Popular toon characters Tom & Jerry join Kajol and Mr Mach, the crocodile, not for a Bollywood-Hollywood animated adventure, but Alpenliebe’s latest TVC. The 60-second commercial takes a leap ahead to reinforce the irresistibility factor as it introduces Cartoon Network’s duo into the mix, under license from Warner Bros.
Bhaskar Group has appointed Ashu Phakey as its new State Head for Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh regions. Phakey will be based in Bhaskar Group’s Chandigarh office and will be responsible for ad sales revenue and growth from these three regions. He moves from Subhiksha Trading Services where he was President, Delhi & NCR. Prior to this role, Phakey had been associated with several multinational and India’s leading FMCG giants, including ConAgra Foods, Nestle, Frito Lay India and Wimco Ltd.
Different media platforms are out to celebrate Women’s Day in various ways. Bigadda.com, the youth networking site from Reliance ADA Group, would be launching ‘power women’ from diverse fields to blog on the special occasion. Online bus ticketing site Ticketvala.com has also come up with special offers for women.
“Let’s be clear, this downturn is going to end, and in India, it is a slowdown unlike in other parts of the world. Budgets are under pressure, but we see this as an opportunity and not a massive threat as now is the time to have an intense dialogue with our clients and explore new areas to have greater interaction and dialogue with their consumers,” say Mike Jackson, MD - Asia Pacific, MEC:Access and Stephen Li, CEO - South & S-E Asia, Mediaedge:cia.
Continuing with its YUMPI focus, Mid-Day has rebranded its Saturday edition and starting this Saturday, March 7, 2009, the paper will be delivered in the mornings rather than in afternoons, and will have a magazine-like feel. There will be a strong focus on what’s local, hot and happening in the city.
The NABShow, organised by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), a US-based eight decade old organisation, will be held at Las Vegas from April 18-23, 2009. The focus would be on India this year, with a Super Session on April 22, titled ‘India: Transitioning to a Digital Future’, besides an India pavilion.
Kalaignar TV has beefed up its weekend programming by way of a star cricket match, where an ensemble of southern cine star will be seen playing together in the best of their sporty spirits. In the wake of the forthcoming IPL series, the channel seems to be cashing in on the cricket flavour of the season.
The North-East TV Group, which has channels like NE TV, NE Bangla and NE Hi-fi in its bouquet, is set to launch what it claims is Asia’s first 24x7 news and current affairs channel for women. Christened Focus TV, the channel will go on air on Women’s Day, March 8, 2009.
Will it, won’t it be held? Will it be moved outside India? After days of intense speculations, all uncertainties regarding the Indian Premier League Season 2 were finally removed on Friday, March 6, 2009. The IPL will go ahead as scheduled – from April 10 to May 24, with a few matches being rescheduled. All’s well that ends well.