ITV

Tag: DLF

  • Lodha hires a design-minded property boss

    Lodha hires a design-minded property boss

    MUMBAI: Lodha group has hired Anubhav Gupta as chief executive of its retail business. The appointment, which took effect in September, brings a property veteran with an unusual pedigree: Gupta is as comfortable talking sustainability metrics as he is flogging luxury flats.

    Gupta spent a decade at Godrej Properties, where he rose to run the Vikhroli project, the company’s flagship mixed-use development in Mumbai. At his peak, he was responsible for just under half of Godrej Properties’ profit after tax—a hefty chunk for one executive to carry. He also wore multiple hats as chief sustainability officer and founder of the company’s in-house design studio, which churned out award-winning products across 170m square feet of real estate in 12 cities.

    Before Lodha, Gupta spent 16 months as chief operating officer at DLF, heading the property giant’s ultra-luxury business. His earlier career reads like a global tour: he taught urban design at MIT and the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, worked as an urban planner for the Chicago Transit Authority, and held senior roles at architectural practices RTKL and RMJM in London and Hong Kong.

    Gupta is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and was named among Asia’s 40 leading designers under 40 by Perspective Global. His work at Godrej earned plaudits for blending design thinking with agile innovation, a buzzword-heavy approach that nonetheless delivered results.

    At Lodha, his brief is to oversee the developer’s retail operations—a natural extension for a man who built his reputation on mixed-use projects. Whether he can replicate his Godrej success in a new setting remains to be seen. But Lodha is clearly betting that a design-savvy executive with a track record in profitability is worth the gamble.

  • Vivek Makker returns to NDTV as national revenue head

    Vivek Makker returns to NDTV as national revenue head

    NEW DELHI: NDTV has brought back seasoned sales leader Vivek Makker as national revenue head for NDTV India, NDTV Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh and NDTV Rajasthan, entrusting him with the task of supercharging advertising revenues across its flagship Hindi news network.

    Makker knows the terrain well. From 2012 to 2022 he climbed the NDTV ladder to become national head of NDTV India, shaping strategy and client relationships in the intensely competitive Hindi news segment. He now returns after a three-year stint at News Nation, where as executive vice-president he steered national sales, digital marketing and customer experience.

    His earlier career spans nearly every corner of India’s broadcast and out-of-home market. At Star India he managed northern-region sales, while at JSL Media he headed the outdoor revenue function. At Times Innovative Media he was part of the core team that launched airport advertising in Delhi and Mumbai in 2007, taking monthly billings from zero to Rs 10 crore within a few years. He recruited and retained a high-performing team and built direct relationships with top developers such as DLF, Emaar and Unitech, as well as brands from Volkswagen to GM and BMW.

    Makker started out in media marketing at Hindustan Times in 1999, later moving to Star TV to handle marquee real-estate and IPO clients. Across these roles he earned a reputation for meticulous client servicing, sharp sales strategy and the ability to build lasting partnerships in a sector known for churn.

    The NDTV executive say his mandate is clear: grow advertising share in Hindi heartland markets while deepening ties with national advertisers and agencies. With more than two decades of experience and a track record of turning fledgling revenue streams into major profit centres, Makker is expected to give NDTV’s Hindi channels fresh commercial momentum as the network readies for the next phase of expansion.

  • Sethi in Stone as SPJ True Realtyy Builds Sales Game Plan

    Sethi in Stone as SPJ True Realtyy Builds Sales Game Plan

    MUMBAI: When it comes to selling spaces, SPJ True Realtyy is laying down a strong foundation starting with its leadership. In a move set to turbocharge its growth ambitions, the Gurugram-based developer has roped in real estate heavyweight Jashanpreet Singh Sethi as senior vice president & head of sales.

    With over 13 years of experience chiselled across India’s leading realty players DLF, Mahindra Lifespaces, M3M, and Omaxe Sethi’s name is as familiar in boardrooms as it is on sales dashboards. His track record? A portfolio of market-expanding strategies and consistently robust revenue deliveries.

    At SPJ True Realtyy, he’ll be entrusted with scaling high-performance teams, driving aggressive revenue targets, and sharpening the brand’s residential and commercial sales playbook. “I’m here to build for the long game, with customer-centricity at the heart of every move,” said Sethi. “The aim is to power SPJ’s growth through data-led strategy, sustainable relationships, and a future-first mindset.”

    Welcoming him on board SPJ True Realtyy executive president Praveen Raina said, “Sethi’s entry brings strategic sharpness and agility to our sales engine. With his sectoral know-how and customer engagement finesse, we expect to deepen our market presence while staying true to our value-driven development ethos.”

    Sethi’s appointment comes at a pivotal juncture for SPJ True Realtyy as it doubles down on expanding across both residential and commercial verticals. With a leadership mindset anchored in performance, the brand is clearly setting the tone for a more ambitious, strategically sound phase brick by brilliant brick.

  • DLF initiates Green Diwali campaign

    DLF initiates Green Diwali campaign

    MUMBAI: DLF and all its properties, along with the employees and stakeholders have come together to work towards a pollution-free Diwali, initiating the green Diwali campaign.

    DLF will create awareness about the negative impact of air pollution in the light of the citizens of the NCR region. The campaign which will run simultaneously across all properties of DLF including DLF5, DLF Cyber City, DLF Cyber Hub, and all the DLF malls in the region, will seek to create awareness about the issue of air pollution across both traditional and social media properties.

    The campaign is closely aligned with the #Myrighttobreathe initiative and seeks to create awareness about the direct linkage of festivities to the environment. As a part of the initiative the company will be taking out posters emailers and Facebook posts highlighting our right to breathe.

    DLF5 executive director Aakash Ohri said, “As responsible corporate citizens, It is our duty to address the issue of rising levels of pollution and work towards a greener, cleaner planet for our younger generations.”

  • PVR watermark and trained staff help detect piracy, says Sanjeev Bijli, targets 1000 screens by ’20

    PVR watermark and trained staff help detect piracy, says Sanjeev Bijli, targets 1000 screens by ’20

    NEW DELHI: It had always been a favourite meeting place until it closed down over a decade ago, and it was sorely missed. The Chanakya cinema was the only theatre in Chanakyapuri — the capital’s diplomatic enclave — and so it exhibited either English or blockbuster films. But, an unseemly dispute with the New Delhi Municipal Corporation forced the lease-holders to shut shop.

    However, the theatre has reopened in a new avatar – and helped the PVR Cinemas touch the 600-screen mark with PVR Cinema CMD Ajay Bijli confident of touching the 1000-screen mark by 2020.

    The property was later acquired on a 15-year lease by DLF who have developed it as a shopping complex and PVR developed a part of it as a three-screen theatre.

    PVR joint managing director Sanjeev Bijli told Indiantelevision.com that around 3.5 per cent of the budget of the PVR chain has been set aside for publicity and promotion. In a brief talk on the sidelines of a press meet to unveil the new theatre, he said, answering a question relating to piracy, that every frame appearing on the screen carried the PVR watermark and so piracy could be easily detected.

    Bijli also said that the staff had been trained to keep a watch on viewers using mobiles to ensure the screen image was not copied. He said the tagline ECX meant Enhanced Cinema Experience — a greater emphasis on the latest sound technology, and silver screens which ensured a better viewing experience.

    In its new incarnation, PVR ECX Chanakya unveils the most opulent cinema format in India with its 4K projection system, next-generation 3D-enabled screens with ultra HD picture quality and Dolby ATMOS surround-sound system in all auditoriums. The new cinema also offers Quick Tix, PVR’s digital ticketing solution to promote cashless transactions and reduce ticket-wait times. The cinema also offers an automated F&B kiosk Quick Bites for the first time ever, wherein patrons’ can either pick up their order from the counter or get it served on their seat.

    Being a PVR ECX property, there is special emphasis on ambience manifested by a deep focus on design, colours and lighting in each cinema. Designed by the Madrid-based STUDIO GRONDA, the revamped PVR ECX has magnificent lobby spaces, custom-made chandeliers, prime marbles, dynamic auditorium lights, and unparalleled technological integrations.

    Sanjeev Bijli said the chain had started out in 1997 after an agreement between Priya from India and Village Roadshow of Australia, and begun with Anupam PVR in Saket in South Delhi and grown in 20 years to its present capacity and along the way acquired the Cinemax and DT chains.

    Earlier, at the press meet, Ajay Bijli regretted that the cinema had been treated as a luxury item despite fact that ticket prices varied between Rs 125 and Rs 550 and the blended tax under GST had been fixed at 28 per cent despite a demand for keeping it low at 18 per cent.

    PVR CEO Gautam Dutta said that the marketing and consumer support had helped the keep its rates steady. He said that adequate publicity would be given to show timings when the rate was as low as Rs 125 to ensure consumer support. He said art and technology make for good cinema and, with the tastes of the consumer changing, it was important to keep ahead of the curve.

    To a question, he said that both English and Indian blockbuster films would be screened at Chanakya, now.

    Ajay Bijli said that 21 other screens were ready for launching in other places but the clearances for the Chanakya heritage property came early, and so this was the first to touch 600 screens.

  • Vivo wins IPL title rights for Rs 21.9 bn

    MUMBAI: Vivo has won the title rights bid for IPL for 2018-2022 for Rs 21.9 billion — which is a 554 per cent hike over the previous contract. Oppo, with Rs 14.3 bn-bid, Motorola, Xaiomi, and Intex were the other bidders.

    21 June was the last day for interested companies to pick up the bid document, which was available from 31 May.

    The IPL’s title sponsorship has been held by three brands since the tournament’s launch in 2008. For the first five years, DLF held the rights while, in 2013, Pepsi came on board.

    However, after the BCCI found itself in a mess with the betting and spot-fixing scam, the beverage giant discontinued its deal in late 2015. This made way for Vivo to pick up the rights for the last two years of Pepsi’s contract tenure.

  • BCCI invites bids for IPL title sponsorship

    MUMBAI: A few brands have been associated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its money-spinning Indian Premier League as its title sponsor. Among them: real estate giant, DLF, Pepsi and finally Vivo which paid Rs 100 crore annually for it (2016 to 2018).

    Now the cricket body has begun the process of finding a new title sponsor. It placed an ad in the newspapers, saying that it was starting the invitation to tender (ITT) process from 1 June to 21 June.

    The ITT document is available at a non-refundable fee of Rs 300,000 and the bids have to be submitted by 12 noon 27 June 2017 at a specified place mentioned in it or any other place that the board decides. The BCCI has also reserved the right at its discretion to cancel or amend the entire bidding process at any stage.

    The new title sponsorship deal will be for the next five seasons starting from August 2018 to July 2022.

  • What makes IPL click with brands?

    What makes IPL click with brands?

    MUMBAI: Indians love for cricket is inevitable. And nothing can come between the fans and the most-awaited entertainment tournament in the country: The Indian Premier League (IPL). But that’s not all, like honey to bee; brands too get attracted to it.

     

    Year after year, controversies galore, nothing has deterred brands from putting their money on IPL.  

     

    Over the years, while the experts have debating that the overdose of cricket will make people lose interest in the game, but the fact is that even controversies – Lalit Modi fisasco, slapgate or even match-fixing – hasn’t affected the tournament when it comes to sponsorships. The Rs 2000 crore plus property has many lining up to sign deals.

     

    With the expected ad revenue from this year’s IPL to be Rs 900 crore, the official broadcaster of the tournament, Sony Max and Six, have already brought on board, Perfetti Van Melle, Havells and Amazon as on-air associate sponsors while Vodafone and Pepsi will be the co-presenting sponsors.

     

    So why do brands jump into the IPL bandwagon. The reason is simple: it is the biggest visibility platform in the country for brands.

     

    Many in the industry feel that IPL helped its first title sponsor DLF become a household name.

     

    “DLF was known in the north among the upper class, but today the name is known at every corner of the country,” says GroupM ESP Sports and Live national director Vinit Karnik.

     

    The sports and entertainment arm of GroupM, in its SportzPower-GroupM ESP India sports sponsorship report 2014 reveals that Indian sports TV broadcasting was, is, and will continue to be dominated by cricket for the foreseeable future, contributing to 80 to 85 per cent of the total television sports media revenues.

     

    In 2008, when tire major Bridgestone considered IPL as a medium for brand communication, it was put off by the price tags for premium rights. For example, real estate company DLF, at that time, was paying Rs 400 million per year for the title sponsorship of IPL. So, Bridgestone made a modest entry into cricket as a co-sponsor of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.

     

    The cricket tournament is a perfect platform to not only increase visibility but it also enhances the brands’ customer engagement. For instance, Karbonn Mobiles which, till a few years back, was fighting to make space in the market which was ruled by Nokia, entered the tournament through ‘Karbonn Kamal Catch’ and IPL Nights.

     

    The deal helped the mobile company engage with its customers through the programme wherein spectators were selected and had to catch a ball. If they caught the ball, during a match, they would receive a ball signed by a player.

     

    Similarly, Citi Bank’s ‘Citi Moment of Success’ helped the brand come out of the dark period it was witnessing because of the slowdown. “Citi’s initiative helped it rise above negative PR, especially what it was going through in the US. It used the platform well by associating itself with the ‘successful’,” points out Karnik.

     

    Agreeing and adding on the subject, Madison Media COO Dinesh Rathore says, “IPL is one property which everyone knows will deliver for those 45 days consistently and hence, it increases the recall value of brands too. Why else would we see so many new launches (campaigns and products) during this time-frame?”

     

    How can one forget the Zoozoos? Telecom giant, Vodafone, every year launches a new campaign during IPL. Vodafone India was one of the first few brands to get associated with the IPL and continues the relationship even in the seventh year. Zoozoos were launched in the second season and since then have helped Vodafone to establish a strong connect with the customers and enhance brand recall. One can even say that Zoozoos and IPL are inseparable today.

     

    “Our experience so far has been that if you do things that are truly innovative and cutting edge during the IPL then the impact multiplies and bang for the buck is unmatchable. For example, apart from the ZooZoo campaign, our customer connect initiative ‘Vodafone SuperFan Contest’ has also received positive response from our customers,” says Vodafone India Brand Communications and Insights senior vice president Ronita Mitra.

     

    She adds, “This year Vodafone customers can help a cricket crazy friend to get a dream come true opportunity to be selected as ‘Vodafone SuperFan’ and win all the privileges that go with it.  While the friend gets all the privileges available for ‘Vodafone SuperFan’, Vodafone customers, as the nominee also gets hospitality ticket to watch the match live.”

     

    Highlighting that new brand launches have gained tremendously, particularly in the segment of auto, brand consultant Harish Bijoor highlights that the format is dear to not only men, but women and children alike. “IPL is today a family sighting and outing. Therefore, anything that attracts family eyeballs is a marketing opportunity not to miss for brands.”

     

    Not only this, but established brands too have jumped on the bandwagon. Pepsi, for instance, has been associated with cricket per se for years now. The cola giant taking the IPL title rights has been a huge brand lift for the IPL. That time, the move surprised many market watchers because they thought that a brand that needed to build a national brand recall as well as presence, would bid for the IPL rights.

     

     PepsiCo India EVP Homi Battiwala has been quoted in the SportzPower-GroupM ESP report saying, “We are delighted that we have succeeded in rebranding the tournament as Pepsi-IPL, thus cementing a five-year partnership between two brands which enjoy an iconic status not only in India but globally. With our continuing sponsorship of the ICC World Cup, we are now the biggest supporters of the game of cricket.”

     

    The cola giant also feels that the timing of the tournament is ideal given that packaged beverages is an impulse category and nearly 50 per cent of consumption happens in these months.

     

    However, the controversies related to the tournament have left a dent in its sheen. Last year’s match-fixing fiasco hit it bad. And with elections coinciding with the tournament, many feel that it can impact the tournament’s TVTs and brand value.

     

    “This year due to the various reasons the on-ground sponsorships may witness more desperation and many marketers may not invest for the long run.  The revenue for the franchise is also hit due to the shifting of large part of tournament to UAE as 35-40 per cent of revenue comes from tickets for these franchises,” points out IPG Mediabrands branch head Mukti Kumaran.

     

    She adds, “Also, brands are more conscious as the money will get fragmented between IPL and elections.”

     

    Similarly, Red Fuse Communications India CEO Shubha George says, “IPL is now a standard media property that will broadly fluctuate as it has in the past. The fact that it will be partly played outside India will affect viewership to an extent. Over the years, advertisers have a good pulse of what to expect from IPL and so it is no longer the imponderable it used to be.”

     

    Others argue and believe that even though overall brand value might get impacted but the property will continue to attract not only brands but fans and players too. “There are always two sides of a coin. If we take the case of Rajasthan Royals, one set of people can say that RR’s management failed and hence we don’t want to get associated with it while others might feel that why penalize the whole team for the wrong of a few,” says Karnik philosophically.

     

    The biggest sporting property is all set to start soon and the brands aren’t shying away from queuing to hit a six with IPL, yet again.

  • Grasshoppers wins creative mandates for BOP

    Grasshoppers wins creative mandates for BOP

    MUMBAI: Grasshoppers India has been appointed as the creative partner for real estate consultancy Better Option Propmart Opts.

    An official has confirmed that Grasshoppers have approached the company and presented the idea.

    Grasshoppers will be handling ATL & BTL campaigns including corporate branding for BOP.

    The real estate consultancy has an annual marketing spend that is estimated to be Rs 100 crore with several prestigious projects in the pipeline in partnership with leading realty players including DLF, Jaypee Group, Logix, Hero, Wave Inc and Imperia Structures.

    “The company has started its operations in 2007; today we have more than 50,000 customers and 10 state-of-the-art studios across the country”, said founder & MD Amit Mavi.

    Talking about their tie-up with Grasshoppers, Mavi said, “We want to be known as a company that delivers ‘Better‘. Through our partnership with Grasshoppers, we will be reaching out to our target audience and communicate the core values that drive our organisation and make us different from a loose bunch of property brokers spread in an unorganised manner across the country”.

    “There is a lot of work that needs to be done because it‘s not just BOP but also the associated real estate projects that have to be promoted. So, we will play around with different concepts and messaging depending on the project offerings. It‘s going to be a challenging task but we anticipate a lot of innovative campaigns being churned out over the next few months,” said Grasshoppers India‘s director Arjun Banerjee.

  • Arvind Pal Singh joins ValueFirst Digital Media as head-creative and communication

    Arvind Pal Singh joins ValueFirst Digital Media as head-creative and communication

    MUMBAI: Arvind Pal Singh has been appointed ValueFirst Digital Media head- content, creative and communication.

    Prior to this, Singh(who is fondly known as Candy in the industry) has worked with Purple Focus for three years and in Capital Advertising for eleven years. He is also the founder of an advertisement agency called Magic Mushroom which he started before joining Purple Focus.

    In his 16 years of career Candy has been associated with brands like LG, Electrolux, Maruti Swift, Citifinancial, Nestle, Godfrey Phillips, Allan Soothers Bajaj RE, DLF, Nokia (BTL), Tata Indicom (BTL), Eicher motors and Reliance Big Magic.

    Singh said, “After spending almost two decades in the advertising space, I have realised that what comes between ideas and the consumers is the client who wants to play safe. For every idea that sees the light of the day, there are hundreds of rejected ideas behind it. The digital world on the other hand provides an opportunity to directly interact with the consumers. Engaging consumers online to form meaningful long term communities is one of the most interesting challenges for me here at ValueFirst.”

    ValueFirst Digital Media CEO Vishwadeep Bajaj added, “I am delighted to have Candy on board. I believe that he can leverage his industry experience and understanding of the consumer to attract, engage and retain consumers on ValueFirst digital properties.”