Srinivasan Swamy, chairperson, RK Swamy Hansa Group has been appointed as the new chairman of Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA). Prior to him, Yutaka Narita headed the association. The announcement was made in an annual general meeting of the CAAAA held in Mumbai.

On his new role with CAAAA, Swamy said, “There are three basic things that seek our attention. One, to develop a set of business practices that will make our industry strong; second, to induct more countries as members in CAAAA fold; and third, to do activities and events that will make CAAAA a financially strong body to take on other industry building efforts.”

In the past, Swamy has been the president of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for three years. He is also serving as the president of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

Schedule

April 08, 2010 Thursday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Advertising: Advertising in Contemporary Society
Journalism: Reporting

April 09, 2010 Friday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Advertising: Copywriting
Journalism: Editing

April 10, 2010 Saturday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Advertising: –
Journalism: Feature & Opinion

April 12, 2010 Monday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Advertising: Consumer Behavior
Journalism: Journalism & Public Opinion

April 13, 2010 Tuesday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Advertising: Media Planning & Buying
Journalism: Indian Regional Journalism

April 15, 2010 Thursday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Advertising: Brand Building

Hey Guys,

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Samsung Electronics recently launched its latest campaign for ‘Guru’, its sub-segment handset targeted at the mass market in India. The company aims to bank on the IPL season to attract eyeballs and get noticed. Cheil and Starcom Worldwide are the creative brains behind the campaign.

The campaign gets together some of the biggest names in the industry. From Aamir Khan, who is the brand ambassador of the brand to Anurag Kashyap, who has directed the ad along with Gulzar, penning the lyrics with Amit Trivedi composing the music.

Asim Warsi, Head – Marketing, Samsung Mobile, said that “ Given the business priority of the company, the turn of the quarter also meant that Guru would have to assume a different proportion in media and advertising freshness.” He asked, “What better than having IPL to take the story forward? In context of the market and the target for this brand, the mainstay media used for the campaign is television. We would support this with print and outdoor.”

Warsi further explained, “There are phones and more in the market place – the way we have tried to build the brand, and would continue to do so, is to make a connect at a human level. So, it is fine that we are leading in technology and innovation, but it has to be relevant in consumers’ lives. Guru is at the core of that, it represents our popular and mass segment of phone. To connect with the mass belly of India, we wanted Guru to play a certain role – that of a buddy, a bridge, a bonder – and this campaign is about that.”

Guru was launched two years ago and since then the advertising campaigns have always reflected a young guy being guided and assisted by his cell-phone, which helps him overcome all barriers and move ahead in life.

Next time you decide to buy a TV, you may well have an option of purchasing a Google TV. Apparently, Google is all set to foray into the TV segment and extend its reach to the living room. The Google TV, made by Sony will be equipped with Intel Chips and powered by Android. The TV would enable users to surf the web and various websites like channels.

The GTV will come in the form of both a set-top box and actual TV-sets. It will also have an in-built Chrome Browser. Apart from the regular television, websites like You Tube, Twitter, and Picasa photo site would also be part of the package. Also, addition of other Android Apps will make it more user-friendly.

Logitech has been approached to make peripherals such as speakers and a QWERTY-equipped remote. With such major developments happening, GTV could make its way in the market in a few months.

Google already dominates the web world, and with this is just getting to take on the living room as well 🙂

The ‘desi girl’ Priyanka Chopra is all set to make her debut on the small screen. Priyanka Chopra has been signed by Colors TV to host Fear Factor 3 -Khatron Ke Khiladi, which is a special IPL edition.

The earlier format had 13 models and one Khiladi, but the third season will see 13 cricketers both national and international battling it out to win the title.

Ashvini Yardi, Programming Head-Colors, confirmed the news,” Akshay took the Khatron Ke Khiladi series to greater heights. We wanted a change in the concept of the show and so earlier, we had 13 ‘haseenayein’ and one ‘khiladi’, but now, we have one haseena and 13 cricketing khiladis from IPL in the upcoming season. We have a tie up with the IPL edition to enhance the branding between IPL and Colors and we will have year-long activities to demonstrate the merger.”

Priyanka spoke about her new role, “I am honored to be associated with one of the biggest shows on Indian television today as it fits aptly with my personality. I have been an avid watcher of the Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi series till now. I look forward to my innings in the TV industry with this show that gives an adrenaline rush to the viewers. The concept of the show, which will see some of the biggest names of cricket vying for the title, attracted me.”

Hope this haseena manages to charm the TRPs as well as the Khiladi did 🙂

The Times of India Group and Nimbus Communications have signed a deal, according to which Times Group will own a small stake in Nimbus as well as Neo Sports (its associate company). In return, Times Group will advertise regarding the sports and broadcasting business through their media vehicles which reaches extensively to premium Indian audiences.

Akash Khurana, V-C, Nimbus, said, “This alliance provides an opportunity for drawing on strengths and synergies between the organizations. Our businesses are at inflection points and this deal will help us strengthen and accelerate growth in market shares and revenues of our businesses.”

Ravi Dhariwal, Chief executive officer, Times Group spoke further on the deal, “We can contribute strongly to Nimbus’ and Neo Sports’ growth through our leadership position and our strong reach across media platforms in multiple markets. Their leadership position in sports rights, production and sports broadcasting is well known and we hope to enhance the momentum of their growth story.”

Through the deal, Nimbus Communications plans to utilize Times media vehicles to promote events, like the upcoming Asia Tour Golf, US PGA Tour Golf and Seria A Football.

Ashish Patil, Sr. VP- New Ventures and GM – Youth Movies at Viacom 18 has decided to call it quits. Patil will be joining Yash Raj Films as Business and Content Head for a new division which would be responsible for creating youth movies. Patil would be reporting to Aditya Chopra, Vice Chairman, Yash Raj Films.

Patil is currently serving his notice period and will be joining YRF from April 1, 2010.

In his 15 years of career, Patil has worked with almost all the leading ad agencies. He started his career with Contract Advertising ( as a copywriter), then joined Lowe India (as an account planner). In 1998, he joined MTV India (as a general manager) and stayed on board for 15 years till he joined Viacom18.

Patil confirmed the news, and added that films had always been his passion, and when he got the offer from Yash Raj, he decided to take it up right away. He continued, “I was lucky to have been around to witness the rebranding of MTV as the brand has grown from being just a music channel to a complete entertainment channel for youth, and now I am looking forward to working at Yash Raj Films.”