ITV

Tag: Australian

  • IPL 2016: Intex names Rajkot franchise Gujarat Lions, Raina to lead

    IPL 2016: Intex names Rajkot franchise Gujarat Lions, Raina to lead

    MUMBAI: The newly formed Rajkot IPL Team announced its official name as ‘Gujarat Lions’ with Suresh Raina as its captain.

     

    Raina will lead a star-studded side that will have former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum besides experienced all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner and Dwayne Bravo.

     

    “Suresh Raina is a remarkable player with an impeccable record in all formats of the game. His extensive experience combined with his great leadership skills, will help us in putting together a winning strategy for the team”, said Gujarat Lions owner &  Intex Technologies director Keshav Bansal.

     

    Commenting on his appointment as team captain, Raina stated, “I am honoured to have been chosen for this role. We already have some of the best cricketing talent in the team and I look forward to the challenges, the opportunity, the excitement, the energy and will lead from the front to ensure we have a great debut.”

     

    On the other hand, Brad Hodge was named as the coach of the team while Arvinder Singh was named as the CEO of the team.

     

    “We finalized Brad Hodge as the team coach on the basis of his successful contribution to the Australian National team and his excellent stint in IPL. I am confident that our team will benefit immensely from his guidance and mentorship”,  Bansal added.

     

    Speaking about the team name, Bansal added, “Gujarat as a state has a rich cricketing history with a passion and commitment to the game that is unmatched. We have named our team as ‘Gujarat Lions’ to try and capture this spirit of Gujarat. The name brings an instant connect with fans not just across the state but all over the world. As do the Lions, we would like to rule the game of cricket.”

     

    Along with the name and captaincy,  the team logo was also unveiled —  a Lion in golden yellow  and hues of red. The logo symbolizes pride, energy and prosperity with a uniquely styled ‘N’ that showcases creativity, innovation and cutting-edge of technology that defines brand Intex.

  • IPL 2016: Intex names Rajkot franchise Gujarat Lions, Raina to lead

    IPL 2016: Intex names Rajkot franchise Gujarat Lions, Raina to lead

    MUMBAI: The newly formed Rajkot IPL Team announced its official name as ‘Gujarat Lions’ with Suresh Raina as its captain.

     

    Raina will lead a star-studded side that will have former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum besides experienced all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner and Dwayne Bravo.

     

    “Suresh Raina is a remarkable player with an impeccable record in all formats of the game. His extensive experience combined with his great leadership skills, will help us in putting together a winning strategy for the team”, said Gujarat Lions owner &  Intex Technologies director Keshav Bansal.

     

    Commenting on his appointment as team captain, Raina stated, “I am honoured to have been chosen for this role. We already have some of the best cricketing talent in the team and I look forward to the challenges, the opportunity, the excitement, the energy and will lead from the front to ensure we have a great debut.”

     

    On the other hand, Brad Hodge was named as the coach of the team while Arvinder Singh was named as the CEO of the team.

     

    “We finalized Brad Hodge as the team coach on the basis of his successful contribution to the Australian National team and his excellent stint in IPL. I am confident that our team will benefit immensely from his guidance and mentorship”,  Bansal added.

     

    Speaking about the team name, Bansal added, “Gujarat as a state has a rich cricketing history with a passion and commitment to the game that is unmatched. We have named our team as ‘Gujarat Lions’ to try and capture this spirit of Gujarat. The name brings an instant connect with fans not just across the state but all over the world. As do the Lions, we would like to rule the game of cricket.”

     

    Along with the name and captaincy,  the team logo was also unveiled —  a Lion in golden yellow  and hues of red. The logo symbolizes pride, energy and prosperity with a uniquely styled ‘N’ that showcases creativity, innovation and cutting-edge of technology that defines brand Intex.

  • Sony Liv bags Australian Open’s digital rights; to livestream for free

    Sony Liv bags Australian Open’s digital rights; to livestream for free

    MUMBAI: Sony Liv has pocketed the exclusive digital rights to the Australian Open for its web and mobile platform. The tournament will be live streamed on Sony Liv for free.

     

    It may be recalled that the satellite rights of the Australian Open vest with Sony Pictures Networks India and ESPN’s joint venture channel – Sony ESPN, which is all set to beam from 17 January.

     

    From 18 – 31 January, the live matches will be available for viewing on the Sony Liv Android and iOS Mobile app as well as on www.sonyliv.com.

     

    For those who miss the match, video on demand capturing key highlights and special moments of every match along with interviews and press conferences will be available on the very same day.

     

    SPN India EVP and head – digital business Uday Sodhi said, “Sony Liv has established itself as the destination of choice for the Indian viewers looking for digital entertainment solutions on the go. As a category, sports are very significant for Sony Liv audiences and hence, we have been increasing our content portfolio to include major sporting events. The Australian Open will be live streamed on Sony Liv since we have the digital rights for the event for its mobile and web platforms.”

     

    The Australian Open is one of the most eminent international tennis tournaments held annually over a fortnight in Melbourne, The year’s first Grand Slam will feature some of the biggest names from the international tennis circuit such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova, among others as well as Indian players Sania Mirza and Somdev Devvarman. Last season’s winners, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will also return to the court to defend their respective titles this year.

  • Animal Planet to air new season of ‘The Wild Life of Tim Faulkner’

    Animal Planet to air new season of ‘The Wild Life of Tim Faulkner’

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet is all set to air the new season of the popular series The Wild Life of Tim Faulkner. The new season will air on 18 January 2016 at 9 pm.

    The show follows the schedule of Tim Faulkner, as he tackles the daily challenges of running one of Australia’s most action packed wildlife parks.

     Tim will be seen encountering saltwater crocodiles, taipans, web spiders, sea lion, etc. He will come across the world’s weirdest, cutest, rarest and most fearsome animals.  

    Tim currently works as the General Manager of the award winning Australian Reptile Park, and has received accolades for his conservation work on Tasmanian devil breeding facility Devil Art. 

    Some of Tim’s adventures include:

    Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park – Tim travels far out west to Broome to help an old mate and his team moves a five metre saltwater croc to its new home at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. Back over on the east coast Tim witnesses one of nature’s greatest sights as turtles nest and hatchlings make their way into the sea for the first time.

     
    Raising orphaned kangaroos – Tim provides a countdown of the most dangerous jobs at the Australian Reptile Park before introducing us to Reggie and Russell, two orphaned kangaroo joeys he’s helping to raise.

     
    Tracking Numbat – Tim travels to one of the last remnants of original vegetation in Western Australia in search of the numbat – one of the world’s rarest animals.
     

    Extracting Venom – Tim delves into a particular Aussie specialty – venom. Discussing why Australia has the most potent animals on the planet before a visit to Fraser Island in search of its most famous resident – the dingo.

     
    Red Backed Toadlet – Tiger snakes are different on Kangaroo Island and that’s a red rag to a bull for Tim so he pops over to see just how different they are before a visit to a friend who has been camping out in the forest for months researching the love life of the red backed toadlet.
     

    Kangaroo Island – Tim visits Kangaroo Island to check out what’s being done to halt the destruction of the island’s manna gum trees by an over zealous population of koalas. Back at the Australian Reptile Park it’s time to find out who the trouble maker is down at the gator lagoon.
     

    Tim tours Kangaroo Island to see how the wildlife there shapes up to life in the Southern Ocean. Along the way he encounters seals, goannas an echidna and of course kangaroos before a visit to a bird sanctuary.

  • WPP acquires 61% stake in STW for $512 million

    WPP acquires 61% stake in STW for $512 million

    MUMBAI: STW Group, Australasia’s marketing content and communications services group, comprising over 75 operating companies, is all set to merge with WPP’s Australian and New Zealand businesses.

     

    Martin Sorrell helmed WPP has acquired a 61 per cent controlling stake in STW for approximately $512 million, of which $387 million will be paid via new shares with STW assuming debt of $125 million.

     

    Post the merger, STW CEO Michael Conaghan will continue in his current post and Robert Mactier will also remain chairman of the company.

     

    Mactier said, “Bringing together the respective iconic brands and wonderfully talented people of STW and WPP Australia and New Zealand under a single common ownership and will unlock tremendous local and global capability, experience and efficiencies for our clients as well as establishing a fantastic platform for our people to prosper.”

     

    “The transaction is EPS accretive as a result of the issue of new STW shares at a premium to market and also delivers a material reduction in STW’s leverage and the opportunity to unlock a range of synergies thereby creating significant value for our shareholders. Importantly, binding governance protocols and shareholder protections have been agreed for the benefit of the continuing minority stakeholders. I consider this a genuine win-win transaction for all our stakeholders. Post completion, we look forward to working seamlessly with WPP as our major shareholder and strategic partner as we embark on the exciting journey that is in front of us,” he further added.

     

    Connaghan said, “To finally align our shareholdings in those existing partnerships (J Walter Thompson, Mindshare, Maxus and Added Value) and now to expand our relationships across the full STW and WPP Australia and New Zealand portfolio of companies is an amazing opportunity. WPP is the leading player on the global stage in our industry. We have the potential to create a group unparalleled in this part of the world, totally focussed on our home markets, but allowing our clients and people open access to the best thinking on a global level.”

     

    Sorrell added, “The merger of our Australian and New Zealand operations with STW, will give us a unique opportunity to offer our local and international clients a comprehensive set of services and to make sure we can offer the best talent through country management. It will also enable STW to focus on the Australian and New Zealand markets, which it knows best, with a structure that will strongly incentivise its people.”

  • CNN International Commercial makes new appointments in Asia Pacific

    CNN International Commercial makes new appointments in Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) has made two new appointments in the Asia Pacific region, boosting its Content Sales and Partnerships team.

     

    Kristin Burgham is the new director of CNN Content Sales and Partnerships based in Hong Kong, while Natsumi Sasaki is associate director of Networks and Content Distribution based in Japan.

     

    Burgham is responsible for the growth and development of the network’s content sales business throughout the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on leveraging its broadcast and digital assets. Her role encompasses content sales and partnerships, and licensing deals. Sasaki is responsible for managing affiliate relationships and developing new content sales and licensing business partnerships in Japan.

     

    CNN Content Sales and Partnerships vice president Greg Beitchman said, “CNNIC is actively investing in diversifying revenue streams and Content Sales and Partnerships is a critical component of this strategy. We are focused on obtaining greater value from existing intellectual property through syndication, expanding CNN’s footprint on digital, mobile and social platforms, and licensing the brand in exclusive partnerships. Kristin and Natsumi’s appointments come on the back of several significant wins in the region including the launch of CNN Philippines and CNN Indonesia. With Kristin and Natsumi on board in Asia we will be better placed to service our existing partners and develop new opportunities during what is a truly exciting, innovative time for CNN.”

     

    Prior to CNN, Burgham was head of global sales for CJZ, Australian production company where she grew the sales and distribution business from the ground up. Before that, she led the global content sales team of SBS Australia, and was a senior sales manager for ABC Australia.

     

    Before joining CNN, Sasaki was an account manager at Reuters News Agency, where she developed new revenue streams with major broadcasters and online publishers. Prior to Reuters, she spent three years at Nippon Television as an accountant working with multiple media outlets and broadcast service companies.

  • Aus govt to give tax rebates of AUS$ 20 mn to Walt Disney

    Aus govt to give tax rebates of AUS$ 20 mn to Walt Disney

    MUMBAI: The Australian government has agreed to offer Disney a locations rebate worth about AUS$20 million ($19.2 million) to shoot its remake of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Captain Nemo.

    It is said that Disney executives will meet federal arts minister Simon Crean in Canberra on Thursday to finalise details of the incentive before the studio green lights the production. The minister has reportedly given government approval to the deal.

    Disney location scouts are said to be considering the Village Roadshow Studios in Queensland, where Terra Nova was shot and Fox Studios in Sydney.

    The remake of the 1954 Jules Verne classic which is being developed by David Fincher is expected to exceed the 2,000 local jobs created during the recent filming of The Wolverine that generated $80 million in local investment and contracted 850 local companies.

    The Australian locations incentive currently gives a tax rebate of 16.5 per cent for foreign productions but the government provided The Wolverine with a 30 per cent incentive to shoot in the country last year in a one-off arrangement.

  • Bradd Pitt to quit in three years

    Bradd Pitt to quit in three years

    MUMBAI: Brad Pitt has admitted that his days are numbered and he may quit acting upon turning 50.

    Talking on an Australian chat show ’60 Minutes, the 47-year-oldactor said he would quit the acting scene in three years. He also revealed that he might move behind the camera when he steps out of the limelight.

    “I‘ve really enjoyed the producerial side and getting stories to the plate that may have had a harder time otherwise,” Pitt added.

  • Australian and India to collaborate in field of entertainment

    Australian and India to collaborate in field of entertainment

    NEW DELHI: India and Australia can work together to build a new era of cooperation and understanding in the field of entertainment.

    This consensus emerged when a high-level business delegation from Australia led by the Minister of Trade Mr. Warren Truss held an interactive meeting with the who’s who of Indian industry and important trade bodies.

    It was generally decided that India and Australia can engage in various mutually beneficial joint activities for both the countries. Secretary General Mr. Supran Sen who was representing the Guild described the interaction as fruitful and said several issues of common interests to both countries were discussed.

    The Australian High Commissioner Mr. John McCarthy was also present on the occasion.The Guild members said they were committed to the endeavor of exploring new avenues to its members for globalizing Indian cinema.

  • Australian speedster Brett Lee all set to bowl Times Now viewers over

    Australian speedster Brett Lee all set to bowl Times Now viewers over

    MUMBAI: English news channel Times Now has roped in Australian fast bowler Brett Lee to present match analysis throughout the day, during the ongoing Malaysian Tri series and also the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 which kicks off next month. He will also be seen in a show League of Champions at 11.30 pm on the channel’s sports show The Game.

    Times Now says that it will tap into Lee’s cricketing acumen to provide urbane viewers with an in depth match analysis. Times Now editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami said, “Brett Lee is not only the world’s fastest bowler, but also one of the most dynamic personalities in world cricket. Getting him on the channel for these big tournaments is a coup and Times Now viewers will enjoy his candid analysis on television.”