Biz Quizzard 609

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

1. In a historic merger that will create the world's biggest drug maker, which MNC has agreed to buy Botox-maker Allergan in a $160 billion deal?

2. The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, an enterprise of Bharat Hotels, is looking to make operational its first overseas property by September next year. Which city?

3. Which automobile MNC plans to introduce a new brand called Fly in a few months to target the sub-125cc segment presently dominated by Honda Activa?

4. Which MNC is celebrating the incredible spirit of 104-yr-old marathon runner Fauja Singh in an inspiring video #100andRunning?

5. Which Hindi general entertainment channel has unveiled a refreshed brand identity with the new tagline ‘Har Pal Manoranjan’?

6. Which network gear maker will buy UK-based Acano Ltd for $700 million in cash and equity awards?

7. Which global marketing research firm has launched India's first digital advertisement measurement system?

8. Which payment gateway services platform last week announced the acquisition of all the businesses of Delhi-headquartered BankSmarts Solutions for an undisclosed amount?

9. Which drug firm last week said its subsidiary Alivira Animal Health will acquire Turkey's Topkim for 20.7 million Turkisk Lira (over Rs 48 crore)?

10. Titan has joined hands with which MNC to offer a range of smart watches to be launched soon?

11. Which company has acquired a speciality distributor MedybizPharma for an undisclosed amount?

12. Which company has launched an anti-diabetic product `Dynaglipt' targeting the middle class and rural diabetic patients?

13. Which company has inked a pact with Malaysia-based Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare (Ramsay) to offer diabetes care to people in that country?

14. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has recently given its final approval allowing food processing companies to use which ‘no calorie’ natural sweetener?

15. Which UAE-based luxury chocolate brand last week introduced a first-of-its-kind camel milk chocolate in India?

16. Which company will buy Videocon Telecom's spectrum in the Uttar Pradesh (West) and Gujarat circles for Rs 3,310 crore (about $500 million) in the country's first such trading deal?

17. Which contract manufacturer has formed a joint venture with Optiemus Infracom to make smartphones, tablets and smart devices in India?

18. US-based digital marketing company Cox Automotive has acquired a minority stake in which used-car retailer in India?

19. Which Bengaluru-based company has acquired 70-room Express Sarovar Portico business hotel in Surajkund from Express Infocom?

20. Tata Motors has unveiled the name of its upcoming small hatchback, code-named Kite till now. Name the brand?

21. The consumer products arm of which media company is all set to launch cafes, in association with Funbars Hospitalty?

22. Brand Equity last week published the Most Trusted Brands 2015 ranking. Which brand has topped the list?

23. Mercedes Benz India last week drove in its fastest car globally, priced at Rs 2.4 crore (ex-showroom Delhi). Name the brand?

24. Ratan Tata has invested an undisclosed amount in which Singapore-based big data company?

25. Which MNC will buy an additional 23% stake in Reliance Life Insurance from Anil Ambani group-run Reliance Capital for Rs 2,265 crore ($342 million)?

26. Which bank has launched a musical logo that will be used across its automated teller machines (ATMs), phone banking, mobile banking application and its website?

27. Which mobile handset maker has released a new ad film called #AndGeneration?

28. Ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, which brand has launched a global campaign to help create the world's first official safe sex emoji?

29. Which mutual fund has launched a new television commercial ‘Love Note’?

30. Who has emerged as the highest paid director among the top listed private companies, taking home a pay packet of nearly Rs 44 crore last fiscal, according to proxy advisory firm InGovern?

31. Which hyperlocal marketplace has rolled out its first ever television commercial with the tagline ‘local store ko aap tak laaye!’?

32. Which retail chain has raced ahead in the consumer electronics and cellphone retailing business to become the country's largest seller of durable and technology products by revenue?

33. In a record-setting transaction, which realty developer has sold a super luxury duplex apartment in South Mumbai's tony Altamount Road locality at Rs 1.60 lakh per sq ft?

34. Which jewellery retailer from India has tied up with California-based Martian Watches for smart jewellery?

35. Which Pune-based real-estate developer has tied up with the Taj Hotels and Resorts to enter the hospitality segment?

36. Which direct insurance company has developed a digital ad campaign called 'Don't be a Boo Boo', aimed to create awareness about road safety?

37. German mechanical and plant engineering firm Dürr has acquired which Chennai-based Indian supplier?

38. Shilpa Shetty-backed company has entered the consumer electronics market with the launch of mobile phones. What has the range been branded as?

39. Which peer-to-peer international calling app has launched local calling at 19 paise a minute?

40. This is a laudable move. Which business group has launched Nyaya Bharti, a programme to legally and financially support underprivileged undertrials?

41. Revenue from online ticketing on Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) crossed which milestone mark in the year to March?

42. Which company has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% stake in Religare Health Trust Trustee Manager, a Singapore incorporated company?

43. Which lingerie and nightwear brand recently launched its first-ever print campaign titled #underfashion?

44. A two-wheeler taxi service will launch in Gurgaon on December 1, providing commuters another transportation option to cover short distances in the city. What has it been branded as?

45. Which brand has been ranked as India's most creative brand, according to a TRA Research study?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 609 as the subject.

Happy learning!

rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 608

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

1. Which MNC will buy Sheraton owner Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc in a $ 12.2 billion deal to create the world’s largest hotel chain?

2. Which company has won the broadcast rights of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) for five years until 2019?

3. Chivas Regal has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador and has launched its new, India-specific brand campaign called 'Win The Right Way'?

4. Which retailer in India has launched Magic Mirror, an innovative augmented reality-based dressing room?

5. Which company last week launched its own brand of instant noodles with the tagline `jhatpat banao, befikar khao'?

6. US private equity firm KKR has signed a definitive agreement to acquire over 70% stake in which Mumbai-based investment bank?

7. Which company has acquired German tyre distribution major Reifencom for 45.6 million euro (around Rs 301 crore)?

8. Which company has acquired a majority stake in Taskbucks - a mobile-only tasks marketplace, which matches consumers with brands and enterprises on its unique platform?

9. Which company has acquired a 51% stake in Chennai-based fitness chain, Inshape Health and Fitnez Pvt Ltd through an all cash-deal?

10. Who has been ranked 'most valuable star’ by editors at culture and entertainment website Vulture[dot]com?

11. Which pizza chain has tied up with PepsiCo's snack brand Kurkure to sell Kurkure pizzas at its stores?

12. Which domestic handset-maker has launched an Android-based smartphone especially designed for kids up to 15 years of age?

13. Which company plans to sell 49% of its power generation, transmission and distribution businesses related to its Mumbai operations to Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), one of the largest pension fund managers in Canada?

14. Which company is all set to launch its first integrated brand campaign titled `Har Zaroorat Poori Ho Chutki Mein, Bank Aapki Muthi Mein'?

15. Which Chinese company last week inked a MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up a Rs 2,800-crore solar cell plant at Atchutapuram in Visakhapatnam district?

16. Which advertising agency has elevated its India CEO Saurabh Varma as CEO for South Asia?

17. Which company has roped in Lisa Haydon as brand ambassador for Lacelle color contact lenses?

18. Which travel search marketplace has announced the launch of ‘Super Value Hotels’, a new meta-search across curated budget hotels on its website?

19. Which is India’s most meaningful brand, according to a study by Havas?

20. Which MNC bank has appointed has appointed Zarin Daruwala as India CEO?

21. Which healthy dining chain has acquired food delivery startup Call A Meal for an undisclosed amount?

22. Apple crossed which milestone sales mark in Indian operations for the first time in the year ended March, according to results filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC)?

23. Which company has signed a five-year deal with the Association of Tennis Professionals for exclusive broadcast rights for all major ATP World Tour events for India and the rest of SAARC countries?

24. Which MNC last week announced the launch of 'Ek Kadam Unnati Ki Aur', an initiative aimed at working with the government to create the blueprint for the digitisation of rural India?

25. Which company has tied up with German cheese maker Hochland to import and market latter's cream cheese brand Almette in India?

26. Which beverage brand has launched a 'Facebook only' campaign talking about the various challenges of 'Mehmaan Nawaazi'?

27. Which health insurance company has announced the appointment of Ashish Mehrotra as its managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO)?

28. The cabinet has given its approval to Air India to sell four residential flats in Mumbai for Rs 90 crore. Who is the buyer?

29. Which automobile brand has launched a new brand campaign titled ‘Aaj ke zamaney ki leap’?

30. Which MNC has appointed V Raja as its new vice-chairman and managing director for India from December?

31. Which payment gateway firm has launched 'Magic Retry', a feature that will allow consumers to retry a failed transaction by simply picking up from the point where the last error message appeared?

32. Which American institutional investment firm has sold its boutique luxury property Devigarh Palace in Udaipur to former polo player and kin of Jodhpur royal family, Nikhilendra Singh?

33. Buoyed by the success of its sugar-free fizzy drink Coke Zero, Coca-Cola India is planning to test-market the zero-calorie option of which beverage brand?

34. Which online travel and hotel services provider has appointed Deepak Tuli, former co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Goibibo as its Senior Vice-President-Growth Business?

35. US-based assets management major Invesco is buying out the 51% stake of which Indian company in their mutual fund joint venture?

36. Which on-demand transportation app has tied up with MapmyIndia for a multiyear licence?

37. Which media company has entered into a strategic alliance with Shah Rukh Khan-owned Red Chillies Entertainment to explore opportunities in co-produced television, digital and film content?

38. Which online marketplace will bring the popular ‘Black Friday’ sale to India?

39. Which Direct-to-home (DTH) service provider has appointed Arun Kumar Kapoor as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from November 23?

40. Which company has launched anti-diabetic drug teneligliptin under the brand ‘Tenglyn’ at an aggressive price of Rs 7 per day?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 608 as the subject.

Happy learning!

rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 607

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

1. Which car brand has become the best-ever selling model in India with a cumulative total of more than 29 lakh units sold till October 2015?

2. India’s leading social media and digital agency, Social Wavelength has changed its name. What will it be known as?

3. Which MNC last week announced a multi-billion-dollar deal to take over video streaming service Youku Tudou, China’s equivalent to YouTube?

4. Not sure if I covered this before. Which company has entered into an in-principle agreement for the strategic acquisition of the Kattupalli Port in Tamil Nadu from L&T Shipbuilding?

5. General Electric has won a $2.6 billion (Rs 17,250 crore) order, the biggest in it’s over 100-year history in India. Who is the client?

6. Which ecommerce major has launched a project code-named Udaan to go offline across the country?

7. Which MNC has become the first Swiss watchmaker to offer a “smartwatch" to customers?

8. Which MNC has teamed up with The Viral Fever (TVF) to roll out its latest campaign called #Goodweird?

9. US aviation major Boeing and which company last week announced a joint venture that will manufacture aerostructures for AH-64 Apache attack choppers, recently ordered by India?

10. Who is the most powerful woman in the Indian business sector, according to the latest list by Fortune India?

11. Which manufacturer of PVC profiles in India has launched a television commercial promising a #Soundproof Diwali?

12. Having entered the fruit based jelly confectionery segment with Jellicious Strawberry, Candyman has introduced its second flavor. Which flavor?

13. Which Chinese billionaire bought Amedeo Modigliani’s Nu Couché for $170.4 million last week at Christie’s in New York, making it the second- highest auction price for any artwork?

14. Which commercial vehicles manufacturer has released a video 'Yaaron ki Diwali' that addresses safe driving during the festive season?

15. Which retail chain has launched its festive campaign 'Dildaar Diwali', drawing attention to the problems faced by animals due to loud crackers?

16. Which company has acquired about 40% stake in UK-based OakNorth Bank for $100 million (Rs 660 crore), making it the lender's biggest shareholder?

17. Which online automobile classifieds firm has acquired rival CarWale from German media conglomerate Axe Springer signalling the rising consolidation in the industry segment?

18. Which taxi-booking company has acquired Geotagg, a trip-planning applications company, for an undisclosed sum to strengthen its new bus-shuttle service?

19. Which company is all set to become the first bank to offer wallet services for feature phone users in India?

20. Who has become the first Indian to be elected the vice-chairman of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the bank for global central banks which works to improve the financial stability and prescribes rules for banks across the globe?

21. The government has appointed IS Jha as chairman and managing director of which state-run transmission utility for a period of five years?

22. Sony will finally stop producing which product in March 2016, long after people stopped using them?

23. Which MNC has made a formal $107 billion offer to buy SABMiller, sealing a long-anticipated deal that combines the world's biggest brewers into a company controlling about half the industry's profit?

24. Which DTH operator has launched the 'Missed Call' campaign, featuring Kangana Ranaut and Dhanush?

25. Which menswear brand has launched its new campaign ‘Be Everything You Love’?

26. Which airline has launched a digital campaign #HamariPehliDiwali?

27. Taxi-hailing service provider Ola has launched a dedicated mobile payments app. What has it been branded as?

28. Which Indian company has signed a joint venture agreement with five South Korean cosmetic companies through their arm PLK International?

29. Which MNC bank has elevated Gunit Chadha, its co-CEO to CEO-Asia?

30. Which CEO has topped the list of top-50 global business leaders by Fortune?

31. Which IT major will train 1,000 British graduates as a part of an initiative to develop UK talent?

32. Which celebrity, with business partner Benoit Demouy, has launched her own fashion and beauty agency called Fr8me?

33. Which popular watch making company will buy fitness band maker Misfit for $260 million?

34. Which fashion brand has launched a music video ‘Tripping High’, featuring actor Arjun Kapoor?

35. Madame Tussauds’ wax museum is coming to India. Which city?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 607 as the subject.

Happy learning!

rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 606

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

1. Which company is merging the telecom business of Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) (MTS) in a cashless deal worth Rs 4,500-5000 crore?

2. Which Mumbai-based home utility services startup has acquired Zepper Services?

3. Mr Brijmohan Lall Munjal, 92, passed away on November 1st. He was the founder of which business group?

4. Which electrical appliances company has launched a new brand film ‘We are family’?

5. Which company has launched ‘Samayam’ – a news, entertainment and lifestyle content destination available in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages?

6. Which online furniture retailer has launched a new campaign “Is Diwali Kuch Badal Ke Dekhiye”?

7. Which confectionery brand has launched a new campaign with the tagline ‘Chali hawa mastani’?

8. Arre, the digital media brand from UDigital, will launch a show based on the Israeli format Re-Gender. What first is it claiming?

9. Which fast food chain has forayed into packaged products for the first in India and has tied up with online grocery delivery platform Grofers to deliver its packaged and fresh products at consumers' doorsteps?

10. The passenger vehicle unit of Tata Motors has roped in which celebrity as its global brand ambassador?

11. Which company is set to unveil a new hatchback, code-named Kite, by early December 2015?

12. YK Koo is set to become the India managing director of which automobile MNC?

13. Which MNC has agreed to acquire Visa Europe Ltd. in a deal valued at $23.4 billion?

14. Which video game maker will buy Candy Crush Saga creator King Digital Entertainment for $5.9 billion to strengthen its mobile games portfolio?

15. Ratan Tata has made a strategic investment in which US-based wi-fi first mobile virtual network operator, headed by Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia?

16. Which company is claiming to be building the world’s largest Internet of Things (IoT) network in India?

17. Which sports footwear, hardware and apparel maker has been allowed to operate fully-owned stores in the first major approval by the NDA government for 100% FDI single-brand retailing?

18. Multi Screen Media (MSM), which runs the Sony brand of channels in India, will be renamed. What will it be called?

19. Which company has sold French winery Bouvet Ladubay to an undisclosed buyer as part of its restructuring exercise?

20. Amazon[dot]com Inc is set to open its first physical book store. Which city?

21. Which pain reliever brand has roped in tennis diva Sania Mirza and Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors?

22. Forbes Media, in partnership with Worldfone, a Maltese mobile company, has announced the launch of a mobile service for world travelers. What has it been branded as?

23. Which MNC has announced the launch of its international pet food brand 'Eukanuba' in India?

24. Which fairness brand has launched #HandsomeLife, a digital campaign, with Hrithik Roshan as the brand ambassador?

25. Which online furniture and home décor company has released a short film titled ‘The Homecoming’?

26. Which retail chain has launched its ‘Paper Patakha’ ad film to promote a cleaner and safer Diwali for a better tomorrow?

27. Which MNC confirmed last week that it will launch a new global luxury car brand called Genesis?

28. Angry Birds-maker Rovio has struck a carrier-billing deal with which mobile operator in India?

29. Which MNC has launched a new `On' series of handsets aimed at youth?

30. Which MNC has bagged the deal for supply of 500 MW solar power to NTPC by bidding Rs 4.63 per unit, a record low for India?

31. Which Pune-based maker of a range of pickles, condiments and ready to eat/cook products, has acquired Kolkata-based brand Elmac Agro Manufacturing Ltd for Rs 30 crore?

32. Which company has tied up with DTH service provider Airtel Digital TV to launch a movie premiere service called Miniplex?

33. Which fitness tracking wearable brand has launched its 360-degree campaign #Findyourfit in India?

34. Which MNC has agreed to buy vacation rental site HomeAway Inc for about $3.9 billion in cash and stock, in a move that could ramp up competition with apartment-sharing startup AirBnB?

35. Which sports personality has invested an undisclosed amount in Paree, an affordable brand of sanitary napkins manufactured by Noida-based Soothe Healthcare?

36. Ford India has recently crossed which milestone at its Chennai plant?

37. Which MNC has entered the Indian smartphone market by launching two devices, the Liquid Z530 and the Liquid Z630s?

38. Which US-based technology outsourcing company will buy a 53% stake in mid-tier Indian IT firm Polaris Consulting & Services for Rs 1,173 crore?

39. Which real estate website has promoted Jason Kothari as chief executive officer?

40. Which travel and visa services company has appointed Zubin Karkaria as the global chief executive officer?

41. Which 256-year-old beer brand is going vegan?

42. Which brand / initiative last week became the first non-US based brand to have a Twitter emoji?

43. Which chocolate brand has launched its ‘Badhti Dosti’ campaign?

44. Which ice-cream brand has launched its ‘Brown Is In’ commercial?

45. Which cricketer-turned-businessman is now entering the affordable luxury segment by bringing Italian designer silverware brand Greggio and German porcelain brand KAHLA to the country?

46. Which business personality will buy 49.2% stake in Quantum Advisors which operates Quantum Mutual Fund?

47. Which company has acquired Indian Realty Exchange, a mobile-first aggregator of real estate agents, for an undisclosed sum?

48. Which MNC last week launched Priv, its first Android-based device?

49. Which company has picked up a 25% stake in home beauty-services marketplace BigStylist for Rs 6.4 crore?

50. Which company has announced the acquisition of the baby-care brand “Little’s”?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 606 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 605

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

1. Which telecom tower operator has joined the Wi-Fi bandwagon by incorporating a new subsidiary, Smartx Services Limited?

2. Which tile and sanitaryware maker has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Andhra Pradesh-based Anjani Tiles to set up a ceramic vitrified tiles facility in Nellore?

3. Which automobile brand is being advertised with the positioning 'Follow No One'?

4. Instagram has unveiled a new feature allowing users to post one-second video loops. What has it been branded as?

5. The investment arm of which business personality has picked up a significant minority stake in Mumbai-based Hygienic Research Institute (HRI), the owner of brand Vasmol, for about Rs 220 crore?

6. Which company has signed an agreement to acquire full stake in Mumbai-based adventure holiday company Nature Trails Resorts for an undisclosed sum?

7. Which integrated business services provider has signed a deal to buy Sri Lankan arm of human resources service provider Randstad India for an undisclosed amount?

8. Ratan Tata and Mohandas Pai have invested in which online deal-making platform?

9. Which express delivery service is set to acquire Townrush, a Bangalore-based hyperlocal delivery player?

10. Which company last week announced the acquisition of Zigwheels[dot]com, one of India’s leading auto portals, from Times Internet?

11. Which company is selling its power systems business in Canada to PTI Holdings Corporation for C$ 20 million?

12. Viacom 18 Digital Ventures, the digital arm of Viacom18, last week announced its new OTT video platform's brand name and identity. What has it been branded as?

13. Which instant messaging based delivery startup has acquired Zoyo, an artificial intelligence-based platform that allows users to shop over chat?

14. Which MNC has named Narendra Nayak as managing director for its India operations?

15. Which company has partnered with the Bhasin Group for construction of Festival City, the country's tallest composite steel structure?

16. Which yet-to-be-launched online venture has acquihired the fashion vertical of Bengaluru-based brand Eat.Shop.Love. (ESL) to power its foray into ecommerce?

17. Cadbury India has roped in south Indian actress Jyothika as brand ambassador for which brand?

18. Which luggage brand has roped in actor Varun Dhawan as brand ambassador?

19. RC Venkateish has resigned as the CEO of which DTH operator?

20. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has tied up with HDFC Bank and MasterCard in a move that will create the largest e-commerce platform in the country. What has it been branded as?

21. Which MNC unveiled its fuel cell sedan Clarity at the 44th Tokyo Auto Show?

22. Which company has launched FooGo, a new food discovery and delivery app at the Mumbai and Delhi airports?

23. Which MNC has launched a digital film #25Everyday to mark its 25th year in India?

24. Flipkart has partnered with which retailer to showcase its exclusive phone portfolio in retail stores across India?

25. Which two-wheeler brand has launched its newest campaign ‘Make Life a sport’?

26. Times Network last week launched India's first real estate and property business television channel. What has it been branded as?

27. Which company has agreed to acquire 51% stake in marquee Delhi-based Saket City Hospital (SCH) for about Rs 350 crore from Smart Health City, a Singapore-based company of the BK Modi Group?

28. Which company has acquired PowerObjects, a US-based provider of Microsoft Dynamics customer resource management solution, for $46 million, or about Rs 299 crore?

29. Rajeev Bakshi will step down as the India managing director of which MNC retailer by the end of January 2016?

30. Which company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire supply chain software and services company Interactive Business Information Systems Inc (IBIS) for $14 million (Rs 92crore)?

31. Which company is all set to become the first Indian media and entertainment company to foray into theatre production?

32. Which newly-launched brand has launched its first ad campaign 'Goodness Ki Shuruaat'?

33. Which Fashion focused etailer has appointed former Benetton India MD Sanjeev Mohanty as its chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD), effective early December 2015?

34. Century Textiles & Industries has named which business personality as its vice chairman, an ascension that was due for a while?

35. Which radio broadcaster has joined hands with the Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) to set up a custom-produced 24x7 airport radio station - the first in India?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 605 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli