Mumbai: The new umbrella brand name for the communication companies in which the communications- entrepreneur N. Chandramouli has a majority stake was announced today. The umbrella brand, called the Comniscient Group includes six companies, Blue Lotus Communications, bluebytes, i9 Communications, Blue Online, Trust Research Advisory and Brix Media. The umbrella branding has been created to reflect the common philosophy and culture of the group, infusing that common thread across these independently led companies. The nine-year old group has achieved leadership in Public Relations and related fields through its unique entrepreneurial culture and knowledge approach. The new brand identity for the group has been created by Bacteria Design.

Commenting on the new branding and its approach, N. Chandramouli, CEO, Comniscient Group said, ?Driving communications with knowledge as a strategic tool, and businesses with an entrepreneurial spirit has helped several of our group companies attain global recognition. In creating an umbrella branding the name that that best represented our character was the word Comniscient, which is essentially the word ?Omniscient? with a ?C? prefixed. The name reflects the group?s scientific and knowledge based approach, and it also shows our intense focus on the all-important communication vertical. The new group branding in a way is serendipitous because it is the way we naturally think in our group.?

?The Comniscient Group logo is made of parts of three circles which intersect in a non-standard form reflective of the philosophy of the group. On the whole, the form shows a dancing spirit reflective of conviviality with which we go about our business. The use of three non-standard colors shows the unique and effective approach of the Comniscient Group, and the intersections of the circles display a continuous and eternal movement indicative of progress. And, the forms which are created by the lack of forms shows how intangible of communications creates everything that is tangible.?, Chandramouli added

MUMBAI: Percept/H has been assigned the creative mandate for Congress? launch campaign ?Jago Udho badlo? for the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly 2012 Elections. Percept/H won the account following a multi-agency pitch that included agencies like JWT, and Crayons. The campaign was released all over at the same time when Mr. Rahul Gandhi started his campaigning at Phulpur on November 14,2011and will continue over the next few months till the elections.

The brief that was shared with Percept/H was to provide a 360 communication strategy in UP that helps to influence the state electorate and creates a favorable environment for the Congress party in the lead up to the UP Assembly elections. Percept/H conducted its own research, understood the issues and came up with a creative strategy to launch the creative campaign. The objective of the communication was to create a sustained & multiplier communication strategy that would help Congress to emotionally and rationally CONNECT with the UP electorate and WIN their confidence, trust and ultimately their vote.

The first set of campaign started from Saturday, highlighting the poor record of non-congress governments on development, crime, opportunities, for youth and farmers issues Three different press advertisements were released between the 12th and 14th of November in UP as part of the Congress? launch campaign and Rahul Gandhi?s rally. Each communication ended with the punch line ?Jawab hum denge? and each ad was a hard hitting commentary on the ?misrule? of the non-Congress governments over the last 22 years. The challenge was to highlight Congress? legacy as an umbrella party that can take all sections of the society and religious groups together. For the first time,the campaign will hard sell brand Rahul as the party?s future leader and portray his dominating & aggressive image with a hard-hitting slogan against past governments in UP.

Speaking on winning the business Amitava Mitra, Chief Operating Officer ? North, Percept / H, Delhi said, ?We did our research in the state and discovered that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress were synonymous with each other. If there was one leader from the Congress they identified with, and were very fond of, it was Rahul. The way he reaches out to them, the way he carries himself, the way he lends an ear?It was pretty clear that for the campaign to be effective, he had to be the face of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. Normally Congress campaigns are sober and have the Aam Aadmi as the hero with small photographs of Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi in the corner of an ad or poster or hoarding. For the 1st time and at our insistence the Congress party dared to be different ?

Elaborated Rajiv Agarwal, Executive Creative Director, Percept /H, Delhi, ?We were very clear from the beginning that as far as UP was concerned Rahul Gandhi had to be the face of the campaign. Not as a protagonist but more for what he stands for in the state. And the tonality of the campaign had to be in sync with the current state of affairs. Deliberately deviating from the Congress tonality that people are used to, it?s meant to be engaging, and aggressive, without being offensive. If you notice there?s no ?typical? election slogan. It?s a brave statement, a war cry. ?Jawab Hum Denge? is more than just a smart tagline; it?s a meant to deliver a befitting reply to everything that should not be.?

The challenge was to highlight Congress? legacy as an umbrella party that can take all sections of the society and religious groups together. Never before has the Congress ever been so aggressive and nor have they ever projected Rahul Gandhi in such a manner. It shows him as a man on a mission to get the Congress back in to power in UP after 22 years. Percept/H successfully launched the campaign to create the maximum buzz.

MUMBAI: Today on the occasion of RK?s birth anniversary of Rak Kapoor, Shemaroo Entertainment brings to his fans a collection of RK?s 100 plus best videos on Youtube.

The variety includes songs and scenes from 21 of his super hit films including and 10 films from the RK banner. You can check the same on - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEB7DE2BBC3CED05D (Raj Kapoor & Nargis?s Romantic Scenes & Songs) and http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0754E2BD9833D840 (Raj Kapoor Superhit Songs)

The list of videos include scenes from Ram Teri Ganga Maili , Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Awara and Shree420 among others.There is a full fledge Shemaroo channel - ?The RK Collection? on Youtube which is devoted to the legendary actor. You can check - http://www.youtube.com/TheRkcollection for the same.The channel has a crossed a million views till date.

Raj Kapoor ? Bollywood?s greatest showman, had a tremendous influence on millions of cine goers over decades, with his magical movies. His films have touched the hearts, souls and lives of a million of people across boundaries.salutes this ?Showman of The Millennium? - one of the most influential actors and directors from Indian Film fraternity!

MUMBAI: Mumbai kids were bowled over on Sunday as outstanding sportsmanship, fans? favourite toon stars and mega prizes all rolled together to make Cartoon Network?s Toon Cricket 2011 the biggest and coolest kids? event of the year.

Presented in association with Cadbury at Chitrakoot, Andheri West in Mumbai, Toon Cricket - The Ultimate Eleven gave local kids a non-stop-fun experience with their number one superhero: Ben 10. And for the first time in Toon Cricket history, five kids chosen from a lucky draw will get an exclusive opportunity to join the Ultimate Eleven team, led by the iconic Ben 10, featuring on Cartoon Network.

Now in its eighth successful year, Toon Cricket is the perfect match of India?s most popular sport, cricket, and kids? favourite cartoon stars such as Ben 10, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby Doo. Kids are entertained all day throughout the event, with special character appearances, stage performances, games and prizes.

Monica Tata, General Manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said: "When combining India?s favourite sport with kids? favourite toon stars, the result is a fun-filled, action-packed sporting extravaganza. We are delighted to see such an overwhelming response from our audience year after year at Toon Cricket. Through such events we are bringing the Cartoon Network experience from the TV and into kids? lives, providing a 360 degree fun element to the channel."

MUMBAI: Tim Roemer, former U.S. ambassador to India and former six-term U.S. representative for Indiana?s 3rd congressional district, joins APCO Worldwide as senior vice president, Founder and CEO Margery Kraus announced today. Ambassador Roemer will also serve as a member of APCO?s Global Political Strategies (GPS) and International Advisory Council (IAC) groups, providing strategic counsel to international companies and governments entering global markets and expanding overseas.

?Tim brings a strong background in international trade and investment, education policy and national security,? said Kraus. ?We are very pleased that he?s joined our team, and we know he?ll be an integral resource to clients who are looking to create partnerships and business opportunities across growing markets throughout the world.?

?I am pleased that Ambassador Roemer and I will have continued opportunities to collaborate through our work with APCO,? said IAC and GPS member Lalit Mansingh, who served earlier as Indian ambassador to the United States and as high commissioner to the United Kingdom. ?I have dedicated my career to promoting India and its role in the global marketplace, and I look forward to partnering with Tim and other senior counselors to help clients better develop corporate strategies, achieve successful market entry, and identify specific policy and communication challenges.?

In broadening and deepening the U.S.-India partnership, Ambassador Roemer led one of America?s largest diplomatic missions. Under the leadership of President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, he oversaw the implementation of several key policies and initiatives, including increasing cooperation, technology transfer and commercial sales in the defense and space industries; signing the Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative to further expand cooperation in areas such as intelligence and homeland security, money laundering and terrorist financing; and working with the United States to assist India on its Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership. He also emphasized commerce and exports, helping move India from America?s 25th-largest trading partner to 12th.

?Tim is well-known in Washington as a problem-solver who encourages collaboration and cooperation ? especially valuable traits given the current political environment and the importance of the challenges we face,? said Don Riegle, former U.S. senator and chairman of APCO?s government relations team. ?It will be a privilege to work with Tim in his new role.?

?Tim?s experience in effectively identifying and enhancing shared values between India and the United States will be crucial as APCO?s operations in India continue to expand,? said Sukanti Ghosh, managing director of APCO in India.

Prior to his diplomatic appointment, Ambassador Roemer served for 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was deeply engaged in efforts to improve access, standards and achievement for American education. He was a member of the 9/11 Commission and one of the first members of Congress to advocate for a more dynamic and entrepreneurial Department of Homeland Security. He also served on the Washington Institute?s Presidential Task Force on Combating the Ideology of Radical Extremism. Known as a consensus-builder and problem-solver, Ambassador Roemer was also president of the Center for National Policy, where he brought together experts and policy-makers to facilitate political cooperation to address critical national security challenges.

?The United States and India have become increasingly vital partners in today?s economy, and U.S.-India geopolitical interests continue to intersect in new ways,? said Ambassador Roemer. ?Success in this and other markets relies on strategic investment of resources, and I look forward to helping companies navigate challenges and create lucrative synergies within the current global business landscape.?

Ambassador Roemer, who will be based in APCO?s Washington, D.C., office, joins a strong team of other distinguished diplomats and national security experts at the firm, including: former Senator James Sasser, who served as U.S. ambassador to China; Marc Ginsberg, former presidential adviser for Middle East policy and former U.S. ambassador to Morocco; Mark Medish, former senior staff member of the National Security Council; Jim Moore, former U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for trade development; Ira Kasoff, former deputy assistant secretary of commerce for Asia; and former U.S. congressmen Don Bonker and Baron Hill.

Bangalore: It‘s been a decade since the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar was first shot in Mauritius. Over the years, the calendar has become a platform for fresh talent and an epitome for unmatched glamour, fashion and lifestyle. No wonder then, that the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar‘s 2012 edition can boasts ten times the glamour and excitement, especially when it gets shot at the most exotic and idyllic location of Sri Lanka.

The sensual shoot spread to cover 12 months of picturesque beauty in a stupendous environment is shot across Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka - Lighthouse, Galle; Jetwing Hotels Era Beach; Jetwing Hotels Blue, and Jetwing Hotels Pavilion.

Jetwing hotels are one of the leading resort chains in Sri Lanka with 12 distinctive properties spread around the country from Negombo to Galle and Nuwara Eliya. This island of paradise is known for true diversity - pristine beaches, lush mountain retreats and rural hideaways; lavish colonial splendour and chic modern luxury all set amidst award-winning architectural design. The hotel property allows you to explore the country‘s rich culture and tradition and offers sheer indulgence; right from fine cuisine, sensuous spa treatments to ayurvedic healing.

Ace photographer, Atul Kasbekar, comments: "Sri Lanka is every photographers delight. Exotic landscape, fantastic light and very comfy humidity levels make it easier to do shooting outdoor all day. Jetwing hotels have exceptional properties with a level of service that is unmatched. I have tried to use the location creatively in order to get graphics of international appeal."

Partners to the Kingfisher Swimsuit Special 2012 edition include international brands like Schwarzkopf Professional, TomFord, Elizabeth Hurley, Dior, Diesel, Puma, Celio and Estee Lauder, amongst others. While Kavita Lakhani and Akansha Nanda Mathur are the designers and stylist for the calendar, Kapil Bhalla has done the make- up and Bianca Hartkopf is the hair stylist for the models gracing the calendar.

Don‘t miss out and remember to catch the first glimpse of the most awaited calendar arriving shortly