ITV

Category: MAM

  • HUL creates roadblocks on Star and Zee

    MUMBAI: For Star and Zee, the deal with FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) couldn‘t have come at a better time. Battling slowdown and a cricket heavy year, the broadcasters have blocked an entire day on their networks for the HUL brands that would bring in an advertising premium, a rare commodity these days.


    HUL, which has been under pressure owing to loss of market shares in segments from soaps and shampoos to toothpastes and skin creams, will consume the networks‘ entire advertising airtime on 17 September and 24 September on Star and Zee respectively.













    Said Zeel chief revenue officer Joy Chakraborthy, “Through this initiative, while HUL will get a huge brand exposure, the channels will receive an advertising premium.”


    This is not the first that an advertiser has blocked advertising airtime across a broadcasting network. Earlier, in 2007, Hutch had conducted a network roadblock on Star to introduce its brand change to Vodafone.




    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Star India advertising and sales EVP Kevin Vaz said, “As per our arrangement with HUL, while the brand advertisement pack will be led by Lifebuoy, the other brands that will also get airtime across the network are Dove, Ponds and Fair & Lovely.”


    “We are confident that this roadblock with HUL brands, primarily Lifebuoy, will create as huge an impression in the minds of the customers as it did for Vodafone,” he added.


    Currently, the Star Network runs ads of more that 20 HUL brands across its ten channels –Star Plus, Star One, Star Gold, Star Utsav, Star Movies, Star World, Channel [V], Star Jalsha, Star Pravah and Star Vijay.




    Commenting on the Star India deal, HUL GM -media services Srikanth Srinivasamadhavan said, “We are pleased to be part of an idea that will exclusively reach us to more than 100 million viewers in India at the same time throughout the day. It is innovative and is expected to bring stronger engagement with consumers.”


    Interestingly, channels like Colors and Sony are not signing any such deal.


    “The scope for introducing such type of advertising plans will be restricted to only those networks which have reach and a leading GEC in the portfolio,” observes a media analyst.

  • The Republic to handle Harley-Davidson creatives for India

    MUMBAI: As Harley-Davidson decides to wind its wheels thorugh the roads of India in 2010, the American motorcycle manufacturer has roped in The Republic as its media and creative partner for the country.









    The Republic won the account following a multi-agency pitch. The pitch was conducted in India via Cricket, the consultancy firm that looks after Harley-Davidson‘s international brand and communication strategy.




    Says The Republic CEO and executive creative director Maia Katrak, “We will reach out to Indian riders in ways that reflect their needs. The advertising campaigns are normally defined. We will be employing a strategy that engages directly with customers. The Harley-Davidson India website is the first stage in that process.”

  • New age couples replace the devil at Onida

    MUMBAI: In a bid to expand its market share in the Rs 500 billion consumer durable industry, Onida has decided to replace its iconic Devil mascot with the ‘new age couple‘ as lead protagonists.


    MIRC Electronics, promoters of Onida, will launch four new television commercials, created by McCann Erickson.













    Also, with an aim to strengthen connect between consumer insights and product design, the commercials will play on the tagline, Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Design Aaya.




    “For over 20 years, Onida relied on the devil to give it a brand image and recall,” says Onida VP sales service and marketing Sriram K.




    “Today, India is no longer concerned about ‘neighbours envy‘ especially when it comes to durables. The new Onida needs to fit into their lifestyles by understanding their latent needs better and delivering quality products with thoughtfully designed features. This will be the core driver for Onida across its business and marketing processes. The reflection of design and thoughtfulness will be captured in our new brand identity campaign.”

  • ABC elects Subroto Chattopadhyay as Chairman

    MUMBAI: After electing its new council of Management, Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has elected The Peninsula Foundation chairman Subroto Chattopadhyay as its Chairman and Lokmat Group chairman Vijay Darda as Deputy Chairman for the year 2009-10.









    Chattopadhyay (deputy chariman of ABC for 2008-09) takes over from Ch. Kiron, managing director of Ushodaya Enterprises Pvt Ltd, the present Chairman.




    Other members in the new Council of Management include Aritra Sarkar of The Telegraph; Ravi Pisharody, President – Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors and Vikram Sakhuja, CEO, GroupM South Asia.

  • Posterscope appoints Ashish Bhasin as Asia Pacific director

    MUMBAI : Aegis Media‘s OOH division, Posterscope, has appointed Ashish Bhasin as director Asia Pacific. This is in addition to his current position as chairman, India and Ageis Media South East Asia, CEO.













    Announcing the appointment Aegis Media Asia Pacific CEO Patrick Stahle says, “Ashish has very quickly proved that he has the right balance of discipline and vision to further enhance the South East Asia region, under his leadership. The launch of Posterscope India last year is just one example highlighting this.”





    He will be responsible for identifying opportunities to launch the division across other countries within the region, enhance the out-of-home capabilities and encourage centres of excellence.


    Bhasin joined Aegis Media in June 2008 and ever since has been responsible for launching new services and divisions helping in the growth of the business. His sphere of activity includes markets such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and South Asia. He is also a member of the Aegis Media Asia Pacific Executive Council.




    Avers Bhasin,”This is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to highlighting the strength of Posterscope in the Asia Pacific and ensure that our clients continue to get the absolute best from our out-of-home offering.”



    Posterscope has a presence in 12 cities across India and has 34 new clients.


  • Publicis Ambience bags K7 Computing creative account













    MUMBAI: Publicis Ambience has bagged the creative duties of K7 Computing, a Chennai-based company that operates in the internet security solutions domain.


    The size of the account is estimated to be in the region of Rs 80 million.




    Says K7 computing executive director John Devasahayam, “We were looking for an integrated communication partner with strategic depth and willingness to think out of the box. The Publicis Ambience team and their philosophy was a perfect fit.”




    Adds Publicis Ambience EVP South Kaustav Das, “The conversation right now is all about Virus. This is a fertile territory for us to practice our philosophy of ‘changing conversations‘. We are delighted to be given an opportunity to build the K7 brand in India just when the category is all set to explode.”

  • DDB Group appoints Joji Jacob as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: DDB Group has appointed Joji Jacob as executive creative director of DDB and RAPP Singapore.













    Upon taking charge, Jacob will look for brands in Asia-Pacific region that includes Johnson & Johnson, Standard Chartered, Philips, ANZ among others.




    Jacob replaces Neil Johnson who has been promoted to the post of chief creative officer.




    Starting his career with Ulka Advertising, Jacob moved on to work with Lowe Lintas, Ogilvy India and JWT in Singapore. Previously, Jacob was employed with BBDO Singapore where he was a creative director.

  • ASCI: 41 ads come under scanner; 6 withdrawn and 7 modified

    MUMBAI: The period between April-June 2009 has seen a total of 41 ads come under the scanner, reveals the latest report from The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). While six ads out of the 41 have been withdrawn, seven have undergone modification.


    The ads that have been withdrawn include a television commercial for Videocon Washing Machine, Diageo and Rajasthan Patrika.













    According to the report, while Videocon was unable to substantiate the claim that the products qualify to be eco-friendly, the ad for Diageo appeared to be a surrogate ad for a liquor brand. For Rajasthan Patrika, the circulation figures for NaiDunia, Indore and NavDunia, Bhopal, as mentioned in the advertisement were neither certified by ABC nor were the figures ever released by NaiDunia Media. The advertisement also intended to mar the image of competitors.




    The period has also seen the discontinuation of United Spirits advertorial, a TVC for Telemax and the Hyundai Motor India ad for Verna.




    Meanwhile, the ads that have undergone modification include a TVC for Surya Roshni, a TVC for Bajaj Auto and another ad from Hero Honda.


    The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) has upheld eight ads for the period. These ads are still awaiting assurance from the advertisers/ad agencies ensuring that the claims will not be repeated. The CCC did not uphold 18 ads.

  • Six Inches Communication eyes 10% growth in FY’10

    MUMBAI: Still under the influence of tough economic conditions, Six Inches Communication, the integrated marketing communications agency, is pushing for a revenue growth of 10 per cent this fiscal.


    Says Six Inches Communication founder and managing director Pravin Shah, “In 2008-09, our revenue grew by 33 per cent. But as economic slowdown hit hard, many advertisers tightened their budgets and focused on cautious spending. Therefore, this fiscal, we are not looking at a more than a 10 per cent growth.”













    According to Shah, the growth in revenues this year will primarily flow in from BTL activities, on-ground promotions and activations and online and digital initiatives.


    “While television still remains the top-of-the-mind medium to create brand awareness, clients today are looking at ways for creating brand interaction to spawn return on investments. Thus, the trend right now is that clients are focusing a significant portion of their budgets on digital, BTL and on-ground activities.”




    Six Inches Communication, which has already locked clients across the technology, finance and real estate category, is now looking at taking FMCG and travel & tourism advertisers on board.


    “The quarter ending December is the revenue generating season for the travel & tourism industry and therefore, they will be high on advertising. We are specifically looking at the online travel companies who want to create a brand buzz through television,” avers Shah.




    Currently, Six Inches Communication has 24 clients on board on retainership basis, the major ones being Kingston technology, MF Global Sify Securities and RiddhiSiddhi Bullion Limited (RSBL).

  • OMD India wins Gems & Jewellery media account

    MUMBAI: OMD India has been assigned the media duties for Gems & Jewellery.













    The agency won the account following a multi-agency pitch which began about one month ago.




    The size of the account is estimated to be in the region of Rs 150-180 million.




    OMD has approximately 140 offices spread over 80 countries.