By A Correspondent
- Sugato Banerji
What’s-on-India, TV Search & EPG (Electronic Program Guide) technology company, has announced the appointment of Sugato Banerji as its Chief Operating Officer. Mr Banerji has called it a day as CMO at Airtel DTH & Media to join Intel-Sequoia-Nexus funded TV start-up What’s-on-India.
At What’s-on-India, Mr Banerji will lead the company’s growth strategy in the TV Search, EPG and Recommendations space and consolidate key partner and client relationships. Under him, What’s-On will also look at expanding into newer International markets just as the company set up, What’s-On-Arabia, in the Middle East in 2012.
Sugato Banerji’s move from a large corporate set-up to the new, racy, disruptive world of start-ups comes in as What’s-On-India rapidly expands into International markets as well as launches new solutions in the Domestic TV sector, in the wake of the ongoing Government efforts to digitize cable.
Atul Phadnis, CEO & founder, What’s-on-India, said, “What’s-On-India is at an exciting crossroads of TV Search and new TV devices in an increasingly digitalizing television sector. Sugato brings in tremendous experience in the TV and Media business that would be extremely valuable as What’s-On-India charts a new, growth and expansion agenda in the coming months.”
“I am excited to join What’s-On-India at the cusp of a transformation of the TV industry into digital. Digital TV would mean more programs, more channels, increase in regional and local content, greater diversity of set-top-boxes, recorder devices, increased viewing of TV on wireless devices, leading to anexplosion in the demand for sophisticated TV Search, Recommendations and Personalization. What’s-On-India with its suite of new products is perfectly poised to ride this digital wave, from both ends- the broadcaster & distributor. I am looking forward to lead the market expansion operations in this direction”, said Mr Banerji.
Recently, What’s-On-India received its first Series B funding round with Intel, Nexus VP and Sequoia Capital in September 2011, followed by the acquisition of TV Street Maps, a TV Channel Distribution Monitoring company, in December 2011.
The company also launched a series of TV Search and Preview apps on Android, iPad, iPhones, Windows Mobile and other platforms. The most recent announcement was that of an expansion in the Middle East via an acquisition in Jordan.
Harper’s Bazaar, the fashion magazine with 29 international editions, has introduced its new brand campaign themed ‘Always in fashion’ in India to complement its international signature ‘Where Fashion Gets Personal’. The magazine has kicked off a new 360-degree brand campaign, which will see lifestyle malls such as Select City Walk in Delhi being branded with Harper’s Bazaar Campaign. ‘Always in Fashion’ – a tri-series outdoor ad campaign with Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Priyanka Chopra will cover print, online, outdoors, events & PR.
Maximus Events, the agency behind the 10km special women’s marathon Pinkathon 2012, has collaborated with two of the most high-profile malls of Mumbai in order to spread awareness about breast cancer – which is the cause that Pinkathon is officially associated with.
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The Kaya chain of skincare clinics has announced the launch of Kaya Skin Bar – a new retail format and 18 new specialized products, marking the brand’s landmark achievement of completing 10 years of skin excellence in the country. Launched in December 2002, Kaya Skin Clinic introduced world of cosmetic dermatology to Indians through world class and customized skin care solutions. The new smaller-format stores, called Kaya Skin Bars, will cost approximately Rs 35-40 lakh to set up per outlet, with the focus on offering more products than services, with the head-count capped at three per outlet as against the approximately eight to ten people that man the regular clinics.
Digital entertainment e-store Hungama.com has announced the launch of its revamped website www.hungama.com. The new website allows users to stream free as well as buy the very best of Indian and international content, including music tracks, music videos and streaming full-length movies.
Aaj Tak, the 12-year-old Hindi news channel from the TV Today Network, has announced its very first edition of Agenda Aaj Tak. Scheduled on December 6 and 7 in New Delhi, Agenda Aaj Tak aims at providing the greatest platform to debate the issues that matter to the nation in its own language – Hindi. It seeks to provide an avenue for leaders from all walks of life to address a large number of critical national issues. The underlying theme of Agenda Aaj Tak ‘India Maange More’ is set to compel the decision makers to ponder over some of the key issues pertaining to our nation and draw a clear road map for emerging India.