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Category: iWorld

  • Asiaville unveils next-gen tech for gaming and entertainment content

    Asiaville unveils next-gen tech for gaming and entertainment content

    Mumbai: Asiaville, the IP-driven vernacular language media-tech company, has announced the introduction of AIGE, a hyper-interactive content technology that seamlessly merges cinematic video content with interactive entertainment and gaming elements. The technology gives viewers the chance to control storylines and narratives, thereby drastically increasing viewer engagement.

    “The new content plus technology format – AyeVee Interactive Gamified Experience (AIGE) – is the future of entertainment and gaming content,” said Asiaville Interactive Pvt Ltd co-founder and CEO Tuhin Menon.  

    “At a time when the mammoth content market is increasingly becoming flat – and its viewers inattentive  – we believe the AIGE technology will prove to be the jump the Indian media industry needs. This patent-pending format is a unique mix of cinematic entertainment, interactivity, and gaming, all blended into a seamless experience that puts the user at the heart of the storytelling experience,” said Menon.

    The company rolled out two pilot shows, “Who Killed Kavitha?” and “Let Me Out!” on the AIGE format.

    “Releases of Malayalam shows ‘Let Me Out!’ and Tamil show ‘Who Killed Kavitha?’ just last month have already garnered fantastic engagement numbers. With close to a million downloads of the AyeVee app, user completion rate for the AIGE shows has been over 50 per cent,  

    with users interacting an average of 50 times with each show.”

    “More importantly, the average time spent by each user per day has consistently exceeded 45 minutes,  benchmarking exceedingly well even with the best of the OTT platforms. Notably, an unprecedented 30 percent of users completed both the game shows in one session entirely at one go,” added Menon.

    The two pilot shows garnered ratings of over 4.6/5, with seven lakh minutes of cumulative time spent on the two shows. The ratings and the engagements are indicative of the change content creators and consumers actively seek.

    “The two shows demonstrated that the technology has meaningful scope for brands and advertisers. AIGE content will make in-film brands interactive as well, giving users the freedom the check out products well inside the storyline.  AIGE opens up a whole new medium of engagement for brands, as users engage with them in customised and immersive brand environments,” added Menon.

    The cumulative entertainment and gaming market in India – with a TAM of roughly $3 billion – represents a large monetisation opportunity for AIGE, which is poised at the intersection of these two cohorts.

  • Team Mortal claims victory at The Finals Esports Revolution Showdown 2024 Lan in India

    Team Mortal claims victory at The Finals Esports Revolution Showdown 2024 Lan in India

    Mumbai: Skyesports, a global IP and community builder for gaming and esports, wrapped up The Finale Esports Revolution Showdown, India’s first-ever Lan for the exciting FPS shooter in Chennai. Twenty of the country’s top creators made their way to the city to fight for the prestigious trophy.

    Split into four squads, the teams were headlined by some renowned names in India’s gaming and esports industry, namely, Mortal, Scout, Binks, and Sentinel. After an intense double-elimination bracket, Team Scout and Team Mortal were the only two squads remaining to fight for the trophy.

    Team Scout, making their way through the upper bracket were the favourites, but Mortal’s team, including himself, Red Parasite, Dolly Plays, Pashu, and Pingu, were quick to improvise to deny Scout the trophy.

    Commenting in a post-match interview, Naman “Mortal” Mathur, said, “I am feeling thrilled, especially with the team. I didn’t know what my team’s capabilities were until we got here. We sat here and learned – improvised on our mistakes and here we are.”


    The Finals, an exciting FPS title, is positioning itself as the newest alternative for India’s fast-growing gaming industry.

    Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “The Finals Esports Revolution Showdown at our HQ in Chennai was a resounding success, picking up more than 225,000 viewers so far – a testament to Skyesports’ distribution channels and power of the gaming creators. We are thrilled to be the official India partners for The Finals, and the engagement to the first esports showdown for the game has showcased its potential to penetrate the Indian gaming market.” 

  • “We invest in creating unique, authentic, engaging and high-quality content:” Jist’s Rishi Pratim Mukherjee

    “We invest in creating unique, authentic, engaging and high-quality content:” Jist’s Rishi Pratim Mukherjee

    Mumbai: In today’s digital age, the way we consume news and entertainment has evolved dramatically. With the rise of digital platforms and social media, millennials and Gen Z  prefer accessible, engaging, and informative content that simplifies complex news and entertainment topics. This shift has not only transformed how content is delivered but also how it’s consumed.

    Amidst this trend stands Jist Media, a dynamic digital news and entertainment company that has redefined content creation. Jist is founded by Rishi Pratim Mukherjee (co-founder & CEO), Sattvik Mishra (co-founder), and Nitin Narang (co-founder). Since its inception in January 2023, Jist has captivated over five million followers with its innovative approach to simplifying news and making it accessible through a mix of short and long-format videos. With a staggering 1.2 billion views and a reach of 3.5 billion, Jist has quickly emerged as a leading player in the digital media landscape, resonating deeply with a young, curious audience eager for meaningful and engaging content.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with Jist Media co-founder & CEO Rishi Pratim Mukherjee to gain more insights on the latest developments at Jist, their business model, and much more…

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the inspiration behind the creation of Jist and the journey since its launch; and some of the latest developments at Jist

    Jist (India), is a digital news and entertainment company that creates videos to explain the world to young, curious audiences –  particularly millennials and Gen Z. Our platform aims to empower users through accessible, authentic, engaging, and informative video content. With a dedicated team of 40 plus talented individuals, we consistently produce 250 plus original videos per month, catering to the preferences of audiences who have a penchant for video content consumption.

    Our primary focus is to cater the audiences who have a preference for video content consumption. Over the past year, our social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and X have reached 1.2 billion views per year and amassed five million followers. This tremendous growth is a testament that there is a growing audience for meaningful content that is merely not serving news in a static manner but providing genuine value by making sense of the news cacophony surrounding today’s digital natives. This overwhelming response gives us the confidence to keep making content for our audience and continue to reimagine storytelling via multiple digital formats.

    Latest developments – Jist is currently leveraging branded content partnerships. It has begun taking nascent steps in monetising its content by partnering with marquee brands like Invideo AI, Iqoo, Baazi Games, JB Power Consultants, and Rockford (Modi Illva India Pvt Ltd).

    On Jist setting itself apart from other digital news and entertainment platforms

    We invest in creating unique, authentic, engaging and high-quality content that caters to the diverse needs and interests of our audience eg – entertainment, health, lifestyle, politics, economy and sports among others. As mentioned above, our social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and X have reached 1.2 billion views per year and amassed five million followers. We are committed to meeting the evolving preferences of our viewers by providing them a seamless and enriching experience on the devices of their choice.

    We prioritise quality engagement metrics over mere quantitative indicators.

    On Jist’s business model and the strategies to monetise your content effectively

    Jist operates on a digital content business model, focusing on curating and creating original video content in both short and long formats. Targeting a community of over five million millennials and Gen Z followers, Jist produces infotainment content that makes news simple, fun, and accessible. Since its launch in January 2023, Jist has garnered 1.2 billion views and a reach of 3.5 billion (in 2023 alone). Jist is currently leveraging branded content partnerships. Jist has begun taking nascent steps in monetising its content by partnering with marquee brands like Sprite (Coca Cola) Titan Eyewear, Invideo AI, Iqoo, Baazi Games, JB Power Consultants, and Rockford (Modi Illva India Pvt Ltd).

    On strategies that Jist has implemented to rapidly grow its user base

    We invest in creating unique, authentic, engaging and high-quality content that caters to the diverse needs and interests of our audience eg – entertainment, health, lifestyle, politics, economy and sports among others. The platform reached a significant milestone in 2023, surpassing 700 million viewers across its social media platforms, and are thrilled to see the continued growth in viewership throughout the year. We are committed to meeting the evolving preferences of our viewers by providing them a seamless and enriching experience on the devices of their choice.

    What content consumption trends are you noticing among millennials and Gen Z and how does Jist tailor its content to meet the preferences of younger audiences

    In recent years, there has been a notable transformation in the content consumption pattern of the youth in India, particularly for news and entertainment. According to a report by Global data company YouGov, young consumers between 25-34 years will be driving streaming growth in India. As consumer content consumption patterns continue to evolve, we at Jist News are committed to adapting our content creation approach including leveraging innovative digital storytelling formats, enhancing our presence on social media platforms, and exploring opportunities in the growing streaming market to deliver engaging and relevant content that resonates with our audience.

    ●    Our focus is on providing editorially curated news content that offers perspective and important contextual cues, making sense of the noise for our audience in a language and format native to their digital experience, ensuring both relevance and engagement.

    ●    Ensuring the authenticity of information is paramount to us. Our editorial team led by Rahul Shrivastava, who comes with decades of experience in esteemed news organisations like NDTV and India Today, upholds classical fact-checking and journalistic rigour to meet the highest standards of credibility and reliability. Our editorial team is mentored and moulded constantly to present content that meets the highest journalistic standards.

    ●    While entertainment content, especially scripted fiction, remains popular among Indian youth, there is a noticeable shift towards consuming more informative and issue-driven content. This indicates a growing interest among the youth in understanding and engaging with important social, political, and cultural issues.

    ●    The rise of over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms has transformed the way Indian youth consume entertainment, with on-demand viewing becoming the norm over traditional appointment-based TV watching.

    ●    We prioritise quality engagement metrics over mere quantitative indicators. Metrics such as organic views, video completion rates, average watch time, and the quality of user comments are considered more meaningful in assessing the effectiveness and impact of its content on the audience.

    We recognise this shift in preferences and strive to provide content that not only entertains but also informs and educates its audience. By delivering well-researched, authentic, and digestible news content, Jist News aims to simplify complex topics and make them more accessible to the digitally savvy youth.

    On some of the most successful IPs Jist has created so far and future IPs that we can look forward to, from Jist Media

    Our most produced content IP is Answered, helmed by in-house anchors Nimisha Wahi and Nishtha Pandey, vertical format video explainer that is Reels first. Each video has an average duration of 120-240 seconds, focusing on crunching information on key topics trending in the news and connecting information dots for our audience, providing them with context of the topic. We handle the entire production process in-house, garnering 15 million monthly views from this content alone.

    In addition to this, all our original interviews – HotSpot (politicians), Townhall (actors, celebs), Spotlight (social media influencers) which are approximately an hour (for YouTube), are sliced into pithy highlight chunks for our reels and shorts section.

    Our IP – Townhall, interview series, features celebrities from the entertainment industry(featured so far – Richa Chaddha, Bhumi Pednekar, Manoj Bajpayee, etc.).

    It is one of our most popular formats and has rapidly gained traction and garnered 100 plus million views over the past year.

  • Discover engaging stories and adventures on discovery+ this July

    Discover engaging stories and adventures on discovery+ this July

    Mumbai: discovery+ has brought a blend of docuseries, stories, and original content that promises to engage, entertain, and educate. This month’s lineup features a mix of gripping true crime stories, historic explorations, survival challenges, and much more. The lineup also features three titles from EPIC’s catalogues. So whether you’re a fan of celebrity feuds, exploring the mysteries of the past, or enjoying embarking on culinary escapades, discovery+ has got you covered.

    Highlights for July’s content lineup:

    Crime and investigation

    ●    Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun – Bad Blood | 4 July: The $300M feud between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun made headlines. But is Taylor bravely standing up for artistry and fighting the misogyny of the music industry, or has Scooter Braun been unfairly framed for what was just a business deal?

    ●    Deadly Influence – The Social Media Murders | 24 July: Social media influencers seem to have it all — money, celebrity, power. But in these shocking true crime stories, there is a horrifying dark side to the fame, which reveals how these online dreams can quickly become blood-soaked nightmares.

    History

    ●    Ekaant – India’s Abandoned History S1 | 5 July: India is known for its remarkable architecture and serene landscapes. Its rich history is steeped in mystery its vastness lends itself to several stories and urban legends. Discover the abandoned roads and valleys of India’s historic locations and more.

    Adventure

    ●    Naked and Afraid S10 | 19 July: Two strangers choose to take on the Everest of survival challenges. They’ll have no water, no food, and no clothes, but they must find a way to work together and survive in the wilderness for 21 days – Naked and Afraid.

    ●    Lakshya 1971 | 24 July: Discover the elusive story of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Harman Singha uncovers the Indian Air Force’s closely guarded tales of men, machines, and missions.

    ●    In the Eye of the Storm | 30 July: This series reveals recent natural disasters as they happened in real-time through footage captured by eyewitnesses who found themselves in the wrong place at the right time and boldly held up their camera phones to capture the eye of the storm.

    Auto

    ●    The Royal Enfield Story | 5 July: Royal Enfield is one such legendary brand with a unique story: a vintage motorcycle company that has an English pedigree but an Indian upbringing. Discover how the world’s oldest motorcycle company has legions of fans and followers.

    Lifestyle

    ●    Selena + Restaurant | 17 July: After working with the world’s top chefs, Selena Gomez is raising the stakes! She heads out to work in Los Angeles’ hottest restaurants, where she’ll be put through her paces and must learn fast to create a dish good enough for the restaurant’s menu.

  • Entertainer’s Cricket League targets 400 crore valuation in first season

    Entertainer’s Cricket League targets 400 crore valuation in first season

    Mumbai: The Entertainer’s Cricket League, the first of its kind social media celebrity-based cricketing league is expected to generate a revenue of over 30 crores in the first season alone. League founders, Anil Kumar and Himanshu Chandnani have rounded up an elite set of captains including Abhishek Malhan, Sonu Sharma, Elvish Yadav, Harsh Beniwal, Munawar Faruqui and Anurag Dwivedi who will pick their own team to compete in this T10 cricket league.

    “The Entertainer’s Cricket League presents a unique opportunity for corporates and brands as it opens them up to the world of Influencer marketing, the fastest-growing vertical in the marketing industry. Not only does this give them direct access to an individual team’s 15 social media celebrities but also broader access to the wider pool of talent that they can associate with. It’s simple, this is a one-stop solution for any brand because they will have 150 creators under the same roof at the same time.” said Entertainer’s Cricket League founder Himanshu Chandnani.

    The creators will each lead one of the six franchises with each team further picking in the form of the draft from a vast pool of 250 popular social media celebrities out of which 96 social media celebrities will make the final cut. These will include popular creators across multiple industries such as technology, finance, infotainment, education, motivation & self-help, and entertainment including vloggers, gaming, fashion and lifestyle from India. The Entertainer’s Cricket League will turn out to be the ultimate experience for content lovers across the country.

    “We are excited to be a part of this huge amalgamation between cricket and culture and are backing our initial aim of building an inclusive community for all kinds of social media celebrities. We look forward to the first step in what will definitely prove to be a legacy league in India and revolutionize the way brands and corporations can optimize their marketing strategies. With the launch of the ECL, we aim to make the community of social media celebrities more accessible for corporations and on the flipside also give smaller celebrities creative and monetary opportunities.” Entertainer’s Cricket League founder Anil Kumar signed off.

    ECL is currently in the process of finalizing broadcasting rights with an undisclosed broadcaster which will only elevate the scale on which this league will reach almost an expected viewership of 100 crore. The league is expected to be played in the latter half of the year. 

  • Planetcast Media Services sets new standards in live sports broadcasting

    Planetcast Media Services sets new standards in live sports broadcasting

    Mumbai: Planetcast Media Services is proud to announce its faultless delivery of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with zero downtime or glitches across 74 matches held in 13 stadiums. This exceptional performance continues Planetcast’s legacy of providing top-tier media services for major cricketing events, including the recent T20 World Cup (2 to 29 June), which ended with India defeating South Africa.

    Having established itself as a leader in seamless, high-quality broadcasting and streaming solutions, Planetcast has been a trusted technology partner for the IPL for the last 17 years and, in 2024, ensured that cricket fans enjoyed coverage of the T20 World Cup via Star Sports, Hotstar and Times Internet Group’s Cricbuzz. Planetcast’s advanced media services enabled the delivery of advertising of around $450 million for the IPL rightsholders (almost equally split between broadcast and digital platforms, and on par with the $465 million in 2023).

    For the 2024 IPL season, Planetcast provided the following services:

    1   Star Sports: Delivering domestic TV broadcast to 17 channels in 11 languages with services such as encoding, live transmission, playout, packaging, and delivery solutions.

    2   Viacom18: Supporting over-the-top (OTT) streaming on JioCinema.

    3   Times Internet: Facilitating international OTT streaming and playout for Cricbuzz.

    “Our long-standing partnership with IPL rightsholders underscores our capability to handle live events of significant scale that generate advertising revenues of $450 plus million,” said Planetcast Media Services’ CEO Sanjay Duda. “With the financial stakes so high, it’s critical that we remain dedicated to performing flawlessly and that we enhance match coverage across all the platforms we handle. We are also incredibly excited to have provided media services for the T20 World Cup, which concluded last weekend with India hoisting the trophy after the exciting win against South Africa.”

    The IPL’s exponential growth is evident in the record-breaking viewership figures year after year. Star Sports, Disney Star’s broadcasting channel for IPL 2024, drew a record-breaking audience of 546 million over the first 67 matches, according to figures from India’s Broadcast Audience Research Council. JioCinema’s streaming figures show a 38 per cent increase in viewers streaming IPL in 2024 over 2023, with 620 million viewers watching matches on the Viacom 18 service. IPL’s opening 2024 match alone attracted 111 million fans on JioCinema, marking a staggering 51 per cent increase from the year before.

    Building on its IPL success, Planetcast is also providing comprehensive services for the T20 World Cup, including:

    1   Star Sports: Managing the world feed via satellite, covering 17 channels in three languages, and providing encoding, live transmission, playout, packaging, and delivery solutions.

    2   Hotstar: Delivering disaster recovery services, channel content replacement, and vertical feed delivery.

    3   Times Internet Group (Cricbuzz): Implementing AI-based editing for instant highlight creation, near-real-time ad insertion, and graphic insertion and playout for the US market.

  • National Video Game Day 2024: Indian esports’ mainstream breakthrough and Olympics aspirations

    National Video Game Day 2024: Indian esports’ mainstream breakthrough and Olympics aspirations

    Mumbai: The video gaming and esports industry in India has witnessed a meteoric rise in the last few years. With a rapidly growing audience and player base, the industry has commanded attention from brands and investors alike.

    According to a FICCI-EY report, total esports tournament participation is projected to reach 2.5 million participants across various titles, compared to 1.79 million in 2023. Additionally, airtime for esports broadcasts is set to increase to 8,000 hours from 6,500 in 2023, with a rising average minute audience.

    Tournaments such as the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) have recently announced their third straight season being broadcast on a mainstream sporting network, changing the way esports is consumed and marking a significant milestone in the sector’s acceptance. India’s participation in major multi-sport tournaments such as the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022, where the nation’s DOTA 2 team won bronze, and the Asian Games 2022 where esports debuted as a full-fledged medal sport, has further validated its competitive stature.

    While states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and others are undertaking various initiatives for the development of esports, the country’s honourable prime minister has also advocated for the growth of the sector. With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also set to discuss the creation of the Olympic Esports Games during the upcoming Paris Olympics, the future looks bright for esports in India.

    Sharing his thoughts on the evolution of esports from a pastime hobby to a mainstream sport and form of entertainment, NODWIN Gaming co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee stated, “More than a decade back, gaming was nothing but a hobby of a few passionate gamers, with small groups of them organising scattered community competitions across the country. We started NODWIN Gaming in 2014 to streamline esports in India with a vision to bring opportunities for video gaming enthusiasts throughout the country. Looking at the scenario today, we can indeed say India has come a long way. The industry has gained immense popularity and legitimacy among the masses, attracting interest from celebrities, brands, corporates and traditional sporting organisations alike. We will continue to contribute to this growing ecosystem and try to further shine the deserving limelight on gaming and esports. In the near future, we envision esports getting the same mantle as traditional sports, especially with the IOC announcing plans to create Olympic Esports Games and we, along with the Global Esports Federation, are honoured to work alongside the industry stakeholders to achieve that common vision!”

    In addition to gamers and gaming creators, Indian game developers are also making significant strides with games inspired by the country’s rich culture and mythology. Games like ‘Ludo King’ which recently surpassed 1 billion downloads, and ‘Raji: An Ancient Epic’ exemplify this trend.

    Another promising upcoming title that highlights the potential of homegrown developers is the Indo-futuristic ‘Indus Battle Royale’. Developed by Pune-based SuperGaming, the game has recently surpassed 11 million pre-registrations.

    “Over the past decade, India’s gaming industry has transformed from a niche pastime into a mainstream entertainment medium. The surge in mobile gaming, fueled by the high number of smartphone users in the country, has made gaming more accessible to a wider audience, driving the industry’s growth. The creativity and innovation brought in by Indian game developers have produced unique and culturally rich gaming experiences, earning international recognition that has placed India firmly on the global gaming map,” commented SuperGaming CEO and co-founder Roby John.

    Despite India being predominantly a mobile-first gaming nation due to high data penetration and affordable smartphones, there has been a noticeable surge in interest in PC gaming. Beyond hardcore gamers, PCs are increasingly utilized by gaming creators and streamers for content creation and editing. The rise of the creator economy indirectly fuels the growth of the gaming PC ecosystem in India.

    Recent data from Valve highlights that Asia, including India, is one of the fastest-growing regions for Steam users, with a more than 150 per cent increase in new users from 2019 to 2024. CyberpowerPC, the number one gaming PC manufacturing brand in North America which recently forayed into the Indian market promises to cater to this growing demand and create an overall thriving ecosystem that caters to diverse gaming preferences.

    Highlighting the factors that will accelerate the rise of PC gaming in the country, CyberPowerPC India COO Vishal Parekh said, “The growth of gaming in India, evolving from arcades and gaming cafes to an official sport, is remarkable. While mobile serves as an entry point for gamers entering the ecosystem, the shift towards more immersive experiences on larger screens is becoming inevitable. Additionally, PC-based esports titles prominently featured in major sporting tournaments highlight the importance of gaming PCs for grassroots development and achieving success in these events. At CyberPowerPC, we are excited to support the country’s growing PC gaming community and give them an immersive experience along with a competitive edge.”

    Another monumental trend catapulting video gaming into the mainstream is leading streaming and social media platforms increasingly embracing gamification as a strategy to engage users and attract new audiences. Facebook, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Google Pay, Zomato, and LinkedIn have all integrated gamification features to tap into a massive and engaged audience.

    “I have been a part of the gaming and esports industry for over a decade and it is fascinating to see how the industry has evolved and grown over these years. For example, esports was a niche, limited to a few people and now it is on its way to be integrated as a new-age sport. Today, gamers of all ages and backgrounds have become active contributors to the sector’s growth, and it is amazing to see how gaming has cemented its place in mainstream culture. Through movies, TV series adaptations and gamification via social media platforms, delivery apps as well as streaming platforms, it has become an integral part of our everyday lives, which was almost unimaginable till a few years back. This momentum is only going to grow, and the future of gaming in India looks incredibly bright. Max Level is committed to contributing to this growth and taking gaming to new heights across the nation,” noted Max Level co-founder and CRO Siddharth Nayyar.

    Without a doubt, the video gaming sector in India is on an upward trajectory, and looking ahead, the sky’s the limit!

  • Seven must-listen audiobooks & books to celebrate MSD’s seventh chakra of cricket domination!

    Seven must-listen audiobooks & books to celebrate MSD’s seventh chakra of cricket domination!

    Mumbai: Cricket fans have their own lucky number – seven! It is the jersey number forever etched in our memories – the number of Captain Cool, M.S. Dhoni, himself. More than a cricketing legend, M.S. Dhoni is an emotion that unites our nation. In high-pressure situations, he has not only embodied composure and delivered his best performances, but also emerged as a paragon of leadership. Two decades after his Indian cricket team debut, the roars of “Dhoni” and “Thala” still reverberate across stadiums—a testament to the loyalty of his legion of fans. On his birthday this year, celebrate his remarkable journey on and off the field with these seven must-listen and must-read recommendations!

    Do Different

    Platform: Audible

    Out-of-the-box thinking, ruthless pragmatism and an innate ability to understand, define and then redefine the game of cricket are probably the hallmarks of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s cricket. From hitting countless sixes in his school ground in the sleepy town of Ranchi to finishing a run chase in a World Cup final against Sri Lanka, tune into this audiobook on Dhoni’s power-packed journey through the years. The audiobook features various perspectives on Dhoni’s journey, ranging from his original agent providing insights into the development of brand Dhoni, to an international fast bowler who played alongside MSD since his first-class days.

    The Dhoni Touch

    Platform: Audible

    Listen to this audiobook to discover the different shades of your beloved Thala. In the audiobook, Bharat Sundaresan delves into Dhoni’s life by tracing his closest friends in Ranchi. Through his skilful storytelling, he uncovers the various facets of Dhoni’s persona – the Ranchi boy, the military man, the diplomat, Chennai’s beloved Thala, and the wicketkeeping icon, thus, taking the listeners on a journey to discover the ‘Dhoni touch.’

    The M.S. Dhoni Way: Leadership Masterclass from the Master of the Craft – Pearls of Wisdom

    Platform: Audible

    In this podcast, gain insights into the leadership strategies of the cricketing legend, MSD, as it spotlights his approach to team leadership, strategic manoeuvres, tactical play, and overall perspective on the game. The podcast delves deeper into his sportsman spirit by highlighting his analytical skills, how he harnesses all kinds of players, his attitude towards the game, his blueprint of building a successful team and excerpts from some select post-match presentation interviews.

    Believe

    Platform: Audible

    A chapter in the audiobook Believe delves deep into the camaraderie and bond between Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, highlighting their journey together on and off the field. Raina recollects meeting Dhoni for the first time during the Dilip Trophy match in Gwalior in February 2005. Sharing rooms and discussing everything under the sun, their close friendship and bond remain intact over time. Tune in to know how Dhoni provided immense support to Raina during his formative years of cricket.

    MSD: The Man, The Leader

    Platform: Audible

    M.S. Dhoni’s journey from a small-town boy to World Cup-winning captain is an inspirational story that is going to be passed down through generations. This book goes beyond the glory and affection he received as a captain and player, exploring Dhoni’s struggles, leadership, and the legacy he has built for himself, bringing hope to aspiring cricketers. Through interviews and real-life stories, the book reveals the man behind the legend, showing anyone can achieve greatness with hard work and self-belief.

    M S Dhoni: Captain Cool

    Platform: Amazon

    Who could have predicted that a young goalkeeper from a small Indian town would rise to become the legendary captain of the national cricket team? This book captures the journey of M.S. Dhoni, chronicling his transformation from humble beginnings to cricketing stardom. It vividly portrays his fearless leadership, bold decisions, and exceptional batting skills, illustrating why he is celebrated as one of the finest players in the last few decades and how he rekindled the nation’s passion for Indian cricket!

    Think and Win like Dhoni

    Platform: Amazon

    ‘Think and Win Like Dhoni’ is a book that goes beyond cricket. It offers insights from Indian captain M.S. Dhoni on staying calm, seizing opportunities, and leading effectively. If you wish to discover the secrets behind Dhoni’s luck and resilience and learn how to get ahead using the same strategies that have made him a legendary figure and youth icon, then this book is the perfect find for you.
     

  • Badal drops song “140” with GD47 and Yeah Proof

    Badal drops song “140” with GD47 and Yeah Proof

    Mumbai: Coming in hot after his last successful releases, Badal continues to amaze his audience with his latest hip-hop release “140,”  from Not Your Type album that features GD47, a rapper whose journey is as gripping as his verses from HUSTLE. The song captures the thrill of speed and the reckless embrace of a live-fast-die-young philosophy.

    “140” video bursts with a vibrant energy and is shot in a pretty casual yet catchy way by Inflict. The video captures the frenetic energy of life on the edge with cars racing down the freeway in which Badal and GD47 bring the lyrics to life with their raw and captivating intensity. They move with a swaggering confidence, their every gesture is infused with energy, the spirit of rebellion and freedom that the song embodies.

    Music by Yeah Proof is just as dynamic as the video. The track explodes with an infectious, hard-hitting energy from the first beat and has kept the meter high during the whole track.

    It’s a glimpse into a world where the only thing that matters is pushing the limits, a world where Badal and GD47 lead the charge by embracing speed and the thrill of the unknown.

    Badal, known for his distinctive style shared his excitement about the track, “Creating ‘140’ was exhilarating. It’s about pushing boundaries and living life to the fullest. I believe it will resonate with anyone who lives life on the edge and embraces bold ambition.” ‘140’ is just a taste, a glimpse into the heart of my upcoming album, ‘Not Your Type’ which i have made with all my heart keeping my roots and my expression in mind.

    GD47, whose collaboration on “140” adds a unique dimension to the track, commented, “Working with Badal and Yeah Proof on this project was incredible. ‘140’ captures raw energy that I surely believe will connect with fans of hip-hop everywhere.” It’s very important for me to stay true to my kind of music and that’s what I have made sure to do in 140 as well. In my rap section you will see the raw, unfiltered expression of my artistic voice.

    Artiste First’s curator Rohit Sobti expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to present ‘140’ as the first glimpse into Badal’s upcoming album, Not Your Type. This track captures the essence of modern hip-hop and Swag of our artiste.”

    “140” promises to be a standout addition to the hip-hop scene.

  • Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airline receive regulatory approval for commercial joint venture

    Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airline receive regulatory approval for commercial joint venture

    Mumbai: Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) received the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore’s (CCCS) approval of their commercial joint venture agreement.

    With this approval, the airlines will be able to deepen their strategic partnership on a wider range of commercial activities that will bring greater benefits to both airlines, as well as Indonesia and Singapore. These potentially include operating joint revenue sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules to offer travellers more options and seamless connectivity between Singapore and Indonesia and beyond, and exploring joint sales and marketing initiatives that provide greater value to both airlines’ customers.

    Since Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines signed an agreement to deepen their partnership in May 2023, the carriers have been working on initiatives including giving GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer members the option to earn and redeem miles on codeshare routes. They have also embarked on joint marketing initiatives to promote tourism activities.

    The airlines today codeshare on a wide range of flights, including between Singapore and Indonesian cities of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as on long-haul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai.

    Garuda Indonesia president and CEO Irfan Setiaputra said: “We are very pleased to receive this approval, as it marks significant progress towards our commitment to enhance service quality as well as broaden both Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines’ networks through a deepening partnership. The joint venture initiative that we are preparing today has been one of the strategies to ensure extensive value creation for our loyal customers. Having regulatory approval as the first step in a commercial agreement will provide more opportunity for developing well-executed strategic ideas.

    “Moreover, we hope that this joint venture agreement can provide seamless services for passengers with more flight schedule options and ease in earning and redeeming mileage. Also, this collaboration may deliver concrete action to contribute to boosting Indonesian tourism activities, which will support the post-pandemic economic recovery progress,” Setiaputra explained.

    Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said: “The robust strategic partnership between Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines has enabled us to broaden our codeshare services over the last few years, offering our customers more choices on flights. With the CCCS’s approval, we are poised to deepen our collaboration across a wider scope of commercial activities. Along with the ongoing work to strengthen the links between our frequent flyer membership programmes, this will provide our customers with even more options and enhanced value. This partnership underscores both airlines’ commitment to improving connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore and beyond, boosting both business and leisure travel, and contributing to economic growth.”