MAM
Online US newspaper revenues to reach $1.4 billion in 2005
MUMBAI: Revenues for online newspapers in the US grew faster than the overall online ad market in 2004 and are on a pace to do it again this year, according to a new eMarketer report Online Publishing.
Online newspaper publishers saw revenues zoom 38 per cent last year, and the first-half performance this year signals similar gains this year.
Revenues are expected to reach $1.4 billion this year. They will touch $2.26 billion in 2008. eMarketer’s report describes several key drivers behind publishers’ online gains. Internet users are increasing their consumption of online content, and in particular, online news. Meanwhile, advertisers are beginning to turn their attention to online channels. With big advertisers cautiously shifting their budgets online, newspaper publishers provide a ‘safer’ environment for many advertisers, with trusted, known parent companies and predictable content.
eMarketer’s editorial director and the report’s author Ezra Palmer says, “The online publishing sector is positioned to grow strongly through this year and into next. Consumption of online news is increasing. Ad spending still significantly underplays the online channel, and brand advertising has yet to truly make itself felt. Meanwhile, the heavy costs of establishing an online presence are in the past.”
However strong these gains may appear they are important to keep in perspective. The $1 billion mark is no small achievement but it was passed long ago by portals—Yahoo!, Google, AOL and MSN alone generate more than eight times as much advertising revenue as the entire online newspaper industry.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
