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E-City appoints Madison Communications as buying AOR
MUMBAI: The Essel group owned E-City Entertainment (I) has announced the appointment of Madison Communications as the Agency of Record (AOR) for the media buying account for “Fun Republic”, the soon to be inaugurated integrated entertainment centre at Mumbai. Madison, which currently handles media buying for Playwin and ZEE, will handle all media buying for Fun Republic initially.
Fun Republic – Mumbai is the second in a chain of nationwide integrated entertainment centers being set up by E-City. Situated near the Lokhandwala Complex at Andheri West in Mumbai, Fun Republic has four cinema screens with a total seating capacity of 1300 patrons. The centre also has over 16,000 square feet of shopping, a food court and a games area.
A press release quotes E-City CEO Atul Goel as saying: “We are delighted to join hands with Madison and we look forward to benefiting from their unique experience in media. The entertainment industry presents some unique and exciting challenges and opportunities in terms of media buying. Typically our marketing and promotional efforts are focused around four entertainment mix and it is imperative that we explore and venture beyond traditional media to ensure a ‘connect’ with target consumers. Scientific and well thought out media planning and buying processes significantly augment the reach of a company’s marketing budget”.
The release also quotes Madison Communications CMD Sam Balsara as adding: “We are happy that E-City chose Madison Media to make their Fun Republic entertainment centres, a household name. Promoting an entertainment property is an exciting business and we hope to generate and execute some clutter bursting ideas for Fun Republic.”
“Marketing of entertainment properties has become increasingly sophisticated with consumers being bombarded with multiple messages across platforms. Our endeavour is to ensure that brand communications span the spectrum of media consumed by our target consumers in the most optimal way without being overtly intrusive,” says E-City head – communications and corporate partnerships Prakash Mirpuri.
Mirpuri further elaborated that the company is exploring the possibility of entering into strategic alliances with key media partners and with a select bevy of brands to enhance the collective reach of the media spend with prime objective of adding value to each of the consumers. “To this end, we are offering media opportunities within our centers themselves and have identified a clutch of over two dozen synergistic categories of goods and services, with whom we can partner to share media costs and embark on joint activities,” Mirpuri added.
E-city’s first Fun Republic has been in operation in Ahmedabad since July 2001. The next Fun Republic will open in the coming weeks at Chandigarh. The other cities where Fun Republic will roll out are Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Indore, Surat, Pune, Lucknow and one more center at Mumbai.
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.
