Monday, October 31, 2011

How should Asianet market Idea Star Singer in Future?


Idea star singer has been a wonderful programme in the kerala television history. It made malayalees realise the potential of a TV channel as well as the talents here.It provided enormous opportunities for the singers here in the God's own country too..!

In 2007, it became a big hit as it was the first attempt to showcase the talents of Kerala singers in a different way.It was projected as a completely different reality show mixed with critical analysis from judges,emotions and all the drama. The elimination episodes created bigger and louder scenes than soap operas! Asianet was successful in branding each of the candidates as they tried to project each one of them.They tactically selected people who have special qualities to the top ten as the programme went into the climax. Thus the audience could feel the anxiety of a mega serial as well as the thrill of a movie! The SMS concept was also a big hit as the audience considered the show genuine and the participants as their own kids! The channel could promote the programme and participants through an interactive blog also.Portals like youtube also accelerated the viewership as NRIs rushed into these kind of sites to see the performances! Last but not the least, the anchor Ranjini Haridas became one of the icons in Kerala television screen as ISS provided a great platform to showcase her 'flexibility'. The quality of singers were also high as most of them became good singers and even celebrities after the programme.

But what happened next?

ISS topped all the television ratings and broke all the records. The channel management team also got surprised with this overwhelming response. They had no two doubts of continuing the programme without much changes.They shuffled judges, the stage etc a bit. But there Asianet faced their first challenge. The controversies that the 2007 season evoked had made malayalees a bit distant from the programme as they thought that there were some gamblings happening in the back stage!(the ever cynical mallus!)..and they had no surprises this time to explore. But some core fans still followed the show. Many common people also followed it as it was still a lot better than the 'mega' serials in other channels.Asianet's same strategy of emotional bonding didn't work that well as many started debating about the genuinity of selection,elimination etc.The quality of singers also had come down and Ranjini had become a monotonous voice in every malayalee home!

Then what?

The 2008 season went without making much waves.But still there were lakhs of ordinary people who followed the show.Asianet just relied on these audience and went on to do the next season. MG and Sarath had become demons in participant's as well as audience's minds. The tone of Ranjini, the mode of the programme, the timings, the style of voting, the confusions in awarding marks, the elimination drama and even the title song made people bored.Still compared to the previous edition, some interesting performances from the participants made it popular when it came to the climax.This again made Asianet to do the act of homicide and its been continued till now!

How to revive the show?

Asianet is trying their level best to revive the show.But Manorama with its 'Mazhavillu' has launched a new reality song based show named 'Indian Voice' which looks slightly better than the existing Idea Star Singer. But again the old wine in a shapeless bottle!

I know that this is not United states of America or United Kingdom to host shows like BigBoss or other adventurous reality shows.Indians,particularly the so called 'Mallus' are inclined towards song based programmes only.This is the reason behind the failure of some good dance based shows in Amrita TV.
Asianet can try a different level of programme including masses utilising the already branded participants from the previous editions. A type of show which is completely innovative, participates the masses, thrilling and at the same time a bit dramatic. Let the creative 'think tanks' bother about it.Lemme pray for all the souls behind the show!

The importance of having a Business Mission!

I find this article really useful for our business people. Most of them don't know the importance of a business mission. Lat's make it clear here..These words are not from me, but the famous author Stephen Covey.



BUSINESS MISSION STATEMENTS
A personal mission statement is based on habit 2 of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People called begin with the end in mind. In ones life, the most effective way to begin with the end in mind is to develop a mission statement one that focuses what you want to be in terms of character and what you want to do in reference to contribution of achievements. Writing a mission statement can be the most important activity an individual can take to truly lead ones life.
Victor Hugo once said there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has finally come, you may call it a credo, a philosophy, you may call it a purpose statement, it's not as important as to what you call it, no it's how you define your definition. That mission and vision statement is more powerful more significant, more influential, than the baggage of the past, or even the accumulated noise of the present.

What is a mission statement you ask? personal mission statements based on correct principles are like a personal constitution, the basis for making major, life-directing decisions, the basis for making daily decisions in the midst of the circumstances and emotions that affect our lives.

When we create a mission statement of our own and choose to live by it we can flow with changes. We don't need prejudgement's or prejudices. We don't need to figure out everything else in life, to stereotype and categorize everything and everybody in order to accommodate reality.

In order to write good mission statements, we must first begin at the very center of our Circle of influence, that center comprised of our most basic paradigms, the lens through which we see the world. Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.

As we go deeply within ourselves, as we understand and realign our basic paradigms to bring them harmony with correct principles, we create both an effective, empowering center and a clear lens through which we can see the world. We can then focus that lens on how we, as unique individuals, relate to that world.

Creating a mission statement is not something you do overnight. It takes deep introspection, careful analysis, thoughtful expression, and often many rewrites to produce it in final form. It may take you several weeks or even months before you feel really comfortable with your mission statement, before you feel it is complete and concise expression of your innermost values and directions. Even then, you will want to review it regularly and make minor changes as the years bring additional insights or changing circumstances.

Your mission statement becomes your constitution, the solid expression of your vision and values. It becomes the criterion by which you measure everything else in your life.

Some suggestions in creating a mission statement may be:
  1. Write down your roles as you now see them. Are you satisfied with the mirror image of your life?
  2. Start a collection of notes, quotes, and ideas you may want to use as resource material in writing your personal mission statement.
  3. Identify a project you will be facing in the near future and apply the principle of mental creation. Write down the results you desire and what steps will lead you to those results.
The Covey Community provides the opportunity to learn more about mission statements through video, audio, self-discovery applications and a multimedia mission statement builder. This multimedia mission statement builder allows you to upload pictures, music, and words to better convey and emotionally connect with your mission. To join for free, click herewww.coveycommunity.com. You will also be able to share your mission statement and view others within the community.

The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement or philosophy or creed.