ITV

Tag: Sunil Lulla

  • The movers and shakers of 2014

    The movers and shakers of 2014

    To achieve something, one needs to let go of something, 2014 saw many stalwarts of the media and entertainment sector taking that leap.

    From being bitten by the entrepreneur bug to grabbing on to better opportunities, the industry saw a number of movements. Some of these created a stir while others went down as “regular” developments. Nonetheless, Indiantelevision.com lists down some of the major movers and shakers of the years…

     

    Ajay Bhalwankar: He is a man who can be credited to providing valuable programming inputs across content on various channels. The year 2014 was like a shuffling battle for Bhalwankar. After spending almost 19 years with Zee Entertainment Group, with his last stint as programming head at Zee TV for six years, he joined Sony Entertainment Television (SET) on 7 April, 2014 as chief creative officer. Now in SET, he provides creative leadership and direction for the channel, and leads the programming and OAP (on-air-promotions) teams. Spanning various roles of creating, writing, programming, producing and directing entertainment content, he is an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience.

    Ajay Trigunayat: TTN English entertainment channels, Romedy Now and Movies Now CEO Ajay Trigunayat quit the network this year. With M K Anand taking over as TTN CEO and business functions being centralised, Trigunayat moved out. Before joining TTN, he was in the Middle East in an entrepreneurial capacity, and had been the business head of the Zee English Channels bouquet, and put in stints at Lintas, Contract and Rediffusion and at Pepsi in a sales role.

    Ajit Thakur: In a shocking development, the man credited for Life OK’s success story, Ajit Thakur decided to call it quits from the network. It was in July this year that he was given an additional charge of managing the network’s youth entertainment channel, Channel V. Currently he is serving his notice period and his last day in the organisation will be February, 2015.

    Abhijit Avasthi: An engineer by education, Abhijit Avasthi was the right-hand man of India’s ad guru Piyush Pandey. After spending more than 10 years at Ogilvy, he finally decided to hang his boots to pursue what he loves the most.

    However, according to reports, Avasthi is likely to set up his own creative agency, a move that he has been contemplating for a while.

    Alok Agarwal: Zee Media CEO Alok Agarwal ended his one and a half years stint at the network to take charge as Network18 group COO.

     

    Bharat Ranga: Since 1998, he had been an invaluable member of the Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) family. After a 16-year stint with the network, he bid adieu in the month of October to explore new avenues. While at Zeel, he moved across functions and domains seamlessly, from sales to business head to being the international business head and then, the chief content and creative head for the organisation, he has been instrumental in making Zee’s content an unforgettable one for the audiences. His last project – Zindagi is getting critical acclaim from the masses.

    Dilip Venkatraman and Savvy Venkatraman: ITV Network, which owns and operates news channels NewsX and India News, appointed former CNN IBN and IBN7 CEO Dilip Venkatraman as group COO of strategy and business development. Meanwhile, Savvy joined the network as group chief marketing officer.

     

    KV Sridhar: After 17 long years Leo Burnett India chief creative officer, Pops, moved on to join SapientNitro, an interactive marketing, creative design and technology services agency. The movement did create a stir in the industry with many questions being raised on who can fill his shoes. Rajdeepak Das joined the agency as chief creative officer, soon afterwards.

    MK Anand: The former Disney UTV Media Networks MD MK Anand took over as the new MD and CEO of Times Television Network (TTN), stepping into Sunil Lulla’s shoes.  Anand had previously worked at The Times of India group for nearly 19 years, beginning first with the print business for 14 years and later on with the television business at Zoom from 2004 to 2009. He was the managing director for Disney UTV Media Networks till December 2013. The move saw functions like HR, finance, distribution being centralised and direct reportage to Anand.   

    N P Singh: The industry was treated with a good surprise at the beginning of 2014, when in a major development Multi Screen Media (MSM) promoted its COO N P Singh as the new CEO. He replaced Man Jit Singh who was designated as non-executive chairman and moved to Los Angeles (LA).

     

    Namit Sharma: From a creative background to a broadcast space, it was a challenge for former Wizcraft head for television business Namit Sharma. It was in early February when the news of former programming head Ajay Bhalwankar quitting and Sharma stepping into his shoes came to light. From directing fiction shows at Cinevistaas to film production and script writing at Yash Raj and handling events and non-fiction properties at Wizcraft International Entertainment, Sharma has done it all. As the programming head of the channel, he has brought some best creative ideas to the table.

    Nagesh Chhabria: IndusInd Media Communications Limited (IMCL) CEO Nagesh Chhabria too was seen hanging his boot this year. Chhabria later bought 50 per cent stake in Mumbai-based Bhawani Rajesh Cable & Digitech Services through his company Bhima Riddhi Digital Services (BRDS). He also signed an agreement with Atlas Consolidated LLC – a joint venture between Greenwich Equity Partners and Jagran Infra-Projects led by Sanjiv Mohan Gupta – to create a national MSO with about $200 million being pumped into it.

    Prem Kamath: The industry was shaken after former Channel V head and Star Pravah general manager decided to quit from Star for better opportunities at A+E Networks as deputy managing director, Asia Pacific. Associated with Star Network since 2007, Kamath had been heading Channel V for more than four years. Seeing his capability, he was given an additional responsibility at Star Network to head Star Pravah in 2013.

    Pradeep Hejmadi: With more than 18 years of well-rounded experience in the Indian media industry spanning media sales, media planning and buying, consumer research, business planning and product development, he is the man with multi-dimensional understanding of the media business. Former TAM Media Research senior vice-president Pradeep Hejmadi quit the organisation to join Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) as business head in the month of June. At TAM, he was responsible for revenue generation, client management, new business development and new product development and changed the working dynamics of the TV industry.

    Pratap Bose: Omnicom-owned DDB Mudra witnessed a sudden churn at the top, early this year when DDB Mudra Group COO Pratap Bose resigned from the agency after a six-year stint.

    The exit, who was looking to take over the top job, came after group chief executive officer and managing director Madhukar Kamath was given a four-year extension.

    Raghav Bahl: Network18 founder and chairman Raghav Bahl, sold his baby to RIL chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani for a whopping Rs 4000 crore. What followed this was an upheaval of sorts, as one by one, the main pillars of the company began to fall. As soon as the meeting concluded between Bahl and the management of Network18, departures began which included group CEO B Sai Kumar, COO Ajay Chacko, CNN-IBN deputy editor Sagarika Ghose, IBN Network editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Network18 Media CEO Sanjay Dua, Network18 digital CEO Durga Raghunath, Network 18 CFO RDS Binni Bawa and deputy foreign affairs editor Suhasini Haidar.

    Rajdeep Sardesai: It was in July this year that after nine long years, the face of IBN18 and editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai decided to move on from the network. He later on joined the India Today group as consulting editor. Further, penning his expertise of writing, in November he launched his book – ‘2014: The Election That Changed India’. The book tracks the story of the 16th Lok Sabha elections with a media insider’s view. It was in the same month when deputy editor at CNN-IBN Sagarika Ghose too bid adieu to the Network18 group and joined Times of India as consulting editor. 

    Rajesh Iyer: Associated with the channel since its inception, Colors marketing head Rajesh Iyer has been one of the many behind the success of popular shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi, India’s Got Talent, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Bigg Boss. Iyer quit Colors in March to join Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) as its business head, new initiatives, Hindi broadcast. With more than 13 years of experience in marketing and business segment, he aims to create some thrilling benchmarks in the industry.

    Ravi Mansukhani: The year 2014 saw the ending of the seven year innings from IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd. (IMCL) managing director Ravi Mansukhani, who decided to step down from his position. It was said that Mansukhani had expressed the desire to relinquish his services, which was accepted by the board of directors in the board meeting held on 31 January. His next move is yet unknown.

    Sameer Nair: He has donned numerous hats. From selling space in Yellow pages to being a member of a political party, Sameer Nair has had a volatile career. It was in July this year when the former Star India CEO joined Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms as Group CEO.

     

    S N Sharma: In what can be described as the biggest setback was the resignation of DEN Networks CEO SN Sharma, who was one of the founding members of the multi system operator. Sharma’s vision of growth through consolidation and digitisation had laid the foundation for the company. He has also spearheaded DEN’s rapid growth with his visionary leadership and unparalleled execution abilities. He has also been the driving force behind taking the company into the digital era.

    Suhasni Haider: In a major development, CNN-IBN deputy foreign affairs editor and prime time anchor Suhasini Haidar bid adieu to the organisation in May this year. To focus on long-format journalism, she joined The Hindu as its diplomatic editor. 

     

    Sunil Lulla: A 30-year media and communication veteran, Sunil Lulla made headlines in July when he decided to move on from Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. After almost 10 years with BCCL, Lulla, joined WPP-owned Grey Group as chairman and MD for Grey Group India.
    His joining the advertising industry was homecoming as he had started his career in one.
    However, his appointment led to Grey Group India president and CEO Jishnu Sen moving on from the network.

    Tony D’silva: With Ravi Mansukhani stepping down, IMCL saw a new MD and CEO in Tony D’silva, who was earlier the president of Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL) and was overlooking its upcoming Headend InThe Sky (HITS) project. D’silva was given additional responsibilities as Group CEO-Media of HVL, and MD and CEO of IMCL.  

    TS Panesar: Star India EVP for distribution TS Panesar, who was entrusted with the responsibility of handling distribution for national DTH and digital addressable systems (DAS) earlier in 2014 when the JV between Star and Zee- MediaPro was broken, quit.  He later joined MSO Hathway Cable & Datacom as head-video business.  

    Vikram Mehra: After spending close to 10 long years at one of the leading DTH companies in India, Vikram Mehra, the chief commercial officer of Tata Sky moved on to Saregama, this year. While at Tata Sky, he was responsible for subscription revenue management, churn management, brand marketing, new product development, consumer analytics, interactive service operations, consumer research and PR, he is handling the digital platform for Saregama.

    Vikram Sakhuja: It was in October that GroupM announced the appointment of Lindsay Pattison as global CEO of Maxus, the post held by Vikram Sakhuja. Till date his next move in the group hasn’t been decided, but he is expected to take up a global role at parent firm GroupM.

     

    Vivek Srivastava: It came as a surprise when the news of former Colors commercial and digital head Vivek Srivastava quitting, shot the mailers. His extensive background in research, awareness of new media and over a decade in the broadcast industry contributed to maintaining the robust presence of all Colors brands in the digital space and managing the overall costs for the brand.  He headed to Times Television Network (TTN) in the month of October as senior vice-president and head of the English Entertainment Cluster, which includes premium channels like Movies Now and Romedy Now.

    (The names are in alphabetical order)

     

  • Ajit Thakur resigns from Star India

    Ajit Thakur resigns from Star India

    MUMBAI: The man credited for Life OK’s success story, Ajit Thakur, has decided to move on.

    The channel completed three years on 18 December and is gearing up for a revamp early next year.

    It was in July this year that he, who has led Life OK to soar on the ratings chart, was given an additional charge of managing the network’s youth entertainment channel, Channel V.

    But in a shocking development, Thakur has ended his three-year stint with the network. According to sources, he put down his papers on 15 December and is currently serving his notice period. His last day in the organisation will be February 2015.

    Sources from the channel confirmed the news and said that he is interested in making films and hence, has decided to take such a drastic step.

    The buzz is that he is joining Sunil Lulla’s Eros.

    Thakur could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

     

  • “Want to be the ‘Influencer Network’ in 2015”: Sunil Lulla

    “Want to be the ‘Influencer Network’ in 2015”: Sunil Lulla

    With over 30 years of experience, Sunil Lulla brings skills in media, marketing, communication and management.

     

    From spending an early part of his career, which spanned over a period of nine years, in advertising with JWT to rolling out indya.com, in the first wave of the internet; from bringing zing and youthfulness to MTV to help build the television business for The Times Group, Lulla has been a prominent member on many industry boards and forums where he shaped policies and set industry standards and best practices.

     

    His decision to move on from the Times Television Network managing director and CEO to Grey Group India chairman and managing director did come as a shock to many. Nonetheless, the man who engages in a new passion every few years is back to his first passion.

     

    In a freewheel interview with Indiantelevision.com’s Meghna Sharma, Lulla talks about his plans for Grey and much more.

     

    Excerpts…

     

    Back to advertising. So far, so good?

    Very good. The communications business is the best place to stay eternally young (smiles).

     

    If you had to compare, how different has been advertising’s evolution from that of broadcasting industry?

    Both bring new challenges and new ideas each day, blended with a frenetic pace and an youthful environment. TV broadcast is focused around the consumer via which it builds relationships with the customer. Advertising is built around the customer via which it creates story telling for the consumer. They are different spectrums. The TV industry faces significantly more regulatory challenges than the communication industry. There is a zameen aasman ka difference in scale and profitability. Advertising brings the edge of ideas unlimited.

     

    It’s been four months, any changes that you have brought in the company? Why?

    Grey group is a stable, growing business, producing famous and effective work. I’ve used the time to get to understand the business better. Meeting clients and understanding their challenges and in helping gear Grey group offer integrated solutions and ideas, across advertising, communication, the vast spectrum of digital and social; activation and advocacy. These are via our own Grey group services and those with partners / affiliates, such as RC&M, Penn Schoen Berland and Talent House. Importantly, working closely with the team, which is energetic, talented, innovative and always bubbling with ideas and energy. I believe in the short period of four months, gearing to grow and being able to work across services seamlessly, has been my focus.

     

    Many of our clients are now accessing more than one service from Grey group. For our affiliate partners, we have been able to provide Grey thinking, muscle and experience. What’s visible is perhaps the new campaigns of Swacha Bharat, the Border Security Force and the announcement of Quickr and Reach Mobile as new businesses.

     

    Importantly, in the next few weeks there are many campaigns of Grey group, which continue to define culturally sensitive communication, aimed at changing social behaviour, which is one of the biggest challenges any communication company can deliver on. We believe our clients should be satisfied with our services and offerings but continuously challenge us to deliver outstanding performance. Which is exactly what Grey clients do.

     

    How has the year 2014 been for Grey India?

    There has been top line and bottom line growth as per expectations. The new account wins are all based on differentiated communicate on briefs and the focus on adding alliances is preparing Grey group for a strong 2015. Talent has been stable and the awards have been coming in. All in all – a good year for Grey. We are not very boastful about our achievements; our clients hopefully do the talking for us.

     

    One mandate, which you are really proud of, and why?

    I cherish my new role at Grey group, via which we are building a differentiated service business to build strong brands for our clients. Each of our clients are precious to us and the work we do, we believe, plays a big role, in making their brands famous and effective.  I do believe the new ‘Swacha Bharat’ campaign enables us to work with the Prime Minister’s vision of changing behaviour which is always a tough task. The communication is simple, mass oriented and evokes the right emotive and attitudinal cord.

     

    How much of the business that you generate out of India is globally aligned?

    Some of our global alignments are P&G, GSK, Volvo, amongst others. 65 per cent of our business is India alone business.

     

    Competition is growing multifold, so how would you differentiate Grey from the others?

    We believe Grey group’s thinking and capability is being rapidly geared to offer integrated solutions around advertising, social, mobile, web, activation, advocacy, rural and crowdsourcing. With many more to be included. Powered by our vision to create Famous and Effective solutions, work and brands, Grey group is becoming a highly differentiated ‘Influencer Network’. We say Grey groups role to influence consumer choice and thinking and via its array of skills it is designed to be ‘an influencer network of choice, creating famous and effective work’. Each way of approaching the consumer needs to be true to the host medium but interconnected to the behaviour we need to change. Grey enjoys a very strong reputation because of its Planning, Creative, Digital and Communication Skills and this is poised to grow with strength.

     

    According to you, has Grey really been ‘Famously Effective’?

    Absolutely – the wins at Cannes and Effies are a great testimony. The growth of each of our clients business is evidence of the work – working!

     

    What are the plans lined up for the digital side of your business?

    Growth is the obvious agenda. Growing and strengthening resources in the Delhi and Bangalore NCR are on the agenda for 2015. Focusing on having more of our clients across our range of services avail of our Award winning Digital solutions. Continuing to create cutting edge and new solutions is the everyday task. Focusing on learning and training for our talent is the key.

     

    How do you see an increase in media fragmentation impacting creative agencies?

    Agencies should stop worrying about definitions. We do not see ourselves as a creative-alone agency. Grey’s role is to influence consumers and we believe that requires each of us to continuously grow skills and expertise, which is our focus. Agencies can easily learn, adapt and innovate to tell stories be it on a one to one basis or one to many basis. If there is no structured integration, then one must bring it in any way into the service, as businesses will not grow in a linear fashion.

     

    With an increase in penetration of smartphones and tablets, the biggest challenge will be on how to most optimally use the mobile phone for building a brand. What advise will you give the brands and digital agencies?

    We reserve recommendations like these, exclusively for our clients (Smiles)

     

    Do you think Indian advertising has been able to shift paradigms with changing times?

    The glass is always half full, which makes it encouraging for the industry to keep pouring skills, ideas, talent and investment in creating culturally cutting edge work. The new Swach Bharat campaign defines that. On an overview, the Indian industry has successfully paved the way for new paradigms.

     

    What is at top of your wish list for Grey India for 2015?

    Be the Influencer Network which successfully enables Famous and Effective Brands and Communications.

  • ‘Action Jackson’…Twin torture

    ‘Action Jackson’…Twin torture

    MUMBAI: The trend of action has crossed the satiation point and has reached the point of immediate return. Time to stop these super human action scenes, where just one blow can cause a guy to fall or make a speeding car do summersaults. This film is one more addition to a single screen theme made for multiplexes where, only Salman Khan has been able to carry them through.

    Ajay Devgn is a Superman in his both roles, that of Vishi and AJ, though he does not wear a cape with his underwear outside. While Ajay in India is a small time crook partnered by his sidekick, Kunaal Roy Kapoor. Sonakshi Sinha is an unlucky girl whose luck changes when she opens a mall dressing room door and happens to watch Devgn in his birthday suit. After that, things stop going wrong with her. She thinks her luck has changed after watching Devgn’s lower body sans pants or underclothes. The makers’ idea of comedy is that, all her four female friends also want to watch Devgn to change their luck. The humour is totally lost on the viewer.

    For most of the first half, the Devgn in India monopolises the screen, generally romancing Sonakshi and doing nothing important. He is supposed to be a mandavli king in Mumbai, the guy who is an unofficial arbitrator of disputes who is available at a price. You are shown him hitting someor continuity of events.

     

     

    Producers: Gordhan Tanwani, Sunil Lulla.

    Director: Prabhu Dheva.

    Cast: Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam, Manasni Mamgai, Kunaal Roy Kapoor.

     

    As if one Devgn was not trying your nerves with his personal video games where he destroys innumerable uniformed red suit guys armed with guns and Ninja-to, the Ninja swords, the other can do even better. He is the trouble-shooter cum shooter for an Indian don operating from Bangkok. The don here is a caricature, probably drawn by a cartoonist, inspired by the villains from Farz (1967) or Dr No (1962) or Shaan (1980).

    The villain is sinister, his sister, Manasvi Mamgai, is even more so. She displays a bust line any man would be attracted to which the Bangkok Ajay Devgn is not for whom she has developed the hots. Because this lad is committed to the love of his life, Yami Gautam. Manasvi wants Devgn at all costs and orders to kill Yami who is already pregnant though not married to Devgn yet. But, Yami has this strength to survive all assaults which could prove fatal for any normal being.

    As if the first part was not bad enough, the two Devgns meet to share the burden of the second half. And, if the film was not going anywhere so far, now it does; it goes haywire! You don’t know which Devgn is which and you are also convinced, nor does the director!

    This film has no script nor a definite track. The direction by Prabhu Dheva is pits, most amateur. Actually, the film is grossly directionless; there is no continuity from a sequence to another one. Even choreography, which is Prabhu’s forte, is pathetic. As for performances, Devgn is poor, Sonakshi is rank bad, Yami tries to match her and the villain is comic. The only good portrayal comes from Manasvi, playing a maniacal lover. Kunaal Roy  Kapoor is a liability.

    The film is poor on all counts including music, continuity, editing, photography and dialogue.

    Action Jackson is the worst film of the year and may even win the worst film of the decade status!

    ‘Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain’…Miniaturised version?

    Producers: Sumanto Roy, Ravi Walia.

    Director: Ravi Kumar.

    Cast: Rajpal Yadav, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Martin Sheen, Mischa Barton, Kal Penn, Fagun Ivy Thakrar, Manoj Joshi, Joy Sengupta, Martin Brambach, David Brooks.

     

    December 2014 marks 30 years since the world’s worst disaster, The Bhopal Gas Leak tragedy took place. The incident is reported to have killed over 3500 people, blinded many, led to deformed new-borns and has survivors who live with handicaps and all suffered because of the lethal MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) gas leak from the pesticide maker giant Union Carbide Plant in Bhopal.

    To make it a human interest story and avoid documentary approach, the film involves a settlement of poor labourers who have built their jhoogi jhopdis around the Carbide plant because most of them work for the company. The film keeps in centre the protagonist, Raghuvir Yadav, and his family to make it a story instead of a documentary.

    Yadav gets his first entry into the Carbide plant as a sweeper and soon graduates to look after the safety division. Now, he controls the release of MIC, its temperatures and controls he knows nothing about. This responsibility is thanks to the death of his neighbour who died because of a cyanide leak on his body.

    Meanwhile, the manager at the plant is worried about the plant closing down due to a famine which has left the Carbide product unsold and gathering at the factory following failure of crops.

    There are a couple of guys who are aware of the risk factor of the Carbide unit; one of them is the company’s Safety Officer while the other is the publisher of the local rag, a two page newspaper, Motwani, played by Kal Penn.

    It is the day Yadav is getting his 17 year old sister married in his basti next to the plant and the negligence and cutting corners leads to the lethal MIC gas leak where thousands die.

    The film has excellent performances by Yadav, Tanishta and, of course, Martin Sheen, who plays Warren Anderson, the CEO of the plant at that time.

    Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain is just about 29 years too late to touch today’s generation. Also, gas tragedy is trivialised with limited footage at the end.

    ‘Sulemani Keeda’….Of the makers!

    Producers: Various.

    Director: Amit V Masurkar.

    Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mayank Tiwari, Aditi Vasudev, Karan Mirchandani, Krishna Singh Bisht, Rukshana Tabassum, Razzak Khan

     

     

    Sulemani Keeda, I suppose, is a Mumbai slang for someone with adventurous instincts which, more often than not, are sure to backfire on him. As you go through this 90 minute film, you realize that almost half a dozen producers who invested their bit in the film, can claim to have the same Sulemani Keeda. The film has been in the tins for over two years and was also screened at the MAMI a couple of years back.

    It is the story of two friends, Naveen Kasturia and Mayank Tewari, who are aspiring film writers and are struggling to get a foothold in the film industry. Most of the time, they don’t even get an entry into an actor’s or producers’ office who, otherwise, are a household name. They live on rent together and as they can’t always pay rent on time, they are exploited piecemeal by the landlord’s son, Krishna Singh Bisht. And, he too writes couplets and aspires to be part of this duo.

    The pair gets to showcase their talent only among a bunch of friends and after one such occasion, Mayank is attracted to a girl, Aditi Vasudev, who is scheduled to leave for the US for further studies. However, Mayank and Aditi embark on a Mumbai Darshan mission over next few days and, as it happens in all film stories, it creates a divide between Mayank and Naveen. Mayank is totally distracted from his aim in life as he realises he has fallen in love with Aditi.

    Aditi is ready to take off when Naveen urges Mayank to go stop her if he really loves her. But, as it invariably happens in all the films, Aditi is determined to go ahead with her plans. No last minute getting off plane scene here.

    The friends have parted ways, Mayank takes off to Ladakh to pen his script while Naveen blends with the mainstream and becomes successful in film writing.

    Sulemani Keeda falls in no definite genre and, hence, ambles around most of the time. The film’s treatment reminds one of 1970s NFDC films, slow moving and not going anywhere. There are some wise words of advice for aspirants through the duo by Mahesh Bhatt and Anil Sharma. Direction is fair. Naveen and Mayank put in a good performances. Aditi passes off a permanent pout for acting.

    Despite 1970s touch, this is described as ‘Contemporary film making’ for want of definite genre slot. Not that a money-spending cine-goer cares.

  • Eros International reports 40 per cent PAT q-o-q growth in Q2-2015

    Eros International reports 40 per cent PAT q-o-q growth in Q2-2015

    BENGALURU: The Sunil Lulla led Indian motion picture production and distribution company Eros International Media Limited (Eros) reported 39.9 per cent growth in PAT at Rs 50.14 crore (20.9 per cent of net Total Income from Operations or TIO) in Q2-2015 from the Rs 35.84 crore (14.8 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and 35.6 per cent growth from the Rs 36.97 crore (18.4 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter. In HY-2015, PAT grew 35.1 per cent to Rs 85.98 crore (17.9 per cent of TIO) from Rs 63.64 crore (16.4 per cent of TIO) in HY-2014.

     
    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore
     
    The company reported almost flat q-o-q TIO (down by 0.7 per cent) in Q2-2015 at Rs 239.90 crore versus the Rs 241.49 crore in Q1-2015 and 19.3 per cent TIO growth from the Rs 201.05 crore in Q2-2014. Revenue (TIO) for HY-2015 grew by 24.3 per cent to Rs 481.39 crore from Rs 387.37 crore in HY-2014.
     
    Eros released 30 films -20 Hindi and 10 Tamil/Telugu regional films in HY-2015 as compared to the 26 films (11 Hindi, 14 Tamil/Telugu and 1 other language) in HY-2014. Eros says that 2 of the films were high budget and 28 were medium and low budget films.
     
     
    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Eros for Q2-2015 and HY-2015
     
    Eros Total Expenditure (TE) in Q2-2015 at Rs 168.19 crore (70.1 per cent of TIO) was 8.9 per cent lower than the Rs 184.68 crore (76.5 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and 11.3 per cent more than the Rs 151.16 crore (75.2 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2014. TE in HY-2015 at Rs 352.87 crore (73.3 per cent of TIO) was 17.9 per cent more than the Rs 299.24 crore (77.2 per cent of TIO) in HY-2014.
     
    The company’s finance cost in Q2-2015 at Rs 10.92 crore (4.6 per cent of TIO) was 16.5 per cent more than the Rs 9.37 crore (3.9 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and 76.1 per cent more than the Rs 6.2 crore (3.1 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2014. For HY-2015, finance cost at Rs 20.29 crore was almost double (up 1.88 times) the Rs 10.81 crore in HY-2014.
     
    Eros managing director Sunil Lulla said, “We reported healthy results in the first half driven by the performance of new releases in Hindi and regional languages and robust monetization of library films over existing and emerging distribution channels. We remained focused towards diversifying mix of movies with increasing emphasis on high profile regional language films with our tentpole Hindi language films.”
     
    “Our ErosNow initiative continued to gain momentum as we premiered a whole host of films on this online service. We will be launching a new mobile app for ErosNow by the end of this year and along with our recently announced Techzone acquisition, we are positive about increased uptake of this unique service in the near future,” added Lulla.

     

  • Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan together in ‘Shamitabh’

    Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan together in ‘Shamitabh’

    MUMBAI: Award winning actor Dhanush, who made his debut in Bollywood with Raanjhana has just wrapped up the shooting of his second hindi film Shamitabh. The latest buzz is that, the film with Dhanush, Akshara Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan in lead will also star yesteryear sensation and an evergreen beauty Rekha.

     

    This was reveled by the Dhanush at the micro-blogging site Twitter, “LOOK whom I’m sharing screen space with, in Shamitabh. The one and only REKHA JI !!! #beautyforever,” he tweeted.

     

    Although it’s not clear whether they will have any scenes together, but Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha will be in a movie together after three decades.

     

    Shamitabh is an upcoming Hindi film scripted and directed by R Balki. The film is jointly produced by Sunil Lulla, R Balki, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, RK Damani, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sunil Manchanda and Dhanush under their respective production banners. Ilaiyaraaja has composed the soundtrack album and background score for the movie, while cinematography was handled by PC Sreeram

     

    Shamitabh is slated to release worldwide on 6 Feburary 2015.

     

    Last seen together in Silsila, Bachchan and Rekha have co-starred in many movies in the past including like Immaan Dharam (1977), Khoon Pasina (1977), Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Mr Natwarlal (1979) and Suhaag (1979). She has also dubbed for two Bachchan-starrers; she was Sridevi’s voice in Aakhree Raasta (1986), and also dubbed for Soundarya and Jayasudha in EVV Satyanarayana’s Bollywood debut Sooryavansham (1999)

  • Grey Group India gets Projit Sarkar on board to head its Kolkata Office

    Grey Group India gets Projit Sarkar on board to head its Kolkata Office

    MUMBAI: Grey Group India has appointed Projit Sarkar as head of Kolkata operations.

     

    Sarkar brings with him an experience of nearly 13 years in brand and marketing communications. His last stint was with Amrit Group of companies where he was heading the brand and marketing department. The other agencies he has worked with include Genesis, Mileage, Mudra, O&M and Madison BMB.

     

    At Grey, Sarkar will report to the newly appointed chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla.

     

    Lulla said, “Grey Group is delighted to welcome Projit back to lead the growing operations of eastern India from Kolkata. His familiarity with the market place, clients and consumers coupled with his experience in brand and marketing communications will add tremendous value and benefit both the agency and clients based in the market. We look forward to him enabling Grey Group to be even more famous and effective, in the east of India.”

     

    Sarkar said, “Coming back to Grey Group is a homecoming.  I see and believe that there is a lot of opportunity to create value for internal and external stakeholders through meaningful effective marketing communication. Grey Group is the place where it can be done from. ”

     

    Projit has worked on various brands across categories like Telecom, Insurance, Banks, Retail, Cement, Tourism, FMCG, Footwear, Paints and Foods. His experience will enable the current roster of clients, which include West Bengal Tourism, Score Information Technologies, Tea Board of India, Mani Group, Philips Carbon Black and Haldiram’s, amongst others.

  • Sunil Lulla will bring in a new dimension in our offering to clients: Nirvik Singh

    Sunil Lulla will bring in a new dimension in our offering to clients: Nirvik Singh

    When indiantelevision.com wrote about Sunil Lulla taking up a leadership position in Grey India, it did surprise many in the industry. Very few knew or recollected that Lulla’s roots have been in advertising: he was an account director at HTA (now JWT India) and had also taken the role of regional client servicing director on the Colgate Palmolive business with Y&R New York.

     

    The announcement of his joining saw the departure of president & CEO Jishnu Sen. Lulla is taking over at Grey India at a time when it is in the midst of a grow-grow phase. On the global front, Grey was ranked as the agency of the year by adage.com for its revenue growth, client retention and the fact that it won almost all of the client pitches it made in 2013.

     

    In India, Grey, the advertising network of the Grey Group, acquired a majority stake in rural and marketing communications services provider RC&M just as the year was drawing to a close.

     

    It has done well on the awards front too, both in traditional and digital advertising.  It can be noted that Grey India picked up a Gold Lion at the Cannes this year in the Press category for the work done for P&G’s Duracell Batteries.

     

    Indiantelevision.com’s Priyanka Nair got in touch with Grey Group Asia Pacific CEO Nirvik Singh to chat with him about the leadership change in India, and what he expects going forward.

     

    Excerpts: 

     

    With Sunil Lulla coming on board, what are the areas in which Grey India is looking at expanding?

     

    We have been investing in India continually and with RC&M coming under our fold, I believe we have the right expertise and capabilities currently across the full marketing spectrum. Sunil Lulla would play a critical role in integrating and strengthening our offering.

     

    In the 30 years of experience that Sunil Lulla has, he has been associated with the broadcast side of the business most. How do you think his expertise will help in the growth of Grey India?

     

    With his 30 years of working experience, Sunil brings with him a wealth of knowledge from the media side of the business, not just broadcast. From our conversations, he has shown that he knows the heavily fragmented media landscape in South Asia in depth. By having him leading our operations in India, he is able to add a new dimension in our offering to our clients.

     

    How has the year 2014 been so far for Grey India?

     

    2014 has been really good for Grey Group, not just in India but across Asia Pacific as well. We are seeing clients in the market increasing their marketing spend with us, both regional and local clients. All in all, I expect India to be a really strong performer at year end. Malvika Mehra (National Creative Director) and team have been performing consistently as well – they have brought home yet another Gold Lion from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This is their second year in a row they are doing so.

     

    What are the plans lined up for the digital side of your business?

     

    Sudhir Nair (Senior Vice President, Head of Grey Digital India) will be working closely with Sunil on this, but I must say our digital team has been stellar in their creative solutions and output (using Twitter to launch a car and YouTube for a test drive). Digital is definitely a big part of the picture and the continued investment in talent and capabilities is top of our priorities.

     

    What is at top of your wish list for Grey India?

     

    Win more Cannes Lions next year!

     

    Till when will Jishnu Sen be with Grey India? Could you elaborate on the experience of working with him? 

     

    It has been a truly great journey – I have seen him grow into the CEO’s role and he is a great chap to work with.

  • Sunil Lulla goes Grey

    Sunil Lulla goes Grey

    MUMBAI: No we are not talking about his hair; that happened sometime back.  We are talking about him getting back to his original professional calling: advertising. The affable gent whose last posting was that of  BCCL president corporate developement is slated to join Grey India as chairman and MD if sources are to be believed. 

     

    While a report stated that he will be replacing Grey India president & CEO Jishnu Sen, that may prove to be untrue. Sen is likely to continue in his position with Sunil Lulla being brought in as additional top management.

     

    Sen was unavailable for a comment. He joined Grey India in 2007 and was heading the Mumbai office. It was in 2009, he was appointed COO of the entire Grey India operation. And in May 2011, Sen was promoted as president & CEO.

     

    Lulla has spent close to nine years in TTN in various leadership roles. Prior to joining TTN, he was at Sony Entertainment Television as executive VP for three years. And in his early days he was associate account director, HTA (now JWT India).

  • Sunil Lulla quits BCCL

    Sunil Lulla quits BCCL

    MUMBAI: The BCCL corporate development president Sunil Lulla has bid adieu to the company.

     

    “Today is my last day,” he confirmed the development to indiantelevision.com. However, his future plans are still not clear.

     

    The former MD and CEO of Times Television Network (TTN), Lulla, who took over the charge of BCCL a couple of months back when MK Anand was brought in to lead the charge, just got back from his holiday in Norway.

     

    This follows a series of high-profile exits from the company. Times Now, ET Now and Zoom CEO Avinash Kaul and TTN English Entertainment Channels CEO Ajay Trigunayat had moved on in April, this year.

     

    What is notable is that these exits came after Anand took charge in January.

     

    Lulla has spent close to nine years in TTN in various leadership roles. Prior to joining TTN, he was at Sony Entertainment Television as executive VP for three years.

     

    In 2000, he had started indya.com, which was later acquired by News Corp/Star. He is also the man behind the launch of MTV and credited to bring it to number one position in India. Lulla was general manager and country head at MTV India from 1996 to 1999.

     

    In his 25 plus years in the industry, Lulla has worked with media, entertainment, technology and television broadcast. His early years were spent in sales and soon thereafter with JWT in senior positions in India, China and Taiwan. He was member of the team which helped turn around Sa Re Ga Ma (HMV) in India.

     

    Lulla is a member of many industry associations and helps drive policy and agenda setting themes for the advertising, media and entertainment industry.