Avian Media: The Corporate Anthem!

· We dare to dream…

The growing popularity of corporate anthems has become an integral part of several organizations across the globe. It has the unique power to create a company’s image by imbibing  messages of its core values and vision through the lyrics thereby, fostering a deeper bond among its employees.

Given a situation of any special celebrations or an emotional achievement, such anthems are sung in chorus by its employees  to  show utmost respect for the organization.

From pop, rock, rap to hip-hop, various companies adopt different genres of music to make a statement. 

If PriceWaterhouseCooper’s anthem is of hip-hop track, Ernst & Young’s gospel tune, so is computer security giant Symantec’s motivational rap music, while a wonderful pop tune of KPMG’s power ballad strategy. (it’s a must listen track -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXUhQnOYR54).

Not to be left behind, business communication leader, Avian Media too joined the bandwagon of creating its own anthem which was hurriedly penned just before the Award’s Night at Corbett last October and sung by its members.

With lyrics such as “We trudge that extra mile/To bring that extra mile”, Avian’s We dare to Dream has the polished turn-of –phrase which can be improved by padding a specific genre music and having it recorded at a professional studio.

Check out the video clip below:

Cheers!

                                         

                                     

Cab Inferno at Gurgaon

                     
              ·       Escape from jaws of death

May 15 was yet another hot sunny Tuesday. It was business as usual and was on my weekly visit to our client’s office located at Delhi – Jaipur road NH-8, Gurgaon. I was the only occupant of a chauffeur-driven steel grey saloon cab which was racing to my destination via Chhatarpur, M G Road amidst frequent traffic snarls.

Ranjan, the person behind the steering wheels appeared to have a trying time negotiating the beeline traffic since there was more of waiting and less of movement of vehicles. So did I took out my black box (laptop), connected the data card and got engrossed with work meeting deadlines. Suddenly, the car came to a halt and when I looked outside, it was the place where I had to be.  

After dropping me Ranjan parked the car around 100 yards away in the service lane, adjacent to a makeshift dhaba. It was 12:00 pm and little did I realize that in another 20 minutes a catastrophe would have occurred.

The car which was stationery with its ignition switched off went up on flames with thick black smokes bellowing from the bonnet. By the time people and fire tenders could make out what was happening, the vehicle had been charred completely. Ranjan and several bystanders, rushed to the spot with buckets of water to douse flames but were unsuccessful to salvage anything. 

This incident has indeed left a mixed impression in my mind – a feeling of guilt, achievement and an escape from the jaws of death! Had we were still inside the car for the next twenty minutes we would have been roasted alive and perhaps, today’s dailies would have carried an obituary.

Hei, I am still alive… Thank you Almighty for saving our lives!

Avian Media CEO’s Message to New Inductees

Programme on Seed

New Delhi: Business communication leader Avian Media  organized a unique week-long training programme for its new inductees drawn from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) including other reputed institutes.

The programme, nick named ‘Seed’, means “seeding into the culture imbibing work and engaging the vision of the company”, according to the company’s CEO, Nitin Mantri.

Mantri who had a prior client engagement at Chandigarh and Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on the day of commencement of Seed, for the first time addressed the new inductees in a video message.

“We have a vision, we want you to be a part of it, we want to be the most reputed agency over the next three years; And you (new inductees) are going to help to take us there”, Mantri said.

The training programme was conducted by internal resources from Avian Media’s Mumbai, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and New Delhi offices that culminated with the company's eight years anniversary celebrations.

Check out the video clip below:

                                              
                                             

CRICKET: Incredible Vivek Keeps Maruti Suzuki Alive

•  Sona Koyo Friendship Cup
  

The jubilant Maruti Suzuki Engineering team

New Delhi, 28 February 2012: Maruti Suzuki India Engineering (MSIL Engg) lifted the Friendship Cup by defeating Sona Koyo Steering System by 4 runs in a nail-biting day &night limited over played at the ITM university grounds, Gurgaon.

The cricket match was played as part of the ongoing silver jubilee celebrations of Sona Koyo Steering System. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd happens to be one of Sona’s largest customer and partner.

 Team members of Sona Koyo Steering System

Winning the toss and electing to bat amid large spectators from both the companies, MSIL Engg’s Vivek Singh was declared man of the match for his splendid bowling performance. MSIL Engg set a target of 112 runs to Sona Koyo in 20 over. Sona Koyo felt short of the target by 4 runs despite the heroics of Avnish Saini who made a quick fire 31. 

Speaking on the occasion Sona Koyo CEO Sunder Rajan said Maruti Suzuki has been instrumental in inculcating competitiveness in Sona Koyo and helped it bring in global best practices in manufacturing to India. Sona looks forward to many more such interactions in the future, he added.

C V Raman handing a signed cricket bat to Sunder Rajan

CV Raman, Executive Officer MSIL Engg said that such interactions will benefit both companies in forging closer relationships and understand each other better. He also presented a bat to Sona Koyo signed by all the members of MSIL Engg team as a token of friendship and goodwill.

Check below for enlarged photographs: 

The jubilant Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Engineering team

C V Raman, Executive Officer, MSIL Engg,  handing a signed cricket bat by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd team members to Sunder Rajan, CEO: Sona Koyo Steering Ltd

 Team members of Sona Koyo Steering System

CRICKET: Maruti Suzuki Beats Sona Koyo Steering

•  Friendship Cup
  

The Winning Team - Maruti Suzuki

New Delhi, 24 January 2012:It was a crisp, overcast winter morning when two giants of the Indian automotive industry took to the cricket field — not to compete in business, but to celebrate bonds forged over decades. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd edged past Sona Koyo Steering Systems by a close seven-run margin in a nail-biting limited-overs match held at the ITM University grounds in Gurgaon.

The match was organised as part of Sona Koyo’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, marking 25 years of engineering excellence, innovation, and strong partnerships.

Despite the chill in the air, the warmth on the field was undeniable. Passion, team spirit, and sheer enthusiasm lit up the game. The highlight of the day was a spectacular all-round performance by Maruti Suzuki’s S. Maitra, whose steady play and sharp focus earned him the well-deserved "Man of the Match" title.

The Sona Koyo Team

What made the match more meaningful was the mutual respect and admiration between the two teams. It wasn’t just about cricket—it was about collaboration, camaraderie, and celebrating a shared journey in India’s automotive growth story.

Sona Koyo’s founder and then Chairman, Dr. Surinder Kapur, visibly moved by the occasion, acknowledged Maruti Suzuki’s pivotal role in bringing world-class manufacturing standards to India. “Maruti has been instrumental in shaping the direction of our industry,” he said, “and we are proud to have walked alongside them.”

Maruti Suzuki's S. Maitra and
Sona Koyo's Sunjay Kapur

Maruti Suzuki’s Maitra echoed the sentiment, expressing his hope that the bond between the two organisations continues to grow. “This isn’t just about cricket,” he said, “it’s about relationships that last. We look forward to many more such friendly matches in the future.”

Sona Koyo’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Sunjay Kapur, who himself played some fine strokes during the match, summed up the spirit of the day beautifully:
“Whether Sona wins or Maruti wins, the friendship must always win.”

A day of sport, smiles, and shared memories — the kind that stay long after the final ball is bowled.

Sunder Rajan and Sunjay Kapur

Sunjay Kapur and Maruti Suzuki's S. Maitra
along with Sona Koyo cricket team

AVIAN OFFICE PIZZA PICNIC!

New Delhi: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! And with this proverb in mind, Friday, the 13^th January 2012 shall remain a spectacular day to remember when our Delhi office decided to take a short timeout in the afternoon.

With clear skies above and the winter sun at its best coupled with occasional chilling breeze from the north, it was a perfect day for an office picnic at the magnificent sprawling grounds of Lodhi Garden.  

Dressed in smart casuals, Avianites headed to this venue situated near the famous Safdarjung Tomb. Earlier known as Lady Willington Park, the Lodhi Garden boasts of splendidly landscaped lawns, small water bodies, fountains, jogging track, among others. It is also a bird watchers paradise where one can see exotic birds like babblers, hornbills, kingfishers, mynahs, etc.

Crazy cricket, volley ball, football, flying saucer and blind-fold-eye games kept all to pump extra bit of adrenaline. In the heat of the moment, it was amazing to watch all rank and files burry their egos and focus on the games – thus, projecting the real child in each person within!

While many lazily basked under the sun sipping cokes and breezers, others strolled or sat around enjoying the nature and some ventured to explore the Bara and Sheesh Gumbads – tombs of rulers of the Sayyid Dynasty which are adorned with facades and turrets.

Yes, it was also a great forum for all to loosen up and enjoy themselves – particularly the new team members to rub shoulders with senior management and network with other co-workers which turned out a true morale booster of the organization. In general it was a good bonding experience for everyone.

Finally, a quick delivery of variety of mouth-watering pizzas kept the energy level high of all.

Check out the video clip and stills below.

Cheers!

Sandeep Acharya

 

                                    The jerky-video clip...

                                            The laugh out...

Auto Expo 2012 - The Born Again Destination!

The crowd at Pragati Maidan

New Delhi: In the 4th Century BCE, India had the largest economy in the world, controlling between a third to a fourth of the world's wealth. This supremacy of nearly 2,000 years eroded with the colonisation of India from the 18th Century CE and it is only in the last decade that we have begun to re-emerge as the marketplace for the world.

This is reflected in the automotive industry. The Hindustan Ambassador and the Premier Padmini ruled as a duopoly until 1984. Since then, the Maruti 800 and its siblings/successors have dominated the Indian market. Yet, in the last decade, virtually every major automotive company in the world has entered the Indian market, making the biennial Indian Auto Expo the second largest in Asia, today.

So, it was with a lot of excitement that I entered Pragati Maidan on 5th of January, 2012 to experience the phenomenon that is the 11th Auto Expo. The event is co-hosted by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA). It is open to the public until 11th January.

Amitabh Bachan and Dilip Chhabria

The buzz was focused on India's first supercar, the DC Avanti. Built by Dilip Chhabria, the face of Indian automotive design and launched by Amitabh Bachchan, India's legendary film star, the Avanti is powered by a 240bhp engine generating 366nm of torque.

Aside from the 'starry, starry launches', the industry showcased numerous new and improved products that would add definitive value to the Indian customer. 

Peugeot 508

Peugeot announced that the 508 will be their first offering in India as a locally produced car by 2014. The initial focus will be on setting up their assembly facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The 508 will be offered with only a diesel engine: a 2.2-litre HDI common rail. Peugeot will set up a strong dealer network across 15 cities.

Ducati M79

Ducati India unveiled one of the most awaited models, M795, on the second day. It was unveiled by Mirko Bordiga, CEO, Ducati Asia Pacific and Ashish Chordia, CEO, Ducati India. The Monster 795 has been built for the Asian customer. It is the cheapest Ducati model in India with a price tag of Rs.6,99,000 (ex-showroom).

Mahindra Reva NXR

Finally, after buying 55% stake in Reva, Mahindra is showcasing the first product from the tie up. Mahindra has taken the wraps off the Reva NXR for those who are feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices.

Sunjay Kapur, Vice Chairman & MD Sona Group of Cos.

Sona Group of Companies, one of the Indian pioneers in component manufacturing, is showcasing its product and service portfolio for the passenger car and utility vehicle market at the Auto Expo.

The products being showcased at the auto expo include steering systems, column electric power steering, propeller shaft, clutch assembly and precision forged bevel gears.

Founded in 1985, Sona Koyo Steering System has successfully transformed itself from a company of 25 people into a professionally managed organization with several entities, partnerships and marquee clients such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and General Motors.

There are several Chinese companies ranging from makers of batteries to LED lights to turbo chargers have made it to the Expo. They have occupied three buildings, yet their pavilions are still waiting for audience attention.

Frenzy crowd waiting to have a glimpse of Big-B

With the dismal show planning, lack of hygiene and poor crowd management, it is learnt that the industry stalwarts are advocating a change of venue and organisers, as well as extending another two days following heightened demand by car lovers in the next Auto Expo slated on 2014.

Check the stills below and video clips in my next blog. Cheers!