Talking Back to your Radio Ads.by Megan Haynes

Radio ads listen back

Soon, you might be talking back to your radio ads.

And we don’t necessarily mean you’ll get overjoyed when the latest car spot plays your favourite tune or shout in anger as a local restaurant commercial plays the same annoying jingle, but rather interact directly with an ad – through your car.

NPR in the U.S. announced last week its latest innovative offering – ads that listen and respond. The units will run on the brand’s mobile apps, using voice recognition software to understand consumer commands, but more importantly, it’ll also run in cars through special dashboards.

Cars are becoming increasingly “smart” and able to communicate with phones. Car cos are partnering on with phone makers to create special dashboards and widgets, allowing consumers to control their phones while they drive (safely, one would presume).

It also means radio stations, like NPR, which has special in-vehicle apps in cars from Lexus and Chevy, can roll out these ads allowing for brand interaction while the consumer is driving from point A to B.

Current means of interacting with radio ads could be considered a bit cumbersome. Most require you to pull out a smartphone and load an app, such as Shazam, which is a potentially dangerous (and often illegal) thing to do while behind the wheel. But with the ads that listen back, the concept is simple, though the idea is fantastical. At the tail of a spot, instead of inviting consumers to head online to visit a website, they can simply just say “Download more” or “hear more” to get more information about the spot.

These futuristic ads have already quietly rolled out, with brands like Toys ‘R’ Us and JetBlue in the U.S. testing the tech out late last year. According to media reports, the JetBlue activation resulted in a 50% increase in time spent with the brand, versus the average media experience.

“I think it is the next logical step,” says Karen Howe, SVP/CD, One Advertising. “Siri paved the way for us.”

Creating an added layer of interactivity in radio – which has traditionally been a very “sit back and listen” medium, could be a great thing for brands.

“Every time we do anything [to] decrease any barrier to interaction, we see an uptick in brand engagement,” she says. “And the tech-coolness factor will also help drive interest and uptake.”

Since hearing about the technology, Howe says she’s tasked her team with finding out more and is actively pursuing ways of integrating it into work for clients – though she’s yet to hear of any Canadian media rolling out similar programs.

Denise Rossetto, partner and CD at DS+P, concurs, saying she anticipates creatives around the world will soon roll out fun and exciting new ways of using voice recognition in radio ads. She cautions, however, the tech and use of the tech will likely take off only if the content advertisers provide is incredibly compelling, useful, fun or convenient. Otherwise, advertisers run the risk of turning consumers off. The ads, after all, do add a layer of intrusiveness into the vehicle.

David Bray, president of Bray and Partners, and a radio analyst, warns the use of in-car apps, and thus ads that listen, may not take off very quickly, as more than 90% of all radio is still listened to over traditional AM/FM channels, which can’t integrate the technology. The people, he says, simply aren’t on the channels (digital/apps) necessary for the success of ads that listen.

And with transmedia making its way into everything from books to television to video games, is it any wonder radio would also want to get a bit interactive?

Read more: http://strategyonline.ca/2014/04/11/radio-ads-listen-back/#ixzz2ydZIZ9Bp

All India Radio FM GOLD-"India Global".a programme focussing India's relations with other countries

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Dish TV to be a Thing of the Past? By Sri Vidya - HYDERABAD Published: 11th April 2014 09:49 AM

Everything we do is inherently connected to the internet nowadays. We access it through our Smart phones, laptops, tablets and computers. But technology has even routed the same to our Smart TVs. With laptops and Smart TVs serving just as good as the traditional television set up, more and more seem to be opting for this.

Most of the city’s migratory population doesn’t really bother with investing in a fancy telly, or a television at all, as everything can be viewed on the internet.

“When I moved to Hyderabad, I was living on my own. I did not think of buying a TV as I could access all the TV shows I followed on the internet. Watching them on my laptop saves me a lot of expense that goes into buying a TV and getting a dish connection,” says Geethika Rao, a software employee.

With torrents being available for nearly every TV show, youngsters prefer downloading them and watching it at their own convenience rather than rescheduling their day to catch them on TV.

“Most of the time I do not even download them. I borrow it from friends who have downloaded them already, and watch them when I have the time. As I am mostly at college when these shows come on TV, this is most convenient for me,” says Kubra Fatima, a student from St Francis College for Women.

If waiting for the next episode of a show was painful enough, folks don’t have to wait much longer to access them on the internet as nearly all regional channels have their own YouTube channel. Usually, episodes are uploaded onto the site within the same day as their telecast. Some channels like Star Plus and Colors Viacom also have their own websites where the viewers can read synopsis of previous episodes, watch the episodes and follow news about their favourite characters.

But it isn’t just viewers who are realising the potential of this; channels as well are making sure they cater to both audiences. Some regional channels also count their TRP’s by the number of views on their Youtube counterpart. “Our serials are rated and judged by the administration even by the number of views on each day’s episode. The views garnered also help us analyse what kind of content the viewers prefer to watch the most,” says Krishna Prasad, a TV serial producer at a popular regional channel.

But what of cable and Dish TV operators in the city? They say that their businesses haven’t been adversely affected as yet. “Our existing subscriptions has not declined at all but certainly, there is a decline in the average number of new subscriptions that we get yearly,” says Mallesh, an operator, adding that the problem will arise when their old subscriptions begin to expire as even housewives are beginning to shift online.

“I follow two serials on two different channels that are telecast at the same time. So I watch one on TV and the other online,” shares Varsha, a civil engineer.

And Srinivas, an employee of Virtusa, knows what that’s like. “My mom never used the internet until her friend told her that the shows she misses are uploaded on YouTube. Now she does not mind skipping a few shows as she knows where to find them,” he says.

As the popularity picks among those who are usually technologically-challenged, a cable Tv subscriptions may soon be a thing of the past in the city.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Dish-TV-to-be-a-Thing-of-the-Past/2014/04/11/article2161444.ece1#.U0gMAlWSxQg

When Doordarshan was the only candidate:By Sona Sethi, Hindustan Times Chandigarh, April 11, 2014

As I watch the Indian election fervour escalate from half a world away, I'm reminded of my growing years in India and how we looked forward to the elections every five years. No, it wasn't for any sense of patriotism or for the love of any one candidate.

It was primarily because of Doordarshan. We grew up before cable television made its spectacular entrance into the Indian living room. We belong to the Doordarshan era. The lone channel would telecast the best of movies while the ballots were being counted.

Many of us remember watching "Chupke Chupke", "Baaton Baaton Mein" and, of course, the quintessential Indian election movie, "Aandhi", that was rumoured to be based loosely on the life of the late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

The cable-TV generation probably cannot relate to us, the Doordarshan generation. They are bombarded by information and entertainment 24/7. We, on the other hand, we were quite deprived.

Only one movie would be on air every Sunday and "Chitrahaar" twice a week. No matter where we were or what we were doing, it all came to a halt for those moments when the television came alive.

I remember that once a bunch of us neighbourhood school kids were playing cricket, and at 8 o'clock sharp we stopped the match halfway. It was time for "Chitrahaar". My cousin visiting from America followed us, not knowing what "Chitrahaar" was.

What he thought must be exceptional turned out to be a half-hour medley of film songs. He could not believe we had sacrificed our game for it! How could he understand? He could watch TV all day long in the US.

The examinations were another time when Doordarshan would become an escape. I would watch even the regional movie telecast every Saturday and "Krishi Darshan" every evening just to avoid studying.

Finally, in the late 1980s, Doordarshan came of age. New shows were introduced and we, a hungry audience, lapped up the content. Many talented actors belonged to the television fraternity initially before moving on to the big screen.

Maybe if shows such as "Fauji" and "Circus" had not happened to Shah Rukh Khan to give him his start, then he might not have gone on to become the Badshah of Bollywood.

In the 1990s, satellite TV arrived in India and Doordarshan could not compete with the non-stop onslaught on the viewer's senses. It started to lose its hold on the viewers. However, lately it has managed to regain some of its lost viewership.

This election year, as the results roll in, sitting thousands of miles away, I wonder will Doordarshan still play "Chupke Chupke" or maybe "Aandhi", or is that a thing of the past?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/chandigarh/when-doordarshan-was-the-only-candidate/article1-1206826.aspx

India maxes out on radio as election approaches

by Matthew Lasar on April 9, 2014 in International, Talk Radio
If you are a politics junkie, India is the country for you. Right now 814.5 million Indian voters are qualified to cast ballots in the impending elections for India’s 543 member lower house and the country’s president. They can choose from 50 regional parties and two national parties. Ten million polling officials and security people will staff 930,000 polling stations.

How will they decide who to vote for? This year it appears that radio will play a huge role in their choices.

An estimated 100 million Indian citizens tune into radio every day, the above NDTV feature says. India’s Election Commission is pouring money into public service announcements to get out the vote. But it looks like the political parties are also investing in radio like never before, bombarding commuter ears with political ads that can last from three seconds to three minutes. A ten second ad costs 1,000 Rupees or more, around 16 USD.

http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2014/04/09/india-maxes-radio-general-election-approaches/

Radio Kashmir remembers Mehjoor

Srinagar, April 09: 
In a bid to commemorate the death anniversary of famous Kashmiri poet Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor, a function was held at radio Kashmir Srinagar on Wednesday.

During the function a poetic symposium, paper reading and musical performances was done during the program. The function was presided over by eminent critic Prof. Muhammad Zaman Azurda while Gyanpith awardee Prof. Rehmaan Rahi was the chief guest.

Welcoming the guests, station head Deputy Director General Bashir Arif emphasised the importance of appreciating the works of great poets and literatures like Mehjoor in order to get a first hand feel of cultural wealth.


http://www.risingkashmir.com/radio-kashmir-remembers-mehjoor/

Bacterial 'FM radio' developed

READ FULL ARTICLE AT:

http://phys.org/news/2014-04-bacterial-fm-radio.html

Indian Origin Scientist creates Chemistry Set

READ FULL ARTICLE AT:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/diaspora/indian-origin-scientist-creates-chemistry-set-for-usd-5-506388?pfrom=home-topstories

HINDUSTAN TIMES OP-ED RECOMMENDS DOORDARSHAN

HINDUSTAN TIMES WRITES:

"Skill koi dukaan mein nahin milta, bina skill ke koi makaan nahin milta, aur agar skill hain to kaun kehta hai ki yahaan koi job nahin milta. "

 "You can’t buy skill in a shop, without skill you can’t get a house, and if you are skilled, who says you can’t get a job here?"

Set to catchy music, the unusual ditty kicks off Hunnarbaaz (talented), a Sunday morning reality show on job skills, running now on Doordarshan, the national broadcaster. The show is not high on ratings, but its subject matter is now India’s number one electoral concern.

Don’t look to India’s leaders for answers. My recommendation: Tune in to Hunnarbaaz this Sunday.

READ FULL ARTICLE AT: http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/samar/india-s-electorate-s-chief-demand-is-employment/article1-1206297.aspx

Akashvani to host monthly show:Childline goes on AIR for kids issues

Akashvani to host monthly show from April 13, where children can call in and talk about their problems; counsellors and experts will chair the programme.

The revelation of the repeated molestation of a three-and-half-year-old child from the city has once again thrown light on the rise in crimes against children, and with this has come the foreboding realisation that while a certain number of cases have received parental and police attention, there may remain many in which children are afraid or unable to speak out. 

The show will be accessible to people in rural and urban 

areas;according to Childline officials, cases of abuse in

 villages often go unreported

With this in view, the Dnyana Devi Childline, along with national public radio broadcaster Akashvani, will be starting a monthly phone-in programme to solve issues that children face. This programme will be pre-recorded and aired on the second Sunday of every month, starting April 13.

“Radio manages to reach even rural areas of India, so children in these areas too will be able to access the show. The programme will not only be a sounding board for children, but will also guide parents towards listening and dealing with such issues. Moreover, they will get to hear the problems of children from the kids themselves, instead of us telling them,” said Dr Anuradha Sahasrabuddhe, director, Dnyana Devi Childline.
As per existing records, in Pune, around 190 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2012. In 2013, this alarming figure rose to 328.

“There are often cases of incest in rural areas and not all are recorded with the police. The first few shows will be general, but subsequently, we plan to make it theme-based. We will also have experts for specific issues, as well as Balsena (peer group) members, since children will open up more easily to them,” added Sahasrabuddhe.

She further said that radio would have a wider reach than similar sessions conducted in schools.

Jyotsna Ketkar, programme executive at Akashvani, said, “These days, children face problems that are no less than those faced by than adults, and parents are sometimes not available to solve these issues. This programme will help create awareness. Questions will be answered by Childline counsellors and the child can choose not to reveal his/her identity.”

Those who wish to speak can call on 25531705/06. The dates for calling will be announced by Akashvani over the next few days.

Source: http://www.punemirror.in/article/2/20140409201404091040076408f920428/Childline-goes-on-AIR-for-kids-issues.html

Battle 2014: Reaching out through the radio

With a staggering 814 million people entitled to vote this general election, political parties are experimenting with different types of media to reach out to voters. While door-to-door campaigning was once a favorite, social media campaigning and extensive use of radio have also taken center-stage this time.

The reason is obvious. For lakhs of commuters, radio is a loyal companion. No surprise then that all political parties are using the medium in a big way to grab the attention of an estimated 100 million listeners, who tune in to nearly 300 private FM channels and many more government-run stations every day. 

On FM radio, prime time slots are being bombarded with political advertisements as political parties are spending considerable part of their campaigning budget on the medium. Jingles can be 15 seconds to 3 minutes long; a 10 second slot costs Rs. 1000 upwards. 

"During the 2009 polls, political parties were spending just two to five per cent of their advertising budget on radio ads. Now it is anything between 10 to 15 per cent," Rohit Upadyay, CEO and Director of iBroad 7 tells NDTV and adds that what makes the radio so popular is the fact that it can reach audiences even in remote areas and allows the message to be delivered in a more personalised manner in regional languages and dialects.

And it's not just political parties, but the Election Commission has also used the medium extensively to encourage voting. 
 
Radio jingles, it seems, are certainly striking the right note this election season. 

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/battle-2014-reaching-out-through-the-radio-506306

Election Commission urges media to shun paid news in new guidelines

In order to have a neutral and objective coverage of the elections, the Election Commission of India has issued a ‘Handbook for Media’. The guidelines for news coverage span across TV, print and, for the first time, social media. Noting that the media facilitates transparency and informed choice through debates and analysis, the EC has urged the media to exercise “utmost restraint” and “shun paid news”, while covering the elections for the Lok Sabha. The Handbook, which was released on Tuesday, reads: “The commission seeks to facilitate the legitimate role of media in elections. At election time it becomes imperative that the media provides people with all information necessary to make informed choices.” The guidelines for new media include disclosure of Twitter, Facebook and other social media accounts as well as campaigning expenditure incurred through the Internet. “This includes payment made to internet companies and websites for carrying advertisements and also campaign related operational expenditure on making of creative content,” the EC Handbook states.

http://www.televisionpost.com/news/election-commission-urges-media-to-shun-paid-news-in-new-guidelines/

Teens act smarter on social media than older counterparts

Younger generations adopting social media have learned lessons from their older counterparts, and are acting smarter when it comes to privacy online.

25 to 30 year olds, the first generation to grow up with social media, have a tendency to put everything 'out there’ while today’s teenagers are more reserved, says Derek McAuley, Chief Innovation Officer for the Connected Digital Economy Catapult.

Speaking to The Information Daily at the Personal Information Economy 2014 conference in London, McAuley spoke of the constant and complex trade off between utility and privacy when people share personal data to get things done.

When a credit card user shares their location with the credit card company, he explained, it impacts on privacy and security – but not as much as carrying around a "bunch of cash".

The way social media can compromise personal security and privacy is well known from the Facebook generation who used the platform to broadcast information from their ‘walls’, but are now living with the consequences.

18 year olds have observed this and show different behaviours, typically not publishing on Facebook walls but instead using the platform for group instant messaging.

Some 14 year olds, meanwhile, are wondering "why use Facebook at all?", instead migrating to dedicated messaging services like Skype, WhatsApp and Snapchat.

"All of these things, by that demographic, are society learning these lessons", McAuley added.

"No amount of privacy advocates standing up and warning of the dangers stops society […] it needs to suffer some of these harms before it learns the lessons".

Therefore the release of private information through social media is not increasing relentlessly, he says.

"Younger generations are more sensitive to this and more sensible than we often give them credit for".

Source: http://www.theinformationdaily.com/2014/04/08/teens-act-smarter-on-social-media-than-older-counterparts

Story of the good ol' television

CEO,Prasar Bharati'S Tweet introducing the following article

Television has invaded our lives so much that hardly a day goes by without it. Preetha Kadhir traces its journey in India..

A Retro TV Set

The elections are starting today and most of us are following the happenings across the length and breath of the country, thanks to minute-to-minute updates on the grand idiot box. It would only be apt to trace the humble beginning of the television at this point.

Television’s introduction in India happened in September 15, 1959 in Delhi. It was an initiative by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which gave the Indian government 20,000 U.S. dollars and 180 Philips TV sets. It is hard to believe that initially programmes were broadcast twice a week for an hour a day. The topics were mostly educational such as community health, citizens’ duties and rights, traffic, road senses etc.

Two years later, a school educational project was included. So far, the operations were restricted to the capital of the nation. In 1972, a second television station was started in Bombay, now Mumbai. In the next three years, stations were set up in Srinagar, Amritsar, Calcutta, Madras and Lucknow.

A major milestone was achieved in 1975 when the government tested the possibilities of satellite based television through the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE). The transmission was only in black and white but people accepted this new medium more as a source of information than that of entertainment. 17 years after the launch, there was a network of eight television stations. Keen to overcome the administerial challenges of the rapidly growing television system, the government constituted the Doordarshan, the national television network as a separate department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Earlier, the television broadcasting was part of the All India Radio.

From the year 1976, commercials were introduced on an experimental basis with sponsored programmmes only. The advertisers in public and private sectors preferred advertising with spots (ad space) than sponsoring programmes. After much reviewing, the system of spot advertising was introduced. The rates were fixed for commercial spots in accordance with a graded system of timings, namely, non-peak period, peak-viewing period and supper time.

Source:

http://www.thehindu.com/in-school/signpost/story-of-the-good-ol-television/article5886450.ece