Skyline Business School

Issue:8

Advertising & Marketing

The government said it would soon come out with a comprehensive legislation to ban advertising and control the use of tobacco, with the Cabinet approving ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). With this approval, India will become the seventh nation in the world to ratify this global convention, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. It would be implemented three months after at least 40 nations ratify it. As per the convention, a comprehensive legislation is needed by member countries and government will be ready with this legislation within 10 days. This bill will seek to ban advertising of tobacco products across both print and electronic media. Source: NDTV.com, Dec.11, 2003
 
As life insurance companies move towards an era of offering customised insurance plans, the idea of alluring parents to think about their child's future seems to have caught the imagination of virtually every insurance company. Vivek Khanna, Director (Marketing), Aviva Life Insurance, says that more than 15 per cent of the business through direct sales has come from the company's Young Achiever's child policy, which is just over a month-old. Most companies, apart from the usual media campaigns, seem to have opted for the direct marketing route in a big way. Max New York Life, for instance, has tied up with Outlook Money, in which they have brought out a booklet titled A Layman's Guide to Insurance. About media strategy, Debashis Sarkar, Director (Marketing and Alternative Distribution), Max New York Life says, "Research has shown that nobody likes to talk about death; therefore, in our ad campaigns, we have reflected on the positive facets of life such as responsibility of the parents towards their children." On the other hand, ICICI Prudential has structured its communications around the thought of "leaving nothing to chance" when it comes to providing for the child's future. Source: The Hindu Business Line, Dec.11, 2003
 
They’ve invaded your television and disrupted the lives of parents. Pokemon (pocket monster) and all of its 151 creatures are the flavour of the season. Pokemon is an adventure story about friendship and courage. The Nintendo Game Boy for children was followed by the comic series and then animated series and became a global phenomenon soon. During her recent visit to India, Eros C. T. Huang, the founder and managing director of TOP-Insight International Co. Ltd, a Japanese firm responsible for the launch and phenomenal success of Pokeman merchandising, said, “we have already succeeded in penetrating Indian markets. Now we are looking forward to setting the rules of the game for licensing and merchandising in India.” Their global revenues from licensing and merchandising are $ 30 billion. Marvin Fernandes, who looks after TOP’s Indian operations, says Pokemon is the part of the popular culture. The animated series are being televised in Hindi on Cartoon Network. As far as competition from Disney is concerned Huang is not worried. Source: The Indian Express, Dec.4, 2003

T.V. Media

The CBI probing the alleged bribery case against former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi, has zeroed in on the erstwhile Akash Channel—Chhattisgarh’s prominent entertainment and news channel. It was found that the Channel had played an important role in collecting Rs 45 lakh to bribe BJP MLAs. Raj Awasthi, the director of Akash Channel reportedly told the CBI that the channel was leased out to some other group soon after the Congress’s defeat in the polls. A fraction of the money that they received in the deal was used for bribing BJP MLAs. Akash Channel was established after allegedly taking over a local channel of Bhilai forcefully. Later it expanded its area and took over cable operation rights in the state. Source: Hindustan Times, Dec.12, 2003
 
Ten Sports now holds the exclusive rights to telecast the matches of the India-Pakistan cricket series in Pakistan, which is more than three months away. The Dubai-based sports channel, according to media planners, has already sold nearly two-thirds of its ad inventory to the series' presenting sponsors, Bajaj and Samsung, and associates Hutch, GlaxoSmithKline, Maruti, LG, Pepsi and Hero Cycles. Together, the eight have lapped up their entire quota of airtime for an amount estimated at Rs 80 crore, said an industry source. The channel is expected to announce in January the rates for spot deals, which involve purchase of standalone ad spots. The sources said they expected the spot rates to be well above $7,000 per 30-second slot, which is the norm. They also reckon there will be a hefty premium on last-minute sales. Source: The Hindu Business Line, Dec.11, 2003
 

Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL) is considering merging some of its wholly-owned subsidiaries with itself as part of its restructuring process. The possibility of the merger of ETC Networks with ZTL is also on the cards as the boards of both companies are meeting on December 15 to "consider corporate restructuring plans." Currently, ZTL has 18-20 subsidiaries formed during the process of organic and inorganic growth over the years. The primary intention of the merger is to simplify ZTL's corporate structure. "Changes in the regulatory and tax framework over time have prompted us to look at merging these subsidiaries with ZTL," said the official. As of December 2002, ZTL had a 51.01 per cent stake in ETC Networks. ETC Networks runs two channels — ETC Music and ETC Punjabi. Equity analysts tracking this sector said this merger, if true, could augur well for the shareholders of ETC. Source: The Hindu Business Line, Dec.9, 2003
 
 Print Media

 
The Supreme Court on Monday admitted two petitions by five journalists of The Hindu and the editor of the DMK mouthpiece Murasoli, who challenged the Tamil Nadu assembly’s resolution sentencing them to 15 days imprisonment for breach of privilege. A bench comprising Justices Y K Sabharwal and B N Srikrishna referred the petitions to a constitution bench, which would decide the question on penal jurisdiction of an assembly, individuals’ right to freedom of speech and expression, and right to life and liberty under the constitution. The bench also took up a writ petition by Hindu editor N Ravi questioning a series of defamation cases slapped against the newspaper by the Tamil Nadu chief minister. Source: Hindustan Times, Dec.9, 2003
 
 The world 

A new magazine wants to put the successes of gay and lesbian professionals on the US corporate map. Named Echelon, referring to gay professionals climbing the ladder in America, the bi-monthly magazine will seek to distinguish itself from other gay publications largely focused on politics. “We want to be recognized for something other than our political advocacy, our partying and our entertainment,” said Echelon publisher Michael Lamb. From a corporate standpoint, IBM helps sponsor an online gay business-networking group and regularly advertises in gay publications. “The timing is perfect for us,” said Lamb, “advertisers have been looking for traditional ways of reaching the market.” From the advertising side, companies are paying heed to the estimated $450 billion spending power of the gay and lesbian community after years of fearing a backlash from their general market. Source: The Indian Express, Dec.4, 2003
 
A newspaper in southern China’s Shenzhen city and two of its reporters have been harshly criticized for reporting the murders of 12 women, a Hong Kong based rights group said on Wednesday. Police and Propaganda officials in Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, recently visited the Jingbao newspaper’s offices and criticized two editors and two reporters who wrote the story. However, shortly following the newspaper’s report, which was picked up by other Chinese media, police arrested two people in connection with the murders. The case comes amid a slew of murder cases that have shaken the Chinese public’s faith in Communist Party’s ability to keep law and order. Source: The Times of India, Dec.11, 2003
 
 Radio Media


The fifth round report for Wave, the AC Nielsen-ORG-Marg Radio Audience Measurement studies in Mumbai, which was conducted for the period August 12 to October 6, 2003, indicates that the total radio listenership for Mumbai stands at 51.44 lakh with the average time spent listening of more than 2 hours per day. Radio City 91 FM stands out as the leader across all times, age groups and SECs. The research is conducted among 2,000 listeners who are aged 12 years and above across socio-economic classes A to E. Radio City has recorded highest top of mind awareness as well as listenership among all FM radio stations in Mumbai, says a prepared note issued by the company. Sumantra Dutta, COO, Radio City, says, “ With a clearly differentiated strategy, playing out hit Hindi music coupled with the launch of innovative programming initiatives based on listener preferences, Radio City 91 FM is clearly working harder to satisfy listener preferences.” Source: Agencyfaqs.com, Dec.8, 2003
 
On popular demand, Ameen Sayani's Sangeet Ke Sitaron Ki Mehfil will be aired on 93.5 Red FM four times a week from Sunday to Wednesday at 9.00 pm. Talking about the initiative, Nishchint Chawla, COO, Red FM, said, “Sayani's signature style has been instrumental in making it the No 1 programme during weekends on all FM radio stations as per a survey conducted by Development and Research Services in June 2003. We've always believed Ameen Sayani is the No 1 radio jockey and should be on the No1 station.” Needless to say Sayani is quite happy with the development. “This programme reflects some of the nicest work I’ve done,” he said. “I’m delighted that the show has received positive feedback from Red FM listeners across all age groups.” Source: Agencyfaqs.com, Dec.9, 2003
 
Radio City 91 FM has taken yet another initiative towards community service in Bangalore. This festive season, Radio City, together with Akshara Foundation hopes to better the lives of some kids through Radio City's "Gift A Toy, Spread Some Joy" campaign. From December 11 to 21, 2003, Radio City, through select retail partner outlets, will collect old and new toys for the less privileged children of Bangalore. These toys will be then given to the Akshara Foundation, to be distributed to children in slums and orphanages in Bangalore on Christmas Day. Source: Agencyfaqs.com, Dec.11, 2003
 
Web Media  

 
ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and the US government are expected to come under heavy fire at this week’s United Nations Conference on Internet issues, which begins on Wednesday in Geneva and will be one of the largest gatherings to discus the Internet’s future. An important point of debate will be whether the Internet should be overseen by the UN instead of US groups like ICANN. “The US government’s position is that the Internet is coordinated and led by the private sector and should be private sector led,” a State Department spokesman said last week. But Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, the Jordanian vice chairman of the UN Information and Communication Technology Task Force, said he planned to propose that ICANN be placed under the umbrella of a UN communications task force that gives equal status to the government, private sector and NGOs. Source: New York Times, Dec.8, 2003
 
 
Events & Public Relations

The first leg of the inaugural World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) is being held in Geneva between December 10 and 12. This is the first major event with high-level participation from various countries on the issue of information communication technology (ICT). Being held under the aegis of United Nations, it is a highly credible platform for better solutions for understanding the role of ICT in development. In the words of the special representative of the UN Secretary General for the summit, Nitin Desai, the WSIS will focus on how to close the digital divide in the areas of connectivity, computerisation and capacity for content development between developed and developing nations. The meet is being attended by more than 50 heads of state and also some of the leading stalwarts from the ICT industry. India’s delegation is led by Minister for Communications and IT Arun Shourie. Source: Hindustan Times, Dec.9, 2003
 

Films & Cinema
 
Zee Telefilms Ltd has announced a tie up with Rajshri Pictures for domestic distribution of Hindi and other language films throughout the country. Zee-Rajshri Film Distribution, an exclusive tie up between the two companies, will distribute films, produced, co-produced and acquired by both companies through more than 20 distribution offices all over India. The current network of Rajshri will be modernised and linked for easy and transparent flow of box office information. This will enable producers to access information easily. This arrangement will galvanise the distribution business, which is currently following a British Raj territorial system. The conventional distributors and even the recent new entrants have presence in limited centres; hence most current distribution is fragmented. Speaking about the initiative, Subhash Chandra, chairman, Zee Telefilms, said, “this new development will address the paradigm shift that is taking place globally in the field of cinema. At the same time, our group will continue to address issues of the film industry especially piracy, entertainment tax etc.” Source: Agencyfaqs.com, Dec.10, 2003
 
While elsewhere in the world Indian cinema is making waves, the Film Federation of India (FFI), the body that makes an official bid for the Oscar every year by pitching Indian movies on the world stage says no film was up to the mark this time. General Secretary Supran Sen said: “Of the lot we received, we did not find any suitable.” Among the films sent to FFI were Koi Mil Gaya, Andaaz, Jajantaram Mamantaram and Joggers Park. A host of films from other Indian languages were also sent, says Sen. “Chokher Bali was not released on time and Mr and Mrs Iyer was in English and could not qualify,” he adds. Producer Bobby Bedi of Bandit Queen and Muqbool fame says, it is a bad decision not to send Indian entries to the Oscars, especially at time when Hollywood is looking at Bollywood. Source: The Indian Express, Dec.11, 2003
 
 
Miscellaneous  
 
Kushan Mitra from Business Today and Siddharth Pandey from news channel NDTV have been awarded the first CNN Young Journalist Award - India, at the award ceremony held in New Delhi yesterday. The award has been introduced by CNN to recognise and encourage quality journalism among young media professionals in India. The winners will spend two weeks at CNN's headquarters in Atlanta. The awards were presented by CNN anchor Jim Clancy. Source: Agencyfaqs.com, Dec.11, 2003

Compiled by

Saurabh Marya, BA Mass Comm (1st year)

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