Tag: New York

  • Amul plans to expand in the US

    Amul plans to expand in the US

    MUMBAI: Amul, the world leader in producing milk products, is all set to expand its presence in North America.

     

    The brand which represents the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) will be launching variants of dairy products – yogurt, lassi and curd – in the US and Canada.

    As reported in Business Standard, the brand will be eyeing the European countries as well. GCMMF will start manufacturing ghee (clarified butter) and paneer (cottage cheese) at a plant in New Jersey from February this year. It has entered into an agreement with a local manufacturing plant which is owned by a non-resident Indian.

     

    GCMMF which exports around Rs 100 crore worth of dairy products every year to the US, West Asia and Europe may also opt to buy directly from local dairy farmers. The report in the financial paper also says that Amul will be selling its products in markets with significant Indian population such as New Jersey, New York and Boston.

  • Mileys Christmas fun on Twitter

    Mileys Christmas fun on Twitter

    While most of the entertainment industry is taking a break from their commercial activities during the festive season, teen pop sensation Miley Cyrus, whose latest Wrecking Ball video has surpassed well over 400 million views on Vevo, has in her signature way, presented herself in a rather festively explicit way!

     

    In New York for the weekend for The Jingle Ball Tour, the singer took some time off to enjoy the snow and flashed a very naughty Christmas photo in the process!

     

    Miley posted herself on Twitter lifting-up her top with two heart-shaped ‘Merry Christmas’ signs covering her boobs.

     

    “Merry Christmas! Thank you NY for being one of the few states to @freethenipple,” she tweeted.

     

    After her image sparked some negative comments Miley added a new tweet trying to explain her actions. “It’s not about getting your t**s out. It’s about equality,” she proclaimed.

     

    The new Christmas Twitter flash is just the latest incident, following on from her performance on Friday evening at Z100’s Jingle Ball 2013 in New York where she twerked with a Christmas tree onstage.

     

    The 21-year-old was watched by thousands whilst she shook her impertinent bottom in front of a lady dressed as the festive tree and covered in silver tinsel and baubles.
    Cyrus has made Claus a very happy Santa!!

  • Puma appoints JWT New York as global creative agency

    Puma appoints JWT New York as global creative agency

    MUMBAI: Sports company, Puma, has appointed advertising agency JWT New York as its lead creative agency.

    Effective immediately, JWT will assume a leadership position over all Puma advertising and creative on a global basis.

    Over the last three months, Puma’s new management team has created a unified brand platform and simplified mission: Forever Faster. The new tagline that will launch in 2014, reflects a 65-year-old history of making fast product designs for the fastest athletes on the planet.

    On the appointment, sais Puma CEO Björn Gulden , “In JWT, we have found an agile agency with a global reach that understands the PUMA brand and culture.”

    He added, “The team quickly proved that they could deliver on our new mission to become the fastest sports brand in the world. Together we’ll craft a more nimble creative structure that will allow us to support all of the company’s sporting and lifestyle categories with a single consumer message and streamlined creative concept across territories”

    The account will be led out of JWT’s flagship headquarters in New York, with offices across the agency’s network contributing regional insight and localisation of the global brand campaign.

    “Puma is more than an advertising relationship for us; it’s a true brand and business partnership,” said JWT New York CEO Peter Sherman. “It will be a privilege to work with this team.”

    In the last couple of months, JWT New York has won various accounts including a consolidation of energizer brands and a creative assignment from Google.

  • NGC India premiers The Blackout

    NGC India premiers The Blackout

    MUMBAI: The thought of a complete blackout can give you goose bumps. But tonight at 9:00 pm, you can experience that as National Geographic Channel rolls out its two-hour, gripping new feature film -The Blackout. The film envisions the story of a national power failure in USA caused by a cyber-attack. Gritty, visceral and completely immersive, the drama exposes just how vulnerable the modern day reliance on technology has made our urban populations, and the hellish realities of a 10-day blackout.

     

    Just imagine how difficult life would be if you can’t use the ATM, or don’t get warm water for your daily showers, there’s no way to connect to the internet. We often don’t even think that these things can happen, but in the case of a blackout, this can be a reality. The film explores all these ideas and much more.

     

    The Blackout combines startling user-generated footage from real blackouts in New York & San Diego as well as when disasters such as Hurricane Sandy struck – all of this intercut with scripted, dramatic footage shot in feature-film style, resulting in a terrifyingly real feeling that this disaster could very likely be yours.

     

    “It isn’t science fiction anymore. Our team of researchers interviewed leading experts in various fields – cyber security, search and rescue, emergency medicine, sociology, engineering and more. This film is obviously a drama, but we were determined to be as informed as possible, and we spent countless hours trying to get it right. We needed to know everything that would be affected in a 10-day nationwide blackout … and that turned out to be basically everything,” said Raw Television director Jonathan Rudd. Raw Television is a multi-award winning production company behind the hit series Banged Up Abroad and the acclaimed feature documentary, The Imposter.

     

    Talking about the relevance of the path-breaking concept behind this film, National Geographic & FOX International Channels VP Marketing Debarpita Banerjee said, “While The Blackout is based on a cyber-attack that strikes USA and causes a complete power wipe-out hence, the truth is that any city or nation is just as susceptible to a crisis of this nature. In India, electricity and power issues are as acute as they could get. Add to that the fact that electrical back-up for our every need is something we take for granted. Poised at a time of technological advancement, such as this, if our power grids were to fail at a macro level, our lives would get paralysed, and we would be left feeling crippled in a very significant way. The Blackout gives the thinking viewer a subject to chew on, and tips to combat this very real ordeal.”

     

    So why don’t you get ready and open up your eyes for a similar calamity that might happen!

  • New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards Announces 2014 Grand Jury

    New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards Announces 2014 Grand Jury

    MUMBAI: New York Festivals® International Television & Film Awards™ announced the 2014 Grand Jury.

    NYF’s TV & Film Awards Grand Jury represents over 150 of the most respected and innovative minds working in the television and film industry today, ensuring diversity and unequaled fairness. This esteemed jury is comprised of award-winning producers, journalists, writers, actors, creative directors, art directors, filmmakers, composers, and programming executives. Nominated from over 40 countries around the globe, these prominent executives play a pivotal role in selecting the World’s Best TV & Films™. Their stellar reputations in the industry ensure that all the entries are given the utmost in professional consideration.

    “We recruit our Grand Jury members from all over the world. We think that points of view from many countries present a 360 perspective. They are award-winning producers, director, writers, editors, who are working on projects now.” said Rose Anderson, Executive Director, New York Festivals Television & Film Awards. “The most common feedback from our judges is the unique experience of viewing programs, stories, and news on a global level. They comment that they are impressed with the quality and diversity of the programs, presentations, and promos they view.”
    To view the complete list of 2014 Television & Film Awards Grand Jury members and recent updates visit: Grand Jury.

    The 2014 Television & Film Awards is still accepting entries. Entry details and competition rules and regulations can be found on the NYF Television & Film Awards website www.newyorkfestivals.com. To view a complete list of categories visit: 

    http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/main.php?p=2,3,6.

    All entries in the 2014 competition will be judged online by the Grand Jury using NYF’s unique judging platform. Award-winning entries will be announced at the NYF International Television & Film Awards on April 8th at the 2014 NAB show in Las Vegas. All competition winners will be promoted via media partners, international press releases, social media, publicity campaigns and featured in the Showcase on the New York Festivals Television& Film Awards website.

    Press inquiries are welcome and should be directed to Gayle Mandel: gmandel@internationalawardsgroup.com

  • CNN launches new Executive Innovator business segment sponsored by panasonic

    CNN launches new Executive Innovator business segment sponsored by panasonic

    MUMBAI :  CNN International has launched ‘Executive Innovator’, a new on air and online segment which profiles inspiring business leaders who are challenging perceptions, pushing the boundaries and creating fresh ideas. The segment is sponsored by leading electronics manufacturer Panasonic.

    ‘Executive Innovator’ airs fortnightly during ‘World Business Today’, a round-up of the day’s global business news, marketing trends and economic developments. The launch segment featured Lexus International’s President Kiyotaka Ise explaining why his new luxury stores sell everything but cars.

    As well as being seen in millions of home around the globe, ‘Executive Innovator’ will also feature on CNN.com at http://business.blogs.cnn.com.
    Vice President of News Advertising Sales for CNN Asia Pacific, William Hsu, commented: “CNN’s core audience are some of the most influential business decision-makers around, so we are delighted to partner with Panasonic to deliver these genuinely inspiring stories to our viewers around the world.”

    Groupwide Brand Communication Division General Manager for Panasonic, Senju Kobayashi, commented: “We are pleased to present innovative ideas and thoughts from leading business executives through this partnership with CNN. Panasonic provides business solutions across various fields, and we look forward to learning from the stories that these innovators will share in this series.”

    ‘Executive Innovator’ airs every second Monday during ‘World Business Today’ at 1830 IST
    ‘World Business Today’ brings viewers around the world the day’s global business news with a particular focus on international market trends, economic developments, stock market trading, bids and take-overs. It is anchored from the key financial centers of Hong Kong, London and New York

  • Priyanka Chopra stresses importance of persistence to succeed at SAMMA

    Priyanka Chopra stresses importance of persistence to succeed at SAMMA

    Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra enthralled American audiences as she related the story of her rise in Bollywood and the importance of hard work and persistence which always brought positive results.

     

    Chopra was one of the keynote speakers at the 4th annual conference South Asians in Media, Marketing and Entertainment (SAMMA) held recently at the Time Warner building in New York.  

     

    Chopra also talked about her transition into singing. She shared her mantra of never giving up. Chopra was recently signed by Interscope and DesiHits! and is now the opening musical act for the NFL Network Thursday night football.

     

    The event brought together top South Asian leaders and innovators in digital media, television and film, marketing and advertising and music and entertainment for two days of insights, ideation and industry building, a press release issued by SAMMA said. Other keynote speakers included Dr. Mehmood Khan, EVP and Chief Innovations and Science Officer at PepsiCo, and Keli Lee, EVP and Head of Casting at ABC.

     

    The SAMMA Summit, co-presented by Time Warner, was followed by an evening gala where the organisation presented its 2013 SAMMA Trailblazer Awards to four individuals for significant contributions to their industry and helping pave the way for south Asians in their respective fields. The awards went to comedian Russell Peters, actress Mindy Kaling, jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer and Anjula Acharia Bath, CEO and founder of DesiHits.

     

    “It is strange to be called a trailblazer because I’ve never really considered myself one,” said Kaling, lead actor, producer and writer of The Mindy Project on Fox. “In general, I try to tell stories that are relatable to everyone. I’ve always aspired to be the funniest person out there, not just the funniest south Asian,” she said in a video acceptance from the set of her show. “I am privileged to have had these opportunities in show business,” she said.

     

     While accepting his award, Peter who celebrated his 43rd birthday at the gala, said “I’ve never been called a trailblazer.” Entertaining the audience with his one-liners and tongue-in-cheek remarks, Peter said, “When I was younger, I always wanted a Chevy Trailblazer, but this trailblazer I never imagined. I am honoured and proud especially to be recognised by my own community.  The more doors we can open for each other the better for everyone.  I see more of us in the industry every day, and I want to continue seeing more of us.”

     

     Peters was presented his award by actor, fellow comedian and previous Trailblazer recipient Aasif Mandvi of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Before presenting the award, Ansari roasted and toasted Peters saying, “Let me introduce someone who is like worth 60 billion dollars,” playing off of Peters being the first south Asian to have been ranked as one of the highest paid comedians in the US, after working in the industry for more than 20 years.

     

     Trailblazer recipient Iyer, one of the most awarded jazz artists in the world and winner of the prestigious 2013 MacArthur Genius Award said he was proud to receive the award. Calling music a universal language, he said he hoped that in some way he has helped push the dialogue forward and has inspired others through the beauty of music and jazz, both south Asians and people at-large.

    Presented the award by David Taghioff and business colleague at CAA, Acharia Bath shared: “We have so much to learn from one another. I encourage everyone to live their dreams.  Bringing different cultures and viewpoints together in the arts and industry, whether in music or any field, takes passion and perseverance.” Bath, named Billboard’s top 40 women in music for her work in blending Indian talent with mainstream music in the US, continued,  “Helping one another, we can achieve anything.”
     

  • CNN appoints Sumnima Udas as India correspondent

    CNN appoints Sumnima Udas as India correspondent

    MUMBAI: CNN International has elevated Sumnima Udas as the Delhi-based correspondent. She will be covering key developments in the country relating to politics, economics, social & environmental and general interest stories.

    She has been associated with CNN since 2001. She joined as a news assistant in New York and then moved to Hong Kong in 2006 as a show producer. Since 2010, she has been producer from Delhi. “The eyes of the world will be trained on India as the world’s largest democracy and emerging economic powerhouse goes to the polls in 2014,” said CNN International Asia Pacific VP and managing editor Ellana Lee.

    CNN is looking at strengthening its presence in this diverse and dynamic region with the inclusion of Sumnima Udas

    Recently, Udas has worked on several assignments such as the Delhi gang-rape, the Bangladesh garment factory collapse as well as the Commonwealth Games corruption scam. She is also the recipient of the Asian Television Awards as show producer for the show CNN Talk Asia, a weekly show that explores personalities of newsmakers.

    She has studied her bachelors at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, USA and masters from Oxford University in UK. She knows several languages such as English, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali and French and has grown up in over ten countries.

    “With her new appointment as Delhi correspondent we look forward to strengthening our presence in this diverse and dynamic region,” added Lee.

  • Amrita TV Telecasts Special Shows For Amrita Varsham 60

    Amrita TV Telecasts Special Shows For Amrita Varsham 60

    As Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, one of India’s foremost spiritual leaders who has alleviated the misery of millions through her physical embrace as well as her global network of charitable institutions approaches her 60th birthday and legions of her devotees the world over converge on Amritapuri to celebrate it, Amrita TV devotes a series of programmes to commemorate the special milestone on September 27th .

     

    Sudhasagaram in Udayamritham at 6.30am from 20-27 September showcases Amma’s advice and the practical applications of her sayings in today’s world .A constructive implementation of her teachings on a variety of topics, these 5 minute segments demonstrate how her traditional wisdom can be used in modern times on subjects as varied as Spirituality and kids, Old age, Food, Relationships etc.

     

    Samarppanam at 8.30am on September 27th presents some of Amma’s best speeches, including her acceptance speech at the State University of New York, after she was conferred with an honorary doctorate in humane letters at its campus in Buffalo.

     

    Padapuja live from 9.00am on September 27th brings the padapuja ritual, the ceremonious washing of the Guru’s feet performed by Swami Amritaswaroopananda and others , accompanied by the chanting of Guru Geeta and Vedic mantras.

     

    Amritageethangal at 9.30am on September 27th , a collection of Amma’s devotional hymns in simple stirring language, invoking the Lord and expressing deep love for the divine rendered by top playback singers Vidhu Pratap, Manjeri etc transports devotees to a state of spiritual rapture.

     

    Lokathinoramma in 2 parts telecast on 26th & 27th at 10am is a complete overview of Amma’s activities in various spheres such as humanitarian, charitable, education, science, medicine undertakings with which she is at the forefront whenever, wherever aid is required; a summary of the projects that offers succor to millions across the globe be it in disaster relief, free homes for the poor, care home for senior citizens, mass wedding ceremonies for the destitute, free meals for the underprivileged, legal aid and free counseling for the needy etc that reaches the people with an efficiency that is the envy of the government and private sectors alike. Ammayodoppam follows at 10.30am.

     

    Amritadhara, a short segment in Sandhyadeepam at 6.30pmon September 27th encapsulates a montage of images which capture Amma’s global charitable projects and humanitarian activities that includes relief and rehabilitation for victims of natural disaster such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, orphanages, charitable hospitals etc.

     

    Chintamridam are 2 minute fillers that will be shown in between programmes from September 20-27th , an assortment of Amma’s opinions and counsels on a broad range of topics ranging from traditional to modern, little nuggets of wisdom inscribed on the screen with a voiceover of the same in the background.

     

    There will also be special 5 minute birthday segments in all news bulletins from September 20th -27th .

  • Molecule Communications presents Cinema Beyond Boundaries

    Molecule Communications presents Cinema Beyond Boundaries

    Keeping up the trend that started last year, Molecule Communications (P) Ltd. proudly announces its second annual conference Ticket to Bollywood II “Cinema Beyond Boundaries” for film industry professionals from the East and West at New York.

     

    This event is a platform for the filmmakers from around the globe to recount experiences in the field and discuss the tricks of the trade. Film professionals who define the new global cinema movement and have given rise to the new globally interconnected film industry would be a part of the symposium.

     

    This year producer and director Madhur Bhandarkar who is known for films like Chandni Bar, Satta, Page 3, Corporate, Fashion, Jail, Heroine and Advaita Kala, writer of Kahaani and Anjaana Anjaani would represent the East. Brooklyn based director Micheal Canzoniero known for Don Peyote (2013) starring Anne Hathaway and Josh Duhamel; actor, comedian and singer and co-writer and co- director of Don Peyote, Tony Award winner Dan Fogler who starred in Balls of Fury, director and producer Vladan Nikolic and actors Saritha Choudhry, Ajay Naidu and Reshma Shetty from the west would grace the event. Other speakers would be Dylan Marchetti of Variance films and Elliott Kanbar, president of the Quad Media in New York. Wayne Sharpe, the versatile music composer from New York who has composed music scores for Gangaajal, Apaharan, Raajneeti would also be a speaker at the event.

     

    Continuing the last year’s format for the event where the filmmakers gave insights, talked openly about their successes and failures, the mistakes they made and the lessons they learnt; the event aims at ensuring that the invitees would gain enough knowledge.

     

    “Bollywood is in my blood and my passion however the event is not restricted to song dance or action, it is beyond that. I love dhinchak sequences from Bollywood, larger than life visuals of Hollywood and Pakistani music. We are audiences who like content and for us entertainment isn’t restricted to countries and their boundaries. Redefining world cinema is what we aim at. Thanks to my brother Ajay Shrivastav (New York) who took this initiative,” said Kiren Shrivastav, CEO Molecule Communications.

     

    This three- day event would focus on the global influence of Indian cinema, forecast changes in the fast growing and rapidly evolving filmmaking industry. Actors, directors, writers and music directors would gather to share how it is to make cinema by blending different cultures and to bring them beyond the Indian Diaspora.

    Excited about this conference, Madhur said, “Indian cinema is no more limited to audiences in India. We have viewers all around the world and hence understanding the global perspective is a must. Molecule Communications’ Cinema Beyond Boundaries would get the viewers and the filmmakers together and would help us in serving them with good quality cinema.”

     

    As Indian cinema celebrates its 100 years of existence, Cinema Beyond Boundaries (CBB) would capture the flavours of Bollywood, take a look at the past and discuss what would be in store for Indian cinema in the next 100 years. CBB would focus on screenwriting trends, co- production opportunities and international film financing to connect the world’s most important film industries.

     

    “Whether on-screen or over the airwaves, SAG-AFTRA members bring to life unique experiences and perspectives and share universal truths with a global audience,” said national director of equal employment opportunities and diversity Adam Moore from SAG-AFTRA which is the sponsor and partner for the event along with The School of Visual Arts (SVA).

     

    “These projects should accurately reflect the entire world around us and depict all of our communities in authentic and meaningful ways. So the opportunity to work with Molecule Communications for Ticket2Bollywod: Cinema Beyond Boundaries to achieve our mutual goal of telling these stories by utilizing union talent and union agreements is a perfect fit,” he added.

     

    “As one of the top film schools in the world we see this partnership as a way of broadening the knowledge of our students and offering them an understanding of international film and media collaboration. Molecule Communications TICKET2BOLLYWOOD: Cinema Beyond Boundaries continues to create opportunities for both the professional and the next generation of storytellers,” said chairman of the film, video, and animation department at SVA, NYC Reeves Lehmann. He is also a director, producer, and writer and he is the new member of The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.