Category: MAM

  • Hiking ad rates a tough task for music channels

    Hiking ad rates a tough task for music channels

    MUMBAI: MTV India has decided to hike its ad rates even as it has readied international format show launches, something the youth-music genre has found it difficult to enforce in a cluttered environment.

    The change in positioning of music channels has followed a market logic – that non-music content can command higher ad rates. Channel [V] had launched some big-ticket shows in the past for the same reason and has recently started airing a fiction show. UTV Bindass also has a mix of non-fiction and fiction shows where they claim to charge a premium.

    While the youth-music channels do have shows where they can ask for a premium, making them profitable has not been easy as content costs are higher.

    Can pure play music channels up ad rates?

    Says 9X Media EVP network sales Pawan Jailkhani, “9XM time and again has got rate hikes from the market because the channel is most stable and dependable in terms of deliveries and it is one of the most cost efficient and relevant channels in the client’s plan.”

    So does the industry, which is marred with high competition, similar or no exclusive content, and high cost of non-fiction, have to increase its ad rates to survive? Media executives believe that they have to. Jailkhani says, “The music genre has to have rate hikes as it is still undervalued in terms of rates vis-?-vis deliveries.”

    But some media pundits feel players need to understand that there has to be consistency in their performance.

    A media buyer said it will be hard for youth and music channels to ask for higher rates. “Advertisers have already put in money on Cricket World Cup and now IPL. They may not be interested on spending more money on these channels this year.”

    The existing players can be broadly categorised under three categories. The youth channels consist of MTV, Channel [V] and UTV Bindass; the pure play music channels are 9XM, Mastiii, Music India, B4U Music and Zing; and the Bollywood entertainment/trade channels include Zoom, ETC, E24 and Big Magic (earlier known as Imagine Showbiz).

    So will MTV‘s decision lead to an ad rate hike in the youth channel category? Channel [V] has no such plans. EVP and GM Prem Kamath believes that whenever advertisers see value in the offering, they do pay premium. “Advertisers look for fair value,” he says.

    UTV Software Communications‘ Bindass did not want to participate in this story.

    For the pure play music channels, the game will get tougher.

    How will players like Zing and ETC be impacted? Says Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) chief revenue officer and head, niche channels Joy Chakraborthy, “Increasing the ad rates is a continuous process. In the new fiscal, we are signing deals on incremental price.”

  • Synovate launches research solution BrandLife

    Synovate launches research solution BrandLife

    MUMBAI: Global custom market research firm Synovate has announced the global launch of its BrandLife solution, a research technique that allows respondents to utilise images instead of words when responding to surveys.

    BrandLife allows respondents to select images in response to survey questions and, through careful analysis of the chosen images, their thoughts and feelings on a category, brand or positioning can be determined.

    The approach, based on proven concepts from Construct
    Psychology and Behavioural Therapy, helps companies understand their customers’ unique vision and discover the constructs (rules) that govern their decisions.

    The technique is based on the notion that all people share a common visual language regardless of culture, age or history. It uses a validated library of thousands of images to decode what people think and feel without relying on them to verbally share, and therefore usually edit, their words.

    Each component within an image (shape, size, color, angle, etc.) is coded as to its universal meaning and then validated mathematically. This highly researched set of codes has identical meaning across cultures, regardless of the image’s actual content.

    Synovate Global Practices and Capabilities CEO Ged Parton said, “BrandLife helps reveal what‘s really going on inside people’s heads and guiding their choices – especially if they can‘t rationally articulate it themselves. It addresses clients’ needs that have previously been unmet since BrandLife provides information that people feel is too private to share verbally, information that they are aware of but incapable of communicating for whatever reason, as well as information on their needs and influences, which they may be completely unaware of at the conscious level.

    BrandLife has been utilised by global companies across industries and in more than 90 countries. This flexible and award-winning research method can be used in focus groups, one-on-one interviews, as a plug-in within various quantitative studies, and as a standalone quantitative study. It is especially useful for advertising, package and logo testing.

  • Egypt turmoil, Japan quake shave off $2.4 bn in ad spend: ZenithOptimedia

    Egypt turmoil, Japan quake shave off $2.4 bn in ad spend: ZenithOptimedia

    MUMBAI: Zenithoptimedia has revised the ad spend growth forecast down from 4.6 per cent to 4.2 per cent due to the turmoil in Middle East and the earthquake in Japan.

    These events have knocked off $2.4 billion in this year’s global ad expenditure.

    The immediate consequences of these events have most affected these markets: Egypt and Japan.

    In Egypt – one of the largest ad market in the Middle East – there was almost no advertising on television during the revolution, and in the aftermath advertisers have been very careful about their messages, the agency stated.

    Also, Japanese broadcasters replaced almost all commercial ad slots with public-service announcements for weeks after the earthquake, and blackouts and distribution problems will hinder media consumption for months to come.

    The agency, however, doesn’t expect these shocks to derail the global recovery in the long term. Some of the missing advertising may reappear later in the year, followed by strong growth in these markets in 2012. Japan is forecast to shrink 4.1 per cent this year before growing 4.6 per cent next year, while Egypt follows this year’s 20 per cent drop with 12.1 per cent recovery in 2012, Zenithoptimedia concluded.

    According to the quarterly forecasts, the underlying recovery remains healthy. ZenithOptimedia has upgraded its forecast for 2012 from 5.2 to 5.8 per cent. The developing markets will increase their share of global ad expenditure from 30.9 per cent in 2010 to 35.1 per cent in 2013.

    The Internet will become the world’s second-largest advertising medium in 2013, overtaking newspapers.

    There is strengthening in Western and Central and Eastern Europe, where advertisers are becoming more confident of the long-term economic prospects. The large disparity in growth rates between developed and developing markets continues.

    The agency also forecasts North America to grow by an average of 3.1 per cent a year between 2010 and 2013 and Western Europe to grow by 3.5 per cent. It expects Japan to grow just 0.7 per cent a year, though this obscures the big drop in 2011 followed by the recovery of lost ground over the next two years.

    It also predicted 0.1 per cent annual growth in the Middle East, as advertisers tread carefully amid political instability. Meanwhile, it forecasts Latin America to grow by 8.2 per cent a year, Central and Eastern Europe by 12.4 per cent, Asia Pacific by 6.6 per cent and Asia Pacific excluding Japan to grow by 10.2 per cent.

    Developing markets – which are everywhere outside North America, Western Europe and Japan – will increase their share of the global ad market from 30.9 per cent in 2010 to 35.1 per cent in 2013.

    There are now two ‘developing’ markets in the world’s top ten ad markets, and there will be three in 2013. China (forecast to grow at an average 13.6 per cent a year to 2013) will overtake Germany (forecast 2.4 per cent annual growth) to become the world’s third-largest ad market in 2011, and stay at that position throughout the forecast period.

    China is currently just over half (54 per cent) the size of Japan, the second-largest ad market, and will be just over three-quarters (77 per cent) of its size in 2013. Brazil (with 15.4 per cent annual growth) will overtake France (with 2.9 per cent) to take sixth place in 2011. Russia (23.3 per cent growth) will rise from 12th place in 2010 to tenth in 2011, eighth in 2012, and then seventh in 2013.

    However, the next five largest contributors are all developing markets: China (which contributes almost as much as the US, $10.8 billion), Russia ($6.9 billion), Brazil ($3.3 billion), India ($2.5 billion) and Indonesia ($2.4 billion).

    The agency predicts that the Internet will overtake newspapers to become the world’s second-largest advertising medium in 2013. While it has long expected this to happen in the near future, this is the first time this event has fallen within its forecast period.

    Newspaper ad expenditure was still 51 per cent larger than Internet ad expenditure in 2010, but newspaper expenditure is shrinking by 1.4 per cent a year, as circulations continue to fall in developed markets, and readers migrate to the Internet.

    Internet advertising continues to grow at breakneck pace, at a forecast average rate of 14.4 per cent a year between 2010 and 2013.

    The agency forecasts newspaper ad expenditure to fall from $95.2 billion in 2010 to $91.2 billion in 2013, while Internet ad
    expenditure rises from $63 billion to $94.5 billion over the same period.

    This year display advertising has taken over from search as the main driver of Internet ad growth. Display, broadly defined here to include online video and social media, has been invigorated by these fast-growing segments.

    Affordable, do-it-yourself tools to create streaming video ads have opened online video to small and local advertisers. Social media sites now attract huge audiences, though click- through rates and, therefore, costs are often very low.

    The agency expects global display ad expenditure to grow at an average of 16.4 per cent a year to 2013, while paid search grows by 12.8 per cent and classified by 10.2 per cent.

    Television remains by far the largest medium and is continuing to increase its market share. Television attracted 40.4 per cent of global ad expenditure in 2010, up from 37.3 per cent five years earlier, and we expect it to attract 41.7 per cent in 2013.

    Bigger and higher-quality displays, more channels delivered by digital television, and the convenience of PVRs mean people are watching more television than ever. zenithOptimedia forecasts television ad expenditure to rise from $180.3 billion in 2010 to $216 billion in 2013.

  • Star hires Gayatri Yadav as marketing director

    MUMBAI: Star India has appointed Gayatri Yadav as its marketing director.


    Yadav has joined Star from today. She was earlier with General Mills where she was working as marketing director.


    General Mills has a range of food brands in the Indian market, including Pillsbury (Chakki Fresh & Multi Grain Atta and Dessert Mixes), Betty Crocker Mixes, Green Giant, Nature Valley Crunchy Granola bars and Häagen-Dazs ice-cream.


    Yadav has taken charge from Star India EVP marketing and communications Anupam Vasudev.


    Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com, Star India COO Sanjay Gupta said, “Yes Gayatri has joined us and will be taking care of marketing and communications.”
     
     
    There is speculation that Vasudev will move into a corporate role at the network.


    Gupta, however, declined to comment on Vasudev‘s role.


    Yadav joined General Mills in 1996 and was with the company till June 2010. Prior to that, she had worked with Procter & Gamble. She is an IIM Calcutta graduate.
     



     

  • Creativeland Asia selects Roy Menezes as creative director

    MUMBAI: Creativeland Asia has roped in Roy Menezes as creative director of its digital operations.


    Menezes moves in from Rediffusion–Wunderman, the digital and direct communications arm of Rediffusion India, where he worked for more than a year as creative director.


    According to an official statement, this appointment is a step further towards bringing together technology and creativity.


    Menezes comes on board with an experience of nearly 13 years.


    Creativeland Asia founder and creative chairman Sajan Raj Kurup said, “In the last few years, we have reinforced our hold of the digital media and have successfully executed some very brilliant campaigns in the digital space which have been applauded and awarded world over. While I met several people, Roy’s mastery over the medium and his passion for creativity made me finally bring him on board. I’m sure his judgment, drive and experience will take us much further.”
     
    Menezes has been associated with RMG Connect and Tribal DDB in the recent past, where he led teams to win awards for campaigns such as the Idea Cellular “Idea Mobile Roadie Challenge” and the Reliance Mobile “Go for it”.
     
    Stated Menezes, “I am all geared up to work as part of one of the hottest creative and strategic solutions companies in Asia. What drew me towards Creativeland is the high culture and creativity; while all the work has been very distinct from each other, they all carry the same appeal. The campaigns have been unique in approach, uncompromising in delivery and most relevant and effective for brands. It excites me to see how I can put my experience to create.”


    Apart for being a specialist in digital, Menezes also has print and television work experience.

  • Cadbury to launch its first TVC for Tang

    Cadbury to launch its first TVC for Tang

    MUMBAI: Cadbury India, a part of Kraft Foods, has launched its first marketing campaign in India for its global power brand, Tang.

    The spot is developed by Bates 141.

    According to the company, the Tang television commercial showcases the innate creativity, talent and enthusiasm in every child.

    The launch of this TVC will be supported by a robust marketing campaign, including activations and sampling in urban and semi-urban cities across India. The communications campaign will be also leveraged through digital media.

    Said Cadbury India powdered beverages, gum and candy director Narayan Sundararaman, “Findings from our research with mothers and children reveal that a child‘s day is no different from that of an adult, with the level of activities that they perform during the day in school and through other extracurricular activities. Our campaign focuses on a mother‘s continuous effort to create a fun and exciting atmosphere to bring out the best in her child.”

  • Windchimes Communications bags Yardley’s social media account

    Windchimes Communications bags Yardley’s social media account

    MUMBAI: Social media agency, Windchimes Communications, has been roped in by Yardley London to consult the cosmetic brand as it forays into social media.

    Yardley is a brand of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting.

    Windchimes will assist the brand in setting up and managing its social media presence. Yardley’s ongoing association of the brand with leading actress, Katrina Kaif, will also be used by the social media agency to create a talking point for the brand online.

    Social media will be utilised to communicate to Yardley’s online audience about the range of products available and also use it as a platform to create buzz for new launches. Yardley is also looking at encouraging trials for its products-which will be facilitated through social media.

    Said Wipro Yardley Consumer Care business head Sriram Iyer, “It makes perfect sense for a heritage brand like Yardley to embrace new media, since one of our main objectives is to connect with a younger audience – who are increasingly online. Social media provides us with the apt platforms to create and further engage with our users. We are confident, Windchimes, with its considerable experience in working with brands across categories, will provide us with the right strategic inputs and execution excellence to make our social media foray a success.”

    According to an official statement, Windchimes will leverage social media for Yardley London, with the aim to position it as a youthful brand while reinforcing the royal heritage. The agency will make use of platforms like Facebook and Twitter to reach out to existing and potential Yardley users and engage with them.

    Windchimes Communications head maven Nimesh Shah stated, “We are very excited to be working with Yardley London on its maiden foray into social media. The brand comes with a very distinguished history and one of our key roles will be to take the brand into new media without losing the royal essence of the brand. By effectively using social media, we aim to introduce and create a connection for Yardley with new customers and to meet its business objectives.”

     

  • Quadrant bags creative duties of Paranjape Schemes

    Quadrant bags creative duties of Paranjape Schemes

    MUMBAI: Quadrant Communications has bagged the creative duties of real estate developers Paranjape Schemes.

    According to market sources, the account size is pegged at Rs 40-50 million.

    The mandate was given following a multi-agency pitch.

    Two years back, the creative agency had worked on the developer’s launch project in Pune for a year.

    Paranjape Schemes have in the past developed large parts of the Mumbai suburbs. After a gap of some years, they are re- entering the Mumbai market.

    Quadrant Communications President and CEO Rajan Narayan said, “Paranjape appreciated our work in Pune and were impressed with our approach for Mumbai market as well. We are very excited about the win and looking forward to work with them again.”

    Narayan also stated that currently they are working on a project called Royal Court.

     

  • MediaCom selects Niti Kumar as national director-new biz and insights

    MediaCom selects Niti Kumar as national director-new biz and insights

    MUMBAI: MediaCom has appointed Niti Kumar as national director-new business and insights. She will be based in Delhi.

    In her last stint, Kumar was head of operations at Mudra Connext-North and East India.

    This was Kumar‘s second stint with the organisation. Earlier in 2003, she had joined Connext as business director and was with the company for five years before she took a one-year sabbatical.

    Says MediaCom India COO DebrajTripathy, “Niti’s experience and expertise will help in growing MediaCom’s client roster and will add immense value to our media product. She is definitely the kind of talent that we are looking for and her hiring is in line with our objective of having the best people in MediaCom.”

    Kumar specialises in media planning and has over 11 years of experience. She started her career with FCB Ulka Advertising in 1999 where she handled clients including Whirlpool and Tropicana. She has also worked with Universal McCann and clients such as ICI Paints, HBO, Dabur, Amway, Gillette, Reckitt Benckiser, Electrolux and Yatra.com.

    NitiKumar adds: “I am extremely excited about my role, here at Mediacom. I look forward to contributing towards the growth of the agency and working with their current clients and people across the country.”

    MediaCom manages businesses such as Procter and Gamble, Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Dell, Shell, Wrigley, Edelweiss and AegonReligare.

  • MPG wins Clarks’ media account

    MUMBAI:Havas Media’s flagship brand, MPG India, has bagged the media planning and buying business of Clarks Future Footwear, following a multi-agency pitch process.


    According to market sources, the account size should be in the region of Rs 70-100 million. 
     
    MPG has been handling Clarks’ media planning in a number of markets globally including United Kingdom.


    MPG International had won the iconic British brand’s global media account from Universal McCann Manchester in July 2009. 
     
    Said Clarks Future Footwear marketing head Gautam Raheja, “We found the MPG approach thorough and insightful. Their strategic thinking, driven by MPG proprietary tools, with an overall marketing perspective and an extremely passionate and enthusiastic team, made us choose them as our media partners. Moreover Havas Media and MPG are our global partners and association in India will help us get the global learnings and best practices.”
     
    Stated MPG and Havas Media South Asia CEO Anita Nayyar, “We are delighted to start a new relationship with Clarks Future Footwear in India. Clarks is an iconic brand with a huge fan following in many parts of the world and we are looking to partner the brand in its growth trajectory in India. The clients were impressed