ITV

Category: MAM

  • Airtel gets a new brand identity and logo

    Airtel gets a new brand identity and logo

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel, the global telecommunications company, has unveiled its new logo and look for its operations in 19 countries in Asia and Africa.

    The unveiling of the new identity marks the achievement of 200 million customers by the company.
     
    The new face of Airtel, designed by its creative agency JWT, is youthful, international, inclusive and dynamic and the red colour continues to represent the dynamism of the company.

    With the new curved addition, Airtel intends to gain instant recognition across diverse international markets. 
     
    Bharti  Airtel chairman and managing director Sunil Bharti Mittal said, “Today, as we expand on the global stage, this new brand identity gives us the opportunity to present a single, powerful and unified face to our customers, stakeholders and partners around the world. It reinforces our promise to deliver innovative services and a superior brand experience to our 200 million customers across Asia and Africa.”

    AR Rahman has also made a refreshed version of the original Airtel tune.

    Airtel will launch its 3G services in India by the end of 2010.
     

  • Publicis Ambience chairman Aniruddha Banerjee bids adieu

    Publicis Ambience chairman Aniruddha Banerjee bids adieu

    MUMBAI: Aniruddha Banerjee, chairman of Publicis Groups’ advertising agency Publicis Ambience, has put in his papers.

    Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com, Banerjee said, “Yes I have resigned. I cannot share my future plans at this moment.”

    Publicis CEO South Asia Nakul Chopra will take up the additional responsibility of Publicis Ambience, and it is learnt that the company is not looking for a replacement as of now.

    Banerjee had joined the company in March 2007. He was elevated to the chairman post in January this year.

    Before joining Publicis Ambience, Banerjee was with Mudra. He has also worked with multiple companies like Contract, Leo Burnett, Clarion (Bates 141) and Everest Brand Solutions.
     

  • Scarecrow bags creative duties of BPCL

    Scarecrow bags creative duties of BPCL

    MUMBAI: Impressed by the agency‘s Shriram Transport Finance Company‘s truck driver campaign done in February, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has awarded its creative mandate to Scarecrow. 

    BPCL is one of the most important state-owned oil and gas companies in India. Said Scarecrow Communications co-founder and director Manish Bhatt, “The BPCL account will be handled by our Delhi branch. However, the size of the account cannot be determined at this time.”

    According to Bhatt, the first campaign is expected to start at the end of the year or by the beginning of 2011 and can include both below-the-line and above-the-line communication.

    Recently, Scarecrow was awarded the creative mandates for Religare Broking and Health Insurance businesses.

  • Bidaai gets grand farewell from viewers

    Bidaai gets grand farewell from viewers

    MUMBAI: The last episode of Star Plus’ popular fiction show – Sapna babul Ka … Bidaai has got a grand bidaai (farewell) from its viewers.

    The two-hour “maha episode” on 13 November notched up a TVR of 6.06, making it the second highest rated show of the week and adding 24 GRPs (gross rating points) to the channel.

    Produced by Rajan Shahi’s Directors Kut Productions and launched on 8 October 2007, the show achieved many milestones during its over three-year run. It remained among the top 10 shows of the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs), week after week.

    A story of two sisters, Sadhana and Ragini, the show shored up the ratings of Star Plus at the 9 pm slot. It replaced Meri Awaaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni, which scored a 2.9 TVR in its closing week. With its launch rating of 4.6 TVR, Bidaai pepped up the slot for Star Plus.

    In December 2007, one of the protagonists, Ragini (Parul Chauhan), broke her marriage (her in-laws rejected her at the mandap because she was dark complexioned in comparison to her sister). The high drama resulted in upping the ratings to 5.4 TVR.

    In March 2008, Bidaai reached a new high when Sadhana (Sara Khan) and Alekh (Angad Hasija) got married on the show. The episode touched a 6 TVR.

    In October 2008, the show climbed higher with the Taj Mahotsav event. Attracting Hema Malini‘s participation along with her daughters, the episode rated 8.8 TVR, the highest rating for a show on Hindi GEC in over 500 days during that time.

    In January 2009, the ratings further jumped with Ragini Ranveer‘s wedding fetching a rating of 9.6 TVR.

    The show launched careers of Parul Chauhan, Kinshuk Mahajan, Sara Khan, Angad Hasija and Ashita Dhawan. Bidaai also marked a comeback for Alok Nath and Vibha Chibber.

     

  • Online ad industry to touch $50 bn this year: Don Epperson

    Online ad industry to touch $50 bn this year: Don Epperson

    MUMBAI: The chairman and Global CEO of Havas Digital, Don Epperson, has said that online advertising was one of the fastest growing mediums in India.

    According to him, the online advertising industry was estimated to touch $50 billion by the end of this year in the US alone while other markets too were poised for a similar growth.

    Epperson was in Hyderabad recently for the launch of Centre of Excellence (CoE) that would provide marketing and digital services for clients worldwide by his company that is a diversified advertising and online marketing solutions provider. The Centre, headed by Ravi Kabra, would employ about 20 people for now.

    The CEO was of the view that India has emerged as an important business destination for multinational corporations and many Indian companies are going global, requiring expertise to address this space.

    Referring to the growth of online advertising, Epperson said that the largest categories of advertisers were Internet players, real-estate firms and financial services companies. Online gaming and sports are two other major categories.

    Among the top six global advertising and marketing solutions provider, Havas Digital has clients such as Air France, Vodafone, Emirates, Peugeot, Cap Gemini and works with Google, Yahoo and MSN for online advertising-related business.

    The company plans to launch a mobile-based services arm in India soon.

  • Asian Tour in 12-year deal with IMG

    MUMBAI: The Asian Tour and IMG Media, a division of global sports and media company IMG Worldwide, will join forces in an initial 12-year agreement designed to propel professional golf in Asia to greater heights.


    This partnership follows on from the success of IMG’s global representation of the Asian Tour’s media rights since January, 2009, which has resulted in worldwide distribution of the Asian Tour’s television packages to over 40 countries and 400 million homes.


    The Asian Tour-IMG joint venture will emulate the foundation behind the success of European Tour Productions – a joint venture between IMG Media and the European Tour – which will inevitably fast track the live broadcast of all Asian Tour events through the combined resources of both organizations. 
     
    The new JV company will manage all television production and global distribution, enhancing tour-wide sponsorship agreements for the Asian Tour beginning from January, 2011. This will ultimately benefit partners, sponsors and key stakeholders in the burgeoning area of Asian golf.


    The parties state that an expanded Asian Tour Schedule from 2011 will also greatly benefit from consistent, high quality pictures being delivered to its broadcast partners using the latest HD and future 3D broadcast technology via television, broadband and mobile. 
     
    Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said, “This is a milestone development for the Asian Tour. We remain fully committed to establishing playing opportunities and increasing prize funds for our elite players in Asia, and a solid television platform will help the Asian Tour to achieve these goals. Given the strength of this landmark announcement, the Asian Tour is committed to staging a minimum of four new tournaments in 2011.”


    Key to the Asian Tour’s strengthening of its existing partnership with IMG is the latter’s proven track record in representing major golf events over the last 40 years including The Open Championship, US Open Championship, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and World Golf Championships. IMG also has invaluable Tour experience with the LPGA and European Tour.
     
     
    IMG Media president Michel Masquelier said, “IMG Media hopes this new joint venture with the Asian Tour will mirror the success of European Tour Productions (ETP), the joint venture between IMG Media and the European Tour, formed in 1992. ETP is now the largest producer of golf programming in the world, with more than 700 hours of original programming per year. ETP also successfully delivered the largest single event Outside Broadcast ever attempted at the recent Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.


    “It is clear that Asia is on the verge of an explosion in interest in both amateur and professional golf. Asian Tour event promoters, partners and sponsors will benefit from IMG Media’s turnkey solution – delivering high production values and consistent commercial presentation though it’s experienced and specialised golf production team to a worldwide audience via its unrivalled global sales force.”

  • Dabur acquires US firm Namaste Laboratories for $100 mn

    Dabur acquires US firm Namaste Laboratories for $100 mn

    MUMBAI: FMCG major Dabur India has acquired US based Namaste Laboratories, maker of organic root stimulator, for $100 million in an all-cash deal.

    The deal signed through Dabur’s US-based wholly owned subsidiary Dermoviva Skin Essentials is expected to close by the end of 2010.
     
    It will enable Dabur to gain greater foothold in the Asian and African markets.

    “This acquisition is in line with our strategy to build a global presence in the international consumer goods market,” said Dabur chairman Anand Burman.
     
    “It will serve as a gateway to the US market for our portfolio of consumer products. This transaction will also enhance our profitability, increase stakeholder value and substantially add to Dabur‘s already strong presence in Africa, serving as one of the key pillars in strengthening our position in the African continent,” Burman added.

    The current management team, led by Namaste founder and CEO Gary Gardner, will continue to run the operations of the Namaste business. Namaste will continue to operate in its current facility in Blue Island, with business as usual.
     
    Namaste founder and CEO Gary Gardner said, “In Dabur, Namaste has found a strategic partner that can help accomplish its goal of becoming the hair care brand of choice for people of African descent worldwide. This partnership offers synergy in mission, as both companies focus on healthful, holistic offerings, and in market platforms with Namaste‘s stronghold in the US and Dabur‘s strengths outside North America. We know our employees, customers, distributors and retailers will benefit from this great growth opportunity.”

    Houlihan Lokey served as a financial advisor to Namaste.

  • Oxytocin increases sensitivity to ads: Study

    Oxytocin increases sensitivity to ads: Study

    MUMBAI: Oxytocin, the cuddle-hormone, casts its influence on the people’s mind when it comes to response to advertising.

    According to a new research, Oxytocin increases sensitivity to advertising among humans. The research was tabled during the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, in San Diego.

    The researchers, led by Claremont Graduate University, California PhD Paul Zak, found that people treated with Oxytocin donated 56 per cent more money to causes presented in public service announcements.

    Study participants who received Oxytocin also reported that the advertisements made them feel more empathetic. Oxytocin is produced naturally in the body and can trigger labour contractions and lactation in women.

    The research has proven that Oxytocin is linked to happiness and well-being. It also revealed that women who showed the greatest increase in Oxytocin were also more satisfied with their lives, resilient to adverse events, and less likely to be depressed.

  • Effies adds 3 categories to roster

    Effies adds 3 categories to roster

    MUMBAI: The Ad Club Bombay has received 276 entries for the marketing and communication awards – Effie Awards 2010. Ad Club claims that this is the highest ever since Effie became part of the India Advertising Festival.

    Last year 148 advertising agencies had sent their entries for the awards.

    One of the main reasons behind the surge in entries might be the fact that for the 2010 edition, Effie has introduced three new categories and various sub-categories for three of the existing ones.

    “These changes enlarged the scope for the players, which might have led to the rise in the number of entries,” says Lodester Universal CEO Shashi Sinha.

    Retail, Healthcare and David v/s Goliath are the new categories added to the Effie 2010 roster.

    David v/s Goliath has been introduced to recognise new or emerging brands and companies who moved into a new product and service field with large, well-established competitors.

    For consumer products the sub-categories are Cosmetics and toiletries, Beverages / drink, confectionary and food and Others, which include apparel / textiles, personal gift items, tobacco, personal hygiene, footwear books and periodicals, stationery and accessories.

    Similarly, for Consumer Durables the sub-categories are automobiles and auto parts, two wheelers and auto related and Others, which include television, stereo and other musical equipment, audiovisual equipment, calculators and computers.

    The new sub-categories for Services are telecom and related products, Financial services, including banking and insurance etc., and Others including public utilities, marketing communications, services, media, entertainment and customised software.

    The Ad Club Bombay will organise the Effie Awards on 7 December in Mumbai.

  • Ormax Media predicts bumper opening for Gulaal, modest for Pratha

    Ormax Media predicts bumper opening for Gulaal, modest for Pratha

    MUMBAI: The media research and consulting firm, Ormax Media, has predicted a bumper opening for Star Plus’ Gulaal and a modest opening for Colors’ Pratha.

    As per Ormax’s awareness tracking product Showbuzz, Star Plus’ new fiction show Gulaal, which is launching today at 9 pm, is likely to average about 4.8-5.2 TVR in its first week.
     
    The company has noted two primary reasons for such high viewership numbers. Firstly, Gulaal is replacing Bidaai, and hence has a slot with ready audiences waiting for it. Secondly, the awareness scores for Gulaal have been quite healthy, touching 21 per cent ‘Unaided Awareness‘ and 84 per cent ‘Total Awareness‘ on the Friday before launch.

    Meanwhile, on Colors, Rishton Se Badi Pratha is likely to open at an average first week TVR of about 1.9. Ormax said that the programme’s awareness scores were exceptionally good, at 36 per cent ‘Unaided‘ and 91 per cent ‘Total Awareness‘ on Friday. However, weak viewer base for Colors in the 7.30 pm slot would come in the way of a higher opening.
     
    The show is replacing Thoda Hai Bas Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, a 1-TVR show. Pratha seems set to double the slot performance because of its successful campaign.

    Showbuzz tracks awareness of new programmes across six markets. Data over the last 20 months has been used to create a predictive model for fiction shows. The model predicts the opening week reach of the launches, which can then be used to arrive at indicative TVR, assuming a certain level of content.
     
    The model takes into account the marketing buzz created by the show, the performance of the slot, competitive scenario and overall channel performance. Ormax claims that the error margins have been less than 15 per cent in most predictions done using the model so far.