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Tag: Bengaluru

  • Dentsu Webchutney hires Havas’ Gaurav Soi as EVP

    Dentsu Webchutney hires Havas’ Gaurav Soi as EVP

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis’ digital agency Dentsu Webchutney, has appointed Gaurav Soi to head its new business operations, nationally as executive vice president (EVP).

     

    Soi will report to Dentsu Webchutney CEO Sidharth Rao. He joins the agency from Havas Worldwide, Mumbai where he was senior vice president. 

     

    As part of his new mandate, Soi will identify and channelise new opportunities for the agency across its offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.

    On his appointment, Soi said, “The most commonly used word in conversations today is digital. It is no longer the future. It is here and now! Denstu Webchutney has a proven track record and is associated with very prestigious brands. Known for its quality product and forward thinking, I am extremely proud to be a part of this team. The company is aggressively focusing on growth; and yet, we will need to retain the quality of our product across client offerings. It is this balance that will make the road ahead a very exciting one.” 

    Rao added, “Dentsu Webchutney has now entered its next phase of growth and it’s absolutely essential for us that we use the right kind of experiences to steer this growth forward. Gaurav comes in with immense experience and exposure across clients and categories. And his appointment will only further catalyse the strength that already holds the Dentsu Webchutney fort so strong. I am extremely happy to welcome him on board.” 

    With more than 15 years of experience, Soi has worked with agencies including The Grey Group, Mumbai, Ambience Publicis, Metal Communications and Havas Worldwide. He has also been part of the events and activations industry through Line Communications.

  • Myntra launches V2.0 of app; announces ‘House of brands’ campaign

    Myntra launches V2.0 of app; announces ‘House of brands’ campaign

    BENGALURU: Myntra unveiled version 2.0 of its shopping app yesterday in Bengaluru on the side lines of its 4thAnnual Brand Summit. The new version of the app is meant to transform the way customers shop for fashion online, by making it more personalized and social.  Myntra says that it is meant to connect fashion lovers with their favourite brands, celebrities and people of similar taste and engage them with the latest in fashion content, new trends and collections.

    The company announced a new campaign that includes three TVCs’ to promote itself as a House of brands with the tagline ‘The Best of Fashion for the Best of You’. The campaign created by Bengaluru based Happy Creative Services will run for an entire year said Myntra CEO Ananth Narayanan. The three TVCs’ have been directed by Razneesh Ghai and produced by Asylum Films. For now, the three TVC’s will be aired across digital platforms including television, multiplexes for a month. Media buying for the ‘House of brands’ campaign is through Group M. Narayanan also revealed that a campaign to promote the version 2.0 of the Myntra app was in the offing.

    According to Myntra, it’s 4th Annual Brand Summit saw 450 leading Indian fashion and lifestyle brands come together to witness Myntra unveil its vision for fashion commerce in India. Myntra held the Brand Summit at Bangalore on the theme of ‘Leveraging Technology to Build the Future Platform for Fashion’. Brand partners and suppliers came together under one roof for a day to discuss innovation, trends and brand building in fashion and the role of technology in driving the same.

    Unveiling the Myntra V2 platform, Myntra CTO Shamik Sharma said, “We are setting out on a path to the future – where people’s online and offline experience fuse together seamlessly. People want to be able to shop and hang out together, be inspired by others, and get their opinion. We want to enable this to happen online. The new app brings together the best of offline and online experiences on the mobile by allowing our customers to engage with others and with influencers. It is a personalized social shopping experience; a one of its kind in the industry.”

    The Myntra App Version 2.0 is currently available on the Android platform and will launch some of these features on the iOS platform shortly.

    According to Sharma, Myntra V2.0 has several innovative new features – ‘The Style Forum’ brings shoppers closer to the real world experience of asking for the opinion of their friends or help from style experts. ‘The Fashion Feed’ on the landing page provides users fresh content every time they open the app and also allows them to follow conversations of particular interests or follow friends for regular updates. Profiles allow brands and fashion influencers to create their own presence and showcase new trends and collections. The new brand ‘Partner Portal’ allows brands to understand consumer preferences and communicate with their fans.

    Of special significance for brands is that the new Myntra app offers partner brands a new way to reach out to over 76 lakh active customers by sharing with them, engaging content ranging from new launches to trend stories. The new app will help brands acquire new followers, run specific campaigns and promote new product collections. Brand ambassadors get a better connect with their fans by becoming a part of the customers’ shopping experience.

    Another significant step by Myntra is the Partner Portal that will help its partner brands publish various kinds of content – videos, inspiring articles etc., and target a specific user segment. The new portal will enable brands to plan their campaigns on the basis of customer demographic insights and deeper understanding of their purchase patterns.

  • Q2-2016: HT Media revenue up 7.3%, PAT down; radio revenue up 20.5%

    Q2-2016: HT Media revenue up 7.3%, PAT down; radio revenue up 20.5%

    BENGALURU: HT Media Limited (HT Media) reported 7.3 per cent growth in total income from operations (TIO) for the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q2-2015, current quarter) at Rs 601.55 crore as compared to the Rs 560.88 crore in Q2-2015. The current quarter’s TIO was 2.4 per cent more than the Rs 587.18 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    HT Media’s radio segment (Fever 104 FM) reported a 20.5 per cent increase in operating revenue to Rs 29.34 crore (4.9 per cent of TIO) as compared to the Rs 24.34 crore (4.3 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and 19.7 per cent more than the Rs 24.52 crore (4.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

    (2) The figures mentioned in this report are consolidated figures unless stated otherwise.

     

    The company’s profit after tax (PAT) in Q2-2016 fell 17 per cent to Rs 36.42 crore (6.1 per cent margin) from Rs 43.89 crore (7.8 per cent margin) in the corresponding year ago quarter but was 46 per cent more than the Rs 24.95 crore (4.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    Advertising and Circulation revenue

     

    HT Media’s advertising revenue grew by 6.7 per cent in Q2-2016 to Rs 475.2 crore (78.8 per cent of TIO) from Rs 444.4 crore (79.2 per cent of IO) in Q2-2015 and grew 1.4 per cent from Rs 467.5 crore (79.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    Circulation revenue in the current quarter at Rs 75.4 crore (12.5 per cent of TIO) grew 5.2 per cent as compared to Rs 71.7 crore (16.1 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and increased 3.3 per cent from Rs 72.9 crore (12.4 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Segment-wise performance

     

    Three segments contribute to HT Media’s numbers – (1) Printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals (Publishing) (2) Radio and (3) Digital.

     

    HT Media’s publishing segment reported 5.4 per cent growth in revenue to Rs 538.08 crore (89.4 per cent of TIO) from Rs 510.75 crore (91.1 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter and grew 1.1 per cent from Rs 532.44 crore (90.7 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    The publishing segment reported operating profit of Rs 65.36 crore, which was 2.5 per cent lower than the Rs 67.04 crore in Q2-2015 and 17.6 per cent lower than the Rs 79.29 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    HT Media has four FM radio stations – Fever 104 in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Radio segment revenue numbers have been mentioned above. HT Media’s radio segment reported operating profit of Rs 3.84 crore, which was 42.2 per cent lower than the Rs 6.64 crore in Q2-2015 and 42.5 per cent lower than the Rs 6.68 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    The company’s digital segment reported 36 per cent growth in revenue to Rs 33.91 crore (11 per cent of TIO), which was 36 per cent more than the Rs 24.93 crore (4.4 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter and 11 per cent more than the Rs 30.56 crore (5.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    Digital segment reported higher loss of Rs 18.35 crore in Q2-2016 as compared to the Rs 14.70 crore in Q2-2015, but lower than the loss of Rs 23.88 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    The company reported unallocated losses of Rs 15.40 crore in Q2-2016; loss of Rs 11.90 crore in Q2-2016 and loss of Rs 20.01 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    Company Speak

     

    HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobana Bhartia said, “Our performance this quarter has been satisfactory despite subdued economic activity and tepid markets. Our English publications saw a growth in revenue even after factoring in a base effect, and this was driven by growth in both HT Mumbai and Mint. Hindustan continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and saw high growth rates. We successfully acquired the stations of our choice in the Phase-III FM auctions. The digital business grew in terms of revenue and saw a fall in losses. We are excited by the opportunities on offer, the prospects of our various businesses and are confident of executing on our plans in the coming months.”

  • MSLGroup India names Manish Thirumulpad as head of Bengaluru ops

    MSLGroup India names Manish Thirumulpad as head of Bengaluru ops

    MUMBAI: MSLGroup India has appointed Manish Thirumulpad as vice president and head of its Bengaluru office.

     

    Thirumulpad will oversee business with immediate effect. His role includes the mandate to grow the business, internal capability enhancement and developing thought leadership.

     

    With overall experience of nearly 15 years, he has in-depth knowledge of PR, corporate advisory and media.

     

    MSLGroup India managing director Amit Mishra said, “Bengaluru being the technological, emerging business hub of the country and an important market, our focus is to strengthen group presence by offering best-in-class services. Under the leadership of Manish Thirumulpad, who in the role brings extensive experience in PR and corporate advisory, MSLGroup will be a stronger partner to our clients in Karnataka.”

     

    Thirumulpad added, “With MSLGroup striving to lead the change in the communications industry in India, I am excited about the mandate and hope to take the firm to the next level in Bengaluru and other Southern markets.”

  • FY-15: Prime Focus revenue up 80%; Q4-2015 YoY revenue up 2.4 times

    FY-15: Prime Focus revenue up 80%; Q4-2015 YoY revenue up 2.4 times

    BENGALURU: Prime Focus Limited (PFL) reported 80 per cent revenue growth for the year ending 30 June, 2015 (FY-2015) at Rs 1607.59 crore as compared to the Rs 892.9 crore during the corresponding 4 quarter (12 month period) of the previous year. Last year, the company had reported revenue of Rs 1081.42 crore for the 15 month period ended 30 June, 2014.

    Notes: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million =1 crore

    (2) The company had filed results for a fifteen month period ended 30 June, 2014, hence YoY comparison is being done between Q4-2015 and Q5-2014 and QoQ comparison is between Q4-2015 and  Q3-2015 (quarter ended 31 March, 2015).

    YoY, PFL’s revenue increased by 2.4 times in Q4-2015 at Rs 518.21 crore as compared to the Rs 214.99 crore in Q5-2014.

    AnchorThe company’s yearly and quarterly bottom line has been negatively affected due to significant exceptional costs primarily in relation to previously announced divestiture of PFL PLC and planned restructuring / integration costs in relation to the merger with Double Negative.

    The company reported a net loss of Rs 292.22 crore in FY-2015 and a loss of Rs 213.76 crore in Q4-2015. The company’s simple EBIDTA for FY-2015 at Rs 241.23 crore (15 per cent margin) was 22.6 per cent more than the Rs 196.76 crore (19.1 per cent margin) for the 15 month period ended 30 June, 2014. PFL says in its earnings release that EBIDTA for the 12 month period ended 30 June, 2014 was Rs 179.6 crore.

    EBIDTA for Q4-2015 at Rs 86.17 crore (16.6 per cent margin) was more than five times the Rs 14.29 crore (6.6 per cent margin) in Q5-2014, but declined 18 per cent as compared to the Rs 105.15 crore (25 per cent margin) in the immediate trailing quarter.
     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by PFL:

    Figures A and B below show PFL’s major expense heads. As is obvious, a major expense head for the company is employee benefit expense or EBE.

    PFL’s EBE in Q4-2015 at Rs 263.11 crore (50.8 per cent of TIO) was 13 per cent more the Rs 232.94 crore (64 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2015 and more than double (2.07 times) the Rs 127.11 crore (59.1 per cent of TIO) in Q5-2014.

    Fig B indicates that EBE also shows a linear upward trend in terms of percentage of TIO over the nine quarters starting Q4-2013 until the current quarter Q3-2015. EBE has been the highest in Q4-2015 in terms of absolute rupees, but in terms of percentage of TIO, it was highest in Q3-2015.

    Finance and Interest cost in Q4-2015 at Rs 25.39 crore (4.9 per cent of TIO) was 45.1 per cent more than the Rs 17.50 crore (8.1 per cent of TIO) in Q5-2014 and 78.69 per cent more than the Rs Rs 14.21 crore (3.4 per cent of TIO) Q3-2015.

  • Day 23: Ten cities in FM Phase III inching towards Rs 10 crore mark

    Day 23: Ten cities in FM Phase III inching towards Rs 10 crore mark

    NEW DELHI: Around ten cities that have so far got bids of Rs 6 crore or more are expected to raise the cumulative winnings, going by indications on the twenty-third day in the e-auction for the first batch of FM Phase III cities. The cumulative provisional winning price showed a marginal rise to Rs 1139.3 crore at the end of the 92nd round.

     

    The number of provisional winning channels and cities remained the same as yesterday: 94 channels in 56 cities, but the total bids surpassed the cumulative reserve price by Rs 680.5 crore or 148.3 per cent against the aggregate reserve price of about Rs 459 crore.

     

    The cumulative provisional winning price has thus risen over the total reserve price of the first batch of 135 FM channels in 69 existing cities – Rs 550.18 crore – by Rs 589.2 crore or 107.1 per cent. 

     

    As per Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources, the e-auction will continue as long as bids are received for any of the 135 channels, including the 13 cities for which no bids have come.

     

    The Auction Activity Requirement rose to 100 per cent after the 59th round on 14 August, after being 90 per cent after the 37th round on 7 August.

     

    The winning price has gone up by more than 100 per cent above their respective reserve prices: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nasik, Patna, Pune, Rourkela and Varanasi, which got provisional winning bidders at prices more than double the respective reserve prices. 

     

    A single channel in Bhubaneshwar created a new record by getting the most competitive bidding increment-wise by going up nine times the reserve price.

     

    However, there were still no bids for thirteen cities namely Asansol, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Puducherry, Rajahmundry, Siliguri, Tiruchy, Tirunveli, Tirupati, Tuticorin, Vijaywada and Warangal.

     

    The demand in most cities fell by up to three per cent and by four per cent below the excess demand at the price in the 92nd round in Hyderabad.

     

    The Percentage Price Increment applicable for the Next Clock Round rose to five each in Guwahati, Jodhpur and Varanasi but was just one in Shillong.

     

    Provisional winning price in the top three cities reflected no change: Delhi at Rs 169.16 crore (for just one channel); Mumbai at Rs 122.81 crore (for two channels); and Bengaluru at Rs 109.25 crore.

     

    Kohlapur, which appeared to be the next to enter the Rs 10-crore club remained static for the third day with Rs 9.44 crore though cities like Kanpur, Rajkot, Amritsar and Aurangabad do not seem to be far behind.

     

    Chennai at Rs 53.38 crore, Ahmedabad at Rs 42.68 crore, Pune at Rs 42.03 crore, Jaipur at Rs 28.34 crore, Chandigarh at Rs 19.04 crore, Hyderabad at Rs 18 crore, Patna at Rs 17.89 crore, Cochin at Rs 15.04 crore, Nasik at Rs 14.66 crore and Lucknow at Rs 14 crore remained static.

  • Yahoo! may lay off staff in Bengaluru to scale-down India operations

    Yahoo! may lay off staff in Bengaluru to scale-down India operations

    NEW DELHI: Yahoo is reducing the size of its operations in Bangalore, including possible layoffs. The operations in Bangalore are the largest engineering facilities of the Internet company outside its California headquarters.

     

    The company said, in a statement, that it was consolidating “certain teams into fewer offices” in Bengaluru but it would continue to have a presence there. It is learnt that the move comes more than a week after activist investor Starboard Value LP publicly pressured Yahoo to cut what it referred to as a “bloated” cost structure.

     

    Yahoo, a one-time Internet pioneer, is trying to revive stagnant revenue growth under the leadership of CEO Marissa Mayer, who took over two years ago. According to the sources, Yahoo had roughly 2000 employees in Bengaluru in March 2013.

     

    One of the sources said that at the time, Mayer was considering the option of bringing certain jobs from India back to Sunnyvale, California, to unite more of Yahoo’s product development at the home base.

     

    “As we ensure that Yahoo is on a path of sustainable growth, we’re looking at ways to achieve greater efficiency, collaboration and innovation across our business,” Yahoo’s statement said.

  • India launch of Samsung Galaxy S5 in Bengaluru

    India launch of Samsung Galaxy S5 in Bengaluru

    BENGALURU: Samsung Electronics (Samsung) organised a consumer event in Bengaluru on Thursday on the occasion of Galaxy S5 arrival in India. Ace choreographer, Prasad Bidappa showcased the innovative Galaxy S5 and new Gear series to Samsung customers. Galaxy S5 will be available across India through Samsung’s retail stores and e-commerce sites from 11 April, 2014.

    Samsung says that the Galaxy S5 transforms the smartphone experience blending features that matter most to consumers bringing innovation into day-to-day use. It combines an advanced camera, the fast network connectivity, dedicated fitness tools and enhanced device protection features as consumers stay fit and connected in style.

    The company claims that the Galaxy S5 blends iconic Samsung design with modern trends to appeal to a range of consumer tastes and interests. The Galaxy S5 features a perforated pattern on the back cover creating a modern glam look. Its new sleek, contoured shape comes in an array of vivid colours, including charcoal Black, shimmery White, electric Blue and copper Gold, to complement the style of the individual consumer.

    Capturing and saving precious memories is one of the most important smartphone features today. The new Galaxy S5 offers superior camera functionality, featuring a 16 megapixel camera with an enhanced menu and user interface that allow consumers to effortlessly take, edit and share photos.

    Samsung further claims that the Galaxy S5 offers the world’s fastest autofocus speed up to 0.3 seconds and the advanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) reproduces natural light and color with striking intensity at any occasion. Also, the new Selective Focus feature allows users to focus on a specific area of an object while simultaneously blurring out the background. With this capability, consumers no longer need a special lens kit to create a shallow depth of field (DOF) effect.

    The Galaxy S5 offers the fastest Wi-Fi performance available today, ensuring blazing fast data speeds for unrivaled media consumption and productivity

  • ABAI looks to promote animation with its new programme

    ABAI looks to promote animation with its new programme

    MUMBAI: One of the largest non-profit association in the country, ABAI is introducing a first-of-its-kind educational initiative in Bengaluru city christened as ‘Train the Trainers’ (TTT) and is actively supported by Department of IT, BT, S&T – Government of Karnataka. The program is slated to start on 21 April 2014.

     

    The Government of Karnataka through its KAVGC policy 1.0 is aimed at improving the educational infrastructure of the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) industry. In order to improve the quality of the trainers in the AVGC industry, and thereby improving the overall quality of education imparted, TTT program aspires to bring together national and international trainers to facilitate the training in different modules of various stages of production.

     

    TTT program, chaired by Bhasinsoft CEO and ABAI secretary Ankur Bhasin is envisaged to provide an academically challenging educational experience through effective teaching, research and service, enabling candidates to acquire understanding, knowledge and skills necessary for establishing successful career in teaching and becoming responsible trainers within the animation industry.

     

    “The TTT is an innovation on jump-starting the quality of educational initiative on the digital arts environment. It assesses the pain point of who will impart new media arts learning. It will help plug a major gap in growing a talent that needs tens of thousands of employees over the next three to five years,” said ABAI president & Technicolor India country head Biren Ghose in a press statement.

     

    The candidates who enroll for this program stand to gain not only six months of high-quality training but also a chance to work on live projects in a professional studio environment. This will enable the candidates to learn teaching techniques such as creative teaching methodology, class-room management, and all other aspects of AVGC.

     

    “TTT program, in its initial offering, starts with a concentrated batch of 12 candidates per batch to ensure that there is no dilution in the quality of imparted training. A separate Executive TTT course is also offered for working faculties who prefer weekend classes,” said Bhasin.

     

    He added; “In my studio, Bhasinsoft, and across the industry it is seen that a large amount of good talent comes from tier 2 and tier 3. Hence, TTT is also planned in a way to reward trainers in the program with cash incentive for training in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.”

     

    Institutes stand to benefit that the candidates will be able to bring the exposure and knowledge to impart quality training to students. The teaching methodology, which is a combination of a learner-centred interactive methodology and a project-based teaching, will help bridge the gap between Institute and Industry. A better education quality is bound to improve the students’ placement record, which will further enhance the reputation of Institute.

     

     “Indian AVGC industry is growing at a rapid pace – not only because of larger quantity of Hollywood content being worked on in India but also because of a growing domestic market. The animation, VFX and post production market has grown from Rs 35.3 billion in 2012 to Rs 39.7 billion in 2013 and is expected to add over 40,000 jobs in the coming three to four years. For the growth to sustain and further enhance, it is imperative that the quality of students being trained improves which in turn is a result of the quality of trainers imparting the training. Hence, TTT directly addresses the need of the hour,” emphasised Bhasin.

  • Indian Badminton League to commence from 30 September

    Indian Badminton League to commence from 30 September

    MUMBAI: The second edition of the Indian Badminton League (IBL) will be held from 30 September to 15 October, the IBL Governing Council said on Monday as reported by PTI.

     

    The governing council has decided to allow franchisees to increase the team strength from 11 in the first year to 13 players. Each franchisee can pick two more players – Indian or foreign – which will further intensify the competition.

     

    “Badminton competition at the 2014 Asian Games gets over on the 29th of September, 2014. Players can directly fly-in from Incheon for the league,” said the Badminton Association of India president and IBL Governing Council chairman, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta.

     

    “Last year, too, players had reached Delhi directly from Guangzhou, China, after taking part in the World Badminton Championships. This period ensures us the right opportunity to have world’s best players for the IBL, which already has created a buzz the world over,” he added.

     

    Dr Das Gupta, who is also a member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) executive council and a vice-president at the Badminton Asia Confederation, said: “BWF is very impressed with the IBL and want to know more about it. They consider India a very important country and what can get bigger than the fact that the BWF Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held here during the Thomas and Uber Cup.”

     

    The first edition of the IBL, held between 14 and 31 August, 2013, was won by PVP Ventures-owned Hyderabad Hotshots. The team captain Saina Nehwal had remained unconquered in all the seven matches on her way to the title triumph.

     

    “Following the success of the inaugural IBL, many top players are already approaching us for this year’s event. To ensure that world’s best are available for IBL 2014, the IBL Governing Council has decided to make the most of this window,” said Sporty Solutionz chief exectuive, Ashish Chadha.

     

    The league will be played in six Indian cities – Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.