable value (of up to Rs 500-750) is fine. Mementos or promotional material of nominal value may be accepted. No gifts must be solicited. If there’s a doubt, please consult the Editor-in-Chief/CEO. If an organisation is found to influence an MxM India journalist, under extreme cases, MxM India may even blacklist the organisation and/or its products and services.

     

    15. We will not solicit any outstation trips. If however there is an invitation for a junket, we will accept it only if the Editor believes there is a news value in the event. In such a case, MxM India will mention that the journalist concerned has visited an outstation venue at the invitation of the company which must be named. For local travel, all our employees are defrayed expenses towards local travel, and hence we discourage taxi pick-ups or drops, as is the norm in some sections of the media.

     

    16. We will not solicit any invitations for a meal or a drink. We discourage MxM India employees to drink beyond their limits at events, dinners, press conferences etc where they represent the Company. We will also not solicit free books, software, movie tickets etc.

     

    17. MxM India employees are discouraged from moonlighting. If, however, employees do receive requests to write an occasion article for a non-competing publication, the employee could do it after seeking permission via email.

     

    18. Unlike some media houses, we are happy to see our employees – regardless of their seniority levels – to be interviewed and featured in other media. However, prior permission is desired for every appearance on television. Employees must ensure that their work at MxMIndia doesn’t suffer due to their appearances on TV, radio etc. While tweeting, participation in social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn are encouraged, every attempt must be taken to ensure that the values and interests of the organization are not compromised.

     

    19. We will ensure that our ethical standards are followed in all that we do – events, conferences and awards. We will ensure our integrity is not compromised.

     

    20. We discourage the use of pirated products and services for official use. We advise our employees to only use legally procured software. Employees using their personal computer equipment for work are encouraged to switch to legal software.

     

    21. MxMIndia has a no tolerance policy on sexual harassment.

     

    22. Our employees are not allowed to deal in stocks related to the media and entertainment sector. If they hold shares before joining the organisation, they must disclose their holdings in writing to their immediate boss. They could, however, invest in mutual funds related to the M&E sector.

     

    23. While this Code is only applicable towards conduct as an employee, we advise all MxMers to ensure that they are ambassadors of MxMIndia and all that it stands for even outside of work hours.

     

    24. Over the last few years, there have been question marks raised about the ethical standards adopted by journalists and media organisations. While a lot of it may be untrue, we believe that journalists and others working in various media organisations are also responsible for this perception. At MxMIndia, our attempt will be to reverse this.

     

    25. This Code is applicable for all employees of MxMIndia. Associates, retainers, columnists, regular contributors are also required to adhere to the above Code.

     

    We encourage all our constituents and advertisers to read the above document and cooperate with us and enable us to abide by it. If you wish to report a dishonest act, write directly to pradyumanm [at] mxmindia.com.

     

  • 100 days of MXM in the words of senior correspondent Robin Thomas.

    Robin Thomas: Still so much to learn about this fascinating medium called Radio

    By Robin Thomas

     

    My Congratulations to Team MxM on completing 100 days. At MxMIndia, I handle the radio and Out-of-Home (OOH) beats. Since I have handled radio before, it did not take long for me to settle down at MxM. Radio has always, and perhaps will always, be one of my favourite mediums because of its ability to reach not only the masses, but also the unreached, all this through just sound.

     

    There are many stories that I loved doing at MxM but two of my absolute favourites are the radio stories – ‘RJ mentions need to be regulated?’ and ‘Radio One turning international’.

     

    The RJ Mentions story is close to my heart because it was my first big story at MxM.

     

    The Radio One story involved chasing a lot of people and getting confirmations from multiple sources – some extreme hard work but the end was fruitful.

     

    OOH, on the other hand, is a completely different ball game altogether, for me. The type of stories, the people in the industry and the medium itself is vastly different from the radio beat, my comfort zone.

     

    One of the OOH stories I really enjoyed working on was Milestone Brandcom launching its rural and digital divisions. Another story that gave me a high to work on was the OOH rural story, mainly because most of the industry players have been saying that the next phase of growth in OOH media would be coming from tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

     

    I have always enjoyed writing about the radio industry, but there is still so much I have to learn about this fascinating medium and there is still so much to do. I am also looking forward to getting comfortable and doing some really good work in OOH media as well. To all the radio and outdoor players and the readers, please continue giving me your feedback – positive or critical, and I will do my best to keep you informed and provide a good read.

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Contributing Editor Jaisurya Das.

    Jaisurya Das: A stupendous start

    By Jaisurya Das

     

    Yeah! We are a 100 days strong and boy hasn’t it been fun at DearMxm!

     

    I recollect when we kicked off with the inaugural column we were almost certain we would be writing our own questions and it would take ages before our readers sought our advice…. Well, we were wrong and the very next week the response started coming in and soon we were battling on what to answer each week since most of our readers had multiple queries and each of them significant.

     

    DearMxm also got popular thanks to the brief intro to each column which was Pradyuman’s idea and it has been a super journey covering the high and lows of the industry. The past 3  months have been so full of action, be it companies or people in them . Investments, launches, huge people movement, shake ups, collaborations or just analysis .

     

    And through all these days we stayed glued on to the market to bring you the best snapshots of the action remaining true to our beliefs always . I feel particularly emotional since this column and idea itself means so much to our core belief that mentoring makes people.

     

    Dream big, start visualizing yourself in that avatar and the world will turn around to give you all that you want from it . We have the power to do it and belief is the starting point!

     

    For our readers today, I reproduce my personal selection of the “  5 best questions ” we have received and responded  from our archives.

     

    Thank you dear readers for making us feel so warm, strong and cared for.  We do hope we will always live up to your expectations of us being there for you always….

     

  • 100 days of MXM in the words of Web designer Rafiq Barak

    Rafiq Barak: What keeps me going is the challenge of the creativity

    By Rafiq Barak

     

    My day officially starts at 7.30am. At a time when most of the people are waking up, I am uploading content on MxM website, ensuring the photographs are right, and checking for a variety of characters which get into websites. The job requires a sharp eye and mind, not easy first thing in the morning.

     

    After the content is uploaded, then there are the newsletters that I have send out after a set of test mails.

     

    If all this sounds routine, most of the time it is…But what keeps me going is the challenge of the creativity. Be it the big story images, or the design work I do for the website.

     

    If you think images are easy work, and one can ‘borrow’ from the web…it is not. MxM has a strict code of ethics where I can lose my job for picking up photographs from the Internet without permissions. So I have to be creative with what I have. Sometimes, the concept of the story is simple and has ready images.

     

    But the real challenge is when the concept is abstract and the image has to be created. One story image I enjoyed working on was the recent Hindu ads big story. Sir (my boss) had suggested a concept but I went ahead with something I had created and sent it to him. I took a chance and it worked…he responded with ‘excellent’. It was good to be appreciated.

     

    All of this requires good planning…But at night I go to sleep with a clear mind that the work I did for the day was my own and on the right side of the law!

     

  • 100 days of MXM in the words of Junior Assistant Editor Rishi Vora.

    Rishi Vora: You are given the license to ask tough questions when necessary

    By Rishi Vora

     

    I joined MxMIndiain mid-October, so it’s been little less than 100 days as far as my stint is concerned.

     

    I remember the big boss (Editor-in-Chief and CEO Mr Pradyuman Maheshwari) having once told me, prior to my joining, “Rishi, I have a vacancy. I need someone who can ask the right questions; one who is able to write with some perspective.” That excited me enough to join his venture – MxMIndia.

     

    The going has been good so far. I cover the Broadcast and Digital media. One single reason why it’s quite enjoying being a part of the editorial team at MxM is the fact that you are given a free hand.

     

    The license to ask ‘tough’ questions when necessary and of course, the focus on analysis as against plain vanilla reporting.

     

    One story that I am quite proud of is the interview I produced with Star India COO Sanjay Gupta on Star’s new general entertainment channel Life Ok.

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Senior Assistant Editor, Johnson Napier.

    Johnson Napier: Century @ MxM – Chalta hi jaaye…

    By Johnson Napier

     

    It seems like yesterday; like I had just walked into this modest yet cosy office that had just about made its foray into the online world with a bang. The initial feelings that engulfed me while I stepped foot into the premises a couple of months ago was that of friendliness and familiarity. Familiarity, as I was making a headway back to the arena from where I had made an exit a few months ago, and friendliness as I was about to be joining a workplace where the employees were all known and familiar to me. From then on, the ride has been a challenging yet motivational one for all of us. It is not easy trying to be the best in a field where there are already established players but there is something about MxM India – apart from the clutter-breaking news and stories that it churns out everyday – that makes it a place worth existing.

     

    Of the many different Media domains that one gets to read about on the website, there is a dedicated space for the PR industry – often the neglected lot – who finally have a voice and a channel to air their views on. From CEOs to business heads and even individual entrepreneurs, most have welcomed this new gesture by actively participating in the exercise by way of columns, interviews, news etc. Of course, there are the regular beats that update the viewers of the ongoing state of the industry but it is the effort in going the extra mile with attempts such as these (PR, Journalism, etc) that brings about a cheer amongst the industry at large.

     

    As we complete a century, we hope to be making more noise around the work that we do and keep engaging the industry on a profound level so as to be the hub of providing resourceful and insightful opinions around the world of media.

     

    Here’s to completing many more century days in the future!!!

     

  • 100 days of MxM in the words of Contributing Editor Ranjona Banerji.

    Ranjona Banerji: After 100 days, I have fun dissecting what I see on TV

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Turning 100 is always auspicious and MxMIndia hits a well-deserved century today – the first of course, not yet the 100th 100th.

     

    In the beginning, I have to confess, I cursed MxMIndia for forcing me to watch TV news. Newspapers I can devour, but watching the hysteria which passes for debate every night on TV was trauma I could do without.

     

    After 100 days, I can’t really say I love it yet but I do have lots of fun dissecting what I see every morning. And I’ve gained a real appreciation for the tough lives of our TV anchors. Really. It’s not easy, sort of manufacturing sensation out of fairly ordinary news events. And yet, night after night they endeavour and yell away, full of outrage and nation-building or saving vigour.

     

    I thought working consecutive night shifts on a news desk was a tough job but this must be absolutely mind-numbingly exhausting. On the other hand, maybe that explains a lot – the shallowness, the lack of depth or understanding, the shrillness, the vacuous questions…

     

    Yet strangely, sometimes the hosts are completely overshadowed by their guests who scream, interrupt and insult each other with a total disregard for good manners or good sense. I’m guessing they watch a lot of the Jerry Springer shows in their spare time.

     

    Often to escape, I watch Hard Talk or Anderson Cooper to calm myself down a bit but then sometimes I catch Piers Morgan in passing and then I take 24 hours to recover. That’s when I’m a little kinder to Indian news anchors the next day.

     

    * * *

     

    The biggest thanks for the last 100 days must go to Anna Hazare and his Merry Men and One Woman. They managed to occupy all the news time available as they entangled us in their coils. It was fascinating to watch how TV was first all chuffed at saving the nation from corruption. And then, one by one, the questions started – CNNIBN, NDTV, NewsX, Headlines Today and the last to keep the flag flying, Times Now.

     

    By the time the circus reached Mumbai and tried set up tent at the MMRDA grounds at Bandra-Kurla, the party for Hazare & Co was over. And sadly so was it for TV-created hysteria.

     

    I’m waiting now to see what the next 100 days will bring. Any ideas?

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Editor-at-Large Anil Thakraney.

    Anil Thakraney: The hundred that beat Sachin

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    MxMIndia just completed 100 days. And while hard core cricket fans may not be very pleased to hear this, the hot new media and marketing portal beat Sachin Tendulkar to that Big 100. Congratulations!

     

    I must say it’s been a pleasure to be associated with the portal as Editor-at-Large. Which means that while I regularly contribute articles and interact with the chief editor now and then, I am essentially busy ‘making it large’ elsewhere. Usually at a pub. And this neat arrangement suits me perfectly. My mischievous work doesn’t come back to haunt me, it’s the chief editor who’s left facing the heat from aggrieved parties.

     

    Younger readers may not be aware of this… I used to edit an ad and media mag between 1996 and 2002. It’s been a long while since that brand shut down, but I have noticed that one thing hasn’t really changed in all these years: Many advertising, media and marketing professionals still do not like to hear criticism, and take offence pretty quickly. I suppose this is because of the ‘safe’ trade press, which has consistently spoilt the industry leaders by being all sugar and honey. And so when along comes a strong critique, it becomes difficult to digest.

     

    To all those reading in, I have just one thing to say on this issue: Puff pieces and PR re-prints are great for the ego, but for real impact, some bitter medicine is actually a good thing. Criticism makes us ponder after the anger has subsided. Appreciation quickly passes away over a peg of Scotch, it leads to no change. Therefore it’s important to take negative feedback on the chin, and treat it as valuable input. By the way, I often get trashed for my comments from readers, and I welcome that.

     

    Which then brings me to the founder/chief editor of MxMIndia, Pradyuman Maheshwari. I have known PM (as many of us address him) from a long way back as a colleague at Mid Day. But our association actually began when he signed up as Editor-in-Chief at exchange4media, and it has continued at this portal. And I must say I admire PM’s clear focus. For him, content and ethics unhesitatingly take precedence over commerce, and he runs an unbiased, truly professional ship. He’s that rare breed of editors in that sense, and a blessing for venom-spewing scorpions like yours truly. For the record, not even once have I been asked to plug for an advertiser. Not even once have I been asked to dilute a piece.

     

    All said, here’s wishing more power to MxMIndia. The industry deserves and badly needs a medium that doesn’t shy away from discussing tough issues. And one that always keeps the industry’s best interests in mind. Here’s to many more centuries. And hopefully, Sachin will score his 100 before MxMIndia’s next ton.

     

    So you enjoy this portal, while I am off to make it large. Cheers!

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Chief Sub-Editor Archita Wagle.

    Archita Wagle: A force to reckon with

    By Archita Wagle

     

    Before I joined MxM, I worked with a newspaper as a senior sub-editor for more than four years. I wanted a change, I wanted to write. MxM offered me a chance. Yes, it was a newly launched company, but when I was invited to be a part of the “founding team”, I decided to take a chance.

     

    For someone who has spent four years editing ‘journalistic’ copies ( that’s my term) and living with the journalistic timings (we ‘subs’ work in the evening and sleep in the morning) to adapt to the style and timings here (I report to work at 7.30 am most mornings) was intimidating. But I was always encouraged to learn and adapt, I was never yelled at for my mistakes, instead they were explained to me. And alongside my editing duties, I was given stories. My first story went as a BIG story. That was the day I was convinced that maybe I will not fail in this, after all.

     

    Ask any sub, we are the most under-appreciated lot. The people who read the newspaper always read the stories under the reporters’ byline. They never know the hard work that is put in by a sub to clean up a reporter’s copy, to make it an interesting read which will hold the reader’s attention – right from the headline to the last word in the copy.

     

    Therefore if I was asked to name one instance in these 100 days (I have been a part of MxM for less than 60 days till now) that I cherish the most, it would be the day I saw my name up on the website: Archita Wagle – Chief sub editor, acknowledging my contribution to the website.

     

    We are still growing… a lot of people aren’t aware of who or what we are. As we complete 100 days, I wish that soon we become a force to reckon with.

     

  • 100 days of MxMIndia in the words of Executive, Special Projects and Marcom, Insiyah Rangwala.

    Insiyah Rangwala: MxMIndia is here to stay and only to grow

    By Insiyah Rangwala

     

    I had always known that when I do start working I would like it to be for a start-up. Something new and exciting that is still figuring itself and its identity out. Being a part of that process was something I was sure I wanted to look for in my first job. After having graduated and looking forward to getting starting in the real world is when I heard about MxM India. It catered to a niche audience that interested me but I had barely any knowledge about.

     

    Finally after waiting for a while I had my first meeting with Mr. Pradyuman Maheshwari. I was nervous and excited to finally get started. It was a great conversation and I was immediately asked to start 3 days from then. When I got started at the office we were only 3 people. My first morning on my way to work I wasn’t sure what the atmosphere would be like as everyone was much older and experienced than me. I had questions running through my head such as what does one wear, what is okay to say what is not and how I should go about conducting myself.

     

    I was very pleasantly surprised by how relaxed everything was and how helpful Mr. Pradyuman and Mr. Alok were. They were extremely willing to share their knowledge and experiences which I believe was the best way for me to have gotten started. Not knowing anything about how this industry works they were kind enough to sit me down break all the information down and explain to me how things would progress. That is when I realized just how important the clients we service are. Our readers as well as our advertisers. I spent a large amount of time on creating a database with all our prospective readers and getting in touch with people that would be interested in the content we wanted to provide.

     

    Starting from there my job role expanded. We launched and it was a great experience being right at the heart of something that I believe is going to see a lot of success purely because of the innovation within the organization. Now we have expanded to a completely occupied office from where we were only 3 people on my first day. I can now say this with complete confidence that MxMIndia is here to stay and only to grow.

     

  • 100 days of MxM in the words of senior copy editor-cum-correspondent Akash Raha.

    Akash Raha: From Coming Soon to making it big

    By Akash Raha

     

    My journey in MxMIndia so far has been very entertaining and exciting. Starting off with a launch team and developing content from the beginning is always an exhilarating feeling. The feeling then is not of working ‘with’ a company, but rather that of building a company.

     

    I still remember the day when I got my first MxMIndia visiting card delivered, my name embossed on it in bold black. Behind the card, it read “MxMIndia– Coming Soon”. From ‘Coming Soon’ to making it big in the space of 100 days has been a short, yet fruitful journey.

     

    We have carved a special niche for ourselves in the media, marketing and advertising space amongst existing clutter. Completion of 100 days is a big and special milestone for the MxM family and yet there are ‘miles to go before we sleep’.

     

    Over the past few months, covering the print media and news broadcast beats, I was lucky to have been given the opportunity of interviewing and reporting on big developments.

     

    The journey began with two mega events – World Magazine Congress and AdAsia which our team covered comprehensively. Moreover, it gave the opportunity to interact with the big names in the industry.

     

    The print industry at the World Magazine Congress and INMA seem to be preparing for the coming digital revolution and seem to be appropriating the technology of the future. The times ahead seems to be exciting and adventurous for the print industry and for us, who report on all these developments.

  • "100 reasons why…"? Or, "100 reasons what…"? Damn! Where do I start? says Ajay Kakar

    The ‘Special’ Anchor: Ajay Kakar offers ‘100’ pointers MxM must remember in its journey ahead

    By Ajay Kakar

     

    How time flies!

     

    It seems like just ‘yesterday’, that I was invited by MxM to contribute to its first ‘issue’ to hit the net. I was asked to write on a potentially controversial subject; “8 indications when you know it’s time to bid adieu to your agency”.  While I clicked away on the computer late at night, I was afraid of the potential backlash that I could receive, from the industry that had given me an alternate career and an identity, two decades ago, and till as recently as 2005.

     

    But I was fortunate to receive very warm and encouraging feedback from friends and till-then unknown names, alike, from both the advertising and marketing fraternities. Phew! That was a relief.

     

    And today, once again, it’s late in the night/early in the morning. And I am clicking away on my computer for the 100th issue of MxM. While I feel honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to these two key milestones in the life of this ‘new entrant’, what frightens me this time is that I have an open mandate to write on whatever topic that I like. But with a request that the piece should cover a 100 points! “100 reasons why…”? Or, “100 reasons what…”? Damn! Where do I start?

     

    Having been at the client and agency end, I know the importance of a ‘client brief’.  So here goes…

     

    100 pointers (in no particular order) for MxM to remember, as it continues on its journey towards the next many centuries…

     

    1. The Indian advertising, media and marketing fraternity is a small family. It’s as if we know everybody and all that there is to know.

    The opportunity is to widen our horizons. Introduce a fresh perspective. And increase/improve our learnings by making us realise that there is still a whole new world out there, waiting to be tapped

     

    2. Advertising. Advertising. Advertising. Our world seems skewed towards the visible and glamorous world of advertising, and more specifically the 30 seconder

    The opportunity is to make us realise that there are many powerful weapons in the communication armoury that remain untapped or inadequately used

     

    3. The same few names. All the time.

    The opportunity is to also bring to light the news and views related to the     yet unsung heroes, be they brands, agencies or people, who are blazing new trails, but are still below the radar.

     

    4. India is now being recognised as a strong potential, in the world of brands.  And still, there are miles to go, before we can be acknowledged as an undisputed force to reckon with.

    The opportunity is to bring the best of thinkers and doers from around the world to our doorstep, so that we can speeden up our learning curve.

     

    5. The media always has a pov on our industry.

    The opportunity is to not only have a pov, but to also partner the industry, actively, rather than be a mere bystander and observer.  To become a platform for transformational thinking.

     

    ….As all the loyal visitors of MxM will say, in unison, what is the purpose of my Pointers! MxM not only believes in all the opportunities listed by me, but it has been practising the same for the last 100 issues.

     

    I am a repeat and regular visitor to the site. I know that the site already believes in and practices all the Pointers that I have highlighted, above. I know that the site is addictive. And I join the site’s loyal base of visitors to salute the efforts of team MxM to remain an independent voice of the industry.

     

    The purpose of my piece is not to ‘preach to the converted’ ie. MxM. But to remind them of the path they have chosen. And successfully stuck to, so far. My aim is to remind them of the opportunity. And the need to stay with this path for the many centuries ahead.

     

    So today, let’s celebrate the century gone by, while looking forward to their journey ahead.  For, if you have set off on a path to perfection, the journey never ends. As they say, the match has just begun.

     

    PS: What happened to the brief (100 points)? I have exercised my right as a “client”, to change the brief.

     

    The client (and columnist) is always right! Lol – Ed

    Ajay Kakar is Chief Marketing Officer – Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group