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Category: eNews

  • Reverie Language Technologies’ video campaign appeals for language equality

    Reverie Language Technologies’ video campaign appeals for language equality

    Mumbai: Reverie Language Technologies, a leader in Indian language localisation and user engagement technology solutions, has launched a video campaign to raise awareness about India’s digital language divide.

    Today, enterprises want to engage with the next billion digital citizens, but a majority of the non-English-speaking Indian population may find the internet has little to offer in the languages they speak at home. Reverie is bridging this gap with its state-of-the-art technology, powered by AI and ML, by providing all 22 official Indian languages with a presence on the Internet.

    The video highlights how most of the Indian population is unable to fulfil even their fundamental rights like the right to education and the right against exploitation because the internet is really siloed for them.

    The brand campaign is headlined by a video delineating how demarcated the Indian internet is for Indian language-literate Indians, limiting basic rights for almost 90% of the population.

    The New Education Policy 2020 recognises all Indian languages as ‘Bharat Bhasha’ and acknowledges the role of mother tongues in schools as a cornerstone in enabling access, retention, and preventing dropouts. Reverie Language Technologies aims to facilitate this by ensuring that the content is contextually localised, keeping in mind the aesthetics of Indian languages.

    “The video campaign is our humble effort to bring out that while the growth of the Indian Internet rides on our Indian-language literate digital citizens, the kind of Internet they deserve is a far cry. If we view the larger picture, the citizens are either categorised as browsers or ones that depend on OTP or QR verification, depriving them of the seamless Internet that English-literate citizens experience. Despite the massive strides India has made in the digital world, our natively literate citizens are still struggling to bridge the digital language divide and reap the benefits of the Internet and all it has to offer. Significant changes will not occur if languages on the Internet are not implemented through India-owned standards for our native languages. Through our campaign, we hope to build an equitable Internet for India,” said Reverie Language Technologies co-founder and CTO Vivekananda Pani.

    Amongst the nine pillars the government’s vision of a ‘Digital India’ infrastructurally thrives on are data, devices, and languages. With the advent of smartphones and cheap data plans, the first two have been achieved. However, language equality is the key to digital transformation – it must be accessible without any entry or engagement barriers.

    Imbalances in the information available in different native languages online affect who and what gets represented, and by whom. By partnering with businesses and government organisations, Reverie is filling this void by retaining the essence and nuance of all 22 official Indian languages across industries such as banking, fintech, education, healthcare, and gaming.

  • Jagran New Media’s HerZindagi expands into the Tamil market

    Jagran New Media’s HerZindagi expands into the Tamil market

    Mumbai: Jagran New Media’s lifestyle website HerZindagi.com announced its entry into the Indic language landscape with the launch of its Tamil site, following its success in Hindi and English. HerZindagi.com in Tamil brings to its readers an array of content tailored for women, across the topics of fashion, beauty, shopping, recipes, travel, kitchen hacks, finance, and more. With this launch, Jagran New Media expands its reach to a new section of readers across the globe. It is one of many steps in its incredible growth trajectory and expansion plan to bring the magic of HerZindagi to everyone.

    Jagran New Media CEO Bharat Gupta said, “Indian digital users are growing exponentially, especially from tier two and three cities. It is no surprise that 75 per cent of that growth is coming from Indic language users, compared to a mere three per cent of English language users in India. With a brand like HerZindagi, which has already won the trust of its readers in the Hindi heartland, it is the logical next step for us to take this exciting platform to the readers in the south of India.”

    Associate VP and business head of health & lifestyle verticals Megha Mamgain said, “Our teams are carefully studying the interests of Tamil readers and creating content that captures regional nuances, is relatable, accurate, and adds value to the lives of our readers. We hope to serve this carefully created content to Tamil readers in India and across the world. Using what we’ve learned from the success of HerZindagi.com in Hindi, we hope to put the interests of Tamil women readers front and center.”

    HerZindagi, the company added, has a user base of over 19 million. HerZindagi was launched in 2018 with the aim of creating a platform to serve the interests of women. HerZindagi has consistently served original, credible, and relatable content. In a digital environment where male users and GenZ took precedence, HerZindagi brought the focus to the needs and wants of the mature women of today.

    Strengthened by the trust of its millions of users, HerZindagi is now expanding its reach with this Tamil launch. With this launch, HerZindagi.com is expanding its reach in the South Indian market with the larger intent to launch in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam in the upcoming months.

    With the same commitment to serving original, expert-backed content that is utility-based, HerZindagi Tamil offers to bring value and enrich the lives of its readers. The content has been crafted keeping in mind the interests and sensibilities of the Tamil audience. Along with text articles, the site also offers Google Web Story format, which will allow users to experience the rich media, tappable stories that are created for a mobile first experience.

  • NxtDigital reports revenue of Rs 548.9 crore in H1 FY23

    NxtDigital reports revenue of Rs 548.9 crore in H1 FY23

    Mumbai: Hinduja Group’s NxtDigital has reported consolidated half-yearly financial results for the fiscal ended 30 September 2022.

    In comparison to the previous fiscal’s equivalent half-year revenue of Rs 543.2 crore, revenue of Rs 548.9 crore has been generated.

    Profits before interest, depreciation, and taxes (Ebitda) increased to Rs 109.3 crore from Rs 102.9 crore in the same period of the previous year.

    For the quarter ended 30 September, the company has improved its Ebitda performance to Rs 55.26 crore as against Rs 51.64 crore recorded the previous year and Rs 54.09 crore for the immediately preceding quarter of the current year.

    Due to the company’s continued focus on new growth drivers, all of its media and communications platforms, including its digital television and broadband verticals, experienced stability in the second quarter.

    Last month, it introduced its 100th honourable NXTHUB, giving users seamless access to broadband, digital television, and OTT content.

    Based on a legally binding MoU with Thaicom, one of the top satellite operators in the world, and following extensive and fruitful testing, NxtDigital is soon to introduce broadband-over-satellite services. In addition to public WiFi and drones to improve rural digital solutions and space-based data technologies for agriculture and resource management, this will be the first step of providing satellite AI solutions.

    The organisation has also concentrated on creating digital solutions based on market dynamics throughout this quarter. It will soon introduce ONEDigital, a one-of-a-kind and cutting-edge all-in-one service that provides consumers with access to the internet, digital television, OTT, public and building WIFI, CCTV systems, and voice over IP/intercom. The company has also created the digital content aggregator app NXTPLAY, which is ready for release and offers over 3,00,000 hours of content from top international and regional OTT networks.

    It has started its ambitious project, NXT Sangram, with the goal of training over 10,000 of its last mile owners or franchisees to make the paradigm shift and become digital services partners, capable of meeting all the digital needs of their communities, in line with these initiatives and building out a digital ecosystem on a national scale.

    NxtDigital MD & CEO Vynsley Fernandes said, “We have remained committed this fiscal to developing solutions to drive growth, based on the dynamic environment and changing consumer preferences. Those focused efforts and technological innovations will now take centre stage as we look to shortly roll out our broadband-over-satellite services, our digital content aggregator app NXTPLAY and ONEDigital, an integrated all-in-one solution that defines true digital convergence. Our ecosystem too has been upgraded in line with delivering solutions for digital communities.”

    The draft scheme of arrangement between NxtDigital, Hinduja Global Solutions, and their respective shareholders has been approved, among other things, by the board of directors of the company. Minority shareholders strongly approved the scheme, with 99.99 per cent of them voting in favour of it at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 2 September  to approve the scheme of arrangement between the company and Hinduja Global Solutions. On 13 October, the NCLT will have its last hearing.

    In the second corporate action, the company’s board of directors approved the proposed scheme of arrangement between NxtDigital and Hinduja Leyland Finance (HLFL) and their respective shareholders, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, for the merger of HLFL with the company. The share exchange ratio for the proposed transfer was also approved by the board. The company is working to get all the required legal, regulatory, and other clearances for the deal.

  • In partnership with Ideabrew Studios, Asian Paints brings special podcast ‘Madhur Smriti’

    In partnership with Ideabrew Studios, Asian Paints brings special podcast ‘Madhur Smriti’

    Mumbai: Paint and décor major Asian Paints on Thursday announced its association with Ideabrew Studios to launch ‘Madhur Smriti,’ a podcast series highlighting Durga Puja and commemorating the international recognition bestowed on the festival by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.  

    The series is part of the Sharad Shamman, the festive initiative by Asian Paints where they felicitate the best and most creative pandals across Kolkata. Sharad Shamman has been associated with Kolkata’s Puja festivities since 1985.

    With Madhur Smriti, Asian Paints collects and shares memorable stories and experiences of people surrounding Durga Puja and its festivities. It takes the listener on a journey through time and commemorates the colourful four decades in the history of Kolkata’s Durga Puja.  

    The podcast series of ‘Madhur Smriti’ will be available on Spotify, JioSaavn, Gaana, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music and BingePods.

    Speaking on the launch, Ideabrew Studios co-founder & CBO Agith G Kuruvilla said, “Madhur Smriti literally means Sweet Memories, and this podcast endeavours to take us through a trip down memory lane as we revisit the last 4 decades of the colourful festivities of Kolkata’s Durga Puja. Asian Paints Sharad Shamman is an institution and has contributed immensely in preserving and encouraging this festival, and it’s an honour to celebrate that.”

  • Arnab Goswami duologue with Barun Das: Reveals truth about TV ratings

    Arnab Goswami duologue with Barun Das: Reveals truth about TV ratings

    Mumbai: For the first time since the ED cleared Arnab Goswami and his network of any wrongdoing in the ratings scandal, he speaks candidly about it with Barun Das at news video magazine OTT platform News9 Plus, revealing the plot to frame him.

    In a sensational disclosure, Goswami claimed the entire ratings system was paralysed by the television industry in India to target him. “It was a bitter battle between new entrepreneurship and legacy media.”

    In his statement, he speaks not just about the ratings question but about a whole range of issues facing the Indian news media.

    As Goswami gets into the hot seat of Duologue with Barun Das to answer questions, it is a role reversal – both for Das as well as Goswami.

    TV9 Network managing director & CEO Barun Das has disrupted the news television order in the country. He has now been donning a new role facing the camera in his series Duologue, which featured former UK Prime Minister David Cameron as the last guest.

    Arnab responded to criticism about being pro-establishment in a recent episode of Duologue with Barun Das, citing the “nation wants to know” controversy to his days at NDTV and Times Now, as well as his vision for the Republic.

    Speaking about Goswami’s show, Das said, “I believe leadership is all about disruption. Arnab is phenomenal and makes for an unrivalled case study. You may love him or despise him, but you ignore him at your peril. The best part of having him at Duologue has been his uncanny ability to speak frankly on issues that not only define him but also have a significant bearing on the news media scene in India.”

    After the cameras stopped rolling, Goswami added, “Barun has an easy-going yet razor-sharp conversational style. He got me to open up on subjects I’ve been quiet about, and I’m glad we “duologued” like I haven’t before. I wish his OTT platform and this show all the very best.”

    Talking about the clean chit, Goswami said, “I recorded this Duologue with Barun a few days before the final TRP report came out. He made me speak about our incarceration for the first time since my arrest. People should know the truth about what happened to the Republic, how we fought, and how we have won. Most grateful to Barun for the opportunity.”

    Duologue with Barun Das featuring Arnab will host four episodes: The Disruptors; Friends, foes, and fortitude; Media Inc; and Frankly Speaking, Finally.

    Das’ show is a cerebral conversation with a legend or a legend in the making. As the title suggests, it is a two-way interaction to enable the exchange of ideas in a free-flowing manner. Duologue is not provoked by headline management but to evolve emancipated influencer conversations.

  • Jagran New Media launches Gujaratijagran.com

    Jagran New Media launches Gujaratijagran.com

    Mumbai: Jagran New Media expands its digital footprint in the state of Gujarat with the launch of GujaratiJagran.com. It is said that Gujarati is the most widely spoken regional language, both nationally and internationally. The aim is to bring real-time news and information to the state of Gujarat and to the Gujarati-speaking population. Users will have access to a one-stop destination for national and local news updates, as well as exclusive content covering entertainment, markets, stocks, lifestyle, and astrology, among other things.

    The inauguration ceremony was graced by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Bhai Patel in Ahmedabad. At the launch, Minister of social justice and empowerment Pradip Kumar and minister for labour, skills development and employment Brijesh Merja, to name a few, were present.

    Jagran New Media CEO Bharat Gupta said, “It is vital to recognise the potential of regional languages, as we are proud to have accomplished this feat in the Hindi heartland. Our goal is to provide our users with trusted local, reliable, and factual information that is instantly available online. As a content-first platform, we believe in providing engaging, credible, and factual content, which is the biggest challenge in the online news ecosystem. Languages are an important part of our culture, and as a leading news and publishing platform, we are excited to launch Jagran.com in Gujarati, which will improve and enrich our audience. As we proceed, language expansion will play a vital role in our audience growth strategy and take us closer to our mission of inclusive and progressive India.”

    Speaking on the announcement, Jagran.com editor-in-chief Rajesh Upadhyay said, “We take this opportunity to serve the Gujarati-speaking audience base, nationally and internationally. It will be our goal to showcase the grandeur and the essence of the state through carefully crafted news and informational pieces that are accessible to audiences all over the world. There are many parts of our country where relevant, credible, and trusted knowledge and information are missing owing to a scarcity of language content. Through this platform, we will showcase content which is especially created for Gujarati-speaking readers. With the launch of Gujarati Jagran, we bring to the Gujarati speaking audiences our unique brand of solution journalism, which differentiates Jagran from the crowd.’’

    GujratiJagran.com aims to bring the Jagran Group’s journalism to the readers of Gujarat and spread across the globe. This initiative ensures access to the vast news network of Jagran, factual and investigative reports from Jagran Prime and fact-checked stories from Vishwas News. The website will cover updates from the local and different parts of the country, catering to news, politics, stock market, sports, astrology, lifestyle and health.

  • Nxtdigital board approves proposed merger of Hinduja Leyland Finance

    Nxtdigital board approves proposed merger of Hinduja Leyland Finance

    Mumbai: The board of directors of Nxtdigital approved the proposal for a merger with Hinduja Leyland Finance (HLFL) and their respective shareholders, subject to regulatory approval.

    The proposed scheme for the merger of HLFL will come into effect after the on-going scheme of transfer of the “digital media & communications business undertaking” into Hinduja Global Solutions (HGSL) is completed.

    The board also approved the share exchange ratio for the proposed merger. The ratio was approved based on the comprehensive valuation exercise carried out and recommended by two independent valuers, M/s KPMG Valuation Services and M/s SSPA & Co., Chartered Accountants.

    As per the valuation, HLFL shareholders will get 23 fully paid equity shares of a face value of Rs 10 per share in NDL for every ten fully paid equity shares of a face value of Rs 10 each held by them in HLFL.

    The proposed merger, once completed, will fuel the expansion plans of both companies. The proposed scheme is subject to all shareholder and regulatory approvals and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

  • ManoramaOnline’s campaign celebrates the homecoming of every Malayali’s superhero

    ManoramaOnline’s campaign celebrates the homecoming of every Malayali’s superhero

    Mumbai: Onam celebrates the homecoming of every Malayali’s superhero, the benevolent king Mahabali. When it comes to good times, Malayalis consider the times of the legendary Mahabali to be the gold standard. Malayalis relive those times of prosperity, equality and abundance by celebrating Ona with fervour. It’s the time when family budgets have extra provisions, homes are refreshed and long pending shopping wish lists are fulfilled. Thus, Onam truly is the beginning of the great Indian shopping season.

    The South Swag

    Onam was always the biggest shopping season in Kerala. But this year, the South Indian festival is all set to be one of the biggest shopping seasons in the country as well.

    South as a region was always seen as smaller or less flamboyant, with a far less appetite than north. Bigger cities, big business houses, big celebrations are all usually attributed to North India. But that position is observed to be shifting now. It was the evolution of the startup economy that began this change, with cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram riding the tech wave.

    Now, South India holds lead positions when it comes to new economy parameters like internet penetration, data usage etc. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), Kerala comes a close second in terms of internet density in the country with 87 subscribers per 100 population.

    In recent months this emergence has been amplified by the awakening of another south Indian giant – the movie industry. Back-to-back hits like “Bahubali”, “KGF”, “RRR” and “Vikram” are breaking collection records and are even becoming huge grossers in Hindi speaking states. This emergence of the South is a perfect prelude to the most awaited festival in Kerala, Onam.

    An indicator of this trend could be found in the fact that Kerala’s favourite Malayalam news portal Manoramaonline bagged gold at the WAN IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards for the best news website for the third year in a row. The Onam Campaign from Manoramaonline – ‘Kerala’s Biggest Superstar coming soon’ proudly points out this trend to the fraternity, thereby inviting it to become a part of this big festive season by ensuring that its brand is present on Manoramaonline.

  • Amazon appoints Dipashree Das as head of partner marketing APAC & ANZ at AmazonFuse

    Amazon appoints Dipashree Das as head of partner marketing APAC & ANZ at AmazonFuse

    Mumbai: Amazon has appointed Dipashree Das as head of partner marketing for Asia Pacific and China (APAC) and Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) as part of AmazonFuse. She will be based out of Singapore.

    AmazonFuse is a trademark application for the transmission of entertainment services including audio and video content over internet and mobile networks. Amazon is looking to strike partnerships with mobile operators to grow Prime Video, Prime Music and other media subscription services globally.

    Previously, Das was part of Netflix’s brand and marketing team leading original film launches for the streaming service. She was based in Mumbai and launched Netflix film & shows in India and Southeast Asia (SEA). Das was responsible for launching some of Netflix’ biggest successes in India including “Haseen Dilruba”, “Ludo” and Sacred Games 2.

    With over 18 years of experience, Das has been responsible for launching and architecting brands across India and SEA. Prior to Netflix, she was associated with Singtel. She has had stints at Channel NewsAsia, Oak3 Films, NDTV and Unilever.

  • Ice Media Labs ropes in Taru Dewan as national revenue lead

    Ice Media Labs ropes in Taru Dewan as national revenue lead

    Mumbai: Branded content solutions provider Ice Media Labs and Analytics has roped in Taru Dewan as national revenue lead.

    She will be nurturing the key accounts and simultaneously focus on new business development across markets at Ice Media Lab.

    Dewan has expertise in sales, revenue, managing P&L, strategic thinking and brand management. She was instrumental in the launch of multiple magazines, radio stations and digital wallets in her previous stints.

    She will be based out of Mumbai and reporting to Ice Media Labs & Analytics co-founder and creative partner Debojit Saha.

    “We are very happy to onboard Taru as we celebrate the roll out of our 50th film this year. Taru has a great understanding of the market and content. We have done some amazing fun stuff together in our previous stint and I am certain she will bring in a lot of value with her expertise in ICE Media Lab. Good luck, Taru!,” said Saha.

    “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work… and I am hoping to achieve the same perfection as I become a part of content mavericks- Ice Media Lab. I am really looking forward to working with the team who has done some really exemplary, award winning work with brands like Dabur, ITC, and Lenskart,” said Dewan.

    Dewan has over 15 years of industry experience and is a senior sales professional experience across multiple media verticals – print, radio, digital, in film branded content, and outdoor (in store). Dewan has worked across multiple brands and publishers such as Future Brands, Radio Indigo, Haymarket, HT, Madison Teamwork and others.