MAM
B4U Music, Go 92.5 FM radio support I-Rock 2003
MUMBAI: The eighteenth edition of the annual Independence Rock Show (I-Rock) held in Mumbai’s Rang Bhavan auditorium has found continued support from B4U Music channel and Midday’s Go 92.5 FM radio station. The TV channel and the radio station are the official partners for the second year in a row.
A record crowd of 5,000 plus people attended the first day of the Independence Day Rock Show on 15 August 2003. B4U Music covered the entire event and will be airing special capsules in the near future. Other news channels such as NDTV had also sent their crews to cover the annual event that coincides with the St Xavier’s College annual fest Malhar – held next door at the college premises adjacent to Rang Bhavan.
Power Productions CEO Farhad Wadia, who has been involved with the I-Rock event since the beginning, says that the promotions conducted by B4U Music and Midday’s Go 92.5 FM played in an important role in the “never witnessed before” turnout.
Wadia has also roped in advertisers such as Shaw Wallace, Pepsi, Pepe jeans in addition to rock music magazine RSJ (Rock Street Journal). “In fact, Shaw Wallace is using I-Rock XVIII as the launch platform for its new vodka mix drink (the drink is similar to Bacardi Shots) Veba. Several Indian rock bands participated in the Veba I-Rock contest,” adds Wadia who urged the assembled youth to go out and grab their Veba bottles.
Incidentally, Mumbai-based band Sceptre won top honours at the Veba I-Rock contest held on 15 August. The other bands that performed as part of the contest included names such as Stigmata, Sledge Hammer, Kryptos and Bhoomi.
Pepe did a product placement using another rock band Brahmaa whose band members wore Pepe jeans while performing on stage. The band members also used the I-Rock platform to relaunch their second album.
A giant screen flashed ads of the sponsors at regular intervals – Pepsi’s Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan-Fardeen Khan – Kareena Kapoor-Preity Zinta’s Pepsi ke liye hum besharam hain series of ads; Pepe’s international “Next Generation” ad, Veba’s “virtual reality” series and B4U Music’s “Jimi Hendrix” promos.
One hopes that the popularity of the event will inspire channels such as MTV and Channel [V] to extend more support to the Indian rock bands.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
