ITV

Category: Press Release

  • FremantleMedia International swings acquisition of The Sixties

    FremantleMedia International swings acquisition of The Sixties

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International further expands its factual portfolio with the acquisition of global distribution rights (excluding the U.S.) to The Sixties, a 10 x 1 hour documentary series from CNN Originals. The series is executive produced for CNN/U.S. by the multiple EMMY® Award-winning producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman (HBO’s John Adams, The Pacific, and Game Change) of Playtone; and the EMMY® Award-winning producer Mark Herzog (History’s Gettysburg) of Herzog & Company (HCO).  FremantleMedia International will launch The Sixties at this year’s MIPTV market in April, 2014.

     

    The provocative and sweeping The Sixties explores the most transformative years of the modern era in America and beyond, examining how and why this decade became a period of such consequence and fascination.  From the assassination of JFK, the Cold War and civil rights, to social change and the British invasion with Beatlemania. The Sixties presents a unique view of this decade as it retraces the familiar and unearths the unknown.

     

    Through rarely seen archival footage, personal movies, interviews with eyewitnesses and expert commentary from a range of leading historians including David McCullough, Robert Dallek, and Robert Caro and prominent participants including Smokey Robinson, Carol Burnett, The Smothers Brothers, journalist Morley Safer, and political activist Tom Hayden; the series will reveal all of the key moments that helped to shape this pivotal decade.

     

    Hayley Dickson, Vice President, Television Acquisitions and Development, Global Content, FremantleMedia International, who collaborated with Stacey Wolf, Vice President for Business Affairs at CNN and HLN for the deal, said, “The Sixties is a truly paramount docu-series that is unlike anything that I have seen before. Featuring fascinating topics, beautifully remastered rarely seen archive footage, and award-winning producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, and Mark Herzog at the helm, this special series is already generating a lot of excitement throughout the US and we’re confident that it will be equally as popular around the world.”

     

    The Sixties is co-produced by CNN, Playtone, and Herzog & Company for CNN/US. The series launched on CNN in the US, in November 2013 with a 90-minute special episode, The Assassination of JFK (1963), timed with the observance of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and seen by 21.0 million total viewers and 8.2 million viewers in the coveted 25 to 54 age demo during 19 broadcasts.   

     

    The Assassination of JFK (1963) and The British Invasion will encore on CNN/U.S. with the full The Sixties series which is due to launch in May 2014.

     

    Visit FremantleMedia at MIPTV 2014 at Stand No. C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), Palais du Festival, 7 – 10 April

  • World Women Leadership Congress 2014 Honours Kavita Lakhani

    World Women Leadership Congress 2014 Honours Kavita Lakhani

    MUMBAI: Kavita Lakhani, President, LinOpinion|GH (The PR division of Lowe LintasandPartners) was awarded the ‘WOMEN LEADERSHIP AWARD’ by the World Women Leadership Congress 2014 (WWLC) to honor the outstanding leadership and achievements demonstrated by her in the field of Public Relations and Corporate Communications.

     

    The award is conferred to outstanding women professionals who have the vision, flair, acumen and professionalism to demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills in an organization, making changes and achieving results.  Some of the other awardees were Moira Cullen, VP, Global Beverage Design, PepsiCo, Inc., ChristelQuek, Regional Social Business Lead, Samsung Asia, Patricia Pineau, Director Scientific Communication, L’Oréal Research & Innovation, Monica Tata, MD, HBO India, Navita Yadav, CEO, IL&FS Trust Company Ltd., Ameera Shah, MD & CEO, Metropolis Healthcare, Vibha Padalkar, Executive Director & CFO, HDFC Life and Poonam Kaul, Director – Communications, India, Middle East & Africa, Nokia India.

     

    A skilled writer with acknowledged strategy and consulting skills, Kavita is one of India’s most respected PR professionals. A seasoned communications professional with 2 decades of experience in Public Relations, Kavita is Co-Chair India for the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) for the Intepublic Group (IPG), a core committee member of Lintas India’s Sexual Harassment Committee and Crisis Response Team.

  • Draftfcb+Ulka Group appoints Bambi Diventryas the Head- New Business Initiatives

    Draftfcb+Ulka Group appoints Bambi Diventryas the Head- New Business Initiatives

    MUMBAI: Bambi Diventry has been appointed as the Head of New Business Initiatives at Draftfcb+Ulka Group.Prior to this she was Client Servicing Director at Interface Communications, the DFCBU Group agency.
     

    Bambi is a management graduate from Chetana Institute of Managementwith around 15 years’ experience in the industry. She started her career as a management trainee in advertising working on brands such as Siemens Home Appliances, ITC Foods and Tips & Toes. Later moved on to become a part of the teams that handled Orange and Castrol, Dell computers and Friesland Food, thereby gaining experience across various sectors.

    For the past 5 years she has been working with Interface Communications blue-chip clients like Mahindra Automotive, Nivea, Mahindra Truck & Bus, Jyothy Laboratories Limited and Blue Star Air Conditioners. 

    In her current position, Bambi will head the business development efforts of Draftfcb+Ulka and work closely with the business heads of the various divisions, many of whom she knows and has previously worked with during her Interface stint. With Bambi board, Draftfcb+Ulka Group gets her enriched and diverse experience across a spectrum of clients. 

    Talking about her new role Bambi enthused“It’s a special feeling to be entrusted with this critical role at DraftfcbUlka. I am extremely excited and look forward to this challenge”

    Commenting on Bambi’s appointment for this critical role Nitin Karkare, COO Draftfcb+Ulka said “New business is a key growth driver for us. We are happy to have Bambi in this role. I am sure she will bring a lot to table with her experience and enthusiasm”

     

  • ‘Innovating for a Better Tomorrow’ with Pratham & Cipla

    ‘Innovating for a Better Tomorrow’ with Pratham & Cipla

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN, in partnership with Infosys, is all set to bring to the fore exemplary innovations that have not only transformed the lives of millions of Indians but have also left indelible impressions globally. The exclusive nine-episode series ‘Innovating for a Better Tomorrow’ will showcase innovations with significant business and social impact.

    The third episode of the series will feature Pratham, an NGO that works to provide quality education to underprivileged children in India, and Cipla, a world leader in the generic drug market that makes life-saving drugs available to those who need it the most, at an affordable cost.

    Don’t miss the special episode on Saturday, March 1, at 7:30 PM, with a repeat telecast on Sunday, March 2, at 12:30 PM & 7:30 PM, on CNN-IBN; and on Sunday, March 2, at 4:30 PM, on CNBC-TV18.

     

  • Grab your paint! Grab your glue! Get ready to watch Pidilite spread it’s magic on worldoo!

    Grab your paint! Grab your glue! Get ready to watch Pidilite spread it’s magic on worldoo!

    MUMBAI: The super cool Mr. D. is cooking up a storm on worldoo.com by introducing a whole new series of art and crafts in association with Pidilite. Using kids favourite Rangeela student’s range of colors and Fevicol MR, Mr. D. has created exciting crafts such as superhero wristbands and fizzy bubbles.

    Design Yard on worldoo.com is one such place where kids can unleash their creative element. All they have to do is register themselves on worldoo.com and pay a visit to Mr. D. in order to be introduced to a plethora of options including designing a card in ‘Art a Minute’ to conducting some cool science experiments in ‘Sci-Fu’ like creating amazingly cool fizzy bubbles or making a super hero wrist band or grab hold of a parent and take up a bigger challenge in the form of ‘Take Your Time’. In addition to this, kids can also join the Doo Crew in the ‘Do-It-Yourself’ section to bring alive a really happy clown with the Rangeela student’s range of colors – a perfect art project for school!

    Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Harsh Wardhan Dave (Head, Experience and Brand at worldoo.com) says, “With marketers exploring unconventional mediums to reach out to kids, worldoo.com is looking at partnering with relevant brands to create content that would add value to the overall time that kids spend online. Partnering with Pidilite is one step in that direction. Going forward the team is looking forward to working with brands which are effectively willing to collaborate and add to the ethos to create responsible global citizens of tomorrow.”

    Pidilite industries, the largest adhesive manufacturer in India has already received good response from kids and parents alike with their products such as Rangeela Colors and Hobby Ideas. Mr. Rahul Sinha, –President of Sales and Marketing Consumer Products -ASF Division from Pidilte Industries said “Our products are a great resource tool for little artists. Non toxic in nature, these colors are based on the proposition of ‘Colors for Smart Kids’. We wanted to establish a connect with parents and kids and with worldoo.com having over 60,000 users, we have found it to be an optimal place on the internet for kids to see the magic that can be created through the use of our products.” Vanita Keswani, COO of Madison Media Sigma says, “Branded content engages with the consumer in a natural environment … We feel that interesting brand content is an excellent way to reach kids online for craft products and hence saw an obvious fit of Pidilite products with Worldoo.”

    Rangeela has a range of creative products including oil pastels, tempera colours, poster colours and gouache colours under its brand name.

  • Ditto TV introduces new payment model

    Ditto TV introduces new payment model

    MUMBAI: Ditto TV, India’s first OTT (Over-The-Top) TV distribution platform from Zee New Media, the digital arm of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has partnered with mobile payment provider Fortumo to introduce a new mobile payment option to further simplify the overall consumer experience. With this partnership, Ditto TV users can now subscribe to their favourite content on Ditto TV and make payments directly through their mobile operator, and without the need of a credit card, cash on delivery (COD), or net banking options. This payment model is available for both post- paid and pre- paid mobile users.

     

    Speaking about this partnership, Manoj Padmanabhan, Business Head, DittoTV said, “We at Ditto TV are committed to making the user experience as seamless, convenient and memorable as possible. With the association with Fortumo, we are now a few steps closer to ensuring that our users have the ease and simplicity they need to make payments using their mobile phones. Fortumo, with its multiple telecom operator tie-ups, will help us reach out to complex markets, where credit cards or net banking options are limited, and build our presence across key markets beyond the metros.”

     

    “Compared to mobile phone users, there are very few credit card owners in emerging markets like India and South-East Asia. This creates a situation where a lot of people want access to mobile entertainment, but have no way to pay for it. Operator billing solves this problem by allowing companies like Ditto TV to charge users on their phone bill. In addition to significantly expanding payment coverage for merchants, Fortumo also reduces the time to market as only one integration to enable payments in 80 countries globally,” said Gerri Kodres, SVP of Business Development and Carrier Relations at Fortumo.

     

    Interestingly, India has witnessed stronger adoption for smartphones with a market penetration of close to 100 million, as compared to 20 million for credit cards. Furthermore, credit card penetration remains largely confined to metros, comprising a mere 1.7% of the country’s overall population. Another challenge is the inherent resistance observed among credit card users, in sharing critical account-related information, along with the tedious sign-up processes involved. Allowing payments through mobile operators effectively mitigates the need for credit card information and will help Ditto TV reach out to a huge potential user base across smaller markets which have limited access to credit cards. Fortumo currently operates in about 80 countries across the world and has tie ups with most major Indian telecom operators – Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Airtel and Tata Docomo.

    Ditto TV has integrated this seamless process for mobile payment across all subscription packages, including VOD and MOD content. All a customer needs to do is to select the content to view and confirm the payment on the mobile phone charging the amount to their mobile operator. Fortumo will process the payment request with the concerned telecom operator and once the verification is generated, the user can avail the content. The payment is later charged to the customer mobile bill or deducted from his pre- paid account balance, as the case may be.

    Today, Ditto TV offers the largest collection of premium content through 70 LIVE TV channels spread across leading genres like GEC, Sports, Lifestyle, Regional and News along with rich on-demand video capabilities. Ditto TV can be downloaded from www.dittotv.com

  • MSLGroup’s Renee Wilson to lead PR jury at Cannes Lions

    MSLGroup’s Renee Wilson to lead PR jury at Cannes Lions

    MUMBAI: The final names that will make up a collection of outstanding jury presidents at this years’ Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, were yesterday announced by the Festival organizers.  Renee Wilson, President of MSLGROUP’s North America operations will be one of four female Jury heads this year, and will lead the PR awards selection.

    “Never before in the history of the public relations industry, has there been more of an opportunity for the PR function to demonstrate leadership, and the many multi-faceted contributions it can make to the broad world of communications and engagement. I’m thrilled to serve as PR jury president for Cannes Lions at this transformational moment in time,” said Wilson.

    Commenting on the Jury heads announced in the last two weeks by the festival, Terry Savage, Chairman of the Lions Festivals added, “Cannes Lions sets precedents and benchmarks in creative communications the world over. This is only made possible by pulling together the greatest and most respected minds from across the industry. 2014 sees a collection of leading names coming together in Cannes to preside over their respective juries and it’s a real privilege to have them working alongside us.”

     

  • COLORS associates with Idea and Gionee for “Khatron Ke Khiladi – Darr Ka Blockbuster”

    COLORS associates with Idea and Gionee for “Khatron Ke Khiladi – Darr Ka Blockbuster”

    MUMBAI: COLORS’ upcoming show, Khatron Ke Khiladi – Darr Ka Blockbuster is all set to up the ante with thrilling action with action maestro and entertainer Rohit Shetty along with celebrity contestants. COLORS has joined hands with telecom major Idea Cellular and Gionee Smart Phone who have associated with the fifth season of Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi as Presenting Sponsor and Powered by Sponsor respectively.

    The adrenalin filled high octane adventure with Rohit Shetty as the stunt architect promises to create an unparalleled viewing experience that will help the sponsors connect with their core target group. The show produced by Endemol India Pvt Ltd is currently being shot in South Africa will hit airwaves in March, 2014.
     

    Commenting on the association, Raj Nayak, CEO – COLORS, said, “Khatron Ke Khiladi, over the past few years, has created a strong brand value in the minds of the audiences who associate the show with unlimited blockbuster action and entertainment. Through innovative integration and branding opportunities, we are looking forward at creating synergies that will mutually benefit us and our sponsors.”
     

    Speaking about their association, Sashi Shankar, CMO – Idea Cellular said, “This is the third season of Khatron Ke Khiladi where we are associating with COLORS as the Presenting Sponsor. The show has garnered high visibility over the seasons and has helped us in creating high recall amongst our target audience. This time around we are looking forward to engage with our consumers through multiple initiatives that will further our brand proposition.”
     

    First time powered by sponsor of Khatron Ke Khiladi Gionee Smartphones India Head, Mr. Arvind. R. Vohra said, “Gionee being a global brand sees Khatron Ke Khiladi as great opportunity to connect with our target audience. This genre is a perfect way to reach out and establish connect with the young and adventurous new generation. Gionee believes in creating a benchmark in innovation with every new offering and KKK is the apt choice to connect with those who too believe in taking greater risks to achieve the best. We have created some very exciting integration in the show and hope that the consumers will enjoy the same”

    Additionally Mahindra Scorpio and Amul Macho have come on board as the Associate Sponsor on the Show.
     

    Idea presents Khatron Ke Khiladi – Darr Ka Blockbuster powered by Gionee Smart Phone is a stunt-based action-packed small-screen blockbuster which combines thrill and fear to make for an unparalleled entertainment experience with celebrity contestants who will perform stunts fueled by their inner strength and willpower.  With the biggest entertainer of Bollywood Rohit Shetty as the stunt architect the show is being filmed in the scenic locales of South Africa will feature young and talented bollywood actors Mugdha Godse, Nikitin Dheer, Ranvir Shorey, Rajniesh Duggall, Ajaz Khan, television stars Gauahar Khan, Kushal Tandon, Pooja Gor, Dayanand Shetty, cricket commentator Rochelle Maria Rao, choreographer Salman Yusuf Khan, television couples Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee, Karanveer Bohra and Teejay Sidhu, model-turned-actor Deana Uppal, and Bollywood stuntwoman Geeta Tandon.

  • Havas Media Group India Tops Performance Charts in 2013

    Havas Media Group India Tops Performance Charts in 2013

    MUMBAI: In the midst of a slow-subdued industry and economy where GDP hit a decade low of 4.5%, Havas Media Group India on the other hand has had an exceptional year in 2013.

    Today it is right at the top of the performance charts of media agencies.

    Besides retaining existing clients, Havas Media Group has had strong new business success.

    The company stood at No. 2 Media Agency position in the recently declared Agency Report Card 2013 by Campaign India – garnering 8 out of 10 points. It was also shortlisted for the Agency of the Year 2013 Awards.

    RECMA 2013 Compitches has graded Havas at No.1 in YTD new business achievements in both the 2013 preliminary reports.

    The company took home two wins at the DMA ECHO Awards India 2013 and was on the shortlist at India Radio Forum’s ERA (Excellence in Radio Awards) 2013.

     “2013 proved to be a good year where our state of the art product, our dedication and hard work paid. We thank all our clients for trusting us with their businesses in an otherwise tough year and our media partners for their unflinching support at all times”, said Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group India & South Asia.

    “Given our Meaningful Brands research and other ‘thought leadership’ tools, we are confident that we will replicate the success of the past years. Our ‘Digital at the Core’ avatar is in sync with the current market realities and is finding a lot of interest and traction among the clients. At Havas Village, we are consolidating creative and media through our unique Meaningful Connection Planning offering”, she added.

     “Taking from our Meaningful Brands framework we impart holistic solutions to brand marketing which has been the value differentiator. We believe in client delight and will continue to deliver in 2014” explained Mohit Joshi, Managing Director, Havas Media India.

     

    Havas Media Group bagged significant new businesses – Emirates, Voltas, Amway, Aspiring Minds, Shaadi.com, Wonder Cement, Neo Milk Products, Halonix, Simmtronics, Mobis and Bloomberg TV India amongst others with a roster of clients including Hyundai Motor India, Parle Products Ltd., MTS India, Quikr.com, Taj Hotels, Capgemini India, etc.

    Arena India was also launched under Havas Media Group to take on the responsibilities of the global LG Electronics win.

    The specialist brands Mobext India for mobile solutions and Ecselis for performance marketing are a part of Havas Media Group India.

     

  • Gaana.com introduces developer API program for music apps

    Gaana.com introduces developer API program for music apps

    NEW DELHI: Gaana.com, India’s largest online music broadcasting service with over 7.5 million unique visitors a month, is launching Gaana Developers’ Platform for budding entrepreneurs to develop innovative music apps. The apps will provide the consumers a more enriching music experience apart from generating revenue for the developers. Interested developers can visit developer.gaana.com for more information. 

     

    Gaana.com, a product of Times Internet (TIL), country’s largest digital network, will ensure that the developers need not worry about complex content licensing agreements or acquiring new users, as all of this will be handled by Gaana. 

     

    Via APIs, Gaana will offer developers access to its 3 million+ song catalog and its users. Developers who join the program will be highlighted on Gaana, giving direct exposure of its userbase to newly built applications. Gaana expects programmers to build innovative music apps that uses the platform’s catalog and technology, and believes that the platform will become the hub for innovation in online music apps, creating new ways for users to consume and discover their music experience. 

     

    Speaking about this, Pawan Agarwal, Head of Gaana, said, “Gaana is a dream platform for music lovers and we hope that app developers will also benefit immensely from the association with our brand.” 

     

    As a platform, along with access to APIs, Gaana will help promote new applications via custom campaigns and featured position on Gaana. The platform will also help these apps to be promoted on Social Media as well as the TIL network. These apps will be well integrated into the mobile apps of Gaana.

     

    Gaana has been privately developing the ecosystem with a few existing apps. Singalong, developed by Karaoke Garage, is a karaoke app, which has seen immense success on Gaana platform, and has helped Karaoke Garage reach more than 5 lakh visitors and more than 7.5 lakh song plays across multiple languages like Hindi, English, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali and Telugu.