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Tag: Olympic Games

  • GM partners NBC Universal for 2012 London Olympic Games

    GM partners NBC Universal for 2012 London Olympic Games

    MUMBAI: General Motors and NBC Universal have created a new media partnership related to NBC’s US coverage of the 2012 London Olympic Games that provides GM with exclusive domestic automotive advertising rights.

    Chevrolet and Cadillac will have an ad presence during NBC’s coverage of the Games on network and cable television from 27 July – 12 August, 2012. In addition, these brands will be featured in select NBC Olympic-related programming leading up to the Games and online at NBCOlympics.com.

    GM global CMO Joel Ewanick said, “Media partnerships like this provide great opportunities for us to spread the word about our newest cars, trucks and crossovers. GM has been a huge fan of the Olympic Games for decades, and we look forward to being a partner in a big way with NBC Universal as it again covers one of the world’s most significant sporting events.”

    GM has advertised within NBC’s coverage of the Games since the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

    NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel said, “Chevrolet and Cadillac are two of the world’s premier automotive brands in the midst of a remarkable resurgence, so it’s terrific to see them make a major investment in our coverage of the London Games.”

  • Chinese Telematics and Infotainment Market set for high growth in five years

    Chinese Telematics and Infotainment Market set for high growth in five years

    MUMBAI: Although at a nascent stage, the Chinese telematics and infotainment markets is likely to witness considerable growth and development over the forecast period. Factors expected to contribute to this include the continued growth in demand as well as production of passenger cars, increasing disposable incomes, growing acknowledgement of the benefits of telematics and infotainment, as well as the upcoming Olympic Games in 2008 and the 2010 World Trade Exhibition.

    Additionally, newer telelematics and infotainment systems are becoming more affordable and many car companies are also planning to incorporate navigation system as a standard offering, thus boosting their overall uptake.

    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the Strategic Analysis of the Chinese Telematics and Infotainment Markets reveals that revenues in this market totaled 422.3 million in 2005 and can reach 3896.9 million in 2012.

    ‘Among the market segments, the Chinese productivity market, the roadside assistance market, and the rear seat entertainment market are yet in their introductory stages,’ notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Angielina Tay.

    ‘In comparison, the navigation market is in its growth stage and holds significant promise, especially considering China’s high vehicle occupancy rate, ‘maintains Tay.

    The Chinese vehicle occupancy rate was greater than three million in 2005 and this ensures huge potential for navigation systems (both the portable and personal navigation device). Navigation is likely to become a daily requirement for people, regardless of whether they are driving or not, because a navigation system does not just simply help them to get from point A to B, but also provides them with other value-added services, such as providing points of interest (POI). This driver is likely to have a high impact on the market throughout the forecast period.

    Notwithstanding the promise, Chinese consumers still lack sufficient knowledge of telematics and infotainment system functions. Besides, there are too many varieties available for the consumers at present, and this coupled with unpleasant experiences such as low-quality products and lack of after sales service are likely to hurt customer confidence in this developing market.

    ‘The non-availability of all functions in a single system is an added barrier to penetration, much like the current high prices of telematics and infotainment systems,’ says Tay. ‘For example, the average price for an original equipment (OE) navigation system was about $1,463.4 in 2005 which is relatively high compared to the North American and Japanese markets.’

    Given these challenges, distributors and manufacturers need to work together on campaigns to raise awareness and promote the use of telematics and infotainment systems. Moreover, to make these systems more affordable, vehicle manufacturers should explore methods of lowering product costs, such as sourcing from local suppliers instead of importing parts.

  • Katie Couric to be anchor & managing editor of CBS News

    Katie Couric to be anchor & managing editor of CBS News

    MUMBAI: CBS Corporation President and CEO Leslie Moonves and CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus announced that one of broadcasting’s most respected and popular journalists, Katie Couric is joining CBS News.

    With the appointment, Couric becomes the first female solo anchor of a network evening news broadcast.
    As part of the multi-year agreement, Couric will become anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric beginning in September. Couric will also contribute to 60 Minutes and will anchor CBS News primetime specials as well, states an official release.

    Couric said, “It has been a great privilege to be one of the caretakers of a television institution like the ‘Today’ show for 15 years. Joining CBS is a unique opportunity that came at the right time for me. I’m thrilled to become part of the rich tradition of CBS News and look forward to working with the many extraordinarily talented people there.”

    Said Moonves. “With this move, our News Division takes yet another giant leap forward. Katie is simply one of the best in the business and represents a tremendous addition to CBS News, which continues to grow and improve every day under Sean’s leadership. Seasoned broadcasters who are at once respected, charismatic and known throughout this country and beyond are increasingly important in this fragmented media landscape. I’m proud to have a talent like Katie who personifies this rare combination of qualities, and look forward to the many contributions that she will make not only to our developing evening news broadcast, but to our entire news operation.”

    Couric joined NBC News in 1989 as deputy Pentagon reporter. She began work on Today in June 1990 as its first national correspondent, which included two stints covering the Gulf War. Couric served as substitute co-anchor from February 1991 until taking over the job permanently in April 1991. She also was a contributing anchor for Dateline NBC.

    Couric has anchored many major breaking news events over the past 15 years, including the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center; the Columbine tragedy in Colorado; six Olympic Games, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing; the funeral of Princess Diana; the Oklahoma City bombing; the Timothy McVeigh execution; the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings; and the end of the millennium coverage, which she co-anchored with Tom Brokaw.

    She has interviewed an extraordinarily diverse collection of newsmakers, from presidents and prime ministers to captains of industry and cultural icons and a myriad of authors, politicians and newsmakers.

    “This is an enormously proud day for all of us at CBS News. Katie joining our team signifies not only her commitment to doing first-rate journalism, but our strong commitment to producing the highest quality work done by the best reporters, producers and writers in television news. She is a key ingredient as we work towards our goal of making CBS News the number one news organization in America. This organization was built on quality and integrity, and Katie and her CBS News colleagues will continue to carry that legacy into the 21st century” said McManus.

    Couric is the recipient of a George Foster Peabody Award for her March 2000 series on colon cancer. She also has won six Emmy Awards, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award, a National Headliner Award, an Associated Press Award, a Matrix Award, two American Women in Radio and Television Gracie Awards, the Harvard University School of Public Health’s Julius B. Richmond Award and UNICEF’s Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award.

    Couric’s broadcast journalism career began as a desk assistant at ABC News in Washington, D.C. (1979). She worked for CNN (1980-84) as an assignment editor, associate producer, producer and, ultimately, political correspondent. Couric was a general assignment reporter for WTVJ Miami (1984-86) and for WRC-TV Washington, D.C. (1987-89), adds the release.

  • Hong Kong to launch digital TV next year

    Hong Kong to launch digital TV next year

    MUMBAI: The Hong Kong Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau has set up working groups with Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to ensure timely and smooth launch of digital services next year.

    Led by the Hong Kong office of the Telecommunications Authority, the groups will work with the TV stations to solve technical issues related to the transmission and reception of digital terrestrial TV, and facilitate inter-departmental coordination to ensure successful migration from analogue to digital TV at different stages.

    Media reports indicate that a new website has also been launched as part of a major publicity drive to raise awareness and improve understanding of digital TV. Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Games are the driving force speeding up the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Hong Kong. The administration will require the territory’s two terrestrial television broadcasters to start digital transmissions by next year.

    In July 2004, Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority announced the implementation framework for digital TV in Hong Kong.

    The bureau approved the investment plans of ATV and TVB for their digital TV programme service and network rollout.

    According to the blueprint, ATV and TVB will start broadcasting their existing services in both analogue and digital format (simulcasting) and launch a new digital service on the respective additional frequency channel assigned to them by 2007.

    The government has yet to decide its transmission standard. If the mainland has not promulgated a national standard before the end of 2006, ATV and TVB will adopt the European digital video broadcasting – terrestrial standard which has been widely adopted internationally.

    The government has set up two working groups, led by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, to work with the two broadcasters to ensure an integrated launch of digital TV.

    According to the government timetable, ATV and TVB shall provide their existing services in both analog and digital format by 2007.

    Subject to further market and technical studies, the government will direct ATV and TVB to cease analogue broadcasts by 2012, Lai said.