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Tag: Australia

  • Discovery channel magazine is “now in india” in association with india today group

    Discovery channel magazine is “now in india” in association with india today group

    MUMBAI: Discovery expands its portfolio in India beyond television with the launch of Discovery Channel Magazine in association with the India Today Group, who will be the publishers of the magazine in India.

     

    Discovery Channel Magazine will deliver an original mix of content, spanning science, adventure, culture and oddities from around the globe. It will include a wide range of topics including nature, adventure, marvels, sci-tech, history, the universe, forensics, survival, psychology and the environment.  From truly in-depth feature treatments, to research and fun facts; the magazine will feature world-class photography and info-graphics, brought together in a visually splendid mix that blends insight and humour.

     

    A three-time winner at the globally acclaimed Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards for Editorial Excellence, Discovery Channel magazine will cover a wide spectrum of engaging stories from India and around the world. The inaugural issue of the magazine celebrates India with an exhilarating cover feature on the Taj Mahal. It also offers an exclusive access to the next generation skylines, the new world of immersive gaming and emergence of megafoods that resist certain diseases longer than the regular food. The magazine has appointed Jamal Shaikh as the Editor. The editorial board for the magazine in India from Discovery includes Rahul Johri and Rajiv Bakshi.

     

    Rahul Johri, SVP and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “The launch of Discovery Channel Magazine is a natural extension of our strategy to inform and entertain consumers with compelling content across platforms. We are delighted to partner with the India Today Group and are confident that we will be able to combine our strengths to satisfy the aspirational consumers. An insightful read on a wide range of subjects, the magazine will stand out for its energetic and exciting layout, distinct content and mesmerizing photographs.”

    Ashish Bagga, Group CEO, The India Today Group, added, “Discovery Channel Magazine will encompass the DNA of Discovery’s channels into a more in-depth look that only print medium can offer. Covering science, urban lifestyles, wildlife, technology and history, the magazine avatar of this iconic global brand will inform, intrigue and challenge the thinking of information-driven individuals into the direction of the future. It will also add a new dimension to the diverse portfolio of magazines already published by The India Today Group. The magazine will address a high quality audience and our readers can be assured that, like all other magazines from our stable, Discovery Channel Magazine India will also maintain the highest levels of editorial quality and rigour.”

     

    A monthly magazine, it will be available for sale on newsstands and leading book stores around the country at a cover price of Rs. 150. The magazine will also be available via annual subscription. It will be published in English language.

     

    Discovery Channel Magazine is available throughout Asia in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau and New Zealand.

     

  • AsiaPac leads global ad growth: Nielsen

    AsiaPac leads global ad growth: Nielsen

    MUMBAI: Global advertising expenditures were up 3.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2013 for year-over-year period, driven largely by Asia Pacific’s expanding powerhouse ad market, as well as a bottoming out of Europe’s contracting ad market.

     

    According to Nielsen’s latest Global AdView Pulse report, Asia Pacific ad revenues surged seven per cent in the first nine months of 2013. China was up 16.7 per cent, Indonesia 22.1 per cent and Malaysia 15.7 per cent. The gains offset declines in Australia and South Korea.

     

    Television continues to be the favourite medium through which advertisers attempt to reach their consumers, commanding a 57.6 per cent share of all spending and growing 4.3 per cent. Display Internet, though representing a smaller share of spends at 4.5 per cent grew significantly by 32.4 per cent.

     

    Macro sectors contributing to the growth include FMCG, which saw a 5.9 per cent increase in ad spending for the year-to-date, and Industry & Services, which grew 11.3 per cent.

     

    The period also saw a slight improvement in Europe, with the market down just 0.4 per cent in Q3. Nielsen notes that the region’s ad market appears to be bottoming out. Indeed, Italy and Spain, among the hardest hit, may have the worst behind them, the report notes, and Greece saw its ad revenues gain 10.3 per cent.

     

    In the US the market was up 1.7 per cent by the end of September, even though it fell 1.3 per cent in the third quarter itself. And in Latin America, the year-on-year change was 13 per cent.

  • Highlights of the 3rd AACTA International Awards

    Highlights of the 3rd AACTA International Awards

    MUMBAI: The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) announced the winners of the 3rd AACTA International Awards on Friday 10 January 2014 at an intimate Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles hosted by multi-award winning actor and AACTA President Geoffrey Rush.

     

    The Awards recognise screen excellence regardless of geography across seven categories including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

     

    Blue Jasmine’s Australian leading lady, Cate Blanchett was called to the stage by AACTA President Geoffrey Rush to accept the AACTA International Award for Best Actress.

     

    Blanchett’s acclaimed performance as Jasmine in the Woody Allen film has been tipped to win a raft of awards in the 2014 International Awards season including a possible second Oscar which, if occurs, would make her the first Australian actress in history to be awarded twice by AMPAS.

     

    Gravity, the visual masterpiece directed by BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee Alfonso Cuarón, received the AACTA International Award for Best Film and the AACTA International Award for Best Direction.

     

    The space odyssey, based on a story written by Alfonso Cuarón’s son Jonás, pushed the known boundaries of cinematography and technologies to illustrate a tense story of skill and survival set in zero gravity. A team of world renowned VFX artists worked with Cuarón to realise his extraordinary vision including visual effects supervisor Tim Webber and Australian VFX House Rising Sun Pictures.

     

    American Hustle, the most nominated film in this year’s AACTA International Awards also received two Awards. The AACTA International Award for Best Screenplay, (which went to Eric Warren Singer and the film’s Director David O. Russell) and to actress Jennifer Lawrence who received her second AACTA International Award in a David O. Russell film; this time for her portrayal of Rosalyn, the explosively alluring and manic housewife to Christian Bale’s Irving Rosenfeld.

     

    12 Years a slave saw wins in both actor categories with Chiwetel Ejiofor receiving the AACTA International Award for Best Actor and Michael Fassbender the AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor. Set in pre-Civil War America the film is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery. 12 Years a slave is directed by UK director Steve McQueen.

     

    AACTA President, Geoffrey Rush, said: “The AACTA International Awards are Australia’s international stamp of screen success. They recognise our international counterparts, add an Australian voice to international Academy discussion, and celebrate our fellow Australians working internationally.

     

    “I congratulate all of this year’s AACTA International Award nominees and winners on their compelling and inspiring work and as always I look forward with anticipation to see if our international peers have concurred with the AACTA International Chapter in this year’s Awards season selection.’’ Rush said.

     

    The 3rd AACTA International Awards will be aired on Foxtel’s Arena in Australia on Sunday 12 January, 2014 at 7:30pm.

  • Sony Music Entertainment to represent Warner Music Group in India and SAARC countries

    Sony Music Entertainment to represent Warner Music Group in India and SAARC countries

    MUMBAI: Sony Music Entertainment India and Warner Music Group have announced a strategic licence deal for Sony Music to represent Warner Music’s legendary recording artists’ releases and labels in India, Sri Lanka and the other SAARC countries.

     

    It was only a few months ago, in July 2013, that Warner acquired Parlophone Label Group. The combined catalogue is amongst the largest globally and encompasses a roster of some of the world’s most celebrated and popular artists and recordings.

     

    Sony Music Chairman and CEO Australia & New Zealand and President, Asia Denis Handlin said in a release: “We are delighted to represent Warner’s music catalogue for the Indian and SAARC market. This is one of the fastest growing and exciting music markets in the world and India in particular has huge digital market opportunities. We have great plans to ensure that Warner Music’s remarkable catalogue reaches out to the vast array of existing and emerging music fans in that region.”

     

    Sony Music president India and Middle East, Shridhar Subramaniam said: “We are very excited with this opportunity and are committed to aggressively push the Warner catalogue and new releases.  Through the combined strength of the two companies’ music, we are well positioned to grow the increasing demand for International music in India.”

     

    The Warner Music catalogue includes some of the world legends from the music industry, and contemporary greats like Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Green Day,  Pink Floyd, The Doors, Madonna, Coldplay, Led Zeppelin, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nickelback, Kylie Minogue, Michael Bublé and Bruno Mars among many others.

  • Indias economic confidence revives says Ipsos study

    Indias economic confidence revives says Ipsos study

    MUMBAI: India’s economic confidence revived substantially due to healthy farm output, a sharp boost in exports and narrowing of current account deficit, according to a report by global research firm Ipsos.

     

    According to the “Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World” study, India’s economic confidence jumped sharply by 11 points to 51 per cent in the month of November compared to the month of October 2013. India now stands as the seventh most economically confident country in the world after Saudi Arabia, Germany, Sweden, Canada, China, and Australia.

     

    Three in ten (32 per cent) Indians believe a health increase of five points. Indians are very hopeful about stability and growth in future with general election in the first half of 2014; four in ten (42 per cent) people expects that the economy in their local area will be stronger in next six months, a slender rise of one point.

     

    “Indian economy has bottomed out after a two-year slump and it is likely to see a positive growth trend from here on with positive indicators like narrowing CAD, revival of exports, growth of manufacturing sector and increasing investor confidence,” said Ipsos in India CEO Mick Gordon.

     

    “Good Monsoon resulted in bumper crop output, which in turn generated rural demand for goods such as tractors, motorcycles and consumer goods leading to growth of the manufacturing sector,” added Gordon.

     

    The online Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World survey was conducted in October 2013 among 18,083 people in 24 countries.

     

    After a significant decline last month, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 24 countries took a one-point turn for the better this month as 37 per cent of global citizens rate their national economies to be “good.”

     

    Saudi Arabia (85 per cent) continued to dominate the global ratings of national economies, followed in a distance by Germany (68 per cent), Sweden (67 per cent), Canada (66 per cent), China (65 per cent) and Australia (64 per cent). Once again, only a handful of those in Spain (four per cent) rate their national economies as ‘good’, followed by Italy (five per cent), Hungary (10 per cent), France (10 per cent), and South Korea (19 per cent).

     

    Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave were Indonesia (45 per cent, 14 points), India (51 per cent, 11 points), South Africa (27 per cent, six points), Brazil (35per cent, five points), Great Britain (29 per cent, five points) and China (65 per cent, four points).

     

    Those from Brazil (62 per cent), once again, hold the strongest future outlook for their local economy in the next six months. The other high-ranking countries, which followed at a distance, were: Saudi Arabia (48 per cent), India (42 per cent), China (39 per cent), Indonesia (37 per cent) and Argentina (37 per cent).

  • Bing releases the top search trends of 2013

    Bing releases the top search trends of 2013

    MUMBAI: Women are on top, literally! The 2013 search trends released by Bing that includes search data from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S, reveal that women ruled and were in the top searches. In eight of the 12 participating countries around the world, women were the most searched. Beyoncé reigned in the US, while Miley Cyrus’s highly publicised twerking made her the top-searched person in both Australia and Canada.

    Former flames Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were the most-searched people in the U.K. and Germany, respectively. Actress and actors Bruna Marquezine, Wen Zhang and Salman Khan were the most-searched people in Brazil, China and India, while singers Rihanna and David Bisbal ranked at the top for France and Spain, and gorgeous TV personalities Danmitsu and Belen Rodriguez were favorites in Japan and Italy.

    It was also a year of American songs, superhero movies, Facebook love, high-end designer brands, controversial sports stars, European getaways and fierce women.

    Bing search trends, found at  www.BingTrends.com, indicate what has most captivated people around the world in 2013.

    However, when it came to the top searches in India, surprisingly, it was not the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who bid adieu to international cricket in 2013, who was searched the most. He was at number four, only after Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. 

    While he may have led the search among actors, Salman’s films did not feature in the top ten most searched films. The fast paced action flick Race 2 bagged top honours followed by Shahrukh starrer Chennai Express. And the surprise package among the top 10 Hindi movies was Nasha, starring Poonam Pandey. And Shah Rukh Khan may have missed top spot in the most searched actor and film, but his Lungi Dance from Chennai Express made it to the top of charts as the most searched song in India. This was followed by Party on My Mind from Race 2 and Challa from Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

    Sports stars too were popular. While Sachin Tendulkar was the most searched among sports stars, young and feisty Virat Kohli too made it to the top ten. However, the surprise entry was sprinter Milkha Singh, proving that the biopic on him did arouse curiosity about him in the country. Shuttlers Jwala Gutta and Saina Nehwal made sure that their sport was represented in the top ten dominated by cricketers.

  • Parle Biscuits Meets Tom and Jerry

    Parle Biscuits Meets Tom and Jerry

    MUMBAI: The Indian biscuit industry is set to witness a new innovation as two of the world’s most iconic brands come together to offer a product never seen before in the market. Parle Products, India’s largest biscuit manufacturer, has joined hands with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to introduce a biscuit range with Warner Bros.’ beloved animated characters Tom and Jerry, that have entertained many generations. For Mumbai-based licensing enterprise, Dream Theatre Pvt. Ltd, this ranks among its top merchandising quests.

    The initiative will see Parle Products introduce a new range of its popular Milk Shakti Milky Sandwich biscuits embedded with Tom and Jerry’s faces. Carrying all-new packaging, these biscuit packs will be available in the market in two sizes – 60 grams and 120 grams, costing Rs 10 and 20 respectively.

    The launch of these exciting biscuits will be followed by a post-launch television commercial. With Parle on board, the product is poised for longevity in the biscuit segment. The move assumes much significance for being the first of its kind in the market, and with the INR 21,213 crore biscuit industry watching, Parle’s dominant position will earn an extra ring of innovation.

    Sharing his views on the announcement, Mr. Jiggy George, Founder and CEO of Dream Theatre Pvt. Ltd. offered, “This deal spells good news for the licensing industry. Tom and Jerry aren’t just animated characters – they have an instant ‘happiness appeal.’ We are very excited about the Parle Milk Shakti Milky Sandwich – Tom and Jerry association, a unique tie-up that brings together the strengths and acumen of Parle Products, the largest biscuit player in India, and the immense popularity of Tom and Jerry, among young and old alike!”


    Mr. Pravin Kulkarni, General Manager, Marketing, Parle Products adds, “Tom and Jerry, with a classic legacy, have a lot of fans amongst both kids and adults in India. To get Warner Bros.’ Tom and Jerry on board is definitely a landmark for Parle. We have associated with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to bring Parle Milk Shakti Milky Sandwich – Tom and Jerry biscuits to consumers everywhere and delight them!”

    “We’re pleased to mark WBCP’s entry into India’s food and beverage market by partnering with Parle Products for Parle Milk Shakti Milky Sandwich – Tom and Jerry biscuits,” said Preston Kevin Lewis, Managing Director – Australia, New Zealand & India for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “This new partnership allows us to bring the most popular animated brand in India to consumers in a fun new way.”

  • Mike Wilson to spearhead new Australia operations for Havas

    Mike Wilson to spearhead new Australia operations for Havas

    MUMBAI: Havas, one of the world’s largest advertising groups, has announced the launch of a new fully-owned media agency in Sydney, to be spearheaded by award winning media personality Mike Wilson.

    Wilson joins the group after nine years with multi service agency Naked, which he co-founded, and nurtured into an award winning hot shop claiming several Cannes Lions and Effie wins. Wilson’s immediate mandate is to manage the Group’s existing pool of blue chip clients, including new wins LG Electronics and Emirates. He has also been tasked with expansion of the Havas Media Group in Australia and launching specialist brands to provide a strong, integrated offering to clients.

    Mike Wilson will work out of the agency’s Sydney office and report into Vishnu Mohan, CEO Asia Pacific Havas Media Group. His appointment is effective from 25 November 2013.

    On his new role as Havas Media group Australia CEO, Wilson said, “The communications landscape has changed beyond recognition over the past decade, particularly with the advent of digital and mobile, yet there has been very limited innovation in the media agency sector. The time is right. Clients demand a 21st century media agency is available to help navigate this confusing landscape. There also needs to be a media agency destination for hungry young media professionals aiming to forge a career which is rewarding and epoch-shaping. With this new way of working Havas Media will be the agency of choice for the ambitious, where they will be supported, nurtured and challenged to be the industry’s very best.”

    Havas Media Group Australia will replicate the simplified global structure designed to channel the group’s digital, data and content teams into the heart of clients’ teams. Earlier this year, Havas announced the restructuring of its global media operations, which saw the creation of Havas Media Group – consisting of just two media brands Havas Media (formally known as MPG) and Arena.

    Commenting on the new operations, Havas Media Group global MD, Dominique Delport said: “Australia is one of the most dynamic and exciting markets in the world and we are committed to replicating the success that our creative agency Havas Worldwide has witnessed under the leadership of Anthony Gregorio, CEO of Havas Worldwide. Mike’s introduction came to us at a pivotal time for our Australian operations. Vishnu Mohan, our Havas Media Group CEO for the region, has known and respected Mike for years and, as the wider restructure at Havas developed, it became essential that we brought in someone who has worked across the specialist disciplines within the industry. Mike’s broad minded and cross disciplined approach to media will be instrumental to our success in this important region.”

  • Digital Asia Festival 2013 announces shortlist

    Digital Asia Festival 2013 announces shortlist

    MUMBAI: The Digital Asia Festival Awards, honouring the best digital marketing communications across Asia Pacific, has announced this year’s shortlist.

     

    Chaired by Jason Kuperman, vice president of Omnicom Digital Asia Pacific, India, Middle East and Africa, the jury consists of 40 industry professionals with a mix of leading client marketers, digital media practitioners and agency strategists, judged 506 pieces of work based on strategy, creativity and innovation, execution and results with a total of 80 entries making it onto the shortlist. Japan leads with the most shortlisted entries (14), followed by Australia (13), New Zealand (10), China (9), Hong Kong (9), India (7), Singapore (7), The Philippines (5), Malaysia (4) and Thailand (2).

     

    Commenting on the judging process so far and the quality of the work, some jury members had the following to say in a release:  

     

    “I found this year’s entries seamlessly integrating technology into the creative leap turning the communication into truly refreshing and engaging consumer experiences. Several of the shortlists had started with a fabulous consumer insight and market/media opportunity that had never been explored before. We saw a lot of first-of-its-kind innovations and we could see technology playing along beautifully with the big idea. That’s a very encouraging sign,” said Tigress Tigress founder, CEO and CCO Meera Sharath Chandra.

     

    “Judging the DAF awards this year demonstrates that the region is thinking big and acting big in digital.  It’s no longer just an add-on to a TV campaign, but brands and agencies are genuinely looking at how they can build participation throughout their initiatives.  In a world where we often seem to be obsessed with daily posts on Facebook, it’s brilliant to see how much scale and impact can be really achieved with digital innovation,” said Iris Worldwide planning director, APAC regional Paul Gage.

     

    “The work that stood out for me was based on a single sharp insight and a strong idea – simply presented and well executed. Several entries made me go, Aha, wish I had thought of it,” said Infosys global head – digital marketing Ashok Lalla.
    The winners of the 2013 awards will be announced online through www.digitalasiafestival.com on 18 November.

  • Final Ind vs Aus ODI garners unprecedented viewership

    Final Ind vs Aus ODI garners unprecedented viewership

    MUMBAI: Beginning today everyone will be glued to their television screens to witness one of the biggest cricketing moment in history. This will be the last time that cricket fans will get to see the master blaster – Sachin Tendulkar – don the Indian colours.

     

    But, that’s not all – cricket as a sport has always been followed as a religion in this culturally diverse nation. The latest viewership numbers that the seventh and final ODI played between India and Australia witnessed proves it.

     

    The last ODI between India and Australia emerged as the highest rated single day TV event in India for the year 2013. According to data provided by Star Sports, the match garnered 55,561 TVTs (CS 15+, M, SEC ABC, All India ) which remains unmatched on Indian television across all genres this year. It also recorded highest time spent per viewer (TSV) across ODIs in 2013 with 101 minutes on both Hindi and English commentary feed on Star Sports channels.

     

    The recently concluded Star Sports India vs Australia ODI series 2013 was watched by almost 43 per cent of the C&S homes.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Star India head of sports business Nitin Kukreja said, “We are delighted with the viewer traction for the series. There is an upswing of almost 18 per cent in average time spent per viewer per match for the India-Australia ODI series as compared to all India ODIs played in the year 2013.  We are pleased to note the stickiness that Hindi commentary has been able to generate in the HSM markets. This is a clear cut vindication of our strategy of promoting choice of language for the consumer.”

     

    Sports broadcaster Star Sports had launched a high-decibel campaign, with the core theme ‘Fight for No 1’; to promote the India Australia series featuring seven ODIs and a T20 match. The high profile series commenced on 10 October and ended on 2 November, just two days before Diwali.
    ODI 4 and 5 of the series were impacted by rain. India won the hard fought contest 3-2 thereby retaining the number one ranking in the ICC ODI Rankings.