|
|
| |
|
[Wednesday at NAB]
|
| |
|
Highlighting India’s Media Industry
|
| |
|
by Ken Freed,
~ April 16, 2008
|
| |
TV TECHNOLOGY
Recognizing that India has the second fastest growing economy in the world today, a population of over 1.1 billion with 55 percent under the age of 25 and an electronic media industry valued at an estimated $12.5 billion, NAB will host the Super Session, “Tune In to India’s Entertainment Economy: From Emerging to Surging.”
In this session, prominent Indian visionaries and analysts will discuss a variety of topics including foreign investment and measures to curb piracy as well as distribution inefficiencies and the world’s largest roll-out of digital cinema through satellite.
India’s leading media and entertainment executives also will discuss their country’s rapid growth in the entertainment industry. Today’s session, 3:30 p.m., will focus on the state of India’s entertainment economy, including a discussion of the issues, challenges and opportunities in India in television, radio, film and new media. A report on the Indian entertainment industry, prepared by Ernst & Young, will be released.
The session will be moderated by Farokh Balsara, the national president of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) and industry veteran. Balsara will present an update on business opportunities in India resulting from economic growth and technological expansion.
GROWING INTEREST
Balsara, a partner with Ernst & Young in India, leads the firm’s Media & Entertainment practice as well as the firm’s Advisory Services practice. Under his leadership, the IACC has helped propel India into a top destination for U.S. companies outsourcing their business processes and manufacturing needs. Balsara has played a direct role in promoting greater exchanges between Hollywood and Bollywood.
“We are pleased to have an opportunity to interact with India’s vibrant industry and to communicate the importance of the NAB show in every continent around the world,” said Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president, Conventions & Business Operations.
“This time, the NAB fair is not just about broadcasting,” said Margaret Cassily, NAB’s vice president for international business and conventions operations. “A huge spectrum of new media platforms will also be showcased.” Technologies like 3D, IPTV, UltraHD and others can help Indian broadcasters and film producers do business with the largest content owners in the world, she added.
Four leaders from India media companies will join Balsara on the Super Session panel.
Anurag Batra, an entrepreneur and media journalist, is the chief executive officer and promoter of exchange4media, where he serves as the managing director and owner of “Pitch” and “Impact” magazines, which cover the media, entertainment and advertising sectors of India. Batra also is on the executive committee of the Association of Indian Magazines (AIM), and serves as chairman of the advisory board at Futuristic Media Communications Center.
Jagdish Kumar is the chief operating officer of Star TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp. that broadcasts more than 61 television services in 10 languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. As part of the senior executive management team, Kumar helped Star TV expand into filmed entertainment, television production, and wireless and digital services in India.
A third panelist is Sunil Lulla, group chief executive officer, Alva Brothers Limited. Alva Brothers is the holding company for Miditech, the second largest TV Production House in India, as well as TV Entertainment Network, through a separate partnership with Turner Broadcasting. A veteran of the media industry, Lulla’s contributions include the introduction of MTV to India and the turnaround of India’s premiere music label, Sa Re Ga Ma.
A.P. Parigi, managing director and chief executive officer of Entertainment Network (India) Ltd, owned by Time’s Group, helped the company expand its FM radio broadcasting, out-of-home advertising and filmed entertainment. Under his leadership, ENTIL-owned Radio Mirchi emerged as India’s largest private FM radio network.
|
|
|
|
