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Tag: YouTube

  • Future Generali’s Father’s Day campaign breaks records on digital platforms

    Future Generali’s Father’s Day campaign breaks records on digital platforms

    MUMBAI: Future Generali Life Insurance recently launched a digital campaign last week on Father’s Day, #AapkiHealthMereLiye.

    With #PromiseToMyChild, fathers across the country pledged a vow of health to their children as a part of the campaign. Digital marketing agency AdLift who were appointed by FGILI to handle their social media account executed the campaign making it a massive success on all social media platforms.

    The hashtag #AapkiHealthMereLiye was launched on 14 June on various social platforms like Youtube, Facebook and LinkdIn to attract focus towards the Father’s Day video created by Future Generali India Life Insurance.

    Another hashtag #PromiseToMyChild was created to record the responses of fathers on this video 15 June 15 onwards. By the end of the campaign on 17 June, a total of 3.9M views and 1.8M views were received on Facebook and YouTube respectively.

    Also, a whopping 2.5K people liked the video, and 632 people shared it as well fuelling the overall victory of the campaign. More than 1200 fathers responded to the #PromiseToMyChild hashtag by giving a promise related to his health.

  • YouTube launches two new streaming services in 12 countries

    YouTube launches two new streaming services in 12 countries

    MUMBAI: YouTube has launched YouTube Red, YouTube Music, two paid services in 12 new countries. Google has announced that YouTube Music and YouTube Premium will continue its global rollout.

    The 12 new countries include UK, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden. YouTube Music was already available in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South Korea.

    Users will be able to listen to tracks as well as watch music videos through YouTube Music. It allows users to listen to music ad-free as well as continue to listen even when the app is closed, and download tracks to their device.

    YouTube Premium which was earlier known as YouTube Red offers ad-free service. YouTube Premium members also can  get access to the full slate of YouTube Originals shows and movies including the hit series Cobra Kai, Impulse, F2 Finding Football and The Sidemen Show.

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  • Shoppers Stop launches new campaign ‘Denim to Work’

    Shoppers Stop launches new campaign ‘Denim to Work’

    MUMBAI: Shoppers Stop has introduced the Denim to Work campaign, a unique initiative encouraging working professionals to include denim in their workwear wardrobes. The first-of-its kind campaign is inspired by iconic young CEOs and leaders across industries, a generation that believes in rewriting the rules of the game.

    Denim to Work is a bold campaign which has been introduced to break the traditional formal work week wear with an aim to empower and redefine the new codes of leadership towards building a fresh work culture. With the new-age companies and start-ups relaxing the norms and with introduction ofFriday dressings and casual dressings to work, denims are increasingly becoming an acceptable dress code at work.

    Commenting on this, Shoppers Stop customer care associate and managing director Govind Shrikhande said, “With growing awareness and an increasing affinity towards denims across age groups, we believe there is a huge untapped market for denim segment in the apparel industry. Organised retail sector, young population, online penetration of denims, growing popularity of engineered/ distressed denim, varied fabric washes and changing classification of consumer’s wardrobe are some of the key growth drivers which will further fuel the growth of this segment. Shoppers Stop aims to tap into this market growth and leverage its large offering in the denim category through the ‘Denim to Work’ campaign which has been rolled out across multimedia platforms with print, radio, outdoor and a digital film.”

    Head of art contract (India) Vineet Mahajan says, “Walking into work wearing a pair of jeans is a common sight now. But denims have never been promoted as workwear. We thought this idea was quite disruptive and we hit the sweet spot of an idea by celebrating the designations of a new age workplace. Shoppers Stop has always broken new ground in fashion retail communication and this one was no different.”

    Mirum joint CEO Sanjay Mehta said, “For me, this denim-to-work campaign closes the loop in a certain kind of way. For the last six years, I’ve been wearing blue denims to work every single day and have been extremely comfortable in these. Over this period, I have also seen a shift in the way denims are perceived in the corporate world. People have accepted it as a part of the whole workforce culture. Also, I’m excited about the campaign as it gives people an opportunity to see denims in a definite kind of role and setting. I’m sure that more companies will accept denims as a part of their evolving office culture after seeing this campaign.”

    Click on the link to watch the Denim to Work digital film: https://youtu.be/k8m6WLWrD8E

    As per study, the market size of Indian Denim Wear was estimated to be Rs 20,205 crore in 2016. The market is now projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.5 per cent and reach Rs 39,651 crore by 2021, and Rs 77,999 crore market by 2026.

    The digital film  Denim to Work campaign is produced and directed by Mirum and the ad creatives have been created by Shoppers Stop’s ad agency Contract Advertising. Conceptualised by Mirum, the digital film aims to break down the rules laid by rigid corporate culture. In line with Shoppers Stop’s brand philosophy Start Something New the film features young employees at various levels of hierarchy and how they #RIPtheDesignations to stand out in the system with their own attitude and style. The film inspires young professionals to flaunt their own sense of style and exude confidence at the work place with denims as a part of their work wear wardrobe.

  • Shemaroo’s Filmigaane crosses 10 mn subscriber mark

    Shemaroo’s Filmigaane crosses 10 mn subscriber mark

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment’s YouTube channel dedicated to retro music Filmigaane has crossed the 10 million subscriber mark. The content powerhouse has strengthened its digital presence with more than 50 YouTube channels.

    Filmigaane is the one-stop destination for classic bollywood melody lovers. The audience base is spread around multiple geographies like India, the US, UAE, Canada, Australia and more and reaches 384 million digital consumers per month.

    “We started Filmigaane with an aim to reach out to audiences who love retro music. This is such a momentous occasion and calls for a big shout out to all our fans across the world who have helped us achieve the remarkable milestone of 10 million subscribers. We are truly humbled and overwhelmed by their support and love. It is their belief in us that will help us continuously strive for new and innovative content. Digital has been an exemplary medium for us to reach out to the fans of retro music and connect with them,” Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada said.

    Starting in 2018, the channel has been offering a mix of content ranging from the golden era of 1950s to the still recent popular numbers from the 1990s over the last four years. Filmigaane succeeded in bringing the trends of evergreen songs back, leading to a humungous growth in subscribers.

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  • YouTube web series to showcase road safety awareness across India

    YouTube web series to showcase road safety awareness across India

    MUMBAI: YouTube is launching a novel web series in India called That Good Ugly Day which it claims isn’t like any other in terms of creativity and disseminating social messages. The series is said to have shocking incidents with zero fiction plotting. The first episode which will focus on road safety awareness is scheduled to be launched in this coming month.

    The web series is lead by Ajay Rajpal who leaves no stone unturned to showcase how the road rage turns a good day into bad when something unusual, unexpected and unwanted happens all of a sudden, and how it becomes a turning point for the rest of our life.

    Rajpal says, “Road rage is a menace. Inconsiderate driving, bad traffic and the daily stresses of life can transform minor frustrations into dangerous road rage. Far too many drivers are losing themselves in the heat of the moment and lashing out in ways that could turn deadly. Through the first episode of the series, we have ensured that how critical road safety is, and we need deliverance from road rage.”

  • TiVo exits STB business

    TiVo exits STB business

    MUMBAI: TiVo is exiting the manufacturing, sales and distribution of set-top boxes to a yet-undisclosed third party, the company has said.

    CEO Enrique Rodriguez, talking to analysts on its Q1 earnings call, said that consumers would continue to see TiVo-branded boxes in the retail sector, and specifically mentioned outlets such as Best Buy and Amazon. “Once we complete this transition, we still will have direct consumer hardware sales through TiVo.com, which we will be fulfilling through this box manufacturer.”

    Q1 revenue was $189.9 million, with core revenue up $9.7 million (5.9 per cent). Product revenue was $116.9 million, up 2 per cent year-on-year.

    Rovi Corp acquired TiVo in 2016 and Rodriguez said that synergies had already topped $100 million of its $110 million targeted savings from the combination.

    Rodriguez told analysts that its traditional markets consist of consumer electronics, or CE manufacturers, and Pay TV service providers. “The emerging markets for us are virtual service providers, content and new media companies as well as advertisers. These are the areas that we believe will drive TiVo’s future growth.”

    He added that TiVo had expanded its patent agreement with Google in Q1 to include YouTube TV. Additionally, KDDI renewed their OTT service agreement with TiVo in Japan. “In Asia, we added Telstra Corp as a licensee in Australia and renewed our IP licence deal with Alticast in Korea. In Europe, we added the number two service provider in a major European country as a customer under a six-year licence arrangement. This comes on top of renewing eight service providers in Europe last year.”

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  • Three years down, YouTube Kids unable to make an impact

    Three years down, YouTube Kids unable to make an impact

    MUMBAI: Generation Z has grown up with mobile phones and even smartphones in their hands. What TV was to the older generations, the phone was to these kids who grow up with YouTube. In 2015, YouTube Kids was launched promising filtered content and parental control but Indian viewers seem to have given it a pass.

    “The app makes it safer and easier for children to find videos on topics they want to explore,” YouTube Kids group product manager Shimrit Ben-Yair said in a blogpost when the app was first unveiled. In 2016, the app was officially launched in India. Parents can keep a timer restricting the usage as well as limiting the content kids can search with a “turn off” option. There are four sections in the app offering different kinds of content- shows, music, learning, explore.

    YouTube along with other OTT platforms targeting kids has become a ‘digital babysitter’. Though, according to a recent survey, even in developed countries, big screens remain a favourite of kids, the trend of consuming content on portable screens is rising expediently. Turning away from linear TV content, kids are increasingly flocking towards digital content globally. In such a scenario, YouTube Kids definitely has a promising market but there are several factors stunting the growth, especially in India.

    In India, YouTube has not aggressively started any campaign till now for its standalone app. While YouTube itself offers a wide range of kids’ content, other OTT platforms such as Viacom18’s Voot have done extremely well in terms of views. It has popular shows such as The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, Roll No. 21 and Chotta Bheem alongside Dora, Spongebob, Motu Patlu, Shiva and Pokemon.  Amazon and Netflix also have rich content—both commissioned and original.

    In addition to that, YouTube itself is a competition to YouTube Kids with children having plenty of entertainment options. Sparky short form content channels like ChuChu TV, LittleBabyBum, ToyPudding TV, Marsha and the Bear, Ryan ToysReview have more than 13 million subscribers and are thriving. The numbers show how many kids flock to these channels. Whereas, YouTube Kids is restricted. It can be accessed only on mobile devices and smart TVs making it less accessible than the parent site.

    “From collections of channels from trusted partners to enabling parents to select each video and channel themselves, we’re putting parents in the driver’s seat like never before,” YouTube Kids product director James Beser said after the recent announcement of introducing several ways for parents to limit what can be watched on the popular app after receiving huge criticism. After three long years, at least YouTube has acknowledged it needs better policing for the kids app.

    While YouTube has marketed its kid-specific app as a safer place for children, it has to walk a long way to prove itself safer. With its main site being unbeatable in the competition, amidst outcries from child rights groups, the presence of several other players offering various range of kids’ content, YouTube Kids is still not a primary option for kids.

    One of the main reasons behind the launch of YouTube Kids was to make it a safer platform for parents, who didn’t want their children using the main site unsupervised. Since the launch of the app, advocacy groups listed several serious problems. Amidst cartoon animation, explicit sexual language was used, graphic adult discussions about family violence, pornography and child suicide were noticed, modelling of unsafe behaviours, even jokes about paedophilia and drug use were discovered. Along with that, through the commercials, there are enough potential risks for kids to watch inappropriate content.

    Despite not tasting the kind of success YouTube is accustomed to, especially in India, YouTube Kids finds itself to be under promoted. Though more kids are hopping on board digitally, the lack of success of YouTube Kids is a glaring anomaly. YouTube has to ramp up the offering and make the app a safer place for kids, thereby giving usage a shot in the arm in a cluttered market.

  • Striking the right cord, ‘The Reunion’ trailer grabs 1.7 million Youtube and 1.2 million Facebook views

    Striking the right cord, ‘The Reunion’ trailer grabs 1.7 million Youtube and 1.2 million Facebook views

    Mumbai, April 26, 2018: The most talked about trailer this week is The Zoom Studio’s first original show, The Reunion…Jab They Met Again. Slated to premiere on Saturday, April 28 @7:30pm, the show has the young and talented Karishma Kohli making her debut as director of the show. Karishma has assisted Kabir Khan on many blockbusters including Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Tubelight and New York etc. The trailer of The Reunion… Jab They Met Again has already grabbed 1.7 million YouTube views & on Facebook, it has engaged 1.2 million audiences due to its cinematic-like narrative with high production values and visual appeal.

    Besides a promising compelling plot, the actors associated are great performers and have a huge fan following. The show features some talented young actors from the entertainment industry as a part of the star cast including young and quirky actress and model Sapna Pabbi (Breath, The Trip, 24, Khamoshiyan), talented Veer Rajwant Singh (What The Folks, Little Things), the popular face in ad-land Shreya Dhanwanthary (Ladies Room) and the dashing actor seen on TV and ad films Anuj Sachdeva (Sabki Laadli Bebo). 

    ‘The Reunion… Jab They Met Again’ is a 10-episode finite series from The Zoom Studios and will air every Saturday at 7: 30 PM. It is about a group of friends from Bourbon High’s class of 2008 who reunite after 10 years at a hill station where unresolved issues surface and play the party spoiler highlighting the fact that sometimes to look forward, it’s important to rewind and see how far you’ve come.

    Director Karishma Kohli says, “The response is very heart-warming and encouraging especially since it’s my first as a director. The concept of The Reunion is relatable to each one of us and the cast have played their roles to perfection in bringing alive the characters. I can’t wait for the premiere and look forward to audience response on the show.”

    Anuj Sachdeva says, “I am extremely thrilled with the positive feedback the trailer has received. We had a great time shooting for the show in Panchgani. I am pretty sure people will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it. I’m sure most will start planning their own reunion after watching this show.” 

    Sapna Pabbi commented, “When I read the script of the show, I was just blown away. The friends that one makes at high school last a lifetime and I truly felt that I could easily connect to the content and relate to my character. I’m sure the show will get a massive response.”

    Veer Rajwant Singh says, “This has been an unforgettable journey. Frankly, I’m little nervous and excited at the same time. I’m looking forward to genuine feedback and hopefully everyone will love it.”

    Shreya Dhanwanthary commented, “We have worked with all our heart and soul for this show. I’m sure people will relate a lot with the Reunion. I can’t wait for 28th April and I wish it’ll get an immense response from the audiences.”
     

  • OTTs give much needed fillip to stand-up comedy

    OTTs give much needed fillip to stand-up comedy

    MUMBAI: Even as recently as a decade ago, making a decision to become a full-time stand-up comedian in India was fraught with uncertainty. Today, however, the business of being funny is taken seriously.

    The genre is still just beginning to get popular in semi-urban and rural areas and the growth of over-the-top (OTT) platforms has given it a much-deserved boost. Offline stand-up shows have time, place and ticket constraints whereas the web takes away all these pains and enables access on a click.

    Comedy as a genre is a hit in India in both movies and TV shows since the 1950s. The stand-up comedy era is a new one and is increasingly being banked upon Youtube, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and ALTBalaji among other digital platforms.

    Women like Aditi Mittal, Mallika Dua, Radhika Vaz, Sumukhi Suresh, Kaneez Surka and Neeti Palta have proved that they can tickle your funny bone too. In mid-2017, TLC India launched an all-female stand-up comedy show to break the stereotype that women cannot be inherently funny.

    Most comedians get a breakthrough from YouTube and Facebook where anyone can upload their content. These platforms are open for beginners as well as professionals and have helped transform amateurs into professionals. One of the most viewed and subscribed channels on YouTube in India is ‘BB Ki Vines’ that belongs to comedian Bhuvan Bam, who started his career as a YouTuber and is a celebrity now.

    Amazon Prime India continues to bet heavily on comedy for its original content in India. After the streaming service released a slew of stand-up specials last year, betting high on faces like Kanan Gill, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Kenny Sebastian and others, it has released a new special with 23 acts from 16 March. The new show features Indian artists like Kunal Rao, Sorabh Pant, Zakir Khan and Sumukhi Suresh, among others, as well as sketch shows like The Improvisers, Put Chutney and Sketchy Behaviour featuring well-known comedians from all over the country.

    Since its entry, Netflix has delivered a high-profile comedy special every week. Aditi Mittal is the first Indian female comedian who made her debut on Netflix with Things They Wouldn’t Let Me Say. On the international front, Netflix has Indian-origin comedians like Vir Das, Hansal Minhaz and Brahman Naman to convert the chuckles into belly laugh.

    Looking at the Indian platforms, ALTBalaji has been at the forefront of regional language stand-up shows which has tremendous scope as cultural nuances in India are far and wide. ALTBalaji is the only platform to launch regional stand-up comedy videos in Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages. It focuses more on the last two languages for now because of their presence in India and abroad. In all, it has short, snacky and hilarious videos with 65 episodes and five hours 30 minutes of content featuring famous comic artists like Bharat Ganeshpure, Sagar Karande, Anirudh Madesia, Suresh Albela, Pratap Faujdar, Amit Khuva, Dharsi Baredia, Shanti Kumar, Shaik Baba Sharifuddin, Baggy, Manoj and Mervyn.

    ALTBalaji CMO Manav Sethi says that the platform saw viewership rise by 10-15 per cent after adding these comedy bits into its content lineup. He further added, “We have seen significant double-digit growth in this genre especially in 18-40 age segment from top 30 cities. We have seen new consumers coming to our platform because of our comedy content.”

    ALTBalaji COO Sunil Nair believes, “Users on ALTBalaji consume snacky content during commute time and we see a jump in consumption of stand-up acts during these time periods.” Sethi adds that by adding comedy content from various languages, each with its own flavours, they have been able to hit the sweet spot.

    Earlier, comedy was driven by broadcaster demands who would decide on the content and even own the intellectual property. But OTT platforms are willing to experiment with unconventional content.

    By far, stand-up comedy is emerging as a high growth genre for web audiences. Until a few years ago, career and stand-up comedy in a sentence together would only come up as an example of an oxymoron. But gladly times have changed and people have become more audacious, informed, and most importantly accepting and online platforms have been quick to realise the hidden potential in it.

    Also Read :

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    2017: The year OTTs went regional in India

    Regional OTT content more than just catch-up TV 

    Indians among top commute streamers for Netflix

  • YouTube views for Hindi dub of ‘Sarrainodu’ soar

    YouTube views for Hindi dub of ‘Sarrainodu’ soar

    MUMBAI: Telugu actor Allu Arjun as well as the South Indian film industry has hit a new milestone. Telugu-language action film Sarrainodu, after being released in 2016, was dubbed in Hindi and Malayalam. The Hindi dubbed version has been raking in the views becoming one of the most watched Indian movies on YouTube.

    Since the day the Hindi version was uploaded on YouTube, it was super hit and created new records. In a span of nine days, the film garnered 25 million views with 1.75 lakh likes.  Now, after six months, 145 million viewers have watched the Hindi version on YouTube. Moreover, the movie now has more than 5 lakh likes.

    The success of the film again proves that the increased use of social media is helping regional content to reach audiences across the country. The success of Sarrainodu has banked, to a large extent, on Allu Arjun’s increasing following in North India. The success of the movie also indicates the Indian audience’s growing affinity for video-streaming services.

    Other than social media, the Boyapati Srinu-directed film was also a hit at the box office. According to reports, back in 2016, the film raked in Rs 127 crore at the box office. It was the fifth South film to enter the Rs 100 crore.

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