ITV

Tag: India

  • SnapBizz raises $7.2 million; to modernise India’s kirana stores

    SnapBizz raises $7.2 million; to modernise India’s kirana stores

    NEW DELHI: Retail technology firm SnapBizz has raised $7.2 million led by Jungle Ventures, Taurus Value creation, Konly Venture and Blume Ventures.

     

    The funds raised will be used to continue the firm’s growth and spur market expansion across key cities.

     

    The company had earlier received a seed fund of $1.7 million from Qualcomm, Jungle Ventures, National Research Foundation of Singapore, Taurus Value creation and Blume Ventures. The overall investments now stand at around $9 million.

     

    SnapBizz is transforming thousands of traditional retail outlets in Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad via a technology solution addressing the key business challenges faced by them. SnapBizz also connects and provides immense value to all stakeholders of the fragmented retail ecosystem of India. The cost-effective, end-to-end solution is an Android-based, cloud-connected business platform. The solution comprises a tablet, barcode scanner, printer and an intelligent consumer-facing LED display for consumer engagement.

     

    SnapBizz founder and CEO Prem Kumar said, “We are thrilled that all ecosystem players have shown confidence in our solution and that our existing investors have reiterated their support to us. Large retail and online players account for only 10-15 per cent of any brand’s business. The remaining 90 per cent happens through traditional trade and there is zero or minimal last mile connectivity between brands, consumers and retailers. We are on a mission to address this big gap while addressing the pain points of the kirana stores.”

     

    Jungle Ventures managing partner David Gowdey said, “We are convinced with the SnapBizz business model, which brings a tailored technology solution to kirana stores and believe that it will play a large role in India’s retail growth story. Prem and team have a rich and diverse experience across multiple markets and verticals that led to their impressive growth over a short span of time. We are confident that this momentum will continue as more kirana stores look to leverage technology to improve their business.”

     

    SnapBizz director – brand engagement Chirantan Bhabhra added, “SnapBizz is bringing in more money to kirana stores through partnership with FMCG companies. Brands, large and small, find SnapBizz a must-be-on platform. They can now contextually engage consumers in and out of stores, track promotions efficiently, analyse their business like never before and connect directly with kirana retailers.”

     

    “Kirana stores have been the face of India’s retail ecosystem for ages. The last few years witnessed the entry of large players in the form of supermarkets, hypermarkets and e-commerce posing a huge threat to kirana stores’ business. Despite stiff competition, kirana stores are still considered as the most trusted retail format in our country. They have unique strengths like trust, convenience, flexibility and competitive pricing, which make them highly relevant. SnapBizz helps kirana stores leverage these strengths to get a competitive edge. In line with the changing business environment and consumer expectations, kirana stores have realised the need to transform the business through advanced technology solutions,” added Kumar.

  • Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    MUMBAI: Viacom18’s English entertainment channel Colors Infinity has picked up the rights of Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) US adaptation of the British black comedy and psychological drama Mad Dogs.

     

    Additionally, the pan-regional SVOD platform HOOQ, which launched in India last year, has also picked up the rights for the series. Apart from India, HOOQ will air the series in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

     

    SPT has sold Mad Dogs to over 140 countries around the world ahead of the series debut on Amazon in the US, UK and Germany.

     

    “Mad Dogs has been a huge hit in the UK and there is clearly an equally high appetite for the US series. Mad Dogs is a high end drama with real global appeal and brings together exceptional talent both on and off screen. Sony Pictures Television has long been producing ambitious, acclaimed and award-winning dramas which sit perfectly on traditional linear channels and new platforms – as demonstrated by the range of partners we have around the world,” said Sony Pictures Television president, international distribution Keith LeGoy.

     

    Across Europe, Movistar+ picked up the series in Spain and MTG acquired the show for Viaplay in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Other territories include Finland (Nelonen), Belgium (Telenet), Turkey (D-Smart) as well as AXN in Central Eastern Europe.

     

    OSN picked up the series for the Middle East, Mnet will show it across Africa, and Sky bought the drama in New Zealand.

     

    Based on the format created by Cris Cole for Left Bank Pictures and British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Mad Dogs is produced by Left Bank Pictures, MiddKid Productions and Amazon Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

     

    Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of 40 something underachievers who gather in Belize to celebrate the retirement of one of their friends. A series of dramatic events unfold, exposing dark secrets, a web of lies, deception and murder.

     

    The series stars Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn and Billy Zane.

  • Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    MUMBAI: Viacom18’s English entertainment channel Colors Infinity has picked up the rights of Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) US adaptation of the British black comedy and psychological drama Mad Dogs.

     

    Additionally, the pan-regional SVOD platform HOOQ, which launched in India last year, has also picked up the rights for the series. Apart from India, HOOQ will air the series in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

     

    SPT has sold Mad Dogs to over 140 countries around the world ahead of the series debut on Amazon in the US, UK and Germany.

     

    “Mad Dogs has been a huge hit in the UK and there is clearly an equally high appetite for the US series. Mad Dogs is a high end drama with real global appeal and brings together exceptional talent both on and off screen. Sony Pictures Television has long been producing ambitious, acclaimed and award-winning dramas which sit perfectly on traditional linear channels and new platforms – as demonstrated by the range of partners we have around the world,” said Sony Pictures Television president, international distribution Keith LeGoy.

     

    Across Europe, Movistar+ picked up the series in Spain and MTG acquired the show for Viaplay in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Other territories include Finland (Nelonen), Belgium (Telenet), Turkey (D-Smart) as well as AXN in Central Eastern Europe.

     

    OSN picked up the series for the Middle East, Mnet will show it across Africa, and Sky bought the drama in New Zealand.

     

    Based on the format created by Cris Cole for Left Bank Pictures and British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Mad Dogs is produced by Left Bank Pictures, MiddKid Productions and Amazon Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

     

    Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of 40 something underachievers who gather in Belize to celebrate the retirement of one of their friends. A series of dramatic events unfold, exposing dark secrets, a web of lies, deception and murder.

     

    The series stars Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn and Billy Zane.

  • Nitesh Estates signs Virat Kohli as brand ambassador

    Nitesh Estates signs Virat Kohli as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Nitesh Estates has roped in star cricketer and captain of India’s Test team – Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador.

     

    Nitesh Estates executive director and COO Ashwini Kumar said, “Our company is at its prime, looking forward to spectacular growth and performance on all fronts in the future. We have set benchmarks and unbeatable records in real estate and are well known for our distinguished projects that involve the best of global architectural and design skills. Our vision is to ‘win the future’ and give Nitesh Estates the leading edge in every aspect of our prestigious and innovative endeavours. India’s cricket sensation Virat Kohli as our brand ambassador reflects our enthusiasm, passion and energy to stride ahead towards the future.”

     

    Kohli added, “I am proud to be associated with Nitesh Estates as its brand ambassador. The company in many aspects reflects the values I hold in high esteem. I respect the fact that as a first generation company it has made extraordinary progress in a very short span. From a modest inception Nitesh Estates has been able to build and scale to global standards very quickly. I am very impressed with their quality of developments across Homes, Hotels, Office buildings and Shopping Malls. I look forward to the rewarding experience of building Nitesh Estates, together with their team, taking it to the next level.”

  • Nitesh Estates signs Virat Kohli as brand ambassador

    Nitesh Estates signs Virat Kohli as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Nitesh Estates has roped in star cricketer and captain of India’s Test team – Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador.

     

    Nitesh Estates executive director and COO Ashwini Kumar said, “Our company is at its prime, looking forward to spectacular growth and performance on all fronts in the future. We have set benchmarks and unbeatable records in real estate and are well known for our distinguished projects that involve the best of global architectural and design skills. Our vision is to ‘win the future’ and give Nitesh Estates the leading edge in every aspect of our prestigious and innovative endeavours. India’s cricket sensation Virat Kohli as our brand ambassador reflects our enthusiasm, passion and energy to stride ahead towards the future.”

     

    Kohli added, “I am proud to be associated with Nitesh Estates as its brand ambassador. The company in many aspects reflects the values I hold in high esteem. I respect the fact that as a first generation company it has made extraordinary progress in a very short span. From a modest inception Nitesh Estates has been able to build and scale to global standards very quickly. I am very impressed with their quality of developments across Homes, Hotels, Office buildings and Shopping Malls. I look forward to the rewarding experience of building Nitesh Estates, together with their team, taking it to the next level.”

  • MIB to set up Film Facilitation Offices to aid foreign filmmakers in India

    MIB to set up Film Facilitation Offices to aid foreign filmmakers in India

    NEW DELHI: The Government has cleared proposals for setting up Film Facilitation Office (FFO) in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata for foreign film producers in assisting them to procure requisite permissions to shoot in India.

     

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told Parliament today that the FFO would be set up with the help of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

     

    It would also disseminate information on shooting locations and the facilities available with the Indian film industry for production and post production. 

     

    A total number of 33 requests from foreign filmmakers for shooting in India have been received till date during the current year, Rathore said. The requests include shooting of feature films and television shows.

     

    The Government has already taken several steps to promote India as a filming destination and to promote Indian film industry.

     

    The Ministry has also taken up with Home and External Affairs Ministries, the issues relating to easing of visa norms as well as simplification of procedures for according permission, duly taking into consideration the security concerns and other related issues.

  • India’s Marathi film ‘Court’ out of Oscar race

    India’s Marathi film ‘Court’ out of Oscar race

    MUMBAI: The National Award winning Marathi film Court, which was India’s official entry to the Oscars, is out of the Best Foreign-Language Film category for the upcoming 88th Academy Awards.

     

    Nine features will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 88th Academy Awards. A total of 80 films had originally been considered in the category.

     

    The nine films that have made the cut for the Best Foreign-Language Film category are as follows:Belgium’s The Brand New Testament directed by Jaco Van Dormael; Colombia’s Embrace of the Serpent directed by Ciro Guerra; Denmark’s A War directed by Tobias Lindholm; Finland’s The Fencer directed by Klaus Härö; France’s Mustang directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven; Germany’sLabyrinth of Lies directed by Giulio Ricciarelli; Hungary’s Son of Saul directed by László Nemes; Ireland’s Viva directed by Paddy Breathnach and Jordan’s Theeb directed by Naji Abu Nowar.

     

    Foreign Language Film nominations for 2015 are being determined in two phases.

     

    The Phase I committee, consisting of several hundred Los Angeles-based Academy members, screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and 14 December. The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

     

    The shortlist will be winnowed down to the category’s five nominees by specially invited committees in New York, Los Angeles and London.  They will spend 8 January through 10 January, viewing three films each day and then casting their ballots.

     

    The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on 14 January, 2016 at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

  • Crayon Data collaborates with GroupM, Mindshare for India foray

    Crayon Data collaborates with GroupM, Mindshare for India foray

    MUMBAI: Mindshare and GroupM have inked a global alliance with Crayon Data for the latter’s foray into the Indian market. The development comes hot on the heels of last week’s announcement of Ratan Tata investing in Crayon Data.

     

    The Singapore based big data start-up has built a proprietary big data platform called SimplerChoices that allows it to ingest, curate and algorithmically predict the tastes of millions of consumers.

     

    Together, GroupM, Mindshare and Crayon Data aim to map the taste of millions of Indian consumers, which will allow enterprises to target consumers more precisely. 

     

    “GroupM is changing the way marketers approach the business of media. Together with the WPP data alliance, bringing the Crayon Data proposition to India reflects our ambition to know more deeply than anyone else the tastes of Indian consumers and use that to help our clients target them better,” said GroupM India CEO CVL Srinivas.

     

    Mindshare South Asia CEO Prashanth Kumar added, “Through this alliance, Mindshare’s proprietary data and research are further enriched with Crayon Data’s analytics. This will help us bring in both agility and adaptive solutions for our clients. Understanding the tastes and mind-set of consumers is extremely important and will be a great advantage for us especially since there is a strong focus on digital. In our journey to understand our consumers even better, this will be a great advantage.”

     

    Crayon Data founder Suresh Shankar said, “As life goes digital, and choices proliferate in every aspect of our life, we will move to a world centred around personalisation, where companies understand tastes and preferences at an individual level, and use that to make choices simple and relevant for their consumers.”

  • India set to be 7th biggest advertisement market by 2020 : Magna Global report

    India set to be 7th biggest advertisement market by 2020 : Magna Global report

    MUMBAI: In its latest report on the global advertising marketplace, Magna Global estimates that media owner advertising revenues grew by +3.2 percent in 2015 to $503 billion. This is lower than the previous forecast (+3.9 percent in June 2015) and represents a slowdown compared to the 2014 growth (+4.9 percent).

     

    In 2016, advertising revenues will be boosted by economic stabilization and the incremental spending generated around non-recurring even-year events (US Presidential and General elections, UEFA Football championship in Europe, Summer Olympics in Brazil). Magna Global is thus predicting ad sales to grow by +4.6 percent, marginally less than its previous forecast. Neutralizing the impact of non-recurring events (NREs) in 2014, 2015 and 2016 (generating approximately 0.9 percent of extra growth in even-numbered years), the global ad market would have grown by +4.1 percent in 2015 and +3.7 percent in 2016, which suggest no real 2016 acceleration in the underlying ad demand, beyond the cyclical drivers.

    In terms of geographies, Asia-Pacific emerged as the most dynamic region with a growth rate of 6.5 per cent. As China is slowing down (slightly), India has become the most dynamic economy among BRICs and among all the large nations monitored by Magna. Real DGP grew by 7.3 per cent in 2015 and will grow again by 7.5 per cent in 2016 according to the IMF. In that context advertising spending grew by 16.3 per cent in 2015 to approximately $8 billion allowing India to become the 12th biggest ad market in the world at the expense of Russia.

    Looking at India specifically, Magna reports that advertising revenue will increase by Rs 68 billion (Rs 6,800 crore) and is expected to touch Rs 487 billion (Rs 48,700 crore) in 2015. Television revenue on the back of increased volume will add +18.5 percent (December 2014 +11.9 percent) to reach Rs 200 billion (Rs 20,000 crore). While the television market’s share is up by a percentage point (41 per cent), print goes down from 41 per cent to 38 per cent to touch Rs 183 billion  (Rs 18,300 crore) with a growth of 7.7 per cent. In 2016 television and print is estimated to grow at +15.1 percent and 8.2 per cent respectively.

    Digital formats will continue to grow the maximum at 49 percent to touch Rs 57 billion (Rs 5,700 crore), increasing their market share to 12 per cent. Ad sales generated from video and social increasingly will be through mobile impressions while the desktop in the near future will still be the domain for search and display. Share of mobile will increase from 32 per cent to close to half the pie in 2016.

    Newer formats and revenue streams after Twitter and Instagram opening up new advertising and influencer management platforms, bandwidth expansion through 4G launch and traditional advertisers increasing their digital budgets, will contribute to the growth of 67.3 per cent in 2016.

    Radio, with a market share of 4 percent will also grow at 14 per cent in 2015. Through the expansion of foot print, and there by volume, is estimated to add 16 per cent in 2016. Last but not the least, OOH will grow at 11.9 percent in 2015 and by another 10.4 per cent in 2016.

     

    Magna Global estimates total advertising revenue to touch Rs 576 billion (Rs 57,600 crore) in 2016. The T20 World Cup, encouraging response from audiences to non-cricketing leagues, state elections, 4G launch are some of the drivers for the advertising economy in 2016 in India. E-commerce will continue to pursue GMV’s, most action will be seen in the telecom sector followed by auto and FMCG advertising.

     

    Digital television and expansion of the measurement panel will allow advertisers to reach more consumers and broadcaster to better monetize their audience in 2016. While so far India is bucking the global trend of declining spends on Print by growing at a high single digit rate, Digital market shares are projected to equal Print by 2020.

     

    Hope 2016 round of data will get the currency out of the data dark period and aid the category to fight market share erosion. The second round of the Phase III auction, commissioning of the new stations won in the first round of bidding will keep radio top of mind.

  • India’s direct selling industry has Rs 645 billion potential by 2025: FICCI-KPMG report

    India’s direct selling industry has Rs 645 billion potential by 2025: FICCI-KPMG report

    NEW DELHI: Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion of the Commerce Ministry Amitabh Kant said that direct selling will have to be given a greater thrust as it empowers women, MSMEs and promotes manufacturing in India.

     

    Speaking at FICCI DIRECT 2015, an annual flagship event for the Direct Selling (DS) industry, Kant said the industry has a potential to grow to Rs 1000 billion by 2025 much beyond the FICCI-KMPG report projection of Rs 645 billion.

     

    Acknowledging the need for clarity in definition of direct selling and a separate regulatory framework for the industry, Kant said his department had already submitted the draft guidelines to the Ministry for Consumer Affairs for the direct selling industry and was hopeful for its implementation by various states.

     

    He urged the industry to embrace technology as the industry can deliver better and even faster once technology becomes its strength.

     

    The FICCI-KPMG report on ‘Direct selling- Mapping the industry across Indian states’ released by Kant showed that direct selling is today a successful industry operating in over 100 countries with a market size of $ 180 billion.

     

    In India, the market was estimated at Rs 75 billion (2013-14), and formed around 0.4 per cent of the total retail sales in the country.  To showcase the potential and highlight the opportunities and challenges faced by the DS industry, FICCI organizes its annual event on Direct Selling ‘DIRECT’ every year.

     

     

    FICCI Secretary General A Didar Singh said “Indian Direct Selling Industry” is an important component of the Indian economy and acknowledging this, we at FICCI through our focused task force on direct selling is working dedicatedly towards the growth of this industry and seeking regulatory clarity for this new industry. FICCI is working closely with the Central and State Governments on the same and today’s conference is a step in that direction. Today, we have launched the FICCI-KPMG report on the current state and contribution of Direct Selling industry in various states. This would be a reservoir of information on how this industry is contributing towards the development of various parts of India. During the event, he assured Kant that FICCI would deliver a white paper on “Technology for Direct Selling”.

     

    The Report ‘Direct 2015 – Direct selling- Mapping the industry across Indian states’ by FICCI-KPMG in India highlights the current challenges faced by the industry and the potential that the industry holds in select Indian states.

     

    According to the report, the industry has recorded high double digit growth of about 16 per cent over the past four to five years. The market has grown to become a key channel for distribution of goods and services in the country, especially for health and wellness products, cosmetics, consumer durables, water purifiers and vacuum cleaners.

     

    The report attempts to analyse the region-wise direct selling market comparing and contrasting growth patterns. In the last five years, the industry has recorded strong growth rates especially in the states of Assam, Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal. North India has emerged as the largest region by market size and accounted for Rs 22 billion in 2013-14; South India which holds the second highest share of the direct selling market was pegged at Rs 19 billion in terms of revenue in 2013-14. While the north east is currently the smallest market, it has recorded the highest growth rate of 14 per cent in India with revenues of Rs 9 billion. The growth has primarily been driven by rising income levels, high rate of urbanization and growing consumerism in the states.

     

    The report also lists the challenges faced by the direct selling industry, one of the biggest being the lack of regulatory clarity.

     

    The direct selling industry has significantly contributed to women empowerment, skill development, technology percolation and the growth of the SMEs sector in the states, besides contributing to the state exchequer. Total indirect tax contribution by direct selling industry to the government in FY14 alone is estimated at Rs 740-790 million. In addition, the industry also provides a viable means of alternative income, which promotes self-employment. Going ahead, the industry is expected to be driven by factors such as growth in consumer markets and increase in the penetration to globally comparable levels.