Tag: YouTube

  • Pepperfry gets festive with clutter-breaking Diwali campaign

    Pepperfry gets festive with clutter-breaking Diwali campaign

    MUMBAI: For one of India’s premier festivals Diwali, Pepperfry has planned an ad campaign with a clutter-breaking message that builds on this Diwali spirit.

     

    The campaign has been conceptualised by L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. The ad builds on the communication that unlike the transactional nature of every day interactions, in this festive season people have an opportunity to reflect on their behaviours and actions and their relationships with others.

     

    Pepperfry used this insight to showcase that people can undertake ‘good actions’ to form an emotional bridge with others.

     

    The coming together of the festive social context along with the individual transformation becomes a powerful catalyst for good action, which is what Pepperfry captures in the message “Iss Diwali Kuch Badal Ke Dekhiye.” The brand associates with the communication as a key enabler of good actions, thereby altering relationships positively.

     

    The TV campaign is live across a bouquet of English infotainment, entertainment, movies, and lifestyle channels, select Hindi HD general entertainment channels (GECs) as well as some regional channels.

     

    The message is also supported by in-cinema advertising across the top seven cities and outdoor in top four markets. It will also be propagated across the digital and social platforms like Google, YouTube and Facebook.

     

    Pepperfry’s earlier campaigns have stressed on rational benefits like quality products and service level standards of free & efficient delivery and assembly along with the other core category triggers. Now, Pepperfry is establishing the emotional benefits of the transformation that its products can bring to people’s lives.

     

    Talking about the TVC, L&K Saatchi and Saatchi executive creative director Kartik Smetacek said, “Diwali seemed like the perfect occasion for pepperfry.com to widen its ambit of communication and own a larger brand idea. That’s where the ‘Iss Diwali, kuch badal ke dekhiye’ campaign was born. The films seek to reinvent the role of furniture, which is not traditionally seen as a gifting item. By design, the stories are subtle and warm, keeping away from the dhoom and dhamaka of typical Diwali advertising, to instead capture the spirit of the festival.”

     

    The storyline is inspired by real life situations that will encourage people to introspect and experience how shift in attitudes and thinking can lead us to make a difference via the ad’s core message.

     

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi senior vice president Debarjyo Nandi added, “This Diwali, Pepperfry has made a change. And its message is just that, ‘to make a change’ by reaching out to someone and spreading the happiness. In these TVCs we have used furniture as the trigger for this change.”

     

    Pepperfry chief marketing officer Kashyap Vadapalli said, “In the past 18-24 months, brand Pepperfry has grown significantly and established itself as the number one destination for furniture and other home products in the country. We are now in a position to move beyond communicating just the features of a great furniture product or experience to establish Pepperfry as an agent of transformation. We’ve tapped into the Diwali festive spirit to make an appeal to the consumers to: ‘Iss Diwali Kuch Badal Ke Dekhiye.’”

     

    Vadapalli further added, “We really want consumers to make a change and connect with the goodness within themselves, something that they don’t do in their busy daily routines, and then extend that connect to the brand because of the key role it can play in how this life enhancement can be manifested.”

  • eBay rolls out digital ad to educate consumers on refurbished products

    eBay rolls out digital ad to educate consumers on refurbished products

    NEW DELHI: eBay India, which had launched its ‘ebay Choices’ campaign in August to bring refurbished supply on its platform www.ebay.in; today launched a digital advertisement to educate consumers on the ‘refurbished’ category. 

     

    Link to the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHP2_eeHs5Q&feature=emupload_owner

     

    Since launch of eBay Choices, ebay.in has witnessed tremendous response and demand for refurbished products. The category itself has grown from 6000 listings to over 25000 listings and has grown by 200 per cent over the last two months. The demand for refurbished products has been unparalleled especially from Tier II and III cities of India.

     

    Looking at the growing consumer interest and basis consumer feedback, there was a need to communicate of what really is ‘refurbished.’ The new digital film showcases the offerings in the refurbished segment through a story of a regular Indian family. 

     

    Consumers can view the ad film across eBay India’s digital platforms on YouTube and social media channels.

     

    eBay India marketing director Shivani Suri said, “We are extremely excited as our refurbished ad film goes live today on all digital platforms. Through this film, we aim to strike a chord with Indian consumers and further educate them about our diverse offerings in the refurbished space. This segment has seen a huge surge in consumer demand among Indian audiences and owing to the recent festive fever the demand of refurbished goods has reached an all-time high.”

      

    eBay India has tied-up with over 15 organised partners such as GreenDust, ValueCart, Budli, My Return Solutions amongst others to bring in consistent supply of refurbished products on ebay.in.

  • Comic Con India plans workshop for aspiring YouTube stars

    Comic Con India plans workshop for aspiring YouTube stars

    NEW DELHI: Comic Con India has planned a series of events as a precursor to the Delhi edition of Comic Con India 2015.

     

    A Cosplay workshop was held over the weekend and now writer Anant Singh and violinist Ford Seenws will conduct a Special Workshop on how to be the next YouTube Star. This workshop is for those who wish to create and make their own videos go viral.

     

    The event has been organized in association with Chaayos at their restaurant on 18 October in Hauz Khas Village for all aspiring minds who have the spark to be the next YouTube star.

     

    The workshop takes participants behind the scene on how Seeuws, the surfing violinist and Singh started their journey on being popular YouTube creators.

     

    Singh is a writer, who has worked across many mediums (print, online, comic books and film). He is the recurring anchor and brains behind the Golden Kela Awards. He has been writing, directing and acting in videos for YouTube ever since there has been a YouTuber. He currently works with The Viral Fever (TVF) along with writing for Bollywood.

     

    Seeuws popularly know as the surfing violinist specialises in short vlogs, violin, film sketch and YouTube videos. He has a popular YouTube channel by the name of the Surfing violinist, which has 28,163 subscribers and 4,274,028 views. 

  • Endemol Beyond USA launches digital eSports & gaming network

    Endemol Beyond USA launches digital eSports & gaming network

    MUMBAI: Endemol Shine North America’s premium content network Endemol Beyond USA is set to launch its new eSports & gaming Smasher Network with the debut of its flagship series Legends of Gaming hosted by Toby Turner.

     

    The network has unveiled seven new original series including Rule’m Sports, based on the hit UK series and hosted by YouTube star Jesse Wellens.

     

    Smasher Network marks the second digital-first network from Endemol Beyond USA, following the launch of ICON, the premium global lifestyle network creatively led by digital pioneer Michelle Phan that is launching in 11 territories globally.

     

    Smasher Network will be available across more than 20 platforms, including YouTube, Roku, TiVo, DailyMotion, Amazon Fire TV, Verizon go90, Vessel and also at Endemol Beyond USA’s OTT platform GetBeyond.US.

     

    In addition to Rule’m Sports, new series set to launch on Smasher Network include: Game FameWe’re in the Game,Fantasy LeaguePro v Pro, and Smashed Up.

     

    Endemol Beyond USA interim president and COO Adrian Sexton said, “eSports is trending globally and we’re excited to be at the tipping point with ‘Legends of Gaming’ hosted by the mega-talented Toby Turner. Our premium networks’ strategy, starting with ICON Network and Michelle Phan, and now heading into Smasher with eSports and gaming, puts us right in the middle of one of the most passionate and intense fan bases in digital. Game on!”

     

    Endemol Beyond USA is producing over 100 videos for Legends of Gaming, with 37 episodes of the premiere series hosted by YouTube sensation Toby Turner (aka Tobuscus). Pizza Hut is on board as the principal integration partner, as well as sponsors Razer and iBuyPower, who outfitted the stage with top-of-the-line equipment and custom gaming systems for the Legends. In addition, Endemol Beyond USA is producing another 37 segments of Legends of Gaming: Game Play showing the complete competition; and 37 companion pieces entitled Legends of Gaming: Bloopers and Outtakes, which gives fans an inside look at the antics that were a part of each episode. There will be cast profiles, win/fail videos and recaps, as well. Legends videos will post seven days a week on YouTube, across five months from 7 October through February 2016.

     

    Legends of Gaming is based on the Endemol Beyond UK format of the same name, which launched in 2014 and is currently in its second season. The US version follows four teams of two gamers who are coached by some of the biggest names in the gaming industry.

     

    Legends talent roster collectively represents 57 million subscribers and followers and over 7.3 billion lifetime views across YouTube and other social media platforms. Coaches include Fatal1ty, Perfect Legend, HotShotGG and Hafu. Contestants include gamers The Jovenshire, Syndicate, Terroriser, TmarTn, OMGitsfirefoxx, iiJERiiCHOii, Lui Calibre and runJDrun.

  • Random Chikibum win OML’s YouTube Comedy Hunt

    Random Chikibum win OML’s YouTube Comedy Hunt

    NEW DELHI: Random Chikibum have been named as the first ever winners of Comedy Hunt, India’s first web hunt by Only Much Louder’s (OML) to find the next comedy stars on YouTube.

     

    They survived cheeky tasks and difficult challenges posed by the mentors, week after week, yet were able to impress the toughest and most competitive comedy brigade throughout the competition.

     

    The comedy veterans of YouTube and mentors All India Bakchod (AIB), Kanan Gill & Biswa Kalyan Rath, SnG Comedy, East India Comedy, Jose Covaco, Abish Mathew, Aditi Mittal and Shudh Desi Endings had set out on a three-month long journey to give way to new talent and provide infinite unique opportunities to the audience.

     

    The aim was to find a team that will make you laugh every time with most creative and unique videos.

     

    The hunt saw participation from all over India – with 1578 entries from over 60 cities out of which just 40 entries were shortlisted. YouTube creators and judges of Comedy Hunt then sifted through the entries and shortlisted comedycreators on the basis of originality and creativity of the video content, during the most exciting seven weeks of challenge round put up by the mentors for over two months.

     

    Finally with weekly eliminations process, Weird Communications, Take 900, Funny Brownies, Forked Up and Random Chikibum emerged as the Top 5 Comedy Hunt contenders.

     

    Announcing the winner, AIB said, “When we started AIB, comedy was lesser known and looked down upon. But today we have come a long way and with pit stops such as Comedy Hunt, the race for being the king of comedy is truly rewarding. We would like to congratulate Random Chikibum, who withstood the test of time and even after much scrutiny, made us laugh each time.”

     

    YouTube India head of content and operations Satyanarayan Raghavan added, “Comedy Hunt is India’s first ever show on the online platform that inspires creativity. In our efforts to bring the new talent and unleash their potential on the YouTube platform, we associated with Comedy Hunt. We are extremely happy with the tremendous response that the contest generated on YouTube.”

     

    Sharing the stage with their mentors AIB, Kanan & Biswa, SnG & East India Company, Random Chikibum showed their excitement after winning the race to be funny and hooked the audience by sharing their experiences and inspirations throughout the entire competition.

     

    Only Much Louder (OML) director Ajay Nair said, “The invincible success of Comedy Hunt is a true evidence of the changing face of comedy in India. We would like to extend our congratulations to Random Chikibum for winning the competition. We believe these shining stars of today are now all geared up to make India laugh, adding to their daily dose of laughter.”

     

    Random Chikibum added, “What started as a source of laughter in closed rooms is today a recognised art on the digital platform. Winning Comedy Hunt 2015 is a dream come true for us and we owe it to all our mentors who have extended their unconditional support. We believe this is just the beginning of our dream journey and we promise to make you laugh every time.”

     

    As part of the winning team, Random Chikibum will now get a chance to share the platform with some of the biggestcomedy creators and will be associated with major brands through exclusive contracts. Besides this, the team will also be rewarded with high quality equipment gear that will enable them to create many more unique content rich videos on YouTube.

  • Balaji Telefilms targets OTT as core business in 5 years’ time

    Balaji Telefilms targets OTT as core business in 5 years’ time

    BENGALURU: Just a couple of days back at the Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2015 organised by Indiantelevision.com and Media Partners Asia, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) principal advisor SK Gupta said that ‘the customer was king’ and suggested that players in the broadcast industry ecosystem look at over-the-top (OTT) platforms to cater to the consumers need.

     

    Taking a cue from the current ‘over the top’ mood in the Indian broadcast industry, Balaji Telefilms Ltd is planning to make digital B2C (business to consumer) as its core business in five years’ time. This strategy will be driven via its own content as well as curated content.

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, this business will be housed under Balaji’s subsidiary company ALT Digital, which was re-launched in Q2-2016 with renewed vigour.

     

    With a three-pronged growth strategy covering television, films and digital B2C, Balaji Telefilms is looking at becoming a diversified media company. The most important component of the company’s growth strategy is to diversify into new opportunities via digital B2C. Balaji’s plans are built around the emerging changes in the consumers’ viewing habits.

     

    Through ALT Digital, Balaji plans to offer original and curated premium content on its own Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) and advertising -Video on Demand (AVOD) platform across multiple genres and languages to garner a share of the online mobile and video market. The subscription driven platforms on ALT mobile app and other connected devices as well as the ALT website are slated for a Beta launch in Q3-2016 (quarter ending 31 December, 2016). Additionally, technical development, content production, promo launch and pre-launch marketing is also being targeted in the same quarter. The formal launch is being targeted for Q4-2016 (quarter ending 31 March, 2016).

     

    While Balaji has been a content company, it seldom has had the chance to interact directly with the consumers. Now with the digital foray, not only will it have an opportunity to connect with consumers but will also be the owner of the digital IP unlike in television content where the IP of the show belongs to the broadcaster.

     

    According to the company, a majority of content available online are either re-runs or DIY, which in turn leaves a big opportunity to offer original web-series for internet audience.

     

    The business model that Balaji has chalked out for digital is subscription based ‘freemium’ approach as the primary source of revenue. Revenue from advertising, licensing and sponsorship will be the secondary source of revenue.

     

    Targeting an urban and semi-urban audience group that comprises smartphone internet users active on YouTube and social media in the 19-34 age group, Balaji plans to use global ‘best of breed’ technology to ride on the imminent explosion of internet bandwidth in the country. Viewers will have streaming and offline viewing options, delivered over multiple screens. 

     

    The company’s strategy is to churn out original, edgy, never-seen-before content in India created especially for the OTT platform.

     

    Balaji Telefilms is in the process of putting together a skilled team. Additionally, a robust implementation plan is being executed to help realise the opportunity and meet its goals.

     

    Apart from its digital focus, Balaji Telefilms’ other two areas of focus are its existing businesses of television content and film production. On the television front, the company, which has had Hindi fiction as its mainstay until now, is planning to foray into regional and non-fiction content by making selective risk-reward plays. On the other hand, for films Balaji’s strategy is to scale moderately and become profitable.

  • YouTube Space India names Jigisha Mistry Iyengar as head; plans year end launch

    YouTube Space India names Jigisha Mistry Iyengar as head; plans year end launch

    MUMBAI: For aspiring YouTube stars in India, 2015 is spelling out to be a good year. By the end of this year, Mumbai will be home to YouTube Space at Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods International (WWI), making India one of the seven in the world to have one.

     

    The India operations of YouTube Space will be headed by Jigisha Mistry Iyengar.

     

    The move comes in the wake of the emerging generation of YouTube creators and the growing demand for quality digital video content on the platform. As per YouTube’s internal studies, the number of watch hours on YouTube has grown by 80 per cent in India.

     

    “Jigisha comes from a very strong background in production, both here and in the US. Apart from her, we will be collaborating with all the popular creators onboard with YouTube from all genres be it music, art comedy, news,” said YouTube Space head South Asia David McDonald, who is in Mumbai to conduct a workshop on YouTube at Celebrate Cinema 2015.

     

    McDonald also threw light on how the launch of YouTube Space in India is going to be giant leap in inducting more YouTube creators in the country. The workshop’s key aim was to empower youngsters with the knowledge of how YouTube consumers can become creators and encourage them to seriously consider a profession as a YouTuber.

     

    The aim of the workshop was to show creators how to build an audience as well as design relevant content for YouTube, build one’s business as a creator and the role YouTube Space in all this. Keeping that in mind, three spokesperson from YouTube addressed the audience at the workshop clarifying their doubts on content creation, audience building and monetisation respectively.

     

    “YouTube Space will offer YouTubers a platform to build their community and network better through events, seminars, parties, ‘happy hours and workshops, at the same time facilitate for them to improve the quality of their product through better infrastructure at the Space,” McDonald said.

     

    “The Space will be open for creators to learn connect and create. Our first goal is to foster the community of YouTube creators in India. We give them a physical community a place they can call home. Secondly, it’s to inspire better quality content on YouTube, by giving them resources like shooting studios, cameras edit labs etc. It will allow them to experiment more with what they create. We want to push the envelope of creativity through this. Frankly, a YouTube Space becomes a front door to YouTube itself. Between the industry and media, it’s a great place catch up on what YouTube does,” he added.

     

    McDonald is confident that having YouTube Space in india will boost the number of creators here. “We have seen this in other parts of the world and I think it stands true for India as well. Specially with the growing demand,” he said.

     

    Citing an instance from YouTube Fanfest earlier this year, he said. “There were more than 5000 fans screaming and going gaga over 33 YouTube stars, and that number has increased by multiples from the previous year. It is a win – win for the viewers, who get more creative content, the creators who have access to facilities to improve their content and advertisers to expand their reach as well. We hope the numbers keep growing,” he adds.

     

    A lot is still under planning when it comes to accessibility of the ‘Space.’ While McDonald asserts that the workshops and networking events will be for all, the access to the studio will have certain eligibility criteria. “The seminars, workshops, happy hours and networking events are pretty much available for all those who have a YouTube channel to begin with. Our idea behind the Space is to democratise the access to these kind of facilities, which means we are a democratised platform available for everyone who wants to learn connect and create. The challenge of course is that we have finite resources in only so many studios, cameras and other equipments. At some point we have to figure what the right threshold of the access locations is,” he explains.

     

    While some may say that this will be counter productive of the ‘democratised’ idea behind the concept of Spaces, segregating the YouTubers who have access to the facilities from those who don’t, McDonald painted a different picture. “I have seen this happen in the US. We have only two Spaces there in Los Angeles and New York. But we still have creators doing good from other parts of the country as well, and there is no preference from the viewers as such. Similar is the case with our Spaces in London. Not everyone from the UK gets access to the facilities but that doesn’t deter YouTubers from all over UK and Europe to contribute. Our goal is to have more of the Spaces and the one in Mumbai is a first step. I hope we can support more creatives from all over India. We do have events and workshops in other parts of the country as well to reach out to as many creators as possible.”

     

    With this major push in India from YouTube, more Indian talent is soon poised to join the likes of All India Backchod (AIB), IISuperwomanII and The Viral Fever, who have become household names by showcasing their talent on this popular video platform.

  • Mobile based ad expenditure to touch $425 billion by 2021: Strategy Analytics

    Mobile based ad expenditure to touch $425 billion by 2021: Strategy Analytics

    NEW DELHI: Consumer and advertising expenditure on handset-based mobile media is slated to rise 12 per cent in 2015 and is poised to reach $425 billion by 2021.

     

    According to a study by Strategy Analytics, mobile advertising is set to account for 24 per cent of total digital advertising expenditure in 2015 with advertisers increasingly targeting mobile phone users.

     

    A strong growth in smartphone penetration, combined with ubiquitous data connectivity via mobile and WiFi networks, and latent consumer demand to access popular Internet services continues to drive the consumption of content on mobile devices.

     

    Consumer demand for accessing popular internet services and apps on mobile phones, including Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, and mobile games, among others, continues to increase, supported by the growing penetration of rich media smartphones and improving data connectivity, via LTE and WiFi networks.

     

    Strategy Analytics director of wireless media strategies Nitesh Patel said, “At the end 2015 the Asia Pacific region will account for just over half of worldwide data subscriptions.”

     

    A report by the research team said mobile operators stand to benefit from rising demand for mobile data. The total number of mobile data subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion by the end of 2015 equating to almost half of unique mobile users. 

     

    Patel added, “Not surprisingly, we are seeing strong growth in emerging mobile data markets, and in particular where smartphone ownership is rising fast.”

     

    Strategy Analytics vice president David Kerr added, “The strong growth in mobile advertising is being driven by a combination of factors, which includes increasing consumer dependence on their mobile phones for accessing popular internet services and apps, greater participation by brands and business in engaging users via their mobile phones, and an increasingly mature mobile ad-buying ecosystem, particularly with respect to programmatic advertising.”

  • Double Trouble in Colors’ ‘Bigg Boss 9’ with Salman Khan

    Double Trouble in Colors’ ‘Bigg Boss 9’ with Salman Khan

    MUMBAI: Colors’ controversial yet loved reality show Bigg Boss season 9 is all set to hit the Indian television in October to be hosted by Salman Khan yet again. The first promo of Bigg Boss 9 is out and the audience has lapped it up. Within 24 hours, the promo received more than 60,000 views on YouTube.

    What’s more, Colors has also roped in three major sponsors for the ninth season. Bigg Boss 9 will be presented by SnapDeal, powered by Oppo Mobile India and driven by Maruti Swift. It will be produced by Endemol.

    This season, Bigg Boss 9 has the tagline – ‘Double Trouble,’ which has been hinted at in the promo. While the contestants’ antics coupled with Khan’s inimitable hosting style has managed to pack a punch more often than not, this time round Bigg Boss seems to have doubled the fun in its ninth season.

    The show’s promo features a couple in the house wearing the same shirt and Salman Khan is seen peeping through the door hole. He then looks into the camera and mouths catchy phrases like ‘Double hoga trouble’ and ‘Bigg Boss nau is going to be wow.’

    The promos also hint that this season will be tougher than its predecessors. Bigg Boss 9 is likely to go on air from 11 October, soon afterJhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded wraps up.

    While the channel has not yet revealed the time slot for the show, it is pertinent to note that previous seasons have been aired in the 9 pm prime time slot. Colors currently airs Chakravarti Ashoka Samrat at 9 pm and Swaragini at 9:30 pm, which are both raking in good ratings for the broadcaster.

    It now remains to be seen how Colors rejigs its programming line-up to pave way for Bigg Boss 9.

    It may be recalled that last year, Khan had to leave the show midway because of prior commitment towards work and was replaced by choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan, who hosted the extended edition of Bigg Boss season 8 – Halla Bol.

  • Sooperfly launches kayaking web series ‘Paddle Hard’

    Sooperfly launches kayaking web series ‘Paddle Hard’

    MUMBAI: After launching the mountaineering series – Mission Everest 2015 last week, Sooperfly is now gearing up to retell the story of a lone sea expedition with Paddle Hard – an eight episode YouTube web-series starting 10 September, 2015.

    The 120 Media Collective’s content creation and distribution arm has partnered the sea-farer and IIT graduate Kaustabh Khade to tell his story of weathering storms and wild creatures at sea.

    Sooperfly business head and senior vice president Vishal Nongbet said, “Paddle Hard is in line with our interest supporting fresh and compelling content through bespoke distribution. Kaustubh’s trip to the party capital has all the elements intact; only, we view it from the other side of the beach!”

    Accomplishing the challenge in the shortest possible time, the 17 year old seafarer has entered the Limca Book of Records and has dedicated the funds to support underprivileged children and youth.

    Khade said, “Magic Bus uses sports to change lives, which is what motivated me to work with them. Engaging with anyone, child or adult, through sports helps cross many boundaries over the long term that can prove otherwise difficult to surmount.”

     

    Khade was inspired by Magic Bus, which aims to take children out of poverty through a programme of mentoring and coaching. He associated with the NGO to help these children by raising funds for Magic Bus India.

     

    Magic Bus founder and executive chairman Matthew Spacie added, “We are extremely delighted to have Kaustubh take this challenge in support of the lakhs of children whose lives we are part of. Together, we hope to create a new generation of economically independent and socially aware citizens who are fully equipped to participate in shaping their country’s future.”

     

    Watch the Paddle Hard preview here – https://youtu.be/u-7SNUjZHMc