ITV

Tag: Digital

  • NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    MUMBAI: Headend In The Sky (HITS) platform NXT Digital, which rolled out its services in September 2015, has added one more broadcaster to its kitty. Disney Media Distribution, which recently separated from the IndiaCast distribution platform, has signed a two year deal with the Hinduja-owned HITS company.

    The deal allows both active and passive distribution of the eight Disney channels.

    “This is a partnership deal for two years, we see HITS progressing thick and fast and hence when they reached out to us, we decided to move ahead and sign the deal,” a senior Disney official tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The deal has been signed on a cost per subscriber (CPS) model, and the channels are already available for NXT Digital’s subscribers.

  • JWT and McCann Worldgroup tie at No 1 spot in Gunn Report 2015

    JWT and McCann Worldgroup tie at No 1 spot in Gunn Report 2015

    MUMBAI: J. Walter Thompson and McCann Worldgroup have scored the most number of awards in India for their creative campaigns spanning across print, digital, film, and AGB as per The Gunn Report 2015.

    J. Walter Thompson Mumbai and Bangalore, and McCann Mumbai have their sum totals tied at 10 each, while J Walter Thompson’s South Asia group company Contract Advertising came in at the third spot with a tally of six.

    On the whole, India has jumped a position higher from it’s last year’s world rank of 14 to 13 in 2015, as per the GR Creative Ranking.

    When it comes to film category, JWT stole the show with the lead score of seven, closely followed by its sister arm Contract Advertising with five.

    McCann Worldgroup chairman Asia Pacific and McCann India CEO and chief creative officer Prasoon Joshi said, “I am excited with this outcome, the hard work and dedication that our teams put in has come to the fore with this recognition.  I also want to thank our clients who have always believed in us and value ideas and long term relationships.”

    JWT South Asia CEO Tarun Rai said, “To have two of our group companies right at the top of the creative charts is really satisfying. This is an unprecedented achievement. I am really proud of the fantastic teams led by Senthil and Ashish.”

    J. Walter Thompson India chief creative officer Senthil Kumar added, “It’s a great start to the year with J. Walter Thompson India topping the Global Gunn Report India agency ranking. We have always gone in with all guns blazing for our clients with sharp ideas that strike the bulls’ eye more often than not.”

    Contract Advertising NCD Ashish Chakravarty said, “While I am quite happy about the Gunn report rankings, I believe that awards (and, therefore, such rankings) are the by-product of the passion and rigour that we put into our work… so, the many creative awards, new business wins, and rankings, only go to show that we are doing it right. Maybe.”

    On the world stage however it was Always #LikeAGirl from Leo Burnett Toronto that emerged as the most awarded All Gunns Blazing in the World advertising campaign of the year 2015, while “Monty’s Christmas” by adam and eve DDB London took away the most number of awards in Film Commercial category. The title for Most Awarded Agency in the World this year was taken away by BBDO, followed by Leo Burnett and DDB.

    The Gunn Report 2015

  • JWT and McCann Worldgroup tie at No 1 spot in Gunn Report 2015

    JWT and McCann Worldgroup tie at No 1 spot in Gunn Report 2015

    MUMBAI: J. Walter Thompson and McCann Worldgroup have scored the most number of awards in India for their creative campaigns spanning across print, digital, film, and AGB as per The Gunn Report 2015.

    J. Walter Thompson Mumbai and Bangalore, and McCann Mumbai have their sum totals tied at 10 each, while J Walter Thompson’s South Asia group company Contract Advertising came in at the third spot with a tally of six.

    On the whole, India has jumped a position higher from it’s last year’s world rank of 14 to 13 in 2015, as per the GR Creative Ranking.

    When it comes to film category, JWT stole the show with the lead score of seven, closely followed by its sister arm Contract Advertising with five.

    McCann Worldgroup chairman Asia Pacific and McCann India CEO and chief creative officer Prasoon Joshi said, “I am excited with this outcome, the hard work and dedication that our teams put in has come to the fore with this recognition.  I also want to thank our clients who have always believed in us and value ideas and long term relationships.”

    JWT South Asia CEO Tarun Rai said, “To have two of our group companies right at the top of the creative charts is really satisfying. This is an unprecedented achievement. I am really proud of the fantastic teams led by Senthil and Ashish.”

    J. Walter Thompson India chief creative officer Senthil Kumar added, “It’s a great start to the year with J. Walter Thompson India topping the Global Gunn Report India agency ranking. We have always gone in with all guns blazing for our clients with sharp ideas that strike the bulls’ eye more often than not.”

    Contract Advertising NCD Ashish Chakravarty said, “While I am quite happy about the Gunn report rankings, I believe that awards (and, therefore, such rankings) are the by-product of the passion and rigour that we put into our work… so, the many creative awards, new business wins, and rankings, only go to show that we are doing it right. Maybe.”

    On the world stage however it was Always #LikeAGirl from Leo Burnett Toronto that emerged as the most awarded All Gunns Blazing in the World advertising campaign of the year 2015, while “Monty’s Christmas” by adam and eve DDB London took away the most number of awards in Film Commercial category. The title for Most Awarded Agency in the World this year was taken away by BBDO, followed by Leo Burnett and DDB.

    The Gunn Report 2015

  • Convergence India opens on Digital India theme with 434 exhibitors from 29 countries

    Convergence India opens on Digital India theme with 434 exhibitors from 29 countries

    NEW DELHI: India has emerged as one of the most promising markets for IT and Telecommunications companies with government initiatives such as Digital India and Make in India propelling growth and encouraging major tech companies like Facebook, Microsoft and Google, who are preparing to serve the Indian rural market.

     

    This was the general view of speakers at the inauguration of the 24th Convergence India Expo, which opened in the capital today with 434 exhibitors from 29 countries.

     

    Speakers said India is in the midst of a digital revolution, and the government has unveiled new policies and regulations to accelerate the adoption of ICT in key economic and strategic sectors to increase India’s competitiveness and productivity.

      

    Bharti Enterprises vice chairman Akhil Gupta said, “The Indian ICT sector has entered an exciting growth phase led by the proliferation of digital media and technologies. With over one billion mobile connections, the country’s transformation into a digital economy will be driven by mobile broadband, which will help hundreds of millions of Indians benefit by connecting to the internet. The industry remains committed to the Government’s Digital India vision.”

     

    CII National Committee on Telecom & Broadband chairman Kiran Karnik, who was moderating the inaugural conference session on Digital India, added, “The panellists comprised eminent names who bought a unique and different perspective on the various issues involved. The result was an excellent session, which provided many insights and useful suggestions.”

     

    Keynote speaker at the Convergence India forum, former Secretary in the Government and former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman Pradip Baijal said, “Today’s India and Indians want to be informed and connected 24×7, hence mobile broadband. India has very poor fixed-line tele-density and fixed broadband density. Of seven billion mobiles in the world, 3.5 billion have been converted to mobile broadband. In India, less than 10 per cent of mobiles have been converted to mobile broadband. This needs correction, and I hope the conference will deliberate on this.”

     

    Exhibitions India Group chairman Prem Behl, who conceived the Convergence India Expo, said, “Our endeavour is to bring to the forefront an extraordinary platform, which is informative, thought provoking and empowers both government and industry stakeholders to meet the challenges of the future.”

     

    Participating exhibitors include: Appear TV, Cisco Systems, Elemental Technologies, Ericsson, NAGRA, RiverSilica, SanDisk India and Telenor, among others, who are using the Convergence India platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations.

     

    Apart from the exhibition arena, concurrent conference sessions are being held in two separate halls with prominent government officials, industry leaders, technocrats, academia, media, etc.

     

    Eminent speakers included TRAI chairman R S Sharma; Kiran Karnik; Broadcom India MD Rajiv Kapur; Cisco India and SAARC managing director – service provider business Sanjay Kaul; Telenor India CEO Sharad Mehrotra; ICA National president Pankaj Mohindroo; Bharti Infratel MD and CEO Devender Singh Rawat; and Viom Networks CEO Syed Safawi, amongst others.

     

    Organised by the Exhibitions India Group, the Expo is supported by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

  • Convergence India opens on Digital India theme with 434 exhibitors from 29 countries

    Convergence India opens on Digital India theme with 434 exhibitors from 29 countries

    NEW DELHI: India has emerged as one of the most promising markets for IT and Telecommunications companies with government initiatives such as Digital India and Make in India propelling growth and encouraging major tech companies like Facebook, Microsoft and Google, who are preparing to serve the Indian rural market.

     

    This was the general view of speakers at the inauguration of the 24th Convergence India Expo, which opened in the capital today with 434 exhibitors from 29 countries.

     

    Speakers said India is in the midst of a digital revolution, and the government has unveiled new policies and regulations to accelerate the adoption of ICT in key economic and strategic sectors to increase India’s competitiveness and productivity.

      

    Bharti Enterprises vice chairman Akhil Gupta said, “The Indian ICT sector has entered an exciting growth phase led by the proliferation of digital media and technologies. With over one billion mobile connections, the country’s transformation into a digital economy will be driven by mobile broadband, which will help hundreds of millions of Indians benefit by connecting to the internet. The industry remains committed to the Government’s Digital India vision.”

     

    CII National Committee on Telecom & Broadband chairman Kiran Karnik, who was moderating the inaugural conference session on Digital India, added, “The panellists comprised eminent names who bought a unique and different perspective on the various issues involved. The result was an excellent session, which provided many insights and useful suggestions.”

     

    Keynote speaker at the Convergence India forum, former Secretary in the Government and former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman Pradip Baijal said, “Today’s India and Indians want to be informed and connected 24×7, hence mobile broadband. India has very poor fixed-line tele-density and fixed broadband density. Of seven billion mobiles in the world, 3.5 billion have been converted to mobile broadband. In India, less than 10 per cent of mobiles have been converted to mobile broadband. This needs correction, and I hope the conference will deliberate on this.”

     

    Exhibitions India Group chairman Prem Behl, who conceived the Convergence India Expo, said, “Our endeavour is to bring to the forefront an extraordinary platform, which is informative, thought provoking and empowers both government and industry stakeholders to meet the challenges of the future.”

     

    Participating exhibitors include: Appear TV, Cisco Systems, Elemental Technologies, Ericsson, NAGRA, RiverSilica, SanDisk India and Telenor, among others, who are using the Convergence India platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations.

     

    Apart from the exhibition arena, concurrent conference sessions are being held in two separate halls with prominent government officials, industry leaders, technocrats, academia, media, etc.

     

    Eminent speakers included TRAI chairman R S Sharma; Kiran Karnik; Broadcom India MD Rajiv Kapur; Cisco India and SAARC managing director – service provider business Sanjay Kaul; Telenor India CEO Sharad Mehrotra; ICA National president Pankaj Mohindroo; Bharti Infratel MD and CEO Devender Singh Rawat; and Viom Networks CEO Syed Safawi, amongst others.

     

    Organised by the Exhibitions India Group, the Expo is supported by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

  • Flags Communications bags Rs 250 lakh marketing mandate of Kairali Ayurvedic Group

    Flags Communications bags Rs 250 lakh marketing mandate of Kairali Ayurvedic Group

    NEW DELHI: Flags Communications has been mandated to provide integrated and end-to-end marketing solutions to Kairali Ayurvedic Group, a global, independent, family-owned company helping people heal by using the method of ayurveda. 

     

    Flags will also strengthen brand engagement across all platforms – Print, Broadcast, Digital, Outdoor and Social. The deal is for around Rs 250 lakh.

     

    Flags have been tasked with drawing on 360 degree strategic communications expertise, which includes advertising, marketing, PR and digital to creatively engage customers and investors of Kairali on a nationwide scale.

     

    Kairali MD KV Ramesh said, “We were looking for an agency that can partner with us closely in our growth story. Flags Communications’ deep experiential knowledge of emerging markets and capability to seamlessly implement national product launches, with deep public relations expertise will be invaluable in strengthening our presence. The company’s strategic understanding of the Ayurvedic industry gives us confidence to believe that this will be a successful alliance. We look forward to a long term and mutually beneficial relationship.”

     

    Flags MD PKD Nambiar added, “Kairali is just not any other client for Flags. By partnering with Kairali, we have signed up with  its philosophy of promoting ayurveda to the deepest corner of this country. Our mandate is to facilitate building and enhancing their corporate reputation, create visibility for their brand through contemporary and cutting edge communications. Kairali has tremendous expectations from us, and backed by our expertise we are confident of meeting them.”

     

    Kairali Ayurvedic Group has been helping amalgamate ancient ayurveda with contemporary wellness needs and healing mankind worldwide through Kairali – The Ayurvedic Healing Village (formerly known as ‘Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort’), at Palakkad – Kerala and Kairali Ayurvedic Centers (Worldwide).

  • TO THE NEW Venture growing 100% YoY: Puneet Johar

    TO THE NEW Venture growing 100% YoY: Puneet Johar

    MUMBAI: In the wake of the digital boom, internet product & services company TO THE NEW Ventures, which specialises in emerging markets, has witnessed a 100 per cent year on year (YOY) growth.

     

    What’s more the company’s services business has witnessed of growth of 40-50 per cent, whereas its consumer internet business comprising American Swan and #fame have also been growing 100 per cent YOY.

     

    TO THE NEW five businesses include TO THE NEW Digital, American Swan, #fame, Blogmint and ThoughtBuzz.

     

    #fame has been great combination of the engagement of social media with the power of live video where users can go live on a simple click of a button on their mobile.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, TO THE NEW Ventures CEO Puneet Johar said, “As a service company, technology and analytics are the two cores of digital offering. Content and marketing is always the icing on the cake as they clearly engage with the consumer. If you see the overall growth, our company is growing 100 per cent year on year, our services business is growing around 40-50 per cent and our consumer internet business is growing by 100 per cent year on year.”

     

    Talking about the growing digital space, Johar added, “Smartphones, internet connections and mobile internet have all witnessed a tremendous growth so obviously people are consuming more content on mobile devices, which is an irreversible phenomenon in my opinion.”

     

    From the advertisers’ perspective, people are using digital for engagement, innovation as well as for reach. “There are different matrixes available where people can measure their results from social media and videos. Targeting is much more superior than print or any other media as far as digital is concerned. We believe the intensity of targeting will only get strengthened over the next two years when more and more machines will come, which is already happening based on people’s past usage. We will see targeting based on more and more usage,” Johar informed.

     

    Over the past few years, the digital space has been growing by rapidly. It’s already a big and sizable platform now. Johar said, “Approximately Rs 4000 – 5000 crore was spent on digital this year. It’s already a very big platform in India and it will only get bigger and bigger in the coming days. In the next five – six years it will become as big as print.”

     

    While on the one hand there are the popular upper crust channels that do well in terms of viewership, on the other there are also those at the bottom rung, which don’t command healthy viewership. Johar said, “It’s very tough to aggregate and do a campaign with measured money. However on the digital platform, even on a smaller budget, one can make a good impact on the target group with creative content. One can create a lot of buzz on digital as opposed to television. In today’s time, the consumer likes to discover things, they like to interact rather than being just told about it.”

     

    Throwing light on digital monetisation, he said, “In a business, which is just one year old, we are not worried about profitability. Currently we are more concerned about user’s usage and increased viewership. I think profitability will naturally be slow with these things.”

     

    TO The NEW Digital invested $10 million last year in #fame and is still working with the same funds.

     

    Reliance Jio offering a unique combination of telecom, high speed 4G internet data, digital commerce, media and payment services has already created a lot of buzz in the country. Opining on the same, Johar said, “I think everybody is looking forward to a great telecom infrastructure. Essentially data will be available to everyone at a compelling rate and it will expand the usage of data on all smartphones and PCs. It’s an exciting road ahead. It can be positive development for the digital environment.”

     

    With rural India getting connected by the internet slowly but surely, digital players are smiling from ear to ear. “We are also looking forward to the infrastructure enhancement. While I do believe data is expensive now, the cost is likely to come down soon. Rural India will start adopting when the cost will come down. This will happen sooner or later and things will change,” he said. 

     

    Johar informs that TO THE NEW is eyeing new revenue models from advertising, subscription and gamification in the future.

     

    Sharing his future insight about the company, he added, “For all the three businesses, we are looking at strategic partnerships. Our aim is to have at least our key businesses namely American Swan and #fame to strike strategic partnerships so as to expand the business in India and South East Asia over the next year.”

  • Digital pushing growth even as linear content consumption declines

    Digital pushing growth even as linear content consumption declines

    SINGAPORE: Interesting revelations came forth on Day 3 of Asia TV Forum (ATF) 2015 where formats were the pivotal topic of discussion. 

     

    At the onset was a presentation by Eurodata head of global research and content strategy Sahar Baghery, who spoke about a few trends that are currently worth making note of. 

     

    According to a study by Eurodata, consumption of linear television is on the decline across progressive nations like France, Germany, Canada and US among others; whereas there is only a marginal growth in the consumption patterns even in countries in Asia and Africa. “What this study suggests is that even though linear consumption is witnessing a downward trend, digital consumption is on the rise,” Baghery stated.

     

    What was even more interesting is the fact that countries like France, Netherlands, Sweden and UK are working on evaluating the viewership of content across screens to give a better understanding to content creators as well as brands advertising on the various platforms about the presence and viability of their investments. Sahar also touched upon the fact that a lot of kids content is now being exclusively produced by OTT players like Amazon and Netflix as they believe that is the future of content consumption by millennials.

     

    The study further educated about the various genres of shows that are currently doing well across the European and American circuits. “Stories dealing with corruption, a spy drama and crime thrillers are doing the best in terms of viewership across popular regions as of now.” She added that anthology series were also doing well as a format and could be further explored by other markets as well.

     

    The next couple of sessions for the day dealt with how leaders in Asia, primarily South Korea, are creating content that travels the world. The Korean wave has been sweeping the world and it was no different at ATF either. In a session, which spoke about the trending shows in South Korea, various case studies were discussed as to what led to their success domestically and how that translated into deals with European, Middle Eastern and US markets. CJ E&M manager Spencer Craig Thomas said, “We are very confident of our linear distribution presence, and thus are now looking to grow our content exponentially on the digital side. Our belief is that by creating follow-up or catch up content for our already existing properties on digital, we are only going to increase our consumption traction further.”

     

    On the other hand, Indonesia’s MNC Group VP content Hendy Liem stated that international content is only capable of gaining eyeballs but can’t be monetised well. “It’s important to understand pricing and return on investments in the first place before venturing into international syndication deals or spending heavily on creating content without knowing its monetising capabilities.”

     

    On the kids’ front, a panel discussion was held on the possibilities and success stories of some of the formats, which have been led by kids as the main protagonists. According to research data by Eurodata, 40 per cent of content, which has kids as their protagonists are fictional; 39 per cent is in the entertainment genre and the remaining 21 per cent are factual shows.

     

    The conclusion of the panel was that though the protagonists of shows like The Voice Kids, Super Kids and Master Class are children or young adults, they look at targeting families and not only kids for gaining that many more eyeballs and touch the empathy chords with their viewers.

     

    That brings us to the end of the TV market at ATF 2015; ScreenSingapore will take centre stage tomorrow. Stay tuned for more updates!