Category: iWorld

E – Gaming Federation appoints Anuraag Saxena as the new CEO

Mumbai: E-Gaming Federation (EGF), an organization representing top online skill gaming operators in India announced Anuraag Saxena as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective 1 November 2023. As the new strategic leader, Anuraag will lead the management and policy advocacy initiatives at EGF and work closely with EGF’s member stakeholders to build a safe, responsible, fair, and transparent environment for the online skill gaming industry.

Anuraag is a nominated member of the National Tourism Advisory Council, a Board member at the Centre for Insolvency and Financial Laws, and has advised corporates and NGOs on their outreach, advocacy, and public affairs. A Chartered Accountant (India) and an MBA (USA), he has spent over two decades with organizations like GE Capital, Prudential Assurance, Deutsche Bank, and Credit Suisse, in senior management and advisory roles.

His strategic acumen, experience with internationalization, diverse knowledge of emerging industries, and deep-rooted understanding of government affairs will be significant in navigating EGF through the ever-changing landscape of the online skill gaming sector. Anuraag’s work has been featured in the Washington Post, BBC, The Diplomat, Times of India, Financial Express, Sunday Guardian, The Organiser, and SPAN.

EGF CEO Anuraag Saxena, said, “The Indian online skill gaming industry is both dynamic and challenging, and there could not be a better time to be in this rapidly evolving sector. We are deeply enthused by the Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi’s clarion call for the AVGC sector to emerge as critical to India’s digital future and economic progress. It is a great time to build the online gaming ecosystem while encouraging responsible gaming. I look forward to working with varied stakeholders and continuing to build on the strong momentum of EGF.”

“We are excited about Anuraag joining EGF and leading the Federation into the next chapter of its development. His strategic knowledge and proven track record of delivering transformation programs make him a formidable force for the organization. With his transformational leadership and credibility as a policy thought leader, EGF is poised to scale up its contribution to the Indian online skill gaming industry,” said EGF secretary Malay Shukla.

In his previous roles, Anuraag has co-founded the world’s largest crowdsourced heritage-recovery platform; and brought the ‘World Toilet Summit’ to partner with the Swacch Bharat initiative in India in partnership with WTO, multilateral agencies, and the Govt. of India.

October 30, 2023
IN10 Media Network announces its music business – Let’s Get LOUDER

Mumbai: IN10 Media Network, with multiple successful businesses spanning television, digital, film and more to its credit, is thrilled to announce the latest addition to its expanding portfolio – Let’s Get LOUDER, an innovative music business endeavour.

With a commitment to fostering creativity and nurturing talent, the music business vertical aims to serve as a prominent platform for both emerging and established artists from India and beyond. IN10 Media Network aims to redefine the music landscape and invest in assorted music offerings from various regions of the country and world to engage with a large audience.

IN10 Media Network MD Aditya Pittie expressed his pleasure in expanding the network’s vision, which aims to elevate the art of entertainment and its consumption. He said, “With the introduction of our music business, Let’s Get LOUDER, we will play a pivotal role in supporting and promoting exceptionally talented artists while delivering outstanding musical experiences to audiences worldwide. I welcome Rajitta Hemwaani, with her extensive industry experience, to lead this vertical.”

Commenting on her mandate, Let’s Get LOUDER COO Rajitta Hemwaani expressed her belief in the universal appeal of music transcending language barriers, and said, “Recent events have further solidified the notion that music is language agonistic and aided by cutting-edge technology can traverse the globe. This is an opportune moment to create and experiment, and one of our primary aims is to reach out to the young & global listeners. IN10 Media is a dynamic and youthful network, and I am happy to collaborate in establishing its music arm – Let’s Get LOUDER. As a platform, it shall welcome both emerging and established artists to deliver high-quality musical experiences to audiences.”

She added, “We are thrilled to welcome our new distribution partner on board as we embark on this journey. There is no better partner than Believe to help us achieve our goal to reach out to every music lover on the planet.”

On the association, Believe India director – label and artist solutions Vinay Guwalani said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Let’s Get LOUDER, an exciting music initiative that perfectly aligns with our mission of supporting artists and bringing people together through the universal language of music. With our platform & expertise, we are committed to amplifying their music on a global scale. Our collective aim is to resonate with music enthusiasts across the world.”

From soul-stirring melodies to energetic beats, the music vertical is set to curate a wide array of musical genres, catering to various tastes and preferences and aims to captivate audiences with a rich and diverse catalogue of releases.

The immediate music line-up consists of 10 singles under the IP of ‘Made in India’, with music from across the country focusing on regional beats. Popular artists like Nikhita Gandhi, Shilpa Rao, Harshdeep Kaur, Sreerama Chandra (SRC), Ankit Tiwari and others have collaborated with regional artists/folk singers to create foot-tapping fusion songs.

The vertical is also working with contemporary artists like Indian Idol winner Salman Ali, Punjabi Hip-Hopper Thoda Bai PiPi, Rapper LOC and many others to launch singles.

October 30, 2023
Cricket World Cup 2023 shatters records with millions of viewers

Mumbai: The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has set more record-breaking numbers as hundreds of millions of fans engage with the biggest Cricket World Cup ever.

The event that runs from 5 October to 19 November has seen fans in India through Global Broadcast partner Disney Star consuming more Men’s Cricket World Cup cricket than ever before. The live broadcast for the first 18 tournament matches has clocked up 123.8 billion viewing minutes which is a 43 per cent growth compared to the previous edition in England and Wales in 2019.

The World Cup has also witnessed an incredible 364.2 million viewers tuning in to the live broadcast of the first 18 matches of the tournament, with fans enjoying the very best of cricket in one day, combined with the unique Indian passion for the sport and the national pride of all competing nations creating an unrivalled global sporting occasion.

The monumental clash between India and Pakistan played on 14 October in Ahmedabad witnessed a peak live concurrency on television of 76 million and 35 million concurrent viewers on digital.

India’s clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala on 22 October eclipsed the record for highest digital concurrency set by the India v Pakistan clash when it witnessed 43 million concurrent viewers on Disney+ Hotstar during the final overs of the match. This was the highest peak across any format of cricket ever on digital.

Fans inside the venue have been able to enjoy the true celebration of the best all-round cricket experience with a total of more than 542,000 fans attending matches up to the mid-way point in the event, which is 190,000 more than at the equivalent stage in 2019.

ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted to see the interest and engagement in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 through the unbelievable audience numbers on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar. The World Cup has captured the imagination of the public across India with records tumbling and hundreds of millions of fans enjoying the pinnacle event of the one-day game more than ever before.”

Disney Star head – Sports Sanjog Gupta said: “Marquee Cricket continues to demonstrate unparalleled capacity to aggregate audiences across platforms and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has set new viewership benchmarks on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar. With the Indian team’s strong performance, the fluctuating fortunes of top teams, and a competitive points table, we expect a further increase in the momentum of the tournament. Disney Star is committed to serving sports fans and will continue to delight viewers around the world with its coverage of the global event.”

October 28, 2023
Reliance Industries shareholders welcomes Isha, Anant and Akash Ambani to the board

Mumbai: Reliance Industries shareholders have approved the appointment of new leaders – Isha, Akash and Anant Ambani on the company’s board as non-executive directors.

Shareholders have approved the appointment of Isha Ambani to the company’s board with 98.21 per cent votes cast in its favour, while Akash Ambani’s nomination garnered 98.06 per cent of the vote.

Anant Ambani’s appointment to the company’s board received 92.75 per cent votes in favour.

Isha Ambani was appointed the leader of Reliance Retail in August 2022, while Akash Ambani became chairman of Reliance Jio in June last year. Anant Ambani was appointed as the leader of the company’s energy vertical in August 2022.

Reliance Industries chairman & managing director Mukesh Ambani will continue at the helm for another five years, as he had announced during the AGM.

October 27, 2023
BookMyShow unveils dynamic 360° stage and AR-enabled mural for Ed Sheeran’s + – = ÷ x India tour

Mumbai: As BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination, brings Ed Sheeran’s record-breaking + – = ÷ x Tour to India as part of his Asia and Europe Tour in 2024, the platform is gearing up to push boundaries and scale newer heights in creative production and technological integration.

In a historic first for the Indian entertainment industry, BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment division of BookMyShow is set to create an unparalleled live experience with a monumental stadium-style set-up at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai for the Indian leg of the Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ x Tour on 16 March 2024.

The highlight of this extraordinary production is the introduction of a 360-degree circular and revolving stage with a cutting-edge production set-up that will captivate Indian audiences in an experience never witnessed on Indian soil thus far. This iconic feature is in sync with the global + – = ÷ x Tour taking place across the world, redefining the scale of the concert experience for Ed Sheeran’s fans.

An engineering marvel, the 360-degree circular, revolving stage will be an unmissable sight with its unique design making every view, the best one in the house, giving a wholesome view of the concert across its entire duration! Ed Sheeran will be visible from all angles and every spot in the venue, ensuring that no view is a bad view. The outer ring of the stage, studded with the iconic Math symbols from the tour, will effortlessly and seamlessly revolve at a slow pace, allowing Ed to interact with audiences across the venue, as they see him facing them at intervals throughout the performance. As a constellation of a state-of-the-art sound system and immersive visual displays orbit the stage, the giant circular ‘halo screen’ positioned in the centre of the stage will add to the striking play of light, sound and visual aesthetic offering a truly immersive experience. Surrounded by four massive towers acting as a dedicated stage for each band member along with Ed Sheeran, who will perform from the central 360-degree revolving stage accompanied by two-way LED screens streaming the live performance suspended from the four towers, music and visuals will reach every corner of the venue with unparalleled clarity and heightened visibility, transcending conventional concert experiences!

Offering fans an immersive journey through sound and space like never before, the tour features Sheeran’s genre-blurring hits and promises an extraordinary live performance, with the musician’s fans being at the epicentre of an unforgettable sonic adventure.

The fun doesn’t end with the tech-savvy 360° stage and the magic continues to take shape in the Maximum City! In a unique marketing endeavour, BookMyShow announced the biggest live music spectacle of 2024 with a unique take-over of an 800-square-foot wall at Carter Road, Bandra in Mumbai, bringing to life a gigantic mural painting showcasing the first-look of what this iconic production marvel with the 360° stage will mean for the experience that Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ x Tour – India will be! What sets this mural apart is its integration of Augmented Reality (AR) that brings the wall alive in vibrant colours highlighting the aesthetic, vibe and feels of Ed Sheeran’s magical aura on stage.

Fans can get a sneak peek into the concert experience by scanning the QR code on the wall for a rather peppy surprise! Upon scanning the code, fans are redirected to Instagram, opening up the world of Ed Sheeran’s musical madness with a fun Instagram filter ‘’Ed +-=÷x’. Pointing the phone camera toward the 360° stage on the mural will allow fans to enjoy a short animation that captures the vibe of the entire music concert, complete with dancing crowds, the revolving stage, the halo screen and fireworks going off, giving Ed Sheeran fans the complete lowdown of the ‘Perfect’ musical experience set to arrive in Mumbai in 2024! This interactive feature allows fans to record and share their experience with friends as also on their Instagram profiles as stories. The ‘Ed +-=÷x’ official Instagram filter will also be available on BookMyShow’s Instagram handle, making it accessible to a wider audience, inviting them to visit the mural and engage with this innovative experience. The creative mural is painted by lead artist Jisha Madai and Zain Siddiqui, curator from WickedBroz Art.

Commenting on the creative elements in the build-up to Ed Sheeran’s upcoming India tour, BookMyShow chief of business – live entertainment Owen Roncon said, “The future of events in India is on the cusp of a remarkable transformation. Our endeavour at BookMyShow Live is to consistently push the boundaries of how live entertainment is experienced here at par with global standards. In line with that, we are thrilled to bring this ground-breaking, production wonder with the 360-degree circular, revolving stage to the Indian audience for the Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ x Tour. With this innovative production, auditory experience and the technological integration, the tour comes to India as a work of art where technology waltzes with creativity, weaving an enchanting blend of visuals and sound; ensuring infact that it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Technology has now taken a central role in crafting live entertainment experiences and with this distinctive design and a vibrant AR-enabled mural wall showcasing the musical magic of Ed Sheeran, fans can engage with this experience from much before the on-ground experience itself. Mumbai has consistently seized every opportunity and through this creative initiative, we want to create a dreamy visual stimulus of what fans can experience at their favourite artist’s live concert in the city! This blend of technology, music and art transcends boundaries through its sheer creativity and innovation. We are gearing up for a shift in the paradigm of event experiences and this marks just the beginning of immersive experiences for Indian fans!”

Check out the video here, as the magic comes alive!

BookMyShow Live will bring Ed Sheeran’s + – = ÷ x Tour to India as promoters for the tour along with AEG Presents. Ed Sheeran returns to Mumbai, India 6 years after his previous blockbuster, successful outing with the Divide Tour in 2017.

The India leg of this much-awaited sensational and best-selling tour will be the final stop in the Asia Tour and will be held at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in the heart of Mumbai on 16 March 2024, with special guest and singer-songwriter Calum Scott.

General on-sale of tickets for Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ x Tour – India will go live today, 27 October 2023 at 3 pm IST on BookMyShow and www.edsheeran.com.

October 27, 2023
Vi, Deloitte India, and start-ups partner to showcase consumer use cases at IMC 2023

Mumbai: Leading telecom operator, Vi has partnered with Deloitte India and new-age start-ups – iB Cricket and Yudiz Solutions to demonstrate its consumer use-cases at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023 scheduled on 27-29 October 2023 at Pragati Maiden in New Delhi. With these partnerships, Vi is poised to make a profound impact in the realms of gaming and education.

At IMC 2023, Vi is bringing two captivating VR Games use-cases – VR Cricket in partnership with iB Cricket and VR Combat Shooting in partnership with Yudiz Solutions. In addition, it will also be showcasing XREduTech use-case in partnership with Deloitte India.

VR Cricket will be using a VR headset where customers are transported into the heart of a cricket stadium. One bats in world-class VR stadiums and feels the roar of over 100,000 fans cheering as they play. This game-play will be live-streamed on a large TV screen, thereby leaving the audience with a great visual and cricketing feast. VR Combat Shooting is an exceptional VR gaming adventure that ensures players an adrenaline-pumping experience as they gear up for intense combat scenarios, all made possible by a VR headset and their VR perspective is mirrored on a large TV screen, offering an exhilarating shared experience.

With Deloitte India, Vi is bringing a multifaceted metaverse experience that includes an educational journey into ISRO’s history and the Chandrayaan launch, as well as a tribute to the accomplishments of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first citizen in space. The solution transforms classroom training to an XR (eXtended Reality) based experience.

In addition to the above use-cases, Vi will also be bringing an immersive cloud gaming service in partnership with CareGame and Vi AirFiber use-case a Smart Home experience where all devices are connected and can experience a high-speed 5G experience.

To experience the limitless potential of technology, exciting games with a lens of innovation at IMC 2023, visit the Vi booth in Hall 5 Booth #5.15.

October 27, 2023
Why is social media important for business today?

Mumbai: Social media has undeniably become an integral part of our lives. Whether it is connecting with friends, sharing our stories, or even conducting business, social media platforms have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily existence. For businesses, social media isn’t just about keeping up with the times; it’s about thriving in a digital world where connectivity, influence, and visibility matter more than ever.

Before we indulge further in the importance, let’s go back in time and understand the roots of social media. Services like Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) in the 1970s and 1980s allowed users to communicate and share information through digital channels. However, it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s that the concept of social media as we know it began to take shape. The emergence of platforms like Six Degrees (launched in 1997) allowed users to create profiles and connect with others. It was followed by Friendster (2002) and MySpace (2003), which introduced more interactive and personalized features.

Then, in 2004, Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard University roommates launched Facebook, a platform that would revolutionize how people connect and share online. Facebook’s success paved the way for other social media giants like Twitter (2006), LinkedIn (2003), YouTube (2005), and Instagram (2010). These platforms facilitated social interaction and became fertile grounds for marketing and business development.

The evolution of social media has been nothing short of remarkable. Initially, platforms primarily focused on personal connections, but over time, they expanded their features and capabilities to accommodate a wide range of activities, including business promotion.

Today, social media platforms are incredibly diverse. You have Facebook, with over 2.98 billion monthly active users, providing a comprehensive environment for various types of content. Twitter(now X), known for its concise messaging, is a hotbed for trending topics and real-time engagement. LinkedIn has become a professional network for career development and business-to-business (B2B) connections. Instagram emphasizes visual content, while YouTube is the go-to platform for video content.

Newer platforms like TikTok (2016) and Snapchat (2011) focus on short-form video and ephemeral content, appealing to younger demographics. This continuous innovation allows businesses to explore different platforms and tailor their strategies to diverse audiences.

To understand the importance of social media for businesses, let’s dive into some compelling data:

Facebook: With over 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform. It offers a vast user base for businesses to reach potential customers.

Instagram: Owned by Facebook, Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users. It’s highly visual and favoured by younger demographics.

Twitter: Twitter boasts 564 million monthly active users. Its real-time nature makes it ideal for quick, concise communication.

LinkedIn: With 900 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is the premier platform for professional networking and B2B marketing.

YouTube: As the second-largest search engine after Google, YouTube has over 2.5 billion monthly logged-in users. It’s an excellent platform for video content.

TikTok: This short-form video platform has grown exponentially since its launch, with over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide.

India is a global leader in social media usage, with a user base that’s larger than the population of many countries. As of 2023, there were around 467 million social media users in India, and it is expected to keep growing. Besides that, people aged between 16 and 64 used about 8 social media apps monthly. Such statistics underscore the significance of India as a thriving market for businesses seeking to establish a solid online presence.

How can brands make the most of such a strong user base?

1. Enhanced Brand Visibility: Social media offers businesses a global platform to reach potential customers. A compelling social media presence can significantly boost brand recognition.

2. Cost-Effective Marketing: Social media marketing is often more affordable than traditional advertising, making it an excellent choice for startups and small businesses.

3. Targeted Advertising: Most social media platforms offer robust tools for targeting specific demographics, ensuring your message reaches the right audience.

4. Customer Engagement: Businesses can engage with customers directly, addressing inquiries, concerns, and feedback promptly.

5. Content Distribution: Social media is an excellent channel for distributing content, whether it is blog posts, videos, infographics, or other materials.

6. Community Building: Social media enables businesses to build and nurture a community of loyal followers and brand advocates.

7. Data and Analytics: Comprehensive data and analytics tools help businesses understand their audience, evaluate the effectiveness of their campaigns, and make data-driven decisions.

How does one build a solid brand and community on social media?

1) Understand your target audience’s preferences, behaviours, and pain points.

2) Regular and consistent posting keeps your audience engaged.

3) Interact with your followers by responding to comments and messages while creating content that encourages engagement.

4) Offer valuable, informative, and entertaining content that aligns with your brand’s values.

5) Visual content, such as images and videos, often performs well on social media.

6) Encourage your customers to share their experiences and feedback about your products or services.

7) Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand to expand your reach.

8) Regularly analyze your social media performance and adapt your strategies based on the results.

In today’s digital age, the importance of social media for businesses cannot be overstated. It has evolved from being a platform for personal connections to a multifaceted tool for brand expansion, marketing, and customer engagement. With a growing user base and diverse platforms, businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to reach their target audience, build a solid online community, and enhance brand visibility. As social media continues to evolve, businesses that adapt and embrace its potential will be the ones that thrive in this ever-connected world.

The author of this article is The Hype Capital founder Sachin Shah.

https://datareportal.com/social-media-users
https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-india
https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-statistics/

October 27, 2023
Prime Video releases the new edition of O Womaniya! report

Mumbai: Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today released the latest edition of O Womaniya! report, the most definitive study on female representation in Indian entertainment. Researched and curated by media consulting ﬁrm, Ormax Media, India’s leading entertainment journalism platform, Film Companion, and championed by Prime Video, the study evaluates the statistical journey of women in various facets of content production, marketing and corporate leadership within India’s entertainment industry. This year, the report analyzed 156 films and series, across streaming and theatrical released in 2022 in 8 Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali and Gujarati) to arrive at a comprehensive picture of the change that the industry has seen since 2021.

Along with Prime Video, the report has been supported by other partners from the industry including Clean Slate Filmz, Emmay Entertainment, Excel Entertainment, Jio Studio, Producers Guild India, RSVP, SonyLiv, Tiger Baby, and Zee5. Additionally, this year also saw industry leaders, including studio heads, filmmakers, actors, and more come forward to lay down actionable steps towards improving female representation in their personal and professional capacities. These pledges are expected to serve as guardrails that can guide the entire industry.

Key findings of the report include:

● Creative Talent – Only 12% of the 780 HOD positions analyzed across key departments of direction, cinematography, editing, writing, and production design were held by women. While this is slightly more than 10% in 2021, the growth has entirely been led by streaming films and series, while theatrical films have remained stagnant since 2021. On a positive note, 31% of the properties had a female commissioning in-charge behind them, vis-à-vis 25% in 2021.

● Content – While in 2021, 55% of the properties analyzed passed the Bechdel Test1, the number has gone below the half-way mark to 47% now. The biggest drop here has come from theatrical films; while 46% passed the test in 2021, only 34% managed to pass it in 2022. Series and films like Guilty Minds, Four More Shots Please! Season 3, Delhi Crime Season 2, Maja Ma, Gangubai Kathiawadi, among others, emerged as the properties with maximum scenes to pass the Bechdel Test.

● Marketing – Women still get only 27% talk time2 in trailers; the number is the highest for streaming films with 33% talk time in trailers being allocated to women. Series and movies like Hush Hush, Gehraiyaan, The Fame Game, Ammu, A Thursday, Sita Ramam, among others, performed the best with at least 50% of talk time in trailers given to female leads.

● Corporate Talent – Of the 135 Director/ CXO positions studied across 25 top M&E firms in India, only 13% were held by women.

Sharing his thoughts on the latest findings in O Womaniya!, Shailesh Kapoor, Founder & CEO, Ormax Media said, “While there has been a slow but steady improvement in a few key parameters, the report has thrown light on the need to take a look at inclusion with a serious eye. Like the previous edition of the report, streaming continues to pave the way for female representation, however, the sub-par performance of theatrical films should serve as a wake-up call for the industry. I am glad to see the industry take note of the data and come together to pledge better representation, underscoring their genuine desire to see a positive change.”

Speaking about the report, Anupama Chopra, Founder & Editor, Film Companion said, “Entertainment is a powerful medium which can and must highlight inclusivity and diversity. O Womaniya! is our attempt to push the needle to move faster. We are thrilled to see greater participation from the industry, with key individuals taking on specific targets and actions to take this conversation forward. The steps taken to bring change may seem small but each step, each action matters, and with every edition of the O Womaniya! report, we believe we are moving a step closer to a more equitable ecosystem. I am grateful to Prime Video and Ormax Media for partnering with us on this unique initiative.”

“At Prime Video, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion, is not just needed, it is essential. As an organization, we have always believed in equitable representation, not just within Prime Video and in our content, but also within the wider creative industry. By nurturing and empowering talented women within our industry, we can create a ripple effect of positive change in the wider ecosystem,” said Aparna Purohit, head of Originals, India & Southeast Asia, Prime Video. “O Womaniya! represents a collective effort to unite the industry and collaborate on enhancing female representation. The latest edition of the report strongly underscores the urgency of accelerating these transformative efforts. It’s heartening to witness not only the committed support of partners but also the active participation of influential figures from the industry, including both men and women. They have not only pledged their personal commitment but also made broader corporate level commitments to champion greater female inclusivity.”

October 26, 2023
ZEE5 confirms focus on socially relevant content with #ZEE5GameChangers

Mumbai: ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform, the OTT arm of ZEEL, in its latest endeavour announced #ZEE5GameChangers to drive awareness on socially relevant issues through its content and marketing initiatives. The campaign was launched by the leading star-cast of ‘Duranga Season 2’ with the female police force at New Delhi Headquarters deliberating on the struggles and achievements of women in the field of law enforcement. The interaction happened between ace actors Amit Sadh, Drashti Dhami, director Rohan Sippy and ZEE5 AVOD marketing head Abhirup Datta.

The campaign was announced with the launch of upcoming psychological thriller ‘Duranga 2’, highlighting the issue of identity theft alongside championing the narrative of a driven female cop. Through its extensive roster of such stories across a multitude of issues, languages, and formats, ZEE5 has always aimed to spotlight crucial matters that warrant awareness and sensitization via entertainment. The #ZEE5GameChangers initiative is an extension of the content on the platform and seeks to drive awareness on pertinent themes whilst fostering change through bold and powerful storytelling. Sharing the experiences and the journey of police workforce, DCP PRO Suman Nalwa engaged in a conversation with Drashti Dhami, the lead actress of Duranga.

Delhi Police hon’ble DCP PRO Suman Nalwa said, “It is extremely heartening to see ZEE5 coming up with socially relevant and appealing content titles, having the capacity to hold the audiences on the tenterhooks. We are also delighted that ZEE5 acknowledges and appreciates the work being done by women police personnel. The female police officers of the Delhi Police Force hail from different parts of the country and work on challenging tasks despite of their struggles and hardships. This acknowledgment and interaction gives us motivation and rejuvenates our commitment to serve the city to the best of our capabilities.”

Datta said, “At ZEE5, our commitment is to invest in educational, innovative, and relatable content. While we celebrate cultural diversity, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of addressing real-life challenges as a consumer-centric brand. We believe in the transformative power of storytelling and recognize that it’s through deliberate and impactful marketing efforts that we can connect/educate/sensitise the wider audience. With #ZEE5GameChangers we aim to create a platform where we can connect, collaborate, and communicate with our viewers through impactful content and marketing initiatives. With every initiative like this, we aim to create conversations that matter and give our audiences greater access to diverse and quality narratives.”

Duranga’s lead actress Drashti Dhami said, “While Duranga gave me a chance to portray the role of a police officer, #ZEE5GameChangers initiative gave me the chance to interact with some of these brave real-life heroes / women police officers in the Delhi force. It was my profound honour to be part of this initiative that not only celebrates the noteworthy achievements of these exceptional women but also ignites crucial conversations surrounding their inspirational journeys. Meeting them served as a great reminder that each of us has the power to break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and make a significant impact. I am truly thrilled to be a part of a moment that recognizes their invaluable contributions to society and acknowledges that their stories need to be heard and celebrated.”

ZEE5 offers a plethora of socially relevant content across languages, fostering inclusivity, breaking stereotypes, and initiating important conversations to empower audiences and inspire change. Duranga is a web-series with 8 episodes, released in August 2022. It is produced by Rose Audio Visuals and starring Amit Sadh, Drashti Dhami, and Gulshan Devaiah as lead actors and offers a captivating love story packaged with mystery and suspense. Directed by Rohan Sippy, the Season 2 of Duranga premiered on 24th October 2023. For this season, fans can expect more twists and revelations as Inspector Ira investigates her seemingly perfect husband’s dark past.

October 26, 2023
SML Digital to launch ‘The Secretariat’

Mumbai: SML Digital Media Pvt. Ltd., will soon launch “The Secretariat”, a niche portal focused on demystifying governance and government policy that are key to understanding the rapid transformation in the world’s fifth largest economy, India.

Veteran journalist and former Press Trust of India editor Rajesh Mahapatra will lead the venture as its editor-in-chief. The portal is expected to go live on 1 November.

The Secretariat is a non-partisan platform that will track and explain policies that impact a range of economic, social, environmental and digital domains. It adopts a dive-deep approach to unpacking and studying policy and policy-making, while also aiming to provide a platform for stakeholders to find meaningful solutions.

“We will focus on five key themes – Digitalising Economy, Sustainability, Future of Work, Urbanising India and Geo-economics,” said SML Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. director Kajal Vadodaria.

“The functioning of the government and bureaucracy at the Centre and the states will also be a focus of our coverage, besides tracking the people and processes behind policy-making,” she added.

In its effort to deepen and democratise the discourse on public policy, The Secretariat will collaborate with research institutions and disseminate the outcomes of their research to a wider audience.

“The Secretariat will offer a distinctive universe of content that is not merely informative but also deeply insightful and demonstrably intelligent so that our consumers – whether knowledge-seekers or investors looking to understand India – can make informed choices,” said Mahapatra, who has extensively written and reported on India’s economic transformation over the past three decades.

“Digital audiences are coming of age. The demand for niche, quality content is growing. The Secretariat seeks to respond to this growing need,” said Mahapatra who had previously steered digital transformation efforts at the Hindustan Times as its chief content officer.

“On the content front, we will take a less-is-more approach – making our stories stand out for high-impact analysis, expansive reportage and exclusive insights,” Mahapatra said. “We will have a stylish, contemporary voice, committed to views, counter views and opinion and not doctrinaire.”

The Secretariat will follow a Freemium model. While the bulk of the content will be behind a paywall, a curated set of policy news can be accessed.

“At SML Digital, we have built a robust tech and product team over the past year to ensure The Secretariat deploys the best-in-class techniques of digital story-telling, including AI, and offers such compelling content that our audiences will be happy to pay,” Vadodaria said.

October 26, 2023