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Tag: Sajan Raj Kurup

  • For Ventureland Asia, this comes on the 40% stake in Revenant Esports, the launch of Saintfarm, a organic and sustainable foods player

    Sajan Raj Kurup ventures into publishing. Buys Rolling Stone India franchise-owner MW from Spenta

    By Our Staff

     

    Creative captain-turned-entrepreneur Sajan Raj Kurup and his Mumbai-based venture capital company Ventureland Asia Advisory Services have acquired the controlling stake in MW.com India Pvt Ltd, the publisher of magazines like Rolling Stone India and MW (Man’s World). MW.Com Pvt Ltd (MCPL) was till recently owned Spenta Multimedia Pvt Ltd.

     

    MCPL has published Rolling Stone India since 2008, the Indian edition of Rolling Stone, the world’s leading international music and pop culture title. MW, which is in its 21st year, is a men’s lifestyle magazine. According to a communique, Ventureland Asia plans to “use its strong presence in areas of marketing, brand building, visual communications, and new-age technology to chart an omnichannel digital-oriented growth strategy for Rolling Stone India and MW”.

     

    For Ventureland Asia, this comes on the 40% stake in Revenant Esports, the launch of Saintfarm, a organic and sustainable foods player. The fund has thus far invested in Media, E-commerce, Education, Healthcare, Agri-Tech and Esports – with technology innovations as the common investing theme.

     

    Said Kurup, Creator-Investor and Founder, Ventureland Asia, the investment arm of Creativeland Asia: “I have closely witnessed transformation in media consumption, media buying and media marketing. Rolling Stone India and Man’s World enjoy high levels of credibility and loyalty among its target audience. Piggybacking on that, we will bring in advanced tech interventions, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to better understand the reader and transform the hardcopy publishing to an omnichannel digital-first magazine.”

     

    Added Radhakrishnan Nair, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Rolling Stone India and MW : “Ventureland Asia’s acquisition of MCPL comes amidst the major churning that is happening on the Indian media landscape. Ventureland Asia founder Kurup’s investment expertise in digital technology and marketing acumen will be crucial as Rolling Stone India and MW work towards transforming into platform agnostic magazines, with a strong presence in the digital sphere and print.”

     

    Maneck Davar, Chairman & Publisher, Spenta Multimedia Pvt Ltd, who retains a minority stake in the company said, “MCPL needed a new orientation and direction which was more digital and experiential focused, and Creativeland Asia was a perfect fit. We are sure with the combined experience of the leadership the products will become stronger in their respective spaces.”

     

  • TVC campaign conceptualized by Creativeland Asia

    Saif Ali Khan is face of Godrej Expert Hair Colour

    By Our Staff

     

    Saif Ali Khan has been appointed brand ambassador for Godrej Expert Easy Shampoo Hair Colour. The brand association with Saif Ali Khan will be to drive penetration and awareness of this offering and shampoo hair colour category. Godrej Expert Easy has also unveiled a new TVC campaign featuring Saif conceptualised by Creativeland Asia, to highlight the product features and increase visibility of the category.

     

    Commenting on this announcement, Sunil Kataria CEO – India and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said:  “Godrej Expert Easy shampoo hair colour, is an innovation in the hair colour category. Through this offering, we are giving a solution to consumers who have time paucity and want to colour their instantly. Simplifying the entire process and achieving a new coloured hair look in 5 minutes is what makes Godrej Expert Easy an innovation. Our partnership with Saif Ali Khan will help us amplify awareness of the category as well as our product across urban and rural markets.”

     

    Commenting on the new TVC campaign, Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia, added: “Hair colouring has always been a time-consuming, tedious thing, that one needs to plan for. And grey hair has always come in the way of one’s style, when there’s a last minute plan. With Godrej Expert Easy Shampoo hair colour, hair colouring can be just as impromptu as your plans. The film, starring Saif, brings to life this insight in a light, banter-filled story between siblings.”

     

  • Named Dining Table Creative Services, the marketing, communications and business consultancy will cater to family-owned and small to medium-sized business owners

    Raj Kurup & Prahlad Kakkar launch agency for SMEs and family-owned biz

    By A Correspondent

     

    Creativeland Asia’s Sajan Raj Kurup (Founder and Creative Chairman), and Prahlad Kakkar (Chief Mentor) have launched ‘Dining Table’, India’s first marketing, communications and business consultancy for family-owned and small to medium-sized business owners.

     

    Speaking on the launch, Kurup said: “In my personal experience, I have seen most SMEs and Indian family-owned businesses struggle a lot trying to navigate the creative and media agency models that exist today. Leading to an environment of mistrust, doubt and mismatched expectations. These businesses finally end up roping in trusted individuals to navigate the confusing world of marketing communications and media based more on their comfort rather than their competency. The Dining Table is designed to become perfect balance of competency and comfort for these business owners. The Dining Table will customise and aggregate everything an SME/Family Owned Business needs. The idea is to first create solidarity and trust, where the darndest questions can be asked without the intimidation of a boardroom. Then arrive at tailor-made solutions that the business needs in the most cost-effective manner. This is a place of comfort, a place for friends and family, and a place where crucial decisions are taken. Hence, we have curated a space, wherein there is no need for complex words, egos or formalities. From finding the right agency fit, arriving at right research methodology, restructuring marketing departments, choosing the right business consultants, to a complete design refresh, IP creations, Dining Table will be a business owner’s go-to place to find exactly the right fit or all their marketing, communications and brand transformation needs.”

     

    Added Kakkar: “When Raj discussed the concept with me, I jumped at it and I’m excited to kick start this unit with him. Dining Table Creative Services is a great refreshing concept and exactly what business owners require today. I have been closely involved with SMEs for the last 10 years and I am also the chairman of the SME forum in India Having spent bulk of my time consulting and convincing them on the value of brand creation, I have realised that most of them are very savvy business owners but are uncomfortable about investing in building brands because they think it is going to cost a lot. Dining Table is the just the right place for them to get exposed to more cost-effective ways, discover newer brand building models and meet the experts of their choice and talk business in the language they are most comfortable in. And all this over my greatest passion, food!”

     

     

  • Kurup will drive the growth and diversification plans hands-on

    Rana Barua departs from CLA; Sajan Raj Kurup assumes charge again

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading independent agency Creativeland Asia and Rana Barua have decided to part ways. On Tuesday, the company issued the following official statement post the annual board review: “Following the board review last month, we arrived at a decision to part ways. It was great to have him here and we thank him for the time he has invested at Creativeland. Rana remains a lovely friend and we wish him the best in his future endeavours,” said Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman.

     

    Noted a statement: Kurup will drive the growth and diversification plans hands-on along with CLA’s long-term financial consultant turned full time CFO, Venkat Balasubramanian, Ventureland CEO, Srijib Mallik and a team of business

     

    Commenting on the move, Barua said: “After strong stints in advertising and communications, I have decided to take some time out to pursue newer interests. It’s been a short yet wonderful experience working with the talented and audacious bunch at CLA. I wish Raj and the CLA team the very best for a fabulous future.”

     

     

  • He has already worked as Chief Investment Officer of Ventureland Asia, the group’s venture capital fund

    Creativeland Asia brings on board Venkat Balasubramanian as CFO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Venkat Balasubramanian

    Creativeland Asia Group has brought on board Venkat Balasubramanian as the group’s Chief Financial Officer. Bala has also served as Chief Investment Officer of Ventureland Asia, the group’s venture capital fund.

     

    He has worked in the past with the Smithsonian Institution (US), Agenda 21 (UN), Universal Forum of Cultures (Barcelona), The Earth Centre (UK) and Wieden+Kennedy, as CFO.

     

    On Balasubramanian’s appointment, Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder & Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group, said, “When a prudent investment advisor and a finance expert comes on board, it is early signs of the times to come. Through last two years of his consultancy with Ventureland, I have found in Bala, a great partner who understands the ambition Creativeland has for itself. Now, as a key member of my team, I am certain his finance and legal acumen along with his keen sensitivity for the creative culture and his experience of working across various sectors across the globe will play a significant role in chartering a stronger growth trajectory for Creativeland.”

     

     

  • Conceptualised by Creative Land Asia, the film is an ode to all the mothers

    Godrej highlights what it takes #toraiseachild

    By A Correspondent

     

    Godrej Group released a video on eve of Mother’s Day showing what it takes #toraiseachild. Conceptualised by Creative Land Asia, the film is an ode to all the mothers that don multiple hats throughout their professional and personal life and yet continue to play their role as a mother with such ease.

     

    Commenting on this, Tanya Dubash, Executive Director and Chief Brand officer, Godrej Group says, “At Godrej, we have always been extremely committed to creating an inclusive culture. Ensuring the most progressive and inclusive parental policies has always been a priority for us. This film allows us to celebrate every mother as they not just raise a child but our future.”

     

    Added Sajan Raj Kurup Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia: ““The policies at the Godrej group are both so empowering and supportive for a parent that the film wrote itself effortlessly. As always it is a pleasure to be the creative partners who are tasked with the responsibility to bring it out with an expression that does as much justice.”

     

     

  • The veteran ad film director Prahlad Kakkar will be Creative Mentor for the CLA group

    Prahlad Kakkar joins Creativeland as Creative Mentor

    By A Correspondent

     

    Prahlad Kakkar and Sajan RaJ Kurup

    Creativeland Asia has today brought on board veteran ad film director Prahlad Kakkar as Creative Mentor for the group.

     

    Kakkar’s Prahlad’s mandate includes creating training modules for creative teams across all levels and develop stronger storytelling, scriptwriting and film-making capabilities internally. He will be involved on strategic marketing communications projects as well. Kakkar will also play an active role in the content division Creativeland Pictures, which is gearing up to create more original content for OTT video platforms, after its first docu-series “The Legend of Jagannath” made its debut on Netflix last month.

     

    Said Sajan RaJ Kurup on bringing Kakkar on board: “I haven’t just opened the doors of Creativeland to a 70-year-old iconic person. I have opened my doors to a significant chapter in history of creativity in Indian advertising. Prahlad is an encyclopedia of creative anecdotes and tales of ingenuity. His wealth of experience and his notorious approach to ideas is of great value to Creativeland where we are now straddling between long and short format storytelling. I hope the combination of his white druid-like beard, child-like enthusiasm and taboo-free madness will rub-off in the corridors of Creativeland as a reminder that – age is an illusion, creativity is real.”

     

    Said Kakkar, on joining Creativeland Asia as a mentor: “I’m extremely delighted to work with Raj and his team of young creative mavericks. What sets Creativeland Asia apart is their hunger for taking the path least taken. In a world where the importance of film making and creating original relevant content is taking precedence over traditional methods of ad making, I look at CLA as a breeding ground for great talent to groom and take on the world. I have spent the best part of my life teaching, training and guiding young talent and am looking forward to share my experience in this new innings.”

  • Masala Baby was founded in 2010 by Dipali Patwa, who runs an all-woman team

    Ventureland Asia backed startup, Masala Baby makes India foray

    By A Correspondent

     

    New York-based children’s lifestyle startup brand Masala Baby has announced its foray into the Indian market with a special collection of uniquely designed clothes, which will be available on FirstCry-BabyOye.

     

    On launching Masala Baby in India, founder Dipali Patwa said: “India has been our primary market to source all our products and material, and we’re delighted to now offer our products back to the India market. Our aim is to launch a culturally relevant brand for India that understands the nuances of the Indian marketplace with a western bent on styling and is forward thinking to create models that will allow for deeper engagement of the parent community. We eagerly look forward to collaborate with more artisan communities and provide long-term sustainable employment. This is the DNA of our brand- artisanal, sustainable, socially engaged with a give back component.”

     

    On the India launch, Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder, Ventureland Asia, said: “Masala Baby has done exceptionally well in the US with a coveted clientele including many Hollywood celebrities, in a short span of time.  One of the main reasons Ventureland Asia invested in Masala Baby was not just for their unique aesthetics but also because of their core purpose of working with artisans and using the skills of local craftsmen to create their product line, and giving back to the community. We are proud of the team’s achievements and look forward to a great India launch.”

     

     

  • Directed by Sajiv Kurup, Executive Director, Creativeland Asia Group, The Legend of Jagannath is a documentary which presents a comprehensive story of the famous Ratha Yatra

    Creativeland Pictures debuts its documentary on Netflix

    By A Correspondent [corrected]

     

    The Legend of Jagannath, a documentary produced by Creativeland Pictures, the entertainment division of the Creativeland Asia Group, for National Geographic channel has now released on Netflix.

     

    Directed by Sajiv Kurup, Executive Director, Creativeland Asia Group, The Legend of Jagannath is a documentary which presents a comprehensive story of the famous Ratha Yatra – The Festival of Chariot, associated with Lord Jagannath, which takes place annually in Puri, Odisha. Hosted by actor Rajeev Khandelwal, the documentary takes a behind-the-scenes approach of the holy pilgrimage, which captures the ceremonies, colours and the essence of the festival.

     

    Said Kurup: “We’re extremely happy that The Legend of Jagannath is now available to a wider audience through Netflix. It’s a documentary that captures everything that goes behind creating and being a part of one of the world’s largest religious festivals. We are in the process of capturing and creating more such unique and engaging content such as this.”

     

    Added Sajan RaJ Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group: “Creating high-quality and refreshingly different content has always been in the DNA of Creativeland. I am delighted to see work from Creativeland Pictures debut on Netflix. We are ramping up our creative content production capabilities and are excited at the prospect of creating more such content for a wider audience.”

     

     

  • Creativeland will be responsible for creative communication strategy, planning and execution on six brands of Rupa – Frontline, Euro, Thermocot, Bumchums, Torrido and Jon

    Creativeland Asia to handle Rupa mandate

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rupa has appointed Creativeland Asia as its creative partner. As part of the mandate, Creativeland will be responsible for creative communication strategy, planning and execution on six brands of Rupa – Frontline, Euro, Thermocot, Bumchums, Torrido and Jon.

     

    On appointing Creativeland Asia, Mukesh Agarwal of Rupa & said: “Innovation and excellence is what has helped Rupa become a dominant player in the knitwear segment. We have ambitious growth plans and believe that Creativeland Asia is aligned to our vision of taking the brand to the next level. They demonstrated a clear understanding of our business and the category and have a proven track record of creating remarkable campaigns and out of the box communication for their clients. We look forward to working with them.”

     

    Sajan Raj Kurup

    Commenting on the win, Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group said: “Creativeland welcomes home the brands from Rupa. It is always exciting to work with legacy brands and family owned businesses in India. They are extremely grounded, instinctive and decisive. I look forward to a strong relationship with the House of Rupa and hope to create some magic together.”

     

     

    Rana Barua

    Added Rana Barua, Chief Executive Officer, Creativeland Asia Group: “Rupa is an iconic indigenous brand and we look forward to create some fantastic campaigns together. What is interesting is that we met them with an idea on one of their brands and after listening to our thought process and suggestions, the management was sure that we were capable of handling multiple brands across their portfolio. We are keen to be a part of their growth journey and hope to live up to their expectations.”

     

     

  • Baaash Digital will be responsible for digital creative output

    Ventureland Asia to enhance online marketing strategy for Pizza Hut in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Pizza Hut has brought on board Ventureland Asia to enhance its performance and online marketing strategy in the Indian market. Ventureland Asia will collaborate with Baaash, the digital communication and content division company of the Creativeland Asia Group.

     

    Prashant Gaur

    Commenting on the appointment of Ventureland Asia, Prashant Gaur, Chief Brand Officer, Pizza Hut India said: “We were looking for a partner that could understand our business goals and align the same with our marketing objectives. Going forward we will be keeping a digital-first approach at the centre of our marketing strategy and it was crucial that we find a company that displays the competencies to partner with us. We are excited to have found the right combination of business understanding, digi-tech capabilities, culture and conviction in Ventureland Asia and delighted to appoint them as our performance and digital marketing partner.”

     

    Sajan Raj Kurup

    Added Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder & Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group who set up Ventureland as the investment arm for the group last year: “Ventureland Asia’s Advisory service sits at the cusp of creativity, marketing and business consultancy. Bringing together, diverse skill-sets to create both, brand & financial value to the business of our clients.While marketing consultancy firms today are striving hard to add value by forward integrating to design and creative solution, as seasoned creative solution providers, we have seamlessly reverse integrated the ability to articulate problems and finding innovative business solutions for brands.”

     

    On the recent win, Srijib Mallik, CEO, Ventureland Asia said: “Young India is consuming life in unexpected ways. Our mandate with Pizza Hut is at the cusp of four of these changing consumption vectors because it is food plus lifestyle plus entertainment plus digital. We are excited to partner with this iconic brand and delve into the future of the Indian palate, with customised consumer insights that will end with branding and communication.”

     

     

  • To tap into creative talent of Asia’s largest college cultural festival

    Creativeland Asia partners Mood Indigo

    By A Correspondent

     

    Creativeland Asia has partnered with IIT Bombay’s Mood Indigo as the creative competitions partner. The event is scheduled from December 22 to 25 2017 at the IIT Bombay campus in Mumbai.

     

    The competitions will include 18 categories divided under Design and Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Literary Arts, Travel Blogging, Journalism & Communication. Winners will get a chance to meet with Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder & Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group, and will be eligible for an internship at Creativeland Asia.

     

    Sajan Raj Kurup

    Commenting on the partnership, Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group said: “Creativeland is a creative ecosystem that exists to collaborate and inspire creativity in everyone. We found the right fit in partnering IIT Bombay’s Mood Indigo as it gives us an opportunity to identify and nurture young creative minds. I’m looking forward to the competition and interacting with the participants.”

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Karan Trichal, PR Head, IIT Bombay Mood Indigo said: “Mood Indigo is the largest college cultural festival in Asia and brings with it a lot of excitement and great talent. It is an honour for us to partner with a renowned and credible firm like Creativeland Asia. Their work has inspired us for years and through this association, we hope to imbibe their creativity and culture. It is a fantastic opportunity for all the participants to learn and grow with their guidance.”