ITV

Tag: Vice President

  • Dentsu Aegis appointed as digital agency for Hachette book

    Dentsu Aegis appointed as digital agency for Hachette book

    MUMBAI: Hachette book publishing India has appointed a digital agency, Isobar, from the Dentsu Aegis Network. 

     

    “As a part of our larger commitment to exploring newer ways of reaching our readers we’ve brought Isobar on-board to help us with our social media presence. Isobar’s pitch captured the heart of why books endure and how people connect with books. Their clear understanding of what we need and the enthusiasm of the team assures us that our brand and our books are in good hands,” asserted Hachette India managing director Thomas Abraham.

     

    Isobar India managing director Shamsuddin Jasani added, “We are very happy to be associated with Hachette India, as we are always looking at experiences across different sectors and different types of clients. This win adds a very important category of books and publications to our ever expanding repertoire.”

     

    “We recently instituted a focused business development unit to go after interesting brands. This win is just the beginning of many more to come. Happy to be working with Hachette India, it’s an interesting category and the team is excited to create innovative and creative work for them,” added Isobar India Vice President Gopa Kumar

  • MSM & ESPN collaborate to launch sports channels in India; Sony Kix rebranded

    MSM & ESPN collaborate to launch sports channels in India; Sony Kix rebranded

    MUMBAI: Disney’s sports broadcaster ESPN, which exited the Indian market in 2012, is yet again eyeing the lucrative market here albeit with a different joint venture partner. 

     

    After dissolving its 50:50 joint venture with Star India in 2012, ESPN has now joined hands with Multi Screen Media (MSM). The two companies have entered into a long-term agreement in India and the Indian subcontinent.

     

    Through the collaboration, MSM and ESPN will bring new offerings including new co-branded sports channels and as well as a multi-sport website and app. The companies will also be exploring avenues on developing original sports programs.

     

    As a part of this deal, MSM’s sports channel Sony Kix will be rebranded as Sony ESPN. The two companies will also launch other new channels in the coming months. Along with Sony Six, all the channels will deliver a powerful sports lineup to sports fans.

     

    In collaboration with MSM, ESPN will launch a co-branded localized multisport website and app, which will provide coverage of cricket, football, tennis, the NBA, badminton, field hockey and more.

     

    MSM’s OTT platform Sony Liv will also benefit from the collaboration, increasing its current sports offerings significantly. 

     

    ESPNcricinfo, the digital cricket destination in India and globally, will continue to deliver comprehensive coverage and will complement and cross-promote the new digital properties and sports channels.

     

    Among the new co-branded multisport website, sonyliv.com and espncricinfo.com, sports fan will receive sports content from across categories, geographies and time zones.

     

    There will be a robust social media presence for the new co-branded media platforms and, an online programming guide for television.

     

    Components of the collaboration require regulatory approvals, for which the process is currently underway.

     

    Multi Screen Media CEO NP Singh said, “Our partnership with ESPN is just what the sports aficionado has been waiting for. Stylized, insightful sports content presented by the best sportscasters in the business. For consumers in India and the subcontinent, sports television viewing will change dramatically since they will soon have access not only to more content but also the widest array of sports lineup, ever available.”

     

    He further added, “MSM’s association with ESPN is holistic and embraces both television and digital formats. Not only are we about to set the frontiers in sports content and distribution but we will most likely set the trends as well. Going further, both companies will also explore collaboration on the development of other original sports programs.”

     

    ESPN International executive vice president and managing director Russell Wolff said, “ESPN’s focus around the world is simple: to serve sports fans. This exciting, long-term collaboration between ESPN and MSM will serve Indian sports fans with exceptional products, content and coverage through the combined strengths and expertise of our two companies, which each have a strong heritage of leadership and innovation in India. We are very excited to be working with Sony, one of the leading television channels in India, on the opportunities that lie ahead.”

     

    MSM’s current sports rights portfolio in India includes the UEFA Euro 2016, top European football leagues (including La Liga, The FA Cup and Serie A), the NBA, the NFL, the IRB Rugby World Cup, UFC, TNA Wrestling and NASCAR amongst others.

     

    ESPN will add to that by delivering more than 1000 hours of programming per year from its portfolio of sports rights, original programming and studio programs. Live sports content in the deal includes major US college football (including the College Football Playoff and comprehensive coverage of the college football bowl season); major US college basketball (including the March Madness NCAA Championship Tournaments); NCAA college sport championships from baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer; Boxing (including Premier Boxing Champions and ESPN’s Big Fights Library); X Games; ESPN Films Emmy-Award Winning 30 For 30 documentaries amongst others.

     

    In its previous 16 year long stint in India via the joint venture with Star India, ESPN Software India operated ESPN Star Sports’ India ops. The channels under it included ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket. Over the last few years post the exit of ESPN, Star India’s sports game has been upped by several notches with the launch of multiple sports channels under the Star Sports brand name as well as lucrative leagues for sports  such as Kabbadi, football et al.

     

    With MSM and ESPN’s ambitous plans to launch multiple sports channels as well as original sports properties, the sports broadcasting scenario is likely to receive a major impetus. Moreover, with competition heating up in the space, when the rights for the marquee tournament – Indian Premier League (IPL) come up for bidding again in 2019 the acquisition price is likely to sky rocket.

  • TheOneAlliance appoints Subhadip Bhattacharyya as vice president – sales

    TheOneAlliance appoints Subhadip Bhattacharyya as vice president – sales

    MUMBAI: TheOneAlliance has roped in Subhadip Bhattacharyya as vice president sales to handle the DAS and analog business for North and East markets.

     

    Bhattacharyya will be a part of the core group responsible for the overall strategy of the company. In his new role, he will be also responsible for conceptualizing and implementing business plans with a view to penetrate new accounts and expand existing ones. He will be a part of the sales and strategy team and will be working closely with TheOneAlliance executive vice president sales and strategy Makarand Palekar.

     

    Bhattacharyya is a veteran from the industry and brings with him over 20 years of experience handling the sports business, distribution expansion, channel management and retail development of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). He has worked with ESPN Star Sports for more than a decade. In his last assignment Bhattacharyya was heading the distribution business of Taj Television (Zee group).

     

    Known for his business acumen, analytical and problem-solving skills, Bhattacharyya is adept at forging strong business partnerships.

     

    Palekar said, “We are delighted to have Shubhadip onboard with us. With his proven track record and rich and diverse experiences, he will further strengthen the formidable team of TheOneAlliance. I am confident that the business will scale newer heights under his leadership.”

     

    Bhattacharyya added, “I am excited to be associated with TheOneAlliance and I am looking forward to begin a new innings in my career with a dynamic team and a powerful organization. I am sure there are abundant opportunities for us to tap on to as we look at expanding the existing business.”

  • CASBAA Singapore appoints Mark Lay as vice president

    CASBAA Singapore appoints Mark Lay as vice president

    MUMBAI: CASBAA has announced the appointment of Mark Lay to the newly created position of vice president, CASBAA Singapore.

     

    “We are excited to welcome Mark to the CASBAA family and to represent the Association in Singapore,” said CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter. “His thorough knowledge and understanding of Asia’s multichannel TV industry and successful track record in senior management will help CASBAA build its membership base and shape its future strategy.”

     

    Reporting directly to the CEO, Lay will promote the entire range of CASBAA’s products, services and events to relevant member companies, and ensure members’ needs and expectations are met by the Association. As VP, CASBAA Singapore, he will also maintain and expand relationships with assigned strategic and potential members and represent CASBAA in the increasingly important Singapore market.

     

    Lay gained his broadcast industry experience through previous roles in distribution and marketing with Star and as VP affiliate sales and relations at Discovery Channel Asia. He has also held director level positions at Mikoishi Studios and Acme Mobile and was most recently a Private Investor at Lay Financial in Singapore.

     

    “It’s great to be back in the pay television business and I am looking forward to reconnecting with previous colleagues and clients along with forging strong connections with new players as well,” said Lay. “Working with CASBAA is a role within the industry that is new to me but one which I am very excited to embrace.”

  • Neutrogena, the Healthy Skin Expert, ties up with Indias Biggest Beauty Event

    Neutrogena, the Healthy Skin Expert, ties up with Indias Biggest Beauty Event

    MUMBAI: Premier beauty and skin care brand, Neutrogena, has announced its first ever partnership with the country’s most anticipated beauty pageant, Femina Miss India. The contest, to be held in March 2014, will have a special Miss Healthy Skin title sponsored by Neutrogena®, the international skin care expert, recommended by dermatologists.

    Commenting on the association, Tushar Murdeshwar, Vice President, Consumer Division, Johnson & Johnson India Ltd. said, “Neutrogena® is proud to associate with the India’s biggest beauty event and to be a part of every young Indian girl’s dream. Our range of products is developed for the woman who understands that healthy skin is the first step to beauty and who better to embody that than the future Miss Healthy Skin 2014.”

    The Miss India spokesperson added, “We are very excited about this partnership with Neutrogena, one of the leading skin care brands. In its 51st year, the beauty pageant has become synonymous with real beauty that is more than skin deep. This philosophy is a natural fit with Neutrogena, since they recognize the importance of healthy skin that is long lasting.”

    Femina Miss India is the country’s oldest and most credible beauty event that brings together the best of beauty, poise, elegance and intelligence from across India. Its winners have instantly become household names and several have succeeded in making it big in Bollywood. The first round of auditions for the 2014 crown will begin on 19th December in Chandigarh. Auditions will be held in 15 cities over the next two months, followed by regional auditions in Kolkata and Bengaluru. The pageant finale will be held in March, in Mumbai.

    The final round of contestants will undergo a rigorous training, including skin care guidance by leading dermatologists. Over the next few weeks, millions in India and across the world will gear up to watch India select its next beauty queen, making the Miss India pageant one of the most anticipated and closely followed events.

  • Srinivasan Swamy re-elected as IAA president

    Srinivasan Swamy re-elected as IAA president

    MUMBAI: R K Swamy BBDO chairman and managing director Srinivasan Swamy has been re-elected as president of India chapter of International Advertising Association (IAA). The announcement was made at the annual general meeting held on 25 September in Mumbai.

    Apart from this, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment MD and CEO Neeraj Roy has been elected as vice president. Jaya Advertising chairman Jaideep Gandhi and HBO India MD Monica Tata have also been re-elected as treasurer and secretary respectively for the year 2013-14.

    “IAA India was on an over-drive in 2012-13 under the leadership of Srinivasan Swamy” said IAA VP & area director Asia Pacific Pradeep Guha.

    “I am happy I was at the helm at IAA when many new initiatives were planned and unfolded. I had a great team who executed much of these programmes with élan. As we move forward, our aim at IAA India is to be seen by IAA Global as the most vibrant of all IAA chapters worldwide. I am sure that recognition is not far,” said Swamy.

    Swamy was co-opted onto the global IAA board in May this year as VP- development, Asia Pacific, as an acknowledgement of the initiatives that were undertaken in the first six months of his presidentship in India.

    The other members of the new managing committee are: Pradeep Guha, Pheroza Bilimoria, Kaushik Roy, Sam Balsara, Raj Nayak, Ramesh Narayan, M G Parameswaran, M V Shreyams Kumar, Kunal Lalani, Avinash Pandey, Arunabh Dassharma, Neville Taraporewalla, Partho Das Gupta, Rajesh Kejriwal and Abhishek Karnani, Manish Advani, Janak Sarda, Vishakha Singh, C V L Srinivas and Atit Mehta.

  • Walt Disney executive takes studio to Court

    Walt Disney executive takes studio to Court

    MUMBAI: A former executive vice president of Walt Disney Pictures Glen Lajeski has filed a lawsuit against the studio in state court alleging that his contract was breached when he was fired by the company last June. Lajeski was involved in movie music marketing at Walt Disney Pictures

    Lajeski began his tenure with Disney in 1996 as vice president of music marketing. The suit says that during his time with the company, he spearheaded the success of the soundtrack for O Brother, Where Art Thou? and also worked on soundtracks for such films as Coyote Ugly, Pirates of the Caribbean and Armageddon.

    Lajeski was ultimately promoted to the title of executive vice president, music/creative marketing. His most recent contract with the company began on 2 January, 2008.

    The suit says that Lajeski was fired on or about June 15 “without specifying any cause for the termination and providing no opportunity to cure.” I further goes on to say that the marketing personal’s employment contract was not set to expire until 1 January, 2013.

  • Surat’s Radio City celebrates Children’s Day

    Surat’s Radio City celebrates Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: Surat’s Radio City 91.1FM today celebrated Children’s Day with great pomp and fervour! More than 100 lesser privileged children from Surat’s Shri Mahajan Anaath Baalashram were in for a treat as the Radio City along with RJ JJ and Leena (Radio City Breakfast Show) and RJ Rayhaan (Radio City Joyride) visited them with 7 Magic Boxes full of ‘Whatte Fun’ gifts from Surat city! After presenting the goodies to the children, the RJ spent quality time playing and interacting with them.

     

    Taking the lead to ensure a memorable Diwali and Children’s Day for the lesser privileged children of Surat, Radio City 91.1FM had organised a unique campaign ‘Diwali se Baaldivas Tak’ from 6-14 November. Extending the festive sparkle to one and all, Radio City encouraged the people of Surat to spare a thought for these deserving children and allocate a small portion of their Diwali budget towards buying something for them. Responding to this call, Surat contributed wholeheartedly with over hundreds of listeners coming into the studios to drop in brand new toys, clothes and gifts for the children at Shri Mahajan Anaath Baalashram.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rana Barua, National Head – Marketing, Radio City 91.1FM said, “It’s the simpler things in life which allow us to make a difference! We at Radio City have always made an effort to involve our listeners to actively contribute to society and give back in equal measure. Thanks to our listeners, our ‘Diwali to Baaldivas’ celebration this year has been a resounding success.”

     

    Deeply moved by the gesture, Dr. Harikrishna Joshi, Vice President, Shri Mahajan Anaath Baalashram said, “On behalf of our Trust and the children here, I would like to thank Radio City for their efforts in bringing Surat together for this unique Celebration. Thanks to the generosity of Surat’s Radio Cityzens, the Festival of Lights this year has been very memorable for all of us here. This has been a one-of-its kind initiative which has never happened in our city before.”

     

    A sustained focus on understanding listeners and leveraging the synergies of music expertise and innovative programming, allows Radio City to deliver a unique listening experience and be an integral part of the lives of listeners across markets. Aggressively looking at spreading the Radio City experience to new markets across the country, Radio City 91.1FM is committed to growing the market and creating superlative content for premium audiences.

  • Discovery Travel & Living gives global cuisine the attention it deserves in its premiere series – Chic Eats

    MUMBAI: No doubt, technology has altered the world of food, making ingredients easier to produce and faster to distribute globally. But at what cost? Fortunately, there are artisans who are working to preserve the traditional methods of cooking that have shaped the world’s culinary history.

    Get prepared to investigate how ancient cooking techniques are being revived and sustained in the episode Hungry Luddite, part of Discovery Travel & Living’s premiere and on-going series Chic Eats.

    Hungry Luddite will air on Discovery Travel & Living on Tuesday, 6th February at 8:30 pm. The episode takes a look at food aficionados and food-obsessed communities who are preserving the culinary traditions of the past in today’s faceless, fast-paced and high-tech society.

    Nothing is perfect in here, because it is not made by machines. Like it or not, the food world is highly industrialised. But there remain a handful of dedicated people with their glasses raised all set to rage against the machine. These are culinary luddites who are keeping old traditions alive.

    Aditya Tripathi, Vice President – Lifestyle, Discovery Networks India, said, “Chic Eats will give viewers a comprehensive view about the latest food trends, must use ingredients, new kitchen gadgets and of course the must-visit food destinations.”

    Chic Eats explores the billion-dollar food industry, stretching its tentacles across the international and commercial landscape. With an access to gourmet magazine’s arsenal of trusted industry journalists and epicurean experts, Chic Eats is an engaging and authentic programme that gives viewers more of what they love most – food stories from all around the world.

    Chic Eats will air all through february uptil march 20th every tuesday at 8:30 PM.