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Tag: Aditya Birla Group

  • Mobile marketing in growth path

    Mobile marketing in growth path

    MUMBAI: With digital becoming the ‘fashionable’ medium over the past couple of years, marketers are now looking at exploring the various avenues it presents. With the growing acceptance of new technologies, many new possibilites for marketing and ways to reach the TG have emerged. The mobile has gone from being the traditional third screen to the first screen for many, especially the youngsters.

    Mobile marketing is finding new takers everyday. Along with the potential it presents, it also throws a set of challenges. The 8th Marketing Conclave held by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) brought out the many nuances of mobile marketing. The panel discussion was moderated by 2ergo MD Raj Singh and the participants were Velti director product management – mobile marketing Paul Griswold, Aditya Birla Group CMO financial services Ajay Kakar, One97 head mobile marketing and advertising Srinivas Mothey and Google India country head- mobile Mahesh Narayanan.

    Mobile search is growing at an estimated 170 per cent year on year. Globally nearly 80 per cent users make use of the search option first when they switch to a smartphone. Obviously the figures point to a massive market and reach, especially among the youth. Mobile is going the way Internet went in the year 2005, only it is a more complex medium with a variation in services, service providers, operating systems and screen diversities.

    While youth are early adopters and accept new technologies, the CMOs are yet to grow to the mobile medium. Here is the first challenge in mobile marketing. While the medium and the user has matured, the marketer is yet to catch up. Other challenges include figuring out what percentage of TG can be reached through the medium of mobile marketing and how much should be spent on the medium. The issue of measurability lingers over here as well.

    Kakar offers, “Apart from the fact that we as markerters need to grow up to the medium, the tone of our marketing and ads also needs to change. The audience today will not respond to a ‘buy me’ kind of message. Brands need to communicate ‘why me’ and give the consumer an incentive, a reason to choose the brand.”

    Also, mobile marketing means different things to different brands. While some brands may believe in sending bulk messages and use IVR. Others may believe in developing dedicated apps and display ads. Thus the parameters of mobile advertising will also change from brand to brand and audience to audience.

    Griswald opines, “Another hurdle we need to cross is the fact that mobile advertising doesn’t figure in the integrated marketing plan. While we spent almost 10 per sent of our time looking at the mobile screen, marketing spends on the mediun are in the range of one per cent of the total budget.”

    The mobile need not be a separate medium. It is actually a superset of the Internet and broadens the scope of online. It provides yet another way to interact one on one with the consumer. Mothey concurs, “The trick will be to integrate the mobile medium with the other digital and non digital routes. There can not be one single mobile solution in isolation.”

    But how does one convince the ever suspicious brands of the merits of mobile advertising? Narayanan offers, “Create case studies. That way you can convince the brands to take up this medium.”

  • UltraTech Cement is principal team sponsor of Rajasthan Royals

    UltraTech Cement is principal team sponsor of Rajasthan Royals

    MUMBAI: IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has roped in UltraTech Cement, part of the Aditya Birla group, as the Principal Team Sponsor for the fifth season of the IPL.

    The cement brand has been associated with the Rajasthan Royals since the first season. They were principal team sponsors in 2009 and 2010 while being an on-ground partner in 2008 and 2011. The Royals also launched the team‘s new jerseys and presented their new line up, which includes five cricketers who were acquired at last month’s IPL auction.

    Last year the principal sponsor was Floriana. “We are still a month away from the event kicking off. Right now we have eight sponsors. By the time the event starts, we expect to have 14-15 sponsors like last year,” said Rajasthan Royals CEO Raghu Iyer.

    The other sponsors and partners include Kingfisher, Puma and TCS. Some deals are on-going while others like TCS are on a yearly basis.

    UltraTech Cement business director OP Puranmalka said: “Rajasthan Royals in their previous IPL editions have stood for inspired leadership, innovation and professionalism. Driven by a team of Professionals and strategic thinkers, UltraTech, as a Market Leader and a champion brand, places great emphasis on all of these attributes too.”

    Ultratech Cement Joint Executive President Shashank Awasthi said that the compabny’s marketing budget will be similar to last year. 70 per cent of the spend goes towards below the line activities. The deal with the Rajasthan Royals will help build relationships with their dealer network and customers. The company will do contests, hold meet and greet meetings with the stars for their dealers and customers. The company also does things at the grassroots level like support Dilip Vengsarkar’s academy.

    Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty said, “We are very pleased to have UltraTech Cement as the Royals’ Principal Team Sponsor. I am confident that with their support, the Royals, under a new captain and with the exciting new additions to our squad will be able to give our fans a lot to cheer about this season. As a tribute to our home city we have also designed a new training jersey.”

    Shetty along with Puranmalka launched the team’s official jersey in the presence of team members at a glittering ceremony that witnessed the use of innovative video projection mapping to unveil the brand new jersey. The projection was used to show case the team’s unforgettable moments of victory and pride during the last few seasons.

    Designed by Puma, which is the franchises‘ official kitting partner, the lightweight jersey is made with Polyester and lightweight mesh back and are made to give high breathability in soaring temperatures. With styled names and numbers inscribed in Dazzel gold, the royal blue jerseys have cut and sew panels with Dazzel inserts. In addition to this, a training jersey dedicated to the pink city of Jaipur, the team’s home, was also unveiled at the ceremony.

  • Filmfare to present 2500th ‘Black Lady’ in 2012

    Filmfare to present 2500th ‘Black Lady’ in 2012

    NEW DELHI: The 2500th award will be given away at the 2012 annual Filmfare awards ceremony, which is the first private sector film award instituted in the country in the fifties.

    Terming the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011 for this reason, Worldwide Media CEO Tarun Rai said Filmfare was not fazed by the large number of other awards since ‘the Black Lady has had a head-start of fifty years‘.

    The awards are selected by a two-way process: the readers send in their votes, and the jury then shortlists the award-winners from the films nominated on the basis of the votes received. However, this does not apply to the Critics Awards which are picked by a jury.

    He said the next ceremony would be on 29 January 2012 at Film City in Mumbai, thus giving readers adequate time to react over the releases of 2011.

    Aditya Birla Group chief corporate affairs officer Rajat Mukarji said that Idea Cellular would be sponsoring the awards for the fourth time in a row.

    Imran Khan, who presented the show along with Ranbir Kapoor in the last award ceremony, said that they ensured that no film personality was hurt or offended by their presentation. He admitted that taking on the show after Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan had done it for two years prior to their coming in had made it a daunting task. It was particularly ‘scary‘ for him the first time since it was just six months after his debut. Imran is in Delhi to learn Haryanvi and do rehearsals for a new film he will be doing shortly. Speaking for himself, he said audience appreciation mattered more to him than awards.

    Mukarji added, “This year of Idea Filmfare Awards is special as it also celebrates the centenary year of Indian cinema and coincides with Idea crossing the 100 million subscriber mark. With Idea‘s 3G services, our over 100 million subscribers will now get an opportunity to experience the best mobile experience across various platforms. Idea will also enable its subscribers to access movie content and results of the Idea Filmfare Awards on their mobile phones.”

    Coincidentally, the Indian film industry is entering its 100th year in 2012. Filmfare was founded in 1952.

  • CNN International to turn its ‘Eye on India’ from 14 March

    CNN International to turn its ‘Eye on India’ from 14 March

    MUMBAI: Starting 14 March, CNN International will focus on Indian business, in order to bring global viewers a week of in-depth business coverage live from Mumbai and around the country.

    The week with a special focus – ‘Eye On India’ – will see live programming centers around ‘World Business Today’. Business specialist Andrew Stevens and CNN’s team of India correspondents will profile the players, companies and trends contributing to the country’s economic growth.

    Eye on India will also feature a special edition of Talk Asia in front of a live audience with Indian business icon Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group.

    A dedicated site, cnn.com/eyeon, has additional reports, special features and more information about the week of programming.

    As an additional aspect of Eye on India, CNN is also inviting its global audience, especially those in India, to participate by sharing their views on everything that is ‘Uniquely India’. Selected submissions will feature on cnn.com and across the weeks’ programming.

    “These are exciting times for Indian business and industry as the country’s performance on the global economic stage make it an obvious choice for our week of business-focused programming. Eye on India promises our global viewers smart, insightful and surprising reporting from this hugely compelling destination” said CNN International VP of coverage and feature programming Mike McCarthy.

    Stories airing through the week include a look at how a rapidly increasing demand for luxury in segments including apparel, automobiles, retail and real estate, due to India’s increasing number of millionaires, juxtaposes sharply with parts of the country that still lack basic infrastructure. Away from metropolitan India, the emergence of smaller towns as growth and consumption drivers are profiled. 

    Seen by some as a ‘model state’, a visit to Gujarat suggests how India can maximise its economic potential, while a pioneering cardiac surgeon reveals how he provides world class medical care for the masses at minimal cost.

    Eye On India will take viewers on journeys to different countries around the world, exploring the new, revealing the surprising and uncovering the unknown aspects of compelling destinations.

  • CNN to address local issues in India Means Business

    CNN to address local issues in India Means Business

    MUMBAI: CNN is addressing Indians with local content programming in the week-long show India Means Business that will put the economic fortunes firmly in the spotlight.

    Hosted by CNN’s World Business Today anchor Andrew Stevens live from Mumbai, the show will be from 24 to 28 November.

    CNN is using its India-based team of correspondents to bring reports from around the country. Reports from international destinations including New York, London and Beijing will round up the global focus on India.

    India Means Business will cover a wide rage of topics including India’s retail boom; how the highs and lows of the property market impacts the country’s economy; the fast-paced media industry, the rise of entrepreneurs and how cricket has become a money spinner. The vagaries of the stock exchange and the impetus on infrastructure will also be discussed and analysed. The week further takes a close look at Indian government’s initiatives to upgrade the country’s famously creaky infrastructure and political system to help keep up the pace of growth in an economy second only to China in its dynamism.

    CNN Delhi bureau chief Phillip Turner said, “We are using our three newsgathering centres in India, live programming from around Mumbai and extensive international resources to reveal what drives this unique and diverse economy. The week is perfectly timed to focus on India’s position amidst global economic turmoil as well as spotlight India’s unique business culture”

    India Means Business is co-sponsored by Kirloskar Brothers Ltd, Aditya Birla Group and the Tea Board of India.

  • Zee Business wins coveted ABCI award

    MUMBAI: Zee Business has been conferred the ABCI award for its popular automobile show Wheelocity. The 46th Awards Night of the Association of Business Communicators of India (ABCI), was organized on Friday, 12 th January 2007. The award was conferred on Senior Correspondent & the Producer of the show Shweta Bajaj.

    Wheelocity is India’s most watched automobile show and has been consistently leading the ratings pack for auto shows. Incidentally, Wheelocity was the first auto show in Indian news television in its journey of over 200 episodes, it has traveled to all parts of the globe. Its easy to understand language and informal style of presentation has made it a pioneer in its genre.

     

    “The channel is performing exceptionally well. This award is a representation of the viewer’s opinion about Zee Business. Through its persistent efforts, today, the channel enjoys the “most preferred channel” status amongst the elites of the country. We are striving harder to empower our viewers with more such informative programmes,” said Mr.Harish Doraiswamy, CEO, Zee News Ltd..

     

    ABCI is the only association in India promoting excellence in Business Communications. The association has member list featuring steel majors like Tata Steel, SAIL, automobile industries like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, banks like Reserve Bank of India, State Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank, IDBI, Aditya Birla Group Companies.

  • CNN rides high on appeal among Indian elite

    CNN rides high on appeal among Indian elite

    NEW DELHI: With a “healthy growth” of 22 per cent in advertising revenue over 2005 in India, Turner International’s CNN news channel is leading the way in the international news channel category in the country, argues Monica Tata, vice president, advertising sales and networks, India & South Asia, for Turner International India.

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com in an exclusive interaction, she claimed also that CNN International has a larger audience than all other international news and business channels put together, and that, in fact, “CNN leads a rival channel (BBC) by 82 per cent in terms of retaining weekly viewers” at the Pan Asia level.

    In addition to the existing categories of advertisers from India, Indian companies like those from sectors like consulting, corporate, white goods, IT, industrial goods, power and automobiles are on CNN International to reach international audiences, Tata added.

    “Some examples are, HCL, the Bihar government, Accenture, Aditya Birla Group, Daikin, Suzlon, etc. And two good examples of the 360 degree approach we take for our clients include CNN International’s “Eye On India” series, which has been held over the past two years in association with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts; and the development of six advertorials, produced by CNN, for the Ministry of Tourism to promote India across the world,” Tata held.

    Citing a report from Synovate Business Consulting, the leading market research and intelligence agency in Asia Pacific, Tata said: “Almost half (47 per cent) of weekly CNN viewers watch no other news or business channel, while the year-on-year audience growth is greater than any other news or business channel.”

    Tata, though, sought to stress that the focus of its viewership is distinct. “CNN International focuses on the International Indian, or the global citizen as we call them, encompassing frequent travellers, high level business decision makers, and not the mass news market.”

    “Online, CNN.com remains the leading regional website, visited by 69 per cent more PAX respondents across a month than the next largest broadcaster or publisher’s website, she said, adding that her channel is 219 per cent ahead of the third closest channel in the international news category in terms or retaining weekly viewers.

    Tata says that the popularity of CNN is what brings them more advertisers and added that CNN has tie-ups with 1,000 TV affiliates around the world “who are very much a part of the wider CNN family”.

    “Clients and agencies have shown an increasing interest in news channels, and for CNN, the response continues to be positive. With increase in news viewing habits in India, new product categories have started advertising on news channels, such as insurance companies, tourism boards, etc.” averred Tata, who quit the Star group to join CNN as vice president in 2004.

    According to Tata, in the recent Global Capital Markets Survey (GCMS) 2006, conducted by Objective Research, CNN International reconfirmed its position as the leading news brand for the global financial community, across all regions (Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America).

    “At the same time, the latest Pan Asia Cross Media survey (PAX research Q3, 05 – Q2, 06) underscores the findings by demonstrating that CNN continues to most successfully reach the wider business elite of financial decision makers regardless of rank/seniority across the Asia Pacific region. CNN has ranked first in the news and business genre every year since 1997, according to the latest set of PAX figures,” Tata observed.

    (PAX represents a universe of 14.2 million adults aged 25-64 within 11 Asia Pacific markets: – Australia (Sydney + Melbourne), Bangkok, Hong Kong, India (Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore), Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo.)

    She claimed it is proven that during events of global implications, viewers from around the world, including India, tune in to CNN International, to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments.

    The Indian affluent group continues to grow, travel regionally and globally, do more business around the region while Indian companies are increasingly expanding globally, she explained.

    “With these developments, we are seeing a growing interest in international news and business. CNN’s “Your World Today” being in a prime time slot is an indication of this growth. We are the leading news provider around the world and will continue to grow our position in India,” Tata says. Tata explained that India has always been a key market for CNN and especially more so now because of the country’s geo-political situation.

    “India cannot be ignored by anyone, and is critical from the news point of view. What India does and the developments in this region have repercussions on the international scene, and so it’s natural for us to continue with our focus on India and the region,” Tata stated “We have been covering all major Indian news with international relevance like the Indian elections, the Maharashtra rain catastrophe, the tsunami disaster, important Indian personalities, the Mumbai blasts, IT outsourcing, most recently the, Ardh Kumbh Mela, revival of the Indian railways, the surrogacy report, and many more areas. Besides, the “Eye on India” series focuses on topics like nuclear energy, Bollywood, outsourcing and many more,” she asserted.

    Asked what she thinks is CNN’s edge in India, Tata replied: “CNN International is targeted at the global citizen, who is interested in knowing what is happening around the world. Our content reflects this, and we bring viewers coverage of global events with a regional perspective.

    “On the news front, CNN’s New Delhi bureau chief, Phil Turner along with CNN’s senior International correspondent, Satinder Bindra and CNN’s New Delhi based video correspondent, Seth Doane, focus on covering domestic news and developments and have filed numerous stories from India.

    “In addition, CNN’s feature programmes such as Richard Quest’s ‘QUEST’, Art of Life, Global Office, Global Challenges and Talk Asia have done stories out of India, and we will continue to do many more,” she explained “Actually, we find that the growth of news channels tends to increase the amount of viewers who watch news and business programming, thus creating a bigger audience pool. Through CNN-IBN and CNN International we have a very firm footing in the Indian marketplace. We are constantly exploring business options here and across the region. So wait n watch and stay tuned to CNN!” she quipped.

  • Delhiite Irfan Alam crowned Zee’s ‘Business Baazigar’

    Delhiite Irfan Alam crowned Zee’s ‘Business Baazigar’

    MUMBAI: “Ali, your worst fears have come true. The dark horse seems to have taken away the top prize,” said Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra giving his characteristic side glance to Ali Ismail, who was till then a hot favourite for the Business Baazigar title.

    Then, moving on, he dropped the bombshell with his final declaration. “Irfan Alam from Delhi is the Business Baazigar.”

    At a colourful ceremony held at the Taj Presidency, in south Mumbai’s swank Cuffe Parade area, Zee Telefilms thus came up with the winner of the country’s first ever business reality show, Business Baazigar. After more than two hours of intense drama, the reversal of fortunes saw Irfan Alam, the wild card entrant into the finals, stealing the show. Irfan snatched the top prize from the other two finalists Puneet from Chandigarh and Ali Ismail from Mumbai in a closely fought contest marked that road an emotional rollercoaster.

    The jury, in a surprising turn of events, offered one of the Mini Baazigar winners – Irfan Alam, the opportunity to compete for the grand Business Baazigar title and win full funding for his idea. The condition for this entry was that he would forfeit his Mini Baazigar winnings of Rs 2 million. As they say, fortune favours the brave (in this case the one with the most self belief). Irfan took the chance and emerged the winner.

    The dramatic decision of the jury to name Irfan as the Business Baazigar came as a complete surprise to the audience who had voted for Puneet (47 per cent) and Ali (30 per cent) over Irfan (23 per cent).

    According to an official Zee spokesperson, Zee will provide the full funding to the business idea put forth by Irfan. Meanwhile, Puneet and Ali will be receiving partial funding. The finale episode will be telecast on 12 August at 8 pm.

    Irfan, who was earlier voted out of the show, had gone on to win a Mini Baazigar project – which Zee offered to the best ousted contestants – with his idea to systematise the working of cycle rickshaws in Delhi by bringing them under one roof, raise their standards of living and simultaneously provide the public a better, more efficient transport system. He plans to generate revenues from providing value added services and using the rickshaws as mobile advertising media. His innovative project and the confidence he displayed to score an initial victory with the project impressed the judges and got him a wild card entry into the finals.
    Speaking on the culmination of his pet project, Chandra revealed Zee’s plans to launch a second season of Business Baazigar. “We want to make the show even better in our next attempt. This time we received about 200,000 entries and in the next edition we expect about million entries. We want suggestions from all the business leaders to make the show even more vibrant in our next edition.”

    Felicitating the winners on behalf of sponsor Aditya Birla Group, Rajashree Birla pointed out that the show fitted very well with Aditya Birla Group’s vision. “Business Baazigar really went along with our social vision of reaching out to people and tapping their entrepreneurial potential,” said Birla.

    Zee TV business head Punit Goenka said, “We are glad to announce India’s first Business Baazigar, after several months of hard work undergoing gruelling tasks. Irfan has proved worthy to be Business Baazigar. This show is an exceptional one that has intense reality drama, besides the unique concept. Business Baazigar again attempts to bring life to a commendable business idea. We are glad to have Aditya Birla Group as our partners in this noble venture of supporting a deserving business idea.”

    The grand event had as its guest of honour Union minister of commerce & industry Kamal Nath. The event was attended by the who’s who from Mumbai’s business community consisting of names such as aviation minister Prafful Patel, former I&B minister Ravishankar Prasad, Vijaypath Singhania, Mukul Kasliwal, Kishore Biyani, Shashi Ruia, Naresh Goel and Ramesh Agarwal. Among the media bigwigs present were Madison Communications CMD Sam Balsara, Lodestar Universe CEO Shashi Sinha, FCB Ulka MD Anil Kapoor and Euro RSCG CEO Ishaan Raina.