April 30, 2007

Biz Quizzard 161

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week April 23-28. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company recently became the first Indian firm to reach the $50 bn M-cap?

2. In the history's biggest-ever financial deal, which MNC bank last week announced a $91-bn takeover of ABN Amro?

3. Another takeover. Which MNC last week bought an 80% stake in Mumbai-based electrical accessories major Anchor Electricals for Rs 2,000 crore?

4. With an eye on catching the young traveler segment with an appealing animal mascot, which airline has launched a soft toy, Querk, an animal that is positioned as one that loves travel and can change guise?

5. Which pharma MNC, according to a news snippet last week, bought US biotech firm Medimmune for $15.6 bn?

6. Coimbatore-based SP Apparels, has according to a report last week, acquired which women's western wear brand?

7. Reliance Retail last week announced its entry into consumer durable retailing. What will the stores be branded as?

8. Sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports last week announced the launch of its all cricket channel. What has it been branded as?

9. Which MNC last week acquired a controlling 51% stake in Sesa Goa, India's largest private ore exporter?

10. Which Indian company last week acquired two Polish tea brands Vitax and Flosana from Premium Foods SA, a local company headquartered in Krakow, for an undisclosed amount?

11. According to an annual ranking by a market research firm, Millword Brown Optimer, which is the world's most powerful brand?

12. Mr Edward Whitacre Jr last week announced that he will retire in June. He is the chairman and chief executive of which well known telecom giant?

Please mail your answers before Friday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 161 as the subject.

Happy Learning!
Rajeev Kondapalli

April 23, 2007

Biz Quizzard 160

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week April 16-21. Hope you enjoy it.

1. According to news reports last week, Jet Airways will operate Air Sahara as a separate airline. What will it be branded as?

2. Which business group last week signed a definitive agreement to acquire Canadian Algoma Steel for $1.58 bn?

3. Which company's ice cream brand Chillz, according to a report last week, would get its first TV commercial with a new tagline of 'goodness inside'?

4. General Motors last week launched the new avatar of the erstwhile Daewoo Matiz. What has it been branded as?

5. Which MNC financial giant is advertising its range of products in the print and television media with the baseline 'We appreciate the value of your money'?

6. According a news report last week, Netilo Systems, a company which develops software products and solutions for the banking industry, is being put on the block. Which business group owns a majority stake in the company?

7. Which Bangalore-based hardware company last week rolled out its one millionth product?

8. Gitanjali Gems has lined up a new collection, L'Oreal has introduced a limited edition lipstick shade Tender Beige and Big 92.7 FM is believed to be spending close to Rs 7 lakh for on-ground promotions. What is the occasion?

9. Which MNC auto major last week launched its luxury sedan Teana in India?

10. Very workable. Which airline last week appointed Bollywood actress Preity Zinta as its brand ambassador?

Please mail your answers before Friday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 160 as the subject.

Happy Learning!
Rajeev Kondapalli

April 16, 2007

Biz Quizzard 159

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week April 09-14. Hope you enjoy it.


1. According to a news report last week, Spitz, the Euro 2.2-billion Austrian food major is planning to launch its energy drink in India. What has it been branded as?

2. Health and fitness retail chain VLCC is planning to set up 4000 beauty outlets. What will they be branded as?

3. Which advertising agency last week announced the launch of its design arm - Red Lion?

4. Which advertising agency/group last week launched a creative design boutique 'Iki'?

5. Mr Lakshmi Narayan was last week appointed the chairman for Nasscom, the premier IT body of the country, for 2007-08. He is the vice chairman of which IT company?

6. Which MNC last week announced it would buy Gerber Products Co. from pharmaceutical maker Novartis SA for $5.5 billion giving it the largest share of the global baby food market?

7. Which hospitality group in India last week signed an exclusive agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to bring the latter's premium brand, the 'Luxury Collection', to India?

8. India's first branded train, a holiday special to Nagarcoil, rolled out from Bangalore last week. Name the brand? (in case you are confused, this is a commercial brand, in an advertising deal with the Railways)

9. Which business group is the Hewitt Best Employer in 2007?

10. South African operator Neotel has acquired Transtel Telecom, the commercial telecommunication arm of Transnet, South Africa's largest transport and logistics company, for $33 million. Which Indian business group has a 51% stake in Neotel?

11. Sticking to tradition, Mr Nandan Nilekani last week gave up the CEO position to take on the role of executive co-chairman. Who is the new CEO of Infosys?

12. Geneva watchmaker Romain Jerome last week showcased its exclusive "Titanic - DNA" collection at Baselworld, the watch and jewellery industry's largest annual trade fair. Why has it been branded so?

13. Which clothing brand is being advertised with the baseline 'Catch up with life'?

14. According to a news report last week, Apple Inc has delayed the release of its new computer operating system till October. What has it been code-named?

15. NDTV recently made an official announcement about its new entertainment channel, in association with Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. What has it been branded as?


Please mail your answers before Friday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 159 as the subject.

Happy Learning!
Rajeev Kondapalli

April 9, 2007

Biz Quizzard 158

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week April 02-07. Hope you enjoy it.


1. Hyundai Motor India last week launched a new variant of its premium hatchback Getz. What has it been sub-branded as?

2. Which Indian company last week announced the acquisition of Hotel Campton Palace in San Francisco?

3. Which well known brand in India last week launched deodorants under the brand names 'Spark', 'Dare' and 'Urge' for men and 'Provoke' and 'Intention' for women?

4. Vienna-based Wienerberger plans to open its first factory in India soon. It is the world's biggest manufacturer of which product?

5. According to a report last week, US-based Sherwin-Williams has acquired which Indian paint company for an undisclosed sum?

6. The print ad for which digital camera brand features actress and model Katrina Kaif with the baseline 'Personalize it'?

7. Which new/relaunched car brand is being advertised in the print medium with the headline 'The spirit of the original. The spunk of today'?

8. Drishti Adventures that runs H2O and its adjoining restaurant Salt Water Grill at Girgaum Chowpatty in Mumbai was last week summoned by the High Court to produce its liquor permit and other documents. Which celebrity is a business partner in the company?

9. Kwality Walls last week launched a calcium-enriched ice cream. What has it been branded as?

10. Which new consumer durables brand is being advertised across media with the baseline 'LIVE THE FUTURE'?

11. Which clothing brand is being advertised in the print medium with the baseline 'Enjoy the change'?

12. Which cosmetics brand has launched Freespirit Lipcolor created by Narendra Kumar?

Please mail your answers before Friday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 158 as the subject.

Happy learning!
Rajeev Kondapalli

April 2, 2007

Biz Quizzard 157

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week March 26-31. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which Indian engineering company last week announced the 100% equity acquisition of Quickmill Inc., Canada, for a consideration of about Rs 22 crore?

2. Which media group in India last week signed a joint venture agreement with Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail in UK, to launch a morning tabloid?

3. Which government organization has launched a major advertising campaign in the print medium with the baseline 'Reaching Every Indian'?

4. Which IT MNC last week signed a 5-year contract valued at $200 million with Applied Materials, a leader in nanomanufacturing technology solutions?

5. According to reports last week, what would be the merged entity of state-owned carriers Air India and Indian be branded as?

6. Which Indian business group along with a group company last week sold a cumulative 50% holding in their joint venture with business process outsourcing player, Sitel India, to Sitel Corporation for $22.2 million (around Rs 100 crore)?

7. Which clothing brand is being advertised in the print medium with the baseline 'Wear fresh air!'?

8. Titan Industries last week announced the launch of its prescription eye store in Bangalore. What has it been branded as?

9. General Motors last week launched a special edition of its premium mid-size sedan Chevrolet Optra. What has it been sub-branded as?

10. Which business group last week announced its foray into the luxury retail market through its new venture "Luxury Connexions (Lx) and Luxury Malls"?

11. This is globalization at its best. A German banking major along with an US investment banking giant, will lead the charge to list an Indian telecom company's London-headquartered subsidiary on Europe's biggest bourse. Name the subsidiary?

12. Which celebrity has been signed on as the brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson for India and SAARC region?

13. After banning English channel AXN in January for about 2 months, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has now banned which satellite channel till end of May?

14. According to a news report last week, which well known Indian company is foraying into the retail segment through a new subsidiary, H&B Stores Ltd?

15. Which brand is being advertised on television with the baseline 'Soorat bhi hai, Khoobsoorat bhi hai' (in Hindi)?

Please mail your answers before Friday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 157 as the subject.

Happy learning!
Rajeev Kondapalli