Stories on 25th Feb '14

Time to call Minster's bluff. 6.5/10 performance by UPA-run I&B ministry
Pradyuman Maheshwari reacts to the many claims made by the MIB in a 'Bharat Nirman' series ad
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/time-to-call-minsters-bluff-6-510-performance-by-upa-run-ib-ministry/


Mitrajit Bhattacharya is new President of Association of Indian Magazines
Mitrajit Bhattacharya takes over from Tarun Rai as the new President of the Association of Indian Magazines
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/mitrajit-bhattacharya-is-new-president-of-association-of-indian-magazines/

MobileMix study puts Apple, Samsung on top in APAC
The MobileMix report confirms Samsung as the largest manufacturer in 2013 in APAC, growing over four percentage points year-over-year
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/mobilemix-study-puts-apple-samsung-on-top-in-apac/

Ranjona Banerji: How the media is everyone's whipping boy
General criticism of the media and of journalists has to be accepted as par for the course, writes Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/ranjona-banerji-how-the-media-is-everyones-whipping-boy/

Indian Magazine Congress opens. Minister Tewari asks trade to look digital
Innovation needed to be used as a sustained tool for bringing the change in the lives of the readers rather than being a tool for 'short-cut' solutions, I&B Minister Manish Tewari said while delivering the inaugural address at the 8th Indian Magazine Congress held in New Delhi
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/indian-magazine-congress-opens-minister-tewari-asks-trade-to-look-digital/

AdStrat: Idea Internet: No more foolin' around
With Airtel & Vodafone already well entrenched into their data journey, Idea had the challenge to find a unique take on mobile internet in the 'ullu banoing' ad
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/adstrat-idea-internet-no-more-foolin-around/

Havas Media Group India reports spectacular performance in 2013
RECMA 2013 Compitches has graded Havas at No 1 in YTD new business achievements in both the 2013 preliminary reports, notes a communique
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/havas-media-group-india-reports-spectacular-performance-in-2013/

Flying high! 22feet sells out to DDB Mudra [Updated Today]
The 5-yr-old digital media firm will merge with Tribal and its core team will manage the joint entity + comments from an M&A consultant & Prasanth Mohanachandran
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/flying-high-22feet-sells-out-to-ddb-mudra/

Infibeam to acquire digital marketing firm ODigMa
On a day which started with the news of 22feet being gobbled up by the Omnicom group, the Bengaluru-based digital marketing agency got acquired by an Indian ecom player
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/infibeam-to-acquire-digital-marketing-firm-odigma/

MEC gets Sidhraj Shah to head Brand Activation unit
MEC gets Sidhraj Shah to head Brand Activation unit
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/mec-gets-sidhraj-shah-to-head-brand-activation-unit/

Snack time is play time, says Fanta
In its latest campaign, the brand seeks to add a zing factor to snacking by showing a group of youngsters enjoying a snack together with a bottle of Fanta
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/snack-time-is-play-time-says-fanta/

FoxyMoron unveils in-house PR vertical
Leading digital marketing, ideas and media solutions agency FoxyMoron has extended its service offerings by launching its own PR vertical

http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/02/foxymoron-unveils-in-house-pr-vertical/

Stories on 19th Nov '13

Social Media finds its use in corporate HR
The firewalls have been broken as HR functions realise how social media can be a great ally to attract talent, connect with teams
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/social-media-finds-its-use-in-corporate-hr/

Pre-poll sop? I&B ministry grants interim 19% hike in DAVP rates of print media
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted an interim hike of 19 percent in DAVP rates for the print media with effect from October 15, 2013, pending the receipt and acceptance of recommendations of the 7th Rate Structure Committee
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/pre-poll-sop-ib-ministry-grants-interim-19-hike-in-davp-rates-of-print-media/

Jaldi 5 with Akash Chawla: Extreme reactions on digital is name of the game
Q&A with the Marketing Head (National Channels) at Zee Entertainment on why he’s betting big on the &pictures airing even after the film doing so well on Zee
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/jaldi-5-with-akash-chawla-extreme-reactions-on-digital-is-name-of-the-game/

Luxury market takes a hit but likely to regain its bling next year: CII-IMRB report
'The Changing Face of Luxury in India' report by industry chamber Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and market research firm IMRB International pegs the luxury industry in the country at $7.58 billion, or about Rs 47,127 crore, in 2012
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/luxury-market-takes-a-hit-but-likely-to-regain-its-bling-next-year-cii-imrb-report/

Malcolm Mistry joins dna as CEO
The former India Today Publishing Director has joined the English daily dna has s appointed Malcolm Mistry as CEO
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/malcolm-mistry-joins-dna-as-ceo/

Corporate ownership of media is an inescapable reality as is surrogate political ownership: Manish Tewari
Text of the speech delivered by I&B Manish Tewari on the occasion of National Press Day media and public interest
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/corporate-ownership-of-media-is-an-inescapable-reality-as-is-surrogate-political-ownership-manish-tewari/

Ranjona Banerji: Do news channel panellists know how awful they look and sound?
Do the people who come on television news channel discussion ever watch themselves on re-runs, asks Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/ranjona-banerji-do-news-channel-panellists-know-how-awful-they-look-and-sound/

I&B consultative committee discusses Leveson Report and implications for India
I&B minister convenes meeting of Consultative Committee of Information & Broadcasting  and discusses implications of the Leveson Report in India
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/ib-consultative-committee-discusses-leveson-report-and-implications-for-india/

Stories on 29th May '13

Keeping the Media Free & Fair
Excerpts from a panel discussion with Manish Tewari, N Ram and Uday Shankar and moderated by Arnab Goswami held last Saturday at the Press Club Mumbai's Red Ink Awards
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48629

Jasmin Sohrabji elevated to CEO, South East Asia and India @ Omnicom Media Group
While she will continue to lead Omnicom Media Group, India as CEO, Ms Sohrabji will also take on the task of leading the South East Asian markets of Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand for OMD, PHD and M2M - brands of Omnicom Media Group.
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48662

Jaldi 5 with Vivek Srivastava, Digital Head, Colors: Jhalak online pageviews will double this year
Q&A with Vivek Srivastava, Digital Head of Colors, on the online strategy for the 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48626

Dentsu Marcom gives clarion call for Pass Pass
The campaign created by Dentsu Marcom embarks by releasing TVC followed by digital, radio, BTL activations & POP materials.
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48625

Big Magic Bihar & Jharkhand on a high, launches new shows
New set of locally relevant reality shows launched
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48644

Tendulkar, Bindra launch 'Sporting Times'
The book, compiled by Boria Majumdar, captures 175 key events from the 1838-2013 period that made headlines in the history of the sport and the newspaper
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48628

Anil Thakraney: Gavaskar's silence is deafening
Cricket has given the master batsman everything; it's time to give something back to it, writes Anil Thakraney
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48627

Pulp Strategy powers Yebhi.com with NFC
Pulp Strategy takes youth marketing to a new level with Near Field Communication (NFC)-based engagement

http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48624

Stories on 24th May '13

Yeh IPH hai boss!
As the sixth and most controversial edition of IPL draws to close, presenting our columnists Anil Thakraney and Shailesh Kapoor and their take on the cricketing, er, entertainment spectacle
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48351

Dentsu buys 80% of Webchutney
The Dentsu India Group has announced that it has acquired an 80 percent stake in digital agency Webchutney
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48332

KBC7: Hit or Miss?
The crorepati show is getting set to enter living rooms for a seventh season, and the consensus is that it is Amitabh's charisma which keeps viewers watching. Will it work for this season too?
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48334

Governor K Sankaranarayanan, Manish Tewari at Press Club Mumbai awards tomorrow
The Maharashtra governor and I&B Minister will present the Press Club Mumbai's RedInk awards. Bachi Karkaria to emcee event and Arnab Goswami likely to moderate a panel discussion
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48393

Minions music video Zumi Zumi to end Zoozoo campaign
Ogilvy and Mather dishes up something new for Vodafone every year, and this year the agency lived up to its reputation with the ultra-cute Minions
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48337

Mediaah! Now, BCCL's Times Publishing House takes on law student-blogger
Was it right for Times to send a lawyer's notice to student blogger Aparajita Lath? Pradyuman Maheshwari, who has been in a similar position in the past, examines the case in Mediaah!
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48359

Ranjona Banerji: Pointless debates on News TV
Perhaps our news channels should start discussion issues like whether the sun should start rising from the West, suggests Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48365

Hindustan Times launches Gurgaon Special
The Hindustan Times has renewed its Gurgaon focus with increased local coverage for residents of Gurgaon
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48333

ASCI for faster, stronger action against ads violating code
As NAMS has started tracking upheld complaints to ensure that these ads don't reappear, ASCI plans to report any reappearance of upheld complaint ads to the statutory authorities for further action, and has increased the frequency of CCC meetings
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48330

Ketchum celebrates 90 years
Ketchum will commemorate the milestone with a series of global philanthropic initiatives, including donating 90 creative brainstorm sessions to nonprofit organizations over a period of 90 days
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48336

Reliance Games launches Dancing With the Stars mobile game
Reliance Games has launched the official mobile game of the popular US dance-based reality show Dancing With the Stars, available on the Apple app store
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=48229

Stories on 15th Mar'13

#Frames2013: 3-day informational event fulfils tryst with destiny, almost!
After some insightful sessions, the biggest M&E trade event in India came to an elaborate end
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/frames2013-3-day-informational-event-almost-fulfils-its-tryst-with-destiny/

#Frames2013: Combination of data, bandwidth and content will be more valuable than oil: Ronnie Screwvala
Ronnie Screwvala, MD, Disney UTV stepped up to the task of outlining a roadmap for the M&E industry to take itself into the next phase of growth
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/frames2013-combination-of-data-bandwidth-and-content-will-be-more-valuable-than-oil-ronnie-screwvala/

#Frames2013: Text of speech by I&B Minister Manish Tewari
Text of speech by Manish Tewari, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting at the FICCI-Frames 2013 Valedictory Session
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/frames2013-text-of-speech-by-ib-minister-manish-tewari/

#Frames2013: Text of speech by I&B secretary UdayVarma
Text of speech by I&B secretary UdayVarma at FICCI-Frames 2013
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/frames2013-text-of-speech-by-ib-secretary-uday-varma/

#Frames2013: Business of sports demystified
Escalating costs, restricted prices and little IP protection - a sports broadcasting universe that badly needs reform, concluded the FICCI panel on the last day
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/frames2013-business-of-sports-demystified/

#Frames2013: 'Dependency on data unavoidable'
At the session to discuss unleashing the power of data, it became clear that this power is already out there, and businesses don't have much choice except going with the flow
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/frames2013-dependency-on-data-unavoidable/

Delhi HC upholds Star India's cricket rights on mobile phones
The Delhi HC has prohibited mobile operators from using live match updates for commercial gain
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/delhi-hc-upholds-star-indias-cricket-rights-on-mobile-phones/

ShaileshKapoor | FICCI-Frames: 14 and counting
Over the last few years, with an enhanced Bollywood presence, FICCI-Frames has also acquired some “glamour” connotations, apparent from the presence of gossip journalists in the media centre, writes ShaileshKapoor
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/shailesh-kapoor-ficci-frames-14-and-counting/

Anil Thakraney: Dirty laundry: Cobra's shocking expose
Excellent work, and it must have taken Cobrapost months (and a lot of leg work) to execute this story. Full marks to the team. We need more stories like this!
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/anil-thakraney-dirty-laundry-cobras-shocking-expose/

Ranjona Banerji: Of Cobrapost sting & rubbish BMM course
Ranjona Banerji reviews the fare on nightly news and the morning papers
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/ranjona-banerji-of-cobrapost-sting-rubbish-bmm-course/

JWT makes Virat don boring avatar to sell Nestle Munch
JWT India has launched a new campaign with cricketer ViratKohli as brand ambassador for Nestle Munch 4X4
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/jwt-makes-virat-don-boring-avatar-to-sell-nestle-munch/

Bolt Media's 'boni' with ad films for food brand
Bolt Media has completed the production of eight brand customization ad films for a leading food brand. This is Bolt's first project since its incorporation in November 2012
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/bolt-medias-boni-with-ad-films-for-food-brand/

ESPN Star Sports bags SFL broadcast deal
More than 250 top MMA fighters, men and women, from India and abroad, will slug it out across 11 weight categories, with Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt and top fighters featuring in a campaign across the Star network
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/espn-star-sports-bags-sfl-broadcast-deal/

Nimbus Sport seals SFL production deal
Nimbus Sport has bagged the television production rights for the new season of the Super Fight League (SFL) starting March 29
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/03/nimbus-sport-seals-sfl-production-deal/

Stories on 19th Dec '12

Is our TV measurement future-ready?
Is the Peoplemeter the right way to study viewership in a technologically advancing country? Extracts from the book 'The Advertising Mess' by Bipin Mundhwa and Amit Nevrekar
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/is-our-tv-measurement-future-ready/

Hot Wheels takes 'Don't Drink & Drive' message to pub door
O&M Mumbai creates CSR initiative for Mattel Toys India along with a pub and a driver service
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/hot-wheels-takes-dont-drink-drive-message-to-pub-door/

MIB bows to news TV pressure, pushes TAM to delay ratings data release
The government forces TAM to withhold release of news channels data by two or three days
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/mib-bows-to-news-tv-pressure-pushes-tam-to-delay-ratings-data-release/

Kolkata digitization: Tug-of-war between State and Centre
While the Centre wants the analogue signals switched off from Dec 27, the State wants to act according to the ground realities
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/kolkata-digitization-tug-of-war-between-state-and-centre/

Bigg Boss, Wanted top Whats-On-India rankings in Week 50
Bigg Boss continued to be on top in the Whats-On-India rankings for Hindi GECS in Week 50. Wanted topped the Hindi Film genre
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/bigg-boss-wanted-top-whats-on-india-rankings-in-week-50/

Ranjona Banerji: Tedious TV discussions
The formula of "one BJP, one Congress, two lawyers" for every single subject of discussion is getting tedious, writes Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/ranjona-banerji-tedious-tv-discussions/

Anil Thakraney: Feeding frenzy over rape
This is what usually happens after crimes of rape. Another juicy story will grab the imagination, the trial of the accused will go on for years, and the nation will move on. The debates will re-start when the next attack happens. In short, a whole lot of sound, but of little value
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/anil-thakraney-feeding-frenzy-over-rape/

The Anchor: 5 ways a mobile app can change the Chennai Open
Five reasons why the newly introduced mobile application for Aircel Chennai Open could be a game-changer for the tournament, from Ashu Jindal
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/the-anchor-5-ways-a-mobile-app-can-change-the-chennai-open/

94.3 My FM wins three awards
The station won 'Radio Station of the Year' at the Asian Leadership Awards, Global Awards for Brand Excellence - Brand Excellence in Media & Entertainment, and Mobbys Awards for Best Mobile Application
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/94-3-my-fm-wins-three-awards/


Karisma Kapoor debuts as RJ on 92.7 Big FM's show
On December 24, 2012 Ms Kapoor will debut as an RJ with FM radio network 92.7 Big FM for a women-centric radio show called Big Memsaab, through a specially conceptualized segment, 'Big on Style'
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/karisma-kapoor-debuts-as-rj-on-92-7-big-fms-show/

Designers showcased on TLC's Project Runway
Lifestyle channel TLC is showing new episodes of Project Runway All Stars at 8pm on Sundays, with designers Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman as judges and model Angela Lindvall as series host

http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/12/designers-showcased-on-tlcs-project-runway/

Stories on 5th Nov '12

MxM Mondays: Expectations from the new I&B Minister
Implementing digitization is the immediate challenge for new I&B Minister Manish Tewari. How will he respond and what can the industry expect from the new person at the helm?
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/mxm-mondays-expectations-from-the-new-ib-minister/

NDTV to handle own sales and marketing, ends alliance with Star India
NDTV Ltd and Star India took a strategic decision to transition the sales and marketing function to NDTV. However, cross-platform sales and marketing will happen
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/ndtv-to-handle-own-sales-and-marketing-ends-alliance-with-star-india/

SAB expands touchpoint by venturing into board game biz
SAB has launched Saburbia, a board game which projects the SAB TV brand and thos, and at the same time thrills and entertains players
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/sab-expands-touchpoint-by-venturing-into-board-game-biz/

Jaldi 5 with Keertan Adyanthaya on Fox Traveller'ss first anniv
Keertan Adyanthaya, MD - FOX International Channels, talks to MxM India about how digitization will impact his channel, localized shows, and more...
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/jaldi-5-with-keertan-adyanthaya-on-fox-travellers-first-anniv/

Smile Vun Group's Seventynine sold to Gruner+Jahr's Networkplay
Digital media conglomerate Smile Vun Group (SVG) and Gruner+Jahr's Indian entity, Networkplay, have announced the sales transaction of the mobile ad network, Seventynine.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/smile-vun-groups-seventynine-sold-to-grunerjahrs-networkplay/

Realm Media appoints Ankur Bose as President
Former Cheil VP to help make Yuvraj Agarwal-headed Realm Media into a full-service agency
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/realm-media-appoints-ankur-bose-as-president/

AdStrat: Scarecrow rides on the magic of Swaha for Rupa Thermocot
Behind every great commercial is super strategy. Every week, MxMIndia will bring 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/2012/11/adstrat-scarecrow-rides-on-the-magic-of-swaha-for-rupa-thermocot/

Arnab Mitra & Amit Tripathi invest in DMTI
Arnab Mitra (National Director, Starcom Mediavest Group) and Amit Tripathi (Managing Director, id8labs) have jointly invested in the recently launched Digital Marketing and Training Institute (DMTI)
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/arnab-mitra-amit-tripathi-invest-in-dmti/

Star India's Green initiative bags back-to-back awards
Star's Content Live initiative has bagged the Aegis Graham Bell Award and News Corporation's GEI Award for encouraging a tapeless environment
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/star-indias-green-initiative-bags-back-to-back-awards/

The Anchor: 10 Kasab-dengue tweets that kept Twitterverse busy on a lazy Sunday
The Twitterverse was abuzz on Sunday (November 4) as news filtered in that Ajmal Kasab was down with high fever and could have dengue
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/the-anchor-10-kasab-dengue-tweets-that-kept-twitterverse-busy-on-a-lazy-sunday/

Anil Thakraney: 1984's real tragedy
The saddest thing about 1984 is that there was no private news channel at the time. Because of which, unlike in the case of the Gujarat riots, most of the rioting wasn't caught on film. And this helped the goons escape very easily
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/anil-thakraney-1984s-real-tragedy/

Signposts... November 5
Our daily feature 'Signposts' which as the name suggests will carry an assorted range of, ah, well, signposts
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/11/signposts-november-5/

Stories on 29th Oct '12

MxM Mondays: Can regional dailies withstand the pressure from national biggies?
Do regional papers have it in them to face the competition and clout of national newspapers? MxM Mondays speaks to a cross-section of industry persons
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34067

MIB contests TSM-MxMIndia study on extent of digitization in 4 metros. TSM & MxM stand by data
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting contests Television Street Maps-MxMIndia study on extent of digitization in 4 metros
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34468

Manish Tewari is new I&B minister
The new I&B minister will need to take some quick decisions on digitization as predecessor Ambika Soni leaves ministry days before the Indian broadcast sector's most critical and gamechanging action since a long time
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34470

Jaldi 5 with Sunil Kumaran: UP has much affinity to action content
Sunil Kumaran, Business Head, Language TV at Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd on why the decision to launch BIG RTL Thrill in Uttar Pradesh
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34464

BIG RTL Thrill to launch on Nov 5
Action entertainment channel from Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd and RTL Group jv to launch in UP next week and phase-wise in other markets
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34466

Reviewing The Reviews: Chakravyuh
Every week, Deepa Gahlot casts a critical eye over media reviews of Bollywood releases… in Reviewing the Reviews
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34445

New category of advertising for PSUs in Dainik Bhaskar awards
The Dainik Bhaskar Group has announced the start of the nomination process for the India Pride Awards 2012. This year will see introduction of another category, ‘Best Media Agency - PSU’.
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34456

AdStrat: Tata Manza - a class apart
Behind every great commercial is super strategy. Every week, MxMIndia will bring 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/?p=34452

The Anchor: 5 contrasts between independent agencies now and then
A look at how agencies worked in the days when some of today’s advertising stars may still have been in diapers. Tongue-in-cheek (but no less candid for that)
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34454

Anil Thakraney: Dirty corporate politics
Popular belief is that some amount of politics is an inevitable fact of life. Everyone wants to get ahead fast, everyone wants to retain control, so messing with another group/individual becomes par for the course
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34450

Signposts... October 29
Our daily feature 'Signposts' which as the name suggests will carry an assorted range of, ah, well, signposts
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=34472