ITV

Category: People

  • Virtualness onboards Joyee Biswas as head of sports & media partnerships

    Virtualness onboards Joyee Biswas as head of sports & media partnerships

    Mumbai: A mobile-first platform designed to help creators, brands, and the sports, media and entertainment industries navigate the complex world of web3, Virtualness, has announced the appointment of Joyee Biswas as a founding team member, heading sports and media partnerships.

    With more than 20 years of leadership experience in top technology, media and telecom industries, and having scaled businesses across the globe, Biswas has differentiated insights and relationships across IP-based industries.

    He has held the roles of head of sports at Singtel; managing director Asia at Eleven Sports Network and South East Asia business head at ESPN. Joyee most recently served as Meta’s head of sports and media partnerships for Asia-Pacific. Along with building audience and revenue growth for partners across Instagram and Facebook, he drove virtual reality and metaverse adoption. Biswas holds a graduate degree in mechanical engineering from BIT Mesra and an MBA in marketing and finance from IIM Calcutta.

    In a LinkedIn post, Virtualness founder Saurabh Doshi welcomed Biswas to the team and said, “It is a great pleasure to welcome Biswas to the Virtualness team as we venture deeper into sports and media. Biswas and I have known each other for several years being colleagues in the same industry from his days at ESPN, Eleven Sports HQ & more recently at Meta.”

    Doshi goes on, “With decades of leadership experience across technology, media and telecom companies; and having scaled businesses across the globe, Kirthiga & I cannot be more excited for Biswas to fuel Virtualness’ expansion. He joins our founding team, alongside Rachel Masters, who leads creator and brand partnerships. Welcome to the pace & momentum that’s Virtualness!”

    He also adds, “Peter Hutton, we are excited to make your insights a reality! “Over the years, I have seen a series of transformations in the sports & gaming industry. Now is the time for another big leap, as we open up the opportunities of the Web3 world.”

  • Reliance Digital unveils new campaign created by L&K Saatchi & Saatchi

    Reliance Digital unveils new campaign created by L&K Saatchi & Saatchi

    Mumbai: Reliance Digital, one of India’s largest electronic retailers with a pan-India presence in over 800 cities, released its new campaign on Wednesday. The campaign is conceptualised by L&K Saatchi & Saatchi

    Through this campaign, the brand conveys the message that, as technology continues to evolve rapidly, Reliance Digital understands the need for a friend to help you navigate this change.

    The brand has taken a huge leap forward by reimagining their stores not merely as points of retail, but as tech playgrounds, where people are encouraged to touch, feel, experience and enjoy new technology guided by a team of expert tech advisors.

    Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Reliance Digital chief executive Brian Bade said, “It’s based on a simple insight, that everybody needs technology, everyone is fascinated with it, but not everyone is necessarily comfortable with it. That’s because technology is changing all the time and it’s easy for a lot of people to feel left behind. Within this rooted cultural reality we believe that Reliance Digital is the catalyst that will enable a large mass of people to connect with technology by creating a welcoming retail tech experience. This philosophy informs everything we do, how our stores are designed, how the sales staff interact, the way demos are carried out and the manner in which after-sales service is delivered. At Reliance Digital, we understand the varied needs people have, as well as their apprehensions and fears when it comes to technology. That’s why we want to be the friend that can connect people to the technology they want. The films capture this in an authentic, intimate, moving way.”

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi chief executive officer Paritosh Srivastava said, “This is an idea that is special because of the truth it captures and the powerful role it appropriates to Reliance Digital as a retailer. It’s not just a campaign or an idea, it is the guiding philosophy and role that Reliance Digital wants to play in people’s lives. The brand intends living this idea through the whole consumer lifespan of the relationship, at every consumer touchpoint and experience. The attempt is to create brand love and trust for Reliance Digital, and we strongly feel that in the transactional and offer led nature of the retail category, this brand agenda will help Reliance Digital leapfrog to leadership in both the share of heart and mind of the country. The campaign will have high resonance as we all know someone in our circle of family and friends who is getting left behind and is in need to overcome the fear and become friends with technology.”

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi joint national creative director Kartik Smetacek said, “The campaign appropriates an entirely new space for an electronics retailer. Something that’s truly relevant and meaningful – our customers’ actual relationship with technology. Acknowledging that rapidly changing tech leaves so many of us behind, we’ve positioned Reliance Digital as an ally that helps you to lose your apprehensions. Encouraging you to touch, feel and play with technology guided by our team of experts. It’s an emotional, heart-warming idea, captured in the line: ‘technology se rishta jodo.’”

  • Ajit Varghese joins Disney Star as network advertising sales head

    Ajit Varghese joins Disney Star as network advertising sales head

    Mumbai: Disney Star has appointed Ajit Varghese as head of network advertising sales.

    He will be responsible for the overall advertising revenues of Disney Star’s television and digital businesses, as well as driving growth through transformative sales and channel strategies, alliance formation, and business development.

    Varghese will also create the long-term vision and define the sales organisation’s strategic direction. He will report to Disney Star’s president and country manager K Madhavan.

    Varghese comes to Disney Star from ShareChat and Moj, where he was chief commercial officer, in charge of monetisation, marketing efforts, and content partnerships. Prior to joining ShareChat, Varghese was the global president of Wavemaker, a WPP group media agency, overseeing business operations and driving growth across 50+ markets from London; before that, he spent three years as the CEO of Maxus (WPP) in Singapore. He has also worked with Madison World, Kantar IMRB, and Initiative Universal Media.

    “Varghese is a highly respected and well-regarded professional within the advertising and marketing fraternity. I am confident that under his leadership, we will be able to unlock significant value and create more opportunities to further grow our market leadership,” said Madhavan.

    Varghese has established himself as a highly accomplished leader as CEO of regional and global agencies during his more than 27-year career in the advertising and marketing industry. In previous roles, he has driven publisher growth and revenue, led large-scale business transformations for clients, and built diverse businesses in media, creative, digital, data, content, sports, and performance.

    “The advertising market in India has already crossed Rs 1,00,000 crore and is expected to be among the fastest growing in the world this year. This, combined with Disney Star’s status as the country’s leading media & entertainment company, allows for tremendous opportunities by which we can create ground-breaking solutions to drive growth for our clients. I keenly look forward to being a part of a great company, best-in-class content and a superb team,” said Varghese.

  • Justice Sikri to chair grievance redressal board for digital publishers under IAMAI

    KOLKATA: The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) announced on Thursday that former Supreme Court Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri will chair the Grievance Redressal Board (GRB), formed as a part of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC). 

    The GRB will address content grievances about any of the DPCGC member’s video streaming services. It will function as an independent body and act as the second-tier within the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism as envisioned by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Under Justice Sikri’s leadership, the GRB will aim to provide independent adjudication on content grievances escalated to it.

    The members of the GRB include prominent personalities from the media and entertainment industry, online curated content providers, experts from various fields including child rights, women rights, and media laws. The Grievance Redressal Board includes National award-winning actress Suhasini Maniratnam; Madhu Bhojwani, Indian film Producer and partner at Emmay Entertainment and Motion Pictures; Gopal Jain, senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India; and Dr. Ranjana Kumari, eminent Civil Society representative who currently serves as the director of the Centre for Social Research and as the chairperson of Women Power Connect. The two members from the Online Curated Content Providers are Amit Grover, senior corporate counsel, Amazon India, and Priyanka Chaudhari, director-legal, Netflix India.

    IAMAI had recently announced the formation of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council as an independent self-regulatory organization to provide a grievance redressal platform for Online Curated Content consumers. The DPCGC will empower consumers to make informed viewing choices and promote creative excellence, which are keys to the long-term success of the Indian entertainment industry.

    The appointment of GRB members is a crucial step towards setting up an independent grievance redressal mechanism in alignment with IT Rules 2021, it said on Thursday. The GRB will oversee and ensure the alignment and adherence to the Code of Ethics by the DPCG Council members, provide guidance to member entities on the Code of Ethics, and address grievances that have not been resolved by the publisher within the stipulated period.

    The DPCGC currently has 14 publishers of online curated content as members, which include Amazon Prime Video, Alt Balaji, Apple, BookMyShow Stream, Eros Now, Firework TV, Hoichoi, Hungama, Lionsgate Play, MX Player, Netflix, Reeldrama, Shemaroo, and Ullu.

    Tags: IAMAI, Netflix, Amazon India, OTT, Streaming Service, New IT rules, Justice Sikri.

  • NBF forms separate regulatory body PNBSO to oversee fair reporting

    NBF forms separate regulatory body PNBSO to oversee fair reporting

    NEW DELHI: With the TV news industry finding itself in hot water over the last few weeks, the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), an association of over 20 organisations and multiple channels, has set up a self-regulatory body named Professional News Broadcasting Standards Organisation (PNBSO).

    The self-regulatory organization will oversee fair news reporting in its member companies. It aims to bring in self-regulation of high standards and international repute. The key mission of the organisation is to support those who feel wronged by the press, to uphold the highest professional standards in the broadcast, and to determine whether standards have been breached and provide redress if so.

    The former chief justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar has been appointed the first chairman of the PNBSO.

    The self-regulatory organisation comprises nine members: one chairman appointed from a pool of retired judges from the Supreme Court of India, four editorial members and four eminent citizens. The NBF-PNBSO will meet every three months to review any complaints filed against member companies.

    The panel is currently led by former chief justice Khehar, along with RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi and media veteran Chintamani Rao. The names of the other panellists will be announced soon.

    Members of NBF, who are also a signatory to NBF-PNBSO, abide by the broad framework on editorial guidelines and must refrain from making–

    ·   Criticism of friendly countries

    ·   Attack on religion or communities.

    ·   Anything obscene or defamatory.

    ·   Incitement to violence or anything against maintenance of law and order.

    ·   Anything amounting to contempt of court.

    ·   Aspersion against the integrity of the president, governors, and the judiciary.

    ·   Attack on a political party by name.

    ·   Hostile criticism of any state or the centre.

    ·   Anything showing disrespect to the constitution or advocating change in the constitution by violent means (but advocating changes in a constitutional way should not be debarred).

    The PNBSO is determined to uphold the standards of broadcast news and will ensure that all the member channels follow the news broadcasting code of conduct. It will work closely with all stakeholders to prevent the menace of fake news.

    The organisation has also drafted a complaint mechanism. In case of any violation, the panel will issue a warning including a channel to run an apology scroll specifying the date and time – an action to be complied with and reported back to NBF-PNBSO within seven days of the order. Any repeat or serious violations would attract a financial penalty up to Rs 10 lakh. A repeat violation by the channel/anchor would be penalized with a warning to run an apology scroll for two days with a specific date and time; removing the anchor up to 3 months and/or a financial penalty up to Rs 5 lakh.

    The code is based on the UK based Impress and International Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) and the Society of Professional Journalism of the USA.

    It is worth noting that the current president of the NBF’s governing board, Arnab Goswami, has been named in a lawsuit against "irresponsible reporting by certain media houses" filed by leading Bollywood producers and filmmakers. Goswami’s channel Republic TV is also being probed by the Mumbai police in an alleged TV manipulation racket.

    Yesterday, the Bombay high court questioned the union government why there should not be a statutory body to regulate the content broadcast through news channels.

    The court sought to know why the electronic media should have an "open hand" over its coverage. It was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations (PILs) seeking that the press, particularly TV news channels, be directed to exercise restraint in their reportage of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case and the related investigation by police and CBI.

  • Running in life and the marathon, the Sunil Lulla way

    Running in life and the marathon, the Sunil Lulla way

    MUMBAI: Numbers… It has always been about numbers and statistics for Sunil Lulla. This comes as no surprise for someone who has over 35 years of experience in leadership roles across media (TV, internet, and OTT), advertising and marketing and is now CEO at BARC India. But it’s not the data, statistics and viewership numbers that fascinate Lulla the most. It’s the miles he runs that give him akick.

    “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” These words by T.S. Eliot perfectly sum up Lulla’s feisty yet humble personality.

    Anavid long-distance runner, Lulla also enjoys sailing andwitty conversations. In a free-wheeling chat with indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, Lulla spoke about running marathons locally and internationally, his love of sports and much more.

    Watch the virtual fireside chat with Sunil Lulla 

    Earlier this year, Lulla encountered an unexpected setback – he tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. But he put up a tough fight, beat the virus and emerged the stronger for it. Then, as a responsible citizen, he donated his blood plasma twice. Looking back on his brush with Covid2019, Lulla advises people to live their life normally, observe necessary precautions and to be respectful but unafraid of the SarsCov2 virus.

    Runner’s high

    As long as a person’s legs function, they should run, says Lulla. He considers running not only a great physical workout but also a mental stimulant.

    “I think running the distance gives you the courage, stamina and inspiration. It helps me to think of new things. It’s because of the adrenaline that runs and pumps through your body,” he said.

    Read more news on Sunil Lulla

    Like many of us who try to keep our middle and weight in check, Lulla started running with the desire to lose a little flab. Eventually he started enjoying it, and also made some friends along the way.

    Lulla advocates running, for it helps a person stay healthy and productive. He believes what you do with your health and body allows you to do what you want with your life.

    “It’s the desire to be on the road, to try and push yourself and to do better that keeps me going. Long-distance runs are not easy. In the end, it’s about your own aspiration. I don’t look at running from a benchmark point of view,” he added.

    For Lulla, it’s about setting goals – and surpassing them. The sheer zeal to overtake life’s challenges and doing what you envision is not everybody’s cup of tea. Lulla seems to have mastered this art.

    He recalls a marathon he ran in New York last year. He completed the 42 km run in just four hours and 13 minutes. Ecstatic about this experience, Lulla shares: “Running in six degree temperature was not easy. We are not used to running in such weather here in India. New York was a tough road. It starts with the runners having to climb uphill on a 2 km long bridge. I think the most amazing part about New York is its crowd. Brooklyn is a deafening, especially the last stretch, it’s like Eden Gardens where the last ball is going to be bowled and the match is heading towards a tie. Then there are dark patches of absolutely death-like silence. But it’s a great crowd and great run. It was my dream and I am glad I could do it.”

    He’s full of admiration for peers like Sudhanshu Vats as well as businessman Anil Ambani who run the marathon distance in super quick time. Says he: “Those guys are pros, all respect for them.”

    Unfortunately, there are no races this year due toCovid2019 pandemic. Lulla nevertheless pounds the pavements, pretending he’s running a race. He’s hopeful that once things return to normal, he’ll be able to take part in the Berlin marathon.

    Winning a race is a cocktail of tears and sweat. Yet one persists, spurred on by their ambitions to excel and emerge triumphant. Lulla is definitely an inspiration for anybody who is apprehensive of the challenges life throws atus.

  • Unlock 5.0: Maharashtra to not go national way

    Unlock 5.0: Maharashtra to not go national way

    MUMBAI: Denizens of Maharashtra will have to wait a while before they start tasting the freedom of unlock 5.0 guidelines from 15 October announced by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) yesterday.  The MHA gave the go-ahead to organisers of B2B exhibitions, cinema halls, entertainment complexes, schools, and swimming pools to open outside containment zones. Additionally, cultural, religious and  other gatherings of 100 plus persons could also be allowed in certain areas.

     

    Even as the experiential and event sector was celebrating, the Maharashtra government announced its own set of guidelines which put a dampener on everyone’s spirits. According to these, exhibitions, theatres, swimming pools, large gatherings, schools,  are a no-no in the state until 31 October. The lockdown will continue in Maharashtra  until 31 October. However, the Udhav Thackeray led government has allowed tiffin delivery services to travel by local trains, permitted the opening up of hotels, restaurants and bars at 50 per cent of seating capacity.

     

    Mumbai, which probably contributes a large chunk of the movie box office, has a very active B2B exhibition schedule, will not be able get going in full swing. For that, we will have to wait for another day.

     

  • COVID-19: Union ministry debunks fake order giving holidays to offices

    COVID-19: Union ministry debunks fake order giving holidays to offices

    MUMBAI: The ministry of health & family welfare has debunked a fake ‘Office Memorandum’ (OM) issued in its name, giving holidays to government offices in four states in view of the Coronavirus disease.

    The fake OM says that “holiday is mandatory to all schools, colleges, educational institutes, work place having more than 10 employees” in Maharasthra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Sikkim from 14 March to 21 March, 2020. It further says that in case of any breach of the order a fine of Rs 5000/- will be applicable per day.

    In a fact check, the ministry of health & family welfare has clarified that the ‘OM’ is fake and that it has not issued any such memorandum. The ministry has also informed that necessary action under relevant laws is being initiated.

    The fake OM, titled “Clarification regarding declaration of holidays for the States,” has been written in such a way that it accords an aura of authenticity. 

  • I&B ministry gets new secretary in Ravi Mittal

    I&B ministry gets new secretary in Ravi Mittal

    MUMBAI: There’s change at the top of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B). The appointments committee of the cabinet today approved the appointment of Ravi Mittal as the I&B secretary.  Mittal will replace outgoing secretary Amit Khare who has been shifted to the department of higher education as secretary.

    Mittal was earlier the special secretary in the department of financial services, Ministry of Finance. It was only in July this year that Mittal had been promoted from his post as additional secretary from the Ministry of Finance.

    He is a 1986 batch Indian Administrative Services officer of the Bihar cadre. Previously, he has worked as principal secretary (finance), Bihar.

    Khare had been appointed to the secretary’s post on 31 May 2018.

  • Ridhima Lulla joins The Indian Chamber of Commerce as M&E Head of the Western India Expert Committee

    Ridhima Lulla joins The Indian Chamber of Commerce as M&E Head of the Western India Expert Committee

    MUMBAI: India’s leading body of business and industry, The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), has appointed Eros Group’s Chief Content Officer Ridhima Lulla as the Head of the Western India Expert Committee in Media & Entertainment. Formed by a group of pioneering industrialists, ICC members include several corporate groups in the country, with business operations panning across India and abroad.

    Ridhima’s appointment is a testament of her talent and dedication towards the media and entertainment ecosystem. With her core focus on the creative expression, she plays a key role in the leadership team at Eros International, driving the company’s content strategy. She has been actively involved in Eros’s movie business with projects at all stages. Ridhima has also been strengthening the original content strategy for Eros Now, the premiere Video OTT platform by Eros, thus re-establishing its leadership position as a digital entertainment company.

    Commenting on the appointment, Ridhima Lulla said, “I am humbled and happy to join The Indian Chamber of Commerce board. The media & entertainment landscape in India is currently in a very exciting phase and I believe that the coming years are going to be crucial in how the world looks at the Indian M&E industry. At ICC, my aim will be to elevate the ecosystem with creative and collaborative thinking along with other worthy members on the board.”