Biz Quizzard 491

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week August 19 - 24. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Vedanta Resources Group has merged which 2 subsidiaries in India?

2. Which real estate major has bought out its equity partner, American global investment firm Farallon Capital, in seven projects for nearly Rs 1,200 crore?

3. Forbes has released its latest list of the highest paid sports persons on the planet. Who has topped the list?

4. Which automobile brand has launched its new television commercial titled 'Apni Film Ka Superstar'?

5. Realty developer Lodha Group has roped which celebrity as brand ambassador for its 17.5-acre premium project The Park in central Mumbai’s Worli?

6. Which MNC has elevated Vikas Chawla, vice-president (operations), India, as the head of Europe effective September 1?

7. Which MNC airline has appointed Ivan Chu as its new CEO, effective next March?

8. Which European brand communications company, headquartered in Amsterdam, has announced its entry into the Indian market?

9. Which company will be the presenting sponsor for Sunburn, Asia’s biggest music festival, this year?

10. Which brand has roped in Nargis Fakhri as its women’s fitness ambassador?

11. Rolls-Royce has announced the launch of the most powerful model from its stable, in India. Name the brand?

12. Which MNC has shut down its email services in China to support its partner?

13. Which Swedish engineering group is buying British industrial technology firm Edwards Group for up to $ 1.6 billion?

14. Which airport has become the first in India to get its very own 6D cinema?

15. Which MNC’s patent for a Gaze Tracking System became public recently?

16. Which MNC has dethroned its Finnish counterpart Nokia as India’s largest mobile phone maker / seller in the last fiscal year?

17. Which networking site said it would open its website to minors for the first time starting on September 12, allowing kids as young as 13 to sign up for the service in most countries?

18. Which MNC last week unveiled its all-new premium compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) Terrano for the Indian market?

19. Mr Jyotirbhaskar Jayant Salgaonkar passed away last week. He was the founder of which well known publishing / print brand?

20. Anand Mahindra ranks 3rd among the world’s top five non-tech chief executive officers using social media to drive business, according to a study by Hootsuite. Who tops the list?

21. What world-first achievement is being claimed by Castrol RX Super Max Fuel Save, a new engine oil from Castrol?

22. A foundation stone was laid last week for what is being claimed as the world's largest solar park. Which location?

23. Maruti Suzuki has launched a new version of its WagonR compact. What has it been branded as?

24. Which company is tying up with Manchester United to become the football club’s ‘official tyre partner’ in UK and India?

25. Which MNC has sued its longtime brand ambassador Virat Kohli, alleging breach of an endorsement contract?

26. Nishi Vasudeva is all set to create history by becoming the first woman chief of a navaratna PSU. Which PSU?

27. Which MNC has joined hands with Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm and Samsung to establish internet.org, a global partnership with the goal of making Internet access available to the next five billion people?

28. Which consumer goods firm has acquired Nomarks, the country’s second largest anti-marks brand, from Delhi-based Ozone Ayurvedics to make a foray into the skin-care market?

29. Vimal, the textile brand of Reliance Industries, is trying to declare the end of ties and “stereotypical formals” with launch of a new range. What has it been branded as?

30. Which country has bypassed Japan to become the world’s third largest Internet user, according to a report by global digital measurement and analytics firm comScore?

31. Which MNC is buying a majority stake in Bangalore-based software service provider for securities and currency trades, Omnesys Technologies, for an undisclosed amount?

32. In one of the largest deals in the domestic IT services space, Baring Private Equity Asia will buy a controlling stake in which firm for Rs 2,745 crore (about $420 million)?

33. Which well known MNC has announced that it’s CEO will retire within the next 12 months?

34. Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland has launched a new engine platform that promises better life and fuel efficiency. What has it been branded as?

35. Tata Motors has launched a new variant of Tata Safari Storme. What has it been sub-branded as?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 491 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 490

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week August 12 - 17. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Irish building materials giant CRH has agreed to buy which cement company from the diversified Shriram Group for an enterprise valuation of around Rs 1,400 crore?

2. The board of which company has decided to sell its IT solutions business and its stake in all its foreign subsidiaries to the UK-based Kewill group for a consideration of $43.4 million?

3. It would have been funny had it not been a disaster. Yatra.com site was inaccessible to customers for a few days. What was the reason (as reported in the media)?

4. UM Cables Ltd has acquired a sponge iron and billet unit, Zoom Vallabh Steel. UM Cables is a wholly-owned subsidiary of which company?

5. Funskool India Ltd, a joint venture between MRF and Hasbro Inc, opened its first branded retail outlet in Chennai. What has it been branded as?

6. Which company has operationalised the nation’s largest blast furnace at its Rourkela Steel Plant?

7. Sanak Mishra has stepped down as the India CEO of which MNC?

8. Which MNC has pulled out Anchor milk powder from Sri Lanka?

9. Which company has acquired 99% stake in Century 21 Properties India Pvt Ltd?

10. Which new internal ridership record was set by Delhi Metro on August 8?

11. Swedish retail major IKEA Group has identified which four states to set up single-brand retail stores as part of its Rs 10,500-crore investment in India?

12. Which company has bought 80% stake in Singapore-based high-end personal care, dermatology products and cosmetics maker Global Vantage Innovative Group (GVig)?

13. Who has topped Forbes list of the world's top-earning authors?

14. Which paints company has appointed Sameer Nagpal as managing director and chief executive officer, effective from May 25?

15. Dilip Venkatraman has stepped down as the CEO of which two television channels?

16. Japanese HR service provider Recruit Holdings has acquired which domestic executive search firm for nearly Rs 150 crore?

17. Ashish Nanda, a Harvard Law School professor, will be the new director of which business school?

18. Which technology and consultancy major will acquire Germany-based Prion Group, a move that will help enhance its product lifecycle management (PLM) services?

19. Which company plans to re-launch its Swiss watch brand Favre Leuba this fiscal?

20. Dubai based fashion retailer Splash has appointed which celebrity as its brand ambassador?

21. Which FMCG major has widened its portfolio in the dairy space by launching ‘Curd' in one kg bucket packs?

22. Which company has come onboard as the presenting sponsor for the Indian adaptation of hit international TV series "24", to be telecast on Colors channel?

23. Which sports equipment brand will soon launch a chain of standalone stores in India?

24. What milestone has the Nokia Store crossed in India?

25. Education company Pearson has appointed which well-known Indian business personality as an independent non-executive director on its board, effective from October 1?

26. Which automobile company has shed more than a 90% stake in its wind power arm to independent power producer Green Infra?

27. Which MNC has agreed to buy Trusteer, a company that helps businesses fight computer viruses and fraud?

28. Rosalia Mera, 69, died last week. She was the co-founder of which fashion label / retailer?

29. Which MNC has unveiled actor and director Robert Downey Jr. as the star of its 'Here's to Change' brand-building advertising campaign?

30. Samsung Electronics Co will reportedly introduce a wristwatch-like device next month that can make phone calls, surf the web and handle emails. What has it been branded as?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 490 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 489

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week August 05 - 10. Hope you enjoy it.

1. IBT Media is buying which well known publication from IAC/ InterActiveCorp?

2. Which company is preparing to become the first anti-virus software company to list in India?

3. Which company has agreed to sell The Boston Globe to the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team for $70 million in cash?

4. Siyaram Silk Mills has roped in which celebrity as its brand ambassador for Oxemberg brand of apparels?

5. Sameer Suneja will be the new global CEO of which MNC?

6. Which company has become the first Indian airline to order Boeing 737 Max planes?

7. The owner of courier company M/ s Blue Bird in Kolkata was arrested recently. Why did this make news?

8. Which foreign tourism board has launched a romantic novel, 'Hold My Hand', in India to promote tourism?

9. Which business personality has agreed to buy the newspaper assets of The Washington Post Company for $250 million?

10. Who has been appointed the new governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

11. Cadbury India will set up its biggest manufacturing facility in the Asia-Pacific region in the country. Which state?

12. Ford Figo has recently crossed which sales milestone in India?

13. Star Sports has roped in which sports personality as brand ambassador to endorse the English club football championship, the world’s biggest sports league, in India?

14. Which company has announced promotion of Rajesh Magow, one of the co-founders, as Chief Executive Officer-India?

15. Which MNC has unveiled a new global brand identity strategy revolving around the theme, “It’s All Possible”?

16. Which MNC recently announced it will have a new logo on September 4 and in the run up to that is playing around with 30 logos that will change in the next 30 days?

17. Which company has secured the 'title sponsorship' for inaugural Indian Badminton League 2013?

18. Which bank has acquired Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS) commercial and home loan portfolio along with its credit card business in India for an undisclosed sum?

19. Which MNC has acquired Connecticut-based yogurt maker YoCrunch in a move aimed at expanding its presence in the U.S.?

20. Which significant milestone was achieved by Hero Motocorp last week?

21. Non-banking financial services company Money Matters has been renamed. What will it be known as?

22. Which celebrity has joined as independent director on the board of beauty & wellness company VLCC Health Care?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 489 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 488

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week July 29 - August 03. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which two advertising groups have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal to create the world’s largest advertising company?

2. The government is all set to name Usha Sangwan as the first woman managing director at which entity?

3. Which well-known entrepreneurs have forayed into India’s nascent home healthcare market by acquiring New Delhi-based Portea Medical?

4. Which publishing company in India has announced the closure of its three international titles – People, Geo and Marie Claire?

5. Which brand has topped the list in the first edition of Interbrand’s ‘Best Indian Brands’ study?

6. Which Canada-based company said it would buy US-based Saks in a $2.4 billion deal that would add prime real estate to its portfolio and bring the luxury chain to its home market?

7. Kiran Kumar Grandhi is the new managing director of which infrastructure company?

8. Mr BG Raghupathy, 59, passed away recently. He was the chairman & managing director of which business group?

9. Which social media agency has bought Bangalore-based Red Digital, a media agency with clients across the entertainment and technology industries, for about Rs 7 crore?

10. Which MNC last week launched the first production series of its all-electric ‘i3’ city car simultaneously in three continents - Asia, Europe and the US?

11. Which electrical products manufacturer has acquired ownership control in Australian company Electrical Distribution Solutions?

12. Which two-wheeler brand has been ranked by CNN as one of twelve best designs in the last 100 years?

13. Which media company is planning to launch channels under the ‘&’ brand?

14. Which soccer club last week added PepsiCo to its expanding roster of global sponsors?

15. Who is Hollywood's highest paid actress with estimated earnings of $33 million in the last year, according to Forbes?

16. Which MNC cosmetics giant has appointed Jean-Christophe Letellier as its managing director in India?

17. Perfetti Van Melle India (PVMI) has signed on which actor as the new face for its flagship chewing gum brand Center Fresh?

18. Which Hyderabad-based company has inked an agreement to acquire Tamil Nadu-based Actavis Pharma Manufacturing’s solid oral dosage facility in Alathur, Tamil Nadu?

19. Rajeev Rishi is the new Chairman and Managing Director of which public sector bank?

20. Which brand has topped the 2013 BrandZ Top 100, a ranking of the most valuable global brands compiled by research firm MillwardBrown?

21. Which television channel has acquired the rights to televise Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling across the Indian sub-continent?

22. Which brand has roped in tennis player John McEnroe to help promote its sponsorship of the New York City Marathon in November?

23. Tata Motors, in association with which organization, has developed a hydrogen-powered bus?

24. Which MNC bank has named Ross McEwan as its new CEO?

25. Which automobile brand has launched the most expensive super sports car to be sold in the country?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 488 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli