Sainath Iyer, President, Zee Telefilms and overall incharge of the events division, elaborated on the advantages of the Zee platform and his ideas for the division in an interview with The Financial Express:

When did the idea of events as a separate business centre take form?
Events as a business centre, within the company, was conceptualised in late 1997 when the Zee Cine Awards were launched. The argument was that since we have the reach, let us use creative arts as a platform. What followed was a logical culmination.

How would you break up the events business and where does Zee stand in the respective areas?
Main activity areas in event management are three, namely concept, design and logistics. In conceptualising, the thrust would be on internal talent. Entertainment value and theme are the drivers and creative people across our channels would provide the best ideas in line with our philosophy. Designing again would be largely internal, since talent already exists in-house.

Logistics, on the other hand is best left to outside management. Managing an inventory of sets and props and avoiding repetition is costly and a full-time focus area. That is best avoided, because with the kind of focus that Zee has, events will always be a satellite area.

Where do you see technology playing a leading part? How much do you think will your plans necessitate investment in technology?
The past year has been indeed eventful one for Zee Network in terms of both content and technology advancement. Besides the launch of the regional channels, the excitement is about the Lux Zee Cine Awards. Here a sheer confluence of media and technology can be seen when the awards ceremony is being Webcast to the 1,00,000 registered users hooked on to the www.zeenext.com site adding a new dimension in terms of global reach to the awards. This is the technology dimension which right now is thrilling us. And those who will be connecting to this technological marvel will be pioneers seizing this viewing opportunity in this marriage of tech and media.

What next in the short term?
We are looking at outside events where an important by-product will be television content. We get to keep the rights. The revenue model is 10-20 per cent through consultancy charges and the rest through airtime revenue on sale or lease of content. The entire division will now be run on a cost-plus basis. Even in-house projects will have to be financially viable for this division.

What are your estimated funding requirements for the next two-three years? How do you propose to meet those? Can you give the break-up of the areas where funding is to be allocated?
In terms of investment, funding and offers from outside parties to stage events, its too early to talk about specifics.