Thomson goes ‘Make in India’ with Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd. (SPPL) Launches 43 UHD 4K, 40 Smart and 32 Smart TV’s

Thomson goes ‘Make in India’ with  Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd. (SPPL) Launches 43 UHD 4K, 40 Smart and 32 Smart TV’s

Price starts INR 13490/-

-Exclusive online retail partner Flipkart, Flash Sale starts April 13th, Friday, 12 pm
-Business France welcomes the brand; extends support to strengthen Indo-French relations
April 12th, 2018, Thursday, New Delhi:  Amidst India’s growing TV market Thomson (owned by Technicolor SA, France), the leading French consumer brand launched a range of its smart TV’s in collaboration with Business France (Trade Section of the Embassy of France), in New Delhi today.

In an exclusive licensing agreement with SPPL (Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd.), the brand unveiled its 43 UHD 4K, 40 smart and 32 smart TV’s, which will be exclusively available on

Flipkart, starting April 13th. The brand will open its flash sale on April 13th, 2018, Friday, at 12 noon.

“Technicolor, owner of Thomson brand is very proud to sign a long-term license with SPPL as a strategic partner to develop Thomson’s presence in India”, stated

Claire Villeneuve, Head, Intellectual Property and Licensing, Technicolor, France

Elated about the launch, Mr. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd., the Indian Brand Licensee for Thomson, said “We are delighted to partner up with a leading and historic global brand like Thomson. It is SPPL’s endeavor and commitment to promote ‘Make in India’, generate employment and contribute to the Indian economy. With the launch we aim to capture 6% - 7% of total TV market share and make Thomson, No. 1 Online smart TV brand in India. We have already planned to put one more manufacturing line of Led TV by next-quarter in order to offer Indian consumer products that are at par with global Standards i.e. quality, innovation and elegance, at a competitive price. While technology and innovation remains the core of it, we have worked on many aspects of TV keeping in mind the Indian palate for aesthetics, color and sound”.
The Thomson 43 UHD 4K Smart Tv’s comes with default APK Gmail, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Netflix and runs on Android 4.4.4.0 and Aptoide with the feature to download any App. The three products are priced very aggressively for the cost sensitive consumer of today who is well-informed, uncompromising and discreet

Thomson Smart TV prices:
32 SMART(32M3277) : INR 13,490/-                       
40 SMART (40TM4099): INR 19,990/-
43 UHD 4K (43TM4377) : INR 27,999/-
*attached product specification sheets


Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Karwa, Head of TV & Large Appliance Flipkart said,” Flipkart ensures a shopping experience for customers that is driven by a diverse selection, offering them with best in class technology at affordable prices. Thomson, a trusted brand worldwide, comes with a global legacy in technology and innovation. Our exclusive partnership with Thomson offers our shoppers a complete package of smart technology and great features at an aggressive price, making it a compelling offer and we are confident this would be another best seller on Flipkart. Replicating our strategy for smartphones, this launch marries well into our commitment of driving innovation in the market while we continue to be India’s most trusted destination for TVs”

Welcoming Thomson’s come back to India Ms. Claire THUADET, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of France, elucidated “We extend our wholehearted support and welcome to Thomson in India. A brand known for its French legacy, innovation and leadership. The appropriate departments of this Embassy would be happy to extend any support that is required by Thomson in seeking potential partners or exploring new markets in India.”
With a rich heritage stretching back more than 120 years, Thomson has been part of the world’s greatest technological revolutions with an unwavering dedication of making innovation accessible to all. World leader in CRT TVs in the 80’s, Thomson has kept developing its business with partners worldwide and is in the top selling TV brands in France, its home country.

About Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd. (SPPL)
SPPL is a manufacturing concern established in 1990 with its Head Office in Noida. Its initial business was plastic injection moulding which then graduated to manufacturing of CRT TV’s and to LED TV’s on date. We were one of the largest manufacturers of CRT TV cabinets in the 90’s and early 00’s. Today we are one of India’s foremost OEM’s in CRT and LED Television. We have 3 manufacturing plants in India located in Noida, Una and Jammu. We have an employee strength of over 1000 across India and are expanding as we grow. For additional information on Thomson TVs in India, visit us at www.thomsontv.in, follow us on Twitter @thomsontvindia, or like us on Facebook at Thomson India.

About Technicolor
Technicolor, a worldwide technology leader in the media and entertainment sector, is at the forefront of digital innovation. Our world class research and innovation laboratories enable us to lead the market in delivering advanced video services to content creators and distributors. Our commitment: supporting the delivery of exciting new experiences for consumers in theatres, homes and on-the-go.www.technicolor.com – Follow us: @Technicolor – linkedin.com/company/technicolor

Planning to work or study abroad PTE Academy is here to help.

We all have started our English somewhere from “Ram Aam Khata hai.Ram eats mango” to where we stand today. English being the universally excepted language has its own tantrums, a slippery fish to catch a wild horse to tame. I still remember my school days when I was shifted to an English medium school in standard two and believe you me everything was Greek for me and not to mention that I flunked the very first year in my new school. I had to put all the effort and hard work to catch all that I had missed. English has been an essential element of our lives and we need it and use it at every walk of our life. Schools, colleges, job interviews and jobs everything today requires a good skill in English and at no stage of life you can say that you have mastered the language and there is nothing left for you to learn.

Each one of us dreams of studying or working abroad and English plays the most crucial role there too. Many countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and UK requires a good score in English to clear your Visa. People have to sit for some English tests and score well to become eligible to apply for a Visa. These English tests are too tough to go through and many a time’s people don’t even know what they are going to go through in the test.

A friend of mine was applying for a visa for New Zealand and he had no clue what were the requirements for the visa. When he went through the list of requirements he has so tensed to see that he need to sit for an English test and score well in order to be eligible for the visa. Schools and colleges generally don’t teach what students generally what to expect and how to prepare for these kinds of exams. I know from my experience that if someone is planning to work or study abroad there are lots of things that they need to take care of before flying to their dream destination and this English score is the biggest headache among them. It is something which can make a difference with a yeas or no on the visa and thus it can’t be taken lightly. It is directly related to acceptance or denial of the visa.

There are lots of universities and online academies that have been established with a single aim to help students and migrants to improve and demonstrate their English language skills for university, professional and migration applications. PTE (Pearson Test of English Academy) is the best among them. PTE is a computer based language test system which offers the candidates the best way to prove their English language proficiency for the visa. The academy helps to evaluate and improve on the score that one requires to obtain for the visa.

PTE is computer base assessment program which conducts a three-hour single test which consists of introduction, speaking and writing, reading and listening.  The PTE is accepted and recognized by thousands of institutions worldwide. The recognition list is so huge that it would take me few hundreds of thousand words to mention them all. PTE Academy is accepted in Australian universities such as Academies Australasia, Academy of English, ACN, ARC, and etc. Few of the universities from Caof the universities from UK are 360 GSP College, 4N Academy, Academy De London, and etc. Like nada are Albert College of Art and Design, Lakeland College, Mount Royal University, and etc. Few I said the list is so huge and it’s not possible to mention them all here.

PTE Academic Excellence in English Language test and has its own benefits like the test can be scheduled up to 24 hours in advance, it is completed in a single 3-hour span and the results are out within 5 working days. It is computer based test system and thus the results are prompt and not biased of clouded by a person’s judgment. The test is available all around the year that is around 360 days a year and is conducted at 200 centers all around the world. The PTE also has Preparation courses available that help to get through the exams well. The fee could be paid online or through the phone hassle-free.  

If you or any of your friend is planning to fly abroad PTE Academy is the solution for the English Language test and its tantrums so do recommend and make people aware about if and have a safe flight abroad.

Wagh Bakri’s Mili Tea promotes woman empowerment.

TV personality SakshiTanwar– brand ambassador for Mili Tea
Indore 7th April 2018: Wagh Bakri Tea Group has launched a new TVC to promote ‘Mili’ Tea. In the latest ‘Mili’ TVC SakshiTanwar, the brand ambassador tactfully conveys the message of woman empowerment through an effective punchline ‘Peeoge jab, toh Janoge’. In the TVC a buyer opts for Mili Tea after being assured by Sakshi in her unique accent, about the key benefits such as assured quality, more cuppage and a budget friendly product in a convincing manner.

Wagh Bakri Tea Group, India’s 3rd largest tea company is celebrating 20 years of presence in M.P. market. On this occasion Executive Directors, Mr Parag Desai and Mr Paras Desai are in Indore to meet and felicitate distributors. Wagh Bakri Tea is the largest selling tea from Wagh Bakri Tea Group followed by Mili. Wagh Bakri and Mili teas are available at approximately 17,000 outlets in 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is noteworthy that the market share of Wagh Bakri tea is steadily growing in Madhya Pradesh. On this occasion Mr Parag Desai, Executive Director, Wagh Bakri Tea Group said, “We are thankful to tea lovers of Madhya Pradesh that they have made Wagh Bakri and Mili teas and the most preferred quality tea brand in the state”. Adding to this, Mr Paras Desai, Executive Director, Wagh Bakri Tea Group said that, “M.P. tea lovers are very particular about their choice of tea and we are happy to fulfil their expectations by offering M.P. specific blends. M.P. is an evolving market and we are getting encouraging response for our other products as well, which includes iced tea, instant tea and green teas”.

The Tea Group has won several accolades by adopting innovative marketing, branding and packaging strategies. One of the most significant achievement has been the ‘Family Business Legacy Award’ given by the then President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee in presence of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Wagh Bakri Tea Group in the year 2017. Other noteworthy achievements include the INDIASTAR 2017 Packaging Award instituted by IIP (Indian Institute of Packaging).

For more information, contact:
Atul Malikram@9755020247
breakfastnews@pr24x7.com

Learning and Development in Asia be a part of Change : Skilldom Learning Solutions.

“Learning, learning and continuous learning, ladies and gentleman, is the key differentiator to become a successful organisation.” These words were very powerfully and animatedly stated by the Head of HR of a large Indian Conglomerate at an L&D conference, in Mumbai.

Almost all organisations talk about the importance of learning and development, however few do much about it. It is not because they do not believe in L&D activities; it is because the benefits of learning are difficult to measure. Rather it is very difficult to measure learning.  Therefore, learning and development somehow hovers in the abstruse realm of management. The last to receive budgetary allocation and the first to experience austerity drive.

The economic landscape has drastically changed and is changing with an unprecedented speed. This is both an Indian and global phenomena. The core of this change is advancement in technology –especially computing technology. Massive pools of data can be processed in seconds and this ability of big data analytics is able to provide inferences in real time. This results in quick decision making as well as the need to execute quickly. Now marry this ability to compute quickly, correlate abstract data and provide meaningful, analysed data with learning and there you have birth of ‘true’ digital learning. Add to it the developing science of Artificial Learning and Machine learning - making digital learning effective, efficient and engaging.

Digital learning is there – from basic Learning Management Services (LMS’s) to high end assisted learning intelligence platforms, but the question is ability of the businesses to adapt to digital learning. Anything and everything on a digital device is not digital learning. With this definition, Computer based learning has been there is some form or other since 1970’s and it later avatar of eLearning since early 1990’s.

I would like to share some facts which came up with some interesting findings (based on 189 clients that we have worked with). Some of them are:

Up till 2012 – 80% of the core training was in-person and classroom lead. Where average classroom training averaged 56 training hours a year out of a classroom learning opportunity of 80 hours. Getting 8 hours of eLearning was a challenge, being limited to product and process knowledge or induction programs.
An average program (classroom) lasted for 2 days in 2012.
In 2017 – the average classroom came to one day. With consistent demand for classroom programs not exceeding 4 hours or half a day sessions. With eLearning consumption increasing up to 19 hours a year –from an average eLearning opportunity of 300+ hours (based on custom made and ready to use libraries)
The attention span has dropped considerably to less that 5 minutes and is reducing all the more. This is more due to the choices that a learner has and multiple sources for getting information affecting the ability to concentrate.

The workforce that is now comprising more of millennials, desire for more personalized input, on the go and self-paced learning opportunities. 89% of respondents in a survey conducted by SKILLDOM stated that they find the classroom training uninteresting and that they can better use their time learning the same thing through online medias.

100% of stakeholders were challenged and struggling to measure learning effectiveness and efficiency in 2012 and 100% of stakeholders are still challenged on the same issue in 2017. Nothing much will change in 2018 – until organisation start adapting to intelligent digital learning platforms.

In the same survey conducted by SKILLDOM, 79% of the learners wanted classroom sessions to be skill building sessions, where they could interact and do activities and exercises that helped them become dextrous or sensitive to a certain subject / competency.  74% of the respondents said that micro learning would be better as they can collate mentally concepts and probably apply them at work as and when needed. Both the business and the learner wanted to know – how much I have learnt in the end.

Now on analysing these points the major inferences are :

Classroom learning is important, but needs to be focussed on skill building…
Digital learning is the need of the hour to provide personalized, on the go, self paced and measured learning.

The advantage that digital learning platforms bring is immense. Think of a large bank or a pharma company or a multiband retail outlet that employ probably 1000’s of people. Reaching to every learner is a challenge and reaching in real time is all the more difficult, forget about providing learning opportunity consistently and regularly (I am sure given the current focus on monies, the logistic cost itself will be a major road block).  A digital learning platform can provide all this at a cost that is significantly less than spend which the organization does on coffee per employee per month. Moreover, it is able to measure learning, as it is able to record minute transactions that correlate with learning. Learning content is sourced from the knowledge repository of the organization and curated content from internet that probably has millions of content pieces on the most common competencies that are associated with a role. Which means you can actually measure the learning that a learner is doing. Hence you know what is the ability and all that is left for the business or the learner’s immediate manager to do is bring in the ‘human touch’ to influence the ‘willingness” part.

With improving bandwidth, digital learning is possible and it is here to stay. Even in remotest part of the country, you will find not only the youth but people across a broad demographic spectrum happily hooked on to YouTube and Facebook. The only challenge is to engage with a digital learning platform that can be as interesting as Facebook or YouTube.

So when I hear the words “learning, learning and continuous learning” from the head of HR of an Indian conglomerate and I know it can happen. But to make it happen the core way of functioning and looking at the learning function has to dramatically alter. Adapting digital learning platforms that operate on new age technology is critical. Only when this learning change is initiated will business organisations of today start becoming successful.

***
About- Anirudh Gupta, Skilldom
In his current role, Anirudh oversees the Learning Strategy function at SKILLDOM and guides the development teams to provide the best-possible learning solutions to clients. As a Learning & Development/Organizational Development (L&D/OD) specialist with over 15 years of work experience, he ensures every learning need is addressed optimally. A graduate in English literature from the University of Delhi, Anirudh also holds a management degree from SIMSR, Mumbai. He has additional certifications to his credit in the areas of Organizational Development, Psychology, Instructional Design, Adult Learning Theories, HR Processes from premium institutions in the country and abroad. Further, Anirudh is formally certified professional in the application and interpretation of psychometric tools such as MBTI, 16PF, FIRO-B and TKI.

In his previous positions, Anirudh has led the L&D function for companies such as Wockhardt Limited, ICICI Prudential Life, MetLife India and Glenmark. As a seasoned trainer, he has also conducted various workshops for managerial skills development, leadership development, personality development, culture, diversity and conflict.

The Sweetness Run by Wendys Donuts.

"Take a step forward, dip your toes in the pool of ridiculousness and come get your giggle on."

                                      Image source:- google

The Sweetness Run by Wendys Donuts is an ecstasy for the mind and the soul. I wasn't expecting such a fantastic story line up when I started reading the novel but the writer has done a miracle with his extraordinary words. The story is something that every youth can relate to especially if you are diehard football and party animal. 

A good story from a good writer is something that you can feel and relate to. The starting of the novel was something that amused me you really need balls (chocolaty red) to write such things in a novel and describe it so vividly that you can picturize what the author has been talking about. The author is also packed up with strong vacabulary which also makes the novel intresting to read and informative. It was wholly an enchant to be the reader of this novel.

I won't disclose the story here. It's always good to be curious while reading a novel. A great novel from Mr. Donuts. Looking forward for the volume 2. 

Meet the ENDS and not ban them.

The World Health Organization Global TB report 2016, states that India accounts to a whopping number of 2.8 million of the total 10.3 million new TB cases globally. Moreover, research also states that deaths caused by oral cancer in India, cross over 10 lakh annually. These numbers are alarming, India, is at the brink of a health care crisis while under nutrition could be the major cause for the TB endemic, the increase in the consumption of tobacco cannot be ignored. With every passing budget the Finance Minister announces a hike in the excise duty of tobacco and related products. In 2017, pan masala products, containing tobacco or gutkha the excise duty had increased to 12 percent from 10 percent while for other unmanufactured tobacco it raised to 8.3 percent from 4.2 percent earlier. The excise duty on non-filter cigarettes of length not exceeding 65 mm had been raised to Rs 311 per thousand from Rs 215. In 2016, the government had increased the excise and customs duties on cigarettes by 9 per cent.  This year tobacco and related products were placed in the highest GST bracket of 28 percent plus a 5 percent cess on tobacco and related products. Apart from this, in the past few months there has also been a debate on the packaging warnings that are issued on the cigarette packs.
But the real question here is, do these measures have a substantial impact on the sale and consumption of tobacco or related products? Tobacco consumption has emerged as a major health problem in India, along with diabetes and cardiac diseases. The high amount of nicotine and chemicals in traditional cigarettes are addictive and makes it almost impossible for one to quit. The need of the hour is to look at an alternative that will help addicts wean off the habit and eventually quit smoking. Vaping, should be considered as an alternative in this endeavor.

In a recent step against cancer-causing substances, Tobacco Control Division of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has circulated a notice to withdraw the amendments of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Bill 2015 from the public domain for modification. The new expected modified amendments will include action against promoting E-cigarettes / Vaping devices. “The government and ministry should look at vaping with a holistic approach and not jump to conclusions without proper research. We believe that regulation of ENDS will provide 120 million smokers access to technology that can create the difference between life and death for them. A blanket ban is not a solution, but a violation of fundamental right to choose better and safer alternatives over smoking,” said Nilesh Jain, founder, ivape.in.


Vaping is considered as a harm reduction tool, according to experts. Vaping is an act of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic device—a battery-operated device which vaporizes a flavored liquid made of propylene glycol, glycerin and flavorings. In the month of November ivape.in launched a campaign #nosmokenovember and received several testimonials from customers who shared their experience and spoke about the change that they experienced as they shifted from smoking cigarettes to vaping. The also participated in a health and wellness expo. This was the first time a vaping brand was a part of such an event where even doctors, nutritionists and fitness enthusiasts were curious to know about the benefits of vaping. “We believe that the awareness about vaping in India is bare minimum and banning it will only escalate the problems that the government is already facing. The products will be sold illegally and the product quality can also be compromised. Currently all the products we are selling are ISO certified,” added Jain.

If we look at the US, the FDA policy is working on shifting the focus from tobacco to nicotine and working towards a far-reaching impact on public health. Evidence demonstrates that alternative products designed to reduce harm have a place in helping people's health outcomes immediately. Clearly, more research needs to be done to validate harm reduction especially in India, which has a huge tobacco burden and where access to public healthcare is minimal at best. Making the role of preventive measures is even more critical. Indian regulators and the health ministry must also take a step towards new policies and encourage harm reduction alternatives, the public health benefits can be unprecedented.

Public Relation PR companies- The Master in making Public Image of Parties and Leaders..

           

                                                                                                     
Nowadays there is an increase in competition among the companies. Marketing is been done to promote their product best in the market, that why in a strategic point of view there is an increase in Public Relation Companies. In India as per estimation make by ‘Assocham’ an Industrial Organization, the business of Public Relation are increasing at the rate of 32% annually. In 2008, PR Industry had an annual turnover of $300 crore which has now reached $1000 crore. The logic behind this increase is that in the era of economic boom, every company is trusting ‘Public Relation’ to grow their sales and turnover. But ‘Assocham’ worry about the lack of versatile people in this fast-growing industry.
These PR companies are now working in the political field also. Now for winning the election and taking advantage over their Political opponent, many Political Parties and Leaders are taking the help of PR Companies. Doing Public Relation Campaign and making a grip on Public Pulse this work is also given to Public Relation Company. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, Bhartiya Janta Party openly commences election campaign with the help of PR company. These companies show their abilities and Narendra Modi gets benefits because of this. To fight against its Political Opponent Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi has taken a help of PR Company. This company helps to increase shares and like in its Social Media Account.
In Next election, every Political Party is going to take help of PR Company. Party Leader confirms that no one wanted to give 4-5 hours at the Party Office to make a future strategy. So Political Parties are helpless and have to take help from PR companies. From making slogans, preparing promotional material for the party and their leader to brightening the Leader image all work are now been done by these PR companies and Party Leaders have to follow their plan according to PR companies.
The effect of PR companies on election cannot be ignored. Now Big Political Parties are not hesitating to take help of PR Companies. The PR Companies which are working for Political Parties have started their homework much before the election. PR companies built a Positive image of the candidate in front of the Public. With Image Building, company makes impression on the mind of the public by conducting various campaigns.
In this era of Public Relation and Digital Marketing, the PR companies have to make the election work fully planned and managed. All the work of election is been manage by PR companies in their own way. They are making a positive environment for Candidate through Digital Campaign, Social Media Promotion, by E-Mail and SMS marketing. By Digital Campaign, the Candidate speech is been broadcasted and recorded, further, these recorded speeches are been reaches out to every person. From the content of speech to their body language all studied are been done through recording the speech. Other than this regular contact are been made by sending various E-Mail and SMS. At the time of the election, one can reach out its voters and attack opposition by delivering the quality speech only. That the reason now PR Companies are deciding the Speech of Leader according to their strategies.
Writer Atul Malikram is the director of Building Reputation, PR and Digital Communication Company since 1999 and Political Analyst.