Biz Quizzard 817

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

1. Which news platform has claimed to have become the only digital-first original news brand to cross 10-million subscriber base on YouTube?

2. Which private outdoor gear firm has bagged an order from the Ministry of Defence to design, develop and deliver 1.8 lakh units of 90-litre rucksacks equipped to carry supplies for 30 days?

3. Which MNC last week said it would pay $600 million for a majority stake in Kylie Jenner's make-up and skincare businesses, as it looks to tap into the reality TV star's huge social media reach?

4. US-based private equity fund Advent International has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in which biopharmaceutical company, valuing it at $500 million (Rs 3,500 crore)?

5. The bankruptcy court has ordered corporate insolvency resolution process for which grounded South Indian low-cost air carrier?

6. Which Bengaluru-based group has picked up 28.99% stake in commercial development of a DB Realty project in Mumbai’s Bandra locality?

7. Which automobile company has inked a pact with commercial EV fleet provider Lithium Urban Technologies to address mobility solutions across passenger, mass transit and freight segments?

8. Which sanitary pad brand has launched the campaign ‘1-2-3, I’m wetness free’?

9. Which food delivery platform has recently launched a concept of food gully on its platform along with a new marketing campaign, ‘#EatsNewEveryday’?

10. Which business personality has been conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for her achievement in healthcare and contribution to society at large?

11. Which hotel chain has engaged sarod duo Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayan Ali to create two albums titled 'New Delhi' and ‘Raga’ that bring the soul of the brand alive through mesmerising music?

12. Which Indian houseware products manufacturer has announced that it won the 'Brand of the Year' award at the World Branding Awards 2019?

13. Which hygiene and wellness brand has announced an awareness campaign '#cleanisnotsanitized' on World Toilet Day?

14. Which airline is entering into a partnership with health technology start-up Mfine to provide pollution masks to its passengers taking flights to Delhi from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kolkata?

15. Which MNC has acquired US-based CloudSimple for an undisclosed amount, a move that will help the tech giant further strengthen its cloud business?

16. Which company last week announced installation of the first charging station at its flagship showroom in Gurugram ahead of the launch of its first electric vehicle (EV) SUV, ZS?

17. Which Indian pharma company has launched in the US, generic potassium chloride for oral solution used for treatment and prevention of hypokalemia?

18. Which Indian political personality has joined UK-based advisory firm CTD Advisors as strategic adviser?

19. Which brand has launched the campaign ‘#Manenough’ for Men’s Day?

20. Airbnb has launched the campaign ‘#RoyaltyOnAirbnb’ for which property, as part of an initiative?

21. Which eyewear company has unveiled its first TVC with brand ambassador Bhuvan Bam to launch its one-of-a-kind range – AIR?

22. Which company has launched its first-ever digital campaign for its flooring solutions, featuring celebrity couple Shakti Arora and Neha Saxena?

23. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week superseded the board of which troubled mortgage lender, citing “governance concerns and defaults”?

24. Anil Nair has stepped down as CEO and MD of which advertising agency?

25. The youngest global advertising holding company, S4 Capital’s MediaMonks has merged which Delhi-based content and production company with itself?

26. Which Mumbai-headquartered logistics firm’s European subsidiary has acquired majority stakes in Hong Kong-based PAK DA (HK) Logistics and Singapore based Spechem Supply Chain Management (Asia)?

27. Binance, a global cryptocurrency exchange, has acquired which Mumbai-based bitcoin exchange?

28. Pramit Jhaveri has decided to seek early retirement from the position of India head of which bank?

29. Which fitness and lifestyle brand has unveiled its latest campaign ‘She Got Ree’, featuring brand ambassador Katrina Kaif?

30. Which tourism board last week announced the launch of a new campaign ‘A Story Takes Flight’, featuring leading Hollywood stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson and Zoe Saldana?

31. Which menswear brand unveiled a new digital campaign ‘The Day Men Forgot’ on the occasion of International Men’s Day?

32. Which Chinese industrial gases maker is setting up an Indian subsidiary, NovaAir India, with an initial investment of $60 million?

33. Emami Ltd has roped in actor Tiger Shroff as brand ambassador of which fragrance brand?

34. This should be easy. Which of confectionery brand has rolled out a campaign, CompliMentos, in India?

35. Which digital ad verification agency has announced the acquisition of contextual intelligence solutions provider ADmantX?

36. International question. Which coffee chain has appointed former McDonald's UK Chief Executive Officer Jill McDonald as its new CEO from December 2?

37. International question. Which payment processor said it would buy privately held shopping and rewards platform Honey Science for about $4 billion?

38. Which education technology firm has launched it’s first-ever ATL campaign, to kick-off a 360-degree campaign named ‘Let’s Crack It’?

39. Which tech-enabled used car marketplace has announced the launch of its new social media campaign 'Mentenance' to create awareness on men’s health?

40. Which company last week claimed it had become the first private enterprise in the country to secure the ´Green Channel Status´ from the Defence Ministry?

41. Which DTH operator launched the ‘#TumseHumareTaarJudeHai’ video on the occasion of World Television Day?

42. Which company has entered into an agreement to buy IDBI Bank’s mutual funds business?

43. Which payments startup has acquired payroll and HR management software firm Opfin as it widens the bouquet of services for its merchant partners?

44. Which skin and intimate care brand has roped in actress Swara Bhaskar to endorse its range of products?

45. Which CEO has occupied the top spot in Fortune's Businessperson of the Year 2019 list?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 817 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!

rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 816

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

1. Which company has become the first financial company to be admitted into Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) proceedings?

2. Which brand has announced its entry into flavoured condom market and has launched a campaign, ‘#GoPlaces’?

3. Which wellness brand has announced the launch of Quista kidz, a super tasty, nutritional supplement formulated for children aged between three and 10 years?

4. Chinese technology giant Tencent has entered the India insurance market by acquiring a 10% stake in which online insurance aggregator?

5. Flipkart has entered into a strategic relationship with which smartphone brand that grants it the use of the iconic brand for smart TVs in India - a global first for the brand in the TV category?

6. Which Indian drug maker has sold its entire stake in its Japanese subsidiary Kyowa for $300 million to private equity firm Unison?

7. JK Cement has announced a brand refresh for its brand JK Wall Putty. What is the new brand?

8. Which life insurance brand has launched a new campaign titled ’#NoTermPlanLikeThis’ complete with a television commercial (TVC) starring its brand ambassador Vicky Kaushal?

9. Which MNC has announced the launch of a new campaign ‘#ImKiddinit’ from November 12 - November 24, on the occasion of Children's day?

10. Human performance company Under Armour has launched a digital film titled ‘Story of Will’, showcasing which sports team?

11. Which online marketplace will empower brands in India to directly remove a seller’s listings from its platform through a new programme called Project Zero?

12. Which company will sell its entire stake in Bangladesh-based Emirates Cement Bangladesh (ECBL) and Emirates Power Company (EPCL) to Germany’s HeidelbergCement?

13. Which company will sell its education business Schoolnet India to Career Point Publications?

14. Which bank has partnered with Masala Coffee, a Kochi-based music band, to launch a campaign ‘I Live the Metro Life’ that celebrates the essence of the deeply cultural yet modern Kochi life?

15. Which steel pipes manufacturer has launched the ‘Desh ki Andekhi Taqat’ corporate brand campaign with Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador?

16. Which Bengaluru-based electric vehicle startup last week unveiled its first electric motorcycle, F77, which will hit the roads in the third quarter of 2020?

17. Which electric vehicles startup has recently appointed automobile industry veteran and former president of Hyundai India, BVR Subbu, to its board?

18. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd, (The Times Group) has marked its entry into beauty services with the launch of first salon in Mumbai. What has it been branded as?

19. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), last week opened its India headquarters. Which city?

20. New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed which Indian as honorary trustee?

21. Which FMCG major will pick up a 33.42% stake in Bengaluru-based start-up Delectable Technologies Pvt Ltd, a vending machine maker?

22. Which business school in India has launched a new executive education programme in ‘Digital Disruptions and Emerging Technologies in Financial Services’ along with the Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University, in New York City (NYC)?

23. Which MNC has unveiled its super-light, built-for-business convertible laptop, the Elite Dragonfly, in India?

24. Which financial platform has introduced a modern stock simulator, Moneybhai?

25. Extending the festive cheer, which automobile company announced the launch of its new 'India ki Doosri Diwali' campaign, to celebrate the success of its SCV range?

26. Loyalty rewards programme Jet Privilege has been rebranded. What is the new name?

27. Ford Motor will use which iconic brand and insignia on an electric crossover utility vehicle coming next year?

28. Which company’s subsidiary Topcoder last week said it has launched Talent-as-a-Service (TaaS)?

29. Which company has sold its Dubai wealth management business to Anshu Jain-backed InCred Capital as it prunes non-core business activities to focus on lending activities?

30. Which innerwear brand last week released advertisements celebrating 25 years in India?

31. Which Naspers-backed consumer lending platform has acquired a non-banking finance company and sought RBI’s permission to begin lending on its own?

32. Which business personality has invested an additional Rs 888.5 crore into his latest venture, BAC Acquisitions, recently renamed Navi Technologies, according to filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs?

33. Which pharma company last week announced its entry into the nutrition segment with the launch of its diabetes nutrition drink ‘Celevida’ in India?

34. Which imaging technologies company has launched a brand campaign for its globally proclaimed ‘Never Stop’ in India?

35. Which brand has unveiled the #ShutThePhoneUp 3.0 campaign, asking people not to be silent victims of sex crimes?

36. GSK Consumer Healthcare has expanded the brand Horlicks, a leading health food drink (HFD), into the adult segment with the launch of which new variant?

37. Which QSR chain has launched its first ad campaign with popular YouTuber Bhuvan Bam?

38. Which fashion brand has launched the ‘#ProudToBeMore’ campaign, celebrating the lives and works of those championing the LGBTQIA+ cause?

39. Which fragrance brand has announced the launch of its new range of fragrances through a new campaign that features its new brand ambassadors – actors Kartik Aaryan and Tara Sutaria?

40. Which MNC is teaming up with two banks, Citigroup and the Stanford Federal Credit Union, to begin offering a “smart checking” account next year?

41. Which real estate and infrastructure development company has launched a social media campaign ‘#ShowerKiSachchai’?

42. Which brand from Hamdard has launched a campaign with the message ‘Taste karoge hate, face banega great’?

43. Which athletic brand has said that it will no longer sell its sneakers and apparel on Amazon?

44. Which social media platform has teamed up with Gucci to roll out a new Portal Lens that transport you to a 3D world where you can interact with objects?

45. Which broadcaster has launched Children’s Day campaign – #Khulke Bolo – encouraging kids to be themselves and speak openly without any fear and filter?

46. Future Group has partnered which US agri-multinational to launch its products in India by year-end?

47. Which broadcaster has acquired the exclusive media rights for the world’s first professional franchise-based motorsport league, X1 Racing League along with the media rights for X1 Racing eSports?

48. Which knowledge-sharing website has named Gurmit Singh as its India general manager?

49. The Supreme Court last week paved the way for which MNC to take over Essar Steel by upholding the primacy of financial creditors in the distribution of funds received under the corporate insolvency scheme?

50. Starbucks last week opened its world’s biggest store ever. Which city?

51. Which company has completed the acquisition of the Coimbatore-based electric scooter company Ampere Vehicles by acquiring the entire shareholding of Hemalatha Annamalai, founder of Ampere, through secondary purchase?

52. Former BMW purchasing chief and engineer Markus Duesmann will be the new chief of which automobile MNC from April?

53. Which Australian performance nutrition brand has forayed into the Indian market through its exclusive Indian partner Smart Brands?

54. Which tourism board has become the first US destination to open a tourism office in India?

55. Which Chinese smartphone manufacturer has patented a foldable phone concept that folds vertically just like recently launched Motorola Razr foldable smartphone?

56. Which watch brand has forayed into the smart wearables category with a range of hybrid smartwatches – Stride?

57. Advertising personality Ram Ray, 77, passed away in Kolkata last week. He was the founder and chairman of which agency?

58. International movie theatre circuit, Cinépolis has announced the relaunch of which iconic theatre brand in Delhi?

59. Which luxury automobile brand has launched its premium beverages in India?

60. Ending this edition on a sombre note, more so since I was once part of this company. Which company has posted a quarterly loss of Rs 50,921.9 crore, the worst in India’s corporate history?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 816 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 815

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

1. Which country last week approved the initial public offering of the world’s most profitable company?

2. Singapore’s Temasek is teaming up with which Swedish private equity group to launch a new renewable energy platform for India?

3. Which company last week said it will acquire 100% stake in Isagro (Asia) Agrochemicals for Rs 345 crore as part of its plans to expand manufacturing capacity?

4. Xerox Holdings Corp has agreed to sell its 25% stake in which joint venture to its Japanese partner?

5. Which company has announced a joint venture with Rockefeller Foundation to supply electricity at affordable tariffs to domestic and commercial clusters in rural areas through micro grids?

6. Which MNC last week fired Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook because he had a consensual relationship with an employee?

7. Which healthcare major has unveiled a new television ad as part of its integrated ‘#StrongerTogether’ campaign, capturing the concerns of people over 40 who are dealing with loss of muscle and strength?

8. Which hair colour brand has roped in actress Anushka Sharma as its new brand ambassador?

9. I am glad am too old to understand this. Which brand has forayed into the male grooming segment in India with the launch of men hair removal cream?

10. Which IT firm has acquired New York-based marketing and media solutions agency BORN Group for up to $95 million (Rs 672 crore) in cash?

11. Which advertising agency last week announced the launch of a new marketing solutions division Slingshot?

12. Which MNC last week launched the campaign ‘#LeaveYourCarBehind’?

13. Which latest offering from Coca-Cola’s global basket is now made in India with fruits sourced from Indian farms and available in two scrumptious flavours: Peach and Strawberry-Banana?

14. Which skincare brand has announced its association with actress Kriti Sanon as its brand endorser?

15. Which automobile MNC has announced a fashion collaboration with Giorgio Armani as part of its long-promised strategy to squeeze more value out of the storied company's allure?

16. Which automobile company has launched the campaign ‘#ChangeWhatYouCan’?

17. Which Indian snack and sweet brand has ventured into the US e-commerce market through Amazon's Global Selling Program?

18. Which Chinese conglomerate has finally unveiled its rumoured smartphone named Nut Pro 3 under the Smartisan brand in China?

19. Which MNC has launched its first television commercial in India, introducing its 'Grab and Go' gaming range?

20. Which Indian conglomerate recently celebrated its 50 years of operations in Thailand?

21. Which Chinese conglomerate has snapped up the Thomas Cook brand for 11 million pounds (USD 14.2 million), weeks after the renowned British travel group went bust?

22. Which company and Toyota Tsusho Group last week announced an equal joint venture for vehicle dismantling and recycling in India?

23. Which automobile company has launched a digital film titled ‘Maine to Sunah Hai’ (So I have heard) featuring actor Vijay Raaz as the protagonist Sharma Ji?

24. Which company seems to have expanded into the beauty and wellness vertical with ‘Orange Something’?

25. Which payment solutions provider has roped in actor-director Farhan Akhtar as its brand ambassador?

26. One word to describe this ad – bold. Which soup brand has launched a commercial titled 'One Night With Karan’?

27. Which pre-owned luxury car dealer has announced its venture into used premium motorcycles?

28. In the run-up to children’s day, which brand has launched a new campaign 'My Little Genius'?

29. Which homegrown western wear brand has launched the digital campaign, ‘#IMeanBusiness’?

30. Which Indian business personality received the ABLF Global Asian Award in Dubai last week?

31. Which well known sportswear brand last week announced that it will unify under one brand logo and wordmark, beginning next year?

32. Which bank has launched the campaign ‘#DreamsInvited’?

33. Which 2 Indian cities were designated as Unesco’s creative cities on the occasion of World Cities Day recently?

34. Which mobile services company has come up with the sector’s first tariff plan based on faster data speeds?

35. Which company plans to invest Rs 500 Cr along with its Chinese partner Beiqi Foton Motor Co (Foton) for setting up an electric bus manufacturing plant at Pune in the next two to three years?

36. How many Indian-origin CEOs are among the world’s top 10 best-performing chief executives, featured in a list compiled by the Harvard Business Review (HBR)?

37. Which iconic Italian fashion house has teamed up with Adidas for a new sneaker collaboration?

38. Which MNC has appointed Sanjay Gupta, the former managing director of Star and Disney India, as country manager for India?

39. Which general insurance company has launched  a new digital campaign ‘#SochoMan’?

40. Multiplex chain operator PVR Cinemas last week expanded its presence beyond Indian shores into which country?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 815 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!

rajeev kondapalli

Biz Quizzard 814

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period October 28 - November 02. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Domestic payments platform, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) crossed which milestone transactions mark in October?

2. Which global money remittance startup has launched Nium, an open money platform where consumers can send, spend and receive money globally at their convenience?

3. Sohrab Sitaram, the hospitality entrepreneur who relaunched the Keventers milkshakes brand in 2015, has come up with a modern tea shop and dimsum parlour. What has it been branded as?

4. Which clothing line has roped in Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador?

5. Which trade body, as part of its ‘Real is Rare’ campaign, has collaborated with Wavemaker and video streaming platform Hotstar to create its first ever web series ‘Pyaar Actually’?

6. According to a report last week, top executives at which company, including group CEO, are likely to pool their individual angel investments into an entity named Raaga Partners LLP?

7. Which company last week became the first space-tourism business to go public as it began trading on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of about $1 billion?

8. Senior IAS officer Sukhbir Singh Sandhu last week took over as the chairman of which public sector entity?

9. A rare 1950s timepiece is coming up for sale in a Christie's auction in Hong Kong that risks taking place against the backdrop of the political demonstrations that have hit sales of new watches. Which brand?

10. Which French production company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the equity of Endemol Shine Group for $2.2 billion?

11. Which business group will raise Rs 7,614 crore by selling 79.1 per cent stake in its airport business to three investors?

12. Which smartphone brand and radio network 93.5 Red FM carried out an India-wide experiential called ‘#ExploreTheNight’ using the phone's night mode feature?

13. Which business group is partnering with San Francisco-based Digital Realty to develop and operate data centre infrastructure across India?

14. Which sportswear brand for the streets has launched a product campaign ‘Home Of Classics’ that pays tribute to some of the brand’s most foundational silhouettes?

15. Which airline last week launched a flight between Mumbai and Stansted in UK via Amritsar to facilitate Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy city on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak?

16. Which Indian automobile company has partnered with Cadisa Group for setting up sales outlets in Guatemala and El Salvador as part of its plans to strengthen presence in Central America?

17. Which MNC has acquired 37.5% stake in Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), one of India’s largest medical test preparation providers, for Rs 1,350 crore, valuing the company at Rs 3,600 crore?

18. Which business services provider has appointed McKinsey partner Krishna Suraj Moraje as its group chief executive officer designate effective from November 4?

19. Cisco Systems India’s operational revenue crossed which milestone mark for the first time on a standalone basis?

20. Which airline has placed an order for 300 Airbus aircraft, it’s largest so far, worth an estimated $33 billion to replace old planes in its fleet and operate nonstop flights to long-haul destinations such as London and Tokyo?

21. Which mortgage firm has acquired 9.89 % stake in Bandhan Bank as part of scheme of merger?

22. Which European fashion and lifestyle brand has launched ‘#MyRightToWear', its first-ever digital campaign themed around body positivity for the Indian market?

23. Which digital lending organization has launched a new campaign 'Banao Life #LOADFREE'?

24. Which global sports socks brand has roped in cricketer Rohit Sharma as its brand ambassador for India?

25. Which online marketplace is being acquired by Singapore-based ecommerce platform Qoo10 in an all-stock deal?

26. Spotify has launched a dedicated app for children, which will allow kids above three to listen to their own music, both online and offline. What is it called?

27. Which business personality said he will donate money to plant one million trees after some of his followers encouraged him to join an environmental conservation initiative named Team Trees?

28. Which 2 Indian companies have buried a decade-old hatchet concerning engine technology patents that spawned litigations across courts in India, Sri Lanka and Mexico?

29. Which luxury watch brand has announced actor Ranveer Singh as ‘Brand Master’?

30. Which social media platform will stop accepting political advertising globally from November 22?

31. US-based chipmaker Xilinx Inc last week unveiled its largest research and development centre outside headquarters San Jose, in India. Which city?

32. Which couple has been ranked as the leading celebrity pair in the country, according to a study by Mumbai-based Indian Institute of Human Brands, promoted by adman Sandeep Goyal?

33. Which apparel and garment brand has roped in actress, producer and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra as brand ambassador for its new range of anti-bacterial thermal wear?

34. Hero MotoCorp’s Haridwar-based manufacturing plant has crossed which cumulative production milestone?

35. Initiating the celebration of World Sandwich Day 2019, which QSR chain last week invited guests to be a part of their global campaign ‘#GoodComesBack’?

36. Which footwear brand has announced actor, activist and entrepreneur Priyanka Chopra Jonas as a global brand ambassador for the 2020 “Come As You Are” campaign?

37. Which MNC is acquiring Fitbit for about $2.1 billion, enabling it to step back into the hotly contested market for smartwatches and health and fitness trackers?

38. Which online automobile marketplace has acquired non-banking financial company Xeraphin Finvest in an all-cash deal?

39. The Indian subsidiary of which MNC last week received in US, the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) for sustainable operation by a multi-national?

40. Which business personality last week announced his debut on Instagram?

Please mail your answers before 12 pm next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 814 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!

rajeev kondapalli