ITV

Tag: Sonu Sood

  • Explurger App downloaded by 1.3 mn users; expands footprint to 50+ countries

    Explurger App downloaded by 1.3 mn users; expands footprint to 50+ countries

    MUMBAI: Explurger, an AI-powered intuitive social media app that lets users connect and share their moments with friends and family online said that it has crossed several milestones in a short span of time. The gamified social media app has expanded its footprint to over 50 countries, been downloaded by 1.3 million users, and seen a three-fold increase with over 900,000 new members being added in just three months itself.

    Explurger App highlights:
    • Downloaded over a million times from the App Store and Play Store
    • Gained over 900,000 new users in three months
    • Over 226 million people have been invited by registered users
    • Users are on average spending 15-minutes on the app, which is at par with other popular social media apps
    • Over 612,897 ‘Explurger-ins’ (location check-ins) have been posted by users so far via the app
    • Users have cumulatively covered 63,179,971 miles, which is equivalent to circumnavigating the globe more than 2,537 times
    • A total of 190,794 rewards have been accessed through the app

    Till date, over 75 per cent of users who installed Explurger have synced their contacts with it, showing that they trust and enjoy this social media app and want their friends to join them as well. This has resulted in over 226 million invites being sent out by registered Explurger users to those who are not yet on this platform.

    Explurger founder & CEO Jitin Bhatia said, “Our sign-up rate increased substantially post-launch in June. We are seeing higher traction in engagement, with an increased number of posts per day. We appreciate the enthusiasm of our user community, which has steadily risen and has crossed the one million download mark in less than three months. There is no doubt the numbers will grow exponentially as our users continue inviting more people to come and create thriving travel communities on our platform.”

    Explurger also has an 80 per cent sign-up rate with an average engagement time of over 15 minutes, which is at par with other global social media apps. The app also claims to have a 90 per cent retention rate of users who have travelled over 1,000 miles and have AI-based travelogues in at least three cities.  

    “The bucket list has also turned out to be a popular feature in Explurger. If you see someone Explurge-in at an interesting place, you can add that place to your bucket list. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookmarking feature. The app will automatically remind you when you are in that area. So even if it happens after years and you have forgotten, Explurger will notify you that you had saved it in your list,” shared Explurger co-founder Sonu Sood.

    Explurger has been selected by Google as one of the top 100 promising startups and top 30 mobile startups in India. An AI-powered social media app with a gamified user experience, it lets users connect and share their moments with friends and family online. The app goes beyond just sharing pictures and videos, it uses cutting-edge AI to automatically create travelogues of the memories users share on their profile. Whenever a user creates a post or ‘Explurge-in’, the app’s AI updates the travelogue, so every mile, city, country, pub, and club gets added.

    Each user’s Explurger level goes up as in-app engagement increases, leading to more recognition on the platform. Users accrue rewards based on their activity, which in turn can be redeemed later. Currently, Explurger has more than 40 top brands on board as part of its rewards system and over 190,794 rewards have been accessed by users.

    Explurger has been part of the Appscale Academy, a growth and development programme launched by MeitY and Google, where Indian start-ups are mentored on building high-quality apps for a global audience. The social media start-up was also recently recognised by Google in its Top 10 Innovative Apps in India list.

  • MTV celebrates the Asli Roadie spirit of Mumbai Police, distributes raincoats

    MTV celebrates the Asli Roadie spirit of Mumbai Police, distributes raincoats

    Mumbai: Viacom18’s youth, music, and English entertainment (YME) cluster MTV has donated 1,000 raincoats to the Mumbai Police on the anvil of monsoons.  

    The initiative recognises the spirit of ‘Asli Roadie’, personified by the Mumbai Police while keeping the city of dreams unencumbered by challenges, including those of the rainy season.  

    The high-quality protective raincoats provided by MTV and created by Yashlok Welfare Foundation, are created by marginalised sections of society such as the unemployed youth, women, rural population, and differently-abled individuals.

    As MTV Roadies journey in South Africa, India’s biggest genre-defining adventure reality show nears its grand conclusion, the brand celebrated the quintessential Roadie code of indomitable resolve, pluck and fellowship demonstrated by the Mumbai Police in safeguarding its citizens.

    Viacom18 youth, music, and English entertainment head Anshul Ailawadi said, “An ‘Asli Roadie’ is not just defined by adventure, but also a spirit of compassion and camaraderie to take everyone along on the journey. This is embodied by Mumbai Police every day. As they brave the monsoons yet again, this is our token of gratitude for their ceaseless commitment towards keeping the city safe.”

    Speaking about the initiative, superstar, philanthropist and the host of MTV Roadies – Journey in South Africa Sonu Sood said, “I have the utmost respect for our Mumbai Police and thank them for their extraordinary hard work, which makes our ordinary lives safe. This contribution of a thousand raincoats from MTV Roadies is our way of saluting them and further equipping them for their duties.”   

    The latest power-packed season of the show, Infinix Smartphones MTV Roadies journey in South Africa, co-powered by CoinSwitch, Paree Sanitary Pads, Leverage Edu, and Lakmé Sun Expert is all set to pit the best of the best in its thrilling grand finale on 10 July at 7 p.m.

  • Shyam Steel ropes in Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma for its new TVC launch

    Shyam Steel ropes in Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma for its new TVC launch

    Mumbai: Producers and manufacturers of primary TMT Bars, Shyam Steel launched its new TVC campaign featuring former captain of India national cricket team Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma. The new TVC is the extension of Shyam Steel’s ‘Hamesha Ke Liye Strong’ campaign.  

    The campaign aims to send across the brand message that a strong bond of relationship is achieved through a perfect balance of strength and flexibility just like Shyam Steel Flexi Strong TMT Bars. The TVC has been created by Rediffusion Brand Solutions and the production house is Cornerstone. The TVC is directed by Abhishek Burman.

    The balance of strength and flexibility keeps the foundation of the relationship strong which is also affiliated with Shyam Steel’s core brand philosophy. The TVC reflects on this thought process that when your dream home is built with Shyam Steel flexi-strong TMT Bars they represent a correct balance of strength and flexibility which keeps your home strong forever.

    The TVC Campaign showcases Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma sitting near the dining table and their uncle joins them for dinner. While Virat and Anushka start eating with their spoon and fork their uncle starts eating with hand. Seeing his uncle, Anushka and Virat also start having their dinner with hands and they both look at each other smiling. When one has a correct balance of strength and flexibility, the relationship is built upon a strong foundation like steel, thus sustaining for a long-long time. Similarly, when houses are built with Shyam Steel flexi-strong TMT Bars, such houses are more sustainable.

    Speaking on the TVC campaign launch, Shyam Steel director Lalit Beriwala said “Sometimes small gestures can make a big difference in our relationships. The relationship we share with family at home forms the crux of the strong foundation. The campaign narrative embodies the principle of what Shyam Steel stands as a brand with strength and flexibility at its core. The star power of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma will help the brand to establish a deeper connection with our target audience, especially in the regional markets.”

    Rediffusion Brand Solutions’ Sreeparna Gupta said, “The film narrates the story of simple everyday situations to highlight how flexibility in relationships keeps the bond strong over years. Just like the perfect balance of flexibility and strength present in Shyam Steel, TMT Bars keep the structure strong for years. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma add their own charm and star power that helps to connect with the audience till the last mile.”

    Shyam Steel will launch two more TVC films with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in the month of August and September 2022, respectively. The TVC campaign will be promoted through a 360-degree approach. The TVC will be showcased in digital platforms along with news, sports, entertainment and GEC channels in TV and cinema halls. This will be followed by outdoor and print campaigns to sustain the communication until the current financial year.

    Shyam Steel with an annual turnover of Rs 4,500 crores is now on a steady expansion mode braving the disruptions caused by Covid-19 pandemic. The company, an integral partner of building new India, is committed to meaningfully contribute to the realisation of the target of 300 million tonnes steel production by 2030-31. Shyam Steel have also signed Olympic medallists Lovlina Borgohain and Manpreet Singh as their Build India brand ambassadors, in addition to Sonu Sood. The brand is also associated with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma as the face of the company.

  • Shyam Steel unveils new TVC with Sonu Sood

    Shyam Steel unveils new TVC with Sonu Sood

    Mumbai: The leading producer and manufacturer of primary TMT bars, Shyam Steel, has launched a new TVC campaign featuring Sonu Sood. Created by Mogae Media and directed by Vaibhav Misra, the TVC comes as an extension of Shyam Steel’s “Maksad Toh India Ko Banana Hai” campaign.  

    Sonu Sood has become the heartthrob and role model of the nation through his humanitarian effort to help out the people in dire straits throughout the nationwide lockdown. The association between Sonu Sood and the brand reflects upon the same core value, i.e., helping people realize their dreams and build long-term relationships. The TVC campaign will be promoted through a 360-degree approach. Led by digital platforms, the TVC will be showcased on news and GEC channels in TV & cinema halls. This will be followed by outdoor and print campaigns to sustain the communication till the festive season.   

    It aims to send across the brand message that Shyam Steel will assist people in achieving their dream as steel is just an offering, but the idea is to build the nation.  

    The TVC represents the strength, flexibility, and faith of the masses with the thought that steel is just an offering but building the nation is the larger goal. Achieving one’s dream epitomises perseverance, strength and determination, which are also affiliated with Shyam Steel’s core brand philosophy. The TVC reflects on this thought process that when your dream home is built with Shyam Steel flexi-strong TMT rebars they represent a correct balance of strength and flexibility.

    The TVC campaign showcases Sonu Sood at a construction site of a high-rise building where he shares his experience in achieving his dream. When one’s dreams are built upon a strong foundation, like steel, they sustain for a long-long time. Similarly, when houses are built with Shyam Steel flexi-strong TMT rebars, such houses are more sustainable. Through this TVC Shyam Steel drives across the message that the company just doesn’t sell steel but assists in building the nation on a long-term basis.

    Speaking on the TVC campaign launch, Shyam Steel director Lalit Beriwala said “The campaign narrative embodies the principle of what Shyam Steel stands for as a brand. We at Shyam Steel aim to build the nation by assisting people in building their dreams. The TVC reflects the brand’s thoughts in connection with Sonu’s exemplary work in assisting people to achieve their dreams. Through this campaign, we are looking to establish a deeper connection with our target audience.”

    On associating with Shyam Steel on the TVC, Sonu Sood said “It was a wonderful experience working with Shyam Steel. Through this TVC we look forward to inspiring people to pursue their dreams and also establish the brand to connect with the audience.”

    Speaking on the ideation of the campaign Mogaé Media creative director Harish Arora said “With Shyam Steel Flexi Strong TMT bars TVC, we’ve tried to ignite the dreams of millions of youth in this country. The youth of today is well prepared to reach the pinnacle of success in the new India. And rest of the glory was added by the exceptionally polished actor and a great human being – Sonu Sood.”

  • Explurger’s efforts to create an impact on the online travel community

    Explurger’s efforts to create an impact on the online travel community

    MUMBAI: Actor, philanthropist Sonu Sood and tech entrepreneur Jitin Bhatia have launched a travel based social media app Explurger. They claim that half a million users from over 40 countries are already present on its beta version. The app creates automatic travelogues by using artificial intelligence. It gamifies the social experience and rewards users for being socially active.

    Talking to Indiantelevision.com Explurger founder, CEO Jitin Bhatia noted that the idea came to him a few years back “I remember that I had come back from a place that I had visited. I had been to that place many times. I looked at social networks where I had earlier shared photos and content to find out how many times I had been to that place but I could not find any travelogue. That is where the whole concept of a social media app for travellers came to my mind. While users share photos and videos and get a few likes, comments after a few hours or days that content becomes history. Everyone forgets about it. So, I felt the need to create a social media app where every time a user creates a post and shares a photo or a video the A.I. in the app automatically creates a travelogue.

    “It keeps track of the miles, cities, places that the user has been to without any extra effort from the user’s side. That was the eureka moment for me and I started speaking to my friend Sonu Sood. He also had the vision that there should be a made in India social media app that is used by global audiences.”

    Bhatia added that the aim was also to give something back to users who share so much content and information. “In other networks they spend so much time but they do not get anything back in return. We combined these two concepts and we also decided to give rewards to users for being socially active. This is the second differentiator in our app. Another differentiator is that this is a social media app that uses gamification. The user level goes up every time a post is shared. The user earns Explurger counts. Higher the level more is the user’s recognition on the platform. This is how Explurger was born.”

    On the investment side he said that the app was bootstrapped initially. Last year a pre-series round of $1 million was raised. “Even then people had no idea of Sonu Sood being involved. We went out in the market and the virality around the beta version was good enough to raise the pre-series round. From three people we now have 22 people. We have reached a level where we can go global. In the past six months we have got users from over 40 countries.”

    On the revenue side he said that there will be five sources. “We have not started monetisation yet but we are looking to do so in the coming six months. We are looking at raising series A. We will close it soon and in a year’s time from now we expect three of those revenue streams to be active.”

    He added that so far 39 brands have tied up with the app and that is how rewards are being given to users. These, he said, are category A brands and the app is talking to global brands also including an airline. “More brands will come on-board. Brands want the amplification of their brand name.”

    The aim of the app is to create a solid base of content creators who will be rewarded. “In addition, we are looking to monetise the content that is created. This is the second phase. Revenue will be shared. Alliances are being done with different partners.”

    Bhatia added that Sonu Sood is not a brand ambassador.   “He is my partner, co-founder and is fully involved in the product. I handle the technology side. On the creative side he is fully involved. In fact, we have two offices in Delhi and Mumbai and we have our tech team sit in Delhi while in Mumbai we have our creative team. This is where he plays a big role. He also plays a big role in terms of the user acquisition.  He is well known on social media. People love him.  He has over three million followers across social media.”

    He said that the opportunity for his app is that 76 percent of four billion global social media users share pictures while on the move. That means around three billion people and this is the potential market. On the promotional and marketing activities front he said that so far user growth has been organic in the apps’ beta version. Now as Sonu Sood has been unveiled to the people as co-founder Bhatia is sure that many people who love the actor would start coming. 

    “He is a known personality. Our intention is to grow the app through word of mouth.  This will happen only if the product speaks for itself.  Our goal is to improve the product and features.

    On the tech front he said that the challenge is to come up with new ideas that have never been seen before. “The kind of concept that we have has not been done before by anyone.  A lot of R&D (research and development) was required in creation, developing new algorithms around the app. But user acquisition has not been a challenge. As we improved the app the usage also improved. Now we have to make sure that the product keeps engaging people. They must use it on a day-to-day basis.”

    With Sonu Sood as his partner, the Explurger idea might well travel.

  • Actor Sonu Sood & Tech entrepreneur Jitin Bhatia launch a travel based social media app ‘Explurger’

    Actor Sonu Sood & Tech entrepreneur Jitin Bhatia launch a travel based social media app ‘Explurger’

    Mumbai: Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood & tech entrepreneur Jitin Bhatia have launched a travel-based social media app Explurger. They claim that half a million users from over 40 countries are already present on the beta version of the app. The app creates automatic travelogues by using artificial intelligence. It gamifies the social experience and rewards users for being socially active. 

    Explurger, which targets the travel community, claims to be the first social media app that offers rewards for its users to be active on its platform. Also, the more a user engages with the platform the higher the Explurger level goes. This results in more recognition on the platform. It creates a personalised travelogue for each user. Every time a user creates a post or an Explurge-in, the app’s artificial intelligence updates the travelogue, so every mile, city, country, pub, club,etc., get added to it. So travelling within one’s own city and exploring new areas also counts. The app has features like a bucket list and future travel plans.

    Explurger co-founder actor Sonu Sood explains that exploring new places is a passion of his. “So Explurger is basically borne out of this love for visiting new places and sharing them with my friends & family. Teaming up with Jitin to develop a made in India social media app for the world is akin to a new journey for me and I am super excited to put India through Explurger on the global map.”

    Explurger founder and CEO Jitin Bhatia noted that humans are travellers and social beings & Explurger will help them discover real travel itineraries written by real travellers with real route maps, photos and guides. “Explurger is an indigenous app platform that facilitates this in a unique and intuitive way, rewarding users for their posts on their travel updates, triggering wanderlust in followers and spreading positivity among the online community.”

  • Except for DNA, everything in ‘MTV Roadies 18’ has changed: Anshul Ailawadi

    Except for DNA, everything in ‘MTV Roadies 18’ has changed: Anshul Ailawadi

    Mumbai: Viacom18 has completely sold out the inventory for “MTV Roadies: Season 18” in what is to be one of the most “financially healthy” seasons of the long-running show, Viacom18 head of youth, music and English entertainment Anshul Ailawadi told IndianTelevision.com at the launch event.

    This season of “Roadies” has onboarded Infinix Smartphones as ‘presenting’ partner and CoinSwitch, Paree Sanitary Pads, Leverage Edu and Lakme Sun Expert as ‘co-powered by’ partner. It has also partnered with Rage Coffee, Wai Wai Noodles, Big Muscle Nutrition, Fly High Institute, Romsons Perfume.

    “Outside of sport in India, I don’t know of any entertainment property that has a handset manufacturer, a crypto exchange, a make-up brand, an ed-tech company, and a sanitary pad manufacturer as your ‘presenting’ and ‘powered by’ sponsors,” said Ailwadi. “Then, of course, we have the NBA, Wai Wai Noodles, Rage Coffee and a couple more brands that have partnered with “Roadies.” This is India’s longest-running adventure reality show and for the interest of young people, honestly, there’s no better vehicle for the engagement that we offer.”

    This year’s “MTV Roadies” will be hosted in South Africa. “The idea was to scale up the show 10 times and visually when we looked at which country or location was the best candidate, the consensus was that South Africa was the spot,” noted Ailwadi. “The kind of landscape and opportunities that it offers are very rare.”

    The fresh season of “Roadies” will witness 20 new contestants who will be paired in a new ‘Buddy pairs’ format. The troop will hit the road and create pit stops across destinations where the contestants will unravel clues for their next task and destination. The new format will also see contestants and Sonu Sood come together over bonding sessions and camp fire huddles.

    When queried about the format changes, Ailawadi said, “Let me answer that in another way by telling you what has not changed? The only thing that has not changed is the fact that the DNA of the show is about an adventure and a journey. Everything else has changed. This season has a new host, new location and new format. The show is still about pushing yourself and doing things you never thought you were capable of doing while inspiring your peers. That’s the gist of it. There are several innovations this season but you must watch the show to know more.”

    To promote the new season, Viacom18 will broadcast the entire first episode of the show on five channels including MTV, MTV Beats, Colors Infinity, Comedy Central and Vh1 as well as roadblock 15 network channels to drive tune-ins. They have also launched a 360-degree marketing campaign across TV, digital, radio and outdoor.

    “We’ve done a campaign with Sonu Sood, who is known for taking migrant workers to their homes during Covid-19, in partnership with metros in Delhi, Bangalore and Bombay that will broadcast a public service announcement voiced by Sonu Sood,” shared Ailawadi.

  • MTV Roadies Season 18 to premiere on 8 April

    MTV Roadies Season 18 to premiere on 8 April

    Mumbai: The Season 18 of Infinix Smartphones MTV Roadies is set to premiere on 8 April starting at 7 pm. The show will be on air thrice a week from Friday to Sunday on MTV. It will also stream on Voot.

    The show is shot in South Africa and will be hosted by actor Sonu Sood. CoinSwitch, Paree Sanitary Pads, Leverage Edu and Lakme Sun Expert have come on board as ‘co-powered by’ sponsors. The show has been produced by PipPip media private limited.

    “At MTV, we have always delivered unprecedented, clutter-breaking experiences to our young audiences leading with the pop-culture phenomenon that is Roadies,” said Viacom18 head of youth, music and English entertainment Anshul Ailawadi.

    “With the new season, fans will get to see the classic, enduring passion to become a Roadie, but with innovation in format, South African locales, with superstar host Sonu Sood. We will also be airing the show thrice a week for the first time, giving fans more entertainment and adventure. We are confident that MTV Roadies Journey in South Africa will break new ground in the realm of adventure reality shows.”

    “Infinix is a premium smartphone brand, and like MTV Roadies, embodies the spirit of ‘Ab Rukna Nahi’ with its contemporary and innovative tech,” said Infinix Mobiles CEO Anish Kapoor.

    “With both MTV and Infinix Smartphones catering to the young audience, through this partnership, we aim to reach out and connect with the youth of India. As a forward-looking company, we are sure this new season in a new format will be a thrilling journey offering unmatched adventure and excitement,” Kapoor added.

    The first episode of the season will be simulcast across 19 channels along with a content roadblock on 15 channels across the Viacom18 network.

  • Sonu Sood stresses on fitness in Krishna’s Herbal and Ayurveda’s first TVC

    Sonu Sood stresses on fitness in Krishna’s Herbal and Ayurveda’s first TVC

    Mumbai: With the pandemic coming into our lives, the world’s focus has been shifting towards good health and immunity. The first TVC from the Ayurveda brand, Krishna’s Herbal and Ayurveda focuses on this very aspect. Featuring the Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, the TVC shows the actor emphasising the importance of fitness.

    The company had roped in the actor as its brand ambassador in June 2021. In this brand film, the actor shares that ‘Fitness mujhe virasat mein mile hai’ and talks about his journey of practicing healthy habits. He recalls how he was driven by fitness and the passion for making something happen in every phase of his life. ‘Sonu beta fit banega, tabhi to super hit banega,” the actor says in the television commercial.

     

     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     

     
     

     
     
     

     
     

    A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood)

     

    “We are delighted to associate with Sonu Sood as he knows the importance of health and how Ayurveda helps in the fitness process. We think he is the best person to feature in our TVC and communicate the brand’s message,” said Krishna’s Herbal and Ayurveda founder Shrawan Daga.

    Founded in 2007, Krishna’s Herbal and Ayurveda, is a Jodhpur-based manufacturer and supplier of Ayurvedic juices, medicines, churna, and herbal beauty products, among other 150 SKUs. With a pan-India presence, the brand plans to expand its business to Poland, the UK, America, and Israel, said the statement. 

    The products are also available at all Ayurvedic and medical outlets across the country and on e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Flipkart, 1MG, BigBasket, JiomMrt, Netmeds.

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  • National Geographic to premiere ‘It Happens Only in India’ on 26 Oct

    National Geographic to premiere ‘It Happens Only in India’ on 26 Oct

    Mumbai: National Geographic has announced an original series ‘It Happens Only in India’ which will be hosted by Indian actor, producer, and philanthropist Sonu Sood. The show will premiere on 26 October starting at 8:00 p.m.

    The 10-part series will have Sonu Sood presenting stories from across the nation – from modern to the mystic, people to places, myths to natural wonders, talented innovators, astounding megastructures to the latest in space technology that is all distinctly Indian.

    “At National Geographic, we harness the power of exploration to uncover stories and provide unique insights into the world around us,” said a spokesperson from the channel. “We have been constantly working towards making our relationship with our viewers more personal and connected; bringing a wholesome meaning to our stories through localisation. With ‘It Happens Only in India’, our focus is to celebrate the uniqueness of India across multiple spheres, and we couldn’t think of a better host than Sonu Sood to present these enriching stories.”  

    “No matter how much you learn about India, you can’t know enough,” said Sonu Sood. “The country’s diversity has tons of incredible stories that are yet to be revealed and this show will take viewers on a fascinating journey; bringing them closer to the incredible culture, nature, heritage, and marvels of our nation and make them proud to be a citizen of this country,” said Sonu Sood.”