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Tag: Coronavirus

  • Covid care: Zomato launches new feature for emergency food delivery

    Covid care: Zomato launches new feature for emergency food delivery

    NEW DELHI: Restaurant aggregator and food delivery company Zomato has rolled out a priority delivery feature that will let customers receive food orders during Covid emergencies. 

    Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal confirmed this news on his Twitter account, which was later shared on the app’s official Twitter handle. Zomato users can now mark the emergency delivery feature while checking out their orders. 

    Under this new feature, the order placed by the customer will be fast-tracked in the queue, and the company will ensure quicker rider assignment and dedicated customer support for that order. 

    Zomato has also urged people not to misuse this feature, as it can be only used during emergency Covid situations. Moreover, these emergency deliveries will be completely contactless to ensure the safety of all the parties involved. 

    “Thousands of restaurants have pledged to prioritise these orders in their kitchen above all others. All deliveries to such customers will be contactless by default to ensure the safety of our riders, and subsequent customers. Needless to say, all customers should opt-in for contactless deliveries right now,” wrote Deepinder Goel in his tweet. 

     

     

    The new initiative from Zomato is now receiving positive responses from all corners. People are lauding the platform for doing its part for thousands of desperate Covid2019 patients. 

  • Declare journalists frontline workers: Editors Guild urges govt

    Declare journalists frontline workers: Editors Guild urges govt

    NEW DELHI: As the nation weathers the second wave of the Covid2019 outbreak, the news media community is working round the clock to keep the general public informed and apprised of the latest developments. Scribes in the country are also working closely with the government to drive awareness about the deadly virus and vaccine roll-out. However, until now, they have not been classified as frontline workers by the Centre.  

    As newspersons are also at the forefront of the battle against the novel Coronavirus, the Editors Guild of India has requested the government to declare journalists as frontline workers and be allowed priority Covid vaccination.  

    "News organisations have been relentlessly covering the pandemic, elections, and other current affairs in an effort to ensure that the flow of news and information to readers continues unabated. News media is included in essential services. Therefore it will only be fair that journalists be given this cover of protection, especially in the face of the number of infected rising to astronomical levels," the Editors Guild of India said in a statement.  

    The letter has been signed by Guild president Seema Musthafa, general secretary Sanjay Kapoor, and treasurer Anant Nath. 

    "Without the protection of a vaccination, media persons are finding it very difficult to discharge their professional responsibilities,” the Guild pointed out. “Therefore the EGI calls on the Union government to immediately get all journalists, regardless of age, vaccinated so that there is no disruption in their work during this critical time." 

    India saw its highest single-day rise of 2,17,353 Covid2019 infections, pushing the country's tally of cases to 1,42,91,917, according to official data released on Friday.

  • Second Covid wave chokes India; filmmakers eye OTT route for new releases

    Second Covid wave chokes India; filmmakers eye OTT route for new releases

    MUMBAI: After showing signs of flattening the curve, India is once again struggling to leash the deadly virus that has reared its ugly head in the last few weeks. On 13 April, the country recorded more than 1,61,736 Covid2019 positive cases and over 900 related deaths. As the pandemic rages on, several states including Maharashtra and Karnataka are considering a second lockdown. 

    Like all other sectors, the entertainment industry in India is also facing a setback due to the resurgent virus. Even though the government gave permission to open theatres in November 2020, the footfall in cinema halls was very low, and most screens in Maharashtra witnessed an attendance of just four to five per cent. 

    Covid brings entertainment industry to its knees

    Even though several Bollywood movies including Mumbai Saga hit the big screen, none of these films succeeded in creating an impact at the box-office. Industry experts believe that the only way to revive the exhibition industry is by waiving taxes imposed on cinema halls, and by allowing them to function without restrictions. 

    "If theatres in Maharashtra remain closed due to lockdown, it could affect Hindi movie releases in all other states as well,” pronounced Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India president Nitin Datar. “Theatres are making sure that all hygiene measures are adopted to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. Even though the attendance in theatres is very low, the expenses incurred by theatres which include electricity bills, taxes (including entertainment and property) remains the same. In Maharashtra alone, theatres incurred loss of Rs 800 crore. We request government to waive the taxes which is very much necessary for the exhibition industry to survive.''

    Datar also added that the closure of theatres in Maharashtra could not only affect theatre owners, but will also impact the lives of thousands who are directly or indirectly dependent on cinemas. 

    "In a theatre, there will be 25 workers. There will be four or five people working in the parking area, and other people working in the canteen area. In the surrounding areas, around the theatres, it will be a market hub depending on people coming to theatres. All the small shops are also dependent on the public who come to see cinemas. Around 1000 or 2000 people used to visit the theatres every day, and these retail shops are running relying these theatre visitors," he pointed out. 

    Exhibitors are ready to cooperate with whatever call the government takes during the pandemic, said Dadar, but at the same time, they expect help to survive.

    Production houses may postpone releases

    If a possible lockdown happens in Maharashtra, release of several movies including Sooryavanshi and Salman Khan's Radhe may get postponed. With a power-packed star cast of Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, and Ranveer Singh, Sooryavanshi is scheduled to release on 30 April, but if theatres remain closed, makers may postpone the theatrical hit, and some day, may even opt for an OTT release. 

    Elara Capital vice president & research analyst (media & consumer discretionary) Karan Taurani hinted that theatres will return to pre-pandemic normalcy only by September 2021, which means several big budget movies may well take the direct to OTT route.

    "In January 2021, industry experts believed that theatres will return to pre-pandemic normalcy by May-June 2021. However, due to the second wave and a lockdown scare, things have turned upside down. I personally believe that the process of returning to normalcy will take some time, and I believe things will return to pre-pandemic atmosphere by September 2021. Makers of films like Sooryavanshi may consider OTT release, as the content is getting old," he said.

    Taurani also added that OTT releases are inevitable in the current scenario. While films like Sooryavanshi are not made to release on video streaming platforms, the current pandemic situation is compelling production houses to release their films online. 

    "If filmmakers have the option to release movies in theatres, they will obviously screen in big screens. And personally I believe that production houses will not opt for simultaneous releases in both OTT platforms and theatres on the same day, a practice which is widely followed in Hollywood," he stated. 14apr-Anx-mailer.html

  • Tonic Worldwide offers free vaccination to employees

    Tonic Worldwide offers free vaccination to employees

    MUMBAI: Independent digital marketing agency Tonic Worldwide said today that it will cover Covid2019 vaccination costs for all its employees and their family members. Apart from covering inoculation costs, the company has also offered one day leave for all employees to get the jab. 

    The announcement from Tonic Worldwide comes at a time when the nation is combating the second wave of the Coronavirus. In the context of surging cases and increased testing, several Indian states have imposed curfews and lockdowns to curtail the spread of the virus. 

    Amid the rising risk of infection, the organisation has urged all eligible employees to avail vaccination at the earliest, in order to ensure the safety of their family members as well as themselves. 

    The Centre has said that approximately 80 million doses have been administered across India – primarily to frontline workers and citizens above the age of 60. Starting 1 April, the minimum age to avail the vaccine was lowered to 45.

  • MIB directs private TV channels to spread Covid awareness

    MIB directs private TV channels to spread Covid awareness

    NEW DELHI: After showing strong signs of flattening the curve, India is again struggling to bring Covid2019 to heel. On 6 April, the country recorded more than 1,15,000 positive cases; a strong indication that the pandemic has returned with a vengeance. 

    Amid the second wave of Covid cases, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has written a letter to all private channels, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), and the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) urging them to disseminate messages for Covid-appropriate behaviour and vaccination of the eligible age groups to generate greater awareness among people. 

    The ministry's advisory sent to private channels cited a meeting under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi on 4 April taking stock of the current pandemic situation in India. During the meeting, it was also decided to focus on a five-fold strategy of testing, tracing, treatment, Covid-appropriate behaviour and vaccine roll-out to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

    "It is, therefore, imperative that all stakeholders take forward the communication strategy with a renewed emphasis on Dawai Bhi, Kadai Bhi (medicines and preventive measures)," said the MIB in its letter. 

    The ministry also lauded the leadership role played by private media houses in spreading messages in the public interesinterest.

    ​​​​"Private TV channels have always been at the forefront of spreading important messages in the larger public interest. It is, therefore, requested that private channels may appropriately disseminate messages for Covid-appropriate behaviour and vaccination of the eligible age group so as to create greater awareness among the citizens of the country," stated the advisory. 

  • Practo’s new Coronavirus rap song is a reminder to stay safe

    Practo’s new Coronavirus rap song is a reminder to stay safe

    New Delhi: Practo, a leading digital healthcare company, has released a new rap song, titled ‘#Flashback2020’, marking the end of a year that saw the entire world in the grip of a pandemic on a positive note.

    Created in collaboration with Jagdish Chaturvedi – who besides being an ENT surgeon is also a stand-up comedian and writer – the latest track is a satirical round-up of the year that has just gone by. The special number forms part of a campaign by Practo that aims at reminding people that the pandemic is not over yet and that they should continue taking precautions and maintain ‘2 gaz ki doori’.

    In his inimitable style, Chaturvedi takes the audience back and forth in time, from the beginning of the lockdown phase when the virus jostled us into taking a hard look at the way we live, work and interact with each other. Peppered with humour and witty remarks, the video nudges us to take a moment and reflect on our recent past before we step into the new year.

    The campaign is a concerted effort to spread awareness about safety and hygiene measures, and reinstates the fact that even as the launch of vaccines brings a lot of hope, we will have to continue fighting till the disease is completely eradicated.

    Chaturvedi said, “It doesn’t always happen that a doctor turns a rapper to convey a healthcare message. ‘#Flashback2020’ will always remain close to my heart, given that we are trying to put a smile on people’s faces and bring some positivity while we continue to wade through gloomy times.”

    The video is live and can be viewed on Practo’s YouTube, blog, and social media channels. 

  • Hotstar + Disney VIP kickstarts IPL campaign, releases new spots

    Hotstar + Disney VIP kickstarts IPL campaign, releases new spots

    NEW DELHI- People across the country are waiting to watch the first game between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on their television sets or digital screens. Star India is the official broadcaster for IPL across television and digital screens. While Star Sports will telecast the live-action from Dubai on to the television sets across the world, Disney + Hotstar VIP will be streaming the same on the millions of mobile devices. The broadcaster is leaving no stone unturned to promote the tournament.

    The streaming platform Hotstar + Disney VIP has launched a digital campaign #KoiYaarNahiFar to create excitement about IPL 13 that is all set to begin from September 19. The campaign delves into the thought that this year people will not be able to watch the matches with their friends due to Covid2019. However, they can still be together and have all the fun. Disney + Hotstar VIP is allowing the fans to create their own groups where they can watch the matches together while chatting to each other like they used to do it till last year.

    Each ad film shows a fan in different situations. In the first ad, a person is dressed up as a superhero and is excited to meet his friends to watch the IPL match together but is stopped by his partner, who is also dressed in a superhero costume avatar, and tells him its better to watch at home as the outside world is not safe due to the Coronavirus.

    In another video, a young boy is watching an IPL match with the family members, but the continuous disturbances and noises at home make it an unpleasant experience for him. He misses watching the match with his friends.

    Brands are already making a beeline to join the festivities at IPL as it offers huge viewership, high recall, and good engagement with its target audience. Star has claimed that it has already sold 75 per cent of its inventory and brands across categories have expressed interest in the tournament.

    It is expected that the viewership of the tournament on both television and mobile screens will go up.

  • Gear up to witness Live Sports Virtual round-table today at 3 pm

    Gear up to witness Live Sports Virtual round-table today at 3 pm

    NEW DELHI: Every sporting event in India and across the globe was cancelled, moved or postponed due to the novel coronavirus, there has been a major upheaval on the sporting calendar. But with Indian Premier League (IPL) making a comeback, cricket fans are now eagerly waiting for the game to kickstart from 19 September in UAE.  

    If reports are to be believed, online gaming and sports firms are all set to spend big on television and digital platforms. With live sports back in action, Indian Television decided to get together brands, agencies, marketers & sports platforms over a virtual round table to discuss how the business of live sports would pan out especially in the wake of the current pandemic.

    Live sports action be it football, cricket, etc. They have already started in other countries as the unlock was announced in a staggered manner. The discussion will explore the current problems faced and the best opportunities available to the industry. From broadcasting to sponsorship (Athlete & team), the round table will understand the value of true sports partnerships which will benefit both the brand and the sport to grow together.

    The virtual round table will witness crème de la crème of the industry. Mindshare South Asia, chief operating officer Amin Lakhani; Dentsu Aegis Network CEO APAC & Chairman Ashish Bhasin; Byju’s head of marketing Atit Mehta; Future Group’s group CMO (Marketing, digital, and e-commerce) Pawan Sarda; IPG Mediabrands CEO- India Shashi Sinha; Group India business head (Entertainment, Sports & Live Events) Vinit Karnik. The discussion will be moderated by IndianTelevision.com Group Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief Anil Wanvari.

    The virtual round-table will go live on 21 August 2020 at 3 pm. You can register here for the discussion. 

    Watch this space for more developments! 

  • Kent RO’s film honours building watchmen on Independence Day

    Kent RO’s film honours building watchmen on Independence Day

    NEW DELHI: As the nation preps up to commemorate its seventy-fourth Independence Day, Kent RO has come up with a campaign #NewNazairya which is currently doing the rounds of digital media. The first short digital film has a core message at its heart: let’s celebrate the unsung heroes who have helped us during the raging Covid2019 pandemic by bringing them centre stage on Independence Day.

    Conceptualised and produced by Jigsaw Pictures, it begins with the secretary of a residential housing society looking upset when he is informed that he will not be hoisting the flag on 15 August like he has been doing for the past five years. That’s because Ramdhan will be taking his place, he is told, and that change for him is unwelcome and undignified. His wife, who overhears his annoyance, calmly fills a glass of water from a Kent RO water purifier and while he sips from it she explains to him that there is dignity in getting freedom from old and sick thinking.  “Whether it’s you or Ramdhan, all are equal. Maybe he’s more than equal.”

    The next shot reveals who Ramdhan is: the watchman or security guard of the building complex. Masked and very grateful at being given the honour, he hoists the national colours with the members urging him on and saluting the flag.  A beaming Ramdhan gratefully acknowledges the honour that has been thrust on him. The secretary’s wife then says: “This act was his right. He kept us safe 24 hours every day during the pandemic.”

    The film ends with a voiceover declaring: “Let’s celebrate Independence Day by honouring our Covid2019 warriors.”

    At first glance, it looks like a very ordinary film, a simple thought, a simple truth, which has been used in many a film earlier in the past few months. But its message is deep. The SarsCov2 virus has taught us that it does not differentiate between rich and poor, it infects both, and kills both. It is the great leveller, just as death. The film makes us ponder how we can acknowledge this and respect those who keep us safe. And it brings to our attention the watchmen who are under our noses, but whom we take for granted.

    “We have all experienced the surge of humanism and equality around and within us due to many who have come forth to help us be safe and survive,” says Jigsaw Pictures founder and creative producer Rajnish Lall. “Amongst the set of Corona warriors, the one who didn’t get much appreciation widely was the security guard or watchman manning our residences as they are not specialists.”

    Adds Lall: “Watchmen all over India have gone beyond their defined duties and duty hours; they have made huge sacrifices. They have ensured that social distancing is practised and thus have helped millions of us escape the ravages of the infection. This is our way of reminding us of their contribution. We hope many other residential buildings and societies take note after watching our film and acknowledge their watchmen too. That will give us the greatest satisfaction.”

    Kent Ro has collaborated with the official brand ambassador Hema Malini in most of its advertising. However, this time the brand has opted for well-known film and TV actors Apara Mehta and Feroz Bhagat, who are playing the husband and wife in this film.

     “Kent Water Purifiers and Hema Malini are synonymous because of their long and impactful association,” explains Lall. “But as in the past, Kent makes its digital medium communications with actors other than Hema Malini. Because of the values the brand and she share, she’ll also be happy with the purity of thought in this communication and help spread it.”

    The producer shared that filming in early August was a different experience altogether, “We shot in a restricted controlled environment. We had to ensure that everyone felt safe on the set hence extra efforts had to be put to adhere to the SOPs set by the government. Then the post-production had to be done completely from remote which is much more taxing and time-consuming both. This really tested the patience of all the team members since weren’t around to see or hear and approve every bit of creative,” Lall points out. “But after seeing the end result I really believe it has been worth it.”

  • Brands show human side amidst Covid2019 crisis

    Brands show human side amidst Covid2019 crisis

    NEW DELHI: While the Covid2019 pandemic came out as probably the most devastating blow to the business world as well as to the society, it also brought forth a number of heartening stories of human kindness and support. Be it the on-ground coverage that several news reporters are doing or the warm hospitality that the hospital staff and police personnel are showing, or the exceptional support that several social workers and famous personalities have extended to the underprivileged, we saw humanity raising its head high on many occasions. Indiantelevision.com had also covered how the pandemic even brought brands and agency partners  closer. 

    Not just that, many brands rose above their usual business and indulged in great deeds of public service too. Be it ACC Trust spending close to Rs five crore to help the migrant labours and villagers around ACC Cement’s factories or Relaxo and Metro Shoes donating footwear to the large exodus of migrant workers fleeing to home on feet, there have been ample examples of brands extending a helping hand in time of this unprecedented crisis. 

    Speaking about the varied initiatives that Metro Shoes has taken to support the community, VP–marketing and e-commerce Alisha Malik told Indiantelevision.com, “The pandemic brought the country and the economy to a staggering halt. While it impacted each one of us, the migrant workers were the most affected. Their struggle to meet their basic needs of food, shelter, financial security and reach their homeland was heart-wrenching. We felt that it was important for us to do our bit to support them in the time of crisis and that is how we came up with the Metro Cares Initiative.”

    Under the initiative, the brand provided ration kits to daily wagers with the help of Salaam Bombay Foundation and footwear to all those in need on their journey back home with the help of United Way of Mumbai and the Rotary Club. PPE kits to hospitals and masks to policemen were also provided with the help of United Way of Mumbai. 

    Sanitary napkin brand Pro-ease from the house of RSPL distributed over 10 lakh sanitary pads to frontline warriors managing the crisis. 

    RSPL director Rohit Gyanchandani shared, “We came across a few news reports and on-ground stories of how sanitary napkins were in short supply and women were facing difficulties due to that. Coupled with that we were also witnessing a phenomenal selfless service from corona warriors of both genders. When we put these two stories together, we as a team wanted to do our bit and came up with the idea of distributing 10 lac pads to women corona warriors free of cost as a small token of appreciation from Pro-ease.” 

    He added, “In times like these when the whole nation is going through a crisis, I think it’s imperative for everyone to do whatever little they can to help in whichever way possible. Whether you are a citizen or a brand, the fact remains that you ought to do the things you can, to make a difference for the better.”

    The brand also launched a powerful campaign #RoktiHoonRuktiNahin created by ADK Fortune to salute these female superheroes.

    ADK Fortune VP and ECD Nakul Sharma shared his experience of working on the campaign by saying, “The experience was first of all very humbling. Because the gravity of the fight put up by corona frontline warriors, especially women suddenly hit us in the face.” 

    Congratulating the brand on taking up this great initiative, he added, “Pro-ease had a solid proposition and decided to be a doer and not just a talker – which frankly makes all the difference in these times. These initiatives give clients a chance to show their human side as well. This epidemic is a time like no other and frankly keeping quiet is not an option. People want to know and hear from their brands and expect them to have a human point of view.” 

    Malik also highlighted that it is very important for brands to participate in supporting the community in difficult times as she said, “As important as CSR is for the community, it is equally valuable for a company. It is important for brands to stand up for causes that matter. In fact, in such times, it is important that each one of us takes a step towards helping all those in need. We are glad that we had access to resources that could help the migrant workers in their journey back home.”