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HBO plans road show in B’lore to strengthen brand position
MUMBAI: As the race among movie channels to draw viewers gathers steam, HBO is trying a spate of novel concepts to tap the uninitiated and keep the veteran movie buff firmly in its grip. In other words, to elevate and strengthen HBO’s brand position as top of mind recall.
The HBO buzz is being built up through a road show in Bangalore, on air capsules, branding within colleges and theatres, radio spots and press ads in mainline dailies. The strategy, says the channel, is to optimize and integrate the on air buzz and translate it on the ground and online.
The road show will involve a MC moving around the city interacting with the crowd, asking questions, shortlisting and rewarding some of the respondents. The show will also include games that will be played and winners rewarded on the spot. The HBO Bus will be parked in some key market areas also and the MC will make enough noise around the area. Through loud music a lot of buzz will be created. The MC will also give away HBO goodies and promotional material on the spot. The road show will be spread over three days from 25 July and will target colleges, bars, popular markets and the Infosys campus, says the channel. The selected winners will get to say their say about the movie channel live on HBO. The event is being promoted through press ads, radio spots, online through the channel’s website and branding in colleges and theatres.
The on air capsule will incorporate audiences from major Indian metros talking about the reasons why they like to watch the channel, particularly properties like Friday Double Bill and Saturday Nights.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
