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According to the latest data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), CNN-News18 has continued to dominate the Lok Sabha Elections coverage with leadership during the second phase of polling that took place on 26th April. 

 
With a remarkable 72% lead over Times Now, CNN-News18 remained the number one choice of viewers for comprehensive polling day coverage. It captured an impressive 38.8% market share, maintaining a significant lead over Republic TV, which captured 24.7% market share. Times Now and India Today TV followed with 22.6 percent and 8.2 percent market share, respectively. (Source: BARC India | TG: 2+ | Mkt: India | Period: 26th Apr 2024 | Market Share%, 7 channels considered)

 
The power-packed performance of CNN-News18 on the crucial polling day is a testament to its special election programming, delivering the most accurate information, coupled with finest news anchors such as Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Shivani Gupta, and Rahul Shivshankar. The channel's extensive network of reporters across the states going for polls ensured comprehensive coverage from all over the country. CNN-News18's presentation with engaging graphics and insightful explainers simplified complex trends and data, making it easily palatable for the audience.

 
Speaking on the channel’s performance, Zakka Jacob, managing editor, CNN-News18 said, “CNN-News18’s leadership in the second phase of elections is an affirmation from our viewers about our brand of nuance over noise journalism. At a time when audiences demanded the fastest and most comprehensive polling day coverage, they turned to CNN-News18 as their trusted source of information. We expect to see more viewers tuning in as the election fervour peaks in the coming weeks.”

 
Smriti Mehra, chief executive officer – English News, Network18 added, “We’re delighted by the channel’s exceptional performance on the polling day, securing a strong lead over competition. This success not only underscores our commitment to delivering outstanding news coverage but also boosts advertiser interest, highlighting the impactful journalism and broad audience appeal that define our platform.”


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BARC Ratings: CNN-News18 dominates with 72 percent lead over Times Now during second phase of Elections

BookMyShow in association with the Election Commission of India, has unveiled an ad film ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections. Titled ‘Aaj Picture Nahi, Bigger Picture Dekho’, the campaign urges citizens to focus on the larger picture of nation-building by exercising their right to vote on their respective ‘Election Day’.

The ad film aims to resonate with viewers across the country, encouraging them to take an active role in shaping the future of India. With a uniquely weaved narrative and a clever word play that leaves you unaware of the purpose of the campaign until it is revealed in the end, the campaign underscores the importance of voting as a fundamental duty of every responsible citizen, especially the youth – the future of tomorrow.

 
The ad film features three vibrant characters, capturing the everyday lives of young individuals. The setup introduces viewers to the three young adults, representing diverse personalities and interests. Conceptualised along with Spacebar Advertising, the script weaves in the element of surprise as one of the protagonists reveals that he has been talking about the Lok Sabha Elections and not a 'movie' per say. The transition from typical entertainment chatter to the significance of voting captures the attention of his friends, ultimately emphasising the larger picture. The tagline, ‘Aaj Picture Nahi, Bigger Picture Dekho’, encapsulates the essence of the campaign, urging citizens to prioritize the future of the country over everything else.

 

Commenting on the campaign, Dolly Davda, Head - Marketing, BookMyShow, said, "With one of the world's largest youth populations and as the largest voting pool, this election presents a monumental opportunity for every Indian to shape our collective future. At BookMyShow, our vision remains to focus on the bigger picture while moving towards a brighter and better tomorrow, together. Voting is undeniably integral to shaping our nation's future and as a platform deeply ingrained in the entertainment ecosystem and therefore the youth, we wanted to leverage our resonance to urge young voters to exercise their right. Following a friendly yet hard-hitting tone, we’ve crafted the film to resonate with GenZs who are digital natives preferring snackable content, more socially conscious but also individualistic in their own ways. Our aim is to influence their perception of civic responsibility in a positive manner. We hope viewers understand the significant role of voting and spread awareness among fellow first-time voters.”

Adding to that, Santosh Ajmera, IIS Director, SVEEP Election Commission of India, said, “Partnership and collaboration form the cornerstone of our voter awareness initiatives at the Election Commission of India. I firmly believe that nurturing informed and ethical electoral engagement is a collective duty shared by all stakeholders in our democracy. It's good to see BookMyShow launching the 'Picture Nahi, Bigger Picture Dekho' campaign, reminding its audience of the profound significance of every single vote. I am confident that their campaign will serve as a catalyst, particularly among the youth and first-time voters, urging them to actively participate and exercise their democratic right.”

The campaign employs an omni-channel strategy encompassing digital, mobile marketing, campus seeding, in-cinema promotions and more, ensuring that the message reaches a diverse demographic of millions of viewers, urging them to fulfil their duty. As the Lok Sabha Elections draw near, BookMyShow’s campaign serves as a timely reminder of the crucial role each voter plays in shaping the destiny of the country. By leveraging its platform to promote social awareness and civic engagement, BookMyShow continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving positive societal impact beyond the realm of entertainment.

BookMyShow partners with Election Commission of India; unveils ad film ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

HCLTech, and Cricket Australia (CA), the national governing body for the game in Australia announced the extension of their partnership for the forthcoming T20 Cricket World Cup 2024, marking a significant milestone in their collaborative journey.

As Australia enters the world cup with a special Indian connection, they will be donning the jersey with a global IT brand- HCLTech on their sleeves and in the trunk top of their training kit again. With this it would be strengthening the partnership with CA in the upcoming T20 cricket world cup in 2024.

HCLTech has been instrumental in digitally transforming Cricket Australia's landscape through innovative solutions, and has revolutionized Cricket Australia's digital assets, including cricket.com.au, the Cricket Australia Live app, and MyCricket (now PlayCricket). Moreover, HCLTech's contributions have streamlined numerous community cricket processes, enhancing the overall cricketing experience for
players and fans alike.

HCLTech and Cricket Australia delivering innovation on the biggest stage and have partnered to deliver the high impact technology in the game of cricket. 


HCLTech and Cricket Australia extend their partnership for T20 Cricket World Cup 2024

Laneige, a Korean beauty brand has introduced Sara Tendulkar as its brand ambassador in India. Along with the announcement of a new Brand Ambassador, Laneige unveiled its Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask.

Sara Tendulkar, Brand Ambassador, Laneige India, commented, “I am thrilled to be part of Laneige's family. As someone with a biomedical background that makes way for a keen understanding of quality as well as a personal passion for skincare, I admire the brand's commitment to innovation and have been using their products for quite a while. It brings me immense excitement and humility to partner with Laneige, as their core belief in the radiance of each person's unique individuality resonates deeply with me."

At the launch, Paul Lee, Managing Director & Country Head of Amorepacific India, added, "Laneige proudly announces Sara Tendulkar as its Brand Ambassador, embracing her vibrant energy. Sara symbolizes the modern, self-assured youth advocating that beauty transcends mere appearances. With Sara onboard, Laneige aims to connect with a broader audience."

Mini Sood Banerjee, Assistant Director & Head of Marketing and Training Amorepacific India said, "As Laneige's journey evolves, we are thrilled to welcome Sara Tendulkar into our family as the embodiment of timeless grace and modern elegance. Her vibrant spirit and innate charm perfectly resonate with Laneige's commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their unique beauty. Together, we embark on a new chapter, celebrating authenticity and the transformative power of skincare."

"We are delighted to announce Sara Tendulkar as the new Brand Ambassador for Laneige," said Sally Lee, Brand General Manager of Laneige India. Sara's luminous charm and timeless elegance resonate deeply with our brand's values. Sara's deeper integration into the Laneige experience marks a remarkable milestone, fostering deeper connections with a burgeoning generation of consumers."






Korean beauty brand Laneige ropes in Sara Tendulkar as brand ambassador

Raymond delivered its highest-ever annual revenue of Rs 9,286 Cr and EBITDA of Rs 1,575 Crore with the EBITDA margin of 17.0 percent. Despite the Lifestyle business witnessing subdued consumer demand and challenging market conditions, Raymond's focused business approach across its operations led to robust growth in the Branded Apparel, Garmenting, and Real Estate segments, resulting in a double-digit revenue growth of 11 percent in FY24 as compared to previous year. The Real Estate segment secured a total booking value of Rs 2,249 Crore.


During this quarter, revenue increased by 23 percent YoY, reaching Rs 2,688 Crore, with highest-ever EBITDA of Rs 516 Crore and EBITDA margin of 19.2 percent. 

Branded Apparel business, witnessing increase in revenue from Rs 332 Crore in Q4FY23 to Rs 409 Crore in Q4FY24, representing a growth of 23 percent. In Q4FY24, the company recorded a total booking value of Rs 840 Crore, primarily driven by the launch of 'The Address by GS, Bandra,'; 62 percent of the launched inventory sold within 40 days.

During the quarter Raymond completed the business acquisition of Maini Precision Product Ltd. With this Raymond Group forays into sunrise sectors of Aerospace, Defense and EV components business. Going ahead post consolidation, through a composite scheme of arrangements, two subsidiaries will be created. One will focus on aerospace & defense, while the other will cater to the auto components with EV and engineering consumables sector, each
charting its unique path of growth with a primary objective of value creation.

In line with the strategic initiatives, the proposed demerger of Lifestyle Business is progressing as planned, having already received SEBI, shareholder, and creditor approval. Further, NCLT hearing is scheduled on 9th May 24 for the approval of Demerger.

Commenting on the performance, Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond Limited said; “I am satisfied with the performance across businesses, and they have demonstrated consistent growth throughout the year. Our Lifestyle business showed strong perseverance and recorded growth despite headwinds and muted consumer demand. For our Real Estate business, we have maintained strong booking momentum particularly with the launch of our first JDA project in Bandra, Mumbai. We remain committed to delivering value to stakeholders and are confident in our ability to capitalize on growth opportunities, ensuring sustained success in the future. We have our three verticals vis Lifestyle, Real Estate & Engineering business that are future growth engines which is in line with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat.



Raymond delivers highest annual revenue of Rs 9,286 crore

GreenCell Mobility's NueGo, India's leading electric intercity bus brand, is thrilled to announce its partnership with the much-anticipated Bollywood film “SRIKANTH”, starring the talented Rajkummar Rao.


As part of this venture, travellers can earn 10 percent discount on all routes by using the code "SRIKANTH" when booking through the NueGo App and website.


The limited-time offer is valid until May 30, 2024.


Devndra Chawla, chief executive officer & managing director, GreenCell Mobility said, "We are excited to collaborate with the movie 'SRIKANTH' and its talented lead actor Rajkummar Rao. This partnership aligns with NueGo's mission of providing a safe, comfortable, and sustainable travel experience to our guests, while also raising awareness about eco-friendly inter-city electric bus transportation among a broader audience."


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NueGo teams up with T-Series film “SRIKANTH” starring Rajkummar Rao

Philips has launched a limited- edition trimmer that is co-designed by  Virat Kohli. Crafted to match the expectations of modern men.

Commenting on the launch, Deepali Agarwal, Business Head - Personal Health, Philips Indian Subcontinent, stated " At Philips, we are thrilled to launch the first-ever exclusive limited-edition Philips Beard Trimmer 1000, co-designed by legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. This partnership brings together world class Philips technology with Virat's visionary input to craft a grooming masterpiece. It brings together two leaders in different realms of life who believe in being the best-in-class – Philips as a leader in men’s grooming devices and Virat as a world-class professional sports star. This first-ever limited-edition Philips Beard Trimmer 1000 is designed for young Indian men, many of whom are cricketing fans and can now own this exclusive grooming tool co-designed by Virat. At Philips, we invite consumers and fans alike to embrace a piece of Virat's legacy."

Virat Kohli, Philips India Male Grooming Brand Ambassador expressed his excitement, stating, “Partnering with Philips India to co-design this trimmer marks a special milestone for me. It's not just about endorsing a product; it's about infusing my personal experiences into every aspect of its design. Over the years, Philips has been my grooming companion, evolving alongside my style and needs. This collaboration is an extension of that journey—a blend of innovation and familiarity that reflects my own grooming evolution. I'm excited to share this trimmer, crafted with a personal touch, with all those who, like me, value both style and convenience in their grooming routine.”

Philips India launches limited-edition trimmer co-designed by Virat Kohli

Amagi announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Report continues to show double-digit growth for the global FAST industry over the last year. Comparing the 10th edition growth rates (Q4 2023 vs. 2022) with the current edition (Q1 2024 vs. 2023), this latest analysis indicated sustained advancement across key metrics, with an uptick in channel growth (28 percent vs. 25 percent), ad impressions (35 percent vs. 28 percent), and hours of viewing (HOV) (42 percent vs. 26 percent). These findings reaffirm FAST’s status as the fastest growing business model and highly sought experience within the streaming ecosystem.

“The 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST report provides valuable insights into content preferences and viewing habits across diverse regions,” said FASTMaster Gavin Bridge, VP of Media Research at CRG Global. “By shedding light on the popularity of news in the U.S. and the dominance of entertainment in EMEA and LATAM, this report underscores the importance of understanding regional nuances to drive growth and engagement within the FAST ecosystem. As the upfront season unfolds, it is crucial for media companies to leverage these findings to inform their strategies and better serve the needs of their audiences.”

The newly released Amagi Global FAST Report offers critical data and insights derived from more than 50 FAST services and 5,000+ channels using Amagi THUNDERSTORM, the company's cutting-edge server-side ad insertion (SSAI) platform. Additionally, the report incorporates findings from the 2024 Amagi Consumer Survey, which reflects the preferences and viewing habits of nearly 500 U.S. households across various income brackets.

Key takeaways from the Amagi Global FAST Report include:

Continued Growth in FAST Viewership: The report identifies a robust increase in FAST viewership, with a double-digit growth in monthly active users (MAU) across all of Amagi's FAST platforms (ranging from 25-75% YoY). This growth, which outpaces that of established streaming models like SVOD and AVOD, underscores FAST services as a leading choice for digital entertainment, driven largely by new channel launches.


Diversification and Global Reach: Initially focused on U.S.-centric, news-heavy content, FAST services are now broadening their offerings. The introduction of numerous non-news channels has significantly contributed to viewership growth, with the entertainment genre leading in regions like EMEA and LATAM. This shift toward a more diverse and globally inclusive content strategy caters to a much broader audience.

Significance of O&O Channels: Owned and operated (O&O) channels are pivotal, making up about 25% of the top-performing FAST channels, particularly in popular genres such as music, news, and entertainment. These channels significantly enhance viewer engagement and retention by leveraging proprietary content.

Increase in Ad Impressions: Alongside viewership growth, there has been a notable increase in ad impressions, with APAC and LATAM still showing triple-digit growth while EMEA experienced a 111% rise in HOV and a 119% increase in ad impressions. This trend reflects growing advertiser confidence in FAST platforms as effective advertising mediums.

Addressing the Paradox of Choice: 86% of consumers spend considerable time deciding what to watch next, a dilemma that FAST's linear, "always-on" viewing experience can resolve. This not only enhances viewer satisfaction by reducing choice overload but also mitigates potential ad revenue losses for platforms, positioning FAST channels to expand their influence across all streaming platforms.

For industry professionals, advertisers, content creators, and media enthusiasts who want to delve deeper into these findings and explore their implications for the future of broadcasting and advertising, Amagi is offering an on-demand webinar, “What's on FAST? Tracking the content landscape and viewership trends.” Bridge joins Siva Natarajan, SVP of Strategy & Business Operations at Amagi, to discuss the latest findings of the Amagi Global FAST Report, with specific focus on topics such as the growth driven by new channels, the role of sports in FAST, the presence of FAST channels in non-FAST services, and the improvement in ad impressions and fill rates.

"The 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Report provides unmatched data and analysis on this burgeoning FAST ecosystem," said Srinivasan KA, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Amagi. "Amagi's reports continue to provide detailed insights, resulting in a more comprehensive analysis with each iteration. As viewer habits and content monetization models continue to rapidly evolve, this report equips media companies, advertisers and ecosystem players with the insights they need to make informed decisions and chart a successful path forward in the complex modern media ecosystem."





86 percent consumers spend considerable time deciding what to watch next: Report

Lay's unveiled its limited-edition Dhoni collector's packs. Hosted at Le Marche, South Point Mall, it followed a social media post announcing the launch, Lay's set the internet abuzz. 


The packs offer a unique opportunity to own a piece of memorabilia and toast to Dhoni's phenomenal achievements on and off the field, stated the company.


Saumya Rathor, category lead – potato chips at PepsiCo India, kicked off the launch with excitement, stating, "With our limited-edition Dhoni packs, fans now have a new way to connect with their hero. These packs are a celebration of the colossal fandom that surrounds Dhoni, offering a unique collector's item for his die-hard fans. Dhoni's legendary spirit aligns perfectly with Lay's – both celebrate excellence and pure joy. The early access frenzy was a sixer, proving fans are amped to collect these keepsakes. We expect these limited-edition packs to be a prized possession for Dhoni devotees of all ages, making every match an unforgettable celebration.”


The nationwide launch of the Lay's Dhoni collector's packs is scheduled for May 4th, 2024.

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Lay's introduces limited edition Dhoni packs

On the polling day (26th April) of the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, News18 Network emerged as the most preferred choice of viewers with the highest viewership on YouTube. 

According to the viewership data from Playboard, News18 India’s YouTube views reached 31.6 million on the polling day, surpassing key competitors ABP News and Zee News at 27.7 million and 26.6 million, respectively.

With 14.2 million views, News18 Bangla was the most watched Bengali news channel on YouTube. Its nearest competitor ABP Ananda trailed with 13.4 million views, followed by Republic Bangla at 12.6 million YouTube views.

News18 Punjab/Haryana/Himachal also amassed the highest viewership with 8.08 million video views on YouTube, leaving behind ABP Sanjha at a distant 1.6 million views and PTC News at 1.1 million views on YouTube.

News18 Rajasthan captured 3 million views on YouTube, making it the most viewed news channel from the state on YouTube. It surpassed competitors like Rajasthan Tak and Rajasthan Patrika, which garnered 1.2 million and 0.8 million views, respectively.
With over 2.6 million views on YouTube on the polling day, News18 Assam/NE surpassed News Live, which recorded 0.7 million views, followed by Prag News at 0.5 million views on YouTube.

Talking about News18 Network’s exemplary performance on YouTube, Pranav Bakshi, Head - Partnerships & Video strategy, Network 18 said, “our exceptional viewership in key markets & languages during the polls is a reflection of our commitment to delivering high quality programming and comprehensive election coverage from the ground zero. Our emphasis on localized content connects with viewers. The increased viewership has encouraged advertiser interest, as more brands recognize the power of reaching audiences across regions and languages, as we cover the elections in maximum languages & across India. Election= News18.”


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BRAND MARKETING