MAM
ZEEL launches #BreakTheCoronaOutbreak campaign
MUMBAI: As the government of India takes continued efforts to encourage good hygiene behavior to safeguard people against the Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical that people act proactively and take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their loved ones. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has taken a first-of-its-kind initiative – #BreakTheCoronaOutbreak, for the well-being of its audiences.
Maintaining basic hygiene by washing your hands regularly has been identified as one of the key steps to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, as per the World Health Organisation guidelines. As per the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, on an average, humans could touch their face over 23 times in every waking hour and there could be many such other spontaneous contact points. Repeated handwashing is a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of virus. However, awareness alone cannot drive the kind of behaviour change that is required at scale. Taking the initiative to create a unique reminder for its viewers, ZEE has decided to pause the content across its channels with a 30 second break throughout the day.
Conceptualised by Lowe Lintas, 'pause' will encourage viewers in a creative manner, to use the break to wash their hands. ZEEL chief consumer officer Prathyusha Agarwal said, “As a responsible national television network which entertains 588 million individuals every week, it is our duty to educate and encourage every citizen to adopt and practice healthy habits to fight this pandemic. While several brands are driving awareness around good hygiene, we believe this initiative to pause content and remind our audience to wash their hands will actually drive behavior. Pausing our content when the audience is most engaged will act as an in-home trigger to wash hands and contribute towards combating the spread of the outbreak.”
Lowe Lintas COO Sagar Kapoor said, “Having worked on health and hygiene brands for years, my learning is no matter how much we remind people for washing hands, there will always be laggards. Its importance is at a peak in today’s situation. Hence, a straightforward reminder to wash hands with soap.”
#BreakTheCoronaOutbreak initiative has been rolled out across 40+ channels of the ZEE network, collectively reaching approximately 588 million individuals across the country every week. As a responsible organisation, ZEE aims to support the authorities in their awareness drive against the COVID-19, through a sharp behavioural reminder using its strength as a television network to reach out to the length and breadth of the country.
AD Agencies
Prakash Nair reportedly quits Ogilvy after 23 years
One of the agency’s longest-serving leaders has moved on, with his next destination still unknown
MUMBAI: After more than two decades at one address, Prakash Nair has left the building. The president and head of office, north at Ogilvy has moved on from the agency, according to highly placed industry sources. His next move remains unknown. Ogilvy did not respond to requests for comment.
Nair spent over 23 years at the agency, making him one of its longest-serving senior figures. He was elevated to lead the Gurugram office in April 2022, a role that put him at the helm of Ogilvy’s northern operations at a time of considerable churn across the advertising industry.
Before taking charge in the capital, Nair served as associate president at Ogilvy Mumbai, where he worked on some of the agency’s most prized accounts, including Mondelez, Tata Motors, and BP Castrol. Over the years, he built a reputation for driving modern, integrated, and award-winning work, the kind that wins metals at Cannes and keeps clients from straying.
His departure was marked in style. A farewell gathering was held in Delhi, attended by senior figures from across the advertising fraternity, a signal of the regard in which Nair is held in an industry that does not always pause to say goodbye properly.
Where he goes next is the question the industry is now asking. After 23 years at one of the world’s most storied agencies, the answer, when it comes, will be worth watching.
