MAM
Smirnoff gets Bold with Black
MUMBAI: SMIRNOFF, the world’s leading vodka, is set to redefine the vodka category in India with the launch of Smirnoff Black. The all new vodka brings forth the proposition of ‘Tonight’s Bold, Tonight’s Black’, reflecting the product as well as the attitude of the consumers today. Smirnoff Black is the perfect choice for bold occasions and displays its attitude through a premium ‘BLACK’ packaging and bold character of liquid. This is Smirnoff’s most significant launch in the recent years.
With its full-bodied, smooth and distinct taste, it’s a vodka for those bold occasions where you want to do something that is a cut above the ordinary and breaks away from the mundane. Smirnoff Black has been carefully crafted using the award winning Smirnoff No.21 recipe and finished with a slow-flow filtration for a bold cut. This renders a unique smoky & malty note to the liquid that is best enjoyed on-the-rocks. With an international, bold and edgy look, Smirnoff Black is the boldest alternative in the playful world of Smirnoff.
At the launch of Smirnoff Black, Bhavesh Somaya, Marketing & Innovation Director, Diageo India, said, “As a brand, Smirnoff stands for revolutionizing the Vodka category and introducing new experiences to its consumers. Staying true to this philosophy, we are proud to launch Smirnoff Black. This is a bold and unconventional addition to our portfolio, which reaches out to consumers who want to break free from the ordinary on those bold nights. India is one of the first markets to launch this product and we are confident that the consumers will love the experience that Smirnoff Black offers.”
Speaking on the launch, Chris Armes, Innovation Technical Director Asia Pacific, Diageo, said, “Smirnoff Black presents an opportunity to the consumers to experience something that is truly unusual. We have created this unique product for consumers to enjoy a bold, full bodied and sophisticated vodka with surprisingly smoky & malty notes. Since Smirnoff Black is carefully crafted using the award winning recipe of Smirnoff No. 21, the consumers of our classic vodka will love this new addition to our portfolio. The uniqueness of this liquid is best savored in its signature serve, which is straight on-the-rocks, which makes stand apart from any other vodka in the country.”
Smirnoff Black is available in Maharashtra and will be available in Karnataka from September 22, 2014, across all major outlets. With an ABV of 42.8% v/v, it is priced at Rs. 1300 in Maharashtra and Rs. 1240 in Karnataka, for 750ml.
Diageo encourages you to drink responsibly!
MAM
Debkumar Dasgupta joins Dangal TV as Head of Syndication
Veteran broadcast executive to drive international and national content sales
MUMBAI: Debkumar Dasgupta, a seasoned broadcast media professional with over 30 years in the industry, has taken charge as head of syndication at Dangal TV, overseeing both international and national markets.
Dangal TV, owned by Enterr10 Television Network, is a popular 24-hour Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC). Launched in 2009 originally for Bhojpuri movies, it has since pivoted to Hindi entertainment, with a focus on family dramas, mythology, and crime shows catering to both urban and rural audiences.
Dasgupta brings a formidable track record in content acquisition, syndication sales, and P&L management across ME, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. His career spans top media organisations including IndiaCast Media, Viacom18, MTV Networks, Catvision Products and Tee-Men’s.
Most recently, he was with GoQuest Media as group partnership and strategy head, managing partnerships and monetisation strategies across the region. He also served as vice president – content acquisition and partnership for Asia and Africa, negotiating deals for Turkish dramas and other high-demand content.
Earlier stints include senior vice president and business head roles at IndiaCast Media Distribution, steering ME&A and global syndication sales, and boosting the reach of Viacom18 channels such as Colors, MTV India, Colors Rishtey and News18 India across Asia-Pacific, South Asia, ME, Africa, CIS, CEE and Latin America.
Dasgupta began his media journey as senior director – network development at MTV Networks India, managing channel carriage and affiliate revenues, before moving into content sales and international business with Viacom18. He started in cable TV sales with Catvision Limited, handling nationwide dealer and distributor networks.
Known as a creative change agent, Dasgupta has consistently driven revenue growth, market share expansion, and efficiency improvements, combining deep market insights with hands-on leadership.
With his global expertise and strong cross-functional experience across sales, legal, marketing, programming, logistics and finance, Dangal TV is set to strengthen its content syndication footprint and expand its international reach under his leadership.
Dasgupta’s appointment signals an aggressive push to leverage ethnic content opportunities and emerging markets, ensuring Dangal TV keeps pace in an increasingly competitive broadcast ecosystem.
