ITV

Tag: Nickelodeon

  • Sonia Huria to handle entire Viacom18s communications

    Sonia Huria to handle entire Viacom18s communications

    MUMBAI: After being vacant for almost four months, the position of Viacom18’s corporate communications head is being filled up. The position had been vacant after Sandeep Dahiya decided to move on from the company. Now, Sonia Huria, who was serving as the Colors corporate communications head, will head all the communication and PR functions for Viacom18.

     

    In her new role, she will be handling the communications for all the Viacom18’s broadcast channels including Colors, the ETV channels it recently acquired, VH1, MTV, Nickelodeon, Sonic Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. She will also handle Viacom18’s motion pictures as well as allied functions like consumer products INS and digital. Her appointment is effective from today, 25 November, and she will report directly to Viacom18 Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats.

     

    “Work has already piled up. The entire Viacom18 is getting into the regional market and I will do my best to deliver the message of one Viacom18,” says Huria.

  • Amagi Media Labs enables ETV to generate custom feed for Singapore

    Amagi Media Labs enables ETV to generate custom feed for Singapore

    MUMBAI: Geo-targetted advertising was started in India by Amagi Media Labs that enabled channels to have particular ads in particular regions. But it didn’t just stop there. It has also started creating local feeds for channels that want to air in other countries.

     

    According to Amagi, at times, certain shows are not allowed to be aired in other countries due to broadcast regulations, so it is replaced with regional shows. Local content to cater to local audiences can also help in getting targeted advertising in the country.

     

    In the latest move, the channel has partnered with Eenadu Television to provide custom feed for ETV Telugu in Singapore through Amagi’s cloud enabled broadcast solution. Amagi’s localisation platform at SingTel’s Mio TV will be doing the job for the channel. Earlier, another Telugu network had done the same in Singapore. Maa Network’s Maa TV and Maa Movies also aired local shows to its viewers in Singapore earlier this year.

     

    ETV Telugu wanted to bring their linear feed to Singapore and it was asked to opt out of two hours of its programming. Using Amagi’s cloud based platform, they have been able to create a local feed for Singapore audiences. “We had a requirement to replace couple of hours of programming on every day basis for our distributor in Singapore while justifying the RoIs,” said Eenadu TV vice president Bapineedu.

     

    Amagi’s technology helps channels save a lot of resources of creating a new feed using satellite or fiber.

     

     “The system is designed in a manner such that the content masking process works in parallel to the satellite broadcast’s processes and scheduling,” said Amagi co-founder and CTO Srividhya S. “Unlike the traditional triggering mechanism used, Amagi’s barcoding based approach offers workflow flexibilities and 100 per cent accuracy in identifying and replacing content assets.”

     

    Recently Amagi has perked up on its geo targeted advertising for Nickelodeon and HUL as well as Zee TV.

  • Content explosion an opportunity for TV

    Content explosion an opportunity for TV

    CANNES: “It is all about opportunities and it isn’t simple. Opportunity involves risk and in many instances, feels threatening,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

    Named ‘Personality of the Year’, Katzenberg was delivering the key note speech at Mipcom. “If one person seizes a new opportunity, then someone else has to lose ground,” he added.

    Speaking about the evolving television, film and online video markets, he said: “Over the next two years, there will be an explosion of content on the web. In the 40 years I’ve been in the entertainment industry, I don’t think there’s ever been a time filled with so much new and unique opportunity for the world of television.”

    After a successful stint in the film industry, DreamWorks has expanded its footprint to television production and distribution. The production house recently struck a deal with Netflix for providing more than 300 hours of original content, acquired the YouTube multi-channel network AwesomenessTV and partnered with RTL Disney Fernsehen. 

    Dispelling fears that the era of TV was coming to an end, Katzenberg said, “Linear TV will do just fine, even with the internet explosion.”

    Taking the audience through historical advancements since the invention of the printing press in 1445, he said, “Throughout history, it has never been seen that one form of media was replaced by the other newly launched technology.”

    A firm believer in the concept that each technology imparts a new role to that which has come before it, he said: “Because there are so many emerging distribution options, there will inevitably be more demand for content.” 

    Regarding the AwesomenessTV acquisition, Katzenberg said: “The deal gets us directly in touch with our teen audience in a way that we simply can’t with movies or TV shows. Just like an additional layer in a parfait, the entire media experience simply becomes richer and more satisfying.”

    He pitched for mobile entertainment as a solution to the problem of ‘waiting’ saying: “Up until very recently, we literally twiddled our thumbs while we waited. There was nothing else to do. Now our thumbs have a higher purpose than to twiddle. Through touch screens, we actually now can touch the world. Thanks to these devices, ‘waiting’ as we know it, is dead.”

    “Mobile has become an asset to traditional TV, rather than a threat. There is a crossover phenomenon happening in the relationship between mobile and linear TV. For instance, AwesomenessTV created a show by compiling the best clips from its YouTube channel and airing it on Nickelodeon. Mobile serves as an incubator of talent and concepts, driving additional traffic to traditional TV.”

    Katzenberg concluded his keynote by expressing a need for great storytellers. “Storytelling – in any medium – is very difficult, and great storytellers are difficult to find. Whether the media is old or new, content continues to reign as king. And this is because – like all royalty – it is rare. Once the touch of great storytellers is added, touch screens can take us anywhere and everywhere,” he rounded off.

  • Twitter and Viacom announce Twitter Amplify partnership

    Twitter and Viacom announce Twitter Amplify partnership

    MUMBAI: Viacom has announced a partnership which will see it deliver social video advertisements for its channels via Twitter Amplify.

    The collaboration will start at the 2013 MTV EMA on Sunday 10 November, and will provide followers of Viacom’s channels – including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central – with video extras of major shows and live events, including instant highlight replays, exclusive backstage interviews and extra content.

    The partnership was trialled successfully at the MTV Music Awards in August, and both partner companies see the experiment as an exciting opportunity.

    BeViacom MD ad sales unit Chris Shaw said: “We’re thrilled to be pioneering this initiative in Europe and across the world, creating a truly unique opportunity for marketers looking to join the global youth conversation around the ‘2013 MTV EMA’.”

    Twitter Amplify senior director Glenn Brown added: “We are excited to build on the success of our US Twitter Amplify partnership with Viacom by rolling it out internationally, including across the UK and Europe. The EMAs are the perfect way to start the program, allowing brands to tap into the conversations already happening on Twitter by offering people highlights and exclusive content across all devices.”

    Viacom’s programmes are already an influential Twitter presence, with the 2012 MTV EMA inspiring 5.7 million tweets, spawning 32 worldwide trending topics and at times notching eight of the top 10 trends during the show’s broadcast.

  • Close What do buyers want?

    Close What do buyers want?

    CANNES: That they’ve come to Mip Junior looking for kids’ content doesn’t really mean they are clear about what they want to buy. Which is where the conference titled ‘What do buyers want’ stepped in and did some much-needed hand-holding.

    Moderated by C21 Media editor-in-chief and managing director David Jankinson, with panellists including Nickelodeon senior VP, global acquisitions and international programming Jules Borkent; The Walt Disney Company SVP, programming, scheduling, multi platform and acquisitions Paul DeBenedittis; RTL Disney Fernsehen head of acquisition and co-productions Frank Dietz; and Cartoon Network VP content acquisitions and co-productions Adina Pitt, ‘What do buyers want’ concentrated on the proliferation of devices and platforms for kids’ entertainment.
    DeBenedittis said: “We don’t really think of ourselves as just a linear TV screen. Today, content is a means to distribute the message about the Disney brand, no matter where the audiences are.”

    Added Pitt: “The number of screens from where kids can consume our content has increased. So, the focus now is to provide the best possible content on the screens that are being used widely.”

    With viewers today moving faster than channels, this was probably the best time for producers to be in the business of kids’ content, Pitt pointed out.

    DeBenedittis spoke about how audiences are just a click away. “Considering the amount of content one can watch online, viewers have moved from the remote to just a click. Channels are competing with YouTube. But what is different about us is that we can tell a story,” he said.

    Pitt spoke about how channels were concentrating more on comedy content for kids. “Kids come to us to laugh. So even if it is mystery or action or drama, our content always comes with a bit of humour and it works well with our core target audience. Ben 10 being the biggest example,” said Pitt.

    Ditto for Nickelodeon. “We are looking at pure comedy. Kids want to laugh and that is what brings them to us,” said Borkent.

    Pitt said their budgets were so tight they could not afford to buy anything that was less than extraordinary. Nickelodeon, which had launched an app earlier this year, was now creating content specifically for it, including some digital commissions, which according to Borkent, could be developed into a TV show.

    Even channels like Cartoon Network were flipping through the internet to see if there was anything interesting to be converted into content. “There are numerous ideas in the internet, some brilliant. People just need someone to help them tell the story better. So we are always looking for something that is undiscovered,” revealed Pitt.

    DeBenedittis cautioned against the tendency to develop any single platform in isolation. “Developing content for only one platform is not the most efficient way to leverage resources. It is about using the platform to distribute content as opposed to being very focused on a platform and developing content specifically for it,” DeBenedittis said.

  • Zee TV and Amagi shake hands for geo-targeted advertising

    Zee TV and Amagi shake hands for geo-targeted advertising

    MUMBAI: Getting more money out of advertising-that is always what everyone wants and Amagi Media Labs gives channels and advertisers just what they have been wanting for long in the form of geo-advertising and it is slowly building up its portfolio of clients as well as creating a name for itself  in the TV industry.

    Recently, the Bengaluru-based innovative ad solution providing company, Nickelodeon and HUL got in bed together to geo target the MNC FMCG‘s brand.  Now, going a step further, Amagi has stitched together a partnership with  Zee TV to customise ads as per location, making it the first ever deal with a national GEC. A month ago, sister channels Zee News and Zee Business from ZMCL partnered with it to provide regional advertisers inventory according to location. Now, because of this deal, viewers of Zee TV from different locations will get to watch different TVCs based on the area they are located.

    It already boasts of having more than 15 channels to which it offers this service and with a mass caterer like Zee TV on board, Amagi‘s 200 million  viewer base is set to shoot up. Now, regional advertisers will have a chance to promote their brands on a national level, albeit locally which will help increase reach. At the same time it’s a win-win for Zee TV as well, because brands catering to local audiences will pull in more viewers.

    Commenting on the partnership, Zee TV chief sales officer Ashish Sehgal says, “By partnering with Amagi, we are once again making history. We are very happy to tie up with Amagi and make available a whole new set of targeting options for advertisers. Zee TV is also looking to increase its client base through geo targeting, which will help local clients target their specific markets on a large GEC and shift monies from print to Zee TV.” 

    Clearly, the aim is to get as many people on board and to make TV the prime medium to advertise. Amagi has been rated as the second fastest growing tech company in India by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Looks like it is racing to be the first in this league.

    Amagi business head L S Krishnan says, “Our advertisers have always been on the lookout for targeted offering on a large GEC. We are excited to offer Zee TV- leader in GEC space, to our advertisers. With this tie-up, Amagi continues to deliver on its vision of transforming the TV advertising space.” 

    One by one, GECs are being pulled in. This, even though some broadcasters have been skeptical about how effective this type of geo-targeted advertising will be. It would also mean selling spots for lower prices. Will Zee TV be fine with it? Seems as much. 

    Amagi has been created with an investment of Rs 70 crore and its current yearly revenues of about Rs 50 crore rupees seems to be going up the ladder.

    It already has a long list of broadcast partners such as TEN sports, Times Now, CNBC Awaaz, IBN7, CNN-IBN, UTV Movies, Maa TV, Zoom, Udaya TV as well as Tata Sky as its DTH partner. Its list of advertiser clients includes Chevrolet, Toyota, Fortuna, Skoda apart from local ones such as Kuberan Silks, YLG, Mysore tarpaulins etc. It’s time to wait and watch who else jumps on the bandwagon.

  • Nickelodeon-Unilever-Amagi enter advertising geo-targeting deal

    Nickelodeon-Unilever-Amagi enter advertising geo-targeting deal

    MUMBAI: Advertisers and their agencies always want a bigger bang for their buck. Especially if it is buying expensive air time on TV channels. And one player that has been working at getting them that extra zing is the Bengaluru-based Amagi Media with its geo-targeted advertising DART technology platform.

     

    With almost 15 channels as clients and a reach of about 200 million viewers, the hot shot tech firm today announced that it has done a deal with arguably India’s biggest advertiser Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) and the Viacom18 kid’s channel Nickelodeon.

     

    As part of that deal, an HUL TV commercial will run simultaneously on Nick nationally in different versions , depending on geographical location using Amagi’s DART platform. .Lo and behold, HUL will be micro-targeting its communication, something which would surely delight the savvy marketing behemoth. .

     

    Terming this pact as ‘creative-versioning’ Amagi claims that it addresses crucial needs of advertisers as well as broadcasters to make the most of the ROI from the television spot.

     

    Says Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats: “We are pleased to partner with Amagi and Hindustan Unilever on this unique concept of micro-targeting. This initiative further builds on our strategic thrust of sharper segmentation.”

     

    Amagi was rated as the second fastest growing technology company in India by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

     

    Amagi Media co-founder Srinivasan K.A explains: “This is the first time worldwide in television advertising that a single spot bought nationally has been used to communicate different brand messages in different regions. Such micro-targeting is going to be the future of television advertising.”

     

    What Amagi does for its other broadcast partners is buy ad slots on their channels and then resells them to regional advertisers. A bar code is added to the ad which is used to identify the placement of ads in specific regions.

     

    Broadcasters have been wary of this kind of advertising as it would mean giving up national inventory for lower-cost local advertising.

     

    This is probably why Nick is letting HUL do its own micro-targeting rather than selling its ad space to Amagi to get regional advertisers on board. However it is a boon to local advertisers who only pay for advertising in a particular region of a national channel at a much lesser cost as well as those who want to mould their ad to suit geography-specific cultural demands.

     

    About Rs 70 crore has been invested in Amagi and it aims to break even somewhere in 2014-2015. Its current yearly revenues are a little less than Rs 50 crore.

     

    It already has a long list of broadcast partners such as TEN sports, Times Now, CNBC Awaaz, IBN7, CNN-IBN, UTV Movies, Maa TV, Zoom, Udaya TV as well as Tata Sky as its DTH partner. Zee News and Zee Business were recently added to its kitty. Its list of advertiser clients includes Chevrolet, Toyota, Fortuna, Skoda apart from local ones such as Kuberan Silks, YLG, Mysore tarpaulins etc.With Unilever being roped in will other top notch advertisers also follow?

     

    That’s for later, but the news now is that soon a kid watching Nickelodeon in Kolkata will not see the same ad as a kid watching the channel in Kolhapur. Wonder whether he or she will notice the difference?

  • MSM appoints Neville Bastawalla as SONY PIX marketing head

    MSM appoints Neville Bastawalla as SONY PIX marketing head

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) today announced the appointment of Neville Bastawalla as its new marketing head for its premium Hollywood movie channel SONY PIX.

    Neville Bastawalla with his experience and understanding of the business will help to consolidate Pix’s position in the genre

     

    A marketing professional with over 14 years of multi-brand experience, Bastawalla’s previous stint was with Star India where he joined in January 2011 as marketing head for its English channels and was most recently head – marketing for STAR’s Hindi movies channels since February 2013.

     

    Prior to joining Star India, Bastawalla was head marketing at Mid-Day Infomedia where he spent about four years. He joined Mid-Day in 2007 after a brief stint with Nickelodeon as senior marketing manager. A management graduate in marketing, Bastawalla also has worked with HSBC, Walt Disney Company, Contract Advertising and Mudra Communications.

     

    Announcing Bastawalla’s appointment SONY PIX EVP & business head Saurabh Yagnik said, “We are delighted to have Neville join the team and we are certain that his experience and understanding of the business and our audience will help us consolidate our position in the genre. We look forward to a long and fruitful working association with him.”

     

    “I am delighted to begin my association with Sony PIX.  The channel has always uniquely positioned itself in the English movie genre, with a strong content library and innovative campaigns for its premieres and other properties. The channel showcases the best of Hollywood movies. I look forward to taking up this role and delivering on the business objectives for the channel,” said Bastawalla.

  • Marjorie Cohn to lead DreamWorks’s TV efforts

    Marjorie Cohn to lead DreamWorks’s TV efforts

    MUMBAI: DreamWorks Animation has tapped Marjorie Cohn, a 26-year veteran of Nickelodeon, as its first-ever head of television.

     

    Cohn and her team will be responsible for the development and production of 1,200 new original episodes over the next five years. The production slate will feature series based on current DreamWorks’ franchises, future films and heritage properties from Classic Media. Cohn most recently held the role of president of content development at Nickelodeon.

     

    Joining Cohn is Mark Taylor as head of TV production. Taylor was most recently at the helm of Nickelodeon Animation Studio. He also previously served as senior VP and general manager at Nick and was responsible for all the network’s in-house animated productions.

     

    Rounding out the new leadership team is Peter Gal as head of TV development. He currently oversees creative on DreamWorks’ Dragons: Riders of Berk and Turbo F.A.S.T. He spent three years as the VP of production at Twentieth Century Fox and before that spent five years at Nickelodeon developing animated programming, including the DreamWorks’ inspired Penguins of Madagascar.

     

    “Having Margie join us to oversee our television efforts is an incredible coup for DreamWorks Animation. She is uniquely suited with the experience, skill and creativity to immediately dive in and oversee our aggressive expansion into this space,” said DreamWorks Animation’s chief operating officer Ann Daly. “Margie has tremendous instincts when it comes to kids’ programming, and we can’t wait to unleash her creative force on DreamWorks’ vast IP to bring exciting new content to families across the world.”

  • The Rocket Monkeys, your new friends on Nickelodeon!

    The Rocket Monkeys, your new friends on Nickelodeon!

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon will take on a whole new adventure, this time in space! Rocket Monkeys, starting 29th July, is a slapstick comedy set in intergalactic space. With angry aliens, criminal masterminds and black holes to battle with, space is the only place left for heroes and when planet Earth finds no heroes, it calls Gus and Wally – The Rocket Monkeys!

    Rocket Monkeys is a hilarious animated series of two brothers in action – Gus and Wally, who battle with the aliens and bring peace and harmony to the universe. This entertaining duo is always up for crazy adventures and a whole lot of madness.

    Tune-in to an all new series Rocket Monkeys Mon-Fri at 8:00 pm only on Nickelodeon.