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Tag: Sony Pictures

  • It revisits the Indian cricket team’s victorious campaign of the 1985 B&H World Championship of Cricket

    Sony Pictures launches ‘The Blue Revolution’ to celebrate 1985 win

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has announced a 12-part series titled ‘The Blue Revolution’. The series revisits India’s landmark victory in the 1985 B&H World Championship of Cricket which was the first major tournament India won in coloured clothing and established its dominance in cricket across the globe.

     

    The series launches on May 4 and will be aired exclusively on Sony Six and Sony Six HD.

     

    Said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “The Blue Revolution covers one of the most iconic moments in our sporting history and commemorates the era where India established its supremacy in the world of Cricket. At that time our World Cup winning team had seen a dip in form, however, they answered all their critics as champions do – by winning the 1985 B&H World Championship of Cricket. The celebrations that ensued with Ravi Shastri and the team in the car as well as on the ground are iconic visuals of our rich cricketing heritage and we’re bringing back these memorable games for the Indian cricket fan.”

     

    As a part of the build-up to the marquee episodes and matches, SPSN has organised a series of live interactive chat sessions with some of the Indian cricket legends and heroes of the unbeaten class of ’85 – Ravi Shastri, Roger Binny, Madan Lal and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan. The sessions will be hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai and Joy Bhattacharya, and sports enthusiasts can watch them in conversation live at @SonySportsIndia, the official Facebook page of Sony Pictures Sports Network.

     

     

  • Network’s advertising inventory is being utilised for PSAs

    Sony Pictures pledges Rs 10cr to daily wage-earners

    By A Correspondent

     

    In response to the nationwide lockdown, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has decided to contribute a fund of Rs 10 crore to support the daily wage workers in the Media & Entertainment industry.

     

    The network is reaching out to the daily wage-earners identified by their respective trade associations with free coupons which they and their families can exchange for their daily necessities like food and essential items at select retail stores. SPN is also working with its various commissioned production houses to disburse a month’s salary to each daily wage earner.

     

    Said NP Singh, Managing Director and CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN): “In light of the global pandemic, we are witnessing large communities across the world coming together to tide over the crisis. These unprecedented times have had a cascading impact on the media and entertainment industry, which employs a huge number of daily wage workers. As a conscientious conglomerate, it is our responsibility to direct efforts towards ensuring aid reaches our primary beneficiaries who have contributed to the success of the network.  Besides this initiative, we are also providing coupons to the migrant workers from this daily wage workforce, which they can trade off at certain retail outlets for groceries and essential supplies. We will leverage every opportunity to help our country at large to get through trying times like these.”

     

    Additionally, in sync with some other networks, Sony Pictures has made its channel Sony PAL, available free of charge on all DTH and cable networks to its viewers for a period of two months.

     

     

  • The broadcasting fraternity feels that this will provide people who are restricted to their homes, wholesome entertainment

    IBF members to offer four pay channels for free to viewers

    By A Correspondent

     

    Given the impact on advertising revenue for the industry due to the Covid-19 outbreak, IBF sent us a communique saying it stands together to support the government’s effort to help people in these difficult times. Thus, four major broadcasting networks have come forward and decided to waive off all tariffs and charges for four channels for a period of two months.

     

    Added the communique: “The Sony Pictures-run Sony Pal, Star India run Star Utsav, Zee TV operated Zee Anmol and Viacom18’s Colors bouquet channel Colors Rishtey will be available to all viewers across the country for a period of two months free of charge on all DTH and cable networks. The broadcasting fraternity feels that this will provide people who are restricted to their homes, wholesome entertainment and will help provide relief during the period of lockdown.”

     

     

  • The game asks users to double tap on their screens to shoot the zombies with different weapons

    Sony Pictures and Dentsu Webchutney launch an interactive game on YouTube

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Entertainment, in partnership with Dentsu Webchutney, has created a gaming video for YouTube. Inspired from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s latest release, Zombieland: Double Tap, the video features zombies and guns.

     

    Said Shony Panjikaran, Director & Head – Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment India: “Zombieland is one of the few unique films which has a cult following since years. This is despite the fact that the subject and its treatment is a bit niche for the Indian market. We recognized that a huge chunk of the target audiences are gamers. Therefore, to engage them with a thematic game was our unique proposition. After analysing what platforms would be the best to use based on numbers and also creatively befitting, we thought YouTube would be the most ideal platform for this. Also, the YouTube feature of double tap to forward was a perfect tool for us to display the tag line of our film. Hence, the team came up with a game around the feature. It is the first of its kind, simple and ingenious and is particularly apt to market a film such as this to our young TG. We have gamified the experience and have added levels to the ‘double tap’ to shoot and complete the user journey with a CTA to book tickets.”

     

    Added Pravin Sutar, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Webchutney, said, “Social media numbers for YouTube say that it’s one of the most popular platforms and happens to entertain millions of people daily. With so much content being watched without having any interaction from the user’s end was an opportunity waiting for us to be explored. We changed the notion of just watching a video on YouTube by introducing an interactive element to the video wherein one could kill zombies by double tapping the video. Such small gaming hacks on a video platform results in disruption of sorts, which in turn creates a lot of engagement for the user.”

     

     

  • The mantle of SonyLIV will now be shouldered by Danish Khan

    Uday Sodhi quits SonyLIV to pursue entrepreneurial dreams

    By A Correspondent

     

    Uday Sodhi

    Earlier this month, longstanding Sony Pictures biggie Sneha Rajani announced her exit from the entertainment network. Now, Uday Sodhi, Business Head of SonyLIV, has decided to move on and, according to a commuique, will now pursue his entrepreneurial passion in the start-up space. The mantle of SonyLIV will now be shouldered by Danish Khan as the newly appointed business head of SPN’s digital business. This will be in addition to Danish’s responsibilities as Business Head of Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Studio Next.

     

    During his stint, Sodhi was responsible for the introduction of its subscription model, SonyLIV’s relaunch and the international launch of SonyLIV subscriptions, among many others.

     

    Both, Danish and Uday will work on a transition plan over the next month, in consultation and partnership with relevant stakeholders. Sodhi’s last working day at SPN will be November 15, 2019.

     

     

  • The team created a unique experience for the audience

    Sony Pictures, Dentsu Webchutney bring alive Angry Birds’ islands

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Entertainment India has joined hands with Dentsu Webchutney, to turn the virtual islands from the movie ‘Angry Birds 2’ into real ones on Google Maps.

     

    Said Shony Panjikaran, Director & Head of Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment India: “The challenge with Angry Birds 2 was that the game did not have the same recall as when the first instalment of the film had released. We had to find interesting ways of connecting with our target group. And the best way was to reconnect with the original gamers through such unique promotions.”

     

    Added Pravin Sutar, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Webchutney: “In today’s world, we need to find new, different and better ways of engaging the audience with the story to market a movie. The focal point of the movie is Birds and Pigs coming together to fend off attacks from the Eagles who want to take over their island. So, we thought what if we could bring this story alive on digital and create a real experience for our users. After some research we found 3 such identical islands that were unlabeled and we turned them into Angry Birds islands.”

     

     

  • The series will feature an Indian cast

    Locomotiv Digital acquires rights for desi Ray Donovan

    By A Correspondent

     

    Locomotive Global, the content company set up by former Sony Pictures honcho Sunder Aaron and Scott Anderson of Anderson Media, has acquired rights for the drama series Ray Donvan from CBS Studios International. The series will feature an Indian cast.

     

    Said Aaron: “India is one of the biggest entertainment markets in the world. There is a voracious appetite for high-quality drama series throughout the region. We think Ray Donovan, with its complex and gritty storylines and strong anti-hero central character, is in sync with the themes and genres that are resonating with Indian viewers right now. Our adaptation will bring Ray into the Indian milieu with the protagonist now a “fixer” in Bollywood. We look forward to developing this first-rate series for a whole new fanbase.”

     

    Added Roxanne Pompa, Vice President, International Formats for CBS Studios International said: “India has become an increasingly important market for scripted drama and we are seeing more and more high-quality content coming from the region. Locomotive’s idea to adapt the story and iconic central character of Ray Donovan in India market is both exciting and timely and we look forward to seeing how Indian viewers will respond.” Locomotive Digital is reported to be identifying broadcast and digital distribution partners.

     

     

  • The roll out of the new product is being supported with a co-branded TVC

    Center Fruit partners SPN to introduce special Spiderman pack

    By A Correspondent

     

    Perfetti Van Melle India has announced its collaboration with Sony Pictures for its gum brand Center Fruit. In partnership with Sony Pictures, Perfetti Van Melle is all set to delight Marvel fans with a limited edition Center Fruit ‘Spiderman – Far from Home’ pack.  The roll out of the new product is being supported with a co-branded TVC made in collaboration with Sony Pictures.

     

    Speaking on the collaboration, Rohit Kapoor, Director Marketing, Perfetti Van Melle India said: “We at Perfetti Van Melle believe in refreshing consumer interest in our product categories with the introduction of contemporary offerings. Center Fruit’s collaboration with the Spiderman Far from Home movie ensures high visibility amongst fans, while the new flavour adds another appealing dimension to the familiar taste profile of the product. Both Center Fruit and the movie are symbiotic in their appeal as contributors to mood upliftment enhancing the ‘fun’ experience that they promise. We are certain that the new Center Fruit ‘Spiderman – Far from Home’ pack will strike a chord with our consumers across India and increase market resonance for the brand significantly.”

     

    Added Shony Panjikaran, Marketing Head, Sony Pictures Entertainment, India: “Spider-Man is one of the most beloved superheroes in India and over the years the film franchise has grown even more stronger. Spider-Man appeals to people across ages, and since Center Fruit also does the same, it was a perfect association for us. We are thrilled to partner with Perfetti Van Melle India and are sure that our partnership will lead to blockbuster results for both Spider-Man: Far From Home and the special edition Center Fruit pack.”

     

     

  • As a part of this project, SPN reached out to over 180 drought-hit villages across Maharashtra

    Sony Pictures reaches out to parched villages in Maha with potable water

    By A Correspondent

     

    With its CSR theme of ‘Ek India Happywala’, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has reached out to the interiors of drought hit Maharashtra to address the issue of potable water.

     

    As a part of this project, SPN reached out to over 180 drought-hit villages across Maharashtra. Water tankers were sent to the interior regions of Maharashtra to provide access to safe drinking water in over 180 villages and reached out to over 85,000 people. With this initiative, SPN provided each of the drought affected villages with over 12,000 litres of potable water. This project was activated across districts like Latur, Wardha, Amravati, Dhule, Jalna, Beed, Osmanabad and Nanded.

     

    Said Rajkumar Bidawatka, Head – CSR, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN):
    “At Sony Pictures Networks, we are always striving to build a better society through our corporate social responsibility programme. The main goal of this project was to contribute towards building a better life for people by creating access to a basic necessity such as water. This initiative is a step forward in our endeavor to support and help build a sustainable society.”

     

     

  • Wadhwa was associated with Coca-Cola, as the Head of Human Resources – India and South West Asia

    Sony Pictures appoints Manu Wadhwa to head HR

    By A Correspondent

     

    Manu Wadhwa

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has appointed Manu Wadhwa as Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) for the network. In her last assignment, Manu was associated with Coca-Cola, as the Head of Human Resources – India and South West Asia.

     

    Said N P Singh, Managing Director & CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN): “It is our constant endeavour to build SPN as an engaging and empowering workplace. As a member of SPN’s leadership team, Manu will play a vital role in working towards this goal. She will lead the HR function and I am confident that under her leadership, we will continue to build a culture that attracts and retains the best talent.”

     

     

  • BBDO New York isAencyof Year at Montreux Festival Switzerland

    6 Golds for India at Montreux

    By A Correspondent

     

    Indian companies did well to win 6 Golds and 5 Finalist Awards at the Montreux Golden award Festival Switzerland. The 2018 Golden Award of Montreux attracted 3,400 entries from 38 countries.

     

    Indian winners incuded Open Strategy & Design for Crisil Foundation corporate id „ I am progress“ which won Gold in the Design Category while Out of the Box won Gold in Direct Marketing for their Sparsh Calendar “Feed a child for 365 days a year “

     

    Sony Pictures won Gold for Kaun Bang Crorepati-Play along in Digital/Interactive category while Viacom18 Colors won Gold for India Bangaya Manch in the Events category. Jagran Prakashan won Gold with 957 Pages from a Daughter’s Diary in Best Use of Print Media.

     

    To round up the strong Indian performance was a Gold for Miami Ad School India in the Talent Section with Print my Protest in Use of Media.

     

    The agency of the year was BBDO New York with 6 Golds for work done on GE, P&G, Bacardi, Mars and Sandy Hook Promise.Energy BBDO and BETC Paris finished second and third overall among all agencies

     

    The Montreux Golden award Festival awards only Golds and no Silver or Bronze. So a Finalist at Montreux Festival is a very worthy felicitation. There were 5 Finalist Awards given to PHD Media for Ferrero in Radio category, Dainik Bhaskar in the Illustration of Poster category, Mathrubhumi in Corporate Film category, Jagran Prakashan in Use of Print Media category and Viacom18 Colors(in cooperation with Leo Burnett Orchard) in Mixed Media category,

     

    The jury included Davide Boscacci, Publicis Italy, Michael Weinzettl, Lürzer’s Archive, , Bryan Barnes, BBDO New York, Luis Silva Dias FCB International, Olivier Teepe, Cloud factory, The Netherlands, Istvan Bracsok, White Rabbit, Hungary Ajay Chandwani Percept India and Strategic Brand Engagement Consultant, Mark Chalmers,Virtue, Conor Brady Critical Mass, Ludovic Tenart, Havas Paris,, Barbara Aparo, fashion.tv , Paul Collins, Sapient Razorfish + Digitas, Michael Mrakovcic , DNA Counsel, Australia, Frank Bodin, Havas Switzerland,; Adam Kerj McCann Sweden &Nordics.

     

     

  • Distribution key to Star India recovering investments

    So will Star recover the Rs 60.18cr it needs to pay for each India match?

    By A Correspondent

     

    So will Star recover the Rs 60.18cr it needs to pay for each India match? That’s a question that everyone seemed to be asking at the culmination of the e-auction where bidding to own India cricket broadcast rights. Star India logged in the highest bid of Rs 6138 crore for the global consolidated rights package was going ballistic.In the bag for Star are the following:  Global Television Rights plus Rest of the World Digital Rights Package, Indian Subcontinent Digital Rights Package and hence the Global Consolidated Rights Package. This averages out to Rs 60.18 cr per international game.

     

    Earlier, Star India had also secured the broadcast and digital rights for the Vivo Indian Premier League for the next five years. Given this, Star India has a monopoly over all forms of cricket for the next five years.

     

    According to broadcast and media industry folks, while the amount of Rs 60.18 crore appears very high, given the huge interest for the game, Star will hope to recover the monies from not just advertising but from distribution. And while Reliance lost this battle for the direct rights, it will still play a key role in the digital distribution with Jio.

     

    Said Uday Shankar, Chairman, Star India: Having both the IPL and India Domestic and International Rights puts us in a special position. I am confident that Star and BCCI can transform the sporting experience in the country.”

     

    And what about the monies invested. Said Shankar in a statement: “Before the auction began, we had a specific number in mind. The prices reflect the average value of all three formats of the game. I congratulate the BCCI for putting across a scientific and a thoroughly transparent process. You knew the bids at all times, but at no stage did you know the bidder. Having a brutally transparent process is a major factor for their success.”

     

    Said CK Khanna, Acting President of the BCCI: “I congratulate the Star group for securing BCCI’s Domestic and International Rights. The BCCI shares a strong bond with Star and our association will touch new levels in the years to come. The fact that it took three days to decide a winner proves the deep level of interest in Indian cricket.

     

    For Star India it’s a huge win. Echoing this view, Amitabh Choudhary, Acting Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said: “We tried out the E-Auction for the first time and it was a pleasant experience. By securing the BCCI Domestic and International Rights, Star has now completed a hat-trick. I also express my gratitude to Reliance Industries Limited and Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited who completed the E-Auction process and made it a success.”

     

    Added Rahul Johri, CEO, BCCI: “The BCCI had put together a transparent process and I am pleased with the outcome. In the process, we were assisted by Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. The fierce bidding underlines the importance of domestic and international cricket. The supporters of Indian cricket will be treated to some high-quality action not only on the field, but also on television and digital platforms.”

     

    Sony Pictures and Reliance Industries were in the final three shortlisted for the online bidding. According to reports, the Sony bid was of Rs 6118.59 crore, just Rs 19.51 crore short of the Star India bid.