Date-wise News

Is content king, or is the medium the message? That was the bone of contention at the session on ‘Mobile Entertainment – Whenever, wherever’ on Day 3 of FRAMES 2005. Arun Gupta, COO, Mauj, said, “Mobile data contributes between 2-15 per cent in terms of ARPU contributions for different operators of the world. The mobile screen is emerging as the third most popular screen, after television and PC for entertainment options.”

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 11:06 PM

The multiplex’s steady proliferation in the metropolis and simultaneous penetration into some smaller cities and towns testifies to its increasing popularity, coinciding with the rise of disposable incomes in the hands of the urban Indian family.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 11:00 PM

Speakers on Day 3 of FRAMES 2005 agreed that it may take at least five years for all Indian homes to start receiving content in the digital format, given the huge investment required to convert from the existing analog systems.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 10:57 PM

Royal Philips Electronics has taken another step towards an on-going transformation by announcing a new brand campaign as the company completes 75 years in India. The campaign revolves around the concept of the company’s new brand promise of ‘Sense and Simplicity’, which replaces ‘Let’s make things better’.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 4:48 PM

LG Electronics India Ltd. (LGEIL), the wholly owned subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate, has become the most revered brand in its space.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 4:47 PM

Media Transasia has shut down its political magazine, National Review, owing to continuous losses suffered by it. The political monthly, which was launched in September 2003, has ceased publication from April. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to launch two new monthly magazines by the end of the year-one on entertainment and the other on lifestyle. The company is also planning to relaunch its travel magazine Discover India by August with a more contemporary look and feel.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 9:13 AM

Pepsi and Hindustan Lever (HLL) have announced the launch of Lipton Ice Tea through the Pepsi-Lipton alliance. The alliance pools the companies' respective strengths to market, sell and distribute Lipton's ready-to-drink (RTD) tea in India.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:09 AM

The second annual PROMAX&BDA India Conference and Awards will be held on July 11-12 in Mumbai. For the first time, one-day conference will also be held in New Delhi on July 8. This year's theme is The Sticky Stuff: Applying New Glue between Viewers, Ratings and Revenues.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:08 AM

Titan Industries’ third major brand might be ‘Xylys’ after Titan and Sonata. This is expected to address a section of the super-premium category in the Indian market who are increasingly looking at ‘Swiss-Made’ watches. This new brand is expected to hit the markets by August of this year. The pricing might be in the range of Rs 10,000 — Rs 30,000.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:05 AM

Early, this year, the Star Group had committed itself to the cause of HIV/AIDS and had agreed to incorporate information creatively in its popular programmes. Now, national broadcaster, Doodarshan will soon start airing a daily soap on the issue.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:05 AM

There has been a key promotion within CNBC with Anil Uniyal being promoted from head of sales (West & South) to national sales head.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:04 AM

The FICCI Best Animated Frames Awards were given away on Tuesday. From just one international entry last year, the popularity of the awards seems to have risen immensely with more than 200 entries from 14 countries pouring in for this year's awards.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:01 AM

The countdown has begun. As Channel 7 sets the optimistic target of reaching out to 28 million homes within 30 days of launch, the television channel is backing all the 'live-action' with promotional activities. The television commercial made by Mudra will be on air this week. This will be followed by print, radio and outdoor campaign.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 8:00 AM

Increasingly, filmmakers have discovered that there is big money to be made outside India, as Bollywood is on its way towards becoming a global brand with the success of films like Monsoon Wedding and Bend it like Beckham in the international arena. The panel for the session on 'Bollywood goes global' included names such as Karan Johar, Rachel Dwyer (Reader in Indian Studies and Cinema Department of South Asia), Ramesh Sippy, Anupam Sharma (Producer/Director) and Govind Nihalani.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 7:59 AM

Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (BCCL) has started a separate marketing division, Integrated Marketing Solutions Group (IMSG), which will offer integrated media solutions to clients by leveraging the company’s presence across its various media properties like print, radio, television, Medianet, Times Music, 8888, 360 Degrees and Planet M.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 7:58 AM

GEO TV, from the Independent Media Corporation of Karachi, will have an Indian audience soon. The Pakistani TV network from the publishers of the 'Jung' daily is preparing to launch its entertainment channel in India soon, according to Imran Aslam, President, Independent Media Group. However, he refused to commit a timeline.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 7:57 AM

For Ravi Deshpande it is homecoming with Contract Advertising appointing him as the agency's Chief Creative Officer. He left Contract about four and a half years ago. Subsequently, he set up his own independent agency, Lemon, with the backing of Euro RSCG Worldwide. However, following differences, Deshpande quit Lemon in early March.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 7:54 AM

The second day of FICCI FRAMES 2005 emphasised the present status where laws are taking time to catch up with reality. Industry leaders deliberated on the fact that when a situation has arrived but a corresponding legislation hasn't, the need to look at the situation closely, is accentuated.

e4m Desk Apr 6, 2005 7:53 AM