ITV

Category: MAM

  • Jagran Prakashan adopts ‘rising sun’ brand image

    Jagran Prakashan adopts ‘rising sun’ brand image

    MUMBAI: Jagran Prakashan (JPL) is creating a mother brand as it has diversified into multiple media platforms. The media and communications company on Tuesday unveiled its corporate identity with a brand new logo of the rising sun.

    The  new identity, designed by brand consultancy firm Ray + Keshavan/The Brand Union, aims at getting all its businesses within the media space – print, OOH, activations, mobile and Internet – under one umbrella.

    The group aims to lend a distinctive identity and unified face by using the rising sun as its new logo. 

    The company has used colour palette of red and yellow in the logo to get an energetic and optimistic feel. Also, it is the contemporary rendition of the Sun that is highly distinctive and suitable for the modern, progressive organisation that JPL aspires to be.

    Jagran Prakashan VP-strategy and brand management Basant Rathore said, “This is indeed a proud moment for the organisation as it launches a cohesive corporate identity for the brand. Over a period of time, JPL has diversified into multiple platforms within the media space and today we are into Print, OOH, Activations, Mobile and Internet which with the launch of the new identity falls under one big umbrella.” 

    Currently, the group‘s perception is driven by the flagship brand – Dainik Jagran. And the company believes that there is limited awareness of the other operations. “This is only natural, given that the other businesses are nascent. However, as we move forward, and as our other businesses gain momentum, it was important for us a group to make a move from a respected newspaper to an admired media conglomerate. This will help us enhance and communicate our breadth of offering and scale,” Rathore added.

    The company is hoping its new corporate logo to complement all the businesses of JPL, allowing the brand to create a seamless identity across so as to help leverage the Jagran brand. 

    Ray+Keshavan director Meeta Malhotra said, “We were delighted to partner with Jagran to help them create value in their brand portfolio and create an integrated media powerhouse. Jagran has powerful business divisions to add value to its clients. Using the corporate branding opportunity, we have created a master brand. We strongly believe this will help Jagran in achieving Growth, Direction and Protection for the corporate brand”.

  • RP Singh joins Starcom MediaVest

    RP Singh joins Starcom MediaVest

    MUMBAI: Starcom MediaVest Group has tapped a senior Maxus Interaction executive. RP Singh has joined Starcom MediaVest Group, but his exact role is being firmed up.

    Confirming the development, a SMG spokesperson said that Singh will be based in Singapore and his role plus the markets he will be working on will be confirmed in due time.

    Prior to this, Singh was working as a business director at Maxus Interaction and has about nine years of experience in the industry. He handled digital marketing for clients like Nokia, Hero Honda and Seagram.

    Starting his career in 2001 with King Infotech Software Solutions, Singh pursued an MBA degree a year later. He has worked in GroupM and was transferred to Mindshare Interaction China.

  • Mandar Natekar is Movies Now national ad sales head

    Mandar Natekar is Movies Now national ad sales head

    MUMBAI: Times Television Network has appointed Mandar Natekar as national ad sales head for its upcoming English movie channel – Movies now.

    In his new role, Natekar will report in to Movies Now channel head Ajay Trigunayat.

    Prior to Movies Now, he was with Reliance Big Entertainment‘s new media venture – BigAdda as the revenue head and CMO wherein he set up the entire team, operations and revenue template for social networking monetisation.

    Trigunayat said, “We are pleased to have Natekar on-board; he brings along a decade of TV and digital space experience; an ideal mix to develop a robust strategy and revenue pipeline for Movies Now.”

    Natekar comes with over 10 years of experience in the field of sales and marketing. As the national ad sales head, he will drive the new brand to the market. His mandate will be to establish Movies Now as a preferred platform for advertisers across the country.

    He has also worked with Turner International for over five years where he last held the post of HBO ad sales head – West & North. 

    Natekar has also worked with Sony Entertainment Television, where he was a part of the startup ad sales team for Max. He started his career with the response team of Times Group‘s parent company, Bennett Coleman & Company Limited.
     

  • Steyn, Morkel to do shark dive for cricket WC promotion

    Steyn, Morkel to do shark dive for cricket WC promotion

    MUMBAI: To mark the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2011, South African fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will do a shark dive in the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy on 9 November.

    With the capacity to hold 10 million litres of water, Dubai Aquarium illuminates the marvels of the ocean floor and showcases aquatic life.

    The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo has more than 33,000 aquatic animals, representing more than 250 species. Over 400 sharks and rays live inside this tank, including what it says is the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world.

    The opening ceremony of the 10th ICC Cricket World Cup will be staged in Dhaka on 17 February 2011. Two days later, co-hosts Bangladesh and India will go head to head in the tournament opener in Mirpur on 19 February.

    Sri Lanka, the third co-host of the tournament, will open its campaign against Canada in Hambantota on 20 February 2011.
     

  • TCL to invest $30 mn to expand in India

    TCL to invest $30 mn to expand in India

    MUMBAI: Chinese electronics and appliance manufacturer TCL plans to strengthen its base in India by launching a line of products as well as expanding into new markets in the country- East and West.

    The company will invest $30 million aimed at increasing its share in the Indian consumer electronic market. 

    TCL says that it has a brand value of $6.84 billion. TCL has adopted the brand strategy, The Creative Life, which it says brings to the fore its culture of innovation and breakthrough inventions.

    The Creative Life product range comprises washing machines, air-conditions, refrigerators LED and LCD TVs. The LED TVs boasts of features such as Dynamic Natural Light, Eye Protection and Energy Saving.

    In its endeavor to focus and establish itself as a strong contender in the market, TCL plans to expand its sales and services network across the India, from the current base of 20 branch offices and dealer network of over 5000, which is supported by 136 service franchisees. At present TCL has a stronghold in southern market and is now eyeing the eastern and western regions to garner larger market share.

    The company is also an OEM to some of the leading electronic brands in the country and has signed a strategic partnership with Videocon which entitles them to supply Videocon with LCD, CRT TVs and ACs for a period of 2010-2011.

    TCL Group chairman Li Dongsheng said, “India being one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is one of the strategic market in our global expansion plans. We are committed to bring to our valued Indian consumer, a product-line that is a perfect blend of advanced technology and innovative features.”
     

  • Publicis Healthcare launches in India

    Publicis Healthcare launches in India

    MUMBAI: Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) has announced its entry into India with the launch of Saatchi & Saatchi Health.

    Saatchi & Saatchi Health India is a part of Saatchi Focus, a specialist, knowledge based communications agency operating in India for the last 12 years and working with clients in the healthcare, technology, business and talent sectors.

    PHCG Asia Pacific president Ash Kuchel said, “We are delighted to launch Saatchi & Saatchi Health in India under the PHCG network. PHCG is committed to serve the needs of healthcare markets around the world. We are delighted to enter India, marrying our innovative solutions and local expertise in a country that is a catalyst for growth in emerging markets.”

    For PHCG, India represents a significant growth opportunity for with rapid growth expected over the coming years. According to the Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers’ and Government of India reports, India is the third largest producer of pharmaceuticals in the world and is already a $8.2 billion pharmaceutical market, with growth expectations of 10-14 per cent per year. IMS Health predicts India will add $5-15 billion to the pharmaceutical market through 2013.

    Saatchi & Saatchi Health and Saatchi & Saatchi Focus CEO Malavika Harita said, “Our agency vision echoes the PHCG promise of delivering ‘ideas of purpose’. We look forward to collaborating with our new sister agencies, bringing our progressive thinking and outstanding creative ability to the network.”

    In addition to the opportunities provided to PHCG by Saatchi & Saatchi Health, this entry into India reinforces PHCG’s growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier this year, PHCG launched Beacon Healthcare in Japan and last year, it opened a Publicis Life Brands office in Shanghai.

     

  • WB plans to double ad revenue on content ramp up

    WB plans to double ad revenue on content ramp up

    MUMBAI: WB, the hybrid channel from the Turner stable, is looking to double its ad revenue this year as it pushes up its content.

    WB will air its first movie premiere 300 on 6 November at 9 pm and is aggressively attempting to build its franchise blocks.

    The channel has been able to attract 60 brands in its first year of operations in India.

    Says Turner Entertainment Networks, South Asia VP deputy GM Monica Tata, “This year WB‘s monthly revenue has grown 50 per cent over 2009. This growth comes from doubling the number of clients in 2010 (over 2009) and WB today has a portfolio of over 100 active brands. WB surpassed last year‘s revenue in the first half of 2010.”

    With the festive season coming up, WB expects revenues to double by year-end.

    Ponds once again tied up with the channel for its on-going Festival Of Lights initiative. 300 will be presented by Garnier Men Deodorant and powered by Spice Telecom in Association with Hero Honda. There are also brand integrations that the channel does such as Thumbs Up- Nitro, Garnier Biggg Ticket and Samsung Fast Forward. For the family audience, WB has Sunday Brunch in association with Knorr.

    Since launching last year, WB has focussed on building its franchise blocks that set the tone for the kind of films that it airs. “Recently, we have added franchises in accordance to our focussed weekend strategy such as the Saturday Night Biggg Ticket block; Sundays Back-to-Back block; Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Trilogy block.This has also shored up our ad revenue,” says Tata.

    WB aims to beef up its weekend lineup. “We are aggressively engaging audiences with our offering during the key movie viewing periods that include Saturday Night. WB offers single break movies, adding to the viewer‘s movie viewing experience, with a minimum two-minute break,” says Tata.

    WB is currently celebrating the festival season with Festival Of Lights with movies in six themes. Apart from 300, the upcoming titles include 10000 BC, Speedracer and Golden Compass.

    When asked about the importance of movie premieres as just having library content does not work in terms of getting viewership and ad revenue, Tata disagrees saying that while new titles have a ‘sparkle‘ value, what consistently drives viewership are good movies that have repeat value.

    “Channels cannot run on only new titles, there aren‘t that many available! Look across channels and you will realise what works are good movies and what works even better are great action movies. An English movie viewer wants to see a good movie and that is the WB promise.”

    She points to movies like Matrix Revolutions and The Mask that fared well in the ratings sweepstakes among the 15-44 SEC A,B demographic.

    “WB‘s relative share of the genre in the digital panel is about 80 per cent higher than its overall share in C&S 15-44 SEC A,B. This clearly showcases Indian viewer‘s high preference for WB (as they choose WB and pay to view it) and is a big stamp on the quality of WB‘s content.”

    In terms of innovations, she points to 9 pm on Saturday nights where it offers viewers the chance to watch movies with just a two-minute break. Being a hybrid channel, WB also airs TV shows. It launched the animated version of George Lucas‘ cult, science fiction series Star Wars The Clone Wars in July and the action thriller series Human Target in September.

    WB, she adds, has been growing its WB Breakfast Franchise with shows like Good Morning Miami, Four Kings and New Adventures Of Old Christine.

    In terms of the ratio between movies and shows, she says that WB currently operates in a 70:30 ratio when it comes to movies and television series.

    “We feel that the mix and balance between the two is just right and is working well for the channel,” Tata adds.

    Media analysts, however, believe WB has a lot of catching up to do with its sister channel HBO and Star Movies. It will also have to contend against established player Zee Studio and Pix which is beefing up its content following its output deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

     

  • Big CBS Prime uses Obama’s India visit to launch first campaign

    Big CBS Prime uses Obama’s India visit to launch first campaign

    MUMBAI: Big CBS Prime, the soon to launch English entertainment channel, has launched its first campaign – After you, Mr. President.
     
    Conceptualised  by its creative agency McCann Erickson, the campaign uses US president Barack Obama’s India visit to tell its target audience that the launch of the channel will be followed by president’s visit.

    The channel is being launched by Big CBS, the joint venture company between Reliance Broadcast Network and US network CBS Studios International.

    The campaign will go up on outdoor sites and on radio from today, two days before president Obama arrives in Mumbai. The outdoor creative is visual and self explanatory, with the channel saying “After you, Mr. President”.

    Reliance Broadcast Networks senior vice president marketing Anand Chakravarthy says, “That the president of the US is coming to India just before Big CBS Prime launches is a great coincidence and so we decided to use the opportunity. With a promise of providing the latest, freshest and hottest entertainment concurrent with the US, the creative idea is a smart way of reinforcing the product proposition. All the media hype surrounding the president’s visit only helps us cut through more effectively and get into our consumers mind.”
     

  • PMG signs five-year deal with Sehwag

    PMG signs five-year deal with Sehwag

    MUMBAI: Madison World‘s sports marketing company, Professional Management Group (PMG), has signed a five-year deal with Virender Sehwag to kick-start its Sports Celebrity Management vertical. With the entry into sports celebrity management, PMG aims for a tremendous growth and activity in the next few years.

    This deal puts Virender Sehwag amongst the league of the richest cricketers in world cricket today.The sports marketing company will look after Sehwag‘s brand endorsements and other commercial commitments worldwide with a special focus on image building and reputation management.

    Said Madison World chairman and PMG director Sam Balsara, “We are delighted to have a phenomenon like Sehwag on board. These are the very same qualities which today‘s brands want to project to find respect and admiration among their target audience and therefore I am confident that there will be many brands who will want to associate with him and benefit from this association.”

    With the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup coming up, collaboration between these two giants in the field of sports will mark a new high in the strongly emerging sports marketing discipline in India and give brands new opportunities to maximize their impact on consumers and help connect with them.

    Commented Sehwag, “I am very excited to have signed the deal with PMG. I am elated that, I would be working with my childhood hero Mr. Sunil Gavaskar. And I am sure we are going to have a great partnership working together.”

    PMG is chaired by Sunil Gavaskar and co-owned by Adman Sam Balsara and Outdoor specialist Noomi Mehta.

  • BSNL’s online marketing in Chennai to be handled by Ignitee

    BSNL’s online marketing in Chennai to be handled by Ignitee

    MUMBAI: In the zeal to spread its footprints in the online domain, telecom major BSNL has roped in Ignitee Digital Solutions to handle its digital marketing activities in Chennai.

    The communication of BSNL, Chennai, was so far restricted to promotion-driven print advertising. The company will be now exploring the digital media to promote its services such as 3G, broadband, landline and mobile services.

    Said Ignitee Digital Solutions COO Shankar, “Initiallly, Ignitee Digital Solutions will focus on providing search engine marketing services to enhance BSNL-Chennai‘s business.”