Tata Sky DTH is ISO 27001:2005 Qualified!

Most of you must have read in today’s papers about the Chinese online spy network which had hacked computers across more than 100 countries. And this must have raised questions in your mind about the security of your own credit card data (or any other personal information shared with brands). Unfortunately, in India, data security is abysmally low. There have been several reported instances of data theft and identity theft. How many go unreported is anybody’s guess. Many companies too have not paid adequate attention to the security of their data leaving them quite vulnerable.

In this context, the steps taken by Tata Sky for protection of its customer’s data are truly a tribute to its proactive-ness and the customer orientation. Tata Sky has become the first Indian direct-to-home (DTH) service provider to be awarded the ISO 27001:2005 accreditation, the benchmark for information security. ISO 27001:2005 is an international standard that provides specifications and guidance for the establishment and proper maintenance of an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Its purpose is to reduce business damage by minimizing the impact of security incidents on customer operations, field services, IT-IS data center activities and other support functions as well as ensure business continuity at the same time.

As pointed out rightly by Vikram Kaushik, managing director and CEO of Tata Sky, in one of his interviews, this certification validates Tata Sky’s commitment in delivering highest processes in information management. Check the full article here http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2009/newsfullstory.php?id=1237808614
It also reassures Tata Sky subscribers like me that all our transaction details are highly secure in their systems.

I personally think that all companies in India should follow this great example set by Tata Sky. This would make our systems more secure as well as reducing instances of data theft thereby making life easier for all of us.

So next time, when you buy or recharge TS using your credit card, you can be rest assured about your data being safe.

Thanks Tata Sky!

The Tata Sky Fashion Icon Contest!

Do you have it in you? The famous line from the Indian army ad. This line appeals to your self worth and dares you to go ahead. It says that this is not for everyone but only those who have “it”. Army and modeling have nothing in common but the “it” factor. Anyone with a good face cannot be a model. He or she needs to have the right attitude, charisma and discipline among other things to become a successful model.

Modeling is a stuff of dreams of many. The image of glamorous faces strutting their stuff on the ramp, images of impeccably polished and groomed beings appearing on covers of glossy magazines, the hedonistic lifestyle, all of that.

Why am I talking about all of this here? For a reason, Tata Sky has recently announced the Fashion Icon contest! This contest is for people with “it factor”, who believe who can succeed and have what it takes to pursue a successful career in modeling.

It’s a fashion photo contest, where you’ve got to send in your photographs and some documents. This contest is open for all subscribers of the lifestyle gold pack. You need to send in your photograph and stuff to Tata sky at the following address:

Mr Milind Gandhi Tata Sky Ltd., Bombay Dyeing A O Building, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai 400 025.

Alternatively, these documents can be emailed to fashion@tatasky.com . The photos need to be sent before 25th March 2009. An internal panel of judges shall select the winner and shall be notified via the phone number and address mentioned in the subscription contract.

Now the important one…The prize for this contest is a “Professional photo shoot!”. Tata Sky may even involve you in their promotional activity!!! And guys what an opportunity that is, to associate yourself with a “Superbrand” Tata Sky, is simply fantastic a first step into the modeling world for an aspirant! Not to mention that a professional photoshoot is pretty expensive these days and without which you don’t really have anything to run with, if you wish to make a career out of modeling. In summary, TS gives you this interesting opportunity to jumpstart your modeling career, if you think you have “it” in you!

This could be your chance, you never know! Send you photos soon. 25th March isn’t too far.

The details of this contest can be found here: http://www.tatasky.com/offers-fashion-icon-contest.html

Looking forward to the New Tata Sky DTH Ad – Aamir as an Old Sardar!

It seems TS is ready with their brand new commercial starring their brand ambassador, the epitome of experimental acting in Hindi cinema, popularly called “Aamir Khan”. This man can pull off anything. Look at those images that I had put up here a few days back, and he almost looks unrecognizable in some of them. That’s also quite literally the extent to which he gets under the skin of the character he portrays.

Aamir and TS resonate really well, both set standards in their respective domains, and both are well accepted by the audiences. Also the comfort level Aamir has with the brand Tata Sky, reflects in his onscreen presence in the Tata Sky ads. Which might also be one of the reason why TS ads are so effective!

This is what Aamir had to say about this ad, and I quote as below…

“As an actor it's challenging for me to try and play with my age. I am playing a sixty year old sardar for the new Tata Sky campaign...So you know the get up, all the make up for the eyes...trying to age the face...For an actor its always interesting and fun to play roles which not your own self. I have played all kinds of characters before but never a Sardar. Though I played a punjabi character in Rang De basanti but this is the first time as a sardar full on. When you have to get into a lot of make up, with the turban and the beard....I hate this beard as there is a lot of gum on them its very irritating ...but you gotta do it when you gotta do it. Initially I did get irritated because I have to put this body suit etc...But once I put it on and I look at myself, I get excited... when I see myself looking like this other person, then I forget the discomfort. Besides the irritation I am very particular about the wig being right and then I look at myself and I feel very happy, specially when the product comes out right. Tata Sky is a brand I am extremely comfortable associating myself with because of the kind of standards it believes in..in terms of the quality and service it offers and what the brand Tata Sky stands for”

I really don’t know what the storyline of the ad is, but knowing Tata Sky, I am sure it’ll be a great one. These images really point to an interesting communication context that TS might have worked on. I am really looking forward to seeing this ad!

Making of the New Tata Sky DTH Ad - Identify the Actor!

Calling All Aamir Khan Fans: Wish Him On His Birthday!

Guys Aamir khan's Birthday is really close (on the 14th of March)... Everyone's started wishing him a "Happy Birthday" (that too in their own words along with their photographs) through Facebook and Orkut (your fav social networking sites)!

Yes. Tata Sky presents this fantastic opportunity for all Aamir Khan fans to send their birthday wishes through "Aamir's Birthday Wall" (which is an application brought to you by TS on Facebook and Orkut).

All you've got to do is follow this url http://apps.facebook.com/aamirbirthdaywall/ for Facebook and http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#AppInfo.aspx?appId=234299955580 for Orkut. And the rest is simple. Upload your photograph, put in your wishes and you're done! If your message is legitimate it'll get published on the "Aamir's Birthday wall" (along with your photograph)!!! Isn't it cool?

Go for it folks!

Dinner With Asin!

If you are a resident of south India, you are fortunate. There’s this lovely (literally) opportunity to spend some moments of your life with guess who, (you don’t need to, as the title has already revealed it), Asin!!!

Wow wouldn’t it be exciting! I know it’s a rhetorical question. Anyway, if don’t have Tata Sky, this is the best time to get it. Besides a chance to get to have dinner with Asin, you also get 50% off on installation, and of course the DVD quality AV to awe your senses is the biggest advantage over anything else!

This “Dinner with Asin” contest is actually about answering a few simple questions, once you’ve bought your Tata Sky and that’s it. If you answer those questions correctly you could stand a chance to Dine with Asin. As said earlier it’s only for customers from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

If you enjoy watching television then buying Tata Sky is generally a no-brainer of a decision given the fantastic benefits it offers like DVD quality picture and sound, wide range of channels, prompt customer service etc. And when it’s coupled with such a contest along with 50% off on the installation fee, there’s potentially no reason why you shouldn’t go for it!

Checkout the details of this opportunity here:
http://www.tatasky.com/offers-dinner-with-asin-contest.html

Tata Sky Gets Real!

Tata Sky is adding “Real” the General Entertainment Channel (the newest on the block) to its Lifestyle Gold pack, as the channel launches (goes on air) today.Tata Sky truly believes in providing the best in entertainment to its subscribers. They have just added this new channel without any extra cost to its already existing Lifestyle Gold Pack!!!

Real is betting big on its flagship shows like “Sarkar ki Duniya” and “Poker Face”. While Poker Face is supposed to be a question-answer based game show that’s about promptness, wit and luck, “Sarkaar Ki Duniya” is apparently a Adventure + High Drama reality show. It is touted to be a gauging meter of human endurance, strong will and adventurous spirit of the participants.
As a matter of perspective, the more the competition in the GEC space, the better it is for the customers. That’s because the channels will continuously create innovative content to maintain their differentiation. The width and depth of the customer’s viewing bouquet would keep expanding. As a result the audiences will get more fragmented and the advertisers might find interesting niches as well. Hence I see it as a symbiotic phenomenon that creates a win-win for all stakeholders involved.

Anyway, Thanks TS for bringing in “real”, real quick!

Color The Worksheet Contest!

Tata Sky has come up with a new contest for kids. As mentioned in my previous posts, Tata Sky is positively aggressive is promoting the “Fun with Learning” concept.

This time they are choosing to invoke the Leonardo Da Vinci/Pablo Piccaso in your child. They have announced this colouring contest for kids called “Colour the worksheet contest”.
This contest is open only to students of schools enrolled under the Tata Sky School contact programme. To participate in this contest, the students need to colour the worksheets received from their schools and submit them to Tata Sky through their respective schools. The age limit for participating kids is 3-7 years. The last date of entry for this contest is Tuesday, 31 March 2009. Also, it is the schools that need to send the entries; participants cannot send it directly to Tata Sky. The entries will be judged on the basis of imagination, colour concept, innovative use of drawing and colouring material by an internal panel of judges and exciting prizes given to winners.

This contest appears to be fun, I remember the time when I would get excited about these things too. These contests are very encouraging and motivating especially for 3-7 year olds. For them, winning or losing doesn’t mean much. It’s all about participating. Get any of the kids you know to participate in it. And who knows you might have just played your role in the making of a Leonardo Da Vinci!

The details of this contest can be seen here:

http://www.tatasky.com/offers-color-worksheet-contest.html