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  • Dubai developer Nakheel doing an ad campaign on BBC World

    MUMBAI: Nakheel, a Dubai development company, has launched an extensive advertising campaign on BBC World.

    Responsible for the waterfront developments The Palm, The World and Dubai Waterfront, Nakheel plans to raise its corporate profile through three commercials to air on BBC World during the next few months.

    This is the first time Nakheel has advertised with BBC World and the first commercial, which recently went on air profiles the company’s corporate image and focuses on Nakheel’s role in the development of Dubai.

    The other two commercial presentations, to be produced by BBC World, are based around the Jumeirah Family of brands, which includes the recently launched Jumeirah Park and the eagerly-awaited commencement of handover of the first residences of of the man-made palm tree-shaped island – The Palm Jumeirah. These will air on the channel in Europe, South Asia, the Middle East and Asia Pacific later in the year.

    BBC World’s regional director Mena and Pakistan Hani Soubra says, “The fact that Nakheel has chosen BBC World for their campaign is testament to the credibility of the channel. We are delighted to be working with Nakheel and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

    Nakheel director of marketing, sales and customer service Manal Shaheen says, “The aim of these three profiles is to highlight Nakheel’s role in the ongoing transformation of Dubai to an international audience. The BBC is one of the world’s most respected media organizations and BBC World has an appropriate reach for our target markets. We are delighted to be partnering with BBC World in this instance”.

  • Macau Tourism celebrates heritage year with a new advertising campaign on BBC World

    MUMBAI: BBC World has produced a series of commercials for Macau Tourism to celebrate the country’s 2006 heritage year.

    The campaign, airing in Asia Pacific and Europe, focusses on Macau’s position as a heritage city and also highlights on three key annual events that take place in Macau – a fireworks festival, music festival and grand prix. Macau Tourism has partnered with BBC World for the past two years but this is the first time the advertising campaign has widened to include Asia Pacific and Europe.

    The three events highlighted in the BBC World advertising campaign include:

    – 20th Macau International Music Festival (MIMF) is to be held from 6 October to 5 November The eclectic programme of 28 performances promises to delight audiences in historical settings such as the Dom Pedro V Theatre, St. Dominic’s Church and Mount Fortress.

    – Wynn Macau – 18th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest to be held during September and October, features teams from Germany, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Portugal, Australia, the United States, Japan, France and China.

    – The 53rd Macau Grand Prix from 16 to 19 November is the single most important race in the Formula 3 season each year. Former Macau Grand Prix winners include great names such as Ayrton Senna, Michael and Ralf Schumacher, and David Coulthard.

    BBC World VP, Asia and Australasia Sunita Rajan, says, “BBC World is delighted to be able produce these commercials for Macau Tourism, which also showcase our creative excellence. The campaign, which focuses on music, sport and entertainment, targets the international traveller seeking new and different experiences. BBC World’s audience of 65 million viewers a week largely comprises of business and leisure travellers, so this partnership with Macau Tourism creates perfect synergy.”

    The Director of Macau Tourism, Joel Manuel Costa Antunez says, “It is our great pleasure to co-operate with BBC World again to showcase Macau – a unique tourist destination. Through leveraging the extensive network of BBC World, we are sure that Macau’s image, as one of the leading tourist destinations in the region, will be enhanced amongst our target audiences across the globe. We look forward to a fruitful and mutually beneficial co-operation with BBC World.”

    Macau Tourism is among a number of tourism boards to advertise on BBC World. Other boards include Tourism New Zealand, Palau Tourist Authority, Maldives Tourism, Beijing Tourism and Hangzhou Tourism.

  • Star India CFO G Subramaniam, AVP Vidyuth Bhandari quit

    Star India CFO G Subramaniam, AVP Vidyuth Bhandari quit

    MUMBAI: After the exit of Puneet Johar as Senior VP, Marketing and Communication last week, Star India has two more key executives leaving the organisation. According to reliable sources in the market, Star India CFO G Subramaniam and AVP Vidyuth Bhandari have quit the organisation.

    Subramaniam, who will be leaving the organisation at the end of June, is set to join a prominent cellular phone company. Bhandari has already joined Adlabs Radio as Interactivity Activation and PR head.

    Subramaniam and Bhandari were not available for comment at the time of filing this report.

    A chartered accountant by qualification, Subramanian joined Star India as Star Digital Platforms Group CFO in 2001. He was elevated to CFO of the network in 2003. Prior to joining Star, he worked with the BPL Innovision business group in their telecom ventures including four years with BPL Mobile, Mumbai as the CFO. The new move sees him returning to the telecom sector.

  • Janmat managing company files for IPO

    Janmat managing company files for IPO

    MUMBAI: Broadcast Initiatives Ltd, the Sri Adhikari Brothers promoted company through which Janmat news and views channel was launched, has decided to tap the capital market.

    The company filed a Draft Red Herring Prospectus for an IPO. Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. is already listed on the stock exchange.

    Broadcast Initiatives Ltd. proposes to issue 85,50,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at a premium to be decided through the book building process. The issue would constitute 44.27 per cent of the fully diluted post issue equity capital of the company. Post-issue, the promoter holding would be 55.73 per cent.

    The scrip will be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Allianz Securities LTD would be the lead manager for the issue.

    According to the draft prospectus, the money raised will be used to partly finance construction of a studio, and investment in infrastructure for Janmat channel, apart from other purposes.

    For the purchase of land and construction of the studio, the company intends to use Rs 96 million from the proceeds of the IPO. An investment of Rs 415.4 million has been estimated towards purchase of production, post production and broadcast equipments. The company also intends to prepay part of the term loan together with prepayment charges by utilising Rs. 250 million from the issue proceeds.Apart from Janmat, Broadcast Initiatives plans to launch a 24-hour Marathi general entertainment channel – Mi Marathi – through a subsidiary, Sri Adhikari Brothers Media Limited.

  • MTV Networks chief digital officer Jason Hirschhorn quits; Nick Lehman to be interim digital head

    MTV Networks chief digital officer Jason Hirschhorn quits; Nick Lehman to be interim digital head

    MUMBAI: Viacom division’s MTV Networks chief digital officer Jason Hirschhorn has resigned from his post.

    MTVN digital executive vice president Nick Lehman will replace Hirschhorn as an interim replacement.

    Hirschhorn was appointed as chief digital officer last year in November. He had joined MTVN in 2000 with the acquisition of his music-centered Mischief New Media. He will stay on through the summer to ease the transition.

    Hirschhorn was instrumental in developing the digital music service Urge, which is a tie-up between MTV and Microsoft Corp. He also spearheaded MTV’s digital media business and interactive strategy aimed at reaching audiences via the Internet and mobile devices.

  • Aventail Expands India Distribution with Select Technologies

    Aventail Expands India Distribution with Select Technologies

    Select Technologies to Support Aventail’s Growing SSL VPNs sales and support

    Bangalore, 30th May, 2006 – Leading SSL VPN product company Aventail Corporation (www.aventail.com) is expanding its distribution in India through a new agreement with Select Technologies, a leading solution provider in the country with more than 5,000 customers. Select Technologies will provide sales and support to Aventail’s growing clientele, which includes Wipro, Tesco, Marico, iGATE, ING Vyasa, and i-flex, both directly and through their large channel partner network across India. Together, Aventail, Select, and system integrators will offer a three-level support system.

    “With security being the top priority for enterprise and SMB customers, an affordable solution with top class security features and protection is the requirement today,” said Mr. Sunil Pillai; Business Head, Select Technologies. “Aventail’s leading technology coupled with Select’s expertise in providing innovative, cutting-edge solutions for Information Protection and Management domain make this relationship a strong one,” he added.

    “Select has a good history of making brands successful in India , and they have the required experience and expertise to carry Aventail in their portfolio,” said Mr. Ajay Kumar, Country Sales Manager for Aventail in India . “Aventail is leading the market in providing enterprises secure remote access, and Select’s strong channel network will help us increase our penetration and customer base across India.”

    Aventail’s SSL VPN is a scalable, enterprise class, clientless solution based on Aventail’s proven Smart SSL VPN platform. Aventail’s clustering and high availability support with load-balancing is an ideal solution for hundreds or thousands of users. The secure application platform is designed to provide practical, easy-to-use anywhere access to Web, client/server, and file shares from any device combined with simple manageability and usability. All of this makes it a clear alternative to IPSec-based VPNs. Many of Aventail’s customers worldwide are replacing legacy IPSec solutions with the Aventail SSL VPN in order to have one solution for all remote access scenarios.

    About Select Technologies

    Select Technologies is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of WeP Peripherals Limited (WeP). Select Technologies provides innovative Information Protection & Management Solutions and Services to Large Enterprises, Corporates and SMEs and is a ‘One Stop Solution House’ for market leading Information Protection and Management solutions. Select specializes in providing innovative and effective world class solutions through a strong and dedicated team of qualified and trained professionals to provide support services and training to partners and end users. Select conducts business through more than 238 NSI, RSI, Solution Providers & channel partners across the country focused on Information Protection and Management business and sustains relationship with over 5000 customers. Headquartered in Bangalore, Select has offices across the metros and major cities of the country. For more information, please visit: www.select-technologies.net

    About Aventail
    Aventail is the best-of-breed remote-access company. Aventail delivered the first SSL VPN solution in 1997 and today is a market leader, delivering the easiest to use and control remote-access solution. Aventail Smart SSL VPN appliances provide users with transparent, clientless access to more applications from more devices via any network environment. For network managers, Aventail delivers a single secure access gateway for all users, internal and external, to all network resources with complete security. With more than two million end users around the globe, Aventail is the SSL VPN of choice among mid to large-sized organizations worldwide, Some of Aventail’s customers in India include Wipro, Tesco, Marico, iGATE, ING Vyasa, i-flex, Times of India and ITC. For more information, go to www.aventail.com.

    Aventail, Aventail ST, Aventail Smart Access, Aventail Smart Tunneling, Aventail EPC, Aventail OnDemand, Aventail Connect, Aventail Secure Collaboration, Aventail EX-2500, EX-1500, Aventail EX-750, and their respective logos are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Aventail Corporation. Other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification purposes only.

    Note: The information in Aventail press releases is accurate and current only as of the date posted. Aventail does not update the information once the release has been issued. To the extent any press release contains information that is not historical fact, that information is considered forward-looking. Aventail’s results may differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements.

  • BBC, British Council launch 10th annual international radio playwriting competition

    BBC, British Council launch 10th annual international radio playwriting competition

    MUMBAI: BBC World Service and the British Council have launched their tenth annual International Radio Playwriting Competition.

    Writers who are new to radio globally are invited to submit an original 60-minute radio play on a subject of their choice. The competition, which has no age limit, is open to anyone living outside the UK and closes on Monday 30 April 2007.

    This year author and novelist Doris Lessing is among the judges. BBC World Service Drama executive producer Marion Nancarrow said, “Last year nearly 1,000 budding writers from 80 countries entered the competition and we’re hoping that even more writers from even more countries will enter this year.

    “This competition is one of the most exciting events at World Service Drama, as it provides us with an opportunity to connect with our audience and draws on a vast, untapped resource of writing talent from around the world.

    “The best thing is that it’s open to everyone. We receive entries from experienced novelists and writers from theatre, film and television as well as plays from writers with no experience at all who are submitting their first script. Previous winners have gone on to gain further commissions for World Service Drama, so this could be the next step to a very successful career.”

    The International Radio Playwriting Competition has two first prizes. One awards the best play by a writer with English as their first language, and the second for the best play by a writer with English as their second language.

    They each receive £2,500 and a trip to London to see their play being recorded for broadcast on World Service in the World Drama slot. An additional six prizes of a digital or shortwave radio will be awarded to the best plays submitted from South Asia, Asia, Africa, Middle East; America, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus.

    Further information on the International Radio Playwriting Competition and essential tips from established radio dramatists Mike Walker and Marcy Kahan can be found online at bbcworldservice.com/competitions, where writers can also download an entry form.

    An entry form can also be obtained by sending a request by email to intradioplaycomp@bbc.co.uk or one can be collected from their local British Council office.

  • American Idol Hicks signs with 19 Recordings

    American Idol Hicks signs with 19 Recordings

    MUMBAI: The 2006 winner of American Idol Taylor Hicks has signed a recording deal with Simon Fuller and 19 Recordings Limited, in conjunction with legendary music man Clive Davis, chairman of BMG US and Arista Records.

    The finale on 24 May was the most successful season of American Idol with over 35 million viewers tuning into the finale.
    The 29 year old Alabama native, joins the ranks of other idols that have gone on to have outstanding music careers under the guidance of Davis. Previous Idol winners and runner ups have sold a staggering 33 million records, which includes music from Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice.

    The first single from Hicks includes the original Idol composition, “Do I Make You Proud,” sung during the final round of voting and again during the finale. The single also includes his rendition of the Doobie Brothers classic, “Takin’ It To The Streets,” from the American Idol season five encores CD. The single will be available in-stores and through digital outlets on 13 June.

    Hicks’ legion of loyal followers dubbed the “soul patrol” and fans all across the country can expect a full length album from Hicks later this year.

  • TV18 to allocate 3 million shares for Rs 2 billion QIP issue

    TV18 to allocate 3 million shares for Rs 2 billion QIP issue

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen India Ltd. is, in its qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue, allocating 3.08 million shares at a price of Rs 650 per equity share.

    The company is raising Rs 1.99 billion through QIP, TV18 said in a statement. Indiantelevision had earlier reported that TV18 had mandated HSBC to raise this amount which would be used to fund the company’s expansion plans.

    The QIP committee of the board of Television Eighteen India Ltd met on Thursday to approve the QIP proposal

  • DirecTV inks deal with GCC for ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and World Cup 2007

    DirecTV inks deal with GCC for ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and World Cup 2007

    MUMBAI: Cricket fever will soon grip the US! The direct-broadcast satellite provider DirecTV has reached an agreement with Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) to broadcast two International Cricket Council (ICC) events — the ICC Champions Trophy, to be held in India in October 2006 and the ICC Cricket World Cup, to be played in the West Indies in March 2007.

    Television rights to the two ICC events have been acquired by DirecTV on a non-exclusive basis. DirecTV’s acquisition of international cricket rights has been part of an effort to expand its programming services for the diverse ethnic population within the United States.

    “These are the most prestigious cricket events in the world, and we are proud to offer them to DirecTV customers for the first time ever,” said DirecTV Inc VP International Aaron McNally.

    “With these ICC events and with exclusive rights to six of the ten test-playing ICC members as part of our CricketTicket package, we are cementing our position as the leading distributor of televised cricket content in the United States.”

    News Corp owns approximately 36 per cent in DirecTV. The pricing and packaging for the two events will be announced at a later date, according to an official release.
    “Our agreement with DirecTV is great news for cricket in the United States of America and for the ICC,” said ICC president Ehsan Mani.

    “DirecTV’s coverage means people who might not ordinarily be exposed to cricket will get the chance to watch it. And we hope the opportunity to see the world’s best players in the world’s best tournament, the ICC Cricket World Cup, will lead to a significant increase in the number of people interested in the game in the United States, a country which has tremendous potential for growth in cricketing terms.”

    “We are extremely grateful to DirecTV for their support and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with them,” added Mani.

    GCC managing director Ian Frykberg said, “Global Cricket Corporation looks forward to working with DirecTV at the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 later this year and at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 next year.”

    Cricket is extraordinarily popular among populations from South Asia, West Indies and many other parts of the world. Since late 2004, DirecTV has been offering customers access to cricket matches via the DirecTV CricketTicket package, the first-ever, year-long subscription TV package for international cricket.

    All other international programming is being offered through DirecTV’s WorldDirect platform, which features 39 channels that deliver a wide variety of new programming in multiple foreign languages, including Russian, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Italian and Ukrainian, to underserved ethnic markets throughout the United States.

    DirecTV customers will need to use a WorldDirect services satellite dish that is capable of receiving both international and English-language programming. In some markets, customers who subscribe to a local channels package will require a second smaller dish.