MAM
WB ad revenue up 56 per cent in first quarter
MUMBAI: English movie channel WB has posted a 56 per cent ad revenue growth in the first quarter of this year compared to the year-ago period, according to a senior Turner International India executive.
The channel has doubled its client roster, providing scope for revenue growth. Currently, WB clients span across sectors including Lifestyle and Beauty, Automobiles, Financial, and Telecom. The roster includes L’Oreal, Yamaha, Volkswagen, Tata Motors, TVS, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Edelweiss, Bajaj Allianz, Samsung and Phillips.
Says Turner International India GM entertainment networks, South Asia Monica Tata, “The increase in clients has resulted in a healthy first-quarter with WB locking in 56 per cent revenue growth over the same period last year. Additionally, we have also seen a robust 77 per cent growth in inventory over Q1 last year.”
As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, WB’s Mega Action movie block will spice up June with classic, adrenaline pumping movies such as ‘Blade’, ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Superman’ every weekend.
“The English movie genre sells on perception and, thus, great stress is laid on the look and feel and the packaging of the channel. WB from launch to date has always received excellent feedback on its packaging from the industry. In sync, the WB June Mega Action stunt has been slickly packaged peppered with loads of action moments that will surely set viewers pulse racing. Showcasing Hollywood‘s biggest blockbusters and adrenaline pumping movies such as ‘Blade’, ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Superman’, the June Mega Action will spice up weekends for all action lovers,” says Tata.
The channel will premiere the movie ‘Splice’ on 29 June.
The WB June Mega Action is being promoted on-air, off-air and digital platforms. The marketing campaign includes print partnerships with key English dailies such as Mail Today, Mid Day & Time-Out to create buzz about the action line-up. On ground, PVR theatres across Delhi and Mumbai will promote WB June content. Online movie buffs can log-on to the dedicated website www.itsonwb.com to get the full Mega June schedule as well as participate in the WB Mega Action contest. For clues, viewers can visit the WB Facebook page www.facebook.com/itsonwb .
“Direct consumer interaction/engagement is a key focus of WB’s marketing strategy. And thus, the WB Facebook page is an exciting one with daily and constantly updated, encouraging conversations about movies, exchanging trivia and is peppered with fun and exciting contests. Further, even the off-air focus is on effective placements which are frequented by movie lovers such as cinema halls, coffee shops and book stores,” says Tata.
Asked about the trends being noticed in the English movie genre, Tata says that a key trend is the extension of the prime band from 9 pm to 11 pm. “This year being cricket heavy, most channels focused on building the 11 pm slot. Additionally, with India still largely being a single TV household, typically the male TG gets sole access to the remote, post 10:30 pm. Thus, WB is fully geared to bring the best at the 11 pm slot.”
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
