Date-wise News

UTV Software Communications has announced senior management changes. Ronald D'Mello, Director-Operations & Finance, takes over as Chief Operating Officer of UTV Software Communications Ltd., while Zarina Mehta, Founder Director of UTV and Head of Programming, Hungama TV, takes over as Chief Operating Officer, Hungama TV.

Noor Fathima Warsia Mar 23, 2006 6:31 PM

When the likes of Mahesh Bhatt, Vishesh Films; Govind Nihalani, Udbhav Dreamzone; Bobby Bedi, MD, Kaleidoscope; Manmohan Shetty, Chairman, Adlabs Films; and Shantonu Aditya, CEO, Sahara One, assemble at a place, it is natural to see the crowds flock there. The session on 'Independent Filmmakers Vs Studio' did not disappoint.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:08 PM

The Indian animation industry today stands at Rs 12 billion, and is projected to grow to Rs 42 billion by 2009. Animation in India is currently riding on two key factors - a large base of highly skilled labour, and low cost of production. While the industry is gaining prominence steadily, several important factors such as the government's role in supporting the animation industry, producing original content locally, and the importance of training, will steer the industry to greater heights. .

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:07 PM

Mickey Mouse and the gang of Disney characters are no strangers to us. Nor are the 'Power Puff Girls'. It's amazing to see a brand striking a chord with consumers the world over, transcending boundaries, moving beyond its land of origin. The sense of awe is accentuated when one considers the diverse tastes, cultures, and several other factors that mark the different markets these international brands revel in.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:06 PM

Attention is becoming more and more fickle with every passing day. With the power of remote in hands, viewers no longer sit through stuff they don't enjoy. This empowered viewer has made the task of content providers all the more challenging. As programmers and content developers try to find a way out, the FICCI Frames 2006 provided few cues.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:05 PM

The entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in India, recording a growth rate of 18-20 per cent per annum. Ashok Wadhwa, Managing Director, Ambit Corporate Finance Pte Ltd, played the role of moderator for the session on financing options for the entertainment industry. The attempt was to analyse how investors and the financial community viewed this burgeoning sector, and the various financing options that could be made available.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:04 PM

Churning out nearly 1,000 films a year, the Indian film industry is the largest in the world. Now, aided by technological advancements, the industry is set to take a further leap - across production, exhibition and marketing. Adding momentum to the industry's growth, several film exhibition companies have launched their IPOs and have gained tremendous response too. The session on 'Cinema Exhibition Business in India' saw a spirited discussion on the general health of the cinema exhibition business in the country.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:03 PM

Wit and humour, interlaced with the melody of foot-tapping numbers, wrapped in the memories of yesteryears, and studded with stars – such was the evening of that marked the conclusion of day one at FICCI Frames 2006. Two film veterans - Dharmendra and Dr Vyjayanthimala Bali - were honoured as Living Legends in Entertainment on the occasion.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 1:01 PM

The Indian film industry was very much in focus on the opening day of FICCI Frames 2006. The co-production treaty between the Indian and UK governments took centrestage when Tessa Jowell, Secretary, Department of Culture, Media & Sports, Government of UK, a Guest of Honor at Frames 2006, spoke on 'Indo-UK Co-production: A new era of collaboration'.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 12:59 PM

Essel Group has launched DMCL (Digital Media Convergence Ltd) to facilitate the availability of digital content in India. DMCL will concentrate on acquiring digitising technology and making available a wide variety of content on various platforms. Essel has also announced the collaboration with Intel in this endeavour.

Noor Fathima Warsia Mar 23, 2006 10:59 AM

Personal computer makers and IT companies seem to be acquiring hues of the FMCG and consumer electronics sectors, if the sudden thrust on brand building is anything to go by. And market watchers say this is the future trend, with the digitalisation of technology blurring the thin line separating pure-play IT products and consumer electronics goods.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:51 AM

Parle Agro, which has just entered the confectionery market with Simply Imlee, is making sure that it is covering all possible distribution alternatives.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:50 AM

The Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) has roped in cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador. The contract with Dhoni is for a year and the endorsement fees is somewhere around Rs 4-5 crore.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:48 AM

Zee News will present a documentary, ‘Ay Vatan Tere Liye’, on the life of Bhagat Singh on the anniversary of his martyrdom on Thursday, March 23. Piyush Mishra, well-known playwright and an authority on Bhagat Singh, will anchor the programme.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:48 AM

EVER since its rebirth as David in September last year, the erstwhile rmg david, an affiliate of the Ogilvy & Mather group, claims to have registered a substantial growth. Also on the cards is acquisition of smaller agencies to expand the agency's wings further.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:47 AM

This one goes out to all those of you who thought that the Indian Railways was a story of inordinate delays and boring journeys on those never-changing red-painted coaches. The railway coaches are set to become the new mobile ad hotspots of tomorrow.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:46 AM

The information and broadcast (I&B) ministry has convened a meeting of all stakeholders, including broadcasters, multi-system operators, cable operators and consumers, on March 27 to discuss the implementation of the conditional access system (CAS).

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:45 AM

To reinforce its growth strategy, Aaren Initiative, the OOH company of Lintas IMAG, has made significant changes in terms of leadership and tools. Vivek Lakhwara who was Business Head, has been promoted as President, Aaren Initiative.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:44 AM

Publicis Delhi has restructured its creative division by creating two groups. Deepesh Jha, who has recently moved from Cheil Comunications to Publicis as Creative Director, will head one of the creative groups while Sujoy Dutta will head the other creative unit.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:42 AM

Dunlop is currently in the process of choosing an advertising agency partner and several leading agencies are in the fray. The pitch presentations are reportedly scheduled this week in Kolkata.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:42 AM

The much awaited show of Zee will finally get underway on March 31. Business Baazigar, the reality show which was slated to be launched in the second half of 2004, is now ready to give the common man an opportunity to turn his business idea into reality.

exchange4media Staff Mar 23, 2006 7:40 AM

Azim Premji, Chairman and Managing Director, Wipro on Wednesday said that ICE – IT, Communication and Entertainment – essentially pointed at convergence. "Even as I have seen much more of IT than Communication and even lesser of Entertainment, I definitely see a link between the three," he said.

Noor Fathima Warsia Mar 23, 2006 7:37 AM

FICCI Frames 2006 lived up to its expectations with the first day opening to a full house on Wednesday, March 22, 2006. In fact, so overwhelming was the response that registrations had to be stopped midway as the venue couldn't accommodate the vast number or people who had turned up. Nearly 1,500 national and international delegates, representing various bodies like trade units, government bodies, broadcasters, publications, and just about anyone who had anything to do with the entertainment and media space were there.

Noor Fathima Warsia Mar 23, 2006 7:36 AM

Continuing his Dubai dispatches, <b>Amit Agnihotri</b>, Group Editor and Co-founder exchange4media, writes about his experience on Day Two of the IAA Congress. With Sergio Zyman, Steve Forbes and global honchos of companies like Walt Disney Parks, Leo Burnett, StarCom and McCann on the dais, Day Two, he says, was invigorating.

Amit Agnihotri Mar 23, 2006 7:34 AM