MUMBAI: Starting 9 September, 2007 Raghav Bahl’s TV18 Group will be rechristened as Network18. The new corporate identity for the Group, which today has a market capitalization of over $ 2 billion, was unveiled.
The new Network18 branding will unify all current and future entities of the erstwhile TV18 Group under a single, unified umbrella. Existing companies such as TV18, GBN, Web18, Homeshop18, Viacom18, Studio18, Events18 etc will reflect the new corporate identity.
Today, Network18 has businesses straddling filmed entertainment, news television, music television, news portals, mobile content, on-air / online shopping, show ticketing, jobs and travel portals, real time data terminals, TV channel distribution, event management and more. Network18 has partnered companies like NBC, Time Warner and Viacom for their various media businesses.
Simple yet striking, the new red and white Network18 logo reflects the company’s brand identity – a window to an ever-changing world – in addition to connoting the stature and ambitions of this emerging global media corporation. The re-branding, designed by India’s leading brand identity consultants, Ray + Keshavan, encapsulates the essence of the network through three essential tenets – Enable, Enlighten, Entertain.
Network18 managing director Raghav Bahl said, “We have come a long way since TV18 began in 1992 as a small production house. From television news to filmed entertainment, Network18 leaves little untouched and unconquered, thus taking it a step closer to becoming the undisputed media mega brand! Despite our rapid growth and diversification, the one thing that has not changed, is our vision to be ‘better than the best’ and to continuously set new standards in this fast growing industry.”
“Network18 has built some of the most enviable media brands and audience franchises in India and we continue to work aggressively towards building India’s finest truly multi-platform media conglomerate. The new Network18 identity unites our over 3000 strong team and operations with a common set of values and aligns them behind a common purpose. The unified identity will help us harness the power of our individual brands and build an even stronger relationship with all our stakeholders. It is an exhilarating moment for all of us,” added Network18 Group CEO Haresh Chawla.
“Network18 embodies all the attributes of a start-up and combines it with the power to Enable, Enlighten and Entertain every Indian. Over the past decade, the Group has been able to empower more than 80 million Indians. The re-energised entity will aim to reach out to a much larger audience in India and globally. In the process, we also hope to make Network18 the first truly Indian, global media company,” said Network18 Group COO B. Sai Kumar.
