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Tag: Venky Mysore

  • Red Chillies taps into young audience for ‘Dilwale’ via Hotstar tie-up

    Red Chillies taps into young audience for ‘Dilwale’ via Hotstar tie-up

    MUMBAI: Red Chillies Entertainment’s Shah Rukh Khan – Kajol starrer Dilwale in association with Rohit Shetty Productions has drawn up a comprehensive plan to reach young digital audiences by inking a strategic marketing alliance with Star India’s over the top (OTT) platform Hotstar.

    Dilwale’s promotions on Hotstar kid-started almost five weeks before its scheduled release.

    The production house has employed a start-to-end approach, which is showcasing all the great video elements released – starting from the trailer to two song videos and entertaining behind-the-scenes videos. Additionally, a one-hour video with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol for Hotstar’s original show M Bole Toh has also been specially shot. The content momentum will be sustained right through the release weekend from Friday – Sunday.

    Dilwale content will also reach Hotstar’s film-lovers worldwide through Hotstar.com, with cross promotions across the Star network’s international TV channels. The TV cross-promotions of the Dilwale content on Hotstar will also roll out in India across Star Network channels.

    The Dilwale content will also be cross promoted across tentpole hotstar properties like On Air with AIB, Cricket, ISL and EPL amongst others.

    Dilwale marks the return of Khan and Kajol on screen. The movie, directed by Shetty, also stars Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.

    Red Chillies Entertainment CEO Venky Mysore said, “Dilwale is the biggest film we have made and therefore we decided to promote it across all platforms, especially via Hotstar. Hotstar is a unique platform for a large, fast-growing and important young digitally active audience, which is an important segment for any film marketer today. We have taken a pure content-driven approach with several Dilwale video elements. We are delighted with the great response and the reception it is receiving through Hotstar – both in India and, through its website, across the world.”

    Hotstar head Ajit Mohan added, “We are delighted to partner with Dilwale to introduce an exciting movie to our audiences in India and across the world through hotstar. Hotstar is introducing a whole new way of promoting and marketing a movie premiere, and I must compliment Red Chillies Entertainment for their strategic, and brave new approach to reach a large and young digital audience in India and worldwide.”

  • MSM ropes in Red Chillies for TV and digital content

    MSM ropes in Red Chillies for TV and digital content

    MUMBAI: It was hardly a couple of  months or so ago that Multi Screen Media (MSM – rebranded earlier this month as Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd – SPNIL)   announced that it was getting into bed with global sports broadcast major ESPN in India to launch a few sports channels and sports initiatives.

     

    Now MSM has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. The duo is entering into a strategic alliance under which the two will explore opportunities in co-produced- television, digital and film content. 

     

    MSM   has also acquired the TV rights of the film Dilwale which is expected to have a fabulous run at the box office as it heralds the return of the hit nineties on-screen couple SRK and Kajol. Directed by Rohit Shettyy, it also has Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon in pivotal roles.

     

     “Over the last 20 years that we’ve been in the industry, we’ve served some of the best cinema and general entertainment to viewers worldwide,” says MSM CEO NP Singh says “As a network, our focus remains aligned to becoming the first choice in television and digital entertainment. Towards that end, this alliance of MSM and Red Chillies is expansive and pans a spectrum of co-produced content not only across television and digital but also films. Moreover, this partnership adds to MSM’s already extensive library of blockbuster films.”

     

    Adds Red Chillies Entertainments CEO Venky Mysore: “We haves consistently pushed the boundaries across the spectrum, creating and producing entertaining content and ensuring it engages audiences worldwide on all the different platforms. In a first for us, we are entering into a partnership with MSM, that will explore content production across different platforms – TV, digital and films.”

     

    “MSM under NP Singh seems to be getting into higher gear over the last few months,” There’s a new buzz of energy going through the organization.,” says a media observer. “The ESPN partnership and now the Red Chillies alliance are clear indicators that the network has put the troubles of the past – like the ill-timed Sony Pal launch, and the lack of big fiction or nonfiction shows on its main GEC Sony – behind it. A new leadership has been brought into Sony –the mother GEC very recently. The alliance with Red Chillies, especially to create televised as well as digital content could provide it with that magic sauce that it badly needs to get Sony into the front runner status amongst Hindi entertainment channels. The fact that Red Chillies has had limited exposure to television and digital content could mean it could bring in fresh thinking into the programming.”

  • Shemaroo acquires TV distribution rights to Red Chillies’ films

    Shemaroo acquires TV distribution rights to Red Chillies’ films

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment has acquired the exclusive television distribution rights to Red Chillies Entertainment’s film library.

     

    The deal includes a dozen blockbuster films of Shah Rukh Khan namely Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Chalte Chalte, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Asokaamong others.

     

    Shemaroo Entertainment director Hiren Gada said, “We are excited to join hands with Red Chillies to distribute its content on TV platform.  This is just the beginning of a synergic relationship with them and we hope to go a long way ahead. The catalogue that we have acquired is definitely a value addition to our library as Shah Rukh Khan is the superstar of the industry and his movies have mass appeal. Also these films are across different genres and connect with all age groups.”

     

    Red Chillies Entertainments CEO Venky Mysore added, “Shemaroo is one of the oldest companies in business, owns a diverse library of content, they have great relationships across TV networks and this association will definitely add value to both organizations, we are looking forward for a mutually beneficial relationship with them.”

  • Sansui launches futuristic TVs; to spend Rs 80 crore on marketing

    Sansui launches futuristic TVs; to spend Rs 80 crore on marketing

    MUMBAI: Sansui, a leading Japanese consumer electronics brand in India, launched its advanced Curve 4K Ultra HD LED TV today. The new range which is part of Sansui’s robust plans of expanding its premium TVs product portfolio, was unveiled by Sansui’s partners and defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders team players Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, and Shakib Al Hasan.

    Launched ahead of IPL finals, Sansui Curve 4K UHD LED is targeted at millions of cricket fans in the country to bring to them the games in perfect picture and true-to-life colors, and multiply their entertainment quotient. On the occasion, the brand also introduced and showcased its other premium TV series such as 4K Ultra HD, Smart TV and Connect TV.

    Building on the premium product category, Mr. Amitabh Tiwari, COO, Sansui said, “Sansui is unleashing a new era of TV viewing by providing the ultimate immersive experience. Sansui understands the pulse of Indian customers and the new series is dedicated to their specific requirements that we aim to fulfill. From a fully loaded Curve TV to futuristic 4K and Smart TV, the new series has something for everyone. With these new product offerings, we aim to double our market share this year.”

    The new series launched by the brand, sets remarkable standards of picture and sound quality. The 4 series range of Sansui Curve 4K Ultra HD, Sansui 4K Ultra HD TV, Sansui Smart TV and Sansui Connect TV have globally passed significant quality norms of technology, performance and durability. With mesmerizing details and a cinematic experience that surrounds the viewer, one can dive into a whole new world of entertainment.

    Mr Venky Mysore, CEO & MD of KKR said, “KKR is a massively followed team and it has fans all around the world. For all those fans who are following KKR on TV, Sansui’s new innovation in Curve 4K television will give all them an opportunity to feel closer to the players. We hope that this partnership will continue to prosper.”

    Sansui’s Curve 4K Ultra HD TV provides wider viewing angles owing to its concave shape, and thus ensures that the viewer experiences brilliance from every angle. The images become deeper with the 3D effect and with the integration of 4K resolution, pictures are more realistic. Sansui 4K Ultra HD TV displays a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, giving each image the maximum details one has ever seen. With its revolutionary IPS Display that sharpens pixels, one is not just watching TV, but is a part of every moment. Sansui’s Smart TV series helps to bring home the next generation of entertainment, as it enables Internet browsing, online interactive media, Internet downloading and on-demand streaming media at fingertips. Sansui Connect series is enriched with an in-built D2H system with HD transmission which offers TV viewing without external set top box and messy wire cables, giving zero signal loss and maximum audio and video clarity. All the 4 new series come with an MHL (Mobile High Definition) interface that allows seamless video streaming from Smartphones, tablets and other portable consumer electronic devices, while simultaneously allowing users to charge the device. Another unique feature available only in Sansui LED TVs is WHAM (Wireless Headset Audio Mode) which transmits audio signals over FM frequencies and allows one to use a mobile phone or music player as wireless headphones, so that one can enjoy the TV audio without disturbing others. Sansui will make available these 4 new ranges in the market by third week of May 2015.

    Mr. Tiwari further added, “I would also like to thank team KKR for unveiling the new range to our patrons. Our partnership with KKR provides us an ideal platform to not only engage with our customers but also bring the best to our viewers with our premium product ranges. Sansui aims to strengthen the partnership with KKR and wishes them all the best for the rest of the tournament.”

    Sansui will soon launch a 3600 advertising campaign spreading across all major mediums to build top of mind recall. The brand is planning to invest around Rs. 80 crores in promoting the new models to effectively reach out to the target audience and establishing the brand.

    Key Business Facts include:

    Sansui aims to double its market share this year
    Price range (MRP): Sansui offers a vast range of televisions which starts from Rs.11,990 and Sansui’s newly launched Curve Ultra HD LED TV range starts from Rs. 1,99,990 (MRP).

  • IPL 8, team franchisees rope in sponsors galore

    IPL 8, team franchisees rope in sponsors galore

    MUMBAI: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricketing extravaganza draws closer, multiple brands have come on board to associate with the tournament and various team franchisees. 

     
    Magicbricks.com has come on board as an associate sponsor for the eight season of  IPL. This is one of the big spot associations in the recent past for Magicbricks.com.
     
     
    Magicbricks.com head of marketing Manisha Rana said, “IPL is one of the biggest sports festival and is every advertiser’s delight. The association is an endeavour to reach out to maximum end users across the country using association with IPL this season. The association with IPL is a part of the company’s strategy to connect with our existing as well as prospective target audience on a nationwide juncture. IPL provides a non-stop 45 day connect with the audiences and it allows to build connect with the masses at a continuous pace. We are looking at this platform to maximize visibility and build brand preference. Our new campaign leverages this platform in two strategic ways – the story of our protagonist’s is centered on the viewing of the matches. Secondly, we are launching a campaign with a 15 second ad format only to maximize media presence. Teasers to our campaign are already out and the main campaign goes live in IPL.”
     
     
    That’s not all. Sansui has joined hands for the second consecutive year as the official sponsor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Sansui’s logo will appear on the back of KKR jerseys.

     

     
    Like KKR, the company claims that it is persistent in providing top notch entertainment and quality performance to its customers by delivering state-of-the-art Japanese technology products.
     

     

    Sansui’s product line-up includes LED TVs having cutting edge technologies like Curved, 4K (UHD), Smart, UltraLuminous and Connect. Through its association with KKR for the second year in row, Sansui aims to bring the excitement of IPL to millions of viewers via its premium series of televisions. 
     

     

    The range promises stadium like experience at home through its 4K Ultra High Definition picture quality and crystal clear sound. Through this association, Sansui plans to further reinforce customer satisfaction and position itself as a youth centric brand.
     

     

    Sansui COO Amitabh Tiwari said, “I am delighted to announce our partnership with the champion team of IPL 2014 – Kolkata Knight Riders, for the second consecutive year. Team KKR is a trendsetter and the pioneer of the most iconic sports leagues in the world. Thus, we find great potential in associating with them. Besides, sports is the only genre other than news, which inspite of being time bound has an intense viewership. Our partnership with KKR provides us an ideal platform to not only engage with our discerning customers but also bring the best to our viewers with our premium product range. We wish the team good luck for their journey in IPL 8 and hope that they continue their winning streak.”
     

     

    Additionally, Gionee has come on-board as the team’s principal sponsor till 2017. The Gionee logo will be seen on KKR team’s shirt as well as at the stadiums on advertising signage.
     
     
    It may be recalled that since the inception of IPL in 2008, Nokia has been one of the principal sponsors of Khan’s team. However this year, the brand, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2014, decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with KKR.
     
     
    Gionee India country CEO and MD Arvind.R.Vohra said, “We are super excited to back the defending champions and one of the most popular IPL team, KKR. KKR represents the true spirit of Gionee with its challenger attitude and we are certain our association will witness greater heights.”
     
     
    Kolkata Night Riders CEO Venky Mysore added, “It’s great for KKR to be able partner with an aggressive and restless brand like Gionee. Their growth has been phenomenal and we are confident that through this partnership, brand Gionee will continue to reach new heights.”
     
     
    Meanwhile, ICT giant Huawei India has extend its partnership with Royal Challengers Bangalore for three IPL seasons.
     
     
    The Huawei logo will feature on the front of the RCB jersey as a principal sponsor.
     
     
    Huawei, first associated with RCB in IPL 2014, will also have substantial branding exposure at RCB’s home ground – the Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with in-stadium promotional rights. In addition to this, Huawei and RCB will also launch a series of joint marketing initiatives to engage with their respective consumers and fans across India.
     
     
    Huawei India CEO Cai Liqun said, “We are extremely excited to strengthen this relationship with Royal Challengers Bangalore. As a long-term commitment towards the game and the team we have entered into an association for three years starting 2015. The game of cricket in India cuts across demographic barriers and connects masses. With this association, we aim to create a strong resonance for the brand Huawei as it paves its way to become brand of masses.”
     
     
     
    Huawei India president of consumer business group Allen Wang added, “We warmly welcome this association with Royal Challengers Bangalore and are very enthusiastic about the forthcoming edition of the IPL. We have also recently launched our new e-brand Honor, which is “For the Brave”, for the ones who dare to dream and follow their passion to achieve something, much like the Royal Challengers Bangalore. We wish the Royal Challengers Bangalore all the very best for this year’s IPL.”
     
     
     
    Royal Challengers Bangalore vice president, commercial, operations and Cricket Academy Russell Adams said, “We are pleased about our renewed partnership with Huawei for the next 3 years and we thank them for the support and the faith shown in us.  We look towards a long and fruitful association with Huawei.”
     
    The Royal Challengers will be playing their inaugural match on 11 April, 2015 against Kolkata Knight Rider in Kolkata. This will be the fourth match of the tournament.
  • Dish TV comes on board as official partner for Kolkata Knight Riders

    Dish TV comes on board as official partner for Kolkata Knight Riders

    MUMBAI: Gearing up for the Indian Premier League (IPL), direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV India has extended its association with Kolkata Knight Riders as an official partner for the fourth time. This year’s tournament will start on 8 April 2015. As part of the association, the logo of Dish TV will be prominently featured on the non lead arm of the jersey of KKR players.

    DishTV COO Salil Kapoor said, “Through this association, we would like to pull entertainment a notch higher for all cricket fans. We look forward to the tournament and hope that Kolkata Knight Riders emerges as a champion in this season of IPL as well.”

     

    Continuing its relationship with Shah Rukh Khan Dish TV expects its association with the KKR co-owner to bring good luck to the team. Through this partnership, there will also be an engagement of player with consumers and trade partners.  Furthermore, this season Dish TV will be reaching out to the consumers through the digital space through interesting contests and engagement opportunities on KKR’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

     

    KKR CEO Venky Mysore stated, “With the fine performance of Team KKR over the last four years, which includes IPL championships in 2012 and  2014, we have been able to generate a lot of interesting content for our fans and supporters. This is where the partnership with Dish TV is a perfect fit. Integration of exclusive KKR content through the extensive reach of Dish TV will give people an inside peak into what makes Team KKR work! “

  • KKR appoints Achint Gupta as content & media management head

    KKR appoints Achint Gupta as content & media management head

    MUMBAI: Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has appointed Achint Gupta as the head of content and media management.

     

    Gupta brings with him 12 years of content and media experience having worked until recently as a cricket producer with Star Sports as well as media houses like India Today and Times Now.

     

    KKR CEO Venky Mysore said, “With a view to focusing on building the KKR brand and deepening our engagement with our fans, we are investing more in content development under Achint’s leadership.”

  • ‘Happy New Year’ to go digital

    ‘Happy New Year’ to go digital

    MUMBAI: It is rightly said that digital is the only way forward. Filmmakers too have understood that in today’s time the exchange of information is much faster, thanks to digital platforms.

     

    And so, Red Chillies Entertainments (RCE) has decided to take its film, Happy New Year (HNY) to the audiences internationally in a unique manner. After making a mark with the worldwide theatrical release, HNY will now be available for the international fans to view it online.

     

    The Direct-To-Fan model of release of any content has been so far used for the music industry internationally. Breaking the record and to be the first one, it is the first commercial film worldwide to release on DTF model.

     

    “We at Red Chillies have always taken pride in establishing new trends and delighting our fans. Along these lines we bring the biggest entertainer – Happy New Year, directly to our fans through online streaming for the first time ever!” shared RCE CEO Venky Mysore.

     

    This is the first time, any film after the theatrical release, will now release on the digital platform. While the traditional distribution markets like India and China enjoy a wide release of a Hindi film, DTF will release in other countries, barring these two traditional ones, to reach the most unconventional distribution markets.

     

    The film will be available on Happy New Year’s website to be viewed by the fans worldwide. All you need is three very basic things for the viewing – basic internet connection, a device to watch it on and a credit card. At a minimum price the film can be viewed and the best part is that it can be watched on ones computer, phone or any other digital device as long as you have a very basic internet connection.

  • Jacques Kallis set to take up new role with Kolkata Knight Riders

    Jacques Kallis set to take up new role with Kolkata Knight Riders

    MUMBAI: Indian Premier League (IPL) 2012 and 2014 champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have announced that cricketer Jacques Kallis, has decided to continue his association with the franchise, this time in a different role. He will now be seen as a mentor and batting consultant. Kallis has been with the team for close to four years, from 2011 to 2014 and played a big role in the franchise’s success as well as at the Champions League T2O this year.

     

    Commenting on this development, KKR MD and CEO Venky Mysore said, “We are honoured to start a long-term relationship with Jacques in a different role as mentor and batting consultant and benefit from everything he brings to KKR. Jacques’s commitment to KKR has been brilliant and his contribution both on the filed and in the dressing room has been superb.”

     

    Kallis said, “KKR has been my Indian family for the last four years. Over the past year I have had a chance to think about my future and when KKR approached me with this long-term offer, I jumped at it. KKR is a great brand and am really looking forward to assisting them in my new role as mentor and batting consultant.”

     

    Kallis further added, “I had signed a two year contract with Sydney Thunder for 2014 and 2015 and have also committed to playing in The Caribbean Premier League next year.  These commitments were made prior to concluding my new role with KKR.”

     

  • Red Chillies appoints Manish Hariprasad as CCO

    Red Chillies appoints Manish Hariprasad as CCO

    MUMBAI: Red Chillies Entertainments has appointed Manish Hariprasad as the chief creative officer (CCO).

     

    Hariprasad was the senior creative director for Disney UTV Studios and UTV Motion Pictures. He has been associate producer for films like No one Killed Jessica, Harishchandrachi Factory, Kai Po Che and Chennai Express. He has also been the VP – content and development for UTV Spotboy, and head for marketing for Sab, apart from his five year stint in advertising with Ogilvy and Contract advertising.

     

    Making the announcement, RCE CEO Venky Mysore said, “Delivering quality content will be of paramount importance to us at Red Chillies. As we work towards this endeavor, senior executive, Manish will play a key role in achieving that goal.”