M V Shreyams Kumar, Managing Director, Mathrubhumi Group sailed to victory in the bypoll held for one vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Kerala.
A two-time legislator, Shreyams Kumar won the Rajya Sabha seat held by his late father, MP Veerendra Kumar. The death of the 84-year-old media baron on May 28 had necessitated the bypoll.
Shreyams Kumar also dons the roles of Kerala Regional Committee Chairman of Indian Newspaper Society,Vice President of News Broadcasters Association and Global Vice President of International Advertising Association.
Club FM, the radio division of the Mathrubhumi Group, launched its sixth radio station in Kozhikode. The station will be aired on the frequency 104.8 FM and will offer authentic and edited news and round-the-clock entertainment and music programmes to the Malayalee diaspora.
The launch function was attended by Mathrubhumi officials including Chairman & Managing Director MP Veerendra Kumar, along with Managing Editor P V Chandran, M V Shreyams Kumar, Joint MD, P V Gangadharan (Director), P V Nideesh (Joint Managing Editor), Mayura Shreyams Kumar (Officer–Innovations, Club FM) and other officials.
Speaking on this occasion, Shreyams Kumar said: “We are delighted to launch our sixth new station after Kochi, Trivandrum, Thrissur, Kannur & UAE. Our strategy is to expand in newer markets, and establish our leadership status, aligned as per Club FM’s brand personality of being irreverent, young, cool and trendy. We look forward to delight listeners with innovative content and presenters that will be industry first on radioâ€.
Kerala’s leading media conglomerate Mathrubhumi bagged the Best International Publisher Award at 36th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair. The group became the first Indian media house to win this prestigious title.
The award by received by M V Shreyams Kumar, Joint Managing Director, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co Ltd from Sharjah ruler and supreme council member his Sheikh. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi at the inaugural session of SIBF.
Speaking on the occasion, Shreyams Kumar said, “It’s an honour to receive such a prestigious accolade at this time as mathrubhumi just marked its 94th birthday. It’s a great privilege that we have received the award from the ruler who has high regards and fondness for books. The award is a recipient of efforts and hard work put in by our teamâ€.
Vizeum, the full-service media agency from Dentsu Aegis Network, has bagged the media mandate for Mathrubhumi Group.
As part of the mandate, Vizeum’s scope of work for its latest client will range across TVC, print, radio, OOH, digital and activations amongst others wherein Vizeum will focus on promoting their 18 brands.
Said Shreyams Kumar, Joint Managing Director, Mathrubhumi Group: “Mathrubhumi has been at the forefront of future proofing the brand and has diversified into many new age business areas. We are happy to have Vizeum on board and hope they will effectively communicate our key brand attributes through our media campaigns, taking the brand to the next level.â€
Added Shripad Kulkarni, Managing Director, Vizeum India: “We are extremely happy to have Mathrubhumi Group as part of our client roster. Mathrubhumi is a progressive group that has many new age initiatives. The Group’s aspirations are perfectly in sync with a growing agency network like ours. We shall strive to promote the wide ranging portfolio of leading brands of the Mathrubhumi Group.â€
The India Chapter of International Advertising Association has elected Neeraj Roy, Managing Director and CEO, Hungama Digital Media as its President. Monica Tata, COO – BTVi, was elected as Vice President and Pradeep Dwivedi, former CMO of the Dainik Bhaskar group, is the new Secretary. Jaideep Gandhi, Chairman, Jaya Advertising, has been elected as the Treasurer.
In addition, Ashok Venkatramani, CEO, MCCS India (ABP News), Janak Sarda, Director, Daily Deshdoot, Abhishek Karnani, Director, Indian National Press, Shreyams Kumar, Director, Mathrubhumi and Anand Sankeshwar, Managing Director, VRL Media Ltd have been elected as members of the Managing Committee.
Speaking about the development Neeraj Roy said, “International Advertising Association in India over the past few years has played a key role in bringing the Media, Marketing and Advertising community together and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to serve as President. On behalf of our new team and management committee we would like to thank Srinivasan K Swamy for his stellar leadership over the past few years and we look forward to serving the ever changing needs of the marketing and advertising fraternity as India is at the cusp of a digital transformation that will impact all aspects of life.â€
The first Managing Committee meeting conducted immediately after the AGM, coopted additional members as per IAA Constitution. They were: I Venkat, CEO – Eenadu, Ashish Bhasin, Chairman India & CEO – South East Asia, Director – Posterscope, Aegis Media Group.
In addition, the following senior professionals were invited to be part of the Committee: Srinivasan K Swamy, Immediate Past President, IAA and Chairman RK Swamy BBDO, Kaushik Roy, President – Brand Strategy & Marketing Communication, Reliance Industries Ltd, Pradeep Guha, Managing Director – 9XMedia Pvt Ltd, Sam Balsara, Chairman & Managing Director – Madison Communications Pvt Ltd, Ramesh Narayan, Founder, Canco Advertising Pvt Ltd and Raj Nayak, Chief Executive Officer – Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd. More members are likely to be inducted in a few weeks.
And here’s what some of the officebearers had to say:
Monica Tata: “I am humbled and honoured to have been given this opportunity and I am looking forward to be part of the next phase of IAA under the new leadership.â€
Pradeep Dwivedi:  “There has never been a better time for our industry to evolve and transform itself. I am keenly looking forward to working with industry leaders to sustain the rich legacy of past IAA initiatives and contribute to new ones.â€
Kaushik Roy: “In the last four years under the able leadership of Mr Srinivasan Swamy, IAA India Chapter has witnessed tremendous energy and dynamism. With Mr Neeraj Roy, a luminary in the digital world, as the new President, India is on a good wicket to grow stronger in the coming years. One can also expect great momentum and healthy growth in the advertising industry across the Asia Pacific region. With strengthened senior level representation from India and the Asia Pacific, IAA globally is well poised to support and nurture the interests of the advertising, marketing and media fraternity. I wish the newly elected India Chapter Management Committee a very successful term. It will be my endeavour to forge strong ties in the region and across the world.â€
Club FM, the radio division of the Mathrubhumi Group, launched its sixth radio station in Kozhikode. The station will be aired on the frequency 104.8 FM and will offer authentic and edited news and round-the-clock entertainment and music programmes to the Malayalee diaspora.