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Category: iWorld

  • The Huffington Post Partners with The Times of India Group to Launch “Huffington Post India”

    The Huffington Post Partners with The Times of India Group to Launch “Huffington Post India”

    MUMBAI: The Huffington Post Media Group and The Times of India Group, India’s largest media conglomerate, today announced their partnership to launch an Indian edition of The Huffington Post, a leading global source of breaking news, opinion, entertainment, and community.
     

    The English-language website will combine The Huffington Post’s award-winning news and blogging platform with the local expertise and reach of The Times of India Group. Targeting India’s rapidly expanding Internet user base, which is expected to reach 370 million by 2015, HuffPost India 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.

     

    The announcement was jointly made 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.
     

    “I’m delighted to launch HuffPost India, which will be our 12th edition since we began our international expansion three years ago,” said Huffington. “In addition to being a hub for global news and a country that embodies much of the ancient wisdom the world desperately needs now, India has deep personal significance to me. When I was 17, I studied comparative religion at Visva-Bharati University, outside of Calcutta, and traveled across India, falling in love with the country — a love affair that has continued to this day. So I’m extremely grateful for the chance to bring HuffPost to India to tell the stories that matter most — and just as important, to help people throughout India tell their stories themselves, in words, in pictures and in video.”
     

    “The Huffington Post is the first real digital-first news success story globally, and their impact is seen across the world,” said Gajwani. “They’ve coupled a best-in-class technology platform with a fresh way of approaching the world’s issues today. We’ve demonstrated our ability to meaningfully grow international media brands, such as Business Insider, Gizmodo, and more. We are excited to combine HuffPost’s world-class product with our local reach with consumers and advertisers to tailor-make a great new destination for Indian consumers.”
     

    “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 will establish an editorial team based in New Delhi. The site is slated to launch later this year

  • Ranbir Kapoor now a creative collaborator

    Ranbir Kapoor now a creative collaborator

    MUMBAI: Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor has now joined hands with Saavn (South Asia Audio Video Network), a US-based digital music company as its creative collaborator. The association was announced at the online music streaming press conference, which was attended by India’s top music industry executives and influencers.

    The superstar, as part of the association will work with the Saavn team on consumer marketing ideation and production, business development and content.

    Talking about the partnership Kapoor said, “I’ve been using Saavn for years now, so it’s exciting to be working with the team on a deeper level. I’ll be helping to guide the brand, influence programming, connect with the next generation of music listeners and ultimately help build the best music product in India and potentially the world.”

    “I look forward to being involved in a more business-centric capacity in the near future,” he added.

    The partnership has initially materialised in the form of a new commercial campaign featuring a 30 second television spot. Kapoor provided a significant amount of input on the creative for the campaign. The TV commercial was written by Vasan Bala, who is the screenwriter for Kapoor’s new film, Bombay Velvet, alongside Sneha Mehta and Teddy Stern of Saavn and has been produced by Golden Gaddi Films, the ad production house of Guneet Monga who is the producer of The Lunchbox.

    Saavn released a sneak-peek of its alliance with Kapoor in its “Here’s to the Music” campaign that went live earlier this year.

    Click here to watch the video

    Saavn executive chairman Paramdeep Singh said, “It felt right from the beginning. Our collaboration with Ranbir represents an evolution in the way technology companies and artists work together in India. And that bridge between art and digital is at the very heart of what we want to accomplish at Saavn.”

    The digital music company, which claims a catalog of almost two million tracks from both Indian and US record labels, will be rolling out a suite of new consumer-facing products and partnerships over the next couple of months.

  • Arvind forays into e-commerce with Creyate

    Arvind forays into e-commerce with Creyate

    MUMBAI: Keeping pace with the rising online sector, textile manufacturer Arvind group announced its entry into the e-commerce space with the launch of its online custom clothing brand, Creyate.

     

    Arvind Internet Limited (AIL), a subsidiary of Arvind group will anchor all the company’s e-commerce initiatives. Arvind group executive director Kulin Lalbhai will drive the e-commerce initiative at the company, which will be a major growth driver for Arvind moving forward.

     

    Elaborating AIL’s vision Lalbhai said, “Arvind Internet Ltd will be the vehicle that will enable Arvind’s e-commerce vision. As pioneers in bringing global fashion to India, Arvind now intends to extend innovative and best in class brand experiences to the online world. We are all set to be a leading consumer lifestyle player in the digital space by engaging in several business models that can scale globally.”

     

     “In an attempt to break away from norms, labels and quick-fixes, Creyate strives to bring to you a fashion identity that is uniquely you, created by you. You can create garments on a 3D visualisation engine, which would then be made for you – it’s like having a very own factory at your fingertips. With more than 100,000 unique products to create, this is the next generation of fashion retail,” added Lalbhai.

     

    Arvind has so far invested close to Rs 20 crore into building capacities for Creyate, Lalbhai said, adding that the company would scale up investment going forward. Creyate has plans of launching stores in 15 cities within the next year. It already has stores in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Delhi and offers home visits in major cities.

     

    Creyate intends to offer an alternative to ready-wear as well as traditional custom clothing and targets to be Rs 100 crore plus brand by next year and Rs 1000 crore revenue from e-commerce in three years.

     

     AIL COO Tejinder  Singh said, “Creyate can be experienced in our digitised retail stores or alternatively, one can visit our website (www.creyate.com)  to design garments online and then schedule a home visit by our ‘Style Stewards’. Style Stewards not only take a customer’s measurements, they also give them style advice and complete wardrobe solutions. And once measured, customers can ‘Creyate’ their own garments from anywhere and they will be delivered as per their exact fit at their door step.”

  • TRAI rejects telcos’ proposal to charge popular apps

    TRAI rejects telcos’ proposal to charge popular apps

    MUMBAI: In a victory for the users of WhatsApp, Viber, Skype and other apps, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided against a proposal of carriers to impose extra fees on these popular services.

     

    The cellular service providers placed a proposal last month for these apps to share a part of their revenue with them or the government which allow users to route calls and messages via the internet.

     

    As reported by the Economic Times, TRAI has now rejected the idea and also cancelled plans to hold a consultation on the matter. According to the report, TRAI feels that revenue losses can be offset by growth in the usage of data services and that there is no need to intervene at this time. 

     

    The proposal was given on the basis that the mobile service providers were suffering a loss of revenue due to declining use of cellular voice and SMS services.

     

    With the rise over the-top players (OTTPs), many subscribers use these apps rather than their telecom operator’s normal voice call and SMS services, affecting the carrier’s revenue. Hence telcos, having invested billions of dollars in creating their network, want OTTPs to be regulated so that both parties operate on a level playing field.

     

    Operators want the OTTPs—which use their telecom networks— to pay the same fees that they pay to the government, which if implemented will force the app makers to charge for their services, currently available for free.

     

    The proposal by the telecom companies sparked widespread criticism from the consumers, raising objection to the very idea of imposing fees on specific apps, pointing out that the carriers already charge for internet connectivity.

     

    According to OTT players, seeking payment and the move to regulate them is against the concept of free internet or ‘net neutrality’.

     

    TRAI recently held a seminar titled ‘Regulatory Framework for OTT Services’ bringing several OTT players face-to-face with operators as a precursor to regulating the app space in India. This would have been the first step in a consultation process, which has now reportedly been called off.

  • ErosNow acquires worldwide rights to Zee TV’s content

    ErosNow acquires worldwide rights to Zee TV’s content

    MUMBAI: EroS International Media is riding high on success. Its on-demand entertainment portal ErosNow has acquired the worldwide rights of popular Zee TV shows.

     

    With this development, the content from Zee will be available to members with no extra subscription costs. With a reach of more than 169 countries and access to more than 670 million viewers globally, Zee TV is the largest media franchise serving the South Asian Diaspora.

     

    The partnership will allow ErosNow to showcase Zee’s premier television content ranging from top rated serials and soaps to reality shows. Shows like -Ek Mutti Aasmaan, Pavitra Rishta, Fear Files, Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, Jodha Akbar, Do Bandhe Ek Dori Se, Kumkum Bhagya, Qubool Hai, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya and Armano ki Doli.

     

    ErosNow CEO Rishika Lulla Singh feels that partnering with Zee for compelling content is a natural step to providing the best of Indian entertainment to the consumers worldwide. “We aim to provide a robust customer experience with an extensive content offering. We are thrilled to introduce prime television programming from Zee TV into our content mix. We are very excited to bring these shows to the platform and  are confident this content  will  be enjoyed worldwide  on ErosNow.”

     

    According to Zee MD and CEO Punit Goenka it is a logical extension for the channel to make its programs available on ErosNow. “Zee has always been a leader in the media and entertainment space, having evolved from being a broadcaster to a content creator and aggregator.”

     

    Goenka further adds “Our premium television content is enjoyed by a large global audience across diverse platforms, with a definitive surge in younger viewers who are more accustomed to consuming entertainment via digital platforms. By partnering with ErosNow, we hope to capture viewers from around the world with the best shows from Zee’s library thus living up to our corporate brand philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- The World Is My Family.”

  • Pepperfry.com collaborates with Evok

    Pepperfry.com collaborates with Evok

    MUMBAI: Keeping up with the promise of offering the largest selection of furniture and home products, Pepperfry.com has now announced a tie-up with Hindware Home Retail Private Limited (HHRPL).

     

    Operating under the brand name Evok, HHRPL is a 100 percent subsidiary of HSIL. The collaboration will help Evok leverage Pepperfry’s large online customer base and expand its presence across the country. Evok retails its products through 19 outlets in key cities of India.

     

    Commenting on the association, Evok COO and business head Ajay Seth said, ‘Pepperfry will help us in reaching out to a larger customer base as in the last few years, E-commerce market has evolved in India and due to paucity of time, lot of customers are shopping from comforts of their homes Pepperfry will enable us in connecting with these customers.’

     

    In addition to the existing portfolio of over 11,000 furniture designs, Pepperfry will showcase the entire furniture range from Evok, which has been designed using high-quality materials and finishes to suit every type of style interior style and theme on the website. Through this partnership, it plans to expand its furniture range to offer differentiated furniture designs across the country and strengthen its leadership position.

     

    Talking about their focus on developing a strong merchant base in the online furniture segment, Pepperfry.com COO and founder Ashish Shah said, “Our alliance with Evok, one of the leading brands in the home interiors segment makes perfect sense as the products offered by the brand matches our ethos of providing a large range of high quality modern designs at affordable prices.”

     

    Currently, Pepperfry hosts a range of local and international brands and also offers a wide range of made-to-order solid wood furniture. “We have built a strong foundation in supply chain that has enabled us to distribute large quantities of furniture to hundreds of towns across the country. With this infrastructure we will continue to empanel more and more merchants and brands from across the country to fulfill our value proposition of providing our customers with an extensive choice of furniture designs at the click of a mouse,” he further added.

     

    Pepperfry.com will showcase entire furniture range from Evok including designs for living room, dining room & bedroom. It already offers a large portfolio of around 70+ furniture brands with leading names like Mudra, Nilkamal, Spacewood, @Home, Durian, Furniture Kraft and HomeTown selling on the website.

  • AR Rahman’s gift to his fans on Independence day in collaboration with Qyuki.com

    AR Rahman’s gift to his fans on Independence day in collaboration with Qyuki.com

    MUMBAI: As an Independence Day gift to all his fans, Oscar winning music director A R Rahman has announced the launch of the official AR Rahman app. There are over 24 million AR Rahman fans across Facebook and Twitter who will now be able to follow AR Rahman through one interface. What’s more AR Rahman will be able to engage directly with his fans via the app with exclusive content and merchandise. Fans can either buy or complete challenges in the app to earn points to redeem against content and merchandize.

     

    The “A R Rahman”app has been created in collaboration with Qyuki.com, an online multi-channel network founded by A.R. Rahman, Shekhar Kapur and Samir Bangara. The app is already live on iOS and Android and has received outstanding reviews and ratings on both app stores (iTunes and Google Play) from users across the world with high traction on engagement levels. In the first day alone more than three thousand gigabytes (GB) of content were consumed via the app which was being downloaded at a rate of 300 downloads per second.

    Speaking on the launch of the app., Rahman said“This independence day I wanted to thank my fans for their support by offering them a new and convenient way to stay in touch with me and my music. I am looking forward to a more engaging experience with my friends and well-wishers. Salaams to the motherland!”

    Commenting on the launch Qyuki.com Co-founder & MD, Samir Bangara said “This app is a first in India and goes way beyond just music in terms of fan engagement. It’s an opportunity to know AR Rahman via his music, watch videos, read trivia, and win cool stuff. If you are one of the tens of millions of AR Rahman fans, this will be a hotline into his life”

    Some of the key features of the app include:

    • A consolidated social feed including Twitter and Facebook posts made directly by A R Rahman

    • Direct access to AR Rahman videos  as well as premium videos only available in the app

    • Exclusive Photos  

    • A Gamified experience through Challenges and rewards

    • Ability to buy cool AR Rahman merchandize

  • Twitter invites football fans to follow Premier League teams

    Twitter invites football fans to follow Premier League teams

    MUMBAI: The concluded FIFA World Cup saw 672 million tweets from around the globe being shared. Whilst memories of the World Cup begin to fade, the Premier League springs back into action today as Manchester United host Swansea City in the first match of the 2014-2015 season.

     

    With all 20 Premier League teams on Twitter, following each team will help fans to get closer to the action throughout the upcoming year. For India specific updates, fans can look out for updates from broadcaster Star Sport India’s Twitter handle.

     

    Arsenal is the most followed team in the premier league with 4.24 million followers followed closely by Chelsea football club with 4.18 million followers, Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC with 3 million followers each. The fifth in the list was Manchester City with 1.92 million followers.

     

    More than 60 per cent of premier league players are now on Twitter as well as two managers; Ronald Koeman of Southampton and Gary Monk of Swansea.

     

    Tottenham will begin the new season with 76 per cent of their first-team squad on Twitter – the highest of any Premier League team. However with the transfer window open until 1 September, it remains to be seen whether they will maintain that position into the autumn.

     

    Earlier this year, research from global Web Index highlighted that 57 per cent of Twitter football lovers in India said that football news breaks fastest on Twitter. Throughout the season, many of the best-known voices within the game tweet their observations and opinions, directly engaging with fans in real-time.

  • Now Challenge your friends and Play “Kaun Banega Crorepati” LIVE!

    Now Challenge your friends and Play “Kaun Banega Crorepati” LIVE!

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) Pvt. Ltd. today launched the digital destinations for this season’s KBC – the new look for the KBC website – www.KBCSony.com, the Official KBC App and the KBC Play Along Application. Both, the official App and the Play Along app are available on iTunes (iOS), Android and Windows.

     

     

    The KBC Official App

     

    The KBC Official App has 3 key features – the KBC Official Game, the Globe Quiz and Registrations for Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot (GBJJ).

     

    The KBC Official Game gives users an opportunity to play his favourite game any time, from any location across devices. The easy to navigate user interface is similar to the experience of playing KBC on the ‘Hot Seat’. Users have access to the same lifelines as on TV. Cross-devices common social leaderboard will keep users engaged and keep it competitive. The KBC Official game will also be available on Facebook for users to play.

     

    Users can also win by participating in Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot via the KBC App. Previously, the only way to play was to either send SMS or call in. Now, one can play multiple times via the official App.

     

    To download the app, SMS KBCAPP to 52525, or download the app from the iTunes, Google Play and Windows App Stores.

     

    The ‘KBC Play Along’ mobile application

     

    For the 1st time in India, every single TV viewer can play along with the KBC show on-air during its prime-time telecast. This unique and interactive application allows users to participate either via the App or the via the website, and respond to Mr. Bachchan’s questions on-air. Users can also challenge and compete with their friends on social media.

     

    To download the KBC Play Along app, SMS PLAY to 52525. Or download the app from the iTunes, Google Play and Windows App Stores Speaking on the launch, Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network commented “This year, we have embraced the mobile Internet user and enabled them to participate, engage and be rewarded… users can play-along with the hot-seat participant on-air and be rewarded. We have enabled a true second-screen engagement for the viewer. The idea is to bring the KBC experience up close and personal, across multiple mediums, be it mobile, tablet or online”.

     

    The “Upload Your Family Photograph” feature allows users to become a part of the KBC family. They can upload their family photographs accompanied by a brief anecdote; some of the best photographs and stories will be shared by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan during the show.

  • Vuclip and Rajshri Entertainment join hands to go mobile

    Vuclip and Rajshri Entertainment join hands to go mobile

    MUMBAI: Popular on both big screens and TV sets, India’s leading entertainment company, Rajshri Entertainment will be now be available on mobile phones courtesy its new collaboration with the leading premium mobile video on demand service.

     

    This tie-up will enable Vuclip viewers to enjoy family entertainment, including over 50 of Rajshri’s blockbuster full-length films such as ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Vivah’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ as well as hundreds of classic and popular music videos on their phones.

     

    Vuclip COO Arun Parkash said, “Music and movies are deeply ingrained in the Indian way of life. It’s exciting to be able to bring high-quality blockbusters and classics to today’s youth on the platform that they are most engaged on – mobile. With this partnership, Vuclip adds to its expansive library of premium content, including full length movies, for consumers.”

     

    To view premium content from Rajshri Entertainment, consumers can simply go to m.vuclip.com on any device and on any network or download the Vuclip App on Android or Vuclip App on Java.

     

    Rajshri Entertainment, a part of the 67-year old Rajshri group, produces, aggregates and distributes entertainment content across multiple languages and genres to digitally connected audiences worldwide, making entertainment available anywhere, anytime and on any device.

     

    Rajshri Entertainment’s general manager content alliances Inderpal Singh said, “We are delighted to scale up our partnership with Vuclip and make our full length films available to a global mobile audience on the go. We are seeing increasing consumption of long form content on mobile devices and we are confident that our films will delight and entertain an audience on a 3.5 inch screen, just like they did on a 35mm screen!” 

     

    This strategic partnership brings popular movies from one of the largest entertainment studios to the go-to mobile video destination for today’s generation.