May 4, 2008

Biz Quizzard 214

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week April 28 - May 03. Hope you enjoy it.

1. According to a report last week, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will exchange vows this summer abroad one of the world’s most luxurious yachts – the $200 m ‘Octopus’. Which business personality owns Octopus?

2. M&M’s candy maker Mars last week teamed up with billionaire Warren Buffett to buy which famous confectionery company?

3. Customers/users of which well known MNC last week called for a global boycott of the company on May 1?

4. After gaining notoriety for its two provocative ads, one featuring model Sana Khan and other featuring Orangutans, JG Hosiery is reportedly planning an ad featuring both. The company is the manufacturer of which well known brand?

5. Which Indian company, according to a report last week, is acquiring Bolix, a leading provider of external insulation finishing systems (EIFS) in Europe for $38.6 million?

6. Which Indian company last week said it will acquire the world’s leading chemical company BASF’s contract manufacturing business and related facilities in Shreveport in the US for $40 million, including working capital of $6 million?

7. Actress Rani Mukherjee has been signed on as the brand ambassador for which soap brand?

8. According to a report last week, Bobby Khan Holdings has acquired the exclusive rights in the sub continent for which well known international brand from Merlin Entertainment? (Hint: Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan)

9. Ms Hemu Ramaiah last week sold her 24% stake in which retail company to Tata’s retail arm Trent for an undisclosed sum?

10. Which Indian group last week reached an agreement to acquire the US steel maker and distributor Esmark Inc for an enterprise value of $1.1 billion?

11. Which well known Japanese MNC will invest 7 billion yen ($67.2 million) in a project to build the country’s first passenger jet in more than 3 decades?

12. Who has been elected President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2008-09?

13. Which bank last week launched a distinctive co-branded credit card ‘Go Card’ in association with travel portal MakeMyTrip.com?

14. Which two resident/non-resident Indians feature along with Sonia Gandhi in the Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in the world?

15. Mr Michael Boneham has been appointed the new president of the Indian operations of which MNC?

16. Which company last week said it was buying a majority stake in software services firm Aztecsoft for Rs 190 crore in one of the largest transactions involving listed IT companies in India?

17. In line with the rebranding of Reliance Entertainment to Reliance Big Entertainment, the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) is now in the process of rebranding its Adlabs multiplex business. Which brand will replace the Adlabs brand?

18. According to a report last week, Infosys Technologies might be forced to change its name in which country as it constitutes certain infringement on a trademark name in that country?

19. Which banking and insurance group last week said it would buy pension planner CitiStreet from US banking giant Citigroup and State Street Group for $900 million?

20. Which brand has specially created an exclusive premium line of formal wear for IPL’s Chennai Super Kings?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 214 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

April 27, 2008

Biz Quizzard 213

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week April 21 - 26. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Mr Lee Kun Hee last week announced his resignation as the chairperson of which conglomerate, less than a week after he was indicted for tax evasion and breach of trust?

2. After triggering intense speculation of a possible takeover attempt, pharma major Ranbaxy last week entered into a business alliance agreement with which pharma company?

3. After entering into a tie-up with Marks & Spencer recently, Reliance Retail last week announced a joint venture with which MNC?

4. Which Indian company, according to a report last week, is set to acquire a 70% controlling stake in German pharma company AxiCorp?

5. Actress Amrita Rao can be seen in the television commercial (currently on air) of which ice cream brand?

6. Why were the companies, King Chemicals and Kings High Power, in news last week?

7. Which new milestone did Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) touch recently?

8. Which Indian company last week acquired UK-based eWave World, which offers wireless telephony services using WIMAX technology, for an undisclosed sum?

9. Which clothes brand is being advertised in the print medium with the baseline ‘YOUNG LIKE THAT’?

10. Child actor Darsheel Safary (of Taare Zameen Par fame) has been roped in to endorse which health drink brand?

11. Which business personality has been ranked as Britain’s richest resident for the fourth year in a row by The Sunday Times?

12. Which retail brand in India has changed its logo and is sporting a new tagline ‘Start something new’?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 213 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli