Week at a glance: Marketing Minds; WarnerMedia-Discovery deal; Google News Showcase

Broadcasters looking at a scenario of a hugely constricted content pipeline, say experts

The GECs have learnt from the severe disruption faced in producing fresh content due to the COVID-19 first wave and nationwide lockdowns last year. This time, broadcasters are taking alternate measures and continuing with the shoots amid severe challenges. Shootings are going on in cities that have been spared strict COVID-19 rules, albeit within specially created bio-bubbles. 

“The pandemic helped us penetrate new channels like chemists, milk booths, F&V stores”

In a freewheeling conversation with Adgully in our new column – MARKETING MINDS – Anjana Ghosh, Director – Marketing and Business Development, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd, gives an indepth insight into Brand Bisleri’s growth story, how they have managed the logistics that have been disrupted due to the pandemic, the campaign strategy and much more. 

WarnerMedia, Discovery join hands to create standalone global entertainment company

AT&T Inc. and Discovery, Inc. have announced a definitive agreement to combine WarnerMedia’s premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery’s leading non-fiction and international entertainment and sports businesses to create a premier, standalone global entertainment company. 

WarnerMedia-Discovery deal: Not much impact on India’s M&E industry, say experts

With WarnerMedia and Discovery announcing the creation of a standalone company by combining operations to form a new global leader in entertainment, what impact will this have on the media & entertainment industry in India? While both WarnerMedia and Discovery do not have presence in the key genres like GEC and Movies, it will strengthen their Kids portfolio as well as presence in the Infotainment & Lifestyle genres. 

Apurva Purohit steps down as President of the Jagran Group

Apurva Purohit, the President of the Jagran Group, leaves after over half a decade with the group and a 16-year stint with MBL (Radio City), the company she was instrumental in translating into a leader in the FM radio industry and then taking it public in 2016. MBL today is the most valuable FM player in the public market. 

Google News Showcase launches in India – how it will benefit news publishers

Google News Showcase is rolling out in India with 30 news publishers, including national, regional and local news organisations like The Hindu Group, HT Digital Streams Ltd, Indian Express Group, ABP LIVE, India TV, NDTV, Zee News, Amar Ujala, Deccan Herald, Punjab Kesari, The Telegraph India, IANS (Indo Asian News Service) and ANI. This was announced in a Google blog yesterday (May 18, 2020). 

MGM acquisition talks come up again, this time Amazon is the suitor

The industry is abuzz with reports of e-commerce major Amazon reportedly in discussions to acquire Hollywood movie studio MGM. Should this acquisition fructify, it will bring into Amazon’s fold blockbuster Hollywood franchises such as James Bond, the Rocky movies, etc. MGM also has immensely popular television properties such as ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, ‘Vikings’, ‘Fargo’ and ‘Shark Tank’, among others. 

We are with you – How organisations are reassuring their workforce in crisis times

Companies are stepping up in many ways to help their employees tackle this difficult period. The Advertising and Media industry, which is highly oriented around a talented and skilled workforce, is also easing pressures and allowing the workforce a moment of respite in these difficult times. 

From Go Air to Go First – Will the rebrand help the airline get back in the game?

Amid the COVID-19 turbulence that has hit the aviation industry severely, Go Air, the aviation foray of Wadia Group, has undergone a brand revamp for the first time in its 15 years of existence. Go Air is now rebranded as Go First. The move comes ahead of the airline’s IPO, which as per media reports, aims to raise Rs 3,600 crore from the market. 

How beauty brands are fortifying their logistics to overcome COVID disruption

While household essentials, grocery, immunity boosters, healthcare and wellness products continue to top the shopping lists of consumers, beauty and personal grooming products are also seeing an upswing. In the initial days of the pandemic outbreak in India last year, beauty brands and other discretionary spends had seen a downward trend as people were confined to their homes and there was no socialising happening. However, gradually self-care and personal grooming was resumed as work from home and video conferencing necessitated employees to look presentable. 

Print Ad space for Consumer Durables up 91% during Jan-Mar’21: TAM AdEx

Ad Volumes of the Consumer Durables/ Home Appliances sector on Television grew by 6% during Jan-Mar’21, compared to same period in the previous year. The Top 10 advertisers accounted for more than 95% share of the ad volumes during Jan-Mar’21, with Kent Ro System leading the list. The Consumer Durables/ Home Appliances sector advertised the maximum on the News genre during Jan-Mar’21. 

Piyush Pandey takes on additional role of Chairman, Global Creative, Ogilvy

Ogilvy has announced that Liz Taylor has been named Global Chief Creative Officer. This appointment comes as Piyush Pandey takes on a new role as Chairman of Global Creative at Ogilvy and continues to serve as Chairman of Ogilvy India. Joe Sciarrotta will partner with Liz in his role as Deputy Global CCO. 

Suspending IPL will slow down momentum, but life comes first, say gaming Cos

Over the last few years, we have seen several gaming companies piggybacking on the Indian Premier League (IPL) and build up tremendous traction while the tournament is on, and even beyond it. Online gaming platforms such as Dream 11, MPL, Ballebaazi.com, My11Circle, among many others, have built up a formidable user base in the last 2-3 years. 

Megha Tata on why the world needs a breather right now

While the physical toll of COVID-19 has been devastating, resulting in over 2.70 deaths as on May 16, 2021, the mental/ emotional toll has been equally heavy. The second wave of COVID-19 – after fresh cases had been tapering off for a few months and people were optimistic about a return to normalcy – has left people with a sense of despair and anxiety levels are high as well. 

Essence appoints Sonali Malaviya to lead the agency in India

Essence, a global data and measurement-driven media agency which is part of GroupM, today announced the appointment of Sonali Malaviya as the agency’s Managing Director for India. She will be responsible for leading continued client-centric innovation in data, analytics and technology, as well as business growth and company culture for the agency in the market. 

"EV category needs higher consumer education, and Ather Energy is taking the lead"

Founded in 2013 by IIT Madras alumni, Tarun Mehta, and Swapnil Jain, Ather Energy is one of India’s first intelligent electric vehicle manufacturers. It is backed by the founders of Flipkart – Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal, Hero Motocorp and Tiger Global. Ather Energy has been working for the past few years building all their products in India, while setting a benchmark for electric vehicles everywhere. It was made possible with the right product and a diverse multimedia marketing strategy for brand awareness as well as brand consideration for purchase. 

The market for pet products, like kids’ products, is recession-proof: Anjali Kalachand

In conversation with Adgully, Anjali Kalachand, Co-Founder, A Petter Life, speaks about her journey of becoming an entrepreneur, how digital was a blessing for their business and much more. 

“Corporates are banking on a more holistic approach to reputation management”

In conversation with Adgully, Sukanya Chakraborty, Head – Corporate Communications & CSR, VFS Global, speaks at length about the shifts in the communications industry, how companies are adopting an empathy-first approach in the pandemic times, the growing power of digital platforms and much more. 

“Panasonic Life Solutions has directed marketing spends to increase retail visibility”

Sunil Narula, Senior Vice President- Sales & Marketing, Panasonic Life Solutions India, speaks to Adgully about the pandemic effect on the FMEG industry, integrating and leveraging digital and social channels for communication, and leveraging e-commerce platforms. 

“We’re shouldering the responsibility of being Trade Facilitators to the nation”

In conversation with Adgully, Ketan Kulkarni, CMO, and Head – Business Development, Blue Dart, speaks about how logistics been the backbone of the economy during the pandemic period, contactless delivery in the new normal, 5G tech enabling efficient supply chain management and much more. 

Bhojpuri channel rankings to see a shake-up as Filamchi aims for Top 3

In the last two years, regional languages such as Bhojpuri, Assamese and Odiya have shown a viewership growth of 19 per cent, 16 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, whereas Hindi language channels’ viewership has largely remained flat (BARC India: TV Universe Estimates 2020). With content consumption moving increasingly to mobile phones, TV broadcasters are focusing on a previously underserved regional market. 

India Wins 5 Golds at Montreux Festival Switzerland

The Golden Award of Montreux Festival Switzerland Announced 2021 Winners with India winning 5 Golds and 6 Finalists. The award season is off to a good start for Indian creatives. At the 32nd Golden Award of Montreux Festival, Indian companies were successful despite the toughest international competition. 

Rummy Culture has over 30% growth in user base YoY: Amit Kushwaha

In conversation with Adgully, Amit Kushwaha, Head - Brand Strategy, Gameskraft, speaks about this latest campaign and celebrity associations, marketing strategies, the Indian Rummy League, promotion of rummy as a game of skills, as well as growth during the pandemic times. 

Govt needs to simplify terms of eligibility for funding to start-ups: Nilesh Aggarwal

In conversation with Adgully, Nilesh Aggarwal, Director and CEO of Medtalks.in, takes us through the journey of how he started this platform for doctors, how Medtalks is filling the gap in medical education, evolution of the start-up ecosystem in India and much more. 

How India Inc. is rallying around and upping the philanthropic efforts

Adgully’s premier #TwitterChat this week (Friday, May 21) will turn the spotlight on ‘Philanthropy in times of pandemic crisis – Industry shows the way’. The discussions will revolve around different companies’ approach to philanthropy and relief efforts. How the organisation’s culture influences its philanthropic vision? Lastly, how this vision is executed in collaboration with institutional partners?