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Category: Press Release

  • Kyoorius Announces Speakers for Kyoorius Designyatra, 2014

    Kyoorius Announces Speakers for Kyoorius Designyatra, 2014

    MUMBAI: Sowing the seeds for great ideas to flourish and pushing people to chart their own paths is what Kyoorius Designyatra is known for.

     

    Kyoorius continues its mission to facilitate by fueling inspiration for the creative industry by providing a platform that brings radical and divergent ideas into focus, and has announced the speakers’ lineup for IAA Kyoorius Digiyatra and Kyoorius Designyatra 2014. It includes a diverse pool of creative minds from India and the globe, which will engage delegates in stimulating discussions both on and off stage.

     

    IAA Kyoorius Digiyatra is an entire day dedicated to all things digital, and will be held on 11th September. Delegates can expect to hear from the likes of:

     

    1.     Dhairya Dand – Designer, Researcher & Artist at MIT Media Lab

    2.     Elizabeth McGuane – Content Strategist & User Experience Designer

    3.     Fernanda ‘Fefa’ Romano – Chief Creative Officer, Naked Brazil

    4.     Gaston Legorburo – Executive Director & Worldwide Chief Creative Officer SapientNitro

    5.     Christian Etter – Founder of Etter Studio

    6.     Tim Malbon – Founding partner of Made by Many

     

    Designyatra, which takes place from 12th to 13th of September, will offer delegates the opportunity to imbibe knowledge and insights from some of the most innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs, share their experiences and have meaningful face-to-face interactions with peers.

     

    Speakers include:

    1.     Ajaz Ahmed – CEO and founder of AKQA

    2.     David Berman – Founder, David Berman Communications

    3.     David Law – Founder, Co-Owner, Executive Strategic Creative Director, SomeOne

    4.     David Sherwin – Fellow, Frog Design

    5.     Ivan Chermayeff – Principal, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv

    6.     Liam Paton – Co-Founder & Music Director, Silent Studios

    7.     Michael Wolff – Founder, Michael Wolff & Company

    8.     Morihiko Hasebe – Executive Creative Director, Hakuhodo Inc.

    9.     Jonathan Ford – Founding Partner & Chief Creative Officer, Pearlfisher

    10.  Mat Heinl – Chief Executive Officer, Moving Brands

    11.  Natasha Jen – Partner, Pentagram

    12.  Nathan Prince – Co-Founder & Creative Director, Silent Studios

    13.  Simon Manchipp – Founder, Co-Owner, Executive Strategic Creative Director, SomeOne

    14.  Stalin K – Director & Managing Trustee, Video Volunteers

    15.  Todd Rovak – Managing Partner, Fahrenheit 212

     

    Both Designyatra & Digiyatra will be moderated by Patrick Burgoyne – Editor, Creative Review

     

    Rajesh Kejriwal, Founder CEO, Kyoorius said, “Year after year our aim has always been to exceed our own expectations and this year too we have aimed to get the best of the best at Designyatra. Our speakers will discuss their approach to design and share their insight into ideas that are taking the world by storm in design, digital, branding, communication and more.”

     

    This year, Kyoorius Designyatra will be held from 11th to the 13th of September at Grand Hyatt, Goa and will be attended 1300 delegates. The theme is What if?, which will be explored through a variety of formats such as talks, breakout sessions, portfolio reviews and more.

  • FC Pune City announces team launch, with the unveiling of brand identity

    FC Pune City announces team launch, with the unveiling of brand identity

    MUMBAI: Rajesh Wadhawan Group owned Pune franchise of the Indian Super League (ISL) today announced the launch of its Team name – Football Club Pune City (FC Pune City) – and it’s brand identity. FC Pune City has further announced a strategic tie-up with Italian football major, ACF Fiorentina, and signing up former Juventus star David Trezeguet as the Team’s marquee player.

     

    Mr Gaurav Modwel, CEO of FC Pune City said, “Indian football is at a point of inflexion, and FC Pune City shall leave no stone unturned in our endeavour to fulfil millions of dreams of players, fans and of football lovers. We shall uphold our motto of Passion, Honour and Glory on the pitch and off it as well – by engaging with the community and working purposefully at grassroot level. Our partnership with ACF Fiorentina is a step in this direction.”

     

    Nearly a century old, ACF Fiorentina boasts of a robust legacy of being among the top five clubs that have played the maximum number of Serie A matches. The Club, which is better known as Viola in Italy was placed 4th in the just concluded Serie A season, behind Juventus, Roma & Napoli and ahead of Inter Milan & AC Milan.

     

    FC Pune City has also roped in Italian Franco Colomba as the head coach for the team. Colomba who before coming on board with FC Pune City was serving as the manager for Serie B club Padova. The 59-year old Italian manager has previously been in charge of famous Italian clubs like Napoli, Cagliari, Verona, Parma over a golden 23 year career in management and is one of the respected names in football management in Italy.

     

    In addition to the tie-up with ACF Fiorentina, and roping in Italian Franco Colomba as the head coach, FC Pune City has also signed up with former Juventus star David Trezguet as its marquee player. Trezeguet, French footballer, has been a World Cup and European Championship winner with France and also holds the distinction of being the third highest goal scorer ever for his country. The star French striker began his career with Club Atlético Platense at the age of eight and has played for AS Monaco, Juventus and River Plate. In his 11 year stint with Italian heavyweights Juventus he became one of their most bankable players, finishing his second season at the Club with 24 goals, making him the highest goal scorer of Seria A that season. Trezeguet has scored more than 300 goals and has won individual honors like Serie A Footballer of the Year; Serie A top goal scorer of the Year and has also been part of the FIFA 100 list of “greatest living footballers” compiled by Pele.

     

    Mr Modwel adds, “By joining hands with the legends of football, FC Pune City brings international expertise to the Team to nurture young talent and hopefully take football to a different level in a country where all other sports have been eclipsed by cricket.

     

    FC Pune City draws it’s inspiration from the pride of the city – Chhatrapati  Shivaji Maharaj – building a fort for defense. In football, who better can imbibe defense than the Italians.”

     

    FC Pune City’s logo depicts this coming together of Pune and Florence (orange and violet). The flag signifies the importance of “winning with passion and honour” leading to glory.

    FC Pune City boasts of international signing like Goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi and Italian Defender Bruno Cirillo to ensure that the Team’s rich blend of domestic players – Lenny Rodrigues, Dharamraj Ravanan, Ashutosh Mehta, Joaquim Abranches, Pritam Kotal, Manish Maithani, Israil Gurung, Deepak Devrani, Tapan Maity, Arindam Bhattacharya, Anupam Sarkar, Pratik Shinde, Lalit Thapa and Mehrajuddin Wadoo – get a taste of international football in India.

     

    Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex (Balewadi Stadium) will serve as the home ground for the team. The Belwadi stadium is a new-age international sports complex with a seating capacity of 12000 spectators. It is also one of the 8 stadiums selected for the Fifa 2017 Youth World Cup.

     

    According to Mr Sandro Mencucci, CEO, ACF Fiorentina, “It is indeed a great opportunity for us to associate with FC Pune City, as it is a platform for us to nurture football talent amongst India’s youth. Pune is a young and vibrant city in India and is a great destination, synonymous to the definition of football – young, vibrant, global and youthful. ACF Fiorentina has tirelessly worked towards growing the level of football in Italy and through this tie-up we only hope to help the much needed growth of the wonderful sport of football in a country as beautiful and lively as India.”

     

    The Indian Super League, set to kick off in October 2014, is expected to bring about a major facelift to the sport of football in India and aims to bring Indian football at par with global standards.

     

    FC Pune City

     

    FC Pune City is the Pune franchise participating in the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL). The Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Bollywood star Salman Khan own the franchise. Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex known as Balewadi Stadium is the primary home ground of the Team, which has a strategic partnership with Italian football club ACF Fiorentina.

     

    The Team has signed former Juventus striker David Trezguet as the marquee player, with Bruno Cirillo, Emanuele Belardi, Daniele Magliocchetti and Davide Colomba as the other overseas players. Lenny Rodrigues, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Ashutosh Mehta, Joaquim Abranches, Pritam Kotal, Manish Maithani, Israil Gurung, Deepak Devrani, Tapan Maity, Arindam Bhattacharya, Anupam Sarkar, Pratik Shinde, Lalit Thapa and Mehrajuddin Wadoo were selected in the draft of Indian players of the Pune Team.

     

    Former Serie A player Franco Colomba is the head coach of the Team and will be assisted by Giovanni Mei, also from Italy and Iuri Bartoli. Piero Spinosa is the goalkeeping coach and Stefano Desideri is the team manager – both from Italy.

     

    The Rajesh Wadhawan Group prior to this has been associated with sports primarily cricket, to nurture the spirit of sporting in India. With the football foray, the Group aims to develop and grow football in India. They are committed to making a difference not just at the senior level but also at the grassroot level.

     

    ACF Fiorentina

     

    ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Italy. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence – only four clubs have played in more Serie A seasons.

     

    Fiorentina have won two Italian Championships, in 1955–56 and again in 1968-69, as well as winning six Coppa Italia trophies and one Italian Super Cup. On the European stage, Fiorentina won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1960–61 and lost the final one year later. They finished runners-up in the 1956–57 European Cup, losing against Real Madrid, and also came close to winning the UEFA Cup, finishing as runners-up in the 1989–90 season.

     

    Since 1931, the Club has played at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, which currently has a capacity of 47,282. The stadium has used several names over the years and has undergone several renovations. Fiorentina are known widely by the nickname Viola, a reference to their distinctive purple colour.

  • ‘Sony music segmentation study’ a Feci report

    ‘Sony music segmentation study’ a Feci report

    Sony Music India Segmentation Study is India’s first and largest research undertaken to analyze psychographic and demographic profiling of Indian audiences based on their music consumption patterns. It offers a never seen before insight into the life of a consumer over-layed with their music preferences.

     

    The proprietary Sony Music Segmentation Study is conceptualised and managed by the International Insight Team –at Sony Music UK and India along with market research giant GMI (Global Market Insite) with the objective of providing audience insight and music trends across different consumer segments in key markets. For India, a nationally representative sample size of 7500 + consumers aged 13 + across 23 cities, were asked a series of question statements and choices; including their hobbies interests and preferences from hundreds of artist, brands, retailer and media outlets they regularly interact with.

     

    The study uncovers 28 unique segments of music consumers classified under a model called as FECI – Fanatic, Enthusiast, Casual and Indifferent, based on how central music is to their lives. The trend study also researched the usage and consumption habits, music spends by teenagers in urban cities, music discovery patterns across age groups, music consumed on a daily basis, brands consumers admire and spend on with respect to music & the role it plays in marketing and advertising. 

     

    Commenting on the study, Mr. Shridhar Subramaniam, President, India & Middle East – Sony Music said, “The consumers of music are a poorly researched and understood segment. Though music is central to most Indians and the music industry in India has grown exponentially very little has been invested into understanding how they discover, behave and interact with music and artitsts. Sony Music India Segmentation Study is the first in-depth and extensive research that digs deep into the music consumption habits of consumers to understand trends, preferences and lifestyle choices. These insights can be leveraged by artists, marketeers and brands to talk to consumers more effectively.

     

    Key findings of the Sony Music Segmentation Study:

     

    • 70% of those surveyed admitted to attending a music festival or concert for the ‘experience’ and not so much the ‘music’ on offer

     

    • CRBT witnesses a comeback with urban audiences spending almost upto 8-10% of their income on it Males spend maximum on CRBT over females

     

    • 40% of people directly follow artists on social media for updates

     

    50% of people access music on their mobile phones of which maximum stream music 

  • “The Book of Negroes” to open in Cannes

    “The Book of Negroes” to open in Cannes

    MUMBAI: MIPCOM and Entertainment One Television (eOne) announce the exclusive preview of the forthcoming event mini-series, “The Book of Negroes.” The MIPCOM 2014 World Premiere TV Screening is scheduled for Monday 13 October in the Grand Auditorium of Cannes’ Palais des Festivals at 6.30pm.

    Organised by Reed MIDEM, the 30th anniversary of MIPCOM will take place in Cannes, 13-16 October 2014.

    Lead actress Aunjanue Ellis (Ray, The Help), Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr (Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men) and Oscar and Emmy winner Lou Gossett Jr (A Raisin in the Sun, Boardwalk Empire) are scheduled to appear at the screening, along with multi-award winning Director and Co-writer Clement Virgo (The Wire) and Executive Producer Damon D’Oliveira (What We Have). The star-studded miniseries also features Lyriq Bent (Rookie Blue), Jane Alexander (The Cider House Rules), Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line) and Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle).

    The mini-series is produced by Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment, eOne and Idlewild Films.

    The premiere screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director, producer and cast present. The talent will later walk the red carpet to attend the MIPCOM Opening Night Party.

    A universal story of loss, courage and triumph, “The Book of Negroes” recounts the extraordinary journey of Aminata Diallo, an indomitable African woman who survives in a world in which everything seems to be against her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa then sold into slavery in South Carolina, Aminata navigates her way through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova Scotia and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone, before finally securing her freedom in England at the dawn of the 19th century.

    The series is based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill, which has sold more than one million copies worldwide (published as Someone Knows My Name in the US).

    “The Book of Negroes” is made for Viacom’s BET Networks in the US and Canada’s CBC. World rights to the series in all media are being handled by eOne.

    “We are honored and elated that “The Book of Negroes” has been officially selected for MIPCOM’S Opening Night Gala and that it will make its highly-anticipated premiere at the television world’s most prestigious and internationally-renowned event,” said Carrie Stein, Executive Vice President of Global Production, Entertainment One Television.  “With the tremendous support of our partners at CBC, BET, Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Idlewild Films as well as the incredible work of our talented crew and cast led by Cuba Gooding Jr., Lou Gossett Jr., Aunjanue Ellis and Lyriq Bent, we’re extremely proud of this captivating, powerful and inspiring miniseries and look forward to presenting it in October.”

    “We’re honoured to be hosting the exclusive premiere of this magnificent bestseller adaptation with its outstanding cast,” said Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division. “eOne’s launch of this high-profile mini-series at MIPCOM underlines the growing importance of the World Premiere TV Screening as a key industry event.”

    Watch the trailer here

  • Havells India Q1FY15 net revenue up by 21 %; PAT up by 13 %

    Havells India Q1FY15 net revenue up by 21 %; PAT up by 13 %

    MUMBAI: Havells India Limited, a $1.3 billion leading Fast Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) company and a major power distribution equipment manufacturer with a strong global footprint, announced its first quarter performance ended 30 June, 2014.

    Standalone Performance (Q1FY15 VS Q1FY14)

    • Net Revenue grew by 21 per cent to Rs 1,277 crore during the first quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to Rs 1,051 crore in the corresponding quarter ended June 30, 2013.

    • PAT grew by 13 per cent to Rs 107 crore for the period ended June 30, 2014 compared to Rs 95 crore in the corresponding quarter previous year.

    • PBT grew by 30 per cent to Rs 150 crore as against Rs 115 crore in the corresponding quarter previous year ended June 30, 2013.
    Sylvania Global standalone basis Q1FY15 VS Q1FY14

    • Revenue grew to € 107.2 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to € 106.7 million to the corresponding quarter ended June 30, 2013.  

    • EBIDTA grew to € 4.6 million compared € 4.2 million in the corresponding quarter ended June 30, 2013.

    Consolidated Performance (Q1FY15 VS Q1FY14)

    • Net Revenue grew by 17 per cent to Rs 2,129 crore during the first quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to Rs 1,823 crore in the corresponding quarter ended June 30, 2013.

    • Net Profit grew by 28 per cent to Rs 112 crore during the first quarter as compared to Rs 87 crore in the corresponding quarter previous year.

    • PBT grew by 44 per cent to Rs 163 crore as against Rs 113 crore in the corresponding quarter previous year ended June 30, 2013.

    Commenting on the financial performance, Havells India joint managing director Anil Rai Gupta said, “Led by cable division, all our business segments have seen strong growth and improvement in margins in the first quarter of the current financial year. Our overseas operations under Sylvania has also registered profit. Overall, the outlook is upbeat as industrial, infrastructure and construction sectors gain momentum with the government taking a number of policy initiatives and reviving stalled projects. We expect strong demand in the cable segment to spread to other segments in the coming quarters. With our wide range of high quality products across segments and a robust distribution network, we are geared to take advantage of this pickup in economic activity.”

    Business Segments (Q1FY15 VS Q1FY14)

    • Electrical Consumer Durables grew by 21 per cent to Rs 269 cr in Q1FY15 as compared to Rs 222 cr in Q1FY14.

    • The Cable division grew by 32 per cent to Rs 535 cr in Q1FY15 as compared to Rs 405 cr in Q1FY14.

    • Lighting and Fixtures segment registered revenue growth of 12per cent at Rs 165 crore as against Rs 148 crore.

    • Switchgear division grew by 11 per cent to Rs 307 cr in Q1FY15 as against Rs 276 cr in Q1FY 14.

    • Export revenue grew by 9 per cent during the quarter from Rs 65 cr in Q1FY14 to Rs 71 cr in Q1FY15.

    Other Highlights

    • Expanded Havells Galaxy chain by opening 10 more stores across India, taking the total number of such stores to 235 across the country.

    • Board of Directors approved split of its equity shares of face value of Rs 5 into Rs 1 each on 30 June 2014.

    • Direct presence in 100 towns with more than 5 lac population.

    • Focus now on towns up to 1 lac population. Out of 1200 towns, already reached nearly 750 towns.

  • FremantleMedia’s master athletes powers into Sweden

    FremantleMedia’s master athletes powers into Sweden

    MUMBAI: The dynamic FremantleMedia developed format, Master Athletes (Swedish title – Athlets) has sped off the starting blocks with a commission from the Swedish National broadcaster SVT. The 10 x 60’ entertainment reality shows sees competition and conflict as contestants endure intense fitness challenges, egos, injuries, tears and triumphs in their bid for glory. Devised by FremantleMedia North America’s Henrik Nielsen and produced by FremantleMedia Sweden, the Swedish version will launch on August 23. FremantleMedia will launch the format at the upcoming MIPCOM 2014.

     

    Filmed in a custom designed arena, 24 amateur athletes and sports fanatics are placed in a team with a member of the opposite sex and prepare themselves for a grueling ten week challenge. The athletes live, eat, sleep and train together in the luxury Master Athletes Athletic Village. Relationships develop, alliances are formed and the intense battle begins. Audiences will learn about the contestants’ sporting backgrounds and watch as the athletes try to overcome the hurdles they face throughout the competition.

     

    To win the show, the 12 teams must conquer ten disciplines: 60m Sprint, Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, Pole Vault, Archery, Free Climbing, 50m Freestyle Swim, 50m Crawl and Long Jump. Each episode sees the athletes tested to their fitness max as they take part in different events to qualify for the next episode. The top teams from the first two events leap to the next episode whilst the two lowest placed teams compete in a final head to head duel for the last remaining qualification spot. In a dramatic twist, the winners of the second event are also given the power to tactically decide which discipline is chosen for the duel. As the competition heats up, only the strongest team can survive and claim victory as the Master Athletes.

     

    Magnus Karlsson Lamm, Managing Director, FremantleMedia Sweden, said: “FremantleMedia Sweden has enjoyed working with SVT on this exciting and entertaining format. There is so much more to being a great athlete than physical ability and this format really explores the mental edge and tactics needed to be the best. The intense challenges, sporting brilliance and competitive clashes make great viewing. We are looking forward to the premiere on SVT.”

     

    Mathias Engstrand, Commissioning Editor Entertainment and Sports, SVT: “Developing this show together with FremantleMedia has been an exciting and fruitful process. The format triggers lots of emotions and the arena competitions keep the episode-tension on a high level right in the middle of the ongoing health and training trend. It’s a man depending on a woman and a woman depending on a man. They win and lose together with blood, sweat and tears. It’s sports and reality in a new and beautiful mix.”

     

    Master Athletes will premiere in a primetime slot on Saturdays and is hosted by Olympic High Jump Champion Kajsa Bergqvist, and Rickard Olsson.

     

    As an added incentive to strive for glory, the winning teams each week are rewarded with training sessions alongside former national elite athletes. The Swedish version sees Christian Olsson (High Jump), Mattias Sunneborn (Long Jump), Lars Frölander (Swimming), Erica Johansson (Track and Field), Armand Krajnc (Boxing), Thomas Fogdö (Slalom Skiing), Anja Pärsson (Alpine Skiing) and Magdalena Forsberg (Biathlon) all passing on their expertise. 

  • Finance Minister’s interview on Headlines Today leads as the No.1 FM Interview

    Finance Minister’s interview on Headlines Today leads as the No.1 FM Interview

    MUMBAI: Headlines Today dominate the FM interview ratings in the English News genre with Karan Thapar’s, ‘Nothing But The Truth’ special show. The channel took coverage around the Budget to new levels with the show hosted by Karan Thapar, leaving interviews of the FM across other channels far behind.

    The Finance Minister faced a slew of blunt questions and direct concerns around the Budget on the show.   The candid responses by the FM on the criticisms and the clear cut interviewing style of Karan Thapar ensured that viewers got their fill on all news and views around the Budget. The show led with over 13 TVT 000s (Source: TAM, Market -6 Metros, TG- CS 25+ M AB).

    Karan Thapar among the most respected journalists stands out for his unique and direct interviewing style. He has interviewed the biggest names in News and brings with him, his expertise in hard hitting One- on-One interviews.  This interview with the FM, besides a series of other prominent interviews has carved a position for the hard hitting interview show – ‘Nothing but the Truth with Karan Thapar’.

    Maximum Ratings of Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley’s interview across English News Channels

    1.Source: TAM, Market -6 Metros, TG- CS 25+ M AB

    2.Source: TAM, Market All India, TG- CS 25+ M AB

     

  • Broadcast & Media Technology 2014 makes a Good Beginning

    Broadcast & Media Technology 2014 makes a Good Beginning

    MUMBAI: Broadcast & Media Technology 2014, South India’s First International Exhibition on Broadcast Equipment and Technology was held on 18 & 19 July at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. Organised by All India Broadcst Manufacturers and Distributors Association, AIBMDA, and supported by ITPO and FICCI, the exhibition was attended by 28 leading Indian companies representing more than 100 foreign principals from 25 countries. Some of the companies that displayed their latest range of products and services at the exhibition were AGIV India, BECIL, Benchmark Broadcast, CDM Technologies, Canara Lighting, Cineom Broadcast, Datapoint Impex, Datavideo Technologies, Falcon Technologies, Harman International, Hytech Communications, Ideal Broadcasting, Ikegami, MediaGuru, Netweb Technologies, Panasonic, Pranav Mediatech, Prime Tech Communications, Real Image, Ross Video, SRSG Broadcast, Setron India, Singh World, Visual Technologies and WASP3D.

     

    Right from the time the exhibition was thrown open to visitors, a constant stream of  engineers and professionals from radio and TV channels in Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram strolled into the brightly lit exhibition hall. Among the dignitaries who visited the show were Mr. R. Roshan Baig, Hon. Minister for Infrastructure Development & Information, Govt. of Karnataka, who specially flew to Chennai to see the exhibition, Mr. N. Thiyagrajan, Chief Engineer South Zone, Doordarshan and members of the press. Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Hon. Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India wished the exhibition well. Mr. Jawhar Sircar, CEO Prasar Bharati, who was scheduled to inaugurate the exhibition but could not make it due to the ongoing parliament session, also sent his best wishes for the success of the exhibition.

     

    Feedback received at the end of the exhibition revealed that the exhibition, spread over an area of 1,000 sqm, was appreciated by exhibitors and over 700  quality visitors who visited it over a period of two days. What they liked most was the conducive atmosphere provided by the hotel for holding meaningful discussions between buyers and sellers. When contacted, Mr. Satish Aggarwal, President, AIBMDA said ‘We plan to double the size of the exhibition next year’.  ‘But only after a thorough review and consultation with our members’ added Mr. S. C. Oberoi, Secretary, AIBMDA.

  • Romedy Now makes Friday’s more fantastic!

    Romedy Now makes Friday’s more fantastic!

    MUMBAI: Romedy NOW has announced the launch of two new series called ‘Jake in Progress’ and ‘Traffic Light’. The channel that also airs the popular series like F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Ally McBeal, Better off Ted, 2 Broke Girls and Friends with Better Lives will now also add these two new series to its extensive line-up assuring its audience a dose of love and laughter. Starting Friday, 25 July 2014 at 8pm viewers can witness the on-goings in the life of a celebrity publicist with ‘Jake in Progress’; followed by ‘Traffic Light’ starting Friday, 1 August 2014 at 8:30pm, which showcases the life of three friends at different stages of their lives.

     

    The suave New York celebrity publicist Jake Phillips (played by John Stamos) wants to put the brakes on his fast-paced life in ‘Jake in Progress’. After years of flings, he wants the real thing and be a one-woman-man. There’s just one glitch – he can’t be can’t tied down. Jake is constantly on his toes saving his clients from career-ruining situations. Jake is the go-to guy for everything. But in the bargain he lands himself in impossibly ridiculous situations. He also has to play the go-between for his shrew of a boss Naomi and the staff/clients. Where is the time for love? So when Naomi tries to hook him up with her photographer sister Kylie, he has the door slammed on his face right on the first date! Kylie happens to be just one of the girls he had a one-night-stand with and never called again. Jake has to make Kylie come around but foiling his plans is her ex-boyfriend, the nutty Patrick, who will make life hell for Jake every instance he can.  Finding the perfect woman is work in progress for Jake in this rib-tickling series.

     

    The fun doesn’t stop just at watching the series. Fans can indulge in conversations with fellow fans.  They can check out what the need to tame down can do to the best of us… whether going from ‘I sleep early…in the morning’ to ‘Early to bed, early to rise’ or from ‘Spent $1,000 on a wild night out’ to ‘Enrolled for Yoga class for $300’ and many more such posts on Facebook that one can relate to. What vice would fans like to say goodbye to? They can do so on Twitter with #IfICouldChange hashtag. Also if one is looking for Mr. Right like Jake they can check out the  facebook page for more updates!

     

    From Jake’s mad antics to friendship and love, Traffic Light will remind fans that friendship and love are really sweet and bring so much happiness to one’s life but they can also complicate life! Three guys Adam, Mike and Ethan have been buddies since college and now in their 30s, they are all at different stages of life. Mike (David Denman) is a lawyer and a family man looking for a few moments of ‘me time’ once in a while. Adam (Nelson Franklin) has just moved in with his crackerjack of a girlfriend Callie and is soon finding out the big difference between a girlfriend coming over a lot and a girlfriend who has moved in. Ethan (Kris Marshall) is the footloose and fancy-free perpetual bachelor who is very charming but finds the proverbial all the fish in the single pond are fast being taken. Watch their different lives intertwine and their moments of friendship, love and infuriation all at once will make for the most humorous experience.

     

    The two new series promise a lot of love in abundance on Romedy NOW.

  • Cinestaan Film Company to produce three films

    Cinestaan Film Company to produce three films

    MUMBAI: Cinestaan Entertainment has unveiled its plans to produce films and shall soon foray into television and internet services as well. Rohit Khattar is the founder and chairman of Cinestaan, while Anand Mahindra is a major investor.

     

    Cinestaan’s first subsidiary, the Cinestaan Film Company has announced its foray into film production with a three film agreement with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ROMP Pictures. 

     

    Rohit Khattar said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of Cinestaan Entertainment in partnership with Anand Mahindra. We share a common vision and similar tastes in story telling which shall, we hope, manifest in some good films. Cinestaan is committed to preserving the rich legacy of our cinema heritage for which we are working on several initiatives including an oral histories television project that shall celebrate the memories and contributions of our screen legends.” 

     

    He added, “To begin our film slate with a prodigal talent like Rakeysh Mehra is an incredible high and we are excited about developing these films with him.  Cinestaan shall announce some more projects soon.”

     

    Cinestaan Film Company’s first film as a co-production with ROMP Pictures will be the Rakeysh Mehra directed ‘Mirziya’. The second film ‘FanneyKhan’ is an official remake of an Oscar nominated film to be directed by Nitin Kakkar, the National Award Winner for Best Film “Filmistan” in 2013. The third film (yet untitled) shall again be directed by Rakeysh Mehra.