April 30, 2017

Biz Quizzard 683

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period April 24 - 29. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which brand was the largest selling two-wheeler brand in the country in 2016-17?

2. Which company recently launched a series of webisodes called ‘Where The Heart Is’?

3. Which ready-to-drink beverage has recently launched an ad campaign, ‘Grow with Sports’?

4. Which infotainment channel has taken up an initiative called Mission Blue to address the cause of water scarcity?

5. Which company has acquired Vanity Cube to leverage the rapidly growing space of on-demand beauty service?

6. Which company has agreed to acquire Urban Fulfillment Services (UFS), a provider of mortgage business process & fulfilment services?

7. Which MNC airline has appointed Robin Kamark as its chief executive officer?

8. Which company has launched the “Chennai Ponnu” (Chennai Girl) campaign for its face wash brand?

9. Vertically integrated textile company Arvind Ltd last week launched ready to wear menswear under which brand?

10. Professional network LinkedIn has crossed which subscriber milestone?

11. Which company has launched the campaign 'Connection Bachat Ka. Connection Zindagi Ka'?

12. Which hair oil brand has launched its new commercial, featuring brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan as #RaahatRaja?

13. Which sanitary ware company has acquired Kutch-based Euro Ceramics, including the manufacturing plant facilities and assets for Rs 100 crore?

14. Which company has acquired Czech Republic-based biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing firm Nanotherapeutics for 72 million Euros?

15. Which company’s former India chairman and country head, Anuj Puri has acquired the firm's India residential brokerage arm?

16. Which brand and Leo Burnett India have recently implemented a new innovation, the world’s first anti-collision vehicle management system?

17. Which company last week announced that its board has elected private equity veteran Renuka Ramnath as new chairperson?

18. Which company has signed a licence deal with Resysta International GmbH to exclusively make and sell the German firm's natural fibre polymercomposite in India?

19. United Breweries (UB) has launched a strong brew to wean away customers from rival Carlsberg. What has it been branded as?

20. Which company has announced the acquisition of online jewellery firm, Candere?

21. Lenders led by State Bank of India last week removed Prashant Jhawar as non-executive Chairman of which company?

22. Which Indian broadcaster has announced its expansion into Latin America with the launch of its Spanish-language Bollywood movie channel?

23. Which chipmaker has named SanDisk co-founder Sanjay Mehrotra its chief executive, replacing Mark Durcan who announced his retirement in February?

24. Which company has joined hands with MMTC-PAMP to launch `Digital Gold', a product allowing customers to buy 24K 999.9 gold for denominations as low as Re 1?

25. Which MNC has been named the most `attractive employer brand in India, according to the latest survey by HR firm, Randstad?

26. Which MNC has announced the appointment of its first Indian Managing Director Bharat Kaushal, effective June 1?

27. Which company has introduced a next generation artificial intelligence (AI) platform, Nia, to strengthen its digital technology-based services?

28. Which MNC last week announced a partnership with Aditya Birla Group under which it will supply premium vehicles to the Indian business house's global operations?

29. Which company has agreed to buy the entire 26% stake held by Old Mutual plc in their life insurance joint venture for Rs 1,292.7 crore?

30. South Korean automobile giant Kia Motors Corporation has signed an agreement with which state to build a $2 billion (Rs 12,800 crore) greenfield manufacturing facility?

31. Hyundai Motor India Ltd has opened its Global Quality and Training Centre at which location in India?

32. Which company will market ‘refinish’ paints in India, manufactured by Rock Paint Co., Japan, from next month?

33. Which company has launched its first exclusive 'moms & babies' shop, in Bengaluru?

34. Which South India-based dairy company entered the northern region with the launch of its milk and milk products in the national capital last week?

35. T Krishnakumar will be the new India President for which MNC?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 683 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

April 23, 2017

Biz Quizzard 682

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period April 17 - 22. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company has achieved the number one position in the domestic bus market in 2016-17?

2. Who has invested in Rakyan Beverages that makes juices under the Raw Pressery brand, becoming India's first celebrity to part-finance a consumer products firm and help drive sales?

3. Which company will launch Desperados, a pale lager beer, in India?

4. Which digital payments and commerce platform is entering the traditional meal voucher market?

5. Mahabaleshwara MS recently assumed charge as MD and CEO of which bank?

6. Which MNC has acquired Gurgaon-based digital media network company, SVG Media in an all-cash transaction in one of the largest buyout deals in the space in India?

7. Dabur will have a call centre for ayurveda to advise buyers on health and prescribe drugs. What is the initiative called?

8. Which company has signed a strategic partnership with South Korean defence major LIG Nex1 to jointly manufacture military hardware for India's armed forces?

9. Actor Sidharth Malhotra has been roped in as brand ambassador for which innerwear brand?

10. Suzuki Motorcycle India has crossed which cumulative production milestone in the country?

11. Milton has released a television commercial (TVC) for its latest innovation, the Leak Lock Steel Tiffin. What first is it claiming for this ad?

12. Which Chinese handset maker will introduce its smartphone brand Tecno in India this month?

13. Which ecommerce company has acqui-hired logistics startup InLogg to address its delivery inefficiencies in terms of cost and reach?

14. Which company has become the first airline to sign an agreement for space-based flight tracking of its aircraft?

15. Which company has launched the campaign ‘Cartons le aao, classroom banao’?

16. Which toy brand has launched the #BuildAmazing campaign, inspiring kids to explore, imagine and create?

17. Which ice cream brand has launched a television commercial on national television after a gap of around 30 years?

18. Which agency has announced the launch of its highly-hybridized service Bushfire, a one-stop shop for start-ups?

19. Which online seller has roped in Kinjal Shah, the erstwhile chief executive officer at Crossword Bookstores, as its new CEO?

20. Which state has emerged as the top-ranked state in terms of overall Internet readiness, according to a survey by Internet and Mobile Association of India and market research firm Nielsen?

21. Which new multi-brand luxury footwear and accessories retailer debuted in India with the launch of flagship store in Mumbai’s Fort district last week?

22. Which brand has launched #DropThePants campaign to celebrate World Shorts Day on 23rd April?

23. Uber has launched a new offering for the enterprise segment, building on top of its Uber for Business platform. What is it called?

24. MTR Foods has launched a 3-minute Indian breakfast range. What is it called?

25. Which company has acquired two irrigation and distribution companies, Agri-Valley Irrigation Inc and Irrigation Design and Construction Inc, in the US for $48.50 million (about Rs. 315 crore)?

26. Which fashion e-commerce portal has come up with its new ad campaign, ‘Still stuck with the old?’?

27. Which MNC has launched the Fire TV Stick, a device that plugs into HDTV and lets customers to access thousands of movies, TV shows, games and app, with voice remote, in India?

28. Which online ethnic-wear platform last week launched its third in-house brand Anuswara that offers craft inspired contemporary ethnic wear for women?

29. Which midmarket India-focused private equity fund has bought out Sanjay Maintenance Services (SMS), one of the largest facilities management players, for an undisclosed amount?

30. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has established a chair for Strategic Affairs in recognition of which business personality’s leadership on Carnegie’s Board of Trustees?

31. Which fashion jewellery brand has roped in actor and TV host Rannvijay Singh as the first brand ambassador for its men’s range?

32. Which company has entered into an agreement with Panacea Biotec to fully acquire its subsidiary NewRise Healthcare for an enterprise value of Rs 180 crore?

33. Which company last week announced a contract with the Korean defence firm to execute an order for 100 `K9 Vajra-T' howitzers by the Indian Army?

34. Which company last week announced an in-principle agreement to acquire ArcelorMittal's Georgetown Steelworks in South Carolina?

35. Which Indian sportswear brand has snapped up the rights for International Cricket Council (ICC) merchandise in 23 markets, including India?

36. Which MNC has launched its Vive virtual reality (VR) headset in India?

37. Which MNC healthcare company is celebrating 50 years of operations in India?

38. Which company last week launched a new feature phone “Sumo T3000” with a powerful 3600 mAh battery that claims to keep the phone charged up to 50 days?

39. The initial public offering (IPO) of the country’s first infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) is expected to hit the market in the first week of May. Which company runs the trust?

40. Hyundai Motor India crossed which turnover milestone last year?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 682 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

April 16, 2017

Biz Quizzard 681

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period April 10 - 15. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company is selling its entire 80% stake in its health insurance venture to a consortium of investors led by private equity firm True North?

2. Which cashback and analytics company has acquired Bengaluru-based online cashback and coupons company Pennyful in a cash-and-stock deal?

3. Which online automobile search company is set to enter the auto insurance broking business?

4. Which MNC has filed the maximum number of patent applications in the IT sector in India in 2015-16?

5. Which global meet-up app has announced its partnership Hrithik Roshan as the brand ambassador for the official launch in India?

6. Which men’s footwear brand has launched a specialized lifestyle brand for women called Uvanera?

7. Which company last week surpassed General Motors Co to become America's most valuable car maker?

8. Five CEOs last week held a meeting in Kovalam. What first is being claimed for this event, which was titled `Ocean Love'?

9. Which retailer in India has appointed James Munsen as the new MD?

10. Which company has acquired eBay Inc’s India business?

11. Viraj Kalyani, Executive Director, Kalyani Forge (KFL), and industrialist Baba Kalyani’s nephew, has launched his entrepreneurial venture. What is it called?

12. ITC's food division has roped in which celebrity as the new brand ambassador for B Natural Juices and Beverages?

13. Tanishq has launched an ad with the theme 'Celebrate with Colours' for which collection?

14. Which business personality has picked up 51 per cent stake in Gurgaon-based travel start-up, We Are Holidays (WAH), with an investment of about Rs 50 crore?

15. Which paint company from India has entered into an MoU with Chugoku Marine Paints of Japan for “cooperation and collaboration” in the field of marine and related industrial paints?

16. Which FMCG brand has launched an integrated brand campaign ‘Naam Toh Suna Hi Hoga’?

17. Which MNC will bring plant-based footwear to the global market later this year under its Cotton + Corn sustainable product initiative?

18. Which actor will endorse Sony Yay!, the soon-to-be launched kids’ entertainment channel from Sony Pictures Network?

19. Mr Ramesh Chandra Agrawal, 73, passed away last week. He was the chairman of which media group?

20. Micromax has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador for its consumer electronics business?

21. Google has entered the hyperlocal, on-demand services space in India by launching a food delivery and home services application for the India market. What has it been christened as?

22. Which business personality has joined hands with Sun New Energy Systems, investment company of the Sun Group, to launch his new venture Sun Mobility?

23. Singapore-based Ascendas Property Fund Trustee Pte has entered into an agreement to acquire six warehouses of which company for Rs 534 crore?

24. Which MNC has partnered Toshiba and Denso to manufacture automotive lithium ion battery packs in India?

25. State-owned oil marketing firms will be launching a pilot in how many cities for dynamic pricing system, changing petrol and diesel prices daily?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 681 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

April 9, 2017

Biz Quizzard 680

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period April 03 - 08. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company’s subsidiary TAL Manufacturing has received `CE' certification for Made-in-India robot `BRABO' for its commercial sale in Europe?

2. Which boutique telecom, media, and technology law firm and New Delhi-based lawyer DP Singh's DPSA Legal have come together to form Arthe Law?

3. Four former Bajaj Auto executives have come together to establish a startup to finance used two-wheeler purchase. What has it been named?

4. Which bank from India has joined the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets?

5. Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India has crossed which annual sales milestone in FY17?

6. Which MNC telecom gear maker has appointed Nunzio Mirtillo as head of market area South East Asia, Oceania and India?

7. Which is the world's most expensive office market, according to the latest ranking by property consultant CBRE?

8. Which business group is selling its business process outsourcing company Aegis to private equity firm Capital Square Partners?

9. Which financial services company has appointed Rahul Parikh as the new CEO?

10. London-headquartered professional services firm EY is set to open its first artificial intelligence centre in which city?

11. Wynk Music ("Wynk"), the OTT music app from Bharti Airtel, has crossed which app installs milestone?

12. Which company and TNB Repair and Maintenance Sdn Bhd (TNB Remaco) have signed up to set up a joint venture for operations and maintenance services for power plants in India?

13. Which PC manufacturer has launched the campaign ‘Ek Behtar Kal Ka Aarambh’?

14. Which brand’s Indian ad was named as the world’s top ranked ad in the WARC 100 list for the year 2017?

15. Which global boutique merchant bank focused exclusively on technology, media and telecommunications is planning to expand to India next month?

16. Which MNC has launched its IPL campaign with its own fictional T20 team called ‘Chonkpur Cheetahs’?

17. Which online healthcare platform last week unveiled its new brand identity, including a new positioning ‘Your Home for Health’?

18. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has appointed Raman Roy as its chairman for 2017-2018. He is the managing director of which company?

19. Which Hyderabad-based company is set to unveil what it claims is the country's first rooftop wind turbine?

20. Which brand has rolled out a campaign to promote its fitness band Reflex?

21. Which company has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with NYSE-listed Quaker Chemical to create a global leader in the space of process fluids and speciality chemical?

22. Which Indian telecom infrastructure operation and maintenance company has acquired US’ Quanta Towergen Pvt. (QTPL) in an all cash deal?

23. Which online furniture rental company has roped in sports presenter Jatin Sapru to come up with a sports-themed fun campaign ‘Get Your Game Space On’?

24. Myntra is hosting a fashion show ‘Big Fashion Gig’ between the 8th and 10th of April. What first is it claiming for this?

25. Travel aggregator Goibibo has roped in which celebrity as its brand ambassador?

26. Which Internet of Things (IoT) venture has tied up with German cloud-based software provider Cumulocity in its efforts to build a product and services?

27. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and which mall developer have entered into a pact to set up a strategic investment platform for retail real estate properties in India?

28. The promoters of which crowd funding platform have acquired Catapooolt(dot)com for an undisclosed sum?

29. Yuvraj Singh's YouWeCan Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount in which Gurugram-based company that serves early-stage businesses?

30. Google’s Pixel has come up with a new campaign, '#DayWithPixel', featuring which celebrity?

31. Paytm has invested an undisclosed amount in which online healthcare startup?

32. Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled a third new tractor platform in three years. What is it called?

33. Colgate-Palmolive has roped in Anushka Sharma as the new brand ambassador for which brand?

34. Titan has launched a campaign for which brand with the positioning 'Crafted by hand, curated with love'?

35. After 3 failed attempts, lenders led by State Bank of India have finally managed to sell the Kingfisher Villa in Goa. Which company has reportedly bought it for Rs 73.01 crore?

36. Sapnesh Lalla will be the new CEO of which skills and talent development firm from August 1?

37. Which global wedding website, with a presence in 23 countries, set up shop in India in February 2017?

38. Which MNC will buy U.S.-based online travel bags retailer eBags Inc for $105 million cash?

39. Which company last week announced the launch of "eco-friendly" mosquito repellent 'DND Spira Coils'?

40. SN Subrahmanyan will be the new managing director and CEO of which company, with effect from July 1?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 680 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

April 2, 2017

Biz Quizzard 679

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period March 27 - April 01. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which chief executive from India has featured on the list of world´s 30 best CEOs, published by American financial magazine Barron´s?

2. Which media group has launched the `Power of Print' contest to promote education of girl child?

3. Which Hyderabad-based infrastructure machinery manufacturer has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata International to foray into the African markets?

4. Durex has launched a new line of condoms. What has it been branded as?

5. Which regional news channel has set a new Guinness World Record for the maximum people hugging trees simultaneously?

6. Which automobile MNC has appointed Minoru Kato as President and CEO of its Indian two-wheeler arm with effect from April 1, 2017?

7. The iconic Kodak House on D N Road, Mumbai, has been acquired by the Cathedral and John Connon School from which MNC?

8. Which Chennai-based hyper-local delivery startup last week announced that it would cease operations due to insufficiency of funds and lack of investor interest?

9. Which tours and travel company has launched Trip 360 Degree with an aim to enhance India's position as a global adventure destination?

10. Which Indian celebrity has been appointed as the new global brand ambassador of L’OrĂ©al Paris?

11. Sony Pictures Networks India is all set to launch a kids channel. What will it be branded as?

12. Which MNC airline has signed up with IIIT-Hyderabad for setting up its Aviation Co-Innovation Lab at the institute?

13. Which company has launched two new smartphones that are equipped with "Arbo" - the company's in-house developed artificial intelligence (AI)-based virtual assistant?

14. Which brand has launched its new campaign ‘Bhujia ghoom aayi duniya’?

15. India overtook which country as the third-biggest aviation market last year, according to the CAPA Centre for Aviation in Sydney?

16. Which automobile MNC has appointed Peyman Kargar as chairman of its Africa, Middle East and India region, with effect from April 1, 2017?

17. Which Indian business group has agreed to acquire the 25% stake held by Belgium's Solvay Chemicals in National Peroxide?

18. Which global risk investor, managing assets worth $50 billion in private equity and credit businesses, is exiting India?

19. Panasonic Energy India Co Ltd has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador?

20. Which Indian business personality has joined Washington-based foreign policy think tank The Atlantic Council's International Advisory Board?

21. Which MNC has agreed to buy Middle East online retailer Souq(dot)com?

22. Yakult Danone India has roped in which celebrity as its new brand ambassador?

23. Which advertising group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Grant Group, the largest independent creative agency in Sri Lanka, paving the way for its entry into the island nation?

24. Which advertising group is launching its Paris-based creative agency Marcel in India?

25. Which bank has launched its latest digital initiative christened 811 (pronounced eight one one)?

26. Tube Investments has launched a new brand of bicycles that will be exclusively sold online, as part of a novel initiative in the domestic market. Name it?

27. Which quick service restaurant (QSR) chain has launched a video featuring rapper Baba Sehgal promoting its new product?

28. Which cricketer has been announced as Montblanc's new brand ambassador, representing the luxury brand in South Africa and India?

29. Which IT firm said it would buy Keystone Logic for about Rs 132 crore as it looks to build its digital commerce capabilities?

30. This is a nice ad. Which brand has launched ‘Touch of Care’ campaign?

31. Which company and Singamas Container Holdings have formed a joint venture for liquid logistics operations in India?

32. Which Israeli air-to-water technology company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian solar engineering firm Vikram Solar to bring its unique drinkable water solutions to India?

33. Which smartphone maker has signed up three celebrities - Shruti Haasan, Diljit Dosanjh and Dulquer Salmaan - as regional brand ambassadors?

34. Which company has announced the acquisition of US-based Lenmar Group of Companies, an IT services and solutions group with presence in banking and financial services?

35. Tiger Shroff has been named as the new brand ambassador of which skincare brand?

36. Which MNC has launched a new commercial as part of its ‘More Indian than you think’ campaign?

37. Which company has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives for development of special performance vehicles under a new entity JT Special Vehicles?

38. Which South Korean defence electronics firm is making its entry into India’s defence aerospace segment by joining hands with Samtel Avionics?

39. Which online marketplace has launched its latest campaign called ‘Fresh New Look’?

40. Which city last week became the first in the country to have access to the 1Gbps (gigabits per second) speed wired broadband connectivity, launched by ACT Fibernet?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 679 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli