Biz Quizzard 509

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week December 23 - 28. Hope you enjoy it.

1. According to a report last week, Coca-Cola India has roped in which celebrity as its new brand ambassador?

2. Which MNC has rolled out its new global campaign, themed ‘untameable’, in India?

3. Edgar M Bronfman, 84, died recently in Manhattan. He was the former chairman of which well known MNC?

4. Japanese carmaker Honda is phasing out which brand from India following weak demand and dwindling sales?

5. PepsiCo India recently laid the foundation stone for a new beverage plant, poised to be the largest such factory for the company in India. Which state?

6. QMobile, the largest selling mobile phone brand in Pakistan, has roped in which Indian celebrity as brand ambassador?

7. Which MNC has sold the majority of its global physical oil trading operations to Russian state-run oil major Rosneft?

8. Which US hospitality and entertainment firm will open its first five-star property in India next year?

9. Which MNC has become the second large global giant to exit India’s crowded and barely profitable mutual fund industry?

10. Which hospitality major has been voted as ‘World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand 2013’ at the World Travel Awards (WTA)?

11. Which international celebrity has signed on to help promote Las Vegas Sands' properties in Singapore and the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau?

12. Which lingerie brand has launched its new campaign ‘Fabulous, as I am’?

13. Which company has signed an agreement to buy Germany’s Kuepper group of companies for about €200 million in its second big European acquisition of 2013?

14. Which Kolkata-based company has tied up with Germany-based GermanPV for supplying solar modules for grid-connected solar park in the European nation?

15. Which company has promoted Paresh Sukthankar as deputy managing director?

16. Realty developer Kanakia Group’s hospitality arm has roped in which hospitality major to manage its upcoming 150-key hotel in Goa?

17. The Kellogg Co has crossed which sales milestone in India?

18. Which MNC is poised to sell more vehicles in China than General Motors Co for the first time in nine years, regaining its place as the biggest foreign carmaker in the world’s largest auto market?

19. Microsoft India has launched an application with safety features, exclusively for Windows Phone users. What has it been branded as?

20. Which brand set a new Guinness World Record at IIT Mumbai's annual college festival, Mood Indigo (aka Mood-I), held at Powai, on December 22?

21. Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Ltd (APPM) has been renamed. What is the new name?

22. The Union Government has appointed Arun Tiwari as Chairman and Managing Director of which bank?

23. Which brand was the most popular social-media brand worldwide in 2013, according to Starcount, which compiled data across Facebook, YouTube and other sites to come up with its top 10 list?

24. Which Karnataka based Marathi daily has launched its Mumbai edition?

25. PepsiCo Foods has roped in which celebrity to endorse its Lay’s potato chips as part of a repositioning exercise to make it a more youthful brand?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 509 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 508

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week December 16 - 21. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD) plans to enter the US market by the end of next month with the launch of which brand in New York and New Jersey?

2. Kris Gethin, celebrity personal trainer of Bollywood stars, is planning a chain of fitness centres. What will it be branded as?

3. Which television channel has signed an agreement with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for 12 films over the next four years?

4. Which retail company has entered into a partnership with Samsung to manage its after-sales service?

5. Which company has decided to pull down the shutters on its profitable non-vegetarian foods business?

6. The Centre has appointed Harsh Kumar Bhanwala as chairman of which banking entity?

7. The online avatar of which newspaper has been crowned the best news and information website of the year at the Ascendas Website of the Year (WOTY) awards 2013?

8. Which online marketplace is launching its own payment gateway, the second company to do so after market leader Flipkart?

9. Which news channel unveiled its full brand refresh last week, including a new logo?

10. Which MNC has offered to spend up to $1 billion to raise its stake in Indian subsidiary through a voluntary open offer?

11. Which MNC is all set to buy a controlling interest in a power plant owned by Meenakshi Energy, part of the little known eponymous infrastructure group, based in Hyderabad?

12. Which company has announced plans to acquire the masterbatches business of Plastichemix Industries Ltd. for Rs 135 crore?

13. According to a report last week, which deodorant brand has toppled Axe, a well established global brand of Unilever, to become the market leader in India?

14. Which airline has entered into an interline agreement with India’s second largest low-cost carrier SpiceJet?

15. Titan last week launched an exclusive store in the Indira Nagar area of Bangalore. What is special about this store?

16. Akhil Gupta has stepped down as the MD of the Indian unit of which private equity (PE) firm after an 8-year stint?

17. Which company is set to acquire leading Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brands from Kolkata-based IFB Agro?

18. Which company has appointed Mahendra Singhi as group chief executive of cement business?

19. The Economic Times Brand Equity published its 'Most Trusted Brands 2013' list last week. Which brand has topped the list?

20. Parle Products has roped in which celebrity to endorse its largest selling confectionary brand - Parle Mango Kaccha Bite?

21. Which company has been awarded the prestigious National Energy Conservation Award 2013 for an energy conservation programme undertaken by its Vapi manufacturing plant in Gujarat?

22. Which MNC plans to acquire a 50% stake in the Tata-owned Trent Hypermarkets for $110 million?

23. Who has been named 2013's highest grossing actor at the worldwide box office by Forbes?

24. Which footwear company has launched a new campaign with the tagline ‘Shoes for a New Race’?

25. Which company has entered the premium rice market with the launch of Gold Seal Indus Valley basmati rice?

26. Which advertising agency has agreed to acquire a majority stake in RC&M, one of India’s largest rural communications and marketing services providers?

27. Which Indian sports personality will become the global brand ambassador for British multinational telecom company Vodafone?

28. Which company has entered into specialised refrigeration products for Medical & Healthcare Application, in collaboration with The Sure Chill Company Ltd. (UK)?

29. Which MNC said it will buy cloud computing marketing software firm Responsys for approximately $1.5 billion?

30. Coca-Cola India, in association with which company, has launched “Sachin 100 Coke Can Limited Edition Set”?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 508 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 507

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week December 09 - 14. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which MNC has appointed former Nokia executive D Shivakumar as its chairman and CEO for India region?

2. In the first mass campaign ever in its category, which company has launched a television commercial titled 'The Gift'?

3. Which watch brand has launched the Carrera Calibre 1887, ‘Jack Heuer Special Edition’ as a part of the celebration of ‘50th Anniversary of Carrera’?

4. Which company has launched its women’s lifestyle category with a campaign titled ‘When you have everything and still nothing to wear’?

5. Which company has won the bid for the Indian cricket team’s logo sponsorship rights from 2014 to 2017 for Rs 1.92 crore a match?

6. Which company has signed a licensing agreement with California-based Sunkist Growers, one of the largest international suppliers of fresh fruits, to launch its citrus beverage products in India?

7. Which media agency has elevated Kartik Sharma as managing director, South Asia?

8. Japan-headquartered CAC Corporation will acquire a majority stake in which Chennai-headquartered integrated IT services firm?

9. Which company has announced the launch of its new retail trade platform, TradeEdge, developed in association with FMCG major Proctor & Gamble?

10. Which location has emerged as the most expensive retail destination in the country, according to a recent report by Jones Lang LaSalle?

11. Which company, along with retail chain Shoppers Stop, has launched British kidswear brand Next in the country?

12. Which brand has launched its campaign ‘Ghoomne’?

13. Which natural cosmetics maker has forayed into domestic retail, kicking off the venture with two exclusive brand outlets?

14. Which company has signed a strategic licence deal with Warner Music Group to sell its music catalogues in India, Sri Lanka and the other SAARC countries?

15. Which company has emerged as the country’s biggest company in terms of annual revenue, as per an annual list of Fortune 500 companies in India?

16. Which MNC has now emerged as the largest shareholder in United Breweries, surpassing its equal joint venture partner Vijay Mallya?

17. Which MNC has announced its entry into the Indian UV (utility vehicle) market with the launch of its premium SUV (sport utility vehicle) MU-7?

18. Avan Projects has purchased a majority interest in Om Pizza and Eats Pvt. Ltd, the Indian franchisee of which brand?

19. Chennai-based FMCG major CavinKare has roped in which celebrity to endorse its deodorant brand, Spinz?

20. Which MNC has named Mary Barra as its first woman CEO?

21. ITC has relaunched which brand with the positioning ‘Eat Light. Live Light’?

22. Which global credit rating agency has acquired Amba Investment Services, a knowledge process outsourcing services firm?

23. Publicis Groupe plans to launch a new global media network under its media services unit ZenithOptimedia by the first quarter of 2014. What has it been named?

24. Italian farm equipment maker Same Deutz-Fahr (SDF) Group last week introduced its premium tractor brand in India. Name it?

25. Who is the highest-paid woman in music, according to the latest annual list by Forbes?

26. SB Nayar has taken over the charge of chairman and managing director of which finance company?

27. Which celebrity has been named the new face of luxury fashion house Chanel?

28. Which company has entered into an agreement to buy out Elder Pharmaceuticals’ branded formulations business in a deal worth Rs 2,000 crore?

29. Which celebrity has agreed to buy a 13% stake in Hockey India League’s Delhi Waveriders team from real estate firm Wave group for an undisclosed amount?

30. Which MNC has named Krish Iyer as the chief executive of its India unit?

31. The ministry of finance has appointed CVR Rajendran as chairman and managing director of which bank?

32. Which company has emerged as the biggest wealth creator in Indian stock markets over the past five years, according to a study conducted by Motilal Oswal?

33. Which MNC has said its Chief Operating Officer Steve Mollenkopf will take over as the CEO?

34. DSK Motowheels, a Pune-based company, has tied-up with which MNC to assemble and market its superbikes in India?

35. Who has been named the most powerful celebrity of 2013 by Forbes India for the second time in a row?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 507 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 506

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week December 02 - 07. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which company has elevated its India MD Asha Gupta as group president of the Asia Pacific region?

2. FMCG company DS Group, which sells food and beverage products under the Catch brand, has roped in which celebrity as the brand ambassador?

3. Which company is acquiring US-based mortgage due diligence and risk management service provider Opus CMC (Opus Capital Markets Consultants) for $75 million (Rs 465 crore)?

4. Greenways Foods & Beverages has roped in which celebrity to endorse Notty fruit drink brand?

5. Which MNC has acquired Topsy Labs, a social media analytics firm cofounded by two Indian-American entrepreneurs, for over $200 million?

6. Which MNC has launched its new global campaign ‘Dare to be Brasilian’?

7. Which brand has emerged as the largest international fashion brand in the country in the last fiscal year?

8. Which Indian company has entered into a joint venture with Italian component maker Magneti Marelli to manufacture a new generation electronic fuel injection (EFI) system?

9. Titan Company last week forayed into which new product category under its Fastrack brand?

10. Biscuit brand Oreo has roped in which celebrity as its brand ambassador for India?

11. Viacom18 is launching which Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) in India?

12. MS Dhoni has struck a record bat deal for Rs 25 crore with two brands in sports and education. Name the brands?

13. P Madhusudan will become the Chairman and Managing Director of which PSU from January 1, 2014?

14. Radio taxi service provider Meru Cabs last week launched a new short-distance city service as a pilot project in Hyderabad. What has it been branded as?

15. Which company has decided to shut its computer hardware manufacturing business?

16. Adidas has unveiled new FIFA World Cup ball for next year's event. What has it been branded as?

17. Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD) has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador for its Jolly Roger music CDs?

18. Which tyre company has launched its premium European brand Vredestein in India?

19. Which company has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based Pursuitist.com to launch the Indian edition of the site?

20. Which company has announced the launch of its iconic North American sweets brand Jolly Rancher in India?

21. Former Pearson Chief Executive Officer Marjorie Scardino has become the first woman to join the board of which MNC?

22. FII net inflows into Indian equity markets for this year crossed which mark last week?

23. Which MNC last week launched a sugarcane harvester specifically designed for the Indian market?

24. Partnering with Soundlogic and Croma for the technological and distribution solutions, which brand has launched its electronic gadget range, Fashiontronix?

25. An easy question to end this episode. Cadbury Eclairs ab ban gaya hai _____?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 506 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 505

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week November 25 - 30. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which two pharmaceutical MNCs will merge their India operations under a single brand as part of efforts to boost business?

2. Jotirmoy Ghose has been appointed the managing director of which cement company?

3. Which digital content services company has acquired Godot Media, a Bengaluru-based specialist content services boutique that serves customers in the US and India?

4. Which company has launched ‘jaano toh maano’, a new investor education campaign on mutual funds?

5. Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan have been signed on as the new faces of which well known FMCG brand?

6. Doug McMillon will be the new CEO of which MNC?

7. Which business personality has acquired a minority stake in TravelKhana, an online food delivery service for railway passengers?

8. Which former CEO from the Indian IT industry has joined as an operating partner in Boston-based private equity firm Advent International?

9. In the run up to World AIDS Day on Sunday, 1st December, which brand is activating the 'One Share One Condom' campaign?

10. Dabur India has roped in which celebrity as the new brand ambassador of air freshener product Odonil?

11. Which cricketer has become the latest to be signed up by Adidas?

12. Which MNC has acquired Chennai-based Prizm Payment Services, a provider of financial services to banks and financial institutions in India?

13. Which MNC has named Citigroup’s Neeraj Sahai as its new president?

14. Which advertising agency will bring media agency M/Six to India by January?

15. Which brand is the world’s most valuable brand, according to Forbes?

16. Which business school from India has found a place in top 39 elite business schools in the world named by MBA employers, according to QS Global Business School Report 2013?

17. Which portal has unveiled its new brand identity consisting of a refreshed company logo and tagline ‘My Show. My Time. My Seat’?

18. Which brand has launched a new campaign with the positioning that it will help one become a ‘Bheem-stein’?

19. Cadbury India has signed a memorandum of understanding with which state that will see it set up its largest manufacturing plant in the Asia-Pacific region?

20. Nitish Kapoor will be the new India MD from January for which MNC?

21. Which brand has launched its new television commercial titled ‘Pyaar ki Special Bhasha’?

22. Which company has bought the Canadian high commission’s building in central London for over Rs 3,120 crore (£306 million) signaling the group’s ambitious overseas plans?

23. Which MNC has announced the launch of its digital campaign, ‘Wake Up’, to establish its new brand positioning ‘Find Better’?

24. Which well known brand has launched a new digital campaign called ‘Confessions of a bride’?

25. The motor sports division of which business group from India will join the inaugural FIA Formula E championship beginning in September next year?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 505 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli