News Broadcasting
Columbia Tristar unleashes campaign web for Spiderman in India
Columbia Tristar is banking on film property Spiderman to weave a web of magic in India. That the movie major’s expectations are high can be gauged from the fact that the marketing and promotional campaign commenced on 12 April, a full six weeks ahead of the film’s release.
The film directed by Sam Raimi, titled A Simple Plan will release on the 24 May, simultaneously in four languages: English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
The campaign kicked off with ads displaying the caped figure appearing on the back of BEST buses in Mumbai. Ads have alson been used in local trains, publicty agents say. Theatres have started showing trailers showcasing the dares and escapades of the character who used to appear as a cartoon on national channel Doordarshan years ago. At the Deep Purple concert last week in Mumbai, video trailers of the film were shown to people inside the venue. Flyers were also distributed.
The company has tied up with sify.com for a microsite. A contest giving free tickets to the film is currently running on the site. At Worli in central Mumbai, a 30 foot cut out of the caped figure will go up in a balloon. Hoardings can be seen in prominent city locations. An aggressive in your face print campaign is all set to roll on Friday, with a full page ad in local publications.
The Making of Spiderman’ has already been shown on AXN and Sony.
Abroad Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment and Sony Electronics e-Solutions Company have launched the official Spider-Man Online Store on Sonystyle.com. Consumers can click on http://www.sonystyle.com/spiderman and choose from official movie merchandise including action figures, posters, toys, and exclusive cast and crew apparel. Online offerings include super-poseable action figures featuring Spider-Man and Green Goblin, a replica of the Spider-Man movie poster, the movie soundtrack and the Spider-Man Web Blaster toy. In India, Columbia Tristar is mulling the possibility of connecting further with Spiderman fans by selling toys and other merchandise inside theatres screening the film.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
