MUMBAI: In a significant development Indian Merchants? Chamber (IMC), the premier Chamber of trade, commerce and industry in India appointed Good Relations India (GRI) to handle their communication duties. IMC was set up in 1907 and has around 3200 direct members which include a number of renowned private and public companies across the country. Through their pan-India presence IMC reaches out to over 2,50,000 business establishments representing their interests on various platforms.

Speaking on this association, Mr. Arvind Pradhan, Director General, Indian Merchants? Chamber said, ?IMC is a leading industry association in India and represents the interest of industries across the country in this capacity. IMC?s theme for the year is ?Inclusive Growth through Innovation? and we firmly believe that communication will play a pivotal role in getting this message across to our target audiences. We have found a very reliable partner in Good Relations India where the team comes with a prior exposure and experience of handling the communication mandate of a Chamber.?

On the occasion Mr. Deepak Kanulkar, CEO, Good Relations India commented, ?It is indeed an honour for Good Relations India to represent one of the leading trade and commerce organizations in the country. Our team has a very good understanding of the communication requirements specific to a Chamber. We are confident of making a significant contribution towards accomplishing the PR & communication objectives of IMC. ?
 

MUMBAI: Criesse Communications a boutique Public Relations and Brand Strategy firm has been appointed as PR counsel to Franklin Covey South Asia (FCSA).
FranklinCovey is the global leader in effectiveness training, productivity tools and assessment services for organizations, teams, and individuals. FranklinCovey helps companies succeed by unleashing the power of their workforce to focus and execute on top business priorities. Clients include 90 percent of the Fortune 100, more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500, thousands of small and midsized businesses, as well as numerous government entities and educational institutions. FCSA trains approximately 1 million people every year and conduct over 1500 public and corporate programs a month in more than 500 cities throughout the world.

Criesse, a 5 year old agency, began in India with an offer to represent India‘s leading afternooner, Mid-Day as their PR counsel. Since then, the agency has also represented What‘s On India, O2 Sparkling Vodka, Alcatel Mobile Phones, Radio One, Barry Callebaut, Vie Lounge, Hokey Pokey Ice Creams and a range of other clients. They also have a vibrant entertainment PR practice which manages film publicity and provides celebrity image management services to a number of leading stars.

Commenting on the development, Dennis Taraporewala, Director, Criesse Communications, said, "It‘s an honour to be charged with the responsibility for representing such a stellar international brand such as Franklin Covey. Criesse believes in delivering effective communication strategies firmly rooted in the brand. Our growth is purely based on word of mouth recommendations from happy clients, and is a testament to the service we provide."

Says Mr. Rajan Kaicker, Chairman of Franklin Covey South Asia "FranklinCovey is a brand that is the leader globally in Knowledge Consulting. We appreciate the unique mix of experience, skill and personal attention that Criesse provides. We believe that Criesse will be the perfect partners for our PR and Brand Strategy requirements."

The account will be led by Dennis Taraporewala, Director, Criesse Communications, who brings over 16 years of international experience in the field of brand strategy and public relations. Dennis started his career at J Walter Thompson, a leading global advertising agency and over the years worked in organizations such as JWT, BBDO, Batey Advertising Singapore (WPP), UWC, the UN & Reliance Industries before co-founding Criesse Communications. He has led a range of brands, both on the client and agency sides ranging from Motorola, Air-India, Videocon, BAAN, Silverline, Orchid Hotels, Visa, K Raheja developers, United World Colleges, Sri Lanka Tourism, Digi Communications, Reliance SEZ, Jai Corp and several others.
 

NEW DELHI: As part of its promotion for migration from NewsX to being re-launched as IMN News, the news channel is holding a second panel discussion in association with the CEO Clubs of India.

While the earlier discussion was on ?Brand India: Determining the Future?, the next discussion on 5 August will be on ?India @ 63? in two sessions.

?India@63: The Path to Progress? will focus on identifying potentials and anticipating the challenges to India?s progress in different sectors of National Economy. The panel will feature Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Hindustan Times Editorial Director Vir Sanghvi, former Minister Jaswant Singh, and Chairperson & Country Executive - ABN Amro/RBS Bank India Meera Sanyal.

The audience will consist of members of the prestigious CEO Clubs of India as well as CEOs of various leading companies in India. As the discussion will be followed by an interactive session, the evening would throw up an interesting and enriching blueprint for India?s economic future.

The CEO club of India is the Indian chapter of the prestigious New York based CEO Club. With members such as Ted Turner, Steve Forbes, Michael Bloomberg, and Donald Trump it is one of the most prestigious networking bodies of the CEOs in the world. In India, CEO Clubs was launched in March 2008 in Hyderabad and is running successfully in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi.

IMN News is the new brand identity that the premier English news channel NewsX will soon assume. The new look of the channel will be unveiled soon, and be accompanied with a similarly redesigned website, IPTV service and mobile TV.

MUMBAI: Capture the nostalgia and memories of Kishore Da on NewsX in a special show featuring bollywood legends and superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Vyjayanti Mala, Dev Anand, Shashi Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsley, Manna Dey, Leena Chandravarkar and Shaan.

Reminisce the memories of the 60?s and 70?s as NewsX pays a tribute to the legendary actor and singer on his birthday.

Watch an exclusive documentary footage of late Kishore Kumar talking about his life and music only on NewsX.

Telecast Date : Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 8:30 AM

10.30 AM, 3.30PM & 6.30 PM ( Repeats)
 

MUMBAI: Did you know that more than 80% germs on hands are infections and you can be carrying millions of bacteria on your hand at any given time? To give us protection on the go, Godrej Protekt a leading brand of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., today announced the launch of its ?Freedom to Touch? Campaign, to make consumers aware of the need for hand hygiene to prevent diseases. Bollywood?s popular actress Raveena Tandom flagged off the Godrej Protekt ?Freedom to Touch? Van along with Dr. Anjali Shetty, Consultant Microbiologist, Hinduja Hospital.

The ?Freedom to Touch? Campaign will have the Godrej Protekt ?Freedom to Touch? Van educating consumers on good hand hygiene practices at vantage locations like railway stations, shopping malls and Colleges in key metros of the country.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Tarun Arora, Executive Vice President ? Marketing, Godrej Consumer Products, said, ?In our everyday lives we visit food courts in malls, public toilets, hospitals, travel by public transport, etc where our hands are exposed to harmful germs which can give us infections and diseases. To offer the consumers an easy solution to combat the onslaught of germs, Godrej Protekt is today launching the ?Freedom to Touch? Campaign. As the awareness of Hand Hygiene and the use of hand sanitizers in India is very low, this Campaign is an attempt to build awareness amongst consumers on the need for protection on the go. We are confident that consumers will greatly benefit from this initiative as we contribute to keeping them healthy and happy?.

Said Dr. Anjali Shetty, Consultant Microbiologist, Hinduja Hospital, ?80% of germs on our hands are infectious. More than 1500 germs reside on each square centimetre of our hands. The monsoon brings a host of illnesses and diseases, some of which can be life threatening. The humid weather is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs. I am happy that Godrej Protekt has launched the ?Freedom to Touch? Campaign as I strongly believe that clean hands are safe hands?.

Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon, flagged of the Godrej Protekt ?Freedom to Touch? Campaign, and shared, ?It is impossible to live in a city like Mumbai and stay clear of germs and diseases. When I am outdoors during shoots etc, I often come across situations where I need to sanitize my hands, but don?t have access to a wash basin, soap or water. So, to get instant protection against germs while I am on the move, I always carry a hand sanitizer in my purse while travelling. I am honoured to be a part of Godrej Protekt?s ?Freedom to Touch? Campaign which offers us the freedom to do what you want to, where you want to without the worry of germs?.

The Godrej Protekt range of hand sanitizers offers you the ?Freedom to Touch? and maximum protection by killing 99.99% germs within 15 seconds, providing an instant hygiene solution to users, while on the go. This range is available at all leading chemists, general stores and supermarkets and is a must have when out of home.

So, now get instant protection from germs wherever you go! Look out for the Godrej Protekt ?Freedom to Touch? Van in your city to learn about good hand hygiene practices. Go ahead and enjoy life to its fullest!

MUMBAI: One of India‘s most well-known Bollywood actors, Anil Kapoor has carved a name for himself not only on the subcontinent, but also overseas in markets like the United States. Most moviegoers in the west will recognize Anil for his role in the Academy Award-winning film, "Slumdog Millionaire" in 2008. His performance in the film earned him a Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

But, long before his breakthrough role for western audiences in "Slumdog Millionaire," Anil was one of the biggest celebrities in India. He first won acclaim for his role in the 1984 film "Mashaal" and three years later was part of another critical success in "Mr. India." Anil went on to appear in a number of highly lucrative films during the 1990s and was given several "Filmfare" awards during his career.

For Anil and his family though, it seems that the acting bug runs in the family. Anil‘s daughter, Sonam is also one of the country‘s biggest Bollywood stars. Born in 1985, Sonam has appeared in a number of blockbuster hits, including the smash hit "Delhi-6," opposite Abhishek Bachchan.

Anil and Sonam Kapoor spoke to Becky Anderson on CNN International?s ?Connect the World? about Slumdog Millionaire, nepotism in movies and working together as a father-daughter duo amongst other things.