Briefs

Media agencies question whether MCOT will be able to improve its bottom line or its ratings if it terminates its contracts with providers of co-produced programmes next month and handles its own production.
A director at MCOT’s Modernine TV has reportedly informed production houses, including Nation Broadcasting Corporation, that the channel would produce its own news and entertainment programmes starting in July.
Yesterday, the board of directors reportedly confirmed this decision at its monthly meeting.
A media-agency source questioned the readiness of Modernine TV’s team to produce new programmes to boost advertisers’ confidence and improve ratings. “Is it a good idea to make a big change in TV scheduling during the selection process for the new president?”
MCOT’s TV business, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of total revenue, saw a 4-per-cent drop to Bt819 million from Bt849 million year on year.

Uniqlo picks Djokovic
Uniqlo has appointed Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked male professional tennis player, as its global brand ambassador.
The five-year partnership will see Djokovic promoting Uniqlo clothing worldwide. The partnership will include collaboration on future product lines, as well as co-developing Uniqlo functional wear. A preview of the collaboration’s first results will be seen at this year’s French Open at Roland Garros, which starts on Sunday, where Djokovic will debut his newly designed Uniqlo match-wear.

Plants back to normal
Oishi Group, Thailand’s No 1 brand of Japanese-style green tea, is back up to speed after its UHT (ultra-high-temperature treatment) plants affected by the flooding last year have returned to full capacity.
Oishi is celebrating its plants’ resurgence by transforming its packaging with distinctive characters from “One Piece” – a famous Japanese manga series. – The Nation