The Hindu Business Line : Rajasthan mystery

Rajasthan Patrika says that while the venerable Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) certifies an increase of some 2.9 lakh copies in its circulation, the IRS survey indicates an increase of just 7,000 readers.

This, according to the Patrika, translates into an incremental readership of 0.024 per copy, or in simple English, less than one reader for every copy sold. Now this really defies logic.

Well, even the seasoned market research expert who normally explains away every anomaly with elan might have some difficulty justifying the IRS figure. Looks like Round 1 to Rajasthan Patrika.

Mumbai's newspapers

Last week we reported on the churn among the newspapers in Mumbai in anticipation of the launch of the new newspapers. While the jury is still out on who will be launching first, one can expect not one but probably two newspapers from The Times of India stable.

While sources at The Times are tight-lipped on the possible name of their second-rung newspaper, we are sure at least it cannot be Mumbai Mosaic (that would be at a premium level). What about Mumbai Mirror then?

Shifts

These days if you are an airline pilot or a newspaper editor you can really go places. I am not trying to be funny. With new airlines and additional routes, flight crew are in great demand. Similarly, with a happy proliferation of media, senior journalists are hot property. While the top airlines in India are working on an anti-poaching agreement, the media world would give Sariska a run for its money.

The DN&A (Zee Bhaskar's print offering) seems to be getting its senior editorial team in place. With Ayaz Memon publicly declaring his intention to move, and R. Jagannathan (formerly of Financial Express and Business Standard) agreeing to be Business Editor its front line appears to be looking good for the moment.

Legal joke

With the Zee group in an angry and highly legalistic mood, the joke doing the rounds is that they will sue anything beginning with the letters BCC whether it is the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) or Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd (BCCL).

Well, at least the group's awards function in London and the excellent ratings for the telecast of this function should give it something to smile about. It seems ITC, the title sponsor, is pleased with the response. If I were them, I would quickly sign up for the next year. One never knows when a larger FMCG group will evince interest in the function. And then the cost of retention could jump.

Pleased as punch after the London show, Pradeep Guha is evidently busy inviting people for the Zee Astitva Awards, which recognise exemplary women. Though this will be strictly peanuts compared to the London gala, Mumbaikars are keen to see if the Guha touch is evident in this as well. A little bird we know will keep us informed.

Another little bird will tell us about a celebration Bhaskar Das, former protégé of Guha, is planning at The Times of India.

You'll have to wait till next Thursday though.

Contract

After Lemon (the agency) unfortunately lived up to its name, Ravi Deshpande and some Cadbury brands are back for a second innings at Contract. The last time this combination came together they made a big sweep at the Abby awards. Now they only need Pervez Sheikh to complete the winning formula.

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