MUMBAI: In the dark night of December 26, 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake had one of the worst death tolls from a natural disaster in recorded history. It triggered a deadly wave of tsunamis, resulting in the destruction of homes and entire landscapes across the continent, including India. In remembrance of the event, this December, Discovery Channel‘s REVEALED: ANATOMY OF A RECOVERY takes a look at the relief and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath, and the lessons learnt from the tragedy that may help to prepare for such disasters in the future.

Discovery Channel?s will air Tsunami special REVEALED: ANATOMY OF A RECOVERY on Saturday, December 26 at 9 PM showcasing the reconstruction efforts and the stories of the survivors.

Commenting on the programme, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager ? India, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, ?Along with its high-quality global programming, Discovery Channel is also dedicated to present engaging India-based programmes. We air the untold stories on India in Discovery?s weekly slot ? Discover India, the most recent being a special programme on the 26/11 attack, Surviving Mumbai. This week, it will present a programme on another deadly strike that took place five years back, the 26/12 Tsunami. In this programme, viewers will learn how the process of recovery can contribute to a greater understanding of how we can prepare for, if not control, the forces of nature.?

Five years after the devastating tsunami, Discovery Channel revisits the affected regions of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives to take a look at the outcome of reconstruction efforts. REVEALED: ANATOMY OF A RECOVERY provides an insight into the daunting challenges facing governments and humanitarian aid agencies on the long road to recovery, as well as the attempts by the survivors to rebuild their homes and their lives.

In India, the programme showcases efficacy of participatory housing approach which has gained popularity among some NGOs. The agency and government keeps a leading role in construction but the community is involved in varying degrees and roles in the construction process. This is a step forward in empowering house owners, it is known as the owner-driven approach. And nothing more illustrates this point than the World Bank Housing Complex site near Chennai ? it houses almost 5000 small flats homes on this site were originally built to re-house the slum dwellers of Chennai, but when the city was hit by the Tsunami disaster, some of the families (approximately 432 families ) were provided with immediate shelter and allocated homes at this site. The programme also highlights the works of organisations like ActionAid and ITWWS ? an organisation for tribal community of Irulas in Tamil Nadu.

ANATOMY OF A RECOVERY presents the accounts of different regions which suffered the wrath of the natural calamity - their chronicle of recuperation, the problems faced and the lessons learnt from them. The programme documents the efforts of the survivors to re-establish themselves and rebuild their lives from the scratch.

This is a story, not of disaster but of recovery. It may not be possible to control the forces of nature but it is certainly possible to control the preparedness and can make choices which can serve to protect, and ultimately save mankind.
 

MUMBAI: Primesite, Mudra MAX‘s out-of-home (OOH) solutions unit is currently executing an outdoor campaign for Reliance Life Insurance, one of the leading private sector financial services companies in India. Reliance Life Insurance has tied up with the upcoming Aamir Khan-starrer 3 Idiots to promote it‘s ‘All is well‘ Insurance Plans.

‘Jab Reliance Life Insurance hai saath - All is well‘, is the main idea communicated through the OOH campaign. The campaign talks about Reliance Life Insurance‘s assurance - of taking care of their consumer‘s financial worries, enabling them to live life to the fullest. The media used include hoardings, bus shelters, bus backs, platform signages and mobile vans which convey the thought ‘All is well‘. Primesite has brought this idea alive by creating innovative cut-outs of 3 Idiots which has been put up across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune.

Commenting on the campaign, Mandeep Malhotra, Senior Vice President said, "The brand‘s proposition ‘All is well‘ sends out a simple yet powerful message and outdoor plays a key role in communicating this to the masses across segments and classes. We are extremely proud to have partnered with Reliance Life Insurance to help the brand gain visibility and create a campaign that engages its consumers."

MUMBAI: As part of the marketing initiative, Zee Turner Limited organized a cricket tournament between its network partners on December 19th 2009 at the Harkbaksh stadium, Delhi Cantt. The Zee Turner Cricket Cable tournament was a friendly cricket tournament played between Incable, Digi cable, WWIL and Zee Turner. The winner for this one of its kind cricket match was Incable.

Three matches were played at the tournament where the preliminary matches where for 5 overs and the final match was for 10 over each side. In the first match, which was played between Zee Turner and Incable, Incable won the toss and decided to face the balls. The Incable batsmen with their stupendous batting made a score of 61 runs in the first inning. The Zee Turner team tried to chase the large score set by the Incable team but Incable won the match with a huge margin.

The host team went down fighting while chasing a mammoth score. In the second match between Digicable & WWIL, Digicable after winning the toss put the WWIL squad to bat who scored 30 runs in the prescribed 5 overs. In response to the 31 runs target, Digicable started with a smooth opening and reached the finals of the Zee Turner Cricket Cable Tournament by defeating WWIL by 8 wickets. 

The Final match between Incable and Digicable was remarkable for everyone present at the stadium. Incable won the toss and chose to bowl. The batsmen of Digicable did not spare any ball and made a score of 62 runs for Incable to chase in the first inning. Incable started with a smooth opening but in the middle lost a few wickets. However, the team‘s batman fought every ball and came out victorious. Incable wrapped up the game in the second last ball of the tournament and won the match.

The final match was followed by awards ceremony where Prashant Singhal, Zonal Head, Zee Turner Limited and Kulvinder Singh Sabharwal, State Head, Zee Turner Limited gave out the Zee Turner Cricket Cable Tournament trophy to the captain of the winning team. Dilpreet Singh of Incable was given the title Man of the Series & Man of the Match for his magnificent performance, Yashpal of Incable & Rajbeer Bharti of Digicable were declared the Best Bowler & Best Fielder respectively. The presentation was followed by Lunch and drinks.

MUMBAI: Big Cinemas, India?s largest domestic and international cinema chain, a division of Reliance MediaWorks Ltd and a member of Reliance ADA Group is launching an exclusive and unique Popcorn Flavor Bar as a part of their Movie Munchies brand, on December 23, 2009.

The sumptuous Popcorn Flavor Bar will have three range of flavors like the tangy Hot & Sour range which will include flavors like Tomato Chilli, Cheese and Jalapeno, Chilly Chutney and Sichuan, the subtle International range which will include Yoghurt and Onion, Cheese and Pepper, Wasabi and Cajun Spice and the fabulously Indian range which includes the Chatpata Masala, Sweet and Tangy Lime, Butter Garlic and Cheese Spice.

The Popcorn Flavor Bar is a one of its kind concept where BIG Cinemas guests can request for flavors to be added to their regular popcorn in a specially designed Shaker Bag which will be available at the counter. The flavored popcorn will be available at ten rupees more than the existing medium popcorn rate.

?We at Big Cinemas, are aiming to create a f&B experience styled for an overall enhanced audience entertainment. Through this initiative, the popcorn lovers will be greeted with a wide range of flavors which marks our attempt to give our customers an opportunity to indulge their taste buds like never before.? said Arindam Chakravarti, head, F&B, BIG Cinemas.

Apart from the Popcorn Flavor Bar, Movie Munchies also includes 22 other products like varieties of fried finger food, salads, and sandwiches, rolls and wraps, fresh coffee, pizzeria, candy floss, street food like chaat, ice creams, hot and cold desserts, mocktails, fresh juices and chocolate fondue.

The Popcorn Flavor Bar will open at all Big Cinemas across the country.

MUMBAI: Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding hosted a Tribute Event to honour India?s strongest brands for their achievements and excellence in branding at the Intercontinental, Lalit, today. Amongst an august gathering of corporate honchos, brand superpowers and marketing excellence, Superbrands also unveiled the 2009-2010 Superbrands book featuring the story of 91 of India?s strongest brands

In the six years since it was instituted in India, Superbrands has earned the proud distinction of being the one award that brands consistently use as a symbol of exceptional achievement and credibility. The Superbrands logo has been used in press and TV advertising; on billboards, annual reports, product literature, tags and stickers on products, stationery, packaging, even red herring documents.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Eamonn Sadler, CEO, Superbrands Worldwide Limited said, ?Consumer Superbrands has always helped companies and brands create a discerning identity in the market. We are delighted to host our third tribute event to celebrate the success of India?s strongest brands, which are also some of the most recognised brands in the world. Consumer Superbrands is glad to recognize the country?s economy drivers and help today?s judicious consumers make an intelligent and educated choice amongst the multitude of brands available today?

Mr. Anmol Dar, Managing Director, Superbrands India, and chairperson, Superbrands India Council: "Even during recessionary conditions and budgetary constraints, Superbrands is continued to be seen as an important marketing tool and a worthy investment. As a result, Superbrands was able to achieve participation from 91 brands - exactly the same number it reached in 2007 when markets were surging forward.? He further added that, "Superbrands in its role as a brand arbiter, has been very successful in identifying the best brands and honoring the efforts that make them truly inspirational.?

Hundreds of leading Indian brands were evaluated by the esteemed Superbrands Council and 91 of the highest scoring brands were then designated as Superbrands. Only brands that achieve the level of recognition set by the independent Superbrands Council were eligible for inclusion in the Superbrands India book, which traces the history and achievements of each of the brands.

Superbrands began in the UK in 1994 as a radio show on GLR (now BBC Radio London). The show aimed at give ordinary consumers an insight into the significant brands that touched upon their lives. After the spectacular success of the radio programme, the Superbrands organisation was founded in 1995 to focus on promoting the discipline of branding and identifying and paying tribute to exceptional brands.

In 2002, India became the 25th country to officially join the nations running Superbrands programme. Now the consumer Superbrands logo is one of the most sought after marketing awards in India. The 2009/10 Superbrands Tribute Event was a true celebration of many of the country‘s highest profile brands, and lived up to its global reputation as the ?Oscars of Branding?.

The Superbrands India Council, 2009-2010

The Superbrands Council comprises individuals who have shown exceptional aptitude in business and who have a thorough knowledge of the market and business of brands. To be voted as a Superbrand by the Council is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand?s exceptional status.

1. Sam Balsara , CMD, Madison Communications

2. Deepak Kapoor, MD, PWC

3. Anand Kripalu, MD, Cadbury India

4. G Krishnan, Executive Director, TV Today Network

5. Naveen Kshatriya, CEO and MD, Castrol India

6. SK Roongta, CMD, SAIL

7. Hemant Sachdev, Joint MD, Microsoft Corporation

8. R Seshasayee, MD, Ashok Leyland

9. Suhel Seth, CEO, Equitas Advertising

10. Gautam Thapar, Chairman and CEO, Avantha Group

Consumer Superbrands 2009 -2010

MUMBAI: Radio City 91.1FM, India?s Leading Radio Network, takes the New Year celebrations to the next level of excitement with its entertainment packed, shows to usher 2010 in style. The FM network brings to Punekars the biggest New Year Celebrations on-air with a host of exclusive shows and content for 8 days non-stop right from Christmas to welcome 2010 with a bang.

The celebration starts rolling with the Make a Wish Contest, with Radio City 91.1FM playing Santa Claus for its listeners. Fulfilling the wishes of 6 lucky winners, RJ AARTI would visit their home and share the festive cheer and merriment with the family of the winners. Radio City 91.1FM takes New Year as an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of unsung Heroes of Pune. In a one of its kind initiative, Radio City 91.1 FM presents City ke Sitare to honor the city?s own Heroes by inviting them on the Breakfast show. In this week long initiative, the listeners will catch a glimpse of the struggle and achievements of their heroes, starting from 28th Dec.

To take a stock of the year gone by, the Radio City 91.1 FM RJ?s would share their Best 9 Moments of 2009 on their respective shows from 21st to 31st Dec. Every day, the listeners would participate in sharing their views and expressing their feelings on the moment of the day, giving a befitting adieu to the passing year.

The merriment would continue on the nation?s melody FM station with a series of exciting and entertainment laced events being organised by Radio City 91.1FM across the city to welcome the New Year. Radio City 91.1 FM hosts the ultimate Christmas Party for its listeners at Zaha, Chandni Chowk, passes for which can be won by participating in on-air contests from 21st to 25th Dec. To keep the seasons thrill and enjoyment rolling, Radio City 91.1 FM brings Pulse 2010 and Frozen Night 2010, the mega New Year bashes at Sentosa Resort and Centurion Springhill Resort, respectively for all its listeners. Passes to these rocking parties can be won everyday, starting from 23rd Dec, on various contests.

So dont miss out on all the fun and excitement, stay tuned to Radio City 91.1FM and ring in the New Year 2010 in true ?Whatte Fun? style!