MAM
BBC to introduce ‘Junior Mastermind’ in the UK
MUMBAI: The BBC has announced that it will adapt its game show Mastermind for children in the UK. Junior Mastermind starts at the end of the month on BBC One.
In India, Synergy produces Mastermind India. The show is hosted by Siddhartha Basu. In the UK, Mastermind went on air in 1972 when part-time lecturer Nancy Wilkinson became the first-ever champion.
Now on BBC One, children will face questions from quizmaster John Humphrys to see who will be the first Junior Mastermind champion.The show will work in the same way as the adult version. The children, who are 10 or 11 years old, will answer questions on their specialist subject, followed by two minutes of general knowledge questions.
The contestants surprised John with their choice of subjects and the standard of the questions. He added, “The range of subjects was extraordinary. I thought they would all want to choose Harry Potter but actually only one person did. The subjects range from Queen Victoria to frogs to James Bond villains to Van Gogh, every bit as challenging and varied as the adult choices.
“What it showed was the extraordinarily wide range of interests 11 year olds have and how much they read, far more that I would have thought. When I was asked to do the series I had expected all sorts of problems. When I first saw the questions I thought they were far too hard and it would be embarrassing because the children wouldn’t be able to answer them.
“I thought we should make the questions easier but the production told me I was talking nonsense and they were, as usual, right. Right from the very first set of questions I could see how wrong I was, the kids were brilliant.”
Over 250 schools from all corners of the UK had applied for information on Junior Mastermind and the children who made it through to the heats come from a variety of schools around the country and from a wide range of backgrounds.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
