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Tag: Kunj Sanghvi

  • Kuku FM launches Hindi audio series ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns’

    Kuku FM launches Hindi audio series ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns’

    Mumbai: Kuku FM, India’s audio entertainment platform has announced the launch of an exclusive new audio series, ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns,’ based on the beloved Indian comic book character in partnership with Pran’s Features LLP. This strategic collaboration brings to life 10 episodes, each weaving unique adventures that blend nostalgia with contemporary storytelling.

    Chacha Chaudhary, a wise old man from a quaint Indian village, defies the traditional ‘hero’ archetype with his sharp intellect and resourcefulness. His adventures underscore the timeless lesson of ‘brains over brawn’—an idea that remains profoundly relevant even today. This series is Kuku FM’s humble effort to celebrate Chacha’s legacy and the unique position he holds in Indian pop culture.

    Kuku FM VP of content Kunj Sanghvi said, “Another childhood favourite now comes alive in the audio format as our latest release! The imagination behind Chacha Chaudhary’s world lies in its ability to create a uniquely Indian universe that combines the mundane with the fantastic, the traditional with the modern, and the local with the global. This rich, multifaceted imaginary world has allowed generations to explore, dream, and learn – proving that intelligence and wit are timeless heroes in their own right.”

    For many, Chacha Chaudhary is more than just a character; he is a symbol of wit, intelligence, and the everyday heroism that resonated with readers across generations. This audio series aims to reintroduce the charm and wit of Chacha Chaudhary to both old fans and new listeners, capturing the essence of Pran’s timeless work. Each episode is infused with modern supernatural and mysterious elements, offering a fresh and immersive experience that aligns perfectly with trending content themes of our times.

    “My heartiest congratulations to the Kuku FM team for producing a great show based on one of our most popular IPs, Chacha Chaudhary,” said Pran’s Features LLP director Nikhil Pran. “The stories are packed with excitement and full of adventure, where Chacha Chaudhary uses his intelligence to solve problems when people are in trouble. I am sure everyone will enjoy listening to this thriller story based in supernatural settings. Looking forward to having more such series.”

    This one-of-a-kind collaboration is another feather in the cap of Kuku FM’s rapidly expanding footprint in the audio entertainment space following landmark content partnerships with the likes of Storytel, Jeffrey Archer, Rupa Publications, Harper Collins and more. This move strengthens Kuku FM’s multilingual and multi-genre content offerings, providing listeners access to global entertainers and further cementing its position as a leader in India’s booming audio market.

    “This partnership with Pran’s Features is a testament to our ongoing commitment to diversify and enrich our content library,” said Kuku FM co-founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu. “India is all set to be a global content powerhouse, and it’s time for Indian stories to get the recognition they deserve.”

    ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns’ is now streaming on the Kuku FM app, and users can enjoy the first few episodes of this VIP audio series absolutely free.

  • KUKU FM introduces new campaign: ‘Koi Baat Nahi’

    KUKU FM introduces new campaign: ‘Koi Baat Nahi’

    Mumbai: Kuku FM, a platform for audiobooks and shows, launches a heartwarming new ad film titled “Koi Baat Nahi,” conceptualized and executed by The Ensemble. Specializing in TVCs, DVCs, branded content, and content marketing solutions, The Ensemble has played a pivotal role in bringing Kuku FM’s vision to life through captivating ad films.

    Featuring acclaimed actors Apoorva Arora and Anshuman Malhotra, the ad film revolves around the theme of resilience and positivity in the face of adversity. The guy in the advertisement, played by Anshuman Malhotra, has a positive response to all the hypothetical bleak situations his partner, played by Apoorva Arora, presents to him. Each scenario depicted in the ad film reinforces the belief that a positive outlook can transform life’s challenges into opportunities for growth and inspiration.

    The hilarious ad film highlights KuKu FM’s core messaging that the platform offers over 10,000 audiobooks and shows delivered in an easily understandable Hindi language, including best-selling motivation books. Kuku FM enables listeners to access a treasure trove of inspiration anytime, anywhere. From renowned titles like “12th Fail” to “Buddh Sootra” and “9 Success Mantras by World Athletes,” the platform provides a diverse range of content to uplift spirits.

    From ideation to execution, including casting, The Ensemble has demonstrated unparalleled creativity and expertise in content creation and production.  Leveraging their deep understanding of Kuku FM’s brand identity and audience, The Ensemble has delivered a series of impactful ad films that resonate with viewers on a profound level. What set this project apart was the ambitious timeline – five films in just five days- everything from ideation to execution was done within the span of five days and The Ensemble demonstrated their ability to deliver exceptional content under pressure, without compromising on quality. The team meticulously selected actors and digital influencers like Anshuman Malhotra, Apoorva Arora, Khushaal Pawaar, Tushar Pandey, Shreya Gupto, Nikhil Ratnaparkhi, Arnav Bhasin among others, each choice tailored to target a specific audience group and genre, ensuring maximum impact and resonance. One of the memorable moments from the ad films was the viral dialogue, “Koi baat nahi,” resonating with young audiences and adding an extra layer of relatability to the films.

    Speaking about their collaboration with The Ensemble, KuKu FM head of content Kunj Sanghvi expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “Making ads for a content offering is a doubly challenging task as the ads also become a proof of the quality of the actual offering, which is audiobooks and shows in our case. In a cluttered landscape, finding standout ways to appeal to the TG so they sit up and take notice is highly important. The team at Ensemble showed great agility in understanding the brief, cracking great ideas and doing swift and faultless execution,” said Sanghvi.

    As the co-founder of The Ensemble and the director of these films, Abhishek Dixit had this to say: “With KuKu FM’s unwavering trust in The Ensemble’s creative prowess and our commitment to exceed expectations, we have once again demonstrated that stellar ideas can thrive even under tight deadlines. It was truly a collaborative effort from both the client and our team to achieve this, as at The Ensemble, collaboration means everything to us.”

    The Ensemble commits to excellence in every aspect of the process, from ideation to scriptwriting and execution, resulting in ads that not only promote the brand but also resonate with audiences.

  • CNBC Bajar aims to expand business news viewership

    CNBC Bajar aims to expand business news viewership

    MUMBAI: Giving Gujaratis of the world a taste of their own mother tongue in the trade that is most attributed to them is TV18’s new Gujarati business news channel CNBC Bajar. 

     

    CNBC channels and Forbes India CEO Anil Uniyal said, “On every economic parameter, from industrialisation to GDP per household, Gujaratis are top performers today. However, there isn’t enough content being created to serve this hugely affluent set of viewers. It was thus a very simple decision for us when we decided to start this channel. Not only that, no other community devours content revolving around finance, markets, business and economics the way this community does.”

     

    Speaking on the launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “You have understood the mindset and lifeline of Gujarat and I believe this Gujarati channel will get you the highest profit, as compared to all other channels of your network.”

     

    Launched on 1 July, CNBC Bajar is the third business news channel apart from the existing CNBC TV-18 and CNBC Awaaz with the tagline ‘Business Ni Matrubhasha,’ which means ‘the mother tongue of business’.

     

    CNBC Awaaz and Bajar marketing senior manager Kunj Sanghvi says that approximately Rs 4 crore has been pumped into a month-long promotion campaign.

     

    The Bajar marketing campaign also launched on first is created by O&M with the theme ‘the mother tongue of business’. It will be visible on TV, print, outdoor, online, mobile, on ground and railway stations. For print, Bajar Mint, Sandesh, Gujarat Samachar and Forbes have been targeted. Network18 channels including Colors, MTV, CNBC channels, IBN channels, ETV Gujarati, ETV Rajasthan, ETV MP, History, MTV Indies, Comedy Central and VH1 will air Bajar TVCs.

     

    The channel says that more than 120 outdoor spots have been booked across Gujarat while 30 sites have been taken in Mumbai, this being handled by media agency Madison. Big FM is the radio channel that is being used in Surat, Baroda and Rajkot.

     

    CNBC Awaaz editor in chief Sanjay Pugalia will also hold the same position in Bajar. Pradeep Pandya and Aashka Goradia will represent the channel as its prime anchors. Though the new channel will offer news related to NSE, BSE, currency, retail, local Gujarat business, tax, real estate and entrepreneurship, Bajar will focus and expand the commodity news sector. Specific advice will be given on trading, stock market, investor education and personal finance. Other programming inclusions on Bajar are lifestyle, food, fashion and entertainment, CNBC Awaaz doesn’t focus too much on some of these Gujarati tastes. 

     

    The Bajar team consists of 40 journalists and production professionals. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has bureaus in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot. A new studio has been created in the main office with SD quality cameras. “We want to show with CNBC Bajar that a language product can also be as sophisticated as international channels. Regional journalism has been mediocre in the country but we want to establish that we can create good quality standards,” avers Pugalia.

     

    However, Pugalia does not feel that this will take away viewership from its Hindi business news channel but will rather expand the genre. “When we launched Awaaz, many people said it will cannibalise the main channel but we proved them wrong. The genre actually expanded. Bajar will create a new viewership for itself in the Gujaratis of the world specially those who don’t consume business news itself,” he points out.

     

    An ecstatic Pugalia informs that CNBC Bajar is not a regional channel but a Gujarati channel. “This is a channel for Gujaratis not just in India but all over the world. Bajar is actually an extension of Awaaz but the channel is an independent one,” he adds.

     

    The channel has a one year long partnership with infibeam.com, an online shopping portal based out of Ahmedabad. Infibeam will get channel association wherever CNBC Bajar is named but the channel says that it will not get any editorial advantage because of its association. Advertisers include Infibeam, Adani, Ganesh Housing and Tradebull.

     

    Now that the channel has been launched officially, it will scout for more advertisers. As per sources, approximately Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore has been invested in the channel and the aim is to break even within one year.