• ?I only shop online or via TV?: Best Deal TV COO Meghna Krishna

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jun 18, 2015

    In a highly competitive media industry where cut throat competition is the way of life and being one up on your competition is the only way to succeed, it is rare to come across someone who still believes in the power of empathy.

    And that's why Best Deal TV COO Meghna Krishna strikes as a pleasant surprise.  Krishna believes that there is nothing that you can get done alone as an individual.

    Hailing from a small town called Khurja in UP, Krishna armed herself with an MBA from the reputed INSEAD in France before moving to US to work with startups like Walmart. Through varied exposures in different organisations that she worked with, Krishna has had exposure in front of the camera, behind the camera, on the marketing side of things and as a consumer as well. Now, after almost two decades of being in the industry, she opens up to Exec Life on her tryst with Homeshop18, her reasons for shopping mostly through television and online marketplaces, and her experience of working with Raj Kundra.

    Excerpts:

    What is your take on the concept of using celebrities to market home-shopping products on Best Deal TV? 

    Best Deal TV is exactly how I envisioned TV shopping to be. This is the way to bring credibility to a space that suffers from lack of trust. Here, we are not just getting products and slapping celebrity faces to it. They are truly involved in creating the brand, selecting the product and using it. Having been in this industry for eight years now, I think it runs in my blood. I have been in front of the camera, behind the camera, on the marketing side of things and on the buying side of things.

    What part of home-shopping appeals to you?

    The good thing about home-shopping is that you cannot predict what your day would be like. Launching a product is a lifetime experience and in home-shopping, we launch 80-90 products a month. These are not products that are picked from what exists in the market; they are customized and sometimes conceptualized by our sourcing team keeping in mind the demand of the customers.

     

    What are the major challenges that you face in selling a product through television?

    The primary challenge would be customer recruitment. Because of the not so positive reputation of home-shopping in general, people do not relate shopping from television to quality products. It will take time and consistency to change this perception.

    Secondly, there's the challenge of logistics and infrastructure like delivering in locations that do not even have motorable roads. Lastly, talent. There is so much growth in the retail space that it is difficult to hire talent and retain it. Challenge of identifying the correct technology that will make us future ready should also concern those involved in home-shopping.

    Do you shop online?

    I only shop online or from TV except when I am traveling. I don?t have favorites, but it?s addictive. Once you start browsing and looking, you get hooked. Innovation obviously matters in staying ahead of the curve, selling a differentiated product as well as knowing what is going to be in demand tomorrow. At the same time, innovating in servicing the customers is also imperative. Making sure the customers have a good experience is essential.

     

    Who do you consider your role model or inspiration in the industry (or outside)?

    I learn from everyone I meet, every person has some inherent quality that you can learn from. But if I had to name one person inspires me, it would be Mr. Sundeep Malhotra, he is my ex-boss and even today when I am lost or need help, I think of how he would handle the situation and if that does not work- I call him and ask.

    How has the experience of working with Raj Kundra been?

    Working with Raj has been fantastic so far. He has been a mentor and a friend more than a boss. The best part is that he gives a lot of space, which makes this a very exciting opportunity.

    What is that one thing for which you are proud of yourself?

    There is no one thing for me, but I am very proud of the fact that I was a part of the founding team of India?s largest Home-shopping channel. We did not just set up a company, we started an industry.  When we began, trained talent did not exist. We started from scratch and trained each and every anchor and producer for television shopping. We created a communication strategy to differentiate ourselves from all the infomercials that ran late at night. Setting a brand that is trusted in an industry that was fested with lack of trust has been one of the most exciting experiences

    Is e-commerce and digital market going to be the market leader when it comes to lifestyle commodities?

    In my opinion, the future is innovation and having a pulse on customer needs. This is just the beginning, I think customers are so much better off today as they get better variety at much better prices. Additionally they can also buy the latest trends so it?s a lot more easier now.

    What is success to you? 

    Success to me is building a passionate organization with a strong customer franchise. My mantra is to focus, get it right and then build on it.

    Any words of wisdom that you want to share with our readers?

    Imbibe knowledge as knowledge gives you confidence, and brings empathy in your work as there is nothing that you can get done alone as an individual.

     

    As told to Papri Das

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • Weekend Watch

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jun 18, 2015

    Exec Lifestyle?s Weekend Watch recommends and previews television shows, films and live events that you simply cannot miss! Check out our recommendations for this weekend (19 - 21 June).

    Live concert:

             

    The popular band from Chennai - Junkyard Groove, which made its space in the Indian independent scene since the year 2005, is all set to set Mumbai head banging to their beats this weekend. Founded by Chennai based singer-songwriter Ameeth Thomas, the band completes 10 years of music and madness on 18 June, 2015, and they celebrate their anniversary with you in Mumbai. So if you are a metal head and want to groove to some desi rock, don't forget to tune in with Junkyard Groove at Hard Rock Cafe, Mumbai.

    About Town:

    If you believe that laughter is the best medicine, then trust the folks at Canvas Laughter Club to administer it the right way. And this week, the dose will be extra powerful with them celebrating their 5th year anniversary. The line up looks versatile, as the weekend?s Best In Stand-Up features veteran comedians like Anuvab Pal, Aditi Mittal, Vikram Poddar. So sit back and let the pros do the treatment, err, joking right.

    Night Outs:

    This weekend, Soundz Good brings to you the hottest dance music acts together with fresh talent from the country. To keep it enjoyable for all, the gigs are not restricted to any particular genre, and the organisers will curate and select artists to give you a maximum dance experience! This friday?s roster will feature Qwiver supported by Samir-Saurabh and SpaceKitten. So minimal and techno house lovers come and catch them live at The Local Passenger, in Andheri Lokhandwala, in Mumbai from 9 pm onwards.

    Television:

    Sony Max

    Movies buffs have a treat in waiting from Sony Max, as they bring you the world television premiere of the popular Telugu thriller Yevadu, dubbed in Hindi. The film is a revenge drama directed by Vamshi Paidipally which features Ram Charan, Shruti Haasan and Amy Jackson in lead roles. After garnering massive fan base across states in south India, the film will now be screened for the Hindi speaking audience. Catch all the action this Saturday at 8 pm, only on Sony Max.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • Weekend Watch

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jun 12, 2015

    Exec Lifestyle?s Weekend Watch recommends and previews television shows, films and live events that you simply cannot miss! Check out our recommendations for this weekend (12 - 14 June 2015)

     

    Live act:

     

    If you appreciate plays and theatrical acts, don?t miss your chance to experience this one of a kind summer theater festival called Summer Fiesta. It will host a series of screenings, workshops, acting classes, and a lot more, just for kids. Started in 2010, the festival has grown in number as well as stature, and this year they have extended their schedule to six years with 24 workshops and 17 plays.

     

    Theater enthusiasts can get in touch with their team at National Centre For The Performing Arts(Nariman Point) post 10 am.

     

    About Town:

     

    Artist Prashant Mirandra, who is mostly known for his works on figurative studies, architecture and nature, is displaying his works through an exhibition titled Bombay Gold.

     

    Prashant calls it an ode to the body, the dwelling and nature and depicts Mumbai from a never seen before perspective. Art lovers can catch this unique work at Gallery Zinc in Santacruz West, Mumbai.

    Movies:

     

    For all those who grew up in the glorious days of blockbuster fictions have a special connection with the Jurassic Park series and Spielberg's genius. And now, after over a decade and a half  the franchise is out with a new Jurassic movie -- Jurassic World. Do you need more motivation to catch the movie with friends and family this weekend?

     

     

     

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • In conversation with Abhijit Avasthi

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jun 12, 2015

    After six long months of speculations, Abhijit Avasthi, the former National Creative Head of Ogilvy and Mather India has finally broken his silence, and spoken at length about his reasons for quitting a comfortable job and starting something on his own.

    In this episode of Talking Point, catch him open up on his life as an army brat, his relationship with Piyush Pandey, and his vision behind Sideways, his new creative venture.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • ?Wear a watch for time keeping first? : H G Raghunath

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jun 12, 2015

    By Papri Das

    Light years, speed, a day, hours, minutes, and seconds -- for centuries, men have been fascinated with time keepers. And amongst them, analog watches have been a symbol of achievement and progress for the eclectic man, and has survived the digital era quite remarkably. Even after the launch of iWatch, which was widely expected to eat into the market for premium watches, analogs made by Swiss companies still thrive. The reason being the time, effort and sheer skill that goes into making these complicated time keeping machines, and Titan Company Limited, Watches and Accessories Division, CEO H G Raghunath can personally vouch for it.

    Raghunath has been associated with Titan for over 38 years, and as he retires from his services on 30 June, he reflects over his journey with a heavy heart. ?I have worked with the organisation over three decades now and each day has been full of memories I will cherish for a lifetime. It?s been a wonderful journey so far,? says the avid watch aficionado.

    When it comes to time keepers, Raghunath?s philosophy is simple ? to each is their own.

    ?Every person has a different evaluation of time as literally speaking it is the time elapsed between one action and another. Therefore watch makers continue to come up with new and innovate ways to represent time,? shares Raghunath, when Exec Life caught up with him at the launch of Titan?s new premium range of Moon Phase watches, Celestial Time.

    Taking the moon phase as an example, Raghunath further explains, ?These types to watches have high precision movements and it is not possible for an ordinary person to put it together. A complete watch is a piece of art. Movements are to watches what engine is to cars. Inside a car the engine will have ordinary gears, auto transmission, four wheel drivers, etc. In a watch all that is visible ? that allows you to check time by hour, minute, second, days, years and even use the chronogram to measure each event separately. In a moon phase watch, as you approach towards the New moon day, the moon one can see through the case visibly wanes in a fortnight, and the similar process is repeated for the full moon day, where the moon grows. Now it might sound simple but each brand has its own unique way to build a moon phase watch, and so does Titan.?

    Priced between Rs 12,000 - 15,000, Titan?s exclusive range of moon phase watches are aimed at the young batch of entrepreneurs and below 30 CEOs who represent the new India.

    An avid collector of time keepers, Raghunath owns 73 watches till date including the new rosewood coloured moon phase watches. ?My first ever watch was gifted to me by my parents. But the first watch that I owned was a Titan watch, which I bought after joining the company. My family and I have an affinity for watches. My two daughters love flaunting their watches and they carry all the watches, which I have collected as well. My favourite so far is the one is the classical gold plated Edge by Titan, which my wife has bought for me.?

    When asked to recommend a watch for the young men out their who want to cultivate their taste in fine luxury watches, Raghunath gives a simple tip. ?Wear a watch for time keeping first, and then as a fashion accessory. It will help you respect others? time as well as your own.?

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • What Money Can Buy

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jun 12, 2015

    Money can?t buy you happiness but it can surely buy the means to keep you happy. And for those with an eclectic taste in lifestyle, happiness often means being able to indulge in their passions. From antique collections, luxury rides, limited editions ranges, to auctions that the world have their eyes on, Exec Lifestyle gives you a sneak peek into the uber lifestyle.

    This week, meet the Indian jewellery designer whose work fetched billions in an auction, Chanel?s new premium range of wrist watches, and find out how billionaires get their caffeine fix.

    Bling it on:

    If you think only international brands like Tiffany, Cartier and Van Cleef fetch billions in auctions for jewels, then you are wrong. Indian jewellery designer Nirav Modi did India proud with his diamond cut piece the Orchid Ainra Necklace at Christie?s Magnificent Jewels Auction and was sold at jaw dropping bid of Rs 13 crore.

    The auction held in Hong Kong earlier this week created a buzz amongst bling lovers when the Indian designer made his second entry in the bidding since his debut in 2011. What makes the piece unique is its flawless pear shaped diamonds weighing 10.02 and 2.66 carats, which have been crafted to form an ovate link held together by a delicate metal fastening, making it one of the best design concept we have come across in recent times.

    Pop them bottles:

    Celebration, extravaganza, and champagne are few words often said in the same breath. Off late, with the appearance of many affordable brands of champagne, the act of popping a bottle of champagne to celebrate something colossal is losing its exclusivity. So what do the A-listers do to cut themselves above the noise? Here?s what? they splurge on The Midas by Armand De Brignac, touted as the most popular champagne brand amongst the rich and the famous.

    They are also known for producing the largest bottle of ?Ace of Spades? champagne, and also holds the title of being the most expensive bottle of Champagne to be sold at an auction. The bottle measured 100 pounds in weight and needed the efforts of three men to carry it to the venue for display at the auction. The size was known to be the equivalent of 40 regular-sized bottles. It had to be created by eight artists, who ended up making this golden giant bottle, named after Greek mythological King Midas, who could change anything he touched into gold. The auction happened through an exclusive club in London, called OneforOne Park Lane, where Mr. Johnson placed the winning bid.

    The champagne brand?s bottles of Ace of Spades are reportedly a favorite of rap star Jay-Z, and have appeared in several of his music videos. Recently, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban spent $90,000 on these golden bottle of Ace of Spades celebrating its team winning in NBA championship at club LIV at Miami's Fontainebleau. 

    For your ?Boyfriend?:

    Have you met Chanel?s new Boyfriend? And no we are not talking about the Boyfriend handbag that JLo is so fond of flaunting at red carpets. The French luxury brand recently came out with a new time piece titled ?Boyfriend? aimed as a gift for your metrosexual male friend. It features sharp masculine anecdotes while still maintaining its refined feminine structure. Stylist are happy with its new design as it is perfect to be paired with a casual jeans and T shirt look with a jacket, and will look simply sublime with an evening outfit as well. Part of their premiere Watch line, it comes in 18 gold cases and bezels, with a few studded with brilliant cut diamonds.

    Said to hit the stores towards the end of this year, the watch has already garnered a huge female fan following. However, a few metropolitan men may also be eyeing this sharp looking androgynous Boyfriend watch by Chanel.

    A billionaire?s caffein fix:

    For coffee lovers across the world, a hot cup full of their favorite blend tastes nothing short of elixir. While most of us are satisfied with a Cappuccino or Americano from Starbucks, billionaires have their own special way to get their caffeine fix. For example the Rocket Espresso coffee machine, designed by Ralpha, which has the engravings and tech features to produce the perfect cup of coffee.

    As the name suggests, this machine has been made in collaboration with Rocket Espresso Milano, known specialists in this domain, which makes the final product one of the best in the world. The body has been primarily made of steel with the Ralpha H Van silhouette and the Cycle Club logo, as this beverage has been associated with the cyclists over a period of time. Its technical components include the thermo siphon system, which helps in distribution of heat evenly, as well as the copper boiler with lead free brass end plates, which aids the insulation process and doesn?t let heat escape from inside the machine.

    The machine also boasts of a Sirai pressure stat, which is known as a source of accurate information, over the machine?s working life. Like most of the designers, this too shall be made in limited quantities of 200 numbered pieces only. To get this machine for yourself, be prepared to shell out $2,430 needed to buy this machine. As an assessment, this product can easily be concluded to be for the person with refined taste and knowledge of the beverage.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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