September 30, 2018

Biz Quizzard 757

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

1. Why was Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa in news last week?

2. Which baby care brand has launched its new campaign, ‘Choose Gentle’?

3. Which online pharmacy has acquired telemedicine portal JustDoc in a cash-and-stock deal?

4. Online fashion platform Myntra has launched a loyalty program in a bid to increase the traffic and engagement on its website and mobile app. What has it been branded as?

5. Which MNC has completed the acquisition of the music recognition and discovery app, Shazam?

6. Which Bengaluru-based, enterprise-focused fintech company has acquired consumer technology firm, Mubble?

7. Which Chinese software player last week announced the launch of its global IT centre in Hyderabad with 25 people?

8. Which social media company’s co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger are resigning from the company?

9. Which sanitary napkin maker has announced the appointment of Richa Singh as Chief Executive Officer?

10. Which MNC has appointed Ajit Mohan, currently the chief executive officer at Star India’s video streaming service Hotstar, as managing director for India and vice-president?

11. This is a nice ad. Which jewellery brand has launched the campaign ‘#DaughtersOfToday’?

12. Which state has topped the chart in the 'Ease of Living Index' rankings under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)?

13. Careem, Middle East-based technology platform, has announced acquiring which Hyderabad-based mass transportation app?

14. Which cement company has announced the appointment of Jayakumar Krishnaswamy as its managing director with immediate effect?

15. Mercedes Benz’s US subsidiary will be importing which model from India?

16. The world’s “most expensive” pair of shoes was launched last week. Which country?

17. Which startup last week became the latest unicorn in the Indian startup ecosystem?

18. Which company has acquired Israel-based startup Upstream Commerce that will help its sellers in enhancing selection and pricing capabilities?

19. Nestle India is introducing a yogurt-based dip under which brand?

20. Easy one. Who has topped the ‘Barclays Hurun India Rich List 2018’ for the seventh consecutive year, with total net worth of Rs 371,000 crore?

21. Which Vietnamese smartphone brand has launched its first campaign in India, with the positioning 'Ab chaud se lo chaudi si selfie'?

22. Dunkin’ Donuts has unveiled its new branding at its Global Franchisee Convention. What will it be known as?

23. Which footwear company has announced its foray into lifestyle retail and has introduced its first range of perfumes?

24. Which olive oil brand has launched its campaign ‘Battle of Minds’?

25. Welspun India has launched the campaign ‘Thoughtful Living’ for which brand?

26. Kohler, a global bath and kitchen design brand, has launched its campaign ‘Colours by Kohler’, in collaboration with which celebrity?

27. Actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Kartik Aaryan have been signed on to endorse which spirits brand?

28. Which company has launched its newest brand True Roots, that delays hair greying from the roots?

29. Nestle is all set to launch its smart compact coffee machine in the country. What has it been branded as?

30. Which Indian-origin tycoon has been awarded the title of 21st Century Icon at an awards ceremony in London?

31. Which health insurer last week launched a comprehensive Cancer plan called ‘iCan’?

32. Which MNC has launched an ad for Bixby Voice Assistant?

33. Which eyewear brand has launched a campaign with the theme ‘vision meets fashion’?

34. Bajaj Corp has unveiled a new packaging for which flagship brand?

35. Which brand has launched the campaign 'Don't be a loser' for Reflex 2.0, the latest version of its popular wearable activity tracker?

36. Which Indian celebrity has unveiled a new special edition Tissot watch, representing his jersey number?

37. Rajesh Sud has resigned as the MD of which insurance company?

38. Svatantra Holding, promoted by Kumar Mangalam Birla’s daughter Ananya Birla, has acquired which housing micro finance company for about Rs 300 crore?

39. RBI has barred which bank from opening new branches and put a freeze on the remuneration of its MD & CEO?

40. Which Indian company has forayed into building marine engines with its Seahawk Series to take on Chinese companies that have a majority share in this sector?

41. Which textile major has announced an association with the film, ‘Sui Dhaaga - Made In India’, which aims to promote skill development and entrepreneurship in rural and semi-urban India?

42. WPP has announced the creation of a new agency uniting two leading brands to deliver a contemporary, fully integrated digital and creative offering to clients on a global scale. Name it?

43. Amazon last week opened a new retail store in New York selling a range of products that get top ratings from customers of the online colossus. What is it called?

44. Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), part of the Tata Group, has won an e-auction by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which lets it retain control of which property in Delhi?

45. This is a brilliant campaign. Which brand has launched the initiative ‘#KeralaIsOpen’?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 757 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli                    

September 23, 2018

Biz Quizzard 756

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

1. The government last week proposed the merger of which 3 public sector banks to create India’s third-largest bank?

2. Scientist RA Mashelkar’s Gharda Medical & Advanced Technologies Foundation will sell its 57.5% stake in which agrochemicals maker?

3. Food-delivery firm UberEats has partnered with which general insurance provider to offer comprehensive insurance covers for its delivery executives in India?

4. Mastercard has roped in which celebrity as its new brand ambassador in India?

5. Which PSU has entered the packaged drinking water segment through a technological partnership with CSIR-IICT?

6. Which hospital in Southern India last week marked its 35th anniversary?

7. TVS Motor Company’s new scooter Ntorq 125 has crossed which sales milestone?

8. Which company has acquired Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa for Rs 541 core?

9. Which consulting firm has named Alpesh Shah as the firm’s new managing director?

10. Witzig Advisory Services, owned by Samara Alternative Investment Fund, is buying which supermarket chain?

11. South Africa-based hospital group Life Healthcare has sold its entire 49.7% stake in which company to Mumbai-headquartered Radiant Hospital backed by PE player KKR for $293 million?

12. Footwear maker Lakhani Vardaan group has roped in which actress as brand ambassador?

13. Which Indian automobile company has announced its foray into the Mexican market, in partnership with Torino Motors, a leading distributor in the Mexican region?

14. In a bid to strengthen its presence in the traditional salty-snacks space, PepsiCo India is set to launch a new sub-brand under the Kurkure umbrella. Name it?

15. Which Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) has completed 3 years and has launched a new brand campaign called ‘Hai Khaas Har Andaz’?

16. Which telecom brand has launched a campaign titled #MeriRealLife, encouraging people to drop the pressure of chasing and sharing perfection on social media?

17. Which pharmaceutical company has launched its new TV campaign, #BerokZindagi with the aim to raise awareness about asthma and its treatment?

18. Which news channel has launched a new brand campaign titled ‘Saare Jahaan Se Sachcha’, highlighting fearlessness, truth and the no-compromise attitude of the channel?

19. Which audio solutions brand has launched its first ever television campaign ‘#DareToDisconnect’ especially for the Indian market?

20. Marc Benioff, the billionaire co-founder of software maker Salesforce.com Inc, has agreed to purchase which iconic publication brand for $190 million?

21. Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) has launched eight new products in the Rs 1,200-crore men’s grooming category through which brand?

22. Which beverage brand has launched ‘#ShreeGaneshApnepanKa’, a campaign to celebrate the spirit of togetherness?

23. Which learning platform has launched its ‘#TakeCharge’ campaign, to spread greater awareness about the urgent need to acquire new-age skills amongst the country’s workforce?

24. Which media group has launched an online real estate platform, findhome(dot)com, for global Malayalees to access home anywhere, anytime?

25. Which company has launched its new corporate TVC, ‘#PeopleAddColour’?

26. Bhuvan Bam, popularly known for his YouTube channel ‘BB Ki Vines’, has become the first Indian YouTuber to reach which subscriber milestone?

27. Which Indian automotive content creator has hit one million subscribers on YouTube, becoming India’s first automotive YouTube show to achieve this feat?

28. Which insurance company has unveiled a uniquely engaging #36SecPlankChallenge initiative?

29. Which diamond brand has launched its new campaign ‘The Better Half Within’?

30. Which Indian company last week celebrated the 100th anniversary of its operations in the Netherlands?

31. Siyaram Silk Mills has roped in which celebrity as the brand ambassador of Siyaram’s?

32. Premium leggings brand Softline Leggings has roped in which actress as its ambassador?

33. Which state will set up India’s first biotechnology university?

34. Which company has launched ‘JFarm Service APP’ - a tractor aggregation platform that aims to help farmers achieve optimal utilisation of their tractors?

35. Which company has agreed to invest Rs 42.2 crore for a 51% stake in White Data Systems India, a Cholamandalam Investment & Finance unit that makes software for freight data solutions?

36. Greece has issued a letter of award to the consortium led by which Indian company for the development, operations and management of a new international airport of Heraklion at Crete?

37. Which bank has appointed J Packirisamy as its new CEO and managing director?

38. Tanishq will sell branded silver jewellery under which existing brand?

39. Which brand has released a series of ad films with a new tagline "Sau saal jiyega"?

40. Which hair colour brand has roped in actresses Taapsee Pannu, Angira Dhar, and Neha Sharma as its new brand ambassadors?

41. Which spectacle lenses brand has launched its new campaign titled ‘Clearly the Best’, featuring Shruti Haasan and Arjun Kapoor?

42. Mondelez India last week announced its foray into the growing adult health MFD (malt food drinks) segment?

43. Which brand is celebrating the power of women and their determination to inspire change with the fourth edition of its successful #IShapeMyWorld campaign?

44. Which tyre company has tied up with Torino FC, one of the lclubs in the Italian Serie A, in a bid to expand presence in the European markets?

45. Ending this edition with a brand i grew up with. Which publication brand celebrated 140 years on September 20?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 756 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

September 16, 2018

Biz Quizzard 755

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

1. HDFC Life Insurance’s chief executive officer Amitabh Chaudhry will be the new MD and CEO of which bank?

2. Which perfume and deodorant brand has launched the campaign “Har komal nazuk nahi hoti.”?

3. Which cab rental platform has launched the campaign ‘#NoStressBoss’?

4. Which general insurance brand has launched its first digital-only campaign ‘#CareMoreHaveMore’?

5. Which alternative asset manager has acquired global financial services major JP Morgan’s real estate fund management platform in India?

6. Honda Cars India has crossed which cumulative sales milestone in the country since launching its first product in India in January 1998?

7. Which health and fitness destination has launched its first-ever brand campaign ‘#ForTheLoveOfFit’?

8. Which paint company has recently approved the appointment of Rajiv Rajgopal as the managing director of the company, effective from November 1, 2018?

9. SpiceJet will launch its dedicated air cargo services from September 18. What has it been branded as?

10.  Which confectionery brand has introduced a unique social initiative called ‘The Wrapper that Gives’?

11. Which general insurance company has appointed Vibha Padalkar as its new managing director and CEO for a period of three years, effective September 12?

12. Which realty portal has launched what it claims as India’s first dedicated site for property deals?

13. Which commercial vehicles manufacturer last week announced the appointment of Satyakam Arya as the managing director and CEO?

14. Hyderabad-headquartered startup Makers of Milkshakes is gearing up to open its first overseas outlet next month. Which location?

15. Which well-known spirits brand is launching a 20-minute short film celebrating India’s successful Mars mission?

16. The health ministry has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of how many fixed dose combinations (FDCs) of drugs with immediate effect?

17. Effective November 1, which will become the first state to mandate RFID tag for e-Way bill?

18. Apple last week introduced its largest iPhone ever. Name it?

19. Which beauty retailer has signed actor Janhvi Kapoor as its brand ambassador?

20. Samsung Electronics last week opened its world’s largest mobile experience centre in India. Which city?

21. Who has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Board of The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)?

22. Which jewellery brand from Calcutta has launched a campaign featuring Vidya Balan?

23. Which video analytics marketing company has announced its entry into the $100 billion online gaming and e-Sports market with its new product offering called “eSports Analytics”?

24. Which sports property, set to kick off on 29th September 2018, has launched its national campaign titled '#FanBannaPadega'?

25. Which company has announced the launch of five new product ranges under their mission ‘Samarth Bharat, Swastha Bharat’?

26. Which shampoo brand has launched a TVC titled ‘Healthy hair ka vaada’?

27. Which electrical wires brand has launched its new campaign "Akalmand Bano Sahi Chuno"?

28. Which company is expanding the furniture category on its platform with the introduction of new sub-brand 'Pure Wood'?

29. Which automobile MNC has signed US Open champion Naomi Osaka as its next brand ambassador?

30. The production of which iconic automobile brand will be stopped in 2019?

31. Which company agreed to buy Fluido, a Salesforce consulting partner in the Nordics, for as much as €65 million?

32. India ranks third globally in terms of number of family-owned businesses, according to the ‘Credit Suisse Family 1000 in 2018’ study. Which country is ranked first?

33. Which Indian business group last week pledged to go carbon neutral by 2040?

34. This should be easy. The Mysuru campus of which company has been awarded the LEED EBOM Platinum certification by the United States Green Building Council?

35. Which business personality last week said he will commit $2 billion to helping homeless families and starting pre-schools for low-income communities?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 755 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

September 9, 2018

Biz Quizzard 754

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

1. Which Indian IT firm has signed it’s largest-ever contract, a $1.6-billion deal with Illinois-based Alight Solutions?

2. Which brand has roped in Dangal actors Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra to feature in its latest advertisement?

3. Sin Denim has roped in which cricketer as brand ambassador?

4. Which mobile phone is readying to launch its first sub-brand Innelo in India?

5. Which country remained the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2017-18?

6. ITC is all set to launch ready-to-drink, milk-based beverages under which brand?

7. Which denim company has announced the promotion of Sanjay Vakharia to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO)?

8. Which writing instruments brand has launched the campaign ‘Life’s Best Teachers’?

9. Arun Iyer has stepped down as the Chairman and CCO of which advertising agency?

10. Amazon has become the second publicly traded company to hit which market captilisation mark?

11. Which instant adhesives brand has launched the campaign 'Sirf chipkao nahi, jodo', featuring Varun Dhawan?

12. BSNL has roped in which sports personality as its brand ambassador for two years?

13. Taranjeet Singh has stepped down as the Country Director of which MNC?

14. Actress Disha Patani has been roped in as brand ambassador for which ethnic-wear brand?

15. Which company has launched Mr. Magic, the first-ever powder to liquid handwash?

16. Which MNC has appointed Mark Read as Chief Executive Officer?

17. Lavie, a brand catering to independent and spontaneous women celebrating their impulsiveness, has signed up which actress as its brand ambassador?

18. Emami Limited has rejuvenated which brand and has roped in Shilpa Shetty as brand ambassador?

19. Which car sales portal has undergone a brand repositioning exercise and has launched 4 films, 2 of which feature Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mandira Bedi?

20. Which company has associated with Elsys Intelligent Devices to provide their safety device called Raksha Safe Drive along with the tyre products?

21. Singapore-based active leisure brand Actimaxx has signed on which actor as brand ambassador?

22. Which country’s tourism has launched the campaign #BulaHappiness, featuring actress Ileana D'Cruz?

23. Which brand has rolled out its new paid service 'Originals' in India and has teamed up with music maestro AR Rahman for its first such show in the country?

24. Which group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire L&T Finance’s supply chain lending business that has an outstanding loan book of Rs 800 crore?

25. Which company has acquired NBFC Finmax Credit and Finance which is the small and medium enterprise (SME) financing business of fintech firm Finmax?

26. Which company has acquired TongueStun Food, a Bengaluru-based startup that aggregates caterers and restaurants for office canteens?

27. Which company will acquire 4 companies, California-based Gigacom Semiconductor, Gigacom Semiconductor, FirstPass Semiconductors and Institute of Silicon Systems?

28. Which Hyderabad-based company has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement with two US-based companies, Selltis Technologies LLC and Infodat International Inc?

29. Which company has launched the ‘#SleepyUncle’ film, as part of its ‘#DontSleepOnIt’ campaign?

30. Cox & Kings has roped in which celebrity as the company’s brand ambassador?

31. Which paint company has roped in Ranveer Singh as brand ambassador?

32. Which is 2018’s most valuable Indian brand, as per a Kantar Millward Brown report?

33. TPG Capital has acquired a significant minority stake in which building wires and low-voltage cables manufacturer?

34. Which Indian company will acquire the commercial operations and three manufacturing facilities in the US from Sandoz for $900 million?

35. Chinese smartphone maker Vivo India’s revenue for the financial year ended March 2018 crossed which milestone mark?

36. Akshay Kothari has quit as the India head and VP of international products for which MNC?

37. Iconic Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel’s Mithril Capital has led a $140-million (Rs 1,000-crore) funding round in which warehouse automation company?

38. Which company has executed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% stake in Bengaluru-based Graphene Semiconductor Services?

39. Indian mutual funds’ assets under management (AUM) reached which milestone mark in August?

40. Which business personality from Asia will retire on September 10, his 54th birthday, as the chairman of the company he co-founded?

41. Richard DeVos, 92, died last week in Detroit. He was the co-founder of which MNC?

42. Vistara flew its 22nd aircraft from Delhi to Mumbai on September 5. What is special about this aircraft?

43. Which apparel brand has roped in actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor as brand ambassadors?

44. Sikkim would join the aviation map of the country on October 4 with the launch of the first flight between Pakyong and Kolkata.  Which airline?

45. The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence were announced last week. Who is the Business leader of the year?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 754 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

September 2, 2018

Biz Quizzard 753

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period August 27 - September 01. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company last week operated India’s first test flight powered by biojet fuel?

2. Which company has launched the campaign ‘Thirst For Gold’ for Asian Games?

3. A 1962 model vehicle was recently sold for $48.4 million in California, the most ever paid for a classic car at auction. Which brand?

4. Which company is setting up a joint venture with Japan’s Tadano to manufacture rough terrain and truck mounted cranes in the country?

5. Which global investment bank has appointed Prachi Mishra as managing director and chief India economist with immediate effect?

6. Which company has launched a new independent content division called Studio NXT to create quality content and new IPs?

7. Which company has completed the acquisition of German flooring solutions player Parador Holdings GmbH that it acquired for a cash consideration of Euro 82.8 million?

8. Which company has launched ‘Hotties’ hard candy to appeal to the hot and spicy Indian palate?

9. Residential and commercial projects developer Incredible India Projects Pvt Ltd (IIPPL) has acquired which hotel in Hyderabad for Rs 42 crore?

10. Which retail channel has launched its new campaign, #CreateInspire, which celebrates the relentless spirit of creators who never stop?

11. Which online marketplace has kicked off its ‘Dil-Dimaag’ campaign, preparing customers for the festive season?

12. Which breakfast cereals brand has launched its first television campaign 'Kadak Naashta'?

13. Which company has acquired a majority stake in FluidEdge Consulting, a healthcare management consulting company headquartered in Philadelphia?

14. Which entity has acquired personal assistant platform Tapzo, its first such deal in India?

15. Which company will replace domestic pharma major Lupin among the 50 constituents of the NSE’s nifty index from September 28?

16. Amazon(dot)in will be rebranding its assisted online services in India. What will these service points now be known as?

17. Readying its digital payment service for India, Tez, for a global roll out, Google has renamed the app. What is the new name?

18. Dabur has roped in which actress as the new brand ambassador for its health supplement brand Dabur Honey?

19. Sun Pharma Industries has signed which celebrity as the brand ambassador of its pain reliever Volini?

20. Which company has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a majority stake in electric vehicles (EV) maker Ampere Vehicles?

21. Which company, through its Singapore-based joint venture, has won the bid for Prayagraj Power Generation company, which runs a 1,980MW coal-fired electricity producing unit in Allahabad?

22. Which Hyderabad-based company has launched a 7-meter luxury electric bus - eBuzz K6 LuXe - at Bus World 2018 at Bengaluru?

23. Gurmit Singh has resigned as the vice president and managing director of the Indian operations of which MNC?

24. Which Indian electronic gadgets brand has roped in YouTube personality Bhuvan Bam as its brand ambassador?

25. Which company last week announced its foray into the upscale hotels category, starting with a range of resorts, christened as Palette Resort?

26. Which celebrity has signed a Rs 15 crore, 3-year brand endorsement deal with German cybersecurity company, WardWiz?

27. Which MNC has acquired Akonia Holographics, a startup focused on making lenses for augmented reality glasses?

28. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai has been renamed. What is the new name?

29. Former AngloGold Ashanti chief Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan is the new CEO of which company?

30. Which MNC has acquired Whitbread Plc-owned UK café chain Costa Coffee for $5.1 billion?

31. Which revenue cycle management company has acquired Noida-based Pacific BPO in a deal valued around $17 million?

32. Which company has divested its entire stake in its UK business to JZ International, a leading pan-European private investment business based in London?

33. Which business group has forayed into the cruise line business through its entity Zen Cruises Pvt. Ltd., which will operate under the Jalesh (Lord of the waters) brand?

34. Which premier Italian fashion brand has roped in actress Nargis Fakhri as brand ambassador?

35. From next year, what will be sold in the Disneyland Park, said to be one of the happiest places on earth, for the first time in its 63-year history?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 753 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli