Mumbai,  March 25, 2010; Whats On India, Indias premier TV Guidance & Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Company today announced the appointment of Hanmer MS&L as its partner for Public Relations as well as for Digital Communication. Launched as a full-fledged TV channel late last year, Whats On India is committed to guiding Indian TV viewers in their personalized search for television content.
As part of the agreement, Hanmer MS&L will offer strategic consultation to enhance and build awareness of the concept of television viewing guidance and take brand Whats On India across the country. The direction would be to get viewers used to this popular concept and help them make the right choices while watching TV especially during unplanned viewing sessions.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Atul Phadnis, Founder and CEO, Whats On India said, The WHATS ON INDIA channel is rapidly making its way to millions of TV screens across the country. While we have launched the channel in major markets through some of the largest operators, our goal is to continue to increase the channels coverage as well as educate consumers on the TV Guidance model. Hanmer MS&L have the ideas, experience and reach that we require and we are confident that their strategic use of digital media and effective communication will help us achieve our goals.
Confirming the development, Mr. Jaideep Shergill, COO, Hanmer MS&L India. said, Whats On India is an idea whose time has come and we are thrilled to be part of it. Television viewing guidance is very popular in the west and with the growing number of channels in India, this idea comes as an effective and timely solution. Whats On India is not a conventional channel. Being the first and only in India, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to strengthen the brand across the country.
The Whats On India channel is Indias first TV Guidance channel that helps viewers in their viewing choices. Research has shown that 70 percent of all TV sessions in India are unplanned meaning viewers have switched on their TV sets without knowing what to watch. The Whats On India channel recommends, highlights, showcases and informs viewers of the best shows on TV across various interest areas.

Notes to Editor

About Whats On India:

In December 2009, Whats on India Media ltd, launched Indias first consumer TV Guidance channel Whats on India on both Cable and DTH networks. Collaborating with over 300 Indian and international TV channel, the channel is available across most digital networks today.

Founded in 2005 by Atul Phadnis, Whats On India Media Pvt ltds EPG (Electronic Program Guide) vertical powers program guides and channel schedules of hundreds of TV channels into millions of set-top-boxes across DTH, Cable and IPTV.Whats On India has designed a proprietary, indigenous India-specific EPG Production Platform that integrates Programming information from hundreds of TV channels. Their enrichment and transformation makes this information seamlessly reach consumers through Set-Top-Boxes, Online and MobileBesides the EPG and the Channel, the company also runs one of the largest online TV guide site . The Mumbai-based company has been backed by Sequoia Capital India and Nexus Venture Partners.

About MS&L Group:

MS&L Group is one of the worlds top five PR and Events networks, offering the best in public relations, digital, social media, real-time communications, corporate and events communication. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pac, MS&L Group provides many of the worlds largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals.

MS&L Group is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the worlds fourth largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms.