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The Indian Newspaper Congress (INC) 2009, organised by the Indian Newspaper Society and the exchange4media Group, opened to a full house on July 10. One of the key highlights of the INC was the Keynote Address by Chief Guest Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 13, 2009 8:34 AM
Indian Newspaper Congress 2009, held in the Capital on July 10, saw industry heavyweights discussing wide-ranging topics – from the growth and future of the newspaper industry to content to reinventing the newspaper. This joint initiative of the Indian Newspaper Society and the exchange4media Group provided a platform for the industry to convene and revisit various facets of the Indian newspaper industry.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 11, 2009 9:13 AM
The restructuring process of BBC World Services, which was done to shift the base for its Hindi Services to India, is now complete. BBC World Services has roped in Hindustan Times’ Foreign Editor, Amit Baruah, to head the Hindi Services. Baruah joins on August 1, 2009, and would be reporting to Nazes Afroz, Executive Editor, South Asia, BBC World Service.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 10, 2009 8:17 AM
The week 27 numbers for Hindi general entertainment channels are here. Colors is back in its lead position with 47 rating points separating it from Zee TV, which holds the No. 2 position. NDTV Imagine’s ‘Rakhi ka Swayamvar’ has opened with a TRP of 4 plus, and has brought it at 133 GRPs in the week.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 9, 2009 8:07 AM
Les Margulis has been roped in as President for RK Swamy Media Group/Media Direction. Margulis was instrumental in setting up Media Direction in 1996. In a homecoming move of sorts, Margulis is back from New York at the RK Swamy family in India.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 7, 2009 8:51 AM
English daily DNA is completing four years this month, and the publication has decided to celebrate the milestone in style. DNA has embarked on month-long celebrations, beginning July 1, 2009. The publication has planned various activities for the rest of the month to engage its readers, clients and media agencies.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 2, 2009 8:34 AM
The year has seen many important weeks in the Hindi general entertainment channels (GEC) genre, and week 26 proved to be one more. Zee TV has beaten Colors to take the No. 1 position even if by 0.8 rating points. This is the first time ever that Zee TV is on the No. 1 slot. Star Plus is the No. 3 player this week.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 2, 2009 8:17 AM
Multi Screen Media has roped in Ajit Thakur as Business Head of its flagship Hindi general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment Television. Thakur joins the company from today. He moves from Balaji Motion Pictures, where he was working as CEO.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jul 1, 2009 8:30 AM
Following Steve Gatfield’s decision to exit Lowe Worldwide, the company has finally found a replacement in former Fallon International President Michael Wall. At present, Lowe Lintas India team R Balki and Charles Cadell report to Tony Wright, Chairman, Lowe Worldwide. The duo would report jointly to Wright and Wall from Sept 2009.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 29, 2009 10:00 AM
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival has completed 56 years. As the Festival closes, Festival organisers express content on the year gone, and already look forward to the year ahead.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 29, 2009 9:55 AM
India has quite a few Film Lions to its credit, but this was the first time that India has won Gold Lions in this highly competent category. The awarded agency was JWT India for the work that the agency had done for The Times of India Chennai launch.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 29, 2009 9:54 AM
After having engaged the gathering with a powerful debate last year, WPP's CEO Martin Sorrell descended upon the stage at Cannes 2009 to have an impassioned session yet again. He tossed the debate on - how the recession had impacted marketing decisions - to a power-packed panel comprising global marketing heads of four companies- Kraft, J&J, P&G and McDonald's. The session had the panelists shaking their heads in unison on various subjects ranging from digital spends to siginificance of the size of an agency.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 27, 2009 8:16 AM
Even though Indian agencies had entered 11 pieces of work in the Titanium and Integrated category, there is none that has made the cut to get into the shortlist. With this, the only category where India has any chance, of adding to its total metal tally, is Film Lions.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 27, 2009 8:02 AM
The India camp at Cannes was significantly disappointed with only three entries in the Film Lions shortlist. Two entries are from JWT India for the work done for BCCL, and one is from TBWA India for the work done for Multiscreen Media.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 26, 2009 7:57 AM
The Presidential campaign done for Barack Obama, and the journey from being no one to being a household name was arguably the most ground breaking political campaigns seen in the recent US history. The campaign used new media, social media and traditional media with the core focus on creating one-on-one conversations with American people. Campaign Manager David Plouffe speaks on the rationale behind the campaign, and how staying the course, despite adversities, helped.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 26, 2009 7:55 AM
Perhaps the best thing about Cannes Lions is the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names of the global advertising industry, and know a little some of what’s going on. The brief pleasant encounters of day five were with Craig Davis who is now with Publicis Mojo, IPG’s Steve Gatfield and Donald Gunn of The Gunn Report.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 26, 2009 7:54 AM
WPP’s CEO Sir Martin Sorrell’s presence at Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival re-emphasised the significance that this festival holds for the global advertising community. In a conversation with exchange4media, among various other subjects, Sorrell discussed Cannes Lions, and the fact that agencies had demonstrated discipline in spending in the current economic situation. He added that at the same time, it was important for the industry to celebrate good work.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 26, 2009 7:52 AM
The India camp at Cannes has been excited with the number of metals pocketed so far. With the tally now reaching the same as last year, the absence of a Grand Prix has ceased to pinch. However, the expectations from Film Lions were high, and some of the films not even making to the shortlist has left many dejected.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 26, 2009 7:51 AM
India camp is significantly disappointed with only three entries in the Films Lions shortlist. Two entries are from JWT India for the work done for BCCL, and one is from TBWA India for the work done for Multiscreen Media.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 6:58 PM
The team comprising Contagious magazine and Leo Burnett that holds the Wildfire seminars at Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival every year delved in the art of storytelling this year at Cannes. The team listed town the seven basic plots, and how advertising agencies can work around it for ads that connect with consumers.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 8:05 AM
Indian agencies have drawn a blank at the Cyber Lions 2009. There was only one entry from Bates 141 that had made it to the shortlist failed to make to the winning list. Indian juror Meera Sharath Chandra from Syzygy UK said that India is a late bloomer and had got in the digital race later than most countries but that was not an excuse for not winning.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 8:04 AM
India has only two Lions in the Press category. A Silver from Ogilvy and a Bronze from Rediffusion Y&R. The Press Jury President David Lubars made no pretence of the fact that the jury was tough on what was being selected. However, according to India juror Abhijit Avasthi it was a “decent” year.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 8:03 AM
The Design Lions, which is in its second year, turned to be one of the best Lion categories for India this year. India has bagged five Design Lions including a Gold Lion that was awarded to JWT India. There are two Silvers in the category awarded to Publicis Red Lion and Leo Burnett India. There are also two Bronze Lions awarded one each to Ogilvy India and JWT India. The Design jury stated unanimously that India’s work stood out in the overall body.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 8:02 AM
When Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer is speaking, the audience would naturally comprise names like Sir Martin Sorrell. Sorrell even had a question for Ballmer in an audience interaction that followed the session. While Ballmer spoke on a host of subjects, the one topic that was discussed repeatedly was search. Ballmer candidly admitted that that was an area where he was envious of competition, and where Microsoft would work hard to “restore the balance”.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 8:00 AM
The winners for Films, Integrated & Titanium Lions are yet to be announced, but India has already scored 23 Lions, which is the same as last year. Ogilvy is leading the metal count but missing a Gold. Publicis follows. JWT in the race too with one Gold and one Bronze.The expectations from Films are high. Any increase in metal from here would make this the highest Lions year for India.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 25, 2009 7:59 AM
The slow start to India’s metal count at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival 2009 gained pace on Day Three of the event. From one bronze on Day Two to 16 metals on Day three brought India back on track, and the 23-metal benchmark that was set last year, looks possible now.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 24, 2009 7:57 AM
It is no easy feat for any brand to build and maintain a relationship with its consumers. Wunderman’s Chief Creative Officer Nick Moore explained this in a session at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival on ‘Relationship Counselling’. One striking advice that came from his address was ‘Consumers cannot be treated like pets in order to get them to be loyal’.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 24, 2009 7:52 AM
One of the most interesting seminars of the day saw Herman Vaske, Director – Herman Vaske, speak on the need to be creative in order to be efficient. Vaske observed that innovation and efficiency were the main drivers of this year’s developments.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 24, 2009 7:51 AM
There are 11 entries from India in the Design shortlist. These included two each from Ogilvy India and JWT India; and one entry each from Red Lion Publicis, Publicis Ambience, Cheil Worldwide India, Bates 141, Karigari Design, Leo Burnett India and Contract Advertising. There is only one India shortlist in Cyber Lions, which is from Bates 141.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 24, 2009 7:50 AM
Of the four Indian entries that were competing in the Radio Lions, only one has managed to win a Lion. Rediffusion Y&R has been awarded a Bronze Lion for the work done for American India Foundation. Indian jury member Ashish Khazanchi, NCD, Publicis Ambience informed that DDB Mudra’s Bush fell marginally short to make it through the winning list.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jun 24, 2009 7:46 AM
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