ITV

Category: MAM

  • Reliance in mobile content deal with Disney; to offer 3D animation

    Reliance in mobile content deal with Disney; to offer 3D animation

    MUMBAI: Reliance Communications has announced its tie-up with Disney to offer on Reliance Mobile World what would be India’s first 3D animation on mobile. The deal promises a host of other Disney mobile content offerings as well.

    Reliance customers will be able to access 16 Disney animated video shorts, including ten in 3D, exclusively made for mobile devices and featuring Disney characters They also can download other mobile content with favourite Disney characters in the form of wallpapers, ring-tones, games or comic strips from Disney Zone, created on Reliance Mobile World, states an official release.

    This is not the first deal that Disney has done with a telecom player in India. It is worth recalling that Disney had tied up with AirTel in April to develop mobisodes, games, ringtones, wallpapers and animation in the ‘Disney Mobile Theatre’ featuring popular cartoons. Airtel was then the third telecom operator Disney had tied up with, the other two being in Asia.

    Meanwhile, with soccer fever gripping the world, wallpapers and animations showing Disney characters in football gear will be an added attraction. Downloads will be priced at: Rs 5 for wallpapers, Rs 10 for video shorts downloads, Rs 5 for animations and Rs 10 for ring-tones on Disney Zone. Games will be charged at Rs 5 per session, adds the release.

    Walt Disney Internet Group EVP & MD Mark Handler says, “The strength of the Disney brand, combined with our rich content library, allows us to create a new and fun mobile experience for families in India. We are pleased to collaborate with Reliance to bring to consumers Disney mobile content, anytime, anywhere.”

    Reliance Communications Applications Solutions and Content Group president Mahesh Prasad adds, “Reliance Mobile has unparalleled reach with over 10 million data-enabled handsets and a countrywide high speed data network covering small and big towns alike. With Kidz World in Reliance Mobile World, Reliance pioneered edutainment on mobile in India. Disney Zone will raise the bar many notches to give a unique experience”.“Earlier this year, a game based on Power Rangers, a hit TV show on Toon Disney, was launched on Reliance network, which became one of the highest downloaded games nearing 700,000”. With the launch of a new season of Power Rangers SPD, a completely new game around the show is set to debut on Reliance this month,” added Mr. Prasad.

    The Walt Disney India MD Rajat Jain says, “Our success in these emerging platforms stems from the strengths of Disney’s major brands and franchises, which have been leveraged and brought in through innovative and strategically sound ways – positioning the company as the leading provider of entertainment and information for the wireless and broadband markets. We are happy to bring our best-in-class content to Reliance Mobile.”

    After Star India, it is Walt Disney Television International (India) that is exploring the mobile-enabled episode (mobisode) phenomenon.

  • Shekhar Kapur- on BBC World’s ‘HardTalk Extra’

    Shekhar Kapur- on BBC World’s ‘HardTalk Extra’

    Shekhar Kapur is one of the elite club of Asian film directors who have cracked Hollywood. He talks to Mishal Husain about his early films in Bollywood, controversy around his film ‘ Bandit Queen’ , his breakthrough ‘ Elizabeth’ which gained seven Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture . He also tells Mishal that Hollywood as we know it, is seriously under threat, as asian culture becomes a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.

    HARDtalk Extra is the BBC’s most widely broadcast arts and entertainment interview programme. Each Friday, the programme profiles leading personalities in the arts, entertainment, science, culture and the media. This edition of HARDtalk Extra will be broadcast on BBC World on Friday 3rd February @ 1000 with additional appointments to view @ 1400, 1700 and 2100 IST.

    Further information:
    Deeptie Sethi/ Neha Sharma
    Tel: 91 11 2341 2672/73 Extn. 102
    Fax: 91 11 2341 1109
    Email: deeptie.sethi@bbc.co.uk

    Notes to Editors: BBC World, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies. BBC World is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 280 million households (136 million 24-hour homes) and more than one million hotel rooms. BBC World launched in its present format in 1995 and is funded by advertising and subscription. For further information on how to receive BBC World, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit bbcworld.com.

  • Microsoft unveils Windows Live service; service taregets advertisers too

    MUMBAI: Microsoft Corp. has debuted its upgrade to Windows Messenger called Windows Live Messenger. The company today announced the launch of Windows Live Messenger globally over the course of the year in over 60 markets including 12 in Asia.


    Windows Live Messenger goes beyond a traditional instant messaging (IM) service, enabling people to connect and share, with video calling, easy sharing folders and more.


    The new Windows Live Messenger also offers a treasure map to a peek at exclusive scenes from Walt Disney Pictures‘ upcoming film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest, with exclusive access to Dead Man‘s Tale, an interactive online adventure that allows users to earn a berth aboard Jack Sparrow‘s ship, the Black Pearl.


    “Windows Live is all about giving consumers the tools and services they need to be in control as they stay connected to the people they care about, on top of the information that is important to them, and protected across all of their online activities,” said Microsoft Asia Pacific director Windows Live and MSN business Alex Stewart. “The launch of Windows Live Messenger is an important milestone for the business as we work towards realizing the Windows Live vision. This vision is based around putting people at the center of their digital life and creating a seamless experience across their PC, devices, applications and the web.”


    Windows Live Messenger is now available in more than 60 markets including India in the Asia Pacific such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.


    According to an official release, Windows Live Messenger is the next generation of MSN Messenger, the world’s most popular IM service and it goes beyond text IM to help connect people with voice, video and more. It also acts as a window to the internet, connecting people to their e-mail, blog, search and other Windows Live services with one click of the mouse.


    On the advertising front:


    “Windows Live Messenger builds on the strength of the traditional MSN Messenger service enhancing the consumer’s online experience and providing brands with even more exciting and entertaining advertising opportunities through which to reach their target audiences on a local, pan-regional and global scale,” said Microsoft Online Business Group international advertising sales VP Chris Dobson. “The integration of Windows Live Messenger with other Live.com services encourages prolonged consumer interaction, providing the advertiser with a more engaged audience to connect with.”


    Advertising opportunities available with the new Windows Live Messenger service include: PC-to-PC video call, sharing folders, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live video ads.


    The release adds that the improved versions of traditional MSN Messenger advertising opportunities will also be available, these include: Windows Live Messenger Today page ad placement, sponsored tabs, theme packs and conversation window text link.

  • Devin Wenig is Reuters COO

    Devin Wenig is Reuters COO

    MUMBAI: News agency Reuters has appointed Devin Wenig as COO. Wenig is currently president of the business divisions, with operational responsibility for Reuters four divisions: sales and trading, research and asset management, enterprise and media.

    Reuters CEO Tom Glocer said, “I am delighted to announce Devin’s appointment as COO. This is a natural evolution of his current role at Reuters and helps deliver my long-term objective to have the Divisions as the primary operating dimension of Reuters. In his time at the company, Devin has shown great leadership skills, innovative thinking and operational excellence. I am really look forward to working with him closely over the course of the next few years, as we exploit new market opportunities, and capitalise on the strong momentum already evident in the business.”

    Wenig has worked for Reuters for 13 years and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2003.

  • Digital media proliferation, resultant security threats drive DRM systems market

    Digital media proliferation, resultant security threats drive DRM systems market

    MUMBAI: As organisations continue to digitise content in the current business environment, there is substantial need to emphasize the rights on its usage and establish control to avoid any loss of data. This need is expected to have a huge bearing on the enterprise digital rights management (DRM) systems market.

    Frost & Sullivan’s report World Digital Rights Management Market, reveals that the market was worth $369.5 million in 2005 and is likely to cross the billion-dollar mark in 2011.

    As companies continue to lose sensitive data such as financial information, customer profiles and marketing collateral through e-mail or other forms of data transfer, there is a rising need to deploy systems that not only track but also control the use of information. Theft of sensitive data can not only cause a company financial loss, but can also result in brand erosion and eventually, reduce its revenue generation capacity.

    Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Zippy Aima says, “The need to minimize liability by ensuring that only authorized users have access to appropriate documents will have a positive impact on the demand for DRM solutions. DRM solutions enable content owners to assign specific rights such as view, copy, edit and print to files that need to be protected and these rights remain active and travel with the protected file unless changed by the content owner.”

    Despite these obvious advantages, DRM vendors will find it challenging to convince companies that DRM will not severely curtail access and that organisations can meet their revenue generation goals using this technology.

    Moreover, enterprises have yet to accept DRM systems as solutions that provide security throughout the life cycle of the digital content; be it in the form of a document or a music file. DRM vendors that operate in either the enterprise or media space or both need to create more awareness about the existence of this technology and market their benefits more proactively.

    DRM systems have garnered greater attention in the media industry than in the enterprise sector. Some end users consider DRM to be a hindrance to the entertainment sector. However, the success of the iPod and iTunes is an indicator of the change in consumer buying behavior. Users are gradually regarding DRM more as ‘enabler’ than a ‘disabler’ for accessing digital content.

    Aima adds, “Apart from the shift in perception, the need to comply with regulations such the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Gramm Leach Bliley, and Sarbanes Oxley is also driving the market ahead.

    “Vertical markets such as financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy are focusing on regulatory compliance, thus ensuring the steady uptake of DRM solutions.”

  • eBay to add Skype phone link to listings

    eBay to add Skype phone link to listings

    MUMBAI: After paying a whopping $2.6 billion to acquire Skype last year, eBay has announced its first major business plan: to integrate the internet tele-calling service with its customer feedback system.

    Starting 19 June, sellers in 14 selected categories will be able to add a free “Skype Me” button to their listings. Potential buyers, who are looking for more information directly, can then communicate with the seller using voice, text chat, or both through the new facility.

    How does this work? Sellers will be able to embed simple “Skype Me” icons alongside product listing to allow users to contact them using a new feature, “Ask a seller a question.” The feature is free and designed to allow people to answer quick questions before completing specific purchases. When a potential buyer clicks the “Skype Me” button on the Web page, buyers can instantly be put into contact with the seller via a web-based voice call, a text message, or both.

    eBay’s North American auction business president Bill Cobb said in a statement that, the company was set to begin a trial programme on its U.S. site to evaluate how Skype can be used to connect sellers to buyers seeking product information before they buy. “Skype represents a tremendous opportunity for our sellers to connect even more closely with their buyers,” Cobb said.

    Eyebrows were raised when eBay spent such a humungous amount to acquire Skype which had revenues less than $100 million. The recent move provides part of eBay’s strategy as it targets to double Skype’s revenues.

  • India now a focus market for Animax

    India now a focus market for Animax

    MUMBAI: Until now India was not as important a market for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE) anime channel Animax and that reflected in its poor and negligible ratings. But now, with the repositioning of Animax Asia, which took place on 1 June, 2006, the network will be pushing it in India will renewed vigour.

    Animax Asia has been repositioned as a lifestyle channel for the youth and will target the age group of 15 – 24-year-olds. One of the reasons for this shift was the fact that animation from Japan was moving towards a more youth-driven demographic. Hence, keeping with the pace of change, Animax too was repositioned.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, SPE Networks Asia vice president Animax programming and production Betty Tsui says, “In the last couple of years, we were not very focused on the Indian market because we underestimated the Indian youth’s consumption of animation. Our focus initially was on the kids’ but now we will be targeting the youth and the Indian market with renewed focus.”

    “We are not a kids’ channel and we’re not competing with the likes of Cartoon Network and Pogo. Animax will be creating a category of its own. We are not followers. Animax will be charting out its own path,” she adds.

    Apart from the re-positioning, Tsui also informed that Animax will also be looking at targeting the youth with the gaming and mobile platforms. “We will be connecting with the youth not only with animation but also with gaming and mobile. However, it is still too early to talk about it,” she says.

    Animax is also undertaking an extensive lifestyle survey of their target audience in order to understand what’s important to them and where they get their messages from. Once the results of the survey are out, the channel will be analyzing the responses received and accordingly bring about changes in the channel and its promotions.

    Queried whether the channel was looking at going totally Hindi, unlike the Hinglish feed that it has now, Tsui says, “One of the questions in the lifestyle survey that we will be conducting will be Animax’s language preference of our target audience. Based on the results, we will take the necessary changes. South Indian languages may also be a possibility as we are open to everything.”

    The channel has streamlined its programme structure to target the youth segment and has also introduced an on-air creative campaign – Imagine Nation – to capture the minds of the youth. Imagine-Nation features popular personalities that are connected to the creative world of games, film, anime and design from the Asian region to share with viewers their success stories, aspirations and passion for their work. For starters, F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and Indian Idol 2 winner Sandeep Acharya will be featured on this from India.

    “We will be featuring people who are successful but not necessarily in the conventional sense of the term. Our aim is to inspire our viewers to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be,” says Tsui.

    The programming line up will be spruced up with popular anime that have garnered massive followings in Japan and around the world. Animax features programmes of various genres, from action (Blood+, Trinity Blood) to sci-fi (Ghost in the Shell), romance (Paradise Kiss and Honey & Clover) to drama (Black Jack, Jigoku Shojo), and also favorites like (Dragon Ball).

    A new integrated brand campaign in India will also be rolled out in a couple of weeks.

  • LG commences India’s first optical drive plant at Pune

    LG commences India’s first optical drive plant at Pune

    MUMBAI: LG Electronics India has commenced operations of its Greenfield facility for ODD products at Ranjangaon, Pune.

    LG has begun manufacturing DVD Writers thus becoming the first company to manufacture the same in India. The DVD writer plant in Ranjangaon is the second largest DVD Writer plant in Asia. The facility presently has a capacity of producing 600,000 units of DVD players per month .

    The facility will also have an additional product range to the existing line up. LG Electronics has already begun manufacturing of GSM mobile phones early last year making it the first mobile phone manufacturing company in India. The Pune plant in addition to its current manufacturing facility at Greater Noida will enable the company to expand its consumer reach.

    The plant aims to reach up to 1500 manpower base and an investment of Rs. 300 crores till 2010 for ODD plant . With this unit LG India has become the export hub for LG DVD writers catering predominantly to the European markets. The company aims to touch an export turnover of USD 450 million by 2008.

    The Ranjangaon plant already caters to manufacturing of refrigerators, colour television sets, microwave ovens and GSM handsets.

    LG India MD KR Kim said, “It gives us great pleasure and encouragement to be the only company in India to have a first of its type ODD plant. The Greenfield facility manufactures premium end models of the product which are primarily for exports. The disk drives manufactured in Ranjangaon will cater mainly to the European markets.”

    LG adds that the encouraging optimism that the Indian consumer durables market has to offer to LG has driven it to invest Rs. 9 billion for the manufacturing facilities at the Pune plant, out of which Rs 3 billion would be invested in DVD writers. The firm hopes that the move will give it an edge over other players in terms of production and subsequent market share.

  • Rendezvous with Simi Garewal ‘Season Finale’

    MUMBAI: As another season of Rendezvous with Simi Garewal draws to a close, in an exclusive Rendezvous tradition, its time for a celebrity-packed season finale.

    Featuring all the icons that appeared this season, the finale is a fun-filled madcap laugh riot. Meet Bollywood’s hottest hunk John… talented singer Priyanka and many more.

     

    The first episode of this hysterical three part finale show kicks off this Sunday 17 December with those candid moments, which capture the stars in their unguarded elements.

     

    In the finale, you can catch exclusive glimpses of the hidden – and hilarious – sides of not just Simi herself, but all your favorite celebrities. So sit back, relax and get ready to laugh till your jaws hurt as Star World brings you the first episode of a special three-part season Finale of Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. You’ll never see anything like this Finale – so don’t miss a single episode.