Raj Thackerays MNS Launches Website On Zapak – Looking For Youth Connect
Politics and politicians are all over the web and now online companies are also starting to cash in on the trend. So Zapak.com which supposedly is an Online Gaming company (I dont remember last time I reported about Zapak with regards to their gaming prowess) has now launched a website for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) which is led by the controversial Raj Thackeray. The site can be visited on manase.zapak.com. MNS’s official site is on manase.org.
So what was the basis of this tie up?
Rohit Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, Zapak Digital Entertainment Ltd clarifies in this statement in the release “Zapak.com is India’s largest youth destination with over 6.5 million registered users. Moving away from the tradition mediums to reach out to the youth – the future of the nation, MNS with Zapak has now created a place for the youth to be a part of the political system and create value through a more approachable platform. I am happy to announce this association between Zapak and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to take the role of youth to the next level.”
Well what is heartening to see though is that all parties seem to see potential in the online medium. So it was no surprise when Kedar Hombalkar , IT Head, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena said; “We realize the potential of the new media and hope to reach out to the youth of our nation through the digital route as well.”
Our take on Zapaks Tie Up
Pardon me for being harsh but I just dont get why Zapak would indulge in such a tie up. The only reason I can think of is the money. The political party promotion doesn’t fit Zapak’s brand at all. Till it was limited to peddling computer games of malaika arora or even selling merchandise through ecommerce tie ups it was still ok. Even an election game or voting contest of sorts would have made sense.
Im highly surprised and disappointed to say the least by this initiative by zapak. All I can say is recession has its desperate moments and I hope the money was really worth it for zapak to indulge in this tie up.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS Feed OR Email Alerts!
That looks like pure desperation from Zapak’s point, though MNS guys can’t be blamed for thinking Zapak might be a good destination for targeting youth.
Zapak is an Anil Ambani group company
Raj Thakrey had a very public fight with Amitabh Bachhan
Amitabh Bachhan is a very good friend of Anil Ambani!
Anil Ambani is close to Amar Singh of Samajwadi Party
MNS also had clashes with Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party!
Is this a ploy by Raj Thakrey to make amends with Big B and win back some of the non Marathi votes?
Or is this a ploy to get into National political “game”? Will there be some kind of a tie up between Samajwadi Party and MNS in coming days?
Only time will tell.
But yes a tie up with a political party for a gaming site is unusual. Especially when there’s no gaming aspect involved in it.
MNS certainly thinks its a game hence they are aligning with a gaming site!
Well done Rajiv! I understand its a commercial transaction but Zapak and Reliance, for that matter, should stay away from such political mavens. I can’t believe they would risk alienating their gamer community like that – considering they have got Raj’s face plastered all over the right column on zapak.com.
MNS tie up with zapak, nice to hear. I understand Raj and so i support him.
I don’t get it. Seriously, why would Zapak start a microsite like this. It doesn’t even seem to be related to gaming even tangentially.
such kind of things keep happening in Reliance… must have been a call from some top shot in the management to do this activity… can’t say no to your boss can you… i do not think any financial transaction is involved
The ethical implications behind Zapak’s tie up bring up a couple of questions.
a) Should agencies, media houses, portals take a moral stand against products/services they fundamentally disagree with? Would you turn down representing a large cosmetics manufacturer because you really don’t get fairer and hence more successful in 30 days? So why judge Zapak?
b) Secondly, the MNS has way more bad publicity than it has good. This is actually a great move to open them up to a reality check, to give the youth an opportunity to say exactly what they think about the party with the luxury of anonymity and without the fear of retribution.
c) Finally, would we as an Agency accept this account? Probably not, but that’s more to safeguard the sentiments of the majority of our colleagues than to avoid controversy.
While on the Zapak subject, the partners they make never cease to amuse:
http://www.medianama.com/2009/04/223-zapak-pakistan-uk-brazil/
22.10.2009
Mananiy shri rajsaheb ,
abhinandan amche swatache amdar aale hey sara aplyamule ghadle va
marathi manus jaga zhala pudhil pavle khurchichi asthil marathi janata aplyasobath asthil ahet rahanar sadasarvada marathi mansala jage tumhi kele ahat , marathi mansane aichya vadhdivsachi bhet dili ahey tee apan ghyavi
abhari ahey
majha namskar ghyava
jay maharashtra
i liked the theory of raj thackeray ,i will like to join him.
i like to join, he is the true leader
mr raj takre ,i like you…i m your fan….i like your dectotorship
if i found offer from raj takre ..i will join that paty
I really appreciate the MNS activities work.Peoples outside of Maharashtra spoils Maharashtra.Drunyards,Criminal are entering into maharashtra mostly to Pune and mumbai.
Me marathi nehi hoon.But i like the concepts of raj thakrey.This part of India is also like my mother.But Even i would like to suggest MNS to bring a drive to issue that all outsiders must have registered token(Passport I cards) any thing to stay and work in Pune and maharashtra like cities.Stop beating Innocent peoples.Start killing drunkyards,criminals.attack on bars jo out sider daru pike hungama kar rahe hein beat them taki wo log dusri bar is jamin mein kharap karne ki na soche.Kachra saaf kijiye.RAJ ji kachara saaf kijiye apne ghar se.My heart really supports you.But beleives more action need to be taken.