Priyanka Joshi &Amp; Sapna Agarwal In New Delhi

Stories by Priyanka Joshi &Amp; Sapna Agarwal In New Delhi

New channels defy downturn fears

New channels defy downturn fears

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2009

If you thought television channels in India have been hurt by a slowdown in companies' spend on advertisements, consider this: In three months, Indian viewers have seen the addition of four new channels and two-three channels are expected to debut later this year.

Packaged water continues to be expensive

Packaged water continues to be expensive

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2009

Stating that the differential pricing above Rs 12 was "unfair trade practice," Justice J D Kapoor, Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, said: "The process of converting ordinary water into mineral water is the same (for all bottlers) and the quality or purity is also the same. It is immaterial whether mineral water is obtained directly from springs or any other source." Yet, packaged water firms continue to price their 1 litre bottles above this amount.

'Nano' ad budget for the Nano

'Nano' ad budget for the Nano

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2009

Tata Motors has opted unconventional mediums like web search, viral marketing and innovative public relations-driven campaigns, where the news in brief is called 'Nano news' in some papers and television advertisement breaks are called 'Nano breaks.' There is also Nano merchandise like T-shirts and key chains. Unlike most car launches, it is not supported by a television campaign, leading to a big saving for the company.

Westside stores may display Nano

Westside stores may display Nano

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2009

"We are conducting a feasibility study to see whether the car can be displayed inside some of the Westside," said a source. The feasibility study is being conducted in select showrooms that have a suitable entrance and enough space to accommodate the Rs 1 lakh (Rs 100,000) car. The car might be displayed at showrooms that meet the required specifications.

Now, SMS-friendly phones from LG

Now, SMS-friendly phones from LG

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2009

Touch screens, slide-out QWERTY keypads, dual SIM phones and even a transparent phone will soon make their way into your hands from the LG stable in 2009.

Crisis? Diversify and prosper

Crisis? Diversify and prosper

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2009

Ronnie Screwvala, the chairman and CEO of UTV Software Communications, opens the door of his plush Breach Candy apartment himself. Once seated in the comfortable surroundings, Screwvala makes no attempt to brush off the fact that the media and entertainment industry in which he operates has been hit by the slowdown.

Check out these sleek ultraportables

Check out these sleek ultraportables

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2009

For those with the money to spare and the need of a functional ultraportable notebook that can slip into a large coat pocket, this could be a winner. We guarantee that if you pull this out of your pocket at a meeting, it will definitely get you envious glances. Promising to give the Sony Vaio P competition is the HP Mini-Note 2133 that shares Sony's striking looks.

Hindustan Unilever sues Subhiksha for non-payment

Hindustan Unilever sues Subhiksha for non-payment

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2009

Modern trade retail accounts for 5-6 per cent of the overall sales revenues of FMCG companies. It has been reported in the past that FMCG players like Godrej Consumer Products and Dabur had taken a tough stance against defaulting modern trade retailers and had stopped supplying to them or supplying only in return for cash payment, a deviation from the practice of supplying against credit.

Premium watch segment grows by leaps and bounds

Premium watch segment grows by leaps and bounds

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2009

The Titan and Fastrack brands fared well and also saw their margins expand. Watches accounted for 1 per cent of the Gitanjali Group's total turnover. The watch industry is estimated to be a Rs 2,500 crore market, growing at 5 per cent per annum. The premium-to-luxury market is close to being a Rs 300-500 crore market and will grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 30-35 per cent to be a Rs 1,500-2,000 crore market in the next six to seven years.

Google works on monetising Orkut for IPL

Google works on monetising Orkut for IPL

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2009

In discussion with IPL to create brand positioning campaigns and even an IPL profile page for Orkut users, Google is serious about monetising its social media portal. "Last year, we built a stronger base of marketers and invested in internet advertising. In 2009, we should make revenues from our social media platform," says Google India Managing Director Shailesh Rao.

<I>Slumdog</I>: Big money for Indian companies

Slumdog: Big money for Indian companies

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2009

Fox Star Studio India, the distributor of Slumdog Millionaire in the country, has managed to gross around Rs 40 crore (Rs 400 million) from the markets, surpassing collections of some of the biggest Bollywood hits of last year such as Rock On.

Capgemini freezes onsite recruitment

Capgemini freezes onsite recruitment

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2009

Capgemini has gone back on its previous expectations of modest growth in the first half of 2009, following a significant deterioration in the wider economic environment since the third quarter, said John O'Brien, senior analyst at advisory and consulting firm Ovum. Capgemini now expects to see a modest decline in the first-half sales, while maintaining an operating margin of 6.5 per cent.

IT cos extend reach in Egypt

IT cos extend reach in Egypt

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2009

Indian companies are also actively participating with the Egyptian government in training university graduates to acquire the proper set of skills needed to work in the BPO industry. Egypt has already added new curriculums across six of its universities to produce job-ready graduates.

Ads@ mobiles enthuse advertisers

Ads@ mobiles enthuse advertisers

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2009

Nokia, Airtel sign deal to push commercials to mobile websites. Accessing the Internet on mobile phones is no longer a novelty. For most professionals, it is a necessity. So, mobile websites, also known as .mobi sites, have emerged as the latest advertising opportunity.

Why gamers will like these headsets

Why gamers will like these headsets

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2009

A good headset enhances the gaming experience. While the top-end headsets are excellent, here are some cheaper alternatives you could consider.

RIM gets ready to retail BlackBerrys

RIM gets ready to retail BlackBerrys

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2009

Research in Motion, maker of Blackberry devices, is putting together its retail footprint with distribution tie-ups with partners like Redington India, which will help in setting up a national retail distribution channels for its smartphones.

Slowdown blues for FMCG companies

Slowdown blues for FMCG companies

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2009

Two of these categories -- detergent cakes and washing powder - account for around 15 per cent of the overall FMCG market of Rs 80,000 crore (Rs 800 billion), according to estimates made by analysts. Leading market research firm A C Nielsen's data for November 2008 show an across-the-category drop in sales volumes compared to the preceding month.

Hitting the Ghajini jackpot

Hitting the Ghajini jackpot

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2009

Madhu Mantena, Ghajini's producer, entered the film world almost by chance, and now he has a hit on his hands.

A recipe for refurbishing brand Satyam

A recipe for refurbishing brand Satyam

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Is it possible to refurbish a brand that has been sullied with a Rs 7,800 crore (Rs 78 billion) fraud? One can't be sure, but to attempt this, the campaign ought to stress on integrity and action, say three of the top minds of the country's advertising industry.

Want some great in-car entertainment?

Want some great in-car entertainment?

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2009

All those who spend a lot of time on the road, gear up your cars with these Road Warrior essentials, spanning GPS navigation systems, in-car sound systems and Bluetooth devices.