Stories on 26th December

Independents rule adland in 2011
2011 has been a year to make us believe 'the smaller, the better'. Independent agencies have done fairly well in India as the founder generally brings in an ample amount of experience with him while forming the agency.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/2011-the-year-of-independent-agencies/

Small regional brands get modern retail push
This strategy is not only giving smaller brands a pan-India presence, but also helping them reap dividends.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/small-regional-brands-get-modern-retail-push/

Imran Khan to endorse MTS in Rs10 crore deal
The Irresistible Khan will promote MTS through mass media, online and below-the-line promotional activities. He will also be part of Red Energy, a youth-centric online activity for the brand according to an official involved in the deal.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/imran-khan-to-endorse-mts-in-rs10-crore-deal/

The power of Public Relations: Ajay Kakar
So, while PR is about press relations, it is also about influencing the influencer. It's about creating credibility and about credible ways of influencing people to act.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/the-power-of-public-relations-ajay-kakar/

Ad Strat: TVS Scooty Pep + - Go Babelicious
Behind every great commercial is super strategy. Every week, MxMIndia brings for you the brief and the strat as given by the client and whatever else that went into creating a winning ad.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/ad-strat-tvs-scooty-pep-go-babelicious/

Reviewing the reviews: Don 2 is poor man's Mission Impossible
Every week, Deepa Gahlot casts a critical eye over media reviews of Bollywood releases... in Reviewing the Reviews.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/reviewing-the-reviews-don-2-is-poor-mans-mission-impossible/

Thomas Cook India's Centre of Learning tie up with Canadian Tourism Commission
This partnership will focus on conducting specialized agent training workshops on Canada.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/thomas-cook-india%E2%80%99s-centre-of-learning-tie-up-with-canadian-tourism-commission/

The Anchor: Anooj Kapoor's 5 reasons why SAB is a success
SAB's EVP says the second GEC from MSM doesn't exploit the negativism of the joint family system and the focus has always been on positive values.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/the-anchor-anooj-kapoors-5-reasons-why-sab-is-a-success/

Anil Thakraney: An open letter to the PM
The multiple financial scams under the UPA-2 rule have not just tarnished the nation's image, they have made India a highly suspect destination for business.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/anil-thakraney-an-open-letter-to-the-pm/

How HC took the wind out of our channels' sails
Ranjona Banerji reviews the fare on primetime news and in the papers the morning after.

http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/how-hc-took-the-wind-out-of-our-channels-sails/

Stories on 21st December

Star's Vijay TV hopes to win big with Tamil KBC, nets superstar Suriya as host
Star India's Vijay TV is looking at its next leap with its biggest property Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi or Kaun Banega Crorepati in Tamil, to be hosted by superstar Suriya. In fact, this is touted as the biggest property ever not just for Vijay TV but for the Tamil television industry too.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/vijay-tv-banks-on-kbc-for-growth/

Starcom win Novartis worldwide, Caratlane in India
Starcom win Novartis worldwide, India office unaware if it will also get business. Meanwhile, it has won media biz of Caratlane.com.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/starcom-win-novartis-worldwide-caratlane-in-india/

Online retailer Fetise nets $5mn live on ET Now show
Fetise.com raises $5 million from SeedFund on ET Now's Super Angels.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/online-retailer-fetise-nets-5mn-live-on-et-now-show/

Video Report: Chaining the modem, gagging the router
The capital's symposium on media and new technology eventually found itself discussing freedom of speech and the current bugbear of Indian new media - censorship.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/chaining-the-modem-gagging-the-router/

Newswatch by Madan Sabnavis: In media showbiz, real figures take a backseat
Everybody wants to be a part of the action and the media is the vehicle to fame. Unfortunately there has been a tendency for single numbers to be blown up and the complete picture obfuscated to drive home a point.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/in-media-showbiz-real-figures-take-a-backseat/

Scarecrow Communications bags Pentair water solutions account
The agency will handle all aspects of Pentair’s communication including creative, strategy, design, activation and media.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/scarecrow-communications-bags-pentair-water-solutions-account/

LinkedIn India appoints Hetal Sonpal as Director, Strategic Sales
He has been brought in to identify and build strategic relationships in the marketing and recruitment ecosystems.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/linkedin-india-appoints-hetal-sonpal-as-director-strategic-sales/

timesPoynt now preloaded on Nokia Lumia 710 and Nokia 800
Users can now access local information on the go with the app on Nokia smartphones.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/timespoynt-now-preloaded-on-nokia-lumia-710-and-nokia-800/

Anku Sharma joins Milagrow TabTops as Product Marketing Manager
She will be responsible for ensuring product launches, channel strategy, marketing strategy, technical training and development.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/anku-sharma-joins-milagrow-tabtops-as-product-marketing-manager/

The Anchor: 6 wishes for Santa from the advertising industry
Arvind Sharma's end-of-year wish list for the ad industry - agencies, creatives, clients... oh, and the consumer.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/the-anchor-6-wishes-for-santa-from-the-advertising-industry/

Naming No Names: We don’t need no ad breaks
Gouri Dange on a sub-species of consumer that is completely impervious to advertising ammo.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/naming-no-names-ad-break/

Anil Thakraney: Doesn't SRK get it?
While I can understand the producers wanting to promote  Don 2  - even planting those cheap 3D glasses inside newspapers is okay to a point - Shahrukh must understand that his continuous presence in the media is going to hurt his charisma in the long run. How much of the star can we take?.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/hard-knocks-doesnt-srk-get-it/

Stories on 20th December

Don 2 marketing on overdrive
From 3D glasses to bobbleheads and a shooter game, Don 2 makers deploy a 360-deg plan to draw people to watch the SRK starrer
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/how-many-are-chasing-don-2/

When Indian TV woke up late
Ranjona Banerji presents her take on nightly news and the fare in the morning papers
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/when-indian-tv-woke-up-late/

NDTV Good Times Food Awards celebrate the best in the food industry
India’s most prestigious food platform honours the finest in the culinary world, Delhi NCR voted as the 'Best Foodie City' of the country
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/ndtv-good-times-food-awards-celebrate-the-best-in-the-food-industry/

Curb online voices? No way, Mr Sibal
In the new world, where lines between traditional and social media are blurred, censorship as proposed by the Information Technology Minister is simply not feasible, finds forum.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/curb-online-voices-no-way-mr-sibal/

Aidem Ventures to handle advertising sales for KBS World (South Korea)
Will now handle the media sales function for KBS World, the international TV channel from South Korea
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/aidem-ventures-to-handle-advertising-sales-for-kbs-world-south-korea/

Big B tweets about his BIG Star wins
Bachchan won the Best Actor in Social role for Aarakshan, a first of its kind and another award for being a complete performer
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/big-b-tweets-about-his-big-star-wins/

The Anchor: 6 wishes for Santa Claus from the radio industry
Monica Nayyar Patnaik's end-of-year wish list for FM - players and listeners too.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/the-anchor-6-wishes-for-santa-claus-from-the-radio-industry/

Debrief: HTC: Fingering around
HTC has come up with some really silly stuff for their new handset called 'Explorer'
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/debrief-htc-fingering-around/

Accel Partners invests in digital media firm Trivone
The slowdown chill notwithstanding, vc firm Accel Partners has announcement an investment in Trivone Digital Services
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/accel-partners-invests-in-digital-media-firm-trivone/

Mukesh Ambani in talks to buy Network 18: WSJ
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Reliance Industries chairman is in talk to buy Network 18
http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/12/mukesh-ambani-in-talks-to-buy-network-18-wsj/