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Tag: BFSI

  • Publicis & Facebook to host forum for financial services brands

    Publicis & Facebook to host forum for financial services brands

    MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe and Facebook have come together to host an event that addresses brands in the banking, financial services and insurance categories (BFSI).

     

    The event named, ‘Financial Services Forum,’ will address the key trends in the industry, share consumer insights, challenges and solutions, case studies and recent progress in the measurement area. 

     

    The event will be held on 4 November, 2015 at the Trident, Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

     

    Zenith Optimedia Group chief executive officer Anupriya Acharya said, “These are exciting times for both the BFSI sector and digital media! The Indian government’s push on added licenses for banking to promote financial inclusion and the call for a Digital India provides the perfect setting for a forum like this. Our digital marketing brands have an extensive experience in the BFSI segment and have in fact made much progress on even testing out how platforms like Facebook can make a difference to this segment, which has not been very intuitive so far. I keenly look forward to some interesting learnings being shared at this forum.”

     

    “The Financial Services Sector in India was amongst the first industries to adopt digital. The consumer’s shift from desktop to mobile requires a paradigm shift. This forum is the coming together of experts from across the spectrum – marketers, media and creative agencies, technology partners, and publishers – to leverage the power of personalised marketing at scale to drive awareness of new and existing services, grow businesses and deliver extraordinary customer service for banks, insurers, credit card issuers or any other part of the financial services ecosystem,” added Facebook India managing director Kirthiga Reddy.

     

    Starcom MediaVest Group chairman Hanley King said, “Driving real world business and marketing deliverables today has to be driven by large and complex consumer data sets. Facebook is at helm of this form of marketing. We have been able to leverage its user data and its ability to customise marketing efforts through custom audiences and website integration to drive tangible sales uplift and build deeper consumer relationships to improve lifetime value of customers. The direction that we are seeing Facebook taking by introducing audience data based solutions such as Atlas is inline and core to our principle of driving precision marketing at scale. We hope through this event we help our clients in the BFSI space to move further down the path of precision marketing and get excited about the possibilities the platform has to offer.”

  • DTH, an innovative platform for advertisers: Matrix Publicities & Media

    DTH, an innovative platform for advertisers: Matrix Publicities & Media

    MUMBAI: It has been a stupendous growth story. Contrary to popular trade perception the DTH advertising growth story has only ended up surprising all.

     

    With approximately 65 to 68 million households across India and about 55 per cent of the C&S base in the country, this is one of the primary reason why a lot of advertisers are looking to engage customers on the medium. 

     

    What began with a low scale, low noise start with barely two to three advertisers three years ago, has grown more than 10 times in a very short span, says Matrix Publicities & Media India, a WPP company, which has been at the forefront of this revolutionary advertising blitzkrieg. 

     

    There are in all six DTH operators, who operate out of the paid DTH subscriber sphere, whilst planning, the agencies need to keep in mind the fact that DTH as a medium is a frequency builder and should necessarily be used to ensure incremental reach.  Like television, DTH reaches out to all SEC and demographic profiles, unlike otherwise perceived.  There are various options within the medium, however, to delivery impact too and on a case to case basis the medium allows innovations, albeit at a very competitive outlay.

     

    As a media sales aggregator for all the DTH operators to GroupM & non-GroupM clients and agencies, Matrix has been able to bridge the gap between the science, art and commerce for sales on this new age media platform. 

     

    The agency feels that the platform acts as a gatekeeper to the TV viewing audience and they are exposed to the DTH visuals prior to the TV channels.  Additionally, TV also faces a lot of clutter with regard to the various genres available for viewing.  With the 10+2 ad cap in place, in principle, with most channels, getting inventories across is also an issue.  All the factors put together have ensured that this medium has turned into a ‘pull’ medium from the erstwhile ‘push’ medium. 

     

    Hence, the company has not stopped at just mere vanilla sales as this is a philosophy that does not appeal to its business head Sparsh Ganguli, who has been at the forefront of this business since its inception three years ago.

     

    With this idea in mind, the advertisers have been divided into broad categories and an in-depth analysis has revealed a lot about the spending patterns of all advertisers on this medium.  Needless to say the research not only takes into consideration the brand spent from the GroupM set of clients but even some part of the non-Group M clients to help present a more clear and fair picture.  The efficacy of the study can be gauged from the fact that the entire categories can be bifurcated month wise and the spend patterns can be highlighted for future strategic pitches.

     

    The broad categories that have been the top spenders across this medium are: automobiles (two and four wheelers), FMCG, F&B, BFSI, e-commerce, watches and jewellery.

     

    A FMCG media planner says, “The DTH platform has been influential in targeting the housewives through sustained awareness campaigns during afternoon hours and worked phenomenally well for our client’s brands.  That’s the very reason why they look to optimise spends on these platforms.” 

     

    The ad rates are in sync with the growth of the medium.  The rates range from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,00,000 depending on the options that are availed, highlights the agency.

     

    Ganguli, however, feels that there is still a lot of ground to be covered from the advertiser’s front.  He feels that technologically the platform is evolving in a positive manner that is both beneficial to the viewer as well as for the advertiser.  According to him, “The next revolutionary way of reaching out to the viewing household is on the spliced beam format which allows the advertiser to geo-target their consumers.  This has in turn made it possible for the brands to reach out and give a customised pre-buying experience, thus resulting into more reach and effective frequency for the brand campaign.” 

     

    He adds, “DTH has shown tremendous growth but I still feel clients can do a lot more, as of now we have been able to break new grounds by providing upgraded technology and this helps the clients and new clients to optimise the medium for every campaign as innovation is the way ahead.” 

     

     

  • GroupM revises Ad Spend growth to 12.5% from earlier 11.6%

    GroupM revises Ad Spend growth to 12.5% from earlier 11.6%

    MUMBAI: GroupM revised their annual estimated advertising expenditure (AdEx) for 2014 from 11.6 per cent to 12.5 per cent released earlier this year. The AdEx revision is part of the global report called the ‘This Year, Next Year’ 2014.

     

    Speaking about the various sectors contributing to the revised growth, GroupM South Asia CEO CVL Srinivas said, “After a cautious start to the year, the overall sentiment in the country is positive following the general elections and a new stable government. One of the sectors that is adding to the growth story in India is retail. Specifically e-Commerce players that are investing heavily in above the line advertising along with digital media. Industries like FMCG, Auto, telecom and BFSI are expected to increase spends given competitive pressures and clear policies.”

     

    While, digital media continues to show the maximum growth with 35 per cent, television spending is set to grow to 14.8 per cent as against the previously predicted 12 per cent. In print, as government spending and retail will continue to increase spending, regional publications and local advertisers are projected to lead the growth for dailies.

     

    ‘This Year, Next Year’, is part of GroupM’s media and marketing forecasting series drawn from data supplied by holding company WPP’s worldwide resources in advertising, public relations, market research, and specialist communications.

     

    GroupM globally also released their revised estimate India, Brazil and Russia remain among the faster-growing ad markets.

  • Famebox Networks appoints Ignitee as digital agency partner

    Famebox Networks appoints Ignitee as digital agency partner

    MUMBAI: Video consumption in the country has been on an exponential growth, giving rise to a growing demand for original digital content. India has approximately 50 million online video viewers and one billion unique YouTube users each month.

     

    FameBox, a multi-channel talent platform for digital media, has appointed Ignitee Digital Services to manage its entire digital mandate and engagement across various digital platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

     

    FameBox aims to create an active and engaged online community by promoting established and emerging talent to create innovative and original digital content. As FameBox’s digital marketing partner, Ignitee will help in conceptualising and executing social media campaigns to increase the level of consumer engagement across FameBox’s digital initiatives and properties. Ignitee will also be responsible for the digital media planning and buying as well as managing the FameBox website and microsites.

     

    “India is now witnessing a growing amount of ‘made for web’ content which is capturing the audience’s imagination.  We are seeing webstars emerge and this trend is going to grow rapidly in the coming 12-18 months. At FameBox, we build digital video led communities for established and emerging talent as well as grow the ecosystem around original digital content,” explained FameBox business head Dhruvank Vaidya. “To emerge as a true web-entertainer, it is important to have the right balance of great content, engaging style and an eye for monetisation opportunities. Creating awareness, educating and promoting original web content will require a concerted and integrated effort. And, that is where we see Ignitee adding value to FameBox’s proposition.”

     

    FameBox currently manages a network of channels on YouTube across genres including entertainment, fashion, travel, food, comedy, health and wellness, lifestyle, and technology.  In addition to producing ‘made for web’ content, FameBox is also creating online reality show formats like FameBox WebChef, India’s first online hunt for the best amateur cook. Every quarter will see a new show in a different genre.

     

    Ignitee Digital CEO Atul Hegde said, “With the tremendous surge in digital video consumption in India, there has been an increase in the creation of original content on the web in line with the global trend. This is the ideal time for brands to capitalise on this opportunity, develop channels across genres and create customised content that will connect with the consumers.  Ignitee is thrilled to partner with FameBox and will play an integral role in creating some path breaking content for them. We have started off with a bang with WebChef. You will see some more such marquee content for FameBox in the months ahead.”

     

    Ignitee Digital has an array of renowned clients across sectors – Lifestyle, Entertainment, Corporate, BFSI, and Travel & Tourism and is now aggressively focussing on growing the business across industries in India.

  • TO THE NEW partners with Sokrati to enhance and expand digital advertising services

    TO THE NEW partners with Sokrati to enhance and expand digital advertising services

    MUMBAI: TO THE NEW, Asia’s leading integrated digital services network, today announced a strategic partnership with Sokrati, a popular ad technology and analytics company. The strategic partnership will allow TO THE NEW to expand its service capabilities in the digital advertising space and enhance offerings in social media marketing and mobile advertising.

     

    Using the Sokrati platform, TO THE NEW will be able to integrate best in class ad solutions across search, social, display & real-time bidding into service delivery for clients. The partnership will also enable Sokrati to leverage TO THE NEW’s network in India, Middle East & South East Asian markets.

     

    According to the IAMAI and IMRB Report 2013, in FY 2012-13, out of the total online ad spend which contributes to 2,260 crore, majority of the ad spends went to search (38%) followed by display (29%) and social media (17%). The report further states that the Indian online advertising market is projected to reach INR 2,938 crore by March 2014.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Puneet Johar, Managing Director, TO THE NEW said, “As brands increasingly rely on online media to acquire social and mobile first consumers, our association with Sokrati will broaden our multi-channel performance marketing capabilities. This along with our own analytics, content and technology platforms will enable us to deliver an integrated digital solution to clients.”

     

    TO THE NEW will leverage Sokrati’s expertise in the field of performance driven marketing which plays a crucial role in the sustenance of any organization. With its proprietary technology and solutions, Sokrati will help expand the network’s footprint on paid search, provide contextual and audience targeting on display advertising, drive loyal app-installs with mobile marketing and also help increase conversions and branding with personalized remarketing.

     

    “We are extremely excited to partner with TO THE NEW and their pan-Asia network. Every day, more advertisers across Asia are embracing digital as an integral part of their marketing strategy. We are confident that Sokrati’s customer-centric marketing solutions will help these advertisers expand their brand reach across all digital channels while keeping profitability and end users squarely in focus,” said Mr Ashish Mehta; Co-Founder & CEO, Sokrati.

     

    Through its business units – Ignitee Digital, IntelliGrape Software, Tangerine Digital, Techsailor and ThoughtBuzz, TO THE NEW offers expertise in digital marketing, content, technology, analytics and social media analytics. TO THE NEW collectively manages the mandate for more than 120 clients across Asia, in diverse sectors like BFSI, Automobiles, E-commerce, FMCG, Retail, Sports, Hospitality and Media & Entertainment.

  • Avian Media launches new financial vertical

    Avian Media launches new financial vertical

    MUMBAI: Avian Media, a specialist communications consultancy, has launched a specialised financial communications practice.

    Dedicated to supporting the investor relations and public relations needs of financial services companies, the company has appointed Mehul Mehta as the group business director to head the vertical.

    On the new vertical, Avian Media, CEO and business partner Nitin Mantri said, ‘The setting up of a dedicated financial communications practice is a logical and strategic next step for us. The new initiative leverages Avian Media‘s expertise and experience, including deep and varied industry knowledge, to offer clients innovative and result-oriented strategic communications campaigns. We are delighted to welcome Mehul on board to spearhead this exciting new vertical. His extensive experience in the IR and BFSI sector coupled with our experience in corporate PR, ideally positions this practice for growth and success.”

    A chartered accountant by qualification, Mehul has over 16 years of professional experience. He started his career as an equity research analyst with KenSource Information Services, after which he set up a company to deal with perception mapping for the Investor Community. Before joining Avian Media, Mehul was the Director at a research agency focusing on ‘Investor behaviour’.

    Commenting on his appointment, Mehta, said, “I look forward to developing and growing Avian Media’s financial services offering.The BFSI company’s need fresh thinking and strategic counselling while communicating with different set of stakeholders. Building on from Avian Media’s extensive expertise across various sectors, through this new offering, we hope to bring clients, deep insights and result-oriented financial communications campaigns.”

  • Concept PR forays into CSR consultancy

    Concept PR forays into CSR consultancy

    MUMBAI August 20 2013: In a first in India's Public Relation consultancy business, Concept PR has announced the launch of its CSR wing called Concept Community Relations (CR).

    “With the new Companies Act making it mandatory for corporates to make CSR spend of at least 2% of their net profits, we expect that the community and social development landscape to witness a sea change. This also offers a huge opportunity for corporates to give back to the society,” Mr. Vivek Suchanti, Chairman and Managing Director of Concept Group, said:

    Said Mr. B N Kumar, Executive Director of Concept PR who heads Concept CR initiative: “We have been advising companies on the need to concentrate on CSR as part of their social obligation rather than looking at it as a tax saver. We are now initiating an entire new division which will advise clients with a 360-degree approach on CSR.”

    Concept CR will not only rope in select NGOs after a careful scrutiny, but also work on creative and unique ways of making the CSR spend meaningful. “BNK’s team, with their vast experience can identify the right CSR project or even customize it to suit a particular company’s business,” Mr. Suchanti explained.

    Apart from CSR, the bouquet of consultancy services that Concept PR offers include: Corporate Communication, Media Relations, Investor relations, Crisis Management, Media Training, Capital Market practices, Internal Communication, Sports and Event Communication, Brand and Image Building, Roadshows and the new age Online Reputation Management and Social Media.

    As per the new Companies Bill that has received Parliament’s seal of approval, Section 135 stipulates: “Every company having net worth of rupees five hundred crore or more, or turnover of rupees one thousand crore or more or a net profit of rupees five crore or more during any financial year shall constitute a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the Board consisting of three or more directors, out of which at least one director shall be an independent director.”

    The CSR Committee will also have to formulate policy and monitor the implementation and report back to the Board of Directors.

    “The Board ….shall ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least two per cent of the average net profits of the company made during the three immediately preceding financial years, in pursuance of its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy,” the Bill says.
    The Act also stipulates that companies will have to give priority to local areas where they operate from, which makes it imperative for them to focus on local needs. The Act, thus, seeks to ensure an all round development of the geographies around a corporate entity.

    Over the past decade or so, Concept PR has grown into a pan-India consultancy with ten offices and 40 associates understanding the local centric communication needs – be it linguistic or cultural. “Since we understand the local soil and the social pulse, we are better equipped to design and execute need-based and unique CSR projects,” said Mr. Kumar.

    Under its service offerings, Concept CR will Ideate with client’s CSR teams to Identify, Initiate, Implement and Impact Check of the projects, apart from Image Building.

    Since the Boards of Directors are accountable for every rupee that is spent, CSR activities may have to form part of the annual reports, much like the section on Corporate Governance. In the new, emerging transparency regime CSR spend will be most visible investment and the impact will therefore play a major role in a Company’s image, Mr Suchanti explained.

    Formulating a CSR policy that fits into a particular company’s scheme of things will be a big challenge as the Companies Bill that has been passed by both the houses of Parliament and will shortly become an Act since the Presidential assent is imminent.

    Concept PR is a leading PR and IR consultancy in the country with major clients spanning sectors like BFSI, infrastructure, real estate, power, aviation, transport, education, retail, tourism, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, textiles, gen and jewelry, health care amongst others. The agency is in a unique position to understand a corporate’s needs, mission and vision and above all the responsibilities of a Corporate Citizen.

    “This is not going to be just another spend or a matter of routine communication exercise. Companies will have to take it very seriously and we are happy that we have geared up to meet the new challenge,” Mr. Kumar added.

  • iProspectCommunicate2 picks Sayan Banerjee as VP – biz development

    Mumbai: iProspectCommunicate 2, a search and digital consulting agency, has appointed Sayan Banerjee as VP – business development, key client relationships, digital consulting for BFSI and other core verticals.

    Banerjee will also drive client engagement, planning and revenues for iProspectCommunicate 2.

    iProspectCommunicate2 managing director Vivek Bhargava said, “We intend to drive our leadership in digital consulting with this appointment. Sayan comes in with rich client end experience and as such is best suited to understand marketing rationale from a client perspective and provide digital solutions to such marketing opportunities.”

    Banerjee added, “I am looking forward to this opportunity, as it will help me drive digital success stories across a diverse set of clients and target audiences.”

    Banerjee comes in with over 11 years of work experience spanning across Digital Marketing, Strategic Planning and Product Management in Banking, Media and IT. Prior to joining iProspectCommunicate2, he has also worked with HSBC India, BCCL and Newscorp India.