The Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) has unanimously re-elected K.S.Sarma, CEO, Prasar Bharti, as its President for 2004-05. At the Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday, the IBF board members also unanimously retained Jawahar Goel of Siticable as Vice-president, and I. Venkat of Eenadu Group as Treasurer.
Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd (RSIL), the flagship company of the Ruchi Group, has awarded its media responsibilities to MediaCom following a multi-agency pitch. The account is pegged at Rs 10 crore. O&M handles the creative responsibility for the Ruchi brands.
Stressing on the retail business, Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT) has decided to procure a stronger brand image in the market with a wide range of products. And, the Rs 2,255-crore company is planning to launch a new product every month in retail segment. Royal Executive Bond and Matrix are the two existing brands in this segment.
Consumers accustomed to a slash in prices of refrigerators, CTVs, ACs and other appliances around this time of the year, just before the festive season, may be in for a disappointment. For not only have a few industry players announced price hikes, the overall price erosion in the category seems to have also largely halted.
Aaren Initiative, the out-of-home advertising wing of Lintas India’s Integrated Marketing Action Group (IMAG), has launched India’s first indigenously devised integrated outdoor planning software, called AIPT (Aaren Initiative Planning Tool) and an operations management software, named AIMS (Aaren Initiative Media System).
Through a strategic partnership singed between Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Limited and SET Satellite (Singapore), SET gets the exclusive option to distribute SAB TV as part of the OneAlliance bouquet.
The Union I&B Ministry is planning to allow up to 26 per cent foreign investment – from FII and FDI to TV news channels. The ministry is also likely to reduce the license fees for the private FM channels and a decision on the Trai proposal for implementation of CAS is on the cards.
In tune with the substantial action that’s keeping Cartoon Network bustling, the channel has appointed a new hand to head the programming responsibilities in the country. Turner has zeroed in on Radio Mid-Day’s programming head, Vishnu Athreya to take care of Cartoon Network now.
Zee Telefilms Limited (ZTL) has received approval for its upcoming channel Zee Sports. This comes at a time when the entire dispute over telecast rights is under dispute and is before the Supreme Court. "We got the approval last evening, and we will begin test signals from tomorrow," said Mr Chandra. Responding to a shareholder’s query.
Alliance Advertising has bagged the media account of Flex Industries. The account is pegged at Rs 4 crore. Rediffusion DY&R handles the creative aspects of the business. Alliance would handle the new range of products to be launched in a new brand name from the Flex stable.
First, a pocket calculator, then a mini radio, an internet guide, not to mention, an inbuilt camera and now, believe it or not, mobile phone is coming up with a television in it. Orange TV is now available on Edge-compatible handsets like Nokia 6230, 3220 and 630, which enable users to view television with a surfing range of 13-odd channels.
Business seems pouring in for FCB Ulka. The agency has managed to pip quite a few of crucial accounts in recent past. The latest in the row is that of the integrated account of IDBI Ltd. Media billings for the account are pegged at close to Rs 50 crore.
With the objective to create a buzz in the market, textile group Shri Dinesh Mills, which was looking out for a media partner, has awarded its Rs 5-crore media mandate to Prachar Advertising. The agency is planning to make a stronger brand presence in television.
Perfetti Van Melle India Pvt Ltd has chosen Leo Burnett as the third agency to handle creatives for the company’s three new products that will be launched later this year. O&M and McCann Erickson are other two agencies working for Perfetti, which has an ad-spend of a cool Rs 50 crore. The media duty will continue to rest with Madison.