Tag: Pranay Chulet

  • Quikr launches Dazzlr to organise film industry

    Quikr launches Dazzlr to organise film industry

    MUMBAI: Quikr announced the launch of Dazzlr, a talent discovery platform that brings together Actors, Casting Professionals, Directors and Producers. Available on both Android and iOS, Dazzlr is aimed at organizing casting and talent discovery that will address the needs of the film industry in India and beyond. The Indian media and entertainment sector alone is expected to become a US$ 29.11 billion by 2019.

    The platform has been developed by Quikr in partnership with Vivek Bohra, a third generation Film Maker and renowned Casting Director, Aadore Mukherjee. It offers tailored solutions to cater to the unique needs of both artists and casting professionals for a variety of entertainment formats such as cinema, television, theatre, advertising, regional and international film production. Based in Mumbai, Dazzlr currently has a strong team of professionals that will operate as an independent entity under the Quikr umbrella.

    Talking about the launch Pranay Chulet, Founder & CEO Quikr said, “Right from our early days, we’ve had entertainment as a category in Quikr. It gets half a million monthly unique visitors without any marketing because of the sheer size of India’s media and entertainment industry. Artists are always looking for projects, aspirants are always looking for a break and production houses are always looking for talent. Technology can be a huge enabler in this marketplace as I’ve seen in my own experience in this space in the past. We’re tremendously excited about this opportunity to help bring more structure to this large, multilingual industry that touches every corner of India.”

    Sharing his enthusiasm about the announcement, Vivek Bohra, Writer, Director and Dazzlr Co-Founder said, “This is just a first step in Dazzlr’s journey to help organize the unorganized segments of the entertainment industry. We have worked closely with the product and technology teams at Quikr to ensure that Dazzlr caters to the unique needs of our peers in the film industry. While we begin with getting ease and transparency to casting and discoverability for industry professionals, we are sure that the road ahead is going to see many more divisions of the entertainment industry becoming more transparent and organized”.

    Casting Director, Aadore Mukherjee further added, “Dazzlr is the culmination of months of hard work and years of experience in the film industry. We have kept the approach very professional and have created a platform that helps aspiring actors get the attention they deserve. The response so far has been very encouraging and in barely a couple of weeks of testing, we have over 70 casting directors, production houses, advertising agencies and close to 2000 artists using the platform across India. Dazzlr has already helped to cast commercials for Axis Bank and Dark Fantasy Chocolates. Just like my upcoming film Baar Baar Deko which features cast from the UK. I expect Dazzlr to create an impact for talent internationally as well.”

    Dazzlr allows budding actors to list for free with a fee to apply for select roles. The platform enables production houses and casting directors to post their requirements and browse through artist portfolios to bookmark and call them for auditions. Some of its unique features for artists include provisions for video and image uploads to build a portfolio and notifications to help them stay updated on opportunities in upcoming screen roles.

  • Quikr launches Dazzlr to organise film industry

    Quikr launches Dazzlr to organise film industry

    MUMBAI: Quikr announced the launch of Dazzlr, a talent discovery platform that brings together Actors, Casting Professionals, Directors and Producers. Available on both Android and iOS, Dazzlr is aimed at organizing casting and talent discovery that will address the needs of the film industry in India and beyond. The Indian media and entertainment sector alone is expected to become a US$ 29.11 billion by 2019.

    The platform has been developed by Quikr in partnership with Vivek Bohra, a third generation Film Maker and renowned Casting Director, Aadore Mukherjee. It offers tailored solutions to cater to the unique needs of both artists and casting professionals for a variety of entertainment formats such as cinema, television, theatre, advertising, regional and international film production. Based in Mumbai, Dazzlr currently has a strong team of professionals that will operate as an independent entity under the Quikr umbrella.

    Talking about the launch Pranay Chulet, Founder & CEO Quikr said, “Right from our early days, we’ve had entertainment as a category in Quikr. It gets half a million monthly unique visitors without any marketing because of the sheer size of India’s media and entertainment industry. Artists are always looking for projects, aspirants are always looking for a break and production houses are always looking for talent. Technology can be a huge enabler in this marketplace as I’ve seen in my own experience in this space in the past. We’re tremendously excited about this opportunity to help bring more structure to this large, multilingual industry that touches every corner of India.”

    Sharing his enthusiasm about the announcement, Vivek Bohra, Writer, Director and Dazzlr Co-Founder said, “This is just a first step in Dazzlr’s journey to help organize the unorganized segments of the entertainment industry. We have worked closely with the product and technology teams at Quikr to ensure that Dazzlr caters to the unique needs of our peers in the film industry. While we begin with getting ease and transparency to casting and discoverability for industry professionals, we are sure that the road ahead is going to see many more divisions of the entertainment industry becoming more transparent and organized”.

    Casting Director, Aadore Mukherjee further added, “Dazzlr is the culmination of months of hard work and years of experience in the film industry. We have kept the approach very professional and have created a platform that helps aspiring actors get the attention they deserve. The response so far has been very encouraging and in barely a couple of weeks of testing, we have over 70 casting directors, production houses, advertising agencies and close to 2000 artists using the platform across India. Dazzlr has already helped to cast commercials for Axis Bank and Dark Fantasy Chocolates. Just like my upcoming film Baar Baar Deko which features cast from the UK. I expect Dazzlr to create an impact for talent internationally as well.”

    Dazzlr allows budding actors to list for free with a fee to apply for select roles. The platform enables production houses and casting directors to post their requirements and browse through artist portfolios to bookmark and call them for auditions. Some of its unique features for artists include provisions for video and image uploads to build a portfolio and notifications to help them stay updated on opportunities in upcoming screen roles.

  • Quikr Collaborates with Blind Relief Association to Empower the Blind

    Quikr Collaborates with Blind Relief Association to Empower the Blind

    MUMBAI: Quikr, India’s number one online classifieds company and Blind Relief Association, Delhi (BRAD), a premier NGO serving in the field of education and training of the blind, today announced a long term collaboration to support the visually impaired people by offering them training opportunities with Quikr.

     

    According to the agreement signed on the World Sight Day, the selected trainee-agents will contribute to the company’s day to day operations.

     

    The 10 visually impaired trainee-agents inducted will perform assigned tasks for Quikr. They will be trained to verify ad listings posted by the customers on Quikr, to ensure that the data and information listed is confirmed and accurate.  The Quikr team is working very closely with the Blind Relief Association team to ensure that they are well trained and equipped to understand this rapidly evolving category and can add value in ensuring a high quality of listings on the site.

     

    Commenting on this initiative, Founder and CEO of Quikr Pranay Chulet said, “Quikr is honoured to enter into this alliance with the Blind Relief Association of Delhi. We recognise that there is a prevalent notion that blindness and vision impairment rob people of their self reliance, and on the occasion of World Sight Day, we seek to change that mindset by bringing out the potential of these individuals. With the correct training, we will provide them with job opportunities which will build their confidence by working with a fast growing internet company.”

     

    Talking about the partnership, Hony Executive Secretary of Blind Relief Association Kailash Chandra Pande, said, “It is a privilege for us to be associated with a company like Quikr which is such a powerful brand in the online space. With this opportunity, we are providing these individuals with quality training and work experience which will hone their capabilities. This is a great way to give these youngsters the confidence and skills required to navigate in the workforce.”

  • Quikr raises Rs 365 crore for future expansion

    Quikr raises Rs 365 crore for future expansion

    Mumbai: Valued at around Rs 1800 crore, the online classifieds platform, Quikr has raised Rs 365 crore in the latest round of funding. The investment was led by new investor Tiger Global Management, a global investment firm, with participation from its current investors.

     

    The company, which has so far received funding of around Rs 1,300 crore since its inception in 2008, will use the funds towards product development and further expansion of its mobile business, Quikr said in a statement.

     

    Commenting on the latest funding, Quicker founder and CEO Pranay Chulet said, “The explosive growth in mobile Internet is fundamentally reshaping the Indian classified Internet market, and we are well positioned to be at the forefront of this growth.”

     

    “This funding round is a powerful validation of our local knowledge and connections, skilled execution and quality management team. We are excited to welcome Tiger Global to Quikr as we continue to further grow our platform,” he added.

     

    The Mumbai-based company’s current investors include Kinnevik, Matrix Partners India, Nokia Growth Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, Omidyar Network, Warburg Pincus and eBay Inc.

     

    In the previous round of funding held in March, Quikr was valued at about Rs 1,525 crore. At that time, the company had raised Rs 550 crore in an investment round led by Swedish investment firm Investment Kinnevik.

     

    Talking about the new investment, Tiger Global Management partner Lee Fixel said, “Quikr has grown rapidly to become one of India’s major classifieds players with a deep understanding of the local market. By leveraging the company’s strengths as a local player, Quikr has seized a tremendous opportunity in a rapidly growing market. We look forward to supporting the Quikr team.”

     

    Quikr records 30 million users a month across 940 cities in India. These consumers come to Quikr to sell, buy, rent or find products and services in a variety of categories including mobile phones, household goods, cars, real estate, jobs, services and education.

  • Delhi Daredevils go Quikr at IPL7

    Delhi Daredevils go Quikr at IPL7

    MUMBAI: The Delhi Daredevils unveiled their jersey for the seventh edition of the Pepsi Indian Premier League at an event organised at JW Marriot – Aero City this Saturday, with Quikr.com coming in as the principal sponsor.

     

    The GMR group owned team has gone for a complete makeover this season with a new look squad, a new logo and a new sponsor, who symbolise the story of growth and success.

     

    Speaking on the unveiling Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua explained: “Quikr has become a ground breaking company in the online classified space and we at the Daredevils are truly excited with this partnership.  It is the coming together of brands that share similar values on an ideal platform where speed, success and teamwork rule and believe it will be the beginning of a long association. Creatigies Communications and Havas Media played a key role in making this partnership happen, we appreciate their efforts.”

     

    The partnership will initially be for a three year period with both sides confident of a long term relationship.

     

    Quikr founder & CEO Pranay Chulet said: “We are excited to partner with DD. Much like our business, T20 games are all about succeeding at speed. The idea is to score Quikr and win Quikr, and we feel we have a great meeting of minds between Quikr and DD on that.”

     

    Before their flight for Dubai on Saturday night the Delhi Daredevils also announced their list of sponsors which includes Just Dial (right chest), Idea (back of jersey), Delhi Duty Free (lead arm), RBL & Intuit Quick Books (non lead arm), Manyavar (lead helmet), Amity University (back of helmet), McDowell’s No. 1 (lead leg), Kama Sutra Deo (non lead arm).

     

    DD’s first match will be in Sharjah against Royal Challengers Bangalore on 17 April 2014.

  • Amazon introduces Amazon Associates Program in India

    Amazon introduces Amazon Associates Program in India

    BENGALURU: Amazon.in today unveiled the Amazon Associates program (AAP) in India. AAP is a marketing program that lets online publishers of all sizes effectively monetise their content by advertising contextually relevant products and referring visitors to Amazon.in.

    Publishers can select from over 17 million books, tens of thousands of DVDs and Audio CDs, thousands of genuine items in consumer electronics, and the entire Kindle range of devices. Amazon says that AAP is free to join and is an easy and effective way to improve experience for visitors and make money at the same time.

    Amazon Associates provides a cost-per-action advertising model where any associate ranging from large and small businesses to bloggers, authors, nonprofits, personal home pages and more, can easily create a link to a contextually relevant product from the Amazon.in catalog.

    Associates earn a percentage-based referral fee when customers click through and make a purchase on Amazon.in. The commission extends to all products the visitor buys and not just the specific product that was advertised.

    As part of an introductory offer, Amazon is launching AAP with commission rates ranging from five per cent for consumer electronics to 10 per cent in all other categories, including books, movies and all Kindle devices.

    Explaining the benefits, Amazon India VP and country manager Amit Agarwal said, “Millions of online websites, small and big, around the world showcase relevant Amazon products and earn high commissions. It is a win-win proposition, your visitors see contextually relevant products and you have a new source of income. Associates in India will have access to the same tools and the trustworthy tracking and reporting that millions of associates worldwide have enjoyed over the last 17 years.”

    Website owners who sign on for the Associates program also get access to Associates Central, a dedicated Associates portal where associates have the option to build links, view traffic and earnings reports, and read about the latest news and opportunities available through the program.

    “We are happy to partner with Amazon via Amazon Associates program” said Quickr CEO Pranay Chulet, “India‘s leading on line platform to buy and sell goods. “We are seeing good results, and are pleased with the program‘s transparency on payments and reporting. We look forward to further deepening our relationship in the days to come.”

    Associates Central also offers access to a library of convenient and effective widgets, linking tools including text links and rich banners that make this very easy to use for individual and small publishers. Associates also have access to the ‘Associates Site Stripe‘ – the quickest and easiest way to link to any page on Amazon. The Site Stripe lets signed in Associates build links as they browse the Amazon.in website.

    Associates with development resources can also use the Product Advertising API and XML data feeds to seamlessly integrate Amazon‘s rich catalog with their content.