News Headline
ESS `registers’ double digit growth in Asia
NEW DELHI: Controversies surrounding Indian cricket rights notwithstanding, advertiser confidence in ESPN Star Sports’ programming strategy and integrated advertising solutions remained intact Asia-wide in 2005.
Pointing out that Asia’s leading sports network, ESPN Star Sports, has registered double digit growth, an official statement claimed that the network witnessed 50 per cent increase in overall advertising revenues and 20 per cent surge in non-football programming revenue.
Elaborating on the outlook for the network, ESS managing director Jamie Davis was quoted in the statement as saying, “We have set the standard as far as delivering integrated advertising solutions to clients on the back of some of the biggest and most watched sports properties. What we do especially well is ensure strong and measurable brand association throughout the period of a client’s sponsorship.”
Looking ahead, according to Davis, 2006 will be a year of “great opportunity” for the company.
“We are exploring new programming initiatives as well as delivery options to provide the best sports content to viewers any time, any place and through any pipe and any device. We expect to raise the bar in sports television even higher in Asia,” Davis said in the statement from Singapore.
ESS introduced integrated advertising in 1999, which has resulted in “overall advertising revenues more than doubling” since 2003, and now extend over a wide spectrum of sporting events and media on the sports network’s platforms across the region.
From 8 per cent of total advertising revenues in 2002, integrated solution-based sales now account for more than half of the total advertising revenues in 2005.
In fact, the statement further claimed, ESS’ ability to deliver a high degree of value through the widest array of acquired programming and original productions is translating to an “increase in sponsorship renewals and repeat advertisers,” while attracting a variety of fresh new brands.
Returning sponsors such as Tiger Beer and Toshiba have seen significant brand recognition, brand recall and measurable results through their sponsorship of the English Premier League (EPL), while Toyota’s association with SportsCenter, the network’s flagship news show, has delivered the audiences and the ratings, the release said.
The total numbers of advertisers on the network also grew by 10 per cent each year since 2003 and include Malaysia Airlines, IBM, Johnny Walker, O2 and Volvo.
Of significance is the fact that advertising revenue from non-EPL programming is also on an upward trend, in line with the audience ESS channels capture and which are reflected in peoplemeter ratings regionally.
In 2005, the contribution to revenue from non-EPL programming rose to over 20 per cent with the cricket-strong India market registering a similar increase as well as new advertisers on its F1, field hockey and international soccer properties, the release said.
According to ESS vice-president ad sales Charles Less, ‘The strong advertising growth we’re seeing speaks volumes of clients’ confidence in our ability to deliver the ratings, the audience as well as effective and measurable integrated solutions.”
On the distribution front, Star Sports grew by 14 per cent, while ESPN registered an increase of 7.6 per cent based on a year on year comparison throughout Asia. Individual ad sales and distribution figures for India was not provided in the official release.
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.
