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Tag: Big FM

  • Hungama Artist Aloud launches app with Big FM India & Vimal

    Hungama Artist Aloud launches app with Big FM India & Vimal

    Mumbai: Hungama Artist Aloud, a platform that supports and promotes independent artists and content has partnered with Big FM India, alongside Vimal Bolo Zubaan Kesari as a special partner, to launch the Hungama Artist Aloud app. The app has been developed by D’Cafe.

    Spanning over 40 languages and 50+ genres such as pop, rock, hip hop, folk, indie, EDM, ghazal in music and multi-regional comedy talent, this hub for all independent artists across original content art forms will be available on Android and iOS and Hungama Artist Aloud Web.

    Right from its inception, Hungama Artist Aloud has endeavoured to present a platform for independent artists to showcase their talent and reach out to a wider base of listeners spread across the nation. With the genre’s popularity rising as independent artists carve their niche and fandom, the app, via the ‘Go Live’ feature will provide them with a democratic approach to perform live events anywhere, anytime and earn revenue, said the statement.

    “Right from the start, Hungama Artist Aloud has envisioned creating a tech-backed community for independent artists and their music to thrive. The idea behind the launch of the app is to promote independent talent globally, and to help them reach out to a diverse audience,” said Hungama Artist Aloud SVP Soumini Sridhara Paul. “Independent content has been on the rise and we are thrilled to present these talented artists with a platform that takes them to further heights. We are glad to take our vision forward alongside like-minded partners such as BIG FM India, Vimal – Bolo Zubaan Kesari, and the app developers, D’café. We thank them for their support as we look to create a wider fan base for independent content and the artists by leveraging their expansive reach and network.”

    With a view to fostering the relationship between artists and their fans, the ‘S2A’ (Subscribe to Artist) feature will allow users to buy a subscription to their favourite artist. In addition to receiving early access to content, these users will be the first to know, via notifications, when the artist whom they’ve subscribed to has uploaded new content. They will also receive one free live event pass that can be used anytime for any live event, within one month of the subscription.

    Apart from a platform to perform live and earn revenue, the Hungama Artist Aloud app will also aid independent artists with a host of marketing services.

    “Today, listeners are spread across platforms. Starting their day with radio, they subsequently move to other streaming platforms throughout the day. In such times, being ubiquitous is the need of the hour and we at Big FM, keep our listeners as the top priority,” remarked Big FM chief brand and digital officer Sunil Kumaran. “Our partnership with Hungama Artist Aloud is to expand our wings and venture into different avenues for our listeners and stakeholders. Through the new app, we will have a multi-format digital presence which empowers our listener base across 58 stations to engage with BIG FM in another fresh manner.”

    “It’s always fun to collaborate with a dedicated team. Hungama Artist Aloud made the experience all the more thrilling by being open to innovation. Being their technology partner has been an interesting journey for us. It has been a wonderful creative exchange that has fuelled our curiosity. We look forward to pursuing this partnership in the long run,” added D’café CEO Vineet Dhawan.

  • Big FM onboards as official radio partners of Rajasthan Royals

    Big FM onboards as official radio partners of Rajasthan Royals

    New Delhi: It's that time of the year again, which cricket fans have been waiting for with bated breath. The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is here and the excitement is palpable. Radio channel Big FM has partnered with the IPL team Rajasthan Royals for the second consecutive year as its official radio partner.

    The second wave of Covid2019 cases continues to pose a challenge and once again, all the matches will be played in empty stadiums, with no enthusiastic fans to cheer their favourite teams. Big FM has announced that it intends to broadcast the stadium experience and ensure that fans can enjoy the revelry from the comforts of their home.

    As a part of the association, Big FM will become Radio Stadium for an hour every day, serving exclusive trivia, conducting exciting contests and quizzes, and hosting an expert panel that will speak on the team and players, and give royal updates on pre or post matches of the Rajasthan Royals team.

    The radio network will also give a chance to their listeners to come up with a ‘royal chant’ for team RR. Listeners will be asked to describe each Rajasthan Royal player in a word. Shortlisting 11 words that best describe each player, Big FM will compose a royal chant using them as core lyrics. The chant will be played on the radio network during each match of the team.

    Big FM country head product – marketing & THWINK BIG Sunil Kumaran said, “This year, the celebrations are a little different, with fans gearing up to enjoy the matches from their homes. However, we don't want them to miss out on the frenzy, and hence through our campaign, we are presenting a multi-platform immersive and engaging experience that will take the excitement and the entertainment quotient a notch higher.”

    The association will allow fans to know more about their favourite RR team players, inside trivia, anecdotes, and fun stories with the Royal Camp, through smart speakers and Android phones. Players will be asked to share stories about teammates, which will be available on the smart assistant in an exclusive format. Big FM will also curate special playlists for some of the top players of the team that match their on-field persona. These playlists will be available on music streaming platforms as the Royal Playlist.

    Rajasthan Royals COO Jake Lush McCrum said, “Our fans mean everything to us. With no fans in the stadium, we need to find different ways to bring them as close to the action as possible. Through this partnership with Big FM, we are excited to bring our fans the joy, excitement, anticipation, and entertainment of IPL from the comfort of their homes.”

  • Pawan Sharma joins News18 Network after Disney India stint

    Pawan Sharma joins News18 Network after Disney India stint

    NEW DELHI: News18 Network has appointed Pawan Sharma as the sales head, focus, Hindi and language cluster. In his new role, Sharma will be responsible for unlocking potential for the network’s focus segment in the general news category.

    Prior to joining News18 Network, Sharma has been associated with top media brands such as Disney, Star and Big FM. In his last stint, he was the national sales head, display & branded content for Disney India-owned Bindass channel.

    With his vast sales experience across top media brands, Sharma will draw on his expertise to develop new services and effective brand solutions. He will report into Hindi news cluster CEO Mayank Jain and languages CEO Karan Abhishek Singh.

    With tremendous engagement in the past few months, the television news segment is poised for the next phase of growth. As News18 Network’s viewership continues to grow, it has conceptualised, developed and executed pioneering projects such as Young Genius, Jai Hind Samman, and Musicathon. With Pawan spearheading the innovative branded content and IPs along with high-performance solutions for advertisers and partners, the network will continue to further invest in developing the segment.

  • BIG FM, mcgarrybowen India launch #PrideFromHomeByBigFM

    BIG FM, mcgarrybowen India launch #PrideFromHomeByBigFM

    NEW DELHI: BIG FM, one of India's largest radio networks, together with mcgarrybowen India, the creative agency from the house of Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN), has taken its philosophy ‘Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho’ a step further in its latest campaign, #PrideFromHomeByBigFM.  

    The pride march represents something precious, especially for those who had been shunned, shamed and even jailed for years. The idea behind the rally is to promote the right to live with pride and dignity against oppressive laws and stifling societal values. Every year, millions of courageous people come out on the streets and express who they are. They walk holding hands, kiss who they love, and hope that the world will see them differently. 

    But 2020 changed it all. The Covid2019 induced global pandemic that enforced a strict national directive that everyone follows physical distancing has led people to stop expressing themselves at public gatherings including the pride march. Therefore, BIG FM, in association with mcgarrybowen India, decided to encourage everyone to be part of the Pride parade without leaving their homes and showing support by hoisting an unusual flag from the safety of their homes. 

    People were asked to do what they do every day – put their clothes to dry but with a twist. This time, they had to show their support by arranging them in a manner that creates the pride flag. They were further asked to take a picture of the same and upload it using the hashtag, #PrideFromHomeByBigFM. Various RJs from Big FM along with many LGBTQ community activists, friends and followers, came together to show support. From social media promotions, reminding people about this unique initiative, to mentions by RJs on-air, they encouraged more and more people to do this simple act that needs no effort.

    Commenting on the campaign, a BIG FM spokesperson said, “We at BIG FM have always focused on driving forward a sense of purpose and outcome in all our campaigns and initiatives. Since it was the pride month, we wanted to bring the celebrations home to the millions who revel in these rallies. During this time, by bringing the community together in a unique manner by ensuring social distancing, we, as a network, continue to be one of their biggest supporters.”

    mcgarrybowen India  national creative director Aalap Desai added, “The lockdown has changed the way people behave and has challenged the creative team to think harder and asymmetrically about creative solutions. While there are many powerful insights that can be tapped into, we needed to think of many creative ways to put them into action. Creating a Pride flag using your laundry was, for us, a stroke of ingenuity.”

  • BIG FM and HDFC ERGO General Insurance launch ‘ High Beam – Not OK Please’ campaign

    BIG FM and HDFC ERGO General Insurance launch ‘ High Beam – Not OK Please’ campaign

    MUMBAI: BIG FM, one of the largest radio networks in the country, in association with HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector, today announced the kick start of the ‘High Beam – Not OK Please’ campaign. As the flag-bearers of change, the brands have highlighted an issue of the excessive usage of High Beam while driving, which is a huge threat to human lives, becoming the cause of many road accidents in the country.

    As per the data published by the ministry of road, transport, and highways, 74 per cent of the vehicles use blinding headlights on highways which are one of the major causes of road accidents. When it comes to road crash deaths, as per the 2017 report, Chennai, Delhi, and Bangalore are the top three cities that witnessed maximum accidents while Mumbai is placed on No 7. This is an alarming situation and the campaign tries to sensitize everyone to use High Beam in the right way.

    With an endeavor to bring a positive, the radio network and HDFC ERGO General Insurance have brought forth the fact that High Beams are the cause of many road accidents in the country. As a part of the campaign, BIG FM RJs will initiate conversations by highlighting and engaging with listeners on the causes of increasing road accidents. Further, with highways being the most affected and to personalize the messaging for the listeners, BIG FM will also install photo booths across prominent dhabas across highways in various cities. As soon as the person is ready to get clicked, a bright light will flash on their face while the camera captures the image. This social experiment will mirror the jarring effect of the high beam from the opposite direction on a person’s vision.

    Speaking on the campaign, BIG FM  spokesperson said, “When we hear the term road accident, we associate it with various reasons like speed, drunk driving, mobile phone usage, etc. But, we hardly think that the use of a high beam can cause accidents too. Through this campaign, we want to change this notion and highlight how this issue is turning out to be one of the key reasons for accidents. We, as a responsible brand, have always tried to inspire the masses to take a relook at situations and imbibe a sense of accountability. We appreciate HDFC ERGO General Insurance for coming forward in support of our campaign and driving this message through their platform as well.”  

    HDFC ERGO General Insurance shared services and online business president Mehmood Mansoori said, “We are glad to be associated with BIG FM for the campaign which is the need of the hour, to create awareness on the misuse of High Beam on the roads of our country. Knowingly or unknowingly, we tend to make the mistake of using high beam while driving without thinking of its effects on the driver of a vehicle coming from the opposite end. Through this campaign, we aim to help people understand the hazards of using a high beam.”

    In its next phases, BIG FM RJs will engage with listeners to understand their perspective and also speak to local authorities like – RTO, traffic management, driving experts and eye specialists for an in-depth idea on high beam and its harsh effects, if not used correctly. This awareness will be further spread across BIG FM’s vast networks. ‘#HighBeam – Use it Right’ will be a 360-degree campaign which will run across various platforms including On-air, RJ mentions, buzz on digital, on-ground activations for direct interaction with listeners, etc.

  • BIG FM, Dentsu Webchutney’s ‘BIG Mahalaya’ Campaign gets Social Media talking this Durga Puja

    BIG FM, Dentsu Webchutney’s ‘BIG Mahalaya’ Campaign gets Social Media talking this Durga Puja

    MUMBAI: For 87 years, Bengalis all over India have been tuning into Mahisasur Mardini – a radio program in the voice of the legend, Birendra Krishna Bhadra. And with this, for 87 years, Bengalis have been waking up to Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s Mahalaya – a chant that summons the beginning of Durga Puja and is sung in praise of the Goddess.

    This tradition has continued for decades and many artists have attempted to create a new rendition of this classic. Yet, it was only during this Durga Puja that people, for the first time in decades, experienced and listened to the ever-mandatory Mahalaya like never before – a Mahalaya that was not only different in style but also different in ‘Dhun’ (tune).

    Directed and recited by Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta, many influential artists such as Srabani Sen, Rupankar Bagchi, Manomay Bhattacharya, Rishi-Tirtha and Sidhu Ray came on board to contribute their voice for the BIG Mahalaya. This new Mahalaya was aired on Big FM at 4 AM on September 28. The program resonated with the devotees as it ushered a wave of transformed devotion for the Goddess through the voice of a powerful united energy.

    The campaign, conceptualized by Dentsu Webchutney in collaboration with BIG FM, was an attempt to gift Kolkata a new version of their beloved Mahalaya with the intent to encourage inclusiveness. The idea wasn’t to strike a comparison with the masterpiece but to create a rendition which would allow Big FM to put forward an approach with equal opportunities for men and women alike. Consequently, the aim was not to change an 87-year-old tradition but to start a new one.

    The campaign garnered a lot of positive response right from its pre-launch phase. While people did not know what was going to happen exactly on the day of the Mahalaya, the thought of something new got them interested. People took it in the right stride and motivated the brand via their comments and congratulations in the comments section.

    Social media, especially Twitter, was abuzz with conversations about the new Mahalaya narration on September 28 with a lot of famous names talking about the initiative. The video on Facebook too received massive views and reached 500,000 people in a matter of 12 hours of the on-air narration of the BIG Mahalaya, reinforcing the fact that people liked the new ‘Dhun’. Around 10 lakh listeners tuned in to Big FM from Kolkata to listen to the new Mahalaya and it was aired in 19 cities, across India.

    Aalap Desai, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Webchutney said, “For 87 years, Bengalis all over the world have been following the iconic Mahalaya program created by the Birendra Krishna Bhadra, which narrates the story and praises the goddess Durga. This year, keeping in line with BIG FM's positioning, we thought of creating a modern-day rendition of this iconic piece but with a powerful message. #BIGMahalaya's concept revolves around adapting progressive thoughts and inclusion, resulting in a new outlook of equal opportunities. The idea was simple and needed a lot of people to come together to make it happen and today we are proud of what we have achieved.”

    Speaking about the association, Sunil Kumaran, Country Head – Product, Marketing & THWINK BIG, BIG FM said, “Over the years, women have refrained from being a part of many traditions due to pre-set mandates. But with changing times, one can see how our thoughts are progressing and becoming more and more inclusive. Backed by our aim to create thought changing content which breaks stereotypes, BIG Mahalaya is our attempt to pack the message of inclusiveness and create a modern-day version of this age-old tradition. The original piece is iconic and cannot be replaced, but our 40 min rendition is an attempt at progressing towards a more inclusive and equal approach. We are extremely proud of this initiative which will create an impact in the society.”

  • BIG FM partners with Bengaluru Airport & ITC for plastic beku campaign

    BIG FM partners with Bengaluru Airport & ITC for plastic beku campaign

    MUMBAI: 92.7 BIG FM, one of India’s largest radio networks, joins hands with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) – operator of the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) and FMCG major ITC’s Foods Division for their initiative- #PlasticBeku, which is encouraging the citizens of Bengaluru to give their plastic waste to build roads within the BLR Airport campus.

    The Initiative aims at ‘REDUCE, RECYCLE AND REUSE’ of plastic and is a step towards a better world. In its first phase, #PlasticBeku will be undertaken at three BIAL-adopted schools and five panchayats of Devanahalli Taluk. This will be extended to 20 more schools across Bengaluru, where students and teachers, who can make a meaningful contribution to reducing plastic waste, will be encouraged to give their household waste plastic to BLR Airport. KK Plastic Waste Management, the agency that has the technology to mix waste plastic with bitumen, will carry out collection on an ongoing basis. BIAL will use the plastic waste collected through this drive to pave its internal roads.

    Further to amplify the initiative, BIG FM will be taking a 360-degree spin, driving on-air and on-ground urging the citizens of Bengaluru to donate plastic as BIAL, over a period of time, would need several hundred tonnes of waste plastic to pave roads within the campus. BIG will also raise awareness of how they could recycle, replace and reuse plastic and could help reduce the rising pollution levels and make the city clean and green.

    Mr. Sunil Kumaran, Country Head – Product, Marketing & THWINK BIG, BIG FM, said: “As a brand with a philosophy of ‘Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho’, BIG FM aims to provide entertainment with a purpose and consistently delivers out-of-the-box initiatives each time. Plastic has been a useful commodity, but the problem lies with its effective disposal, which has been causing damage to the environment. As a brand, we encourage listeners to think from a different perspective, and the idea of converting waste plastic into useful roads instead of banning plastic usage synchronizes beautifully with our philosophy. This will help in bringing about a positive change in the society. All the Bengaluru station radio jockeys including RJ Pradeepa, RJ Shruti, RJ Rashmi, RJ Divyashree, RJ Rohit and RJ Vicky will be actively driving this initiative throughout their shows. We are excited to be working together with BIAL and ITC in this initiative.”

    Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Tom Shimmin, Chief Project Officer, BIAL, said, "As an Airport, we generate a large quantum of waste each day. BIAL has been ahead of the curve in managing this waste, including plastic, in a responsible manner. Eliminating irresponsible use of plastic is just one amongst our many sustainable initiatives. Building strong and durable roads with waste plastic is an easier and more ecologically-efficient way to dispose plastic waste that is otherwise scattered all over. We have always believed that BIAL must lead the way and be a role model for sustainable development. The #PlasticBeku movement is one initiative that we believe can change the world."

    Commenting on this endeavour, Ms Kavita Chaturvedi, Chief Operating Officer, Snacks Business at ITC Ltd, shared “Sunfeast YiPPee! is committed to creating a clean and green environment by spreading awareness about source segregation and recycling of dry waste. In alignment with our brand ethos of ‘A Better World’, Sunfeast Yippee! is delighted to partner with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and contribute to the development of a road using recycled plastic. We urge the citizens of Bengaluru to come forward and support this cause to create a better and secure future.”

    In a bid to raise awareness about the waste segregation at the source itself, the campaign aims to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable environment. The initiative is a step towards an eco-friendlier world. This campaign integrates BIG FM’s brand philosophy, ‘change starts with you’, and Sunfeast YiPPee!’s initiative ‘A Better World’ which aims to tackle the environmental challenge.

  • Taproot Dentsu bags advertising mandate for Big FM

    Taproot Dentsu bags advertising mandate for Big FM

    MUMBAI: Taproot Dentsu, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network, has acquired advertising duties for 92.7 Big FM India, one of India’s largest radio networks, following a multi-agency evaluation. The agency will service the account from its Mumbai office.

    The mandate entails strategic positioning, product reach and frequency and re-packaging the channel as a whole. Taproot Dentsu will be involved in the strategy, brand building, advertising campaign and some show concepts across some outdoor and radio campaigns.

    Talking about the collaboration, Ayesha Ghosh, General Manager, Taproot Dentsu Mumbai, said, “We are happy to be working with Big FM. The task of repositioning a brand is always most exciting, considering that it’s like a rebirth that one must design with utmost care. From “Suno, sunao, life banao” to the plausible next stage in the brand’s journey, there was a wide spectrum to cover. Eventually, with unanimous agreement on what we should stand for, nuancing the personality in great detail and laying out a sustainable plan, we are ready to go live. This positioning will drive all that Big FM stands for; from content to packaging to communication. We look forward to a successful launch and continued consumer relevance thereon, because it is a thought that we all believe firmly in and are eager to spread far and wide.”

    On the subject of repositioning, Sunil Kumaran, Country Head, THWINK (Big FM’s short-form video and audio talent incubator and marquee content studio) said, “We were at a stage where the category was moving from being just a provider of entertainment, to being torch bearers of improvement and progress towards a better world. From our interactive relationship with the audience, we wanted to take it to the next level with our listeners, by making both them and ourselves responsible for a better tomorrow. “Dhun badal ke toh dekho” is something we strongly believe in, because at every level, truly, change in the world will begin only with change in the mind. We plan to live this and own this every day with our every move and hope to transcend the relevance of this thought from our collective conviction to our audience’s, and of course, the world at large.”

  • Big FM appoints Dheeraj Goel & Rahul Saini, promotes Divya singh as national sales head

    MUMBAI: Big FM has strengthened its core leadership team as it enters a new financial year, triggering a fresh era of growth for the company.

    Continuing her stint with Big FM, Divya Singh has been elevated from her previous position and will take charge as the national sales head for key vertical, which includes auto, consumer durables and telecom sectors respectively.

    Dheeraj Goel, with over 19 years of experience in regional sales, marketing, and operations joins Big FM as regional business head, north and Rajasthan.

    Rahul Saini, having over 14 years of work experience with the ability to formulate and implement regional level business strategies, has joined Big FM as the regional business — head west. The new appointees will drive new strategic initiatives as part of their respective new roles in the organisation.

    Divya Singh is known for driving excellent revenue in highly competitive markets. She is a creative and business savvy sales professional with over 17 years of intensive experience in Radio, Television and Print Media industry. She says, “Big FM is home for me and it is truly gratifying to have been promoted to my new role at the organisation. I hope to contribute towards my new journey in the organisation by managing the sales, and also by discovering various innovative ways in generating revenue, which will help to fuel the growth of the company.

    Dheeraj Goel with over two decades of work experience in the marketing and sales domain, will manage and look after the sales and marketing of the assigned areas, and bring excellent customer service to the table. On the other hand, Rahul Saini with his fruitful stints at marquee organizations such as Pidilite, Pepsico and Marico among others has a wholesome experience of over 14 years in the sales domain, which will further help the organisation thrive in terms of sales and revenue along with brilliant customer service.

    Dheeraj, on his new role at Big FM, says “I look forward to this opportunity given to me at BIG FM as it would enable me to tap into my fullest potential. At BIG FM, my aim is to utilize the skills effectively and drive key business initiatives in the North & Rajasthan region.”

    On his new appointment Saini commented saying, “Having been passionate about the media industry, I feel elated to join the Big FM family, and I look forward to add more value to the firm with my abilities in managing large scale business operations with a high operational complexity.”

    Commenting on the same,Big FM CEO Tarun Katial said, “I warmly welcome Dheeraj and Rahul to the BIG FM family, and congratulate Divya on her new role. I am confident that the new developments will effectively bolster our core sales leadership team, and fuel our growth story in the new financial year.”