January 29, 2012

Biz Quizzard 409

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

1. Thorsten Heins has taken over as the new CEO of which well known MNC?

2. Which MNC has been named the best company to work for by Fortune magazine?

3. Arun Anant will joining as the CEO of which well known daily, from February?

4. S Raghunandan has quit which MNC within 3 weeks of taking over as the country head of its India operations?

5. Which well known business personality has bought out the residual 3.5 per cent stake held by Ashok Soota in mid-tier software exports company MindTree Limited, becoming the single-largest shareholder in the publicly-held company?

6. Mahesh Samat has quit as the managing director of the Indian operations of which MNC?

7. Swiss group Barry Callebaut is to supply Unilever, the world’s third-largest consumer goods group, with 70% of its global requirement of which commodity?

8. Bajaj Auto is replacing its ‘Probiking' sports bike outlets with which brand?

9. War Horse, The Help and Real Steel have bagged 11 nominations at this year’s Oscars. What is the Indian link?

10. Which MNC brand has announced a long term partnership with Indian swimmer Rehan Poncha?

11. Which MNC has bought a majority stake in data centre services provider Netmagic for about Rs 900 crore?

12. Which global media brand has tied up with JK Ansell, makers of Kamasutra condoms, to launch co-branded condoms?

13. Which MNC last week said it would sell its stake in the Senseo coffee brand to partner Sara Lee?

14. Which company has made a foray into solar-powered products by launching the EuroDiya range of solar-powered lamps?

15. Which business personality is the recipient of this year's `lifetime achievement award' instituted by Ernst & Young?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 409 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

January 22, 2012

Biz Quizzard 408

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

1. Which company has launched the "Angry Brides" game?

2. Hitch.me, a website for dating, has been created for the users of which networking website?

3. Which business magazine, on the completion of 5 years, has been re-launched in a new avatar along with a new tagline 'Think Beyond. Stay Ahead'?

4. Which MNC has tied up with Indiatimes Shopping to launch its first online store in India?

5. Which brand has emerged as the most-trusted brand in India according to 'The Brand Trust Report, India Study 2012', released last week?

6. Which international hospitality major is set to foray into the education sector in India?

7. According to report last week, Atos, one of Europe’s largest IT companies, wants to banish the use of which popular utility within its office after 2014?

8. Which brand has retained its position as the world's most valuable brand according to Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2011 report?

9. Popular community-edited online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, blacked out its English-language site for 24 hours on January 18. Why?

10. According to a report last week, with sales of Rs 5,000 per square feet per month in 2011, which is the most lucrative retail location in the country?

11. Which MNC’s co-founder Jerry Yang last week announced his decision to quit?

12. As per the latest Big Mac index, compiled by the Economist magazine to analyse purchasing-power parity of various global currencies, which is the world’s most under-valued currency?

13. Which country’s premier fast-food chain 'Country Chicken' launched its first outlet in India last week?

14. Which MNC is shedding its familiar red-and-yellow colours for more muted tones as it goes for its biggest and costliest revamp in the country, in line with its global strategy of attracting more adults?

15. Which company has launched India's most affordable branded watch at Rs 225?

16. In a first of its kind move, which telecom company has awarded its entire advertising inventory management to Sandeep Goyal-promoted Mogae Media?

17. Which brand has undergone a repositioning exercise and has a new tagline 'Dish Sawar hai'?

18. 31-year-old Pirojsha has been appointed the new managing director and CEO of which company?

19. India has been ranked the sixth most "innovative" country in the world in multinational conglomerate GE's Annual Global Innovation Barometer. Which country has topped the list?

20. Which MNC, one of the most well known across the world, filed for bankruptcy protection last week?

21. Which unusual item up for sale recently was pulled down by eBay India as it was prohibited from being sold under the company's Seller Policy?

22. Hindustan Unilever will take over which brand in India from Godrej Consumer Products?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 408 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

January 15, 2012

Biz Quizzard 407



A very close friend, also my ex-boss at Idea, Mr Kishore Kumar Mullapudi passed away this morning. Kishore was a great guy and one of the nicest and selfless persons i have known. This edition is dedicated to him as my personal tribute and thank you.

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week January 09 - 14.

1. Which portal has acquired events and entertainment portal Buzzintown.com for an undisclosed amount?

2. Mr Bal Mundkur recently passed away in Goa. He was the founder of which advertising agency?

3. Pharma major Merck will relaunch which iconic global brand in India to boost its consumer healthcare business?

4. Sudhir Rao is quitting as deputy MD and COO of which automobile MNC in India?

5. Which company has unveiled ‘HyAlfa', the world’s first fleet of hydrogen-fuelled three-wheelers?

6. Which MNC has named BD Park as managing director of its Indian operations?

7. Which MNC has unveiled the world’s thinnest laptop computer S5?

8. Which company is acquiring the NMA Group in Los Angeles, a pioneer in the realm of branded entertainment, which helps marketers weave products into the plots of movies and television shows?

9. The $17-billion Chinese company Midea will acquire which MNC’s struggling residential AC business in India?

10. The Branding Villa, a pub in Newcastle, UK, has launched a beer that is in the news. What is its claim to fame?

11. Which company has advertised its ‘Amazing Everyday Campaign' on the exterior of a Jet Airways plane?

12. Which country, through a state-owned company, has bought Ferretti, the world's largest luxury- yacht builder?

13. Which company has floated a brand - Icons Nxt - to bring non-filmy music back in currency?

14. According to a survey by research firm Nielsen, which company is the ‘Employer of Choice' for B-School students who will graduate in 2012?

15. Why was 48-year-old IIT-Delhi alumnus Soumitra Dutta in news last week?

16. The Kajah Group, from Chavakkad in Thrissur, Kerala, unveiled a two-seat concept car, called the Kreeper, at the auto expo. What is the primary business of the company?

17. Which beverage brand has unveiled a new look, with a new logo, packaging and tagline 'Dil Bole I Feel Up'?

18. Which bank launched Vasundhara Jubilee Senorita Banking Centre, an exclusive branch for women customers in Hyderabad?

19. T30, a five-star hotel at Dongting lake, Hunan province, China, has become a internet sensation. Why?

20. The promoter of which chain has filed an Rs 500 crore defamation claim against Wipro chairman Azim Premji?

21. Which international brand has changed its tagline to ‘So Good', after a gap of almost 45 years?

22. According to a report last week, the promoters of the fashion label ‘House of Gushungo’ are planning to expand into the production of suits and shoes. The label sells clothing embossed with the initials and signature of which controversial head of state?

23. Hyderabad-based Kayempee Foods has launched a range of chocolates under the Fun House brand. The chocolates are crafted in different shapes and designs under licence from which MNC?

24. Which two Indian companies, along with the US-based company of Indian-origin Cognizant, figure in an elite group of 10 companies identified by Harvard Business Review (HBR) as the companies that have consistently performed better than others around the world over a ten-year period?

25. Which MNC has filed for trademark registration of “Why this kolaveri di”?

26. Which hotel has been voted as the world’s leading luxury hotel of 2011 by the World Travel Awards?

27. What is unique about Anarchy, a new scent from Axe?

28. Which television channel has, on the completion of 7 years, launched a brand campaign with a new tagline ‘Waqt se Pehle, Kismat se Zyaada!’?

29. Which company has roped in Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and actor, rugby player Rahul Bose as ambassadors?

30. Which brand has roped in actor Madhuri Dixit as the chief smile officer?

31. Which brand, according to a report last week, has edged out Hindustan Unilever's Wheel from the number one slot in the Rs 13,000-crore laundry industry for the months of October & November 2011?

32. US-based Beam Global Spirits & Wine, the world's fourth largest spirits company, has launched a scotch-based ready to drink beverage in India under which flagship brand?

33. Which company, under its eMO project, unveiled the prototype for a $20,000 electric car that can carry up to four passengers, at the Detroit auto show?

34. Which euro 35 billion French construction major has entered the Indian market by buying out 100 per cent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction company?

35. Which MNC has joined hands with the Ministry of Tourism for its Clean India campaign?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 407 as the subject.

rajeev kondapalli

January 8, 2012

Biz Quizzard 406

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

1. The afaqs Buzziest Brands of the Year 2011 list has been released. Which brand has retained the top spot?

2. Which business personality has launched an e-learning training centre, Finance Control and Accounting Learning Academy, along with Harvard Business School, PWC and Finitiatives Learning India?

3. Southern superstar Ileana D'cruz has been signed as the brand ambassador by which jewellery company?

4. Which automobile brand is being advertised (TVC currently on air) with the baseline 'Be The Force'?

5. Nargis Fakhri can be seen in the TVC (currently on air) for which hair care brand?

6. Which skincare chain has announced a complete revamp of its brand identity including a new logo and tagline ‘Love what you see’?

7. Which company has inked a MoU with Mumbai University for the restoration of the iconic Rajabai Clock Tower and Library in co-ordination with the Indian Heritage Society, Mumbai?

8. Which global nutrition company has signed up tennis player Somdev Devvarman as its brand ambassador?

9. The British monarch has awarded a knighthood to Jonathan Paul Ive. He is the head of which MNC’s design team?

10. Andasol, a solar power station in Spain, became operational recently. What is its claim to fame?

11. Which company has acquired more than 500 films from Colors in a deal believed to be worth Rs 350-400 crore?

12. A division bench of the Delhi High Court has allowed which MNC to use numeral 8 as part of its product name ‘Palone 8’ in its original writing and colouring style?

13. Which bank will soon join social media platform Facebook, where it plans to allow its customers to access their bank accounts, among other services?

14. JP Morgan Asset Management has recently invested Rs 100 crore in Leap Green Energy Pvt Ltd. The company is promoted by which well known sports personality’s family?

15. In a mega media deal, which company will help broadcaster Network18 fund the purchase of a leading regional language rival, Eenadu, while at the same time ensuring a stake for itself in Network18’s expanded business?

16. Which MNC has named Scott Thompson, president of eBay’s PayPal division, as its new CEO?

17. Which company has launched India's first online movie-on-demand service?

18. Which recently well known personality is set to be the face of Vedanta Foundation?

19. Which MNC plans to foray into the Indian used-car market with the launch of its 'Das WeltAuto'?

20. A restaurant in Bengaluru called Raj Bhog is in news for introducing a variant of a popular dish priced at 1,011 rupees. What is it?

21. Which company has introduced 110cc mass motorcycle Dream Yuga at the auto expo?

22. Which company plans to enter the multi-passenger segment with its all-new Ertiga?

23. Which MNC unveiled its concept multi-purpose vehicle ‘Hexa Space’ at the 11th Auto Expo in New Delhi?

24. Which company has launched its Avanti sports car at the auto expo?

25. Bajaj Auto, the world’s largest three-wheeler manufacturer, unveiled a four-wheeler intra-city passenger vehicle last week. What has it been branded as?

26. Which MNC launched its Sail hatchback last week?

27. Which MNC unveiled a seven-seater car 'Evalia' at the Auto Expo?

28. Which MNC has launched its global compact SUV EcoSport in India?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 406 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

January 1, 2012

Biz Quizzard 405



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

1. Which food chain has completed 15 years in India?

2. Which telecom brand has signed on actor Imran Khan as its brand ambassador?

3. Which MNC has launched the world's most fuel-efficient hybrid car?

4. Sony Corp has agreed to sell its nearly 50 percent stake in an LCD joint venture to which MNC for $940 million?

5. Why was Chorwad town in Junagadh district in news last week?

6. Which MNC is ringing in the New Year with a new communication campaign titled ‘Believe in a Happier Tomorrow.'?

7. Which country will construct the world’s highest-altitude airport in 2012?

8. Which automobile company has acquired UK-based Ultra Motors?

9. Pernod Ricard India has rolled out Blenders Pride Reserve Collection. What is its claim to fame?

10. The Department of Posts has allowed which company to sell postal stamps at its retail outlets across the country?

11. Which company is claiming the leadership position in the Indian smartphones market?

12. Which company has released an ad for being ranked no. 1 among Fortune 500 companies for the highest social net worth on Facebook?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 405 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli