MAM
Buena Vista plans global splash for ‘Narnia’ trailer
MUMBAI: This is a one of a kind initiative when it comes to film trailers. Buena Vista which distributes and markets Walt Disney’s films has announced an unprecedented worldwide trailer roadblock for the upcoming film The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.
An estimated global audience of over 200 milion will experience the theatrical trailer. Buena Vista will leverage the different platforms of television, online and mobile phones. The trailer has been dubbed in 13 languages and the activity starts over the weekend.
The worldwide roadblock will be anchored by the US broadcast debut of the trailer on 7 May during ABC’s airing of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Visitors to AOL sites and Verizon Wireless V Cast customers will also be able to see the trailer. The trailer will also air simultaneously on Disney Channel, and on four channels across the Starz Entertainment Group network.
Within two days of the US launch, the international roadblock (dubbed in over 11 languages) will introduce the trailer around the world, with simulcasts on popular programmes. Activity will take place in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Korea, and Latin America. In addition to the broadcast launches, each territory will partner with print and online outlets to maximise exposure.
The film releases in India on 23 December 2005. Buena Vista International senior VP marketing Nic Crawley says, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is generating incredible interest all over the world. We are thrilled to be introducing the movie trailer to a global audience through this broadcast and online roadblock.
“With its universal themes, great characters, and fantastic adventure elements, we believe that this film is going to be a huge hit in the international marketplace. Television audiences and online participants are going to have a unique opportunity to see this first look at the film.”
Based on C. S. Lewis’ timeless adventure the film follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings — Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter — in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of ‘hide-and-seek’ in the rural country home of an elderly professor.
Once there, the children discover an incredible new world inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch’s powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis’ icy spell forever.
The film stars British actors Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Rupert Everett, Oscar winner Jim Broadbent Iris and Ray Winstone.
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
