News Broadcasting
Verizon looks to break down the barriers of mobile music further
MUMBAI: US wireless communications service provider Verizon Wireless continues its attempts to break down barriers in the world of mobile music
It recently launched mobile music phone Chocolate by LG. In conjunction with this the company has announeced that its customers have everything they need to have a V Cast music experience. This includes access to more than 1.3 million songs, a full line of music accessories that includes a 2GB microSDTM card that can hold up to 1,000 songs, the elimination of the V Cast VPak monthly charge for its V CAST Music customers and the ability to play their mp3 files with V Cast Music.
Verizon Wireless’ V Cast is an over-the-air mobile music download service. With the new Chocolate phone customers can browse, preview, download and play high-quality digital music from the V Cast music catalogue that boasts more than 1.3 million songs from thousands of artists from top labels and independent providers.
In an effort to give its customers unfettered access to the best mobile music service in the nation, Verizon Wireless has eliminated the need for customers to subscribe to the V Cast VPak for $15 per month to use V Cast Music. Now, anyone with a V CAST Music-enabled phone can pay-as-they-go to download songs on their phone for $1.99 per song plus airtime, download songs to their Windows XP® PC for as little as $0.99 and transfer their existing compatible digital music collection to their V CAST Music-enabled phone or memory card for free from their PC. Purchases from the phone include two copies of every song – one for the phone and one for the Windows XP PC. In addition, V Cast Music customers with Chocolates can listen to their existing mp3 files, a new functionality enabled by new V CAST Music software on the phone.
Verizon Wireless VP marketing and digital media John Harrobin said, “Verizon Wireless is launching the next phase of V CAST Music with the exclusive launch of Chocolate by LG that marries breakthrough industrial design and music functionality with the best of a wireless phone. With the new V Cast Music pay-as-you-go pricing structure, Verizon Wireless’ millions of customers with V Cast music-enabled phones can now call their music whenever the urge strikes, giving them easy access to mobile music.”
Verizon adds that the new Chocolate by LG phone and V CAST Music haschanged the mobile music landscape, offering music customers the ability to personalise their music – either by selecting full-track downloads, ring tones, Ringback Tones, music videos and more – and play their music for others. Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music runs on Verizon Wireless’ broadband network.
With the launch of Chocolate and enhancements to V CAST Music, artists can reach a larger, targeted and more engaged audience than ever before with traditional media, such as television and radio. Artists including the Fugees, Shakira, Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Sean Paul and Nelly Furtado have selected Verizon Wireless to give their fans unprecedented exclusives because they recognize that mobile music can bring their music to fans quickly and offers a unique opportunity to promote their music.
For example, in March 2006, Verizon Wireless unveiled the simultaneous world premiere of the full-length song, music video, ring tone, Ringback Tone, wallpaper and behind-the-scenes footage of the video shoot for “Hips Don’t Lie,” the song that marked the unique collaboration of global artists Shakira and Wyclef Jean. The “Hips Don’t Lie” single and other content became available for purchase exclusively on V CAST – two months prior to being sold at any Web retailer, music store or other music distribution channel. Immediately after the Verizon Wireless exclusive of “Hips Don’t Lie” was over, the single jumped to number one and continues to break records.
Harrobin adds, “V Cast Music lets artists get their music in the palms of their fans’ hands quickly – while driving traditional music sales rather than cannibalizing them – and lets their fans choose the ways they want to personalize their music experience. With the combination of artist exclusives, true mobile music players such as Chocolate, and the immediacy of V CAST Music, we are now way beyond ring tones and Ringback Tones on phones.”
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
