Jagran Prakashan unveils its new corporate identity

The group is unveiling a new logo and identity, and brings its entire media offerings under one umbrella.

Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL), one of India's leading media groups, is today announcing the launch of its new corporate identity with a brand new logo.

The new logo consists of the symbol of a rising sun, with the warm colours of red and yellow and the Jagran brand name. Inspired by the history and heritage of Jagran Prakashan, the new logo aims to give a distinctive and cohesive identity to the group.

On the rebranding, Basant Rathore, vice-president - strategy and brand management, Jagran Prakashan tells afaqs!, "This is indeed a proud moment for the organisation, as it launches a cohesive corporate identity for the brand. Over a period of time, JPL has diversified into multiple platforms within the media space; today, we are into print, OOH, activations, mobile and internet, which with the launch of the new identity, fall under one big umbrella."

Jagran Prakashan had recently acquired Mid-Day's publishing business.

Established in 1942, the group's flagship brand, Dainik Jagran is the brainchild of freedom fighter, Late Shri Puran Chandra Gupta. According to IRS data, Dainik Jagran is India's largest read daily with a total readership of 54.2 million (IRS 2010 Q2). Dainik Jagran Group publishes three newspaper brands in 73 editions, with more than 200 sub-editions, from 31 printing facilities across 14 states in the country. Its other interests span magazines, outdoor advertising, promotional marketing, event management, on-ground activities and digital businesses.

Rathore adds, "Currently, the Group's perception is driven by the flagship brand, Dainik Jagran. There is limited awareness of the other operations. This is only natural, given that the other businesses are nascent. However, as we move forward, and as our other businesses gain momentum, it was important for us as a group to make a move from a respected newspaper to an admired media conglomerate. This will help us enhance and communicate our breadth of offering and scale."

The logo and new identity have been designed by design firm, Ray + Keshavan|The Brand Union. The new logo was inspired by the word 'Jagran', which means 'awakening'; and the most powerful depiction of this idea lies in the rising sun. The group feels that as a media conglomerate, JPL's objective is to create enlightenment; and there can be no better face for the brand than the sun dispelling the darkness.

The colour palette of red and yellow has been used to develop the new brand identity that is energetic and optimistic. The design firm explains that it is a contemporary rendition of the sun that is highly distinctive and suitable for the modern, progressive organization that JPL aspires to be. The Jagran Sun is composed of overlapping layers, communicating the various businesses that work as one unified entity.

Meeta Malhotra, director, Ray+Keshavan says, "Jagran has powerful business divisions to add value to its clients. Using the corporate branding opportunity, we have created a master brand. We strongly believe this will help Jagran in achieving growth, direction and protection for the corporate brand."

With the media space in India developing at an advanced pace, the Jagran Group aims to adapt itself to a changing environment, so as to maintain and consolidate its position.