ITV

Category: Press Release

  • BBC One commissions ‘The A Word’

    BBC One commissions ‘The A Word’

    MUMBAI: Ben Stephenson, BBC Controller: Drama Commissioning has announced the commission of The A Word, a six part drama series to be co-produced by Fifty Fathoms Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions and Keshet UK.

    The A Word is based on the Keshet International and July August Productions’ series and drama format which was written and created by Keren Margalit. The A Word has been developed and written for BBC1 by Peter Bowker (Marvellous, Occupation, Blackpool).

    The A Word is the story of the Scott family who work and love and fight like every other family. Then their youngest son is diagnosed with autism and they don’t feel like every other family anymore. They realise that if their son is ever going to communicate, they are going to have to learn how to communicate themselves.  It’s a funny and thought-provoking series about parenthood and childhood and what it is like to have a child who fails to fit the mould.

    The A Word will be Executive Produced for Fifty Fathoms and Tiger Aspect by Patrick Spence and Peter Bowker. Executive Producers for Keshet are Sara Johnson, Avi Nir and Keren Margalit. Lucy Richer will Executive Produce for BBC One.

    Peter Bowker said, “I loved the original series and wanted to honour its spirit while writing something new.  We have the opportunity here to make something funny, tough, realistic and inventive about contemporary family life and autism. In a society where imperfection increasingly comes with blame attached it seems timely to look at how autism is regarded both within a family and the wider community – and to give some insight into how that experience might be for the child on the autistic spectrum.  It’s a drama full of ideas – about parenthood, about disability, about communication, about community – and will emphatically engage an audience whatever their experience of the subject”.

    Sara Johnson, Head of Drama and Co-productions at Keshet UK, added, “The A Word is so close to our hearts at Keshet, Keren Margalit’s original version is a beautiful series and a story which we are so proud and excited to share with the world. We couldn’t be happier to have found the ideal partners to do this in the brilliant Peter Bowker, along with Fifty Fathoms under the capable lead of Patrick Spence, and the perfect home on the BBC1 platform.”

    Filming will commence in summer 2015.  Further production and cast credits will follow.  A TX in early 2016 is currently anticipated.

     

  • 92.7 Big FM to support Honda’s campaign

    92.7 Big FM to support Honda’s campaign

    MUMBAI:  92.7 Big FM, India’s largest and No. 1 private FM Network comprehensively utilized its 45 station spread across the country to meticulously support Honda’s latest campaign ‘Honda Amaze Longest Drive Through Amazing India’. The campaign which kicked off from the 15th of September and culminated on 9th Nov achieved the Guinness World Records™ for registering as the longest journey by a car in a single country. The campaign was supported by all-encompassing on-ground activities and on-air promotions across 30 Stations of the 92.7 BIG FM network, connecting with Honda fans and dealers to create a buzz about their power campaign.

    The brief received from the Client saw the Solutions and the Sales Team at 92.7 BIG FM come together to explore options that would deliver effective results for the campaign. Ensuring out of the box thinking and excellence in execution, the team put together a national plan with elements that ensures maximum buzz and talk-ability around the innovative campaign.

     

    From here-on there was no stopping this partnership and 92.7 BIG FM went all out from inviting dealers into the studio to interact with the RJ’s, RJ’s hosting live shows from across Honda showrooms interacting with customers through interesting games and other interactions and also collecting feedback.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Hironori Kanayama, President & CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd., said “We are happy to announce that Honda Cars India has added yet another milestone to its journey by entering The Guinness World Records™ for the Longest journey by car in a single country”.

    He further added, “The drive through various terrains is testimony to the durability, quality and reliability of Honda Amaze. These qualities have found their way into the Indian market and the car has garnered excellent response from the customers.”

     

    Speaking of the partnership,Ashwin Padmanabhan, Business Head, 92.7 BIG FM stated, “It is our endeavor to offer audiences with clutter breaking and highly engaging content, while offering our partners the best solutions through the effective use of the powerful medium of radio. Having worked with Honda in the past we have a long standing association since they understand the power of radio. We are happy to have exclusively partnered with them on yet another exceptional campaign of driving through amazing India and further into the Guinness World Records”

    92.7 BIG FM has in the past worked closely with Honda on their property titled ‘Voice of Honda Brio’, which saw participants taking a test drive, post which they were given the opportunity to share their reviews on the radio network. This was accompanied with interesting segments like ‘Express your love for Brio’ and ‘Brio Love ka Time Check’. The campaign again was a success which has resulted in both partners synergizing excellently on various campaigns.

     

    The ‘Honda Amaze Longest Drive Through Amazing India’ campaign kick-started on September 15th,2014. It was flagged off at Jodhpur and went on to clock an astounding 23,800 kms during its drive, covering over 400 Indian towns across the length and breadth of India through mountainous terrains, coastlines, flat highways, congested city roads and the interiors of the country.

     

    Providing the campaign with its much needed boost, 92.7 BIG FM, India’s largest FM network successfully generated immense interest from the masses and assisted Honda in making this campaign an enormous success.

     

  • OgilvyOne shines for India at DMA Echo International Awards

    OgilvyOne shines for India at DMA Echo International Awards

    Mumbai: At a gala ceremony held in San Diego on October 28, the world’s best marketing campaigns fought for what many consider the ultimate prize in result and data driven marketing – the International Echo Awards 2014. And OgilvyOne led the way bagging 4 (1 silver, 3 bronze) of the 9 metals that came India’s way. The DMA Echo awards are ranked among the oldest and most revered effectiveness awards on the international marketing calendar.

    An elated Vikram Menon, President and Country head, OgilvyOne India:This is wonderful not only for OgilvyOne but for India. What’s most delightful is that the wins have come for exciting work on some of our biggest clients – DuPont, Vodafone, Unilever and American Express. And we owe a large part of these wins to them.

     

    Sanjeev Jasani, Sr Vice President and Head of Office, OgilvyOne Delhi:The reason for our wins on both DuPont and Amex are the result of some inspired new-age thinking combined with truly old-fashioned collaboration and hard work. Lots of effort has gone into both campaigns and for them to get recognized internationally is amazing.

    Burzin Mehta, Sr Creative Director, OgilvyOne, Mumbai:An Echo win is extra special because of the rigorous nature of judging and the caliber of its international jury comprising marketing experts, clients and creative gurus. Few things are as rewarding as recognition from clients and peers alike.

    Commenting on India’s performance, Vatsal Asher, CEO DMA India:India’s strong showing at this year’s awards is a matter of pride for all of us. And like last year, OgilvyOne has lead the way

     

  • Star CJ launches its M-Commerce Site

    Star CJ launches its M-Commerce Site

    MUMBAI: Star CJ Network India– India’s largest home shopping network launches its M-Commerce website, bringing its products and services to the consumer’s palm. This move has been taken to take advantage of the growing number of mobile internet users in India, which presently is estimated to be 120 million, much more than the users using internet on their computers (estimated at 100 million). The other major reason behind this step is the overwhelming success experienced by the Company for their mobile DM service, which was launched as a pre-requisite to this m-commerce website in June this year. The mobile DM service has been growing at an average month-on-month rate of 250%, fetching the company 55% of the total sales through internet as compared to 45% achieved from the e-commerce front. The Company informed that a special team from Korea was assigned to develop the M-commerce website of the Company, which is going live on 19 November 2014.
     
    The biggest differentiating factor for STAR CJ’s M-commerce website is the live access provided to the consumers buying products from distinct sellers on the platform to view STAR CJ alive on their mobile phones. This will also allow the consumers to view live demonstrations of the products, over and above their images and specifications. Placing an order would be easier than ever!
     
    Commenting on the launch of the new M-commerce site Star CJ Network CEO Kenny Shin says, “M-commerce has grown phenomenally in India due to rapid growth in the smartphone sector. STAR CJ looks at this platform as one of the greatest opportunities to penetrate further into the Indian market. The team has done an impressive job with the design, making it extremely easy for consumers to access and navigate through the website.”
     
    The website has been specifically designed for easy access and navigation on all types of mobile phones with internet. A direct link would be provided to the users, which will connect them to the STAR CJ call centre on a simple click. This will smoothen and simplify the purchase, freeing the consumers from the tedious online payment process. Special discounts would be offered to the early birds, celebrating Company’s presence on the m-commerce platform.

     

  • 42nd Annual American Music Awards 2014 Live on Vh1 presented by Micromax

    42nd Annual American Music Awards 2014 Live on Vh1 presented by Micromax

    MUMBAI: Vh1, the pioneer in international music and entertainment will be airing the much-awaited 42nd Annual American Music Awards Live on 24th of November.

     

    One of the biggest music awards, the 42nd Annual American Music Awards 2014 will be aired LIVE from Los Angeles, USA. Music artists will be honored in the genres of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative Rock, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Contemporary Inspirational, Electronic Dance Music, as well as categories for Top Soundtrack, New Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Single of the Year.

     

    “Vh1 has grown to be synonymous with the best in international music & lifestyle entertainment. The AMA’s are one of the most prestigious platforms recognized the world over as the gold standard  in music & entertainment & we are excited to present the 42nd edition of this blockbuster award show on Vh1” – Ferzad Palia, EVP & Head – English Entertainment, Viacom18

     

    Iggy Azalea leads the nominations race this year with a total of six nominations. John Legend, Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams follow with five nominations each, while Lorde earns four nominations. Additionally, Beyoncé, Eminem, Imagine Dragons, One Republic and One Direction are nominated for three awards. The ‘Dark Horse’ singer Katy Perry has been nominated under Artist of the Year once again, thus giving her a total of 23 nominations under the same category through her music career.

     

    After an energetic and vivacious performance last year, renowned international rapper Pitbull returns to host this year’s American Music Awards. The AMAs 2014 will also witness electrifying performances by Katy Perry, One Direction, Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and many more.

     

    The American Music Awards is part of an illustrious award show line up aired Live on Vh1 like The Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Video Music Awards & Europe Music Awards.

  • Delhi’s largest Indian music festival ‘Swar Utsav’

    Delhi’s largest Indian music festival ‘Swar Utsav’

    MUMBAI: The much awaited 3 day music festival ‘Swar Utsav’ took place in Delhi this weekend. Festival was inaugurated by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; Aroon Purie, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group and Mala Sekhri, COO, Music Today.

     

    The 3 day festival was a treat to Delhi’s music lovers. The uniqueness of this festival lied in its capacity to attract the best talent in all genres of Hindustani music namely devotional, classical, sufi, folk, fusion and now even Bollywood.

     

    Day 1 featured Classical performance Raga By Moonlight by Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty followed by a fusion concert, Confluence which had maestros like Ustaad Shujaat Hussain Khan (Sitar), Pandit T. H. Vikku Vinayakram (Ghatam), George Brooks (Saxophone) and Ajay Prasanna (Flute).

     

    Day 2 of Swar Utsav started early morning with devotional rendition, Divinity by Pandit Channulal Mishra who kept the audience spell-bound under the bright sun. The evening was a soulful affair with Qawwali by Warsi Brothers and mesmerising Sufiana Kalam by Hans Raj Hans.

     

    Day 3 began with Gurbani session, Shabad Kirtan by young Ashupreet Kaur. And the finale was grand with Bollywood singer KK.

     

    The three days of mesmerising music under nature’s bliss came to an end with people asking for more. Dignitaries present at the closing ceremony included  Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice President, Hyundai Motors, Mala Sekhri, COO, Music Today among others.

     

    Swar Utsav 2014 was embraced with much warmth by Delhi and the way audience turned up in thousands despite of chilling weather is really phenomenon.

     

    Speaking about the event, Aroon Purie, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief – The India Today Group said “Swar Utsav was started by the India Today Group in 2000 and soon became the largest Indian Music Festival in Delhi. We, at The India Today Group are proud to be reviving this grand stage and bringing the best musicians in the country together for Delhi’s citizens.”

     

    The annual music festival which won many accolades, had maestros performing and thousands of fans listening to them under the stars, is back with the immense support of many partners including Hyundai as the presenting partner.

     

    The festival partners include Liberty, Organic India, Sahitya Kala Academy, The Punjabi Academy, Minsitry of Culture Government of India, and DDA amongst others.

     

  • Hero Cycles customer reward initiative a hit with customers

    Hero Cycles customer reward initiative a hit with customers

    MUMBAI: Hero Cycles, world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, had recently announced ‘Mega Hero Gifts Festival’ to capture the spirit of festive season. The offer, that entitles each buyer to win assured gifts with the purchase of every Hero cycle, has received an overwhelming response from the customers. The company will be giving away over 9 lakh prizes under this offer.

     
    To avail the offer every customer will have to scratch the promo card being given along with each purchase. Speaking about the success of the offer Pankaj Munjal, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Hero Cycles said, “We are overwhelmed by the response that we have received from our customers. In just a few days we have been able to achieve several happy and satisfied customers through the offer. Our aim is to provide maximum customer satisfaction through our quality of products and such offers further help in providing enhanced customer experience. This initiative is a part of our customer reward program that aims to bolster our efforts to achieve our sales expansion strategy.”
     

    There are several high value prizes among others to be won under the offer that include Maruti Alto cars, Hero Splendor motor cycles, Apple iPads, LG LCD televisions and Nokia 520 Lumia phones. The offer started from 16th October 2014 and will be valid till 15th December 2014.

     
    Being the world’s largest cycle manufacturers the company manufactured 5.5 million bicycles last year with sales of Rs 2000 crore.

     

  • Weber Shandwick appoints Valerie Pinto to lead India operations

    Weber Shandwick appoints Valerie Pinto to lead India operations

    MUMBAI: Weber Shandwick has roped in Valerie Pinto to the role of chief executive, effective as of 1 January 2015.  Pinto will report to Weber Shandwick, Asia Pacific chairman Tim Sutton.

     
    In her role, Pinto will have overriding responsibility for the firm’s business in India. Her appointment is part of a broader strategy to build on the agency’s best-in-class India team. She will also join Weber Shandwick’s Asia Pacific senior management board.

     
    Vice Chairman, Atul Ahluwalia will continue in his role. Pinto partners Ahluwalia in Weber Shandwick’s India Leadership Council. The Council also includes managing director of client services, Dilip Yadav; deputy managing director, Carolina Bajaj, and executive vice president, operations, Mabel Phoon who will all report to Pinto. Yadav is also Managing Director, India of Weber Shandwick’s second brand, Creation.

     
    Pinto brings over sixteen years’ experience in communications and reputation management, having previously led Perfect Relations, a leading independent public relations consultancy that gained strong momentum under her leadership in India.  During her distinguished career, she has led strategic counsel to a wide range of companies and executives across numerous industries. She has an outstanding track record in business growth and a particular reputation for effective talent management, having mentored many highly motivated and high performing professionals under her leadership.

     
    Sutton said: “In the last few months, I have spoken to very many senior people in India – at agencies and clients, in media and business – for advice on the very best person to take our business in India to the next stage of market leadership. It was quite remarkable how many of them put Valerie at the very top of their ‘recommendation list’.  She is a class act with a legendary reputation.

     
    “She had many other options at this stage of her career, including running her own business, and I am so thrilled that our vision and ambition have persuaded her to join Weber Shandwick.  This appointment signals our absolute determination to become the market leader in India.

     
    “We are already blessed with a wonderful senior management team assembled by vice chairman Atul Ahluwalia.  They have made Weber Shandwick the most awarded agency in India.”

     
    “I am very delighted to welcome Valerie to our team,” said Ahluwalia. “She brings huge experience and stature with her.”

     

  • Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar speaks exclusively to Bloomberg TV India

    Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar speaks exclusively to Bloomberg TV India

    MUMBAI: In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg TV India, the country’s leading English business news channel, Manohar Parrikar- Defence Minister, spoke for the first time after taking over as India’s defence minister. In his exclusive interview Parrikar discussed an extensive range of issues with Siddharth Zarabi – Executive Editor, Bloomberg TV India.

    During the interview Parrikar emphasised on cleaning up the tainted defence procurement process and also pointed out that decision taken by UPA government of blacklisting of numerous foreign firms was the wrong approach and would be reviewed immediately by the current government. In conversation with the channel, Mr. Parrikar highlighted that corruption in India’s defence systems is nothing less an anti-national activity and he spoke about blacklisting defence contractors on immediate basis.

    Commenting on blacklisting defence contractors Parrikar said, “I think there needs to be some decision on the issue of blacklisting. We need various platforms such as aerial- helicopters, planes, and there are probably few manufacturers to do that. So some sort of exercise has been carried out by my predecessor Jaitley and I intend to take it forward so that we can protect ourselves. The number of suppliers in some of the items probably is very few and we just cannot paint everyone in black. There have to be proper guidelines for blacklisting; otherwise we will run out of defence contractors/suppliers.”

    Commenting on corruption in defence Parrikar said, “I consider corruption in defence as an anti-national activity. Therefore there will be transparency and every decision will be in the interest of the country. And I will tell you one thing, there may be corruption, in general, in defence procurement, but to stay with a clean image for 20 years in a small state like Goa itself is a stupendous task which I have managed to achieve. I think that is because I have the concept of transparency and how to ensure a transparent but quick decision.”

    To watch the exclusive interview, log on to

    http://www.btvin.com/videos/watch/9631/to-take-forward-jaitley%27s-steps-on-blacklisted-firms:-manohar-parrikar

     

  • Mukta A2 Cinemas launches first property in Bhopal

    Mukta A2 Cinemas launches first property in Bhopal

    MUMBAI: Mukta Arts has launched its 10th high tech multiplex in Bhopal on 14 November at People’s Mall.

    Commenting on the launch, Mukta Arts chairman Subhash Ghai said, “My hearty congratulations to our brilliant team of Mukta A2 Cinemas on the opening its 10th high tech multiplex in Bhopal on November 14, 204. This year, Mukta Arts has recently celebrated its 37th anniversary in show business of India and its feels great that Mukta A2 Cinemas is launching its 10th property in the same year.”

    Spread across 23,000 square feet with four screens and a seating capacity of 775, the theatre boasts of comfortable recliner seats at affordable prices, which is an exclusive offering to the movie going audience in Bhopal. The property also offers state-of-the-art technology with Dolby digital sound complimented by a soothing ambience with comfortable seating and an exciting variety of F&B options.
    In terms of marketing, the brand is reaching out to movie lovers by means of hoardings, bus branding, television tickers and newspaper advertisements.

    Speaking about the launch, Mukta Arts MD Rahul Puri commented, “It’s with great pleasure that Mukta A2 Cinemas opens its 10th property in the wonderful city of Bhopal. The people of this terrific city can now enjoy great movies in the comfort of a world class theatre at extremely competitive prices. The theatre is also in the heart of the City – People’s Mall, poised to be on the city’s retail hotspots.”

    Mukta Arts is one of the leading players in the Indian film production and distribution industry. It has also ventured into launching its own brand of multiplex theatres, Mukta A2 Cinemas, which is spread across 28 screens in India. The existing screens located in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Gulbarga, Vishakapatnam, Banswara, Sailu, Hyderabad and Sangli has received a tremendous response and strengthened the company’s goal to provide an enriching movie-watching experience.

    As part of their impending plans, Mukta A2 Cinemas aims to launch in cities like Mumbai, Gurgaon, Dehradun and Aurangabad, promising the best movie experiences to movie lovers.