Tag: Raj Nayak

U Sports launches India’s first ever Multi-Platform Multi-Game E-Sports Championship – U Cypher with MTV

MUMBAI: The Indian E-Sports scenario is all set for a major revamp as U Sports, one of India’s biggest sports business companies in association with India’s No. 1 Youth Brand, MTV, announces the premiere of their all new month-long championship, U Cypher with MTV. Premiering today, on 19th January, the show will air every day from 10pm to 11pm on MTV.

Backed by Ronnie Screwvala (Founder, U Sports) and Supratik Sen (Co-Founder & CEO, U Sports), the Indian E-Sports scenario is all set for a major revamp with U Cypher with MTV. The league is a first of its kind, multi-platform, multi-game E-Sports championship which comprises of 35 episodes. In its first season, U Cypher with MTV will have 6 teams with 14 members in each team. Each episode will have two teams face off across titles like DOTA 2 and CS: GO on PC, Real Cricket 2017 on mobile and Tekken 7 on PS4 with a prize pool of a whooping INR 51 Lakhs. The final four will play knockouts to determine the winners.

Ronnie Screwvala, Founder, U Sports said, “There has been an enthusiasm for E-Sports sparkling under the surface in the country for far longer than what is known. U Cypher with MTV provides a platform for talented gamers to achieve their maximum potential and build their career in E-sports. The players have been meticulously picked from the Top E-sport Tournaments and teams from Pan India. The digital and broadband revolution has changed the game for this sport. CS and DOTA have had 20 million downloads in the past 10 years in India. And that’s a huge number for something that’s only starting to fully surface.”

Commenting on the association with U Sports Viacom18, COO, Raj Nayak said, “E-Sports is growing fast worldwide. Not only that but the annual consumption of E-Sports content stands at almost over 3.7 billion hours across various platforms which are largely digital. Closer to home, in India the gaming market is estimated to be over USD 600 million. Given the potential one can see, we at MTV are excited to be the first and only media network in the country to showcase an E-Sports League on television! We are delighted to partner with U Sports to craft a new tomorrow today through the launch of our exciting and one of a kind new property – U Cypher – only on MTV!”

U Sports, Co-Founder & CEO, Supratik Sen said, “We are all set to showcase the biggest E-Sports championship on television with U Cypher with MTV. This will be the rise of a new batch of athletes and U Sports will look to give the best E-Sports athletes a chance to showcase their abilities. E-Sports is growing at a rapid pace andhas been announced as a medal event in the 2022 Asian Games. E-Sports is moving from being a hobby to an actual career option and its high time we saw the potential in it.”

Viacom18, Head – Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Ferzad Palia said, “E-Sports has found immense number of takers in India thanks to it being home to the world’s largest youth population and the world’s second largest internet user base. Keeping this in mind, it was thus a natural step for us at MTV, the brand with the ultimate word on the youth in India, to invest in a one-of-a-kind show ‘U Cypher’ that takes E-sports out of bedrooms of gamers & gaming arcades and into living rooms through television. A truly unique concept, will see gamers – who have hitherto been known only in select circles – taking on other gamers across multiplatform, multiplayer games in a specially designed arena. At MTV, we have always taken pride in being trendsetters for the youth and thus are thoroughly excited to bring a brand-new concept which will allow viewers to witness the creation of completely new kind of superstars!”

E-Sports and the gaming market is estimated to be over USD 500-600 million with more than 2000 teams consistently participating in tournaments across India and abroad. U Cypher delves into the culture of E-Sport and finds a world of intense competition and massive opportunities.

The episodes and gameplay will also be available digitally on Usports.in, MTV, Voot, YouTube, YouTube Gaming and Twitch. MTV has also planned an extensive digital plan to promote the show in addition to promotions across the Viacom18 network channels

January 19, 2018
Industry applauds Sam Balsara as he turns 67

MUMBAI: He is a man of small stature and has a voice that at times breaks into a squeak. But veteran ad man Sam Balsara–who is celebrating his sixty-seventh birthday today–is one of the giants of Indian advertising whose words have boomed across the industry and made even the most powerful sit up, take note – and follow.

Born in the small city of Bulsar–now called Valsad–in Gujarat, Blasara clearly was meant for bigger things right from the beginning. He went on to complete his management post graduation from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. He began his career working as a marketing executive at Sarabhais and Cadbury. Later he switched to advertising, working with Hindustan Thompson Associates’ second agency Contract Advertising. He then moved on to a fledgling outfit called Mudra then headed by (the now late) AG Krishnamurthy and went to lead its Mumbai office for four years.

But working for someone else didn’t pacify his hunger to make a mark in the world. That’s when he decided to become an entrepreneur and partnered a fledgling agency called Madison which he took over totally later in 1988.

What started as a small company with only two clients back then, namely Godrej and Nelco, today has 24 business units across 11 specialised functions of advertising, media, business analytics, outdoor, activation, events, PR, retail, entertainment, mobile and sports. The gross billing of Madison World today stands at around Rs 3,700 crore.

The chairman & managing director at Madison World, Sam Balsara has seen the industry evolve and go through to various upheavals and transformation and the man still gives novel agencies a run for their money.

He got his daughter Lara Balsara Vajifdar on board as a management trainee in Madison in 2004 and today she has risen to become the executive director, Madison World, having played a significant role building the brand over the past decade.

Working with your family has its own perks. But things can get tricky and awkward at times and one has to know how to manage the on-off switch. Sam Balsara does it well. Something that’s vouched for by Lara who emphasizes that her father is a very different person at home.

“At work he is a lot more formal, objective, focused, but at home, although he does work a fair bit at home too, he is more relaxed. It is a treat to watch him interact and get bullied by his grand children,” says the mother of two.

Madison World is set to compete 30 years of its business in March this year and people have been talking again about Balsara retiring from his position or selling off the agency. The on and off conversations have been going on for quite a few years on whether Madison World would begin active dialogue with any holding company for a sale or merger this year. And the chatter is pretty much justified as Madison is amongst the rare few Indian owned advertising agencies that is consistently outperforming its opponents that come with global ancestry and backing. But Balsara has always rubbished these rumours as he has no intentions of selling the company any time soon.

Lara points out that her father is a great man-manager as he always believes in leading by example. “He commands respect rather than demanding it and gives senior people the freedom to shape and drive their businesses,” she adds.

Sam Balara has been rated the most influential person in media and is a recipient of the AAAI (Advertising Agencies Association of India ) Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as of AAAI president from 2002 to 2004, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) chairman from 2000 to 2001, and has been The Advertising Club president for three terms from 1989 to 1992.

Although he isn’t likely to be in the city during the day to celebrate his birthday, the family is set to attend a function later in the evening.

Team IndianTelevision.com wishes the ad guru a very happy birthday and health! We list down some of the key industry leaders’ wishes for Sam Balsara.

Canco Advertising founder & IAA India president Ramesh Narayan: “Sam and I go back a long way. He has always been a terrific industry man. We have worked together in the AAAI and continue to work together in the IAA. To me, Sam is a person who never says no and is always there to help you. He is a positive influence. May you always remain as young, smiling and helpful as you have always been my friend.”

Publicis India managing director & chief creative officer Bobby Pawar: “Hey Sam, you are not just a big part of the industry but you are an industry all by yourself. But can you do the rest of us a favour and just pretend to slow down because you are making the rest of us feel old.”

Dentsu Aegis Network chairman and CEO South Asia Ashish Bhasin: “Dear Sam, You epitomise energy and drive in our industry. Keep providing us with your valuable guidance and keep growing younger and younger as you always do. Best wishes.”

Madison Media & OOH Madison World group CEO Vikram Sakhuja:

“I’ve known him for over 25 years and it has been a wonderful run with him. I’ve known him as a client for 10 years, as a competitor for 14 years and now as a partner for around 2 years. He still has the same energy at 67 as he did when he was 40. He is one of those guys who is extremely passionate about advertising and media. He is always willing to help and humble to the core. He has a sense of fair play, integrity and is always willing to help the larger cause. He is a great mentor and provides advice that is profound in its simplicity.”

Sony Pictures Network president of network sales & international business Rohit Gupta:

“He is an institution in himself for the media industry. He is the most honest and respectable man in the media business and there is nobody who can come close to him. Despite the invasion of big agencies, he stood alone and hats off to him for that.”

Applause Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair:

“I have known Sam from the time I got into the industry and he has ever since been a leading light of the media buying and planning business. He has been like a hero to all of us in the industry and has held himself up against all big foreign giant multinational companies. Sam personally is a wonderful person and in my personal experience he has always been extremely kind, considerate and looks out for people. My professional relationship with him has always been smooth even when I was the seller and he was the media buyer. I have always found him as a very reasonable man to deal with.”

BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta:

“Sam is a respected voice not only in the advertising world, but the larger media industry as well – and not without reason. He has had a long innings, and I am sure he will continue to be at the crease for many years to come. He is the man who literally created the afternoon soap slot with Shanti on DD. There’s a lot to be gained from his rich experience and accumulated insights – and we all know that he speaks his mind freely without pulling any punches. I wish him many more years of success.”

Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak:

Sam Balsara is a legend in his own right. Small in height and big in stature. I have known Sam for more than two decades and his biggest strength is his ability to combine humility with hardcore business. He is a charmer and can disarm you with his smile. He has a human side to his hard-nosed business approach and goes out of his way to help everyone. He is someone you can reach out to both personally and professionally. Sam is a hands on boss and comes prepared for industry meetings with facts and figures at his fingertips. He has been on almost all industry bodies and his contribution to the advertising and media business is unparalleled. He is someone I immensely admire and respect. Today on his 67th birthday I wish him. Lots more success, good health, happiness and a very long life. Cheers Sam, I am waiting for the birthday cake!

And from us at indiantelevision.com we’d like to end with the words of Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 film Casablanca: “Play it Sam. Play it for old time’s sake.”

Also Read :

‘I encourage all my people to think like entrepreneurs.’ – Sam Balsara

“I hope to convince BJP to connect with electorate throughout the year”: Sam Balsara

‘Name and shame delinquent channels’

January 12, 2018
MTV launches 7th season of Unplugged

MUMBAI: MTV Unplugged season 7 is back, this time giving us an insight into musical maestros like Vishal Bhardwaj, Shankar Mahadevan, Farhan Akhtar, Papon, Monali Thakur and Armaan and Amal Malik. The musical property will air from 9 December at 8 pm on MTV.

After garnering success in its sixth season by raking in an overall reach of around 130 million viewers on social media platforms, the latest season of MTV Unplugged ensures to be nothing less than the best.

Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak said, “This is a show that people wait for with a lot of anticipation every year and we aim to continue to deliver quality content and rule the hearts of our fans with the season seven of MTV Unplugged as well.”

Viacom18 head—youth, music and english entertainment Ferzad Palia said, “The latest season features a unique and beautiful confluence of soul- stirring vocals and interesting musical arrangements, doing away with anything that distracts from what is pure. This year as well, the audience will be privy to a great line up of artists who will be transforming some of their biggest musical numbers to the unimaginable in a more vulnerable and intimate setting.”

Pernod Ricard India assistant vice president (marketing) Raja Banerji said “India’s finest singing stars will be performing unplugged to bring a music in most pristine form. It has become a perfect stage for musical perfectionist to bring alive the brand’s philosophy of “Make it Perfect” in every way.”

November 30, 2017
IAA awards recognise game-changers, says Viacom18’s Raj Nayak

MUMBAI: The International Advertising Association’s (IAA) India Chapter has announced the 5th edition of the IAA Leadership Awards presented by Colors.

The awards recognise excellence towards contribution in marketing, advertising and media sectors as well as celebrate outstanding achievements of individuals and teams. The magnificence of the 5th IAA Leadership Awards will be showcased through an ‘Invite Only’ event on 7 October, 2017, at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai.

Minister of commerce and industry Suresh Prabhu and Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani will be the chief guests. Government of Israel deputy minister of diplomacy – PM’s office Michael Oren will grace the event.

The IAA India Chapter will honour the achievements of various groups in the marketing, advertising and media communities, for their outstanding performance, innovation and creativity in delivering high impact initiatives for the fifth successive year. Twenty-three categories have been identified, based on an exhaustive list of quantitative and qualitative parameters at the IAA Leadership Awards 2017 edition.

IAA president Ramesh Narayan said, “A galaxy of leaders representing advertising, marketing and media will be honoured at the memorable event.”

Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak said: “We are delighted to partner with a renowned industry forum like IAA that recognises category game-changers.”

IAA – India chapter past president Neeraj Roy said: “There is a lot of effort that goes into bringing about objectivity and factual data into the judging process.”

October 5, 2017
Viacom18’s social expt ‘Bigg Boss’ has ‘Super Bowl’-like fandom, says Raj Nayak, Salman to play ‘peacemaker’

MUMBAI: “We all have neighbors of every kind and every hue. Some of us have wonderful memories of them and some of us may have not so good ones,” Salman Khan exemplified Bigg Boss’ theme after returning as the host for the eighth season in a row.

The new season promises to give the audience a peek into human psychology in its newest avatar with Khan also as the neighbourhood peacemaker!

In our lifetime, we all come across a vivid breed of neighbours who we share a love-hate relationship with. The greedy ones, the nuisance creators, the gossip-mongers and sometimes the close confidants with whom we share our day-to-day ordeals with. Incorporating a never-seen-before twist, Colors ’ is all set to present yet another extraordinary season of its marquee show “Appy Fizz presents Bigg Boss powered by Oppo Camera Phones” which will roll out the red carpet for the Padosis this year. Viewers will find a host of new neighbours in the Bigg Boss House whose lives they’ll get to follow over a period of 90 days.

About the ad rate, official sources told Indiantelevision.com, it was Rs 3 lakh per 10-second — an increase of 15-20 per cent over last year. Apart from the two known and CP Plus as sponsors, Colors is expecting three-four more partners for Bigg Boss.

About the launch of the show, Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak said, “Arguably the most awaited show on Indian television and a social experiment at its best, Bigg Boss undoubtedly has a fandom like the Super Bowl of the West. After turning risk into a victory last season as the contrasting worlds of common man and celebrities created unparalleled content, the entertainment abode of Bigg Boss this season comes with an even bigger twist filled with indomitable ‘Gharwale’ and ‘Padosis’. We’ve done an impeccable casting and are certain that the universal theme of ‘neighbours’ will not only prove to be relatable but will also elicit the right kind of emotions amongst the viewers.”

Bigg Boss, the world of Gharwale and Padosis, will premiere on 1 October at 9pm, and the subsequent episodes will air Monday – Friday at 1030pm and on Saturday-Sunday at 9pm on Colors.

Nayak added, “This year has been wonderful for Colors as we could treat our audience to some exemplary content; be it by presenting unique propositions like India Banega Manch and Rising Star or by accounting another successful season of Khatron Ke Khiladi. Here’s hoping that Bigg Boss will continue the trend and become a matter of neighbourhood gossip in every locality.”

Talking about the association, Parle Agro’s joint MD and CMO Nadia Chauhan said, “Bigg Boss, as a property, only seems to be getting bigger and better with every season. Our association has not only helped us to cement a significant market position but also to create several innovative brand propositions. We are looking forward to reaching out to our target audience through compelling in-show integration.”

Khan added, “Bigg Boss is a show that the country awaits with bated breath along with my movies.”

Said Oppo India brand director Will Yang, “We have continued our association as the results have been tremendous and the recall amongst our target audience has been remarkable. We believe this year’s alliance will create more buzz and reach out to more audience which is young and fashionable as our brand.”

About the security of the Bigg Boss House, CP PLUS COO Yogesh B Dutta said: “CP PLUS is excited to be an integral part of the Bigg Boss house by intelligently securing the show this time.”

Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “There are quite a few exciting and innovative elements getting added to the House this season, like an ‘aakhara’ and a ‘kalkothri’. For the first time ever, Salman will also be staying alongside the contestants.”

As the common man and celebrities fight all odds and live together as neighbours for 100 plus days, their lives will be filled with unique challenges and situations that will prove to be an entertainment bonanza. Only the determined and resilient will emerge victorious in this ultimate battle of Gharwale and Padosis.

On the format, Endemol Shine India MD and CEO Deepak Dhar This season we will add another interesting spin to the drama with the introduction of a ‘Padosi’. The journey gets more fascinating this year when the contestants face unpredictable situations, which will add to the entertainment factor that the franchise is synonymous with.”

Colors has designed an integrated marketing campaign to promote Bigg Boss across various platforms including OOH, radio integrations including special tie-ups. In the digital medium, actor Gaurav Gera will don the hat of Pinky Padosan and give out inside gossip from the Bigg Boss house.

One and all would be curious to know how viewers would relate to the dramatic neighbourhood situations.

September 27, 2017
Colors-Nick and KidZania to blend entertainment with reality

MUMBAI: In its endeavor to enrich consumer experiences and provide integrated entertainment, Viacom18 media and entertainment network has partnered with KidZania (Delhi).

As a part of the partnership, KidZania Delhi will have a Nickelodeon and Colors-themed TV studio. The partnership with KidZania, is another step forward in Viacom18’s strategy of building ecosystems outside of the traditional television landscape, creating synergies across brands and platforms.

KidZania is an interactive indoor theme park that empowers, inspires and educates kids through real-life role-play activities. By blending reality with entertainment, this partnership aims to provide an authentic and powerful developmental platform where kids can discover, explore and learn about the real-world.

Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak said, “At Viacom18, we believe that creating experiences through multiple touchpoints goes a long way in fostering an engaged relationship with consumers. This partnership with KidZania brings a perfect opportunity for us to collaborate with like-minded partners and creating a platform for children to experience different aspects of the media and entertainment industry.”

The Colors Studio will allow kids to actively interact and understand the story that is going to unfold for Colors show properties, be it India’s Got Talent, Rising Star, Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa or India Banega Manch. They can choose to be in front of the camera or behind it; enact the role of a celebrity host or get ready to dance with the stars and step into the shoes of their favorite judges, show characters.

Viacom18 head – kids entertainment cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “Nickelodeon has always endeavored to engage with kids by providing them unique and immersive experiences that are unparalleled. This partnership is another step towards inspiring kids with an inimitable curated platform that facilitates learning, development as well as play. The Nickelodeon studio will now allow kids to be a part of their favorite nicktoons life thus building an everlasting bond with them.”

Kids love being a part of the daily lives of their favorite characters and the Nickelodeon studio will provide kids an engaging platform to interact and be a part of the adventures of their favorite toons like Motu Patlu, Dora, Shiva, etc. The studio will open with a dubbing studio where kids will be able to enjoy a true to life simulated dubbing experience, by giving voice to their favorite Motu Patlu, Shiva to name a few.

Going forward, the studio will continue to curate many such experience like learning how to create animation, immersing themselves in an episode of their favorite toons etc, allowing kids to truly feel inspired and experience the mystical world of their favourite nicktoons.

KidZania India CEO Sanjeev Kumar said, “We are delighted to partner with Viacom18 for Colors and Nickelodeon studios, which will bring an exclusive experience for kids and we look forward to expanding this partnership in the future.”

As part of building an ecosystem, KidZania will also have Voot Kids, the leading kids content destination from Viacom18’s OTT service. The platform will bring alive high decibel engagement throughout the year with an objective to engage and celebrate with kids & their parents on special occasions like Diwali, Christmas, summer holidays, etc.

September 25, 2017
Colors-Bajaj Pinkathon raises awareness for women’s lifestyle

MUMBAI: Colors Delhi Pinkathon, empowering Indian Women, an initiative to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle for women and issues like breast cancer, concluded its fifth edition in Delhi on Sunday.

Colors Delhi Pinkathon has received response from corporate sponsors such as Colors, Bajaj Electricals, Tata Salt Lite, VWash Plus, Optum, Reebok, Apollo Hospitals, Red FM, Bisleri, ICICI Home Loans, US Polo, Enthusionz, and Bajaj CSR.

Around 10,500 women across age-groups and from different segments of the society participated in the VWash plus 3km, Optum 5km and Tata Salt Lite 10km multi-category run and 21 km categories. Flagging off the run was super-model, actor, fitness enthusiast avid barefoot runner and Pinkathon founder Milind Soman along with prominent women personalities like Mann Kaur, a 101-year old woman athlete, and RJ Swati from RED FM who expressed their wholehearted support for the cause.

Maximus Events MD and co-founder Reema Sanghavi said: “Besides Delhi, Pinkathon has already been held in various cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai, Guwahati, and Mumbai this year. The campaign will be supported by an integrated communication plan.”

Viacom18 CEO – Hindi mass entertainment Raj Nayak said: “Women empowerment is also a core philosophy that we maintain even in our bouquet of offerings to our viewers.”

September 18, 2017
Madison CEO Vikram Sakhuja is Advertising Club’s new president

MUMBAI: The Advertising Club has unanimously elected the industry veteran Vikram Sakhuja (Group CEO – media and OOH, Madison Communications) as the president.

Taking on the baton from Raj Nayak, who has lead the club towards new highs across two consecutive terms, Sakhuja will now lead the mandate of representing the country’s leading industry representative forum.

The outgoing president said: “Leading an apex industry body like the advertising club towards new echelons of growth has been an enriching experience. The Indian advertising industry has witnessed tremendous growth and has been at the forefront of curating some iconic behavioral change campaigns. I would want to thank the club’s managing committee which helped bring alive the vision of showcasing the Indian advertising industry as a global game changer.”

Speaking about the appointment, he added, “Vikram brings with him tremendous understanding of the industry and global media trends.”

Sakhuja said: “My endeavor is to work towards building further scale to the great work done by Raj, by adding onto and developing our existing marquee leadership forums into formidable and relevant global platforms.”

The appointment was followed by the announcement of this year’s managing committee.

September 14, 2017
Ad Asia: India team leader Kataria has in-depth understanding of market dynamics, says Nayak

MUMBAI: The Advertising Council of India (ACI) & The Advertising Club have announced the appointment of Sunil Kataria, Business head, Godrej Consumer Products as leader of the Indian delegation for the AdAsia Congress to be held in Bali. The 30th edition of the esteemed media and advertising awards organized bi-annually by the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) will see global marketing and creative industry practitioners be a part of the ideas exchange platform.

Asian Federation of Advertising Associations vice chairman and Advertising Council of India representative K Srinivasan said “Ad Asia is a great forum for the Indian creative and media maestros to interact with other global practitioners on evolving industry trends. Having someone which such rich and versatile multi-functional and sectoral experience as Sunil Kataria lead the Indian delegation is sure to ensure that the India delegation plays an inspiring and impactful role at the congress.”

The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said: “India has been at the forefront of some ground-breaking and high impact media campaigns. A coveted knowledge platform like Ad Asia 2017 is a great place to showcase the immersive and transformational work being done by the India media and advertising diaspora. With Sunil helming the Indian delegation, we are sure to receive the best representation at the form. Sunil with his in-depth understanding of the Indian market dynamics and global trends in sure to add significant value to the Indian delegation.”

Kataria said “I am honored to be nominated to lead the Indian contingent to the prestigious congress. The forum is a great platform for the fraternity to network with global creative leads and jam on media and marketing trends in the new social paradigm that we are currently in. We hope to have significant Indian representation at the event and would hence urge maximum participation by corporates at the event.”

September 7, 2017
We’ll ensure diaspora plays an imperative role in AdAsia Congress, says Raj Nayak

MUMBAI: The Advertising Council of India (ACI) & The Advertising Club have announced savings with early bird offer for AdAsia 2017 – Bali.

The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said: “We are focused towards ensuring and facilitating India’s representation at all renowned global advertising platforms. The initiative is in line with the aforesaid vision and has been undertaken to ensure that Indian advertising diaspora plays an imperative role in a marquee and engaging ideas exchange platform like the AdAsia Congress.” The discounted fee on early bird entries for India is now US$ 870 per delegate.

Asian Federation of Advertising Associations vice-chairman and The Advertising Council of India representative Srinivasan K Swamy said, “We are happy to facilitate a convenient and cost- efficient experience for the Indian contingent intending to be a part of AdAsia 2017.”

September 1, 2017