February 24, 2019

Biz Quizzard 778

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period February 18 - 23. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company last week announced its entry into the homestay market with a new brand Ama Trails & Stays?

2. Which MNC has acquired Hyderabad-based startup Ineda Systems, a low-key fabless semiconductor product company, for an undisclosed amount?

3. Which personal care brand has roped in actress Sara Ali Khan as its new brand ambassador and launched a new campaign, ‘#PullItOff’?

4. Which brand has released a video series titled 'fearless songs', focusing on exam tension, and featuring AR Rahman?

5. Which snack brand has roped in actress Taapsee Pannu as its brand ambassador?

6. Which insurance company has recently renewed its ‘Main se Hum’ brand campaign with a new ad featuring cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara?

7. Which sportswear giant has roped in six-time world women boxing champion MC Mary Kom as a brand ambassador?

8. Former Tata Steel UK chief executive Bimlendra Jha has been appointed as the new managing director and CEO of which cement company, effective March 1, 2019?

9. Which broadcaster has appointed Megha Tata as managing director, South Asia, from April 1?

10. Which fragrance brand has introduced Mikkel Verde, a new evening wear fragrance for men?

11. Which drug major has inked a pact to acquire 11.71% stake in Wellthy Therapeutics?

12. Which restaurant chain has acquired four brands from Bellona Hospitality, the food and beverages arm of Phoenix Mills Group, for an undisclosed amount?

13. Which premium Swiss watch manufacturer has forayed into the Indian market exclusively with Ethos Watch Boutiques?

14. German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld recently died at the age of 85. He was the creative director at which well-known fashion brand for more than 35 years?

15. Which fintech major has appointed Anirban Mukherjee as its new CEO?

16. Which life insurance company has launched two TV commercials, bringing the company’s motto of ‘exceeding customer expectations’ to life through the concept of ‘Thoda aur khayaal’?

17. Which alcobev major has banked upon content to launch its first major global corporate campaign, except in France, titled ‘Be A Convivialist!’?

18. Which MNC has acquired Pullstring, a company that helps companies publish voice apps for platforms like Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant?

19. Which Hyderabad-based blockchain startup has acquired Bengaluru-based blockchain startup Element42 for an undisclosed sum?

20. Which beverage brand has roped in Tollywood actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr, popularly known as Jr NTR, as brand ambassador?

21. Which mosquito repellant brand has launched its latest campaign #IDidntKnow / #MujheSabNahiPata, celebrating mothers who are tough enough to acknowledge that they don’t know everything?

22. Parle Agro plans to relaunch which hard-boiled candy with Cola flavor?

23. Which beverage company is all set to fully transition itself to use only compostable and recyclable packaging solutions across its stores in the country from next June?

24. Which portal has launched the campaign ‘Chalao Apni’ in a renewed positioning, focusing on the car-buying experience of the customer?

25. Which MNC is launching the Green Light Optimization Speed Advisory (GLOSA) system that provides speed recommendations to help you avoid red lights?

26. Xiaomi India has signed up which actor to promote its upcoming smartphone Redmi Note 7?

27. Which cement brand has launched its new communication campaign ‘Karein Kuch Kamaal’?

28. Which broadcaster has launched the ‘#BabySitting’ campaign ahead of the Australia’s Tour of India?

29. Dilip G Shah, 77, passed away in Mumbai last week. He was the founder of which industry association?

30. Which hospitality major has formed a joint venture (JV) with Yahoo in Japan to enter the country’s house rental market?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 778 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

February 17, 2019

Biz Quizzard 777

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period February 11 - 16. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Starting on a sweet note. Mondelez India has announced its foray into the fast-growing spreads category with the launch of a made-in-India innovation. What has it been branded as?

2. Which wiring harness maker has acquired San Electromec, a wire harness and control panel player that specialises in railways, defence, construction and speciality vehicle segment?

3. Which MNC will start adding the price of its medicines to television commercials by next month, becoming the first drug maker to heed a call by U.S. President to do so?

4. Which provider of tax compliance automation software for businesses has acquired Chennai-based AI firm Indix?

5. Which beverage brand has launched its new campaign ‘#vegnonvegtension’?

6. Which millets-based snacking brand has unveiled its digital campaign ‘#ShakeYourHungerAway’ for the launch of Smoothix, an instant drink mix for today’s health conscious consumers?

7. Which smartphone brand has announced a “Catch the #GoPop” marketing initiative to build curiosity around soon to be launched model?

8. Tata group firm Voltas will invest over Rs 500 crore to set up a manufacturing facility in which state?

9. Which company will acquire the staffing business of Hyderabad-based eCentric Solutions through a business transfer agreement, as it looks to tap a bigger pie of organised staffing for technology sector?

10. Japanese carmaker Honda has stopped production of which model in India, cutting short the vehicle's over 7-year long stint in the country?

11. Which company has completed the acquisition of Canadian generic pharma firm Apotex’s commercial operations and certain supporting infrastructure in five European countries?

12. Which steel manufacturer has launched the campaign ‘Ghar Se Ho Jeet ki Shuruwat’, featuring ace cricketer MS Dhoni?

13. Which luggage company has approved the appointment of Sudip Ghose as the new Managing Director with effect from April 1?

14. Publicis Groupe has elevated Nigel Vaz as the global Chief Executive Officer of which agency with immediate effect?

15. Which men’s grooming start-up has launched its first brand campaign ‘#GentlemanInYou’?

16. Which diagnostics has launched the ‘#LoveWithPride’ campaign for valentine’s week?

17. Which business group has exited its joint venture with US lifestyle and footwear brand Skechers, which will now run the Indian operations independently?

18. Which company has acqui-hired Gabbar-Deals, an omnichannel mobile phone retail brand?

19. Which online food ordering and delivery service has forayed into on-demand product deliveries from local stores, in a bid to diversify its delivery services beyond food?

20. Really nice ad. Which jewellery boutique has launched the campaign ‘#OneForLove’ for Valentine’s Day?

21. Which aviation major has named Salil Gupte as its India head, effective March 18?

22. Siddhartha Lal was last week named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2018. He is the MD & CEO of which automobile company?

23. Which pharma company has launched a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Adcirca (Tadalafil) tablets in the US market?

24. Which group has acquired an Israeli company, Light and Strong, specialising in aerospace and military carbon fibre and glass fibre composite components production?

25. Which online marketplace for financial products has launched its maiden brand film ‘The Wedding Speech’?

26. Which Whey Protein brand has launched the campaign ‘Start Strong’?

27. Honda will be relaunching which model in India next month?

28. Bimlendra Jha has resigned as the UK CEO of which steel company?

29. The government has brought back Ashwani Lohani as new CMD of which company?

30. National Central Cooling Company PJSC (DFM: Tabreed), a leading UAE-based international cooling provider, has entered into a 30-year agreement to offer district cooling solution to which greenfield city in India?

31. Cornelis Vrieswijk has resigned as CEO of which airline, less than a year after joining?

32. Which on-demand software and e-commerce services provider has acquired an 80% stake in Indian on-demand SaaS travel technology solution provider Zillious Solutions Private Limited?

33. Which Chennai-based Life Sciences service provider has acquired North America-based DataCeutics in a deal worth Rs 318 crore?

34. Skoda Auto India has announced plans to reintroduce its sports car brand in India?

35. Which general insurance company recently set a new Guinness World Record under its recently concluded ‘Ride to Safety’ initiative?

36. Which benefits and rewards services MNC has appointed Anish Sarkar as its chief executive officer?

37. Which MNC has hired former journalist Natasha Jog as its election integrity lead for India?

38. Which automobile brand has launched its new automobile brand ‘#SafetyFirst’?

39. Which company has acquired Madhya Pradesh-based Commercial Engineers and Body Builders Co (Cebbco) via a stressed assets auction?

40. Europe’s Airbus is scrapping production of which model, with lacklustre sales forcing it to abandon a dream of dominating the skies with a 21st century cruiseliner?

41. Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing has picked up majority stake in a special purpose vehicle owned by which Pune-based warehousing and industrial logistics park developer for Rs 350 crore?

42. M&M last week launched its sub-4-meter SUV, at an ex-showroom entry price of Rs 7.9 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 8.49 lakh for the diesel variant. What has it been branded as?

43. Which customer experience and contact centre solutions provider has appointed Raja Lakshmipathy as its India MD?

44. Which general insurance company has unveiled its new brand identity, ‘Caringly Yours’?

45. Which chocolate brand has launched an almond variant and launched a campaign with the tagline ‘No Bhook. No Bhoolna’?

46. Which premium leather brand is soon going to enter European retail space with the opening of their exclusive store this year?

47. Harshil Mehta has resigned as the CEO of which housing finance company with immediate effect?

48. Which logistics startup has acquired the Indian business of Dubai-based logistics firm Aramex, driving consolidation in the ecommerce logistics space?

49. Which beverage brand launched a Valentine’s Day campaign on Instagram featuring Disha Patani and Tiger Shroff?

50. Which company has acquired Chiron Behring Vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline Asia for an undisclosed sum in an all-cash deal?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 777 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

February 10, 2019

Biz Quizzard 776

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period February 04 - 09. Hope you enjoy it.

1. PV Bharathi has become the first woman managing director and chief executive officer of which bank?

2. Which healthcare provider has appointed Emmanuel Rupert as managing director and group CEO?

3. Which male grooming brand has announced the appointment of Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu as its brand ambassador?

4. Which beverage brand has launched the campaign ‘Masala Nahi Toh Mazaa Nahi’?

5. Which telecom brand has launched the campaign ‘‘India ka Live Network’?

6. Which company has acquihired Kint(dot)io, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup that applies deep learning and computer vision for object recognition in video, for an undisclosed sum?

7. Which non-banking finance company has signed a binding agreement to acquire the commercial vehicle finance business of India Infoline Finance, a subsidiary of IIFL Holdings Limited?

8. Which food company has inked a distribution partnership with Indo Nissin Foods?

9. Which automobile MNC has appointed Venkatram Mamillapalle as India MD?

10. Which brand has signed a whopping four-year sports sponsorship deal with PV Sindhu to the tune of Rs 50 crore?

11. Which US-based lingerie brand has entered India and plans to invest around $4 million in the first year of its operation in the country?

12. Which company has acquired BP’s stake in the pipeline and terminal assets connected to Stanlow Refinery to boost outbound logistics and enter new markets in the British Midlands?

13. Which company has acquired UAE-based iApps, as well as the Oracle business unit of Valforma, for an undisclosed amount to strengthen its Cloud and digital services practice?

14. Which British footwear brand will soon launch western wear and athleisure apparels for men and women in the country?

15. Which snack brand has launched the campaign ‘The Real Flavours of Life’?

16. Which hospital chain has announced Ashutosh Raghuvanshi as its new CEO?

17. Which jewellery brand has launched the campaign ‘#EqualsInLove’?

18. Which airline released a new commercial, ‘The Journey’, during the Super Bowl LIII on 3 February?

19. Which bus aggregator has entered the hotly contested food delivery space by launching meals on buses for daily commuters?

20. Which Indian snack has maker entered into an exclusive master franchisee partnership with French bakery cafe Brioche Dorée?

21. Japan’s SoftBank is investing Rs 2,800 crore in OakNorth Bank, a UK-based specialised lender mainly for small and medium enterprises. Which Indian group holds the largest stake in it?

22. Which British clothing brand, which entered India in 2012 under a long-term distribution agreement with Reliance Brands, is now bringing its sports fashion range to India?

23. Marico has entered into a licensing arrangement with grooming chain Kaya to launch a new range of skin-care products under the eponymous brand. Name the sub-brand?

24. According to reports last week, hospitality company Oyo is all set to enter which country?

25. Which apparel brand last week unveiled a new identity, including a new brand logo ‘Tattva’?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 776 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

February 3, 2019

Biz Quizzard 775

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period January 28 - February 02. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which business daily completed 25 years on January 27?

2. Which retailer has roped in Devendra Chawla as the managing director and CEO?

3. Sudip Singh, former global head of Infosys for the energy, utilities, resources & services vertical, will be the new CEO of which company effective February 1?

4. Which company has launched the campaign ‘#SilvateinMitayePyaarSe’ for its garment steamers?

5. Which handset brand has launched a new campaign titled ‘#MakeAnEffort’ as part of its ongoing 'Proudly Indian' campaign?

6. Which Indian steel company will divest majority stake in its South East Asia business to state-owned HBIS Group of China in a $327-million deal?

7. Which business school has emerged as the only Indian B-School to figure in the top 25 of FT Global MBA Rankings?

8. Domino's Pizza celebrated the Republic Day this year by delivering 4000 pizzas to the Indian Army soldiers. Which location?

9. Which beverage brand has launched the campaign ‘#Unstereotype’?

10. Which Indian brand has entered the list of top 100 most valuable brands, according to the Brand Finance Global 500 2019 report released at the World Economic Forum in Davos?

11. Condé Nast International has announced the launch of a new business media title offering a truly global perspective on the fashion, beauty and luxury industries. What has it been branded as?

12. Which German manufacturing company has appointed VG Sakthikumar as India MD?

13. Which company last week launched hotel bookings on its platform and acquired NightStay, which offers deals on last-minute bookings at luxury hotels?

14. South Korea’s Kia Motors last week started trial production of a made-in-India car. Which location?

15. Which online discount brokerage firm will soon launch its learning module, Varsity, as a mobile application?

16. The Department of Personal & Training, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) last week selected Pravin Kumar Purwar for the post of Chairman and Managing Director of which PSU?

17. Which company, in association with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, has initiated the campaign ‘Rang Badlav Ke – Paint the Change!’?

18. Oyo Hotels and Homes last week announced it has launched operations in which country?

19. Which company has launched a 2-minute-long video, featuring Konkona Sen Sharma at an open mic night, as part of its ‘#FundYourOwnWorth campaign’?

20. Which MNC will pilot its on-demand water-taxi service in India, starting in Mumbai, and take the learnings to other markets?

21. Which cricket app has launched a campaign starring Anil Kumble?

22. Which company has announced its JV with Turkish laminated composite panel maker Polser AS for manufacturing corrugated and plain fiberglass sheets for the construction industry?

23. Which company last week named Mohit Malhotra, currently chief executive of the India business, as its new group chief executive?

24. Which MNC last week made interim Chief Executive Officer Robert Swan´s role permanent?

25. Which company has rebranded its merged companies Soho Square and Bates CHI & Partners as 82.5 Communications?

26. Which online pharmacy company has acquired Medlabz, a digital healthcare platform and ‘diagnostics at home’ provider?

27. Which UK-based global talent investor announced its launch in India; and the appointment of Esha Tiwary as General Manager?

28. Which brand has launched its new campaign “Bottle of Love”, before the onset of the exam season?

29. Which online education venture, focused on building careers of working professionals, unveiled its first ad-campaign, featuring actor Vicky Kaushal?

30. Which company has entered into a partnership to become exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partners of the International Cricket Council (ICC) until 2023?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 775 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli