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Category: iWorld

  • Yepme.com launches music video with brand ambassador Farhan Akhtar

    Yepme.com launches music video with brand ambassador Farhan Akhtar

    NEW DELHI: E-commerce has surely taken off well in the country and to woo shoppers, online retailers are finding new ways to reach out to them.

    Yepme.com, an online fashion brand, has launched its very own music video featuring as brand ambassador, the actor and director, Farhan Akhtar. The music video titled ‘Tension Kyun Lete Ho Yaar.’ aims to capture the essence of the lifestyle of Yepme’s target audience – style conscious men and women between the ages of 20 to 29 years.

    Yepme.com CEO Vivek Gaur said, “We are very excited to launch this music video. The video is one of its kinds in terms of use of special effects and transitions – and captures the slice of life of today’s youth in a fun and unusual way. This is a completely fresh approach to build a connect with today’s youth and we are confident that the song and visuals will make way to the heart and minds of everyone – especially since Farhan is an iconic figure amongst Indian youth, and is a class apart from others, being a singer-songwriter, actor, director, a multi-talented artist – he is someone who is liked, respected and also highly relatable for our audience.”

    Gaur added, “The brand’s mission is to democratise fashion in India and ensure that men and women, even in the smallest of cities have access to the latest designs in couture, accessories and footwear, at affordable price points.’’ The company has built its business around the Fast Fashion Model with an inherent advantage of single warehouse servicing and real time analytics developed on its own technology backend.

    The music video has been directed by Sujaat Saudagar and showcases Akhtar going through a regular day, dealing with even difficult moments in a positive and upbeat way. Akhtar wears several Yepme outfits in the course of the video, showcasing the wide range of the brand – the clothes from the video are launched as an exclusive limited-edition Farhan Akhtar range on Yepme.com.

    Akhtar said, ‘It’s a very optimistic song and this is something that ties in with the philosophy of the brand (Yepme) which wants you to feel better about yourself. The online world and access to ordering things online has made things simpler – and there are times you want to just celebrate by buying yourself something, so it ties in well.’’

    The full can be viewed on Yepme’s website, YouTube and with the DTH service providers like Tata Sky, Airtel, Dish TV, etc.  Further, promotional ad campaigns using the video will be created for Yepme’s television and radio reach out.

    Click here to watch the video
  • Jabong WOWs customers, stays ahead of the ‘pack’

    Jabong WOWs customers, stays ahead of the ‘pack’

    MUMBAI: According to the IAMAI, digital commerce grew by 33 per cent to Rs 62, 967 crore last year vis-a-vis Rs 47, 349 crore in 2012. With increasing internet penetration, e-commerce growth is only headed north.

    While it is becoming routine for a growing number of people to shop online, what is the clincher that makes consumers decide in favour of one e-retailer over the other? The answer lies in innovation and re-invention; qualities that Jabong.com claims to specialise in.   

    For starters, marketing, operations and all other critical components of Jabong are well integrated with social media in keeping with the company’s mantra: to create superlative customer experiences every time.

    Significantly, the approach to social media is “to be open-source.” “This affects the way we engage, the tonality and the words we use. Also, it has created a culture of being proactive rather than reactive. We are glad it’s been appreciated by our customers,” says Jabong’s co-founder and MD Praveen Sinha.

    Secondly, the online retailer is high on EQ (emotional quotient). It understands that when a customer buys from Jabong, it’s not just a product that has been ordered but there are emotions attached to the purchase. According to Sinha, this aspect has a deep impact on Jabong’s culture of creating customer WOW.

    Thirdly, all comments, suggestions and complaints are taken very seriously. A case in point is the Jabong design hack which is the result of a seemingly innocuous tweet sent to all major e-commerce companies by a gentleman from Bangalore. Jabong took up the gauntlet and initiated a design hack-a-thon where sundry designers and even orthopaedics sat together and brain-stormed to turn the somewhat bulky courier container used by the e-retailer into a hip, easy-to-carry delivery bag. “The intention was to host some brilliant minds at our headquarters in Gurgaon and come up with interesting solutions to the challenge. The focus was on the solution, which was to make the courier delivery bag easy to carry, efficient, lighter (if possible) and fashionable. Jabong will now work with the winning team to build a prototype,” says Sinha.

    Courier services have had to evolve in the last 2-3 years for serving e-commerce. The fast turn-around-times, different sized packages, time scheduling of deliveries, cash collection on delivery and increasing service expectations at the doorstep are aspects attached to the delivery part, which was not an expectation pre e-commerce. All these are very recent and every delivery company is currently focusing on them and improving.

    The process was completed in four stages. In the first stage, participants tried to better understand the challenge. The second stage had a lot of research going into finding a solution for the human body to carry weight while doing less work. The third stage saw the teams engage in design thinking and lean prototyping to come up with three designs. The last stage was a feasibility check, after which, the most practical solution was presented. A core parameter was to re-design the bag at a price competitive to the existing cost. Indeed, Jabong will work along with the winners to come up with a prototype in three months. Sinha informs that 25 people participated in the activity that was judged by Jabong operations director Pratik Gupta, MIT Media Labs innovator Anirudh Sharma, and GoJavas COO Vijay Ghadge.

    Two teams won with team one comprising a biker (Gourav Gupta), an engine designer (Abhikaran Singh), a food enthusiast (Rakshit Kerni), an artist (Sahil Bindra) and IshanPadgotra from JagritiYatra. Whereas team two was made up by a student (Mohd Salman), a professional from a startup (Sameer Malik) and a user experience designer (Arunesh Moudgil).

    If Jabong can think of improving on something as minor as its courier bag, even if it is in response to a consumer complaint that says a lot about how seriously the brand takes its consumers.

  • FameBox launches American Swan ‘Beauty & the Blogger’

    FameBox launches American Swan ‘Beauty & the Blogger’

    MUMBAI: FameBox, a multi-channel talent platform on digital media, has announced the launch of American Swan ‘Beauty & the Blogger’, a web reality show where glamour meets social media. 

     

    The reality show will feature eight shortlisted fashion models and the country’s top bloggers who join forces for a unique multi round contest. The show will be initiated through a three-day event scheduled from 13 to 15 May 2014 at an exclusive resort. This is followed by a grand finale which will be viewed on the FameBox Fashion channel on YouTube. The winners will be chosen basis the social media buzz and influence they generate.

     

    Beauty & the Blogger comes close on the heels of an extremely innovative and successful concept of ‘FameBox WebChef’, India’s first web reality show, that created a stir among online food enthusiasts. The property has garnered 2 million plus views with 3.5 million watch minutes, 40 k + likes and 5k + shares.

     

    Indian VJ, Actress and Singer Anusha Dandekar, who is part of jury team, said, “As online presence takes over the world, I am really happy to be a part of the first ever web reality show, American Swan Beauty and the Blogger. Not only will it be fun and edgy it will also give an opportunity to push young fashion talent onto bigger runaways and maybe even become blogging beauties!”

     

    Cyrus Sahukar will be hosting the show. He commented, “With a bevy of beauties and the brainiest bloggers, American Swan Beauty & the Blogger has all the makings of a web and social media super hit. I am looking forward to hosting this innovative web reality show and having lots of fun along with the millions of viewers who cannot wait for the action to start!”

     

    Malini Agarwal aka MissMalini will act as a mentor for the contesting bloggers. She says, “When an engaging idea meets an intelligent ambassador, that is what makes waves on social media. American Swan Beauty & the Blogger has both ingredients in abundance. I am really happy to guide some of the country’s smartest bloggers as they showcase their best for this unique web reality show.” 

     

    On the hunt for India’s much admired team for beauty and blogger, FameBox director Dhruvank Vaidya said, “Fashion and beauty has made a major impact on social media so far and needless to say this category is much engaging. With Beauty & the Blogger, we aim to provide a platform to the rising fashion enthusiasts who can experience the power of social media and become Webstars in the domain they follow so closely.” 

     

    The winning fashion model will be the face of American Swan whereas the winning blogger shall be its social media brand ambassador. Additionally, the winning pair will also get the chance to host their own exclusive channel on the FameBox network. Besides this, there will also be a cash prizes and merchandise from American Swan, Lakme and Tresemme.

  • Modi most popular, even as negative sentiments grow

    Modi most popular, even as negative sentiments grow

    MUMBAI: The eighth phase of the elections just ended and with only one last phase left, the 16th Lok Sabha general elections are turning out to be something that India has not seen in a long time.

     

    The media, especially the social media, has become a major part of these elections. Many even claim that the medium along with television has become a talking point amongst many and has been able to influence.

     

    Social media has become such an important part for news channels that they need to use it to know what people have to say about the various issues cropping up this election – be it Narendra Modi’s road show in Varansi or Priyanka Gandhi entering the battlefield to defend her younger brother, Rahul Gandhi.

     

    Various digital agencies have jumped on this golden opportunity and are trying to read and understand the trend as well as what creates Indians to log on to the virtual world and discuss.

     

    To The New, an integrated digital services network, is one such agency that has launched a comparative study of politicians and top political parties of the two weeks (Week 1: 22 to 28 April; Week 2:  29 April to 5 May).

     

    As per the report, as the elections come to its end the negative sentiments is what is gripping people. The report created on the basis of the analysis of digital conversations across various social platforms such as Twitter, blogs, forums and news sites, says that all the parties saw an increase in negative buzz compared to last week.

     

    AAP topped the chart with highest number of negative mentions. The negative mentions doubled wherein in week 1 there were 33575 negative mentions, in week 2 it went as high as 66245. Congress followed it with an increase of almost 10,000 negative mentions (43793 as compared to last week’s 33824).

     

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came in third with 45585 negative mentions as compared to previous week’s 38617. BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s negative sentiment has shot up drastically in week 2. The sentiments grew more than double for Modi with AAP’s Dr Kumar Vishwas coming second.

     

    What is interesting is the fact that on similar notes, the positive sentiments too were the highest for Modi while AAP’s founder Arvind Kejriwal came second. However, the difference between the two was of many yards. Having said that, the positive sentiments saw a minor negative slide.

     

    A lot of buzz was generated around Congress and AAP, whereas BJP witnessed a drop in this regard in week 2. Also, Modi was yardsticks ahead of others when it came to personalities. He, however, did see a decrease in the buzz around him. From 154,386 mentions it fell to 133,460 for Modi.

     

    Meanwhile, Dr Kumar Vishwas and Rahul Gandhi saw an increase in buzz during week 2. But Arvind Kejriwal came in second amongst the top 10 personalities.

     

    With just a week to go, the talks – good, bad or ugly – are only going to intensify as everyone waits with abated breath to see who will sit on the PM’s seat this time around.

     

    Click here for detailed report

  • BE Summits all set to host the 2nd Annual ‘Global High on Cloud Summit’

    BE Summits all set to host the 2nd Annual ‘Global High on Cloud Summit’

    MUMBAI: Cloud computing is one of the biggest buzz in the technology arena. This incisive technology competent to contribute efficient results with a reduced usage of physical resources has lured companies of all scale and sizes to take it into due consideration.

     

    BE Summits proudly brings up the 2nd Edition of their best event in India, the 2nd Annual Global High on Cloud Summit which is scheduled to take place on the 28th and 29th May, 2014 in Mumbai, India.

    “Looking into the demand of next level of computing among the industry peers and the buzz of cloud computing, we were bound to create a platform that promotes cloud technology. Since this technology promises enhanced computing capabilities with minimal resource utilization, industry stewards are readily looking towards implementing cloud as a tool to increase efficiency. We, at BE Summits are working towards creating a platform which is one of a kind and will benefit our partners in having newer ways of adapting new technologies and doing better businesses.” says Abner Oswin Francis, CEO of BE Summits.

     

    The conference is expected to see top-notch officials from across industry domains under one roof. It will cater to the requirements of the attendees with series of presentations and case-studies on cloud computing and its post-implementation phase. This gathering will address the need of cloud computing with the benefits of its application and a good amount of network building among the attendees.

     

    With a lot of solution seekers these days, India is to see a huge demand for cloud technology and its application. Assemblies like these helps in promoting awareness and addressing challenges & concerns pertaining to new technologies. In a time where most of the companies have already implemented cloud technology, concerns like Security, Regulations, and Maintenance still persist and the aim of this platform would be to address these issues majorly.

     

    With this perspective, BE Summits ensures a quality knowledge sharing forum along with an appropriate essence of business opportunities to benefit your organization. With the presence of head officials from technology pioneers the forum is most talked of for 2014 and is not worth giving a miss.

  • Sony LIV gives multiple options to register for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’

    Sony LIV gives multiple options to register for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’

    MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan hosted KaunBanega Crorepati 2014 is back with a bigger and better package on Sony LIV. Multi-Screen Media (MSM)’s premium video-on-demand service, Sony LIV launches an integrated campaign with a focus to create awareness, drive registrations for the show and entice user interactions.

     
    Sony LIV makes the registration process seamlessby incorporating multiple avenues through which one can participate in the show. This season for the first time ever, aspiring contestants can register themselves for the game show via the free to download KBC Official Application or through the www.KBCSony.com website. One can download the KBC Official App and register by sharing the correct answer, their age and gender.
     

    Viewers can also catch up with episodes from earlier seasons of their favourite game show on the www.KBCSony.com website or play the KBC game on the KBC Official App.
     

    Registration is also possible via sending an SMS to 5252525 with the correct answer along with necessary details. Idea users can register themselves simply by sending an SMS from their Idea mobile. Additionally, viewers can also opt for registration through BSNL landline phones or via Idea IVRS code.

     
    Speaking on the campaign, Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network said, “Kaun Banega Crorepati is undoubtedly one of the most loved game show on television today. To make the registration process easier and for reaching out to larger contestants on all digital media, this year we have enabled registration through the KBC Official App and www.KBCSony.com website, along with the regular mobile telephony method.”

     
    The KBC Official App is available in app stores – iTunes, Google Play and Windows.

  • Rajinikanth storms on to twitter

    Rajinikanth storms on to twitter

    MUMBAI:  Be it common man, politicians or actors, everyone is on social media. And after being the butt of jokes for years and more recently on twitter, Rajinikanth has finally made his debut on social networking site – Twitter.

     

    CA Media Digital’s first venture, Fluence, a celebrity digital network, will manage Rajinikanth’s digital interests, to further create and leverage the Thalaivar’s social presence.

     

    A cultural icon, the normally reticent superstar is looking forward to interacting with his fans on the platform. “I have always believed that my career graph is a miracle I owe my fans. I have been contemplating joining the social media platform for a while to connect with them, hear what they have to say and share my thoughts.  Unfortunately I never got around to it until now. By partnering with Fluence I am confident that I have the best team and the best guides who will help me connect with my audience,” said the superstar. “I decided to start with Twitter because I felt that the platform is abuzz with all the news and the trends that happen across the globe and I’m told that this is where all the best Rajini one liners are!” he added.

     

    Fluence VP digital & business head Ashish Joshi said, “We are thrilled to partner with the enigmatic Rajinikanth. The digital landscape is exploding and when you work with Thalaivar the possibilities are endless. Twitter is the first step in building and growing his online presence and getting all the fans out there to directly engage with the phenomenon that is Rajinikanth. We will work closely with him to broaden the horizons of the digital landscape to create interesting and entertaining consumer facing properties that will engage the fans in a way that only Rajini sir can.”

     

    Said Twitter India market director Rishi Jaitly, “Twitter is the world’s leading real-time information network where users discover and converse with the people, organizations and media that interest them. This is truly an “only-on-Twitter” moment as Superstar Rajinikanth’s debut on Twitter also marks his debut in the digital space more generally. We welcome Rajinikanth to Twitter, are happy to support his launch on the platform and look forward to watching him use our mobile service to engage in live, public conversations with fans and other icons around the world.”

     

    This marks the superstar’s debut in the digital space.

     

    To make Superstar Rajinikanth’s debut on Twitter more exciting; fans from all over the world, who follow him on twitter @SuperStarRajini in the first week, will receive a ‘WelcomeGraph’, a personalized welcome picture from the icon.

  • Indian copyright law is one of the strongest in the world: USTR report

    Indian copyright law is one of the strongest in the world: USTR report

    NEW DELHI: Despite vehement and exhaustive submissions arraying the strength of the Indian IP regime, India continues to be on the watch list in the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 2014 Special 301 Report.

     

    Others in the list are China, Russia, Algeria, Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and Venezuela.

     

    The report, however, commends India for its achievements like digitisation and upgradation of IP offices and active copyright enforcement by the Delhi High Court through injunctive relief, to name a few. In the report, the US has also recognised the role of bilateral engagements between US and India to resolve concerns relating to Intellectual Property.

     

    “FICCI in its response to Hearing Testimony of India before USTR had strongly asserted that India has a well-established legislative, administrative and judicial framework to safeguard IPRs which meets its obligations under TRIPS, and has withheld the test of severe international scrutiny. We are glad to note that India has not been given the Priority Country status as this could have had serious ramification on economic, political and trade sanctions”, according to FICCI secretary general Dr A Didar Singh.

     

    “Indian IP law is TRIPS Compliant and more. Indian copyright law is one of the strongest and best in the world. India protected computer programmes by copyright much earlier than the US. The Indian Copyright Act 2012 law is in full conformity with international treaties of WIPO. The legislative and statutory measures are supplemented by appropriate administrative measures by the Governments both at the Centre and in the States for enforcement of IPRs; this includes Inter-Ministerial Committee on Enforcement of IPR laws, Copyright Enforcement Advisory Council (CEAC), Enforcement Cells, Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) and Automated Recording and Targeting System (ARTS) portal of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).”

     

     The national IP strategy gives utmost importance to IPR Portfolios. Recent upgradation of the Intellectual Property Offices in accordance with the international standards has been one of the significant steps taken by the Indian government to make it more service oriented and user friendly.

     

    With effect from 15 October 2013, Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has also started functioning as International Search Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority under PCT.

  • Vdopia announces three senior-level appointments

    Vdopia announces three senior-level appointments

    MUMBAI:  Vdopia has announced the appointment of several top talents to further strengthen its leadership ranks: Jason Shulman, Farzad Jamal and Narayanan Iyer.

     

    Farzad Jamal has come on-board as vice president, Europe. Jamal will be based in the company’s London office and will be responsible for expanding Vdopia’s business across Europe. Previously, he was at the OpenX (London) where he has been commercial director of EMEA for the past two years.

     

    Jason Shulman has joined as senior vice president, sales at the company’s San Francisco office. Shulman will be responsible for growing North America media and programmatic revenue for the company. “There are very few companies with global scale in the mobile video advertising space and Vdopia is on that short list. There was no saying ‘no’ to such an opportunity, especially when Vdopia is rolling out programmatic offering,” said Shulman.

     

    Senior director of finance, a newly created position, will be occupied by Narayanan Iyer.  He will be based in Fremont and is responsible for company’s finances. A veteran with 20 years of experience, he’s worked with Rocket Fuel, Mint and Intuit. Prior to Vdopia, he was working with Quri (San Francisco), a retail intelligence company.

     

     “Vdopia is moving ahead at a great pace and building a world-class team, which has expanded dramatically over the last year to match pace with our growth.” said Vdopia APAC VP Preetesh Chouhan.

     

    “Jason is an amazing strategist of the digital century—helping brands take best advantage of the growing programmatic landscape.  Farzad is a creatively driven revenue executive and been able to produce big digital ideas in Europe. And Narayanan is hardcore numbers guru,” added Vdopia co-founder & chief business officer Saurabh Bhatia. “Together they will help Vdopia build on the momentum we’ve been gaining. We are thrilled to welcome them to the team.”

  • More youth ‘cutting the cord’ in US, says new study

    More youth ‘cutting the cord’ in US, says new study

    NEW DELHI: Young viewers in the United States are streaming more and say they are less loyal to their pay TV service, according to a new survey conducted for new TV network Pivot.

     

    The 2014 survey found that young – 18 to 34 years old – viewers with pay TV service are spending as much time watching traditional TV – 39 per cent of their viewing – as they did in 2013. But the amount of time spent streaming is up to 43 per cent of their time from 37 per cent last year.

     

    More of those 18 to 34 years age group who subscribe to pay TV and stream video – 35 per cent – say they are looking to leave pay TV for a broadband-only lifestyle, up from 27 per cent last year.

     

    The actual number of young viewers who have cut the cord and use broadband only to access video was flat at 13 per cent. But the number of these “independent broadbanders” who say they are happy streaming and do not plan to return to pay TV increased to 9 per cent from 8 per cent last year.

     

    The survey was conducted for Pivot by research company MarketCast which surveyed 2,515 adults in the 18 to 49 years bracket, in April.