Prabhakar Mundkur elevated as CEO of PerceptH
Close on the heels of Ajay Chandwani’s induction as Member of the Board of PerceptH
Date-wise News
International: Advertisers disappointed in the merger that wasn’t
Advertising clients appeared disappointed that Yahoo and Microsoft couldn't make a merger work. But it wasn't because they won't have the chance to do business with Microhoo; rather, they were letdown that a stronger challenger to Google wasn't created.
Priyanka Chopra to be the new face of Pond’s
Pond’s has announced Priyanka Chopra as its new face across all the brand’s ranges. As brand ambassador, Chopra would play a key role in brand and product communication across various platforms on television, in print and outdoor media.
Amrita TV expands national footprint with pact with DD’s DTH platform
After making the channel available on DTH platforms such as DishTV and Tata Sky, Amrita TV has now tied up with DD Direct+, Doordarshan’s DTH platform. The channel won’t be making any notable changes in its marketing and sales strategy as of now, and the prime focus would be on reach.
Luminelle Solar Technologies bags rights for 100 bus shelters in Bhopal
Luminelle Solar Technologies Ltd, a Delhi-based OOH company, has won the contract for building and maintaining 100 bus shelters in Bhopal. There was a tender floated in April 2008 in which several OOH companies had taken part. The contract was awarded to Luminelle Solar Technologies.
HR Direction adds Hutchison Whampoa arm ‘3’ to its kitty
HR Direction, a specialist division of RK Swamy BBDO catering to HR-related communication needs of organizations, has won the business of ‘3’, the 100 per cent subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, a Fortune 500 company and a global pioneer of 3G telecommunications technology.
Videocon in expansion mode for Planet M; plans to be largest entertainment & lifestyle chain in India
Videocon Industries Ltd has major expansion plans in store for entertainment retail chain Planet M, which the company acquired in 2007 from Bennett, Coleman & Company. This was announced by Subir Ghosh, CEO, Planet M Retail Ltd, at the inauguration of the latest Planet M mega store in Kolkata on May 6.
Walt Disney appoints Venkat Ramana as Head of Affiliate Relations for India & South Asia
Walt Disney Television International, India (WDTVI) has appointed Venkat Ramana as Head of Affiliate Relations for India and South Asia. Ramana would be reporting to Antoine Villeneuve, SVP and Managing Director, WDTVI, and work closely with Rob Gilby, SVP and Managing Director, Disney ABC International Television (Asia Pacific).
SAB introduces ‘Krazy Kiya Re’, a music reality show with crazy twists
The song caught the nation’s fancy, now SAB aims to create the same frenzy for its namesake music reality show, ‘Krazy Kiya Re’. The channel stresses it would not be just another run-of-the-mill music reality show, but would break the clutter with its whacky content and crazy twists. The show will air every Friday, starting May 9, at 8 pm.
Times OOH appoints Hemant Shah as EVP and Head of Revenue
Times Innovative Media Ltd (TIML) has appointed Hemanth Shah as Executive Vice President and Head of Revenue for Times Out Of Home (Times OOH). In this new role, Shah would be based at TIML’s corporate office in Delhi and would be reporting to Sunder Hemrajani, Managing Director, Times OOH.
Rediffusion DYR to handle creative, TME media duties of Viacom18’s new GEC Colors
A day after announcing the launch of its new GEC, Colors, in Bangkok, Viacom18 has unveiled the names of the agencies that would handling the communication. While Rediffusion DYR will handle the creative duties, TME has been appointed to handle the media duties for the newly-formed GEC. Rajesh Kamat, CEO, Colors, has confirmed the development. The marketing ad spend is pegged in the region of over Rs 50 crore.
Zee Tamil to go on air on June 15; news channel, Malayalam GEC in the pipeline
Zee News Ltd’s Tamil GEC, Zee Tamil, is set to be launched on June 15. The launch of Zee Tamil would be followed by a 24-hour Tamil news channel and Malayalam GEC, which is expected to on air during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Ajay Chandwani inducted to the Board of Directors PerceptH
Ajay Chandwani has been inducted to the Board of Directors of PerceptH and has been designated as Executive Director and a Member of the Board of PerceptH. Chandwani will continue to look after the Hakuhodo relationship and oversee Percept Gulf Fz LLC (Dubai) operations.
BBC World News makes India the hub of its South Asia operations
BBC World News has announced key changes in its operations in South Asia with a series of appointments, making India the first regional marketing centre for the division outside the UK. It has also unveiled its future plans with the channel now looking at focusing more on mobile and Internet as new platforms for distribution.
One Show 2008 finalists announced; 15 Indian entries make it to the list
One Show 2008 finalists have been announced. This year, 15 Indian entries have made it to the finalists’ list of the total 507 entries that India had sent in. O&M leads with five entries, followed by Rediffusion DY&R and Leo Burnett with four entries each. JWT and Meridian Communications have one entry each in the finalists’ list.