Print ad volumes of air conditioners increased by 13 per cent during January-May ’10 over January-May ’09. LG Electronics India Ltd was the top advertiser in this category during this period. Panasonic Econ Inverter AC was among the top new air conditioner brands advertised in print during January-May ’10.
Doordarshan has invited applications to empanel agencies for its outdoor advertising activities. The contract shall be awarded for a period of two years. The earnest money deposit (EMD) required for this tender has been set at Rs 5 lakh.
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has called for creative and media pitch for the Mumbai circle. According to industry sources, the account size is pegged at Rs 20 crore. The incumbent agencies are RK Swamy BBDO, PerceptH, Goldmine and Sobhagya. The empanelment will be for a period of for two years.
Gopal Krishnan has been roped in as Vice President for Mudra Delhi. He moves from Rediffusion Y&R, where he was Business Head for Airtel. This is Krishnan’s second stint with Mudra. He will be reporting to Ajay Naqvi , EVP Mudra and Head of Mudra North & East.
The Board of Directors of Entertainment Network India Ltd (ENIL), at their meeting held on July 8, 2010, have approved in-principle the sale of ENIL’s entire stake in Times Innovative Media Ltd (TIM) to BCCL for a cash consideration of Rs 45 crore. Additionally, BCCL will repay ENIL’s loan to TIM and also absorb the obligations under the financial guarantees provided by ENIL on account of TIM as on the date of the proposed transaction.
In a bid to further strengthen its presence in the National capital Region, Hindustan Times has launched its Gurgaon edition, which hit the newsstands on July 12 2010. Priced at Rs 3, Hindustan Times’s Gurgaon edition will focus on news and issues of Gurgaon. HT Media Ltd is looking at other NCR zones for expansion in the near future.
Ketan Desai is to head Grey Worldwide Delhi as Associate VP, Branch Head Delhi. He comes in from Grey Worldwide Mumbai, where he was Associate VP, Director, Client Servicing. In his new role, Desai will be reporting to Jishnu Sen, COO, Grey India.
Bullish on expansion pan India, Orient Ceramics and Industries Ltd has accelerated its marketing activities to establish its ‘new distinct identity’ and launch two new premium brands – Europa and Stiler – in the Indian market. The company has also appointed Postscript Advertising to handle its creative duties.
Following the launch of its FIFA merchandise in India, Amigo Sports has decided to assign its media mandate to Prachar Communications. Rajesh Jain, MD, Prachar Communications, has confirmed the win to exchange4media and added that no multi-agency pitch was involved.
With all the heat around the AAAI President’s Chair, this was perhaps not the best of times to delve in this. But the more I dug out names that have occupied the AAAI President Chair, the more I was disappointed to see no women making it to that top honour since 1985. When I had first started in this career, I had heard Lynn de Souza say, <i>it is not about you being a woman, but your capability that should decide your inclusion, or not, in any conversation. </i>I firmly believe in that. And perhaps that is why I am this disappointed to not see many, who have been inspiration to people like me, making it to the AAAI President’s list.
It is that time of the year again, when the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) presents the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Association has nominated Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman & Creative Director, Ogilvy India and South Asia, for this Award. It is understood that Pandey has to still accept the Award.
JWT India has not taken the National Creative Director route yet, but the agency has made a significant appointment to its creative team in Adrian Miller. Miller has worked with Saatchi & Saatchi Malaysia, and last year was given the additional responsibility of the agency’s Singapore office. Miller quit Saatchi in March, and destination next for him is India. Miller joins JWT India on August 15 and would be based in Delhi.
The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) is finally talking about the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). As is known, BARC was announced almost three years back. Set up as a not for profit body under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, BARC is expected to conduct market research to provide accurate, up to date and relevant findings relating to broadcast audiences, including TV ratings. IBF Board member and ZEEL MD Punit Goenka shares the objective and functioning of BARC with exchange4media.