ITV

Blog

  • Oz-SA batting blitz ODI gets ESPN high eyeballs

    Oz-SA batting blitz ODI gets ESPN high eyeballs

    NEW DELHI: The epic one day international between South Africa and Australia, which saw eight records tumble during the record run chase by the Proteas, registered a very impressive TVR of 3.1 in India on 12 March, 2006.

    Sports broadcaster ESPN garnered highest channel share of 16.5 pr cent during South Africa’s historic run chase against the world Champion. ESPN Star Sports is broadcasting Australia’s tour of South Africa covering the five one day internationals and three test series between the two cricketing giants.

    ESPN’s share was almost thrice than the next competing channel Star Plus during the time 1743 -2203 hrs on 12 March. Star Plus garnered 6.1 pr cent, Zee Cinema 4.9 per cent, Sony 3.2 per cent and DD National 2.7 per cent during the time period, an official statement from ESS said today, basing it on TAM figures (Males, 15+, SEC ABC all-India).
    The simulcast of India-England Test match on the same day garnered a rating of 3.1 (DD1) and 1.8 (Sahara One).

    And it’s not just once-in-a-lifetime matches like the one witnessed in Johanesburg that are getting in the viewer numbers, according to ESPN. Non-India cricket ratings have been on a rise, the channel claims. ESPN’s channel share surged ahead of all satellite channels during the victorious run chase of Bangladesh against Australia on 18 June, 2005, the statement avers.

    ESPN registered a channel share of 8.1 which was way ahead of other channels including Star Plus (6.9), Sony (5.7) and Zee TV (4.6).

  • Aishwarya Rai sizzles on AXN in top 10 of world’s 101 Sexiest Celebrity Bodies

    Aishwarya Rai sizzles on AXN in top 10 of world’s 101 Sexiest Celebrity Bodies

    MUMBAI: The action oriented AXN ignites television screens as E! counts down the 101 Sexiest Celebrity Bodies in the world.

    On 29 March at 12 am, the channel will showcase the series that will highlight a gamut of superstar bodies who inspire sighs the world over.

    Experts will talk on celebrities ranging from pop culture commentators, to the top doyennes of fashion and style, celebrity fitness trainers and co-stars.

    From Aishwarya Rai, Italian sex symbol Raoul Bova, to Fantastic Four’s Chris Evans, Playboy publishing icon Hugh Hefner, to the dashing Sean Maguire, and international sex goddess Raquel Welch, the experts offer their insights on the international celebrities who have made it into the ultimate sexy countdown.

    Viewers will find out which stars rate ultra-sexy worldwide – ultimately revealing the sexiest male and female celebrity bodies in the world. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Aishwarya Rai feature in the top 10.

  • NGC US’ global special reveals the ‘Lost Gospel of Judas’

    NGC US’ global special reveals the ‘Lost Gospel of Judas’

    MUMBAI: National Geographic in the US has announced that next month it will unveil a special globally The Gospel of Judas.

    Discovered by chance in the 1970s, a document that lay hidden for nearly 1,700 years emerges today as the The Gospel of Judas.

    The two-hour global event traces the story of what has happened to the document since it was found, the recent authentication process and analysis, and key insight gleaned from its laborious translation and interpretation. Dramatic recreations portray and clarify the complex story of intrigue and politics of the earliest days of Christianity, and portray the contents of the Gospel itself.

    The Gospel of Judas presents a newly discovered account of the life of Jesus Christ. But how can its authenticity be verified? When was this gospel written and by whom? The research and documentary will reveal details contained within the document as well as key sections translated from its ancient Coptic script.

    It will also examine the modern history of the document since it was found, including the exhaustive restoration and conservation process. The manuscript will be returned to its country of origin, Egypt.

  • O&M India CEO John Goodman moving out to head Japan

    MUMBAI: Ogilvy & Mather India/South Asia CEO John Goodman is moving to Japan as president for that territory.

    Goodman replaces current incumbent Mark Blair, who is returning to Hong Kong as president, Global Brand Community Asia Pacific.

    Both these changes take place effective May/June 2006 and are part of organisational restructuring at O&M Asia Pacific. As for who will take over from Goodman in India, a company statement says, “Further announcements about leadership changes in India will be made shortly.”
     
     
     
     
    Blair’s new role in Hong Kong puts him in charge of the teams, wherever they are located, that manage the major international brands handled cross Ogilvy’s Asian network. Blair has been in Tokyo for almost five years, prior to which he was regional planning director based in Hong Kong.
     
     
     
    O&M chairman Miles Young commented, “Both Mark and John are great examples of how, at Ogilvy, we are committed as an organization to broadening the experience of our people and encouraging them in their career development for the next level of responsibility.”

    Said O&M India chairman & national creative director, Piyush Pandey said, “John Goodman has been chosen for perhaps the most challenging and exciting job in the Asia-Pacific Region – to head Ogilvy & Mather Japan. Japan is the biggest market in Asia and is therefore the most important for the group.”
     
     
     
     
    “As the CEO of Ogilvy India, John has done a splendid job. He has been the perfect partner to SN Rane (COO, India & South Asia) and me. He has played a great role over the last two years in managing and improving the performance and the ability of Ogilvy India. His relentless efforts in the areas of training and development have rejuvenated this very important aspect of our business. Personally, I am going to miss a good man and a good friend,” added Pandey.

    Goodman has been in his role in India/South Asia for the last three years, following a six year stint as president of OgilvyOne Asia Pacific.
     

     

  • Turner’s Krishnani promoted; Duggal appointed CN, Pogo marketing head India

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network and Pogo India director marketing Vivek Krishnani has been promoted to Turner Entertainment Networks Asia executive director marketing for the Asia Pacific region.

    With this, Krishnani will be shifting base to Hong Kong and will be overseeing the marketing operations for the Asia Pacific region.

    Stepping into his shoes will be Pogo senior manager marketing Bikram Duggal, who will now head marketing for Cartoon Network and Pogo in India and Pakistan.

    Duggal as Cartoon Network and Pogo associate director marketing India will report to Krishnani and will be based in Mumbai.

    Krishnani joined Turner in April 2004 from Radio City where he was the marketing head.
     

     

  • Cartoon Network kicks off campaign for Beyblade Championship

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network has kicked off its nationwide campaign for Hojaye Shuru! – The Beyblade Championship.

    The Beyblade Championship will be held in Mumbai and Delhi in quest of India’s best beyblader and will offer Indian kids an opportunity to showcase just how adept they are with their Beyblades to win the coveted Beyblade Trophy and a snazzy personal computer.

    The Beyblade euphoria also continues on-air on Cartoon Network where kids have to spot the ‘bitbeast’ on their TV screens during the Beyblade show on Cartoon Network, every weekday at 5.30 pm.

    Viewers can send their entries across by SMS, phone or online to bag fabulous prizes including a Sony Play Station-2 every week. Also up for grabs at leading outlets of McDonald’s are wild card entries to the grand finale, to be held at Mumbai on 14 May and Delhi on 21 May.

    “Following the phenomenal success of the cutting edge programming series Beyblade, as well as the huge popularity of Beyblade merchandise, also launched by Cartoon Network, the network’s first-ever Beyblade championship further reaffirms our promise to provide our audience with multiple touch points to the network, beyond the television set. The ‘Beyblade Championship’ will give kids a chance to test their skills at beyblading and win fantastic prizes,” said Turner Entertainment Networks Asia executive director marketing Asia Pacific Vivek Krishnani.

    Aspiring Beyblade masters can enter the on-air contest by watching Beyblade every weekday at 5.30 pm to spot the bit beast and enter their name either online at www.cartoonnetworkindia.com, or sms ‘BB’ followed by the name to 8558 or via phone (19051802233) to win Sony PS-2s and thousands of exciting Beyblade goodies.

    Kids who want to participate at the on-ground championship can also sms “BB M” for Mumbai and “BB D” for Delhi to 8558 to win a chance to enter The Beyblade Championship in the two cities.

    Beyblade premiered on Cartoon Network on 20 May, 2005 and since then has consistently been rating among the top five programmes on Cartoon Network.

     

  • ‘Organising a fashion event is a question of management – order, discipline, logistics, delivery’ : Simon Lock – IMG Fashion Asia Pacific managing director

    ‘Organising a fashion event is a question of management – order, discipline, logistics, delivery’ : Simon Lock – IMG Fashion Asia Pacific managing director

    IMG Fashion Asia Pacific MD Simon P Lock, the man who thrust Australian fashion onto the world stage, is in town for the Lakme Fashion Week, which kicks off tomorrow in Mumbai and runs till 1 April 2006.

     

    Lock, the founder and former CEO of Fashion Innovators (AFI), as too the region’s premier fashion event, Mercedes Australian Fashion Week, took over as head of IMG Fashion AsiaPac after his company was bought out by IMG in October 2005. The acquisition by IMG also included the management and production of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program in Australia and New Zealand, the Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Award program that is currently held in six countries throughout Asia, the Singapore Fashion Festival and other fashion events around the Asia Pacific region in development, including events in India, China and Japan.

     

    Indiantelevision.com’s Ashwin Pinto caught up with Lock to find out more about IMG Fashion and its plans.

    How has IMG expanded its presence in the fashion world in the past five years?

    Quite significantly! Here in the Asia Pacific they acquired my company in Australia AFI which produces the Mercedes Fashion Week in Sydney. It also produces the Singapore Fashion Festival. So that has become a part of IMG Fashion family. In India we have the Lakme Fashion Week. New fashion weeks have started in many cities including Los Angeles and Miami. IMG Fashion is also involved closely with a number of Fashion Weeks in Europe.

    Anything else?

    IMG Fashion also has IMG Models. I am involved with developing that sphere as well and we are doing a lot of work in the Asia Pacific region. IMG Models represents some of the leading models in the world. They include Kate Moss, Heidi Klum and Giselle Bundchen. My role is to look for opportunities for those girls in Asian markets. My job is also to spot new talent who can become a part of the IMG fold globally.

    In what way has the business model evolved along with the industry?

    The business model of IMG Fashion is primarily based on the ownership and the development of fashion events. They can be trade events for the industry or events for the public who are fans of fashion. The revenue model revolves around contributions fro m designers to participate in these events and also sponsorship to drive the events.

    How difficult is it to find sponsorship?

    It is always a challenge. You are competing with other parts of the marketing spend. This is the advertising spend, public relations spend. IMG has vast opportunities because it has such good significant properties around the world.

     

    So if you are an international brand like Lakme or Olympus or Mercedes Benz and looking to create an association with the fashion industry and therefore reach consumers then IMG Fashion can be a valuable partner for you.

    How has the takeover of the takeover of IMG by investment company Forstmann Little & Co impacted the company?

    It has added value to both management and the operational structure. Forstmann has great vision which they have been able to transfer into the development of IMG Fashion. They are bringing in some new things like a focus on the internet and new media.
    ‘We are seeing designers images going up on the Internet straight away and retailers copying them. Many designers are considering pulling out of online galleries‘

    How is IMG Fashion looking to leverage the Internet and new media?

    New York is the best example of what we are looking to do. Recently we created a partnership with Microsoft and Sprint to deliver fashion show content online.

     

    This is the first time it has been done live anywhere in the world. It was successful. The site imgfashionworld.com started to rank alongside other great event sites around the world like Wimbledon, US Open. It is a win win value proposition and allows us another window to showcase our collection.

    Is the mobile also an opportunity?

    Definitely. We are in discussion with a lot of operators. With the advent of 3G and mobile, TV people are coming to grips with what the consumer wants. Do they want five minutes edited highlights of fashion shows? Do they want to be able to see what is happening backstage? Do they want critiques? Do I want to watch it while traveling on a bus or while I am at work?

     

    As consumers we do not know what we want out of this new media. But IMG Fashion is well positioned to deliver the content in whatever manner it suits the consumer. It is a question how we apply content to the medium.

    How important a market is India for IMG from the fashion side compared to other Asian countries?

    It is significant and we have been here for six years already. India has a vibrant fashion industry that we are partners with. India has a huge growing consumer population. They are getting more involved with fashion.

    Could you talk about some of the learnings from other countries that you have applied for the Indian market?

    Lots! I have been running fashion Weeks for 10-12 years. We bring 20 years of running them and it benefits India. There is a lot of detail, procedure, information.

    What are the ways in which IMG is leveraging the synergies between fashion and the worlds of music and entertainment?

    We did an innovation recently in Singapore. This was a collaboration with MTV. We produced a special MTV Fashionably Loud. This the epitomy of live music rock concert married to a fashion show and developed into a brilliant television programme which will air across Asia, including India, on 9 April 2006.

     

    It stars top designers like John Paul Gautier, Gucci, Prada. We have an indirect relationship with the film world. Many designers who participate in our fashion Weeks dress film celebrities.
    ‘The overall challenge is in fighting for the consumer dollar against different industries like cosmetics, entertainment, food etc‘

    What role do major events like the Oscar Awards play in increasing synergy between the world’s of entertainment and fashion?

    The first hour of a major film programme, whether it is the Oscar Awards, the Golden Globes, the Baftas, focus on what people are wearing. On the red carpet the interviewers are more interested in the outfits than on the films. This is a huge opportunity for designers to get noticed in a way that otherwise would not be possible.

     

    The downside is that some of the mystique is lost when viewers find out that the dress is being returned tomorrow along with the jewelry. This is something though that the industry has to learn to live with.

     

    When you have a celebrity for a fashion event the danger is that he/she might have their own aims. This need not be promoting their designers. When the relationship works well in terms of the celebrity talking about the designer and vice versa. It needs to be balanced though. A personal connection helps when a celebrity likes to wear a particular designers clothes, as it looks good on them. It does not always happen though.

    Could you talk about how IMG increases the brand equity of a fashion event through its expertise?

    We have a series of production partners who help us produce events. We have contractors around the world. IMG Fashion also has experienced executives who help manage sponsorships, marketing and bringing in international buyers and producing events. It helps create better outcomes for the participants. Designers will sell more clothes and the media coverage for Lakme Fashion Week will grow exponentially.

     

    So they know that the return on investment is strong. At the end of the day we bring measurable outcomes to participants. Without commercial outcomes we cannot commercially substantiate our involvement or their involvement.

     

    Our aim is never to create a homogenous Fashion Week circuit. In New York it has its own style and personality of showcasing sports wear. Los Angeles, Mumbai, Sydney are also distinctive. The inherent nature of the industry allows each event to be different. Indian designers have a certain, style, feel and way of doing business. We have no intention of taking this spirit away. We want to embrace and enhance that spirit. Lakme fashion Week has sense of community and that is the spirit.

    What is the main difference between organising a fashion event and a sports event?

    The basic principles are the same. You need organisational skills for both. However, a specific expertise a required to run fashion events. This means that you have to understand the industry. Organising a fashion event is a question of management – order, discipline, logistics, delivery.

    What are the ways in which IMG meets these challenges?

    It is about having a plan that will offer a successful outcome. You need to be very structured and focussed. You need great creativity and logistical execution. You need to balance both.

     

    There is no point in having a creative Fashion Week if the sets fall down. If it is not run on time or the media is not getting what is going on, then the event will be affected.

    Are you satisfied with how television channels cover the fashion industry or do you feel that there is a need for greater in-depth coverage? What I am trying to get at is that the genuine understanding of the fashion business is very low in India among journalists in particular and the media in general.

    It is a good point. Designers need to be more prepared to deal with the media. They need to be more educated. The media needs to understand the subject matter and then put it in an international context.

     

    If an Indian designer comes out tomorrow on the catwalk with a Gucci rip off then the journalist must be able to spot it. That is your responsibility to the consumer.

     

    To do that you have to take your journalism and research equity very seriously. We need to see more of that in India. What ultimately works is mutual respect between the two parties.

    On its part what efforts is IMG taking to make its fashion events more TV friendly?

    We have excellent lighting and sound. So the quality that we can get out of our events is good. We have great partnerships like with Zee here. We also did one with Microsoft in the US. IMG owns one of the largest television production companies in the world -TWI. So we have a lot of experience in this area.

    In India one problem that the fashion industry commonly faces is charges of copying of designs. What in your view is the solution and is this problem faced in other countries?

    This problem is faced everywhere. We are seeing it now with designers images going up on the Internet straight away and retailers copying them. Many designers are considering pulling out of online galleries. I am not sure of what the solution is to this problem.

     

    The overall challenge is in fighting for the consumer dollar against different industries like cosmetics, entertainment, food etc. Hopefully we will get our fair share and this can be done by providing people with the right products.

    Could you talk about IMG’s expansion plans globally on the fashion side?

    We have development plans for new events across the Asia Pacific region. We can talk about this when the time is right.

    What are the plans that IMG has for India going forward?

    The way forward is to grow and develop the Lakme Fashion Week. You grow it by getting more buyers and more media to attend. They write for more orders, the designers get bigger. Both parties come back. It is cyclic.

     

    The event has to be of a high quality so that designers want to participate. So content has to grow.

    Then again there is no good having great content if you do not tell people about it. Our job is to tell people globally what is going on here.
  • Zee English and Movies launched

    Zee English and Movies launched

    Two English entertainment channels were launched on 15 March by Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra and Chief Executive R.K. Singh in Mumbai. Zee Movies and Zee English will be offering fierce competition to Star World, Star Movies and HBO. Or at least so hopes the Zee Telefilms management.

    The two channels are aiming at the niche but relatively large English speaking and understanding audiences in India and also lovers of B-grade movies and some up-to-date series from the US market. The launch coincides with the launch of the preview broadcast of global movie champ HBO over India.

    Zee English and Zee Movies are free to air currently but will be encrypted as part of the Zee digital bouquet. The company is bringing in a small batch of Philips IRDs to seed the market until the transition to a digital bouquet.

    Both the channels are airing a mix of eighties, nineties, and even the most recent season’s programming from the US. On offer are series such as ER, Friends, The David Letterman show, Here’s Lucy, Central Park West, Three’s Company, Charlie Chaplin, Twilight Zone etc on Zee English.

    In a bid to raise the hackles of Zee TV’s former partner Star TV, the programming team has decided to air the consignment of Friends episodes it has the rights to just half an hour before it is aired on Star World.

    The software for Zee Movies has been acquired from MGM, Pearson, Carlton, Fremantle, Diskovery, and Passport International. Some of the titles on offer include: Quest, Kazaam, Evil Dead, Leon.

    Chandra points out that there will be a dedicated effort from the Zee Telefilms programming team to produce English language software which will find a market internationally. “Instead of importing software from foreign countries, we will develop our own content which will find buyers not only in India but also in the global village,” he says.

    Singh believes that the two English channels will break even in the next two to three years like any other Hindi entertainment channel.

    Will he have to eat his words in two years time?

    “Unlikely,” says Chandra. “Ultimately it will be the consumer who will decide. And we are confident we will help him decide in our favour.”

  • Fortune Star launches web/wireless reality show ‘The Heyman Hustle’ at Mipcom 2006

    Fortune Star launches web/wireless reality show ‘The Heyman Hustle’ at Mipcom 2006

    MUMBAI: Fortune Star Entertainment Ltd (Fortune Star) will launch at Mipcom 2006 The Heyman Hustle, a web/wireless reality series hosted by Paul Heyman.

    The reality series, featuring provocative content for the exploding new media platforms, is created by Paul Heyman, the architect of the edgy Extreme Wrestling phenomenon in the 1990s, and produced by Park Avenue production house, HQ Productions, Inc. Fortune Star is the exclusive worldwide distributor of The Heyman Hustle, informs an official release.

    “Both traditional and new media expanded their reach by tapping into the worldwide mobile culture,” said Heyman, “Whether people are out at dinner, on the beach, or in their car, their cell phone, Blackberry, Trio, iPod, or broadband unit has become more than an accessory, it’s a necessity. The wireless/web based platform has now become the most powerful way for me to reach audiences.”

    “From Bombay to the Bronx, if you walk the streets with Paul, people open up and embrace him as one of their own. Paul’s bombastic on-air personality is matched only by his innovations and revolutionary entertainment concepts,” Fortune Star’s GM, Peter E. Poon, added, “Which is why we are so excited to package Paul together with Mitchell Stuart, whose work at HQ Productions has led to broadband’s most successful music series.”

    The Heyman Hustle will be a weekly program customised for both the web and mobile experiences. The series will be available in 10-minute webcast and one-minute mobicast formats with features including ringtones, wallpapers and java games, adds the release.