MUMBAI: City based college National Institute of Industrial Engineering (Nitie) from Mumbai beat out the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad to win the Lessons in Marketing Excellence initiative organised by CNBC TV18 and HUL. The initiative which took place over several months gave the opportunity to B Schools to deal with real world issues.

The final challenge was to create a campaign for Unique Identification (UID) that is being spearheaded by Nandan Nilekhani of the Unique Identification Authority of India. Each Indian under the initiative will have a unique number and the two teams had to create a marketing campaign that would reach out to every Indian. Nitie noted that a community based social marketing imitative was the way forward. The thing to bear in mind is that different age groups have their limitations. Adults for instance do not like thumb impressions. So behavioral changing communication is key. Kids can be targeted using posters, stickers and cartoon strips.

For women the message would be that a UID would empower them. They would no longer just be influencers. To reach tribals the students advocated tying up with NGOs and health workers. Slum communication needs to involve the municipal corporations and a top down approach. It is also key to track word of mouth in general to dispel any rumours. The overarching theme of the campaign would be Mera Pehchaan Mera Vimaan. This time won on the basis of several parameters including clarity of thought and measurability of solution.

The judges were Hindustan Unilever executive firector, HPC Opal Vittal, HUL executive director, foods Shrijeet Mishra, . Rama Bijapurkar, an Author and thought leader on Market Strategy and Consumer Issues in India, Ad filmmaker turned director of Paa and Cheeni Kum, R. Balki and CNBC Awaaz editor Sanjay Pugalia.

The theme of the campaign that IIM Ahmedabad proposed was Pehchaan Ek Fayda Anekh. They noted that in rural areas child benefit is high on the list of parents? priorities. This could be used to push UID. In urban areas one could do several things like celebrity campaigns, celebrity UID days. They also advocated an Each One Preach One initiative. This would involve having a rich person talk to somebody who is poor like a rickshaw driver and inform him of UID and its benefits. Interestingly the team also said that of they just had Rs. 100 to spend they would start with pamphlets.

Nilekhani expressed his appreciation of the effort that went in by both the teams. ?We can use these suggestions. The UID will allow for better delivery of services and cerate equal opportunities.? Another expert noted that there was a disconnect between the campaigns presented and the actual reality of those living below the poverty line. Ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar felt that the programmes need to be more proactive. Television and posters may be enough to reach those who are below the poverty line which is around 240 million. Sam Balsara noted the enormity of the task that lies before Nilekhani. Many people are media dark. ?It will be a task to reach people not exposed to media. Also the brand name is a key communication point. So UID needs to be re-branded as another name.? It was also suggested that mobile phones could be used as a marketing tool. So one cannot buy a mobile phone or a Sim card unless one has UID.

MUMBAI: STAR Pravah, the popular Marathi General Entertainment channel from STAR Entertainment Media Pvt Ltd, takes yet another leap in creating regional television history with ?Slumdog Crorepati?. Scheduled to be telecast on March 28, 2 pm on STAR Pravah, Slumdog Crorepati will be an exclusive and first opportunity for all the Marathi Television viewers to watch the most celebrated Oscar wining movie,-?Slumdog Millionaire? in their own language. This will be the film?s World Marathi Television Premiere.

Speaking about Slumdog Crorepati, Atul Ketkar, Programming Head, Star Pravah said, ?It is our constant endeavor to provide the best of entertainment to our viewers. Based in Mumbai, Slumdog Crorepati is an edge of the seat and wholesome entertainment experience for the entire family. And we felt a need to let our audiences experience this riveting tale, which has won hearts & critical acclaim world over, in their own language. We hope our audiences would welcome & enjoy this cinematic excellence recognized all over the world.?

While STAR Pravah Home Theatre has been entertaining audiences every Sunday with back to back entertaining movies, the viewers can look forward to this special Oscar winning offering in Marathi-Slumdog Crorepati on March 28, 2010. The movie bagged 3 Oscars and made India Proud with the historical Oscar & Grammy wins of musical maestro AR Rahman and Resul Pookutty. Directed by the famous Danny Boyle, the movie is about an 18 year old orphan ? Jamal Malik - from the slums of Mumbai and the biggest day of his life where he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on ?Kaun Banega Crorepati??. He is however arrested on suspicion of cheating and then unfolds the story of his life and the mission to win the game show and his lady love back.

Shot extensively in Mumbai & various parts of India, the film involved contribution from a large number of Indian crew. It also starred a host of talented Indian actors like Anil Kapoor, Mahesh Manjrekar, Irfan Khan, Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla and the affable Ayush Khedekar (youngest Jamal) and Tanvi Lonkar (Young Latika) amongst many others. All these shot to international fame and recognition with their stellar performances.

So tune in to STAR Pravah and experience the magic of ?Slumdog Millionaire? in Marathi, for the first time ever, on March 28, 2 pm and enjoy the movie with your friends and family.

MUMBAI: Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), has felicitated TAM?s ADEX Operations in Baroda with a ??Pehchaan Patra Award?? on speedy and successful completion of employee (ESIC) biometric smart card registration timely. Employee State Insurance Act is an Act that provides certain medical benefits to all the employees in case of sickness, maternity and employment injury and to make provision for certain other matters in relation thereto. TAM had to submit fresh declaration forms for its existing employees and their family members at ESIC Baroda Branch Office. For its efficient completion of ESIC smart card registration, TAM was awarded as the 2nd best organization in Baroda amongst 4423 companies in the race.

?To secure second rank among 4423 companies is very commendable! This would not have been possible without high efficiency levels from my colleagues at Baroda. Just another re-iteration of our focus internally ? Employee Welfare and Efficiency. We are very grateful to ESIC for giving us this recognition!? says LV Krishnan, CEO, TAM Media Research.

It is all about efficiency! TAM AdEx?s Baroda Operations, industry?s central Advertising and PR monitoring operations, comprises of 500 members which ensures quality and timely delivery of a variety of data sets.

Says K. Uday Rao, Vice President ? Baroda Operations, TAM AdEx, ?We highly appreciate this recognition given to us by the Government for our efficiency in doing things. TAM is committed to the welfare of every associate in its family. The consistent and systematic compliance with ESIC biometric card project implementation is one of the various measures we use in this regard.?

This has been largely possible because ever since its inception, TAM AdEX Baroda management has been focusing intensely towards its internal stakeholders ? TAM Family members. TAM Management has always given highest priority to Employee Welfare and the recognition provided by the Government of Gujarat is only one of the corroborations.

MUMBAI: Known as King Khan of Bollywood and one of India?s hottest actors and producers, Padmashri Shah Rukh Khan joins CNN‘s Talk Asia for an in-depth interview in Mumbai. The global superstar tells host Anjali Rao why his film ?My Name is Khan? (MNIK) was stopped from being premiered in India and discusses his hopes for his Kolkata Knight Riders team this season in the Indian Premier League.

Khan also recalls the New York airport incident where he was held by security authorities and reveals much more about his life off-screen on this week?s Talk Asia. Airs on Wednesday, March 24 at 1800 hrs IST and replays on Thursday, March 25 at 0900 hrs, Saturday, March 27 at 1630 hrs, Sunday, March 28 at 1630 hrs IST.

Shah Rukh Khan?s interview with TALK ASIA will be available online at www.cnn.com/talkasia after the first airing.

MUMBAI: Rahul Dev Burman, also known as R. D. Burman, and Pancham da was one of the finest music directors of Bollywood .He was the son of legendary music composer Sachin Dev Burman

He is credited with revolutionizing the music in Hindi films, and his style and techniques continue to be followed by music composers till date.
(Piya tu ab to aaja and Monica! O my darling, Mehbooba from Sholay, Chura Liya Hai from Yaadon Ki Baraat are still inimitable tracks and are hits with all generations.

His compositions from Indian Classical to Cabaret reflect the various genres of music he experimented with and was rewarded with huge success for all.

B4U Music dedicates its show Awaaz de kahaan hai to R.D. Burman playing all his hits on Sunday 21st March 2010.

Awaaz de kahaan hai is an ensemble of music ranging from black & white melodies, contemporary soft love duets, dance numbers; B4U has it all leaving no stone unturned to keep the viewers entertained.

Daily Timings
7.20 am to 9am
12.30pm to 1.30pm
9.20pm to 11.2 0pm
 

MUMBAI: As the only functional mounted brigade in the country, 61st Cavalry gives our anchors Rocky and Mayur a feel of the romance, charm and splendor of the armed forces.

From intensive grooming and measured diets to jumping-jacks and galloping sawaars, the cavalry builds as much of an appetite for action as for food.

Saddle up! & block your diaries for ?Jai Hind with Rocky and Mayur? airing this Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 10.30 pm only on NDTV Good Times.