MUMBAI: Star India has announced the telecast of the third edition of ?Big Star Entertainment Award? in association with Reliance Broadcast Network.

The event will be held on 16 December in Mumbai while it will be aired on New Year?s Eve.

The award will feature 31 categories, winners for which will be selected through online and SMS votes sent in by 92.7 Big FM listeners and Star Plus viewers.

The ?BIG Star Entertainment Awards 2012? will be promoted through a marketing campaign which will integrate RBNL?s multimedia platforms including radio, television and outdoor, supported by print and digital initiatives and on-ground activations.

RBNL CEO Tarun Katial said, "The unique format of Big Star Entertainment Awards, which empowers audiences to choose their favorite entertainers along with the exciting show offering has clicked with audiences. They come back each year for unmatched and exclusive entertainment and an exceptional usher to their New Year! Now in its third year, the show which will air on Star Plus, is being planned, to surpass all benchmarks, becoming truly the BIGgest STAR Entertainment Awards!"

Star Plus SVP marketing Nikhil Madhok said, "New Year?s eve is a special night that all families like to spend together. Star Plus believes that this family time can be made more special with the right entertainment. Star Plus is back with the third season of Big Star Entertainment Awards which is full of entertaining performances by the biggest celebrities. It promises to be a great opportunity for families to bond and bring in the New Year."

Mumbai: 92.7 BIG FM, the radio arm of Reliance Broadcast Network (RBNL) has appointed Pankaj Vassal as vice president- regional business head for West and East.

Vassal will report to 92.7 BIG FM business head Rabe T Iyer.

He will be responsible for business growth and overall P&L for the business vertical. His key focus areas will be to grow the radio business, expanding the West and East Zones of the network from the revenue point of view.

He will be working closely Neeti Virmani who has been appointed as station head for Mumbai. Her role will involve - managing overall business and operations of the Mumbai station while managing the P&L, by driving functions including sales, programming, and marketing.

Iyer said, "We are happy to have the talented and well endowed duo of Pankaj Vassal and Neeti Virmani come on board 92.7 BIG FM. Am confident, their vast and in-depth understanding of the mass markets, coupled with their ability to delivery outstanding solutions to marketers requirements will deliver optimally to the business. I wish them the very best."

Vassal said, "I feel proud and excited to have joined a growing and vibrant organisation like RBNL at a time when the organization is transitioning into a media giant. I respect the vision and culture of the organization, and look forward to taking on new challenges and to contributing towards helping RBNL reach greater heights."

"I am delighted to have joined the dynamic RBNL family. The world of multi-media entertainment has fascinated me and I am eager to the take up this challenging role, and learn and contribute to the best of my ability", Virmani added.

Vassal brings with him close to 15 years of experience, having worked across organisations like Amway, Motorola, Asian Paints and Essel Packaging.

Virmani comes in with over 14 years of experience across general management, marketing and sales at mass consumer focused organisations like Aircel, Pepsi, Airtel, Aptech and STG.

MUMBAI: Reliance Broadcast Network (RBNL) has signed a content deal with Punjab-based Speed Records. The partnership gives RBNL?s business verticals - Big CBS Spark Punjabi and Big FM - an immediate access to the library of Speed Records.

Speed Records boasts of a library with music ranging genres like Sufi, Punjabi, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and featuring music ranging stalwarts to fresh talent with names like Gippy Grewal, Jazzy B, Satinder Sartaj, Amrinder, Honey Singh, Alfaaz, Preet Harpal, Master Saleem, Nacchatar Gill, Geeta Zaildaar and more.

As per the deal, the rights for Big CBS Spark Punjabi are for the Saarc region, while for Big FM, they are for the India.

RBNL said in a statement, ?This alliance allows our audiences immediate access to an enviable music library, featuring some of the best and latest from the Punjabi music industry. With music surfacing as one of the key entertainment preferences during audience insight mapping, we are happy to be upping the ante on it. Through our media platforms ? both Big FM and Big CBS Spark Punjabi, we offer audiences the entertainment that they seek while offering marketers the best ROI for their brands.?