News Broadcasting
Tourism Malaysia Commercial – Feel like a Star selected as the ‘Best International Tourism Ad’
MUMBAI, September 10, 2013…..Tourism Malaysia’s advertisement has not only evoked delightful feelings among the audiences but has also earned the title of the Best International Tourism ad among all other tourism advertisements.
The Tourism Malaysia ad –Feel like a Star, was selected by the Juries of the Advisory Panel for ‘Thomas Edison Advertisement (TEA) Award’ as the ‘Best International Tourism Ad’ and was conferred the title of ‘Journey of Delight’. The award was presented by Honorable Minister of State for Industry & Commerce, Mr. Sudarshan Nachiappana midst a gathering of dignitaries and celebrities on the 9th of September in Chennai.
On the receipt of this prestigious title, Ms. Sarala V Pathar, Deputy Director, Tourism Malaysia, South India said, “Tourism Malaysia has always shown an inclination towards promotions and support in India. We have put in our best creative and technical efforts behind this campaign and nothing can make us happier than the fact that people have accepted and liked our advertisement. It’s a great honour to earn the title of the best international tourism advertisement; it’s a prestigious opportunity for us and our team.”
The winning ad shows a young couple celebrating their love amidst the serene and luxurious spots of Malaysia. The advertisement beautifully portrays their playfulness towards each other as they visit an array of exotic locations. Their love blossoms under the dreamy blue skies, crystal clear waters and marvelous beaches of Malaysia. We then see the same young couple visiting Malaysia in their later years but their bond with the country is as good as new.
Mr. Selva Kumar, CEO, Edison Awards said, “The title of Journey of Delight is completely justified as the Malaysia Tourism Ad weaves in human emotions to showcase the beautiful locales of the country. It instantly connects to the audiences leaving them feeling delighted and wanting to visit the country and carry memories with them forever.”
The Thomas Edison Advertisement Awards is in remembrance of Thomas J Barratt, the father of modern advertisement and Edison, an entity responsible for the wide range of entertainment. Barrathas a wide mention for the first ever commercial advertisement for promotion of products. He is often addressed as the father of modern advertisement and his innovative contributions are still looked upon with high regard.
TEA AWARDs revolutionizes recognitions conferred to the best of all creative and appealing advertisements. The TEA Awards comprise awards based on 50 different categories for various brands and services. This is the first time that the advertisements in electronic medium are honoured for their panache in various departments. The awards are classified into 33 different categories and Jury awards.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
