MUMBAI: NAB Show will host 60 international delegations, including delegations attending for the first time from Croatia, Israel, Malaysia, Norway and United Arab Emirates. Approximately 30 percent of event?s 90,000+ attendees will travel from 155 countries to NAB Show, held April 6-11 in Las Vegas.

?NAB Show places significant value on international participation from attendees and businesses,? said NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton. ?We have become the world?s largest annual international media and entertainment event by recognizing the global nature of the business and creating the ideal environment where deals get done and the best ideas are exchanged.?

NAB Show participates in the U.S. Department of Commerce?s International Buyer Program, which recruits International Trade Delegations to select U.S. trade shows and connects international buyers with U.S. suppliers.

NAB Show?s Exhibit Hall will host nearly 600 companies that are based outside of the United States. From global leaders like Sony (Japan) and Samsung (South Korea) to hundreds of others like Vizrt (Norway), Dalet Digital (France), and Quantel (UK), these international companies will showcase cutting-edge technology solutions and services from around the world. The exhibition will also feature pavilions from Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Korea and the UK, as well the Department of Commerce?s U.S. Export Pavilion.

This year NAB Show will acknowledge India?s 100 year anniversary of film creation by presenting a special award at the 2013 TV & Film Awards Gala presented by NY Festivals on Tuesday, April 9. A session featuring top level entertainment executives from India discussing the growth of content produced by India?s creative community will also be presented that day within the Creative Master Series Conference.

NAB Show also offers a variety of internationally-focused conference sessions and an International Trade Center (ITC) that features onsite services for international guests including Commercial Trade Specialists and multi-lingual staff in up to eight languages.

Mumbai: When Singapore-based financial firm PhillipCapital acquired a majority stake in MF Global, it meant a shift in a legacy which began in 1999 and moreover, a change of identity. Renaming the firm Phillip Securities India Private Limited was an opportunity to build a new corporate positioning apart from communicating the change of brand name. Mumbai-based communication firm, Six Inches Communication executed the exercise in a focused Out of Home (OOH) campaign in the financial capital of India.

To convey the message to current and potential customers, government bodies and financial institutions at large, the OOH campaign was created to be larger than life, highlighting the new logo at key spots of the city. Spread over 15 days, the campaign chose the most strategic locations to reach the target audience effectively. Only A and A+ sites from South Mumbai to the Western Express highway were picked, many of them offering continuity for Six Inches to break the message in parts and deliver it with clarity.

It is not uncommon to find brand change campaigns of this nature taking up a 360-degree media approach, but for PhillipCapital, the communication agency chose just one medium to keep the messaging sharp and simple. Considering that OOH advertisements don?t earn more than 10 seconds of audience attention, the messaging had a simple motto - less is more.

Perhaps the aspect that made the OOH placements most visible was the high illumination with LED lights at four sites. In a city where scores of peak hour travellers spend considerable time in traffic, this approach ensured quick mental registration of the new logo and the fact that PhillipCapital is now in India. Also, locations such as Mahim Causeway, Khar and Mahalaxmi meant that the campaign received a high impact.

Pravin Shah, CEO and Managing Director of Six Inches Communication was satisfied with the outcome of this latest project: "Not all brand change campaigns require all-encompassing approaches. Our objective was to build a new corporate positioning and OOH certainly proved effective here."

PhillipCapital, basking in newfound attention, also shared their thoughts over the exercise. "The acquisition by PhillipCapital of the decade-old business in India required to be resonated not only among financial circles but also amongst Mumbai?s select audiences. Six Inches offered us this uncluttered approach and we?re only happy that it has provided us the necessary positioning that we needed to start off the new innings with PhillipCapital " said Vineet Bhatnagar, MD & CEO of PhillipCapital India.

MUMBAI: The Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) recently conducted the inaugural Fast Track Professional Excellence Programme for 25 young professionals from Asia Pacific.

Originally conceived and announced in 2012, the Fast Track programme took place on 22 to 24 February at Swiss Garden Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The 3-day training covered both personal and professional development to nurture the 25 participants to become extraordinary professionals and leaders in the advertising and marketing industry.

The training included participants from India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. When asked about the program, all 25 participants said that they were satisfied with the program, with 18 participants saying they were "Totally Satisfied."

When asked about the training, Diana Chew, Brand Executive at McCann Erickson, Malaysia, said, "The activities got us so well connected and we learnt so much. There is realisation, self reflection, spontaneous action and closeness among all the participants!" Other participants agreed, praising the activities, trainers and the personal development module alike. "It was an honour to spend so much time with such truly wonderful people," says Dorab Ghadiali, Account Manager at Madision India. "You?ve managed to do what I never imagined possible."

The next Fast Track edition is scheduled to come in the third quarter of 2014 in Bali. It will be held over three and a half days, and will accommodate up to 40 participants across Asia Pacific.

MUMBAI: South Africa has won the prestigious International Lifestyle Destination of the Year Award at Jaypee Greens NDTV Good Times Lifestyle Awards 2013. The event was a star-studded gala awards? ceremony with a distinguished guest list. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Jacqueline Fernandes, Maria Gorretti, Milind Soman, Suhel Seth, Vir Sanghvi were the celebrity guests at the event. One of the many highlights of the event was an exclusive fashion show by renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

At the glamorous ceremony in New Delhi, Ms. Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager of South African Tourism India, received the prestigious award from Shilpa Shetty Kundra. The nominations were adjudged by a panel of jury comprising some renowned names in the travel tourism and lifestyle industry.

By winning this award South African Tourism has added another feather to its hat. Last year, South Africa had won Lonely Planet?s award for Best International Wildlife Destination and Today?s Travelers? Best Publicity and Promotions Award.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager, South African Tourism, said, ?We are extremely pleased and excited to have received this award and we would like to thank NDTV for this recognition. Having received this award from Shilpa Shetty Kundra makes it even more special since she has always voiced her love for the Rainbow Nation be it during the IPL or otherwise. This is an extremely special moment for us?.

Hanneli further added, ?It is a great honour for South Africa to be accepted as a destination which has left a lasting impression on Indian travelers? minds. Over the years, we constantly strived to be innovative in the way we promote our beautiful country and receiving such accolade is extremely encouraging for us. We are glad that South Africa has been appreciated for its cultural diversity and warm hospitality and this award is testimony to the relationship Indian travellers have with our destination. We are happy that SA has inspired Indians to come and experience South Africa, and that it shows just how exciting and accessible our country is and how friendly and welcoming our people are. For those of you who haven?t experienced South Africa yet, we guarantee you a holiday filled with unforgettable memories with your loved ones?.

According to the latest arrival figures of October 2012, South Africa has received 87,906 Indians visitors between January to October 2012. This is an increase of 16.8% to the corresponding period last year.

NDTV Good Times Lifestyle Awards 2013 is a first of its kind award to honour celebrated icons that have created a unique identity for them in the country. A unique celebration of the Indian way of life, the award is a symbol of excellence in the lifestyle domain. An extensive short listing process, rigorous judging parameters and the high powered jury ensured that the best across Indian lifestyle were acknowledged. The validation process was undertaken by Ernst &Young.

MUMBAI: SAB TV?s much loved show FIR has garnered a tremendous viewer response and is all set to take an exciting 20 year leap where the lead protagonist of the show will be ?Jwalamukhi Chautala?, played by the power packed actress, Chitrashi Raw t. The 20 year leap ensures double entertainment and action as the powerful characters such as Jwalamukhi Chautala, Gopi and Billu continue to indulge in entertaining antics while they attempt to solve cases. With the increasing crime rate in Ravanpur, the docile, innocent Jwalamukhi Chautala transforms into a fiery woman who leaves no stone unturned to stand up for the right things in life. The atmosphere in Ravanpur changes for the good after the entry of Jwalamukhi who takes over Iman Chowki with her unique style of simplicity as well as dabbang attitude.

The show produced by Edit 2 productions will air on March 16th 2013 at 9.00pm, only on SAB TV.

Speaking about the leap; Mr. Anooj Kapoor, EVP and Business Head, SAB TV, ?Since inception, FIR has received an overwhelming response from the viewers and it continues to generate popularity. Backed by a powerful concept and strong characters that redefined television, the show has been a runaway success. The 20 year leap has been conceived to add more elements of entertainment to the show. We are confident that with the new cast and a progressive storyline, the viewers will continue to enjoy the show.?

Taking over the mantle of Jwalamukhi Chautala, Chitrashi Rawat shares more about the show, ?I am truly honored to be a part of the FIR team and moreover, to play the successor of Chandramukhi Chautala. My role is that of a sweet shy bespectacled girl who believes in pleasing people who turns into a super woman when she sees atrocities committed against women. This avatar of mine will make my viewers see the resemblance between me and my mother. I?ve given my best shot as Jwalamukhi Chautala and I hope my audiences love me in my new avatar.?

With the 20 year leap, the story progresses with Chandramukhi Chautala being transferred and ever since, the crime rate in Ravanpur has been out of control. This becomes a serious situation and requires the appointment of someone as fierce as Chandramukhi Chautala. This marks the entry of ?Jwalamukhi Chautala? who succeeds her mother and is the perfect match for the position of a Sub Inspector. She has a strong personality and changes the atmosphere of Ravanpur by taking her dabang mother?s avtaar.

FIR boasts of a strong cast comprising of Chitrashi Rawat, Gopi Bhalla, Sandeep Anand, Sapna Shikarwar, Dipesh Bhan, Manju Sharma, Prana Mishra, Mohit Mattu, Suresh Chatwal and Nirmal Soni. Watch FIR every Saturday at 9:00 p.m. only on SAB TV.

MUMBAI: Star News became ABP News when viewers switched on their Television sets on 1st June. It was viewership as usual for all 3 MCCS Channels in 3 Languages.

One of the most successful Marketing Campaigns in the history of News Television broke across TV, Online and Outdoors on 7th May 2012 followed by a Print Campaign in the leading mainline and business Dailies. The story was essentially one of continuity with no change in Content, Access and Packaging and the credible campaign delivered the message effectively and efficiently. There are few examples of successful transfer of brand equity from an old name to the new name anywhere in the world.

The name change of the high decibel Business to Consumer plan was successful- awareness grew to 90% percent at 1 Plus for ABP News and ABP Ananda and 70% for ABP Majha on TV, Print, Radio and OOH at the end of Phase 1 which was for 3 weeks beginning 7th May. In Phase 2 starting from 1st June the plan was to give 70% reach at 1 plus for ABP News, ABP Ananda and ABP Majha across all Media. This was complimented by a Business to Business and Digital Campaign.

The 4th BCS Ratna Awards received 15,000 entries in 34 Categories through popular Television websites like indiantelevision.com and Trade Magazines. The Independent Jury comprised of former CEO of Sony Television, Mr Kunal Das Gupta and Mr Sandeep Marwah. The Awards recognise, reward and celebrate innovation, excellence and achievemet In the Broadcast and Cable TV Industry of India. Mr Neeraj Sanan, EVP Marketing and Distribution, ABP News received the Award at a glittering ceremony at The Ashok in New Delhi.