MxMIndia

Tag: Times of India Group

  • The Times of India group, the official country representative of Cannes Lions in India

    Entries are now open for Young Lions India 2024

    Young Lions, the global platform for young talent to showcase their creativity and prove their mettle, is back. The Times of India group, the official country representative of Cannes Lions in India, has launched this year’s Young Lions India competition in three categories – Print, Media and Marketing. The deadline for entries will be March 8, 2024. Winners stand a chance to win a trip to Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, which is scheduled from June 17 to 21.

    Professionals aged 30 and under (born on or after June 21,, 1993) can submit their entries in either of the three categories on the official website of the competition (www.timesyounglions.com).

    Entries will be judged by industry leaders and the winners from each category will get a chance to showcase their creativity at the global stage at Cannes for the next phase.

  • Partha Sinha, Suresh Narayanan and Suparna Mitra

    Partha Sinha, Suresh Narayanan & Suparna Mitra on Effies Global jury

    By Our Staff

     

    Three industry seniors from India will be part of the Effies Gloabl Grand Jury to determine the winners. Namely: Partha Sinha, President, The Times of India Group, Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & MD, Nestle India and Suparna Mitra, CEO, Watches & Wearables Division, Titan Company Ltd.

     

    Global Grand Judges will review the grand contenders selected to move forward in the competition to determine the Global Grand Effie Winners. The Global Grand Effie winners will then move on to compete for the Iridium Effie, the single most effective marketing effort worldwide. The grand jury will take place in September, 2023 in Singapore.

    Five other industry seniors from India have been selected to be part of the Round One judging Neha Ahuja, Director, Head of Marketing, Spotify India, Mitrajit Bhattacharya, Founder & President, The Horologists, Ruchika Gupta, Marketing Director, Beam Suntory India, Sujit Ganguli, Chief Marketing Officer, ICICI Bank and Neil George, General Manager & Managing Director, Abbott Nutrition India.

     

  • The Advertising Club gears up for 54th edition of ABBYs

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Club revs up to announce the 54th edition of ABBYs, South Asia’s Gold standard, which has been recognizing creative excellence in advertising for over five decades. Held over three days, The ABBY Awards, are scheduled to take place on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of May during Goafest at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa.

     

    The preeminent awards for Creativity, Media, and Communication have once again partnered with The One Show, the award program, to upheave the global standards of judging, jury selection, and transparency to the already revered and celebrated ABBY Awards.

     

    With a promise to bring global recognition to outstanding achievements in creative advertising, the ABBYs make for a highly coveted award property. Undoubtedly, the biggest and the most prestigious ad award show in the country, wins at the ABBYs, over the years, have further gone on to win international recognitions at Cannes and One Show, setting new benchmarks on scale and innovation.

     

    With preparations in full momentum, The Advertising Club also announces the Awards Governing Committee for the 54th edition of ABBYs which includes:

    1. Partha Sinha, President Times of India Group and President of The Advertising Club

    2. Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India & Chairman, The ABBYs Award Governing Council

    3. Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The ABBYs Award Governing Council

    4. Ajay Chandwani, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club

    5. Shashi Sinha, CEO-India, IPG Mediabrands

    6. Malcolm Raphael, Senior Vice-President, The Times of India Group

    7. Prasanth Kumar, CEO, Group M South Asia

    8. Jaideep Gandhi, Founder, Another Idea

    9. Mohit Joshi, Managing Director,  Havas Media

    10. Anupriya Acharya, CEO South Asia, Publicis Groupe

    11. Sam Balsara, Chairman & Managing Director,  Madison Communications

    12. Rohit Ohri, Group Chairman & CEO,  FCB Ulka Advertising

     

    The list of international judges will be announced by The One Show after the process of selection of both Indian and international juries. The Abby Awards will represent the South Asia region that includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and has been doing so since 2004.

     

    Providing in-depth recognition and increasing participation opportunity, the ABBY Awards has witnessed the introduction of new sub-categories in Digital Technology, Mobile, Design, and Audio Technology based on valuable feedback from the creative professionals of the industry in the annual town hall conducted by The Advertising Club.

     

    The Radio category has now evolved into the Audio category with the introduction of Content, the new sub-categories are in Use of Music, Sound Design, Script, Casting, Performance, Audio Technology, Voice Activation, Branded Content, Podcasts, and Content placement.

     

    Speaking on the initiative, Partha Sinha, President Times of India Group and President of The Advertising Club, said: “With ABBYs, we at The Advertising Club, owe it to the industry and colleagues to present an award show that is authentic, transparent, and of global standards. For 54 years, ABBYs have been pivotal in recognizing creativity and innovation in India’s communication industry. To elevate its presence on the global stage, we continue to augment its significance, and therefore associating with ‘The One Show’ once again provides the necessary impetus. We look forward to witnessing a lot of innovative work this year that will go on to live up to the repute of being the most coveted award property in South Asia.”

     

    Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India & Chairman, The ABBYs Award Governing Council, and Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The ABBYs Award Governing Council added: “In addition to being a significant platform for young creative professionals in the industry to exhibit their ground-breaking work accomplished throughout the year, the ABBY Awards have consistently been the most anticipated event at Goafest. We look forward to seeing outstanding creative work being recognized and appreciated at ABBYs this year.”

     

    The Abby Awards will be a part of the Goafest 2023 and will mark the fourteenth Abby Awards at Goafest.

     

  • Mondelez India was the Best Media Client Of The Year

    Wavemaker is Agency #1 at the Emvies

     

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Club hosted the 23rd edition of the Emvies, celebrating high-impact media campaigns on Friday, March 10 in Mumbai. As many as 1469 entries from 26 agencies participated in the competition where 29 Gold and 53 Silver trophies were presented in addition to 55 Bronze winners receiving recognition.

     

    Wavemaker with 630 points was recognised as ‘The Best Media Agency of the Year’ and Mondelez India Foods Pvt Ltd was declared as ‘The Best Media Client of the Year’. Wavemaker bagged the coveted Grand Emview for Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd.’s Cadbury Celebrations’ Not Just a Cadbury Ad – 2.

     

    Mondelez India Foods Pvt Ltd – The Best Media Client Of The Year

     

    It was a GroupM show with the second and third ranks occupied with Mindshare at 340 points and EssenceMediacom at 100 points.

     

    The Diversity Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) award presented by Google was awarded to Kinnect for Bausch & Lomb’s How Bausch + Lomb’s – #LookOfLove advocated for unbiased and unprejudiced love.

     

    Partha Sinha
    Partha Sinha

    Said Partha Sinha, President Times of India group and President of The Advertising Club: “It is great to see this kind of energy at the Emvies. Each entry received was deserving and we encourage our industry folks to keep up this quality, which is par excellence. Many of the entries are of global standards and worthy of international acclaim. Many congratulations to all the winners for creating a mark at the Oscars’ of media awards once again.”

     

    Aditya Swamy

    Added Aditya Swamy, Chairperson of EMVIE’s Committee: “It is very exciting and encouraging to know that each year, the quality of entries received only surpasses the previous editions of the Emvies. Big congratulations to all the winners. We urge them to continue to put their best work forward and keep raising the bar.”

     

    EMVIE 2023 CLIENT OF THE YEAR

    EMVIE 2023 AGENCY OF THE YEAR

    EMVIE 2023 RESULTS

     

     

    Grand EMVIE 2023
  • Sponsors are Google, TV9 Network, MiQ India Commercial and The Times of India

    Emvie Awards lined up for tomorrow (Mar 10)

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Club is getting set for the 2022  edition of the Emvies with over 1469 entries received, which is the highest ever in the history of the event. The Emvies are scheduled to be held in Mumbai on March 10.

     

    Said Partha Sinha, President Times of India group and President of The Advertising Club: “I have always called Emvie ‘the Oscar of media award’ and over the years it has been doing justice to that reputation. The quality of work, the presentations, and the energy around the whole event are improving every year. It is a world-class platform today and is owned equally by the media, marketing, and advertising fraternities. It is a burning example of our overall theme of excellence.”

     

    Added Aditya Swamy, Chairperson, Emvie Committee: “This year we have a record number of entries and that is a reflection of the high quality of work our industry produces and it’s our privilege at the Ad Club to celebrate the best of the best at our favourite awards show – The Emvies.”

     

  • The previous awardees included Sundar Pichai, Arvind Kejriwal etc

    Partha Sinha wins the Distinguished Alumnus Award at IIT Kharagpur

    By Our Staff

     

    Partha Sinha wins the Distinguished Alumnus Award at IIT Kharagpur

    Partha Sinha, President at the Times of India group and President of the Advertising Club has been conferred the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award by IIT Kharagpur. The previous awardees included Sundar Pichai, Arvind Kejriwal etc.

     

    The concluding part of his citation reads: “In recognition of his significant contribution as a brand strategist and exemplary works in media and communication, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has decided to honour him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award on the occasion of the 68th convocation of the institute.”

     

    Reacting to the award, Sinha said: “There’s nothing more gratifying than being recognised by your own alma mater. IIT Kharagpur has shaped me as an individual. I will forever be indebted to my professors and my friends from IIT Kharagpur for their contributions in my life and career.”

     

    Sinha has a B Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.

     

  • Aims to spread the message of living a good life among digital modern consumers

    Times Prime unveils campaign with Mithila Palkar

    By Our Staff

     

    Times Prime, the lifestyle membership programme from The Times of India group, has partnered with actor Mithila Palkar of Little Things and Karwaan fame for its More Every Moment Campaign. The campaign aims to spread the message of living a good life among India’s digital native modern consumers.

     

    Announcing the launch, Harshita Singh, Business Head at Times Prime said: “Times Prime is disrupting the digital subscription market with its innovative offerings. The new campaign created with Wondrlab and Mithila Palkar will resonate with users and connect them with the brand and its promise. Mithila is the perfect fit for Times Prime’s appeal. Our digital native young user base and potential subscribers can relate to her persona and the characters that she has played across web series, mainstream films, and TVCs. This association lends well not just to our brand but also to our More Every Moment campaign.”

     

  • At the Advertising Club EMVIE Awards

    Wavemaker & HUL win big at Emvies 2022

    By Our Staff

     

    Pradeep Guha trophy for Young EMVIE Of The Year
    Pradeep Guha trophy for Young EMVIE Of The Year

    Media agency network Wavemaker pipped sibling Mindshare to be Agency of the Yeat the Emvie Awards held on Friday, March 25. The 22nd edition of the coveted Emvies happened in Mumbai with much fanfare and a full house. Hindustan Unilever was Client of the Year.

     

    The Advertising Club (TAC), this year, received 1054 entries with around 25 agencies participating. There were over 1200 professionals in attendance as 26 Gold and 51 Silver Emvie trophies being presented in addition to 42 Bronze Winners receiving recognition.

     

    Wavemaker Is The Media Agency Of The Year
    Wavemaker Is The Media Agency Of The Year

    Wavemaker with 395 points was ‘Media Agency of the Year’ and it also bagged the coveted the Grand Emvie for Mondelez India for the Cadbury Celebrations – Not Just a Cadbury Ad (Best Response to Covid 19). Mindshare with 375 points stood second and Lodestar with 160 points stood third.

     

    Hindustan Unilever Limited was declared ‘Media Client of the Year’. The Best Implementation Team of the Year award went to Wavemaker for Mondelez India Food Pvt. Ltd for Cadbury Celebrations  – Not Just a Cadbury Ad Google, the Presenting Sponsor, instituted special recognition for work done in the area of Inclusion. The campaign that backed the honour was McDonald’s  – Eatqual – One Bite Closer to Equality by DDB Mudra.   This will be a regular category in the EMVIE entry form from the next year.

     

    Hindustan Unilever Limited Is Best Media Client Of The Year
    Hindustan Unilever Limited Is Best Media Client Of The Year

    The Times of India Group instituted the Pradeep Guha trophy for the category Young Emvie of the Year.  The Pradeep Guha trophy was presented on stage by Partha Sinha, President, actor Dia Mirza, and Papia Guha wife of the Late Pradeep Guha.

     

    Said Aditya Swamy, Chairperson Of Emvie’s Organising Committee: “It is the privilege of the The Ad Club to shine the light on the best work in our industry and it is our endeavour through our award shows to inspire our community to keep raising the bar.”

     

    Added Partha Sinha, President, The Advertising Club: “It’s great to be back on the ground. The energy was infectious and the agency and clients had an excellent time celebrating the spirit of excellence. The winners were not only just best in class in India but they were of global standard. No wonder Emvies is called the Oscar of media awards.” said

     

  • The Mumbai Press Club issued a statement on the announcement by the Times of India group management on the closure of Mumbai Mirror as a daily and the closure of Pune Mirror

    #Mirrored! Review Closure of Mirror, Guarantee Jobs to All Employees

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Mumbai Press Club issued a statement on the announcement by the Times of India group management on the closure of Mumbai Mirror as a daily and the closure of Pune Mirror.

     

    Here is the statement:

    “The Mumbai Press Club, representing over 2,000 journalists of the metropolis, is shocked and dismayed at the closure announcement of the popular city daily ‘Mirror’ by Bennett, Coleman and Co (The Times Group). A statement circulated by the company on Saturday said the ‘Pune Mirror’ will be entirely shut, while the ‘Mumbai Mirror’ will be converted into a ‘weekly’. There is no indication in the statement on the future of the employees, and we fear the closure announcement will adversely affect more than 150 journalist and non-journalist jobs in Mumbai and Pune.

    “‘Mirror’, launched 15 years ago, filled the niche vacated by an earlier Times Group paper ‘Evening News of India’. In a few years it became part of the urban landscape covering Mumbai’s and Pune’s city-centric angst and problems, as well as its celebrities and entertainment hotspots. Mirror’s popularity made it a big brand; and the advertising it brought in proved its worth in terms of the profit it reaped for the company.

    “Among the reasons given for the closure of the newspapers by BCCL is the economic downturn that has come with the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in newsprint prices. The BCCL is the largest and most profitable media house in the country with annual revenues of $1.5 billion, and an average of over 30% returns on investment (ROI) in previous years. All businesses have their ups and downs. If you have made good profits, then there are times when you must ride out the losses too. With the easing of the pandemic, one can see the economy and businesses looking up. For a small saving, it is not correct for the company to sacrifice such a powerful city brand and the jobs of so many employees. We urge BCCL to review its decision of closure and keep a good thing going.

    “The Mumbai Press Club also expresses its deep concern at the violation of the law, and the jobs that are at stake with the closure of these publications. Sections 25(O) and 25(F) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 require prior permission of the government before departments and companies are closed, and employees retrenched. No such permission has been sought or taken. Moreover, ‘Mirror’ is a sister concern of the BCCL, and we demand that all the employees of these publications be accommodated in jobs and positions within the organization on the same terms.”

    “This is not the time to put employees on the street, and the BCCL must show its leadership by doing business with a human face. To reiterate our demands:

    1. Review the decision to shut ‘Mirror’ as a daily newspaper and ensure continuation of the big city brand.

    2. Ensure there is no retrenchment and all jobs of journalists and non-journalists are safeguarded.

    3. In case of any rationalization, employees must be accommodated in similar positions in other departments on the same terms of employment.

     

     

  • Arvind Kumar had been spearheading the operations of The Advertising Club Bangalore since 2007 and was also Group Advisor, Marudam Group of Companies since 13 years

    Arvind Kumar, seasoned mediaperson & Ad Club Blr exec director, passes away

    By A Correspondent

     

    Arvind Kumar
    Arvind Kumar

    Arvind Kumar, seasoned mediaperson and Executive Director, The Advertising Club Bangalore, passed away earlier today (September 25) in Bengaluru reportedly after a massive heart attack.

     

    Arvind Kumar had been spearheading the operations of The Advertising Club Bangalore since 2007 and was also Group Advisor, Marudam Group of Companies since 13 years.

     

    Before that he was Senior Vice President he started as the All-India head of sales and marketing of the channels. He was launched four channels under the Alpha brand for Zee and also headed the Zee – Asianet jv Dakshin Media as its Director and headed and launched Asianet Bharati in Tamil and Asianet Kaveri in Kannada before he started his own enterprise at Barterbiz. Earlier he spent many years with the Times of India group and Eenadu.

     

    Notes a communique from The Advertising Club Bangalore: “He has been the pillar of The Advertising Club Bangalore and part of the Managing Committee since 1985. He has served as the Secretary, Vice President as well as President of the Club for 3 terms. He was currently associated with the The Ad Club Bangalore as its Executive Director overseeing all the activities of the Club, continuously exploring new programs, initiatives and ways in which to create a world class platform. He will be remembered, not only for his great humour and child-like curiosity, serving the advertising community of Bangalore selflessly for decades, but also as a hugely respected and outstanding human being, who everyone loved and is devasted to see leave.”

     

    RIP, Arvind.

     

     

  • So are the achche din back in printland? We speak to the President – Response at Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd and find out

    MxM Live with Partha Sinha. Free, Frank, Freewheeling

     

    So on Saturday, August 15, The Times of India had a blockbuster of an edition across many centres. Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad and perhaps a few others. We thought it was a good time to pitch for an interview with Partha Sinha, President – Response at Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL), better known as The Times of India group.

     

    Sinha had joined BCCL with much fanfare in March this year, just a few days before the Lockdown was effected. We had wanted to interview him on the day we first heard of the news – sometime in late Jan or early Feb, but guess it had to be under wraps. And then the Lockdown happened, and we didn’t think it right to stress him.

     

    When we learnt from his team about the super-thick editions, we thought it would the right time to pitch. They agreed. And so did he.

     

    So without further ado, here’s the interview. Free, frank and freewheeling. The interview talks about the blockbuster edition but delves into his views on the print business. Heck, why are we telling you this. Watch. Enjoy. Like.

     

    (PS: if you’d like to share, here’s a short link: bit.ly/MxMParthaSinha)

     

     

  • The Times of India had bumper issues on Saturday, August 15 with a total of 60 pages in Mumbai, 72 pages in Gurugram, 58 pages in Delhi, 78 pages in Hyderabad, 52 pages in Bengaluru and 46 pages in Chennai

    The Times of India has bumper issues across key markets on I-Day

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Times of India had bumper issues on Saturday, August 15 with a total of 60 pages in Mumbai, 72 pages in Gurugram, 58 pages in Delhi, 78 pages in Hyderabad, 52 pages in Bengaluru and 46 pages in Chennai including supplements, as per a press release. The paper drew advertisers across Retail, Real Estate, Auto, FMCG, Consumer Durables, E-commerce and many more categories inviting consumers with amazing deals and messages, the communique added.

     

    Said Partha P Sinha, President – Response, The Times Group: “We believe these are the initial signs of good things to come. Companies are confident that this festival will see a big resurgence in spending and the economy will get back on its feet. It also establishes print as a credible and dominant medium for reaching out to premium audiences. There’s no better way to make an impact.”

     

    Added the communique: “The Times of India Group publications have recovered almost 90% of circulation in some markets and over 70% in most markets. This is another reason advertisers are coming back to print to re-build their market shares, as the distribution is fast reaching pre-lockdown numbers. Every Saturday for the last 3 weeks has seen The Times of India come out with 50+ pages across their key markets. Today, has been the highest since lockdown. A great way to unlock a new sense of freedom – that of positivity and confidence.”