ITV

Tag: Nitesh Kripalani

  • LIV Sports uses social media beyond advertising during 2014 FIFA World Cup

    LIV Sports uses social media beyond advertising during 2014 FIFA World Cup

    MUMBAI: With football craze gripping the Nation days before the start of the World Cup, LIV Sports, Sony’s online and mobile based VOD platform, anticipated a huge surge in Social communication and engagement from fans. Also, considering the LIVE streaming of the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches was a paid subscription service, LIV Sports decided to service queries from India’s mobile and social first users directly on their platforms. LIV Sports teamed up with Social IQ, a disruptive social media solution from TO THE NEW to set up The Social Command Center – a 24×7 social response solution. The team used social media as a customer support channel that helped in quick, transparent and efficient delivery of responses and updates to its users.

     

    The Social Command Center that consisted of a well-defined service framework of people and processes along with proprietary social customer support software helped LIV Sports with a quick response time of 2 hours over the period of the World Cup; addressed nearly 1000 customer support queries from the users. Additionally, the Social Command Center helped LIV Sports identify query patterns with deep analytics, thus guiding the LIV Sports Product teams to enhance Product improvements and User experience real-time.

     

    Launched in June this year, LIV Sports is the Official Mobile and Internet Broadcaster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

     

    Mr. Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network commented – “Social IQ’s Social Command Center and customer response platform definitely helped us build trust with our fans and followers; it also helped us reduce our support costs. Our goal that both Sony LIV and LIV Sports need to be where the consumers are, was further enhanced by the Social Command Centre’s ability to talk to our consumers on Social platforms.

     

    The personal touch, quick turnaround response and transparency helped achieve our goal of being connected to digital users irrespective of where they are.”

     

    LIV Sports successfully harnessed the power of social media beyond advertising to build brand awareness and become more relevant to the social and mobile first consumer.

     

    “When we were building the software and service frameworks, we knew this would be very new for the Indian market. However, for brands who want to reach out to today’s social and mobile first customer, leveraging social media for customer support can be a key differentiator. The same got validated with our engagement with LIVSports and I believe it is just a matter of time when we will see many more brands having a Social Command Center established”, said Mr. Kesavan Kanchi Kandadai, Business Head, Social IQ and CEO, Tangerine Digital.

  • LIV Sports attracts 20 million page views during 2014 FIFA WC

    LIV Sports attracts 20 million page views during 2014 FIFA WC

     

    MUMBAI: The official mobile and internet broadcaster of 2014 FIFA World Cup LIVSports.in attracted 20 million page views during the month long sporting extravaganza. On an average, viewers spent 28 minutes watching the live streaming of the matches across online, mobile and the tablet LIV sports app.

     

    Sony Entertainment Network executive vice president-new media, business development and digital syndication Nitesh Kripalani said, “The 2014 FIFA World Cup digital viewership is a gratifying proof of LIV Sports’ success since its launch a little over a month ago. Our goal was to redefine the way sports content is viewed and consumed in India via a new category – ‘Sportainment.’ We are glad to see that sports fans have engaged with LIV Sports.”

     

    The top three matches, by time spent were the finals between Germany and Argentina with 48 minutes. Next was the semi finals between Netherlands and Argentina with 42 minutes and finally, the quarter finals between Netherlands and Costa Rica with 42 minutes.

     

    Of the total traction observed on LIV Sports, the maximum percentage of unique views came from the six metros with 53 per cent  with Mumbai and Delhi in the lead (13 per cent each), followed by Bengaluru (10 per cent). 83 per cent of the total viewers in the country were within the age bracket of 18-34 years. The FIFA World Cup on LIV Sports also attracted 25 per cent  female viewers due to engagements like the ‘Predictor’, ‘Mohit Bana Messi – Jerseyfy Me’ and ‘Pehchaan Kaun’

     

    Its blogger outreach programme enabled a reach of over 2.85 million.

     

     

  • Nitesh Kripalani says farewell to SonyLIV

    Nitesh Kripalani says farewell to SonyLIV

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (Sony Entertainment Network) executive VP new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani has apparently decided to call it a day at the network. He has reportedly put in his papers last week.

    Industry sources confirmed the news to Indiantelevision.com. However Kripalani refused to confirm or deny that he had resigned.
     

    The 33 year old  was ranked amongst the top 40 under 40 executives in India by Business Today magazine as recently as March this year and he was extremely gung-ho about SonyLiv, which the magazine says contributed 5 per cent to MSM’s topline.  And he was hopeful of taking that up to 15 per cent in the next three years.

     

    His departure hence was sudden, and surprised many in the industry.

     

    Kripalani joined MSM in 2009 and was directly recruited by the then CEO and now chairman Man Jit Singh. He spearheaded the broadcast network’s programming syndication initiatives,contributed to some M&A initiatives, and investment decisions. But his biggest success was with SonyLiv digital platform which serves as a central digital point for all the network’s content. Kripalani chose the advertising revenue generation route for SonyLiv which made the going that much more challenging.

     

     

  • MSM launches multi-media marketing campaign to promote LIVSports.in

    MSM launches multi-media marketing campaign to promote LIVSports.in

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) has launched an integrated marketing campaign for its newly launched digital sports entertainment brand – LIV Sports (www.LIVSports.in). The campaign aims at creating awareness about LIV Sports and positioning it as a premier action and entertainment packed digital sports entertainment destination, across youth-focused media and to highlight that the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches will be streamed on www.LIVSports.in.

    The campaign has been derived on the basis of a consumer behavior study that reveals that today’s screen agnostic youth are riveted to multiple screens and devices all the time.

    The marketing strategy is inspired by the well established truth that today’s youth, that is always glued to social media has acquired the personalised “Me, Myself and I” tag. Hence the campaign idea –‘I, Me and My LIVSports.in!’

    LIV Sports has rolled out a 60-seconder Graffiti based TVC that emphasises on the brand’s unique selling points. Conceptualised by Havas Worldwide, the ads are extension to the key concept – ‘I, Me and My LIVSports.in!’

    Sony Entertainment Network executive vice-president – new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani said, “We have based our communications approach on several studies, that reflects that today’s tech savvy youth are always connected and spend most of their times on their smart phones, tablets and other screens, irrespective of where they are or whom they are with. Live sports is enjoyed together with friends, hence we have also included multiple engagements that will allow users to play/compete with their friends. We are excited about the campaign; the on-ground execution will target specific product features and enable maximum outreach.”

    The brand building campaign is currently running on the MSM Network channels and will be activated across multiple youth-focused media avenues including on-air, outdoor, radio, in-cinema advertising, digital marketing, social media and BTL activities.

    “The look and feel of the commercials has been specially crafted in a way that appeals to the youth, right from the graffiti art to the jingle,” added Kripalani.

    The campaign leverages LIV Sports key offering to its consumers – making available quality content that is mass inclusive and not designed to cater only to ardent sports fans. The digital destination will showcase live and video-on-demand sports content, rich and informative world-class sporting data and analytics in a fun, engaging and entertaining way through games like ‘Mohit Bana Messi – Jerseyfy Me’ and ‘Pehchaan Kaun.’

    Grey Digital has created the interface for the portal as well the accompanying mobile and tablet app.

    “Given that most of the youth today are obsessed with their smartphones and tablets, they have all acquired the ‘Me, Myself and I’ tag. We tapped into this with a simple premise – if you are going to spend that much time on your devices, there’s no better way to enjoy watching sports and entertainment than LIVSports.in.  It’s packed in so many unique features you’ll always want to spend time on it,” said Havas Worldwide executive creative director Vivek Rao explaining the creative strategy behind the campaign.

    “The graffiti art is a funky visual style to depict the various features and demonstrate what you could spend your time on,” he added.

    Havas Worldwide president- west and south Shavon Barua commented, “The campaign speaks to today’s ‘screenagers’; the screen agnostic youth of India who keep switching between multiple screens at ease. Since this is a launch campaign, our approach is to highlight the unique features of LIVSports.in in a creative style that the ‘screenagers’ will identify with. The premise of our story-telling expresses how LIV Sports brings the ‘screenager’s’ screen to life touching upon the aspects of engagement, personalisation and Sports-Entertainment!”

    The digital surround for LIVSports is handled by Grey Digital. “LIVSports.in is not meant for just avid sport buffs, but also those who look at sports as a means of entertainment. The fun engagements on the portal will pique their imagination. The campaign will be promoted through select display and sustained use of social channels,” concluded Grey Digital senior vice-president and head Sudhir Nair.

    Click here to watch the video

     

  • MSM launches www.LIVSports.in

    MSM launches www.LIVSports.in

    MUMBAI: Making a giant foray into the digital space, Multi Screen Media (MSM) has announced the launch of ‘LIV Sports’, a digital sports entertainment destination called www.LIVSports.in.

     

    The website promises to present one-point access of the right mix of sports and entertainment across devices. Coming from the Sony Network, LIV Sports aims at targeting both avid sports fans as well as entertainment seekers.

     

    The launch has come right after the Indian Premier League, but on time before the most awaited 2014 FIFA World Cup of which Sony Six is the official broadcaster.

     

    LIV Sports will be the official mobile and internet broadcaster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup which starts from 12 June. The platform will show both live and video-on-demand match content, with informative statistics and analysis.

     

    MSM CEO NP Singh commented, “The idea was to create a premier digital sports entertainment destination where we will offer quality content which is mass inclusive and not designed to cater only to ardent sports fans. We have attempted to redefine the way sporting content is presented and consumed. With LIV Sports we will attempt to keep every cross section of our consumers actively engagement through high quality interactive sports content with informative data and analytics.”

     

    For the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup, LIV Sports will have features like live matches with four different camera angles, interactive timelines, live Statistics, match centre, heat maps, match highlights, best goals and team features. The sports website will also have LIV Sports’ football fantasy league, a ‘Pehchaan Kaun’ section, News and Sports editorials along with archive football videos.

     

    Sony Entertainment Network executive VP– new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani reiterated, “LIV Sports is the first and only digital destination to offer a unique mix of live sports, live statistics and engagement, thereby catering to multiple user groups and their preferences. With LIV Sports we are aiming to create a new category of ‘Sport-ainment’ or ‘Sports Entertainment’.”

     

    He added, “One can either watch the live match, with the deep statistics overlaying the video, or can just click a selfie with the team’s jersey using the ‘Jerseyfy Me’ application. We have also brought back the digital avatar of the player cards, combined with educating fans about the different athletes with ‘Pehchaan Kaun’. The objective is to empower the sports fan with deep statistics on video; as well as engage with the fence sitters.”

     

    Over the next few months, viewers will be able to catch up with the widest range of sporting content, including football, NBA, UFC, tennis and cricket on LIV Sports. The digital destination will offer live and exclusive video content along with a complete coverage of the latest sporting content present, across devices.

     

    Considering the fact that data and statistics makes sports interesting, LIV Sports will aim at giving its viewers a comprehensive and in depth sporting data and info- graphics.

     

    The digital medium will involve its viewers through engagements for the sports loyalist, personalised content and fun applications on social media. So while activities like ‘Mohit Bana Messi’ will help viewers customize their look, ‘Pehchan Kaun’ will help one enhance their knowledge about sports.  

     

    One can login to LIV Sports online – www.LIVSports.in or via the iTunes and Google Play app stores.

     

    This move by MSM propels it to join the league of its rivals like Star Sports and Ten Sports that have a strong digital presence on their sports websites.

  • Sony LIV gives multiple options to register for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’

    Sony LIV gives multiple options to register for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’

    MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan hosted KaunBanega Crorepati 2014 is back with a bigger and better package on Sony LIV. Multi-Screen Media (MSM)’s premium video-on-demand service, Sony LIV launches an integrated campaign with a focus to create awareness, drive registrations for the show and entice user interactions.

     
    Sony LIV makes the registration process seamlessby incorporating multiple avenues through which one can participate in the show. This season for the first time ever, aspiring contestants can register themselves for the game show via the free to download KBC Official Application or through the www.KBCSony.com website. One can download the KBC Official App and register by sharing the correct answer, their age and gender.
     

    Viewers can also catch up with episodes from earlier seasons of their favourite game show on the www.KBCSony.com website or play the KBC game on the KBC Official App.
     

    Registration is also possible via sending an SMS to 5252525 with the correct answer along with necessary details. Idea users can register themselves simply by sending an SMS from their Idea mobile. Additionally, viewers can also opt for registration through BSNL landline phones or via Idea IVRS code.

     
    Speaking on the campaign, Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network said, “Kaun Banega Crorepati is undoubtedly one of the most loved game show on television today. To make the registration process easier and for reaching out to larger contestants on all digital media, this year we have enabled registration through the KBC Official App and www.KBCSony.com website, along with the regular mobile telephony method.”

     
    The KBC Official App is available in app stores – iTunes, Google Play and Windows.

  • Sony Liv signs distribution deal with BoxTV

    Sony Liv signs distribution deal with BoxTV

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media’s video on demand service Sony Liv has inked a deal with Times Internet’s BoxTV to make its video content available on BoxTV’s website. The service will be available to BoxTV users worldwide.

    Speaking on the development, Sony Entertainment Network executive VP – new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani said in a press statement, “Our vision is to make Sony Liv the leader in Video Entertainment and to reach audiences, both organically and inorganically. We need to expand our reach and be where our consumers are. This distribution partnership with Box TV is a step in fulfilling our vision.”

    BoxTV users will get to see over 18 years of content from Sony’s stable, covering genres including drama, comedy, thriller and many more on the platform. The content will include currently running shows that BoxTV users can watch across MSM’s leading channels – Sony and Sab. In addition to original complete content, the deal will also include content made specifically for the web that include sneak peek videos, “Quickisodes” and “Short-crunch” episodes.

    BoxTV business head Pandurang Nayak added, “We are very happy to bring Sony Liv’s content for BoxTV users. The association is also a big new leap for BoxTV where we’re building more and more on the platform through aggregation of content via unique tie-ups with existing digital brands like Sony Liv. We believe that this enhances the experience for users to get more at a single destination and enables content brands like Sony Liv to reach out to wider base of audience, creating a win-win for both our services, with the end-user reaping the maximum benefit.  It is an exciting step forward for us to build BoxTV as a platform of choice for both premium content owners and users alike.” 

  • Sony LIV is now on BlackBerry smartphones

    Sony LIV is now on BlackBerry smartphones

    MUMBAI: After making its content available on various digital platforms, now Sony LIV, Multi Screen Media (MSM), has announced that its premium video-on-demand service will now be available as a free download on the BlackBerry World storefront for the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Z30 smartphones.

     

    With the new app, the customers can enjoy over 18 years of rich and exclusive content from Sony’s stable, covering genres including drama, comedy, thriller, reality shows and many more on the Sony LIV platform – anytime and anywhere.

     

     

    Sony Entertainment Network EVP, new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani said: “At MSM, we want our rich content to be easily and conveniently available to users; our alliance with BlackBerry is another step in fulfilling our vision.”

     

    Blackberry director, alliances and business development Annie Matthews said: “BlackBerry’s all-touch smartphones pack performance coupled with HD resolution displays, as well as and the ability to display content from the smartphone directly on an HDTV, giving customers a great platform for consuming video content on demand. We are pleased to have Sony LIV available for the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Z30 smartphones, offering customers access to another great channel of entertainment and rich content.”

     

    BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Z30 smartphone customers can now catch all the action across the Sony spectrum including Sony Entertainment Television, Max, Sab, Mix, and a whole host of movies also in the pipeline.

     

  • Sony LIV launches microsite for Boogie Woogie

    Sony LIV launches microsite for Boogie Woogie

    MUMBAI:  As the iconic dance reality show, Boogie Woogie, returned on television sets after a four-year long wait, Sony LIV has launched a microsite which allows viewers to catch up on all the current and archived episodes.  The microsite is http://www.boogiewoogie.in <http://boogiewoogie.sonyliv.com.

    Sony Entertainment Network executive vice-president –new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani said, “Boogie Woogie has been the longest-running and one-of-the most successful dance shows on Indian television. Sony LIV gives viewers the opportunity to tune in to the new season without losing the thread of the show’s running episodes. Diehard viewers can catch up with missed episodes using Sony LIV’s online platform. As an added bonus, true blue fans of one of the most entertaining and beloved shows on television can even relive the fun moments of earlier seasons from its 15 year stint through our archives online.”

    In addition, new features have been introduced to enhance viewer engagement with the show. These include: Boogie of the day: Sony LIV users can vote for their favourite, dance videos depending on which contestant they like best and I am a street dancer:  Users can upload videos of their kids dancing ‘Boogie Woogie style’ and thus share it with fellow dance lovers on the site.

  • Tune-in to the pulsating world of Boogie Woogie with Sony LIV

    Tune-in to the pulsating world of Boogie Woogie with Sony LIV

    MUMBAI: India’s original and most iconic dance reality show, Boogie Woogie, (http://www.boogiewoogie.in)returns on your television sets after a 4-year long wait. With Sony LIV, you no longer have to worry about missing out on the show’s current or archived episode anymore. Sony LIV, Multi Screen Media (MSM)’s premium video-on-demand service, allows you to catch up on all the episodes and videos from your favourite show as per your convenience.

    Boogie Woogie episodes will be carried on a dedicated microsite (http://www.boogiewoogie.in) hosted on the Sony LIV platform. The site will also allow viewers to check out all archived episodes of the show. SonyLIV.com promises to be the single-point entry into the electrifying world of Boogie Woogie for all those netizens who are often too busy to adhere to the timings on TV.

    Speaking on the availability of Boogie Woogie episodes on Sony LIV, Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network, said, “Boogie Woogie has been the longest-running and one-of-the most successful dance shows on Indian television. Sony LIV gives viewers the opportunity to tune in to the new season without losing the thread of the show’s running episodes. Diehard viewers can catch up with missed episodes using Sony LIV’s online platform. As an added bonus, true blue fans of one of the most entertaining and beloved shows on television can even relive the fun moments of earlier seasons from its 15 year stint through our archives online.”

    In addition, new features have been introduced to enhance viewer engagement with the show:

    · Boogie of the day: Sony LIV users can vote for their favourite dance videos depending on which contestant they like best.

    · I am a street dancer: Users can upload videos of their kids dancing ‘Boogie Woogie style’ and thus share it with fellow dance lovers on the site.

    Sony LIV continues to uniquely engage viewers in an interactive manner while they enjoy the best of entertainment from the Sony stable.