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Category: eNews

  • Raghav Bahl launches The Quint

    Raghav Bahl launches The Quint

    MUMBAI: “It’s actually a no brainer. If you have to reinvent, you have to simply start from scratch,” said Raghav Bahl as he introduced the team behind his latest venture- The Quint. 

     

    The man is gearing for his newest venture. After their stint with television, Bahl along with Ritu Kapur has, co founded their digital company called Quintillion Media. The name has been derived from the Quintillion (Kwin-til-yuh-n), which means the numerical one followed by 18 zeroes. 

     

    The company was registered on 23 August, last year, bearing the registration number 270795 with an authorised capital of Rs 130 crore. It invested in a start up called Quintype, based in the San Francisco Bay Area with entrepreneur Amit Rathore as CEO and chief product officer. At Quintype, Bahl is the chief strategist and board member while Kapur is the chief customer looking after the product and also a board member.

     

    In a video released on Facebook, the media mogul is seen introducing Quintillion’s first digital baby, which will be a mobile-first, algorithmic digital hand held news service named www.thequint.com. 

     

    The office is based at Noida’s Film City just a few buildings away from that of Network18.  

     

    Going by Indian tradition, not surprisingly an auspicious ‘pooja’ was performed in November, last year, as the startup is gearing to soar high. The content will be high on visual and imagery and crisper with the text. It will not be limited to news but also cover genres like technology, health among others. The aim of the platform is to ‘be the signal over the noise’. The current logo is that of the alphabet ‘Q’ in white and purple over a canary yellow background. On Facebook, it currently has 579 likes since its launch on 9 January.

     

    Giving his views on social media, Bahl wrote on Facebook, “Social media, especially Google and Facebook, are an independent journalist’s best friends, giving his piece a viral velocity impossible within the linear confines of newspapers and TV”

     

    All in all, it remains to be seen how this reinvention takes form as it gears to take over competitors like Scroll, Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post India.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The Huffington Post and Times of India Launch “HuffPost India”

    The Huffington Post and Times of India Launch “HuffPost India”

    MUMBAI: The Huffington Post Media Group and The Times of India Group, India’s largest media conglomerate, today announce the official launch of an Indian edition of The Huffington Post, a leading global source of breaking news, opinion, entertainment, and community. GroupM, the world’s largest media investment conglomerate also comes on board as a strategic partner for brand synergies and advertising in India for the Huffington Post.

     

    HuffPost India will combine The Huffington Post’s award-winning news and blogging platform with the local expertise and reach of The Times of India Group. The announcement was jointly made today by Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, and Satyan Gajwani, CEO of Times Internet (TIL), the digital arm of The Times of India, with advertising partner CVL Srinivas, CEO, GroupM South Asia.

     

    “I’m delighted to launch HuffPost India, which will be our 13th edition since we began our international expansion three years ago,” said Huffington. “The launch comes at a moment when India is facing huge and unique challenges, but also when India’s spiritual traditions have taken their place at the center of a global conversation about what it means to live a good life. It’s in looking back to these ancient traditions and tools that so much of the wisdom and strength needed to build the future will be found. I’m thrilled that HuffPost India will be there to chronicle this story and – just as important – help Indians tell their stories themselves.”

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gajwani said – “We are very excited to launch Huffington Post India. Huffington Post is the first real digital-first news success story globally, and their impact is seen across the world. They’ve coupled a best-in-class technology platform with a fresh way of approaching the world’s issues today. They have been a pioneer in doing a great mix of contemporary news coverage alongside great lifestyle, health and positive uplifting content. We look forward to bringing HuffPo’s conversational approach to news to a large section of Indian audience.”

     

    Commenting on the partnership with Huffington Post, Mr. CVL Srinivas¸CEO, GroupM South Asia said “GroupM has been at the forefront of driving digital media innovations. Our strategic partnership with Huffington Post in India is another step in that direction. While advertising on digital has been growing at a healthy pace we believe brands are yet to harness the full potential of digital media. With an iconic player like Huffington Post, brands have a great opportunity to connect with their audiences. We will be working together to create these opportunities and are very excited about this partnership.”

     

    “As the world’s largest democracy, and with a middle class of more than 250 million people, India is a critical destination for any global media company,” said Huffington Post Media Group CEO Jimmy Maymann. “And with Indian household consumption predicted to continue to grow nearly 20% per year, this partnership gives us an ideal entry into what is expected to become the world’s fifth-largest consumer market within the next ten years.”

     

    The Huffington Post and The Times of India Group have established an editorial team based in New Delhi. The English-language website will cover everything from politics, media and entertainment to technology, religion and lifestyle, and open up The Huffington Post’s blogging platform to anyone in the country with a story to tell.

  • ‘Half Girlfriend’ is a work of fiction, says Chetan Bhagat

    ‘Half Girlfriend’ is a work of fiction, says Chetan Bhagat

    KOLKATA: Author Chetan Bhagat has described his book ‘Half Girlfriend’ as a work of fiction and has ridiculed allegations that its contents had insulted the former kingdom of Dumraon in Bihar.

     

    “‘Half Girlfriend’ is a work of fiction. It is a mere coincidence that a character Madhav Jha belongs to a royal family,” Bhagat said while addressing a gathering at Infocom 2014 in Kolkata.

     

    The author, who has penned popular books like ‘Five Point Someone’, ‘One Night at the Call Centre’ and ‘The 3 Mistakes of My Life’, said he did not require a controversy to become popular.

     

    “Madhav Jha does not exist. It appears some old kings of Dumraon are alleging I have insulted the kingdom. They wrote to me. I have replied politely. I said they have been instigated by someone. I also told them I have made Dumraon famous,” he signed off.

     

  • Times Internet announces strategic partnership with Electus Digital

    Times Internet announces strategic partnership with Electus Digital

    MUMBAI: Times Internet (TIL), a digital product company and the digital arm of India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times of India Group, has added another partnership to its Times Global Partners (TGP) portfolio by inking a deal with Electus Digital, the digital creative and distribution arm of Electus. The strategic partnership for India includes Electus Digital websites CollegeHumor.com, Dorkly.com and WatchLOUD.com. The alliance was brokered by TGP, who will be responsible for growth and monetization of the three Electus Digital websites sites in India as part of the deal.

     
    “We are pleased to join forces with the immensely creative and high-energy team at Electus Digital,” said Puneet Singhvi, Business Head, Times Global Partners, of the alliance. “CollegeHumor, Dorkly and WatchLOUD are great lifestyle properties and we look forward to building a strong presence for these websites in India and helping advertisers reach out to this young audience through video and display opportunities.”

     
    “The international reach of our digital brands has continued to benefit from our success in the US,” said Shane Rahmani Vice President, Corporate Development of Electus & General Manager of CollegeHumor.com. “Already the number one most-visited comedy network online and the number one most-viewed YouTube comedy channel, we’re thrilled to team up with Times Internet as we elevate our portfolio of brands to new heights in India.”
     

    A business unit of TIL, TGP partners with global digital companies across publishing, product and platform to help them launch and grow in India, APAC & ME. TGP has already rolled out the Indian editions of AskMen, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, TechRadar, Remodelista, ReadWrite, Business Insider & IGN and has tied up recently with Huffington Post and Advertising age for their India edition.

     

  • ESPNcricinfo gets ready for ICC World Cup 2015

    ESPNcricinfo gets ready for ICC World Cup 2015

    MUMBAI: Digital cricket brand ESPNcricinfo has announced that that Ricky Ponting is joining the portal both as a columnist and video commentator. Ponting will offer his insights and comments on the key cricket action of 2015 including the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Ashes.

     

    ESPNcricinfo editor in chief Sambit Bal speaking on the different initiatives  said, “With three marquee events – India vs Australia, the World Cup and Ashes – coming back-to-back over the next 12 months, Ricky Ponting is a massive signing for us. Apart from being a legend of our game, and a World Cup and Ashes hero, he is also a keen and articulate student of the game. His insights and intimate knowledge of the contemporary game will be an invaluable addition to our coverage.”

     

    The signing of Australia’s most successful Test captain and triple ICC Cricket World Cup winner forms part of ESPNcricinfo’s wider ICC Cricket World Cup coverage and content plans. It recently launched its 100 day countdown to the start of the tournament with a completely responsive microsite dedicated to World Cup 2015 which will include an ICC Cricket World Cup trivia section, an editorial and blog features covering the teams, players, and venues alongside video and photographic content along with a comprehensive World Cup travel site highlighting key information for anyone wanting to attend any of the match venues during the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

     

    Ponting commented, “I’m really excited to be joining the team at ESPNcricinfo.  I’ve been an avid consumer of the site for many years and now can’t wait to share my insights as a contributor especially as the next 12 months will have so many highlights and gripping contests.”

     

    ESPNcricinfo will also give global cricket fans the World Cup timeline section which deep dives into each of the previous World Cups, including galleries, quizzes, overview and videos from each of the World Cups. World Cup Vignettes, a new video series, will allow fans to relive 50 landmark moments from the ten previous World Cup tournaments. From exceptional individual performances to the raw emotion of the crowd, each vignette will feature interviews from players, umpires and journalists and be accompanied by a written article.

     

    Additionally, Mark Nicholas will present Men of the Finals, a series analysing the individuals who have produced exceptional performances to help their country win cricket’s most coveted international trophy. Hearing from the players themselves and those who witnessed their exploits first-hand the backstory and performance will be critiqued during each episode of the series. Users in the United States, Canada and the West Indies will be able to watch actual match clips for both World Cup Vignettes and Men of the Finals.

     

  • China blocks website of BBC, New York Times, Bloomberg as tensions grow

    China blocks website of BBC, New York Times, Bloomberg as tensions grow

    NEW DELHI: Chinese censors have blocked the website of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as tensions rise in Hong Kong between pro-democracy protesters and police.
     
    BBC said in a statement that the move seemed to be ‘deliberate censorship’ but did not say what may have prompted the move by Beijing.
     
     “The BBC strongly condemns any attempts to restrict free access to news and information and we are protesting to the Chinese authorities. This appears to be deliberate censorship,” said BBC World Service Group director Peter Horrocks.
     
    China has also blocked the websites of the New York Times, newswire Bloomberg and the BBC’s Chinese-language website.
     

  • Lehren features on the New MSN Experience in India

    Lehren features on the New MSN Experience in India

    MUMBAI: Lehren Networks Private Limited today announced that it will be featured on the new MSN, Microsoft Corp.’s information and entertainment network. Lehren is an industry leading entertainment portal with original content, with over 100,000 videos across live platforms, 1.5+ Billion video views on YouTube & 2000+ Bollywood/Indian regional movie rights. By partnering with the new MSN – comprehensive and broad, bringing content from the most well-respected and influential media sources together in one place – Lehren is thrilled to expand its consumer reach. The new MSN will showcase Lehren’s content in a comprehensive and powerful way across the web and application experience.

     

    Starting today, consumers are invited to try out Lehren’s content on the new MSN at http://www.msn.com

     

    Chairman and Managing Director, Lehren, Mritunjay Pandey says “We are very excited to have our industry leading content featured on the refreshingly new MSN, and in the process take our content to more consumers. We believe that the new MSN will help us in our mission to deliver great value to our users.”

     
    “Built from the ground up, the new MSN combines comprehensive content from the world’s leading media outlets with powerful tools to help you do more,” said Sanjay Trehan, Executive Producer, MSN India. “We’re excited to continue our relationship with Lehren and continue to inspire people to discover new things about themselves and the world around them.”

     

    Lehren’s engagement with Bollywood dates back to 1987, to the pre-satellite era, when it pioneered film-based entertainment shows for India’s then emerging television industry. Lehren’s videos packaged film shoots and happenings, interviews and other magazine content in the kaleidoscopic format typical of Bollywood. This made Lehren a household name in the VHS home video market and the brand-Lehren grew to become the biggest source of film-based content in India and overseas. Its chatty, snippety video magazines became the Template for entertainment shows when India’s television industry was opened up to private producers in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

     

    To this day TV channels & Entertainment shows follow the styles and formats invented by Lehren back then.

     

    Vested with a clear Mandate and Powered by a 28-year legacy in the Bollywood space, LEHREN continues the forward propulsion – matching the momentum of the Media & Entertainment industry.

     

  • Pustaka launches India’s first language eBook portal

    Pustaka launches India’s first language eBook portal

    BENGALURU: Pustaka Digital Media today launches India’s first ebook selling and lending portal in vernacular languages -www.pustaka.co.in. Initially www.pustaka.co.in will have 150 plus titles from the eminent authors of Tamil, Kananda and Telugu languages. The company plans to launch digitization model for all Indian language books by the end of 2020 based on the response from both reader and author community.

     

     

    Book lending library is a gift for book lovers and avid readers. With the new language eBook portal, Pustaka is introducing the traditional book subscription model on eBook platform. www.pustaka.co.in will address the need of the growing e-reader community of India and abroad who wants to read and cherish various literature of their own language. While bridging this gap, this new concept of eBook lending service opens a new stream of revenue for the authors in addition to current conventional revenue model.

     

     

    Commenting on this development, Nivetha, Founder & CEO, Pustaka Digital Media said, “www.pustaka.co.in will provide a whole new experience to the Indian language book readers with rich mobile content. We often complain that the young generation do not read native language books. Unfortunately, most of the native language books are not available as eBooks and they slowly migrate to English. Pustaka’s goal is to bridge this gap by publishing regional language books as eBooks. By the end of 2020, we plan to have few lakhs eBooks from all Indian languages on the platform of Pustaka”.

     

     

    Initially, the readers will be able the access the works of the eminent authors including Indira Soundarrajan, Pattukottai Prabhakar, Yandamoori Veerendranath, Neela Padmanabhan, Devibala, Rajesh Kumar, K.T.Gatti, Balabhadrapatruni Ramani and many more authors. The company is in the process of digitization various works of other prominent authors which will be available in a month’s time.

     

     

    ”Pustaka’s goal is to connect authors and readers of regional language books using technology. The new age readers are techno savvy and reads on the go. This trend has been driving the eBook market. Along with the English language books, Indian readers want to read their native language books of their favourite authors. Our plan is to target the readers of all age groups across India and other parts of world who desires to read their own language books”, said, Padmanaban, Director of Pustaka Digital Media.

     

     

    Few best seller books which will be available for the readers on Pustaka’s platform includes Tulasi, Tulasidala, Pallikonda Puram, Aindhu Vazhi Moondru Vaasal, Khajuraho etc.

     

     

    Delighted by this initiative Mr. Indira Soundarrajan (One of the prominent author in Tamil), said, “Nowadays, the way people read is changed and I feel it is necessary to adapt to that change. I would like to congratulate the team of Pustaka Digital Media for this great initiative. This will be able to bond the new age readers with our rich Indian literature and culture.”.

     

  • Lonely Planet India launches its digital campaign ‘India Unexplored’

    Lonely Planet India launches its digital campaign ‘India Unexplored’

    MUMBAI: Lonely Planet India has launched ‘India Unexplored’, an exciting new digital campaign to find the best hidden spots and experiences throughout the country. Hosted on the Lonely Planet India website (www.lonelyplanet.in) and promoted on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Instagram, ‘India Explored’ will see participants submit their discoveries of lesser known destinations across India. This is a 45 day digital campaign that launches on 4 October 2014 and will be live until 17 November 2014.

     

    This is an application-based campaign hosted on www.lonelyplanet.in. The URL is unexplored.lonelyplanet.in

     

     ‘India Unexplored’ is a pan-India digital campaign by Lonely Planet India where participants can submit their discoveries of lesser known destinations under the following special themes:  

     

     .   SEE: This special theme is all about sharing lesser known and unexplored beaches, hill stations, mountains and interesting places to visit in our country, including natural and man-made attractions.

     

     .   DO: In this special theme, the participants will share their adventure endeavours and experiences such as paragliding, skiing, rafting or trekking etc.

     

     .   EAT: Here participants will share places which are interesting to eat at.

     

     .   SHOP: This special theme is for the participants to share their experiences and memories at shops and markets from offbeat places in India.

                     

    To participate in the ‘India Unexplored’ campaign, one must submit a discovery about a destination in the country. This destination should be listed on Google Maps. Participants can submit details about the place, images and videos about the destination. The entries will then be moderated by Lonely Planet. Each of the entries that are eligible to be published on the website will be allocated points. On the basis of the number of points earned, the 3 mega winners will be decided. There will be a panel of 3 judges including travel experts to select the winners of India Unexplored campaign. The winners will be picked on the basis of ratings given by the judges who will judge the entries basis parameters such as nature and uniqueness of the location of discovery/ entry, quality of content in the description, image aptness and quality, frame and creativity in the image caption and video relevance and quality as well as visual content.

     

    Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site has come on board as the title sponsor for Lonely Planet’s India Unexplored campaign. There are also various prize sponsors including F&D Audio, Joy Resorts and Hotels, Linger Guesthouses, Outdoor Travel Gear, Polaris India, Pugdundee Safaris, Skybags and Wrangler.

     

    There are hosts of prizes to be won, participants can win prizes as per the following:

     

    .  45 early bird prizes for those first set of discoverers submitting approved discoveries. Winners will be announced on 13 October 2014.

     

    .  18 prizes for the  mini contests on Lonely Planet India’s social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

     

    .  Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd winner of each of the special themes ( SEE, DO, EAT and SHOP).

     

    .  Prizes for the best image shared, best video shared and best trekking discovery.

     

    .  Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd all round mega winners. Winners for special themes and  the mega winners will be announced on 1 December 2014

     

  • Yahoo! may lay off staff in Bengaluru to scale-down India operations

    Yahoo! may lay off staff in Bengaluru to scale-down India operations

    NEW DELHI: Yahoo is reducing the size of its operations in Bangalore, including possible layoffs. The operations in Bangalore are the largest engineering facilities of the Internet company outside its California headquarters.

     

    The company said, in a statement, that it was consolidating “certain teams into fewer offices” in Bengaluru but it would continue to have a presence there. It is learnt that the move comes more than a week after activist investor Starboard Value LP publicly pressured Yahoo to cut what it referred to as a “bloated” cost structure.

     

    Yahoo, a one-time Internet pioneer, is trying to revive stagnant revenue growth under the leadership of CEO Marissa Mayer, who took over two years ago. According to the sources, Yahoo had roughly 2000 employees in Bengaluru in March 2013.

     

    One of the sources said that at the time, Mayer was considering the option of bringing certain jobs from India back to Sunnyvale, California, to unite more of Yahoo’s product development at the home base.

     

    “As we ensure that Yahoo is on a path of sustainable growth, we’re looking at ways to achieve greater efficiency, collaboration and innovation across our business,” Yahoo’s statement said.