July 29, 2018

Biz Quizzard 748

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period July 23 - 28. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Rooftop solar installations in India have crossed which milestone mark, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s SPIN portal?

2. Mike Manley will take over as CEO of which automobile MNC?

3. Which Hindi general entertainment channel launched the campaign ‘#ChunoApneRang’ to celebrate 10 years?

4. Which spirits brand launched its maiden campaign in India, 'It's Pure Up Here'?

5. Which life insurance company has appointed Rishi Srivastava as the new chief executive officer and managing director starting August 1, 2018, subject to regulatory approval from IRDAI?

6. Which brand has launched its new digital campaign 'Let's End Darkness'?

7. Which education technology platform has acquired Bengaluru-based math learning startup Math Adventures for an undisclosed amount?

8. Which Hyderabad based IT player has launched GOLDPILLAR, a real estate application that will bring real estate customers and service providers on a single platform?

9. Which French IT services company is boosting its North American operations with a $3.4 billion cash deal to buy Michigan-based IT services provider Syntel Inc?

10. Which MNC has become the first quick service restaurant player in the country to use biodiesel, produced from used cooking oil, to power its trucks?

11. Which company unveiled its Furio range of trucks that compete in the category of intermediate commercial vehicles (ICVs) that are deployed to carry fruits, vegetables, parcels and other goods?

12. Shrinivas G Shirgurkar will be the new chairman of which abrasives maker?

13. ABP News Network (ANN) has launched its Punjabi news channel ‘ABP Sanjha’ in which country?

14. Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador for its toothbrush brand Colgate Neo?

15. Which brand has launched a marketing campaign for its innovative new range of Zer0Fat Dressings, with brand ambassador Sonali Bendre and upcoming star Amyra Dastur?

16. Which brand has launched a campaign for Friendship Day, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Raghu Ram?

17. Which diagnostic chain has launched Fever Fighters, a patient care initiative that promises to fight fever 24x7?

18. Which truck maker has launched its new marketing philosophy, 'Nayi Soch'?

19. Which company is acquiring US digital marketing firm Indigo Slate for an upfront payment of $18 million, or about Rs 124 crore?

20. Which company’s US subsidiary has agreed to buy rival aluminium products company Aleris in a deal valued at $2.58 billion?

21. Which US based marketplace for unique and creative goods has announced its entry into the Indian market?

22. Which Chennai-based company, in collaboration with US-based Zero Mass Water, has launched Source, a water solar panel that will provide pure drinking water using sunlight and air?

23. N Srinivasan has expressed his desire to step down as a director and managing director of which financial services company by August 18?

24. Which private sector lender has reported its first ever loss amounting to Rs 119.55 crore for the quarter ended June 30, due to higher provisions for bad loans?

25. Who has been elected as the President of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for the year 2018-2019?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 748 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

July 22, 2018

Biz Quizzard 747

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period July 16 - 21. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Who last week became the richest man in modern history, topping $150 billion?

2. Premium matchmaking service, EliteMatrimony, has launched a new television commercial and has roped in which actor as brand ambassador?

3. Which brand has launched ‘Shyla’, a trendy and comfy sleepwear brand for women?

4. Which online supermarket has announced its foray into the FMCG segment with the launch of seven new brands under two categories – Budget and Popular G-Brands?

5. Which digital payments firm has acquired hyperlocal point-of-sales company Zopper Retail for an undisclosed amount?

6. LeapFrog Investments, an emerging markets-focused impact investment fund, has acquired majority stake in which Mumbai-based medical products company?

7. Which MNC last week rolled out locally-made motorcycles in India, with an entry price of Rs 3 lakh?

8. Which payments and group dining company has acquired Hyderabad-based Click&Pay, a tech start-up backed by Dubai-based investors, in a cash-and-stock deal?

9. Which company and NYK Auto Logistics (India) Private Ltd will form a joint venture to transport finished vehicles using automobile freight trains?

10. Which 2 Indian celebrities have made it to Forbes world's '100 highest-paid entertainers' list?

11. Which company has entered into a definitive agreement with Elan Group to acquire its 100% stake in Qatar-headquartered Novo Cinemas?

12. One of my favourite brands. Which brand is celebrating its 70th year in India through its latest campaign titled ‘Kuch Achha Ho Jaaye, Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye.’?

13. Laqshya Media Group has installed what it claims as India’s largest outdoor media installation. Which brand?

14. Which multinational digital payments company has recently rolled out ‘Safe Hai’, its first full-fledged brand campaign to announce its Indian footprint?

15. Which actor couple, along with LC Singh, CEO of Nihilent Technologies, has invested an undisclosed sum in Mumbai-based homoeopathy treatment tech start-up Welcomecure(dot)com?

16. A joint venture of which company and Allianz Group will acquire Hyderabad-based office property WaveRock in a deal worth Rs 2,000 crore?

17. Which company last week introduced a new range of engine oil, the 0W16, which will help reduce friction leading to improved fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions?

18. Which company, which completes 25 years of operations in India, has launched a campaign featuring its brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda?

19. Which company, along with consortium partners Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and private equity group TPG, has acquired Arysta LifeScience for about $4.2 billion in cash?

20. Which company has reported India Inc’s biggest loss ever at Rs 274.7 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2018?

21. LinkedIn’s user base in India has touched which milestone mark?

22. Which Nasdaq-listed software company has acquired Indus Software Technologies, a provider of software services to financial institutions, for $29 million?

23. Which company has signed a strategic partnership with US-based Alight Solutions to take over its India operations for $117 million (Rs 810 crore)?

24. Which smartphone company has launched the campaign ‘#NoOrdinaryBeauty’, featuring actress Bhumi Pednekar?

25. The Reserve Bank of India has released a new Rs 100 denomination banknote in the Mahatma Gandhi series with a Swachh Bharat logo in lavender colour. What is unique about this note?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 747 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

July 15, 2018

Biz Quizzard 746

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period July 09 - 14. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Samsung last week inaugurated its expanded facility, which is being billed as the world’s largest mobile phone production unit in terms of number of devices rolled out monthly. Which location?

2. Sidharth Loyal has resigned as the managing director of which advertising agency?

3. Which company has appointed Vivek Sharma as its managing director to spearhead its electricals business?

4. The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) will induct which advertising doyen into its Hall of Fame at the sixth edition of the IAA Leadership Awards?

5. Martin Schwenk will be the new MD and CEO of which automobile MNC in India?

6. Which jewellery brand has launched the Lavanyam campaign celebrating South Indian architecture, culture and traditions?

7. Which bank has launched the campaign 'Your bank in an app'?

8. Which PE firm, along with partners Goldman Sachs and Janchor Partners, has acquired HR firms Innovsource and V5 Global Services in deals said to be worth Rs 350 crore?

9. Which MNC last week appointed Ashok Ramachandran as its India CEO?

10. Which state was last week ranked number one in the country for the Ease of Doing Business?

11. Uber Eats last week announced the launch of its operations in which South Indian city?

12. Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has stepped up his aggressive push into India by joining forces with which $250 million Chinese venture capital fund?

13. Which American clothing brand has appointed Brandzstorm India as its partner for designing, manufacturing distributing and retailing its products in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka?

14. Jerome Saigot has resigned as the India MD of which automobile MNC?

15. Which entertainment company last week unveiled its new brand identity, with 'India Khush Hua' as its new tagline?

16. Which skincare brand has launched its new campaign, with actress Taapsee Pannu as the new brand ambassador?

17. Which MNC has launched its first Indian campaign, ‘make everyday brighter’?

18. Which Italian leader in the premium denim segment has announced a strategic distribution partnership in India with Reliance Brands Limited?

19. Zomato last week rolled out yet another loyalty rewards program. What has it been branded as?

20. HDFC group last week saw the market capitalisation of its listed firms cross which milestone mark?

21. Which financial services company has launched its new campaign 'Buy Right: Sit Tight'?

22. Which brand has rolled out its ‘#OnlyInSalons’ campaign starring Twinkle Khanna?

23. Which hospitality firm has acquired Mumbai-based Internet of Things (IoT) technology company AblePlus?

24. In less than six months from launching its operations in seven cities in India, which dockless bicycle sharing company has decided to shut down its operations?

25. Tata Motors last week unveiled the name of its much awaited compact sports utility vehicle (SUV). Name it?

26. Which company has acquired 100 percent stake in Mirren, a South African over the counter(OTC) pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor?

27. Which 2 Indian-origin technology executives have made it to the Forbes' list of America's 60 richest self-made women?

28. Which baby care brand has launched a campaign celebrating 125 years journey?

29. Sunfeast Dark Fantasy has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador?

30. India has emerged as the world’s sixth largest economy in 2017 surpassing which country, according to an analysis of data of the World Bank?

31. Ranveer Singh and Manushi Chhillar have been roped in to promote which e-commerce fashion brand?

32. Which celebrity has unveiled a new active wear brand, 'Just F'?

33. Nokia has appointed which actress to feature in its new 'millennial oriented' digital campaign?

34. Sun Pharma Consumer Healthcare has signed actor as the new brand ambassador of Revital H?

35. SYSKA has roped in which celebrity as the brand ambassador for its wires and cables biz?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 746 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

July 8, 2018

Biz Quizzard 745

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period July 02 - 07. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which sports celebrity has parted ways with Nike and has signed a $300 million apparel deal with Japanese brand Uniqlo?

2. Which two-wheeler brand has launched the campaign ‘One Look is enough’?

3. Nice ad. Which bag and accessories brand has launched its first commercial with actress Shraddha Kapoor as brand ambassador?

4. Nestle India has rolled out a new range of breakfast cereals. What has it been branded as?

5. Which confectionery player has appointed Rajesh Ramakrishnan as Managing Director?

6. Toilet cleaning brand Harpic has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador?

7. Which company has bought a 27.42% stake in Jatia Education (JEPL), which owns gaming development studio CrimzonCode, for an undisclosed sum?

8. Karnataka-based M K Agrotech Private Limited last week announced its foray into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with which brand of processed sunflower oil?

9. Which packaged foods entity has entered into an agreement to acquire Cookie Man (Australian Foods India Private Limited), a leading brand of fresh baked cookies?

10. Which company has acquired last-minute hotel booking platform NightStay for around $20 million, signalling a foray into the hospitality space?

11. The Centre has appointed Saraswati Prasad as CMD of which PSU?

12. Which company has launched Repatha (evolocumab), the first and only PCSK9 Inhibitor available in India as approved by the Drug Controller General India (DCGI)?

13. Which London-based lifestyle brand has signed an exclusive licensee agreement with Ultra Toys to launch toys in India?

14. Vodafone India has roped in which sports celebrity to promote Vodafone Red?

15. Which non-banking finance company has said it will acquire 85.39% stake in Indian School Finance Company (ISFC) for more than Rs 212 crore?

16. Which fashion brand has decided to sign on actor Kartik Aaryan (Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety) as its first ever brand ambassador?

17. Which mobile retail chain has roped in Telugu film actor Vijay Devarakonda as its brand ambassador?

18. Starbucks last week introduced a new generation of coffee for the first time in India, infused with what?

19. Which insure-tech platform has launched its new campaign, featuring actress Taapsee Pannu?

20. Maruti Suzuki’s SUV Vitara Brezza has crossed which cumulative sales milestone since its launch in March 2016?

21. Which business group’s group company Rollatainers has sold its stake in a company that holds the licence to run American quick-service restaurant chain Wendy’s outlets in India?

22. Which company has appointed Simon Smith as managing director, Australia?

23. Which company has sold its diaper brand Snuggy to Nobel Hygiene for an undisclosed amount, exiting the baby care segment that it entered nearly 15 years ago?

24. Online beauty retailer Nykaa has launched an ecommerce platform exclusively for men. What is it called?

25. Airbnb has launched its new campaign in India, featuring which star couple?

26. Which diversified conglomerate in the financial services industry last week unveiled its new corporate identity and roped in Vidya Balan as brand ambassador?

27. This is a nice campaign. Which smartphone brand has launched the campaign ‘Kiska Bajaa’?

28. Which card provider has announced the launch of ‘ELA’ (Electronic Live Assistant), a virtual assistant for customer support and services?

29. Which company has acquired a 50 per cent stake in Medics International Lifesciences Ltd, a 330-bed super-speciality hospital in Lucknow, for Rs. 91 crore?

30. Which brand has launched the new ‘#HeeronMeinHeera’ ad campaign, an educative film on diamond quality?

31. Which brand has unveiled its new campaign ‘#HappyBathrooms’?

32. Which company has entered into a shareholders’ agreement to form a joint venture with the Rock Paint Co of Japan?

33. Which French paint company last week announced its foray into the Indian market by setting up its first unit near Hyderabad?

34. Which Pune-headquartered company has signed an agreement to acquire Italy-based specialised optical cable manufacturer Metallurgica Bresciana S.p.A. for €47 million in an all-cash deal?

35. Heinrich Hiesinger will step down as the CEO of which steel company?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 745 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

July 1, 2018

Biz Quizzard 744

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period June 25 - 30. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Tata Group is set for a re-entry into the Rs 35,000-crore white goods market in August launching refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens and dish washers under which brand?

2. Which company has launched the '#IndiaInvited' campaign, featuring actor Ranveer Singh?

3. Which apparel brand has undergone a logo change, while retaining the tagline ‘It's the way you make me feel’?

4. Realty firm Sumadhura group has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador?

5. Which clothing brand has launched the campaign ‘#ComeOutandPlay’, featuring Virat Kohli?

6. Britannia has announced the rebranding of Britannia Rusk. What is the new name?

7. Which steel brand has announced Commonwealth Games weighlifting gold medalist Sathish Kumar Sivalingam as its brand ambassador?

8. Which beverage brand has launched its new campaign titled ‘Rishton Ka Hi Fever’?

9. Which company has invested Rs 1,000 crore to acquire a majority stake in MX Player, the world’s largest local video platform?

10. Which country has recorded the highest number of IPOs globally in first half of 2018, according to a survey?

11. Food ordering app Zomato last week said it has launched its restaurant reviews and ratings platform across how many new cities in India?

12. Which company has acquired Wolfsburg-based IT and engineering services provider H&D International Group for €30 million?

13. Which company has bought 100% stake in private reinsurance company ITI Reinsurance from Fortune Financial Services of Sudhir Valia for about Rs 500 crore?

14. Which Chinese smartphone brand is changing hands in India with its India minority shareholder Arvind R Vohra and promoters of handset maker Karbonn Mobile buying out the Indian arm?

15. Which company is setting up the world’s largest underground pump house at Kaleshwaram large irrigation project coming up at an outlay of Rs 85,000 crore in Telangana?

16. Hyderabad-based restaurant chain, Paradise last week announced the launch of a loyalty programme for its customers. What is it called?

17. Italian luxury group Ermenegildo Zegna and which company have collectively picked up an equity stake in homegrown fashion designer Raghavendra Rathore?

18. Which health insurance company has announced the appointment of Prasun Sikdar as its new MD and CEO following regulatory approval from the IRDAI?

19. Which diapers brand has announced an online Mommy Community, #SheCaresSheShares aimed at celebrating the spirit of motherhood?

20. Which Indian chief executive has been elected as a full-term member of the U.S.-based MIT Corporation, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts?

21. Which MNC last week said it would buy online pharmacy PillPack for an undisclosed amount?

22. Which quick service restaurant (QSR) chain has launched a digital film, featuring comedian Tanmay Bhat, to promote its new offering Crispy Potaco?

23. Which ecommerce logistics company plans to hit the capital market with a $350-million (Rs 2,500 crore) initial public offer in the next few months?

24. Which airline in India last week announced the induction of its first Boeing 737 Max plane?

25. Which MNC has acquired Chargemaster, UK’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging company?

26. Which company has formed a joint venture with Swiss energy storage firm Leclanché SA to build lithium-ion batteries and provide energy storage systems?

27. Which company last week acquired 97% stake in Marine Infrastructure for Rs 19.50 billion?

28. Which company is entering the seaport business and will be developing a greenfield commercial port 30 km north of Kakinada city in Andhra Pradesh?

29. Which MNC has launched the ‘Brilliant Moments’ campaign to celebrate 20 years of sales and production in the Indian market?

30. Which MNC has appointed it's India operations MD & CEO Kanwaljeet Jawa into the board of the parent company?

31. Which MNC has named fourth-generation heir Koo Kwang-mo as new CEO?

32. Nestle has roped in which actress to promote NESCAFE Ready-to-Drink?

33. Which e-commerce major has launched its new campaign, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in its ads?

34. Which American lifestyle and personal care brand has made its debut in India through a franchising agreement with Major Brands?

35. Irdai board has approved Life Insurance Corporation´s investment in which lender?

36. Which airline is diversifying into air cargo business, the first among Indian carriers to start a dedicated freighter plane service?

37. Which company has named retired bureaucrat Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as non-executive chairman with effect from July 1 for three years?

38. Which company has entered into definitive agreement to acquire Nasdaq-listed Radisys Corporation, a global leader of open telecom solutions?

39. Iron ore mining major NMDC Ltd and which company have established a 50:50 joint venture company for undertaking exploration and development of mineral properties in South Africa?

40. Which automobile MNC last week said it is establishing its first global centre for digital operations in India and will hire around 500 people for the same by the end of this fiscal?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 744 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli