Tag: Samsung

  • NBCU’s Fandango acquires Warner’s Flixster & Rotten Tomatoes

    NBCU’s Fandango acquires Warner’s Flixster & Rotten Tomatoes

    MUMBAI: Once known simply as an online movie ticketer, NBCUniversal’s Fandango has made impressive strides over the last several years to evolve its business into an experience brand that super-serves consumers throughout a movie’s lifecycle.

    Now going a step further, Fandango has signed an agreement to acquire digital movie brands Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes, owned by Warner Bros Entertainment.

    The addition of Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes, along with Fandango’s recent acquisition of on-demand video service M-GO, will expand the company’s theatrical ticketing business and create the industry’s premier digital network for all things movies.  

    With this acquisition, Fandango’s combined audience reach will grow to over 63 million unique visitors per month and more than 100 million mobile app downloads, and offer consumers the most comprehensive resource for movie information, theatrical ticketing, movie trailers and original video content for movie discovery, and home entertainment.  

    Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes, including its world-famous Tomatometer rating tool (representing the percentage of positive professional reviews for a given film or television show) will continue as consumer-facing brands, as well as exciting new additions to Fandango’s digital network. As part of the deal, Warner Bros. Entertainment will take a minority ownership stake in Fandango and serve as an ongoing strategic partner. Fandango will remain a unit of NBCUniversal.

    “Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes are invaluable resources for movie fans, and we look forward to growing these successful properties, driving more theatrical ticketing and super-serving consumers with all their movie needs,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover. “Our new expanded network will also offer unparalleled capabilities for all of our exhibition, studio and promotional partners to reach a massive entertainment audience with innovative marketing and ticketing opportunities,” he added.

    In January, Fandango acquired M-GO, a leading digital distributor of new release and catalog movies to a wide variety of connected, over-the-top (OTT) and mobile devices including Android, iOS, Samsung, LG, Roku, and others. With M-GO (to be rebranded later this year), Fandango plans to work with exhibitors and studios to build streamlined solutions for “super tickets,” theatrical ticketing and home entertainment product bundles, gifts with purchase and other new promotional opportunities.

    Fandango’s vision for super-serving consumers throughout the movie lifecycle is also extending globally.  Just four months ago, Fandango made its first move internationally and acquired Brazil’s Ingresso.com, the top online ticketer in South America’s largest movie marketplace.
    The addition of Rotten Tomatoes will also strengthen Fandango’s presence overseas, as the Tomatometer is also used by international movie lovers.

    Fandango’s most recent acquisitions follow on the heels of the company’s record-breaking year in 2015, where it experienced 81 per cent growth in US ticketing, and for the first time in a single year, received more than one billion visits.

  • NBCU’s Fandango acquires Warner’s Flixster & Rotten Tomatoes

    NBCU’s Fandango acquires Warner’s Flixster & Rotten Tomatoes

    MUMBAI: Once known simply as an online movie ticketer, NBCUniversal’s Fandango has made impressive strides over the last several years to evolve its business into an experience brand that super-serves consumers throughout a movie’s lifecycle.

    Now going a step further, Fandango has signed an agreement to acquire digital movie brands Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes, owned by Warner Bros Entertainment.

    The addition of Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes, along with Fandango’s recent acquisition of on-demand video service M-GO, will expand the company’s theatrical ticketing business and create the industry’s premier digital network for all things movies.  

    With this acquisition, Fandango’s combined audience reach will grow to over 63 million unique visitors per month and more than 100 million mobile app downloads, and offer consumers the most comprehensive resource for movie information, theatrical ticketing, movie trailers and original video content for movie discovery, and home entertainment.  

    Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes, including its world-famous Tomatometer rating tool (representing the percentage of positive professional reviews for a given film or television show) will continue as consumer-facing brands, as well as exciting new additions to Fandango’s digital network. As part of the deal, Warner Bros. Entertainment will take a minority ownership stake in Fandango and serve as an ongoing strategic partner. Fandango will remain a unit of NBCUniversal.

    “Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes are invaluable resources for movie fans, and we look forward to growing these successful properties, driving more theatrical ticketing and super-serving consumers with all their movie needs,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover. “Our new expanded network will also offer unparalleled capabilities for all of our exhibition, studio and promotional partners to reach a massive entertainment audience with innovative marketing and ticketing opportunities,” he added.

    In January, Fandango acquired M-GO, a leading digital distributor of new release and catalog movies to a wide variety of connected, over-the-top (OTT) and mobile devices including Android, iOS, Samsung, LG, Roku, and others. With M-GO (to be rebranded later this year), Fandango plans to work with exhibitors and studios to build streamlined solutions for “super tickets,” theatrical ticketing and home entertainment product bundles, gifts with purchase and other new promotional opportunities.

    Fandango’s vision for super-serving consumers throughout the movie lifecycle is also extending globally.  Just four months ago, Fandango made its first move internationally and acquired Brazil’s Ingresso.com, the top online ticketer in South America’s largest movie marketplace.
    The addition of Rotten Tomatoes will also strengthen Fandango’s presence overseas, as the Tomatometer is also used by international movie lovers.

    Fandango’s most recent acquisitions follow on the heels of the company’s record-breaking year in 2015, where it experienced 81 per cent growth in US ticketing, and for the first time in a single year, received more than one billion visits.

  • Leo Burnett ups Rich Stoddart as worldwide CEO; Tom Bernaddin named chairman

    Leo Burnett ups Rich Stoddart as worldwide CEO; Tom Bernaddin named chairman

    MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has made an important leadership transition at Leo Burnett Worldwide.

    Effective 1 February, 2016, Leo Burnett North America CEO Rich Stoddart will be taking over as CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide. He will, however, continue to hold his post as Leo Burnett North America CEO.

    Leo Burnett chairman and CEO Tom Bernardin will remain chairman through June 2017. Both Bernardin and Stoddart also serve on the Publicis Communications ComEx and Stoddart is one of the U.S. country leads for the new organisation led by Publicis Communications CEO Arthur Sadoun.

    “Leo Burnett is a leading force within Publicis Communications. We want to make sure that this brand and its unique culture are stronger than ever as we pursue our ultimate goal – to be the indispensable creative partner to our clients,” Sadoun said. “Maurice Lévy and I are both confident that Rich is the best person to incarnate Leo Burnett on this new journey and lead the teams to great successes for our clients and our agencies. And we know we can count on Tom and his wealth of experience to actively help the Publicis Communications ComEx achieve its objectives.”

    Bernardin joined Leo Burnett Worldwide as CEO in 2004 and the following year hired Stoddart back to the agency to run Leo Burnett Chicago. Under Stoddart’s leadership, Leo Burnett North America has seen significant growth and client acquisition, strong integration and collaboration across business units including Arc, Lapiz and Rokkan while delivering some of the most effective and integrated campaigns for clients including Allstate, GM, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, P&G and Samsung.

    “Rich Stoddart is an incredibly talented business leader, a tremendous champion for creativity and talent and my obvious successor. I’m very proud, after 11 years, to have been the longest serving chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide since Leo Burnett the man. After 40 years in the business, it is the perfect time to pass the reins to Rich. As chairman of Leo Burnett, I will assist both Rich and Arthur in the continued success of Leo Burnett and of the new Publicis Communications,” said Bernardin.

    “I’m so energised by the opportunity to lead this global company and the amazing talent within it during a time of unprecedented change, opportunity and reinvention,” Stoddart added. “In partnership with Arthur and Tom, we will deliver upon the promise and potential of Leo Burnett – ‘the best in the world bar none.’ To me this means the very best talent, the very best work and the very best business results for our clients.”

    Stoddart will remain based at Leo Burnett global headquarters in Chicago.

  • Leo Burnett ups Rich Stoddart as worldwide CEO; Tom Bernaddin named chairman

    Leo Burnett ups Rich Stoddart as worldwide CEO; Tom Bernaddin named chairman

    MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has made an important leadership transition at Leo Burnett Worldwide.

    Effective 1 February, 2016, Leo Burnett North America CEO Rich Stoddart will be taking over as CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide. He will, however, continue to hold his post as Leo Burnett North America CEO.

    Leo Burnett chairman and CEO Tom Bernardin will remain chairman through June 2017. Both Bernardin and Stoddart also serve on the Publicis Communications ComEx and Stoddart is one of the U.S. country leads for the new organisation led by Publicis Communications CEO Arthur Sadoun.

    “Leo Burnett is a leading force within Publicis Communications. We want to make sure that this brand and its unique culture are stronger than ever as we pursue our ultimate goal – to be the indispensable creative partner to our clients,” Sadoun said. “Maurice Lévy and I are both confident that Rich is the best person to incarnate Leo Burnett on this new journey and lead the teams to great successes for our clients and our agencies. And we know we can count on Tom and his wealth of experience to actively help the Publicis Communications ComEx achieve its objectives.”

    Bernardin joined Leo Burnett Worldwide as CEO in 2004 and the following year hired Stoddart back to the agency to run Leo Burnett Chicago. Under Stoddart’s leadership, Leo Burnett North America has seen significant growth and client acquisition, strong integration and collaboration across business units including Arc, Lapiz and Rokkan while delivering some of the most effective and integrated campaigns for clients including Allstate, GM, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, P&G and Samsung.

    “Rich Stoddart is an incredibly talented business leader, a tremendous champion for creativity and talent and my obvious successor. I’m very proud, after 11 years, to have been the longest serving chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide since Leo Burnett the man. After 40 years in the business, it is the perfect time to pass the reins to Rich. As chairman of Leo Burnett, I will assist both Rich and Arthur in the continued success of Leo Burnett and of the new Publicis Communications,” said Bernardin.

    “I’m so energised by the opportunity to lead this global company and the amazing talent within it during a time of unprecedented change, opportunity and reinvention,” Stoddart added. “In partnership with Arthur and Tom, we will deliver upon the promise and potential of Leo Burnett – ‘the best in the world bar none.’ To me this means the very best talent, the very best work and the very best business results for our clients.”

    Stoddart will remain based at Leo Burnett global headquarters in Chicago.

  • NBCU’s Fandango snaps up DreamWorks & Technicolor’s movie streaming service

    NBCU’s Fandango snaps up DreamWorks & Technicolor’s movie streaming service

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal’s Fandango has acquired the movie streaming service M-Go, which is jointly owned by Technicolor and DreamWorks Animation.

     

    M-GO offers new release and catalog movies from studios and television programming to a wide variety of connected, over-the-top (OTT) and mobile devices including Android, iOS, Samsung, LG, Roku, and others.

     

    The acquisition comes on the heels of Fandango’s record-breaking 2015, when the company experienced 81 per cent growth in ticketing dollars year-over-year and added more than 1,600 new screens, bringing its total US screen count to more than 27,000. 

     

    “With the addition of M-GO, we’ll be able to accelerate the ticketing momentum achieved in a record-breaking 2015 by creating compelling new digital products that serve consumers throughout the movie lifecycle,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover. “We’re excited to start working with our studio and exhibition partners to bundle theatrical tickets and home entertainment products in the form of ‘super tickets,’ gifts with purchase, and other promotional offers.”

     

    By creating theatrical ticketing and home entertainment bundles, Fandango will offer compelling “super ticket” products such as special “movie catch-up” bundles with franchise movie instalments, home entertainment pre-sell opportunities, and bundles with bonus content, collectible memorabilia, fan experiences, and more. 

     

    Furthering its goal to super-serve moviegoers, in 2015 the company increased its investment in ticketing and launched FandangoLabs, a new research and development group that was formed in collaboration with movie and technology industry leaders to innovate and enhance the moviegoing experience. Moving forward, FandangoLabs will utilise the capabilities of the M-GO platform in the creation of new moviegoing products and services.

     

    Along with the acquisition, the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Technicolor will work together to explore opportunities to collaborate on next-generation video technologies, inclusive of augmented and virtual reality, to accelerate innovation in this immersive space.

  • NBCU’s Fandango snaps up DreamWorks & Technicolor’s movie streaming service

    NBCU’s Fandango snaps up DreamWorks & Technicolor’s movie streaming service

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal’s Fandango has acquired the movie streaming service M-Go, which is jointly owned by Technicolor and DreamWorks Animation.

     

    M-GO offers new release and catalog movies from studios and television programming to a wide variety of connected, over-the-top (OTT) and mobile devices including Android, iOS, Samsung, LG, Roku, and others.

     

    The acquisition comes on the heels of Fandango’s record-breaking 2015, when the company experienced 81 per cent growth in ticketing dollars year-over-year and added more than 1,600 new screens, bringing its total US screen count to more than 27,000. 

     

    “With the addition of M-GO, we’ll be able to accelerate the ticketing momentum achieved in a record-breaking 2015 by creating compelling new digital products that serve consumers throughout the movie lifecycle,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover. “We’re excited to start working with our studio and exhibition partners to bundle theatrical tickets and home entertainment products in the form of ‘super tickets,’ gifts with purchase, and other promotional offers.”

     

    By creating theatrical ticketing and home entertainment bundles, Fandango will offer compelling “super ticket” products such as special “movie catch-up” bundles with franchise movie instalments, home entertainment pre-sell opportunities, and bundles with bonus content, collectible memorabilia, fan experiences, and more. 

     

    Furthering its goal to super-serve moviegoers, in 2015 the company increased its investment in ticketing and launched FandangoLabs, a new research and development group that was formed in collaboration with movie and technology industry leaders to innovate and enhance the moviegoing experience. Moving forward, FandangoLabs will utilise the capabilities of the M-GO platform in the creation of new moviegoing products and services.

     

    Along with the acquisition, the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Technicolor will work together to explore opportunities to collaborate on next-generation video technologies, inclusive of augmented and virtual reality, to accelerate innovation in this immersive space.

  • Twitter names American Express’ Leslie Berland as CMO

    Twitter names American Express’ Leslie Berland as CMO

    MUMBAI: Social networking site Twitter has named American Express EVP – global advertising, marketing & digital partnerships Leslie Berland as its chief marketing officer (CMO).

     
    On her appointment, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted, “Welcoming @leslieberland to Twitter! She will join as our CMO to help tell the stories of our iconic product!”

     

    To which, Berland replied, “Thanks @Jack! Excited to join you and the amazing teams to bring to life the power, uniqueness and magic of Twitter!”

     

    On joining the company, Berland said, “Twitter is a service like no other. It has and continues to change the world, shaping how we communicate and connect, how we’re entertained, informed and inspired. It represents everything that’s relevant at each and every moment – to me, there’s nothing more powerful. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jack and the Twitter teams to bring the magic of Twitter to life, broaden its reach, and deepen its impact as the company enters this incredibly exciting new chapter.”

     

    Berland will be responsible for the company’s global consumer, product, and sales marketing.

     

    Having worked at American Express since 2005, she led a global team responsible for creating marketplace demand and driving commerce through differentiated and innovative products, marketing and customer experiences globally.

     

    As a member of the company’s global management team, Berland oversaw advertising, media, sponsorships, content, brand identity and digital partnerships for the enterprise. Under Berland’s leadership, American Express forged relationships and created first-ever marketing and digital experiences with partners like Apple, McDonald’s, Uber, TripAdvisor, VeriFone, Twitter, Samsung, Foursquare, Facebook, Jawbone and Google. 

     

    During her tenure at American Express, Berland played a critical role in creating the company’s first social media strategies and presences, and led the social media partnerships and strategy for the first Small Business Saturday.

     

    A two-time recipient of the American Express Chairman’s Award for Innovation, Berland also provided strategic guidance to the American Express executive team and was a trusted advisor to numerous corporate partners of American Express on their brand, social media and digital endeavors.

     
    Prior to American Express, Berland led PR and online communications strategies for global brands on the agency side.

  • Twitter names American Express’ Leslie Berland as CMO

    Twitter names American Express’ Leslie Berland as CMO

    MUMBAI: Social networking site Twitter has named American Express EVP – global advertising, marketing & digital partnerships Leslie Berland as its chief marketing officer (CMO).

     
    On her appointment, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted, “Welcoming @leslieberland to Twitter! She will join as our CMO to help tell the stories of our iconic product!”

     

    To which, Berland replied, “Thanks @Jack! Excited to join you and the amazing teams to bring to life the power, uniqueness and magic of Twitter!”

     

    On joining the company, Berland said, “Twitter is a service like no other. It has and continues to change the world, shaping how we communicate and connect, how we’re entertained, informed and inspired. It represents everything that’s relevant at each and every moment – to me, there’s nothing more powerful. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jack and the Twitter teams to bring the magic of Twitter to life, broaden its reach, and deepen its impact as the company enters this incredibly exciting new chapter.”

     

    Berland will be responsible for the company’s global consumer, product, and sales marketing.

     

    Having worked at American Express since 2005, she led a global team responsible for creating marketplace demand and driving commerce through differentiated and innovative products, marketing and customer experiences globally.

     

    As a member of the company’s global management team, Berland oversaw advertising, media, sponsorships, content, brand identity and digital partnerships for the enterprise. Under Berland’s leadership, American Express forged relationships and created first-ever marketing and digital experiences with partners like Apple, McDonald’s, Uber, TripAdvisor, VeriFone, Twitter, Samsung, Foursquare, Facebook, Jawbone and Google. 

     

    During her tenure at American Express, Berland played a critical role in creating the company’s first social media strategies and presences, and led the social media partnerships and strategy for the first Small Business Saturday.

     

    A two-time recipient of the American Express Chairman’s Award for Innovation, Berland also provided strategic guidance to the American Express executive team and was a trusted advisor to numerous corporate partners of American Express on their brand, social media and digital endeavors.

     
    Prior to American Express, Berland led PR and online communications strategies for global brands on the agency side.

  • TOPSGRUP recognized as India’s Most Trusted Brand for 2015 in the Security Category

    TOPSGRUP recognized as India’s Most Trusted Brand for 2015 in the Security Category

    Mumbai – November 30, 2015: TOPSGRUP, India’s largest security group, received the unique recognition of being recognized as INDIA’S MOST TRUSTED BRAND for 2015 in the Security Category. The brand was selected amongst more than 2,000 short listed brands related to various categories based on a consumer survey conducted in India by Media Research Group (MRG), a company with close to 15 years’ experience in conducting exhaustive research of this nature.

     

    Being the 3rd such award for the company this year, the global security service provider has been recognized as INDIA’S NO. 1 BRAND IN THE SECURITY CATEGORY by the Indian Brand Leadership Awards in association with IBC Infomedia (International Brands Consultants). Furthermore, according to the BRAND TRUST REPORT INDIA, TOPSGRUP has significantly risen to 171th position from 800th position in 2014 across all segments and brands in India.

     

    Ramesh Iyer, Vice Chairman & CEO – India, TOPSGRUP said, “INDIA’S MOST TRUSTED BRAND Award is a true recognition of excellence and appreciation of our brand. As trust is the very basis of security solutions, all the three awards are a source of great pride to our firm. They reassure and show our dedication towards creating the most secure environment for our clients.”

     

    At the awards ceremony, organized by IBC Infomedia Corp, USA, TOPSGRUP proudly finds itself in the company of other leading and established brands like as Airtel, Samsung, Dabur, Air Asia, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Croma, Lodha and Aquaguard among others.

     

    The grand awards ceremony which felicitated and honoured more than 50 successful brands saw more than 200 delegates including CEOs, Managing Directors, Vice Presidents and Directors in attendance.

  • TOPSGRUP recognized as India’s Most Trusted Brand for 2015 in the Security Category

    TOPSGRUP recognized as India’s Most Trusted Brand for 2015 in the Security Category

    Mumbai – November 30, 2015: TOPSGRUP, India’s largest security group, received the unique recognition of being recognized as INDIA’S MOST TRUSTED BRAND for 2015 in the Security Category. The brand was selected amongst more than 2,000 short listed brands related to various categories based on a consumer survey conducted in India by Media Research Group (MRG), a company with close to 15 years’ experience in conducting exhaustive research of this nature.

     

    Being the 3rd such award for the company this year, the global security service provider has been recognized as INDIA’S NO. 1 BRAND IN THE SECURITY CATEGORY by the Indian Brand Leadership Awards in association with IBC Infomedia (International Brands Consultants). Furthermore, according to the BRAND TRUST REPORT INDIA, TOPSGRUP has significantly risen to 171th position from 800th position in 2014 across all segments and brands in India.

     

    Ramesh Iyer, Vice Chairman & CEO – India, TOPSGRUP said, “INDIA’S MOST TRUSTED BRAND Award is a true recognition of excellence and appreciation of our brand. As trust is the very basis of security solutions, all the three awards are a source of great pride to our firm. They reassure and show our dedication towards creating the most secure environment for our clients.”

     

    At the awards ceremony, organized by IBC Infomedia Corp, USA, TOPSGRUP proudly finds itself in the company of other leading and established brands like as Airtel, Samsung, Dabur, Air Asia, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Croma, Lodha and Aquaguard among others.

     

    The grand awards ceremony which felicitated and honoured more than 50 successful brands saw more than 200 delegates including CEOs, Managing Directors, Vice Presidents and Directors in attendance.