MRUC has released the Indian Readership Survey 2008 R2 data today. The top-line findings for dailies show that The Times of India leads the English dailies with a total readership of 133.4 lakh, followed by Hindustan Times with a total readership of 63.5 lakh. Among Hindi dailies, Dainik Jagran and Dainik Bhaskar dominate.
The peak season for the Indian outdoor advertising industry, which starts around September and goes on till February-March, is beginning to feel the heat of the global economic meltdown. The overall growth rate of the OOH industry is expected to see a drop of around 30-40 per cent from what it was earlier projected.
Post the acquisition by Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) in July 2008, there had been no communication regarding Kinetic Motors’ marketing and communication plans. It is now believed that the media and creative agencies handling the Kinetic Motors account are likely to lose out the business to the agencies handling the M&M account.
Vartha Group of Publications has expanded its portfolio with the launch of its lifestyle magazine, ‘Jade’. The South-focussed magazine is priced at Rs 100. With a content of high-end lifestyle and trends, ‘Jade’ will target the urban SEC A segment of readers nationally and in South India.
The economic slowdown has had another in its grip – Voice of India. The Hindi news channel from Triveni Media Ltd (TML) has let go of almost 250 employees lately. AT the same time, the group is also aggressive pushing ahead with plans to launch three more channels. VOI has also placed minority stakes with leading media houses with the intention of strengthening its content and branding.
Just about all kinds of stories have made rounds in the media circuits on the agencies partnering with Reliance Communication for its mobility and direct to home brands. Putting all speculations to rest, RComm officials have informed that they are closely following the ‘club agency’ concept with every business assigned a lead agency.
The broadcasters may be hopeful that the dispute between the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the various production houses would resolve soon, but they are not taking any chances. In preparation for the worst case scenario that may lead them to air only repeat shows, officials from all Hindi GECs are meeting agencies and clients to request their continued support in ‘troubled times’.
Rajat Sharma’s India TV has formed a new company, India TV Interactive (ITVI) Pvt Ltd, to lead its foray into various new media platforms and value-added services. Arvind Mahendru has been brought in as Senior VP (New Media), ITVI. He will be reporting to Ritu Dhawan, MD, India TV. He moves from GroupM, where he was Managing Partner.
Karl Gomes has been appointed as National Creative Director for the new addition to Rediffusion Y&R’s creative strength – Digital. Gomes comes on board from Arc Worldwide/ Leo Burnett, where he was Executive Creative Director - Digital for over a year.
Star Union Dai-ichi, the proposed new insurance venture promoted by Bank of India, Dai-ichi and Union Bank, has decided on the agencies that would handle its creative duties. The agencies empanelled for the business are Rediffusion Y&R, O&M India, Interpublic and Madison. The account size is pegged at Rs 15 crore to Rs 16 crore.