India Media Exchange implements i-Deal tool

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Publicis Groupe owned India Media Exchange (IME) has implemented a new tool called i-Deal, which takes care of deal management and inventory administration for clients.

Built with a web interface and advanced encryption architecture, i-Deal is a pricie trend analyser and records prices at which media spots are purchased, and offers clients to view their current and past deals. The current version supports TV and radio, while a future release will include print, too.

i-Deal will reduce the time spent by planners and buyers on negotiations and will help them avoid sticky situations. The tool is aimed at looking after pricing, inventory levels and consumption status, and alert users according to predefined routines.

"Planner and buyers spend a lot of time managing and reconciling deals manually, and despite that, reconciliation of deals has always remained a thorny issue, creating not only sticky situations between the client, the media agency, and the media owner, but significantly reducing the talent productivity." says Sejal Shah, vice-president, West and South, India, IME.

The tool was conceptualised in house by the agency and developed by a Mumbai based software firm called Logo Systems. It is currently only for the Indian office of IME - ZenithOptimedia and Starcom.

IME works with brands such as Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, Nestle, Hyundai, Jet Airways, the Kotak Group, Heinz, Aircel, Cadila Healthcare and INX Media.