By USHA THOMAS
Indiantelevision.com Team

(11 May 2006 9:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Lifestyle and glamour channel Zooms goes interactive. In a unique tie-up with Reliance, Zoom's first Glam Awards can be viewed by subscribers of Reliance World.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com on the initiative, Zoom's national head, marketing and sales, MK Anand said, "The Glam Awards is a signature event showcasing that glam in India has finally arrived. Interactive Marketing has always been high on Zoom's agenda, and the tie-up with Reliance is yet another achievment on that front.

"In the first phase of this tie- up, we had partnered with Reliance for a contest prior to the Glam Awards where subscribers voted for the 'Best Glam Music Video'. They could download the full music videos selected in this category and vote for the best video. The winner in this contest was a special invitee to the Glam Awards, held recently in Mumbai. Details of the contest were aired on Zoom. Now, in the second phase, we are sharing content for the 'Curtain Raiser' and the 'Glam Awards' will be telecast on Zoom on 14 May at 9 00 pm."

Zoom is the first entertainment channel that will now be included in the Reliance Mobile TV bouquet. So far the only channels who have been in the bouquet have been news channels Aaj Tak, NDTV, CNBC and Times Now.

Saying that for Reliance, this was a WAP tie up for its subscribers, Anand adds,"We are essentially targeting the upwardly mobile viewers, the imagery that can be downloaded is targeted to the youth from 15 to 34 years who also constitute our target audience. There is, therefore, a lot of synergy with Reliance."

"We are redefining the marketing activities by going beyond just print, online and ground initiatives for the Glam Awards. Glamour is also about high technology so this is a step in that direction. The time lag between the airing of the Awards on 14 May and being able to download the special clips it on the cell is just a few minutes," says Anand.

The first Glam Awards can be viewed by 5 million subscribers of Reliance World. Whether it is Kareena thanking her "best friend' on stage or John and Bipasha's very evident real life chemistry at the awards - it will now be accessible to the Reliance world customers. Snippets such as memorable moments, terrific performances and acceptance speeches will be content that Reliance users can avail.

The first annual Zoom Glam Awards were held in Mumbai on 30 April.