February 28, 2016

Biz Quizzard 622

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the February 22 - 27. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Tata Motors has renamed its upcoming hatchback, which was earlier named as Zica. What is the new name?

2. Which 100-year-old, home-grown manufacturer of fizzy drinks last week re-launched its rose-flavoured carbonated drink in a new avatar ‘Vibro’?

3. Which detergent brand has launched its new ad 'share the load'?

4. Which company has acquired bridal jewellery brand Azva from the World Gold Council for an undisclosed amount?

5. Which well known brand has launched its new commercial ‘Govinda’?

6. Viacom18 is all set to launch a Hindi movie channel in the next financial year. What will it be branded as?

7. Yoichiro Ueno has been named as the new CEO of which automobile company, effective April 1?

8. Which private sector lender has acquired 19.9% stake in Airtel M Commerce for Rs 98.38 crore?

9. What is special about the newest Monopoly edition "Ultimate Banking," which will roll out later this year?

10. Which brand has launched its latest campaign ‘Never Have A Never Have I Ever’?

11. Which men's apparel brand has forayed into the innerwear segment and recently carried out an on-ground activation #BangOn for the launch?

12. Which Bengaluru-based new hardware startup last week unveiled what they claimed is the country’s first truly smart electric scooter – the S340?

13. Facebook rolled out a new feature- an extension of the "Like" button – worldwide last week. What has it been branded as?

14. Which online marketplace has teamed up with stand-up comedian Gaurav Gera to endorse its products and services on social media platforms?

15. Which ethnic products etailer is acquiring PlaceofOrigin(dot)in, an online gourmet food marketplace in a share-swap deal?

16. Which American designer, in collaboration with Runway of Dreams, has launched a line of clothing for children with disabilities?

17. I liked this campaign. Which brand has launched the film #AmPrettyTough?

18. Which MNC has launched a new campaign with the positioning ‘life is a conversation with air’ for its air conditioners?

19. Which company has agreed to acquire Meenakshi Energy from French major Engie for an undisclosed sum?

20. Which company has announced a strategic partnership with Investopedia(dot)com, one of the web's premier destinations for financial information?

21. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited will soon launch a digital platform for on-demand videos. What will it be branded as?

22. Which UK-based e-commerce venture has appointed Gaurav Nabh as its new marketing director?

23. Actors Sonam Kapoor and Fawad Khan are featured in the new television commercial for which milk brand from Pakistan?

24. Which company has entered the Limca Book of Records for installing a chain of 106 digital advertisement units between the updown tracks of Mumbai Metro Line in 2015?

25. Adarsh Gupta has floated a new start-up venture by the name of Hello Ten Brands, which will set up multi-brand stores starting April 2016. He is the former promoter of which company?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 622 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

February 21, 2016

Biz Quizzard 621

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the February 15 - 20. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Billionaire Anil Agarwal will invest $10 billion to set up India’s first and one of world’s largest liquid crystal display (LCD) panel manufacturing units, known as Panel FAB. Which state?

2. Ratan Tata has invested in which retail-tech startup?

3. Which Indian telecom company has teamed up with eight global carriers, including British Telecom and Deutsche Telekom, to put in place a knowledge-sharing alliance?

4. Which on-demand home services platform has acquired its smaller Gurgaon-based competitor FindYahan for an undisclosed sum, in a cash and stock deal?

5. 23 years after he exited the soft drinks business, Ramesh Chauhan of Bisleri will step back into the category. What will be it branded as?

6. Which online rickshaw aggregator has roped in TV and film actress Saumya Tandon as brand ambassador?

7. Which doctor discovery portal recently launched a digital campaign #HealthyBreakups on the occasion of Valentine’s Day?

8. Which multiplex operator has entered the North East with the launch of a property in Jorhat, Assam?

9. Which MNC will acquire online payment service provider Emvantage Payments for an undisclosed amount?

10. What first did India's 4G smartphone shipments achieve in the final quarter of year 2015?

11. Which US media and entertainment major’s consumer products division has signed a deal with Mumbai-based Black White Orange Brands to bring its brands to South Asia?

12. Which Indian company has formed a new joint venture with Spanish security services giant Prosegur to offer alarm monitoring and response solutions for homes and small businesses?

13. Thomas Cook India has piloted a partnership with which accommodation website for outbound travellers from India?

14. Which business group will buy Bengaluru-based BSS Microfinance Private Ltd (BMPL) in an Rs 90- crore deal?

15. Nissan will launch a new hatchback in the country in May under the Datsun badge. What has it been branded as?

16. Noida-based Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd last week unveiled a smartphone. What is its claim to fame?

17. Amazon last week announced the launch of an initiative that enables small and medium businesses (SMBs) to go online and sell products on Amazon. What has it been branded as?

18. Swiss luxury watchmaker Tissot has roped in which celebrity as its Indian male brand ambassador?

19. Which online travel company has signed up Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as its new brand ambassadors?

20. Coca-Cola India is celebrating 40 years of which beverage brand?

21. Which cosmetics and beauty products MNC has elevated Rahul Shanker as its new India managing director?

22. Which company and Leo Burnett have created #MemoriesForLife, a digital platform for customers that allow them to leave behind more than just money?

23. Which company last week launched eight split AC models under the 'Aryabot' range, claiming to be the world's first satellite controlled AC, for Indian market?

24. Which mutual fund has launched a digital campaign ‘Dil Ke Ameer’?

25. Bollant Industries Ltd, which makes paper-based plates and products, was in the news recently for receiving an investment from which business personality?

26. Which company has signed up as the title sponsor for the upcoming Asia Cup T20 for Rs 10-12 crore?

27. Which computer networking and software distributor has agreed to be acquired by China’s Tianjin Tianhai Investment for an equity value of $ 6 billion?

28. Which MNC last week said it would buy Truven Health Analytics, a provider of cloud-based healthcare data, for $2.6 billion?

29. Which business group has launched its corporate campaign with the theme ‘Together, let’s prosper’?

30. Which dairy major is running the campaign #HeroNextDoor, launched on Republic Day?

31. Which online certification training provider has launched its first television campaign (TVC) 'Get Certified, Get Ahead', featuring actor Irrfan Khan?

32. Rhiti Sports Management, a sports marketing and celebrity management firm that represents Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has launched an active lifestyle brand. What is it called?

33. Which sports personality has launched a new brand 'Zeven' to cash in on the burgeoning sports apparel and accessories market in the country?

34. Which IT major has appointed Michael Pesch as chief executive officer (CEO) of its consulting arm?

35. Which company has become the first Indian app to cross the 50 million installs landmark on Google Android Play Store?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 621 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

February 14, 2016

Biz Quizzard 620

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the February 08 - 13. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which Indian company has put in place a new incentive structure called iCount as part of its performance appraisal system for employees?

2. Ratan Tata has invested an undisclosed amount in which business-to-business sourcing platform?

3. Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has dispatched the first shipment of which model to Japan where it will be launched next month?

4. Which company has entered into the mobile gaming entertainment space with the launch of a mobile gaming live streaming platform – mSportz(dot)tv?

5. Which Belgian furniture and design company has entered India?

6. Which United States-based apparel brand, founded by Madhuri Lakkapragada, has entered India on its own and plans to open stores in Bengaluru and Hyderabad by the middle of this year?

7. Which hotel development and investment firm has acquired Hyatt Regency in Pune from RK Jatia Group-owned Ascent Hotels for an estimated Rs 350 crore?

8. Which Hyderabad-based digital media player will acquire Austrian company TriTelA Gmbh, which owns the assets ­ mysms messenger and the tech platforms SPH Wien and Kika Social?

9. Usha has joined hands with which MNC to bring out a special sewing machine for children?

10. Which company has tied up with online marketplace Snapdeal to set up an e-store for its ayurveda products called LiveVEDA?

11. Which online food ordering platform has joined hands with Hardcastle Restaurants to deliver food from McDonald's in west and south India?

12. Which Indian pharma company has announced the acquisition of a 51% stake in Australian company Generic Partners Holdings for Rs 72 crore?

13. Actors Alia Bhatt and Vikrant Massey are endorsing which ice-cream brand?

14. Ajay Dvgn is endorsing which truck brand?

15. Which consumer durables maker plans to launch a range of TV panels under 'IGO' label to cater to online sales?

16. Which MNC, in association with KDDI, has launched the world’s first VoLTE (Voice over LTE) watch in Japan?

17. Which MNC last week announced the global roll out of its first fully integrated Internet of Things home air purification systems from Chennai?

18. Which diversified commodities and shipping company last week announced the sale of its Singapore-based dry bulk subsidiary for a symbolic value of S$3?

19. Which multinational cement giant has appointed Martin Kriegner, its area manager for Central Europe, as India head with effect from March 1?

20. Sports Brand Pure Play has appointed which cricketer as its brand ambassador?

21. Which Hyderabad- based company has acquired IIT Bombay-incubated start-up InOpen Technologies for its K-12 computer science product Computer Masti, in an all-cash deal?

22. Which automobile MNC has launched its new campaign ‘Project X’?

23. Which sanitary ware, bathroom fittings & showers brand has roped in Kareena Kapoor Khan as its brand ambassador?

24. Which generic drug maker has said it would buy Meda AB in a $7.2 billion cash-and-stock deal in its third attempt to buy the Swedish company?

25. Local private equity firm Kedaara Capital has joined hands with American fund Partners Group to purchase the mortgage arm of which Jaipur-based lender for Rs 950 crore?

26. Which MNC has acquired a 26% stake in leading publishing house Westland from Tata Group company Trent for Rs 9.5 crore?

27. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Amazon India last week issued a list of the most romantic cities in India. Which city / region has topped the list?

28. On the occasion of Valentine's Day, which MNC has released a video #celebratingendlesslove featuring 100-year-old Felix?

29. Which beverage chain and leading publisher HarperCollins India last week announced a tie-up for promoting reading and release of books by bringing coffee and book lovers together?

30. Which company is buying US-based insurance technology platform HealthPlan Services for $460 million (over Rs 3,000 crore)?

31. Which MNC brewer has turned profitable in the Indian beer market, posting its first profit in the October-December quarter on the back of rising demand for its strong beer brands?

32. Coca-Cola is piloting a carbonated beverage with higher fruit content in India. What has it been branded as?

33. Paytm last week announced that it will roll out its first payments bank sometime after June. Which city has been chosen for the debut?

34. Which company has been served a show-cause notice by the government for announcing a new collection of clothes named Khadi?

35. Which sister-brother duo has been declared as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year for 2015?

36. Which leading daily newspaper in Britain last week announced plans to go ‘digital only’ from next month?

37. After the US, which MNC has now launched its Maker Awards in India?

38. Which stock exchange will acquire newswire operator and press release distributor Marketwired LP for an undisclosed sum?

39. Which premium bicycle maker last week announced a collaboration with Swiss Military for a new range of co-branded bikes which would be launched in the country later this year?

40. Kirthiga Reddy has stepped down as the India managing director of which MNC?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 620 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

February 7, 2016

Biz Quizzard 619

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the February 01 - 06. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which investment fund focused on educational infrastructure is acquiring the real estate portfolio of K-12 schools from Bengaluru-based Jain Group of Institutions (JGI)?

2. Mobile phone production in India has reached which milestone mark, according to a recent statement by the Telecom Minister?

3. Which MNC has elevated Vishal Agrawal as the managing director of India and SAARC operations?

4. Which company has launched a social campaign titled 'Muskaan', in association with Smile Train India?

5. Which company is all set to build the world's tallest free-standing clock tower at its campus?

6. Which MNC will buy diagnostics company Alere for $5.8 billion to boost its global diagnostics business and enter into new markets?

7. Which global insurance broking has partnered NR Narayana Murthy's private investment firm Catamaran Ventures to set up a new broking entity?

8. Which telecom MNC is acquiring marketing technology firm Tapad, a New York-based startup established in 2010 by Norwegian entrepreneur Are Traasdahl, for $360 million?

9. Ambiga Dhiraj will be the new chief executive of which data analytics firm?

10. Which MNC last week surpassed Apple Inc as the most valuable company in the United States?

11. The spread of Zika virus in many countries has forced which MNC to change the name of its newly developed but yet-to-be-introduced hatchback?

12. India has surpassed which country to become the world's second largest smartphone market, according to a statement by Counterpoint Research?

13. Which MNC has introduced a new appraisal system called “Checkpoint” for its employees in India?

14. Chennai-based Royal Enfield last week introduced what it claimed as the country's first adventure motorcycle. What has it been branded as?

15. Which company and film-maker duo Neeraj Pandey and Shital Bhatia’s Friday Filmworks have formed a strategic alliance to launch Plan C Studios?

16. Messaging service WhatsApp has reached which user milestone, according to an announcement by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg?

17. ITC Ltd is planning to set up its first overseas hotel. Which country?

18. Which airline has launched a new video titled ‘Fuelled by love’, inspired by a real story?

19. Which Indian company has claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in developing a vaccine to fight the dreaded mosquito-borne Zika virus?

20. Which MNC has been rated as the world’s most powerful brand in information technology services by Brand Finance, a leading global brand valuation firm?

21. Adani Wilmar Limited has launched what it claims as India's first diabetes care oil. What has it been branded as?

22. Which MNC is all set to buy software keyboard and SDK application maker SwiftKey?

23. Hero MotoCorp last week unveiled its first in-house developed motorcycle. What has it been branded as?

24. Which two-wheeler brand is being advertised with the positioning 'Whatever it is, IT'S FUN'?

25. Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) last week unveiled a compact sports utility vehicle (SUV). What has it been branded as?

26. Colgate-Palmolive last week inaugurated its first Indian toothbrush production unit. Which state?

27. Which MNC has said it will wind down its Scion brand in the United States, ending a 12-year effort to create a separate identity for small cars aimed at young buyers?

28. Which low cost brand from Singapore Airlines will launch services to India from March?

29. Which company will acquire Reliance Cement Co Pvt Ltd (RCCPL) for an enterprise valuation of about Rs 4,800 crore?

30. Which company, through a subsidiary, has acquired a majority stake in Kenya-based home and personal care company, Canon Chemicals?

31. Which company is coming out with the country's first certified `climate bonds' to secure Rs 300 crore for funding expansion of its wind power portfolio?

32. Which business personality and the University of California (UC) have tied up to fund Indian ventures?

33. Aditya Birla group has carved out the real estate business of Century Textiles to make a foray into Mumbai’s lucrative commercial property market. What is it called?

34. Which bank has partnered with travel firm Thomas Cook to offer a recurring deposit to the bank’s customers to save for their future holidays?

35. E-commerce giant Amazon has launched its grocery business in India. What has it been branded as?

36. Which MNC is buying Jasper Technologies Inc, a startup that connects devices like cars and medical devices to the Internet, for $1.4 billion in cash and equity award?

37. Leather accessories brand Hidesign is preparing to launch its second luxury collection of leather bags for women in the next two months. What has it been branded as?

38. Which company has entered into a strategic partnership with Canada-based Process Research ORTECH to launch Automated Variable Filtration (AVF) technology-based water purifiers in India?

39. Which MNC is claiming to have become the largest 'single' micro insurance policy provider in the country?

40. Which global travel site last week expanded its instant hotel booking service to nine countries, including India?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 619 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli