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Tag: Ashish Sehgal

  • ZEE Entertainment to broadcast DP World ILT20 Season 3, live on TV & ZEE5

    ZEE Entertainment to broadcast DP World ILT20 Season 3, live on TV & ZEE5

    Mumbai: Season three of the DP World International League T20 will begin from Saturday, 11 January 2025. The 34-match tournament will run for a month with the final to be played on Sunday, 9 February 2025.

    Season two of DP World International League T20 (ILT20) was the second most-watched T20 cricket league globally, with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world. Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts in India and around the world can exclusively watch the LIVE action on ZEE’s linear TV channels, OTT platform ZEE5 and on its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks across the world.

    The season three announcement comes at the back of a hugely successful season two (2024) which concluded with the MI Emirates lifting the iconic DP World ILT20 trophy played at Dubai International Stadium on 17 February 2024.

    The 34-match event will be played at the three iconic UAE cricket venues – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah – starting from 11 January 2025 to 9 February, 2025. Fans can watch this action-packed event on Zee’s most widely distributed and viewed linear TV channels and on one of India’s leading OTT platforms – ZEE5.

    The franchise-style tournament with six teams and 34 matches will be played across the UAE. The league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).

    Some of the world’s most prominent cricket stars played in Season 2, including David Warner, Nicholas Pooran, Matheesha Pathirana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Sunil Narine, Tim David, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes and Martin Guptill.

    The deep distribution and disruptive marketing strategy for the third season aims to further enhance the league’s reach and ensure widespread viewership, emphasizing ILT20’s appeal to a broad and diverse audience. In the previous season, the league achieved a remarkable reach of over 221 million across India. The event will be broadcast in Hindi and English commentary. ZEE5 will offer Live free-to-view streaming of the 34 cricket matches, aimed at bolstering cricket viewership in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. This move represents a commitment to making cricket more accessible to a wider audience, thereby democratizing the experience of sports viewing in the region.

    ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) chief growth officer – ad sales Ashish Sehgal, “Zee is delighted to present DP World ILT20 3rd season and promises an electrifying experience to cricket fans in India and around the world. With the world’s finest players, iconic stadiums, and infrastructure and six leading sporting franchises, our goal is to build upon the previous year’s success, further solidifying the league’s stature as one of the most-widely followed cricket events in the world. In our pursuit to grow the market, we are continuously exploring innovative ways to enhance the fan experience, making it more interactive, immersive, and engaging. We are collaborating with cutting-edge technologies and creating new avenues for cricket enthusiasts to connect with the sport. As we embark on this exciting new season, our goal is to ensure that this truly-global league becomes more accessible to viewers worldwide.”

    DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 Season 3. The window has been finalised after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for Season 3 with an aim of making the league even bigger and better. Season 2 was a massive success in terms of all relevant metrics’ and helped further strengthen the league’s reputation, making it one of the most sought after T20 leagues for players, fans and broadcasters from around the world. Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for Season 3 has turned out to be the most suitable.”

  • This Mother’s Day, ZEE urges moms to Vote For Themselves!

    This Mother’s Day, ZEE urges moms to Vote For Themselves!

    Mumbai – ZEE, India’s leading media & entertainment conglomerate, has released a touching Mother’s Day film, with a heartfelt message for mothers to also think about themselves for once – that amidst the ceaseless duties of motherhood, it’s crucial for moms to pause, reflect on their own little hopes and aspirations, and celebrate the simple joys of life that bring them happiness. The film underscores how mothers often lose sight of their own identity while prioritizing the needs of their loved ones. This Mother’s Day, the ZEE Network urges mothers to vote for themselves and reclaim moments of self-discovery, embrace the small pleasures in life, and listen to the whispers of their own hearts. It is a tribute to the giving nature of mothers worldwide, urging them to embrace their individuality and prioritize self-care amidst the beautiful chaos of motherhood.

    ZEE’s content design approach rests on building an intimate understanding of the viewer and telling stories that reflect themes that are closest to their heart. As the role of mothers evolves in society, ZEE’s content depiction has moved from traditional portrayals of a mother as a self-sacrificing nurturer to more contemporary narratives that showcase mothers becoming more self-aware, looking after themselves, voicing their own choices and sharing their opinions. This shift is brought to life by some of ZEE’s most loved mothers such as Bhawani of Zee TV’s Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye, Tulasi from Zee Kannada’s Shrirasthu Shubhamasthu and Vasundhara from Zee Marathi’s Punha Kartavya Aahe.  

    ZEE’s social media clout boasts of a staggering 191 Mn followers and subscribers, fuelling 18.4 Mn organic interactions and 3.5 Bn organic monthly video views.  This contributes to 38% SOV on social, making ZEE the No. 1 broadcaster in the digital realm.

    Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Advertisement Revenue, ZEE said, “Television is undoubtedly the most trusted medium for viewers and brands. Advertisers have an opportunity to not only leverage the reach and deep regional strength of ZEE but also engage meaningfully through our social and digital assets, where we have built a strong community of followers. This community can spark meaningful conversations with inspiring characters and stories that align perfectly with the brand’s ethos, helping strengthen the brand’s connection and driving desired brand actions.”

    *Kartik Mahadev, CMO & Head of OptimiZEE said,* _“The emerging GEC viewer is changing at a rapid pace and so are their content expectations. There is a distinct shift from ‘Duty’ to ‘Desire’ where women are beginning to make choices based on what they ‘WANT’. Our content innovation is driven by many such emerging consumer themes. Through authentic storytelling that is rooted in empathy, our characters address important societal needs, resonating with viewers on a deeper level. Our narratives provide the perfect context for brands to engage with their target audience, fostering meaningful dialogue and connection. One such example is our focus on ‘self-care,’ where we emphasize that it’s not a luxury but a necessity for mothers to at least occasionally prioritize themselves. Our campaign #MaaKaVote showcases many such moments from our shows that will enable brands to build emotional resonance, join the conversation and engage with their target audiences.”

    ZEE extends a compelling invitation to brands that are eager to forge authentic connections with their audiences, to join forces with its dynamic community, aspirational characters, and culturally resonant narratives to harness the unparalleled power of storytelling. 
     

  • Hyundai Exter shines at Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards

    Hyundai Exter shines at Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards

    Mumbai: The prestigious Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards, an annual event hosted by the Zee Marathi, celebrates excellence in both artistic and technical aspects of the Marathi-language film industry in India. The award ceremony attracts top talents from the industry and has a history of successful collaborations with renowned brands. This year marked a significant milestone as Hyundai, with their latest offering Exter, joined as a co-sponsor for the Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards for the first time.

    During the event, Hyundai Motors India the chief operating officer Tarun Garg had the honour of felicitating deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar. Marathi Superstar Siddarth Jadhav delivered a captivating performance with Hyundai Exter, adding to the glamour of the evening. Additionally, key personalities from Zee Marathi partnered with Hyundai for the engaging ‘Aapli Manasa, Aapli Car’ contest. The collaboration extended to various Hyundai showrooms across Maharashtra, garnering an enthusiastic response from the audience. The inaugural collaboration between Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards and Hyundai as co-sponsors proved to be a resounding success for both parties.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. chief growth officer, ad revenue Ashish Sehgal said – “We are thrilled to partner with Hyundai Motors in this curated 360-degree promotional campaign, leveraging the massive reach and popularity of our shows and characters. Zee Marathi has deep-rooted connections with people across Maharashtra and this campaign ably synergizes the brand values of Hyundai and Zee to create everlasting bonds with the audiences. Looking forward to creating more such memorable experiences for our consumers and wishing superlative business outcomes for Hyundai, as we grow together.”

    ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief cluster officer, North, West & premium channel Amit Shah said, “The collaboration with Hyundai for the Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards has been a resounding success, showcasing the perfect blend of creativity and innovation in the entertainment industry. The positive feedback highlights the productive outcome of this partnership, indicating a successful and mutually beneficial relationship between the two entities.”

    Highlighting the transformative effect of the collaboration on the event, Zee Marathi chief channel officer V.R. Hema shared, “Each year, Zee Chitra Gaurav flourishes with exceptional content and unwavering industry support. Our continuous improvement is fuelled by sponsors who amplify our event’s reach and impact. Collaborating with Hyundai Motor this year posed unique challenges, but our extensive teamwork ensured a memorable experience. We eagerly anticipate more such partnerships to elevate our content and meet brand objectives for our clients.”

  • ZEE Rishtey Awards 2024 set to dazzle with Danube Properties as exclusive title sponsor

    ZEE Rishtey Awards 2024 set to dazzle with Danube Properties as exclusive title sponsor

    Mumbai: With the festival of colours around the corner, Zee TV, the flagship channel of one of India’s leading media and entertainment conglomerates, is gearing up to paint the town in vibrant hues as it announces the much-awaited annual gala, the Zee Rishtey Awards 2024. This year’s edition promises to be a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur, celebrating the cherished relationships viewers have with their favourite Zee TV characters. In sync with the spirit of Holi, the awards ceremony will bring families together for love, joy, laughter and heartfelt celebrations.

    Zee Rishtey Awards recognises and honours the outstanding contributions of actors, directors, producers, creative teams and technicians. This year, as the Zee Kutumb unites to celebrate familial bonds, viewers can expect a mesmerizing showcase of talent, with their favourite stars setting the stage ablaze through spectacular dance performances.

    What sets this year apart is the extraordinary level of advertiser interest, with the prestigious title sponsorship secured by Danube Properties, Dubai. This marks a historic first-time association between Zee TV and Danube Properties, an award-winning developer in the Middle East, and is a testament to the event’s ever-growing significance and appeal.

    ZEE chief growth officer – advertisement revenue Ashish Sehgal, expressed his enthusiasm about the milestone collaboration, saying, “The Zee Rishtey Awards hold a very special place in the hearts of millions of our viewers. While we take the grand celebrations to the zenith this year, we are thrilled to welcome Danube Properties, Dubai as our title sponsor for the first time. Their commitment and support speak volumes about the event’s unmatched popularity, legacy and reach. Together, we look forward to create a memorable and captivating experience for our audience and partners alike.”

    Danube Group founder and chairman Rizwan Sajan highlighted the strategic significance of associating with Zee Rishtey Awards, “At Danube Group, we believe in the power of communication, and we strive to achieve that through impactful collaborations. Zee Rishtey Awards is a perfect combination of being an excellent platform to connect and entertain Indian audiences globally. Indians accounted for the highest investments in Dubai and Danube Properties in 2023. Our exclusive payment plan of 1% EMI per month with fully furnished homes and 40 plus amenities made it possible for thousands of Indians from anywhere in the world to own a home in Dubai. This partnership is aimed at making homeownership more accessible. This is not just about visibility; but about creating conversations with families across the globe.”

    Apart from Danube Properties as the title sponsor, Zee Rishtey Awards 2024 boasts of a prestigious lineup of sponsors, including the co-powered by partners Cadbury Dairy Milk, Himalaya Turmeric Face Wash, and Colgate. The event’s support extends further with Special Partners Smith & Jones Pasta Masala and Rajdhani Poha, while Bandhan Bank takes the spotlight as the official Banking Partner. The show’s allure is further enhanced by the Trusted Partnership with Garnier Color Naturals and the Associate Sponsorship from Reli Spray, collectively reflecting a dynamic collaboration of industry leaders in this celebrated awards ceremony.

    Zee Rishtey Awards 2024, promises an unforgettable evening of entertainment, glamour, and celebration. As the countdown begins, Zee TV invites viewers to join the festivities and revel in the magic of relationships, all set to unfold on the grand stage of the Zee Rishtey Awards. The awards ceremony will be telecast on Sunday, 10 March at 7 pm.

  • “I think the international Indian-South Asian diaspora is very fond of Bollywood and starve for it”: Zee Studios’ Shariq Patel

    “I think the international Indian-South Asian diaspora is very fond of Bollywood and starve for it”: Zee Studios’ Shariq Patel

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, a powerhouse in India’s media and entertainment, is set to host the ‘Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024.’ Set against the backdrop of a triumphant 2023 for Indian cinema, the event promises to honor outstanding contributions to the industry.

    Recently, stars like Alia Bhatt, along with Maruti Suzuki and ZEEL representatives, unveiled the chic trophy. The kickoff event featured actors sharing memories from past editions, with an exciting performance lineup announced for the much-anticipated on-ground event on 10 March.

    Delving deeper, Indiantelevision.com caught up with Zee Studios chief business officer Shariq Patel to gain insights on Zee Cine Awards 2024 being special; impact that Zee Cine Awards aims to create in the world of Bollywood celebrations and more…

    Edited Excerpts:

    On Zee Cine Awards’ evolution over the years, and the 2024 edition particularly being special

    What will make the 2024 edition special, is Shah Rukh Khan, as he is coming back to the Zee Cine Awards after nine years, he is the showstopper for us. This year, there is a certain amount of enthusiasm as cinema has bounced back, especially after how well the films like ‘Pathaan’, ‘Gadar 2’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Rocky Aur Raani Kii Prem Kahaani’ did last year. An entire boom happened at the box office; that’s why we are following the mantra of ‘Cinema Zindabaad’ this year for the award show. We took the line from the movie ‘Gadar’ and made it into ‘Cinema Zindabaad Tha, Hai Aur Rahega’. With two key people in the industry associated with the award show- Shah Rukh Khan coming on board and Bobby Deol, along with the Deol family, the main agenda is to put the spotlight on the fine talents of the industry. The excitement is a lot more, with movies like ‘12th Fail’, ‘Sam Bahadur’ and some great performances that were delivered. It’s a natural progression, and I think it’s interesting because the films were so loved in 2023, it has been a landmark year in terms of Box-Office collection. post covid, everyone thought that Box-Office was going to die, but the audience has come back saying ‘We Want Cinema’, especially with OTT emerging and everyone thinking that overall habits have changed, and people just prefer sitting at home. All these theories got de-bunked in 2023 much to the elation to all of us, who actually are involved in this field.

    Are there any new or innovative award categories introduced for Zee Cine Awards 2024 to reflect the changing dynamics of Bollywood

    No, the categories pretty much remain the same because we are not looking at adding anything which isn’t there, it is basically honouring excellence in all departments of Cinema. Everyone knows what those departments are, so we are not creating any new departments or awards. The idea is to honour thousands of people who give their blood, sweat and tears to come up with movies on a week-on-week basis, it’s like holding in high esteem for the best of the lot.

    On some exciting details about the star-studded lineup and collaborations for Zee Cine Awards 2024, and in what ways do brands, sponsors, and celebrities benefit from their involvement in the event

    I guess the brands look at sponsoring any event which gives a positive rub-off, the bigger the event, the greater the recall and obviously if the event is in line with what the brand stands for, there is a positive rub-off that association brings in, which has happened with Zee Cine Awards and other film awards. I believe even in other big events like IPL, or other sports properties, there is always an association benefit that brands get. I think if you talk to the Maruti Suzuki team or any other sponsors, it’s easy for them to hire the same artist and do TVC or get their brand ambassadors to be a part of the event of the same scale. But shooting over one to two days and being posted or premiered later on might not have the same impact as much as an event of this kind and as it offers positive brand allure that rubs off so on the brand. Hence, they might choose this.  However, the on-ground event is on the 10 March, so the excitement will be there from today till its actual on-air date, which will probably be a week or so later. So, that 20-day effect of conversations around it, especially the trade media and consumers as such, will always be a positive benefit.

    On the enduring impact that Zee Cine Awards aims to create in the world of Bollywood celebrations

    I think it’s honouring the talent; we have been putting out a lot of our old winners and if you see some of those clips on our Instagram page, everyone from Hrithik’s debut till this year, it’s a platform which gives opportunities, and make known of the brand Zee actually is. There is an ingrained association that every big actor or artist has with Zee, and this award kind of solidifies it in a slightly different manner. All the big actors, directors, and technicians have at some point or the other won a Zee Cine Award over the last 22 years, which kind of deepens the association. You have heard how everyone talks about it and how there is a specific emotional connection with it, whether they have performed, won, or have been nominated. There is a bit of that family feeling that Zee brings, being the true homegrown brand.

    On Zee Cine Awards catering to an international audience, and the efforts that are being made to showcase Indian cinema on a global platform

    I believe that if you speak to Ashish Sehgal (chief growth officer- ad sales) or Ruchir Tiwari (chief cluster officer- Hindi movies), they will be able to provide you with a better understanding of that. I think the international Indian-South Asian diaspora is very fond of Bollywood and starve for it. Like how Ashish mentioned that we cater to 17 channels that are distributed all over the world, which automatically includes cinema. This creates a complete circle where you can watch a large number of movies on the Zee platform, and then see many artists performing and getting appreciated.

    On Zee Cinema/Zee TV planning to elevate the viewer experience in 2024, navigating creative challenges to make award shows entertaining and engaging, and adapting to the digital transformation and industry trends for Zee Cine Awards

    I believe that in order to keep the audience engaged for the expected three hours, they should get entertained; it is the same thing as watching a series, a film or a TV show. We are asking for the time of the audience, and the moment you are asking for their time, you need to make sure that it is engaging, there is entertainment happening, so either there is a big performance, a gag, some fun moment or felicitation of the award, it’s a mix and match of all. So, creatively delivering that is a challenge for us, for which we have teams. And the rest of it will be giving three to four thousand people who are on-ground, a grand experience to enjoy those particular four or five hours a day in the arena watching these actors perform and being present under the same roof as them.

  • Zee Cine Awards 2024 press conference shines bright!

    Zee Cine Awards 2024 press conference shines bright!

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, a prominent name in India’s television, media, and entertainment landscape, is gearing up to revive the grand celebration of Bollywood with the return of the ‘Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024.’ Against the vibrant backdrop of an exhilarating 2023, a year marked by the resounding success of Indian cinema with blockbuster hits, the awards ceremony promises an evening of honoring the industry’s finest achievements. This March, Mumbai will once again transform into the epicenter of Bollywood glamor, welcoming a constellation of stars including actors, directors, producers, and technicians for this eagerly awaited gala.

    In an atmosphere exuding glamor, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, alongside Maruti Suzuki India’s CMO & senior executive officer Shashank Srivastava and ZEEL’s chief growth officer – advertising revenue Ashish Sehgal, unveiled the elegant trophy for the prestigious ‘Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024’. The press conference was a nostalgic journey as actors Bobby Deol, Aparshakti Khurana, and Mouni Roy fondly reminisced about anecdotes and cherished moments from previous editions of this esteemed awards gala.

    The kick-off event set pulses racing with the announcement of the performances by some of the most revered figures in the film fraternity, including Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Bobby Deol, Ayushmann Khurrana, Mouni Roy, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, and more. Adding to the allure, the evening will be gracefully hosted by the charismatic duo of Ayushmann Khurrana and Aparshakti Khurana, with the irrepressibly witty Sunil Grover injecting moments of levity with his humor.

    However, the crescendo of excitement reached its zenith when the curtain was lifted on the biggest surprise of the kickoff meet – the return of actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is poised to grace the Zee Cine Awards stage after a hiatus of nine long years.

    Amidst the fervor of the event, Indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of the event, seized the opportunity to engage with.

    Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer, Ad Revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited and Ruchir Tiwari, Chief Cluster Officer, Hindi Movies, ZEE. During the interaction, they provided illuminating insights into the award show and beyond.

    Edited excerpts

    On Zee TV integrating digital platforms to maximize the reach and impact of Zee Cine Awards

    Sehgal: Today we are very focused on how we are trying to build our reach not only in linear television, but also in the digital space. If you see social media, the entire meta ecosystem we had almost 150 million reach and almost 60 million followers across all our pages. That’s a humongous amount of viewership, which no broadcaster had till date. However, we feel that there are many platforms like Meta, YouTube, etc, we know don’t see them as competition, but more like our platforms. So the idea is how we can take our content to our consumers as much as possible? Hence, we have a proper strategy behind building viewership amongst all the platforms, whether it is telcos, whether it is YouTube ecosystem, or whether it is like a Meta ecosystem. So our digital presence is going to be quite formidable.

    On the landscape of Hindi cinema influencing the execution of Zee Cine Awards

    Tiwari: The Cinema cluster at ZEE holds a strategic commitment to recognizing and applauding exceptional cinema. Over our three-decade legacy, we have positioned ourselves as adept aggregators of quality films, spanning 8 languages across 17 channels. The Zee Cine Awards stands tall as our iconic initiative, dedicated to honouring the finest performances of the year.

    Celebrating its 22nd edition, this year holds special significance against the backdrop of the uncertainties that loomed over Hindi cinema, following the challenges posed by Covid. It started with Pathaan, then came Gadar 2, Jawaan, and now Animal. Apart from these mega successes, there were incredible stories like  ’12th Fail’ , Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway and Sam Bahadur. This cinematic journey in 2023 has proven to be a transformative one, marked by a resurgence of joy as the industry got back its confidence and garnered a renewed appreciation and so much love from the audiences.

    The narrative of 2023 unfolds as a narrative of comebacks, symbolizing the resurgence of Hindi cinema, the return of Shahrukh Khan, and the revival of the Deols. This thematic underpinning is integral to our presentation, encapsulated by our tagline, ‘Cinema Zindabaad’. It reflects our commitment to not only acknowledging excellence but also embracing the triumphs and resurgences that have defined the cinematic landscape this year.

    On the strategies Zee TV employs to ensure sponsors receive tangible returns on their investment to the award show

    Sehgal: Zee Cine Award is not just a one day event like how normally people perceive it. For us it’s a festival for almost two and a half three months. We showcase the show across all our channels, and also various Hindi speaking markets whether it is Bhojpuri, whether it is Bangla, Marathi apart from all the Hindi channels and the free-to-air channels as well,  so that maximum reach happens on the show and the content is curated before and after also for the show. While there will be one day of the awards, prior to that we start building a lot of content which will be in promoting but at the same time facilitating or you know kind of showcasing what you are going to see during that one day. So Zee Cine Award is always a culmination of the award. Now having said that, how does it help the sponsors? Sponsors do get mileage across these three months, so they can actually build their whole campaigns around this show. Secondly, these sponsors do not just run their inventory there, we create a lot of content for the sponsors within the show. There is a lot of customisation of the brand’s energy along with our shows . We create moments within the show and before the show, which helps advertisers build their message within that. It’s a 360 degree, where they get a lot of mileage in ground presence and for Maruti we do dealer visits with our stars who would go and promote the listing in the dealership etc.

    On Zee Cinema envisioning the future of award shows in the era of digital platforms

    Tiwari: Content is always platform-agnostic, it inherently transcends platforms, seamlessly adapting to both linear broadcasting and OTT channels. The beauty lies in its universal accessibility, reaching audiences regardless of the medium. The overarching objective is to maximize viewership.

    Sehgal: TV gives you the highest reach. But at the same time digital will become an engagement partner for us before the show. As I said, we will use your social media for engaging, remoting bytes of the stars when they’re coming, then the whole content will be also showcased on digital platforms like our Zee5 and later on to YouTube etc. So we use platforms now to take the content to as many people as possible. We are creating content which is platform agnostic.

    Tiwari: Few properties exhibit a natural compatibility across all mediums. Notably, in non-fiction and event categories, award functions exemplify the synergy between digital and linear domains. They thrive in the digital realm, presenting a seamless blend that resonates well with audiences on both fronts.

  • Zee Cine Awards continues its association with Maruti Suzuki Arena for its 22nd Edition

    Zee Cine Awards continues its association with Maruti Suzuki Arena for its 22nd Edition

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, India’s leading television, media and entertainment powerhouse, is bringing back the biggest celebration of Bollywood – ‘Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024.’ Set against the backdrop of a spectacular 2023 – a year when Indian movies made a roaring comeback with record-breaking blockbusters and it felt almost as if a chant of ‘CINEMA ZINDABAD’ was echoing within the walls of the theatres, the awards ceremony promises to be an evening of recognition for some of the finest work by the film industry. This March, once again, Mumbai will play host to Bollywood’s crème de la crème, actors, directors, producers and film technicians as they come together for this much anticipated star-studded extravaganza.  

    At a chic and glamorous affair, Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt, alongside Maruti Suzuki India CMO & senior executive officer Shashank Srivastava and ZEEL chief growth officer – advertising revenue Ashish Sehgal, unveiled the sleek trophy for the ‘Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024’. At the press conference, actors Bobby Deol, Aparshakti Khurana and Mouni Roy walked down memory lane and recounted anecdotes and special moments from the previous editions of the esteemed awards show. The kick-off meet announced an exciting line-up of performances by some of the most popular faces of the film fraternity including Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Bobby Deol, Ayushmann Khurrana, Mouni Roy, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur amongst others. The evening will be hosted by the charming Ayushmann Khurrana and Aparshakti Khurana while the witty Sunil Grover will take over for a few fun segments. Excitement hit the roof when the big surprise of the kick-off meet was finally revealed – The Baadshah of Bollywood – Shah Rukh Khan is all set to perform at Zee Cine Awards after nine long years!

    Bhatt said, “I always look forward to performing LIVE on stage! Last year’s performance at Zee Cine Awards was one of the most memorable one for me, I’m even more excited to be performing second year in a row for them. It’ll again be a very very special act and truly dedicated for my audiences. Zee Cine Awards have a legacy of their own and it’s been a long-standing relationship with the Zee team that has only become stronger in the years. The thrill and energy of a live performance is unbeatable and I can’t wait to get onto the Zee Cine stage!”

    Deol said, “Privileged to announce the Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024. After having attended the ceremony regularly over the years, I’m thrilled to perform this time. Brace yourselves for a night of excitement, as Abrar will have everyone dancing to ‘Jamal Kudu’ and some delightful surprises.”

    Srivastava said, “This association is continuation of our exciting partnership between India’s largest automotive channel Maruti Suzuki Arena and one of biggest celebration of Bollywood – Zee Cine awards, to celebrate the magical and extravagant world of Bollywood. Maruti Suzuki believes in bringing the Joy of mobility to all and creating exciting new experiences. Maruti Suzuki Arena is bringing this vision to reality with future ready products like The All New HOT & TECHY Brezza that goes above and beyond your expectations. And Zee Cine brings alive the world of entertainment, top notch experiences and much more and truly we found our match to reach out to our audiences.”

    Sehgal said, “The year 2023 has been a stellar chapter for Indian cinema, with box office records shattered and a slew of blockbuster hits captivating audiences worldwide. We aim to take the entertainment quotient to a whole new level through the presence of some of the most sought-after faces of the fraternity and exciting performances at the ‘Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024.’ We have an excellent lineup including Shah Rukh Khan who’s performing with us after 9 years, Alia Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Bobby Deol, Ayushmann Khurrana, Mouni Roy, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur and we’re committed to making it an evening to remember. Cinema buffs who wish to experience the thrill of watching their favorite stars perform LIVE and win accolades at the ground event in Mumbai on 10th March can buy their passes via BookMyShow!”

  • Why ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a hit with audience and advertisers?

    Why ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a hit with audience and advertisers?

    Mumbai: ZEE Kannada, the number one Kannada entertainment channel in the country seems to be getting it all right with its content and business strategy in recent times. The channel, which crossed  the significant milestone of completing 250 weeks of leadership in the Karnataka market continues to enjoy the acceptance and loyalty of its audience and advertisers alike.

    Known for its relentless efforts to craft the best fiction and grand non-fiction shows, all of the channel’s newest launches like Amruthadhaare, Seetha Rama and Bharjari Bachelors have gone on to become slot leaders and propelling the leader channel to increase the gap between them and competition. Its newest launch Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Season 20 has already got the audience rooting for their favourite singers.

    For the uninitiated, ZEE’s flagship show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has been the longest-running reality show on ZEE Kannada completing 19 seasons, successfully establishing itself as one of the best singing platforms the country has witnessed. With the new season, the channel for the first time has opened the platform to singing talents from across the globe and has already launched to become the number one Kannada Reality Show.

    Prior to the launch, the ZEE Kannada team spent an entire month searching for the best singers in the age group of 14 and 60 years across the state and the country, and among Kannadiga NRIs between the age group was six to 60 years. Twenty precious and talented candidates were hand-picked from the record-breaking number of passionate contenders who attended the mega auditions, and they are now ready to cast a spell on the audience this season.

    The show boasts of a stellar judges panel comprising of iconic composer Naadabramha Hamsalekha as the Mahaguru along with singer Vijay Prakash and composer Arjun Janya with Ansuhree taking on the anchoring duties.

    Talking about the show’s legacy and the love of the audience ZEE Kannada & ZEE Marathi chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur said “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is our channel’s pride, and it has experienced substantial growth in its following over the years. What sets us apart is the fact that we have retained the soul of music as an art within the show and our judges panel plays a big role in it which the audience love. The show is rooted in its values while being presented with unmatchable grandeur.  This season going global is in line with our commitment to offer something new in each of our shows which I’m sure will add to the excitement of the audience.”

    What makes the show a big hit among the advertisers?  

    According to ZEEL chief growth officer Ashish Sehgal, “ZEE Network’s reality shows have a unique ability to captivate the diverse audiences in every market that they are launched, due to our profound expertise in creating content based on the cultural understanding. Leading the pack is the pioneer of music reality shows in India, ZEE’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – an iconic brand and one of the most successful reality shows of India for more than two decades. The story is similar for our top channel from South, where ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has delivered blockbuster content for 19 seasons, discovered unique talents and created the singing stars of the future. With the launch of the 20th season this month, we have kept the promise of adding more depth and unique elements to the show to keep our viewers hooked. Complementing the popularity of the show, we have got a phenomenal response from the advertisers this season, with substantial interest from the retail market. I whole-heartedly welcome all the 14 sponsors of the show and I am extremely delighted to continue our partnership with Maruti Suzuki and White Gold, who joins us as the Co-Title sponsors. Each of the sponsors will get innovative brand engagement opportunities in every phase of the show to bring out their brands’ core propositions effortlessly and leave a long-lasting impression among the viewers in this festive season. I am certain that this new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will inspire millions of our Kannada viewers to sing along with the talented contestants and generate massive value for our revered partners.”

    ZEEL chief sales officer – South cluster VS Raghavan agrees with Ashish. He added, “Being a market leader for over 250 weeks, ZEE Kannada has always been the first choice platform for brands targeting Kannada heartland to build reach, TOMA or drive consideration. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, being our flagship has always been investors’ preferred destination given the distinct set of viewers it caters to, enabling brands achieve sharper connections with consumers be it for new launches, build awareness or for better engagement. In our 20th season, we have  raised our bar a notch higher by taking it global and onboarded many great brands this season with as many as 14 sponsors as part of the show, including several home grown local brands, which testify the trust and aspirations behind a talent show like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.”

    Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Sr executive officer, marketing & sales Shashank Srivastava shared his thoughts on the association saying “On behalf of Maruti Suzuki, I’d like to extend my best wishes to another year of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on ZEE Kannada. It is exciting for all of us to partner again with the show in its 20th Season which promotes and celebrates the best of Kannada singing talents from India and across the globe.  This partnership helps us reach out to our relevant audiences in the most engaging manner making the association truly symbolic.”

    “At Amrith Noni company, we firmly believe in partnering with properties that align with our values and contribute positively to society and ZEE Kannada’s shows have been doing exactly that in the Karnataka market.  We have been closely associated with many of the channel’s marquee shows that have a strong following among our core consumers.  Our association with ZEE Kannada over the years has given us the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people, our products are aimed at making life easy and so are their shows and we see this as a harmonious marriage that go on for longer” said Amrith Noni CEO Narayan N.

    White Gold managing director Babu C J who is associating with the show for the first time said, “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. White Gold aims to transform the unorganized gold-buying market in India with its organized work process and 100% transparency. We have been serving people who wanted to sell gold by providing them with liquidity for their emergency money requirements and offering a fair value for their gold. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa embarks on a parallel journey where talent converges with opportunity and has scripted many underdog-winning stories. This collaboration further enhances our brand’s positioning within the pertinent audience and together we aspire to deliver an exceptional season that resonates with all.”

    Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Season S20 airs every Saturday and Sunday at 7.30 pm, on ZEE Kannada and ZEE Kannada HD.

  • New Season of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa premieres on 26 August

    New Season of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa premieres on 26 August

    Mumbai: After the raging success of its previous season last year, Zee TV’s iconic singing reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa returns with an exciting new season that has Himesh Reshammiya, Neeti Mohan, Anu Malik as judges and Aditya Narayan as the host. Premiering on 26 August, the new season is poised to change the game with a new format that includes spontaneous challenges thrown at contestants by the judges after one of their peers has delivered an outstanding act in a particular style or genre … Rather than a set template with weekly rounds one is familiar with, this challenging environment is bound to shake up the room a bit, stimulate a competitive edge amongst the contestants and pack in a new surprise for its viewers in every single episode!

    Two months ago, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa announced a nationwide quest for ‘OG’ voices across India. For the first time ever, the audition process went paperless – led by a strong digital leg and even the on-ground phase saw negligible use of paper as a part of the channel’s endeavour of being environmentally responsible. Leaving no stone unturned in scouting the best of talent, the creative team even welcomed recommendations from anyone who could spot raw talent around. While each aspirant’s distinctive singing style and proficiency determined their success, it was only the truly ‘OG’ that made the cut. From the panel unanimously agreeing that West Bengal’s Albert Kabo Lepcha has the voice of a hero after hearing his soulful rendition of ‘I Love You’ to Kharagpur’s Sonia Gazmer modulating her voice only the way she can, acing both the male and female portions of ‘Nagin Se Meri Chaal’; From Delhi’s Sana Arora who struck a chord, strumming a guitar as she sang ‘Love You Zindagi’ to Mumbai’s Abdul whose eyes convey as much passion as his voice when he sings ‘Teri Yaadon Mein’; From UP’s Nishtha Sharma leaving everyone spellbound with her aalaap of ‘Banarasiya’ to Kolkata’s Ranita Banerjee standing up to Himesh’s on-the-spot challenge and rendering an equally evocative rendition of the same song, audiences are in for an exceptional musical extravaganza, marking a grand celebration of music this season!

    Zee TV business head Aparna Bhosle said, “With Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s rich legacy spanning nearly three decades, we take pride in staying true to our commitment of showcasing the most distinctive, extraordinary voices of India. To fuel a healthy spirit of competition and make the viewer experience more dynamic, we are infusing this season with spontaneous challenges to the talent and rewarding the top performers with an opportunity to release their original singles via Zee Music Company. This should make for a compelling watch”.

    ZEE chief growth officer, advertisement revenue Ashish Sehgal said, “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s new season has created great buzz among audiences in the run-up to its launch. I am delighted to welcome Maruti and Dabur as the main sponsors for this highly anticipated show, which will not only help us find new talent but will launch original singers in the industry.  We thank our sponsors for being part of this journey and l look forward to more such associations.”

    Dabur India Ltd head- oral care Augustus Daniel said, “We are pleased to announce our association with Zee TV. Their large viewership would help in building awareness about our new launch in the Gels toothpaste category – “Dabur Red Bae Fresh Gel”. The brand has been meticulously crafted with Gen Z and millennials in mind – ‘BAE – Before Anyone Else’ captures the essence of a close friend or a partner, while ‘irresistible freshness’ appeals to youth aiming to leave a lasting impact in every interaction.”

    Get ready to witness the exciting new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, starting 26 August, every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, only on Zee TV!

  • Zeel’s Ashish Sehgal’s positive ad outlook for Q1’23

    Zeel’s Ashish Sehgal’s positive ad outlook for Q1’23

    Mumbai: Ouch! Speak to any senior advertising or media agency official or even a broadcast sales executive, and they all seem to be yelping in pain, courtesy the evaporation of premium ad spends by innovative and new age digital startups. Forced by investors to tidy up their operations and balance-sheets, the latter have been focusing on consolidation, rather than going berserk spending big on giddying growth through advertising and marketing.

    However, this is not causing broadcast major Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) chief growth officer of ad sales Ashish Sehgal to have any sleepless nights. A sales veteran, he’s witnessed the ups and downs that the media industry goes through periodically – needless to say, he’s seen it all.

    Sehgal believes that the silver lining of the advertising drought is that the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) category has to an extent, come to the rescue and is cushioning some of the blows. He estimates that TV ad spends during the festive season, which is on currently, will show a growth of seven to eight per cent.

    Those used to the heady growth figures of 10-20 per cent may consider this too low, but one has to remember that this growth is coming in at a time of economic upheaval, crashing of global currencies, high fuel costs and rising inflation.

    “The way things have been while it was good, the festive season could have been better. The absence of new clients has made a difference. E-commerce has also reduced spending a bit. While inventory has been going jam-packed, the premium money has not come in the festive season. This has been made up for by the FMCGs to an extent, and TV will see an ad revenue growth during the festive season. This is a good sign as this category will continue to spend even beyond the festive season.”

    He also notes that the TV industry has gone in for a rate hike across the board, which was long overdue. TV viewership was affected in June and August. But post August, the number of eyeballs glued to TV has grown, which is why the FMCG category is spending a lot more.

    Sehgal highlights that general entertainment channels (GECs) are starting to get the reach that they were delivering earlier. Categories like beauty will count on the festive season heavily with the top five advertisers on TV coming in from FMCGs. He feels that the latter’s contribution to overall TV adex could rise by five per cent this festive season compared to the previous year.

    The scenario for 2023

    Sehgal believes that the situation can only improve going forward in Q1 ’23 with spends going up for television advertising and overall ad expenditure. “Every category may come back,” he reiterates.

    He says there are enough signals emanating from the market. Amongst them, the expected spurt in marketing spends by the automobile sector will fire more in the coming months.  “Demand was high during the festive season but supply was low due to the earlier supply issues. So they did not advertise much,” he declares. “They will spend some money in November and December to sell the remaining inventory. That may be a small burst. But now that production capacity has gone up, they will have new launches in Q1’23. That is when they will spend it.”

    “Also, for some new age categories, D2C companies like ed-tech could have digested their heady growth by then. Of course, the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) category – say companies like Policybazaar – will be strong in Q1’23, so some of the premium money that was missing in the festive season could come in then,” Sehgal asserts.

    Then, the funding tap for startups could once again open and start flowing by January 2023.

    “This year they have been trying to balance out their bottom line. How long will they continue to do that? They will have to look at growth as well. Hopefully, they will start triggering spends in Q1 ’23,” he says.

    According to him, with FMCG input costs going down, companies will be forced to pass on the benefits to customers through price cuts and promotions. “So they will have to advertise more to promote that,” he says. “A lot will hinge on FMCGs implementing price cuts and promotions. Right now, that has not happened, maybe due to a fear of raw material inflation returning.”

    But he says the FMCG companies would benefit immensely if they slash prices. “Consumer sentiment will bounce back. More consumption will happen. Things look good for Q1’23 as long as no adverse issues come from Europe and America.”

    Sehgal discloses that while travel and tourism ad spends have risen now, most of those are going into print and social media. “TV, too, will get some state tourism ad spend money whether it is on news media, GECs or on regional channels,” he says.

    He feels that while ad spend on OTT platforms is growing, it is seen as an add-on to TV – especially in entertainment. “Whenever there is a TV campaign, the same person likes to also advertise on OTT. OTT helps them add on to their TV reach. It is not an either-or situation,” he explains.

    For the industry’s sake and his too, here’s hoping Sehgal’s forecast does come true!