Mangaluru: Spearhead Media’s 4th anniversary will see the inauguration of its new offices, on Monday, May 30, 2016 at #19, City Gate Building, II Floor of City Gate Building, Kadri by Former Lokayukta of Karnataka Justice N Santhosh Hegde.
It was in 2012 that a few young minds that yearned to do something positive in the field of journalism embarked on a journey for change. The quest of being the voice for the voiceless, bringing in a platform that is free from ideological inclinations and to drive away the concept of single-ownership got the bunch of enthusiastic young minds to start newskarnataka.com in May 2012 with the vision of ‘Educate, Enlighten, Empower and Enable positive changes’, in Kannada language.
Passion Rules!
The office then measured only 200 sqft. The number of desks, computers and hands were just a few, but determination and grit was in abundance.
Facing difficulties, the hands then toiled to bring the news portal to a level where people started recognizing its presence. Gradually, there was growing response to the website and motivated by the response, the team ventured into starting an English news portal on March 17, 2013, thus bringing into existence two exclusive portals – newskarnataka.com, catering to English readers and newskannada.com, dedicated to Kannada reader base.
Newskarnataka.com and newskannada.com, both have an experienced team of journalists seamlessly blending their nose for news with technology. These portals have been relentlessly giving lucid coverage of the latest national and international events, but at the same time have also kept an eye on the Tier II cities of the state, like no one else!
Striving to offer something for everyone, apart from routine news coverage, the news portals cater to the news demands of Indian Diaspora living in the Middle East and around the world as they bring to you news and newsmakers from overseas, especially the gulf.
The portals have never shied away from reporting issues less reported and that is precisely what has won the hearts of the readers. The simplicity, unbiased approach and straight to the point style of reports have made these two news portals stand apart and take pride in their identity.
Google analytics reports indicate that 2,29,000 readers are connected to the English Portal alone per month. This indicates how the portal has built a bond not just with the company’s stakeholders, employees and advertisers, but also with their true patrons – their readers.
Keeping in sync with modern way of living, where readers would want their daily dose of news on the run, the Company launched an user-friendly Android news app for newskarnataka.com on December 28, 2015. The app was launched by Press Club of India President Rahul Jalali. An android App for its Kannada website, is now very close to a launch date.
Venturing into the Print Media
Despite the world going digital, the Company, based on its convictions, then diversified and ventured into conventional media, the latest addition to the family being Karnataka Today, a state-centric Monthly magazine, which was launched in November 2015.
The magazine headed by veteran journalist A Ram Babu has already caught the eyes of the readers with its superior print quality, aesthetic layout and most importantly, relevant, unbiased and extensive coverage of issues impacting India in general and Karnataka in particular.
Walking firmly on the idea of providing fact-based, analytical news features and information appealing to all sections of non-specialist readers, Karnataka Today is now making its presence felt through a growing subscription base and stall sales in Mangaluru, Bengaluru and Mysuru.
Subscriptions can be made online at its dedicated website www.karnatakatoday.com
Growth in Diversity
The Company felt that it would benefit from backward integration, and in April 2016 took over an existing Graphic design firm, Verdevice. Verdevice now functions from the Company’s new premises and looks highly promising from both the creative and the business point of view.
Spearhead Media – from a tiny seed to a mighty oak
It was in November 2013 that, with the portals growing in popularity, and plans for expansion on the anvil, the team decided to form a company, which they christened Spearhead Media Pvt. Ltd. with the tag line – Engage, Enlighten, Evolve. The Company has, since then, grown in leaps and bounds.
Spearhead Media had a humble beginning, but today it stands tall, resplendent in the media arena, contributing in a small yet powerful way towards promoting positive and ethical journalism.
At a juncture when there is a boom in media sector itself, the company has managed to tread its way into the hearts of the readers. Despite several ups and downs, it continues to strive for change and stand by its vision.
Unlike many media houses, which are profit and digits-driven, Spearhead Media proudly proclaims that it and its offspring, the news portals were born out of passion and not out of commercial interest.
The two portals and magazine are undoubtedly the first of its kind crowd funded media undertakings, where it’s not the ‘owner’s’ interest that is paramount, but that of its readers, writers, contributors, employees and all who connect with it. It has spawned and supports the trademark ‘truth endures’ journalism where our journalists say what they want to say, honestly and without fear or favor.
Inauguration of New Offices
Spearhead Media has come a long way. On the eve of its 4th Anniversary (Since starting its first news portal) the Company moved into modern and spacious offices. The numbers of desks, computers and hands have grown many folds and now the Company has its sight on further growth, in line with its mission and vision.
It’s a land mark year for the company, as it embarks on its ambitious plan to expand its footprint to other cities of Karnataka, and eventually cover the entire state.
The Company’s new offices will be inaugurated by former Lokayukta of Karnataka Justice N Santhosh Hegde in the presence of Akshara Santha Harekala Hajabba, Karnataka Bank General Manager Dr Meera L B Aranha and Managing Director of Al Mazroui and Clevy Auto Services, Abu Dhabi – Clevy Leo Rodrigues and the management has sought the gracious presence of all its well-wishers on this joyous and momentous occasion.
The event will be blessed by Sri Sri Esha Vittaldas Swamiji, Sri Kshethra Kemar along with St Aloysius College Vice-Principal Francis D’Almeida SJ and Zeenath Baksh Kendra, Jumma Masjid Sadakatullah Faizi Khateeb.
The Company will launch a user-friendly, state of the art Android mobile app for newskannada.com to give its Kannada readers on-the-run news updates. It will also launch a revamped newskarnataka.com website, which will have an all new visually appealing design.
The Future
The staff is enthused and especially so as they recall the joy of working with a journalistically ethical organization. Sharada, the longest serving member of the team, said, “When I look back at our four-year-old journey, I derive immense pleasure from the fact that we have scaled up, but what gives me a deep sense of gratification is the fact that in this journey upwards, we have not compromised on our journalistic ethics. We have always adhered to our motto and this has rewarded us very well through appreciation from our readers”. The rest of the staff echoed her sentiments.
Another long serving member of the staff said, “All this while, through the thick and thin, through the ups and downs, what has remained intact in us is the passion that drives us every day to compete against ourselves and propels us to excel and outshine our last performance”.
The Directors when interviewed, said, “As we celebrate our growth, we will fail in our duty if we do not thank all the hands that toiled for this undertaking from its embryonic stage to this day. We cannot thank them in person, but these words of gratitude go to each and every person including our advertisers, investors and sponsors, and all those who have been associated with Spearhead Media Pvt Ltd.”
.jpg)
.jpg)
