Stories on 28th May 14

Tasks for the new I&B Minister
10 things that the new information and broadcasting minister must achieve... in Mediaah!
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/tasks-for-the-new-ib-minister/

Why hasn't IPL blossomed into a marquee opportunity for creative agencies?
What IPL advertising badly needs is another shot of ZooZoo-like creative by many more brands
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/why-hasnt-ipl-blossomed-into-a-marquee-opportunity-for-creative-agencies/

ASCI reshuffles top cadre
Alan Collaco to retire as ASCI's Secretary General; Shweta Purandare named as successor
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/asci-reshuffles-top-cadre/

Jitesh Rajdeo joins Amagi Media as Director
Amagi is the leader in geo-targeted advertising enabling advertisers to optimize their ad spends effectively
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/jitesh-rajdeo-joins-amagi-media-as-director/

Samsung's 'Maestros Academy' receives much acclaim
The program enlisted four world-famous artisans to teach over 40 lessons and host live chat sessions where students could interact and collaborate in real-time
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/samsungs-maestros-academy-receives-much-acclaim/

Sakal group's career fair this weekend
The three-day event is is being organized jointly with the University of Mumbai and Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/sakal-groups-career-fair-this-weekend/

WeChat uses humour to attract user attention
The idea was to communicate and position WeChat as the starting point of all conversations and interactions

http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/05/wechat-uses-humour-to-attract-user-attention/

Stories on 15th Apr '14

It's here. The MxMIndia Annual 2014
It's taken some time to get to the world, but it's here. With loads of insights - 121 of them making it an unputdownable volume
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/its-here-the-mxmindia-annual-2014/

DDB MudraMax Media bags Tata Goldplus Jewellery
TATA Goldplus is a jewellery retail chain launched by Titan Industries Ltd to meet the specific preferences in semi-urban and rural India
 http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/ddb-mudramax-media-bags-tata-goldplus-jewellery/

India TV confirms QW Naqvi's exit
Reasons being attributed to in social media are baseless, says Ritu Dhawan India TV MD & CEO
 http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/india-tv-confirms-qw-naqvis-exit/

Ranjona Banerji: Media booms with Baru book
The more the Congress screams 'Et tu Brute' given Sanjaya Baru's book 'The Accidental Prime Minister', the more the media and the Opposition will make merry, writes Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/ranjona-banerji-media-booms-with-baru-book/

Spice aims at turning dreams into reality
The campaign shows Spice connecting a small school girl of Lucknow with The London Ballet School
 http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/spice-aims-at-turning-dreams-into-reality/

Sony's Bulaava Express takes off on a nationwide tour
The open air bus has been designed to capture the imagination of the citizens with a host of entertaining and unique activities
 http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/sonys-bulaava-express-takes-off-on-a-nationwide-tour/

Cheil delivers a unique positioning for Samsung Joy Plus TV
The idea behind the campaign was in keeping with Samsung's legacy as an innovator and leader in the category
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/cheil-delivers-a-unique-positioning-for-samsung-joy-plus-tv/

Gocricket to capitalize on IPL frenzy with website launch
Cricket fans will be able to watch Pepsi IPL 2014 anytime, anywhere on gocricket's multiple digital platforms
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/gocricket-to-capitalize-on-ipl-frenzy-with-website-launch/

It's IPL time and the Zoozoos are back!
The love affair of Vodafone with IPL continues with the first two ads being released tomorrow
http://www.mxmindia.com/2014/04/its-ipl-time-and-the-zoozoos-are-back/

Stories on 24th Dec '13

Dear Santa. Please make these wishes for the Indian media come true...
This X'mas, we present 13 wishes which if granted could make our world of media a better place to be in
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/12/dear-santa-please-make-these-wishes-for-the-indian-media-come-true/

IPG Mediabrands' Lodestar UM bags Samsung biz
Lodestar UM wins Samsung business from Starcom Mediavest
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/12/ipg-mediabrands-lodestar-um-bags-samsung-biz/

Boxing champ Mary Kom is Vodafone's global brand ambassador
Beginning next year, Indian boxing champ Mary Kom will become the global brand ambassador for British multinational telecom company Vodafone
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/12/boxing-champ-mary-kom-is-vodafones-global-brand-ambassador/

Ranjona Banerji: Patriotism rules in US media in Khobragade case
One can't really expect cynicism against their own government from the American media which made "embedded journalism" into an accepted form of the profession, writes Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/12/ranjona-banerji-patriotism-rules-in-us-media-in-khobragade-case/

Merry X'mas. No edition days on Dec 25 and Jan 1
There will be no update tomorrow (December 25) on account of Christmas. See you Thursday

http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/12/merry-xmas-no-edition-days-on-dec-25-and-jan-1/

Stories on 6th Nov '13

Dhanda wasn't really manda this Diwali
Retailers cheer festive season with a bang, Diwali sales grow despite slowdown + Brands like Apple, Samsung, Nestle and Ferrero Rocher make hay
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/dhanda-isnt-really-manda-this-diwali/

Ravi Deshpande sets up Whyness
The former Contract India chairman and CCO has set up Whyness Worldwide with offices in Mumbai, Paris and Boston and two strategic offshore alliance - the Boston-based big data tech firm called Findability Sciences and a branding and design company called Seenk from France
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/ravi-deshpande-sets-up-whyness/

Star junks ESPN brand, launches Star Sports with 6 channels and website
Star India announces commitment of more than Rs 20,000 crore in the sports business with non-cricketing games given fair importance
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/ravi-deshpande-sets-up-whyness/

Ranjona Banerji: Star Sports network is welcome, but no unannounced switchovers please
Perhaps now Star Sports and all its channels will only buy rights to tournaments that they can actually show us, writes Ranjona Banerji
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/ranjona-banerji-star-sports-network-is-welcome-but-no-unannounced-switchovers-please/

Star cashes in on Sachin mania, hikes ad rates by 40%
Cashing in on the hype surrounding Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test matches, broadcaster Star India has raised ad rates by almost 30-40%
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/star-cashes-in-on-sachin-mania-hikes-ad-rates-by-40/

DDB Mudra ropes in Sambit Mohanty as Creative Head, North
The McCann Erickson ECD will take charge of the creative duties at DDB Mudra for North India

http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/11/ddb-mudra-ropes-in-sambit-mohanty-as-creative-head-north/

Stories on 10th Oct '13

Life's looking good for Samsung & LG
Korea's competing chaebols Samsung and LG have found their way to the top in India
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/lifes-looking-good-for-samsung-lg/

Jaldi 5 with Jasmin Sohrabji: Digital is always a focus for Omnicom Media Group
Jasmin Sohrabji, Chief Executive Officer – South East Asia and India of Omnicom Media Group, on the setting up of PHD, client acquisitions and how digital is huge for Omnicom
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/jaldi-5-with-jasmin-sohrabji-digital-is-always-a-focus-for-omnicom-media-group/

Apollo Tyres appoints Brooklyn Brothers as global creative agency
The tyre major recently set-up a Global Marketing Office in London, which is responsible for global product strategy, marketing communications and product mix management
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/apollo-tyres-appoints-brooklyn-brothers-as-global-creative-agency/

With $160 mn fresh funding, Flipkart's $1.5-bn valuation comparable to P&G India, Tata Global Beverages
Online retailer Flipkart.com has mopped up a further $160 million ( Rs 976 crore) from mostly new investors, taking the total in the fifth round to $360 million (Rs 2,196 crore)
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/with-160-mn-fresh-funding-flipkarts-1-5-bn-valuation-comparable-to-pg-india-tata-global-beverages/

NewsX appoints Aidem for adsales
NewsX has partnered with Aidem to recalibrate pricing with improved performance
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/newsx-appoints-aidem-for-adsales/

Nikhil Chinapa to now burn sun with Live Viacom18, fest in Goa to outwit Percept offering
After parting ways with Percept's Sunburn, Nikhil Chinapa has allied with Live Viacom 18 to bring to Goa in December a five-day electronic dance music festival
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/nikhil-chinapa-to-now-burn-sun-with-live-viacom18-fest-in-goa-to-outwit-percept-offering/

Times Internet partners Ziff Davis to bring IGN & Askmen to India
Times Internet Limited inks partnership with Ziff Davis to launch IGN and Askmen in India
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/times-internet-partners-ziff-davis-to-bring-ign-askmen-to-india/

Stories on 9th Oct '13

75% corporates do not walk the talk on going Rural: R V Rajan
The rural marketing pioneer writes a must-read handbook. Q&A with the author + an extract
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/75-corporates-do-not-walk-the-talk-on-going-rural-r-v-rajan/

Mediaah! Bizarre! NDTV ombudsman Soli Sorabjee's response to mail on Barkha Dutt-Niira Radia episode
Pradyuman Maheshwari is surprised with the response he received from NDTV ombudsman Soli Sorabjee to his mail on the Barkha Dutt-Niira Radia controversy. Is one of India's best known legal luminaries sitting on the fence on the issue, he asks in Mediaah!
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/mediaah-bizarre-ndtv-ombudsman-soli-sorabjees-response-to-mail-on-barkha-dutt-niira-radia-episode/

Slowdown? Top brands report 30% jump in festive sales
Leading brands like Samsung, Peter England, Woodland register a 30 percent jump in festive season sales
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/slowdown-top-brands-report-30-jump-in-festive-sales/

Social media campaigns can swing 3-4% of votes: IAMAI-IMRB
According to the report, political parties have earmarked around 2-5% of their election budgets for social media
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/social-media-campaigns-can-swing-3-4-of-votes-iamai-imrb/

Nickelodeon brings Kids' Choice Awards to India
Live Viacom18 will produce the popular kids' choice awards to India
http://www.mxmindia.com/2013/10/nickelodeon-brings-kids-choice-awards-to-india/

Stories on 25th Mar'13

MxM Mondays: Does India need more sports channels?
For a country mainly mad about one sport, India has a surprisingly large number of sports channels on TV (17 of them!). Is the market sturdy enough for more?
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44397

TRAI notifies duration of ads on TV channels
Standards of Quality of Service (Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels) (Amendment) Regulations, 2013 restricts duration of ads in channels to a maximum of 12 minutes in any given clock-hour
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44417

An Ap(p)t offering from Hungama
Hungama.com has launched a next-generation music application that plans to break the competitive digital music market and elevating the listening experience
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44416

Meera Sharath Chandra: Roaring for her own turf
Tigress Tigress, founded by Meera Sharath Chandra, aims for higher order conversations and delivery on overall brand strategy and consumer engagement across all communication touchpoints. In a hot domain, she tells MxMIndia how she plans to surge ahead
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44401

AdStrat: V-Guard's ad with a twist
Behind every great commercial is super strategy. Every week, MxMIndia brings 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=44396

Mindshare Appoints Rajit Desai as Partner - Consulting
Mindshare has announced the appointment of Rajit Desai as Partner, Mindshare Consulting
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44459

Anil Thakraney | Credit for return of marines must go to media
Had the media not raised a hue and cry, these murderers were lost to us forever, there's no way the government would have negotiated furiously with their Italian counterparts to find a way to get these doods back. A pat on the back is in order, and am hoping it comes from the usually sleepy PM
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44393

Samsung, Nokia, Micromax more researched than Apple
According to the PrecisionMatch Mobile Handset Market Insights, Samsung Galaxy S3 is the most viewed model
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44414

Need for more wire news agencies: I&B Minister
Minister Manish Tewari said that the potential was tremendous as these agencies facilitated information flow at the sub regional, regional and national level
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44402

MIB to launch Centralised Monitoring System for encrypted signals
The system will be able to detect those MSOs which do not carry the mandated encrypted signals
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44400

Parle signs BachchanSr to endorse Gold Star cookies
Parle Products will be carrying out an extensive marketing campaign for the premium cookie with Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador
 http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44419

ANCHOR | ONE BIG IDEA: One Big Idea by Supriyo Sinha
Going micro, beyond metros
http://www.mxmindia.com/?p=44418

Stories on 25th April

McDonald's innovates with menu to get numbers
Frequent changes in its menu and innovations are part of the fast food giant's gambit for growth
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/mcdonalds-innovates-with-menu-to-get-numbers/

Infosys & WPP's Fabric unveil cloud-based platform for digital marketing
Infosys and WPP firm Fabric have unveiled a first-of-its-kind cloud-based platform for simplifying digital marketing
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/infosys-wpps-fabric-unveil-cloud-based-platform-for-digital-marketing/

Amul to sponsor India at London Olympics
To leverage this association, GCMMF has created a TVC which shows a girl made of milk performing the sports which are part of Olympics
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/amul-to-sponsor-indian-contingent-at-2012-olympics/

Paritosh Joshi turns entrepreneur, quits Star CJ
Veteran mediaperson and Star CJ CEO Paritosh Joshi has put in his papers. He proposes to turn entrepreneur, he told MxMIndia confirming the news
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/paritosh-joshi-quits-star-cj-turns-entrepreneur/

TV Today's Gulab Makhija joins India TV as CFO
As part of its aggressive growth strategy, India TV also announced several key appointments, many of them coming from TV Today
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/tv-todays-gulab-makhija-joins-india-tv-as-cfo/

Publicis acquires Indigo, to run as Leo Burnett unit
The Publicis group has announced the acquisition of leading digital agency Indigo Consulting which will now run as a unit within Leo Burnett in India
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/publicis-acquires-indigo-to-run-as-a-leo-burnett-unit/

Draftfcb Ulka lights up with Neon Brand PR
The addition of Neon Brand PR will further strengthen Draftfcb Ulka's portfolio of services and provide seamless inputs for their branding assignments
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/draftfcb-ulka-lights-up-with-neon-brand-pr/

Amith Prabhu: PR frat needs a Goafest-like event
There should be a PR award that enables entries to compete in the global arena. There is a major vacuum that needs to be filled and no one can help us on this but ourselves
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/amith-prabhu-pr-frat-needs-a-goafest-like-event/

Vibgyor Brand Services gets future-ready
Vibgyor started out as a generic event management services company and has transformed into one of the top activation agencies in the country with a pan-India presence
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/vibgyor-brand-services-gets-future-ready/

Promart Retail ties up with Snapdeal.com
Promart will offer its customers an additional 10 per cent discount on purchases of Rs2,500 and above by members who log in to Snapdeal.com and pay Rs30 for this special deal
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/promart-retail-ties-up-with-snapdeal-com/

Hyundai signs multi-level global sponsorship deal with CNN
Significant deal includes CNN flagship shows 'Amanpour' and 'Piers Morgan Tonight'
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/hyundai-signs-multi-level-global-sponsorship-deal-with-cnn/

TBWA\India wins creative mandate for Peninsula Land
For TBWA, the win comes on the back of a multi-agency pitch that was held in Mumbai
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/tbwaindia-wins-creative-mandate-for-peninsula-land/

MSL Asia ranks 3rd in M&A leage
MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe's flagship strategic communications and engagement company and the largest public relations and social media network in Greater China and India
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/msl-asia-ranks-3rd-in-ma-leage/

Vserv.mobi Strengthens South East Asia Focus
Appoints Vikas Gulati as Vice President - Business Development for the region
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/vserv-mobi-strengthenssouth-east-asiafocus/

Dipankar Chakraborty is COO at Kettle Communications
In his new role, he will be responsible for aligning and strengthening the firm’s operations
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/dipankar-chakraborty-is-coo-at-kettle-communications/

Brands like Mountain Dew, Airtel, ITC and others bypass celebrities for their campaigns
Many now prefer young, unknown faces in their campaigns
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/brands-like-mountain-dew-airtel-itc-and-others-bypass-celebrities-for-their-campaigns/

Promart Retail ties up with Snapdeal.com
Promart will offer its customers an additional 10 per cent discount on purchases of Rs2,500 and above by members who log in to Snapdeal.com and pay Rs30 for this special deal
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/promart-retail-ties-up-with-snapdeal-com/

The Anchor: Madhu Trehan on 5 things on TV that must be washed out quick
No more political propaganda, saas-bahu rona dhona, and flash warnings which vanish in a flash says Madhu Trehan
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/the-anchor-5-things-on-television-that-need-to-be-washed-out-immediately/

Anil Thakraney: Dirty Picture, Dirty Mess
But the point I am making is that while I have no love lost for the politicians, the enraged filmi types must also examine the channel’s role in this mess
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/anil-thakraney-dirty-picture-dirty-mess/

[MJR] 40 is new 60 in media
Every Thursday, Ranjona Banerji will write about a grouse. Either spewing venom or tongue-in-cheek
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/mjr-its-all-about-how-the-media-operates/

Stories on 14th February

Love sees a new high for Archies on V-Day
Little wonder, the Feb 1-14 period accounts for 16-18 per cent of the company's annual turnover
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/love-sees-a-new-high-for-archies-on-v-day/

Rejoice! Consumer spending in India poised for explosive growth, says CII-BCG report
By 2020, consumption will reach $3.6 trillion, as new generation hits its prime spending years, according to a recent CII-BCG report
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/rejoice-consumer-spending-in-india-poised-for-explosive-growth-says-cii-bcg-report/

French retailer Auchan eyes joint venture with Landmark group
The ongoing discussions centered around a potential joint venture but the final agreement will depend on whether India moves ahead with plans for foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/french-retailer-auchan-eyes-joint-venture-with-landmark-group/

Rahul Saighal is new Samsung CMO
He will replace Elkana Ezekiel, who is said to be joining Ahmedabad-based Zydus Wellness as managing director
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/rahul-saighal-is-new-samsung-cmo/

KKR announces new marketing campaign
The new design stays with the traditional team colours of purple and gold, but incorporates a striking new logo unit, created by Lambie-Nairn
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/kkr-announces-new-marketing-campaign/

M&C Saatchi bags creative mandate for W
We found in M&C Saatchi a partner who has the strategy, market analysis, creative expression all figured out just right for W, says Anant Daga, CEO, TCNS Clothing Company Pvt. Ltd.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/mc-saatchi-bags-creative-mandate-for-w/

BIG CBS Spark goes musical for Gen Next
Positioned as the ultimate music destination, the music offers a strong platform to artists, both international and Indian.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/big-cbs-spark-goes-musical-for-gen-next/

Reviewing the Reviews: Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
Every week, Deepa Gahlot casts a critical eye over media reviews of Bollywood releases... in Reviewing the Reviews.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/reviewing-the-reviews-ek-main-aur-ekk-tu/

Television channels on Valentine mode
Celebrity love gurus, special sitcom marathons, music, channels have something special lined up for their viewers this Valentine's Day.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/television-channels-on-valentine-mode/

FM stations celebrate Valentine's Day
From offering love tips to motivating a husband to lose weight for his wife, radio stations are leaving no stone unturned to celebrate V-day.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/fm-stations-celebrate-valentines-day/

BBC World News is the No 1 international English news channel
The channel, #1 in affluent India, is fastest growing amongst all international news channels.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/bbc-world-news-is-the-no-1-international-english-news-channel/

Delegates from 15 countries to attend ad:tech New Delhi 2012
'Unprecedented response from leading brands proves that digital is where marketing wars will be fought'.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/delegates-from-15-countries-to-attend-adtech-new-delhi-2012/

Anchor: 5 reasons why one must go for Goafest
After all, it is the only big way of celebrating being in a fun and energy-filled industry, feels Vishakha Singh.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/anchor-5-reasons-why-one-must-go-for-goafest/

Debrief: 7UP: A downer
Opportunitylost. Penguin wasted. Methinks some super cool ads can be created around feeling alive in life.
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/debrief-7up-a-downer/

Expect the same old, same old this Valentine Day
In Freaking News, RanjonaBanerji reviews the fare on primetime news and in the papers
http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/02/expect-the-same-old-same-old-this-valentine-day/