The ANDYs Pushes For Greater Diversity Of Work in Second Year of Regional Competitions

The International ANDY Awards, the first advertising award show of the season has announced the shortlist for their six regional competitions. In an effort to break barriers that exist around cultural context, Juries representative of the creative excellence in the area came together to select the best ideas entered into the competition.

“Our hope is that more people have their work represented in the Show. We wanted to eliminate barriers that exist that may deter some agencies to submit work – whether that be cost to compete or missed cultural context,” said Gina Grillo, President & CEO of The International ANDY Awards.

The APAC Competition shortlist represents the best ideas across nine countries with independent agencies leading. Ideas from ADK Holdings lead the Greater China shortlist while Impact BBDO lead in the SWANA Competition.

The full shortlist can be viewed HERE. Those who placed will be shortlisted for the main, global competition should they choose to move their work forward into the Global competition. All entrants who participated in regionals can choose to move their work forward to the Global competition. There is no requirement to participate in regionals in order to submit to the Global competition. Each region will now compete for title of ‘Best of’ including Africa, APAC, Greater China, Europe, SWANA, and Latin America to be announced with the full winners list in April 2023.

100+ Award-Winning Radio Execs, Content Creators, Journalists, Writers, and Presenters Join 2023's Radio Awards Grand Jury

New York Festivals® 2023 Radio Awards has announced the Grand Jury.

"We look for wide experience, demonstrated achievement and geographic diversity in our jury members as a way of quantifying fairness in the selection process. All of our Grand Jury members volunteer their time and are award winners themselves," said Rose Anderson, SVP, Executive Director, New York Festivals Radio Awards.

This year's powerhouse Grand Jury of prominent international radio industry executives represent 19 countries on 6 continents. Populated with some of the most respected content creators, industry thought leaders and most recognizable voices in the industry, these 100+ directors, producers, journalists, writers, and sound artists embody passion and innovation for audio information and entertainment. The 2023 panel's stellar reputation and diverse areas of expertise across ensure that this peer-judging process provides each entry with the attention it deserves.

Emanating from some of the most prestigious and respected companies worldwide, these leaders champion innovative storytelling in news, documentary, entertainment, sports, and corporate image.

The impressive roster of companies our jurors represent include SiriusXM, BBC, Radio Mitre S.A., Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, HarperCollins Publishers UK, Radio-Canada Ohdio, Talkers Magazine, Accompany Studios, Bioneers, TBI Media, Penguin Random House UK, Magnum Opus Broadcasting, NASA/JPL, Radio City, New York Philharmonic, Radio New Zealand, CliffCentral, Southern Ocean Media, TBI Media Ltd, and Clare FM.

Just a few of our many prominent 2023 Grand Jury Members:

Richard Baker, Founder/Director, Southern Ocean Media - Australia

Andrew Biggs, Imaging Producer/Director, Eyesound - New Zealand

Benoit Bories, Director/Producer, Faïdos Sonore/Créations sonores - France

Olya Booyar, Head of Radio, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union - Malaysia

Rina Broomberg, Director, CliffCentral - South Africa

Paul Bushnell, Aukland Manager, Radio New Zealand - New Zealand

Diego Cannizzaro, Owner & Director, DMC Studio - Argentina

Jennie Cataldo, Owner & Producer, Accompany Studios - USA

Chris Colbert, Chief Executive Officer, DCP Entertainment - USA

Juan Pablo Cordoba, Productor Artístico, Radio Mitre S.A. - Argentina

Nick Davis, Executive Director, Engagement & Inclusion, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - Canada

Padraic Flaherty, Head of Operations & Group Program Director, Clare FM - Ireland

Rebecca Fortuin, Senior Audio Editor for HQ, M&B and Farshore, HarperCollins Publishers - UK

Michael Freedman, Professorial Lecturer - Journalism, Executive Producer - The Kalb Report & 113th President - National Press Club, The George Washington University & National Press Club - USA

Gary Haberfield, Managing Director/Executive Producer, Spiteful Puppet Entertainment - UK

Dylan Haskins, Commissioning Executive for Podcasts, BBC Sounds & BBC Radio 5 Live - UK

Caroline Jamet, General Manager, Radio, Digital Audio & Greater Montreal Radio-Canada - Canada

Geoff Jein, Head of Audio, TBI Media Ltd - UK

James Keyte, Head of Audio Content, Penguin Random House UK - United Kingdom

·Götz Naleppa, Drama Director & Sound Artist, Naleppa Audio Productions - Germany

* Steve Levine, Owner & Producer, Magnum Opus - United Kingdom

·Astha Mandiratta, Head Client Solutions, Network18 - India

. Siobhan McHugh, Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Wollongong - Australia

* Leslie Mullen, Producer, NASA/JPL - USA
* Anurita Patel, Vice President, Zonal Programming & Audacity, Radio City - India
* Helen Quigley, Head of Production, B7 Production Limited - UK
* Des Shaw, Co-Founder, Zinc Media - UK
* Helen Shaw, Founder/Director, Athena Media - Ireland
* Lou Simon, Vice President, Music Programming, SiriusXM Radio - USA
* Fyona Smith, Managing Editor, Today FM, Bauer Media Audio Ireland - Ireland
* Mark Travis, Director Media Production, New York Philharmonic - USA
* Carole Zimmer, Journalist & Host, "Now What?" - USA

To view the entire 2023 NYF Radio Awards Grand Jury visit, HERE.

The NYF Radio Awards Grand Jury members view all entries during online judging panels to determine a score based on industry specific criteria. Juries determine Gold, Silver, and Bronze Trophy and Finalist Diploma Winners. The top-scoring entries are honored with the Grand Trophy. Special Industry Awards honor Broadcaster of the Year and Production Company of the Year.

The newly unveiled National Press Club Award will go to the highest scoring entry in the following news program categories: Best Coverage Of Breaking News Story, Best Coverage Of Ongoing News Story, Best Nonfiction Series and News Podcast.

The New York Festivals Radio Awards 65-year legacy provides a showcase to celebrate world-class storytellers from around the globe. Since 1957 the competition has celebrated innovation and excellence in broadcast audio content across all genres and platforms keeping pace with industry developments and global trends. All entries within the competition are judged by international panels of award-winning creative professionals who are respected within the broadcast industry.

The entry deadline for the 2023 Radio Awards competition is January 31, 2023. To enter please visit: HERE  For 2023 Radio Awards Categories please visit HERE

Editors’ Synopsis:

• ZEE Entertainment signs Paytm, Kurkure Playz, Kent RO, Gulf Oil for the first season of ILT20
• ZEEL has signed a long-term partnership with Emirates Cricket Board for global media rights of DP World ILT20
• DP World ILT20 to be broadcast globally on ZEE’s 10 linear channels & OTT platform ZEE5
• From launching the league anthem ‘Halla Halla’ with superstar rapper Badshah to promoting the league globally through #HarBallBawaal campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan, ZEE is taking major strides to mark its comeback in the sports broadcasting business
• DP World ILT20 is scheduled to start on January 13

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), India’s largest content and entertainment powerhouse’s journey as official broadcast partner of DP World International League T20 (DP World ILT20) has got off to a robust start with top advertisers already onboarded across key consumer categories. This is a significant milestone for the global cricketing league and testifies its inherent differentiation in terms of quality of league’s players, 6 franchise brand power and the Zee platform’s massive strength. The first set of sponsors for the 2023 edition of DP World ILT20 include Paytm, Kurkure Playz, Kent RO, Gulf Oil

With the inaugural edition of DP World ILT20 set to take off on January 13, the much-awaited cricketing event has been witnessing significant interest from global conglomerates as well as marquee Indian brands to associate as advertising partners of the league. ZEE Entertainment and DP World ILT20 are working in close co-ordination to garner a strong fan base and engage with the global cricketing community.

ZEE’S expansive and global network offers phenomenal opportunity for brands to engage with a wide and diverse range of demographics, cutting through languages and geographies. Marking its re-entry in the sports broadcast business, ZEE is taking major strides in giving its partners an extended engagement with their consumers.

Commenting on the announcement, Rahul Johri, President – Business, South Asia, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said, “As we embark on this exciting journey, we would like to extend a warm welcome to all our partners. We are delighted with the overwhelming response for the DP World ILT20’s inaugural edition. At ZEE, we are committed to take this unique cricketing extravaganza to our global audiences and firmly believe that the league will emerge as one of the biggest and most-popular global cricketing events.”

“Paytm is excited to be present on ILT20 since the series encourages the passion of cricket in the country. It’s association with Zee5 will always be cherished.”

Neha Agarwalla, GM Marketing, Paytm

“We are excited to be part of the ILT20 for our brand Kuhl fans. We are quite hopeful that Zee Network will put in their best and their experience of sports to make this league a huge success. Given the composition of league and kind of teams that are part of it, our brand messaging of being Smart and Stylish fits well. We wish the Zee team and ILT20 the very best”.

Mahesh Gupta, CMD, Kent RO Systems

“It is a delight to partner with this cricket extravaganza which takes the excitement of short format cricket up a notch, beyond Indian borders. Gulf Oil India resonates with this league as both entities display a passion for the sport. Gulf has been a constant supporter of performance sports – be it motorsports or cricket, where we have signed up eminent cricket personalities as our brand ambassadors. Going forward, we will continue to find new ways to excite & engage the consumers/fans in the best possible manner.”

Amit Gheji, Head of Marketing, Gulf Oil India

Earlier this month, ZEE Entertainment unveiled its #HarBallBawaal campaign film, featuring global superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The film beautifully captures the passion and ambition of cricket players along with the fan frenzy that surrounds T20 cricket. Furthermore, the company had roped in superstar Rapper Badshah to produce the league’s anthem ‘Halla Halla’. Since its launch, the campaign film and the league’s anthem has been garnering widespread popularity across social and digital media platforms.

DP World ILT20 will broadcast LIVE on the ZEE Entertainment’s 10 linear TV channels and stream on ZEE5 starting January 13th, 2023 from 6:45 PM onwards, with a mega Opening Ceremony, in English, Hindi and Tamil. The event will be broadcast on Zee Cinema (SD & HD), Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Therai, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Zest (SD & HD), & Pictures HD, &Flix (SD & HD), and ZEE5 in India and globally.

The tournament will see 84 international cricketing stars from across the world, such as Joe Root, Alex Hales, Imran Tahir, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Kieron Pollard and Wanindu Hasaranga, alongside UAE’s current and rising talents. The inaugural edition includes 6 teams Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors. The league’s schedule can be found by visiting www.ilt20.ae.

This year’s AdForum PHNX Awards are open for entries – with their usual diverse jury and a compelling new theme: peace.

In 2020, deep in the heart of lockdown, AdForum launched the PHNX Awards. Not so much a competition as a celebration of the resilience of creativity. One that would allow everyone to judge – not just creatives, but planners, executives, clients, PRs, marketers, consultants…in fact everyone who makes up this vibrant industry.

Now in their fourth year, the PHNX Awards have taken flight once more. Entries are open until April 1, with the shortlist published on April 17. An online celebration will take place on May 16.

Once again, the competition is initially FREE TO ENTER. There will be a fee of 180 euros for SHORLISTED ENTRIES ONLY.

The PHNX has always been about friendship and harmony. But this year it’s also about something else: PEACE. Something we all crave, but which seems elusive right now.

So this year’s competition will feature a new prize: Creativity for Peace. Campaigns against hate. Campaigns against prejudice. Campaigns against war. All of these will be considered for the prize. Of course, the most inspiring work in traditional categories will also be rewarded.

Last year almost 1000 creatives, marketers, journalists and consultants judged work from all over the planet. This year’s jury promises to be equally spectacular.

The PHNX Awards are looking for jurors and entrants. To join the celebration, see the links below. And as someone once said, give peace a chance.

More info can be found here :https://www.adforum.com/torch/phnx-2023/about

NYF Health and Ogilvy Health Partner to Launch NYF Health Student Challenge/Internship

NYF Health Awards Releases "Grand Jury Sit Down" interviews with Adam Hessel, Ogilvy Health CCO and Executive Jury President

The New York Festivals Health Awards announced the 2023 NYF Health Awards Grand Jury.

The Health Awards powerhouse jury of respected international healthcare advertising leaders and creatives are representative of 15 countries on 6 continents. The Grand Jury panel is comprised of 100+ creatives who are some of the most innovative minds in healthcare advertising and their extensive industry experience has been recognized for exceptional achievement within the industry. The 2023 jury's high standard of excellence and distinctive viewpoints ensures that entrants work will be evaluated thoughtfully and with the utmost of consideration.

"2023's Health Awards Grand Jury reflects the diverse range of talent prevalent in today's healthcare advertising and marketing space," said Lauren Murray, Associate Executive Director, NYF Health Awards. "I'm thrilled these prominent executives are sharing both their time and industry expertise."

To showcase the 2023 NYF Health Grand Jury, Ogilvy Health New York Chief Creative Officer Adam Hessel met with 6 of 2023's jurors for a "Grand Jury Sit Down" to discuss working in the healthcare space. Within the series of interviews Adam shines a spotlight on the future of healthcare advertising, emerging technological mediums, and solicits advice from the panel on behalf of fellow industry creatives. Panelists include Nicholas Capanear, Executive Craft Director at Eversana Intouch; Mateus Coelho, Associate Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day; Josh Grossberg, Executive Creative Director at McCann Health; Renata Maia, EVP, Group Creative Director at Area 23; Patrick Moos, Executive Creative Director at VMLY&R Health, and Roberto Vilhena, SVP, Creative Director at FCB Health New York.

To view NYF Health's "Grand Jury Sit Down" visit: HERE.

NYF and Ogilvy Health have partnered to share an exciting opportunity for the next generation of creatives, a student creative brief competition. For the first NYF Health Student Challenge, entrants will be asked to create a new social campaign for A Walk on Water-a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring athletes with unique needs through surf therapy. Students will be provided a brief and the work will be judged by Adam Hessel, NYF Health Awards Executive Jury President and the NYF Health Executive Jury. The 2023 NYF Health Student Challenge winner will receive a NYF Health Awards trophy and be provided a paid internship at Ogilvy Health New York. For more information and to review the brief, visit Student Categories.

"As a supporting partner, Ogilvy has really stepped up to offer a double win for the student entrants. Adam's idea to supply a brief to showcase student work and offer the winner the opportunity for a paid internship at Ogilvy Health New York truly supports the next generation as they advance into the healthcare advertising industry," said Scott Rose, Executive Director, NYF Health Awards.

"This is a great opportunity to work on a brief for an amazing brand that does an incredible amount of good. Those who create the winning work will be offered the opportunity to intern at one of the best advertising agencies in the world, Ogilvy. My message to all interested students is 'go for it and go big'!"-Adam Hessel, CCO, Ogilvy Health New York

The final deadline to enter the NYF Health Awards is March 3rd, 2023. For more information on the 2023 NYF Health competition and to enter, visit: HERE.

The Type Directors Club (TDC) continues to explore the ways typography is used to form and transform creative communities and the broader culture, this time focusing on Latin America with Cha Che Chi, the upcoming edition of its Type Drives Culture conference series taking place virtually on March 3-4, 2023.

The name Cha Che Chi comes from sounds that echo across Latin America: chabona, chango, chava, chela, checar, chicha, chichón, chido, chimichurri, chulo, churro, salsicha, chimarrão, bochecha, pichação. Across languages, that common alliteration connects the cultures of the continent, serving as a thread amongst very diverse people.

TDC, part of The One Club for Creativity, will bring the dynamic range and rhythm of Latin American culture as it manifests visually, and typographically. The conference will look at specific design movements and styles that are prevalent in Latin America, explore how the connection to history and heritage manifests among Latin American diaspora, and showcase for the rest of the world on how Latin American typography and design exists and innovates.

The conference lineup was curated by Sol Matas, Berlin-based independent type designer originally from Argentina and a member of the TDC Advisory Board, and Laura Scofield, a Brazilian-born, New York-based designer, strategist, and educator who currently serves as senior design manager at The Atlantic Re:think. Both will introduce, and moderate sections, of the conference.

Other confirmed speakers include:

Julia A. Aguiar and Carlos Bocai, cofounders, designers, Anywhere, Brasília/New York
Marco Avilez, director, executive producer, Tipos, Santiago
Yani Arabena and Guillermo Vizzari, cofounders, directors, Yani & Guille, Buenos Aires
Tulio Cerquize, graphic designer, illustrator, São Paulo
Cyla Costa, graphic designer, lettering artist, Curitiba (Brazil)
Fer Cozzi, graphic designer, type designer, Buenos Aires
Tony de Marco, partner, art director, Meio Brazil; cofounder, editor, Tupigrafia, Sines (Portugal)
Fred Gelli, CEO, Tátil Design, Rio de Janeiro
Gustavo Greco, founder, creative director, Greco Design, Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Seb de la Hoz and Jason Guzmán, cofounders, type designers, Bastarda Type, Bogotá/New York
Ximena Jiménez, lettering artist, muralist, Bogotá
Azucena Cabezas León and Alinder Espada Camones, cofounders, graphic designers, Carga Máxima, Lima
Beatriz Lozano, designer, typographer, educator, Brooklyn
Susana Machicao, brand consultant, Visual Communications and Design, Machicao Design, La Paz
Alejandro Magallanes, designer, lettering artist, Mexico City
Laureano Menéndez, head of design, BBDO Argentina, Buenos Aires
Nubia Navarro, founder, Nubikini Studio, Bogotá
Eduarda Nieto, senior designer, AKQA Sweden
Daniel Sabino, founder, lead type designer, Blackletra Type Foundry, São Paulo
Rodrigo Saiani, founder, type designer, Plau, Rio de Janeiro
Oliver Siegenthalar, CCO, partner, S & Co., Bogotá
Julieta Ulanovsky, director, ZkySky Design Studio, Buenos Aires
Raphaël Verona, founder, Altiplano. La Paz/Lausanne (Switzerland)

“Cha Che Chi is a unique forum for the design and typographic communities to explore cultures that aren’t often gathered on the same stage,” said Sol Matas. “The scope of Latin American communities is enormous, and spread over a vast geography including the diaspora. This will be a rare opportunity to celebrate the abundance it has to offer.”

The conference will cover a range of topics, from amateur street typography to agency boardrooms. Presentations and discussions will include the behind-the-scenes of a logotype that dances to the beat of Rio Carnival, distinctive reinterpretations of popular Mexican imagery, Perú’s Chicha public placard and poster styles, the evolution of a campaign to raise women’s voices, and how lettering and politics mix in the famous distinctive style of Brazilian graffiti Pichação.

Conference branding was created by Nubia Navarro at Nubikini Studio in Bogotá. Encompassing vivid colors, rectilinear patterns, and constant movement, the brand is inspired by aguayo cloth, street lettering traditions, and the ingenuity of having to innovate out of limited resources — bringing together a clash of traditional and digital, old world and new.

Cha Che Chi follows on the heels of TDC’s Ezhishin, the first-ever conference dedicated to Native North American typography held last fall.

More information and registration for Cha Che Chi is available HERE.

Gautam Adani faces tough questions in no-holds-barred interview with Rajat Sharma

India’s richest industrialist Gautam Adani has, for the first time, replied extensively to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that Modi government has been favouring Adani group in matters relating to bank loans and infrastructure projects.

In a no-holds-barred interview in Rajat Sharma’s iconic show, AAP KI ADALAT, to be telecast at 10 pm tonight on India TV, Adani said: “Rahul Ji is a respected leader (sanmaniya neta). He also wants progress. He may be making remarks out of political emotion, but I do not take these more than ‘political bayaan-baazi’ (political remarks).”

In a light, bantering mood, Adani told Rajat Sharma: “By asking about Rahul Ji again and again, you will start a quarrel between me and him, and he may come out with a fresh statement tomorrow. I consider Rahul Ji as a ‘sanmanniya neta’. He has to run his political party. They have their ideological battle, where charges and counter-charges are made. I am an ordinary industrialist (saamanya udyogpati). I am doing my work. He does his politics in his own manner.”

Adani said: “Prior to 2014, people particularly in North India had hardly heard the name of Adani. We hail from Gujarat, where people knew us. During the 2014 elections and after that, Rahul Ji continuously attacked us. As a result, people here came to know who was Adani, and that is why, I am sitting here (in the dock of Aap Ki Adalat).”

Asked about the help we got from Narendra Modi, when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat, Gautam Adani replied: “I got three big breaks in my life. First, in 1985 during Rajiv Gandhi’s rule, when Exim policy allowed our company to become a global trading house, second, in 1991, when P.V.Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh opened up the economy, and we entered into public-private partnership mode, and third, during Narendra Modi’s 12-year-long rule in Gujarat….I can say with pride that it was a very good experience. But I want to tell you that you can never get any personal help from Modi Ji. You can speak to him about policies in the national interest, but when a policy is framed, it is for all, not only for Adani group.”

Coming to specifics, Adani replied to allegations about bank loans, projects, seizure of drugs at Mundra airport and farm laws in detail.

On Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Adani group has got most of the ports, airports and other infra projects, Gautam Adani replied: “ We did not get a single project without bidding. Our Adani group has this philosophy of not touching any project without bidding, whether it is a port, an airport, roads or powerhouse. There is not a single allegation that we ‘managed’ bidding. Even Rahul JI has not levelled any allegation about tampering with bidding process.

On Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Adani group has got Rs 2 lakh crore bank loans from money deposited by people in banks, Adani replied: “Any infra project requires equity and bank loan which is normally 40:60 in nature. The borrowers are profiled by ratings. Adani group is the only business group in India whose companies have ratings that are equivalent to India’s sovereign rating. Independent rating agencies do complete financial analysis before giving the rating, and on this basis, banks give loans. Our group is so disciplined that in our 25-year-old history, we have not made even a day’s delay in payment. After 2013, we used to take 80 pc loans from Indian banks, and the interest rate then went up to 35 pc. We went to international market with global rating. As you know, global markets do not give loans at the behest of anybody from India. Such allegations (about Modi government asking banks to give loans) are baseless. Such allegations are levelled because of political compulsions, but it is a matter between borrower and lenders. There has been no difficulty on this score…. In the last 7-8 years, our loans rose by 11 pc, while our income rose by 24 per cent. It is because of our profitability that our ratings improved. Today our profitability is more than our borrowings.”

Asked by Rajat Sharma, “if the Adani balloon bursts, many banks may sink”, Gautam Adani replied: “This may be the wish of some critics, but I can tell you that Adani group’s assets are three to four times our borrowings. Nobody’s money is not unsecured.” Rajat Sharma asked: “What if the balloon bursts?”, Adani replied: “So long as India progresses, this balloon will move forward”.

On Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that the Centre is not taking action despite seizure of Rs 20,000 crore drugs at Mundra port in 2021, Rs 5,000 cr worth drugs in May 2022, and Rs 375 crore worth drugs in July, 2022, Adani replied: “The work of port operator is limited to cargo operations. We do not have policing, inspection or arrest powers. This is done by different agencies of government. They are only trying to mislead people. It is not that drugs smuggling took place from our port only. They come in even through airports. All investigations by government agencies after drug seizures at our port are done 360-degree. People are interrogated. Seizure papers are completed only after interrogations. I don’t think Adani group was given any special treatment.”

On Congress party’s slogan, ‘Aam Aadmi behaal, Adani maalamaal’, Gautam Adani replied: “ Look, whatever political narrative one may try to draw, ultimately, tell us, where is the allegation? One is a political statement, and the other is a really genuine allegation. Let the people decide what is the truth.”

On Adani group investing Rs 68,000 crore in Congress-ruled Rajasthan, Gautam Adani replied: “ Investment is our normal programme. I had gone to Rajasthan investors’ summit at the invitation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Later, even Rahul Ji praised our investment in Rajasthan. I know Rahul’s policies are not anti-development. We want to make maximum investments in every state….Adani group is really happy that today it is working in 22 states, and all these states are not BJP-ruled….I can say with clarity that we do not have any problem with any state government. We are working even in Left-ruled Kerala, in Mamata Didi’s West Bengal, in Naveen Patnaik JI’s Odisha, in Jaganmohan Reddy’s state, even KCR’s state.”

Asked by Rajat Sharma why opposition parties are alleging that Modi is Adani’s ‘chowkidar’, Gautam Adani replied: “ Very few people who have difficulty with Modi JI, or because of ideological jostling, say such things. From my experience, I can only say that most of the people like Modi Ji and Adani’s development model. They do not find any problem.”

Gautam Adani described the repeal of farm laws as “unfortunate”. He said, “In agriculture, our group has a very limited exposure. We had built some warehouses fro Food Corporation of India for storing wheat. We did not buy wheat from those warehouses. We only provided infrastructure. …Genuinely as a citizen, I think the farm laws were good, and they had to be repealed when a political tone was given to them. 40-50 per cent people in India directly or indirectly, depend on agriculture. Today India has the capability to supply food to the entire world. But the major problem is infrastructure, which includes transport by rail, cold storage, lack of warehousing…It is not a question of Adani group’s benefit. “

The world’s third richest person was very much optimistic about India’s future. Adani said: “India is progressing fast. It took 58 years since independence for India to achieve $ 1 trillion economy, it took another 12 years to achieve $2 trillion economy, it took five years to achieve $3 trillion economy today, and India is now in a position where its economy can touch $30 trillion by 2050. Naturally, per capita income will grow and job opportunities will increase. Nobody can stop India in the coming years.”

Viacom18 to present SA20 in English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil

Viacom18 announced their expert panel for the inaugural season of SA20, South Africa’s premier T20 league starting January 10. The panel will be headlined by Suresh Raina, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, and Aakash Chopra. Viewers in India can catch the action live on JioCinema, Sports18 – 1 SD & HD, Sports18 Khel, and Colors Tamil in four languages – English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

The Hindi feed on JioCinema and Sports18 Khel will feature cricketer-turned-expert Aakash Chopra, India’s highest wicket-taker of the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 campaign, RP Singh, former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and former England international Owais Shah.

Tamil viewers will be able to enjoy the voices of Tamil Nadu cricketers Abhinav Mukund alongside Anirudha Srikkanth on JioCinema and Colors Tamil. Telugu coverage will be headlined by former India international Venkatapathy Raju, who will be joined by Akshath Reddy, Sandeep Bavanaka and R J Hemanth on JioCinema.

The SA20 English commentary team has reunited the legendary Proteas with AB De Villiers making his debut as a commentator, joined by his former national team teammates Mark Boucher, Ashwell Prince, Shaun Pollock, Herschelle Gibbs, B Chris Morris and Vernon Philander.

The experienced Mark Nicholas will join former England internationals Kevin Pietersen and Darren Gough. In addition, the international line-up will include South Africa’s first lady of cricket Kass Naidoo, Urooj Mumtaz, Pommie Mbangwa, Mike Haysman, and former West Indies T20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy.

The SA20 starts on January 10 with Rashid Khan-led MI Cape Town taking on Paarl Royals, headed by David Miller. The match will be live on JioCinema, Sports18 – 1 SD & HD, Sports18 Khel, and Colors Tamil from 8:30 PM onwards.

A big treat is awaiting television viewers in the New Year, on Saturday, January 7 night, to be precise, when the world’s third richest person, Gautam Adani, will be sitting in the hot seat of Rajat Sharma’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’. Gautam Adani will be replying to a barrage of questions from the inimitable TV icon Rajat Sharma, who will be returning with fresh episodes of his longest-running TV show.

Adani, who normally avoids one-on-one TV interviews, has agreed to be the guest on the show. He will be replying to several tricky questions from Rajat Sharma, relating to controversies relating to his corporate group. Already there is a lot of buzz among the social chatterati about how Adani is going to respond to accusations that have been levelled by his rivals and opposition leaders. Expectations of viewers about this episode have naturally reached a fever pitch as the D-Day draws closer.

Last month, Rajat Sharma asked viewers to share the names of top personalities they wished to see in fresh episodes of ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, and Gautam Adani’s name figured on top of the wish list. The list includes names of several other top personalities, who will also be featured in ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, as it steams ahead in the coming weeks with fresh episodes. The wish list includes top cricketers, politicians, godmen, and superstars of Indian cinema.

Since its inception in 1993, ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ has featured more than 1,000 prominent personalities sitting in its dock. From powerful politicians, film superstars, leading sportsmen, famous singers to spiritual gurus, none could escape the probing questions from Rajat Sharma, always delivered with a smile, but with exact precision. The roster of distinguished guests in his iconic show includes Presidents, Prime Ministers, cabinet ministers and chief ministers. ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ is the only show that has the distinction of getting all three Bollywood Khans together on the same stage.

There is no other show in the Indian TV industry where eminent guests lay bare their raw emotions, vulnerabilities, and no-holds-barred opinions with such ease. Another high point is that ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ on India TV can now be watched by viewers across the world, including the USA and UAE.

Rubeena Singh, to lead the company's operations in India and the MENA region.

AnyMind Group, an end-to-end commerce enablement company, has announced the appointment of Rubeena Singh as Country Manager for India and MENA. Rubeena will be joining the company on 16 January 2023, where she will be responsible for the company’s India and MENA operations.

Rubeena has over 22 years of experience across digital, print and broadcast. She started her professional journey at Star TV and spent much of her career at Nework18. As Chief Operating Officer of Moneycontrol she led their operations and P&L. Post which she worked as the India Chief Executive Officer of media agency iProspect for about five years before taking up her most recent role as Country Manager of VerSe Innovation’s short video app, Josh.

Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group, commented on the appointment, “Rubeena’s diverse experience across social media, digital marketing and publishing matches our own capabilities across these spaces. As we continue to grow our offerings across India, from e-commerce and marketing to creator and publisher enablement, Rubeena’s drive and expertise will undoubtedly be an asset for us as we look to advance the next-generation of commerce in India and the wider Asia-Pacific region.”

On her appointment, Rubeena added, “I’m delighted to be joining the brilliant team at AnyMind Group and be a part of its growth journey. I look forward to working with the team geared up for both business growth & delivering astonishing work hand in hand. I’ve watched them grow rapidly over the last few years and I am thrilled to contribute to the creation of a future internet giant.”

AnyMind Group entered the Indian market in 2020 by acquiring mobile advertising platform POKKT. POKKT, a leading Mobile Ads platform in India, Southeast Asia and Middle East, was founded in 2012 by Rohit Sharma and Vaibhav Odhekar and is integrated with over 1000+ App publishers providing video and rich media ad solutions. AnyMind Group’s wider suite of solutions covers the needs of brands, creators and publishers through two broad spaces: Brand Commerce (for e-commerce, marketing, logistics, manufacturing and conversational commerce) and Partner Growth (for creator and publisher solutions), helping them unlock holistic data and functionality across key areas of the business.