ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • Users to experience ‘real power of conversations’ with ‘Khul Ke’

    Users to experience ‘real power of conversations’ with ‘Khul Ke’

    Mumbai: A conversation can lead to many possibilities, but the existing clutter of social media platforms currently does not encourage or enable users to explore this power. Forthcoming social media platform ‘Khul Ke’ harnesses this thought and aims to give people the opportunity to engage in uninhibited, enriching conversations and increase their circle of influence rather than just be mute spectators. 

    Khul Ke will be the only platform to allow video, audio and text-based conversations amongst panelists as well as the audience. It lays its foundation in the ‘power of conversations’ and urges artists, influencers, entrepreneurs, brands, consumers, your friends, or like-minded individuals to engage in meaningful conversations. The platform cuts through the existing clutter of social apps, by being the only platform to enable all media of exchange i.e audio, video and text, and encourages users to network while they are at it. It will have a host of distinct features that its users can explore. 

    The star feature will be the ‘RoundTable,’ which will drive moderated discussions around the trending and most exciting topics. Its going to get easier than ever before to discuss various topics and simultaneously engage with experts from industries across the gamut over video, audio and messaging modes. Comprising of a moderator and relevant panelists, this virtual RoundTable will provide a platform to voice opinions or engage in interesting conversations. The panelist might be a subject expert, a celebrity, an influencer, or even a decision-maker. The audience on the other hand will engage in sharing ideas with other members and can even create their own conversation and stream it live in video and audio formats. The other key feature is TownHall, a space where people can share personal opinions, updates via audio & visual content. One can further like, comment, circulate and share another user’s post. This enables the users to create a network of like-minded people.

    Engaging in one-on-one conversations is imperative to any social platform and hence Khul Ke’s native messenger Yapp will enable members to interact with other individuals directly and privately.

    Speaking on its beta rollout, a source close to the management said, “This platform is for the people and by the people who love conversations. It was conceived and conceptualised keeping in mind the limitations existing platforms have. So Khul Ke is designed as a one-stop destination for conversation lovers. Users here can be uninhibited and can converse ‘Khul Ke’ to explore a new world of possibilities. The star feature, RoundTable is unique and encourages users to have meaningful conversations with like-minded people in a mode they prefer. One needs to explore the app to know the many possibilities it has to offer to both brands and individuals.”  

    The platform will also offer an array of services for brands and organisations along with individuals. Khul Ke can be a platform of choice for engaging with end consumers to seek feedback, launch new products, or even increase reach through brand promotions. It is also a powerful medium to engage within organisations to host AGMs, discussions, interviews, seminars, training, and one can even plan a virtual catch-up with their friends!

    It’s time to go beyond just comments, likes, and shares and have a real conversation and Khul Ke seems to be the only platform that is set to make this possible.

    The beta rollout will have both iOS and Android versions and will also be available on the web www.khulke.com.

  • Chimp&z Inc bags digital mandate for ALTBalaji’s Metaverse game ‘Lock Upp’

    Chimp&z Inc bags digital mandate for ALTBalaji’s Metaverse game ‘Lock Upp’

    Mumbai: Chimp&z Inc, from the aegis of Merge Infinity Network has bagged the digital mandate for ALTBalaji’s “Lock Upp,” a first-of-its-kind reality show-based fantasy metaverse game. This establishes a strategic partnership for the game’s launch on seven popular social media platforms.

    With this partnership, the agency forays into a metaverse market that offers in-game cards of the celebrity contestants which players can own, buy, sell, and trade and earn points through skilled gameplay and contributions to the ecosystem, said the statement.

    As per the mandate, the agency will amplify enrollment in the game with creative communications across social platforms such as Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Telegram. The digital duties further extend to online reputation management and influencer collaborations.

    https://www.instagram.com/lockuppgame/

    “As we embark on a first-of-its-kind journey for an innovation like the Lock Upp Game, we are delighted to have Chimp&z Inc on board to support us in this unique project which will break barriers and open paths for future content innovation,” commented Balaji Telefilms group COO Zulfiqar Khan.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with Zulfiqar and his team on delivering a surreal experience to the audience with a Metaverse-based game,” stated Chimp&z Inc VP- growth and operations Ashish Duggal. “The game plan is to develop identifiable social and digital solutions that will assist in supporting the brand’s thrust area of being the first fantasy game based on a reality show. We put together a team of gaming enthusiasts for this project who formulated a digital strategy that will appeal to the target audience, which includes gamers, metaverse wizards, and NFT buffs. This innovative intellectual property has manifested a bridge between virtual reality and entertainment, making the audience a part of the content they are consuming.”

  • White Rivers Media, Phyvital team up to build Web 3.0 experience in India

    White Rivers Media, Phyvital team up to build Web 3.0 experience in India

    Mumbai: In an industry first, White Rivers Media and Phyvital have come together to offer a new realm of services to brands operating in the Indian market: the creation of Metaverse and Web3.0 user experiences.

    New York-based Phyvital is a global, integrated Web 3.0 driven tech-first organisation. It enables companies to create, engage and amplify Metaverse experiences for user communities. Backed by the Stanford University Human Perception Lab’s founder and director Dr Khizer Khaderi, it collaborates with companies globally. “The most exciting part about our collaboration with Phyvital is that it enables us to share our research with the Metaverse community. We are excited to see it partner with White Rivers Media to bring their synergies to build compelling Metaverse experiences and turn these endless possibilities into reality,” said Dr Khaderi.

    India-based White Rivers Media is an independent, full-service digital marketing agency with 300+ people working across Mumbai & Delhi. It works with brands across industries and production houses to build engaging narratives. “This is the giant leap forward that we’ve been waiting to take in the Indian advertising, marketing and gaming industries,” stated White Rivers Media co-founder and CEO Shrenik Gandhi. “In the world of creating and distributing digital experiences, stagnation is as good as sliding backward. By joining hands with Web3.0 specialists Phyvital, we now have the unique opportunity to write the Metaverse chapter in the book of White Rivers Media.”

    According to the statement, Phyvital and White Rivers Media are in the process of finalising several brand partnerships, which will be announced shortly.

  • hoichoi drops trailer for its 100th original ‘Tiktiki’

    hoichoi drops trailer for its 100th original ‘Tiktiki’

    Mumbai: Bengali entertainment platform hoichoi has unveiled the trailer for its 100th original “Tiktiki.” Directed by Dhrubo Banerjee, the web series is slated to premiere on 18 March. 

    The launch event celebrated the web debut of actor-director Kaushik Ganguly as the lead cast of the series, as well as the directorial debut of Banerjee on the platform. The show also features Anirban Bhattacharya alongside Ganguly for the first time.

    The trailer starts with suspense-laden visuals of a palace and goes on to show a meeting between the polar opposites, Soumendra Krishna Deb (played by Ganguly) and Milan Basak (played by Bhattacharya). Taking off on a cordial note, the meeting soon turns into a duel, absolute chaos as the characters begin to unveil themselves. The trailer ends with a gunshot, leaving the audience at a cliffhanger.

    The event also witnessed the launch of the “Tiktiki Game of Chess,” where players can challenge either of the two lead characters of the series. A maximum of 150 kills within 100 seconds, will give them a chance to win a coupon code offering 25 per cent discount on the hoichoi annual subscription. The game is available on the hoichoi app.

    “It is an unparalleled moment for me to showcase the trailer of my first web directorial venture in such a grand manner. I feel grateful to my entire team and hoichoi for making this day so special,” said director Dhrubo Banerjee. “Right now, I am cherishing every moment that we have spent in creating Tiktiki. I hope audiences love the show and recognise the passion that has gone into making it.”

    “I am happy about not only getting to play such a powerful character as Milan Basak, but also to share the screen with an accomplished actor like Kaushik Ganguly,” added actor Anirban Bhattacharya. “‘Tiktiki’ is the kind of project that I feel will leave a mark in people’s mind. I am grateful to Dhrubo Banerjee for making ‘Tiktiki’ and making me a part of it. I will always have special regard for hoichoi for bringing in such unique content for our audience. I am looking forward to the audience reactions once the show gets released.”

    Commenting on his web debut, Kaushik Ganguly shared, “It is an absolute delight for me to be marking my debut with something that is as grand as ‘Tiktiki.’ I am thankful to Dhrubo Banerjee for Soumendra Krishna Deb and simply hope that I have done justice to the character. I would also like to thank Anirban Bhattacharya for being such an amazing co-actor. I am immensely thankful to the entire team of ‘Tiktiki’ and hoichoi for making the journey of my first web series memorable.”

  • YuppTV Scope enters strategic alliance with aha

    YuppTV Scope enters strategic alliance with aha

    Mumbai: OTT aggregator YuppTV Scope has announced its partnership with Telugu OTT platform aha. This strategic alliance will enable YuppTV Scope users to access the entire video content library of aha as a part of YuppTV Scope’s extensive content catalogue.

    Through this partnership, aha can further extend its reach through YuppTV Scope’s BSNL and other ISP partnerships catering to tier 2 and 3 segments, said the statement. 

    “YuppTV lets its users rediscover and connect with entertainment that resonates with their preferences,” said YuppTV founder and CEO Uday Reddy. “We are committed to giving our viewers the finest quality content in accordance with their comfort and this partnership brings us a step closer towards it. aha is known for its distinct brand of storytelling-driven format that engages viewers with its exclusive and original content. With the collaboration, YuppTV viewers will have access to the entire category of Telugu entertainment at their ease.”

    aha offers original Telugu content across various formats that include films, web series, and non-fiction shows.

    “The collaboration has brought a broader reach to the platform,” stated aha CEO Ajit Thakur. “We’re excited to work with YuppTV and we want to offer further shows on the platform in the future. Our business model is to generate unique content that is extremely engaging and can be delivered across a variety of platforms. YuppTV Scope’s large and highly engaged premium audience is an excellent fit for reaching, distributing, and promoting our platform.”

  • 20th VES Awards: DNEG sweeps seven awards for visual effects

    20th VES Awards: DNEG sweeps seven awards for visual effects

    Mumbai: The London-based VFX major Double Negative (DNEG) has received seven awards at the 20th Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards held in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The company is a technology-enabled visual effect and animation studio for the creation of feature film, television and multiplatform content.  This year’s seven VES awards bring The company’s all-time total to 18.

    The four of DNEG’s seven awards honoured its VFX work on Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar 2022 frontrunner “Dune,” including the main award for ‘Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature,’ which was presented by the filmmaker himself.

    DNEG also received two awards for its work on the Apple TV+ drama “Foundation,” as well as the award for ‘Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature” for Edgar Wright’s “Last Night In Soho.”

    DNEG’s dominant and expansive awards haul on the evening provides further evidence of the company’s leading capabilities in the visual effects and animation industries. This year’s extraordinary levels of success and the recognition of the Visual Effects Society add to DNEG’s impressive list of recent and historical accolades, said the statement.

    “Thank you to the Visual Effects Society for honouring the incredible work of our teams and congratulations to all of our winners, collaborators, global teams and clients on this epic achievement,” commented DNEG chairman and CEO Namit Malhotra. “It is important to note that these projects were all in production during the pandemic. Despite the challenges of finding new ways of working in this incredibly difficult time for the world, DNEG has produced work of a quality that has been recognised as outstanding by the VES – an industry body that provides a detailed and comprehensive gauge of the technology and artistry that makes this work so special.”

    “This, alongside the unprecedented number of awards that we won last night, is a massive testament to the capabilities of our teams, and the trust of our customers that DNEG will always deliver their vision to the highest possible standard. It is also a huge validation of DNEG’s ambitious growth plans as we go from strength to strength, scaling our business, and delivering great results across all of our global teams,” Malhotra further said.

    DNEG’s complete 2022 VES Award winners are:

    Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature: “Dune” – Paul Lambert, Brice Parker, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor, Gerd Nefzer

    Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature: “Last Night in Soho” – Tom Proctor, Gavin Gregory, Julian Gnass, Fabricio Baessa

    Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode: “Foundation” – The Emperor’s Peace – Chris MacLean, Addie Manis, Mike Enriquez, Chris Keller, Paul Byrne

    Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project: “Dune” – Royal Ornithopter – Marc Austin, Anna Yamazoe, Michael Chang, Rachael Dunk

    Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature: “Dune” – Dunes of Arrakis – Gero Grimm, Ivan Larinin, Hideki Okano, Zuny An

    Outstanding Effects Simulation in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project: “Foundation” – Collapse of the Galactic Empire – Giovanni Casadei, Mikel Zuloaga, Steven Moor, Louis Manjarres

    Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Feature: “Dune” – Attack on Arrakeen – Gregory Haas, Francesco Dell’Anna, Abhishek Chaturvedi, Cleve Zhu

    DNEG served as lead VFX partner on each of the above projects, with work completed throughout its worldwide studios, according to the company.

  • GUEST COLUMN: Is AI a threat to digital marketing industry in terms of employment?

    GUEST COLUMN: Is AI a threat to digital marketing industry in terms of employment?

    Mumbai: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been one of the celebrated buzzwords of all time across various industries. It has been answering a lot of questions and taking humankind to new places, quite literally, with customer service like chatbots and autopilot driving machines.

    With people adopting the digital way of living, brands aggressively engage with digital technologies and innovation to propel their marketing efforts. AI is disrupting nearly every digital experience and has altered the way consumers interact with services.

    The deployability of AI-led technologies and the difference it has brought in achieving customer satisfaction is now posing a serious threat to digital marketers. With AI’s agility, it is normal for marketers to be a little insecure. However, the day when AI takes over digital marketing jobs is still years away. On the contrary, automation creates more opportunities than it is killing, with vacancies for AI coders and AI software handlers.

    Seven in 10 marketers claim to have a comprehensive AI strategy. Undoubtedly, organisations have found various machine learning applications that can benefit marketing endeavours.

    Customer service chatbots are one of the everyday uses of AI. It allows brands and businesses to offer 24/7 service to their customers and address basic queries. AI gives advertisers an edge by offering a tailormade digital advertising experience. and allows advertisers to acquire factual information for customer profiling such as age, gender, geographies and behaviours. This data further will enable marketers to create effective ads.

    AI technologies such as Augmented and Virtual Reality are also stealing the limelight by the way they are revamping the online shopping experience.

    Marketing professionals are also aligning Artificial Intelligence towards marketing content creation. With stacks of data accumulated by AI, marketers can easily decide on the content that will drive engagement. AI has been efficient in predictive analysis, allowing marketers to identify potential customers and strategies that will yield better results.

    Despite the significant advancement witnessed by AI, there are still some aspects that consistently need human intervention and expertise.

    Creative quotient: No matter how advanced, machines are still lagging in keeping pace with the human brain. Creative problem solving, music creation, painting landscapes, photo and video editing remain a few aspects where AI fails to perform. On the other hand, AI has been bringing a revolution in cutting down repetitive tasks such as creating customer profiles, sending personalised messages and scheduling.

    Decision-making: AI is adept at assisting humans but can’t have the final say. It requires a considerate amount of critical thinking and analysis to govern any marketing action. AI is crucial for acquiring data but cannot strategise or develop a plan on its own.

    The human touch: AI has proven effective at answering all the questions hurled at it by customers, but AI cannot build customer relationships due to the lack of emotional connection. The responses provided by AI-powered chatbots are restricted to their programming, whereas humans share similar experiences with other people, which forms a sense of relatability and understanding.

    AI is dependent on humans: AI is a technology developed by humans and cannot function independently. Therefore, it is dependent on humans to be programmed and be successful at performing a task. In addition, AI machines need to be upgraded as per the market’s changing landscape, which again requires human expertise.

    AI may still not be powerful enough to take up creative jobs, but it definitely eliminates a lot of human intervention from monotonous and routine jobs. As a result, businesses have been quick to deploy automation to boost productivity and mitigate the costs of resources.

    (About Author – Sahil Chopra is iCubesWire founder and CEO)

  • Ullu appoints Nivedita Basu as head of content strategy & business alliances

    Ullu appoints Nivedita Basu as head of content strategy & business alliances

    Mumbai: Homegrown OTT platform Ullu has appointed Nivedita Basu as the head of content strategy and business alliances. Her role will entail developing, creating, and producing original content and leading strategic business alliances for the platform. 

    With over two decades of experience in production and programming, Nivedita is one of the most noteworthy professionals in the entertainment industry. Her most significant stint was with Balaji Telefilms, where she donned the hat of a creative director.  She was key in revolutionising Indian soap series and also spear-headed content creation for leading Indian GEC namely Star, Zee Entertainment, Sony amongst many others. She is lauded for shows like “Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi,” “Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki,” “Kasauti Zindagii Ki,” “Kusum” and has also worked as a creative director for 24 at Anil Kapoor Film Company. Prior to joining Ullu, Nivedita had directed and co-produced its much-talked-about show “Tandoor.”

    Speaking on her appointment, Ullu founder and CEO Vibhu Agarwal said, “As we continue to expand and foray in different domains, Nivedita’s rich and illustrious experience will help us drive our goals. In her capacity, Nivedita will be responsible for not just creating engaging original content but also identifying the right talent for it. She will also lead our existing and new key business alliances.”

    “It gives me immense pleasure to join the vibrant and growing team of Ullu. Its commendable, how in such a short span of time, Ullu has established itself as a key player in the OTT space which offers content across genres,” said Nivedita Basu. “Earlier last year it expanded its library with family viewing shows like Assi Nabbe Poore Sau,  Bulls of Dalal Street, Cyanide and Tandoor amongst others which had some of the best-known talents from the industry along with intriguing concepts.  It is now at a pivotal juncture of diversifying and I join the team to further solidify its premium content offering.  I am really thankful to Vibhu ji for instilling faith in me.  I hope to take Ullu’s premium content domains to new heights and make the brand a one-stop destination of entertainment across domains.”

  • Users want interactive, social experiences on smartphones during IPL: Study

    Users want interactive, social experiences on smartphones during IPL: Study

    Mumbai: The mobile users now look for more interactive, social experiences on their smartphones during live IPL matches, according to the report titled ‘IPL and the Second Screen’ released by Glance on Tuesday. 70 per cent of IPL viewers use smartphones during the matches, with the majority consuming cricket-themed content parallelly on various platforms, revealed the study.

    Expert commentary, live watch-along, polls and quizzes, contests, cricket games, and fantasy cricket were amongst top choices for content consumption on phones during the matches. Content-led marketing on the second screen emerged as one of the key strategies for brands to cut through the IPL media clutter, the report stated.

    Close to 70 per cent of respondents identified themselves as ‘die-hard fans’ of IPL, and 72 per cent said that they will be watching every IPL match. Findings further revealed that while 69 per cent watch IPL on television, 61 per cent said that they also watch matches on their smartphones. The study found that content themes that are gaining popularity include live reaction videos of celebrities watching matches, behind-the-scenes snippets, unknown facts about favourite players, and expert match analyses.

    The survey further asked these respondents about the types of content they would like to interact with during the IPL matches. 56 per cent said they would like to take part in live watch parties with celebrities, and 53 per cent said they would participate in social media polls and quizzes on the match. 49 per cent opted for cricket games or fantasy cricket on various apps, while an equal percentage of them said they would bet on live matches. For brands and advertisers, this showed that interactive content formats will be one of the biggest engagement drivers to connect with audiences during the IPL.

    The Glance report outlined strategies that brands can leverage to tap into this growing trend of consuming second screen content during the IPL. These included using branded storytelling around cricket, launching customized polls and quizzes, designing watch parties with celebrities, and more, on popular platforms.

    When asked about ads that audiences would not mind engaging with, 54 per cent of respondents chose branded polls and quizzes that test their cricket knowledge, closely followed by ads that involved winning a contest. 48 per cent of users preferred influencer and celebrity-led ads, with an equal percentage voting for ads that lead to good shopping or dine-out deals.

    “IPL is a social phenomenon, both in the offline and the virtual world. People not just love watching cricket, but also love engaging with mobile content that gives them a 360-degree experience of the IPL and allows them to become a part of a community,” said InMobi Group co-founder and president and Glance COO Piyush Shah.“The evolving nature of IPL and the rise of interactive cricket content consumption on second screens, led by smartphones, allows brands to cut through the clutter of IPL, and connect with their audiences in a meaningful and impactful way.”

  • Disney+ Hotstar to stream ‘Lalitham Sundaram’ from 18 March

    Disney+ Hotstar to stream ‘Lalitham Sundaram’ from 18 March

    Mumbai: Manju Warrier and Biju Menon starrer “Lalitham Sundaram” is all set for streaming premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 18 March.

    Produced by Manju Warrier in association with Century Films, the film has an impressive cast including Anu Mohan, Saiju Kurup, Deepti Sati, Zarina Wahab, Raghunath Paleri. The film also marks the directorial debut of Manju Warrier’s brother Madhu Warrier, with cinematography from P Sukumar and Gautham Shankar and music by Biji Bal.

    Biju Menon shared his excitement to be a part of a family entertainer like Lalitham Sundaram after Ayyappanum Koshiyum and Aarkariyam. He also said it’s the concept and the presentation style were the factors that convinced him to be a part of this film.

    Manju Warrier was very much excited to work with Biju Menon after a gap of 20 years after their first movie. She also shared her excitement about producing this film with Century Films, which has produced over 100 films in Malayalam.

    About the story of the film, Madhu Warrier said it’s just like the name of the film “Lalitham Sundaram” meaning simple and beautiful. He also added, his debut film being a film that embraces the strong family bonds gave him confidence.