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The year 2007 was an interesting one for English movie channels, given the close watch kept by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and the need for channels to certify their movies as 'U' or 'U/A' by CBFC. Nonetheless, ratings show that Star Movies has been a lead player through the year, closely followed by HBO.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jan 7, 2008 6:49 AM
JWT India officials are happy with the agency’s performance in 2007, and the New Year has begun with some reshuffling in the agency’s senior management. Mumbai head Tarun Rai has been moved to a corporate role, while Bangalore Head Dhunji Wadia takes over Mumbai. Simultaneously, Rajesh Gangwani has been elevated to Senior VP, JWT Bangalore.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jan 7, 2008 6:46 AM
In addition to the regular fare on Star Plus, ‘Nach Baliye’ has played a role in keeping the channel’s number higher than that of close competitor Zee TV. Star officials are happy with ‘Nach Baliye’ numbers, and are all geared to stay ahead.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jan 3, 2008 6:27 AM
As Rahul Welde, GM, Media Services, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, prepares to take on a larger role at Unilever as Vice-President, Media Services, Asia AMET (Africa, Middle East and Turkey), the FMCG giant has named his replacement. Marico’s Media Head Dnyanada Chaudhari is the new person on the job.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jan 2, 2008 6:39 AM
The year 2007 saw a lot of action in the English general entertainment channels with Star World airing some of its biggest properties, Zee Café managing a coup of sorts getting some properties that premiered in India at the same time as their US or UK premieres. AXN, however, continues its dominance on the charts in this genre. For the infotainment channels, on the other hand, Discovery has seen a strong run in the year.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jan 2, 2008 6:37 AM
Hindustan Unilever has entered into a three-year deal with INX Media and Airtel has signed a two-year deal with STAR India. Earlier in 2007, NDTV had entered into a five-year deal with Kingfisher for its lifestyle channel NDTV Good Times. Industry heads see these long-term relations as an outcome of increasing competition in the broadcast space.
Noor Fathima Warsia Jan 2, 2008 6:35 AM
The year 2007 saw a lot of action in the English general entertainment channels with Star World airing some of its biggest properties, Zee Café managing a coup of sorts getting some properties that premiered in India at the same time as their US or UK premieres. AXN, however, continues its dominance on the charts in this genre. For the infotainment channels, on the other hand, Discovery has seen a strong run in the year.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 31, 2007 7:05 AM
The Hindi music channels saw a decent share of excitement in the second half of 2007 with MTV revamping after a decade. Also, newcomer 9X M entered in this period and has been garnering channel shares that have kept it on the number one slot ever since its launch.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 28, 2007 6:38 AM
What have cables and wires to do with a poor mother preparing food for her children? On first thought, nothing. But Lowe takes an everyday situation and gives it an emotional treatment to get across the message of fire-proof cables and wires from Havells India. The TVC is slated to break in a week’s time.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 27, 2007 6:46 AM
In advertising, being the National Creative Director (NCD) means the responsibility of shaping the creative standards of the agency. An interesting trend seen in 2007 was agencies settling for two NCDs, and hence, allowing a division -- or collaboration -- in the creative vision of the agency. Such a structure was not seen in creative agencies in India before this.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 27, 2007 6:45 AM
Rakhi Sawant had a lot to say against ‘Nach Baliye’ after losing in the finals, and this is only a continuation of the controversies that format shows have been associated with in the recent past. While channels and media heads don’t seem too worried on the developments so far, some sections of the industry are of the opinion that transparency is soon to become an important agenda on the broadcaster’s list.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 26, 2007 7:14 AM
Much like it has done in the TV space with Future TV, Future Media is now all set to have a presence in the radio medium as well with Future Radio. It is learnt that Future Media has floated certain models where it has invited radio players to bid, subsequent to which, it would decide on the format of Future Radio.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 26, 2007 7:13 AM
The western markets are priority for DNA in its expansion plans, and the next on the list is Pune. DNA has earmarked a first quarter 2008 deadline to launch its Pune edition. Pune is seeing a print war of its own at present with Pune Mirror also gearing for a January 2008 launch.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 20, 2007 6:33 AM
After a stint of almost two years, Sandip Tarkas has called it a day at the Reliance ADA Group. He was looking at the media function for the whole group, as Head – Media. Tarkas is serving his notice period and would be with the organisation till early January 2008.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 18, 2007 6:20 AM
After a stint of almost two years, Sandip Tarkas has called it a day at the Reliance ADA Group. He was looking at the media function for the whole group, as Head – Media. Tarkas is serving his notice period and would be with the organisation till early January 2008.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 17, 2007 6:34 PM
All geared for a January 2008 launch, NDTV Imagine Ltd has kicked off a nationwide campaign for its forthcoming Hindi general entertainment channel NDTV Imagine. With a focus on the Hindi belt, the campaign has begun with the TV, radio and online mediums, which would later be extended to the print and outdoor mediums as well.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 17, 2007 6:30 AM
The trends in the Hindi movie genre in 2007 are much the same as was seen in 2006. Max’s cricket properties have kept it on a high, while Zee Cinema has continuous numbers coming in as well. The two channels have competed very closely all through year for the number one slot. Star Gold comes in next, followed by Filmy.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 17, 2007 6:29 AM
NDTV Imagine has signed on Maxus as its media agency of record. The move was not preceded by any pitch process. Though NDTV Imagine officials aren’t giving any account size, industry sources expect the ad spends to be in the vicinity of Rs 20 crore upwards.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 15, 2007 6:04 AM
Manish Porwal, currently MD, West & South (India), Starcom Worldwide, has decided on destination next. Moving out from the media agency business, Porwal will join Percept Talent Management as CEO on January 7, 2008, and would be reporting to the Percept Holdings board.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 13, 2007 6:38 AM
R Balki, NCD of Lowe India, has been elevated as Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and Charles Cadell has been brought in as CEO of the agency. Also, Pranesh Misra, COO of Lowe India, has been elevated as Global Director, Marketing Accounting.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 13, 2007 6:23 AM
The changes in Lowe India mean that a lot is changing for Prem Mehta as well. As Chairman and Managing Director of Lintas Group, Mehta was looking after every aspect of the Group’s function here. The situation now stands changed with senior professionals of the Group reporting directly to Lowe Worldwide. However, Mehta believes that this is the demand of the moment, and his new role, which is more of an advisor, is what he wants now.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 13, 2007 6:22 AM
The decision to elevate R Balki as Chairman and CCO of Lowe India and to bring in Charles Cadell as CEO of the agency has triggered a series of changes at Lowe India. Now, SSC&B Lintas also comes under Balki’s supervision. The leadership team of Balki and Cadell would report to Lowe Worldwide.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 13, 2007 6:19 AM
R Balki, NCD of Lowe India, has been elevated as Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and Charles Cadell has been brought in as CEO of the agency. Also, Pranesh Misra, COO of Lowe India, has been elevated as Global Director, Marketing Accounting.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 12, 2007 9:43 AM
BBDO India’s announcement was as sudden as that of the appointment of Josy Paul as Chairman and NCD of the agency. While BBDO India allows Paul to be a shareholder in the company, BBDO’s broad plan is to be able to offer diverse services to clients in India, and focus more on its creative products.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 11, 2007 6:46 AM
Earlier in the year, JWT began a trend of sorts when it hired two National Creative Directors. Soon after, Rediffusion DY&R and Publicis Ambience also adopted a similar structure. Can the position of an NCD, which is otherwise seen as a vision where the creative product is headed, be divided between two heads? Industry leaders share their views.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 10, 2007 6:12 AM
Bindass, the GEC from GenX (a UTV Software Communications company), is seeing some changes in its operations already. Zarina Mehta, CEO, GenX, stated that she was happy with the progress made by both Bindass and Bindass Movies so far, but at the same time informed that some content changes were in the pipeline for Bindass, in addition to some marketing initiatives.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 7, 2007 6:10 AM
Numbers may have already put 9XM as the top player among Hindi music channels, but as far as advertisers are concerned, 9XM will see action only now with clients like Nestle and Turner. On the other hand, 9X has added HUL as one of its clients. Even as HUL hasn’t come as a Club INX member, the corporate major has signed a three-year deal with 9X.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 7, 2007 6:08 AM
Like any other channel, Sony Entertainment Television is taking various initiatives to see some progress on its ratings charts. However, in 2007, the channel has been a distant number three, and from a ratings view, that is bad news. Sony officials explain that channel performance works in waves, and Sony at present is caught in an ebbing wave, but things will change.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 6, 2007 6:49 AM
The WPP digital expansion in India has only just begun with the stake it has taken in Quasar media. While many in the industry believe that this gives WPP a better foothold in the digital domain, WPP officials are clear that this just a beginning. Another media holding company that is intensely looking for a digital unit is Aegis, so that it can finally bring Isobar to India.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 4, 2007 6:15 AM
UTV Software Communications has called off its association with Malaysia based Astro Multimedia International (BVI) Ltd for the youth brand ‘Bindass’. UTV has stated that it is in advanced stages of discussion with a strategic partner to invest in its broadcasting business. Terminating its association with Astro is a step in that direction for UTV.
Noor Fathima Warsia Dec 4, 2007 6:13 AM
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