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Tag: covid-19

  • Amazon Pay thanks unsung Covid heroes in new campaign

    New Delhi: Amazon Pay announced the launch of UmmeedKeChehre – a digital-led campaign to salute the unseen and unsung heroes of the ongoing pandemic who continue to work tirelessly to help and support others.

    The campaign unfolds with a digital film that captures the extraordinary efforts and commitment of individuals and groups, including the frontline staff, lab technicians and lesser-known heroes like drivers, watchmen and many more who are selflessly doing their best for the society and people.

    Speaking about the campaign, Amazon Pay India, CEO, Mahendra Nerurkar said, “UmmeedKeChehre, is our digital campaign to thank lakhs of Covid heroes for their commitment and aims to spread a strong message of positivity and hope during these tough times. It salutes the spirit of hope that is being exemplified by these ordinary folks through their extraordinary acts of serving and caring for people and communities.”

    As part of the campaign, people can pay gratitude towards Covid heroes by making donations through the partner NGOs’ Milap, Give India, Akshay Patra, Help Age, Humanity for Habitat, or also have an option to or share an Amazon Pay digital gift card as a gesture with their Covid-19 heroes. The campaign runs across multiple media channels to connect and encourage people to join the movement and share a ‘Thank you note’ for their Covid Hero on their own social media channels using #PayYourRespect.

    The company said it is also enabling procurement, airlifting, local transportation and seamless delivery of critical medical equipment to hospitals and communities where it’s needed the most. “We have scaled up relief efforts for our employees and their families too, including access to medical infrastructure and other supplies, quarantine facilities, financial support, and more. Further, we have committed to provide vaccination support for our employees, sellers, partners and their dependents; and our on-premises vaccination camps are functional for employees and associates across multiple cities,” said the company.

  • Maharashtra unlock begins; TV, film shoots resume with limited working hours

    New Delhi: After nearly two months of lockdown, Maharashtra is all set to begin easing its strict rules in stages, starting Monday. The film and television industry will also resume shooting, but work in limited hours, as regular shooting will be permitted only after Mumbai gets a grip on the second wave of Covid-19, said chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday.

    As per the state government’s unlock plan, the film, TV shoots are allowed in Mumbai and Thane only for eight hours (till 5 pm) and that too, in a bio-bubble. According to producers, the timings aren’t feasible for the industry, as they require atleast 12 hours and requested the government for relaxation in shoot timings.

    “Permissions for regular film and TV shootings in Mumbai would be given if the city’s daily Covid-19 cases are brought under control,” Thackeray told the representatives of the film and TV industry during a virtual interaction on Sunday.

    One of the worst-affected states, Maharashtra has begun to show a slowdown in the number of new infections over the last week. On Sunday, the total number of daily infections came down to 12,557 which is the lowest in the last three months. The last time the state recorded Covid-19 cases less than 12,000 was on 9 March.

    “After the second wave of Covid-19, film and TV shootings were stopped in the state, but now the number of cases have started getting under control and the unlock process has also begun,” said Thackeray giving a glimmer of hope to the entertainment industry which has been struggling to get back on its feet for almost a year.

    The chief minister also sounded a note of caution and appealed to the industry to cooperate with the government in the unlock process and follow all the safety rules and take adequate precautions while shooting. ‘We should ensure that we do not get knocked down by the virus,’ he said.

    Ever since the restrictions were announced on 14 April, television producers and broadcasters in the state have been struggling to run daily shows and bring fresh content. The Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) has also been beseeching the Shiv Sena-led government to allow shoots to continue under strict safety protocols.

    With no relief in the restrictions, producers shifted their production set up to other states to continue shooting for shows which are on air. Neighbouring Goa, Silvassa, and Daman became the hotspots for most of these TV shoots, along with Hyderabad, Surat, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

    Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), president B N Tiwari said the work will resume immediately in Mumbai and Thane, and producers who have been shooting outside the city will also return after wrapping up the schedule.

    Meanwhile, the IFTPC has also begun the process of vaccinating over 10,000 workers from the media and entertainment industry, starting 4 June.

    On Sunday, Maharashtra lost 233 lives to the deadly virus and crossed the grim milestone of as many as one lakh deaths due to Covid-19. The case fatality rate now stands at 1.72 per cent for the state, while it is 5.56 per cent in Mumbai.

    Terming the unlock decision as a ‘calculated risk’, the state CM urged people to take care of themselves. “Nothing is going to be eased immediately. Some criteria and levels have been fixed and the local administration will take decisions on whether to ease restrictions and further tighten them,” he said.

    According to the government, the overall process of easing the restrictions will extend across five phases based on the positivity rate and occupancy of beds with medical oxygen. Restaurants, shops selling non-essential items, and public places will reopen from Monday in Mumbai, but malls, theatres, and multiplexes will continue to remain shut. Private offices can function at 50 per cent capacity till 4 pm on working days. Local trains in Mumbai will carry only essential workers, while buses in the city will be allowed to ply full capacity.

    The virtual meeting on Sunday was attended by several prominent actors, anchors, and industry representatives including J D Majethia, Nitin Vaidya, Punit Goenka, Aadesh Bandekar, Prashant Damle, Bharat Jadhav, Subodh Bhave, Amol Kolhe, Amit Behl, Ajay Bhalvankar, Sangamon Shirke, Vijay Kenkre, Sharad Ponkshe, and Siddharth Roy Kapur.

  • MIB asks GECs to promote Covid helplines

    Mumbai: The union ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) asked general entertainment channels (GECs) to promote six central government Covid helpline numbers. The country is battling with its worst-ever health crisis, with over 2,500 people succumbing to the infection daily.

    “The private general entertainment (non-news) TV channels are advised to promote awareness of these six national level helpline numbers by way of a ticker or such (other) appropriate ways as they may consider, at periodical intervals,” the I&B ministry said in its recent advisory.

    It has asked channels to promote national helpline numbers that include the union ministry for health and family welfare (1075), women and child development ministry (1098), and the national institute of mental health and neuro-sciences for psychological support (08046110007).

    Apart from these three major helplines,it has also sought to promote other helpline numbers that include, the AYUSH COVID-19 counselling number (14443), the MyGovWhatsApp help desk (9013151515), and that of the union ministry of social justice and empowerment for senior citizens (14567).

    In its advisory, the I&B ministry noted that the second wave of the coronavirus in India was showing signs of slowing down, even as the number of fresh cases was still on the higher side. On Friday, the country recorded as many as 1,34,000 new cases. The advisory also lauded private channels for complementing government efforts to fight the Covid pandemic by creating awareness regarding the infection.

  • PVR records Q4 net loss of Rs 289.12 cr amid Covid blues

    PVR records Q4 net loss of Rs 289.12 cr amid Covid blues

    New Delhi : Multiplex major PVR Ltd continues to bear the brunt of the ongoing pandemic, as it recorded a consolidated net loss of Rs 289.12 crore in the quarter ended on March 31.

    The company reported a net loss of Rs 74.49 crore in the same quarter of the last fiscal. Total income during the period under review was Rs 263.26 crore against Rs 661.78 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago, it said in a regulatory filing, on Wednesday.

    According to PVR, the results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2021, are not comparable with results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2020, as the operations were impacted due to the lockdowns restrictions, staggered re-openings, limited content flow and low consumer confidence.

    FY 2020-21 was one of the toughest years for the multiplex industry and the company was able to successfully navigate the challenges on account of Covid-19 through a continuous focus on reducing fixed costs and keeping adequate liquidity on the balance sheet, said the multiplex major on Wednesday.

    While there were no major Bollywood or Hollywood movie releases in Q4 FY’21, the Southern film industry witnessed strong recovery. But, that too, was marred by the resurgence of the second wave in April, compelling the company to take necessary measures to manage its costs and preserve liquidity.

    However, PVR chairman-cum-managing director Ajay Bijli expressed confidence that the company will bounce back stronger than ever once things start to normalise after mass vaccination.

    As on date, none of its cinemas are operational due to lockdowns implemented by state governments, and even after cinemas are re-opened, its business will continue to be impacted, said PVR.

    “We may not be able to run our cinemas at normal capacity on account of social distancing measures that cinemas may be required to follow as well as health concerns that the patrons may have. On account of this, our revenue and cash flow generation may be impacted even when we fully resume operations,” the company said.

    The multiplex operator said it continues to incur committed cash outflows, including employee salary pay-outs, other overheads as well as payments. It has been able to achieve a reduction of 63 per cent in the fixed cost during the period of lockdown in FY21, which covered rent, personnel costs, electricity and water charges and other overheads.

  • GUEST COLUMN: How to leverage Influencer Marketing for better impact

    GUEST COLUMN: How to leverage Influencer Marketing for better impact

    New Delhi: One of the biggest advantages that influencer marketing enjoys is the level of relatability and relevance it brings forth across all categories. Whether we’re talking about a product and a service offering or messaging for a cause, influencer marketing is versatile, that way, to address all campaign objectives.

    Not just that, influencer engagements wonderfully trigger real-time conversions and drive a clear-cut call to action that successfully fulfill the specific brand agendas. Influencer engagements, which serve as a product testimonial by a legitimate, credible source, are undoubtedly more effective and impactful as they involve a humanized, personalized approach that other fields of marketing may not provide.

    Influencer marketing is not only hugely instrumental in championing brand-related criteria, but it has been shown to create a positive impact in the social, not-for-profit realms as well. With the second wave of COVID-19 that has gruesomely gripped the entire nation, influencers have actively taken the onus to utilise their mass reach and following to disseminate useful Covid- related information. They took on the responsibility to steer clear of misinformation and go ahead and validate appropriate, authentic sources.

    Influencer marketing is quite malleable that way wherein they can address the need of the hour and adapt in accordance with it. For instance, now is the time when people are increasingly spending more time at their homes; influencers display the presence of mind to adjust their content in tandem with that—which increases the relatability quotient substantially.

    The simple trick is: influencers act like brand ambassadors without really making it very obvious.

    With their massive following and reach, they can command their influence over their audience—which is highly impressionable—in a very relatable fashion. They act as the perfect opinion leaders who are fondly loved and trusted by their audience by seamlessly shaping perspectives in favour of the brands.

    Influencer marketing functions like word of mouth on a larger scale where the influencer gives out his friendly review of a product and recommends the audience to purchase it. A lot of times they make the journey of their audience more rewarding by offering different discount codes. At the end of the day, all the stakeholders are equally benefited.

    (Ramya is the CEO & founder of Whoppl, Mumbai based influencer marketing agency. The views expressed in the column are personal and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)
     

  • Koi Bhi Bhukha Na Soe – an initiative by Zee Media for the Covid afflicted families

    Koi Bhi Bhukha Na Soe – an initiative by Zee Media for the Covid afflicted families

    Mumbai: The second wave of COVID 19 in India has hit harder, throwing people off the newly found normalcy all over again. People are fighting hard to survive this COVID wave by searching for plasma donors, oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, and medicines.

     Along with the above challenges, one often overlooked yet truly painful effect of suffering from COVID 19 is the food crises. People are stuck in isolation and are away from their relatives, their children, and their parents. If such isolated people or the homemaker is afflicted with COVID then cooking food for themselves or their loved ones is an extremely difficult option for them. The lack of nutritious food is also affecting the rapid recovery of the patients and a sense of chaos & instability is arising in their minds.

     Being a responsible media organization, Zee Media is using their widespread and established platform to reach out to the people and help them bring some ease to their lives. ZEE Media came up with an initiative called “Koi Bhi Bhukha Na Soe” and through 6 of their channels extending help to all those who are stuck due to the pandemic and are in need of nutritious food for themselves and their loved ones irrespective of which state they live in.

     This initiative has reached out to various organizations/individuals who are going out of their way to help people by providing free food services in their area in such circumstances. Post thorough verification of the contact details and services they are uploaded on the website. The contact details are geographically listed for ease of discovery.

    Those who are not able to cook food at home will just need to go on link embedded on the website to find the verified contacts of free food service providers available in their area and can directly contact them on their number. Additionally, more such verified contacts of these COVID warriors will be added on the microsite page.  We believe that this initiative can be helpful to thousands of people and will make their life easier during the pandemic. They do not have to scamper around for information anymore.

    Zee Hindustan, Zee Rajasthan, Zee Bihar Jharkhand, Zee 24 Ghanta, Zee 24 Kalak and Zee Odisha is promoting this muheem, ensuring the message spreads out to the entire HSM market along with Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat. With promos playing out multiple times, anchors talking about this in the bulletins, social media posts and others, the endeavour is to spread the muheem as far and wide as possible.

     The role of such a trustworthy platform goes beyond providing factual news about the pandemic. The platform can reach far deeper into the houses of all people and help them out in their daily life. Apart from this, the channels are already working along with experts like doctors and researchers to keep our viewers informed with correct news amidst the uncertainty and viewers have shown their trust in their engagement with the brand.

     While we are witnessing the exponential growth of challenges, at the same time we are also witnessing the sheer will and determination of Indians to come out of this successfully together. Many are showing support to the infected families by going out of their way to help them in whichever way possible and it brings hope for better future. This humble initiative “Koi Bhi Bhukha Na Soe” will help in amplifying such selfless services.

  • Patanjali Dairies head Sunil Bansal succumbs to Covid

    Patanjali Dairies head Sunil Bansal succumbs to Covid

    MUMBAI: Sunil Bansal, who headed the dairy business of Yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali brand, died of Covid-19, the company said on Monday, adding it had no “role in his allopathic treatment.” Bansal was vice president in the Dairy Division of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and died on 19 May. He was 57.

    A specialist in dairy science, Bansal joined Patanjali’s dairy business in January 2018 when the company announced its plans to sell packaged cow milk and other milk-based products including curd, buttermilk and cheese.

    “He died of Covid-19 on 19 May in Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur where his wife is a very senior health official of Government of Rajasthan,” the Haridwar-based consumer packaged goods said in a statement, adding, “It’s very unfortunate to have lost a young energetic colleague who was taskmaster.”

    His death comes at a time when Ramdev is courting controversy over his comments dissing allopathic medicines and Covid-19.

    “Patanjali didn’t have any role in his allopathic treatment which was largely coordinated by his wife,” it said. “However we were concerned and used to ask for his well-being from his wife.”

    On Sunday, Ramdev was forced to withdraw a statement made in a viral video clip in which he is heard saying that “lakhs have died from taking allopathic medicines for Covid-19.” He is also heard questioning some of the medicines being used to treat the disease.

    The statement led to vociferous protests from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which demanded that the Health Ministry take strong action against the yoga guru Ramdev for allegedly misleading the public through his statements. Following this, union health minister Harsh Vardhan asked Ramdev to withdraw the statement which he said was “extremely unfortunate”.

  • Siti Network content and carriage GM Rajesh Sharma succumbs to Covid

    Siti Network content and carriage GM Rajesh Sharma succumbs to Covid

    Kolkata: Ever since the pandemic broke, cable operators have been working on the frontlines to ensure uninterrupted cable TV and broadband service across the country. Several of them have battled the infection and the challenges that came along with it, while others succumbed.

    On Monday, another cable operator lost his life to Covid. Siti Network content and carriage GM Rajesh Sharma succumbed to the disease. He was 42 and survived by his wife and two sons in Delhi.

    According to his colleagues, Sharma was loved by everyone in the office for his lively presence. He was promoted to his current position last year during the pandemic. “He was a kind human being, always helpful. He was cooperative, and everyone liked him in the organisation. Unfortunately, we have lost him at such a young age. He had a long career in front of him,” said Siti Networks CEO Anil Malhotra as he condoled his demise.

    India is battling the worst-ever health crisis, with the second wave of Covid-19 taking a heavy toll on people across the states. On Monday, the country recorded as many as 2.22 lakh new cases, which is lowest since 15 April. India has lost 4,454 lives to the deadly virus during the last 24 hours and the death toll has surpassed the three lakh mark, making India the only country after the US and Brazil to record over three lakh fatalities. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra remain the most impacted, with the highest number of new infections.

  • ZeeL to scale down investment in SugarBox significantly

    ZeeL to scale down investment in SugarBox significantly

    KOLKATA: When things aren’t working out, it’s better you step back until they start looking better.  Exactly how Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) is doing with its investment in internet connectivity start-up Margo Networks. It was barely a year ago that it had announced that it would invest Rs 522 crore in the latter which offers bandwidth to consumers under the brand name SugarBox.

    The broadcaster aimed to create a tech-content synergy through the investment in order to help subscribers get over connectivity constraints that plague India’s mobile networks. However, Zeel has decided to scale down its investment in SugarBox owing to the changing situation.

    “Given the current pandemic and uncertainties, we will not be investing very aggressively behind SugarBox. From our original plan itself, it will be scaled down significantly for the foreseeable future,” ZeeL MD & CEO Punit Goenka said during an investors’ call.

    Of all the reasons behind the decision, one is that the project has been delayed significantly. ZeeL was expecting it to roll out in February but the pandemic has hindered its execution. As no one knows how long Covid2019 will last, there are fair chances of a further delay.

    “More importantly, even after everything stabilises, we don’t know how the traffic will build. Traffic consumption was very different when we planned the project. For FY22, we do not see that kind of investment that we were planning earlier,” ZeeL investor relations, corporate strategy head Bijal Shah said.

    Reduction in non-core investments in Sugarbox due to the COVID-19 pandemic is a welcome step, brokerage firm Motilal Oswal said in a recent note.

    “The unique technology will enable us to serve content to consumers across the nation, without being restricted by connectivity constraints. We are confident that this synergy will create a strong foundation for us, as we progress towards offering relevant content to consumers across platforms,” Goenka said at the time of the investment.

    However, analysts were sceptical of the timeliness of the investment from the beginning. Brokerage firms found it ill-timed due to a weak ad environment.

    In the year 2017, ZeeL had acquired an 80 per cent equity stake in SugarBox. The latter creates a hyperlocal data distribution ecosystem by installing CDN Edge servers at key places of interest (POIs), which users can connect to over a local Wi-Fi network.