Archive for January 2019

Digital ad industry to grow 32% to touch ₹24,920 crore by 2021: report

January 30, 2019 Add Comment

Digital ad industry to grow 32% to touch ₹24,920 crore by 2021: report

Digital ad spends currently stand at ₹10,819 crore, contributing 17% to the total expenditure of the advertising industry. iStockphoto

New Delhi: The digital advertising industry is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.96% to reach ₹ 24,920 crore by 2021 , on the back of affordable data and increased content consumption, said a report from Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN).

Digital will contribute 29% of the ad market size by 2021.

Digital ad spends currently stand at ₹ 10,819 crore, contributing 17% to the total expenditure of the advertising industry. This is expected to touch ₹ 14,281 crore by 2019 growing at 31.9%, said the digital ad spend forecast report published by DAN in association with trade portal exchange4media

. The Indian ad industry stands at ₹ 61,878 crore and is expected to touch ₹ 85,250 crore by 2021 growing at a CAGR of 10.62%.

The report clearly stated that the surge in digital ad spends will be led by three main factors including voice-based search technology, vernacular as well as video content. This growth will be further enhanced by engaging mobile experiences based on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

“We have about 500 million people on the internet today and in the next three to four years, another 300-400 million people will join in. Concurrently, the next phase of internet users will speak regional languages and as a result, you will probably see a lot more advertising in regional languages on digital in the years to come," said Ashish Bhasin, chairman and chief executive - South Asia, Dentsu Aegis Network.

Currently, the advertising expenditure on the digital advertising formats is led by social media (29%) followed by search (25%), display (21%) and video (20%). Digital Video is expected to have the fastest growth, with CAGR of 37% that will touch ₹ 5,545 crore by 2021.

In terms of brand categories, the service industry has embraced digital media for scaling businesses. Industries such as banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) are experimenting with non-traditional media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram Stories to connect with users.

BFSI is the biggest spender on digital media with a contribution of 38% of all their marketing budgets. This is followed by consumer durables (36%), e-commerce (34%) and telecom (31%). Meanwhile, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) continues to spend heavily on the television (63%) while retail sector spends largely on print (54%).

With a user base second only to China, mobile is driving growth for content platforms as well as advertisers who are experimenting with different ad formats to connect with users. The market size of advertising spending on mobile is expected to grow from the current ₹ 5,102 crore to ₹ 16,718 crores by 2021.Currently, spending on the mobile advertising is 47% of the total digital advertising budget which is predicted to be 67% by 2021.

Apart from video content, engaging ads on mobile, voice based interactions and emerging technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and internet of things will make story telling engaging on digital media.

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Smriti Mandhana promises to give away player-of-the-match award to India's bowlers

January 29, 2019 Add Comment

Smriti Mandhana promises to give away player-of-the-match award to India's bowlers

Jhulan Goswami returned with figures of 3 for 23 as India restricted New Zealand to 161 in the 2nd ODI. (@BCCIWomen Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

Smriti Mandhana was adjudged the player-of-the-match for her 90 not out against New Zealand in the 2nd ODI
Mandhana said Mount Maunganui wicket made her feel like she was batting on an Indian pitch
Mandhana had scored 105 runs in India's win in the first ODI vs New Zealand in Napier

Smriti Mandhana played a match-winning inning once again in the second ODI against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui as India beat them by 8 wickets to take an unassailanle 2-0 lead in the 3-match series. However, Mandhana said upon receiving the player-of-the-match that she would give it away to the bowlers in the team instead.

Indian bowlers were on fire on Tuesday as Jhulan Goswami picked up 3 for 23 while Ekta Bisht, Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav picked two wickets apiece to dismiss the White Ferns for just 161 runs. With a target of 162, India eased towards the victory as Mandhana (90 not out) and Mithali Raj (63 not out) combined to take the team over the line.

Mandhana felt the total of 162 was easy to chase and it is the bowlers that deserve credit for restrict the White Ferns to such a low total.

"162 was a very easy total to chase. I will be giving this award to all the bowlers in the team. They deserve it for restricting New Zealand to 161 on such a good wicket," Mandhana said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Mandhana said she felt like she was batting on an Indian wicket on Tuesday but credited the BCCI for arranging for them to have a 10-day camp in Napier ahead of the series.

"I thought today was an Indian wicket more than the New Zealand conditions. We had a camp before the first one-day for 10 days. BCCI has done really good to give us 10 days camp at Napier and we could get acclimatised to the conditions."

On being asked if smiling while batting helps her on the field, Mandhana cracked up saying she doesn't know why she ends up smiling all the time.

"I don't know why I end up smiling. All the teammates make fun of me, they are always trying to mock me saying I always smile whenever I get a short ball. I think I'd love to figure out how to make a serious face," Mandhana laughingly said.

Since August 1, 2017, Smriti Mandhana is the leading run-scorer in ODIs having made 864 runs at an average of 78.54. New Zealand's Sophie Devine is second on the list with 735 runs at an average of 73.50.

On the other hand, captain Mithali was happy to have the series in the bag and praised the effort from the entire team in getting the victory.

"I am happy with the series win in New Zealand and I'm happy the way the team is shaping because even the bowlers are doing their job. There are batters like the first game, we had the openers doing the job for us and this time around, my partnership with Smriti. So overall, the team looks good," Mithali said in the post match presentation.

Mithali conceded that the wicket in Mount Maunganui was on the slower side and she was just looking to play a supporting role to Mandhana, who is in a cracking form.

"Well, I have always enjoyed batting in challenging conditions. I knew that today's wicket is on the slower side and will help the spinners and it's not going to be easy. It's not a wicket where the ball is coming on to the bat and it requires patience. Smriti is in good form, someone has to give her the support on the other end," Mithali further said.

Team India will now look to sweep the series against the White Ferns in away conditions and look to continue with their good performance.

"When you have a good run, you would want to continue it. We are definitely looking for 3-0," Mithali said.

With the series win, India have moved to the second spot in the ICC Women's Championship and are now just four points behind the leaders Australia.

India have accumulated 12 points after 11 ODIs while Australia have bagged 16 points from 9 games. New Zealand have the same points as India but an inferior NRR means they are at the third spot. England complete the top four with 10 points from 9 games.

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Kajol to play Ajay Devgn's wife in Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior?

January 29, 2019 Add Comment

Kajol to play Ajay Devgn's wife in Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior?

Kajol is expected to play Ajay Devgn's wife in his upcoming film, Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior.Taanaji was one of Chhatrapati Shivaji's generals and a warrior par excellence

Fans are eagerly waiting to see Ajay Devgn playing the legendary Maratha warrior, Subedar Taanaji Malusare, in Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior.

Taanaji was one of Chhatrapati Shivaji's generals and a warrior par excellence. Saif Ali Khan will essay the role of the Rajput warrior Udaybhan Rathod, in Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior. The film will mark the onscreen reunion of Ajay and Saif after 12 years. The two last shared screen space in Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara.

Rumour has it that Kajol will play Ajay's wife in the film. In fact, she is said to have shot for a lavish and large-scale song with diyas and rangolis. The publication quoted a source saying, "The song was shot over a week in the last week of December and is a part of the climax. It sees Kajol dressed in a traditional Maharashtrian outfit from the 17th century, inside her onscreen home. It has her thinking about her relationship with her warrior husband and a certain situation the couple is faced with at the time. Although Ajay won’t feature in the number, there are glimpses of their past moments together. The dance number accentuates her character’s emotional state and focuses on her facial expressions."

As a New Year surprise for his fans, Ajay's look in the period drama was unveiled by director Om Raut on Twitter. "Happy New Year!!! Har Har Mahadev!!!" the filmmaker wrote, sharing a still from the film.

Taanaji Malusare had the responsibility of recapturing the Kondana fort from the Mughals. It was regarded by many as an impossible mission because not only was the fort was fiercely guarded, it was also structurally impregnable.

However, he scaled the fort with around 300 of his troops and managed to defeat the Mughal army, despite being heavily outnumbered, in what came to be known as the Battle of Sinhagad. Unfortunately, he lost his life while fighting.

Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior is slated to hit the theatres on November 22 this year.

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Charges Dropped Against Shah Rukh Khan In Alibaug Farmhouse Benami Case

January 29, 2019 Add Comment

Charges Dropped Against Shah Rukh Khan In Alibaug Farmhouse Benami Case

Last February, the I-T Department had attached actor Shah Rukh Khan's farmhouse in Alibaug

NEW DELHI:

Actor Shah Rukh Khan has been dismissed of the charge of being a beneficiary of a benami property in the scenic beach town of Alibaug in Maharashtra as an appellate Authority under the law has "revoked" the attachment order of the I-T Department, calling it baseless and coloured.

The Adjudicating Authority (AA) slammed the income tax department authority for issuing the order against Mr Khan and a company-- in which he, his wife Gauri Khan and in-laws are shareholders-- in February last year, saying a "commerical transaction entered into course of business by an independent entity cannot be coloured as benami transaction because it had sourced the funds from loans."

A division bench of the AA comprising D Singhai (Chairperson) and Member (Law) Tushar V Shah exonerated Khan and said: "We have come to the conclusion that the named properties, ie, agriculture land at village Thal, Taluka Alibaug bearing survey nos 188/A, 188/1B, 188/2, 188/3, 188/4, 187/1 and structure thereon are not a benami property and hence the attachment made thereof by the investigating officer is revoked hereby."

The tax department had frozen the farm house and plot as assets, built on an agricultural land in Alibaug worth about R

15 crore, and had called the company-Ms Deja Vu Farms Pvt Ltd- a benamidar (in whose name benami property is standing). The tax department named Mr Khan a beneficiary (who pays money consideration) of a benami deal booked under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act.

The 1988 enacted law was implemented by the PM Modi-led government from November, 2016 with a strong impetus, saying it was aimed to crack down against black money and stash holders.

The AA bench, in the order accessed by news agency PTI, also rapped the probe officer of the I-T Department in Mumbai for seemingly relying on "some press report/online articles" that Mr Khan acquired the property for his benefit, which it said was "incorrect and impermissible in law."

"There is no basis to conclude that the property acquired by Deja Vu Farms Pvt Ltd is held for immediate or future benefit, direct or indirect of Shah Rukh Khan," the January 23-issued order said.

The Authority rejected the I-T Department's allegation that the entire transaction of purchasing the land parcels in Alibaug and construction of a luxury farm house on it was done on the "desire and instruction"of Mr Khan and from "unsecured loans" of about R

14.67 crore provided by him to the firm.

The I-T had also charged that as Mr Khan was "not an agriculturist, he sought to purchase the land by forming Ms Deja Vu Farms Pvt Ltd, a front entity and giving it colour of company engaged in agriculture."

The department had also said in its order that a person Moreshwar Rajaram Ajgaonkar was a "front" of Mr Khan as the the actor used the former's credentials of being an agriculturist to purchase the land by making a representation under the said category before the Additional Collector of Raigad, the district under which Alibaug falls.

It had also charged that the company was incorporated "on the instructions" of Mr Khan as he was interested in purchasing a property in Alibaug for construction of a farm house.

The taxman had said in its complaint that the objective of the firm (Deja Vu) was stated to undertake agricultural activity on the land and the Raigad district state government gave permission to purchase the land with a "condition" that it will be put to use within three years for the purposes of farming.

The AA also found as "justified" the contention of Mr Khan and his company that a private firm can borrow funds even from its shareholders and that there has been no concealment of the loan given by the actor which has been "disclosed" by the former in its annual returns for the last several years.

The Authority said that it was "beyond doubt" that the Alibaug property was acquired and held by the company in its own right and independent of any other person.

"There is nothing to raise the inference or presumption in law that the property owned by a company can be said to be held for the benefit of its shareholder," the Authority ruled, dismissing Mr Khan of the criminal charges under the stringent law.

As per the anti-benami law, once proven, a benamidar (in whose name benami property is standing) and beneficiary (who pay money consideration) are prosecutable and may face rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years besides being liable to pay fine up to 25 per cent of fair market value of benami property.

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Rahul Gandhi Meets Manohar Parrikar, Day After "Rafale Secrets" Attack

January 29, 2019 Add Comment

Rahul Gandhi Meets Manohar Parrikar, Day After "Rafale Secrets" Attack

PANAJI:

HIGHLIGHTS

Mr Gandhi alleged Mr Parrikar was using Rafale "secrets" for bargaining
Rahul Gandhi said it was a personal visit to wish him speedy recovery
Manohar Parrikar was defence minister when Rafale deal was signed

Rahul Gandhi walked into the office of Manohar Parrikar in Goa on Tuesday, a day after tweeting about "explosive Rafale secrets that gave the Goa Chief Minister power over the PM". The Congress president has been asking for an inquiry into audio tapes that he says reveal that Manohar Parrikar has files on the Rafale jet deal and so has leverage over his leadership.

Rahul Gandhi called it a "personal visit" and tweeted: "This morning I visited Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar, to wish him a speedy recovery." The Congress in Goa said their chief - contrary to speculation -- did not raise the Rafale deal with the Chief Minister, who has been extremely unwell over the past few months with a pancreatic condition.

"It was a private visit. That issue (Rafale deal) was not discussed. Rahul Gandhi could make an official trip to Goa next month," Congress legislator Chandrakant Kavlekar was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.

Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi are on a vacation in Goa. On Monday, the Congress chief flew down to Chattisgarh for a rally before returning to Goa. After meeting Mr Parrikar, Rahul Gandhi dashed to Kochi.

The BJP in Goa said the Congress should "learn a lesson" from its chief. "It is very nice of him to do so. It should teach a lesson to the local unit of the Congress which has been troubling Mr Parrikar. He dropped in to just ask about his health," BJP leader Vijay Sardesai said.

Yesterday, Mr Gandhi put out a series of tweets raising the Rafale deal and the so-called Manohar Parrikar audio tapes.

"Thirty days since the Goa audio tapes on Rafale were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against (Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane) either," said Mr Gandhi.

"It's obvious that the tapes are authentic and that Goa CM Parrikar is in possession of explosive Rafale secrets that give him power over the PM (Prime Minister)," he tweeted.

The Congress claims to have an audio recording of a Goa minister quoting Mr Parrikar as saying that files related to the Rafale jet deal were "in his bedroom". Mr Parrikar, who was defence minister before becoming Goa chief minister in 2017, had tweeted that the audio clip was a "desperate attempt to fabricate facts". The minister supposedly on tape, Vishwajit Rane, also alleged that it was doctored.

The Congress claimed that Mr Parrikar, who was defence minister when the deal for 36 Rafale jets was signed between India and France, had said at a meeting of the Goa cabinet that no one could remove him as "all the Rafale papers are in my flat, in my bedroom". Vishwajit Rane, the Goa health minister, is on tape relating this conversation, claimed the Congress.

The Supreme Court has said there is no reason to doubt the decision-making process, delivering a huge reprieve to the government amid Congress allegations of corruption in the Rs. 59,000-crore contract.

The court rejected a probe and dismissed petitions that had alleged that the government had gone for an overpriced deal to help industrialist Anil Ambani's company bag an offset contract with jet-maker Dassault. "There is no evidence of commercial favouritism to any private entity," the court had said.

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Digital ad industry to grow 32% to touch ₹24,920 crore by 2021: report

New Delhi: The digital advertising industry is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.96% to reach ₹ 24,920 crore by 2021 , on the back of affordable data and increased content consumption, said a report from Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN).

Smriti Mandhana promises to give away player-of-the-match award to India's bowlers

HIGHLIGHTS

Kajol to play Ajay Devgn's wife in Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior?

Charges Dropped Against Shah Rukh Khan In Alibaug Farmhouse Benami Case

Rahul Gandhi Meets Manohar Parrikar, Day After "Rafale Secrets" Attack

HIGHLIGHTS