Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN-7, says that Hindi news channels have changed beyond recognition in the last few years; the pace is phenomenal, but they have also dumbed down the content and moved away from news. He wonders whether Hindi news channels today are news channels or something else!
Cartoon Network and 3P Learning, an online mathematics learning programme for schoolkids, have joined hands to promote World Maths Day. World Maths Day is web-based event where students from across the globe compete with each other to solve mental arithmetic problems in a multi-player game environment. The event is scheduled for March 5, 2008.
Creativeland Asia has strengthened its focus on ‘youth’ by launching Creativeland Asia Fresh Pick, a concept that encourages competition among art and design students to produce quality work and get a chance to attend the Cannes Lions 2008.
February 25 dawned in India with the Oscars celebrating some serious cinema, but nightfall the same day saw Bingo Red FM’s Bajaate Raho Awards 2007, that celebrated ‘excellence in stupidity’. As the lovable Forrest Gump had once said, “Stupid is as stupid does,” the phenomena encompasses different sectors and genres and personalities.
With school annual exams round the corner, Topper could prove be a handy educational aid to children in India. Launched by Greycells18 Media, Topper is touted as India’s first curriculum-based education TV channel. Part of the Topper Integrated Learning System, the channel would initially cater to classes IX, X, XI and XII.
The new TVC for Samsung Guru100, the entry level mobile phone from Samsung Telecommunications India (STI), involves the viewers as the storyline is taken to the next stage, based on viewer response. This makes the campaign, conceptualised by Cheil Communications, more interactive.
Ogilvy Activation, the OOH unit of O&M, had recently done an innovative campaign for its client Vodafone, where the agency converted the entire luggage conveyor belt at the Goa Airport into a platform to promote the ‘Roam with Vodafone’ campaign.
Britannia’s popular biscuit brand Tiger Biscuit now claims to pack in ‘1 kilo banana ka iron ka zor’, thus making it a healthy snack option. And to get this point across and announce the new variant, Britannia has unveiled a new campaign featuring its brand mascot, Mister Tiger, in an animated avatar to appeal to its primarily kids TG.
This news is going to gladden the hearts of many a music lover. ‘Rolling Stone’, the widely-read music magazine from the US, is all set to launch an Indian edition on February 27, 2008. The monthly magazine would be priced at Rs 100 and published by Mumbai-based MW.Com India Pvt Ltd under license from Wenner Media LLC.
Raktim Das has put in his papers as General Manager-Marketing, Business Division, at the India Today Group. He was with the Group for over 10 years. Das is expected to join Zee Business by March 1 as Business Head.
INX News’ hunt for an Editor-in-Chief for the channel has come to an end with the organisation signing up Karan Thapar’s company ITV as Editorial Advisor to its soon-to-be-launched English news channel NewsX. The advisory services would comprise a review of progress till date and consultancy on future editorial development.
AAAI has announced the opening of registrations for Goafest 2008. All one needs to do is log on to <a href=http://www.aaaindia.org target= _blank>www.aaaindia.org</a> to register and download the form. The Festival kicks off on April 3 with an ‘Industry Conclave’. The Media Awards would be presented on April 4, while the Abby at Goafest would be presented on April 5. Call for entries for Goafest 2008 would be announced shortly.
There is still time for Goafest 2008 to kick off on April 3, but Contract Advertising, the creative agency handling the Festival account, is losing no time in rolling out a campaign to create the right buzz. Contract had bagged the account following a multi-agency pitch that also involved JWT and Euro RSCG.
TRAI has released a consultation paper on issues relating to entry of certain entities into broadcasting and distribution activities. At present, in India, the activities relating to the broadcasting sector are mainly in the hands of Prasar Bharati and the private sector. Now, TRAI wants the industry to mull over whether State Governments and other entities should also be allowed into the broadcasting and distribution space.
The Budget Session of Parliament has got underway. The Railway Budget would be presented on February 26 and the Union Budget on February 29. Even as all channels gear up to cover the Budget proceedings, Lok Sabha TV has thrown a spanner of sorts, announcing that the telecast of the proceedings inside the Lok Sabha would be made payable, starting this Budget Session.