Mumbai: With the culmination of the recently held 5 State Assembly Elections, TIMES NOW, India?s No.1 English news channel triumphed as the undisputed leader with MANDATE 2012 ? a contemporary analysis and in-depth coverage of the 5 state elections. As the results were guessed, debated and contemplated throughout the nation, viewers chose TIMES NOW?s comprehensive analysis along with its unmatched panel of experts.

According to the recent Television Audience Measurement (TAM) data, TIMES NOW garnered channel share of 37% whereas CNN IBN & NDTV 24x7 garnered 24% and 22% respectively. TIMES NOW further garnered a whopping 47% of channel share during prime time (1900 ? 2300) on Election Counting Day. (Source: TAM |Market: 6 Metros| TG: CS M 25+ AB| Period: 6th Mar ?12| Day part: 24 hours)

For the crucial developments that captured the attention of the entire nation, TIMES NOW created election specific programming with special shows like Political Juice, Game Changers, Punch Counter Punch, Poll Track and Newshour ? Special Edition. The advanced mathematical tools that dug into the numbers brought out the characteristics of the election analysis for today?s generation.

Commenting on Mandate 2012 which he presented along with TIMES NOW?s Political Editor Navika Kumar, Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-chief TIMES NOW said, ?The viewer has made his choice. The Eighties format of broadcasting elections is now a thing of the past. Elections have been de-jargonized and made more understandable. Millions of Indians related much better to the TIMES NOW style of election coverage.?

The unparalleled election analysis comprised top political analysts like ? Vinod Mehta, Lord Meghnad Desai, Sankarshan Thakur, R. Rajagopalan, Ashok Malik, Kumar Ketkar, Manisha Priyam Sahay, Arati Jerath, Hartosh Singh Bal, S.P. Singh, Wasbir Hussain, Neelabh Mishra, Shesh Narain Singh, Neerja Chowdhury and Jai Mrug.

TIMES NOW reinforced its popularity as the most watched English News Channel by being the undeniable choice of the viewers as the favourite channel at each and every stage of these elections.

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the global Digital Content Specialist, has entered into a strategic alliance with South African ISP giant LaserNet. The agreement will see LaserNet bringing PFT.s CLEAR. unified content operations platform and supporting services to its substantial Media & Entertainment sector clientbase in the region.

This alliance reflects a synergy between PFT.s technological innovation and content operations expertise, and LaserNet.s established client relationships and network infrastructure. The merging of these complementary strengths will accelerate the already growing pace of digital transformation in the South African marketplace.

PFT.s CLEAR platform will allow content owners in South Africa to add new revenue streams, drive efficiencies, reduce cost and exploit content by enabling them to migrate to file-based workflows and capitalize effectively on new multi-platform opportunities.

With the dynamic combination of PFT?s technology and experience and LaserNet.s strong local foothold and infrastructure, the strategic alliance will result in new growth and development opportunities for the media and entertainment industry in South Africa.

MUMBAI: FoodFood, the food specialty channel, is launching a new show this year lifestyle and entertainment channel FoodFood recently launched the show ?CEO Brunch?. The show will be aired every Sunday at 12.30 pm on the channel FoodFood.

The show is hosted and produced by Deepti Bhatnagar and focuses on famous CEOs of prominent Indian and MNC corporates exploring their life through the lens of food, peppered with anecdotes and a journey down memory lane. The CEOs will be also be seen cooking along with charming host Deepti Bhatnagar. There is even a surprise element in the show where the CEO meets the people who made food special in their lives.

FoodFood channel promoter Sanjeev Kapoor said "With the launch of every new show on Food Food we aim to bring different food concepts alive for our viewers. In line with our promise of innovative and interesting 360 degree food entertainment CEO Brunch unveils the softer side of these formidable business moguls with food stories from their college days, their favourite hangouts, their love for cooking and eating etc."

MUMBAI: Tata Housing associates has teamed up with short film ?Kuch Spice to Make it Meetha? which stars Purab Kohli as the lead actor to endorse its Innora Park project in Pune. The movie has been launched through digital medium on Youtube.

The film also features Nauheed Cyrusi, Mansheel Gujral, Mustafa Hussain and is directed by Adeeb Rais and was recently released on 29 February and has already garnered over 9 Lakh views on You Tube.

The key objective of exploring this creative channel is because housing is an integral part of the storyline and this is the first time the housing company has tried a media initiative like this one.

Tata Housing marketing head Rajeeb Dash said, "In-film promotion has helped us to generate leads from our target group, of which 20-25 per cent come to know of us through internet which is a huge number. Hence, we decided to integrate our project with the film. Internet and social media has a real-time element and a wide reach. So it provides the right framework and environment and a culture that allows the message to spread in a viral and faster pattern."

Tata Housing is active on all social media forums, which helps consumers to directly interact with the project and give their feedback.

New Delh: Hyundai Sonata was the title sponsor of the Ambassadors Cup held over the weekend at the Jaipur Polo Ground in the capital where Chief of Army Staff General V K Singh was the chief guest at the final match.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd?s (HMIL) association with polo is yet another expression of its commitment to promoting sports in India. Globally Hyundai is associated with many sports; it has tie-ups with top tournaments in football and cricket. The keenly contested tournament had six teams vying for the top honors.

Commenting on the polo tournament, HMIL Marketing and Sales Director Arvind Saxena said, ?We are delighted to be associated with the Indian Polo Association for the Hyundai Sonata Ambassadors Cup 2012. The Sonata is a premium offering from Hyundai, tie-up with the Indian Polo Association that promotes a fine sport like polo provides a great match for both the Sonata and polo.?

Giving company to the impressive Sonata at the venue was the luxury SUV Santa Fe and segment leader Verna. Also present were the international three-door Veloster and the yet-to-be-launched Elantra in the executive segment.

Besides the Hyundai Sonata team the five other teams that competed in the tournament were Jindal Steel and Power, Vayamtech, Hyatt Regency, Black Dog and Sahgal Stud/APRC. The final match on a Sunday afternoon drew a large number of polo enthusiasts to the venue. The impressive tunes from the army band stationed at the grounds lent an air of grandeur to the event.

MUMBAI: Australian leg-spinner Steven Smith has replaced his compatriot Mitchell Marsh in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Pune Warriors India for the DLF IPL 2012.

Sahara Adventure Sports MD Sushanto Roy said, "Steven Smith is one of the brightest talents to emerge onto the international scene in recent times. We have no doubt that he will excel for us with both bat and ball".

Smith was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad during the 2010 season. He was acquired by Kochi Tuskers Kerala for the 2011 season, but was forced to miss the tournament due to injury.