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Tag: Zeel

  • Zee Entertainment Enterprises to be a Nifty 50 stock soon

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises to be a Nifty 50 stock soon

    MUMBAI: The Subhash Chandra-owned Zee Entertainment Enteprises Ltd (Zeel) is getting blue blooded once again. The Zeel stock is all set to get included in the 50-share CNX Nifty index, come 19 September 2014. It will be stepping into the spot left vacant by the eviction of the Diageo-controlled United Spirits Ltd (USL).  The latter enjoyed just a six month stay in the CNX Nifty 50 as it had been placed in it in April 2014.

     

    India Index Services & Products Ltd, a NSE-Crisil joint venture that maintains the Nifty index, on 20 August, after market hours released a statement stating the same.

     

    Zeel  jumped to a high of Rs 300 during the early trade on 21 August. It opened 1.7 per cent higher than the previous close of Rs 293, while the stock of USL  was trading under pressure, following news of its being dumped from the Nifty. The stock opened 3 per cent lower at Rs 2,390 and ended 2.1 per cent lower than the close on 20 August 2014.

     

    This is not Zeel’s debut on the CNX Nifty 50 Index. It had an earlier stint which ended in March 2009 when  Axis Bank replaced it.  Another notable point is that while USL  has fallen more than 20 per cent since its inclusion in the Nifty 50 in April 2014, Zeel has risen around 35 per cent in the past one year.

     

    NSE also announced other inclusions and exclusions in the index; Aurobindo Pharma and Motherson Sumi Systems will be included in CNX Nifty 100 replacing Mphasis and Zeel.

     

    There have been changes in the CNX Nifty 200 as well. Companies such as CARE, Castrol India, Muthoot Finance, Edelweiss Financial Services, Kaveri Seeds, Marico among others will replace the likes of Adani Power, CRISIL, Bhushan Steel and Vijaya Bank etc.

     

    A total of 15 companies in the CNX 500 index, two from the FMCG and LIX 15 indices and one each from the CNX Consumption and NI15 indices have been replaced. All the changes will be effective from 19 September 2014.

     

    The CNX Nifty 50 index is reviewed every six months and a six week notice is given to the market before any changes are made to the index set.  As per the guidelines, only 10 per cent of the Nifty stocks (five stocks) can be reshuffled in a calendar year. Two stocks (USL and Tech Mahindra) were already included in the Nifty 50 in April 2014.

     

    In 2010 and 2012, four stocks from the Nifty were replaced while in 2011, two stocks and 2013, three stocks were substituted.

     

    Zeel also has been included in the recently launched CNX Media Index on the NSE and carried the maximum weight of 45.45 per cent in the index that comprises 15 media and entertainment stocks. The methodology for selection of the stock was based on free float market capitalisation.

     

    Click here for details of NSE’s CNX Nifty Index methodology

    Click here for CNX Media Index details

  • &pictures launches HD feed

    &pictures launches HD feed

    MUMBAI: The second-largest media and entertainment company in India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has added another channel to its catalogue.

     

    A year after Zee launched its second brand ‘&’ with &pictures, it has added the HD version of the channel to its growing bouquet of channels.

     

     &pictures HD will focus on bringing the Bollywood blockbusters, mega premiers and Hollywood hits together to a single destination. The channel is currently available on Dish TV and will soon be available on Videocon d2h.

     

    Aimed at targeting the younger mindset, ‘&pictures’ went on-air on August 18 2013. The channel endeavors to build upon the existing film and digital resources to create a continuing conversation with an audience and engaged with the world around them. 

     

    The Ampersand depicts the new age viewer’s graceful ability to connect with cultures, people and practices, says the channel.

     

    India’s premium interactive and movie channel, ‘&pictures’, has always endeavored to provide its audiences blockbuster films through innovative and ground-breaking campaigns. The channel aims to showcase the best of Bollywood and provide complete entertainment to its viewers. The channle’s library consists largely of films released in the last 10 years including blockbusters like ‘Kai Po Che’, ‘ABCD’, ‘Barfi’, ‘English Vinglish’, ‘Love Aaj Kal’, ‘Agent Vinod’, ‘Desi Boyz’, ‘Kambakt Ishq‘ and ‘Break Ke Baad’, ‘Chennai Express’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Besharam’ etc.

  • Akash Chawla heads to Essel Vision as business head

    Akash Chawla heads to Essel Vision as business head

    MUMBAI: To enhance Essel Vision Productions (EVPL) from its current size into a business, which is larger in terms of reach to multiple channels and languages, Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Zeel) has appointed Akash Chawla, who has successfully been heading the marketing function for national channels at Zeel, to now take charge as the EVPL business head.

     

    Chawla has been given the mandate to head the TV production (all languages), movie production (all languages except Marathi), studio production business, digital and online production, events and IP creation. He will drive the organisational aspiration of EVPL and contribute in multiplying its business from its current business levels. For this role, Chawla will report to EVPL CEO Nittin Keni.

     

     “Essel Vision is very focused in the film and television production, digital, events and the IP creation business. Having spearheaded marketing for Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Classic and Zee Cine Awards, Akash has worked successfully towards the launch of three of ZEEL’s new brands in the last one year – &pictures, Zee Anmol and Zindagi. He will work towards strengthening our presence in Hindi and other languages movie production & marketing and the digital business to catapult the organization’s ambitions to the next level,” said Keni.

     

    Keni added, “We will produce content not just for the Indian audiences but also for companies and audiences the world over. While IP rights provide the foundation upon which innovation is shared and creativity is encouraged, the digital age provides many opportunities within the entertainment media industry to improve efficiency, costs and viewer experiences. Everything we do is driven by an unyielding passion for excellence-and an unfaltering commitment to develop the best products. We are in talks with various leading collaborators for the same and will soon announce new initiatives.”

     

     Essel Vision’s consistency and success are built on its unwavering dedication to setting benchmarks and excellence. It has already made a mark on the map of Television and Feature Films – both in the Hindi and Marathi space.

     

    With blockbuster films like ‘D-Day’, ‘Gulaal’, ‘Natrang’, ‘Kaaksparsh’, Essel Vision has taken its first steps to another high with its ventures like “Time Pass”, ‘Lai Bhari’ and  ‘Duniyadaari’ which have been the highest grossers in the Marathi film space. Its other creation ‘The Lunchbox’ has already received accolades around the world.

     

    In the television space, the company has been successful with qualitative programs like ‘Fear Files’, ‘Dance India Dance’ and ‘India’s Best Dramebaaz’, ‘Saregama’, ‘DID L’il Masters’, ‘DID Super Moms’, on Hindi TV, and ‘Eka Peksha Ek’ and ‘Fu Bai Fu’ amongst others on Marathi TV.  The upcoming feature films include ‘Mad About Dance’ which is promoted by Shah Rukh Khan himself and another film called ‘3AM’ (horror film) is on the anvil.

     

    Just as ZEE is an innovative leader in developing new business models for the evolving television and film landscape, Essel Vision’s objective is to be a one-stop shop for all film, television, digital, events & IP creation related services where it will produce, co-produce, market and distribute.

  • MSO in Belgaum booked for illegal piracy of Zee TV signals

    MSO in Belgaum booked for illegal piracy of Zee TV signals

    NEW DELHI: Karnataka police has registered a first information report (FIR) against Belgaum’s only multi-system operator, Riddhi Vision which is a joint venture of InCable, for illegal transmission of copyrighted content.

     

    The action was taken on a written complaint filed by Cable Star Copyrights Investigations, who is the distributor for Cable TV Rights all over India of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel). 

     

    Karnataka police took cognizance under Section 37, 51, 52(A), 63, 68(A) of the Copyright Act for telecasting of the Hindi film ‘Khalnayak’ starring Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit on 20 July evening in Belgaum. The FIR was filed against the managing director and other directors of Riddhi Vision by Dr Chandragupt, superintendent of police in Belgaum. A spokesperson for Cable Star Copyrights Investigations told indiantelevision.com that the pirated content for which the rights were with Zee was being shown on the local channel run by the MSO.  

     

    The spokesperson added, “It has been a practice of various cable operators to run content and specially movies without obtaining permission from the content owners, and the industry has been demanding strict action.”

     

    He said Cable Star Copyrights Investigations is working for anti-piracy and distribution of Zee and other similar companies and has been a crusader against such piracy for several years and have previously lodged many such FIRs in various states.

     

    He said, “Such blatant transmission causes immense loss of revenue to the content owners and government. Cable Star Copyrights Investigations has also lodged many complaints against big cable operators in Maharashtra and other states, in which they are pressing for swift and strict action. Such police action would definitely be a right step towards stopping the menace of piracy, which has been the bane of entertainment industry.”

  • Romil Ramgarhia quits Zeel, joins BARC India

    Romil Ramgarhia quits Zeel, joins BARC India

    MUMBAI: Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has appointed Romil Ramgarhia as its chief business officer. This is a move to strengthen its core management team as the joint industry body moves closer to the launch of its services. In his new role, Ramgarhia will report to BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta.

     

    Ramgarhia brings with him more than 12 years of experience across media, telecom and manufacturing sector. In his last role, he was Zeel chief commercial officer. Before Zeel, he was also associated with Viacom18, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints and ACC, in different capacities.

     

    Zeel MD and CEO and BARC chairman Punit Goenka said, “Romil has played a key role during his limited assignment at Zeel. It is unfortunate that he has quit the company, however I am confident that his rich experience will bring greater value to BARC India. As he now moves on to a new challenge in a new role and domain, I wish him luck for his continued success.”

     

    Dasgupta added, “BARC India is moving closer to launch. Romil has an excellent background in broadcast, in telecom and in other industries. He was already associated with BARC India as part of its commercial committee and hence is well initiated in the processes. With his great business acumen he will further strengthen the organisation.”

     

    Talking about his appointment, Ramgarhia said, “My assignment with Zeel and Viacom18 has been one of my most challenging as well as gratifying periods of my professional career. It is great to be a part of a start-up which is slated to be the biggest audience measurement system across the world.” 

  • Zindagi: A lesson in the art of selling

    Zindagi: A lesson in the art of selling

    MUMBAI: “Selling is an Art. It is a complex, challenging, and for many, a very rewarding profession. Just like an artist, becoming an accomplished sales professional also takes time and experience. It is no different from any other profession. Yes, I am essentially saying that we are artists in our own right,” says the author of ‘Everyone’s in Sales’, Todd Cohen.

     

    And Zeel chief sales officer Ashish Sehgal is a master artist. He not only successfully sold the never-before-seen content to his clients, but sold it at a premium rate!

     

    Zee Entertainment with its latest offering, Zindagi, carries forward its new philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is my family’. The channel, launched on 23 June, brings international content especially Pakistani shows to India.

     

    To get advertisers on board, the channel and its chief sales head invited all stakeholders for a screening of the shows.

     

    The process started by April end when the 100 plus stakeholders were shown the content which was to be aired on the channel for the next four months or so. Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru were the cities chosen for the road shows. “Without sounding boastful, the merit of the content made the task easy for us. The community liked what they were watching and hence, got hooked on to it,” says Sehgal.

     

    The man and his team had no pre-set list of clients they wanted to approach. What they did was, called upon everyone to watch the content and then left it on them to come on board or not. Personal invitations were sent to the client base which suited the channels’ ‘premium’ content, giving them a new ‘premium mass’ category to advertise on.

     

    What makes Zindagi a premium? With ‘Jodey Dilon Ko’ tagline, the channel aims to showcase real, friendly, vibrant and premium stories to engage and interact with its audience through diverse shows written by award-winning novelists and literary stalwarts. Scripted to be finite plots, these stories are first polished and then shot, unlike the Indian daily soap dramas that drag on forever. Each series, of an average of 20-25 episodes, are also shot in real life locations across the world, as opposed to closed studio sets.

     

    Brands that wish to target the segment have the opportunity now to reach out to their core target group as no other GEC currently caters to the progressive mind-sets.

     

    The channel not only searched for the right content which Zeel’s MD Punit Goenka felt would click with the audience, but also conducted in-depth research across cities in India to understand the consumer extensive demographic profiling for advertisers. All this, to give advertisers an opportunity to increase customer engagement.

     

    The three main sponsors on board – Fogg, AskMe and Fortune (Edible oils and foods)  – have signed partnership packages which allow a brand to sign a deal for 45 days. The channel didn’t want to sell inventories the regular way and thus came up with special packages for advertisers. “This helps brands as well because they get the mileage they want from us,” highlights Sehgal while elaborating that the launch of the marketing campaign highlighted the names of the sponsors as well.

     

    Apart from that, the channel also had other packages for spot buys which will help brands to exploit the curiosity generated. The idea here was to allow a brand to showcase its advertisement anytime and between any shows.

     

    Post the 45-day period, once the ratings are clear, the partnership pattern will change. “We are working on innovative packages for our clients and will soon announce them,” adds Sehgal without revealing much.

     

    However, according to various planners the channel which got the main three sponsors for 4 to 5 crore each, will sell its inventory at the rates charged by non-fictional shows on other GECs.

     

     “The packaging, content, fresh faces have all worked well for the new channel. Even the publicity and noise level it has created is ever-increasing. So, if they charge premium rates they are signaling the industry that it is premium and worth it,” says a planner while adding, “However, one will have to wait for the ratings and advertisers depend on it. If the ratings don’t show the problems will start. Let’s wait and watch…”

     

    The channel, however, is optimistic about its future and believes that the clients too will continue to come on board.

  • Zindagi campaign breaks the story-telling code

    Zindagi campaign breaks the story-telling code

    BENGALURU: Zindagi, a premium mass Hindi GEC from the bouquet of Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Zeel), kick-started its marketing campaign with brand films highlighting Zindagi’s channel proposition ‘Jodey Dilon Ko’.

     

    The channel is upbeat about its pan-India launch. “Probably for the first time in the country, a Hindi channel launch is being announced in the south,” said Zeel marketing head (national channels) Akash Chawla in Bengaluru. “We have seen increase in consumption of Hindi entertainment content in the Hyderabad-Bengaluru-Chennai regions in recent times. The south is now an important market for Hindi content,” he added.

     

    The channel has brought on board Askme.com and Fogg as brand partners. “Talks are on with other partners as well, and we are sure to have more brands tying up with us,” revealed a source at Zeel.

     

    The marketing campaign created by FCB Ulka comprises two brand films directed by ‘Kai Po Che’ director Abhishek Kapoor. The objective behind the campaign is to showcase the similarities in different cultures and emotions despite the differences in language, attire and lifestyle of people across the borders.

     

    FCB Ulka NCD KS Chakravarthy said, “The insight behind the whole campaign is as simple as it is powerful – we may come from different countries, different cultures, but our emotions, our joys, our triumphs are all surprisingly similar. And it is this simple human truth that the two launch television commercials capture in a simple, believable manner. The device of literally cutting mid-sentence from one protagonist to the other brings this alive in a vivid manner – and leads beautifully into the summing up thought for the channel, Jodey Dilon Ko.”

     

    Director Abhishek Kapoor added, “My family traces its roots to pre-partition to Pakistan.  I grew up to stories of shared lives and times, subsequently lost to borders. Deep within, there was a heart-felt hope that this cultural legacy would one day find its way back, reunited. My association with Zindagi is a manifestation of this.”

     

    Chawla said, “Zindagi’s brand proposition ‘Jodey Dilon Ko’ has been the key thought around every medium of communication. The storytelling possesses an ability to convey beauty and emotion in a way that no other medium can. The films also use language that is heartwarming with a story that is rich in human elements such that it inspires empathy, makes us think differently, appreciate something more, and understand something more thoroughly. Abhishek Kapoor and FCB Ulka have done a brilliant job of creating profound and touching films that clearly translate our vision on screen. It’s heartening to know that the freshness of this campaign has become the talking point everywhere. The TVCs exhibit our distinct promise of Zindagi being a category creator in the GEC space.”

     

    Detailing the concept behind these films, Akash explained, “The narrative approach adopted in the storytelling begins with a ‘universal truth’ or situation that transcends culture or language. Also, the use of emotion conveyed in every situation portrayed in the brand films plays an important role as it captures the real emotion that we can trust. Viewers want to connect with their innate human nature. We believe that with Zindagi, we have something universally relatable, emotional and powerful to showcase and that is reflected in the films.”

     

    The TV campaign is ably supported by its promotion in print, OOH and digital mediums.

  • &pictures calls the Twitterati

    &pictures calls the Twitterati

    MUMBAI: This June, &pictures, India’s first interactive television movie channel, known to air path-breaking content and bringing viewers closer to their favourite stars, is taking a step further by releasing Aamir Khan’s first unreleased movie on television. The actor known to be a perfectionist in every aspect is all set to showcase his only unreleased film on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 8:00pm.

    &pictures is a reflection of the subtle evolution of movies and movie viewing experience in India, and its positioning revolves around two keywords- interactivity and engagement. Staying true to its positioning, the channel is engaging with its audiences through Twitter. Fans will get a chance to post tweets using specially created hashtags for the day and interact with Aamir Khan and Karan Johar. &pictures along with Twitter will also set up a ‘Vine Mirror’. The ‘Vine Mirror’ will help take a video with the help of just one push button which will then be uploaded on Vine from time to time while at the studio

    On this occasion Mr. Akash Chawla, ZEEL Marketing Head, National Channels, said, “We at &pictures always look for interesting innovations and integrations in making sure that we fulfil our promise of bringing our viewers closer to their favourite stars. We have invited fans to ask questions via #AAMIRANDYOU which will allow fans to come up close and interact with Aamir Khan and Karan Johar while watching his unreleased film this Sunday. We are extremely excited and look forward to creating a trend with such campaigns like no one else.”

    Collaborating with &pictures, Rishi Jaitly, India Market Director, Twitter said, “Twitter is the second screen of choice for viewers globally as they can interact with their favourite stars in real time and participate in live and public conversation about their favourite TV shows. During this particular broadcast, movie fans can watch with Aamir Khan and Karan Johar by engaging with them in real-time conversation on Twitter and catch a glimpse of behind the scenes on the sets of &pictures through six second Vine videos shared on Twitter and Vine. We are extremely happy to support &pictures in their initiative to get closer to their audience by delighting them with #OnlyOnTwitter moments .”

     

  • Shareholders approve Zeel’s acquisition of DMCL’s media business undertaking

    Shareholders approve Zeel’s acquisition of DMCL’s media business undertaking

    MUMBAI: Another level gets cleared for Zee Entertainment’s (Zeel) proposed acquisition of Diligent Media Corporation’s (DMCL) media business undertaking. The court convened meeting on 4 June, saw majority of both equity and preference shareholders give their nod to the scheme of arrangement.

     

    Now, the approval needs to go through the Bombay High Court and other regulatory authorities such as the central government.

     

    Out of the 745419538 equity shares that were polled, 99.082 per cent were in favour of the decision while 99.437 per cent of the 13195108470 of the preference shares that were polled were in favour. In all, 97365 equity shareholders and 91076 preference shareholders voted in the meeting.

     

    With both giving majority approval, Zeel will look forward for the legal and regulatory approvals to also sail through, thus allowing it to completely own the media business undertaking of DMCL that involves events as well as a non-News channel licence and certain registered intellectual properties for TV formats of gaming-based shows.

     

    DMCL was formed in 2005 with a 50:50 JV between Essel Group and Dainik Bhaskar Corp (DB). In 2012, Essel Group bought out DB’s 50 per cent stake.

  • Ditto TV adds Fox International HD channels

    Ditto TV adds Fox International HD channels

    MUMBAI: Zeel’s OTT distribution platform Ditto TV has partnered with Fox International Channels (India) to host three of its HD channels. Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo People and Baby TV will be available Live to Ditto TV viewers.

     

    The former two channels will have a range of wildlife and adventure shows that portray the culture and lifestyle of people from across the globe. Baby TV on the other hand will show content for kids and parents.

     

    Ditto TV business head Manoj Padmanabhan said, “Our partnership with Nat Geo will give the consumers access to high quality, exciting and entertaining content in HD. This is the first time HD channels streaming is being made available on an OTT platform. We hope to continue our efforts to provide the maximum value and a seamless viewing experience to our consumers.”

     

    Fox International Channels (India) distribution SVP Farhan Hoda commented, “We are very excited to partner with a premium service like Ditto TV for our content. The immense penetration of the internet and the growing number of internet-enabled mobile devices are stimulating demand and we believe this will transform into a very significant viewing platform in time. This partnership will enable us to showcase top quality content to our avid viewer base in India and the SAARC markets.”

     

    Currently Ditto TV has channels from IndiaCast, Multi Screen Media, Bennett Coleman and Co, TV Today Network, BBC, Turner India, Bikini TV, ZEE etc. It claims to have over four million users.