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Tag: Femina

  • Partha Sinha bids adieu to Times Group, gears up for global innings

    Partha Sinha bids adieu to Times Group, gears up for global innings

    MUMBAI: Partha Sinha—engineer, brand whisperer, and boardroom charmer—has called time on his high-profile stint at Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (aka The Times of India Group). Word on the street (and confirmed by Sinha himself) is that he’s moving on to a global giant  in an advisory role. But true to form, he’s zipped his lips on the details.

    “I will announce where I am headed in the next fortnight or so when my on-boarding process is completed,” Sinha told indiantelevision.com. 

    Sinha’s departure closes a defining chapter in BCCL’s brand and revenue playbook. Since joining in 2020 as president, response (that’s the revenue engine, in TOI-speak), he led the post-COVID business bounce-back with flair—sharpening monetisation levers, dialling up audience-centricity, and reimagining legacy brands for a digital-first world.

    In July 2024, he took on the dual hat of president and chief brand officer, overseeing consumer-facing powerhouses like The Times of India, Economic Times, Femina, and Mirror. His brand play? Bold, contextual, and never shy of a pivot.

    A rare crossover of nuclear engineering, Citibank cubicles, and Madison Avenue swagger, Sinha’s career reads like a greatest hits compilation of Indian marketing. An IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad alum, he kicked off in nuclear design (yes, really) before finding his groove in the brand world via Citibank. What followed was a series of heavyweight gigs at Ogilvy & Mather, Publicis, BBH, and McCann Worldgroup India—where he wore the vice chairman and MD mantle with style.

    At Ogilvy, he helped birth strategic planning as a serious discipline in Indian advertising. BBH and McCann only deepened his rep as a master of merging business metrics with cultural mojo.

    So what’s next for the brand sage? For now, he’s staying tight-lipped. But if history’s any clue, it’ll be clever, culture-shifting, and possibly global in scale. An ardent Arsenal fan who loves listening to Hindustani classical music, Partha’s jovial self will be missed at the Old Lady of Boribunder. 

    Stay tuned. The next episode of the Partha Sinha show promises to be unmissable. Where once again, he will set the corridors alive.

  • Goafest 2024 welcomes 50 Plus partners for the 17th edition

    Goafest 2024 welcomes 50 Plus partners for the 17th edition

    Mumbai: South Asia’s premier advertising and marketing festival, Goafest 2024 now unveils supporting partners for its 17th edition. Scheduled to take place from May 29 to 31, 2024 at The Westin Mumbai, Powai Lake, Goafest continues to drive interest for curated integrations and engagement from an array of brands. Supporting Goafest 2024 as the ‘Co-presenting’ partner is Snapchat along with WhatsApp as the ‘Technology Partner’, and Hindustan Times as the ‘Digital Partner’.

    Given the festival’s popularity and scale, 50 brands and platforms have partnered with Goafest 2024 for various integrations. From welcoming brands including Tata Motors, Mondelez, ITC Foods, Britannia, Guinness World Records, NoBroker, and MakeMyTrip, to platforms like ShareChat, Sony Liv, Flipkart Ads, Amazon Ads, Spotify, MiQ, The Trade Desk and Whisper Media, Goafest 2024 continues to cement its position as the most sought-after creative festival in South Asia.

    Additionally, broadcasters, publishers and content studios including ABP News, Amar Ujala, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Dangal TV, Disney Star, Eenadu, Femina, Flowers TV, Goldmines Telefilms, Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, News18 Network, Radio City, Rajasthan Patrika, Sakal Media, Sakshi, Sri Adhikari Bros, Sun TV, The Hindu Group, TV9, Viacom18, Vijayavani and Zee Media have also partnered with Goafest 2024 in different calibres.  PepsiCo, Kingfisher, and Pernod Ricard continue their long-standing association with Goafest as Beverage Partners.

    Speaking on these partnerships and engagements, Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and CEO of GroupM, South Asia said, “We are delighted to have Snapchat as our Co-presenting Partner, WhatsApp as our Technology Partner and Hindustan Times as our Digital Partner, for Goafest this year. As South Asia’s largest creative fest, Goafest’s incredible significance continues to attract brands and advertisers, presenting them with an opportunity to deepen their engagement with the industry at large. On behalf of the organizing team, we welcome and are very thankful to all our partners and look forward to forging successful long-term associations that celebrate creativity, foster knowledge and thrive with adaptability.”

    Drawing over 2000 industry professionals each year, Goafest 2024 is co-hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC). Goafest has cemented its position as the definitive festival for the advertising and marketing industry over the last decade.

    For more details on delegate registration, partnership opportunities, masterclasses, talent initiative ‘Advertising Rocks’ and more, visit goafest.com 

  • Off-field insights into Smriti Mandhana in Femina’s May 2024 issue

    Off-field insights into Smriti Mandhana in Femina’s May 2024 issue

    Mumbai:  From a nine-year-old enthused about the sport to becoming one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, Smriti Mandhana’s story is an inspiration. In the May 2024 edition of Femina, Smriti candidly reflects on her challenges, her unwavering dedication to the sport, and the dreams that continue to drive her forward. In the Cover Story, the sportsperson fondly recalls the day she was able to fulfil her promise to buy a house for her family, expressing gratitude that her beloved sport, cricket, made it possible. Despite her incredible success, she comes across as grounded and focused. Whether hitting a century or walking out for zero, she is known to maintain a stoic demeanour, though the last few years have taught her to be empathetic towards the young team members she leads and mentors.

    Reflecting on her passion for cricket, Smriti shared, “I think I’ve always loved cricket, (and) like any other kid, I loved batting more than (the rest of) the game. I understood later, of course, that there is a lot more to cricket than just batting but, as a kid, I would just hit a hanging ball or play gully cricket.”

    Speaking about her family she revealed, “We come from a very humble background. Today, when I see my parents happy and the life that they’re living, I feel happy about everything that has come with cricket.”

    She added that she has gleaned life lessons from the game: “The best part about cricket is that it is a great leveller; you always start from zero. Whether you score a hundred or you have a bad match today, tomorrow you just start from the bottom again. Take that lesson to every aspect of life and you will know what to do next.”

  • Ananya Panday gets candid in Femina’s April 2024 issue

    Ananya Panday gets candid in Femina’s April 2024 issue

    Mumbai: Since her debut in the hit film Student Of The Year 2, Ananya Panday has stood out in Bollywood. With each new role she has essayed, she has showcased a talent that demands attention. Her compelling performances in Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan have been especially praised, highlighting her ability to tackle complex characters with depth and sensitivity. In the April 2024 edition of Femina, the dynamic actor shares insights into her flourishing career, the intricacies of fame, and the vital role of female friendships in her life.

    Talking about her love for the camera, Ananya shared, “It’s not something that I’m used to, or I feel I’ll ever get used to – and I don’t want to get used to it because I like having that wonder, excitement and happiness. Every day, being in front of the camera, being on set, makes me just feel joyful. Every time I step on the set, it brings me joy. Every time!”

    Speaking about her progression as an actor, Ananya admitted it was with Kho Gaye Hum Kahan that she finally felt validated as an actor. “I think everything happens at the right time. The stars align when you’re at the right age. You look a certain way; you feel certain things in your life that are able to lend to the characters you’re playing.”

    In this interview, Ananya also sheds light on life, lessons, and making her mark in Bollywood.

  • The third edition of Femina and Mamaearth presents Beautiful Indians 2024

    The third edition of Femina and Mamaearth presents Beautiful Indians 2024

    Mumbai: Embracing the spirit of kindness, Femina, a leading women’s lifestyle brand, joined forces with Mamaearth to celebrate the good deeds of individuals at the third edition of Femina And Mamaearth presents Beautiful Indians 2024. The star-studded event was hosted on 19 March 2024, where individuals from diverse walks of life were honoured, reiterating the fact that there is beauty in every act of kindness. Hosted by Aparshakti Khurana, the event celebrated individuals whose charisma and expertise have not only inspired but also contributed significantly to bringing about positive change. Taking the celebrations higher pop singer Akasa Singh dazzled the audience with her power-packed performance.

    The Jury comprising prominent personalities selected the Beautiful Indians who have inspirational stories. These are ordinary people, celebrities, and content creators, who won the award in the People For Good, Creators For Good, and Special Awards categories. A jury includes Nigar Shaji – programme director, Low Earth & Planetary Platforms, ISRO; Amruta Subhash – National Award-winning actor; Bina Lashkari – co-founder and director of Door Step School; actor, producer and author Huma Qureshi; Ghazal & Varun Alagh – founders of Honasa Consumer Ltd. MamaEarth; and Ambika Muttoo, Editor-in-chief of Femina, had taken on the challenge of sorting through thousands of entries.

    Amongst the celebrations, the crowd cheered the highest when the Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit did her iconic step on the ghaghra song along with Tamannaah Bhatia and Ghazal Alagh. The latter also confessed to having started her acting career inspired by Madhuri Dixit. Furthermore, heartthrob Kartik Aaryan shook a leg on stage making the crowd go gaga over his song from his blockbuster movie along with Shilpa Shetty and Aparshakti Khurana.

    Among the recipients of the Special Awards, Tiger Shroff with his awe-inspiring action sequences, won the title of Youth Icon, while versatile actor and performer Siddhant Chaturvedi bagged the Rising Star award. Ananya Panday, who gave us a splendid performance in her recent release was declared the Standout Performer Of The Year (Female) while Kartik Aaryan received the Standout Performer Of The Year (Male) award for his performance in his latest movie.  Bobby Deol stole hearts as the Most Loved Star and his trending dance on the famous entry track in his superhit movie, while Madhuri Dixit held the spotlight as the Sensational Superstar. Tamannaah Bhatia won the title of Star in the Spotlight accolade. Entertaining us with his gimmicks, social media sensation Orry took home the award for Entertainer of the Year. Karisma Kapoor, renowned as the first Kapoor lady to make a career in films, was hailed as a trailblazer, while Manish Malhotra was honoured with the Fashion Visionary award. Sini Shetty, our dazzling Femina Miss India World 2022, was applauded for her Beauty For A Purpose. Versatile actor Shraddha Kapoor won the title as Fan Favorite, while Sobhita Dhulipala, always on top of her style game, took home the laurel for Fashion It girl.  

    The People for Good category honoured goodness ambassadors including:

    1   Prasiddhi Singh – Child Environmentalist & Social Entrepreneur, Chennai

    2   Deep Narayan Nayak – educator transforming lives across generations, West Bengal

    3   Kiran Kamdar – Parkinson’s Warrior Ensuring Hospital Patients Get Essential Nutrition, Mumbai

    4   Dwishojoyee Banerjee – young environmental activist saving The Planet, One Paper Bag At A Time, Patna

    5   Sahil Kaushar – CEO Of The Noble citizen foundation, Bihar

    6   Dilshad Mehershahi, Geetanjali Gaur, Beverly Louis & Gautam Lalwani of Mann – co-founders Of Mann, Mumbai

    7   Dr Meghana Pemmaiah – Wildlife veterinarian on a rescue mission, Mangaluru

    The Creators for Good recognised content creators who have leveraged their reach to bring about change for the better. The winners included:

    1   Ted The Stoner – Fervent Advocate for positive social change

    2   Aishwarya Sharma – fashion & climate change activist

    3   Anupriya Kapur – entrepreneur & inspiring role model

    4   Tarun Mishra – founder of Help Drive Foundation

    5   Gayatri Bhardwaj – Dedicated Animal Welfare Warrior

    6   Revant Himatsingka (FoodPharmer) – influencer creating positive change

    7   Barkha Singh – actor and influencer raising her voice for animal welfare

    The glamorous awards show witnessed celebrities gracing the red carpet, setting new style standards. Industry divas such as Shilpa Shetty, Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Shraddha Kapoor, Sunny Leone, Tamannaah Bhatia, Huma Qureshi, Kanika Kapoor set the evening afire in their stunning gowns, while Tiger Shroff, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Bobby Deol, Kartika Aryan, amongst others exuded charm in their tuxedos and suits.

    Worldwide Media director Rohit Gopakumar and CEO ZENL, BCCL TV & Digital Network, reflected on the journey of Femina and Mamaearth, stating, “Femina has a legacy of celebrating beauty which is more than just skin deep. Our longstanding commitment lies in showcasing the remarkable stories of individuals who bring about impactful change in their sphere of work. They are the true heroes of the land who inspire and motivate our audience. Beautiful Indians is an exceptional platform from Femina that shines a light on the innate goodness within every individual. The third edition of Beautiful Indians (2024) was a splendid success. Through this property, we are happy to recognise and celebrate the growing goodness around us.”

    Femina editor-in-chief Ambika Muttoo commented, “Our collaboration with Mamaearth has created a powerful platform that honours the impact of good deeds in society. Season 3 of Femina And Mamaearth Present Beautiful Indians celebrates inspiring stories of individuals who choose to spread love and positivity in their actions. This initiative highlights that true beauty lies not just in appearance but in the kindness and compassion we show to others.”

    Mamaearth co-founder & chief innovation officer Ghazal Alagh said, “After an overwhelming response for season 2, we are back with Season 3 of Femina & Mamaearth presents Beautiful Indians 2024. Built on the fundamentals of goodness inside, Mamaearth has always believed in celebrating goodness in every form.  At Mamaearth, we have always believed that beauty is beyond skin-deep, and our collaboration with Femina for Beautiful Indians is an extension of that philosophy and belief. We are delighted to partner with Femina to bring alive the stories of beautiful Indians around us and hope to continue to further strengthen this partnership through this journey of celebrating goodness.”

  • Femina and Mamaearth are back with the new season of Beautiful Indians 2024

    Femina and Mamaearth are back with the new season of Beautiful Indians 2024

    Mumbai: After two successful editions, the third season of Femina and Mamaearth present Beautiful Indians 2024 will once again honour individuals who shine through their remarkable deeds. Continuing in its mission of recognising the goodness in people, the Beautiful Indians platform will put the spotlight on individuals across India who are making the world beautiful, one good deed at a time. Femina & Mamaearth have opened the entries for participation across India. Individuals can nominate themselves or other deserving personalities in the People For Good category by logging onto https://www.femina.in/femina-mamaearth-beautiful-indians-2024/#participate. The Beautiful Indians felicitation will take place on March 19, 2024, in Mumbai.

    The previous editions were graced by prominent personalities across industries such as Ranveer Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana, Taapsee Pannu, Manushi Chhillar, Armaan Malik, Raja Kumari, Prajakta Koli, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Dr Swati Piramal, Raj Shamani, Vikash Dayal, Rani Mukerji, Vicky Kaushal, Vidya Balan, Rajkummar Rao, Sonu Sood, Sania Mirza, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, Kapil Sharma, Anurag Dobhal, Shaheen Bhatt, Dr Ankur Sarin and Dr Jushya Sarin, Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee, among others. The awardee list for 2023 also celebrated such personalities as Urmila Asher, who is an inspiration to all hard-working women who aspire to achieve their dreams; Aabid Surti,  whose efforts in water conservation are a testament to the power of individual action in creating a better future for our planet; Manvi Tiwari, a young mental health activist who is working to give mental wellbeing the attention it deserves; and Dr Madhumitha Gomathinayagam – India’s first transgender HR professional, a social activist who is paving the way for inclusion and diversity in India’s workforce and society, among others. Femina and Mamaearth Present Beautiful Indians 2024 stands as a beacon, dedicated to honouring stories of positive impact.

    Sharing his thoughts, Worldwide Media, & CEO ZENL BCCL TV & Digital Network director – said Rohit Gopakumar “Femina has a legacy of celebrating beauty which is more than just skin deep. Our longstanding commitment lies in showcasing the remarkable stories of individuals who bring about impactful change in their sphere of work. They are the true heroes of the land who inspire and motivate our audience. Beautiful Indians is an exceptional platform from Femina that shines a light on the innate goodness within every individual. After 2 successful seasons the third edition of Beautiful Indians (2024), will broaden its impact and bring out inspiring stories from across India. I urge everyone to support this initiative and celebrate the growing goodness around us.”

    Speaking about the initiative, Femina editor-in-chief Ambika Muttoo, said, “We are delighted to announce the commencement of the third season of Beautiful Indians, a platform dedicated to honouring inspiring stories of goodness. Building upon the success of our previous seasons, we are steadfast in our commitment to uncover and share the stories of individuals making a meaningful contribution to society. With these impactful narratives, we aim to inspire others and foster a culture of compassion and positivity. We are privileged to continue our partnership with Mamaearth and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to showcase more uplifting stories from across the nation.”

    Mamaearth co-founder & chief innovation officer Ghazal Alagh said, “We are thrilled to be back with yet another season of the much-anticipated Femina & Mamaearth Beautiful Indians. After the incredible love and support we received for previous seasons, we are set to celebrate the true essence of beauty with Season 3. Mamaearth has always been rooted in the values of goodness that shine from within, emphasising that true beauty lies in the actions we take. We firmly believe that beauty transcends the surface, and our collaboration with Femina for Beautiful Indians is a heartfelt testament to that belief. Our partnership for the third consecutive season is a joyous continuation of our shared journey in celebrating goodness, diversity, and the unique stories that make every individual truly beautiful.”

    Embrace the power of positivity with us! Share your stories of inspiration and let’s create a ripple effect of goodness! 

  • Vicky Kaushal gets candid about his films, life and lot more in Femina’s December 2023 issue

    Vicky Kaushal gets candid about his films, life and lot more in Femina’s December 2023 issue

    Mumbai: Vicky Kaushal’s journey in the world of cinema has been nothing short of remarkable. From his memorable debut in Masaan to his acclaimed roles in films such as Manmarziyaan, Raazi, and Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kaushal has always been a standout actor in the industry. Yet, he is one who credits his ability to deliver varied performances over the years to his directors. Putting his heart and faith in director Meghna Gulzar, he took on the role of the legendary Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in Sam Bahadur, which released earlier this month. In Femina’s December 2023 edition, we delve into the story of his evolution, highlighting his journey to becoming one of the finest actors we know. The cover story celebrates the compelling journey of an actor whose talent and commitment continue to have an enduring impact on the big screen.

     

    Speaking about his approach to acting and his life choices, Kaushal said, “Our job is to fake emotions, but, strangely, it is also about finding the truth in that and being honest at that. I just want people to connect to that honesty and that realness in me… In life, peace of mind really matters more to me than being right or making the right decision. I just say that this is what I’m feeling in my heart and I go by it; I ask God to take care of everything else.”

     

    Talking about his latest release and the character of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he added, “I had to not walk or talk like myself; I had to create a different personality altogether. I made my instinct, my impulse, my physicality, and tonality all about his character. It has been a great opportunity, but you have to constantly remember that it is a big responsibility, you can’t take it lightly.”

     

    He also delves into his chosen philosophy for life, his regular self once the camera turns off, and his thoughts regarding karma, among other intriguing aspects.

  • MX Player’s integrated campaign #IsLoveComplicated reaches over 52 million Indians

    MX Player’s integrated campaign #IsLoveComplicated reaches over 52 million Indians

    MUMBAI – On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, while most brands sought to highlight love stories that end with happily ever after, leading entertainment streaming platform – MX Player decided to bring to light the ‘reality’ of love in a modern day relationship. The platform released its new MX Original Series ‘Pawan and Pooja’ that deals with the lives of 3 couples, ALL named Pawan and Pooja –  spanning across 3 generations.

    With an objective to bring alive the concept of the series and effectively break online clutter, MX Player conceptualized the campaign #IsLoveComplicated.

    The genesis of this idea is rooted in the theory that many couples do not openly discuss the conflicted reality of love and hence, the brand decided to create a microsite – http://isloveuncomplicated.in/ to conduct an anonymous digital ‘Pyaar ka Poll’ survey to understand the dynamics of functional relationships in India. The microsite held 8 hard-hitting questions revolving around the core themes of the series such as: whether or not couples were dissatisfied in bed, whether or not they kept secrets from their partner, and whether or not they’ve ever indulged in an exaggeration of their love on social media, to name a few.

    In addition to the microsite, MX Player also effectively used  Instagram, Facebook stories, and specialist content channels such as Femina, Filmfare, iDiva, MensXP, SpotboyE and more to gauge India’s view on love today. The survey witnessed a participation of over 15 Lakh Indians and MX Player was able to piece together a picture true to love and relationships, as seen by audiences today.

    Taking the campaign beyond just digital, the statistics gleaned from this poll were highlighted through outdoor, radio and print. With smart insights and seamless execution, a simple digital survey was transformed into an integrated campaign across platforms with statistics from the poll to support bold relationship claims.

    Furthermore, this campaign saw traction from many influencers like Neha Dhupia, Kusha Kapila, Prince Narula and Divyanka Tripathi, who discussed the show launch and even participated in some compatibility activities with their partners.

    Elaborating on the same, MX Player marketing and business partnerships head Abhishek Joshi said, “This real life social experiment flips the regular Valentine’s day approach on its head and the campaign tackled hard hitting questions about love, rather than the typically seen emotional drivers of romance and happiness.”

    Talking about the scale of the campaign, he added saying, “#IsLoveComplicated is a digital first campaign which was able to scale into a 360 degree integrated approach with powerful OOH communications.  What makes the campaign impactful is that we could use the power of digital to reach out to the masses & use the insights across multi-channel communications.”

    The results for a poll brought to the surface some very real issues that individuals experience in relationships today.

  • Femina salutes women achievers

    MUMBAI: Femina, a leading women’s brand in the country, has always realised and celebrated the astounding prowess of women from different walks of life.

    Femina Power List North 2017 felicitated nine winners namely, the gorgeous actress Kriti Sanon who made a smashing debut with Heropanti followed by the blockbuster movie Dilwale alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, a successful fashion and jewellery designer, Bhavana Reddy, an acclaimed Kuchipudi dancer, Neeti Palta, one of the few English stand-up comediennes, Karuna Nundy, supreme court lawyer and champion of women’s rights who helped draft the Womanifesto, Sharmistha Mukherjee, a Kathak exponent and daughter of Pranab Mukherjee, Lakshmi Rana, one of the best ever faces to have walked the Indian ramp, Namrata Joshipura, India’s leading designers and Tania Sachdev, Arjuna Awardee Grand Master who currently holds a world ranking of 43. She also holds the record of being the youngest to win a Gold Medal at an International event, the British Chess Championship, 1993.

    Femina editor Tanya Chaitanya said, “Femina’s association with powerful women forms the core of the brand. Being the most widely read women’s brand in the country, we feel it is essential to honor and celebrate the undying spirit of women from all walks of life. We look forward to more such initiatives and keep up with the essence of the brand.

    Sanon said, “I would like to dedicate this award to my parents.”

    Sahni decided to take the reins of her career and create her own identity. She said, “I launched my own jewellery brand exactly a year ago from today. Throughout the journey, my mom (Neetu Kapoor) has been my biggest inspiration and my husband, a guiding force.”

    Rana said, “Recognition of women power is the first step to building a healthy progressive society.”

    Sharmistha Mukherjee said, “I believe if a person is passionate and has conviction, they can achieve anything.”

  • WorldWide Media pushes into TV content creation

    WorldWide Media pushes into TV content creation

    MUMBAI: In August 2011, Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL) aka The Times of India group bought out the remaining 50 per cent of World Wide Media (WWM) from BBC Worldwide, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of arguably India’s largest media company.

    WWM had started off as a joint venture between the two firms to publish speciality niche magazines. Titles such such as Femina and Filmfare and licensed titles like Lonely Planet, Top Gear, Grazia, Hello! and Good Homes came under its umbrella. Most of them these have grown courtesy a loyal reader base and are adding substantial revenues to WWM’s topline.

    Deepak Lamba – who was earlier the president of Bennett Coleman – was roped in to spearhead it in January 2015 and fine tune its strategy. The idea: take it beyond traditional print publishing. And Lamba’s focus has been to transform it into a complete lifestyle and entertainment outfit. A special internal projects team has been created, which works on providing holistic branding and marketing solutions to clients, including content for the TV and digital space. Amongst the brands it is looking to extend onto digital and TV include: Top Gear, Good Homes, Lonely Planet, Hello, and Femina.

    “Digital is seen as the medium of the future but television is already here. Therefore, we are looking at that how our brands can be put across television platforms,” says WWM CEO Deepak Lamba. “We have signed a deal with Maruti Suzuki for the travel show where five celebrities from different walks of life and their biggest fan will take a fanatistic journey in the auto maker’s vehicles from India to Bangkok on the Asian expressway. The seven part series is slated to launch in November. Hello has an upcoming luxury show on ET Now and Romedy Now which is slated to go live two months from now. Good Homes will talk about how you can beautify your home on a finite budget. We also want to do the GEC version of our Filmfare talk show which is in the pipeline.”

    It is also expanding the Filmfare Awards franchise in August 2016 to cover north Indian cinema with the Britannia Filmfare Awards Punjab.

    “It’s been 63 years now for the Filmfare Awards. The Hindi cinema awards are telecast on Sony Entertainment Television,” explains Lamba. “The South India awards are in their sixtieth year and are telecast on Star channels; the East Indian awards on Star Jalsa, even as the Marathi awards are on Colors Marathi. We are also launching three music awards with regional GECs in the South and with local partners in Punjab.”

    Short filmmakers will also be eligible to take a stab at winning the lovely black Filmfare statuette with the launch of an award for digital movies, discloses Lamba. “The short films have to be of 15 minutes and we will have a prominent jury just like we have for our main awards and the main gratification is that winners will receive the award on the same stage.”

    WWM is likely to reach out to other production houses to partner it on some of its brand extensions into video, especially those targeting broadcasters. For its digital initiatives, it has put together a full-fledged in-house team which is working closely with its editorial team to roll out its properties. On the anvil is a fun-filled 15 minute celebrity chat show with Filmfare editor in chief Jitesh Pillai as its host. The pilot is being shot with the official launch expected to happen in the next two to three months. Lamba says the move into digital has come because advertisers have been asking for it. “There was also an internal need as being a part of BCCL, scale does matter a lot. In the magazine space we are already the number one. Also if you listen to your consumers and advertisers you will not go wrong.”

    OTT and VOD players have come knocking on WWM’s doors and conversations are on with them too.

    A foray into fiction is planned under the Femina brand. “The show is about a fantastic girl who is a little plump. A Gujju girl whose boyfriend dumps her for a skinny girl,” points out Lamba. “The show will track what she decides to do with her life and how she comes out on top of the world. ”

    Will the strategy of stretching existing print titles to video work? Media observers believe it will.

    “Titles such as Top Gear, Filmfare, Good Homes have a pretty loyal following both from advertisers and consumers,” says a media expert. “The WWM team will have to do something really wrong or screw up to fail at this extension strategy. I am betting that they will do well.”

    And that is something Lamba is banking on too.