Date-wise News

The government has decided March 31, 2005 as the cut-off date for an end to the licence fee regime for FM players. From April 1, 2005, all FM players including existing ones will benefit from the new policy that allows 4 per cent revenue sharing and 20 per cent foreign investment. Interestingly, I&B Minister Jaipal Reddy had said at the exchange4emedia Conclave on May 31 this year that his ministry would formally announce these decisions “within a month”.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 6:25 PM

Ms. Apurva Purohit has been appointed CEO of Music Broadcast Private Limited (MBPL). She will take charge from July 1, 2005. Ms. Purohit will spearhead the efforts to strengthen the Radio City brand, and play a pivotal role in developing the company’s strategy in the evolving FM radio business in India.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 5:28 PM

Starcom formally launched its Chennai office, its 137th globally, at an event on Wednesday. And it was a flying start for the agency as it rode in with two account wins – Cholayil and Life Cell. While the Cholayil account is estimated to be in the region of Rs 17 crore, the size of the Life Cell account is not known but is expected to be much smaller in terms of spends. These add to Starcom’s Chennai kitty comprising of Hatsun, Singapore Tourism and Dishnet.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 10:49 AM

Proof that some things seldom change, General Motors Corp. and Procter & Gamble Co. finished one-two in dollars spent on advertising in 2004 -- $3.997 billion for GM and $3.920 billion for P&G -- making this 50th annual running of Advertising Age’s 100 Leading National Advertising Report the 30th time in the past half-century these two giant marketers have finished in a dead heat.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:09 AM

Delhi will get the first Wedding Souk this year. Aerens Gold Souk International Limited and Aeren RJ Group have announced the launch of the souk, which will be located at Pitampura. It will be a one-stop-shop for all the wedding-related goods and services. Designed by leading architect Hefeez Contractor, it will be inaugurated by November this year.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:08 AM

More often than not, there is a tendency to assume that good brands somewhere must have used mass media in the brand building process. Thankfully, there are exceptions. Recron pillow, for example, has become the largest selling pillow brand in India and has not used mass media at all for its campaigns. With Hush and only a few local players like Kurl-on in the organised market, Recron capitalised on its unique move to promote its brand.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:07 AM

ITC is seeking a level-playing field. If foreign tobacco brands sponsoring live events are not masked and are visible on television, then Indian brands too should be allowed to support such events.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:06 AM

Vh1, an international music and lifestyle channel, will air the marathon 12-hour Live 8 concert, featuring a plethora of top artists of all time, live and exclusive for the millions of music buffs in India. It will be kicked off at Hyde Park in London where U2 and Paul McCartney will open the show at 6.30 pm IST on July 2.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:05 AM

Today’s young Asian is a multi-tasking, interactive, digital-driven consumer according to Young Asians, a new study released by leading global research company, Synovate. The survey, a first for the region, threw the door wide open on the lives of young Asians aged eight to 24, exposing their spending habits, favourite brands, dreams and aspirations.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:05 AM

The proposed alliance between Swedish white goods maker AB Electrolux and Indian durable major Videocon may involve more than acquiring the Indian manufacturing facilities of the former. Videocon may enter into a worldwide alliance with Electrolux, which will involve taking over manufacturing and marketing of the Electrolux brand in some Asian markets, it is reliably learnt.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:04 AM

Obscene music videos are once again troubling the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry, with television and cable channels continuing to air adult fare during prime time. The Ministry plans to discuss the issue with representatives of the music channels and video producers later this week.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:03 AM

Moving on from Vijay Karnataka as the Chief General Manager, Anand Vaidyanathan is on his way to join STAR as Chief Sales Manager, Bangalore. After completing a tenure of just one and half years at Vijay Karnataka, he is ready to dabble into the electronic media, where he will be handling STAR group’s Hindi Channels (Plus, One, Utsav and Gold).

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:02 AM

Ambikanand Sahay, who was heading the news business of the Sahara Group, including television and print, has resigned. When contacted by exchange4media, Sahay said, “Yes, I have quit as of yesterday.” He refused to divulge any further details.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 7:00 AM

In keeping with the latest NRS 2005 findings that showed a substantial surge in the size of the television and satellite universe, as well as apprehensions expressed in some quarters regarding the sample size of its data, TAM Media Research has decided to more than double its TV panel, from the existing 4,800 Peoplemeters to 10,300 Peoplemeters. It also plans to launch an Elite Panel service for upscale homes by the end of this year.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 6:59 AM

In addition to the warfare that is taking place between Bennett, Coleman and Company and Mid-Day Multimedia in the editorials of both the papers, Mid-Day has filed a complaint with Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) against the story that was carried in TOI on June 28, 2005, headlined ‘Small is big’. ABC officials are looking into the matter.

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 6:58 AM

<p align="justify">“Branded pizza market stands at about Rs 275 to 325 crore. We have close to 60 per cent share of the delivery market. But if you look at the total market, that is delivery plus dining plus takeaway, we would have a 40 per cent market share.”

e4m Desk Jun 30, 2005 12:00 AM