ITV

Category: People

  • NxtDigital receives NCLT sanction to the scheme of arrangement with Hinduja Global Solutions

    NxtDigital receives NCLT sanction to the scheme of arrangement with Hinduja Global Solutions

    Mumbai: On Friday, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) gave its final approval and sanction to the scheme of arrangement between NxtDigital (NDL) and Hinduja Global Solutions (HGSL).

    The media & communication business undertaking, including the assets and liabilities as well as the subsidiaries, is transferred to HGSL in accordance with the scheme.

    Amar Chintopanth, a full-time director and the company’s chief financial officer, will remain in that position. The new NDL will concentrate on the next stage of its reorganisation after the scheme takes effect, taking the necessary regulatory and other pre-emptive steps.

    The final order of the NCLT was recorded during a board of directors meeting that was held for the company. Additionally, the board has set 23 November 2022 (the close of business) as the record date for the list of shareholders who will be qualified to receive shares issued by HGSL under the scheme of arrangement.

    All NDL shareholders who held equity shares in the company as of 23 November 2022, at the close of business, will receive an allocation of equity shares in HGSL equal to 20 equity shares fully paid up in HGSL for every 63 equity shares fully paid up in NDL.

    More significantly, all NDL shareholders as of the record date will be qualified to take part in any corporate actions that HGSL chooses to take, including dividends (interim and final), buybacks, and other actions, if any, after the record date.

  • Biryani by Kilo launches web-series ‘Dum Laga ke India’ with Ranveer Brar

    Biryani by Kilo launches web-series ‘Dum Laga ke India’ with Ranveer Brar

    Mumbai: Biryani by Kilo has launched a web series, Dum Laga ke India, streaming on Disney+Hotstar and honouring the food, heritage, and culture of four different prominent Indian cities: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

    In this season of Dum Laga Ke India, celebrity chef Ranveer Brar hosts each episode, which features eminent star casts PV Sindhu, Vaani Kapoor, Arman Mallik, and Pranitha Subhash in four episodes shot in four different cities: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

    India’s popular and largest biryani and kebab delivery chain, Biryani By Kilo, has produced the show. The show is an attempt to celebrate and showcase India’s rich culinary heritage and diversity. Biryani by Kilo and Rusk Studios have conceptualised and produced the show.

    With the growing demand for OTT content in the advanced digital world, Biryani By Kilo identified one of the most engaging platforms to connect with its target audience in an innovative way. Biryani By Kilo intends to showcase the amalgamation of long-held legacies across culture, heritage, and food through this web series, Dum Laga Ke India, which has been well crafted with Ranveer Brar’s more than two decades of culinary experience and innovation. It is a watershed moment for the BBK brand, as it has established itself as one of the first biryani players to launch a one-of-a-kind web series on India’s leading streaming platform, Disney+Hotstar.

    Chef Ranveer Brar visits various cities to explore the diversity and appreciate what makes each city unique and buzzing. And what better way to do so than with celebrities who embody the true spirit of that city? Ranveer Singh Brar is joined by some of India’s biggest celebrities on his journey to discover hidden flavours, cultures, and nuances of life in some of the country’s busiest cities.

    In a candid conversation with Brar, Vaani Kapoor from Mumbai, Armaan Malik from Kolkata, Pranitha Subash from Bengaluru, and PV Sindhu from Hyderabad share what these places mean to them and their personal life stories. Each episode has captured the Dum of the respective city, what keeps it ticking, and the soul of the city in terms of people, food, heritage, and culture.

    Commenting on the launch, Biryani By Kilo Founder & Co-CEO Vishal Jindal said, “Dum Laga Ke India in association with D+H is our honest attempt to entertain and engage the audience, through the prism of food, culture, & entertainment. India is the land of diversity; each city has its own unique flavour, and when this uniqueness in food, culture, and beliefs comes together, it gives dum to that city’s soul. And what better brand to own than Biryani By Kilo, which is the pioneer of dum-cooked Handi Biryani in India. We have an eminent star cast on board for this travel, food, and entertainment show who are highly successful in their respective fields to talk about the authenticity of the place and their love for food. We are pleased to be associated with the heartthrob of the culinary world, chef Ranveer Brar, who talks about food heritage and shares his deep knowledge about the legacy of various dishes and places in an entertaining manner.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Brar said, “I am super excited to be part of this non-fiction, innovative digital content streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. I have always been passionate about stories around food; they’ve brought me closer to different cultures and people around me. And that’s what makes Dum Laga ke India a unique series, different from other food & travel shows. It has a fine balance of all three aspects: food, travel, & entertainment. The new web series has not only given me a chance to explore food but also led to candid conversations with different proficient stars who shared their exquisite memories related to food, culture, and cities. Personally, I loved working on this show, as it also made me explore different facets of myself. The series shows the intricacies of the culture and heritage of India. In addition to connecting with celebrities from the entertainment industry and discussing their accomplishments, the series delves deeper into their food, culture, and love for their respective cities. So yes, the viewers will love the complete package that it is.”

  • Times Network elevates Mihir Bhatt as business head of Times Influence

    Times Network elevates Mihir Bhatt as business head of Times Influence

    Mumbai: Times Network, India’s premium broadcast network, has elevated Mihir Bhatt to business head of Times Influence and managing editor of Times Network. 

    In his new capacity, Bhatt will continue to lead the editorial charge for large scale strategic collaborated content on the network and grow the already buoyant content solutions business with overall P&L responsibility of Times Influence – a strategic content thinktank that operates across the network, developing award winning IPs and content solutions. 

    During his tenure at Times Network, Bhatt has led large-scale IPs including India Economic Conclave – the largest in the genre, Times Now Summit, Amazing Indians, Leaders of Tomorrow and Navbharat Navnirman Manch amongst others. A seasoned media professional with over two decades of experience in editorial and business roles, he has closely tracked corporate India, government policies, domestic & global economies and has also been instrumental in launching leading branded content initiatives in the broadcast industry. 

     With evolution in formats, platforms, consumer preferences and ROI demands, large scale IPs & collaborated content have emerged as critical growth drivers for digital publishers and broadcasters, leading to the intensified focus at Times Network. 

    Times Network managing director & CEO MK Anand said, “Bhatt has played a pivotal role in steering strategic content partnerships and Network IPs that have become industry benchmarks today. A dynamic leader with a proven track record, I’m confident Mihir will continue to create unique value propositions for Times Network and our partners.”

    Talking about his new role, Bhatt said, “I am honoured and delighted to helm this mandate. It’s heartening to see Times Influence’s rapid growth as a content powerhouse that is being recognised for creating award-winning strategic and branded content initiatives across mediums. As I take on this responsibility, I am focused on harnessing my strengths and expertise to create new opportunities and capitalize on emerging trends that drive innovation and growth for the network.”

  • Johnson Jain becomes Enterr10 TV Network CRO

    Johnson Jain becomes Enterr10 TV Network CRO

    Mumbai: Johnson Jain has been appointed as chief revenue officer (CRO)  by Enterr10 TV Network, which owns and runs five broadcast channels, including Dangal TV, Dangal 2, Bhojpuri Cinema, Enter10 GEC, and Enterr10 Bangla

    He most recently served as Goldmine Telefilms’ CRO. Johnson has more than 20 years of experience working in the media sector and has held positions at companies like Zee Entertainment, Sony Entertainment Television, 9X Media, Goldmine Telefilms, and Beginnen Media.

    Commenting on Johnson’s appointment, Enterr10 TV network MD Manish Singhal said, “I am glad to welcome Johnson Jain to our Enter10 family as the chief revenue officer. His charming personality, go-getter attitude, and cordial relationships are admired across the industry. I wish him all the best”

    Jain expressed, “I’m extremely thrilled to be associated with yet another industry leader in the broadcast space. Dangal is India’s No.2 GEC Channel and has broken all records in its audience reach as compared to any other GEC in HSM. My immediate goal after being associated with Enterr10 TV Network is to stretch and go beyond our current potential to take the network to newer heights in the broadcasting space.”

    Johnson began his career in 2002 with Doordarshan before transferring to Zee to manage several genres, from English to Hindi. He was employed by Sony Network’s Set Max & IPL. He most recently held the position as chief revenue officer at Beginnen Media and Goldmines.

  • GUEST ARTICLE: New trends in the video production market 2022

    GUEST ARTICLE: New trends in the video production market 2022

    Mumbai: There is no doubt that video marketing is the most engaging medium to connect with consumers and is also enthusiastically embraced by the masses.

    A recent report indicates that YouTube has experienced a 20–30 per cent increase in views, and social media videos have reached an all-time high, with 56 per cent of consumers watching more videos each month on social media platforms. While video production is gaining momentum, the focus is not limited to humorous skits or influencers. Rather, there are several companies dedicated to creating videos that deliver value to their customers. 

    In a recent study, four out of ten internet users follow brands that interest them (and are considering purchasing from). Also, 35 per cent of YouTube views are attributed to brand-owned videos, and 70 per cent of e-commerce brands have increased their advertising budgets for videos.

    Looking closely, we have found the following trends in marketing video production that are expected to continue into 2022 and beyond. 

    ●     Short-form video

    The short-form video has gained traction across almost all content platforms, including Instagram Reels, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts. There is a likelihood that this trend will continue, with videos becoming “snackable,” which means they can be consumed between other forms of content in a short attention span.

    When it comes to what needs to be served to the consumers, a marketer needs to be able to achieve more within a shorter period of time. In most cases, you will have less than 30 seconds to catch your audience’s attention and explain your point. Fortunately, video allows you to achieve this. Visuals, audio, and text can be combined effectively to communicate a shorter message. 

    Let’s take a look at a few best practices for short-form video production:

    ●     The first few seconds matter – Gain their attention right away to prevent them from swiping or clicking away.

    ●     Don’t forget mobile – As over 75 per cent of video content is viewed on mobile devices, it is essential to use mobile-friendly links and vertical formats for viewing. With the latest video technology, it is even possible to create videos that adjust based on the device used by the viewer.

    ●     Posts affect where it goes – Keeping in mind that different websites and apps have differing content styles that work best and often have different audiences when making videos is essential.

    ●     Animated Explainer Videos

    Animation explainer videos enable you to capture your audience’s attention while maintaining it throughout the video. The most appealing aspect of animated explainer videos is that they showcase your brand’s personality in an enriching and informative manner.

    Many companies worldwide continue to use animated videos to promote their products and services. Animated videos are also used for various purposes, such as educating customers, training new employees, and many others.

    Moreover, since more and more people are viewing videos on their mobile devices, creating videos that are optimised for smaller screens is paramount. Forecasts indicate that animated explainer videos will become more popular as a form of video marketing by 2022.

    ●     Shoppable social media videos

    A shoppable and interactive video marketing strategy will dominate the video marketing segment in 2022. A viewer can be a part of the story or message by participating in the video. You may receive a different result if you click on the other objects that are projected on the screen.

    There may also be questions or choices you must make that have an impact on the video’s plot. Over the years, shoppable videos have also evolved. In 2022, shopping videos will significantly increase the interaction level among their customers. As a result, shoppers will have an easier time, and conversions will increase dramatically.

    Shopping can be performed directly from the video, hence there is no need to leave the site. This trend is unmatched in popularity.

    ●     Webinars and live streams

    A live stream or live webinar has become an increasingly popular way of sharing content in the past few years. It is a great way to increase brand awareness and traffic to your website, and it allows your followers to interact directly with you.

    Combining this approach with the podcast offers you the opportunity to leverage multiple channels for marketing purposes. Apart from this, businesses and content creators can use live webinars to generate leads and sell products.

    If you plan on conducting live webinars, you should invest in a good-quality microphone.

    ●     Vertical videos 

    If you scroll through social media feeds, you will notice that most videos are vertical in nature. The orientation of a vertically oriented video differs from that of a horizontally oriented landscape video.

    In 2017, Snapchat and Instagram began supporting these videos, and their popularity has continued to increase with TikTok. In vertical videos, the viewer may see more of the subject’s face than in horizontal videos. Moreover, they may feel closer to the matter as the camera is closer to their faces.

    This eventually makes it ideal for sharing on social media platforms, where users scroll through their feeds and wish to view quick, engaging videos. However, this video style is likely to remain popular for the foreseeable future.

    ●     User-generated content

    There is no doubt that marketing strategies rely heavily on user-generated content, and video content is no exception. User-generated content is one of the top trends in video marketing for 2022, and YouTube’s ability to attract and retain users indicates its effectiveness.

    According to studies, user-generated video content receives ten times as many views as branded content. The good news doesn’t stop there: once users land on a site via UGC, they spend twice as much time as they used to on the previous content. It is also well known that user-generated video can convert users into customers at a rate almost double that of static content.

    Video UGC also increases the likelihood that these users visit an e-commerce site and make a purchase by 184 per cent, and makes sure that these users spend 45 per cent more on the e-commerce website. This approach is particularly effective in industries that heavily rely on user opinions, such as travel and health.

    Even if your company does not operate within these industries, video content generated by users is a practical part of your video marketing strategy for 2022. 
    Final Thoughts

    It is undeniable that the trend of using video content in marketing has continued over the past decade. To succeed in digital marketing, you must have a detailed understanding of video marketing trends. No matter if you are a professional videographer or not, you should be familiar with the use of video content in marketing and design. You will see incredible results if you incorporate it into your online marketing strategy. Take advantage of all the trends and statistics related to video marketing on our website. This would aid your marketing campaigns and social media efforts to ensure that your prospects remain engaged with your content.

    The author of this article is GPPL co-founder and managing partner Anjali Chauhan.

  • Chitra Tripathi and Gaurav Verma join India Today Group for second stint

    Chitra Tripathi and Gaurav Verma join India Today Group for second stint

    Mumbai: It’s all cheer for Chitra Tripathi and Gaurav Verma as they return to the India Today Group. Verma is chief operating officer of The Lallan Top and Tripathi has assumed the role of editor of special projects at Aaj Tak.

    This is Verma’s second stint with the TV Today Network – previously, he quit the group in August 2020. In his new role, he will report to TV Today Network chief operating officer Vivek Gaur. He will also be responsible for overseeing revenue for digital streaming of Live TV and will be reporting to Salil Kumar on the same.

    Verma recently quit as the revenue head of Times Network’s Hindi news channel, Times Now Navbharat. In his career, he has also worked with Zee, Network 18 and Business Standard. A commerce graduate from Delhi University, he holds a postgraduate diploma from the National Institute of Sales, and has also done an Executive Excellence programme from ISB.

    In her new role, Tripathi will continue to report to Aaj Tak and India Today managing editor Supriya Prasad. She joined ABP News last month and had a stint of less than a month before returning to Aaj Tak.

    Both Tripathi and Verma will be based in Noida.

  • Tipping Point partners with Dice Media

    Tipping Point partners with Dice Media

    Mumbai: Tipping Point has been successfully winning the hearts of audiences by delivering distinctive and innovative shows like Jamtara and She, both of which have had successful second seasons, as well as critically acclaimed series like Taj Mahal 1989 and the anthology of Satyajit Ray’s short stories, Ray. Tipping Point channels the diverse, disruptive, and dynamic stories of the digital age with a focus on nuanced and edgy storytelling.

    Tipping Point has expanded its slate with a variety of exciting new series like Parallax, a crime thriller; Kaalkut, an investigative drama; Transition, a groundbreaking reality show; Mahim, a murder mystery; and Boots, Belts & Berets, a show about the life of army cadets. All of these series have finished production and will soon be available on major OTT platforms.

    In keeping with those initiatives, leading digital entertainment business Pocket Aces’ premium long-form production studio, Dice Media, and the digital content creators are now prepared to amuse the audience with a brand-new slate of content. The announcement of Cheeku, a coming-of-age story, as the first of many more powerful series in the pipeline, marks the beginning of the long-term creative partnership between the two content moguls. The slice-of-life comedy centres on a 24-year-old boy who struggles to reconcile his life’s cultural disparity. The series, directed by Rajesh Mapuskar and run by Ashwin Suresh, will feature seasoned performer Prakash Raj in a crucial part.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Viacom18 Studios COO Ajit Andhare said, “Tipping Point stands for unconventional yet relatable and rooted storytelling. We are dialling up our slate of digital content with a whole new array of heartwarming stories. The first of many more to come is Cheeku. Distinctive content comes from the concoction of creative minds, and I’m looking forward to this long-term partnership of Tipping Point with Pocket Aces to brew more interesting stories along the way.”

    Commenting on the collaboration, Dice Media studio head Vidyuth Bhandary said, “At Dice Media, relatable narratives have been the backbone of storytelling and we create these stories with a lot of love & passion ensuring it strikes the right chord with our audiences. We are extremely thrilled to partner with a creative powerhouse like Tipping Point which always backs the creative vision of their partners & together we are confident we will deliver a slate of high-quality engaging content that will be loved by the audience.”

    The collaboration will be an ongoing creative collaboration, with more titles to be announced soon in the coming year.

  • Ashish Golwlkar announces exit from SPNI after a seven-year stint

    Ashish Golwlkar announces exit from SPNI after a seven-year stint

    Mumbai: Indian media and entertainment industry veteran Ashish Golwalkar has left Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) after a seven year stint. A company spokesperson confirmed the development.

    He joined in December 2015 as senior VP and creative director of content before heading programming at SPNI’s flagship channel, SET, in April 2018. In his latest role, he was heading content at both SET and the digital business, which is SonyLIV.

    Prior to this, he had stints in WWIL, Zee Entertainment, and Disney-Star. He was with  ZEEl for over 11 years. He has over 20 years of experience spanning sales and marketing, content syndication, brand management, and content creation. He wrote and co-wrote multiple award-winning non-scripted formats in various genres across Zeel, Disney-FoxStar, and Sony Pictures. He has built content teams at Zeel and Star Plus.

  • Ecom-gaming’s TV ad volume doubled in January to August’ 22: TAM AdEx report

    Ecom-gaming’s TV ad volume doubled in January to August’ 22: TAM AdEx report

    Mumbai: TAM AdEx has released an e-commerce-gaming cross-media report for January to August 2022, highlighting the advertising volumes of all mediums (television, print, radio, and digital) by the category.

    According to the report, ecom-gaming ad volumes on television increased two-fold between January and August 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021.

    The top 10 advertisers accounted for more than 90 per cent of ad volumes during the same period, and 35 plus brands advertised on television from January to August 2022, of which the top 10 shared 91 per cent of ad volumes.

    Advertisers in the e-commerce-gaming category preferred TV ad sizes ranging from 20 to 40 seconds. Between January and August 2022, 20 to 40-second and less than 20-second ads combined for a 99 per cent share of category ad volumes. Adding to this, more than 20 exclusive brands were advertised under the ecom-gaming category from January to August 2022.

    The news genre alone accounted for 44 per cent of the category’s ad volume, while sports came in second place. Top three channel genres grabbed 79 per cent of ad volumes’ share.

    The news bulletin is the most popular programme genre among the brands on television. News bulletins and feature films together added 47 per cent of the category’s ad volume.

    On TV, prime time was the most preferred time band, followed by the afternoon. More than 70 per cent of total ad volume was accounted for by the prime, afternoon, and morning time bands.

    The report, comparing January to August 2022 with the previous year of the same period, mentioned that the ad space in the ecom-gaming category dropped by 27 per cent in print media.

    Galactus Funware Technology stood as the top advertiser with a 40 per cent share of ad space during the current period.

    Moreover, the top 10 advertisers accounted for more than 90 per cent of the ad space.

    The Hindi language was on top with a 41 per cent share of ad space. The top five publication languages together added 93 percent of the category’s ad space.

    From January to August 2022, the general interest publication genre accounted for nearly 100 percent of the category’s ad space.

    Speaking about the digital space, the report stated that the sector’s ad insertions saw a growth of 27 per cent in January to August 2022 compared to the previous year.

    The top 10 advertisers shared 59 per cent of the ad insertions during the current period.

    From January to August 2022, display ads accounted for more than 60 per cent of all category ad insertions. Desktop video had a 30 per cent share of the digital platforms, followed by desktop display, which had a 28 per cent share.

    During the period from January to August 2022, the top ten advertisers had a 59 per cent share of ad insertions, with Head Digital Works topping the list with a 12 per cent share.

  • India TV’s Rajat Sharma wins ‘Media Icon 2022 from India Award’ in London

    India TV’s Rajat Sharma wins ‘Media Icon 2022 from India Award’ in London

    Mumbai: At a glittering ceremony in London, India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma was conferred with the Media Icon of 2022 from India Award by World Consulting & Research Corporation (WCRC).

    The event was organised by WCRCINT & WCRC leaders at the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster and The Carisbrooke Hall at Victory Services Club, London.

    India TV managing director Ritu Dhawan was conferred with the World’s Best Leader 2022 award, while India TV was identified as the World’s Best Brand 2022 for being the most credible and meaningful source of information.

    In the presence of industry experts, corporate stalwarts, and luminaries, more than 50 best global companies and individuals were honoured.

    India TV is the nation’s leading Hindi news channel and has consistently topped the news charts. Its success has been possible due to its fast-paced consistency and credibility in reporting events that take place in India and the rest of the world.

    Rajat Sharma, one of the pioneers of TV journalism in India, has been leading India TV from the front with his two most popular shows, the longest-running TV show, Aap Ki Adalat, and the daily prime-time news show, Aaj Ki Baat. A Padma Bhushan awardee, Rajat Sharma has been grilling political leaders, prime ministers, film stars, godmen, and artists for the last 27 years, while his prime-time show Aaj Ki Baat encapsulates the happenings of the day in a fast-paced format.

    Dhawan is the livewire behind-the-scenes person who has been directing the Aap Ki Adalat show since its inception in 1993. Apart from her onerous responsibilities in management, she has been the brain behind the new look of the India TV channel, heading the massive team effort between anchors, producers, reporters, camerapersons, graphics designers, video editors, and programmers, lending panache to the overall news telecast.