MAM
Dentsu partners Opower to deliver sophisticated client services
MUMBAI: Dentsu Inc has partnered with Opower Inc, a leader in cloud-based big data platforms for the utility industry. Dentsu will work together with Opower and Opower Japan to further enhance client services as Japan moves toward liberalization of the energy market starting from 2016.
With the liberalization of the retail electricity market starting from April 2016 and that of the retail gas market in 2017, households and small business owners will be able to freely select the power and gas companies they want to use. In countries outside of Japan, where energy market liberalization started much earlier, the increase in the number of businesses entering the market and the diversity of the tariff plans offered were such that the ability to develop marketing communications that closely met consumer needs became an important factor in creating a competitive edge for a utility.
Opower is a leading provider of engagement platforms, and provides services to approximately 100 electric power and gas companies all over the world where markets have already been liberalized. Based on the analysis of big data such as personal power usage data, the company provides personalized energy-saving advice to consumers, and, by improving the cost efficiency of utilities through this feedback, improves the relationship between businesses and customers while supporting the optimization of energy balance.
Dentsu, meanwhile, is already providing a wide variety of solutions such as marketing and promotion services, business development, consulting and IT solutions to a large number of energy-related clients in Japan through its energy sector solutions team DEMS, which was launched in February this year.
By leveraging their mutual strengths, Dentsu and Opower aim to deliver even more sophisticated client services and provide integrated marketing communications services to existing electricity, gas and other energy providers as well as to new market entrants. In addition, the two companies will continue to promote the horizontal development of knowhow for energy businesses outside of Japan while strengthening the localization of Opower’s solutions to meet the needs of consumers in Japan.
Overview of the services provided by the two companies:
(1) Customer acquisition, retention and increased loyalty through big data analysis and energy-saving insights
a. Proposal and implementation of plans that seamlessly and organically link integrated
communication strategies across mass media, PR channels, social media and one-to-one direct channels to subscribers
b. Marketing and outsourcing services in the direct communication business geared toward subscribers
(2) Creation of regional engagement models: The two companies will utilize the power usage data from Opower platform subscribers together with Dentsu’s consumer expertise and data on regional and societal trends to develop new demand-response schemes, regional loyalty point programs and advertising media campaigns for different geographic segments.
MAM
Dish TV shareholders approve three independent directors
99.49 per cent vote of confidence strengthens board as company expands into connected TV, e-commerce and OTT.
MUMBAI: Dish TV has just been served a near-perfect vote of confidence and the shareholders have dished it out in style. Shareholders of the DTH operator have approved the appointment of three new Independent Directors with an overwhelming 99.49 per cent approval. The three appointees are Mr Arun Kumar Kapoor, Ms Heena Naishadh Bhatt and Mr Ashok Anant Paranjpe.
The strong mandate reflects continued investor faith in the company’s strategy, disciplined execution and long-term value creation. It comes as Dish TV focuses on stabilising its core DTH business while actively scaling new verticals connected TV platform VZY, B2B e-commerce ShopZop, and OTT service Watcho to build a more diversified and resilient growth trajectory.
Dish TV India Limited, CEO & executive director Manoj Dhobhal said, “We are encouraged by the shareholders’ approval of the appointment of the Independent Directors and sincerely thank them for their continued trust and confidence. The Board is already benefiting from the Directors’ collective experience, which will further sharpen strategic focus and support disciplined execution.”
With a fresh, strengthened board in place, Dish TV is well positioned to navigate the evolving media landscape. In a sector where every percentage point matters, a 99.49 per cent thumbs-up is the kind of ringing endorsement that suggests the company’s recipe for the future is already tasting right.
