Category: Press Release

Parle Products partners with ‘Celebrity Cricket League’

MUMBAI: Parle Products has announced its association with CCL- ‘Celebrity Cricket League’ which brings together India’s most popular hobbies- Cricket and Films.

The fifth edition of this popular celebrity sporting series will see the participation of eight teams; Mumbai Heroes, Telugu Warriors, Bhojpuri Dabanggs, Kerala Strikers, Bengal Tigers, Veer Marathi, Karnataka Bulldozers, and Chennai Rhinos competing on the field of Cricket.

The Celebrity Cricket League is a non-professional league that brings together celebrities from the Entertainment Industry and has evolved into a huge rage amongst viewers. Parle Products will present consumers an enhanced experience at the celebrated event which includes a specially minted coin which will be used for all coin-toss for each match. In addition to this, Parle will also have branding across all the stadiums including branded score cards.

Speaking about the association, Parle Products deputy manager marketing Mayank Shah said, “In India, cricket and films are religion, CCL is fusion of both. This makes it a perfect platform for us to connect with our audience. The T20 format of CCL gels perfectly with our brand Parle 20-20 cookies and will establish an instant connect with our target audience”

In keeping with the exciting spirit of the league, Parle Products aims to engage the young audiences and create unforgettable moments with them at the Celebrity Cricket League 5′ that will commence on Saturday 10 January 2015.

January 12, 2015
AXN welcomes the New Year with best of reality shows and political drama

MUMBAI: Home to the longest running shows in India, AXN is bringing you the best of International Television this New Year 2015. The channel has a fresh line up of four new shows, fulfilling the promise to keep thrilling and exciting its viewers with – Madam Secretary, Wake Up Call, Top Chef Season 10 and Top Gear Season 21. Starting the year with fast paced cars is Top Gear Season 21 followed by the most spoken about political drama Madam Secretary co-produced by acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman. Emmy Award winning show, Top Chef Seattle with host Padma Lakshmi will be back along with the latest season premiere of Dwayne Johnson’s reality show Wake Up Call.

BAFTA and Emmy award winning series Top Gear, the world best motoring show takes the viewers to amazing locations to test the world’s most powerful and exotic cars. The famous trio of cuttingly funny Jeremy Clarkson, quirky Richard Hammond and contemplative James May makes it hugely entertaining and visually fantastic. Started on Jan 3rd, watch it for the love of automobile and for the love of intelligent entertainment, every Saturday & Sunday at 8:30 pm on AXN India.

Adding to The Not So Ordinary Weekend is the much awaited People’s Choice Award Nominee for New TV Series, Madam Secretary. With this show AXN aims to bring the best of the latest American Television to the Indian viewers. Co-Produced by Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman, the show is a political drama rooted in White House diplomacy. Tea Leoni portrays the role of an unusual politician Elizabeth Faulkner Mc Cord, a former CIA analyst turned college professor promoted suddenly to the position of United States Secretary of State under strange circumstances. In the US, Madam Secretary ranks as Sunday’s #1 scripted broadcast and #4 new series averaging 13.53 million viewers. Witness the drama unfold from Jan 10th every Saturday at 11 pm on AXN India.

The classic and famous Emmy winner cult cookery show Top Chef Seattle Season 10 with the lovely Padma Lakshmi is back to set our taste buds to new gastronomic delicacies with 21 professional chefs. The master of all cookery shows has the judges- Tom Colicchio, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Gail Simmons and Hugh Acheson, all set to evaluate the contestants on some ordinary as well as not so ordinary culinary expertise like knife skills and creating a breakfast on a stick! The thrilling quick fire challenges are back in vogue on Top Chef, starting Jan 26th, Monday to Thursday at 8pm.

A reality show like no other! Dwayne Johnson is back with Season 2 of The Hero – Wake Up Call.The former wrestler and Hollywood actor would be seen lending a helping hand to people who are facing enormous challenges in their lives whether they are dead beat dads, sports team with no team spirit or business owners struggling to survive. Wake up Call produced and hosted by Dwayne Johnson will bring in Rock style motivation on the TV screen, with the motto- when life gives you lemons, crush them! Catch him in all his glory with his team of contestants from Jan 31st every Saturday & Sunday at 9pm.

Commenting on the onset of 2015, Saurabh Yagnik, Executive Vice-president and Business Head, Sony PIX & AXN India said “AXN’s new show line up is all about bringing the best of American TV to Indian television. Dwayne Johnson’s new show Wake Up Call could not have been launched at a better time, the show resonates with the way India feels right now- building a new future. We are delighted to premiere Madam Secretary, which is a welcoming addition to our already wide programming spectrum, a political drama produced by Morgan freeman and Lori McCreary. The channel has been home to Top Gear and Top Chef for years. Top Gear is the best show on automobile, meant for both who love cars and who don’t. We work dedicatedly to bring wide variety of shows and genres and these new shows are a step in the same direction, a New Year gift to our viewers. With world’s best reality shows and drama AXN is definitely a must watch destination for all age groups.”

Drive in to the fast lane with Top Gear which premiered on 3rd January, Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 pm. Watch the captivating political drama unfolding on Madam Secretary starting 10th January, Saturday at 11 pm. Get the kitchen set for new recipes from Top Chef Seattle starting 26th January, Monday to Thursday at 8 pm. Last but not the least, a reality show with a difference Wake Up Call sees all-rounder Dwayne Johnson make a difference in the lives of the commoners premiering on 31st January, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm only on AXN.

Later during the year 2015, Not so ordinary weekend would be new launching three shows- Golden Globe nominated legal procedural series Ray Donovan starring Wolverine famed Liev Schreiber. Home to singing reality show- The Voice, Season 8 will see the return of the global singing sensation Christina Aguilera making the audiences ask for more! The daily dose of action on the channel ups the ante for the adrenaline lovers with French- Canadian action adventure crime series Transporter Season 2 and the internationally acclaimed series 24. The year 2015 assures to be an exhilarating year for AXN fans.

January 12, 2015
Metigon bags three clients to close 2014 on a high

MUMBAI: Metigon Enterprises, one of the fastest growing public relations and public affairs firms in India, has ended the year on a high while signing three new clients in automotive, digital and industrial engineering sectors.

JBM group, the Delhi-based 7,000 crore plus makers of the ‘CityLife’ brand of Italian buses in India and the biggest supplier of auto components to almost every vehicle maker in India, has awarded its PR mandate to Metigon. The company is betting big on its bus business and believes it will be the next big leap forward for the Group. Metigon will help the company in strategic positioning and image building for its bus brands in the country. The account moves from Adfactors.

One Digital Entertainment, India’s Leading Premium YouTube Multi Channel Network has awarded its PR mandate to Metigon. Once a heavily veiled company, One Digital Entertainment has evolved into being the only profitable digital company to successfully create multi-channel network business. Today, it helps create and discover amazing content on YouTube and other digital distribution/social network platforms by working with some of the finest artists and content creators. Metigon will be their first agency-on-record.

Metigon has also signed up J.K. Fenner (India) Limited, a member of the JK Organization and a leading provider of mechanical power transmission and sealing solutions in India. The 85 year old organisation produces one the largest ranges of V-Belts, Oil seals, Moulded Rubber Components and Engineering Products for Industrial and Automotive mechanical power transmissions applications, catering to the steel, cement, coal, sugar, power, paper, textiles, food processing, agriculture and several other industries. Metigon will be JK Fenner’s first agency-on-record.

“To end the year with three new clients is delightful, and goes on to reiterate that Metigon continues to be a boutique agency that focuses on delivering value across sectors,” said Aarif Malik, COO of Metigon Enterprises. “These win serve a testimony to our diversified teams who have always had an edge over large ‘network’ agencies who are unable to provide strategic inputs and flexibility clients look for.”

Born in early 2012, Metigon has grown and developed its public relations and public affairs offerings by leaps and bounds. The agency’s PA division has a portfolio of clients from country’s leading political parties and politicians, industry bodies and associations, as well as corporates. The firm offers services in government relations, media monitoring and management, issue management and decision making, advisory and stakeholder communications, crisis management, community outreach, political research, and stakeholder outreach programs.

Under the public relations services, Metigon offers integrated services offering of image management and marketing communications and carries out communication campaigns for markets and stakeholders of organisations using thought leadership programmes, content creation, strategic public relations, marketing promotions, social media campaigns and interactive advertising campaigns.

January 10, 2015
India SatCom-2015: Ushering in a new era

MUMBAI: Accounting for approximately 17 per cent of the global population and with a growing middle class and a large population still living in rural & remote areas, India presents large market opportunities for satellite communication services. With the government’s focus on ‘Digital India’, one of the significant market enablers for broadband penetration shall be over satellite, as a large share of the population still remain beyond the reach of the terrestrial broadband network including fiber and cable.

To shake off the inertia and cynicism and bring about an awakening call to the policy makers for the need to refocus on satellite communication policy and to realise the dream and vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister – Narendra Modi to make “ Digital India “ –India’s road map for providing inclusive growth & development for its entire population of 1.3 billion, we are organising a unique day long seminar about Satellite Communication and how we can use this technology to transform the lives of the people of India. On behalf of Broadband India Forum ( BIF ), we are pleased to invite you to attend this gala event to be held on 16 January 2015 at Hotel Le Meridien , Janpath, New Delhi from 10am. The theme of the conference is India Satcom-2015: Ushering in a new era.

The chief architect of the ‘Digital India’ program- Hon’ble Minister of Communications & IT-Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad ji has been invited to grace the occasion by inaugurating the conference and delivering the inaugural address.

The dignitaries who have been extended the invitation to be a part of the conference are Rahul Khullar, Chairperson- TRAI, Rita Teotia, Special Secretary- Dept. of Telecom and Kiran Karnik prominent Indian administrator chiefly known for his work in the broadcasting and outsourcing industries, RK Arnold, Member TRAI besides leading industry veterans viz. Vern Fotheringham-CEO & MD, Kymeta Corp, USA who shall be delivering the keynote address & David Hartshorn-Secretary General, Global VSAT Forum ( GVF ) who shall be bringing an international perspective to the discussions.

The occasion will also see the release of the White Paper on Satellite Vision – 2020 besides the launch of the India SatCom Forum under the aegis of Broadband India Forum. This will be entrusted to take the recommendations of the conference forward and work diligently to provide industry inputs in the New Satcom Policy-2015.

The conference is expected to be attended by eminent visionaries, technocrats, industry specialists and bureaucrats from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, Telecom Engineering Center, Indian Space research Organization / ANTRIX,WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing) and from the Broadcasters, Satellite Service Providers,Satellite Operators, Telecom Service Providers, Broadband Service Providers / Internet service Providers, DTH Operators , VSAT Service Providers, System Integrators, Technology Providers and Users.

The conference has been supported by two large international organisations- the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) and the Cable & Satellite Broadcasters Association (CASBAA).

January 10, 2015
The making of Kingfisher Calendar 2015 on NDTV Good Times

MUMBAI: Beautiful beaches, alluring landscapes and sensuous beauties, can it get hotter than this? The Making of the Kingfisher Calendar 2015 on NDTV Good Times blends impeccable style with unmatched beauty, shot in the backdrop of beaches, ancient ruins, caves and hot springs of exotic Turkey.

The ‘Kingfisher Calendar 2015’ will feature five stunning models – Sarah Jane Dias, Dayana Erappa, Elena Fernandes, Keisha Lall and Aastha Pokharel, the winner of Kingfisher Supermodels 2; a reality talent show aired on NDTV Good Times. The models are styled by the talented Nupur Mehta Puri and Mohit Rai; with make-up artist Kapil Bhalla; hair stylist Apeni George, and captured on lens by none other than ace photographer Atul Kasbekar who has been associated with the Kingfisher Calendar since its inception.

This is the 13th year of the Kingfisher calendar and like good wine, it has only gotten better! Anchor Monica Gill takes you through all the behind the scene action with the five sensational supermodels. Besides the eye catching locales and the highly watchable beauties, the show will also take you through all the latest trends in make- up, bikinis and hairstyles. Not to mention the technique and tricks the veteran photographer Atul Kasbekar, has planned for his 13th calendar shoot.

Talking about his experience on the making of the kingfisher calendar, AtulKasbekar commented, “The Kingfisher Calendar has carved a niche for itself. In every edition, we endeavor to keep it exotic and exuberant. The backdrop of Turkey served as the perfect location for an outdoor shoot. It is always challenging to shoot in such set ups, but then the final shots make it worth the effort. People have showered enormous love to the Calendar always & we are confident that this year’s calendar will add to their enthusiasm”.

Tune in to the Making of the Kingfisher Calendar 2015,every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00pm exclusively on NDTV Good Times!

January 10, 2015
CRISIL assigns A-/Stable credit rating to Shemaroo Entertainment

MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment (Shemaroo), one of the largest independent content aggregators in Bollywood, today announced that CRISIL has assigned its ‘CRISIL A-/ Stable’ rating to the long term bank facilities of Shemaroo. Post this, the existing credit rating enjoyed by the Company on its long term banking facilities stands upgraded by 3 notches.

Rating Rationale by CRISIL:

The rating reflects the benefits that Shemaroo derives from its established market position as a distributor of film content in the re-issue cycle, supported by a large library of content rights and its strong financial risk profile. The rating also reflects CRISIL’s belief that the company’s capital structure will remain below 0.5 times over the medium term. These rating strengths are partially offset by the company’s long working capital cycle marked by long inventory holding period leading to price volatility risks along with high debtor days and its exposure to intense competition in the new media segment.

CRISIL believes that Shemaroo will maintain its credit risk profile supported by its strong market position and financial risk profile. The outlook may be revised to ‘Positive’ if the company’s enhances its business risk profile, backed by sustainable improvement in its sales to inventory ratio and its receivables management, while maintaining its healthy profitability levels and strong financial risk profile. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to ‘Negative’ if the company’s cash accruals declines significantly or of its working capital cycle lengthens, leading to deterioration in the company’s financial risk profile.

January 8, 2015
Gaana.com announces ‘Top charts of the year 2014’

MUMBAI: As 2015 is ringing in, Gaana.com, a music streaming service app, is all set to announce the ‘Top charts of the year 2014’, a list of last year’s most hit music records. The series comprises of the most checked songs and videos by the Gaana.com listeners and is a categorized list based on the Most Popular Song (Bollywood & International), summing up the songs striking chord with the music buffs.

Based on the choices of nine million Gaana users across web and the mobile app, ‘Top Charts of The Year’ will help music enthusiasts have the most popular songs on their playlists without missing out on any of the hit numbers.

Clicking the rhythm with Bollywood lovers, The Most Popular Bollywood Song of 2014 is ‘Manwa Laage’ from the movie, Happy New Year sung in the melodious voice of Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh whereas Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ from Despicable Me 2 became an instant hit with the music followers claiming the title of The Most Popular International Hit 2014 and The Most Popular International Pop Hit 2014.

Favourite in The Top Tamil Song 2014 is ‘Selfie Pulla’ from Kaththi sung by Ilayathalapathy Vijay and Sunidhi Chauhan and in The Top Telugu Song 2014 is ‘Kanulanu Thaake’ from Manam by Arijit Singh.

‘Manwa Lage’ again won hearts for The Most Romantic Bollywood Track 2014 and ‘Maps’ by Maroon 5 claimed the spot for The Most Romantic International Track 2014. Feet tapping, dance number, ‘Bang Bang’ from Bang Bang by Vishal, Shekhar, Benny Dayal, and Neeti Mohan topped the list of Bollywood Top 50 Dance Hit 2014 while Lovers on the Sun (feat. Sam Martin) from ‘Lovers on the Sun EP’ by David Guetta ruffled to the top of International Top 50 Dance Hit 2014.

January 8, 2015
Animal Planet uncovers ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ in a new series

MUMBAI: Animal Planet will air ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’, an all-new series featuring renowned zoologist, animal trainer and television presenter Dave Salmoni. In a unique approach that blends all the splendor of a natural history series with an incredible investigative twist, audiences follow Dave as detective while he sets out to crack some of the last big secrets surrounding the world’s most successful natural-born killers. ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ will premiere on Animal Planet on January 19 and will air Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

The six-part series puts Dave’s expertise and survival skills to the test as he faces the terrifying unknown. Getting dangerously close to the world’s wildest creatures — from the vampire bat and the great hammerhead shark to the killer whale and the grizzly bear — Dave lives alongside them to uncover the secrets of their domination in these strange, confined places, over and above any of the other species that live there.

“This is Animal Planet at its best: exploring areas unknown and providing unprecedented access to awe-inspiring environments,” said Rahul Johri, EVP & GM – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific. “Dave Salmoni’s extraordinary wildlife expertise, captured by world class filmmakers, has produced that rare hybrid of blue chip programming: natural history and adventure set against a spine-tingling mystery – making ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ a truly incredible series and must-see programming event.”

Follow Dave on this heart-stopping adventure amidst the striking hidden beauty of the untamed islands of Rangiroa, Falklands, Admiralty, Fernandina and Coiba.

Only by venturing closer than most would dare to the world’s wildest creatures will Dave uncover their secrets. Viewers will be awed as Dave’s skills and survival are put to the test, and likewise as he illuminates the intricate inner workings of nature.

January 8, 2015
Universal Music signs deal with `The Art of Living’ to make its repertoire available globally

MUMBAI: Universal Music India announced their exclusive association with The Art of Living organization to globally make available it’s audio and video content across categories like Bhajans, Chants, Guided Meditation, Health & Wellness, and Instrumental amongst others. As a part of a multi-phase release plan, Universal Music has just released 51 albums in physical and digital format all over the world except the territory of US.

The content is available across leading music stores and also popular e-commerce portals like Flipkart and Amazon as well as digitally via sites like You tube, Google Play, i-tunes, Hungama. The content is also available on streaming sites like Saavan, Gaana, Wynk, Vodafone Music, Guvera and Beats.

Over the last 30 years The Art Of Living organization has released Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s discourse and music in both Video and Audio formats with the sole purpose of spreading his message to as many people as possible. And now, over 20000 hours of this content will be made available worldwide for the first time through the global presence of the Universal Music Group.

Says Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director, Universal Music Group, South Asia“I am very pleased with this particular association as Sri Sri is someone who is not just a global spiritual leader but an epitome of goodness, kindness and peace at large. His followers and his vast organization stand testament to the fact that alternate thinking can change you, your life and your surroundings and help take you to the next level. We are proud partners in this journey with Gurudev as we aim to take his message across the globe. The Art of Living will continue to influence massive change and we will do our utmost to help deliver this across all local and global platforms.”

Commenting on the association, Prasana Prabhu, Trustee, Sri Sri Publications Trust says, “We are extremely happy to be associated with a major record label like the Universal Music Group who will ensure that the message of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reaches out to a global audience through their large network. With their might, we will be available widely across all digital and physical platforms thus spreading the message of living well and with peace. We look forward to working closely with Universal Music in not just releasing existing content but also in creation of fresh content from `The Art Of Living’ and present it in innovative ways to the world out there”.

Also on the anvil is a prestigious Home Video release next month from Universal Music of a unique symphony – titled “Venunaad” – where 4000 flutists, will simultaneously perform on a gigantic 30,000-ft stage on 12th January, 2015 in Nasik. This performance is under the guiding baton of renowned flutist, Pt. Ronu Mazumdar, while the revered exponent of the instrument, Hariprasad Chaurasia, will be the guest of honor. The symphony is one of two major events to mark the two-day visit of The Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, to Maharashtra.

Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living is one of the largest voluntary organizations in the world. Inspired by its founder’s vision of creating a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, the organization is dedicated to creating peace and fostering human values.

January 8, 2015
‘Renault Star Guild Awards’ to felicitate finest of Indian cinema and TV

MUMBAI: The Film and Television Producers Guild of India today announced the Renault Star Guild Awards co- powered by Gionee Smartphones. In its Tenth edition the Renault Star Guild Awards ceremony will take place early January and will be broadcast on Star Plus.

Instituted to commemorate extraordinary achievements in Indian Cinema and Television, the film and television fraternity congregates every year to celebrate and honor the best contributions and accomplishments in the industry and to celebrate their work in the previous year. The Awards honor excellence in the creative as well as technical categories.

The nominations for the 10th edition of the Renault Star Guild Awards were announced today with Queen & PK leading the nominations tally in 10 categories, followed by 2 States, Highway & Haider.

Rajkumar Rao (Citylights), Varun Dhawan (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania), Arjun Kapoor (2 States), Shah Rukh Khan (Happy New Year), Shahid Kapoor (Haider), Randeep Hooda (Highway) & Aamir Khan (PK)have been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. In the Best Actress in a Leading Role category we have Kangana Ranaut (Queen), Priyanka Chopra( Mary Kom), Alia Bhatt ( 2 States), Deepika Padukone ( Happy New Year), Rani Mukherjee ( Mardaani), Alia Bhatt (Highway) & Anushka Sharma (PK) vying for the trophy.

Speaking on the announcement, Mukesh Bhatt, President of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India said, “The Film and Television Industry has witnessed an incredible year in 2014 with as many as twelve debutant promising directors. We are very excited and look forward to the ceremony that will celebrate the best talent in the past year along with some incredible performances.”

Sumit Sawhney, Country Managing Director & CEO, Renault India said “Renault India is happy to work together with the Guild and we are elated to celebrate the accomplishments of the Indian Cinema & Television industry. At Renault, we understand what it takes to think ahead, to win hearts of the audience and also win accolades from a proficient jury. We have always believed, both the Guild and Renault lay special emphasis on Driving the Change and are therefore a perfect fit with each other”

The 10th Renault Star Guild Awards will be hosted by entertainer and standup comedian, the inimitable Kapil Sharma who is sure to raise the roof with his own special brand of humor and his unbeatable charm.

Talking about the awards, Sanjay Gupta, COO, Star India said, “Television & Cinema are the two cornerstones of our entertainment ecosystem. Star Guild Awards are extremely prestigious as they are based on peer recognition by members of the Guild. We are delighted to host them once again and our viewers can look forward to an entertaining night on TV. “

Arvind Vohra, India Head, Gionee Smartphones said “Cinema is one of the most important parts of our culture. It is one of the Passion Points which we as a brand want to get associated with because our consumers connect with it. SGA is one of the platforms which is created by the Film industry and recognizes the efforts of the industry across categories and functions. We at Gionee are honored to be a part of SGA in recognizing and appreciating the efforts of the film industry for adding entertainment, style and glamour to the consumers life”

Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft International Entertainment said, “It gives us immense pride to partner with the Guild and celebrate the success of the best contributions to Indian Cinema & television. We are certain that the 10th edition of this prestigious awards ceremony will be a huge success and honor some of the finest talent in the industry today.”

Conceptualized, produced, marketed and promoted by Wizcraft International Entertainment, the Awards will bring together the most celebrated stars of Indian Television and Cinema on one spectacularly star-studded stage.

It is the only Award that restricts the voting process to the film and television fraternity in keeping with its policy of ‘By the Industry, For the Industry’. The Guild consists of over 160 members, who constitute some of the most powerful and influential luminaries in its sector. The winners of the Awards are chosen by the Guild’s members, making it one of the most credible and much revered accolades.

The Renault Star Guild Awards 2014 co-powered by Gionee Smartphones will be a scintillating evening with the presence of the biggest and brightest personalities and an unbeatable glamour quotient. A special mention to our Associate Sponsors Donear, Cause Partner Hindustan Times promoting “Clean My City” under the aegis of Swach Bharat Abhiyan, Industry Partner Prime Focus Studio, Support Partner Eros & Music Partner T-Series for partnering the prestigious event.

January 8, 2015