Biz Quizzard 535

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

1. Which business group last week unveiled the world’s largest terry towel plant in Madhya Pradesh?

2. Which MNC recently agreed to acquire Los Angeles-based NYX Cosmetics for an undisclosed price?

3. Which Australian fashion designer label is entering the Indian commercial fashion market in collaboration with R&B International, India, and Sudha Garments?

4. Forget Selfies. Which brand celebrated Father's Day with Foamies?

5. Which MNC is buying Micros Systems Inc., which provides software and hardware to the hospitality and retail industries, for about $5.3 billion?

6. Which MNC clinched its biggest acquisition ever, the $17 billion purchase of Alstom SA’s energy assets, after the resolution of the French government’s last condition of owning 20% stake?

7. Which business group and Swiss aerospace and defence firm RUAG Aviation are setting up an aircraft manufacturing facility in Hyderabad?

8. Global skin care giant Nivea is setting up its first plant in India. Which state?

9. Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov-backed TUI, Germany’s leading travel group, has taken controlling share of which travel company in India?

10. Which company has topped the list of 10 most influential brands in India, released by LinkedIn?

11. Which online fashion destination has signed on Lisa Haydon as brand ambassador?

12. Which brand has won the Best Marketing Campaign award at World Dairy Innovation Awards during the 8th Global Dairy Congress in Istanbul?

13. Which Pune-based group has entered into a joint venture with Belgium based Ikaros Solar Group, a company that operates in the solar energy space?

14. Which two wheeler brand is urging you to ‘Step up’ through its latest campaign?

15. Which public sector unit has become the 15th PSU to get the coveted Navratna status from the government?

16. Which two wheeler brand is being advertised with the positioning "Live off the edge"?

17. Comedy actor Kapil Sharma has been signed on to feature in the digital ad films for which soon-to-be-launched automobile brand?

18. Travel and lifestyle channel Fox Traveller has been renamed. What will it be known as?

19. Which insurance brand has launched its first advertising campaign aimed at establishing itself as a trusted companion in the long and happy journey of life?

20. Brightstar Corp, which is one of the largest distributors of mobile devices in the world, is all set to acquire majority stake in which Indian company?

21. Which MNC will unveil the world's most expensive sedan?

22. Which popular website is venturing onto radio with a weekly show on satellite radio service Sirius XM?

23. The engineering services arm of which company has bought a 74% stake in the Indian subsidiary of French defence and aerospace industry company Thales?

24. Which New York Stock Exchange-listed steel company has appointed Sridhar Krishnamoorthy as the Managing Director for its Indian operations?

25. Which Indian business personality, through his family office, has floated a joint venture - Taurus Business and Trade Services - in the e-commerce space with the global giant Amazon?

26. Which kitchen solutions brand has entered into the water purifier category in partnership with Swiss firm Lifestraw SA?

27. Which MNC has launched two `Indi Mix' flavours, aam panna and nimbu paani, in its low-alcohol brand in India?

28. Google has unveiled a programme that will see the company partner with local phone makers to create and sell affordable yet fully-functional Android phones. What has it been named?

29. Four Indians have made it to the latest annual Forbes list of ‘Heroes of Philanthropy in Asia Pacific’ among billionaires and business people. Name them?

30. Which global healthcare leader announced the launch of medical and healthcare information website `Univadis' in India?

31. Lalit Naik has been appointed as the new managing director of which company?

32. Which Japanese retail giant has announced its interest in opening up to 1,000 stores in India in the coming years to tap into the growing consumption story?

33. Which MNC’s movie and TV unit will snap up Britain's CSC media network for 107 million pounds ($180 million)?

34. Which combined entity will soon launch a fashion incubator, a first of its kind move by an Indian startup?

35. Which company has lost the manufacturing and distribution rights of consumer healthcare brands Dulcolax and Buscopan in India?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 535 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 534

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

1. Which company will soon start selling tablet computers under the brand DigiFlip?

2. Which automobile MNC is working on a project codenamed “Amber" to give a boost to its sagging sales in India and other emerging markets?

3. Which company has agreed to buy Covidien Plc for $42.9 billion in cash and stock and move its executive base to Ireland in the latest transaction aiming for lower corporate tax rates abroad?

4. Which company has recently launched 'Silver Breaks', packaged tours for the affluent senior citizens?

5. Mahindra Lifespaces Developers Ltd. (MLDL), a part of the Mahindra Group, last week launched its new business vertical for affordable housing. What has it been branded as?

6. Which brand has won the award for Best Vegan Candy at the first ever vegan food awards in India?

7. Which media group has launched its lifestyle channel, Veria Living, in the Middle-East region?

8. Messaging app Hike has crossed which user milestone?

9. Which country has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest issuer of corporate debt, according to a report released by Standard & Poor's?

10. Which company has become the world's third largest employer of people in the technology sector, with over 3 lakh employees?

11. Which company is claiming to be the first real estate developer in the country to generate solar power?

12. Which city has become the first kerosene-free (subsidised kerosene) city in India?

13. Which company has launched what it claims as the cheapest Android Kitkat-operating system based smartphone, in an exclusive partnership with online marketplace Snapdeal.com?

14. An easy one. Which organization is launching a mobile phone game 'Guardians of the Sky' to woo youngsters?

15. Which brand has launched its ‘Tree of Life’ campaign which spins the story of Utari and her affection for a particular tree?

16. Which company has said it has become the country's first real estate developer to get ISO 9001:2008 quality certification for development of housing and commercial projects?

17. UK's high-street fashion brands River Island and Blue Saint made their debut in India last week on which ecommerce portal?

18. Which media company has come up with a new campaign to promote its belief ‘Nothing should come in the way of entertainment’ with the tagline ‘Get Spoilt’?

19. Which business personality, through his $1-billion family office, has acquired a controlling stake in information security services company Paladion Networks?

20. Which writing instrument brand has signed on Deepika Padukone as brand ambassador?

21. Anirban Dey has quit as the managing director of the Indian operations of which IT MNC?

22. Which edible oil brand has launched a new television commercial titled "Ghar ka khana”?

23. Amazon last week unveiled its long-awaited smartphone. What has it been branded as?

24. Facebook Inc has launched a smartphone app that will allow consumers to exchange disappearing photos and videos without requiring Facebook accounts. What has it been branded as?

25. Which company has launched Signature Touch, a luxury mobile phone priced at just Rs 7.8 lakh?

26. Which company is tying up with Mumbai-based all-night delivery service Fly By Knight to sell packs of beverages and snacks, dubbed the `Perfect Consumption Match'?

27. Which company has bought an 87,444 sq ft property, 22 Hanover Square, in London's Mayfair for Rs 1,550 crore?

28. Harley-Davidson unveiled a new motorcycle, Project LiveWire, in the US. Why did this make news?

29. Which MNC has launched Pocket Avatars, a smartphone app that uses facial tracking technology to caricature a sender's expressions?

30. Dadi Balsara, 81, passed away in New Delhi last week. He was the founder of which well known brand?

31. SpiceJet and IndiGo have been placed among top 10 cheapest airlines in the world, according to a survey by a US travel website 'whichairline.com'. Which is the world’s cheapest airline?

32. Which financial services company has launched its first ever TV campaign, featuring veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah?

33. Which Indian sports personality picked up stake in the Singapore franchise of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a brainchild of veteran tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi?

34. Which MNC’s Nest Labs will buy home-monitoring camera startup Dropcam for about $555 million in cash?

35. Which company has acquired ‘She Comfort’ brand of sanitary napkin from Mumbai-based Royal Hygiene Care?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 534 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 533

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

1. Ernst & Young has named which business personality as its ‘world entrepreneur of the year’ for 2014?

2. Which automobile company is reportedly working on a new small car, codenamed Kite, to take on competition?

3. Chad Hurley and Steve Chen have reportedly parted their ways after 15 years of working together. They are the co-founders of which well known brand?

4. Which company has put the olive oil brands Marco Polo and OliRyze on block?

5. Videocon d2h has roped in which celebrity as the face of its new brand campaign on Indian values?

6. Which U.S-based e-tailer, popularly known for its cheap prices and its wide selection of electronic goods, plans on finally entering the Indian market?

7. With addition of over 10,000 jobs last fiscal, which bank has emerged as the biggest employer in the private banking space?

8. The television commercial of which ecommerce site features Billy, the father cat and Sunny, the son cat, with the theme 'Shopping Makes Me Happy.'?

9. Which company will acquire a controlling stake in Universal Power Systems, a mobile services company that does business under the name Techzone?

10. Emami is making a foray into India's male deodorant segment. Name the brand?

11. Which Fiat Group company has divested a 50% stake in its fully-owned Indian subsidiary in favour of Samvardhana Motherson International and has spun it into an equal joint venture?

12. The promoter family of which business group has forayed into higher education with a 50-acre, fully residential and co-education university located at Sidhrawali in Gurgaon district?

13. Which senior business executive has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M), for a term of three years?

14. Which Singapore-based company is set to launch a first-of-its-kind Rs 300-crore offshore fund, which will invest in Hollywood and South Indian films?

15. Which television channel has come out with a brand building film, six and a half minutes long ‘Sapnon ki udaan’, being touted at the world’s shortest film and the longest brand campaign?

16. Which music channel has donned a new look and tagline 'Forever Young'?

17. Which Chinese handset maker has hired Jabong co-founder Manu Kumar Jain to head its India operations?

18. Which MNC has entered into an agreement to buy satellite maker Skybox for USD 500 million in cash?

19. The Tamil Nadu government is launching which new commodity under the ‘Amma’ brand?

20. Which brand has overtaken Maruti Suzuki’s Alto as India's largest selling car for the month of May?

21. The Luxmi Group has acquired almost 90% stake in which iconic tea estate?

22. Which MNC has launched a new global go-to-market brand, Together Information for its Printing Solutions Business within the Global Solutions Business Group?

23. Which brand has launched a new campaign ‘Enjoy the Ride’ for its PC Tablets?

24. The board of directors of which company appointed Harish Badami as CEO & MD designate with effect from August 1?

25. Hair care brand Garnier Fructis has, for the first time, roped in a brand ambassador in India. Which celebrity?

26. Japan’s Meiji Seika has agreed to buy which Bangalore-based generic drug maker for $290 million?

27. Mozilla has partnered with which two companies to bring the first Firefox OS devices to India in the next few months?

28. Prakash Sangam has been appointed the new chief executive of which online firm?

29. Which MNC has said it will buy two mobile advertising companies, Adconion and Kontera Technologies, for a total of $385 million to further boost its digital business?

30. Which company has named former SAP AG executive board member Vishal Sikka as Chief Executive Officer, the first time the company has not chosen one of its founders for the role?

31. A new index termed RTB500 intends to track real time price movements of what?

32. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has unveiled its first direct-to-consumer online shop in the United States. What has it been branded as?

33. Who has topped the latest Forbes' list of world's 100 highest paid athletes?

34. Which automobile MNC has launched its campaign "Hello Life" in India?

35. Madhuri Dixit says ‘Game On’ in the television commercial (currently on air) for which brand, with the concept ‘Health ko mazedaar banaao’?

36. With 23.6 million views on YouTube, which brand’s ad has become India's most viral ad ever, according to Adweek?

37. Which luggage brand is showing young adults how to ‘Live Fashionable’ through its latest campaign?

38. Global private equity firm Bain Capital Partners is suing EY in a US court for advising it to invest in which Indian company?

39. Which company has signed a long-term franchise agreement to launch US label BCBG Max Azria in India?

40. IndiGo last week became the first airline in the country to introduce which service?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 533 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 532

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

1. Which Indian business personality has been honoured with the Harvard Medal at the annual meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association?

2. Which well known brand has launched the campaign ‘Pehle Wali Baat', showing it has stood the test of time and remained consistent?

3. Which brand has roped in Nana Patekar for its ‘Khushiyon ka Rangmanch’ campaign?

4. Which MNC has sold its camping business to France's Homair Vacances for Rs `892 crore (£89.20 million)?

5. Which country has overtaken Germany and Italy to emerge as the world's second largest textile exporter, according to data released by the Apparel Export Promotion Council?

6. Which country is the top destination for professionals who would like to move to pursue career opportunities, according to a ranking by London-based global recruitment firm Hydrogen Group?

7. Samsung plans to launch the first smartphone based on its Tizen operating system in the third quarter. What will it be branded as?

8. The government of which country has picked up a 1.06 per cent stake in gold loan company Muthoot Finance Ltd (MFL)?

9. Multi Screen Media (MSM) has launched a digital sports entertainment destination. What has it been branded as?

10. Which online marketplace has forayed in to men's apparel with the launch of `Denim Hangout'?

11. Ravi Kant has retired as the non-executive vice chairman of which company?

12. Kangana Ranaut features in the print ads of the new IVA collection of which jewellery brand?

13. Which lighting company plans to enter the home appliances segment, and will make water heaters, dry irons, steam irons and mixer grinders?

14. Microsoft Devices has launched its slimmest data phone in India. What has it been branded as?

15. Which hospitality brand from India has entered South-East Asia with an island resort in Langkawi, Malaysia?

16. Which social networking site has launched its first UK brand campaign "What’s your dream?", which aims to drive brand perception and engagement among its 15 million British members?

17. Which MNC is acquiring Pryte, a Finnish company that aims to make it easier for mobile phone users in under-developed parts of the world to use wireless Internet apps?

18. Which brand has launched its campaign ‘Stay Inspired’ featuring Farhan Akhtar?

19. Which company has unveiled the country's first online fashion week in partnership with Talenthouse India?

20. Axis Bank has for the first time roped in a celebrity as brand ambassador. Which celebrity?

21. Which business school is the only Indian B-school to be ranked on the Financial Times 2014 Executive Education Rankings?

22. Which advertising agency has acquired the business and assets of Bangalore-based creative agency Temple Advertising?

23. Which company’s human resources and staffing arm will buy Chennai-based industrial asset management firm Hofincons Infotech and Industrial Services?

24. Which MNC has completed the acquisition of the Australian company Mesaplexx in order to boost its radio capabilities in the networks business?

25. Which company has appointed former Bharti Airtel CEO Sanjay Kapoor as chairman?

26. Which MNC said it will acquire Namo Media, a technology firm specialising in “native advertising” for mobile devices?

27. Which brand has launched a digital campaign titled 'The Friendly Twist', showcasing its special packaging which helps to break the ice between students on their first day of college?

28. PepsiCo’s Global Snacks Group is launching its biggest worldwide integrated marketing campaign ever featuring which brand and football star?

29. Which online marketplace last week announced its foray in the hardware products segment with the launch of lighting, paints and sanitary fittings categories?

30. Why is the soon-to-be-released Malayalam movie "Test Paper" in the news?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 532 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 531

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week May 26 - 31. Hope you enjoy it.

1. The production of which iconic automobile brand has been suspended recently?

2. Which company has roped in former Samsung India Mobile Head Vineet Taneja as its new CEO?

3. Which country has replaced Mauritius as the top source of foreign direct investment into India, accounting for about 25 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2013-14?

4. Which beverage brand has launched its new campaign 'Be Natural Be Cool'?

5. Which brands have emerged as the top three meaningful brands in India, according to a study undertaken by Havas Media Group?

6. Liverpool's Luis Suarez, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger feature in the new ad of which MNC?

7. Which company has received the US health regulator’s nod to sell its flagship product “Maxio” in the biggest market in the world?

8. Which company has launched a phone claimed to be the world’s first mobile phone to support 21 languages?

9. Avinash Kaul, erstwhile chief executive officer of Times Now, ET Now and Zoom, is the new CEO of which media company?

10. Which company has announced the acquisition of US-based Stoneridge's wiring harness business for $65.7 million, becoming one of the largest players in the vehicle wiring business?

11. Which company has signed former Formula One driver Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna - the nephew of motor racing legend Aryton Senna - to compete in the inaugural FIA Formula E electric car championship starting this September?

12. Which company has inked a pact with Japan Steel Works for transfer of critical technology for steel melting and heavy forgings?

13. Which company might become the first Indian private insurer to have an international presence, having got permission to set up a subsidiary in the West Asia region?

14. The media services division of which advertising group has signed a mobile ad deal worth $230 million with Twitter Inc?

15. Which MNC is buying headphone maker and streaming music service Beats for $3 billion?

16. Who was the best paid CEO in USA last year, according to an Associated Press/Equilar pay study?

17. Which company last week announced its comeback into the Indian mobile market with a new range of phones - three smartphones and a feature phone?

18. Which apparel brand has launched its new campaign 'Gods of Summer'?

19. Which chief executive from India is ranked 36th on the Forbes' list of 100 most powerful women in the world?

20. Which company will acquire full control of Network 18 Media & Investments and TV 18 Broadcast (TV18) for Rs 4,000 crore through its arm Independent Media Trust (IMT)?

21. Who has been appointed as the group managing director and executive director of Hong Kong-based telecom and media giant PCCW effective July 14?

22. Which company has acquired Bangalore-based Balan Natural Foods B, a natural juice brand, for about Rs 100 crore?

23. Which Indian celebrity has chosen Dubai-based company The First Ferry, which has a presence in Singapore, London and New York, to launch her own design line?

24. Which Japanese stationery maker is entering the Indian pen and colouring products market, taking on mid-segment brands such as Parker, Cross and Camlin?

25. Which Indian business personality has been awarded the prestigious `Bundesverdienstkreuz', Germany's Cross of the Order of Merit?

26. Kerala-based spice company Synthite has entered the fast-growing curry masala market by launching a slew of products under which brand name?

27. Which beauty retailer is planning to add Marc Jacobs Beauty and Tarte brands to its portfolio in India?

28. Which business personality has purchased the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers franchise for $2 billion, a record for a professional basketball team?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 531 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli