NEW DELHI- June 11, 2013: H&R Johnson (India), a division of Prism Cements Limited and India?s pioneering home lifestyle solutions company, today,announced the launch of ceramics panel business as part of the company?s strategy to provide Indian customers a holistic portfolio of diversified wall and flooring products. The company?s business foray into ceramic panels is aimed at offering ceramic products that address customer needs beyond the conventional use of ceramic tiles in bathrooms. The company has branded its ceramics panel business as Johnson Kr@ft and is rolling it out across North India.

Manufactured at its manufacturing unit in Maharashtra, H&R Johnson (India) is offering its ceramic panels portfolio in large formats of 800mmx400mm. Commenting on the company?s foray into ceramic panels, Mr AnoopSreekumar, Vice President, H&R Johnson (India)said,"Our foray into the ceramic panelsbusiness category is aimed at enhancing the value proposition to customers seeking products that are technologically advanced while providinghigh degree of aesthetics combined with functional merits.Johnson KR@FT ceramic panels amalgamates advanced technology along with architectural nuances of design in contemporary, classic and trendy themes for spaces beyond Bathrooms."

The foray into ceramic panels business is aimed at creating a new category in ceramics through application-based innovative products. As part of this category foray, H&R Johnson (India) will offer wall& floor ceramic panels across North Indian markets. The company?s step into ceramic panel category reflects its increasing focus to build a versatile product portfolio that goes beyond conventional applications. The company?s product development has been creating solutions that focus on new applications like accent walls in living rooms, wainscoting in bedrooms, lobbies & passages.

The ceramic panel foray caters to the prolific needs of today?s evolving customers who seek technological finesse alongwith design aesthetics while renovating their homes. H&R Johnson (India) sees a tremendous business potential in ceramic panels as evolving customer preferences is creating inherent demand for niche application-based products.

Johnson Kr@ft ceramic panels is an outcome of integrating Advanced Ceramic Technology and Design concepts. Johnson is offering 80cmx40cm size ceramic panels along with compatible specially-made 40cmx40cm compatible flooring panels. These balanced modular sizes of Johnson Kr@ft panels suit any dimensions as well as any uptown decor themes. As part of the launch, Johnson Kr@ft is offering four collection with very distinguished feel and finesse namely Decorative Wooden Panels, Modular Marble Panels, Rock Plates and exclusive Wallpaper effects.

Currently Johnson Kr@ft is being offered in unique collections of Wood, Marble & Exclusive range of Rock Plates.

Johnson KR@FT Wooden Panels capture the minute characteristics of wood, the grain flow, growth rings, and the most sought after real shades. Apart from creating a real cozy feel of ?Woods?, these are fire-proof, do not ward due to moisture and easy to maintain. Their suitability in all climatic conditions gives it a longer life span.

Johnson KR@FT Marble Panels are realistic with authentic patterns that are a replica of natural marble with a distinctive desired ?sheen?. These panels are designed keeping in mind natural marble tonal variations and shades to give a harmonious flow that suits all settings and rich ambiences.

Additionally, Johnson Kr@ft also offers exclusive ceramic panels with effects and shades in wall paper tones as well as rock plate designs.

H&R Johnson (India) will market these ceramic panels through its pan-India distribution network comprising of 1200 dealers, 15000 sub-dealers, more than 33 modern retail stores and nearly 100 retail experience zones.

National, June 11, 2013: Its? action time on Sonic! Kids can now say goodbye to boredom as Sonic packs in loads of action with the new series - Fighting Spirit Wrestling and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That?s not all. Sonic takes the action beyond the channel to give kids a chance to live their fantasy. Micromax presents Sonic Ticket to Manchester Contest will give kids an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch a Manchester United Match live, at the Old Trafford Stadium, UK.

Kids need to tune in to Sonic from Monday to Friday between 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm to participate in the contest. Sonic fans can participate in 3 simple ways - SMS, IVRS or log on to www.sonicgang.com.

Speaking about this exciting contest, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP and Business Head, Kids Cluster, Viacom 18 Media Pvt ltd says, "This summer Sonic will not only give kids an action-packed line-up of shows on-air, but also give them an once in a lifetime opportunity to witness some real action. I am sure that the Sonic viewers, who thrive on sports and thrill, will enjoy the game at the Mecca of football."

Shubhodip Pal, CMO, Micromax said, "Our partnership with Sonic is a perfect combination of offering thrill, adventure and excitement to the action loving generation of India. Micromax strongly believes in building affinity to its target audience by associating with their passion points. We are a youth brand and sports is a passion point that helps us connect with our audience immensely. Therefore, this contest binds well with our vision of being the enabler that fuels imagination and empowers the audience to go beyond and create a niche for themselves. It truly signifies our belief of ?nothing like anything?. We, at Micromax, wish A Nothing Like Anything experience to the winners of this contest."

In addition to the massive on-air promotion on Sonic, the campaign will also be promoted across the relevant Network channels like MTV and print ads in kids? magazines. Sonic will also engage the wired generation through contests and updates on www.sonicgang.com and facebook.com/sonicgang.

Kids can send a SMS by typing SonicOption A or B Name and send it to 56882 or can call on the IVRS by dialing 5056882 from Vodafone, Aircel, Airtel, Idea, Reliance, Tata mobile & Airtel Landline. All BSNL & MTNL landline and mobile users need to do is dial 1255568 and answer the questions. The Gen Y audience can also log on to www.sonicgang.com and participate in the contest. Lucky winners will get a chance to witness their own field geniuses live in action at Manchester United, Old Trafford Stadium.

MUMBAI: RCA Records announces the September 24 release of the new Kings of Leon record, Mechanical Bull. Angelo Petraglia produced the album, which was recorded at the band?s studio in Nashville, TN.

Kings of Leon are fresh off three acclaimed headlining performances at American festivals, Bottle Rock in Napa, CA, Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL, and, most recently, this past weekend?s Governor?s Ball in New York City, during which the festival cancelled the band?s Friday night performance due to Tropical Storm Andrea. The band, upset over the cancellation, worked through the night with festival organizers and management to figure out a way to come back on Saturday. The festival found a place for them on the main stage right before the Saturday headliner, during which the fans were treated to the live premiere of Mechanical Bull?s first single, "Supersoaker."

The Kings left for England early Sunday morning. They start their European tour at London?s O2 on Wednesday, June 12.

New Delhi, 10 June 2013, Mumbai: Given the intense competition in the two wheeler automobile market, it was very important for Yamaha to standout with a unique product and it launched its new male scooter ?Ray Z? with ?Your New Bro? as the communication platform.

DDB MudraMax planned and executed the much awaited launch Ray Z, SZRR & SZS and designed a concept Yamaha showroom on the basis of international designs to set standards for the Indian market. The theme for the event was ?The Professionals?. Minoti Parikh was the host for the morning and evening events which included press launch and dealers launch as the day?s agenda. Motivational AVs with professional insight set the mood for the future endeavors. The d?cor for the event was designed keeping in mind the key colours of Ray Z. The design was kept elegant and simple with a grand feel to it and was highly appreciated by client as well as the attendees.

There was Rewards & Recognition session for dealers from all across India where they were awarded by Yamaha Top Management on the basis of their achievements throughout the year.

John Abraham, brand ambassador of Yamaha gave a motivational speech with professional examples from his life. The event also had Femina Miss India winner and runners up adding to the glamour by walking the ramp and sharing their experiences with dealers. Ashwin Mathew, famous stand-up comedian with his excellent timing took the show to another level and made the audience go crazy laughing on their seats.

Yamaha concept showroom was open to visit post the launch which took the mood to a next level with state-of-art design and experience. The company aims to revamp its showrooms all across India on the same lines of the dummy showroom. Dealers were excited to see the perfection with which the showroom had come out. Yamaha Top Management highly appreciated the work done by DDB team.

Commenting on this, Mandeep Malhotra, President, DDB MudraMax said, ?We are happy to partner Yamaha yet again for a wonderful launch. It was indeed a great pleasure and a wonderful experience.?

The event was followed by a lavish dinner with expert hospitality by Grand Hyatt. The team that worked on the project included:

DDB MudraMax ? Experiential, New Delhi
President: Mandeep Malhotra
Branch Head: Deepak Trikha
Account Management: Gagan Pal Singh
Client Servicing: Himanshu Nangia
Production & Execution: Rajwant Kumar, Deepak Chaturvedi, Amit Dubey
Creative Head: Sandeep Mishra
Creative Team: Rishi Wadhawan, Pramod Kumar, Shipra Sharma
Planning: Sonia Arora

Mumbai, 11 June, 2013 - India?s economic confidence improved marginally despite uncertainties that has enveloped Asia?s third-largest economy due to prospect of good monsoon, according to a report by global research firm Ipsos.

According to the "Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World" survey, India?s economic confidence increased by 3 points to 66 percent in the month of May compared to the month of April 2013, making it the fourth most economically confident country in the world after Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Germany. 

Mick Gordon, CEO of Ipsos in India said, "In India monsoon is key to determine agricultural output, inflation, consumer spending and overall economic growth. Normal rainfall signals growth and prosperity, as higher farm output would rein in food prices and help the government to take steps to cut the fiscal deficit and farm subsidies. A stronger economic outlook can lift sentiment in equity markets, mainly of companies selling products in rural areas, including consumer goods and automobiles."

A normal rainfall will further stabilise growth and development. Agriculture sector which accounts for 17-20 per cent of the GDP, is largely dependent on the rains. So a fall in agriculture has a ripple effect on the economy. With 75 per cent of Indians directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture a good monsoon will boost the output of several commodities, reducing the burden on imports.

As for investors, a normal monsoon can positively impact the stock markets too. It will boost hydroelectric industries and improve the power situation. Raw materials for the industry will get cheaper. Monsoons thus act as an economic lifeline for India.

Only Thirty Six per cent Indian Citizens believe their local economy which impacts their personal finance is good, a sharp drop of 5 points and an optimistic 45 per cent people expect that the economy in their local area will be stronger in next six months.

The online Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World survey was conducted in April 2013 among 18,331 people in 24 countries.

MUMBAI: With the new Superman film set to release, CNN-IBN presents Man of Steel Returns, a special half-hour show in which the channel?s entertainment editor Rajeev Masand travels to Los Angeles to interview the entire cast of ?Man of Steel?, including the new Superman Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, and Kevin Costner. The show features behind-the-scenes footage of the movie and talks about the legacy of Superman. Not just Hollywood, the show will also feature Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor talking about how excited they are to watch the new film.

Don?t forget to tune in on June 12 @ 10:30 PM only on CNN-IBN.