ITV

Tag: Facebook

  • Jio extends HNY free data offer up to 31 March ’17

    Jio extends HNY free data offer up to 31 March ’17

    MUMBAI: Taking a significant lead over the incumbent telecom operators, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani today showed some more `datagiri’ while announcing a slew of new offers and initiatives that all had an underline themes of Digital 2017 and Happy New Year (HNY).

    Ambani, while addressing RIL employees and stakeholders in a meeting, revealed that starting 4 December 2016, every new Jio user will get data, voice, video and the full bouquet of Jio applications free till 31 March, 2017. He also added that all the existing customers will get extended benefits of Jio Happy New Year offer on the existing SIMs.

    Speaking about Jio’s success, India’s richest man said that it was the fastest-growing technology company in the world. He said that the e-KYC (know your customer or the customer verification process) allowed the activation of SIM within five minutes — the fastest experience for SIM activation in the world.

    Ambani said that Jio successfully rolled out e-KYC across 200,000 outlets in India, which is nearly equal to ATMs in India. “We are in the process of doubling this network to 400,000 digitally enabled outlets by March of 2017,” he added.

    RIL CMD also mentioned that, in the first three months, Jio has grown faster than Facebook, Whatsapp or Skype. “In 83 days, Jio added 50 million customers on its 4G LTE all-IP wireless broadband network.”

    However, swelling subscriber numbers are also a burden on the infrastructure; especially when 50 million+ customers vie to take full advantage of the free Jio `Welcome Offer.”
    On an average, a Jio customer, as per claims, is using 25 times more data than the average Indian broadband user. And, Jio signed up over 600,000 customers every day for the past three months. According to Ambani, a Jio customer today is consuming data “on par” with and, in many cases, “more” than sophisticated users anywhere in the world.

    Still, admitting that Reliance has found out few issues with data speed on Jio network, Ambani said that about eight per cent of Jio towers experienced “congestion” due to “abnormally high data usage, which resulted in customers served by such telecom towers experienced lower data speeds.

    “While 92 per cent of our base stations and customers have been experiencing consistently high data speeds, we are working to de-congest these eight per cent towers, so that impacted customers go back to experiencing true-4G speeds. On the whole, Jio is not only delivering four times more data than all other Indian telecom operators combined, but also much faster throughputs than any other mobile network in India.”

    Reliance Jio, which has been at loggerheads with other telecom operators and also the telcos’ apex industry body COAI, is now playing the customer card having announced expansions and new initiatives like digital wallet/money.

    Dwelling on indifferent to bad voice services on Jio network, Ambani took a pot-shot at competition: “While customers have shown unprecedented love for Jio services, we have not received the required support from existing operators. In the last three months, nearly 9000 million voice calls from Jio customers to the networks of our three largest competitors were blocked… We thank the government and regulator for enforcing the licence conditions.”

    Targeting the high-end customers, who, probably, don’t have time to go to a Jio store to acquire a SIM card and want to retain their existing phone numbers, Reliance is offering SIM delivery at home and full number portability. “I am happy to inform that Jio now fully supports mobile number portability,” Ambani said, adding free home delivery and e-KYC features were being launched across India through the MyJio application to be available in the top 100 cities by 31 December 2016.

  • Facebook pumps Rs 27 lakh in fashion start-up CoutLoot

    Facebook pumps Rs 27 lakh in fashion start-up CoutLoot

    MUMBAI: CoutLoot, one of the India’s first end-to-end fashion re-commerce platforms has been selected for Facebook’s developer-focused FbStart programme, which is designed to help early-stage mobile-focused startups on building and growing their apps. The curated marketplace that focuses on pre-loved fashion space has received access to US$ 40,000 (Rs 27 lakh) worth of credits and services from Facebook and various other platforms.

    Incepted in November 2015, CoutLoot is an end to end Fashion re-selling service where you can buy and sell your preowned fashion.

    Launched last year, FbStart is a programme that helps thousands of developers grow their startups by leveraging valuable tools & services, worldwide events, and opportunities to engage with the Facebook team. Under the programme, CoutLoot would also receive mentoring from Menlo Park-headquartered Facebook’s engineering teams and services from its partners like AWS, Annie, Dropbox, Adobe and MailChim. It will also get a chance to get access to the exclusive community of its developers and worldwide events. The program provides free access to more than 25 services including open source tools like React Native, FB Login and Account Kit and App Analytics. According to the independent newswire agency IANS, India is the largest market for FbStart outside the US. According to the product partnerships team at Facebook, over 75% of top-grossing apps in India get integrated with Facebook.

    CoutLoot co-founder Jasmeet Thind said, “We at CoutLoot are constantly striving to make pre-loved and pre-owned fashion reselling a first-of-its-kind experience in India. Although our primary objective is to tackle the problems of scale and quality service in this space, we are presently focusing on enhancing user engagement and growing the user base. FbStart programme will be an immense boost to us at this phase of our evolution. Receiving mentorship from the pioneer of social networking will bring a huge opportunity for us to lead the fashion re-commerce revolution in India within the next couple of years.”

    Founded by Mahima Kaul, Sahil Khimavat, Vinit Jain & Thind, CoutLoot is a one-stop solution to de-clutter one’s closet for cash. While sellers get paid for selling off unused branded and boutique fashion items from their closet, buyers get to avail products from the best brands in a nearly-mint new condition at up to 80% off.

    Based out of Mumbai, CoutLoot delivers all over India, however, selling is restricted to 14 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Surat, Kolkata, and Jaipur. While selling and buying happen via CoutLoot’s Android and iOS apps, its website can be accessed for buying across all regions of the country. So far, the online platform has sold close to 1000 ethnic outfits. Although a relatively new concept at present catering to special occasions, CoutLoot is also preparing to start its customised tailoring services to ensure perfect fitting of the outfits to the buyers. Meanwhile, considering that over one crore weddings take place annually in metro cities, CoutLoot is also planning to start a wedding section for buying and selling wedding and bridal fashion.

  • Facebook pumps Rs 27 lakh in fashion start-up CoutLoot

    Facebook pumps Rs 27 lakh in fashion start-up CoutLoot

    MUMBAI: CoutLoot, one of the India’s first end-to-end fashion re-commerce platforms has been selected for Facebook’s developer-focused FbStart programme, which is designed to help early-stage mobile-focused startups on building and growing their apps. The curated marketplace that focuses on pre-loved fashion space has received access to US$ 40,000 (Rs 27 lakh) worth of credits and services from Facebook and various other platforms.

    Incepted in November 2015, CoutLoot is an end to end Fashion re-selling service where you can buy and sell your preowned fashion.

    Launched last year, FbStart is a programme that helps thousands of developers grow their startups by leveraging valuable tools & services, worldwide events, and opportunities to engage with the Facebook team. Under the programme, CoutLoot would also receive mentoring from Menlo Park-headquartered Facebook’s engineering teams and services from its partners like AWS, Annie, Dropbox, Adobe and MailChim. It will also get a chance to get access to the exclusive community of its developers and worldwide events. The program provides free access to more than 25 services including open source tools like React Native, FB Login and Account Kit and App Analytics. According to the independent newswire agency IANS, India is the largest market for FbStart outside the US. According to the product partnerships team at Facebook, over 75% of top-grossing apps in India get integrated with Facebook.

    CoutLoot co-founder Jasmeet Thind said, “We at CoutLoot are constantly striving to make pre-loved and pre-owned fashion reselling a first-of-its-kind experience in India. Although our primary objective is to tackle the problems of scale and quality service in this space, we are presently focusing on enhancing user engagement and growing the user base. FbStart programme will be an immense boost to us at this phase of our evolution. Receiving mentorship from the pioneer of social networking will bring a huge opportunity for us to lead the fashion re-commerce revolution in India within the next couple of years.”

    Founded by Mahima Kaul, Sahil Khimavat, Vinit Jain & Thind, CoutLoot is a one-stop solution to de-clutter one’s closet for cash. While sellers get paid for selling off unused branded and boutique fashion items from their closet, buyers get to avail products from the best brands in a nearly-mint new condition at up to 80% off.

    Based out of Mumbai, CoutLoot delivers all over India, however, selling is restricted to 14 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Surat, Kolkata, and Jaipur. While selling and buying happen via CoutLoot’s Android and iOS apps, its website can be accessed for buying across all regions of the country. So far, the online platform has sold close to 1000 ethnic outfits. Although a relatively new concept at present catering to special occasions, CoutLoot is also preparing to start its customised tailoring services to ensure perfect fitting of the outfits to the buyers. Meanwhile, considering that over one crore weddings take place annually in metro cities, CoutLoot is also planning to start a wedding section for buying and selling wedding and bridal fashion.

  • FB targets next billion Indians with local content and Express Wifi

    FB targets next billion Indians with local content and Express Wifi

    MUMBAI: Like Google, Facebook understands that in order to increase their market share of the digital ad pie, it is crucial to target the next billion users. And hence a strong strategy is needed for its India operations. The next billion users on the platform are what will drive its business, both in terms of scale of operation and revenues.

    Facebook is committed to this endeavour, says its south Asia and India managing director Umang Bedi and has taken major steps to keep the platform right, real and relevant for its Indian users.

    India has one of the highest percentages of people accessing Facebook via their mobile phones. Out of the 85 million active monthly users who access the platform from India, 81 million do it through their mobile devices. Nearly 95 per cent of the traffic Facebook gets from India is mobile. Needless to say, Fb has given special care to enhancing user experience in India on Facebook by making the platform functional even under slow internet.

    “For us that is a welcome news. The wider the reach of internet, and mobile, the better we can connect businesses to their right audience,” shared Bedi.

    The company’s flagship project, and perhaps most controversial in the local market, Free Basics, was designed to address the issue of internet penetration in rural India , but failed to move opinion in its favour resulting in its ban by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) earlier this year due to its conflict with principles of net neutrality in the market.

    “Since the government’s mandate, Facebook has ceased all operations of Free Basics and concentrated on other sectors instead,” Bedi gave a short response when quizzed about Free Basics in a recent interview.

    To push forth FB’s internet.org initiative in India, the social media giant has instead launched what it calls ‘Express Wi-Fi’, which too promises to help connect rural India digitally.

    “We have recently piloted Express WiFI that works with telecom operators, internet service providers, and local entrepreneurs to help expand connectivity to underserved locations around the world. We’re currently live in India, and are expanding to other regions soon,” Bedi shared.

    While Bedi doesn’t clarify whether Express WiFi would also follow Free Basic’s principle of zero charges on data, its page on internet.org defines it as “ fast, affordable and reliable internet” hinting that the service will cost users some money, in-line with the TRAI directives.

    Bedi shares that the biggest challenge Facebook faces in penetrating the further into the market is its relevance in India through local content. “Even the international mobile operators association GSMA recognises the single biggest issue of mobile and internet penetration in India is producing relevant local content for the right device in the right format,” shared Bedi. Making the platform available in 12 Indian languages is another step forward in the direction along with promoting content partnerships with several regional players.

  • FB targets next billion Indians with local content and Express Wifi

    FB targets next billion Indians with local content and Express Wifi

    MUMBAI: Like Google, Facebook understands that in order to increase their market share of the digital ad pie, it is crucial to target the next billion users. And hence a strong strategy is needed for its India operations. The next billion users on the platform are what will drive its business, both in terms of scale of operation and revenues.

    Facebook is committed to this endeavour, says its south Asia and India managing director Umang Bedi and has taken major steps to keep the platform right, real and relevant for its Indian users.

    India has one of the highest percentages of people accessing Facebook via their mobile phones. Out of the 85 million active monthly users who access the platform from India, 81 million do it through their mobile devices. Nearly 95 per cent of the traffic Facebook gets from India is mobile. Needless to say, Fb has given special care to enhancing user experience in India on Facebook by making the platform functional even under slow internet.

    “For us that is a welcome news. The wider the reach of internet, and mobile, the better we can connect businesses to their right audience,” shared Bedi.

    The company’s flagship project, and perhaps most controversial in the local market, Free Basics, was designed to address the issue of internet penetration in rural India , but failed to move opinion in its favour resulting in its ban by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) earlier this year due to its conflict with principles of net neutrality in the market.

    “Since the government’s mandate, Facebook has ceased all operations of Free Basics and concentrated on other sectors instead,” Bedi gave a short response when quizzed about Free Basics in a recent interview.

    To push forth FB’s internet.org initiative in India, the social media giant has instead launched what it calls ‘Express Wi-Fi’, which too promises to help connect rural India digitally.

    “We have recently piloted Express WiFI that works with telecom operators, internet service providers, and local entrepreneurs to help expand connectivity to underserved locations around the world. We’re currently live in India, and are expanding to other regions soon,” Bedi shared.

    While Bedi doesn’t clarify whether Express WiFi would also follow Free Basic’s principle of zero charges on data, its page on internet.org defines it as “ fast, affordable and reliable internet” hinting that the service will cost users some money, in-line with the TRAI directives.

    Bedi shares that the biggest challenge Facebook faces in penetrating the further into the market is its relevance in India through local content. “Even the international mobile operators association GSMA recognises the single biggest issue of mobile and internet penetration in India is producing relevant local content for the right device in the right format,” shared Bedi. Making the platform available in 12 Indian languages is another step forward in the direction along with promoting content partnerships with several regional players.

  • A combination of cute & hot, guess what?

    A combination of cute & hot, guess what?

    MUMBAI: Foodpanda has announced that Sunny Leone will be a part of their new digital marketing campaign.

    The campaign showcases how Foodpanda comes to the rescue of people in the liquidity crunch situation that has cropped up post demonetization. The campaign would target the consumers through various social platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

    The campaign videos can be viewed on Foodpanda’s social properties. In the videos, Sunny would be seen along with her husband; in an informal relaxed disposition at her home yearning for some great food and Foodpanda does the trick for her. The short digital campaign would majorly play on Snapchat which is in sync with the content consumption by the users of today. The sentiment of the campaign talks of what Foodpanda stands for- convenience, making users feel special and express delivery.

    Foodpanda India CMO Gagan Arora says, “Post demonetisation, if you are low on cash and want to have your favourite dish, Foodpanda is exactly what you need.”

  • A combination of cute & hot, guess what?

    A combination of cute & hot, guess what?

    MUMBAI: Foodpanda has announced that Sunny Leone will be a part of their new digital marketing campaign.

    The campaign showcases how Foodpanda comes to the rescue of people in the liquidity crunch situation that has cropped up post demonetization. The campaign would target the consumers through various social platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

    The campaign videos can be viewed on Foodpanda’s social properties. In the videos, Sunny would be seen along with her husband; in an informal relaxed disposition at her home yearning for some great food and Foodpanda does the trick for her. The short digital campaign would majorly play on Snapchat which is in sync with the content consumption by the users of today. The sentiment of the campaign talks of what Foodpanda stands for- convenience, making users feel special and express delivery.

    Foodpanda India CMO Gagan Arora says, “Post demonetisation, if you are low on cash and want to have your favourite dish, Foodpanda is exactly what you need.”

  • Use ‘Umbrella with Raindrops’ for sex risk awareness

    Use ‘Umbrella with Raindrops’ for sex risk awareness

    MUMBAI: The World’s leading sexual wellbeing brand, Durex, today announced “Umbrella with Raindrops” as the overwhelming choice (23.3%) in a global poll1 to find the unofficial safe sex emoji.

    Shockingly, almost half of 16-35 year olds think that HIV is not something that could ever affect them2 despite the fact that every 30 seconds a young person is infected with HIV3.

    Whilst more than 60% of young people surveyed1 admitted to being uncomfortable discussing safe sex, 72% of respondants surveyed admitted they found it easier to express emotions using emojis and more than three quarters admitted that they use emojis to discuss sex and relationships. 

    The unveiling of an unofficial safe sex emoji is the latest move in Durex’s ongoing #CondomEmoji campaign which calls for Unicode to put a safe sex emoji on every smartphone in the world in order to help young people communicate about safe sex more easily.  

    To date, the #CondomEmoji campaign has trended on both Twitter and Facebook with supporters from over 160 countries backing the movement, and has seen high profile support on social media from global organisations including the International Planned Parenthood Association, Terrence Higgins Trust and New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Durex hopes that the popularity of the unofficial safe sex emoji will demonstrate what the 9 out of 10 surveyed confirmed; that a safe sex emoji would be a step towards empowering young people to talk about safe sex – and encourage Unicode to reconsider their decision to reject the original application.

    Durex Global Category Director, Volker Sydow, said: “Until Unicode recognise the need for a Condom Emoji and reverse their decision to put a safe sex emoji on every smartphone across the globe, we must continue to  demonstrate that there is the desire for such a thing.  We believe the naming of “Umbrella with Raindrops” as the unofficial safe sex emoji will be a significant step towards helping young people put safe sex back on the agenda. We are asking people to show their support for the cause on World AIDS Day 2016 by using this unofficial safe sex emoji and the hashtag #CondomEmoji.”

    The campaign has also received the support of the International Planned Parenthood Association (IPPF), with Director General Tewodros Melesse adding: “Safe sex awareness continues to be an important global challenge. We support Durex’s campaign in helping make young people think about protection. On World AIDS Day we will be backing this effort to help raise awarness of the risks associated with unprotected sex.” 

    Sources:

    1. 3GEM research questioning 3500 people from UK, USA, Brazil, China, India and South Africa commissioned by Durex – UK, October 2016

    2. Someone Like Me, VIMN & Brand Solutions Insight with Tapestry Research, 2014

    3. UNAIDS. Global Report 2010, Core Slides, Slide 11

  • Use ‘Umbrella with Raindrops’ for sex risk awareness

    Use ‘Umbrella with Raindrops’ for sex risk awareness

    MUMBAI: The World’s leading sexual wellbeing brand, Durex, today announced “Umbrella with Raindrops” as the overwhelming choice (23.3%) in a global poll1 to find the unofficial safe sex emoji.

    Shockingly, almost half of 16-35 year olds think that HIV is not something that could ever affect them2 despite the fact that every 30 seconds a young person is infected with HIV3.

    Whilst more than 60% of young people surveyed1 admitted to being uncomfortable discussing safe sex, 72% of respondants surveyed admitted they found it easier to express emotions using emojis and more than three quarters admitted that they use emojis to discuss sex and relationships. 

    The unveiling of an unofficial safe sex emoji is the latest move in Durex’s ongoing #CondomEmoji campaign which calls for Unicode to put a safe sex emoji on every smartphone in the world in order to help young people communicate about safe sex more easily.  

    To date, the #CondomEmoji campaign has trended on both Twitter and Facebook with supporters from over 160 countries backing the movement, and has seen high profile support on social media from global organisations including the International Planned Parenthood Association, Terrence Higgins Trust and New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Durex hopes that the popularity of the unofficial safe sex emoji will demonstrate what the 9 out of 10 surveyed confirmed; that a safe sex emoji would be a step towards empowering young people to talk about safe sex – and encourage Unicode to reconsider their decision to reject the original application.

    Durex Global Category Director, Volker Sydow, said: “Until Unicode recognise the need for a Condom Emoji and reverse their decision to put a safe sex emoji on every smartphone across the globe, we must continue to  demonstrate that there is the desire for such a thing.  We believe the naming of “Umbrella with Raindrops” as the unofficial safe sex emoji will be a significant step towards helping young people put safe sex back on the agenda. We are asking people to show their support for the cause on World AIDS Day 2016 by using this unofficial safe sex emoji and the hashtag #CondomEmoji.”

    The campaign has also received the support of the International Planned Parenthood Association (IPPF), with Director General Tewodros Melesse adding: “Safe sex awareness continues to be an important global challenge. We support Durex’s campaign in helping make young people think about protection. On World AIDS Day we will be backing this effort to help raise awarness of the risks associated with unprotected sex.” 

    Sources:

    1. 3GEM research questioning 3500 people from UK, USA, Brazil, China, India and South Africa commissioned by Durex – UK, October 2016

    2. Someone Like Me, VIMN & Brand Solutions Insight with Tapestry Research, 2014

    3. UNAIDS. Global Report 2010, Core Slides, Slide 11

  • Dice Media unveils Little Things’ third episode

    Dice Media unveils Little Things’ third episode

    MUMBAI: Dice Media has released its third episode titled ‘Good Night’ of its new original web series, Little Things. The 5-episode romantic comedy web series beautifully portrays the little things in the life of an everyday couple starring Mithila Palkar, one of the most popular digital stars in India today, and the talented writer-actor Dhruv Sehgal. 

    Good Night unfolds the incident of a sleepless night of the duo. Thanks to the mosquitoes, this night turns into a discovery of Kavya’s ex-boyfriend getting married and a long conversation about exes follows. Every relationship has some sort of power struggle in it, and Dhruv and Kavya’s is no different.  Will Dhruv realize the importance of Kavya in his life? Watch the episode to find out how Dhruv and Kavya value each other’s existence in their lives.

    The 5-part series is directed by Ajay Bhuyan, written by Dhruv Sehgal, with music by Neel Adhikari. Little Things will release every Wednesday on Dice Media’s Facebook and YouTube pages. All the episodes can be watched at 

    Released on Oct 26, following is the stunning response received for the series so far: 

    · Episode 1 has already crossed 2.2 million views (>1.2 million on YT, >1 million on FB) with over 19k shares and 4,700 comments.

    · Episode 2, which released five days back, has already received 2 million views (~1 million on YT, >1 million on FB) with over 13k shares and 3,500 comments.

    Pocket Aces conceptualizes, creates, and distributes engaging original content for millennial audiences through its channels Dice Media (sketches and web-series), FilterCopy (sharable and snackable short-form content), and Gobble (everything food). 

    Dice has created several experimental and edgy pieces of content such as the satirical sketch, Ban Ban, India’s first mockumentary series Not Fit, and most recently, an absurd-humour sketch titled Offline.