June 29, 2008

Biz Quizzard 222

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week June 23 - 28. Hope you enjoy it. This week's quiz was planned to be dedicated to a legend but ended up being a tribute to two. First, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and with him thousands and lakhs of unsung heores of the armed forces. Second, Bill Gates who hung up his boots at Microsoft last week. This edition of Biz Quizzard is dedicated to both of them.

1. Which automobile company will launch a 125cc executive segment bike, christened CBF Stunner, next month?

2. In a deal in which two of USA’s oldest agricultural businesses would become one, which MNC will be buying Corn Products International in a stock deal worth $4.4 billion?

3. Which MNC last week said it had agreed to buy social networking start-up Plazes as part of its major push into offering internet services?

4. Which MNC last week announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Mid Vol Coal Group of the US?

5. Which Indian company has acquired Mexican tyre company Tornel along with its subsidiaries for Rs 270 crore, making it the largest four-wheeler tyre company in the country?

6. According to a report last week, sports television broadcaster Ten Sports has roped in which company as the title sponsor for the India-Sri Lanka cricket series to be played over a period of five weeks in Sri Lanka?

7. Which MNC has topped the list of most reputed companies in India in the ‘Corporate Reputed Manager’ study conducted by global market information and insight group TNS?

8. Which company last week announced that it is acquiring BK Modi’s 40.8% stake in Spice Communications?

9. In the largest ever acquisition of a global energy utility by an Indian company, which company last week announced the signing of a definitive documentation for the acquisition of 50% stake in US-based InterGen N.V., a global power company?

10. Which MNC last week named Patrick Pichette as its new chief financial officer?

11. Which auto MNC was last week forced to apologize to China after employing Richard Gere, a Buddhist and campaigner for Tibetan independence, to feature in its latest TV ad?

12. Which cement manufacturing company has signed cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 222 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

June 22, 2008

Biz Quizzard 221

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week June 16 - 21. Hope you enjoy it.

1. According to a report last week, jeans giant Levi Strauss (India) will soon launch deodorants for men and women under which existing brand?

2. Which global HR services major has appointed Ms Padma Ravichander as the new head of its India operations?

3. Which finance major last week replaced its CEO Martin Sullivan?

4. Ms Renu Challu last week assumed charge as the managing director of which public sector bank?

5. Which fashion house has entered into a 3 million pound contract with actress Emma Watson (Harry Potter)?

6. According to a news snippet last week, which country will ban traditional light bulb sales from October 2009 in favour of CFL lamps to cut greenhouse gas emissions and save on costs?

7. Which Indian company is acquiring a 50% stake in China Enterprise Communications (CEC) for an undisclosed amount?

8. According to a report last week, which MNC has dropped Rani Mukerji as its brand ambassador after 4 years of association?

9. Which well known brand has been sold off by Bata India to Brazilian company Alpragatas for about Rs 3.9 crore?

10. Which newspaper has signed on cricketer MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador?

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

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

June 15, 2008

Biz Quizzard 220

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week June 09 - 14. Hope you enjoy it.

1. The Economic Times Brand Equity’s annual Most Trusted Brands survey results are out. Which brand has topped the list this year?

2. The managing director of which automobile company in India has been conferred the Ordine di Stella della Silodarieta (The Star of Italian Solidarity) by the Italian government for his contribution to the enhancement of commercial and industrial ties between Italy & India?

3. Which pharma company last week announced that it would acquire 70% stake in South Africa-based generic firm Simalya Pharmaceuticals for an undisclosed amount?

4. Which IT company last week announced its acquisition of Strategic Vision Consulting (SVL), a Los Angeles-based management and technology consulting firm with over 60 employees serving the media and entertainment industry?

5. It is a television commercial (currently on air) to commemorate the company’s 25th anniversary and ends with "India comes home in a ____ ____”. Fill in the blanks.

6. Which company last week sold its sponge iron business, Vikram Ispat, to Welspun Power and Steel for Rs 1,030 crore?

7. Mr J Harinarayan has been appointed chairman of which regulatory body in India?

8. In a move which shocked corporate India, which Japanese company last week snapped up India’s largest drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories?

9. After launching BSA Go and BSA Workout for its urban customers, TI Cycles has come up with another format to market cycles to its customers in towns. What has it been branded as?

10. Which Indian business personality has been conferred the ‘Global vision’ award by the US-India Business Council, a business advocacy organization jointly formed by the US and India?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 220 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

June 8, 2008

Biz Quizzard 219

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week June 02 - 07. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which Indian group recently acquired Virgin Radio in the UK in a 53.2 million pounds (Rs 445 crores) deal with SMG Plc?

2. According to a report last week, the country’s largest retailer Future Group has yanked off which well-known brand off the shelves across its various formats?

3. Which life insurance brand is being advertised in the print medium with the baseline ‘Aatm-vishwas ki nayee taqat’?

4. Intel will be soon launching a new family of low-power processors deigned specifically for mobile internet devices (MID) and a new class of simple and affordable internet-centric computers. What has it been branded as?

5. Which FMCG major last week announced it would enter the non-life insurance sector in alliance with US-based general insurer Liberty Mutual Group?

6. Which fashion legend died in Paris, at the age of 71, on June 1 after being in poor health for some time?

7. Which company is planning to launch its solar-powered hoardings, called I-Sign, by September this year?

8. Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) is rolling out a much-awaited line-up of chips for laptops. What has it been branded as? (hint: a well known brand in the sports wear segment)

9. Systech has acquired a controlling stake in Italian design firm Engines Engineering (EE). Systech is the component arm of which Indian auto major?

10. Former cricketer and businessman JK Mahendra has tied up with which two cricketers for the hospitality venture, Bat & Ball Inn?

11. Which MNC has agreed to buy US-based cellular carrier Alltel for $5.9 billion?

12. Which Hyderabad-based telecom infrastructure (software) company has acquired 85% of Openbit OY of Finland in an all-cash deal?

13. Which Indian conglomerate has emerged as the world’s sixth most reputed company in the annual ‘Global 200: The world’s best corporate reputations’ list, compiled by US-based Reputation Institute?

14. Maruti Suzuki India has launched a new LPG variant of Maruti 800. What has it been branded as?

15. Mr Pranesh Misra last week quit which advertising agency after a 25-year stint?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 219 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

June 1, 2008

Biz Quizzard 218

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the week May 26 - 31. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which MNC, according to a report last week, is poised to come up with an apparel and accessories collection named after glamorous tennis ace Sania Mirza?

2. Which Indian company last week acquired the UK-based global managed network services provider Vanco for $77 million?

3. Which Indian IT company has won a $100-million five year contract with NXP Semiconductors?

4. Italian-born Vittorio Colao is the new CEO of which MNC?

5. Mr KK Swamy, who recently resigned as the deputy MD of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Corporation, will be joining which MNC as the managing director and vice president?

6. Mr TS Narayanasami has been elected president of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) effective May 26. He is the chairman and managing director of which bank?

7. June 1 marked a new chapter for airlines across the world. What was the significance?

8. Which MNC last week launched its mobile handset model ‘Soul’ in India?

9. Which Indian company last week acquired Canada-based Draxis Specialty Pharmaceuticals for $253 million?

10. Which fashion house last week dropped actress Sharon Stone from its Chinese ads after her controversial remarks regarding the recent earthquake?

11. Which Indian security services company last week bought a controlling stake in UK-based Shield Guarding Company for Rs 125 crore?

12. Which MNC last week announced the launch of its ‘Fit for Life’ programme to evaluate and improve the physical and mental well-being of its employees, integrating all current well-being initiatives under one umbrella?

13. According to a print ad last week, which company commissioned India’s largest blast furnace on May 31?

14. According to a report last week, Bull Dog Entertainment will be getting into the gaming business with the DTH premiere of the game Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain. Mr Ramit B M, director of the company, is the son of which well-known business personality?

15. Interpublic Group (IPG) has decided to float a new agency in India, which will essentially be Lowe’s second agency in India. What is it named?

Please mail your answers on or before next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 218 as the subject.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli