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Tag: Idea

  • NDTV onboards new marketing head in Gaurav Barjatya

    NDTV onboards new marketing head in Gaurav Barjatya

    MUMBAI: There’s change afoot at group NDTV. Former Star TV India and Times Pro exec, Gaurav Barjatya has hopped on board the Adani-owned newscaster as its marketing head. 

    He brings to NDTV around 20 years of work experience, with companies as varied as Idea Cellular, Parle Agro, Star TV India, WWE, and Times Pro.

    Barjatya had managed either brands or held the full marketing function at each of these companies. 

    Said he on Linkedin: “I am looking forward to diving into this new journey headfirst, ready to make an impact!”

  • Dailyhunt & RedFM’s news platform Vibe Check garners 20 mn views

    Dailyhunt & RedFM’s news platform Vibe Check garners 20 mn views

    Mumbai: Local language content platform Dailyhunt and RedFM have collaborated to launch a short-video news delivery programme called – Vibe Check. According to a statement, the platform has garnered a total of 20 million views since its launch a week ago.

    Vibe Check brings together popular RedFM RJs and Dailyhunt’s content repertoire to present news in a snackable short-video format. Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association (Idea) – an association that works on creating livelihood opportunities for differently-abled individuals has joined the initiative as the ‘inclusion partner’ to enable the delivery of content to those with speech and hearing disabilities. 

    “We have witnessed the power of short-video in its ability to effectively communicate with users within a short span of time,” said Eterno Infotech executive director Ravanan N. “Leveraging this popular format to enable the effective delivery of news, Dailyhunt is excited to be collaborating with RedFM to launch Vibe Check, as we aim at engaging and empowering our users with newsworthy content. As we take on an inclusive approach towards content delivery, we are also glad to have Idea on board with us.”

    Dailyhunt has onboarded an interpreter from the Idea who will communicate the news in Indian sign language while co-hosting the program with the regular news anchor. 

    “Idea is committed to the mission of making India the inclusive capital of the world,” said Idea founder and CEO Mallikarjuna Iytha. “Idea is proud to be an inclusion partner with Dailyhunt in this mission to build an inclusive media platform.”

    “As digital technologies dramatically reshape industries, Red FM yet again enters into digi-tech. Tech is the future of content and innovation, and to build our presence in the space, we are excited to announce our strategic alliance with a tech-based conglomerate, with multiple content platforms like Dailyhunt, One India and many others,” stated RedFM COO and director Nisha Narayanan. “This is what we call – hyper-digital meets hyperlocal. It’s a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the sole purpose of creating innovative content that leads to newer revenue opportunities. Vibe Check is one of the flagship initiatives under this collaboration with Dailyhunt. Many more such market-firsts will follow in the near future.”

  • Jio leads in 4G download speed, Vodafone Idea fastest in upload: TRAI

    Jio leads in 4G download speed, Vodafone Idea fastest in upload: TRAI

    New Delhi: Reliance Jio continues to reign over the 4G internet segment with 21.9 megabit per second (Mbps) average download speed in June. The download speed has increased marginally from 20.7 Mbps in May, showed the latest monthly data published by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

    Jio’s network speed in the month was over three times higher than that of the nearest competitor Vodafone Idea, which showed an average download speed of 6.5 Mbps. Meanwhile, Airtel also recorded a marginal improvement in its average 4G download speed, but it was still the lowest at five Mbps, as per the data.

    While Jio tops the 4G download chart, Vodafone Idea leads in the upload segment.

    According to the telecom regulator, Vodafone Idea had an average upload speed of 6.2 Mbps in May, followed by Reliance Jio with an upload speed of 4.8 Mbps and Bharti Airtel with 3.9 Mbps.

    The download speed helps consumers access content from the internet, while upload speed helps them send or share pictures or videos to their contacts. The average speed is computed by TRAI based on the data it collects across India with the help of its MySpeed application on a real-time basis.

    Government owned telecom operator BSNL, which has also rolled out 4G service in select areas, did not figure in the TRAI data.

  • Indian broadband subscribers growth down in July 2020

    Indian broadband subscribers growth down in July 2020

    BENGALURU: Indian broadband internet subscribers growth for the month ended 31 July 2020 (Jul-20) was less than half (49.6 per cent) of the growth in Jun-20 as per the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data. The broadband subscriber base grew by just 71.7 lakh in Jul-20 as compared to 1.447 crore in the previous month.

    Overall, in calendar year 2020, the country has seen addition of 4.347 crore broadband internet subcribers or 6.2 per cent growth until Jul-20. Apr-20, the first month of the Covid2019 lockdown, had seen broadband internet subscribers decline by 1.13 crore.

    There were 70.54 crore broadband internet subscribers in India in Jul-20 as compared to 66.194 crore in Jan-20 and 69.823 crore in Jun-20.  

    The top five service providers constituted 98.91 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of July-20. These service providers were Reliance Jio with 40.196 crore, followed by Airtel with 15.574 crore, Vodafone Idea with 11.527 crore, the public sector BSNL with 2.303 crore, and Atria Convergence Technologies with 16.9 lakh broadband internet subscribers.

    Mobile devices users (Phones and dongles)

    The largest growth driver has been through mobile devices, which include phones and dongles, with addition of 4.254 crore broadband internet subscribers or a 6.2 per cent growth in CY 2020 until Jul-20. Mobile devices are the largest platform for broadband internet in India with a more than 97 per cent share of subscribers. There were 68.464 crore broadband internet subscribers through mobile devices in Jul-20 as compared to 64.219 crore in Jan-20 and 67.779 crore in Jun-20.

    The top five wireless broadband service providers in Jul-20 were Jio with 40.08 crore, Airtel with 15.325 crore, Vodafone Idea with 11.526 crore, BSNL with 1.517 crore, and Tikona Infinet Ltd with 3 lakh subscribers.

    Wired broadband internet subscribers

    The second largest broadband internet services platform with a 28-29 per cent share of broadband internet is the wireline or wired platform. This segment has witnessed a growth of 4.9 per cent in Jul-20 as compared to the beginning of the year, with the addition of 9.9 lakh subscribers, for a total of 2.013 crore subscribers in Jul-20.

    The top five wired broadband service providers in Jul-20 were BSNL with 78.6 lakh subscribers, Airtel with 24.9 lakh, Atria Convergence Technologies with 16.9 lakh, Jio with 11.6 lakh, and Hathway Cable & Datacom at 10.1 lakh subscribers.

    Fixed wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-Point Radio & VSAT)

    Fixed Wireless platform (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, point-to-point radio & VSAT) is the smallest of the three with about 0.09 per cent share of the total broadband internet subscribers in the country. This platform has seen growth 0f 4.7 per cent in CY 2020 until Jul-20 to 6.4 lakh subscribers, as compared to 6.1 lakh subscribers in Jan-20.

  • Design Dereliction: Vi’s new logo could have been much more than it is

    Design Dereliction: Vi’s new logo could have been much more than it is

    NEW DELHI: A little more than two years after the Vodafone and Idea merger on 31 August 2018, the brand finally announced a new integrated brand identity for itself on Monday noon. The new brand named ‘Vi’ comes with the promise of “Together For Tomorrow”, ensuring users that the company will play a bigger role in the consumer journeys. In the press interaction, the senior management also indicated that the merger will move ahead with a sharp focus on augmenting digital experiences for the user.

    The branding exercise has attracted a lot of attention within the industry and started many discussions across platforms.

    Sideways co-founder Abhijit Avasthi pointed out that there was great anticipation surrounding the new brand identity when two of the biggest telecom companies in India merged two years back and this new entity is signalling the beginning of a new journey for them as an integrated entity. It’s a launch of ethos and a new persona.

    “I am keen to see how the new company will behave going forward as in their initial avatars, the two were very different companies; one was far modern, contemporary, young and the other one was a little bit more earthy.

    Abhijit Avasthi

    AVASTHI THINKS IT IS A LAUNCH OF A ETHOS
    AND A NEW PERSONA

    Almond Branding founder & director Shashwat Das said, “If I come down to the logo for what is the largest telecom integration in the world, I am a tad disappointed. While there has been an attempt to retain the equity of both Vodafone and Idea logos- the red colour and the exclamation respectively, the end outcome could have been a lot more exciting.”The new elements of the brand identity, the logo, the moving lines of the animation, and the bold mustard dot of I, has initiated a series of discussions on various media. But the industry is not mighty impressed with the new design.

    He added, “I have already seen people mistaking it for the Roman numeral six and am sure that the circular dot jutting out at the bottom will be making a lot of people uncomfortable. To some it looked like a medal. But I am also a bit concerned about the uncanny chiseling of the V at the base. The way I decode it, the bold mustard dot will be a dynamic element of the identity showcasing the amazing possibilities and also symbolizing focus – bringing back the focus on the consumer. So while the concept is good, the execution leaves us wanting for more.”

     

     

     

     

     

    Shashwat Das

    DAS IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NEW LOGO

    Elephant co-founder, director Ashwini Deshpande said that it is a bit premature to respond to a logo when one hasn't seen the visual language or communication around it but it doesn’t look like a mobile first logo that the company might want it to be. She quipped that the finesse that Vodafone was famous for, in its language and script, is missing in the new brand identity.

    “In the absence of a full picture, it reminds one of solid logos from the industrial era except the falling yellow penny that is out of scheme for those times. It doesn't look like a 'mobile first' logo. Also wondering how the app icon will pan out since the yellow penny will reduce the size of V & I in the app icon enclosure. Considering the exposure & choices of Gen Z & millennials, it is a bit disappointing. It neither conveys communication nor technology,” she elaborated.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ashwini Deshpande

    DESHPANDE IS ALSO DISAPPOINTED AS THE NEW LOGO
    NEITHER CONVEYS COMMUNICATION NOR TECHNOLOGY

    Deshpande further commented, “This would have been the perfect time to liberate the visual identity from the regimented colour scheme borrowed from previous identities of Vodafone and Idea. But the design has stuck to predictable red & yellow. Looking at how the Jio logo has several colour versions (even Docomo did this earlier and Go Air too) that still look ownable due to the font and container, V! (Vi) seems to have passed that opportunity.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Das disagreed a little from Deshpande as he pointed out, “The digital-age modern identities have to be dynamic, flexible and fluid. I am sure that the new Vi identity will live upto it. I visited the new website and it did look fresh and elegant. The design is indeed minimalistic and the identity is fluid enough to transform itself into various forms and environments. The mustard dot can be seen everywhere from radio-buttons to the chatbot animations. So I believe the dynamism and fresh look can help hook the attention of the young consumers.”

    He added, “I also like the tagline “Together for Tomorrow” which captures both the aspects of the two companies coming together for a brighter tomorrow as well as WE (the company and the consumer) are in this together to build a better tomorrow. There is a lot of power in the inclusiveness and collaborative feel of Vi (read We). Hence the brand storyline has immense potential.”

  • Vodafone Idea Ltd rebrands itself as ‘Vi’

    Vodafone Idea Ltd rebrands itself as ‘Vi’

    NEW DELHI: Going ‘Together for Tomorrow’, Vodafone and Idea have been rebranded with a unified identity ‘Vi.’ The integration of two brands is a culmination of the largest telecom integration in the world. The announcement was made Monday noon via a virtual press conference. 

    Vi is built to be strong, ever-dependable, agile, intuitive, and a brand in tune with the needs of the customers, in these ever-changing times. It is future-ready and is committed to dynamically serve and enable a digital society. 

    The new brand identity has been designed in collaboration with Vodafone Idea Ltd’s agency Ogilvy. 

    Vodafone Idea Ltd MD and CEO Ravinder Takkar said, “Vodafone Idea came together as a merged entity two years ago. We have, since then focuesed on integrating two large networks, our people and processes. And today I am delighted to present Vi, a brand that will bring important meaning to lives of our customers. Indians are optimistic and want to get ahead in life. They would love a credible partner to help them on this journey. Vi’s positioning is built around this promise and will focus on meeting the customer needs to help them thrive.”

    “The brand integration not only marks the completion of the largest telecom merger in the world, but also sets us on our future journey to offer world-class digital experiences to 1 billion Indians on our strong 4G network. VIL is now leaner and agile, and the deployment of many principles of 5G architecture has helped us transform into a future-fit, digital network for the changing customer needs. The new brand launch signifies our desire to not just deliver, but delight our customers, stakeholders, communities and our employees and signals our passion and commitment to be a Champion for Digital India. With Vi, we are confident of building a brand that continues to command respect and trust, and will be admired and loved by all. We look forward to your continued support as we get ready to deliver a superior Vi experience,” added Takkar.

    Vodafone chief digital transformation and brand officer Kavita Nair said, “Vi leverages the strength of two of India’s most loved brands, Vodafone and Idea. Vi is vibrant, exciting and throbs with the spirit of rising India. It is committed to help every Indian move ahead in life. Vi is dynamic, flexible, fluid and always on. In the months to come Vi will continuously unpack exciting possibilities for its customers. Vi is built for the new age and for the connected ecosystem. We invite everyone to join this exciting journey as we move towards building a better tomorrow.”

    The team highlighted that the rebranding is not just an identity but a new design system, which intends to leverage legacy and at the same time be transformational in its intent and signals that change. It stretches across consumers and businesses, and across all classes, geographies, urban and rural.

    Nair noted, “The “i” is always punctuated with a bold mustard dot. It is confident, surprising and delightful. It reflects the throbbing and progressive pulse of India. It is unique, continuously unpacking amazing possibilities, and always putting customers at the heart of everything.” 

    Starting today, Vi ads will be on TV and digital platforms, followed by a high decibel intensive multi-media campaign, spread across the physical and virtual channels. The customers will get a personalised message to welcome the new brand identity and little surprises like creating a personalised ringtone from one’s phone number are at offer. 

  • Idea revives iconic ‘What an Idea’ campaign with ‘Not Working? Try NETworking’

    Idea revives iconic ‘What an Idea’ campaign with ‘Not Working? Try NETworking’

    MUMBAI: Idea has revived its iconic ‘What an Idea’ campaign with its new ‘Not working? Try NETworking’ spot. Keeping the intrinsic purpose of the brand to address social issues and work as an enabler for change, the new campaign, developed by BBDO India, aims to address the issues of unemployment and underemployment. It showcases the myriad opportunities that the internet, through Idea 4G network, throws open to people from different age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, across India. Directed by Sandeep Yadav, the campaign will be promoted through TV, Radio and Digital media.

    Explaining the rationale behind the new Brand campaign with one of Idea’s most loved taglines, Vodafone Idea chief digital transformation and brand officer Kavita Nair said, “Idea was the first telecom brand in India to take a step beyond the transactional plane to showcase how mobile telephony can transform people’s lives in a positive manner. Each Idea campaign, over the years, has focused on social issues prevalent at that time and championed causes which are relevant and appeal to urban and rural audiences alike.”

    Nair added, “The new brand campaign ‘NOT working? Try NETworking’ has been conceptualised with the objective of tapping the immense love and affinity the brand enjoys – by telling short, hope infusing stories. Through the narrative, we highlight the reliability of high speed Internet on Idea 4G which can help spark a million innovative ideas and a million opportunities to create a better future for urban and rural Indians, signing off with the iconic ‘What an idea!’” 

    For more than a decade, Idea brand campaigns have taken up issues that have affected society and/or individuals and given them a creative spin by highlighting innovative ideas that demonstrated how mobile telephony offers solutions to these problems. Each brand campaign has played an integral role in building the brand’s persona and salience. The latest NETworking series of three TVCs carry the brand’s signature tune and creative treatment and went live today. 

  • Idea’s #SabkaTimeAagaya TikTok dance challenge hits a record 3 Bn views within 4 days

    Idea’s #SabkaTimeAagaya TikTok dance challenge hits a record 3 Bn views within 4 days

    MUMBAI: Brand Idea, over the weekend, kept netizens hooked on to TikTok through its ongoing #SabkaTimeAagaya challenge which kept trending right from the start of the campaign on 23rd August. It has now garnered a record 3 Bn+ views with over 5000 user generated videos within just four days of the campaign.

    With this engagement program, Brand Idea has surpassed the targeted views and user generated videos expected on the platform, creating new benchmarks of engagement on TikTok.

    Brand Idea collaborated with popular TikTok content creators such as Awez Darbar, Riyaz, Arishfa, Jannat Zubair and others who kick started the challenge recreating the Idea dance step. Soon, many of their followers, all dressed in the brand colour, got into the groove and posted videos recreating the dance steps. Some of the users went a step ahead and used their acting and editing skills using the app, to create engaging content.

    Amongst many influencers who actively took the challenge, @hydroman did the Idea celebration dance step underwater. Another famous TikTok artist, Riyaz received the highest views with 2 million watching his dance moves while Jannat Zubair won hearts too with 216K views.

    The most popular videos will be featured by Idea on its Facebook and Instagram pages for further amplification.

    Brand Idea has been known for creating iconic and popular ads based on catchy tunes and jingles that always got the nation hooked and grooving. With the recent, #SabkaTimeAagaya TVC, created by BBDO, Brand Idea is promoting its ‘Har Recharge Pe Extra’ offer, under which every time an Idea subscriber does a recharge, she/he gets rewarded with extra benefits which can either be extra data or unlimited calls or cashback. The TV ad shows people from all walks of life dancing to the vibrant, lively and happy catchy tune triggering a celebration, which the brand is now amplifying on Digital.

  • Idea is now MP & Chhattisgarh’s fastest 4G Network for uploads; as verified by Ookla

    Idea is now MP & Chhattisgarh’s fastest 4G Network for uploads; as verified by Ookla

    MUMBAI: Idea has emerged as the fastest 4G network for uploads in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, as verified by Ookla – the global leader in broadband testing and web-based network diagnostic applications. Results of 4G data speed tests done across the region have revealed that Idea 4G is the fastest network in terms of upload speed in the entire region of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

    Ookla’s findings have verified Idea 4G upload speeds to be the highest as compared to all other top operators in MP & CG. Now with Idea 4G, customers can now enjoy making group video calls, binge on series or movies and share photos or videos and everything they love doing at the fastest speed.

    Speaking on the development, Mr. Vishant Vora, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea Ltd. said, “We are deploying new age technologies to enhance customer experience as we build a robust, future ready network in Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh. Ookla verification is a recognition of our consistent efforts to provide better network experience to our valued customers.”

    Vodafone Idea Ltd. is on a major network modernization exercise to ensure that customers get a seamless data experience and connectivity in both rural and urban locations of Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh. The company offers 4G, 3G and 2G services through a large spectrum portfolio of 61 MHz utilized across 12,106 sites. Post network integration, Idea coverage is available across 664 Towns and 53,130 villages in the Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh circle covering 260800 sq. km area.

    The recent network initiatives have resulted in Idea 4G delivering fastest upload speeds in the region and the recognition by global leader – Ookla at this stage validates the efforts of the company.

    According to Mr. Rajesh Naik, Business Head – MP & CG, Vodafone Idea Ltd., “We are delighted to be verified as ‘MP & CG’s fastest 4G network for uploads’. We hope our customers will continue to enjoy the benefits of Idea 4G and take delight in our premium content offerings from Sony LIV, Zee5, Shemaroo, Hoi Choi etc. available on the Idea Movies & TV App. We are also confident that our strengthened network presence and faster 4G speeds will attract more customers to the Idea network in MPCG.” 

    Fastest 4G upload speeds in MPCG is based on analysis Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence® data of tests taken by 4G users using popular Speedtest app from Apr – June 2019. MP & CG’s Fastest 4G upload speed Network verification is based on mean 4G speeds.

  • Idea offers one year of amazon prime with nirvana postpaid plans

    Idea offers one year of amazon prime with nirvana postpaid plans

    MUMBAI: Amazon and Vodafone Idea announced today that all Idea Nirvana postpaid customers are eligible to receive a year of Amazon Prime (worth INR 999) at no additional cost – providing customers the best in entertainment and shopping: Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading and unlimited free, fast shipping on millions of items along with early and exclusive access to deals on Amazon.in.

    With this offering, Idea customers with a Nirvana postpaid plan of INR 399 and above can enjoy unlimited streaming anytime, anywhere. They’ll have access to premium movies and TV shows on Prime Video including the latest and exclusive blockbuster Hollywood, Bollywood and Indian Regional movies, top TV shows, stand-up comedies, kids programs and critically acclaimed Prime Original series like International Emmy Award nominated Inside Edge, Breathe, The Remix, Comicstaan, Hear Me. Love Me., Mirzapur, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, multiple award winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Homecoming and Four More Shots Please! And with Amazon Prime Music, Idea customers also have access to ad-free music streaming and unlimited offline downloads across tens of millions of songs in over 20 languages to enjoy at no additional cost to Prime membership. Idea customers can enjoy their favorite music hands-free using voice, just by asking Alexa for music based on genre, artist, album, mood, activity or create a playlist/add a song to an existing playlist. In addition, customers can get access to free eBooks and unlimited free 1 and 2 day delivery, exclusive launces, early access to sale events and many more discounts on Amazon.

    Vodafone Red and Amazon Prime already has an existing relationship under which Vodafone postpaid customers will continue to enjoy access to Amazon Prime membership (worth Rs. 999) as part of their plan benefits.

    Commenting on this collaboration, Avneesh Khosla, Operations Director – Marketing, Vodafone Idea Ltd said “Today’s customers are digitally savvy and want more freedom and flexibility in the way they consume content. We understand the need to offer a great content experience to our consumers. Through this strategic relationship with Amazon Prime, we are further strengthening our content proposition and our commitment to offer the best to our customers. It provides them access to an extensive library of diverse and high-quality original content – thousands of movies, videos, TV shows and ad-free music on-the-go. We are confident that this association will provide both Vodafone and Idea customers a seamless on-the-go shopping and entertainment experience to our customers.”

    Gaurav Gandhi, Director and Head, Business, Amazon Prime Video India said, “Prime Video continues to entertain and delight customers across the length and breadth of the country.  We are delighted to partner with Idea and believe that this association will further expand the reach of Prime Video to an even larger base of customers who can enjoy our Prime Originals, Blockbuster Films and other Premium content on a screen of their choice – be it their mobile device, their personal computer or the television in their living room”

    Akshay Sahi, Director and Head of Amazon Prime India said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Idea and make Amazon Prime available to even more customers. Idea Nirvana postpaid customers can now experience Amazon Prime as a part of their plan, which provides customers an unparalleled combination of shopping and entertainment benefits. We believe these subscribers will love the many benefits of Prime; from listening to ad-free music across multiple languages on Prime Music, to watching the latest Bollywood, Regional and International video titles on Prime Video, from shopping exclusive deals on items they love most on Amazon.IN, to enjoying free fast delivery on millions of products, and a lot more”

    The annual Amazon Prime membership can be activated through the Idea Movies & TV app.  Access to Prime Video is available after downloading the Prime Video app on supported devices. By downloading the Amazon Music App, one can enjoy hundreds of hand-curated Playlists and Stations specially curated by Amazon Prime Music’s editors across moods, activities, genres, artists and decades. They can also avail shopping benefits by logging in with their Prime account details on Amazon.in.

    Similarly, one can enjoy hundreds of hand-curated Playlists and Stations specially curated by Amazon Prime Music’s editors across moods, activities, genres, artists and decades, by downloading the Amazon Music app and avail shopping benefits by logging in with their Prime account credentials on Amazon.in.