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Tag: Shanghai

  • Remembering ad icon Dan Wieden who gave Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ slogan

    Remembering ad icon Dan Wieden who gave Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ slogan

    Mumbai: I consider myself fortunate enough to have interviewed some of the best in the advertising industry and which I shall continue doing thanks to the lovely people around, but someone like Dan Wieden always seemed unforgettable. His fatherly instinct towards me, the warmth in his eyes and the joy in his smile, made my visit to the Goafest in 2009, successful! And it was with a very heavy heart, that the global advertising fraternity bid him a final goodbye on 30 September.

    Dan Wieden and his late partner, David Kennedy together founded Wieden + Kennedy (W+K) on April 1 in 1982 – in Portland, Oregon. The agency later went on to become one of the world’s largest independent advertising agencies. Over the years, the agency has added offices in New York City, London, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Tokyo, Delhi and São Paulo.

    W+K stepped foot into India in 2007, which was its seventh office at that time. The agency announced its entry in the country armed with the global creative duties for the Nokia account. It also later on, went on to acquire A Advertising, a Delhi-based creative shop which was run by V Sunil.

    Wieden, 77, amongst the slew of his celebrated works, is most famous for his grind on one of the agency’s oldest and foremost accounts – Nike. He coined the slogan ‘Just Do It’ for the brand, and it has stuck ever since (not that it’s a bad thing at all!). And it doesn’t seem like the brand has any plans to switch its slogan, at least till the near future.

    So when I met Wieden, my most obvious curiosity was to know about what he thought about bagging the Nike account in India. Prior to and at the time when W+K was setting up shop in the country, the Nike account was being taken care of by Wunderman Thompson (the erstwhile JWT). Eventually, Wieden’s secret wish of W+K handling the Nike account in India did come true, as the agency bagged the creative duties of the brand in 2016. But this desire of  Wieden’s was short-lived and they lost the account in 2018.

    Apart from Nike, Wieden’s global work for brands like McDonalds, Bud Light, and Old Spice also sparked creativity.

    While Wieden never formally retired from the agency, he stepped into a chairman role in 2005 and stepped away from active agency life in 2015.

    Reports suggest that to guarantee Wieden+Kennedy would continue to be independent indefinitely, Wieden had famously declared that he would never sell the agency and had transferred ownership into a trust before he passed away.

    Though the reason for his death is not clear yet, Wieden is said to have passed away peacefully at his home in Portland, with his wife by his side, citing reports which have been attributed to the company.

    But, undoubtedly, the legacy of Wieden still lives – within W+K and its employees, the people within the advertising clan and across all who have been close to him, whom he has touched with his gentleness and who have known him in some way or the other.

    So, here’s to you Dan Wieden, wishing you a safe and peaceful journey towards the most significant and beautiful destination.

  • FILMART kicks off, seven India exhibitors participating

    HONG KONG: The 21st edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) commenced today for a four-day run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s FILMART welcomes more than 800 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions.

    In addition to major film companies in Hong Kong, many overseas exhibitors have set up pavilions at FILMART to promote their local entertainment productions, including countries like United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam. India’s presence has gone up to include seven exhibitors this year with more than 120 visitors registered from India to attend.

    More than 330 exhibitors from 15 Belt and Road countries are also taking part in FILMART to tap global opportunities which include those from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, Indonesia, Cambodia, Turkey and Mongolia.

    Many Hong Kong film companies are returning to FILMART in this year’s edition, which include China 3D Digital Entertainment Ltd, Distribution Workshop, Edko Films, Emperor Entertainment Group, Media Asia, Mega-Vision Project Workshop Ltd, Mei Ah Entertainment Group, One Cool Pictures Ltd, Pegasus Entertainment and TVBI. Fantastic Television Limited. Digital Domain and Fox Networks Group are the first timers to promote their latest entertainment productions to global buyers.

    This year, FILMART sees the participation of over 220 exhibitors from the Chinese mainland, the largest number in the event’s history. Many cities and provinces, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong and Hangzhou, are returning with regional pavilions, while governments of Ningbo and Fujian are joining the show for the first time.

    Various seminars are being held here including for documentaries and a number of screenings of award-winning documentaries will be held during the event for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the genre.

    Digital entertainment is another highlight of FILMART this year. The Hong Kong Animation & Digital Entertainment pavilion, sponsored by CreateHK, gathers more than 30 local digital entertainment companies featuring their services, including digital production and special effects, post production, mobile apps, smartphone games and multimedia design, such as 360-degree photography and virtual reality (VR) and two seminars related to digital production and special effects will be held

    Along with the three founding events the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) and the Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony (HKFA)the HKA Filmart includes : the Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), the Hong Kong Asian-Pop Music Festival (HKAMF), the IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award, ifva (Incubator for Film & Visual Media in Asia Festival), the Asian VFX and Digital Cinema Summit, the Digital Entertainment Summit and TV World International Forum.

  • MPA & STVF announces knowledge exchange forum at STVF in Shanghai

    MPA & STVF announces knowledge exchange forum at STVF in Shanghai

    MUMBAI:  Media Partners Asia (MPA) and Shanghai TV Festival (STVF) announced a partnership to collaborate on the first ever knowledge exchange forum at the STVF in Shanghai on 10 June.

    China & the Global Video Opportunity Forum unites leaders from TV and digital video industries in China, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.

    The exclusive thought leadership forum sets the stage for a cultural exchange between domestic and international media players and provides a unique networking platform for attendees.

    MPA Business Development vice president Reagan Chan said, “We are pleased to partner with Shanghai TV Festival and co-host this ground breaking forum, sharing perspectives and partnerships across the world’s leading media and entertainment markets.”

    STVF managing director Wenxia Fu said, “STVF is one of the most important platforms in Asia’s television industry for international cultural exchange and collaboration. Established in 1986, this year’s festival will be its 22 edition. We are thrilled to partner with MPA, Asia’s leading research and consulting company to bring us closer to our international counterparts for an unmatched knowledge sharing opportunity.”

    China’s TV and digital video markets lead in Asia Pacific, generating revenue of approximately US$50 billion, according to MPA, which could grow to more than US$75 billion by 2021, making content creation, production and distribution a vital part of China’s world leading media and entertainment ecosystem.

  • MPA & STVF announces knowledge exchange forum at STVF in Shanghai

    MPA & STVF announces knowledge exchange forum at STVF in Shanghai

    MUMBAI:  Media Partners Asia (MPA) and Shanghai TV Festival (STVF) announced a partnership to collaborate on the first ever knowledge exchange forum at the STVF in Shanghai on 10 June.

    China & the Global Video Opportunity Forum unites leaders from TV and digital video industries in China, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.

    The exclusive thought leadership forum sets the stage for a cultural exchange between domestic and international media players and provides a unique networking platform for attendees.

    MPA Business Development vice president Reagan Chan said, “We are pleased to partner with Shanghai TV Festival and co-host this ground breaking forum, sharing perspectives and partnerships across the world’s leading media and entertainment markets.”

    STVF managing director Wenxia Fu said, “STVF is one of the most important platforms in Asia’s television industry for international cultural exchange and collaboration. Established in 1986, this year’s festival will be its 22 edition. We are thrilled to partner with MPA, Asia’s leading research and consulting company to bring us closer to our international counterparts for an unmatched knowledge sharing opportunity.”

    China’s TV and digital video markets lead in Asia Pacific, generating revenue of approximately US$50 billion, according to MPA, which could grow to more than US$75 billion by 2021, making content creation, production and distribution a vital part of China’s world leading media and entertainment ecosystem.

  • Adfest 2016: 37 directors aspire to be ‘Fabulous Four’

    Adfest 2016: 37 directors aspire to be ‘Fabulous Four’

    MUMBAI: Thirty seven aspiring directors from eight cities are in the running to become Adfest 2016’s ‘Fabulous Four.’

     

    ‘Fabulous Four’ is a visionary mentoring program run annually by Adfest, which is designed to nurture up-and-coming directors.

     

    Every year, Adfest invites new directors and assistant directors to submit a five-minute short film script inspired by the theme of the festival, which is slated as ‘Creative Intelligence’ for this year.

     

    A total of 37 scripts were submitted from Brisbane, Dhaka, Fukuoka, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo this year, which is up from 33 last year.

     

    All 37 scripts will be judged by the Film Craft and New Director jury, which is led by jury president Sihabutr Xoomsai, Thailand’s award-winning director at Triton Film in Bangkok.

     

  • Miramax appoints ‘Black Swan’ EP David Thwaites as VP film

    Miramax appoints ‘Black Swan’ EP David Thwaites as VP film

    MUMBAI: Miramax has appointed independent producer David Thwaites in the newly-created position of vice president, film, effectively immediately.

     

    Reporting to Miramax executive vice president of film & TV Zanne Devine, Thwaites will head Miramax’s film production and development activities, as the studio continues its push into all new content areas, including film, television, acquisitions and co-productions.

     

    “I’m thrilled to be joining the fantastic team at Miramax. I can’t wait to begin working on Miramax’s rich and diverse development slate, and I look forward to bringing in new projects for all of us to dive into,” Thwaites said.

     

    Devine added, “We are very excited to boost our growing production and development activities with an industry executive of David’s caliber. David has great network reach, creative intuition and production savvy.”

     

    Thwaites most recently produced Crouching Tiger II: The Green Destiny. He also served as co-president of production at Phoenix Pictures, where he led the development of many projects like Black Swan, What To Expect When You’re Expecting, Shanghai, License To Wed, Miss Potter and All The King’s Men.

     

    Miramax’s next film is Mr. Holmes, which is directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon and starring Academy Award nominees Ian McKellen and Laura Linney. The movie is set to release on 17 July, 2015. The 9th Life of Louis Drax with Jamie Dornan, Aaron Paul and Sarah Gadon is also in the release pipeline.

  • Royal Challengers Bangalore launches anthem for IPL season 8

    Royal Challengers Bangalore launches anthem for IPL season 8

    MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year again! While the cricket fans are all geared up for this season’s IPL, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans have something special to look forward to besides the game. RCB drums up excitement and quite literally puts a voice in your head through the launch of its latest RCB anthem!

     

    Bold and catchy, the tune promises to elevate and set the mood just right for the game. It is an anthem that needs to be sung loudly, vociferously, from the heart and with attitude. Just the way RCB play their game. Composed by Chennai born New Zealander, Mikey McCleary with lyrics from Sonal Dabral, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of DDB Mudra Group, the anthem is inspired and borrows from the bold spirit which embodies Gen-Y’s ‘never say die’ spirit that team RCB live and play by.

     

    With an impressive repertoire of films like Shaitan, Shanghai, Nautanki Saala and Shaadi Ke Side Effects under his belt, McCleary adds his magical touch to the RCB anthem as well promising to make it one of the most hummable tunes of the season for young and old alike.

     

    The new anthem unlike most, is not only about the game but is an inspiring hymn for the youth to be bold and put their heart and soul into whatever they want to achieve in life. The words are meant to inspire young Indians to be unafraid to be different, not be afraid to challenge the norm, to be bold and willing to take a chance, to make your own track, not just following the well-trodden path. These are also the values that bind the RCB team together – their bold and confident spirit which is echoed by the new anthem. Be it Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli or the young sensation Sarfaraz Khan, it is all about making a bold move in life and being extremely passionate about the game.

     

  • Date extended for co-production proposals at Film Bazaar in Goa

    Date extended for co-production proposals at Film Bazaar in Goa

    NEW DELHI: The Film Bazaar that will be held to coincide with the International Film Festival of India has extended the date for receiving projects for co-productions by another fortnight to 15 September.

     

    This year’s Bazaar will feature a Romance Screenwriters’ Lab with six scripts in the romance genre mentored by leading Indian filmmakers and writers.

     

    A new feature at the Bazaar this year is Film Offices for various states of the country for their film promotion and tourism boards, and film commissions for them to introduce their delegates to the visiting delegates, said National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) managing director Neena Lath Gupta.

     

    In addition, the Bazaar will have networking events where discussions are held informally, Work-in-Progress Labs for films that are in rough-cut stage, NFDC Knowledge Series Lectures by renowned film personalities, and a branding opportunity for those getting themselves associated with the Bazaar which gets delegates from all over the globe.    

     

    Other sections include exhibition stalls for showcasing products and meetings with other delegates, Screenwriters’ Lab which will also have six scripts; and a Producers’ Lab for producers to learn the facets of production from leading Indian and international producers.

      

    Aspiring film delegates include buyers and exhibitors, those looking for co-production opportunities, heads or representatives of International Film Festivals, film producers, and members of film distribution bodies. 

     

    The Film Bazaar has listed a large number of co-productions that have helped young filmmakers make a name for themselves in the international market, including Lunch Box by Ritesh Batra, Titli by Kanu Behl, Ship of Theseus by Anand Gandhi, Television by Mostofa Farooki, The Girl in Yellow Boots by Anurag Kashyap, Miss Lovely by Ashim Ahluwalia, Shanghai by Dibakar Banerjee; Monsoon Shootout by Amit Kumar, Karma by Prasanna Jayakody, Mumbai cha Raja by Manjeet Singh, and Paltadacho Munis by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar which have all won awards overseas and in India.

      

    The Bazaar will be held from 20 to 24 November at the Marriott Resort in Panaji. The Festival itself is being held from 20 to 30 November.

  • Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific appoints three senior leaders

    Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific appoints three senior leaders

    MUMBAI: Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR) has announced three appointments to its Asia Pacific management team, following the announcement that Scott Kronick has been appointed as president and CEO of Ogilvy PR, Asia Pacific w.e.f January 2014.

     

     Debby Cheung, currently group managing director of Ogilvy PR, China and president of Ogilvy & Mather (O&M) Group, Shanghai, has been named president of Ogilvy PR, China/Hong Kong. Current regional director of Ogilvy PR, Southeast Asia, Andrew Thomas, has been promoted to president of Ogilvy PR, Southeast Asia with additional responsibility for Ogilvy PR’s leadership in India. Similarly, current CEO of Ogilvy PR, Australia, Kieran Moore, will take on a broader role as regional director of talent to lead the firm’s regional talent initiatives, including creating processes to attract, engage, reward and retain the talent that will define the future of the public relations industry.

     

    Ogilvy PR, Asia Pacific president and CEO Scott Kronick said, “I’ve had the honor of working closely with these three colleagues under Steve Dahllof, the current President and CEO of Ogilvy PR, Asia Pacific.  The four of us will join together to form a stronger and even more focused regional management operation for Ogilvy PR with the goal of ensuring clients receive first-hand senior management attention and counsel.”

     

     With more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region, Ogilvy PR is the largest and most awarded network regionally.

     

    “A region that covers 28 markets with more than 1,200 staff needs the breadth and depth of a strong leadership team, and that is what we have planned for Ogilvy PR in Asia,” said Ogilvy & Mather, Asia Pacific chairman Paul Heath. “This structure is aligned with how we are organizing ourselves throughout the region to focus our senior leadership attention on our people and clients in each of these markets.  Debby, Andrew and Kieran are first-class and they round out a very strong PR team for us in Asia.”

     

    On her new role, Cheung commented, “I’m a firm believer in creative thinking and original content, and this is particularly challenging in public relations because it requires constant reaction to global information flow. My focus moving forward will be to ensure our clients are getting the very best our industry has to offer in both China and Hong Kong, as a model for us in Asia and throughout the world.”

     

    Thomas joined Ogilvy PR in Singapore in 2005 and has been responsible for growing the firm into a market leader.  “Southeast Asia is exploding and this is providing growth opportunities throughout the region. My role will be to connect the dots in different ways for our people and our clients,” said Thomas.  “India is an exciting market and it’s a great honor to be given the responsibility for growing our presence there.”

     

    With more than 27 years’ experience in public relations covering strategy development and implementation, reputation and crisis management, and corporate positioning in Australia and the U.K., Moore will continue her current role, and will also serve as the firm’s Regional Director of Talent, responsible for creating and driving talent strategy for the agency, including talent attraction, people engagement and retention.

     

     “Talent strategy is an area that I am passionate about. People are the cornerstone of our business and I am thrilled to be asked to support our talent growth and reputation in Asia,” she said.

     

    The appointments will take effect 1 January 2014.

  • China to lift ban on Facebook, but only within Shanghai free-trade zone

    China to lift ban on Facebook, but only within Shanghai free-trade zone

    MUMBAI: Beijing has made the landmark decision to lift a ban on internet access within the Shanghai Free-trade Zone to foreign websites considered politically sensitive by the Chinese government, including Facebook, Twitter and newspaper website The New York Times.

    There are rumors afloat that they would also welcome bids from foreign telecommunications companies for licences to provide internet services within the new special economic zone.

    Now the mainland’s three biggest telecommunications companies China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom – which are all state-owned enterprises – will need to be wary of the competition from foreign companies to compete with them for business in the free-trade zone in Shanghai.

    However Beijing’s decision to open up internet access only applies to the free-trade zone and not anywhere else in the country. In late August the State Council, China’s cabinet, approved the launch of the free-trade zone in Shanghai, which will span 28.78 square kilometres in the city’s Pudong New Area, including the Waigaoqiao duty-free zone, Yangshan deepwater port, and the international airport area.

    Facebook and Twitter – banned on the mainland since 2009 – have played important roles in political movements in the Middle East in recent years, and Beijing is concerned about the impact of new media on social stability.

    Although China’s economy is now already the world’s second largest, just behind the United States, Beijing keeps tight control over the media. It blocks access to several internet websites through the Great Firewall of China, the colloquial name for the Golden Shield project which is operated by the Ministry of Public Security.

    Foreign visitors and many foreigners who reside on the mainland for work and study have complained about difficulties in accessing those news sites. Occasionally even the world’s No 1 search engine Google and its email service Gmail are unavailable.

    Bosses at social media networks and major media companies whose websites are banned on the mainland have lobbied Beijing for years to lift these bans. More recently, Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg met Cai Mingzhao, the head of the State Council Information Office in Beijing, and an official photograph of the meeting was published on the Chinese government’s website, though Facebook said Sandberg’s visit to China was mainly to promote her new book.