Category: Brands

Eros Now and Micromax form strategic partnership

MUMBAI: Eros International has announced a strategic partnership between its cutting edge OTT digital platform, Eros Now and Micromax Informatics Limited to bring endless entertainment to Micromax consumers.

The growth of fast and reliable internet, and access to affordable big screen smartphones and handheld devices, has led India to the cusp of a digital revolution.

Micromax says that it has been working towards building its services portfolio to offer convenience and exceptional digital experience to its consumers. With this partnership, the Eros Now app will be preinstalled into Micromax’s latest smartphones showcasing Eros Now’s extensive repository of Bollywood films, music, originals and regional content. Eros Now will leverage Micromax’s presence of over 150,000 retail outlets to distribute its content. For millions of Micromax users who look for great Bollywood and regional language content, this partnership simplifies the task of discovering great content anytime, anyplace, on a device of their choice.

Commenting on the association, Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh said, “We are extremely pleased to partner with Micromax to offer our collection of movies, music and more. With this partnership we will be expanding our ability to provide entertainment on-the-go, anywhere and anytime to Micromax’s new acquisition of 3.5 million users every month and also their existing base of more than 30 million connected users. Joining forces with one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers provide us with another opportunity for exponential growth and customer reach.”

Micromax Informatics Limited co-founder Vikas Jain said, “We are extremely excited about this partnership, as it promises to make the digital content from cinema, movies and videos available to our urban and rural customers. Beyond urban cities in India, Micromax has found mobile internet to be one of the most favored connectivity options in rural cities. This tie up helps us to enhance the experience for our customers beyond hardware specifications. The rich content library of Eros Now promises to become a part of the daily digital consumption of our customers.”

Micromax smartphone users can choose their subscription package for a duration of their choice ranging from one month to a year. Users will have access to unique content on Eros Now, with subscriptions offering a range of exciting features, such as viewing content offline, full-length movies, thematic curated playlists, watch-lists, regional language filters, video progression and subtitles to offer the best video viewing experience to users. Music-lovers can also enjoy individual music tracks and music video playlists using the app.

June 27, 2016
Eros Now and Micromax form strategic partnership

MUMBAI: Eros International has announced a strategic partnership between its cutting edge OTT digital platform, Eros Now and Micromax Informatics Limited to bring endless entertainment to Micromax consumers.

The growth of fast and reliable internet, and access to affordable big screen smartphones and handheld devices, has led India to the cusp of a digital revolution.

Micromax says that it has been working towards building its services portfolio to offer convenience and exceptional digital experience to its consumers. With this partnership, the Eros Now app will be preinstalled into Micromax’s latest smartphones showcasing Eros Now’s extensive repository of Bollywood films, music, originals and regional content. Eros Now will leverage Micromax’s presence of over 150,000 retail outlets to distribute its content. For millions of Micromax users who look for great Bollywood and regional language content, this partnership simplifies the task of discovering great content anytime, anyplace, on a device of their choice.

Commenting on the association, Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh said, “We are extremely pleased to partner with Micromax to offer our collection of movies, music and more. With this partnership we will be expanding our ability to provide entertainment on-the-go, anywhere and anytime to Micromax’s new acquisition of 3.5 million users every month and also their existing base of more than 30 million connected users. Joining forces with one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers provide us with another opportunity for exponential growth and customer reach.”

Micromax Informatics Limited co-founder Vikas Jain said, “We are extremely excited about this partnership, as it promises to make the digital content from cinema, movies and videos available to our urban and rural customers. Beyond urban cities in India, Micromax has found mobile internet to be one of the most favored connectivity options in rural cities. This tie up helps us to enhance the experience for our customers beyond hardware specifications. The rich content library of Eros Now promises to become a part of the daily digital consumption of our customers.”

Micromax smartphone users can choose their subscription package for a duration of their choice ranging from one month to a year. Users will have access to unique content on Eros Now, with subscriptions offering a range of exciting features, such as viewing content offline, full-length movies, thematic curated playlists, watch-lists, regional language filters, video progression and subtitles to offer the best video viewing experience to users. Music-lovers can also enjoy individual music tracks and music video playlists using the app.

June 27, 2016
The Tata group and Starbucks Coffee Company strengthen partnership

MUMBAI: In a meeting at Starbucks Reserve® Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle, Washington, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, Howard Schultz, and chairman, Tata Sons Limited, Cyrus Mistry, announced multiple new joint initiatives , which expand the existing Tata and Starbucks relationship and strengthen the companies’ commitment to developing the Tata-Starbucks brand and building a different kind of company in India.

For the first time, Starbucks will offer a single-origin coffee from India in the U.S., giving customers from outside the country a unique opportunity to experience a rare, small-lot coffee from the Tata Nullore Estates located in the beautiful Coorg coffee growing area of India. Starbucks Reserve® Tata Nullore Estates will be the first coffee from India to be roasted at the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery and Tasting Room and will only be available at this Seattle location later this year.

“These announcements build upon the incredible success and shared values between Starbucks and Tata in our partnership in India,” said Schultz. “We are humbled by the way in which customers in India have embraced Starbucks elevated coffeehouse experience, which now spans to more than 80 stores across six cities. As we continue on our journey with Tata, we are delighted to introduce the finest coffee from India to a new audience. Starbucks Reserve® Tata Nullore Estates, the first ever Starbucks Reserve® coffee sourced exclusively from India, highlights the deep coffee heritage and expertise of both companies to source, roast and distribute the finest-quality arabica coffees and elevates the story of India coffee for our customers.”

Starbucks also announced plans to increase its coffee roasting capacity for supplying its stores in India and, over time, select markets around the globe. Since Tata Coffee Limited opened its doors to a roasting and packaging plant in Kushalnagar in Coorg, Karnataka, in 2013, this facility has steadily increased its roasting capabilities. Today, it roasts Starbucks® India Estates Blend and Espresso Roast coffees and will soon expand to include both Kenyan and Sumatran coffees for Starbucks stores throughout India. This builds upon Tata and Starbucks commitment to cultivate a future supply of high-quality, sustainable green coffee from existing and potential sources in India through world-class agronomy practices.

“We are proud to work with Starbucks, a company which shares our commitment to both the coffee growing regions and the coffee farmers to ensure we meet the global demand for high-quality coffee over the long-term,” said Mistry. “Our journey with Starbucks since 2012 has been gratifying and we are pleased to build on the strong relationship between Starbucks and the Tata group as we continue to further advance Indian coffee around the globe. We are honored to be sourcing the finest Indian coffee and introducing Starbucks customers outside India to its quality for the first time.”

June 27, 2016
The Tata group and Starbucks Coffee Company strengthen partnership

MUMBAI: In a meeting at Starbucks Reserve® Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle, Washington, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, Howard Schultz, and chairman, Tata Sons Limited, Cyrus Mistry, announced multiple new joint initiatives , which expand the existing Tata and Starbucks relationship and strengthen the companies’ commitment to developing the Tata-Starbucks brand and building a different kind of company in India.

For the first time, Starbucks will offer a single-origin coffee from India in the U.S., giving customers from outside the country a unique opportunity to experience a rare, small-lot coffee from the Tata Nullore Estates located in the beautiful Coorg coffee growing area of India. Starbucks Reserve® Tata Nullore Estates will be the first coffee from India to be roasted at the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery and Tasting Room and will only be available at this Seattle location later this year.

“These announcements build upon the incredible success and shared values between Starbucks and Tata in our partnership in India,” said Schultz. “We are humbled by the way in which customers in India have embraced Starbucks elevated coffeehouse experience, which now spans to more than 80 stores across six cities. As we continue on our journey with Tata, we are delighted to introduce the finest coffee from India to a new audience. Starbucks Reserve® Tata Nullore Estates, the first ever Starbucks Reserve® coffee sourced exclusively from India, highlights the deep coffee heritage and expertise of both companies to source, roast and distribute the finest-quality arabica coffees and elevates the story of India coffee for our customers.”

Starbucks also announced plans to increase its coffee roasting capacity for supplying its stores in India and, over time, select markets around the globe. Since Tata Coffee Limited opened its doors to a roasting and packaging plant in Kushalnagar in Coorg, Karnataka, in 2013, this facility has steadily increased its roasting capabilities. Today, it roasts Starbucks® India Estates Blend and Espresso Roast coffees and will soon expand to include both Kenyan and Sumatran coffees for Starbucks stores throughout India. This builds upon Tata and Starbucks commitment to cultivate a future supply of high-quality, sustainable green coffee from existing and potential sources in India through world-class agronomy practices.

“We are proud to work with Starbucks, a company which shares our commitment to both the coffee growing regions and the coffee farmers to ensure we meet the global demand for high-quality coffee over the long-term,” said Mistry. “Our journey with Starbucks since 2012 has been gratifying and we are pleased to build on the strong relationship between Starbucks and the Tata group as we continue to further advance Indian coffee around the globe. We are honored to be sourcing the finest Indian coffee and introducing Starbucks customers outside India to its quality for the first time.”

June 27, 2016
Cinépolis launches second Multiplex in Pune with IMAX Theatre

NEW DELHI: With the opening of the 8-screen multiplex at WESTEND Mall, Aundh in Pune, Cinépolis now has 246 screen in 38 cities across India.

The chain claims to be India’s first international and the world’s fourth largest movie theatre circuit.

The megaplex in Pune was inaugurated in the presence of internationally acclaimed actor Irrfan Khan along with Cinépolis India MD Javier Sotomayar. The recent launch is in line with the Mexican multiplex operator’s strategic vision of widening its pan-India footprint.

The new state-of-art multiplex has an IMAX theatre, Dolby Atmos, RealD 3D technology. Total seating capacity of the multiplex is 1369 and will have 40 shows daily.

The company already has a strong presence in the city, with its existing (India’s largest) megaplex, 15-screen property in Season mall, Pune.

With this launch, Cinépolis is opening the first IMAX theatre in the city of Pune. In addition, another auditorium in the complex is equipped with Dolby Atmos, which employs up to 64 speakers to heighten the realism of every scene. Patrons can also enjoy freshly-prepared gourmet food at the in-house coffee shop, Coffee Tree, in the lobby of Cinépolis.

Additionally, the state of the art 3-D technology from Real-D® systems is the world’s most widely deployed 3-D technology and offers viewers the most enthralling 3-D movie watching experience. Movie goers can also enjoy benefits of Club Cinépolis, the company’s loyalty programme at the theatre in WESTEND Mall.

Commenting on the launch Sotomayor said, “Cinépolis is committed to offering the best cinema experience to movie goers in India. We already have presence in Pune with India’s biggest multiplex at Seasons Mall and this technologically advanced multiplex with IMAX theatre, Dolby Atmos, RealD 3D will widen our presence in this city. On the back of this success, we aim to reach the 400-screen landmark by 2017.”

Speaking about the growth plans of Cinépolis, Director – Expansion Ashish Shukla said, “At Cinépolis, we have already expressed the vitality of Western India for our business development. We already have strong presence in Mumbai as well in Pune with 15 Screen Megaplex. With this opening our presence in Pune has increased to 23 Screens. We have more than 10 screen planned to be opened in city in couple of years helping in increasing our presence in the country.”

Director – Strategic Initiative Devang Sampat added, “At Cinépolis, our constant endeavour is to deliver unmatched levels of customer service. We have largest legroom in the industry, along with RealD 3D for best 3D movie experience. Patrons can also enjoy gourmet food offerings at Coffee Tree and benefit from the Cinépolis club membership, where movie goers can register for free and start accumulating reward points for every purchase made at the ticket counter.”

Suma Shilp Ltd MD Naralkar said, “We are very happy to partner with Cinépolis for our project. Cinépolis is one of the fastest growing cinema operators in India and overseas. The team has a very clear vision of consolidating its presence in India and is well focussed on its growth plan across India”.

June 24, 2016
Cinépolis launches second Multiplex in Pune with IMAX Theatre

NEW DELHI: With the opening of the 8-screen multiplex at WESTEND Mall, Aundh in Pune, Cinépolis now has 246 screen in 38 cities across India.

The chain claims to be India’s first international and the world’s fourth largest movie theatre circuit.

The megaplex in Pune was inaugurated in the presence of internationally acclaimed actor Irrfan Khan along with Cinépolis India MD Javier Sotomayar. The recent launch is in line with the Mexican multiplex operator’s strategic vision of widening its pan-India footprint.

The new state-of-art multiplex has an IMAX theatre, Dolby Atmos, RealD 3D technology. Total seating capacity of the multiplex is 1369 and will have 40 shows daily.

The company already has a strong presence in the city, with its existing (India’s largest) megaplex, 15-screen property in Season mall, Pune.

With this launch, Cinépolis is opening the first IMAX theatre in the city of Pune. In addition, another auditorium in the complex is equipped with Dolby Atmos, which employs up to 64 speakers to heighten the realism of every scene. Patrons can also enjoy freshly-prepared gourmet food at the in-house coffee shop, Coffee Tree, in the lobby of Cinépolis.

Additionally, the state of the art 3-D technology from Real-D® systems is the world’s most widely deployed 3-D technology and offers viewers the most enthralling 3-D movie watching experience. Movie goers can also enjoy benefits of Club Cinépolis, the company’s loyalty programme at the theatre in WESTEND Mall.

Commenting on the launch Sotomayor said, “Cinépolis is committed to offering the best cinema experience to movie goers in India. We already have presence in Pune with India’s biggest multiplex at Seasons Mall and this technologically advanced multiplex with IMAX theatre, Dolby Atmos, RealD 3D will widen our presence in this city. On the back of this success, we aim to reach the 400-screen landmark by 2017.”

Speaking about the growth plans of Cinépolis, Director – Expansion Ashish Shukla said, “At Cinépolis, we have already expressed the vitality of Western India for our business development. We already have strong presence in Mumbai as well in Pune with 15 Screen Megaplex. With this opening our presence in Pune has increased to 23 Screens. We have more than 10 screen planned to be opened in city in couple of years helping in increasing our presence in the country.”

Director – Strategic Initiative Devang Sampat added, “At Cinépolis, our constant endeavour is to deliver unmatched levels of customer service. We have largest legroom in the industry, along with RealD 3D for best 3D movie experience. Patrons can also enjoy gourmet food offerings at Coffee Tree and benefit from the Cinépolis club membership, where movie goers can register for free and start accumulating reward points for every purchase made at the ticket counter.”

Suma Shilp Ltd MD Naralkar said, “We are very happy to partner with Cinépolis for our project. Cinépolis is one of the fastest growing cinema operators in India and overseas. The team has a very clear vision of consolidating its presence in India and is well focussed on its growth plan across India”.

June 24, 2016
Cannes Lions 2016: Rediffusion Y&R and PHD India grab metals for Media Lions

MUMBAI: Out of six shortlisted entries from India, Rediffusion Y&R Mumbai bagged a Silver Lion and PHD India Mumbai won a Bronze Lion.

Rediffusion Y&R won the Silver Lion for Tata Motors’ ‘Dipper Condoms’ campaign under the Public Health & Safety sub-category. The innovative campaign was to create awareness of use of condoms and prevention of AIDS among truck drivers. Using the colloquial nuances popular amongst the truck drivers, the agency helped the brand create the campaign.

In India, most trucks have the phrase ‘Use Dipper At Night’ written behind urging fellow drivers to use “Dip headlights at night.” Taking a queue from it, Rediffusion Y&R created a condom brand and named it ‘DIPPER’. It was then packaged inspired truck art that the truck drivers would immediately relate to.

This is the second award the campaign has grabbed this year at Cannes Lions. Earlier Rediffusion Y&R India had picked up a single Bronze for its entry ‘Dipper Condoms’ in the Health & Wellness Lions category.

“The campaign is a result of over two years of hard work on the program for Tata Motors. Given that it is different from putting up a TVC, the success of the program brings us joy and validates the work that went into shaping it. The awards are an icing on that cake,” informed a delighted Rediffusion Y&R India president Dhunji S Wadia.

Apart from this, Hindustan Unilever’s campaign for Active Wheel Detergent – ‘Lo Kar Lo Baat’ – also grabbed a Bronze in the media category created by PHD India (Mumbai) for its use of mobile.

June 23, 2016
Cannes Lions 2016: Rediffusion Y&R and PHD India grab metals for Media Lions

MUMBAI: Out of six shortlisted entries from India, Rediffusion Y&R Mumbai bagged a Silver Lion and PHD India Mumbai won a Bronze Lion.

Rediffusion Y&R won the Silver Lion for Tata Motors’ ‘Dipper Condoms’ campaign under the Public Health & Safety sub-category. The innovative campaign was to create awareness of use of condoms and prevention of AIDS among truck drivers. Using the colloquial nuances popular amongst the truck drivers, the agency helped the brand create the campaign.

In India, most trucks have the phrase ‘Use Dipper At Night’ written behind urging fellow drivers to use “Dip headlights at night.” Taking a queue from it, Rediffusion Y&R created a condom brand and named it ‘DIPPER’. It was then packaged inspired truck art that the truck drivers would immediately relate to.

This is the second award the campaign has grabbed this year at Cannes Lions. Earlier Rediffusion Y&R India had picked up a single Bronze for its entry ‘Dipper Condoms’ in the Health & Wellness Lions category.

“The campaign is a result of over two years of hard work on the program for Tata Motors. Given that it is different from putting up a TVC, the success of the program brings us joy and validates the work that went into shaping it. The awards are an icing on that cake,” informed a delighted Rediffusion Y&R India president Dhunji S Wadia.

Apart from this, Hindustan Unilever’s campaign for Active Wheel Detergent – ‘Lo Kar Lo Baat’ – also grabbed a Bronze in the media category created by PHD India (Mumbai) for its use of mobile.

June 23, 2016
LeEco partners with HCL Care Services to deliver superior services

MUMBAI: LeEco, a global internet and technology, today announced a strategic alliance with HCL Care Services, a division of HCL Services Ltd., to deliver superior after-sales service experience to its customers. HCL Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of HCL Infosystems Ltd. (India’s premier IT Services and Distribution Company). HCL Care Services will provide one-stop solution for all service requirements to LeEco customers through existing 265 ‘HCL Touch’ centres in more than 240 cities across the country. Customer Services for LeEco phones have already been activated in the 265 HCL Touch multi-brand centres for walk-in-centre support for customers and Supply Chain Support.

Speaking on the strategic partnership, P. Seshachalam, Head-Operations and Vice President, HCL Care Services, said, “We are delighted to tie-up with LeEco, one of the fastest selling Super-phones in India, for providing superior after-sales support for their leading-edge phones. We are confident our state-of-the-art HCL Touch centres will enable LeEco to cater to the Indian markets more effectively and efficiently. This initiative is in line with our constant endeavour to deliver service excellence and be a preferred partner for leading Indian and international brands.”

Atul Jain, COO, LeEco India commented, “As a leading Superphone brand in India, we believe that the real test of brand loyalty is the after-sales service that a customer can rely on. In this context, we are happy to partner with HCL Services to cater to the needs of our consumers in a truly professional and timely manner. We have a total of 555 service centres out of which HCL will provide service in 265 centres. We are confident that an eminent and trusted entity like HCL Services will fully support us in serving LeEco’s users in the best possible manner.”

HCL Care Services has a network of more than 300 service centres across 250 cities in India, and serves more than 3 million consumers in a year. It is also the most preferred partner of OEMs with maximum numbers of Exclusive Service Centres. Through its specialized retail outlets ‘Touch’, HCL Care Services provides end-to-end solutions to customers, including Contact centers, Walk-in centres, On-site support, Supply-chain operations, Repair factory services and After-sales value added services.

June 22, 2016
LeEco partners with HCL Care Services to deliver superior services

MUMBAI: LeEco, a global internet and technology, today announced a strategic alliance with HCL Care Services, a division of HCL Services Ltd., to deliver superior after-sales service experience to its customers. HCL Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of HCL Infosystems Ltd. (India’s premier IT Services and Distribution Company). HCL Care Services will provide one-stop solution for all service requirements to LeEco customers through existing 265 ‘HCL Touch’ centres in more than 240 cities across the country. Customer Services for LeEco phones have already been activated in the 265 HCL Touch multi-brand centres for walk-in-centre support for customers and Supply Chain Support.

Speaking on the strategic partnership, P. Seshachalam, Head-Operations and Vice President, HCL Care Services, said, “We are delighted to tie-up with LeEco, one of the fastest selling Super-phones in India, for providing superior after-sales support for their leading-edge phones. We are confident our state-of-the-art HCL Touch centres will enable LeEco to cater to the Indian markets more effectively and efficiently. This initiative is in line with our constant endeavour to deliver service excellence and be a preferred partner for leading Indian and international brands.”

Atul Jain, COO, LeEco India commented, “As a leading Superphone brand in India, we believe that the real test of brand loyalty is the after-sales service that a customer can rely on. In this context, we are happy to partner with HCL Services to cater to the needs of our consumers in a truly professional and timely manner. We have a total of 555 service centres out of which HCL will provide service in 265 centres. We are confident that an eminent and trusted entity like HCL Services will fully support us in serving LeEco’s users in the best possible manner.”

HCL Care Services has a network of more than 300 service centres across 250 cities in India, and serves more than 3 million consumers in a year. It is also the most preferred partner of OEMs with maximum numbers of Exclusive Service Centres. Through its specialized retail outlets ‘Touch’, HCL Care Services provides end-to-end solutions to customers, including Contact centers, Walk-in centres, On-site support, Supply-chain operations, Repair factory services and After-sales value added services.

June 22, 2016