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Tag: Content

  • Guest Column: M&E industry in India: 5 not-to-be-missed trends

    The Indian M&E industry is growing at 15 per cent CAGR and is expected to double in size over the next five years. Almost all the sub-segments are growing in double digits. The existing ones are those in the middle of a consumption trend like on-demand content or beneficiaries of a regulatory push like digitisation.

    Here are the five biggest trends to watch out for:

    1.OTT

    Personalisation of content and delivery and real time access on multiple devices and platforms to make OTT mainstream. Big data through instant consumer analytics to become indispensable

    2.Digital Content as growth driver

    Growth to be driven by digital content in the internet industry in India as it doubles to $250bn in 5 years. Unprecedented proliferation of digital-first media brands like AIB, TVF, etc. Existing traditional media brands may reorient themselves to being digital-only brands. Repurposing widely popular content of the past on digital for consumption across multiple content formats may be a unique sound strategy.

    3.Immersive content as lead format

    Immersive content (VR/AR) to play an unexpected big role in the future. May become larger than any other format in the years to come.

    4.Technology to disrupt more than just content

    Technology to continue to disrupt the traditional ways of buying and selling advertising as programmatic, geo-targeting, etc becomes the new normal. TV and digital measurement to converge too as marketers look for platform-agnostic strategies.

    5.Convergence of M & E & Technology to undergird everything

    With cheap economics dictating the rationale, cloud-based services to drive content faster from creation to consumption thereby re-defining movement, distribution and management of content. Rapid convergence of media, entertainment and technology is interlinking content creation, distribution and consumption experiences.

    New media – signifying interplay between technology and media – is where the real excitement is. It offers a range of opportunities in content and platforms across gaming, video and music. Other than that, there are consolidation plays in traditional media like C&S distribution, film exhibition etc.

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    (Piyush Sharma, a global tech, media and entrepreneurial leader, created the successful foray of Zee Entertainment in India and globally under the ‘Living’ brand. The views expressed here are of the writer’s and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)

     

     

  • Parliamentary panel pans DD, AIR for recurring lapses

    NEW DELHI: Expressing disappointment that both, All-India Radio and Doordarshan, failed to use the amounts allocated under the budget for 2016-17, a Parliamentary Committee stated: “Concrete steps may be taken to resolve all longstanding administrative issues.”

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which also examines issues relating to the information and broadcasting ministry, recommended that Doordarshan and All-India Radio need to make sincere and sustained efforts in creating high-quality content that can connect with people coupled with strong marketing strategy.

    Need to address recurring structural and procedural issues

    Keeping in view the financial performance of AIR and DD during 2016-17, the Committee stated that it was inclined to conclude that the under-utilisation of funds could have been avoided had the Ministry addressed the recurring structural and procedural issues.

    The Committee felt that this has reflected poorly on the overall performance of Prasar Bharati which is also evident from the reduced fund allocation for both, AIR and DD in 2017-18.

    To boost the performance of AIR and Doordarshan, the administrative problems as well as implementation related issues need to be resolved on priority. The Committee are of the firm opinion that unless these administrative and implementation related issues are addressed on priority, there is bleak scope for desired performance in the spheres of AIR and Doordarshan.

    Emphasis on promotion of DD/AIR Archives

    It noted that both AIR and DD have rich archives including biographies and old speeches of eminent persons which should be made use for qualitative content.

    Apart from generating revenue for Prasar Bharati, this will motivate young generation and expose them to the rich heritage of the country.

    AIR financial and physical performance

    The Committee noted that All India Radio had has been able to spend Rs 1.0827 billion which was only 61.17% of the allocated fund of Rs 1.77 billion at Budgetary Estimates and Revised Estimates stage for the year 2016-17.

    The Committee noted that for the year 2017-18, the budgetary allocation for AIR has been reduced from Rs 1.77 billion to Rs 1.54 billion

    The Ministry attributed improper response against major tenders, delay in delivery of a major imported consignment and some other administrative reasons for this under-utilisation. The Ministry said there had been acute shortage of staff in AIR at all levels particularly at middle and lower professional levels; and the transition from Government organization to corporate sector has witnessed almost a complete halt on recruitments, training and promotions.

    As far as acquisition of land for new setups is concerned, the Ministry proposes taking up the matter with respective state Governments for speedy disposal of the issues. The Ministry have also apprised that some Schemes are not implemented in time due to local issues including law and order particularly in the north east regions and border areas.

    However, AIR has increased the total number of transmitters from 432 (MW-148, SW-48, FM-236) as on 31 March 2012 to 610 (MW-143, SW-48, FM-419) which include 195 100 W FM Transmitters as on 10 February 2017.

    DD financial and physical performance

    Similarly, Doordarshan has spent only Rs 1.7655 billion which is only 65% of the allocated fund of Rs. 2.73 billion at BE and RE stage for 2016-17.

    As a result, the allocation for Doordarshan has been reduced from Rs 2.21 billion to Rs 2.13 billion

    The Ministry has cited cancellation of tenders due to administrative/technical issues to be the reasons for this under-utilisation.

    Doordarshan during 2016-17 completed technical facility for launch of the new TV Channel “DD Arun Prabha”; placed orders for implementation of Indian CAS (iCAS); for its DTH platform Free Dish; the Multichannel Automated Playback facility set up and installation of Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format are in progress at Central Production Centre in Delhi; the old ageing HPT replaced by new 10 KW HPT at one location; and completed all towers of Prasar Bharati House. (In fact, Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan are now housed in the same premises.)

  • House panel pans MIB for funds under-use in plan schemes

    NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) needs to strengthen its monitoring mechanism by way of periodic review and mid-term appraisal of all major Schemes and undertake necessary corrective measures for proper implementation of Schemes and full utilisation of funds made available to them.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry has made this comment while noting that the Ministry is hopeful that the link between spending and outcome will improve and the total expenditure would become more focused with the dispensing of the distinction of Plan and non-Plan allocation from 2017-18.

    The Committee has taken note of the new initiatives taken for rational allocation of funds and trust that the strategic intervention would reverse the trend and help in prudent and optimal utilisation of funds in the current fiscal.

    In its comments with regard to utilisation of the Twelfth Five Year Plan Funds, the Committee noted that the Ministry has on an average utilised 96 percent of Revised Estimates (RE) during the first four years of 12th Five Year Plan (2012-13 to 2015-16).

    The performance of the Ministry with regard to financial targets shows that during the entire Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17), the Ministry has been able to utilise Rs 34.8945 billion against the revised estimated allocation of Rs 37.78 billion.

    As against the proposed outlay of Rs 217.31 billion, the erstwhile Planning Commission had approved Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs 75.83 billion for the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) for the Ministry.

    Further, a provision of Rs 10 billion had been kept for Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR) by Prasar Bharati for financing New Content Development Scheme of Prasar Bharati for the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17).

    Thus, a total outlay of Rs 85.83 billion had been approved for funding the various Plan Schemes of the Ministry during the Twelfth Plan Period. In each of these years, the Budget allocation to the Ministry was substantially reduced at the RE stage.

    This trend however changed during the year 2016-17 where the Budget allocation has actually increased from Rs.8 billion at budget estimate (BE) stage to Rs.8.6 billion at RE stage and the utilisation of funds was 80 percent as on 21 February 2017.

    Overall, the Committee noted that despite the Ministry’s efforts to improve plan expenditure and optimise allocation in the Plan Schemes, there have been under utilisation of funds.

    The reasons attributed for sub-optimal utilisation relate to finalisation of RE 2016-17 (Plan) in January 2017, long procurement process of Prasar Bharati for procurement of goods and services and delay in approval of the new Schemes under the three sectors.

    Noting that the reasons are found to be repetitive and certainly give an impression that the Ministry has failed to bring in the desired administrative efficiency and fiscal planning over the years, the Committee expressed the hope that the procurement process of Prasar Bharati will be streamlined expeditiously.

    Also Read :

    Ensure full use of funds for schemes, house panel tells MIB

    Budget ’17: Prasar Bharati grant-in-aid down, film sectoAr’s aid up

     

  • Content with subtitles on India, Ukraine pubcasters discussed

    MUMBAI: India and Ukraine have agreed to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the twocountries through the medium of Cinema. The cooperation would be worked out through a policy and institutional framework to showcase films through the medium of Film Festivals and utilizing the Film Facilitation Office platform established by India. The screening of films with subtitles was also discussed in order to reach out to people. These issues were discussed during the meeting between M Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, and Ukrainian delegation led by Mr. Iurii Artemenko, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine and Chairman of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine today in New Delhi. Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore and Secretary I&B were also present during the discussions.

    During the discussions, Naidu said that the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting would extend all possible support to promote exchange programs between public broadcasters of the two countries, content creation, screening and distribution of films. The possibility of translating programs and content and providing subtitles in respective languages of both the countries was also discussed with respect to the Public Broadcasters of both the countries.

    Naidu also apprised the delegation about the Film Facilitation Office recently setup in the Ministry to facilitate single window clearance for film makers. The FFO act as a facilitation point for film producers and assist them in obtaining requisite permissions, disseminate information on shooting locales as well as the facilities available with the Indian film industry for production/post production.

    Iurii Artemenko said that Ukraine Government were taking efforts to organise an Indian Film Festival in Ukraine to promote Cultural ties between the two countries through the medium of Cinema. He extended a personal invitation to I&B Minister for the Film Festival to be organised in the near future. He also expressed interest for showcasing programmes based on Indian weddings, Touristic places such as Rajasthan and different Indian Cuisines.

    Deliberations were also held for organising Film Festivals showcasing each other’s movies in respective countries and the possibility of participating in Film Festivals as Partner Countries.

  • Star Plus Dopahar launched with original, diverse and differentiated content

    MUMBAI: Star Plus has announced Star Plus Dopahar, an afternoon time-band (12:30 to 3 pm) on television, with a spectrum of original, diverse and differentiated content.

    In a category with fierce competition, Star Plus, as the leader, has always anchored change by redefining the rules of the game. The commitment of the brand to continuously reinvent by bringing cutting-edge, differentiated content keeping the viewer as the core focus, has ensured it is always at its numero uno position.

    The channel is set to disrupt the grammar of the category yet again with the launch of a fresh viewership slot pioneering fresh, gripping, original content in afternoons with four shows in Star Plus Dopahar.

    Star Plus GM Narayan Sundararaman said, “We, at Star Plus, are constantly striving to reframe and reinvent Hindi entertainment television. Our goal is to make compelling content available to the consumers across all parts of the day. There is a sizeable television viewing audience in the afternoon. At present, the options available to these viewers are repeat telecasts. Our aim is to present viewers with a spectrum of original content therein growing the entire category. The insight that has fuelled the proposition is a simple one: Afternoon is the only time of the day when the women of the house have a few moments to themselves. Today’s women value her ‘me time’ and Star Plus is committed to engage her with original stories, specially created for her.”

    The myriad bouquet of content for this afternoon slot has the best storytellers in the country coming together — Shashi and Sumeet Mittal, Sandip Sickand and Balaji Telefilms, Ved Raj, Dheeraj Sarna, Nandita Mehra and Bhairavai Raichura.

    Star Plus president and head of content Gaurav Banerjee, “We believe it is compelling stories which will draw viewers to the shows in the afternoon. We have seen this with several breakaway hits in the past where we had observed viewership habits by offering cutting-edge and differentiated content. Our endeavour is to provide shows with varied storylines and different backgrounds that strike a chord with the viewers which they can relate to — emotionally, so that they connect with the characters, thus truly becoming companions in ‘dopahar’.

  • Gutenberg appoints Neil Ashurst as UK head

    Gutenberg appoints Neil Ashurst as UK head

    MUMBAI: Award-winning global agency Gutenberg has appointed Neil Ashurst as the director and country head for UK. This follows the company’s recent rebranding which formalises their offering as an integrated communications firm providing digital, content, social, video and public relations services.

    Neil has over 15 years of experience in the communications industry, working closely with content and marketing teams both in-house and cross-agencies to deliver campaigns that focus on business impact.

    “Neil’s knowledge of the UK market coupled with his passion for communications will allow Gutenberg clients to have a great ally in creating and implementing impactful digital, PR and communications campaigns. Neil’s insights on the changing nature of customer journey for brands reflect his focus on ensuring business impact for our clients. Neil will lead our growth and expansion plans for the UK and Europe from our office in London. Additionally, he will integrate with our US and India teams on global multi-geography clients,” said Gutenberg founder and CEO Harjiv Singh.

    Neil earlier worked at Performance Communications, working on the Nissan Europe account. He has also worked at well-known UK agencies Frank, Brands2Life and 3Monkeys Zeno on brands such as Microsoft and 3 Mobile. Additionally, he was the head of UK communications for retailer – Game, working closely with Xbox, Activision and EA on the retail launches of their biggest titles.

    “Our experience as story-tellers as well as our growing capabilities across all channels means that we have a fantastic opportunity and offering here in the UK as the industry continues to evolve,” said Ashurst.

    Globally, Gutenberg services industries such as technology, retail, financial services, real estate, healthcare, education, aviation, defence, hospitality, infrastructure and not-for-profit causes.

  • Gutenberg appoints Neil Ashurst as UK head

    Gutenberg appoints Neil Ashurst as UK head

    MUMBAI: Award-winning global agency Gutenberg has appointed Neil Ashurst as the director and country head for UK. This follows the company’s recent rebranding which formalises their offering as an integrated communications firm providing digital, content, social, video and public relations services.

    Neil has over 15 years of experience in the communications industry, working closely with content and marketing teams both in-house and cross-agencies to deliver campaigns that focus on business impact.

    “Neil’s knowledge of the UK market coupled with his passion for communications will allow Gutenberg clients to have a great ally in creating and implementing impactful digital, PR and communications campaigns. Neil’s insights on the changing nature of customer journey for brands reflect his focus on ensuring business impact for our clients. Neil will lead our growth and expansion plans for the UK and Europe from our office in London. Additionally, he will integrate with our US and India teams on global multi-geography clients,” said Gutenberg founder and CEO Harjiv Singh.

    Neil earlier worked at Performance Communications, working on the Nissan Europe account. He has also worked at well-known UK agencies Frank, Brands2Life and 3Monkeys Zeno on brands such as Microsoft and 3 Mobile. Additionally, he was the head of UK communications for retailer – Game, working closely with Xbox, Activision and EA on the retail launches of their biggest titles.

    “Our experience as story-tellers as well as our growing capabilities across all channels means that we have a fantastic opportunity and offering here in the UK as the industry continues to evolve,” said Ashurst.

    Globally, Gutenberg services industries such as technology, retail, financial services, real estate, healthcare, education, aviation, defence, hospitality, infrastructure and not-for-profit causes.

  • Gutenberg integrates digital, PR, video, content & mobile

    Gutenberg integrates digital, PR, video, content & mobile

    MUMBAI: Global public relations firm Gutenberg has announced the launch of its expanded suite of services making it a one-stop shop for complete integrated marketing communications needs for brands. Gutenberg’s integrated marketing services offering will expand from PR to include digital, content, video and mobile.

    “We began as storytellers, through PR,” said Gutenberg founder & CEO Harjiv Singh. He added, “In this next phase of our growth, storytelling will stay central to our belief that great stories build great brands. We will incorporate tools such as SEO, analytics and digital advertising encompassing the range of paid, owned, earned media.”

    In 2016, Gutenberg added 31 clients across its global portfolio. Gutenberg is also on track to open its Singapore office in early 2017 and will continue its expansion targeting key markets in the ASEAN region. Gutenberg is expected to grow its team to over a 100 storytellers in the first half of 2017.

    Black & Veatch vice president, global marketing & communications Fredrik Winterlind said, “The Gutenberg team brings enthusiasm, passion and a truly collaborative spirit to all of their efforts in support of our PR initiatives.”

    Gutenberg’s 80 team members across seven offices in three countries work with B2B and B2C clients in industries such as technology, health care, mobile, financial services, real estate, education, defense & aviation, hospitality, industry associations, retail, e-commerce, fashion, media & entertainment, manufacturing and not-for-profits.

  • Gutenberg integrates digital, PR, video, content & mobile

    Gutenberg integrates digital, PR, video, content & mobile

    MUMBAI: Global public relations firm Gutenberg has announced the launch of its expanded suite of services making it a one-stop shop for complete integrated marketing communications needs for brands. Gutenberg’s integrated marketing services offering will expand from PR to include digital, content, video and mobile.

    “We began as storytellers, through PR,” said Gutenberg founder & CEO Harjiv Singh. He added, “In this next phase of our growth, storytelling will stay central to our belief that great stories build great brands. We will incorporate tools such as SEO, analytics and digital advertising encompassing the range of paid, owned, earned media.”

    In 2016, Gutenberg added 31 clients across its global portfolio. Gutenberg is also on track to open its Singapore office in early 2017 and will continue its expansion targeting key markets in the ASEAN region. Gutenberg is expected to grow its team to over a 100 storytellers in the first half of 2017.

    Black & Veatch vice president, global marketing & communications Fredrik Winterlind said, “The Gutenberg team brings enthusiasm, passion and a truly collaborative spirit to all of their efforts in support of our PR initiatives.”

    Gutenberg’s 80 team members across seven offices in three countries work with B2B and B2C clients in industries such as technology, health care, mobile, financial services, real estate, education, defense & aviation, hospitality, industry associations, retail, e-commerce, fashion, media & entertainment, manufacturing and not-for-profits.

  • When brands think like publishers: CMS Asia 2016

    When brands think like publishers: CMS Asia 2016

    MUMBAI: As more brands are waking up to the perks of content marketing, they increasingly realise the need to think like a content platform or publisher. But, are they doing it right? — was the question raised in the panel discussion at CMS Asia 2016. The panellists were — Autocar’s Hormazd Sorabjee, Mxm’s Pradyuman Maheshwari, Scoopwhoop’s Sattvik Mishra and Reliance Broadcast Network’s Ashwin Padmanabhan. Qyunki’s Sameer Bangara was the dynamic moderator.

    The panellists had a mix response to Bangara’s question – What are brands missing when they try to act as publishers? Maheshwari pointed out that brands often didn’t see the various possibilities that content can provide, being closeted in their traditional mindset. “Rarely do I see branded content that has actually explored the concept more radically. I don’t see why a Lux, backed by HUL’s money and business acumen, can’t have a content wing that does interviews with celebrities?,” he asked.

    Mishra pointed out how brands need to take Ad Blockers and Youtube’s ‘skip ad’ statistics seriously and think deep into why its failing. “That’s why branded content becomes important to engage the consumer. A user doesn’t care if it’s branded or not, as long as the story is entertaining, albeit it needs to be mentioned that it is a branded content. The problem is brands want to do marketing first, and content later,” Mishra frankly stated.

    Sorabjee criticised how brands often are in it for the one-time association, and are quick to seek results. “Content marketing doesn’t work that way, one needs a continuous engagement with the consumer. Long-term association is the key to content marketing, provided the communication is consistent. Brands that are in it for the short spurt may not see much of a difference in their brand uplift.”

    Padmanabhan urged brands to look at different metrics when it comes to content marketing and not go for a single standard measurement. “With the amount of data available today, it is easy to get confused but the CMO needs to identify which of those figures really align with the brand objective. Do views matter, or likes? Or shares? Or, the time spent on engagement…each brand will have different metrics to look at depending on the target they have.

    Seconding Padmanabhan, Mishra added, “We give brands something we call a ‘brand lift’ where, if the brand was spoken about X number of times before engaging in a campaign with us, we show them that, after the campaign, the brand was spoken of 3X times, hypothetically. We have 3rd-party agencies who work on these numbers and internal machinery as well to provide these numbers to the brands.”

    When it came to the measurement of a campaign’s success, Sorabjee differed from the rest of the panellists. “Numbers don’t really matter, I don’t believe in them. In content marketing, brands should, and they do look at the quality of your reader or viewer of a certain publisher. Therefore, the key is to keep your reader as the first priority . A publisher shouldn’t decide on the content based on what the brand wants but what its readers want to consume, and trust me, brands too want to reach that reader,” he said, adding that both, brands and publishers, shouldn’t compromise on content for the sake of metrics and numbers.