News Broadcasting
Colgate to help MTV scout for new veejays
Music channel MTV is beginning its third hunt for veejays in five years.
The nation wide search for fresh young faces to reflect the spirit of the brand got underway on 3 April at a media conference in downtown Mumbai. Colgate-Palmolive’s Fresh Energy Gel has tied up with MTV for the VJ hunt, using its strategic lifestyle marketing approach as a backdrop to the talent search.
True to the MTV image, a mysterious yellow cloaked mascot, called the MTV VJ Hunter, prowled the venue, even as celeb VJs including Cyrus Broacha, Mini and others basked in the spotlight.
The exercise will definitely be no quiet talent search, however. Auditions will be held at local hangouts and clubs in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and aspirants can even send in their applications on the net. Viewers also get to vote on the finalists, and one lucky voter will get an opportunity to VJ on MTV for a day.
Earlier MTV hunts have produced VJs including Maria Goretti, Nikhil Chinappa, Amrita Arora and Mini. The search this time will not be confined to simple advertising – MTV is targeting print, outdoor and the net with a vengeance. While partner indiatimes.com will provide the Internet platform for interactivity, innovative initiatives including ads on BEST bus tickets and Colgate toothpaste packs are on the cards.
The hunt will yield a maximum of four veejays for the channel, says MTV managing director Alex Kuruvilla, all of whom will be absorbed in the existing 25 shows being aired on the channel, as well as the vignette programming that has commenced on MTV.
MTV, says Kuruvilla is undaunted by the efforts of rival Channel V to grab viewer and media attention. “The MTV Star Hunt and the Video Ga Ga contest have been doing the same exercise”, he says, dismissing the Popstars venture as a one off event that will not make a dent in MTV’s popularity. Robust marketing and a strong programming calendar have ensured its leadership, he says.
Indiatimes.com, however, does not seem to have any qualms about first partnering V’s Popstars and then helping arch rival MTV hunt for veejays. Says CEO Mahendra Swaroop, “We are just a media platform for anyone to make use of.”
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
