The second session of the exchange4media Conclave in Mumbai saw an intense debate on ‘Should media agencies also be media owners?’ While Shashi Sinha of Lodestar Universal was in favour of media agencies being media owners, Ravi Kiran of Starcom MediaVest Group was strongly against it. The session was chaired by Future Group’s Sandip Tarkas.

Delivering the keynote address at the exchange4media Conclave 2010 in Mumbai on June 11, Irwin Gotlieb, Global CEO, GroupM, highlighted the huge opportunities for marketing and advertising industries through digital distribution of media. The session was chaired by Sunil Lulla, CEO, Times Television Group, who engaged Gotlieb in a special one on one. Full coverage of the Mumbai leg of the exchange4media Conclave on June 14, 2010.

Delivering the keynote address at the exchange4media Conclave 2010 in Mumbai on June 11, Irwin Gotlieb, Global CEO, GroupM, highlighted the huge opportunities for marketing and advertising industries through digital distribution of media. The session was chaired by Sunil Lulla, CEO, Times Television Group, who engaged Gotlieb in a special one on one. Full coverage of the Mumbai leg of the exchange4media Conclave on June 14, 2010.

Radio One has been witnessing some busy times. The FM player’s Delhi station recently undertook an advertising roadblock for real estate brand Crossing Republik. This apart, Radio One has just launched a first of its kind SMS service under the SMS VAS umbrella brand of ‘Any Time Music - ATM’ in Mumbai.

Continuing with the IndustrySpeak report on digital agencies versus traditional ad agencies, the second and concluding part finds out what industry experts have to say on the role and scope of specialist digital media agencies in India, the advantages, challenges and the road ahead.

Specialist digital agencies are making their mark in the India market, despite the nascent stage. While even traditional advertising agencies are setting up digital units, what exactly is the scope for digital advertising in India? Is it overhyped or there really is a huge opportunity waiting to be tapped? exchange4media finds out from digital players from both traditional and specialist agencies.

RAM data has been providing rich data on the radio industry in India and that too on a weekly basis, however, it is hampered by being limited to only four metros – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. IRS, on the other hand boasts of a far wider reach. How relevant is the IRS data on radio to media planners? exchange4media finds out.

The IRS 2010 Q1 data for the Kolkata market shows impressive growth in listenership. FM stations in the Eastern metro have not witnessed any major decline in listenership, with Radio Mirchi, Red FM and Big FM leading the field.

The Indian Readership Survey (IRS) 2010 Q1 data on the radio industry, released by the Media Research Users’ Council (MRUC) once again shows Radio Mirchi as the lead FM radio station across India. Following at No. 2 is Big FM which is a distant second. My FM, which is ranked ninth, has emerged as the fastest growing FM station in India.

According to IRS 2010 Q1 data, Ajit continues to maintain its leadership position among Punjabi dailies despite a decline in its AIR (Average Issue Readership). On the other hand, Punjabi Tribune, which is ranked third, has emerged as the fastest growing daily with a double digit growth.

Telugu publications have seen a decline trend in AIR (Average Issue Readership) as per IRS 2010 Q1 data. Eenadu has maintained its leadership position among Telugu dailies. Among the top five Telugu magazines, only Andhra Bhoomi Sachitra Vara Patrika has witnessed growth in its AIR and that too in double digits.

The advent of FM radio gave a fresh lease of life to the stagnant radio industry in India. That was in 1999, when the Government of India had decided to allow private players to enter the FM broadcasting sector with a 10-year licensing period. Now with Phase III of FM expansion expected soon, exchange4media speaks to industry leaders to find out how the FM journey in India has been, and the road ahead.

Compared to the top 10 English dailies, the top 10 Hindi dailies have registered growth as per IRS 2010 Q1 data, with not a single daily witnessing de-growth when compared to IRS 2009 R2. This may bring some respite to the print industry. The top 10 Hindi magazines, too, have received good growth, though three of the Hindi magazines among the top ten have witnessed a decline in AIR.

Sanjeev Srivastava has put in his papers at Sahara Group, where he has been CEO and Editor-in-Chief, heading all media related activities of the Group. When contacted, Srivastava confirmed to exchange4media about his decision to quit the Group, but refused to speak about his next destination.

Sanjeev Srivastava has put in his papers at Sahara Group, where he has been CEO and Editor-in-Chief, heading all media related activities of the Group. When contacted, Srivastava confirmed to exchange4media about his decision to quit the Group, but refused to speak about his next destination.