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Buena Vista flaunts mouse power to woo advertisers
MUMBAI: Neither Tom and Jerry nor the Rugrats have as much clout as that dimunitive mouse, Mickey, it would seem.
Buena Vista Television, that markets the mouse and his merry coterie in India, claims that its Mickey and his friend Donald whose hold over the 4 to 14 age group is 82.9 per cent higher than those of nearest rival cartoon channels.
Even among the valued SEC A,B and C audiences, the reach of Disney characters is 59 per cent more than its current crop of rivals, claims BVTI. Disney, overall, reaches over 10 million persons in the country, claims the company.
In an innovative ad targeted at the advertising community, BVTI, quoting statistics, points out that Disney is also 38 per cent more cost effective than its nearest rival on an investment of Rs 5,00,000. Even targeting only the SECs A, B and C, Disney on television can deliver 83 per cent more reach, at 22 per cent lesser CPT.
With hour long daily slots and weekly slots on channels as diverse as Sony, DD Metro, Eenadu and Sun, Disney characters speak English, Hindi as well as South Indian languages. While the entry of a dedicated Disney channel in India continues to hang fire, it is currently Cartoon Network that is making hay in the children’s segment in the country.
The immense potential of Mickey, Donald and other assorted Disney characters, however meagre their presence on mainstream channels, cannot be discounted, as the TAM statistics put out by BVTI show.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
