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Tag: You Tube

  • Pocket Films launches short film OTT

    Pocket Films launches short film OTT

    MUMBAI: The big boys are merging their OTTs. Others are announcing new OTTs. Why should the small guys be left out?

    Short film aggregator Pocket Films – run by long time web-preneur Sameer Mody  – has officially announced the launch of its OTT.

    Taking to linkedin Mody  posted: “The only OTT you need for shortfilms is here! Enjoy an elevated viewing experience with our curated content in a variety of genres and languages.”

    The Pocket films OTT is not designed in the manner that most apps are – it has been launched in  a web (mobile responsive) version without any  apparent iOS or android variant which needs to be downloaded. It, however, allows creators to create their profile and upload their films, and permit them to be distributed through the wide  Pocket Films  network. The short films, while limited in number (compared to its YouTube cousin), are available in various genres and in Hindi, Marathi and international languages.  

    Mody who is the founder &  managing director of the company, has been at it for nearly 18 years and over time his firm, according to him, has emerged as the number one partner of You Tube for short content. Pocket Films’ YouTube channel has around 3.91 million subscribers and showcases around 3,000 videos, many created by users.

    The channel generates more than 150 million views each month.  In addition to YouTube,  Pocket Films also distributes its content through OTT platforms, mobile operators, TV channels, in-flight entertainment.

    This apart, it organises short film contests in India in partnership with international film festivals like . Manhattan Short, Indian Film Festival, Stuttgart, River to River Florence, Italy, among others. 

    Recently, Pocket Films has also ventured into production with a special focus on digital series  and short films, especially catering to the growing OTT and digital platforms.

  • How India consumes digital news

    How India consumes digital news

    MUMBAI: India is a large, chaotic, noisy democracy at work. And nothing encapsulates this better than the desire for news in Indians, be it through print, broadcast or even digital. Digital news in India, as per comScore’s latest report, receives an average of 282 million unique visitors (UVs) every month, making India the second-largest online news consuming nation in the world after China.

    Digital news is also the most popular content category by reach, having a 96 per cent reach, just above social media, entertainment and retail at 95, 95, and 94 per cent. News penetration in India is actually higher than other key populations like China and the USA, says the report titled ‘Trends in Online News Consumption,’ that analysed data for the month of September.

    However, despite the high penetration of digital news in India, the average time an Indian spends on news sites at 191 minutes is much lower that countries like Finland (667), China (496), and the US (352).

    The rise of news aggregators

    Thanks, perhaps, to the high-demand of news in India and to comparatively lower time spent on news sites, the biggest players in news category are news aggregators. Data from comScore’s report shows that out of the 282 UVs for the month of September, nearly 158 million came through news aggregators. Together, news aggregators recorded a staggering 187 per cent growth in 2019.

    Among news aggregators, Dailyhunt remains the undisputed market leader, having 43 per cent market reach. Flipboard, Newspoint, Google News, Inshorts, and UCNews have carved out a space for themselves but none of them is in a position to challenge Dailyhunt’s current market domination.

    Mobile leads the way

    The popularity of news aggregators is also aided by another peculiar Indian market trait, the popularity of mobile screen over desktop. Over 90 per cent of the total time Indians spends on digital news sites is on mobile screens with desktop compromising just below 10 per cent. The compatibility of news aggregators on mobile screens is aiding their growth.

    However, the same poses challenges for advertisers looking to monetise the popularity of digital news. Desktop interface is more compatible for advertisings than a mobile screen. News aggregators, currently, advertise by strategically placing branded content and promotions in between important stories.

    Vernacular shows promise

    Another feature that distinguishes Indian digital news market from other key markets like China, USA, Brazil, Canada, and the UK is the tremendous content diversity on news sites in India.  While all other key digital news markets are one language dominated, in India, a huge amount of traffic to news sites comes from vernacular languages.

    News, but in video format

    The report also finds that for news sites, video remains the best option to engage consumers. In the last one year, top news sites have increased their video output vastly, and have benefitted from it.

    Also, You Tube is the most preferred partner for growth in news videos. The study finds that news sites benefit tremendously by contributing videos to You Tube. The report finds that out of the total 85 million UVs on India Today Group site, 84 million came from You Tube. For Times Internet, the figure was 25 million UVs out of the total of 33 million UVs.

    News is here to stay

    If there is one take away from the report, then it is that news, in whatever format, is here to stay. Also, in India, digital news is showing growth alongside a healthy growth in broadcast news, without much harm to print news.

    However, for news sites to remain relevant in a fast changing Indian digital news market, videos and effective partnerships with social media like You Tube and Facebook, is critical.

  • DD announces short film contest on Independence theme

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has announced a Swatantra Bharat Short Films Contest to mark the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement and 70th anniversary of India’s Independence next month.

    The aim is to create awareness, education, encouragement and enlightenment about inspiring, real-life stories of ordinary people who have made a difference to the society to rid it of some evil or malpractice, educate and enlighten people about the importance of Independence, freedom struggle, freedom fighters and to instil the feeling of patriotism.

    Carrying prizes worth Rs 300,000, the last date for entries is 7 August 2017. The competition will have three categories.Animation films, mobile films and films of any other genre produced with broadcast quality can participate in this contest.

    Regional language films are to be supported with English or Hindi transcription. But one person can only submit one film in each category – thus a maximum of three films. A jury comprising communication experts, social entrepreneurs and film makers will judge the 3-minute, 2-minute and 1-minute films separately.

    The best three films in each of the three categories will get Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively and a merit certificate.

    The films will be first screened on Doordarshan and then released on You Tube. The films will also be used by Doordarshan extensively in their workshops and training programmes.

    DD sources said there are thousands of stories that can be told in each of these areas.

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  • Sony Music launches second YouTube channel for kids

    Sony Music launches second YouTube channel for kids

    MUMBAI: Sony Music has launched its second YouTube channel for kids called D’Art of Science featuring Deepak Pathania, India’s very own Steve Spangler.

     

    Known for his magical videos that artistically blend fun and innovation with science, Pathania, through this channel aims to inspire and educate kids with entertaining science presentations backed by simple scientific explanations. 

     

    The channel will continue to showcase his creative journey driven by science and logic with the new videos being uploaded every weekend.

     

    Pathania said, “I’m really excited on the launch of my virtual world of science for kids. This will not only give kids an all access to an avalanche of videos but also a place where they can learn cool science tricks, and experience the magic of science in their daily lives. Eventually this alternate method of learning will reflect positively in their education.”

     

    Sony Music Kids head Anjana Devraj added, “We are happy to expand our kids’ portfolio with Deepak Pathania’s creative and educational videos based on scientific experiments. Last month we had launched India’s first YT channel for kids – MadStuffWithRob in partnership with YouTube, which has received an amazing response. We are sure that D’Art of Science will also become a massive hit and become the most watched kids Science channel across all media.”

     

    D’Art of Science on YouTube will have interactive videos across genres including fun science, school science, innovation, science DIY’s and toys based on science.

     

  • Flo Rida gets down with NBA on ESPN

    Flo Rida gets down with NBA on ESPN

    MUMBAI: IMG/Poe Boy/Atlantic recording artist Flo Rida has announced an array of activity surrounding his hot new single, G.D.F.R. (feat. Sage the Gemini and Lookas) is available now at all DSP’s. Currently standing at number one atop the iTune’s stores Top Hip-Hop/Rap Songs chart, G.D.F.R. (feat. Sage the Gemini and Lookas) is featured in the latest ad from the new NBA on ESPN campaign titled, This Is Your Game. The track will be the baseline soundtrack for ESPN’s coverage of the entire 2014-15 NBA season, with spots and other digital/social elements slated to run across all ESPN platforms.

     

    G.D.F.R (feat. Sage the Gemini and Lookas) has also received online appreciation, with critical acclaim coming from national outlets as The Source, which noted the track is “likely to be a club favourite.” In addition, the track’s official lyric video was premiered on Flo Rida’s official YouTube channel.

     

    Flo Rida who is a recognizable hip hop hero, burst out of the gate in 2007 with the RIAA 7x platinum certified hit, Low (feat. T-Pain) and spent 10 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. The Miami-based rapper has a string of record-breaking, multi-platinum certified singles, including the worldwide favourite, Right Round (Feat. Ke$ha), In the Ayer (feat. will.i.am) and Club Can’t Handle Me (feat. David Guetta). In addition, Flo has made guest appearances on tracks such as David Guetta’s platinum certified Where Them Girls At, Troublemaker and Taio Cruz’s chart-topper, Hangover.

  • #fame to invest 10 million dollars across six countries

    #fame to invest 10 million dollars across six countries

    MUMBAI: To The New (TTN), an end-to-end digital services network, through its digital content platform #fame will be investing $10 million in the next couple of years as it sets a target to reach out to 5000 channels and 50,000 content creators across six countries in south east Asia.

     

    #fame CEO Saket Saurabh, who was previously working with the Network18 group, says the company will follow a three pronged strategy for its talent-first programmes. Saurabh elaborates, “In the first stage it will focus on emerging talent and to establish them and help them promote and build digital communities.  In the second stage, content through digital IPs’ will be created via innovative digital shows in genres such as food, fashion, music, comedy and technology and in the third stage the company will monetise by helping brands reach out and engage with audiences through digital conversations via digital video services.”

     

    The digital agency has adopted a multi-platform approach when it comes to distribution on social platforms like YouTube, Facebook, WeChat etc. “We are screen agnostic. We are looking at mobiles, movies, airports, television screens etc,” says Saurabh.

     

    #fame, which was formerly known as Four Cross Creative Services, in the last few months decided to redefine its business operations and thus ideated to come up with its multi-tier talent management programme, which is designed to help talented youngsters grow their presence digitally and evolve as performers.

     

    TTN Ventures MD Puneet Johar feels that video is the new language for consumers on internet. “It is combining powerfully with the smartphone explosion and the rise of social sharing across screens to inspire a new wave of talent. We have built a strong ecosystem of digital businesses well positioned to create value in such a landscape,” he informs.

     

    #fame has identified six key markets – India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. It will now focus on creating Indian-based IPs and will begin its local businesses in other five countries in the coming six to eight months.

     

    To create talent inflow, it has partnered with Blogmint which is a fast growing network of bloggers. It currently has 5000 content creators and this figure is expected to reach 10,000 by the end of the year. It will also build a network of alliances with talent hubs such as comedy clubs, film and music schools, art and culinary academies.

     

    #fame announced a slew of digital shows like School of Style which it claims to be India’s first online hunt for top stylists and will be hosted by celebrated entertainment and fashion icon Karan Johar who will be the host, judge and mentor. Others include, Websinger which seeks promising young singing talent, Gang No 1 a search for top comedy collectives and the second season of Webchef the country’s largest online hunt for amateur chefs.

     

     When asked if the IPs will rest with either #fame or the hosts, Saurabh says it will be dealt on a case to case basis.

     

    Celebrities that have signed up with #fame include TV star Maria Goretti, child comic star Saloni, top fashionista Anusha Dandekar, celebrity chef Ajay Chopra, singing sensation Shibani Kashyap and style guru VJ Andy.

  • Sanjeev Kapoor cooks up a storm on You Tube

    Sanjeev Kapoor cooks up a storm on You Tube

    MUMBAI: Sanjeev Kapoor the celebrity chef created a new landmark by crossing 300,000 subscribers and 100 million views on You Tube making him the India’s largest individual channel. Sanjeev Kapoor has been always up the curve on technology and yet again has proved that in spite of coming from a niche space like food he can rule the digital medium. Sanjeev Kapoor has partnered with ZengaTV and One Digital Entertainment to manage his digital properties.

     

    One Digital Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., the largest MCN (multi-channel network) for YouTube in India is managing content strategy, audience development and planning for Sanjeev Kapoor’s YouTube Channel.

     

    On this occasion of success and his birthday on the 10th April, Zenga Media Pvt. Ltd which owns his YouTube rights, has decided to release Official YouTube Video Mobile App of Sanjeev Kapoor. This app offers opportunity to his fans to stay in touch with him through live interactions apart from new recipe videos, images of Sanjeev Kapoor, fans will be able to use this app to stay socially connected with Sanjeev through Facebook, Twitter and Fun2shoot.

     

    Commenting on the App, Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor said, “I have received an overwhelming response from my fans on my You Tube India channel. This provides an entire new way for me to communicate with my fans and give them a new and unique content experience! I had a great deal of fun working with the Zenga team in customizing and extending the YouTube channel and social media in to an app and really appreciate this collaboration and giving my fans another way to follow my cooking and stay connected to me. This inspiring app gives everyone the chance to learn and practice a whole range of skills as well as providing hours of cooking that can be enjoyed by the whole family.”

     

    Commenting on the partnership and launch of new app, Mr. Abhishek Joshi, CEO-Zenga Media Pvt. Ltd, said “We have different strategy and attitude on different platforms customizing it to what works best on the given platform to celebrities. We attribute the growth of numbers to the content created for the platform. We kept innovating on the properties and changed strategy from time to time to keep the users engaged and interested.”

     

    He further adds Sanjeev Kapoor app gives users a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his lifestyle. Zenga’s comprehensive mobile platform and unique app development solutions, provides a new channel for fans to directly engage with Sanjeev Kapoor, while building brand loyalty and increasing his digital audience. Zenga has exclusively partnered with OneDigtal for all the Youtube distribution through their MCN network, as they are the experts in this space.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Gurpreet Singh, COO of OneDigital Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. said “We have been in the original content creation space for more than a year now and managing over 70+ artists and Sanjeev Kapoor is one of our favorite. We create innovative content and concepts for today’s digital audience. It’s great to work with Sanjeev Kapoor as he understands the power of Digital Platforms and is open to experiment with it.”

     

    He further adds Digital medium has grown to be the epicenter of marketing and communication across all brands and celebrities. Since our launch a year back, One Digital has been connecting fans to their favorite icons/ celebrities in an effective and exciting manner. We are humbled on our association with Sanjeev Kapoor and we look forward to a committed and an exciting endeavor with him. Our expertise in Digital Space will ensure that we continue exploring path breaking initiatives and add value to our clients.

     

    The application is available for all IOS, Windows and Android mobile and Tab users. Fans can download this free of cost from iTunes App Store for iPhone/ iPad and Google Play for Android users and Windows store for Windows users.

  • Ignitee bags American Swan’s Rs 200 million digital biz

    MUMBAI: Ignitee Digital Services has been awarded the digital mandate of global online and lifestyle brand American Swan. The digital agency will undertake to establish a strong digital footprint for American Swan in the growing Indian lifestyle and fashion segment.

    Ignitee has developed the corporate website for American Swan and will now manage the brand‘s social media campaigns and communication across assets including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and You Tube.

    Additionally, Ignitee will also manage the digital media planning and buying for the brand across platforms.

    Ignitee said that the size of the account is Rs 200 million.

    Ignitee Digital Services CEO Atul Hegde said, “The fashion and lifestyle segment in e-commerce has shown the largest growth this year, it‘s a crowded but very exciting space to be in. American Swan with its globally designed products is uniquely placed to leverage this booming trend online. Ignitee will put all its might in making American Swan among the premier fashion brand online.”

    The American Swan Lifestyle Company director and CEO Anurag Rajpal said, “The American Swan brand has been conceived and developed to be Aspirational, Accessible and Affordable. We aim for a differentiation through our brand proposition and positioning to offer affordable luxury to an aspiration-led audience that seeks international quality and fashion.

    “Going further, we want to give our customers the opportunities to interact and engage with the brand on the Digital and Social Media platforms. We want to bring our target audience closer to the brand through our digital activities and for this we have brought Ignitee Digital on board. Ignitee has been one of the key players in the digital marketing arena and their expertise and ingenious thinking will surely help the brand to reach its zenith.”