MAM
Nielsen’s revised ratings system for NY gets thumbs down
MUMBAI: The efforts undertaken by Nielsen Media Research to change the way it measures television ratings in New York City have been dealt a setback by a leading industry association – the Media Rating Council (MRC) – that audits ratings services.
According to a media report, MRC declined to accredit the new system, using what are known as local people meters, until Nielsen addresses unspecified “noncompliance and performance issues” that turned up in an audit by Ernst and Young.
One media report however said that the decision by the council would not affect Nielsen’s plans to proceed with the change, which the company said would provide local stations more accurate ratings figures. The numbers are used to help set advertising rates and determine programming lineups.
Nielsen had postponed the change, to measure viewership with electronic meters rather than the current combination of meters and paper diaries, from 8 April after critics complained it would result in undercounting of black and Hispanic viewers.
The ratings service has used the electronic boxes since 1987 to gauge daily viewing patterns on a national basis according to age, gender and ethnicity. But Nielsen only recently decided to apply the system to local ratings, starting with Boston in 2002, said another media report.
The MRC panel represents nearly 50 broadcasters, cable organisations, advertising agencies, and trade groups that are Nielsen clients.
Its refusal to recommend accreditation to the MRC board of directors marked a victory for media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Ltd. and a coalition of civil rights activists and politicians who are seeking to block the roll-out of people meters in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, according to one media report.
Critics opined in some media reports that the local “people meters” undercount minority audiences compared with the old system of measuring local viewer habits through pen-and-paper diaries recorded four times a year for the “sweeps” and have urged Nielsen to delay expansion of the system until an independent review can verify its accuracy.
However, Nielsen insists the new system is sound and that News Corp. is encouraging minority opposition because its Fox television stations in cities like New York and Los Angeles stand to lose local ratings through the more accurate people meters.
Brands
Pre-seed funding fuels nailinit, India’s new-age nail care brand
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund backs Gen Z-focused beauty startup
MUMBAI: nailinit, a community-first nail care startup targeting Gen Z and millennials, has raised Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund and Marsshot VC, alongside a clutch of consumer, technology and operator angels.
Backed by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund is betting on nailinit’s attempt to give India’s nail care aisle a long overdue makeover. The fresh capital will be used to deepen distribution across quick commerce and D2C channels, build its community engine, and accelerate product innovation in a category that is high frequency but still light on strong brands.
Founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, nailinit is positioning itself at the crossroads of beauty, self-expression and culture. The brand wants nails to be more than a finishing touch. It sees them as a canvas for identity, content and commerce.
“At nailinit, we are building for a generation that sees beauty as self-expression, not just routine,” said Ambegaokar. “The nail category in India has largely been underserved by strong brands. This capital allows us to invest in product depth, community and distribution in a thoughtful and long-term way.”
Singhal added that while the brand’s tone may be playful, its operating focus is sharp. “This round strengthens our supply chain, expands our digital footprint and enables disciplined execution as we scale.”
The funding round drew notable angels including Shashank Kumar of Razorpay, Arjit Johri of Marsshot VC, Yash Jain, formerly of NimbusPost, Karan Jindal of Meta, Jivraj Singh Sachar of ISV Capital, Nishank Jain of Accel, Yashvardhan Kanoi, Ashwarya Garg of HYPD, Venus Dhuria of Phot.AI and Amishi Parasrampuria of The Whole Truth.
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund fund manager Gauri Kuchhal, believes the opportunity lies in shifting habits. “Nail care remains underpenetrated in India, with consumers relying on time-intensive salon visits. As convenience and self-expression gain ground, press-on nails can unlock more frequent and experimental usage. Nailinit is well-placed to expand beyond press-ons into adjacent categories.”
The brand is currently the only nail care player in India blending product-led retail with a dedicated kiosk at Jio World Drive in Bandra, where customers can walk in for services while discovering the range. It has also built early traction across quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit, with a launch on Instamart in the pipeline, and is available on Amazon, strengthening its omnichannel presence.
In a space long dominated by salon chairs and scattered labels, nailinit is attempting to file, shape and polish the category into something sharper. With fresh funding in hand, the startup is setting out to prove that in beauty, small details can make a bold statement.
