KOLKATA: Over the last 4 years STAR Jalsha , STAR Network?s Bengali GEC, through its never before seen glamour, gloss and unique approach of storytelling , has developed into the most loved channel of the Bengalis and has won the hearts of every viewer in Bengal by consistently presenting innovative formats, fresh and captivating storylines in accordance with their brand statement Chalo Paltai (Let?s Change). This time the channel has come out with yet another innovative approach to contribute towards saving the environment by taking a progressive step and a firm stand toward reducing their carbon footprint in our already fragile environment. In recognition of the fact of the unending cycle of environment pollution caused by the flexes used in promotional campaigns once their use is ended, the channel decided to launch an initiative ?Chalo Paltai? whereby the flex used in all the promotional campaigns of the channel will be recycled into reusable objects like shopping bags, table mats and wall hangings.

This one-of-a-kind initiative will result in the reduction of usage of flimsy plastic products that are the biggest bane of our environment. Conveying the message that every individual who uses a ?Chalo Paltai? item is doing their bit to help the environment, the channel will be seen educating and engaging with the public on the roads of Kolkata in front of colleges and market places with the Chalo Paltai van up to the end of the month.

This initiative is a FIRST by any brand in the world and through it, the channel hopes to inspire and invite others to join them in their endeavour to further the cause of environment protection.

Star Jalsha will follow up on this activity by gifting these exclusive Chalo Paltai Items to key opinion makers comprising of celebrities, top corporate executives and other renowned personalities from different sections of society. Eventually the channel intends to host a fashion show cum exhibition which will feature and highlight these inimitable creations.

Commenting on this unique and pioneering initiative, Mr. Sumanta Bose, Vice-President Marketing, STAR Jalsha said, ?In our own small way, we, at Star Jalsha, are happy to contribute towards our country?s and our planet?s preservation with the initiative Chalo Paltai. Our brand philosophy is all about change and through this initiative; we strengthen our commitment towards bringing about change whether it is in the domain of entertainment or the environment.?

This outstanding initiative is being amplified digitally on the channel?s Facebook page so as to ensure that the message of environment protection and recycling reaches one and all.

MUMBAI: The Mediascope Publicitas - Custom Media division, operating in the Indian and Asian market, is celebrating its fifteenth year of establishment with a bold new brand identity - Publicitas Publishing. The new brand name reflects the close ties with Switzerland-based parent company PubliGroupe and its Publicitas sales operations worldwide. Publicitas Publishing reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Publicitas India & Asia, Marzban Patel. Emphasis Media, the custom media company of Publicitas Singapore will also operate under the new brand name of Publicitas Publishing.

Publicitas Publishing stands for bespoke premium content and dedicated sales representation services. The company has an international network that specializes in local and international content, design, marketing and sales expertise to manage projects on a turnkey basis, a concept-to-delivery service for leading multinational corporate houses and media companies.

Marzban Patel, CEO Publicitas India & Asia: "15 years is an excellent achievement for the Custom Media division of Mediascope Publicitas and marks the start of an exciting new phase for both our India and Singapore teams. The introduction of a new sub-brand under the Publicitas‘ umbrella coincides with the group‘s objectives, which is to differentiate and expand service offerings to its esteemed clients. The new brand identity will build upon the strengths and success of our Asia & India operations."

Indu Joshi, COO of Publicitas Publishing India (former Custom Media, Mediascope Publicitas): "With our editorial, design and marketing expertise in the Indian luxury print segment & the digital experience of our Singapore team, our growth strategy will evolve in the direction of a multi-platform publishing environment, offering deeper audience engagement solutions for clients across Asia."

The Custom Media division of Publicitas in India was founded in July 1997 and has established itself resolutely as the go-to publisher for the luxury sector in India.

The current custom publishing portfolio of Publicitas Publishing includes Taj Hotels & Resorts, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, SIA Engineering Company, Thai Airways, The Oberoi Group, DFASS Group, Frasers Hospitality, The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, Citibank, DLF Emporio, American Express Publishing, HomeTeamNS and DLF Promenade Mall. Publicitas Publishing is also the proud publisher of BlackBook, a monthly trade publication committed to serving up insights to the luxury industry in India.

MUMBAI: Amagi, India?s leading TV ad network launched its Cloud-?? based broadcast infrastructure service at IBC this month with the launch of its next generation solutions for broadcasters and content owners.

Amagi is set to revolutionize the international broadcasting landscape by using the cloud to change the way TV networks distribute their content. Its transmission infrastructure intelligently leverages a secure cloud storage to push and store content ahead of time to broadcast headends across the globe.

Amagi?s scalable network securely and reliably enables content owners to uniquely address multiple geographies across the globe. This reduces their operational costs, navigates both regulatory and licensing restrictions, while also allowing advertisers with specific regional needs to deliver ads that are directly targeted at a specific geographical zone. The network has built-??in redundancies, is secure and delivers broadcast-??grade content delivery using the latest cloud technologies.

"Building this platform as a cloud solution has enabled us to overcome many of the issues normally associated with traditional means of broadcasting," said aid Baskar Subramanian, co-??Founder and CEO of Amagi. "The challenge was to persuade the networks of the intrinsic benefits of using cloud architecture; we wanted to leverage the flexibility and scalability afforded by the cloud to allow TV networks to efficiently and reliably manage and transmit local content to different geographies. We are very excited about the response at IBC, and are starting trials with a clutch of large TV networks across Latin America, Europe and in Singapore".

At IBC, Amagi launched two new solutions:

Localization
Amagi has built the world?s first barcode system for audio-??video content that can enable identification of specific content assets with 100% accuracy. Like those used in retail, inaudible and invisible barcodes are watermarked on the content to uniquely identify any of the assets on the network feed.

Amagi?s localization solution uses this unique barcoding system to enable broadcasters and content owners to quickly and easily localize programming and ads in different regions covered by a common satellite feed, without the need for additional, expensive satellite transponder costs.

Content to be replaced locally is barcoded and local replacement content is sent via the cloud to the relevant broadcast headend ahead of transmission. The network feed is then played out with the barcoded content and content splicers at each of the broadcast headends detects the barcode and splices in the replacement content as appropriate.

Cloudporting
Cloudporting enables 24/7 playout of a TV channel across multiple headends using Amagi?s cloud-??based transmission infrastructure. A highly cost effective alternative to satellite based delivery.

The transmission schedule and all relevant content is pushed to each broadcast headend via Amagi?s private cloud using a powerful, yet simple web-??based user interface. The content and playlist are stored in an Amagi content player at the broadcaster?s headend and played out exactly as listed.

With a unique "pay as you reach" payment model, this solution provides a scalable and cost effective way for new and expanding TV channels to reach and develop their footprint in new regions.

Founded in 2008 by ex Impulsesoft founders Baskar Subramanian, Srinivasan K A and Srividhya Srinivasan, the Indian-??based company has a strong broadcast heritage with an impressive list of investors and advisers including Vikram Kaushik (ex-??Tata Sky Ltd Managing Director & CEO), Pradeep Guha (ex-??CEO ZEE TV) and Mr N.S. Raghavan (co-??founder and former joint MD of Infosys). Until recently Amagi has enjoyed huge success in the Indian broadcast market and is now set to make waves internationally by bringing the benefits of its cloud solutions to the rest of the world.

For further information please visit www.amagi.com/global

MUMBAI: Josy Paul, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of BBDO India, has been selected to be on the Jury of the London International Awards 2012. He will judge the Integrated Category. The President of this Jury is Amir Kassaei, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide.

Josy has been chosen for this prestigious category because of the agency?s reputation for creating integrated ideas that have transformed brands - Specially big ideas like P&G Gillette?s ?Women Against Lazy Stubble?, P&G Gillette?s ?Shave Sutra? and Aviva?s ?Great Wall of Education.?

Very recently Josy and BBDO India swept Spikes Asia 2012 winning the highest number of Spikes for an Indian agency - including Asia Pacific?s first ?Creative Effectiveness? award.

London International Awards has many prominent names who will lead the jury. Creative leaders like Mark Tutssel, Steve Back, Colleen DeCourcy, Nick Law, Deborah Adler, Ralph van Dijk, Anna Fawcett and Andy Bloch.

This elite group, along with some of the most talented, recognized and awarded individuals from around the globe, will assemble in Las Vegas over the next week to select the 2012 winners.

As an awards show, LIA has established itself throughout its 26-year history as a revolutionary global leader honoring creativity and new ideas in Advertising, Design and Digital media. Over its entire 26-year history, Barbara Levy, Founder and President of LIA, has and continues to lead the organization. Her unwavering support for this industry has provided a unique stage to honor the most creative and forward-thinking individuals in their respective industries and to award their accomplishments.

The London International Awards Ceremony and Party will be held in November at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square, London. LIA will also publish a full-color, hardbound annual featuring all the winning work including finalists, with creative credits.