Vivek Saurabh joins Id8 Labs as CEO, to set-up Delhi operations

Article taken from Alootechie

30 April, 2008

Digital marketing agency Id8 Labs, which has offices in Philadelphia (US) and Mumbai, has appointed Vivek Saurabh as its new chief executive officer. Before joining Id8 Labs, Vivek Saurabh headed GENPACT’s Centre of Excellence. According to Id8 Labs, Saurabh will be based in New Delhi and will also set up Id8 Labs’ Delhi operations.

“Vivek has been brought on board to make id8 Labs into a centre of excellence. Id8 Labs today has a 125 member team which we plan to double in the next one year. Given such a diverse team, operations and practices and processes become critical, Vivek will work towards implementing Six Sigma practices in the company,” Amit Tripathi, managing director, Id8 Labs, has said.

The company has also named Tanmay Mohanty as its chief operating officer. Mohanty was earlier the Head Strategy and Business Development at Id8 Labs and in that capacity has spent two years with the company and has been instrumental in newer growth areas.

Sheetal Vora has been appointed as chief operating officer of a new internet venture that the company is incubating. Vora, who has been with the company since inception, will also hold additional charge as vice president, corporate affairs, Id8 Labs.

Id8 Labs, which was launched in 2007, currently offers proprietary research, online creative and content solutions, search engine marketing, media solutions along with behavioural targeting and CRM. Its client list includes UTI MF, Maruti Suzuki, HSBC, HDFC Standard Life, Colgate, Crompton Greaves, RPG Group, Essar, DuPont, iFlex, TATA AIG, Go Air, Reliance Capital and Mirae Asset.

Harbhajan apologises to Sreesanth (Lead:)

ANI Saturday, April 26, 2008 11:51:47 AM
Reconciliation between Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh and Punjab Kings XI paceman Sreesanth came after Harbhajan apologised for his behaviour in the dressing room after the end of Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Muhali last evening.Sreesanth also played down the incident saying Bhajji was like an elder brother for him. "Harbhajan is like my brother and these kinds of incidents are normal," said the pace-bowler.Harbhajan too claimed that nothing serious has happened and that Sreesanth is like his brother.After the IPL match between Punjab's Kings XI and Mumbai Indians last evening, Harbhajan had allegedly hit Sreesanth. The fast bowler, who otherwise is known for his on-the-field aggression, was seen crying bitterly on the ground after the incident.Off-spinner Harbhajan, however, had a long chat with Sreesanth in the dressing room of the Punjab team and apologised for his behaviour.Reacting to the incident, Kings XI Punjab captain Yuvraj Singh said, "This is really an ugly incident. You do not want to see such things off the field especially after such a win. I am pretty upset at what has happened. This is totally unacceptable."This was Punjab Kings XI's first victory in three IPL matches, beating Mumbai Indians convincingly by 66 run victory. (ANI)

No ban in Mumbai but get ready for the 'conservative' cheerleader

Article taken from Yahoo.co.in

Indian Express Saturday, April 26, 2008 2:59:36 AM
With objections raised by some of its politicians and a minister against IPL's "vulgar" cheerleaders sparking a national furore, the Maharashtra government sought to do a flip-flop on the issue on Friday and tried to duck questions over the dancers being banned.
But despite Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's statement today that the issue should be taken sportingly, the protests seemed to have stumped the organisers: they have directed cheerleaders attached to all teams to wear more clothes when their teams play in Mumbai or Navi Mumbai.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh maintained that this was a small issue that was being blown out of proportion. "We must take it sportingly. It is a sport," he said. "The entire issue is being examined by the Home Ministry, which is alert and thinking about which law can be applied."
Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, instrumental in getting dance bars across Mumbai banned in 2005, hinted that a ban on cheerleaders may not be legally sustainable. "Officials are telling me that the ban cannot be sustained under law. I have asked for a report on the law under which this falls. The ban on dance bars does not mean that all forms of dance are banned in the state," said Patil, whose party chief Sharad Pawar is also the head of the cricket board.
But although there was no official order from the state government, tough words from Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh in Navi Mumbai - where the Mumbai Indians will face off against Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers on Sunday - seemed to have had their effect.
"We have granted the cheerleaders performance licences and they are free to perform at the IPL match. However, this is provided their performance is not vulgar. If we find that they are indulging in vulgar dances, they will be booked," Wagh told The Indian Express.
Asked what qualified as "vulgar", Wagh replied: "Even courts have not come up with a strict definition of what is vulgar. However, senior police officers will be present at the spot, and if they perceive that the performance is vulgar, action will be taken."
In the first three games, the Hyderabad franchisee's all-imported cheergirls wore short skirts and low-cut tops. Hiren Pandit, managing partner of GroupM ESP, the consultancy firm hired by Deccan Chargers, confirmed that the cheerleaders will be wearing more clothes in Navi Mumbai.
"We got a call from International Management Group in Mumbai asking us to make changes in the dress code of our cheerleaders. It isn't just for Deccan Chargers but for all the teams," he said. IMG is the consultant BCCI has roped in for IPL.

Harbhajan, Sreesanth row not good for IPL: Modi

Article taken from rediff.com

April 26, 2008 11:43 IST
Upset over the row between Mumbai stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh and Punjab paceman S Sreesanth , Indian Premier League Chairman Lalit Modi on Saturday said it was a "serious matter" and was not good for the cash-rich Twenty20 tournament.

But Modi said the IPL committee would wait foar an official report on the matter before deciding about their next action in the issue.

"It looks like a serious matter the way it's being shown on television channels but I can't say anything now. In any tournament it should not happen, it's unfortunate what happened yesterday," Modi told reporters in Chandigarh.

Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth after Mumbai Indians lost their IPL match to Kings XI Punjab last night and the paceman was seen bitterly crying on the field.

Modi, however, said the IPL committee could take any decision only after receiving an official report on the matter as picture was still not clear about what exactly happened between the two players last night.

"The incident in itself is sketchy. There is no clear evidence at this moment, there are different versions about what may have happened. But at the end of the day we have to take cognizance of the fact that happened on the field.

"(So) we are waiting for the match referee and umpire's report only after which our committee will take a decision. The tournament is being played under the ICC guidelines, besides there are also tournament guidelines for the players," he said.

Sreesanth not to file complaint against Harbhajan

Article taken from rediff.com

April 26, 2008 12:33 IST
Kings XI Punjab paceman S Sreesanth on Saturday described Mumbai XI stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh's alleged slap as "shake hand on a wrong side" and said he would not file a complaint against him.
When specifically asked by media if he was slapped by Harbhajan last night, Sreesanth said "not exactly".
"Not exactly (slapped), it was a shake hand on a wrong side. I don't want to file any complaint against him," said Sreesanth who was seen bitterly crying on the ground last night.
The aggressive fast bowler, who was seen bitterly crying on the ground after the match, which his side won against Mumbai Indians last night in Mohali, however refused to give details on the issue.

"Nothing much, nothing really happened, whatever has happened should stay on the field. He is like my elder brother. At the end of the day we are playing for this same country," he said.
Asked then what made him cry on the ground, the 25-year-old bowler "I had fever in the morning and I was feeling emotional. (But) I am not hurt and not at all worried. He (Harbhajan) is elder brother," he added.

On whether the Kings XI Punjab team management would file any complaint as it was being speculated, he said "I don't know about that."
Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth after Mumbai Indians lost their IPL match by 66 runs to Kings XI Punjab on Friday night.

BCCI issues notice to Harbhajan

Article taken from Rediff.com
April 26, 2008 13:14 IST
Harbhajan Singh was on Saturday slapped with a show cause notice by the Board of Control for Cricket in India asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for allegedly slapping Sreesanth in Mohali.
Harbhajan has been asked to respond by Monday, BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.
"At this point of time, we have issued a show cause notice. Harbhajan is a contracted player of BCCI... BCCI itself has a code of conduct for players. And BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah has issued a show cause notice and he has to respond by Monday," Shetty said.

IPL cheerleaders under fire

Article taken from Rediff.com

April 25, 2008 13:31 IST
Last Updated: April 25, 2008 17:33 IST

Cheerleaders will not be banned during Indian Premier League cricket matches in Mumbai. However, they may have to shed their skimpy outfits, as the police warned of action against the organisers if their shows are found to be vulgar.

As the police cleared the air on whether the scantily-clad cheer girls will be allowed to perform in a Navi Mumbai stadium on April 27 by imposing some conditions, the 'ban cheerleaders' chant grew louder with West Bengal joining Maharashtra in targeting the dancing beauties.

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu also joined the chorus of protests, saying the dance was a "distraction and nonsense" as a debate raged over whether US-style cheerleaders have a role during cricket matches in the country.

"The girls are merely artistes who perform as per the instructions of organisers," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, adding that a performance license has been granted to the organisers of the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers, to be held at Nerul's D Y Patil stadium.

In the event of the cheerleaders indulging in obscenity, Wagh said, the "license holders" (the organisers) will be prosecuted under various provisions of the Bombay Police Act for indecency in a public place and breach of license terms.

Wagh said the show should not be vulgar or obscene nor offend the dignity of women. He, however, said there are no instructions from the government.

West Bengal Sports Minister Subash Chakravarty said the cheerleaders have no role and are out of context during sporting encounters and there is no need to import Western culture. Chakravarty, who was supported by PWD Minister Kshiti Goswami(RSP) and Water Investigation Minister Nandgopal Bhttacharya(CPI), said he will take up the issue with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.