Mumbai: Rajib Dey, former brand marketing head at Sun TV Network for over five years, has joined SVF Entertainment as its new marketing head.
Rajib Dey also has experience working as a brand manager at Zee Entertainment. Dey took to LinkedIn to share the news of his recent appointment at SVF Entertainment, where he will be based in Kolkata.
Mumbai: A News Revolution Is Here! As Editor, English Cluster, TV9 Network (India’s No.1 television news network) launching soon ‘News9 Media Verse’, feat. News9 Plus, world’s first & only OTT news platform + News9 Live, 24×7 LIVE digital exclusive stream for the ever-growing Connected TV audience and news9live.com, India’s fastest growing English text platform on digital. See it to believe it!!
With over two decades of experience in media, Khar previously served as editor (Special Projects) at Network 18 Group, leading campaigns and special initiatives across its media assets before joining TV9. Khar has also worked with several other media outlets, including The Economic Times, Television Eighteen, Zee News, DNA, and Deccan Chronicle.
Mumbai: In today’s digital age, the way entertainment is consumed has evolved drastically. With the advent of smartphones and affordable internet access, digital platforms have gained immense popularity in India. As a result, digital content creators have emerged as perhaps the most engaging, relatable and captivating entertainment sources for viewers. It’s almost appears as if this is the last leg of the good old days where families gather around the television to watch their favourite TV shows at a scheduled time, but is that really so?
The rise of Digital and OTT platforms has revolutionised entertainment consumption. Viewers now have the freedom to stream content of their choice whenever and wherever they want. The convenience and accessibility offered by digital platforms have attracted a growing number of Indian audiences, making them less reliant on traditional fixed time television viewing. Also, the proportion of their entertainment time being spent scrolling on their devices or Binging on their favourite show has been growing exponentially at the cost of the time they previously spent viewing the living room Tv with family.
The ‘Angry Young Man’… the ‘Common Man’… ‘Dream Girl’…’Yaaron ka Yaar’ etc prototypes which audiences related with and sought amongst Film and TV character’s and stars are now being exponentially found amongst digital creators. Several Digital creators now have passionate, engaged and utmost loyal communities which bestow them with the same cult-like fandom which was almost exclusively the privilege of Mega Stars in the decades gone by.
One of the significant advantages of digital content creators is their ability to cater to niche audiences. Unlike television, which caters to a broader demographic, digital platforms allow creators to produce content tailored to specific interests and preferences. In addition Digital content creators have mastered the art of creating engaging and interactive content that encourages viewer participation. Through live chats, comment sections, and social media interactions, creators establish direct connections with their audience. This two-way communication further fosters a sense of community and offers a sense of recognition, respect, love and gratification to the viewer and seals the bond between creators and viewers. Unlike television, which remains a passive viewing experience, digital platforms enable viewers to actively engage with the content and the creator.
Advertisers have also recognized the potential of digital content creators in reaching specific target audiences. Brands now collaborate with popular creators to promote their products and services, leveraging their large following and influence. Moreover, digital content creators have also diversified their revenue streams beyond platform monetization models to brand collaborations, merchandise sales, sponsored content, etc. This financial independence empowers creators to produce high-quality content and invest in their channels, enhancing the overall viewer experience.
However, Having established all of the above …Living room- Family Viewing television still holds a very strong position in Indian households. Watching favourite shows together… whether it’s the big reality shows on weekends or the daily Dal chawal tadka in daily dramas on weekdays … is still the mainstay ‘Family Activity’ that the entire family cherishes together. Bringing families together for family time , bridging this generational gap and capturing the attention of a wider audience remains a challenge for digital content creators which is the magic glue that holds the family together in front of the TV, and it doesn’t look like digital creators will be able to bridge this gap. The shared emotion of feeling the angst and euphoria of characters from daily soaps or relating with and sharing the joy or disappointment of their favourite Reality shows stars… TOGETHER as a family… remains unchallenged and doesn’t look like that shared emotional journey is going to be sacrificed by the audiences anytime soon.
The rise of Indian digital content creators has undoubtedly disrupted the entertainment industry, but completely replacing living room family television viewing might still be a distant possibility. As technology evolves and digital platforms become more sophisticated, the landscape of entertainment consumption in India will continue to transform. So, while the living room family television viewing experience might evolve, it won’t vanish entirely as Indian digital content creators reshape the way we enjoy entertainment.
Mumbai: Seasoned advertising professional Sparsh Ganguli has decided to move on from GroupM. Ganguli joined the company in July 2010 in ESP of GroupM and later on moved to another division as the business head for Matrix Publicities & Media India where he was in charge of developing and monetizing of few business verticals.
Prior to this, he was associated with Star TV, Sony Entertainment Television now Culver Max Entertainment wherein he led the business for Sony MAX. He was also instrumental in launching and monetizing new channels like Sahara Filmy, News 24, and E24. Further to his stint with leading television networks, he transitioned to a different role in GroupM.
Mumbai: The government may take strict action against the unlicensed agencies issuing viewership data for TV and internet-connected platforms.
As per the government guidelines, these platforms are in violation of the policy for TRP in India which also covers the measurement of online video platforms. Recently, an agency issued a viewership report for TV news channels. As per industry experts, most of these reports are motivated and at times are even paid by channels being shown as number one.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting requires all Television Rating Agencies to register themselves and follow the policy guidelines laid down by the Ministry in respect of television ratings.
The guidelines provide for strict conditions and obligations to be compulsorily met, including ensuring that ratings are tech-neutral and capture data across multiple viewing platforms including Cable TV, DTH, Terrestrial TV and online platforms.
Mumbai: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Telecommunication Sector’. The regulatory authority stated in a press release, dated 20 July 2023, “The impact of AI is not limited to only the telecom sector. AI has the potential to impact a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, finance, transportation, education, agriculture and many others. Therefore, it is important to take a holistic approach for examining the impact of AI across all sectors rather than focusing only on telecom.”
It further said, “As AI technology is still evolving, it took time to examine and bring out the multiple aspects of AI/ML in the telecommunication and other sectors by studying various international practices which are also in the nascent stage.”
Based on the comments of the stakeholders, discussion during the Open House Discussion and analysis thereof, the authority has finalised these recommendations. In view of the impact of AI in all sectors, the framework which has to be suggested for telecom cannot be treated in isolation and hence a common framework covering all the sectors is being proposed.
Mumbai: ABP News, India’s leading 24×7 Hindi news channel, has announced the appointment of veteran journalist Sandeep Chaudhary as anchor and consulting editor. Chaudhary brings with him over twenty-four years of experience in the field of journalism. He will report to Sant Prasad Rai, senior vice president, news & production, ABP News.
Chaudhary is one of the few TV journalists who have led programs that have been on air for more than a decade. His last stint was with News24 where he was the prime anchor for programs ‘Sabse Bada Sawal’ and the ‘National News Center’.
Chaudhary was also a part of Star News hosting 7 pm show ‘Desh Videsh’ from 2003 to 2005. He also hosted ‘Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri’ and ‘Kaun Banega Pradhanmantri’ on Star News.
He started his journalistic journey 24 years ago, as a documentary filmmaker, after completing his Masters from Delhi School of Economics. He graduated in Economics from the prestigious Sri Ram College of Commerce (Delhi University).
Speaking on Chaudhary’s appointment, ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey said “We are thrilled to have Sandeep back with us. His wealth of experience and journalistic prowess perfectly align with our vision of delivering credible and insightful news to our viewers. We are confident that his presence will enhance our news programming and resonate with our audience. We extend a warm welcome to him and look forward to achieving greater milestones together.”
Mumbai: DENTSU CREATIVE India has roped in Surjo Dutt as the CCO (chief creative officer) for the West & South regions, effective from 1 September.
As per the mandate, Dutt will spearhead creative excellence at DENTSU CREATIVE India, leading the charge in aligning with the agency’s global vision. Collaborating closely with the creative teams, he will develop transformative solutions that harness the power of Modern Creativity to elevate brands and fuel business growth.
Armed with 24 years of experience, Dutt has worked on over 400 campaigns across 70+ brands and 20+ categories, solidifying his position as one of the most accomplished and prolific creative leaders. As the former chief creative officer at FCB India, he played a pivotal role in leading the agency’s success story in the country. Prior to that, Dutt led the establishment and growth of Sapient Nitro’s advertising business as the national creative director – North. He also made significant contributions as the vice president and executive creative director (ECD) at JWT.
Throughout his career, Surjo has worked with brands such as Pepsi, Frito Lay, Hero Motocorp, GSK, Google, Uber, Vistara, Dominos, Pernod Ricard, Nokia, Airtel, Nestle, and British Airways, to name a few. In addition to this, he has won numerous national and international awards.
In his new role, Dutt will report into DENTSU CREATIVE India CEO (chief executive officer) Amit Wadhwa.
Commenting on the appointment, Wadhwa said, “I am delighted to welcome Surjo as our creative partner on this exciting journey at DENTSU CREATIVE India. Having previously worked alongside Surjo, I am well aware of his incredible talent for building powerful brands – a quality he has consistently demonstrated across every project he has been involved in. His seamless grasp of strategic contributions and deep understanding of the contemporary media landscape make him the ideal candidate to embody our philosophy of ‘Modern Creativity’. I firmly believe that together we will produce work that will leave a lasting mark in the industry.”
Dutt added, “Dentsu has established itself as a creative powerhouse in India, delivering impactful campaigns that have made a huge impact across various categories. The conglomerate’s work has garnered recognition not only within the industry but also at prestigious national and international award platforms. I am genuinely thrilled and deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity. I extend my gratitude to Amit and the dentsu team for acknowledging the value of my work and approach. I am looking forward to playing my part in this exciting new phase of DENTSU CREATIVE’s journey in India. The fact that I have previously worked with Amit and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it is the icing on the cake for me.”
Mumbai: The much-awaited Jagran Film Festival (JFF) is all set to return with its eleventh edition, bringing together a captivating blend of Indian and international cinema retrospectives. Presented by Rajnigandha in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, this year’s festival promises to be a grand celebration of the world of cinema.
The festival will feature two leading luminaries namely esteemed global actor Anupam Kher representing the Indian cinematic retrospective; and Oscar nominated film director and producer Majid Majidi representing International cinematic retrospective. With a career spanning over several decades, Kher has established himself as one of the most versatile and acclaimed performers in the Indian film industry. This retrospective aims to honor his remarkable journey by celebrating his outstanding performances that have left an indelible mark on Indian and International cinema. During the festival’s grand opening, Kher will captivate the audience with a heartfelt conversation about the present state of the film industry. This insightful discussion will follow the screening of his much-anticipated and yet-to-be-released masterpiece, “The Signature.” Notably, the film will have its world premiere at JFF under Indian opening film, where Kher plays the central role as the main protagonist.
Sharing his excitement about attending the Jagran Film Festival, Kher said, “It brings me immense pleasure to be a part of the Jagran Film Festival, where I can not only share the captivating Indian retrospective of cinema but also represent my film The Signature as an opening film on such an incredible platform. Through such platforms, the industry aims not only to emphasize the significance of Indian cinema but also to discuss the imperative need for better storytelling for aspiring filmmakers.”
In this edition of the JFF, audiences will be treated to a truly extraordinary experience of storytelling, as it features a distinctive narrative style that is sure to provoke thought and captivate the imagination. Majidi, a highly esteemed and globally renowned figure in the realm of global cinema, has firmly established himself as a creative force to be reckoned with. As a means of paying tribute to his remarkable contributions to the world of filmmaking, the festival is proud to present a retrospective of his work, allowing viewers to delve deeply into the realm of his extraordinary artistry and filmography.
Speaking on the current scenario of the global film industry, Majidi said, “I am delighted and honored to have been invited to the prestigious Jagran Film Festival. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to share the international retrospective of cinema and delve into the current scenario of the global film industry. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cinema, it is essential to explore the emerging realm of OTT platforms and the global recognition bestowed upon films.”
Jagran Prakashan Ltd Senior VP – strategy and brand development Basant Rathore said, “This year’s Jagran Film Festival promises to be a mesmerizing ode to cinema! We are thrilled to celebrate the phenomenal work of Anupam Kher in Indian retrospective and Majid Majidi in international retrospective, two cinematic luminaries whose artistry transcends borders and inspires audiences around the world. Join us for an unforgettable cinematic journey at the Jagran Film Festival!”!
The world’s largest traveling film festival begins from 3 August 2023, starting from Delhi to Mumbai, and many places in between including Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Dehradun, Hisar, Gurgaon, Ludhiana, Patna, Darbhanga, Ranchi, Raipur, Indore, and Siliguri. All the entries must be submitted latest by 1st September 2023 on the official website www.jff.co.in.
Mumbai: Visage Lines Personal Care Pvt Ltd, the holding company of brands Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae has elevated its SVP – head of growth (online), Varun Gupta to chief growth officer (online) – Bombay Shaving Company, Bombae & 100 Days.co (VLPCPL).
Gupta has had a remarkable run over the last year, despite market uncertainties. His growth mindset, push for innovation and creative approach to problem solving have contributed strongly to the company’s success and future trajectory. Varun has built a future-ready ecommerce team across direct-to-consumer (D2C) and marketplaces – enabling a staggering 77 per cent growth and increasing profitability by an impressive 80 per cent.
Demonstrating solid strategic vision for the brand; Gupta’s impetus on plugging leaks and scaling profitable products & channels organically have resulted in healthy double-digit market-share for BSC across some of its core categories. Bombay Shaving Company is no longer just a D2C- personal care powerhouse, but one of India’s most loved brands online; challenging the dominance of traditional players.
“Varun has embedded a culture of performance and is a true people leader. His ability to combine deep knowledge of consumer, online platforms and people development makes him a stellar addition to the company leadership. I’m thrilled to see his continued growth and wish him continued success at our company”, says Bombay Shaving Company & VLPCPL founder & CEO Shantanu Deshpande.
“Varun’s contribution to Bombay Shaving Company’s growth over the last year has been inspiring. His calm, strategic and innovative approach to problem-solving and team building in a highly dynamic and evolving online space has been both reassuring to the leadership and morale boosting for the entire organization. I wish him the very best for this new phase and the journey to further accelerate our growth initiatives across all three brands,“ said Bombay Shaving Company & VLPCPL co-founder and COO Deepak Gupta.
Gupta says, “I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me. Our grand vision inspires me; and building towards it, inch by inch, shouldering as much responsibility as possible – gives me immense joy. With a focus on Hair Removal & Personal Hygiene, Bombay Shaving Company & Bombae are poised to change the Personal Care landscape forever. We have a robust, differentiated portfolio, deep consumer & customer relationships and a culture of data driven decision-making – just the right ingredients for healthy and sustained growth.
Shantanu and Deepak have assembled a team of rockstars. We push each other to be a better version of ourselves everyday. I’m proud to play a small part in this long journey destined for us.”