The founders of Parippu Vada Media (PVM), the youngest player in the business of movie promotions via social media in Mollywood, inform you in all solemnity that they would be launching their website to mark their company’s first anniversary in May. “A PVM mobile app will be launched soon,” says Shane Mathews while Jai Kishan K Sudhi adds that PVM also plans to get into creating brand identity for start-ups.
While their plans show good business sense, what makes PVM an extraordinary venture is the fact that Shane and Jai are just 14 and in Class IX.
“We thought about starting the business during our summer break,” says Shane. “Both Jai and I are crazy about movies and this brought us together,” he adds.
PVM, which has a tie-up with designing company Designment, has handled social media marketing for over 20 short films and five movies, including the blockbuster Vellimoonga, John Paul Vathil Thurakkumpol, Double Barrel, Rosappookkalam and Chirakodinja Kinavukal.
The service includes online promotion, reviews, news, location updates, gossip, teasers, and first-look posters. “We also provide marketing solutions for companies to promote their products online,” says Shane. “In less than a year, we have become one of the leading promoters of Malayalam movies via social media,” he says.
The duo started the Facebook page for PVM in May 2014. Shane gives credit to the over 10,500 fans who, he says, were the foundation for the success of their start-up. “There was nobody to fund us,” says Jai. “So we started out with the support of our families, teachers and classmates.”
Their new enterprise received a shot in the arm when popular actor Pratap Pothen, who is active on the social media, lauded their effort. “When I realised two 14-year-olds are behind PVM, I extended my support,” says Prathap, who launched the mascot of the company ‘Raghavan’ in November last year.
At first, Mollywood did not know two kids are behind PVM as inquiries are made through email and over the phone. But the industry was surprised when the faces behind the business were revealed.
The promotion of a movie takes about three weeks to one month and the duo makes `6,000 to `10,000 per film. “Marketing is the lifeblood of any business, which is why we spent months in creating a perfect plug and plan marketing blueprints which can be used by business and movie firms to maximise profits,” says Shane.
“We only do promotions through the Internet as it is the cheapest and most effective way to get publicity for business,” he adds.