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Tag: Keertan Adyanthaya

  • Fox International Channels confirms season 4 of ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’

    Fox International Channels confirms season 4 of ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’

    MUMBAI: Fox International Channels (FIC) has confirmed season 4 of the reality competition series Asia’s Next Top Model (AsNTM), once again for its female-targeted entertainment channel, Star World, set to air in 2016.

     

    Season 3 of the show achieved phenomenal success on Star World as the highest-rated season to date in Singapore and the Philippines. The season 3 finale also garnered the highest ratings in the show’s history on StarWorld, and pushed the channel into the top ranking spot amongst all western general entertainment cable channels.

     

    An original production by FIC, AsNTM is based on Tyra Banks’ popular ‘Top Model’ franchise, where aspiring models are mentored by industry professionals as they compete to become the next big thing in fashion. The series will once again be presented by Subaru and Zalora in this new season.

     

    FIC has commissioned FremantleMedia Asia to helm the production of this upcoming season. FIC’s partnership with FremantleMedia Asia is set to deliver even more compelling characters and chic style this season, as the young women on the show grow into world-class modelling professionals ready to take the global fashion industry by storm.

     

    Fox International Channels EVP and head of content and communications for Hong Kong & Southeast Asia Keertan Adyanthaya said, “We’re excited to be launching the fourth season of this successful franchise, especially on the heels of a well-received season 3. We strive to produce shows that are highly entertaining and build fan bases, but also offer creative and effective promotional opportunities for brand partners, which in turn allow us to invest further into production and marketing. AsNTM is a great example of this successful model.”

     

    “We could not have created this hit without our committed partners Subaru and Zalora. They share our creative vision for quality content and have each very smartly used the show successfully as a platform for their own marketing and promotion, making these win-win partnerships. Together with FremantleMedia, we can’t wait to bring to AsNTM fans the best season yet,” he added.

  • FIC promotes Keertan Adyanthaya as EVP Hong Kong & SE Asia

    FIC promotes Keertan Adyanthaya as EVP Hong Kong & SE Asia

    MUMBAI: Fox International Channels head of entertainment and factual channels for Hong Kong & Southeast Asia Keertan Adyanthaya has been elevated as executive vice president – content and communications – Hong Kong & Southeast Asia with effect from 1 September.

     

    In his new role, Adyanthaya will be responsible for all content, channel operations and marketing for the HK and SE Asia covering Hollywood and Chinese entertainment as well as factual genres.

     

    It may be recalled that a couple of months back Adyanthaya, who was heading FIC’s India operations as NGC Network India managing director, was re-located to Hong Kong to handle a broader portfolio.

     

    Adyanthaya elevation is one of many structural reshuffling done by FIC in north Asia so as to align with its new strategy as the company positions itself for a growth spurt in China with an aim to ramp up its investment in production of Chinese content and communications. The restructuring exercise reflects emerging opportunities in these markets including China, Japan and Korea.

     

    FIC Asia Pacific and Middle East president Zubin Gandevia said, “Japan and Korea are two of the biggest media markets in our footprint.  In view of recent strategic partnerships we’ve forged in both countries, including with JTBC to launch JTBC3 FOX Sports in Korea and with Avex in Japan as part of an OTT offering, we see massive potential for further growth in these markets.”

     

    As a part of the restructuring, FIC managing director for SE Asia and Hong Kong Joon Lee will now move into a dual role, which is focused on driving growth initiatives in Japan and Korea as well as increasing FIC’s share of the growing opportunities in original Chinese production as executive vice president, North Asia & head of original productions – Mainland China.

     

    “Joon’s unique combination of experience – his familiarity with our businesses in both countries plus his proven leadership and creativity – will be invaluable in helping us to dive deeper in these markets,” added Gandevia.

     

    On the other hand, Simeon Dawes has been named FIC EVP ad sales and partnerships and MD – Hong Kong, Southeast Asia & Middle East and will take over some of Lee’s responsibilities in Hong Kong and southeast Asia, even as he will continue to oversee FIC’s Middle Eastern business and ad sales across Asia Pacific.

     

    FIC EVP commercial and sports Rohit D’Silva will continue in his current role, which includes the FOX Sports Asia business as well as affiliate and content partnerships, and non-linear products. 

     

    “Keertan’s proven successes with content-driven initiatives will complement Simeon and Rohit’s ability to forge mutually beneficial partnerships with our advertisers and platform partners.  All four executives are proven leaders in FIC and will without a doubt propel our businesses in North and Southeast Asia to new heights,” Gandevia said.

  • ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ finale on Star World smashes ratings record in SE Asia

    ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ finale on Star World smashes ratings record in SE Asia

    MUMBAI: The closing episode of Star World’s hit reality series Asia’s Next Top Model (AsNTM) Season 3 recorded the highest finale ratings ever in the show’s history on Star World in Singapore and the Philippines when it aired across Southeast Asia on 17 June.

     

    Across both countries, season 3 was on average the highest-rated season of the reality series. Ratings increased more than 140 per cent amongst a wide general audience aged 4+ as well as young female viewers from late teens all the way up to mid-thirties, a key target audience for Star World.

     

    In Singapore, the finale telecast made Star World the No. 1 ranked western general entertainment cable channel in that timeslot amongst all people 4 years+ as well as women aged 18-39.

     

    In the Philippines, Star World also claimed the top spot amongst all general entertainment cable channels in the finale telecast timeslot amongst all people 2 years+. Even more impressively, the channel was ranked the #1 cable channel overall in the country in that timeslot amongst female viewers aged 16-34.

     

    Fans also burned up the social media space discussing the finale episode online, with more than 306,125 conversations generated surrounding the finale episode on the show’s social media channels. The total number of online conversations around the show since this season began airing is 5,436,937, and still growing. The hashtag #AsNTM3Finale was top trending on Twitter worldwide as well as in Indonesia, the Philippines and the city of Hanoi during the telecast and continued well into the evening, garnering more than 47,000 tweets.

     

    ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ as a search term was trending amongst the top three topics in Singapore and the Philippines. Web search interest on Google for ‘AsNTM,’ ‘AsNTM3,’ and ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ doubled worldwide during the finale telecast, with more than 20,000 searches in Philippines alone, for ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ on the day of the finale telecast.

     

    An original production of Fox International Channels (FIC), Asia’s Next Top Model is a reality series based on Tyra Banks’ popular Top Mode franchise, where aspiring models are mentored by industry professionals as they compete to become the next big thing in fashion.

     

    On the final episode of Season 3, the judges crowned Ayu Gani from Indonesia as the season 3 winner. As the newest Asia’s Next Top Model, Gani took home a Subaru XV; a contract with one of Europe’s biggest agencies, Storm Model Management; a cover and fashion spread in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore; and is the 2015 Face of TRESemmé.

     

    Fox International Channels head of entertainment and factual channels for Hong Kong & Southeast Asia Keertan Adyanthaya said, “We are thrilled with the success of this latest season of AsNTM and look forward to producing more original shows that fans love. This was a fantastic collaboration between Star World, our brand partners and frankly the fans. Their enthusiasm for the show has helped propelled this season to new heights and we can’t wait to bring them even more great content they can engage with.” 

  • Fox International Channels elevates Swati Mohan as business head

    Fox International Channels elevates Swati Mohan as business head

    MUMBAI: Fox International Channels India has elevated Swati Mohan as its business head. She was previously vice president – content and programming.

     

    In her new role, Mohan will take over the India operations from NGC Network India & Fox International Channels managing director Keertan Adyanthaya, effective 30 March, 2015.

     

    Mohan will be reporting into the Hong Kong office and will be heading the network portfolio of all existing Fox International Channels in India including National Geographic Channel and Fox Life as well as the other network channel properties like Baby TV, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Adventure, Nat Geo Music and National Geographic Channel HD.

     

    Prior to this, since January 2012, Mohan has been spearheading the programming and content portfolio for the bouquet of channels including National Geographic Channel and Fox Life. She has over 16 years of experience in the industry, with a wide spectrum of work across companies including Group M, O&M, FBC Media and Endemol previously.

     

    Adyanthaya said, “Swati has been leading the content team at Fox for the past three years and has done a stellar job. When it was time to choose a new leader for our business, we didn’t have to look beyond Swati. She has a keen understanding of the content and having been a key part of the hard working & dedicated team here, she will lose no time in propelling our company to even greater heights.”

     

    Mohan added, “It’s been an enriching experience to have worked under the leadership of Keertan, and I thank the organisation for the opportunity to be able to take forward what he has built here at FIC India in the last five years. We have a great and diverse bouquet of offerings and I am excited about building the business further with the support of the capable team here.”

  • John Abraham unlocks Nat Geo

    John Abraham unlocks Nat Geo

    MUMBAI: John Abraham, who was lauded for his performance in the recent film Madras Cafe, will now take on the small screen in his new role as brand ambassador of the National Geographic Channel.

    For starters, the actor-producer has kicked-off a brand new campaign titled ‘Unlock’ as the face of the channel.

    Says National Geographic Channel managing director Keertan Adyanthaya:

    “With this campaign, we will strive to urge our viewers to be open to new experiences, people, places, cultures and the variety that the world has to offer.”

    As brand ambassador, Abraham will take Nat Geo viewers through the various aspects of the campaign, encouraging them to unlock their minds along the way. He will talk about and embody different shows aired on the channel; taking them to the rest of the world.

    Says a visibly excited Abraham: “I can hardly contain my excitement at being a part of the legacy that is the Nat Geo channel. I have always been inspired by the yellow window and have followed NGC’s shows religiously. I myself love wild life, I keep on doing crazy things in life, and I am sure that the viewers and my audience will enjoy this journey with me.”

    But why did an established name like Nat Geo feel the need to rope in someone like Abraham in the first place? Replies National Geographic and Fox International Channels vice president (marketing) Debarpita Banerjee, “We as a channel believe in whatever we say. John truly believes, the way we look at the channel and the content. And it was just fate; he truly experiments with life. You can see the kind of movies he supports, the kind of life he lives, and his enthusiasm for bikes and wild life. He thinks that life has lots to offer. So first the word ‘Unlock’, then John – they came together and it was a nice explosion.”

    Coming to the choice of name, Banerjee says: “We were looking for a simple word, and this encapsulated everything we wanted to say. It is all about unlocking your mind, fears, opening your outlook, new possibilities, not having any prejudices, looking at a new world in a new way. We went through lots of iterations and finally came up with one word, ‘Unlock’.”

    The campaign is in collaboration with Grey Worldwide, which was roped in as Nat Geo’s strategic and advertising agency. Nearly 25 per cent of the total annual marketing budget has been spent on it.

    As part of marketing and promotion, Nat Geo plans to telecast promos on other channels as well, apart from focussing on outdoor and other activities. Plans are afoot to make use of social media such as facebook.com, where an official page will be launched where fans will not only be able to see but also share their views that would be rooted to Abraham for his feedback. The channel already has a laudable six million likes on Facebook.

    So what does the future look like? “We want to take ‘Unlock’ to children, because they harbour a lot of fear of the unknown, of the dark, of the great outdoors. So we want to take ‘Unlock’ to summer camps. Youth is very interesting and they are buzzing with ideas. We also want to have an innovation conclave where they can submit their ideas by unlocking their imagination,” says Banerjee.

  • NGC goes in for a new look, feel

    NGC goes in for a new look, feel

    MUMBAI: With more competition entering the infotainment space National Geographic Channel (NGC) has refreshed its product, packaging and proposition.

    The aim of the new look, themes, new shows and a new campaign is to showcase the range of experiences, passion and adventure that lies with NGC.

    The channel‘s campaign thought is “this is who we are” and the brand promise is to give young India a television experience that is fourth dimensional, larger than life and experimentative enough to push a viewer‘s definition of entertainment and bring forth the true NGC.

    Shows like ‘Man Vs Monster‘, ‘Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr‘, ‘Trapped‘, ‘Indestructibles‘, ‘Banged Up Abroad‘ are part of this month‘s theme of Deadly December. Besides the show line-up, the whole look of the channel aims to be more striking and energetic with colours in a brand new packaging.

    A part of the global rebranding exercise, the ‘This is who we are‘ campaign will cater to a vibrant young India‘s love for all that is larger than life, colourful, fascinating and uninhibited. The new look and shows will help viewers connect directly to the great legacy of Nat Geo‘s daring and passionate explorers, the channel said.

    NGC Network India, Fox International Channels MD Keertan Adyanthaya said, “The Indian youth is a big segment of the television viewing audience today and they are constantly searching for content which caters to their entertainment needs and aspirations. With the ‘This is who we are‘ campaign, we bring forth television viewing that packs a powerful punch of pure adrenalin keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Now only the best of action, adventure, wildlife and exploration will be showcased on the channel in a pulsating, energetic new look that we know and already feel, is addictive enough”

    The campaign is being promoted across the Star network and other mass viewership channels, and other platforms like outdoor and on-ground initiatives. 

  • ‘Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle’ may see D12, Mobb Deep or Obie Trice

    ‘Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle’ may see D12, Mobb Deep or Obie Trice

    MUMBAI:Vh1, the international music and lifestyle channel, brings in the hip hop invasion with Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle for the second year. And this time, it’s hardcore.

    Having spent 14 years in the hip hop business and recently signed to 50 Cent’s label G-Unit, the finale act is one of the following:a) D12, b) Mobb Deep and c) Obie Trice.

    The chosen act – to be announced later – will rock the house on 2 November at Enigma and on 4 November at Elevate, Noida.

    Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle Schedule
    Date
    City
    Venue
    International Acts
    19 Oct    Mumbai    Enigma    DJ Whoo Kid (US)
    20 Oct    Delhi    Elevate Noida    DJ Whoo Kid (US)
    26 Oct    Mumbai    Enigma    Scratch (UK)
    28 Oct    Delhi    Elevate Noida    Scratch (UK)
    2 Nov    Mumbai    Enigma    D12/Mobb Deep/ Obie Trice
    4 Nov    Delhi    Elevate Noida    D12/Mobb Deep/ Obie Trice

    Says Vh1 India VP and GM Keertan Adyanthaya, “Whether it’s in tune with the new appetite for bling, or increased spending, or just a trend that’s invading the world, hip hop is coming into its own in the country. 

    “Our show of the same name Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle which airs at Saturday 10 pm also has had great response and this way viewers can get the hip hop experience both on air and on ground.”

    Speaking on the previous year’s experience, “Last year’s Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle act Flipsyde was fairly new on the scene and their visit to India was successful enough for them to make a repeat visit this year. Now, we feel that India’s hip hop scene is ready for the hardcore of hip hop. So it’s going to be either D12, Mobb Deep or Obie Trice. We’re not telling yet!”

    Leading the way for the D12 / Mobb Deep / Obie Trice performances is DJ Whoo Kid, Best Hip Hop Mixtape DJ 2004 and the official tour DJ for 50 Cent and his label G-Unit. He will perform in Mumbai on 19th October and in Delhi on 20th October.

    Then a week later, make way for UK’s Scratch who will perform at Enigma in Mumbai on 26 October and in Delhi on 28 October. Scratch is resident DJ of UK’s biggest and 10 year old hip hop night. He has opened for Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, Prince, Macy Gray, Outkast & Cypress Hill amongst many others.

    Passes for each event will be available at the respective venues – Enigma in Mumbai and Elevate in Noida.

  • Vh1 to launch two new shows in April

    Vh1 to launch two new shows in April

    MUMBAI: Vh1 will be reliving the days of yore with classic videos and shows this April. Also, MTV favourite Headbanger’s Ball will air not only old favourites but also the latest headbanging bands. A new hip hop destination Hip Hop Hustle ensures that viewers get their weekly dose of bump ‘n’ grind.

    Vh1 India vice president and general manager Keertan Adyanthaya said, “Our viewers have been requesting us to show more classic on Vh1 so we’ve decided to surpass their wildest dreams and make this month all about classic. Introducing Headbanger’s Ball and Hip Hop Hustle will give lovers of a certain genre a fixed destination to go to every week on the channel.”

    Every Big Weekend will have a theme like Classic Rock, Classic Pop, Classic Dance and Classic Hollywood setting the tone for all the rest of the week. So viewers can not only see videos but also shows such as Rolling Stones Live in Brazil as part of Classic Rock, Driven: Whitney Houston in Classic Pop, When Disco Ruled The World in Classic Dance and When Star Wars Ruled The World in Classic Hollywood.

    The one-hour non-stop music block Headbanger’s Ball will have some of the greatest new and old heavy metal acts – Korn, Iron Maiden, System Of A Down, Black Sabbath and loads more. Headbanger’s Ball will be telecast every Friday at midnight from 7 April onwards.

    For hip hop lovers, there’s Hip Hop Hustle, a 60-minute on-air version of the successful property of the same name which saw Vh1 India bring in US hip hop band Flipsyde late last year. With the top selling international records in India last year being from 50 Cents and Mariah Carey respectively, both hip hop artistes, it’s clear that hip hop is having the same kind of success in India as it is in the US and worldwide. Hip Hop Hustle will air every Saturday at 10 pm starting 15 April.