ITV

Category: Software

  • PennyWise to be digital partner for O&M

    MUMBAI:  Ogilvy & Mather has agreed to acquire a majority stake in PennyWise Solutions, a digital technology and production companies.


    PennyWise will serve as the digital technology and production centre of excellence for Ogilvy & Mather in India. It will power best practice digital delivery for the agency’s India network as well as the O&M APAC network.


    Ogilvy India chief digital office Kunal Jeswani said, “Ogilvy is one of the largest and most awarded digital agencies in India. This is not about scale. This is about excellence in every aspect of digital. Ogilvy represents excellence in digital strategy and ideation. PennyWise represents excellence in digital technology and production. They are exactly the kind of partner we were looking for.”







    The Hyderabad-based company was established by current CEO Anand Morzaria in 2003, and has grown from a six member start-up to employing more than 140 people. 


    PennyWise Solutions CEO Anand Moraria said, “PennyWise has always been at the forefront of digital and new media technology. We are excited to join hands with Ogilvy & Mather, a name synonymous with excellence in marketing communications. This partnership will help us combine our deep and proven expertise in developing digital and new media technology solutions with Ogilvy’s own offerings for clients across India and other APAC markets. Together, we will be able to meet and exceed the demands of our highly valued and expanding customer base.”


    PennyWise has over a hundred digital specialists and offers a wide range of digital services including custom application development, mobile application development, SEO, digital listening, online consumer response management systems, data analytics and business intelligence, network support and infrastructure management services.

    PennyWise has a global customer base, covering Europe and North America, as well as India.  The current client portfolio includes Vodafone India, Johnson & Johnson and WPP Agencies including Ogilvy & Mather, Soho Square and a host of others.

  • Apple makes iWork apps free, but only available on new iPhone 5S or 5C

    MUMBAI: Apple didn‘t only announce new iPhones at its press conference. The company also revealed that the apps in the iWork suite – Pages, Numbers, Keynote-plus iMovie and iPhoto – will now come free with new iOS devices. These productivity and creations apps usually cost $5- $10 each. By making them free, Apple is once again emphasizing that iOS isn‘t just for content consumption, but also content creation.

     

    Of the group, only iMovie and Numbers have a solid four-star rating on the App Store for the current versions. Pages and Keynote only rate at 3.5 stars, among iOS users. iPhoto has a rating of 2.5 stars for the current version. And though Apple added collaboration features with iWork for iCloud, there are many areas in which Google Docs is still better.

    Still, by making the iWork suite and other content creation apps free for new users Apple increases the chance that customers won‘t download third party apps and just stick with Apple‘s offerings, similar to the way many do on the Mac.

     

    This deal appears to be for those with newly purchased iOS devices only. At setup, new device owners will get a screen offering the option to download the apps for free. Existing customers can keep on paying $10 or $5.

     

    Currently, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, and iPhoto are all still showing in the app store with their original pricing … on the old devices.

     

    For those unfamiliar with the suite, Pages is the iWork word processor, Numbers is for spreadsheets, and Keynote is the presentation maker. All of them work with their Mac equivalent programs and Microsoft Office. Beyond that, the supported file formats are very limited. It‘s possible to create and edit rich content in all three, but the apps can‘t do much of anything beyond pretty basic editing functions.

     

    iMovie and iPhoto are for editing and organising movies and pictures, respectively. Both are basic when compared to their Mac equivalents (no surprise since they‘re made to work on phones and tablets). They each provide ways to share and enhance media that are easy and accessible.

  • Vdopia wins ‘Video Rich Media’ accolade at SMARTIES APAC 2013

    MUMBAI: Vdopia has bagged the highest recognition in the category of ‘Video Rich Media‘ for its campaign for Audi A3 Sportback at the inaugural SMARTIES APAC 2013 held in Singapore. This mobile and online advertising space provider was one of the companies which aced the awards meant to felicitate the work done in the space of mobile marketing.


    Vdopia VP-APAC Preetesh Chouhan commented on the achievement, “Vdopia has consistently been at the forefront of mobile advertising solutions, delivering millions of mobile videos and rich media ad impressions for our clients. Such recognition, apart from our escalating market share, consistently propels us to do even better work and scale bigger heights at the international level.”






    He further stated, “Creativity plays a pivotal role at Vdopia. We have a technological advantage and analytical tools which enable us to get a comprehensive understanding of audience demographic, their usage, geo locations and viewing patterns. The insights into these parameters help us deliver better value for the brands in executing their mobile campaigns and positioning their advertisers on the relevant content online.”


    SMARTIES APAC 2013 recognises innovation, creativity and leadership in mobile marketing from across the region. The theme of the event this year was ‘Deconstructing mobile.‘ The event marked the culmination of the two-day long Mobile Marketing Association Forum which brought together over 250 speakers and delegates from across the Asia Pacific region and the world.


    The platform proved to be an ideal space of networking for leaders from a broad range of industry segments like FMCG, retail, automobile, ready-to-drink beverages, telecommunications, and quick-service restaurants and included representation from companies such as BMW Group, Coca-Cola, McDonald‘s, Renren, Unilever, WPP and YouTube

  • Metrological Application Platform gets backing from Liberty Global

     

    MUMBAI: Innovative software developer Metrological Group has announced that it has received financial backing from new strategic investor Liberty Global, the leading international cable operator. This strategic investment will help Metrological extend its technology platform across multiple industry verticals and geographic markets.

     

    Metrological Application Platform is a key component of Horizon TV, Liberty Global’s revolutionary media and entertainment platform which has been successfully launched in four of its country operations since September 2012. Liberty Global has launched over 125 apps on the platform to date and continues to grow. Rotterdam-based Metrological has been in partnership with Liberty Global since 2010 and was recognised last year as one of the company’s most important suppliers. 

     

    As part of the investment transaction, Liberty Global Ventures director Sander Vonk will join the board of Metrological. The other members of the board are Robert Jan Lijdsman, advisor at Allen & Overy, Walter Blom, independent advisor and former CFO of Ziggo and Estro Group, and Erwin van Dommelen, Managing Partner at Merapar.

     

    “Our investment in Metrological is testimony to its cutting edge technology and great contribution to our Horizon TV platform,‘‘ said Liberty Global executive VP and CTO Balan Nair. “We believe that Metrological is well positioned to address the growing needs of the telecom industry for flexible solutions such as their app platform.’’ 

     

    “Liberty Global‘s investment reflects the strength of our innovations in the market and with our customers‘‘, said Metrological CTO Albert Dahan. “This enables us to bring our business to the next level.‘‘
     

  • Microsoft builds a brand new collaborative portal for developers

    MUMBAI: Microsoft has released a new developer network experience portal developer.microsoft.com, an intuitive single point of entry to help developers interact with Microsoft. The collaborative portal will enable networking amongst the developer community, offer expert guidance to developers and remotely solve their queries, empowering them to be more efficient as they go from idea to app.

     

    The portal offers a set of functionality to help developers leverage the collective power of the community.  With the second largest developer population based in India with 1.6 million developers; this is a very powerful tool for the entire developer community.  It also allows developers in India to connect with their peers across the world. Experts from Microsoft are just a click away once the developers are on the portal.

    Developers can bounce off their app ideas in a specially crafted area called “Perspective”. Similarly, community blogs and social feeds in the “Connect” area allow developers to share their stories, get advice and connect with Microsoft experts. The new portal provides and organises content in a way that is easy to find, identify and collaborate with.

     

    “The new developer network portal provides a single point of entry for all developers. It also resolves the issue of finding the right information which is often spread between different locations and is difficult to access. It enables developers to be more efficient, learn faster & connect with the vibrant Microsoft developer community across the world,” said Microsoft Corporation (India) director – strategic audience marketing Pratima Amonkar.

     

  • CA Media Digital appoints Ashish Joshi as VP digital and biz head Fluence

    MUMBAI: CA Media Digital (India) has announced the appointment of Ashish Joshi as vice president Digital and business head – Fluence. This appointment is a significant step towards building out CA Media‘s vision of being a strong player in the digital domain. Along with managing Fluence, Ashish will help incubate and grow various consumer facing businesses in New Media.


    CA Media Digital‘s first venture, Fluence, is one of India‘s leading online influencer networks around celebrities and brands. Fluence helps celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor, manage their digital life which includes; their social media presence, their digital endorsements, online/mobile monetisation and equity-linked investments in the digital space. Fluence also helps brands maximise their impact on audiences, by utilising the online influence of celebrities and providing specific demographic and psychographic analytics of the celebrity fan base highlighting campaign effectiveness.








    Ashish Joshi will look at further building the business and establishing new ventures while growing and driving forward the existing ones

    Ashish is a veteran in the music and digital industry and comes with over a decade of experience in content acquisition and distribution on various digital platforms in a B2B and B2C environment. Ashish is also experienced in running independent business verticals while optimising them through the implementation of various innovative ideas. An in-depth knowledge of content, along with the understanding of various distribution mediums are his key strengths.


    Prior to joining CA Media Digital, he was working with Dhingana, as VP – Business Development. His earlier stints include being Head of Digital – Universal Music India (India and SAARC) and GM at Hungama Digital Media Entertainment. Ashish holds a Master‘s Degree in Computer Software Applications from KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research in India.


    In his new role, Ashish will report in to Rishi Negi, EVP Investee Operations. CA Media, in India is helmed by Rajesh Kamat, CEO of CA Media, supported by Rishi Negi, who heads investee operations and Vivek Raicha who heads the investment arm of the company.


    “CA Media Digital is a company focused on building consumer facing digital businesses. As a first step CA Media Digital, has launched India‘s leading Online Influencer Network around Celebrities and Brands – Fluence. With Ashish leading the Digital effort, we hope to further expand and build more such ventures. We welcome him to the CA Media team and look forward to benefiting from his talent and experience,” said EVP Investee Operations Rishi Negi on the new appointment.


    “I am excited about my new role at CA Media Digital. CA Media Digital, equipped with the learning‘s of TCG (The Chernin Group) has, in a short time , taken great strides with Fluence , a unique social corridor matrix that has caught the attention of celebrities and brands alike and is looking to building more consumer facing businesses in new media. I look forward to further building the business and establishing new ventures while growing and driving forward existing ones,” said an enthusiastic Ashish Joshi.

  • Jet Airways launches new mobile app

    MUMBAI: Jet Airways has launched its mobile application designed exclusively for Android smartphones.

    The mobile application will allow the airline’s guests to book tickets, check the flight status, manage their JetPrivilege account and get special promotional offers. The mobile application is now available for free download from Google Play.

    The Jet Airways mobile application leverages the Android platform’s features and design, making it an easy-to-use tool for passengers through their journey.

    The application offers a convenient booking and secure payment process allowing credit card transactions accompanied by the ability to save and access booked itineraries.

    Other features include real time flight status check, with the option to search using flight number, airport or route, registration for receiving real time flight status notification, and the opportunity to avail special offers and news updates.
     

  • AoIP advancements for APT’s Oslo audio codec platform

    MUMBAI: WorldCast Systems’ codec specialists, APT, have announced a significant upgrade to the AoIP functionality of their industry-leading codec platform, the WorldNet Oslo.

     

    This new version, which will be demonstrated at IBC 2013, brings two main new benefits to the broadcaster: greater channel density and unique scripting and control capabilities. 

     

    The Oslo’s AoIP module combines audio, IP transport, management and auxiliary data (basically the complete functionality of a codec unit), onto a single, plug-in module. This newest version 1.2 now supports Simplex modes, enabling the AoIP module to operate as either a Dual Stereo Encoder or Dual Stereo Decoder in addition to the existing duplex Stereo Codec mode. With four simplex channels per module, a single Oslo platform can now offer the broadcaster up to 16 or 32 channels of professional quality audio in only 1U or 3U of rackspace. This makes the Oslo an extremely cost-effective option for studio and transmitter sites handling multi-channel encode or decode. 

     

    As well as increasing the channel density, version 1.2 of the Oslo AoIP module also offers support for ScriptEasy, the intelligent scripting application from our partner company, Audemat. 

     

    ScriptEasy is a hugely powerful and flexible tool that enables a broadcast engineer to control not only the behaviour of their APT codec but also other equipment co-located at the codec site. The control goes much further than standard codec software, enabling the specification of complex combinations of alarm and events scenarios and the precise definition of what action should be triggered should any of these occur. This allows you to create and manage many individual back-up scenarios, remotely reconfigure units and receive confirmation of status as well as schedule specific changes to the configuration or streams.

     

    ScriptEasy can also provide consolidated monitoring by aggregating data received via SNMP with controls from traditional I/O and summary data into a user-friendly dashboard view. This dashboard will provide simple graphical statuses of many different parameters across several units in your network.

     

    “ScriptEasy takes codec control to the next level,” commented Christophe Poulain, Group VP Sales for WorldCast Systems. “One early adopter of Scripteasy on the AoIP codec has used the technology to create a complex scheduler, automatically connecting and disconnecting from multicast IP addresses to create a complete program schedule across numerous sites. Not only is Scripteasy the tool that creates the schedule it is also the tool that polices the schedule sending alarms to a central site should audio not be present on the correct decoder at the scheduled time. There are no other codecs on the market capable of such sophisticated management.”

     

    The AoIP module in the Oslo 1U and Oslo 3U platforms will be on display on the WorldCast Systems’ stand 8.B50 during IBC 2013 in Amsterdam from the 13-17 September 2013.

  • Vizrt sets the benchmark for high quality video productivity at IBC

    Vizrt sets the benchmark for high quality video productivity at IBC

    MUMBAI: At the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), Vizrt will display tools to increase graphics and video productivity, enhance live sports broadcasts, and streamline production. IBC2013 will be held from 12-17 September in the RAI convention center in Amsterdam.

    Among the highlights will be new technology that allows designers to run Viz Artist with a remote connection to a powerful cloud computer. A press conference on 13 September at 8:00 am in the RAI’s news conference room will present full details of this development and other top news from Vizrt.

    Vizrt’s real-time 3D compositing system, has increased its rendering capability beyond HD to 4k. Vizrt will display the breakthrough 4k rendering capability of the Viz Engine at the IBC show.

    Viewers on mobile devices, online, and on-air have the best possible viewing experience without the delay caused by transcoding.

    Viz Media Engine includes an extension panel to Adobe Premiere Pro CC that enables Premiere Pro users on both Mac and Windows to search and access media held within Viz Media Engine without leaving the Premiere Pro interface.

    With Viz Arena, broadcasters can superimpose animated 3D graphics, text, video, logos, images and animation over the live coverage of a sports event. The graphics remain in place, regardless of camera movement. The 3D graphics appear to be part of the live coverage.

    Vizrt will also display the Vizrt Online Suite integrated with Viz Media Engine. This integration gives journalists the ability to search all assets contained within Viz Media Engine from the Vizrt Online Suite CMS. MOS rundowns can also now be viewed within the Vizrt Online suite CMS.

    A cross-platform implementation between the Viz Media Engine and Vimond’s over-the-top TV toolset will enable broadcasters to control their video content across multiple platforms and monetise their content online.

  • Rs 800 crore earmarked for two communication satellites in current year

    NEW DELHI: A budget of Rs 800 crore has been set aside for the launch of the GSAT 15 and GSAT 16 communication satellites during 2013-14.


    However, the total budget for GSAT-15 is Rs 859.5 crore and the figure for GSAT-16 is Rs 865.5 crore.






    GSAT-15 is a geostationary communication satellite which will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and one GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) payload. GSAT-15 satellite will support the existing Direct-To-Home (DTH) and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services in the country and the GAGAN payload will be a part of GAGAN space segment to provide better air traffic management over Indian Air Space.


    GSAT-16 is a geostationary communication satellite which will carry 24 C-band, 12 Ku-band and 12 Upper Extended C-band transponders. GSAT-16 satellite will support satellite based telecommunication, television, VSAT and other services in the country.


    GSAT-15 and GSAT-16 satellites are targeted for launch during the 2014-16 timeframe. The two satellites were approved in July this year, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office V Narayansamy told Parliament.


    The revenue earned by ANTRIX Corporation, the commercial arm of the department, through leasing of INSAT/GSAT transponders during the year 2012-13 is approximately Rs 482.67 crore.


    This revenue accrues from service providers of Direct-To-Home (DTH) services, TV Uplink services, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) services and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services. This revenue does not include the capacities provided to various societal applications such a tele-education, tele-medicine, Village Resource Center, Disaster Management and part of public broadcasting services, which are not of the nature of revenue-earning services.


    At present, there are nine operational INSAT/GSAT communication satellites: INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, INSAT-4A, INSAT-4B, INSAT-4CR, GSAT-8, GSAT-10 and GSAT-12. The total number of transponders available at present from these satellites is 195 operating in C, Extended C, Ku, and S-bands.


    Transponders on communication satellites are leased to users after the launch and operationalisation of the satellite. The Department of Space leases the transponders on INSAT/GSAT satellites through ANTRIX.