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December 16-31, 2015 Volume 4, Issue 14 ` 100
WASSAP, 2016? A new year in the age of the mobile...
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EDITORIAL
Volume 4, Issue 14
F or our 2015 Annual Issue, when we jotted down the first draft of names
that we felt ought to make it to our favourite section, People in the News, a
colleague pointed out, “Hey, you’re being partial to the online folks... they’re
EDITOR
Sreekant Khandekar
December 16-31, 2015 Volume 4, Issue 14 ` 100
outnumbering the rest by a big margin..” I thought about her comment for a PUBLISHER
Prasanna Singh
few minutes only to realise something pretty incredible – that’s 2015 for you!
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
It was the year of the online news publisher, the dot com marketer, the online Ashwini Gangal
content creator, and the digital expert. SENIOR LAYOUT ARTIST
Vinay Dominic
E-commerce ventures have grabbed the stage. Less noticed has been the PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE
online news publishing segment. Many of these new-age, digital news brands Andrias Kisku
position themselves as mobile-first. One of them is mobile-only. Importantly, ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Shubham Garg
these ‘journalism start-ups’, if you will, have managed to raise sizeable funds 81301 66777 (M); 0120-4077819 (O)
– as high as `120 crore in one case – from venture capitalists. Is it a bubble?
WASSAP,, 2016?
Apoorv Kulshrestha
Can they really redefine ‘news’ in this market? 2016 will tell. 9873824700 (M); 0120-4077833 (O)
Noida
A new year in the age of the mobile... The second reality that jumped out at us while putting this issue together is Pradeep Hegde
that it is becoming increasingly difficult to catgorise an ad campaign basis the
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(022) 40429702-5
Mumbai
medium it is released on. Here’s why: Nowadays, every other ad film is as much
mktg@afaqs.com
a TVC as it is a YouTube video. Every other activation-led, below-the-line effort
MARKETING OFFICE
has an equally strong digital aspect. Moreover, several ad films are aired on B-3, First Floor, Sector-4, Noida-201301.
television because the end goal is a digital call-to-action – to get the viewer to check out a microsite, Tel: (0120) 4077800.
participate in a social media-led contest or share self-generated content with the brand team through MUMBAI
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Sure, the digital-only film is becoming popular too (Vogue’s My Choice, anyone?) but there’s Tel: +91-22-40429 709 - 712
no denying the fact that 2015 has made it harder than ever to confidently name a particular media SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES
Akhilesh Singh
platform, over the rest, as the ‘lead medium’ for an ad campaign. (0120) 4077837
subscriptions@afaqs.com
2015 also saw a first-of-its-kind deal between a popular YouTube content creator (All India
Owned by Banyan Netfaqs Pvt Ltd and
Bakchod) and a leading broadcast network (Star). Buzz is, there will be more such in 2016. Printed and published by
Prasanna Singh,
And oh, the most popular adjective our interviewees used to describe 2015 is “Exhilarating”. at 7-A/13, Ch. Ratan Singh Complex,
Jawala Heri Market, Paschim Vihar,
New Delhi-110 063.
Printed at Cirrus Graphics Private Limited
B-61, Sector 67, Noida (U.P.), 201301
Ashwini Gangal Cover Photograph
ashwini.gangal@afaqs.com Images Bazaar
3$67
,668(6
December 16-31, 2015 Volume 4, Issue 14 ` 100
WASSAP,, 2016? A new year in the age of the mobile...
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4 afaqs! Reporter Annual Issue
CONTENTS
6 PEOPLE
LQWKHQHZV
They made news. They grabbed
headlines. They spoke to us about
their ups, downs and hopes.
AD CAMPAIGNS
LQWKHQHZV 30
A quick look at the big noise ad
campaigns of the year gone by.
45 BRANDS
LQWKHQHZV
A look at the brands that
grabbed headlines in 2015.
TV SHOWS
LQWKHQHZV 53
A look at the TV shows that
were buzzy during 2015.
59 HOT CATEGORIES
LQWKHQHZV
A look at some of the
hottest categories and
segments of 2015.
VOICES
LQWKHQHZV 68
We bring you some of the most
quotable quotes our interviewees
threw at us in 2015.
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
5
PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
They made news. They grabbed
IN THE NEWS headlines. They spoke to us
about their ups, downs and
hopes.
By Ashwini Gangal, Shweta Mulki, Saumya Tewari, ADVERTISING
FOTOCORP
Ashee Sharma and Aditi Srivastava
ADVERTISING were the floods in Chennai, the
terrorist activities around the
world and the complete deadlock
In the news because: in the Indian parliament.
Published his book
Pandeymonium
I see a lot of crappy ads on TV.
When Indians travel abroad, they
‘Ups’ of 2015 tell me, our ads are the best.
The biggest ‘Up’ was that I was But when I see ads on TV today, I Describe the
finally able to write my book. feel we have a lot to do to live up year gone by in
The joy of sharing it with people to that credit given to us by our one word
was a personal ‘Up’. That Ogilvy audience. I don’t want our citizens
continues to do good work, is to become cynical about our ‘PHEW!!’
another ‘Up’.
Up . It has been a good advertising
advertisin the way they are about
year for the industry ads around
aroun the world. We should
too; one of the be cautious;
cautio we are testing their
‘Ups’ was – patience.
BBDO winning
a Grand Prix at Agenda for 2016
Agen PRATAP respective football teams and my
Cannes. The agen
agenda is to have a good time.
what can I, as a citizen, do
Also – wh
BOSE art collection became richer.
‘Downs’ country, that will make a
for the co MD AND CHAIRMAN, ‘Downs’ of 2015
of 2015 difference? Whether it is about
difference The Social Street The sacrifices I had to make
The biggest cleanliness.. Swachh Bharat, or
cleanline because of the work pressures
FOTOCORP
‘Downs’ like spending less time with the
whatever... I have made some
whatever In the news because: family, taking limited holidays and
beginnings but I want to
small beg Launched The Social
them up in 2016.
scale the not being able to read or attend
Street, with a bang
ad-media functions. Coming to
terms with the passing away of my
Describe the year gone ‘Ups’ of 2015 mother is also something that’s
by in one word This year has been a whirlwind – been quite hard for me this year.
it’s the year I turned entrepreneur.
‘TRANSITION’ Within four months we opened Agenda for 2016
three offices in Mumbai, Bangalore 2016 will be a year of
and Delhi, and hired 120 people, consolidation. There will be a
clearly breaking rules of ‘business couple of acquisitions/JVs which
ahead of investments’. It was should hopefully fructify. We are
satisfying to see over 100 people keen on exploring possibilities
PIYUSH PANDEY leave secure jobs (some took a 50
per cent wage cut) in the pursuit of
in Asia Pacific and are targeting
winning at Cannes.
the same dream.
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN AND CREATIVE
DIRECTOR, Ogilvy & Mather, India and I would like to collect art and
South Asia Work aside, my son and daughter go back to Masai Mara on an
became college captains of their extended photographic vacation.
6 afa
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PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
ADVERTISING
SUSHIL KUMAR
first year as empty-nesters, as I am entering this new world with
ROHIT OHRI our younger child left home,
for college. It was our first time
no ‘plan’. The worst thing a new
leader can do is to come into an
‘alone’ after twenty four years! I organisation with a pre-
CEO, FCB Ulka will look back on 2015 as a year written plan. My plan for
of change, introspection and FCB Ulka will be written
personal growth. post a deep understanding
of the new culture and
In the news because: ‘Downs’ of 2015 environment, and in
Perhaps the only ‘Down’ of 2015 partnership with my new
Quit Dentsu to fill the
was the fact that I left behind leadership team.
long-vacant CEO’s
at Dentsu a great bunch of
position at FCB Ulka
colleagues... colleagues who
believed in my dream and shared
‘Ups’ of 2015 my passion for and vision of
‘Ups’ include – relocating to the new world agency we were
Singapore as CEO Dentsu Asia building.
Describe the year gone by in
Pacific, meeting Carter Murray, one word
Global CEO FCB, the five-month Agenda for 2016
sabbatical during which my wife January 1, 2016 is when I will ‘UNFORGETTABLE’
and I visited seven countries (doing don my brand new mantle. The
all the things that job constraints New Year will bring a lot to
had not previously allowed), and look forward to - a new culture,
stress-free indulgence in golf, colleagues, challenges and
art and theatre. 2015 was our opportunities.
ADVERTISING and video
digital campaigns a places to cut spends and creating
content. an accelerated shake-out
environment. While some start-
In the news because:
ause: We’ve taken small steps on the ups will succeed, many more will
From chief digital officer, talent, training and culture fronts. fail rapidly. Watching many high-
he became CEO of O&M When we get the w work right and profile businesses fail will not be
India the culture right, e
everything else good for the market.
follows.
Agenda for 2016
FOTOCORP
‘Ups’ of 2015
The best thing about any ‘Downs’ of 2015 Do great work. Do it consistently.
12-month period at Ogilvyy We lost some g good talent. If Do it across media. Focus on
India is that there is always
ys we really too
took care of our talent management, training
a great body of work to people we
well enough we and bringing company culture
look back on. In 2015, myy wouldn’t lose quite so alive. Build an environment
favorites are our work on many every
e year. We where the pursuit of knowledge,
JSW, Red Label, Milton, need to get better at skill specialisation and digital
Vodafone and Bournvita. talent
tale management. awareness are as sexy as
I love that we’ve done creativity.
so much great work on The
Th amount of
integrated campaigns, money
m spent
by start-ups
in 2015,
2 across
ad-media,
ad-m has Describe the
KUNAL
been unprecedented.
unprece year gone by in
This is financially
financ un- one word
JESWANI viable, dangerous
dange
detrimental for
and
f the industry. ‘DRAGON-
CEO, It is inflating the demand RIDING’
OGILVY INDIA and cost of media,
m forcing
marketers to find other
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PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
SAURABH
We had some really big wins. We couple of months, if I could.
got Bajaj back. We won Amazon,
Agenda for 2016
VARMA
HDFC Bank.. The three Ps –
people, product, profits – matter We’ll move into more integrated
most. It’s important to win in the operations in 2016. Indigo
CEO, marketplace. Consulting will be launched
Leo Burnett, South Asia in
n more markets. Leo Burnett
This year has been one of the best Experience will become stronger.
ADVERTISING years in the history of Leo Burnett Our shopper
India – we are the fastest growing offering will
agency within the Leo Burnett become a force
In the news because: network, across the world. A lot to reckon
Leo Burnett promoted
of things have fallen in place. with. We’ll
him from India CEO to
We’ve been very focused on the get into
South Asia CEO
fundamentals. the content
business in a
‘Ups’ of 2015 ‘Downs’ of 2015 big way.
We changed everything. We I have a great sense of
brought in young leaders. We dissatisfaction at the speed at
transformed the stand-alone which we are transforming as an
digital operation into one organisation. The hunger to do
integrated operation. We created more and to do it faster is more Describe the year gone
fantastic work for Amazon, than ever. I would have done it by in one word
Kindle, Apple, McDonald’s, all much faster; I would have just
HDFC Life, Craftsvilla, Limca... collapsed the whole year into a ‘PARTNERSHIPS’
FOTOCORP
ADVERTISING
FOTOCORP
In the news because: new businesses. A disappointing
Was given a regional aspect was the lip-service being
mandate, in addition to his paid to innovation in digital
existing responsibilities marketing. India’s share of
in the India market excellence in digital marketing
remains minuscule.
‘Ups’ of 2015 Our most significant ‘Down’ was
Our creative product remains parting ways with Maruti Suzuki
top-of-the-line. We are on course after almost two decades of
to posting our highest revenue partnership. While we more than
growth in almost a decade. The
JOSEPH GEORGE
made up for the loss financially,
birth of our new creative agency the loss was gutting.
Mullen Lintas was an ‘Up’. Our
REGIONAL PRESIDENT, marketing services divisions Agenda for 2016
South & Southeast Asia, and recorded their highest ever Our priority for 2016 is to make it
GROUP CEO, INDIA, revenue growth. With over 30 the start of an evolutionary journey
Mullen Lowe Lintas Group start-ups in our portfolio, we are wherein we work towards creating
the go-to partner for the young an agency model that could
Indian enterprise. become an industry benchmark.
I hope to make 2016 an inflection
‘Downs’ of 2015 point for the way agencies in India
While the regulators managed to need to reorient themselves going
put a lid on India’s inflation, its forward.
impact on consumption is yet to be
Describe the seen. In the advertising industry,
year gone by in
one word the value erosion continued
this year with agencies price-
‘FULFILLING’ undercutting each other to land
12 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
MEDIA
VIKRAM SAKHUJA
In the news because:
Gave up global role in GROUP CEO,
Madison Media and OOH,
GroupM, came back Madison World
to India, got stake in
Madison, where he is now
CEO was an outcome of a money-can’t-
MEDIA
buy experience of spending time
‘Ups’ of 2015 with intellectual titans like Irwin
Joining Madison, shedding Gotlieb, Rob Norman and Harvey
some excess kilos, catching up Goldhersz at GroupM, and with the
with Broadway theatre and the Kantar leadership team.
New York smorgasbord, and
crystallising thoughts on the ‘Downs’ of 2015 Describe the year gone
by in one word
future of media planning. My I wish I could have concluded
some exciting work on data,
move to Madison was triggered ‘EVOLUTION’
by a desire to return home and technology and outcomes with
‘do’ rather than ‘influence’. something concrete, rather than
Losing weight, in the words of just a blueprint. FOTOCORP
my wife Simmi, was about me
changing my company, and Agenda for 2016
spending more time with her Making Madison the most at Madison. I want to infuse more and institutionalise cross-
during my gardening leave. Living exciting media agency to work outcome-based thinking, of which pollination of best practices. I want
in NY was amazing. Getting a fix with. There’s a ton of passion, digital is a key part. I want to to focus on developing talent.
on the future of media planning agility and entrepreneurial zeal structurally build collaboration
MEDIA
ASHISH BHASIN
CHAIRMAN AND CEO,
South Asia, Dentsu Aegis Network
In the news because: social media company WatConsult
Given charge of all Denstu and experiential, events and
Aegis Network’s assets in
A activation company Fountainhead.
India
‘Downs’ of 2015
‘Ups’ of 2015 Our people have been stretched
W were able to bring together
We to the fullest due to our rapid
our integration process (of Aegis growth, in a relatively short period
Describe the Media and Dentsu) very well to of time. I wish the team had more
year gone by in
one word fform the Dentsu Aegis Network breathing space, but it is great
in its truest sense. It was a how everyone stepped up to
‘BRILLIANT’ sspectacular year on the new handle these opportunities.
business front. We won some of
tthe largest accounts on both, the Agenda for 2016
creative and media sides. Our WPP and IPG have remained at the
creative agencies won a large part top in India. We are well on course
of the Maruti Suzuki business. to becoming No.2. 2016 will be an
Our media agency Carat won important year for us; it will take
Mondelez. Our digital and outdoor us closer to that landmark. We’ve
a
agencies had good wins too. been growing at roughly 300 per
cent the market growth rate, and
W
We concluded some good would like to continue that for the
FOTOCORP
a
acquisitions this year, including next two years, at least.
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IN THE NEWS
FOTOCORP
MEDIA
Agenda for 2016
APURVA The new assignment with Jagran
entails a lot of work on each of
PUROHIT the verticals, be it print, digital,
radio or outdoor. A couple of
PRESIDENT, Jagran Group family milestones are coming up
this year so my focus will also
be on that. I’m also looking at
taking a couple of social ventures
work culture, build a profitable I am involved in, to the next level
business, and create shareholder of scale. My talks on leadership,
value. With the sale, the third goal culture building and diversity
was met. This was the second will continue to be an area of
high! emphasis for me since that is
something I am passionate
The first solo holiday I have ever about.
taken was a bucket list item I
ticked off this year. It had its own
charm, but I realised I’d rather be
Describe the year gone
with family anyday! by in one word
In the news because: the decade I spent running Radio
Her appointment as City. The fact that the company got ‘Downs’ of 2015 ROLLER-COASTER
President at Jagran Group bought over by one of the largest One always rues the lack of time
and most respected media groups to do so many things that need
in the country, Jagran Prakashan, to be done, especially time spent
‘Ups’ of 2015 was a big ‘Up’. A leader has three with family or pursuing some non-
A critical part of my life has been mandates – create an empowering work related hobby.
MEDIA
months more would’ve
w made it
much better. As for ABC (which
SHASHI SINHA per cent of the Indian
also owns 50 pe
Survey) the only regret
Readership Surv
CHAIRMAN, ABC and CEO, IPG Mediabrands India getting IRS 2015 off
would be not ge
the ground.
In the news because: never-done-before exercise
se with Agenda for
f 2016
His election as Chairman the way we have scaled, and built The launch of the digital
of the Audit Bureau of the technology and momentum.
entum. measurement for ABC,
meas
Circulation, and his role in and a more robust
the launch of BARC Our companies under IPG G BARC. For IPG, we
BA
Mediabrands are doing well.
ell. will
wi have two to three
We’ve consolidated our No.2
o.2 big things in full
‘Ups’ of 2015 position in the market. The
he force,
fo including a
Being given the coveted position momentum that we got with new
ne rural cell.
of chairman of the ABC was big; all the new businesses in
I had already worked with the 2014 was kept up in 2015..
previous chairman on the digital We closed on a high after
measurement for publishing. winning Johnson and Describe the
With the world moving into digital, Johnson. year gone by in
that’s a big step forward. We are one word
working on it, and will launch as ‘Downs’ of ‘MULTI-
soon as we get the alignment of 2015
the stakeholders. For BARC, we were TASKING’
pushed into an early
BARC got off the ground in April. launch in April due to
Many people thought we were not the ecosystem and the
going to pull it off. Globally, it’s a financing bit... four or five
e
16 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
BENOY ROYCHOWDHURY
MEDIA
To promote the spirit of self– ‘Downs’ of 2015
regulation among the creators of The biggest challenge for ASCI
ads, ASCI organised a festival of has been our failure to curb a
CHAIRMAN, debates (Creativity for Goodness’ few of the highly objectionable
Advertising Standards Council of India Sake!) which saw the participation telemarketing commercials. This
of Sir John Hegarty (BBH), Marc will continue to be a menace in
In the news because: Matheiu (Ex-Unilever), Shantanu 2016. We really need the industry
Elected as chairman of Khosla (Ex-P&G) and Rajkumar to come together to stop this.
ASCI Hirani (filmmaker).
Agenda for 2016
‘Ups’ of 2015 This year, the Department It is important to educate
In June, ASCI launched a mobile of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) marketers and creative teams
app that lets consumers flag appointed ASCI as its ‘Executive about the legitimate advertising
complaints against objectionable Arm’ to curb misleading code. Next in the list is
advertisements by clicking a advertisements by processing accessibility. We are constantly
picture and sending it to incoming complaints on DoCA’s working towards upgrading our
ASCI. We also launched newly-launched web portal processes and making ourselves
its e-learning program Grievances Against Misleading more accessible to consumers.
‘learning.ascionline. Advertisements (gama.gov.in).
org’ for advertisers, While ASCI is well known among
communication corporates and the advertising
professionals and community, we still need to make
management ourselves better known to lay
students. consumers. Communication,
Describe the therefore, is a major objective for
year gone by in ASCI in the year ahead.
one word
‘EXHILARATING’
In the news because: Other highlights include – the MEDIA
For the roll-out of the ‘Make In India’ award for the
new television viewership
PARTHO
indigenously developed Bar-
ratings data, including O-Meter, the announcement of
rural markets India’s largest Universe Estimation
study on television ownership and DASGUPTA
FOTOCORP
‘Ups’ of 2015 viewing habits, and the JV for the
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
The biggest achievement was the formation of a Meter Management
Broadcast Audience Research
roll-out of ratings data in a record company along with TAM India. Council India
time of two years. We expanded
our base from releasing household ‘Downs’ of 2015
data in April 2015 to giving out All We underestimated the task at
India (urban and rural) ratings hand and under-staffed BARC on the count and composition
in October, 2015, as scheduled. India. BARC data shows the fidelity of television households in the
The funding closure, without any in ratings for programming, country. As per the Ministry of
member shelling out cash, was a external interventions and causes Information and Broadcasting
big achievement. but it took us time to make the mandate, we will increase the
stakeholders understand that number of panel homes to
The biggest recent achievement fidelity is needed. 30,000. We will launch our
for BARC India was the roll- app on both Android and Describe the year gone
out of rural India data. Rural Agenda for 2016 iOS. The JV between BARC by in one word
India contributes 76 million TV Release of Broadcast India India and TAM Media
households, which was being not Estimation Survey, which will should be operational in ‘REDEFINING’
measured by the industry so far. provide in-depth understanding the coming year.
18 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
MEDIA
Describe the year gone
global best practices. by in one word
In the news because:
For his appointment as CEO, ‘Downs’ of ‘EXHILARATING!’
replacing Ravi Rao 2015
We could have
fast-tracked our
‘Ups’ of 2015 recruitment analytics. It would be great to see
2015 was a landmark year initiatives to more of our offices winning. We’re
for Mindshare, as revenue increase employee very happy with a 92 per cent
growth was two times that competency and strike rate but 100 per cent would
of the industry. Fifty percent diversity. We could have been super!
of our growth came from have shared
new business. The team our innovations Agenda for 2016
walked away with 175 across units more We will continue to reinvent
awards, we celebrated ourselves as market dynamics
20 years of partnership change. We will concentrate on
with Unilever, and retained
that business after a fierce PRASANTH KUMAR outcome-based innovations,
leveraging all of Mindshare
multi-agency pitch. We and GroupM’s assets to provide
regained the No.1 spot in RECMA CEO-SOUTH ASIA, Mindshare APAC solutions to clients. Digital will
(Qualitative Score). We shared our continue to be our mainstay for
under-the-hood tools, like OTF, differentiation. Content is another
The Loop Room, and our trading proactively, with more area where we will focus our
SUSHIL KUMAR
initiatives, with clients. Some focus on developing energies. The immediate priority
of our initiatives are now being innovative products, is to hire diversified, inspired
replicated within the group as especially in data and trailblazers.
The re-launch is a relief and firm. We will continue to work
MARKETING resumption of livelihood for these collaboratively with the FSSAI and
people. It has restored their FDA authorities and other stake
confidence. This zest is manifested holders.
In the news because: in the speed with which they have
Replaced Etienne been able to get Maggi back on the
Benet as MD, Nestlé shelves. It has been encouraging
India, during the Maggi to see the constant love and
controversy support of our consumers, and to
Describe the
SUSHIL KUMAR
see them rejoicing the return of
year gone by in
Maggi. one word
‘Ups’ of 2015
The most significant high for me ‘Downs’ of 2015 ‘SOBRIETY’
this year is the fulfillment of my I wish the chain of events that
most important mandate, which unfolded over the last few months
is to re-launch our beloved Maggi had never happened.
Noodles and bring it back to the Agenda for 2016
consumers to whom it belongs. Having brought Maggi Noodles
What is also incredible is the back to the market, my objective
confidence and vigour with which now is to strengthen the trust
my team of 7,200 employees has
SURESH
and faith of our consumers in the
stood by me during this period of product, by engaging with them
adversity.
NARAYANAN
and clearing any doubts in their
minds.
Maggi is not only about Nestlé
India; it is about our suppliers, We want to grow our business in
partners, farmers and other
MD, Nestlé India
a manner that all categories and
stakeholders. The entire incident brands contribute significantly
had taken a toll on their morale. to the overall revenues of the
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
19PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
TELEVISION
TELEVISION
PUNIT GOENKA
MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises
Limited (ZEEL)
In the news because: consuming content, we can look
Launch of &TV; launch of forward to a digital-heavy year,
Living Foodz with the launch of original digital
content on dittoTV, our OTT
platform.
‘Ups’ of 2015
2015 was a fantastic. We started On the international front, 2016
off with the launch of our will be a year of consolidation for
contemporary Hindi GEC, &TV. us. While we will focus on growing
SUDHANSHU
AF
Our other new offering, Living
Foodz, also garnered a positive
in the markets we are present
in and will explore opportunities
VATS response. In the regional space,
our acquisition of Sarthak TV, the
in new markets. Another major
priority going ahead will be ‘ZEE is
GROUP CEO, Viacom18 and CHAIRMAN, leading GEC in the Odisha market, Green’.
National Committee on Media & added to our portfolio.
Entertainment, Confederation of
Indian Industry We strengthened our presence in
Describe the the Africas territory with two new
year gone by in
one word channel launches, Zee World and
In the news because:
TELEVISION
Zee Magic, targeting English and
Re-branding of Colors’ French viewers, respectively. We
regional entertainment ‘WARM-UP!’ extended our Zeefamily.tv App to
bouquet; launch of Colors the APAC region.
Infinity; and Colors’
performance We launched ‘Zee Theatre’, to
make theatrical content available
‘Ups’ of 2015 on multiple platforms. Our pilot
The year started on a promising launching themed cafes branded project of greening the sets of
note with a clear and balanced ‘FLYP@MTV’. We also unveiled the &TV’s ‘Gangaa’, under the ‘ZEE
budget. On the regulatory side, the brand identity for our own video is Green’ initiative, has taken off
industry welcomed the reduction OTT platform, ‘VOOT’. successfully.
in withholding tax rates for royalty
payments to non-residents, a ‘Downs’ of 2015 ‘Downs’ of 2015
foreign trade policy that promotes No Downs. No Downs.
services exports, a transparent
and well-implemented auction for Agenda for 2016 Agenda for 2016
Phase 3 of FM radio, and more FDI The measurement frontier will We are focusing strongly on our
liberalisation. see more activity with BARC Vision 2020 goal of achieving
set to build on the groundwork five times viewership growth to
On the measurement front, we laid in 2015. Soon we will have become one of the top global
now have a more representative, 100 per cent digitisation across media brands. In 2016, our
inclusive and comprehensive urban India. We will witness an strategy will be on working
mechanism in the form of BARC. unleashing of bandwidth that will towards these goals.
On the content front, we’ve contribute to the consumption
seen several innovations across of quality video content. Several With consumers shifting
businesses, platforms and genres. industry participants have to a more flexible way of
At Viacom18, we launched Colors announced their OTT plans
Infinity and released films like and geared up for the digital
‘Manjhi: The Mountain Man’, opportunity. You will see a lot Describe the year gone
by in one word
‘Margarita, with a Straw’ and of media and entertainment
‘Drishyam’. We’ve tied in the companies entering into cross-
industry collaborations in 2016.
‘PATH-BREAKING‘
experiential piece with MTV
20 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
moving into transactions. Also, Agenda for 2016
VIKRAM our other related sites like auto We want to focus on the
CHANDRA
and food being re-launched were profitability of our television
definitely high points. business in 2016. Then we have
the digital content
GROUP CEO, While television has been the core business, which we
NDTV of our DNA, we have, over the last want to continue
three or four years, been taking to roll out on our
TELEVISION a lot of steps to move more and existing strength. And
more into the digital domain. This then there are the
was the year when that strategy new businesses we
In the news because: really started to bear fruit. are launching – the
Spearheaded NDTV
e-commerce sites,
Group’s digital goals ‘Downs’ of 2015 where we’ve already
We keep on wishing that the launched two to three
‘Ups’ of 2015 external environment would be verticals, and a couple
2015 is a year where we’ve seen a little better in television. There more that we would like
many of the investments and are still a lot of problems in to launch in the coming
the attention that we’ve paid to distribution, carriage fees and lack year.
the digital business coming to of subscription. Also, the ratings Describe the year gone
fore. In particular, I think our system needs to improve. These by in one word
gadget site has really come are areas we are waiting for some
of age, with 26 million unique change in. Hopefully, 2016 will be a ‘CHALLENGING’
visitors a month… and now better year.
TELEVISION
conviction that a Joint Industry the technical committee chaired
PARITOSH Committee (JIC)-led measurement
system would be catalytic in
by N Sathyamurthy are able to get
it back on track in 2016.
JOSHI transforming India’s television
value-chain. Agenda for 2016
India TV is at an exciting stage
CEO, Second, the big rush of joining in its evolution. Audiences
India TV
India TV and returning to the have embraced the product
ranks of the ‘properly employed’. enthusiastically, ensuring that
In the news because: The warm welcome I have been it stays in the top rung of India’s
For his role as Principal– accorded by the team here has news television genre. Initial
Provocateur Advisory, dispelled apprehensions. forays into the digital realm have
FOTOCORP
BARC, and being been promising. India TV has lots
appointed CEO, India TV ‘Downs’ of 2015 of headspace; we will be making
I have been actively involved in the crucial choices to shape the next
‘Ups’ of 2015 Indian Readership Survey, for over phase of growth.
The rollout of BARC’s television five years. Since the redesigned
measurement, and its quick study came out in 2013, it has I have been a vocal advocate of fair
expansion to cover all of been struggling with controversy value in pricing media inventories.
India (including rural), and criticism. I hope the new A large share of the responsibility
has been gratifying. Board of MRUC (under I Venkat), for under-monetisation lies
When we got going, RSCI (headed by CVL Srinivas), and squarely with media owners.
resources I hope to play some role in
were scant, highlighting the dimensions of this
detractors issue to peers across the value
Describe the chain so that we can start taking
outnumbered year gone by in
believers and corrective action.
one word
all that kept On the personal front, I am
us going was looking forward to discovering the
the unwavering ‘EXHILARATING’ challenges and charms of life in
the great city of Noida.
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
21PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
TELEVISION
In the news because:
MSM’s collaboration with
BBC Earth and ESPN; the NP SINGH
network was rebranded to
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
Sony Pictures Networks
Multi Screen Media
‘Ups’ of 2015
It’s been an eventful year for Multi We completed 20 successful years
Screen Media (MSM). In the initial and had our global CEO, Kaz Hirai,
part of the year, sports dominated in our midst at the celebratory
our focus. The IPL performed event, along with Michael Lynton,
well and we strengthened our chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures
sports portfolio by acquiring a Entertainment. Now, as we step
lot of football properties such into our 21st year, we’ll enter 2016
as Copa America, La Liga, Seria as Sony Pictures Networks India
A and FA Cup, to name a few. Private Limited.
The latter half of the year saw
us announcing our partnerships ‘Downs’ of 2015
with BBC Worldwide to launch the In a successful journey, there will
factual entertainment channel always be some misses. We’ll take Describe the year gone
Sony BBC Earth, and then with stock of them and move on. by in one word
ESPN to launch co-branded sports
channels as well as a multi-sport Agenda for 2016 ‘ACTION-PACKED’
digital app. We recently announced Our focus will remain on GECs,
our partnership with Red Chillies sports, digital, expanding the
Entertainment. All in all, 2015 was channel portfolio, and penetrating
a year dedicated to the power of newer markets.
partnerships.
TELEVISION
In the news the previous year. All our English Describe the
year gone by in
because: channels moved to the No.1 one word
Launch of English
Eng position in their respective genres,
channel MN+,
movie channe leading to complete domination of ‘ON TRACK’
property channel
chan the broadcast audience pyramid.
MagicBricks Now,
N This grand-slam of both, the news
and UK launc
launch of and entertainment genres, in
Times Now India’s most important language,
English, is unparalleled.
‘Ups’ of 201
2015 We were able to maintain the lead, points. Maintain brand
Early 2015 gave us some
so sweet
and grow, when BARC started leadership across genres and
rewards for the painstaking
painst
reporting numbers. Besides this, ownership of the top of the
work we put into our
we expanded our portfolio by two pyramid. Focus on HR processes
products during
channels, MN+ and Magicbricks to significantly improve our
Now. Both were extremely well- brand as a preferred employer.
timed and have been profitable Maintain the 25 per cent CAGR
since Day One. that we have had over the
MK ANAND ‘Downs’ of 2015
last two years and double our
turnover in 2016-17, over 2013-
It was a year of only Ups. 14. Improve cost efficiency and
MD AND CEO, profitability.
Times Network Agenda for 2016
My agenda for 2016 has four
22 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
TELEVISION
Agenda for 2016
KALLI PURIE Our focus for 2016 will be to create
India’s first ‘mega news’ brand
properties, besides a renewed
content strategy. As a group, we
India Today – on stands, online, on intend to be the No.1 preferred
GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR knowledge source across
air. Innovations will be taken to the
(BROADCAST & NEW MEDIA),
next level with a series of thought platforms, media and brands.
The India Today Group
leadership events and news
In the news because: This year, the group consolidated
For spearheading the on the strengths of our power
re-branding of Headlines brands Aaj Tak and India
Today as India Today TV Today Television, with the
implementation of the new
measurement currency from
‘Ups’ of 2015 BARC. This year set positive
FOTOCORP
2015 was a turning point for the trends both in terms of ratings
India Today Group as we extended and revenue for the group. The
the gold standard of journalism integration of digital has ensured
of the parent brand into news content synergies across our
television with the launch of brands.
India Today Television. The new
channel redefined TV news, with ‘Downs’ of 2015 Describe the year gone
a visual format that made way I wish 2015 had two more months. by in one word
for parallel news updates and It was such an exciting year and
digital integration. It was like the we would’ve liked to pack in so ‘TURNING POINT’
‘Appification’ of news. much more than we did.
DIGITAL
DURGA RAGHUNATH
CO-FOUNDER, Juggernaut
In the news because: ‘Downs’ of 2015
For launching digital-
We’ve had more ‘Ups’ than
friendly publishing
‘Downs’ this year. We are so
company, Juggernaut
young that we will have to wait a
bit for our ‘Downs’.
‘Ups’ of 2015
Clearly, the launch of Juggernaut, Agenda for 2016
and the overwhelming response It’s the year we launch our MVP
it received, is an ‘Up’. When you (minimum viable product). So the
think an idea’s time has come, time between February and June
and so do many others, it’s
enormously heartening. To have
will be a critical time for us with
the launch of our iOS, Android CHIKI
Nandan Nilekani and William
Bissel believe in Juggernaut was
and Desktop apps. We will
know if our assumptions about
SARKAR
thrilling. We’ve also been lucky content and price are
enough to build editorial, tech right. We also have Describe the year gone CO-FOUNDER,
and design teams that makes us a number of exciting by in one word Juggernaut
swell with pride. The release of announcements to
our Digital Catalogue was another look forward to.
‘EXHILARATING’
high point.
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
23PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
DIGITAL
SUSHIL KUMAR
In the news because:
Raised $4 million; Describe the
launched a video year gone by in
one word
production unit
‘WARM-UP’
‘Ups’ of 2015
One of the major successes
for us was that we established
ScoopWhoop as a national brand.
We’ve managed to create a
substantial gap between other
new-age publications and us. As division, ScoopWhoop Talkies, to
of December 2015, we have 20 a point where we’ll be doing over
AZHAR IQUBAL
million unique users, 70 million 100 videos a month, including
page views, and over 30 million documentaries, web-series, and
social engagements every month. feature films.
CO-FOUNDER & CEO, INSHORTS ‘Downs’ of 2015 Personally, I just hope I’m able
2015 was the year of content. to help build one of the largest
DEEPIT PURKAYASTHA
DIGITAL
So, naturally, everything we did, publications in India by 2017.
worked. There were hardly any
‘downers’, although
ough we wish we
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, had started videos
eos earlier.
INSHORTS
Agenda for 2016
News and videosos are the two big
ANUNAY ARUNAV things you’ll see
ee ScoopWhoop
doing in 2016. As of December
2015, news contributes
ntributes to
CO-FOUNDER & CTO, INSHORTS almost 30 per cent of our total
website traffic; by mid-2016 we
In the news because: are confident it will generate
The app-only news ‘Downs’ of 2015 over 50 per cent.
nt. You’ll also see
SUSHIL KUMAR
publisher raised $24 While business always has its ScoopWhoop scalecale its video
million from Tiger Global share of highs and lows, I think
we had a dream run in 2015.
While there is a lot more we can
‘Ups’ of 2015 plan and achieve, for now we are
This year, we raised our user base content and proud to end the year
from around a lakh to over three
million. We managed to secure
as the highest rated news app in
Google’s list of ‘Best apps in India’.
SATTVIK
$24 million in funding from Tiger
Global. On the business front, we Agenda for 2016 MISHRA
acquired Retention.ai, a promising Our goal is to increase our user
startup founded by our friends CO-FOUNDER AND CEO,
base to 10 million active users, ScoopWhoop
from IIT Kharagpur. We launched scale our content by increasing
a Hindi interface to make inroads our team size, and build strategic
into the vernacular market. media partnerships with
alternative content providers. By
We rebranded our offering from the end of the year, we want to
‘News in Shorts’ to ‘Inshorts’, a establish Inshorts as the go-to
strategic approach in line with our content app for every Indian.
goal to become an intuitive content
discovery platform. Another happy
moment for us was recruiting Describe the year gone
by in one word
our juniors from IIT Delhi and IIT
Kharagpur. ‘ORBIT-SHIFT’
24 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
DIGITAL
PRIYANKA GILL
SUSHIL KUMAR
FOUNDER AND EDITOR, POPxo
In the news because: I would love to work with
The website raised funds major consumer brands on a
worth $2 million macro level and run integrated
campaigns for them. We are
super bullish on POPxo Video.
‘Ups’ of 2015 The plan is to get millions of
2015 was a fantastic year! We women to watch, like, share and
opened up POPxo’s India office engage with our video content. Describe the
in January. I shifted from London year gone by in
one word
to Delhi. We launched POPxo Personally, I would love to have a
Video, POPxo Hindi and POPxo
Wedding, launched our app,
more balanced lifestyle (don’t we ‘FUN’
all!). I would love to spend more
raised $2 million in a Series-A
MK VENU
time with my kids and family.
round, tripled traffic to the site 2015 was all about big changes
and tripled the team as well! and transitions; I would like
2016 to be the year in which it all
‘Downs’ of 2015
To be honest, 2015 was great.
comes together. SIDDHARTH VARADARAJAN
If I were wishing for things, I
would want the air quality
ality in
Delhi to be better. I would
ould want
SIDHARTH BHATIA
more women to come online – it
is empowerment in the e truest FOUNDER EDITORS, TheWire
sense. It would be great
eat to see From left: MK Venu, Siddharth Varadarajan and Sidharth Bhatia
broadband connectivity ty improve.
And obviously, I would d love for
women to feel safer in n India!
DIGITAL
D ‘Downs’ of 2015
Not being able to exploit the
Agenda for 2016 In the news because: potential of digital storytelling
Professionally, the goalal Quit top leadership roles because of our own financial and
is simple – for POPxo at leading publications to technical limitations. We have
to become the single launch an independent great ideas on how to tell a story
largest digital self-funded news website, differently but lack the means to
destination for women n TheWire implement those ideas… for now.
in India. We want to
be the first thing they ‘Ups’ of 2015 Agenda for 2016
check on their phone Sometime around March 2015, The top agenda is raising enough
when they wake up in five of us (Siddharth Varadarajan, money to move to the next stage
the morning, the one Sidharth Bhatia, MK Venu, wherein we broaden our offering
place they come to forr Vasudevan Mukunth and Raghu to include more reportage,
advice or simply to engage
gage Karnad) decided to take the overcome our technology
with other women. plunge and launch The Wire on limitations, pay our writers
our own steam and savings, as a reasonably well and hire a small
not-for-profit, independent media team of great journalists. Oh, and
Describe the year gone platform dedicated to cutting- it would be nice to move away from
by in one word edge journalism and authoritative our own pro bono work to earning
analysis. We were blown away a modest salary. Eight months is a
‘AMAZING! ’ by the support we got from long time to be sponging off one’s
journalists and commentators. So spouse!
launching The Wire and seeing it
take off has been the greatest ‘Up’
of 2015.
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
25PEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
SHRADHA In the news because:
Raised Series-A funding.
learning, growing and becoming
better. So, NO ‘Downs’ for me
SHARMA this year... just lots and lots of
‘learnings’.
FOUNDER AND CEO, ‘Ups’ of 2015
YourStory Media This year, we completed seven Agenda for 2016
years of YourStory. We got the People come to YourStory to read
support of marquee investors inspiring stories. To ensure they
DIGITAL like Shri Ratan Tata, Kalaari get what they come for, we want
Capital, Qualcomm Ventures to launch some cool products. We
and Mohandas Pai. We launched want to ensure that as a company
YourStory in 12 Indian languages. YourStory sets a new benchmark
These are just a few of the many in the Indian media industry. We
‘Ups’ of 2015. The list is endless, want to push ourselves to be
really. But I would say my biggest better, more passionate, more
‘Up’ was the love and support creative, more loving, more
of our readers; it made the year inspiring and more relevant, as a
simply wow! product. Personally, my agenda
for 2016 is to go within and grow
‘Downs’ of 2015 within my own self, and cherish
By now, I have seen so many the quiet moments more and
Describe the year gone ‘Downs’ in life, that I have
by in one word more.
changed the lens. Now, I see
‘RELENTLESS’ ‘Downs’ as the biggest gift for
DIGITAL
In the news because: Agenda for 2016
SUSHIL KUMAR
Raised funds from China- In 2016, professionally, we want
based investors and high to establish iamWire as a brand
net worth individuals which helps start-ups grow. We
in India for news portal want to do so with the spirit of
iamWire innovation, with our fundraising,
and knowledge support. On the
‘Ups’ of 2015 product side, we will scale the
2015 started on a very positive community reach of iamWire by
note. We registered iamWire as a 6X and grow to become much
separate entity, moving out from bigger than our current size. We
our parent tech-incubator on want to make start-up innovation
a mass movement starting from
ABHINAV DINESH GARG
March 5, 2015. This was the best
decision; it is helping us build on India.
our vision faster.
Personally, I want to improve
CEO, iamWire
‘Downs’ of 2015 everyday and increase the rate of
I really appreciate all the ‘Downs’ daily self-improvement by 4X.
and mistakes in 2015; there
were many. They are a must for
gaining the learning experience
which will help in the long term. Describe the
In particular, I wish I could year gone by in
have worked ten times more by one word
managing my time better.
‘TURNAROUND’
26 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
DIGITAL
doing for the last ten years. under News Corp in March. A
SAHAD PV We focused on a large enough
seamless integration
of the company with
niche segment, built a community the new parent
FOUNDER AND EDITOR, around information, content is underway. The
VCCircle and data, and monetised it impact of most of
all effectively. This is only the the initiatives we
beginning... the company has a undertook in 2015
long way to go. With the help of is expected to kick
In the news because: News Corp, which has experience in during 2016.
For selling his in building, managing and
entrepreneurial news monetising such content assets,
portal VCCircle to global VCCircle’s journey can only get
media and information better.
services group, News
Corp ‘Downs’ of 2015 Describe the
year gone by in
We could have done everything one word
‘Ups’ of 2015 better. But that is true for anything
2015 marks a big milestone you do and for any year. 2015 has
in my life. It’s the year my been clearly positive. We made ‘MOMENTOUS’
entrepreneurial venture many senior level hires, expanded
VCCircle Network got acquired our offices, and grew the team and
by News Corp, a global media revenues as per our expectations.
and information services group.
It’s a great achievement for the Agenda for 2016
dedicated team behind VCC. It’s a 2016 is a year to look forward
SUSHIL KUMAR
validation of what we have been to. We will be completing a year
MEDIA In the news because: Describe the year gone
His appointment as chairman by in one word
of MRUC
‘HECTIC’
‘Ups’ of 2015
It’s been quite exciting to get the MRUC
responsibility. I’ve been told it is the ‘hot
seat’ but will have to ensure it is not as undertaken in the world. For this task, we
hot as it is meant to be, for the industry! are aiming to complete all four rounds
Oveall, the year has been very good. At (Quarters one, two, three and four)
Eenadu, we are consolidating. Recently, around this time, next year. So that is the
we launched four new Telugu channels biggest task we have at hand. Further,
under the ETV brand. to address whether we should go beyond
the IRS product, there are four or five
‘Downs’ of 2015 different research possibilities that we
One of most important things is to roll will mull over.
out the IRS 2016; the sample size (over
3.30 lakh) will be the largest ever to be Agenda for 2016
The only regret, as an industry, is that
all of us couldn’t bring out the IRS 2015.
I VENKAT
I must add that over the last few months
we have been focused on aligning the
constituents for the IRS 2016. People
CHAIRMAN, MRUC, and like CVL Srinivas and Shashi Sinha have
DIRECTOR, Eenadu Group worked hard towards this.
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
27PEOPLE
FOTOCORP
IN THE NEWS
E-COMMERCE
SANJEEV MOHANTY
CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR,
E-COMMERCE Jabong
In the news because:
Joined an online fashion The top TTD (thing to do) on my
marketplace, after personal checklist is to spend
spending 11 years with more quality time with my
Benetton India family. I also wish I will be able
to take a few long highway drives
on one of my cruisers. Another
‘Ups’ of 2015
E-COMMERCE
focus will be to learn, adapt
2015 offered me the best of both and then learn some more. The
worlds! On the one hand, I had digital space is so dynamic and
the privilege of seeing Benetton exciting... all the more in the
India emerge as the group’s fashion space, which changes
largest international subsidiary, every season. There’s so much
and on the other hand, I am newness in the air. I can’t wait to
NIKHIL ending the year on an even
higher note with an opportunity
nity
see how the new year unfolds.
RUNGTA to lead Jabong. What else could
one wish for in one year?
ould
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER,
Housing.com ‘Downs’ of 2015
5
It was not easy to unplug from
m
Benetton, an organisation that
at
In the news because: present only during the first part
has given me so much, and had
Moved from Reliance Jio of the journey. We want to build a
almost become a second home me
to Housing.com business model wherein we can
SUSHIL KUMAR
to me. Moving on has been onene
provide end-to-end service across
of the most intense emotionalal
the entire purchase cycle.
‘Ups’ of 2015 phases for me. The fact that I
could not spend as much timeme
2015 has been an indelible year Agenda for 2016 with my family/kids, and had to
for online real estate portals. In 2016, we will work on a ‘Narrow
Housing.com changed the way miss a few personal moments ts
& Deep’ strategy focussed on
consumers use and perceive due to my travel schedules/
monetisation. We will also focus
online property sites. Instead of deadlines, was another
on two key business verticals, ‘buy’
being just a classifieds site we dampener.
and ‘sell’; that’s where we will be
focussed on solving consumer pain solving a much bigger problem.
points with respect to the buying Also, the buy-and-sell business
Agenda for
and selling of property. We did has over 30 times more revenue
2016
this with the help of technology, On the professional front, Describe the year gone
potential than rent does.
verified property listings and the agenda will be to define by in one word
high-definition photographs. We a clear business strategy
became a trusted partner in a
At a personal level, I would love to
spend more time with my family
and vision that is aligned ‘EXHILARATING!’
high-touch and high-involvement with our consumers,
and catch up on some reading.
segment. organisation, business
partners and shareholders.
2015 was also a coming of age for I am also hoping to build
Housing.com as a brand. Describe the momentum and confidence
year gone by in across the board with these
one word
‘Downs’ of 2015 stakeholders, and develop
Real estate is a business in which ‘REMARKABLE’ a three-year growth plan to
the buying process starts online set the pace that can providee
but the fulfilment takes place a clear direction for 2017 and
d
offline. Most real estate sites are 2018.
28 afaqs! Reporter Annual IssuePEOPLE
IN THE NEWS
writes a book, makes a joke/film/
SPECIAL song/documentary, or refers to
a city by the name they’ve called
it since they were kids, or eats
dinner that’s different from theirs,
or tries to rent a flat in an area
where their surname isn’t that
common... you get the idea.
Agenda for 2016
Expect everything - from our
Youtube channel kicking into high
gear to newer properties across
genres, platforms and countries.
TEAM AIB
GURSIMRAN KHAMBA, TANMAY BHAT,
ROHAN JOSHI AND ASHISH SHAKYA.
Describe the
year gone by in
one word
In the news because: work with an all-round super cast 2015 was also the year we
The AIB Knockout, deal was definitely the first big high of announced our advertising wing,
‘CAFFEINATED’
with Star Network and 2015. We got over 10 million hits Vigyapanti. We flagged it off with a
launch of ad agency, after the first four days. video for Truly Madly called Creep
Vigyapanti
Qawalli. Roping in young, talented
Another high has to be our news ad professionals and setting up
‘Ups’ of 2015 comedy show, On Air With AIB. that arm of AIB was a high.
We began our year with the AIB From inception to execution, it
Knockout... to be able to tackle was and still is an exhausting, ‘Downs’ of 2015
a format that we’d only watched educational and thoroughly We wish people could just chill and
international comedians do, and to addictive experience for us. not overreact every time someone
SPECIAL
SASHA CHETTRI
In the news because: living life to the fullest, and to a
MODEL, Airtel
Became popular on the great degree 2015 allowed me to
ad-circuit as ‘The 4G Girl’ do that. No judgements, no hang-
ups… just being who I want to be.
‘Ups’ of 2015 ‘Downs’ of 2015
2015 was fun. It was a year of Downs? What downs?
learning, growth and meeting a
whole bunch of amazing, talented, Agenda for 2016
new people! I got in touch with my 2016 would be about more
quiet side, started meditating, and introspection, trying to be quiet
cut my beautiful long hair. I left and learning more! Meeting new
my realm of not-for-profit work, people… sharing and making more
and worked in a production house music!
where we did everything hands-
on; that was a crazy experience. Describe the year gone
I acted in a Bollywood film and by in one word
of course, Airtel happened
alongside, opening up many new ‘SHINY!’
opportunities for me. I believe in
Annual Issue afaqs! Reporter
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