EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Newspapers play a vital role in society. Even though the internet and telecommunications are
the key sources of information these days, newspapers have always been one of the most
important sources of news and entertainment. The presence of new media. poses a threat to
traditional media, particularly newspapers. Newspaper industry is suffering and print media
seem to be losing readers each single day. This pattern is most common among young readers
because they look for news on demand and want to customize news contents, time and the
medium. However, in India, print media are still flourishing.

The Times of India, the largest selling English newspaper in the world, began its operations
In Cochin on February 1, 2014. At that time, The Hindu, The New Indian Express and
Deccan Chronicle were the major players in the market. But within a short span of one year,
The Times of India took up the pace and became second in circulation. The Hindu still
continues to be at the highest position because a majority of South Indians have been using it
for such a long period of time and TOI had to ensure whether its readers are able to recall its
brand. They also want to identify whether its readers are able to associate various
supplements like Times Property, Education Times and so on with the Times of India
newspaper. With no doubt, the research describes the various factors influencing young
readers to use The Times of India newspapers. It also reveals the preference and attitudes of
youth towards TOI newspapers. The research helps to understand why youngsters rely on
print newspapers or online news, their different concerns and the problems that they
encounter. It also assesses the future viability of the newspaper industry.

The analysis also identifies several opportunities for Times of India. The growing Newspaper
industry presents significant potential, and TOI can capitalize on this trend by expanding its
offerings in publishing, television, internet, radio and outdoor domains which provide media
publishing services. However, the analysis also highlights some challenges and threats that
TOI must navigate. The company operates in highly competitive markets, where it faces
intense competition from both established and emerging players. Economic uncertainties and
fluctuations can impact consumer spending patterns and demand for TOI products and
services.

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 CHAPTER 1

Introduction To the Industry

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MASS MEDIA

The mass media is a diversified collection of media technologies that reach a large audience
via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place
include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit information electronically, via such
media as film, radio, recorded music, or television. Digital media comprises both Internet and
mobile mass communication. Internet media comprise such services as email, social media
sites, websites, and Internet-based radio and television Print media transmit information via
physical objects, such as books, comics, magazines, newspapers.

Professions involving mass media:

 Journalism
 Public relations
 Software publishing
 Internet based professions

Form of mass media:

 Broadcast
 Film
 Video game
 Audio recording and reproduction
 Internet
 Blogs
 Outdoor media

PRINT MEDIA:

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 Magazine - A magazine is a periodical publication containing a variety of articles, generally
financed by advertising or purchase by readers. Magazines are typically published weekly,
biweekly, monthly, bimonthly or quarterly, with a date on the cover that is in advance of the
date it is actually published. They are often printed in color on coated paper, and are bound
with a soft cover. Magazines fall into two broad categories: consumer magazines and
business magazines.
Magazines can be classified as:
 General interest magazines (e.g., Frontline, India Today, The Week, The Sunday Times etc.)
 Special interest magazines (women's, sports, business, scuba diving, etc.)

 Newspaper - A newspaper is a publication containing news and information and advertising,

usually printed on low-cost paper called newsprint. It may be general or special interest,
most often published daily or weekly. Recent developments on the Internet are posing major
threats to its business model, however. Paid circulation is declining in most countries, and
advertising revenue, which makes up the bulk of a newspaper's income, is shifting from print
to online; some commentators, nevertheless, point out that historically new media such as
radio and television did not entirely supplant existing. The newspaper as we know it today is
a product born of necessity, invention, the middle class, democracy, free enterprise, and
professional standards. Pre-history "newspapers" were one-to-one in nature.

The earliest variation on a newspaper was a daily sheet published in 59 BC in Rome called
Acta Diurna (Daily Events), which Julius Caesar ordered posted throughout the city. The
earliest known printed newspaper was in Beijing in 748. Newspapers are most often
published on a daily or weekly basis, and they usually focus on one particular geographic
area where most of their readers live. Despite recent setbacks in circulation and profits,
newspapers are still the most iconic outlet for news and other types of written journalism.
The Indian Newspaper Society acts as the central organization of the Press of India. It is an
organization which plays a major role in protecting and promoting the freedom of press in
India. The society was founded in the year of 1939. Its headquarters are at Rafi Marg, New
Delhi. INS membership comprises the owners, proprietors and publishers of print media who
discusses and suggest various measures to the government regarding the problems related
to the newspaper industry. It is a kind of pressure group which works to protect the interest
of newspaper industry in particular and print media in general.

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Indian newspaper industry today faces problems ranging from rising cost and paucity of
newsprint to shrinking revenue from advertisement due to boom in electronic media. The
executive committee of INS represents the current 990 members from newspapers, journals,
periodicals and magazines. At present Mr. Hormusji N Cama, owner of Bombay Samachar
[the oldest Indian daily still in circulation] is the president of INS [2008-09]. By 2000,
newspapers were juggling priorities: fragmentation of news consumption, fragmentation of
advertising investments, the advantages and disadvantages of being a mass medium,
balancing the wants of the marketplace with the company's duty to provide the needs of the
marketplace, a journalistic backlash against industry changes, the sheer physicality of ink-
onpaper production and distribution versus digital distribution, increasing profit pressure
surrounding the core print product, and extension of the company's core brand into other
profit centres.

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 Introduction To The Profile Of The Company

Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited is an Indian media conglomerate headquartered

in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The company, which is a family-owned business, publishes The
Times of India newspaper, which is the highest selling daily English-language newspaper in
India, in addition to several radio stations, television channels such as Times Now, the film
magazine Filmfare, and the women's magazine Femina. The Sahu Jain family continues to
own a majority of the stake in the group, and in May 2023, the Times Group was split into
two separate business entities between brothers Vineet Jain and Samir Jain, such that its radio
and broadcast properties would remain with Vineet Jain and its print properties would be
under Samir Jain

BCCL is India's most diversified media company with brands across publishing, television,
internet, radio & outdoor domains. The story of BCCL goes back to Nov. 3rd, 1838, when the
flagship brand The Times of India, was published as a bi-weekly, The Bombay Times and
Journal of Commerce. Since then, it has consistently moved up the growth curve by entering
new markets & launching new titles. A simple guiding thought–treat newspaper not as a
product but as a Brand, whose prime objective is to serve its readers & advertisers.

HISTORY: -

The Times of India issued its first edition on 3 November 1838 as The Bombay Times and
Journal of Commerce. The paper published Wednesdays and Saturdays under the direction of
Rao Bahadur Narayan Dinanath Vellcar, a Maharashtrian Reformist, and contained news
from Britain and the world, as well as the Indian Subcontinent. J.E. Brennan was its first
editor. In 1850, it began to publish daily editions in 1860, editor Robert Knight (1825-1892)
bought the Indian shareholders' interests, merged with rival Bombay Standard, and started
India's first news agency. It wired Times dispatches to papers across the country and became
the Indian agent for Reuter's news service. In 1861, he changed the name from the Bombay
Times and Standard to The Times of India. Knight fought for a press free of prior restraint of

6
intimidation, frequently resisting the attempts by governments, business interests, and
cultural spokesmen and led the paper to national prominence. In the 19th century, this
newspaper company employed mor than 800 people and had a sizeable circulation in India
and Europe.

Bennett and Coleman ownership: Subsequently, The Times of India saw its ownership change
several times until 1892 when, Thomas Bennett and Frank Morris Coleman, who later
drowned in the 1915 sinking of the SS Persia, acquired the newspaper through the new
company, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Lid/ Dalmlys ownership Sir Stanley Reed edited The
Times of India from 1907 until 1924 and received Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
correspondence from the major figures of India such as Mahatma Gandhi. In all he lived in
India for fifty years. He was respected in the United Kingdom as an expert on lodian current
affairs. He christened Jaipur as "the Pink City of India”. Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd washld
to sugar magnate Ramkrishna Dalmia of the then famous industrial family, the Dalmiyas, for
Rs 20 million in 1946, as India was becoming independent, and the British owners were
leaving. In 1955 the Vivian Bose Commission of Inquiry found that Ramkrishna Dalmia, in
1947, had engineered the acquisition of the media giant Bennet Coleman & Co. by
transferring money from a bank and an insurance company of which he was the Chairman. In
the court case that followed, Ramkrishna Dalmia was sentenced to two years in Tihar Jail
after having been convicted of embezzlement and fraud.

Jain family (Shanti Prasad Jain) : In the early 1960s, Shanti Prasad Jain was imprisoned on
charges of selling newsprint on the black market. And based on the Vivian Bose
Commission's Carlier report which found wrongdoings of the Dalmia Jain group, that
included specific charges against Shanti Prasad Jain, the Government of India filed a petition
to restrain and remove the management of Bennett, Coleman and Company. Based on the
pleading, Justice directed the Government to me control of the newspaper which resulted in
replacing half of the directors and appointing Bombay (now Mumbai) High Court judge as
the Chairman.

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 THE TIMES GROUP

TYPE PRIVATE
FOUNDED 1838
HEADQUARTERS MUMBAI
INDUSTRY BROADCASTING, PULISHING, MEDIA,
INTERNET & ENTERTAINMENT
PRODUCTS NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE, FILMS,
WEBSITES, ETC.

Key members:

 Chairperson- Mrs. Indu Jain

 Vice Chairperson- Mr. Samir Jain
 Managing Director- Mr. Vineet Jain

Times Group’s subsidiary companies include:

Times Infotainment Media Limited (TIML) & Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL)
that together control:

 Radio Mirchi - National network of Private FM stations.

 360 Degrees - Event Management.

 Times Outdoors - Outdoor Advertising & Billboard Marketing.

 Mirchi Movies Limited - Movie production, Entertainment. Times Internet Limited (TIL),
which has:

 India times portal

 Times of Money - an online payments portal specializing in remitting money to India and
other parts of the world.

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Times Global Broadcasting Limited - This was a Joint Venture with Reuters until Reuters
exited. The company heads:

 Times Now - A News Channel

 Zoom - A Lifestyle Channel

 A new business channel which is the broadcast version of Economic Times is planned to be
launched early in 2009.

Times Business Solutions controls:

 TBSL - corporate website of TBSL.

 Times Jobs - A jobs portal.

 Simply Marry - A matrimonial portal. (earlier known as Times Matrimony).

 Magic Bricks - A real estate portal.

 Yolist - Free classifieds portal.

 Ads2Book - Online classifieds booking system for print publications.

Worldwide Media - A magazine joint venture between BCCL and BBC magazines. WWM
heads:

 Film fare

 Film fare Awards

 Femina

 Femina Miss India A Beauty Pageant

 Top Gear India

 Hello

 BBC Good Homes

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TIML Golden Square Limited which purchased Virgin Radio (soon to be called Absolute
Radio) in the United Kingdom. This company is a direct subsidiary ofBCCL (not through
TIML or ENIL).

OTHER PRODUCTS OFFERD BY THE GROUP:

 THE ECONOMIC TIMES – Daily business newspaper, world’s 2 nd largest selling

financial daily.

 FILMFARE – India’s No.1 entertainment magazine, which is issued fortnightly. This

magazine covers news about the film industry and exclusive interviews with various stars.

 FEMINA – India’s No.1 women’s magazine, which talks about the things that matter a lot
to a women like lifestyle, fashion, travel, food, entertainment, etc.

 HELLO – Worlds most loved celebrity magazine, which brings in exclusive news about
corporate giants closed door parties, etc..

 TOP GEAR – Automotive and lifestyle magazine.  GRAZIA – Europe’s No.1 style
magazine, deals with latest fashions and trends.

 THE ECONOMIST – weekly finance news magazine focusing on international politics,

business news and opinions.

 GOOD HOMES – BBC Good homes is a unique blend of design, creativity and substances.
It talks about interior designing, shopping options, etc.

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 THE TIMES OF INDIA (TOI)

TYPE DAILY NEWSPAPER

OWNER BENNETT COLEMAN CO. AND LTD.
PUBLISHER THE TIMES GROUP
HEADQUARTERS MUMBAI

The Times Of India(TOI) is owned and published by The Times Group also referred as
Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. It is one of the largest circulating and selling Newspaper in
India. Its first edition is published on 3 November 1838 and it almost cross 179 years. The
first edition is published under the name of The Bombay Times and The Journal of
Commerce. At 1861 the editor Robert knight and he merged the company with Bombay
Standard and Started India's First News agency. After that he changed the name Bombay
Times and Standard to The Times Of India. In 1892 Thomas Jewell Bennett becomes the
editor and enter into partnership with F.M. Coleman to form a Joint Stock company and
Named it as B.C.C.L - Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. In 1946 the company comes under the
Indian Ownership. In 1948 the company was brought by Sahu Jain Group. It became the most
widely read English newspaper in India.

In 1969 TOI falls under the control of Government of India. Again in 1976 the ownership is
transferred from government to the Jain Family. The TOI is the largest media service
conglomerate in India. The Times of India Film Awards (also known as TOIFA Awards) are
presented by The Times of India to honor both artistic and technical excellence of
professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Times of India offers the very
best in color printing. Seven presses belonging to Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd - Six of TOI
and one of Maharashtra Times -— have won the prestigious International Newspaper Color
Quality Club (INCQC) award given by WANIFRA, the World Association of Newspapers
and News Publishers. All seven BCCL presses that participated in INCQC, the only global
competition that evaluates the print quality of newspapers, have been ranked among the top

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10 in category four. While TOI's Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad presses have won the first
three positions. IFRA is the gold standard in newspaper printing. The awards were first
introduced in 2013.

The Times of India is the largest selling daily newspaper in the world. It sells more than 2.5
million newspapers everyday and thus it was certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations as
the world's largest selling English broadsheet newspaper.

The times of India comes out with various supplements, which are mentioned below.

 Chennai times : This is a city specific daily supplement which tells about the happening
within the city,

 Educational Times: This is a weekly supplement which brings in educational news, career
opportunities, counseling, etc..

 Times Wellness: This is a weekly supplement which gives health tips to the readers.

 Times Ascent: This is a weekly supplement which tells about the job opportunities in
various corporate.

 Times Life: This is also a weekly supplement which deals about fashion, lifestyle, etc.

 Times Classified: This is a weekend supplement which carries advertisements

about .various products.

The Times of India is printed from the following places (in alphabetical order):

 Ahmadabad
 Bhubaneswar
 Bangalore
 Chandigarh
 Chennai
 Delhi
 Goa
 Hyderabad

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 Jaipur
 Kanpur
 Kolkata
 Lucknow
 Mangalore
 Mumbai
 Mysore
 Nagpur
 Patna
 Pune
 Ranchi
 Surat

Its major brands include:

 The Times of India, India’s largest English daily.

 The Economic Times, India’s largest financial daily, and the world’s second largest after
The Wall Street Journal.

 Maharashtra Times, India’s largest Marathi daily and Maharashtra’s No.1 Newspaper.

 Navbharat Times, the largest Hindi Daily in Delhi and Bombay.

 Mumbai Mirror India’s largest circulated compact newspaper.

 Pune Mirror.

 Bangalore Mirror, Bangalore’s first morning compact daily.

 The Times of India - Kannada.

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Mission Statement:

"The mission of the Times of India is to be the nation's foremost source of credible,
insightful, and impactful journalism. We are committed to delivering news and information
that empowers our readers, fosters informed citizenship, and reflects the diverse perspectives
of our dynamic society. Through our commitment to journalistic integrity and innovation, we
aim to be the trusted voice that connects and engages communities across India and beyond."

Vision Statement:

"Our vision at the Times of India is to be the leading media organization that shapes the
discourse and narrative of our times. We aspire to transcend traditional boundaries,
leveraging digital platforms and embracing new technologies to reach and resonate with a
global audience. By staying true to our values of excellence, impartiality, and social
responsibility, we aim to not only report the news but also contribute to the positive
transformation of the societies we serve. Our vision is to be a beacon of truth, a catalyst for
change, and a trusted companion in the journey of our readers' lives."

Objective of the project:

The objective of this summer internship projrct is to analyze and understand the consumer
preference towards the Times of India, one of the leading and widely circulated newspapers
in India.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH DESIGN

The research design refers to a step-by-step approach used to conduct a study by a researcher.
For our study, we are going to collect the data first and then will analyze it. For this research,
we will use Descriptive research, which aims directly to accurate and systematic description
of a population situation or phenomenon, it can help us to answer what, where, when, and
how questions, but it can’t tackle why questions. In descriptive research design, we can use a
wide range of research methods to investigate one or more variables. The researcher does not
control or manipulate any of the variables, unlike in experimental research.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

The data is collected in –

1. PRIMARY DATA - was collected with the help of a structured questionnaire.

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CHAPTER 2

16
 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Environmental analysis refers to process of identifying and examining all potential

environment variables that can either directly or indirectly affect the performance and
profitability of business organization. It is also termed as environmental scanning that is a
strategic tool to find out all internal and external elements having capability of influencing
the efficient and effective functioning of organization. Internal elements comprise of
strengths and weakness of business enterprise, whereas external element represent the
opportunities and threats outside the organization. The environmental analysis takes into
consideration the trends and high-level factors such as interest rates, economy, and manner
how these are going to change firm’s business. Under it, the firm pertaining data is collected
and utilized by management in order to determine the best strategies for capitalizing
opportunities and generate large returns.

In today’s time, the business environment is quite dynamic that keeps on changing frequently
with time. Therefore, it becomes crucial to analyse environment for identifying each and
every factor of business environment that can affect its operations. Once these factors got
identified and their impact got understood, then it becomes easy to frame plan and policies
accordingly. The internal insights from environmental analysis help businesses in assessing
the employee’s performance, maintenance cost, customer satisfaction etc, so that required
corrective actions can be taken timely. External metrics, on other hand, assists in responding
to environment in positive manner and also aligning all policies as per the objectives of
business organization.

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STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION

18
19
STRUCTURE OF RESULT AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT:

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 Associate General Manager
City Sales Head

Group Head
Executives

FUNCTIONAL DEPARTMENTS

The business and commercial department

This department handles the supply management for the BCCL. Supply management suggest
the expertise in identifying, monitoring and improving the performance of responsible and

21
responsive external resources of an organization. It also help to lower the cost without losing
Quality and supply. It is also responsible for any contract and agreement signed on behalf of
the company.

THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT:

Finance department handles the overall finance of the company. The services provided by the
department include.

 Processing and disbursing of salary and Reimbursements

 Issuing of pay slip
 Tax worksheet through email
 Travel expense statement processing and settlement
 Salary are distributed 2days before the last working day of every month.
 Processing/Distributing of salary in advance.
 loans
 Travel advance and their settlement.
 Handling and dispensing of PF
 Income tax, ESIC, Professional Tax, LIC, Labor Welfare Board etc....

THE PRODUCTION

The production department handles the actual creation composition and production of the
newspaper. It has been divided into Two Major categories

 Pre-Press
 press

PRE-PRESS:

This part handles the function that are involved in the creation process of the Newspaper. All
Process of designing, writing, arranging of news, articles right up to the point where the final
template reaches the press.

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PRESS:

As the name states, the actual process of printing of the newspaper in the press is referred to
as the press part of production.

THE RESULT AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT

The RMD department , usually knows as the Circulation department. It handles the delivery
of newspaper and the Magazines to the customer via various channels of vendors, dealers,
and salesmen.

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There are 3 types of sales are

 Trade Sales
 Bulk Sales
 Subscription Sales

Trade Sales

 Line sales
 cash sales

Bulk sales

 Here a substantial number of copies delivered to single location/address it is referred to as

a bulk sales

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 Subscription Sales:

 When a period of at least one year is applied for it. per annum cost Rs.499

THE RESPONCE DEPARTMENT

It handles the sale of advertisement space on the newspaper .Brand, companies or individual
can apply for purchase of an ADD space on the newspaper charged on the basis of location
on newspaper, the size of the space and number of prints. Some of these Adds are sold by
the people know as Inbound Telemarketers.

THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

HRM Dept handles, maintains, retains, develops, enhances and manages the resources
people have. Management is to extract the maximum output from the limited supply of
Human recourses. The main objective of HR is To develop a Culture of perpetual learning
with respect to Human Dignity.

THE EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

It handles the Content of newspaper. This department is responsible for pretty much
everything that appears in your publication. A collection of reporters, journalist, writers, sub
writers, editors, graphic designer and photographer work together to assemble the
newspaper.

PORTER’S FIVE FORCES

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Porter's Five Forces is a model that identifies and analyses five competitive forces that
shape every industry and helps determine an industry's weaknesses and strengths. Five
Forces analysis is frequently used to identify an industry's structure to determine corporate
strategy.

Porter's Five Forces is a framework for analyzing the competitive forces that shape an
industry, and it can be applied to understand the competitive dynamics of a specific
company within that industry. The Times of India, being a prominent newspaper, operates in
the media and publishing industry. Here's an analysis using Porter's Five Forces for The
Times of India:

1. Threat of new entrants

2. Threat of substitute products and services

3. Rivalry among existing players

4. Bargaining power of suppliers

5. Bargaining power of buyers

1. Threat of New Entrants:

- Low to Moderate: The media and publishing industry requires significant initial
investments in printing presses, distribution networks, and content creation. Established
brands like The Times of India already have a strong presence and brand recognition, which
can act as a barrier to new entrants. However, the rise of digital media and online news
platforms has lowered entry barriers to some extent.

2. Bargaining Power of Buyers (Readers):

- Moderate: Readers have a moderate level of bargaining power. While The Times of India
has a large reader base and a strong brand, readers can easily switch to other newspapers or

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online news sources. The availability of alternative sources of news and information gives
readers some power in influencing the success of a newspaper.

3. Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Content Providers, Journalists):

- Low to Moderate: The Times of India relies on content providers such as journalists,
photographers, and columnists. While there is a pool of talent available, skilled journalists
and quality content creators can have some bargaining power. However, the newspaper
industry generally has a surplus of writers and contributors, which reduces the overall
bargaining power of individual suppliers.

4. Threat of Substitute Products or Services:

- High: The digital era has brought about a plethora of alternative sources for news,
ranging from online news websites and blogs to social media platforms. The availability of
free news content and the ease of access to various online platforms increase the threat of
substitution for traditional print media like The Times of India.

5. Intensity of Competitive Rivalry:

- High: The media and publishing industry is highly competitive. Newspapers, both print
and digital, are constantly vying for readership and advertising revenue. Intense competition
exists not only among traditional newspapers but also with online news platforms, blogs,
and social media channels. Differentiation strategies, content quality, and innovation play
crucial roles in determining success.

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 SWOT ANALYSIS

SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps organizations identify their internal
strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. The acronym
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This analysis is
valuable for businesses, projects, and individuals as it provides a comprehensive
understanding of the current state and potential strategic factors

STRENGTHS:

1. Brand Recognition: The Times of India is a well-established and widely recognized brand
in the media industry, with a long history of providing news and information to a diverse
audience.

2. Large Readership Base: The newspaper has a large and diverse readership, both in print
and online, giving it a significant market presence.

3. Quality Journalism: The Times of India is known for its commitment to quality
journalism, with a team of experienced journalists and contributors.

4. Diversified Products: Apart from the traditional print newspaper, The Times of India has
diversified into digital platforms, including a website and mobile applications, catering to
the changing preferences of readers.

5. Strong Advertising Revenue: The newspaper attracts a substantial amount of advertising

revenue, thanks to its large readership and wide reach.

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WEAKNESSES:

1. Dependency on Advertising: The Times of India relies heavily on advertising for revenue,
and fluctuations in the advertising market can impact its financial performance.

2. Print Decline: The global shift towards digital media has led to a decline in the print
newspaper industry. The Times of India may face challenges in sustaining its traditional
print format.

3. Distribution Challenges: Logistics and distribution costs can be high, particularly for the
print edition, and distribution challenges could impact timely delivery.

4. Limited Geographic Presence: While The Times of India has a significant presence in
major cities, its reach in certain geographic areas may be limited.

OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Digital Expansion: There is an opportunity for The Times of India to further expand its
digital presence, leveraging the growing trend of online news consumption.

2. Content Diversification: The newspaper can explore diversifying its content offerings to
cater to a wider range of audience interests and preferences.

3. Global Expansion: The Times of India can explore opportunities for global expansion,
reaching out to the Indian diaspora and a broader international audience.

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 4. Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborating with other media outlets, technology
companies, or content creators could open up new avenues for content delivery and revenue
generation.

THREATS:

1. Digital Disruption: The rise of digital media poses a significant threat to traditional print
newspapers. The Times of India needs to navigate this digital disruption effectively.

2. Competition: Intense competition from other newspapers, online news platforms, and
social media can impact readership and advertising revenue.

3. Changing Consumer Preferences: Evolving reader preferences and habits may shift
towards shorter, more visual content, challenging the traditional newspaper format.

4. Regulatory Challenges: Changes in media regulations or legal constraints could impact

the operations of The Times of India.

The Times of India has a strong brand and a large readership base, but it needs to navigate the
challenges presented by the digital era and evolving consumer preferences. Diversifying
content, expanding digitally, and exploring new revenue streams could be key strategic
initiatives for the newspaper. Regularly reassessing its SWOT analysis will help The Times of
India stay agile in a dynamic media landscape.

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 PESTEL ANALYSIS

PESTEL analysis is a strategic management tool that helps organizations understand and
analyze the external macro-environmental factors that can impact their business. The
acronym PESTEL stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and
Legal factors. This analysis helps businesses identify and evaluate the external forces and
trends that may affect their operations, decision-making, and overall strategic planning.

Conducting a PESTEL analysis involves systematically evaluating each of these factors to

gain a comprehensive understanding of the external environment in which a business
operates. The analysis helps organizations identify potential opportunities and threats,
allowing them to make informed decisions and develop strategies that align with the external
context.

A PESTEL analysis is particularly useful for strategic planning, market research, and risk
management. It provides a framework for businesses to adapt to changes in the external
environment, anticipate future trends, and proactively respond to challenges and opportunities
in their industry.

Certainly! Let's conduct a PESTEL analysis specifically for The Times of India:

1. Political Factors:

- Regulatory Environment: The Times of India operates in a media industry subject to

regulations and policies. Changes in media laws or government regulations can impact
content production, distribution, and overall operations.

- Censorship Laws: Political factors, including censorship laws, can influence the freedom
of the press and the ability of media organizations to report on certain issues.

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2. Economic Factors:

- Advertising Revenue: Economic conditions and fluctuations can impact advertising

spending, a significant revenue stream for newspapers. Economic downturns may lead to
reduced advertising budgets.

- Subscription Rates: Economic factors such as income levels and inflation can affect the
willingness of readers to pay for subscriptions or purchase newspapers.

3. Social Factors:

- Demographic Trends: Understanding the demographics of The Times of India's readership

is crucial for tailoring content to the interests and preferences of the target audience.

- Cultural Preferences: Social and cultural trends influence reader preferences. The
newspaper needs to adapt its content to reflect changing societal values and interests.

4. Technological Factors:

- Digital Transformation: The rise of digital media impacts traditional print newspapers.
The Times of India needs to embrace digital platforms, optimize its online presence, and
adapt to changing reader habits.

- Online Distribution: The shift toward online news consumption and the use of social
media as a news source requires The Times of India to develop effective online distribution
strategies.

5. Environmental Factors:

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 - Sustainability Practices: Increasing awareness of environmental issues may lead to a
demand for sustainable practices in the production and distribution of newspapers.

- Climate Impact: Environmental considerations, such as extreme weather events, can affect
distribution logistics and printing operations.

6. Legal Factors:

- Media Laws: Adherence to media laws, including those related to freedom of the press
and defamation, is crucial. Legal challenges can impact the newspaper's operations and
reputation.

- Intellectual Property: Protecting intellectual property, including copyrights for articles and
images, is important in the media industry.

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 ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING

Environmental scanning involves the systematic collection and analysis of information about
the external environment to identify opportunities and threats that may affect an organization.
In the case of The Times of India, environmental scanning would be crucial for staying
abreast of changes in the media industry, understanding reader preferences, and adapting to
external trends. Here's how environmental scanning can be done with reference to The Times
of India:

1. Media Industry Analysis:

- Monitor industry trends: Keep track of changes in the media landscape, including
emerging technologies, shifts in consumer behavior, and the rise of digital media.

- Competitor analysis: Regularly assess the strategies and activities of competitors in the
media industry to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

- Regulatory updates: Stay informed about changes in media regulations that may impact
content creation, distribution, or advertising practices.

2. Reader Demographics and Preferences:

- Conduct surveys and reader feedback: Gather data on reader demographics, preferences,
and behavior through surveys, feedback forms, and online interactions.

- Analyze social media: Monitor social media platforms to gauge reader reactions to
content, identify trending topics, and understand the sentiment of the audience.

3. Digital Transformation:

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 - Technology watch: Stay updated on technological advancements in the media industry,
with a focus on digital platforms, online publishing tools, and innovations that can enhance
content delivery.

- Website and app analytics: Analyze website and mobile app analytics to understand online
reader behavior, track user engagement, and identify popular content.

4. Advertising Trends:

- Ad industry insights: Keep track of advertising industry trends, including changes in

advertising formats, preferences of advertisers, and shifts in advertising spending.

- Partner with advertising agencies: Collaborate with advertising agencies to understand the
evolving needs of advertisers and tailor advertising solutions accordingly.

5. Environmental Sustainability:

- Sustainable practices: Explore and implement environmentally friendly practices in

printing, distribution, and other operations to align with growing concerns about
sustainability.

- Green initiatives: Stay informed about industry-wide green initiatives and best practices to
minimize the environmental impact of newspaper production.

6. Legal and Regulatory Landscape:

- Media law updates: Regularly review legal developments related to media, freedom of the
press, and intellectual property rights to ensure compliance.

- Risk assessment: Assess potential legal risks and challenges that may arise from the
content published and take preemptive measures to address them.

7. Global Expansion Opportunities:

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 - International media trends: Explore global media trends and opportunities
for expansion into new markets, particularly among the Indian diaspora.

- Strategic partnerships: Identify potential partnerships or collaborations with

international media outlets to expand reach and influence.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a company's commitment to operating in an

economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner. It involves integrating
ethical considerations and responsible business practices into a company's operations, with
the aim of contributing positively to society and the environment. CSR encompasses a range
of activities, including philanthropy, environmental sustainability, ethical business practices,
and social initiatives.

Companies engaging in CSR often go beyond legal and regulatory requirements, recognizing
their broader responsibilities to stakeholders, communities, and the planet.

THE TIMES OF INDIA AND CSR:

The Times of India, being a prominent media organization, has been associated with various
CSR initiatives. Media companies, in general, play a crucial role in shaping public opinion
and awareness. Here are potential areas where The Times of India or its parent company,
Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL), may focus on CSR:

1. Media Literacy and Education: Supporting initiatives that promote media

literacy, journalism education, and ethical reporting standards. This can
contribute to the development of a responsible and informed media landscape.

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2. Community Engagement: Investing in community development projects,
supporting local initiatives, and contributing to social causes aligned with the
newspaper's values. This could involve partnerships with NGOs and community
organizations.

3. Environmental Awareness: Using its platform to raise awareness about

environmental issues and potentially adopting environmentally sustainable
practices in its operations. This may include promoting green practices within
the organization and through its content.

4. Public Health Initiatives: Supporting health-related causes, promoting health

awareness, and contributing to healthcare infrastructure development. This is
particularly relevant given the role of media in disseminating health
information.

5. Employee Welfare: Implementing policies and initiatives that ensure the well-
being and development of its employees. This can include employee training
programs, health and wellness initiatives, and fair employment practices.

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 COMPETITORS OF TIMES OF INDIA

Here are some notable competitors of The Times of India:

1. Hindustan Times (HT): Hindustan Times is one of the major English-language newspapers
in India. It has a significant readership and competes with The Times of India for a share of
the newspaper market.

2. The Hindu: The Hindu is a widely respected English-language daily with a strong presence
in southern India. It competes with The Times of India in certain regions and is known for its
in-depth reporting and analysis.

3. The Indian Express: The Indian Express is another prominent English-language newspaper
in India. It is known for its investigative journalism and is a competitor to The Times of
India, especially in terms of editorial content and readership.

4. Hindustan (HT Media): Hindustan, a Hindi-language daily, is a competitor in the

vernacular newspaper segment. It competes with The Times of India in regions where Hindi
is the primary language.

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5. Business Standard: Business Standard is a leading business daily in India, focusing on
financial and business news. While it has a specific niche, it competes with The Times of
India in the broader media market.

6. The Telegraph: The Telegraph is a well-established English-language newspaper with a

strong presence in eastern India. It competes with The Times of India in certain regional
markets.

7. Digital Competitors: In the digital space, The Times of India faces competition from
various online news platforms, including but not limited to NDTV, The Quint, Scroll.in, and
News18. The rise of digital media has expanded the competitive landscape beyond traditional
print newspapers.

It's important to note that the media landscape is dynamic, and the competitive scenario may
have evolved since my last update. Additionally, competition can vary regionally, with
different newspapers having stronger influences in specific areas.

39
CHAPTER 3

40
1. Your age

Fig 3.1
The maximum number of respondents were from the 18-25 years of age group.

2. Gender

Fig 3.2
The maximum number of respondents were male.

3. How often do you purchase newspapers?

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 Fig 3.3
Almost 83% of the total newspaper readers prefer daily. So, newspaper is almost a
morning habit for them.

4. Which of the following newspaper brand are you aware of?

Fig 3.4
The highest awareness Is with the times of India newspaper which reflects the
effectiveness of sales and promotional strategy of the time of India newspaper and
following the times of India, the Hindu has the highest awareness, which is also
considered as the times of India’s one of the closest competitors.

5. After the first use have you repeated the purchase of the following newspapers?

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 Fig 3.5
Most of the respondents have repeated the purchase of Hindustan times, more than the
times of india.

6. Which is your most preferred newspaper brand?

Fig 3.6
The readers have made the times of idnia their most preferred newspaper brand. Next to
the times of india, the hidnu is the second highest preferred brand.

7. From where do you buy your preferred newspapers?

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 Fig 3.7
The readers prefer buying newspaper mostly ‘through vendor subscription’.

8. If your preferred newspaper is not available what would you do?

Fig 3.8
These figures reflects that the readers are very particular about their choice of newspaper.
They are very loyal to their respective preferred newspaper brands.

9. Do you think digital news has taken over the newspaper?

Fig 3.9

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Newspaper readers believe that digital news has taken over the traditional means of news
i.e. the newspaper.

45
 CHAPTER 4

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The summer internship project plays an important role in management education where
students get a golden opportunity to apply his knowledge and learning gained from classroom
lectures in practical business environment. I have also learnt a lot by my Internship at Times
of India Group. This research has been done to study the consumer preference towards the
Times Group’s. There is high demand and high awareness about TOI newspaper. The key
element is to know more about the process of making newspaper print, and supplements
which I had saw at TOI Sahibabad news press. TOI is not able to provide accurate service to
all customers. There are some other reasons also, but if TOI works on improving services of
delivery or customer relationship or improving the quality of responding towards the
customers’ problems with better solutions, than obviously no reader will leave TOI.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

 Improvement of Services: The first and foremost recommendation that can be suggested
from the findings of the research is the improvement in services. As there are high demand of
the magazines of WWM. The customers now have huge options for selecting a magazine, as
there are so many producers of magazines in different language and increased usage of
internet. Therefore a small problem faced by a customer may lead to losing that one.

 A better distribution channel: I would also like to recommend that by implementing a

better distribution channel, TOI can increase its market share.

 Appointment of new staff: TOI can also improve their services by appointing new staff as
‘Customer care Executive’ by giving well training so that they will be able to respond the
customers well who have problems. Because currently customers are not well responded.

 The company should provide alternative media message.

 The company needs to offers more and more services to maintain and remain in the
competitions

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Your age
 Below 18
 18-25
 26-35
 36-45
 46-55
 Above 55

2. Gender

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  Female
 Male
 Other

3. How often do you purchase newspapers?

 Daily
 Once a week
 Twice a week
 Once a fortnight

4. Which I the following newspaper brand are you aware of?

 The Hindu
 The Times of India
 The Statesman
 Hindustan Times
 The Indian Express
 The Telegraph

5. After the first use have you repeated the purchase of the following newspapers?
 Yes
 No

6. Which is your most preferred newspaper brand?

 The Hindu
 The Times of India
 The Statesman
 Hindustan Times
 The Indian Express

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  The Telegraph

7. From where do you buy your preferred newspapers?

 From newspaper stalls
 Through vendor subscription

8. If your preferred newspaper is not available what would you do?

 Buy another newspaper brand
 Buy same newspaper brand from another place
 Do no tbuy any newspaper
 Choose online portal of your preferred brand

9. Do you think digital news has taken over the newspaper?

 Yes
 No

REFRENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY

Source:

• http://www.idsc.com.sg/images/service_logistics_img1.jpg.

• http://www.indexuae.com/Top/Business_and_Economy/Services/Logistics

• http://www.lintasfreight.com/

• www.times.group.in

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• www.timesschedule.co.in

• www.wikipedia.,timesgroup.in

 https://www.scribd.com/doc/19317077/consumer-behavior-towardstimes-of-india-news-pape

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