Week at a glance: The gaming metaverse; Google, FB post strong growth; Q&A: Masaba Gupta

How casual gaming in India is becoming a formidable force to reckon with

Online gaming is no longer at the periphery of the content/ entertainment space. This segment has grown at a rapid pace in the last 3-4 years and is now competing with traditional forms of entertainment for the share of time spent on media and entertainment in a day. According to a KPMG report, online casual gaming is pegged to be the largest sub-segment amongst the online gaming segment in India, contributing ~58% to the overall revenues by FY2025. KPMG expects India’s online casual gaming sub-segment to grow at a CAGR of 29% over FY2021-25 to reach a size of Rs ~169 billion. 

Online advertising pushes Google’s Q2 2021 revenues up 62% to $61.9 bn

Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, has reported a 62% jump in its consolidated revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 to reach $61.9 billion. Operating income was $19.4 billion, up 203%, while the operating margin for the same quarter was 31%. Other income and expenses stood at $2.6 billion, which reflected the value of investments in equity securities and the Net income was stated to be $18.5 billion. 

Facebook posts strong Q2 2021, but expects significant slowdown in YOY revenue growth

“We had a strong quarter as we continue to help businesses grow and people stay connected,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO, while speaking on the tech giant’s Q2 2021 results. “I’m excited to see our major initiatives around creators and community, commerce, and building the next computing platform coming together to start to bring the vision of the metaverse to life,” he added. 

Delhi HC pulls up Twitter for its non-compliant affidavit, gives 1 week to file a new one

After weeks of delay Twitter had filed its affidavit on compliance with the new IT Rules 2021. Now, the Delhi High Court has pulled up Twitter for filing its affidavit that showed “serious” non-compliance with the new IT Rules. While deposing before the Court, Twitter said that it had appointed Vinay Prakash to two positions in the company and added that the term ‘interim’ had been used as the people Twitter appointed were not “employees” but “contingent workers” on a third-party contract. 

Vinod Thadani, former Chief Digital Officer, Mindshare, headed to Dentsu?

According to sources close to the development, Vinod Thadani, who quit as Chief Digital Officer, Mindshare - South Asia, recently, is set to join Dentsu Aegis Network. While it is not known what Thadani’s new role will be, the industry sources told Adgully that Thadani is expected to head a key group digital portfolio. Neither Thadani nor Dentsu revealed any details on the development. It is known that Thadani is likely to join Dentsu some time in August. 

Gopa Menon quits Dentsu, to take charge of Vinod Thadani’s role in Mindshare

Isobar’s COO, Gopa Menon, has put in his papers. Menon was with Dentsu’s digital agency for over 12 years. Industry sources informed Adgully that Menon will be joining Mindshare and will take charge of the position just vacated by Vinod Thadani. As reported earlier, Thadani has quit as the Chief Digital Officer of Mindshare - South Asia. 

Video: The strategy behind Abundantia’s strong female-focus storytelling

In this video interaction, Bijoya Ghosh engages with Vikram Malhotra, CEO of Abundantia, and Shikhaa Sharma, Production Head of the studio, to know more about their content strategy, to understand the expansion of OTT content across viewers amidst the pandemic and discuss the scope and future of digital content in the country. 

Video: One constant thing that nobody likes is ‘change’ - Masaba Gupta

On completion of 12 years of House of Masaba, Masaba Gupta speaks to Adgully about her beautiful and inspirational journey in the fashion industry, her observations on the growth of this industry in India, key trends and a lot more. 

Amul’s ‘Jalpaan In Japan’: Do we need to translate every piece of brand message?

On the eve of the Tokyo Olympics, Amul released its ad heralding the games with the tagline – ‘Jalpaan In Japan’. The ad featured two Amul girls dressed as the official mascots of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 – ‘Miraitowa’ and ‘Someity’. The copy read: “Amul. Get Faster. Healthier. Stronger. Together.” 

Amid a packed cricket season, will India-England Test series garner the eyeballs?

India has a packed season of cricket ahead. While the India Vs Sri Lanka series is ongoing, the 5-Test India Vs England series will get underway from August 4, 2021. This will be followed by the ICC T20 World Cup, which will be held in Oman and UAE between October 17 and November 14. In between, the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2021 tournament will be held in the UAE between September 19 and October 15, 2021. 

Remainder of IPL 2021 to be held in the UAE between Sept 19 and Oct 15

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the remainder of the VIVO IPL 2021, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total number of 31 matches will be played in the duration of 27 days. The 14th season, which was postponed in May this year in the wake of the pandemic, will resume on September 19, 2021 in Dubai with a blockbuster clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. 

Madison Media acquires Kolkata-based digital agency – Crow’s Nest

Madison Media has announced that it has fully acquired Kolkata-based full service digital agency, Crow’s Nest. Crow’s Nest offers 360 degree digital solutions. Under the arrangement, Crow’s Nest will fully integrate with Madison Digital and operate as Madison Digital Kolkata with Samrat Mukherjee reporting to Vishal Chinchankar, CEO, Madison Digital. 

One year of Instagram Reels - Has it lived up to the expectations of creators & brands?

Influencers, content creators and social media users were left high and dry when the Indian Government ban on Chinese apps in 2020 took away one of their favourite platforms, the hugely popular short video app TikTok. Quite a few players rushed to fill in the void left by the ban on TikTok. One player has captured a sizable share of this market – Instagram Reels. 

PepsiCo’s Lay’s looks to win the snacking game as in-home consumption grows

The new ‘@ Home’ packs have been specially curated keeping in mind the uptick in in-home consumption as well as the wide array of moments one experiences at home. In conversation with Adgully, Shailja Joshi, Associate Director, Potato Chips Category, PepsiCo India, speaks about the thought behind the new ‘@ Home’ packs and the ‘Ghar Par Lay’s, Always!’, as well as how snacking has changed in times of pandemic when one’s home has turned into one’s centre of the universe. 

Gifting, kids’ jewellery to power CaratLane’s growth during festive period

Avnish Anand, Co-founder and COO, CaratLane, in an exclusive interview with Adgully speaks at length about the strong digital performance during the pandemic period, foray into the kids’ jewellery space, changes in customers’ preference for jewellery in these challenging times and much more. 

MX Player has the largest consumer base on OTT at over 200 mn MAUs: Gautam Talwar

In conversation with Adgully, Gautam Talwar, Chief Content Officer, MX Player, speaks about the rise of OTT content consumption, growth of the regional content space, success of ‘Samantar Season 2’ and much more. 

TwitterChat: Will the tremendous growth also spur gaming as a career choice?

To all those parents who have been scolding their kids for “wasting” their time playing mobile games/ video games/ online games – gaming can actually be a very lucrative career choice for the youth in an already shrinking job market. Adgully’s premier #TwitterChat #GullyChat property this week turned the spotlight on ‘Gaming: A new career opportunity for the youth?’ and featured some leading names in the gaming industry. 

BYJU’S acquires Singapore headquartered Great Learning for $600 million

BYJU’S has acquired Singapore headquartered Great Learning, a leading global player in the professional and higher education segment in a transaction valued at $600 million comprising cash, stock and earnout. It has earmarked a further $400 million of investment into this segment towards accelerating Great Learning’s growth. The acquisition marks BYJU’S strong push into the professional upskilling and life-long learning space globally with a total commitment of $1 billion. 

From a campaign to a movement: How Vicks’ #TouchOfCare is changing lives

In 2021, on the eve of National Doctors’ Day, Vicks India launched the 3rd edition of their iconic #TouchOfCare campaign, a reflection of the care for all our doctors and their families during this time. In conversation with Adgully, Himanshu Tewary, Senior Director and Category Head, Personal Healthcare at Procter & Gamble, speaks about Vicks’ focus on bringing real-life stories to their audiences by strengthening the brand’s motive of ‘Care’. 

Self-care emerges as the prime focus as beauty brands gear up for the new normal

According to HUL Beauty & Personal Care FY2021 performance report, Beauty & Personal Care grew 20% with Skin Cleansing, Hair Care and Oral Care delivering high double-digit growths. Skin Care portfolio registered strong performance in Hand & Body Care and Face Cleansing segments. Colour Cosmetics performance improved sequentially as consumers are using make-up as a morale booster while working from home and attending numerous official calls in the virtual mode. 

Govt ad spends on the decline across media during pandemic times

New I&B Minister Anurag Thakur informed the Rajya Sabha yesterday (July 26, 2021) that Government ad spends saw the steepest decline during the pandemic period – Rs 197.49 crore for the print medium and Rs 167.98 crore for TV. This was despite the state Assembly elections held during this period, especially in the first part of 2021. 

How start-up Doceree is powering the programmatic physician marketing space

In conversation with Adgully, Harshit Jain, Founder & Global CEO, Doceree, speaks at length about how his company is streamlining the scattered pharma marketing landscape as well as how boundaries have expanded to digital which has grown at a skyrocketing pace. 

Nestlé has invested Rs 1,000 cr of its Rs 2,600 cr commitment to India: Suresh Narayanan

Nestlé India has shown resilience as per its results for Q2 of 2021, recording growth with business continuity. Total Sales and Domestic Sales for the quarter increased by 13.8% and 13.7%, respectively, on a base impacted by COVID-19 induced lockdown with production disruptions across factories. Domestic Sales growth was driven by volume and mix. Export Sales increased by 17.7% due to timing of exports to affiliates. 

Parle is India’s Most Chosen FMCG Brand for a record 9th year in a row: Kantar report

Kantar India released the 9th edition of its annual Brand Footprint report today. The report ranks the Most Chosen FMCG Brands based on Consumer Reach Points (CRPs). CRP considers the actual purchase made by consumers and the frequency at which these purchases are made in a calendar year. Parle Products leads this year’s rankings, followed by Amul, Britannia, Clinic Plus and Tata Consumer Products. With a CRP score of 5715 Mn, Parle holds the top spot for a record 9th year in a row. 

Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pratik Gandhi are India’s OTT Badshahs

As per IIHB’s ‘OTT Badshahs’ study, Pankaj Tripathi leads the hit parade on OTT, by far. His towering personality and his stellar performances stand out amongst the top-runners. “He has style, he has panache. At the same time he has maturity and gravitas. His choice of roles, too, is well curated and carefully calibrated to show the enormous range of his histrionic skills. For now, Pankaj Tripathi is the undoubted King of Kings in OTT today,” said Dr Sandeep Goyal, Chief Mentor of the Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB).