GECs
Zee TV evolves its core proposition
MUMBAI: It was in June 2011, when Zee TV announced a new brand identity featuring a new logo with a slogan ‘Ummeed Se Saje Zindagi’, conveying a progressive outlook for the channel. And keeping abreast with time, the channel has added another layer to its core proposition, making it even more relevant to everyday life scenarios that its viewers are faced with.
Zee TV’s new brand slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures the beauty of rediscovering a new ray of hope with every moment of life.
The new identity was unveiled by ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka at Zee Rishtey Awards 2014.
Speaking on the new packing, Zee TV business head Pradeep Hejmadi said, “Zee TV’s core proposition of ‘Ummeed se saje Zindagi’ was about a celebration and vindication of a woman’s emerging beliefs and a reflection of her changing hopes, dreams and optimism. This essence was embodied by each of our protagonists who emerged as role models and harbingers of hope for the masses. In that sense, Zee TV will always stand for Ummeed. It is the articulation that will change to reflect the changing times. Today, with India poised for growth, there is a feeling of ‘a new hope, every moment’. Zee TV’s new slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures this spirit and its brand philosophy as also its content will reflect the same!”
The new packing is designed and developed by design studio Les Telecreateurs. Zee TV’s aqua blue logo now makes way for a deeper shade of blue, lending it a stronger, more dynamic edge. The new motif of the packaging is a spinning top, originally derived from the left top portion of the ‘Z’ itself. It spins, taking the form of a beautiful flower-like element. Here, each spine is perceived as a new lamha. “Every show of Zee TV is a new lamha, a new emotion, a new sense of exuberance, a new cherishable moment. And from this thought stems the new brand slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’. The color scheme of the new packaging is further fine-tuned to a strong blue for weekday fiction shows evoking the faith and trust of our viewers, yellow for weekend fiction signifying warmth and optimism, orange for weekend non-fiction that stands for cheer, confidence and celebration. The red packaging for movies and events represents excitement and youthful energy,” added Hejmadi.
Zee TV has rolled out a 360-degree marketing campaign across Hindi speaking market (HSM) to unveil the new identity. The creative agency, FCB Ulka, has conceptualised a simple yet memorable visual device of ‘fingers crossed’ to bring alive the new proposition. The channel has also brought on board ace music composers, Salim Sulaiman, to compose a very upbeat and memorable audio pneumonic to bring alive the essence of the new brand proposition.
In the wake of this brand refresh exercise, the channel will call out to its viewers to share their ummeed stories – slices of their life that will go on to inspire content on Zee TV as well as be showcased on digital platforms. Some of the most impressive, crowd-sourced stories will even be curated into a book by a best-selling author. Zee TV also plans to encourage its viewers to begin contributing videos of their acting, dancing or singing to an online talent repository, with gratification for the best entries every single month.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
