IMC FUSION 2014 turned into a discussion platform on how social media is going global and facilitating growth across media platforms

SOCIAL MEDIA TO SET A RED CARPET FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IMC FUSION 2014 turned into a discussion platform on how social media is going global and facilitating growth across media platforms

Mumbai, 15 February 2013: IMC FUSION 2014, a conference presented by Indian Merchant's Chamber (IMC), was followed up with a series of panel discussions on the major roles played by the social media in today’s three most dynamic sectors – Entertainment, Media and Sports industry.  Ramesh Sippy and Subhash Ghai were most honourable guests inaugurated this third edition of IMC Fusion 2014. This conference was divided into six sessions which focused on several trending social media topics in this generation. It also witnessed the launch of a Knowledge Paper on Multi Screen Behaviour: A Study on Emerging Consumer Dynamics.

The IMC FUSION 2014 Conference was organized under the auspices of IMC’s Entertainment, Media & Sports Committee chaired by Mr. Manmohan Shetty and co-chaired by Ms. Bharathi Pradhan, Mr. Sanjoy Chakrabarty and Mr. Mir Ranjan Negi.  As in the first two editions, Mr. Kabir Bedi was the Host of IMC FUSION 2014.

The first session included an in-depth discussion on the urgency of software for today’s media content. ‘What prevents Indian media content to extend globally?’ This question received several views from the panelists. Indian media needs to bring in more variety of local and adventurous content at the same time. Gajendra Singh, Founder of Saai Baba Telefilms Pvt Ltd. said, “In order to make the Indian content globally known, the Indian media needs to pay attention toward showcasing an interesting content, helping the marketing team, co-producers to make the Broadcasters buy it and promote it eventually.”

The Broadcasters go forward with a long term investment into a show only if it creates TRP’S but instead it should also turn its attention to a simple and multi-lingual content at the same time. Anupam Mandoloi, Managing Director of Freemantle India, added, “The fact is that India does not have a distribution network and sufficient bandwidth to tap content across the world.” Siddharth Basu, Managing Director, Big Synergy Media Ltd, highlighted further, “Media Partnership between the Government and the Broadcasters can increase the scope of Indian content worldwide.”

‘Does social media affect Traditional Journalism?’ To this, Suchitra Iyer, Editor of Society Magazine, said, “It has in a way challenged the print media, as celebrities leak out their latest happenings using social media platforms.” Harshil Karia, Co-founder Foxymoron, said, “The mobile device reaches out faster than any other media device.” It in fact helps print media to reinvent news, which proves that social media and print media are the two important wheels of mainstream media.”

‘Major role of social media for sports’, the most trending topic for new generation media was also analysed. Digital platforms, especially ‘Twitter’ has proven to be a branded content mechanism in giving out a wider media coverage to sports. Vinod Bhanushali, President, Marketing, T-Series said, “Social media not only adds a spice to sports but also helps the music industry which includes Youtube and Twitter.”

New Delhi Television (NDTV), a pioneer leading in India’s news television, was presented with the Excellence Award in Media. Mr. Sreenivasan Jain, Managing Editor, NDTV was present to receive the award and thanked the IMC Fusion Jury. While accepting the award Mr. Sreenivasan Jain added, “Receiving a prestigious award actually creates a standard and encourages us to even improve and set new standards for the content of news overall.”

The different business aspects of the Indian cinema were also highlighted by Komal Nahta, Editor, Film information, Mukesh Bhatt, Producer / Director, Ramesh S Taurani, Producer, Tips Industries Limited. The availability of multi-screen theatres has led to the change in the normal mindset of Indians who prefer to experience the movie first in the theatres. This helps Indian Cinema industry to earn the maximum revenue possible.

 “This year we have taken the brand Fusion closure to the young minds. In association with Indian Education society, we reached out to many colleges across the city, unleashed a major social media campaign to engage the youth, invited the students to participate in a contest. The contest was to encourage the young students to develop extremely interesting creative & innovative contents on social media platforms. The teams participated with zeal and enthusiasm, and we are happy to have the winners with us here today,” Mr. Shailesh Vaidya, President, IMC.

The sessions covered in the Conference included discussions on:

• Urgent Call For Software: It’s High Time Indian TV Content Went Global
• Netagiri & Worrisome Issues:  Can SOCIAL MEDIA Influence Change?
• Youthful SOCIAL MEDIA Workshop By FOXYMORON
• Gimme Instant Updates: Have Multi-screen Options Changed News & Sports Viewership?
• Breasting The Rs 300 Crore Mark: Business Booms In Indian Cinema