Annurag Batra

bout a year ago, Forbes India Special Features Editor Peter Griffin wrote about the 10 lessons on #journalism from Twitter in his blog, Life. NPS posted in a comment in response: “10 lessons every human being (non-journos) should learn.

The Indian media has been slurred like never before. This is not only because a high-profile and respected journalist has been accused of sexual assault of a fellow journalist, but also because a section of the fraternity that propagates women’s rights, has tried to shield the perpetrator of the crime.

The Bible calls Armageddon the day the world would come to an end. The day Sachin Tendulkar played his last match felt like Armageddon for his billion fans. The day was marked with cheers, tears and hurrahs as Tendulkar took the last walk back to the pavilion. He embraced his teammates, who tried to give him a guard of honour on his way out, but an emotional Tendulkar quickly went back to the pavilion wiping away his tears.

An insecure and anxious government always displays characteristics of becoming authoritarian, even in a democracy. When its power is being challenged and its fallacies being brought to light, such a government can be defensive and can adopt tactics to gag every discourse that goes against it.

As the super cyclone Phailin approached the Bay of Bengal, over 500,000 people in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh were moved to various relief centres. It was presumed that the effects of this cyclone would be at par with the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina in the US, in 2005.

The Indian media and entertainment industry has a massive reach. The industry itself is primarily driven by increased digitization, growth of regional media, robust film industry and emergence of new media for content delivery. But it has also been challenged by the launch of complex media devices and emergence of new business models and revenue streams. Currently, the media and entertainment industry is growing at 20%. And despite the economic slowdown, the industry is predicted to grow at a… Show more

The Indian media and entertainment industry has a massive reach. The industry itself is primarily driven by increased digitization, growth of regional media, robust film industry and emergence of new media for content delivery. But it has also been challenged by the launch of complex media devices and emergence of new business models and revenue streams. Currently, the media and entertainment industry is growing at 20%. And despite the economic slowdown, the industry is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18%. But even then, selling news for instance has become a problem in the wake of digitization when news is being offered in real time on the Internet. Show less

The Indian and foreign media have always been besotted with the power relationship that defines the Gandhi family and their interventions in the day-to-day running of the government. Not just the Press, but the government too has often been criticized for being just a “mock administration”, while the power reins are being held by the Gandhis, led by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul.

When we think of the pinnacle of success, the two names that come to mind are of ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and the celluloid legend Amitabh Bachchan. In the game of cricket, we cannot think of anyone who has achieved what Sachin has done. Bachchan is legend—he has continued to recreate himself, and is probably as popular today as he was in the 1980s.
What can entrepreneurs learn from icons such as them?

The dark side of the media came alive once again amid an otherwise proud and celebratory moment. After 24-year-old Nina Davuluri of Indian origin was crowned Miss America, the first Indian American to hold the title, social media was abuzz with racist slurs, displaying not just abuse but hatred, and above all, ignorance. Celebrations for Davuluri were marred by comments that called her “Arab”, “terrorist” and linking the win with the 9/11 attacks in the US.

The Arab Spring continues to motivate millions into hope for freedom and justice, even at the cost of their lives. But the recent alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government on its civilians attracted criticism from the world over, for no one ever thought that the fight for freedom from dictatorship and towards democracy could take this cruel turn.

Passion has to lead to a sustainable business model. But can anyone achieve anything without passion?
So why am I deriding passion? I have always, in my columns in Entrepreneur magazine, my speaking assignments and lectures‚ made passion the pivot around which an entrepreneur can build an idea into an enterprise. So what I am saying here is an extension and an evolved version of what I have always propounded.

Racial discrimination is nothing new to the United Kingdom. The media often reports attacks on minorities, their exclusion from the mainstream and their general feeling of being outsiders in the land that has been their home for decades. Despite a number of attempts at integration and inclusion, the UK society remains one of the most aggressive ones when it comes to foreign nationals, especially Indians, despite the well-established fact about their contribution to the country’s social… Show more

Racial discrimination is nothing new to the United Kingdom. The media often reports attacks on minorities, their exclusion from the mainstream and their general feeling of being outsiders in the land that has been their home for decades. Despite a number of attempts at integration and inclusion, the UK society remains one of the most aggressive ones when it comes to foreign nationals, especially Indians, despite the well-established fact about their contribution to the country’s social, economic and political arenas. Show less

The immense pressure on newspapers in the digital era has forced many a hard decision on the industry. In India, this was evident with the closure of The Times Group’s weekend read, Crest, and three international magazines published by the Outlook Group. In the United States, the fact that the going is getting tougher was made known through a surprise, and for some, shocking decision – the Amazon Group taking over The Washington Post, one of the country’s iconic newspapers. Internet pioneer and… Show more

The immense pressure on newspapers in the digital era has forced many a hard decision on the industry. In India, this was evident with the closure of The Times Group’s weekend read, Crest, and three international magazines published by the Outlook Group. In the United States, the fact that the going is getting tougher was made known through a surprise, and for some, shocking decision – the Amazon Group taking over The Washington Post, one of the country’s iconic newspapers. Internet pioneer and Amazon owner Jeff Bezos has paid about $250 million in cash for The Post and a bunch of smaller sister publications -- some suburban papers and a Latino-oriented publication in Washington, one geared for younger readers. Noticeably, the news of The Post sale came just days after Boston Red Sox owner John Henry bought the Boston Globe from the New York Times Company. Show less

You may shoot on impulse with your digital video handycam and rightly record evidence, but before uploading on YouTube, beware of the law. A Dubai resident of Indian descent, who empathised his fellow compatriot who was being assaulted by an Emirati official, was arrested last month in Dubai for uploading the video of the incident that has now gone viral.

It was the ‘good news’ the world, or at least the media, had been waiting for. The third heir apparent to the British monarchy was born on Monday, July 22, amid anxious but excited wait of the media, obsessed to deliver the news to people who might not be as fascinated.

Two years ago, Anna Hazare swept the nation with his call for the Lokpal Bill to cleanse the corrupt in the Indian Parliament. His movement attracted millions who called for transformation in a land they believed had become fecund for scams and slums, aided by those in power.

Despite the variety and the differences, and however much we proclaim the contrary, what the media produces is neither spontaneous nor completely “free”: “news” does not just happen, pictures and ideas do not merely spring from reality into our eyes and minds, truth is not directly available, we do not have unrestrained variety at our disposal.”

Book review is a traditional part and parcel of the Print medium. Nearly every printed newspaper, magazine and periodical has a section dedicated to book review. The Internet is choc-a-bloc with book reviews. Amazon has a whole section devoted to the tradition of book reviews comprising 11 million titles across 28 genres available on the Internet.

As Yamuna waters swelled in 2010, signalling imminent floods in Delhi, the media went into a tizzy taking people along with them. A disaster was in the making, it claimed; a catastrophe likely to make Delhi look like the sets of water parks. And while that never happened, a both amusing and disturbing picture of the media fighting tirelessly for TRPs, emerged. Such was the aggressive prediction of the catastrophe that reporters braved rising waters and perched themselves on boats to give… Show more

As Yamuna waters swelled in 2010, signalling imminent floods in Delhi, the media went into a tizzy taking people along with them. A disaster was in the making, it claimed; a catastrophe likely to make Delhi look like the sets of water parks. And while that never happened, a both amusing and disturbing picture of the media fighting tirelessly for TRPs, emerged. Such was the aggressive prediction of the catastrophe that reporters braved rising waters and perched themselves on boats to give minute-by-minute details to viewers. Show less

I am lucky to have been born in 1972 to academician parents. When I grew up, there was no toilet paper, no air conditioners for the first 20 years and mangoes were a summer phenomenon. Everything had to be earned and was limited. The only two things that were unlimited were the affection and the time of my parents and their unconditional love.

Recently, Howard Sattler, the Perth-based radio talk show host, stirred a hornet’s nest over his “insulting” questions to Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of Australia, about her partner Tim Mathieson’s alleged homosexuality. “I gave her the opportunity to stop me at any stage,” Sattler told a news network. “What about those who grilled a 13-year-old rape victim…harassed the English nurse to subsequent suicide, said…that Ms Gillard should be bagged and dumped into the sea?”

Media is reliable as a credible source when it is objective in its reportage and conveys a message from the scene of action with due fidelity. Tamper, tinker, manipulate -- and that reliance, respect and credibility are gone. Worse is when the mediaman is tempted to hog the limelight in a contrivance of his own creation -- when he is hoist on his own petard.

In recent times, media activism has not gone in vain. Media has been duly credited with the formation of public opinion, building awareness of civil liberties, civil rights and human rights. The media has vividly portrayed human interest stories and provoked proactiveness among civil society. In issues of oppressive behaviour of governmental authorities and state tyranny, the Indian media is second to none. With the exception of the Emergency years (1975-77), the Indian judiciary has on many… Show more

In recent times, media activism has not gone in vain. Media has been duly credited with the formation of public opinion, building awareness of civil liberties, civil rights and human rights. The media has vividly portrayed human interest stories and provoked proactiveness among civil society. In issues of oppressive behaviour of governmental authorities and state tyranny, the Indian media is second to none. With the exception of the Emergency years (1975-77), the Indian judiciary has on many occasions taken up media reportage to initiate suo motu proceedings and issued mandatory directions to the executive. Show less

The ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has embarked on a massive and aggressive advertising campaign with a budget of Rs 180 crore -- to be spent by the national exchequer.

Last week, the media was all agog with reports on Sarabjit Singh, dubbed “an Indian spy” and “terrorist” by Pakistan. All news channels and national dailies were awash with news of a fatal attack on him by his fellow inmates in a Lahore jail. The print media, particularly, overflowed with emotion and patriotic write-ups. There was national outrage at the “gruesome murder” of Sarabjit, the details of which were recorded in minute detail. Indeed, the sense of proportion can go awry when it comes… Show more

Last week, the media was all agog with reports on Sarabjit Singh, dubbed “an Indian spy” and “terrorist” by Pakistan. All news channels and national dailies were awash with news of a fatal attack on him by his fellow inmates in a Lahore jail. The print media, particularly, overflowed with emotion and patriotic write-ups. There was national outrage at the “gruesome murder” of Sarabjit, the details of which were recorded in minute detail. Indeed, the sense of proportion can go awry when it comes to reporting on Pakistan. Show less

Anurag Batra says that introductions help to network in business and should be considered as a blessing.

Year 2005 can be called the year of news channels. Nearly all the channels of repute we know today – and those which failed to withstand the world economic crisis – were floated or seeded that year. But the actual surprise of that year was the rise of channels like Aastha, GOD, Zee Jagran and Sanskar, the religious channels which continue to grow even in the aftermath of rising inflation and slowdown.

Though traditional journalists are likely to be suspicious of the correlation between journalism and niche marketing, it is indeed a new trend continually expanding. This is true particularly for India where along with hundreds of news and entertainment channels, you have the newspaper showing no signs of losing steam as in the rest of the world.

It was sometime post the Kargil War. The Indian Army was busy with a mop-up operation. I happened to meet this journalist who had just returned from Jammu & Kashmir. He had this interesting tale to narrate. - See more at: http://www.impactonnet.com/node/1515#sthash.zrjufKFa.dpuf

Move away spray and pray, analytics and robotic CMOs have taken over... I know that half of my advertising budget is wasted, but I’m not sure which half...” this quote has been attributed to the founder of Lever Brothers, LordLever hulme, and has been in print since at least 1897.

A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective of the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have. - Steve Jobs

There’s fear that the deluge of new technology has claimed another victim – the iconic Reader’s Digest. Earlier in December, it was the print edition of Newsweek. But hold your horses: this might not be the end of the road for RD, at least not in India. This might not be the wave of technology that is likely to see in the near future Time-Warner bundling Time and its other magazines into a separate company so that the poor returns from publishing do not pull down the rest of the group.

I have been saying this - the nature of the media in our country is such that Mr Modi has complete control of the media in a sense and support of the media. The kind of exit poll results and pre-poll predictions gave him a natural advantage in this election. - Kapil Sibal, Veteran Congress leader and Telecom Minister

Perhaps because it involved shocking brutality and epitomized the sexual excesses against women in the country, perhaps because it stirred the youth of the country from a long-drawn slumber, perhaps because the shock was transported overseas and even the media across the world took note of it, perhaps as Indians we were just too overwhelmed by the wrongdoings within the society, perhaps the youth had seen how (by exercising its power in unity during Anna Hazare’s campaign) it could fight… Show more

Perhaps because it involved shocking brutality and epitomized the sexual excesses against women in the country, perhaps because it stirred the youth of the country from a long-drawn slumber, perhaps because the shock was transported overseas and even the media across the world took note of it, perhaps as Indians we were just too overwhelmed by the wrongdoings within the society, perhaps the youth had seen how (by exercising its power in unity during Anna Hazare’s campaign) it could fight anything the society is guilty of – the debate sparked by the Delhi physiotherapist succumbing to gangrape has not been reduced from headlines to deadlines. Show less

It did not come as much of a surprise – either to the media or the aam admi – Rahul Gandhi’s elevation to the Congress’ No. 2 position. Gandhi was formally named the vice president, making him the second-in-command of the party on Saturday, paving the way – as most newspapers and news channels described – for him to lead the party in the general elections next year.

We feel great when Arnab Goswami is able to verbally engage a Pakistani General and give him a lesson on a free and vibrant Press that is democratic. We also feel great when the Indian media is able to play a decisive role in the people movement against atrocities and violence against women. And yes, we do feel a touch of indignation when the Press is barred from covering rape proceedings in a court.

Post the Lehman Brothers’ fall and in the midst of a downturn when the media in the West took a financial sock right in the belly, many entities – particularly those in Print – began to shut shop or downsize. The West, as we have seen, is not as opaque as us in Asia. The media and those who sympathized with journalists who’d lost their jobs came out in large numbers to condemn, and try and find solutions for careers which had been by this colossal, near-indestructible barricade called slowdown.

Every editorial platform is taking out its Year Ender, analysing and dissecting what worked, what didn’t, which brands made the cut and the ones that failed. I, however, would like to peek into 2013 and predict the brands that will continue to make news, be it for their marketing prowess or business acumen or maybe for not being the brands they were known to be.

The Breaking News Syndrome is the 10th episode of Season Four in the blockbuster Men in Black cartoon series released in 2001. In this TV animation, MiB Agent K and Agent J find an alien TV crew among them as they are in hot in pursuit of the ‘special guest star’ and chief alien baddie Drekk. - See more at: http://www.impactonnet.com/node/883#sthash.y7NPHCXQ.dpuf

The world of luxury has always been surrounded by an aura of exclusivity, desirability, and opulence. Once the lavish indulgence of a numbered few, with a majority comprising the cosmopolitan elite who would pick up international luxury brands in their travels, and the rest being corporate czars and wealthy businessmen, more and more people are jumping on to the luxury bandwagon. Is luxury in India becoming mass? Is there a new normal luxury? Is the title of the article oxymoronish and is… Show more

The world of luxury has always been surrounded by an aura of exclusivity, desirability, and opulence. Once the lavish indulgence of a numbered few, with a majority comprising the cosmopolitan elite who would pick up international luxury brands in their travels, and the rest being corporate czars and wealthy businessmen, more and more people are jumping on to the luxury bandwagon. Is luxury in India becoming mass? Is there a new normal luxury? Is the title of the article oxymoronish and is representative of changing times. Show less

Every time I pass a newsstand or flip through the pages of a magazine, my mind raises the same question. Are they nearing extinction? Is the print world on its way to being swept away by the digital age? And not withstanding the iPad in one hand and the iPhone in the other, my answer to my thoughts is always a firm no.

On and off, I keep hearing conversations that the slowdown is back and 2012 will be another tough year. From the first signs or the way 2011 has ended, this may well be true. One cannot help but compare, what probably lies ahead to what was witnessed in 2008. Whether it was knee-jerk reactions or pure caution, 2008 was a harsh year, and it taught quite a few lessons in survival to the Indian media and advertising industry. The silver lining of that cloud was that companies emerged stronger, and… Show more

On and off, I keep hearing conversations that the slowdown is back and 2012 will be another tough year. From the first signs or the way 2011 has ended, this may well be true. One cannot help but compare, what probably lies ahead to what was witnessed in 2008. Whether it was knee-jerk reactions or pure caution, 2008 was a harsh year, and it taught quite a few lessons in survival to the Indian media and advertising industry. The silver lining of that cloud was that companies emerged stronger, and I do believe that that is what 2012 will also be about. Show less

Whether you are looking to start up or scale up, franchising will get your business on the fast track… and keep it running at full throttle. Franchising offers you the best of business on a platter—you get to cash in on a brand that’s already done its building, access its technical expertise, have your employees trained by its experts, and save big time (and money!) on your sales and marketing efforts.

In 2010, the national capital was running against time to host the Commonwealth Games, a world-class event that also gave India a chance to put on display its infrastructure development. Suddenly, the romanticism surrounding the Games was jerked to a rude halt and the government shaken from its slumber as the media exposed the scam around the preparations. The state and its functionaries were found doling out public money to fake companies in the name of infrastructure that was not even suited… Show more

In 2010, the national capital was running against time to host the Commonwealth Games, a world-class event that also gave India a chance to put on display its infrastructure development. Suddenly, the romanticism surrounding the Games was jerked to a rude halt and the government shaken from its slumber as the media exposed the scam around the preparations. The state and its functionaries were found doling out public money to fake companies in the name of infrastructure that was not even suited for local games. Show less

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry plans a review of the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act to make ‘paid news’ in the media a punitive offence, which is likely to attract monetary fine or, in serious cases, even cancellation of the publication’s registration.

In the recent executive report released by MSL Group India on the 2013 outlook for the country’s Public Relations (PR) industry, nearly 51% or the majority of respondents said the industry would grow more than 20% over the next 12 months. While 63% respondents said they believed clients’ PR budgets were intact, 33% were of the opinion that the budgets have increased. For 48% of the respondents, digital media was the hottest category for 2013, followed by lifestyle and technology.

Drawing the world’s attention to its space programme, India successfully launched its Mars-bound spacecraft Mangalyaan, to probe for life on Mars. The Mars Orbiter Mission, as Mangalyaan is also called, took off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and is set to travel for 300 days, reaching Mars orbit in 2014.