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Category: iWorld

  • GUEST ARTICLE: A rundown of the remarkable growth of Instagram Reels in 2023

    GUEST ARTICLE: A rundown of the remarkable growth of Instagram Reels in 2023

    Mumbai: TikTok dominated social media for the longest time, with a robust user base of over 120 million as of 2019. Despite close competition and a nearly equal extent of popularity, Instagram’s growth in India could not match up with that of TikTok. But with TikTok’s exit in June 2020 and the emergence of Reels in the same year, Instagram made its way to the top and continues to block the coveted spot with new updates and unrivaled features.

    How? We will find out. First, let us understand the basics.

    What are Instagram Reels?

    Instagram Reels are short-form videos that allow users to record, edit, and string together multiple clips to produce an engaging video in just a few minutes. The video clips can range from 15 to 30 seconds and be merged with audio clips or music and enhanced with fun elements like filters or Instagram stickers. Unlike Instagram Stories, Reels do not disappear within 24 hours after uploading them; instead, they stay on the timeline for as long as one decides to retain them.  

    In terms of usage, this feature is easily understandable and doesn’t demand much time or external resources. Users can select the Reels tab on Instagram and press the camera icon on the top right. A Reel can either be recorded in a single stream or series of clips or pre-recorded and uploaded later.

    For those who want to add music to the footage can tap the audio icon and select music from Instagram’s library. Alternatively, adding original audio by importing the file is possible. The seamless transitions between different clips can be attained by accessing the aligning and editing feature. Upon reaching a point of satisfaction, users can preview the Reel, add a cover photo, and write an interesting caption that resonates with the video.

    Reasons behind the popularity and acceptance of Reels

    Ever since Instagram introduced Reels, the new feature has grabbed the attention of younger audiences for various compelling reasons, such as:

    Short Content Format: In today’s fast-paced digital world, capturing and maintaining the audience’s attention is essential for social media success. Reels’ short content format catered to the shrinking attention span of users by delivering succinct, fun, and engaging messages, thereby increasing their likeability.

    Content Versatility: Reels are incredibly flexible and versatile. Scroll through the explore page on Instagram, and you will find Reels being used in every way possible – whether it is for sharing personal finance tips and makeup hacks or cooking tutorials and educational content. In addition to entertaining the audience, Reels helped users stay connected with their followers, showcase their creativity, and improve engagement. In a way, this web of infinite Reels has attracted and retained users on the platform.

    Wider Reach and Better Engagement: Users that embraced Reels saw a tremendous rise in their follower count, engagement rates, and overall profile visibility. This helped them reach newer users and serve the videos to a larger audience. The sharable nature and potential for virality encouraged users to create more content and add to the platform’s exposure.

    How are marketers leveraging Instagram Reels to grow business

    Given that Instagram Reels can be made seamlessly, allow for plenty of creativity, boost reach and engagement, and help generate leads and sales, brands are purposefully making it a part of their social media strategy. In fact, brands skeptical of this format are now swiftly investing in short-form video content, partly due to its resemblance with TikTok. But fast forward to today; there are some Instagram Reels that you do not want to miss!

    Britannia’s Reel Ad with content creator Danish Sait for Nutri Choice Protein is one of them. In the video campaign that read “Make Protein Routine,” Sait can be seen lifting weights and exercising while playfully and effectively getting his message across, including Nutri Choice cookies.

    Similarly, the popular clothing brand – Bewakoof – which boasts over 1.7 MN followers on Instagram, has often grabbed the limelight for their approach to launch a new collection via Reels. Besides selecting impactful models & influencers and creating smooth product-focused videos, Bewakoof demonstrates a portfolio of its products using fresh and unique content formats on the platform, thereby breaking the monotony and making the timeline aesthetically pleasing.

    Reels should be a top priority for brands looking to build awareness and win more customers via Instagram. They are worth the time and an important content format for business owners and marketers to leverage!

    The bottom line

    We all need to keep up with the ever-evolving paradigm of social media to remain relevant. Until now, it was TikTok and Twitter. Now, it is Instagram and the Reels feature. Tomorrow, it can be something else!

    The author of this article is C Com Digital founder and managing director Chandan Bagwe. 

  • IBC2023 preview: LTN showcases intelligent IP-based video distribution to drive flexibility and scale

    IBC2023 preview: LTN showcases intelligent IP-based video distribution to drive flexibility and scale

    Mumbai: LTN, the industry leader in transformative media technology and video transport solutions, will showcase how its IP-based technologies empower media companies to create, version, and monetize content across multiple platforms and regions at IBC2023. Visitors to LTN’s stand (#5.A76) will discover why major media companies are migrating to IP-based video transport for a more reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient approach to managing and distributing high-quality content.  

    The company will spotlight LTN Wave, its award-winning, fully managed, multicast-enabled IP-based transmission solution that provides customers with an intelligent and reliable alternative to traditional satellite or fiber-based models. Underpinned by the ultra reliable LTN Network with extremely-low latency, LTN Wave delivers next-generation business intelligence and seamless interoperability to enable media companies to deliver multiple tailored versions of content across any region, device, or platform. Some of the industry’s leading media organizations, including German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle and US sports network MSG Networks, harness LTN Wave to future-proof their transmission strategies while driving operational efficiencies.

    “Shifting to IP-based video transport is going to be top of the agenda for many business leaders at IBC2023. Media companies are increasingly moving to an IP-first roadmap to drive greater flexibility and business intelligence while securing profitability,” said LTN executive vice president & chief revenue officer Chris Myers. “LTN Wave gives media companies a best-in-class, fully managed solution that enables a stress-free migration to IP, while laying the foundations for greater customization and monetization across all digital platforms.”

    LTN will also showcase LTN Arc, the fully managed, cloud-enabled production solution that handles every aspect of live event versioning at scale for rights holders and sports platforms. Through automated workflows and supported by the highly redundant video transport backbone of the LTN Network, Arc delivers the versioning, customization, and decoration capabilities that rights holders need to tailor and deliver their content for diverse worldwide audiences while enabling downstream monetization.

  • Parikshita Deka and Supratip Bhattacharya win Hipi G.O.A.T.2

    Parikshita Deka and Supratip Bhattacharya win Hipi G.O.A.T.2

    Mumbai: The spotlight has shone brightly on musical brilliance, Hipi G.O.A.T. 2, singing challenge on Hipi, as it culminated with the emergence of many a fresh talent onto the digital stage. The resounding success of Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 underscores its unparalleled capacity to create life-changing opportunities for exceptional musical talents across India.

    Guided by the remarkable Palak Muchhal, a true luminary of the music industry, Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 unfolded as a journey of discovery, passion, and artistry. The contest celebrated the boundless talent of Indian music creators and provided them with a unique platform to highlight their vocal gifts. The extraordinary number of participants and the video views during this journey testify to the extraordinary impact that Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 has had on the musical landscape.

    As the grand finale unfolded, Supratip Bhattacharya and Pratiksha Deka emerged as shining stars, captivating audiences with unparalleled vocal prowess and distinct artistic expression. This victory not only marks a personal triumph for Supratip Bhattacharya and Pratiksha Deka but also signifies a groundbreaking entry into the world of music.

    Hipi chief business officer GBS Bindra said, “Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 has been an amazing journey, showcasing the diverse and exceptional musical talents that India has to offer. The massive participation and the overwhelming response reaffirm our commitment to providing a platform that empowers creators and nurtures their talents. We are immensely proud of the impact this contest has had on the lives of talented individuals.”

    With an astounding 350,000 video submissions and 1.2 billion cumulative video views, Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 succeeded in bringing voices from every corner of the nation. Participants from across the country showcased their musical talent creating a tapestry of harmonious melodies.

    Throughout the journey, Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 remained steadfast in its commitment to nurturing creativity. Mentorship and duet opportunities with the illustrious Sireesha Bhagavatula, coupled with cash prizes, celebrated the journey of every participant and winner, solidifying Hipi’s reputation as a platform that changes lives.

    The grand winner’s triumphant moment was crowned with the opportunity to record an original song for a music video, a collaboration set to be launched by the esteemed Zee Music Company. This victory is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the potential of platforms like Hipi to shape the future of the music industry.

    As Hipi G.O.A.T. 2 reached its conclusion, Hipi stands firm in its commitment to providing a dynamic platform that empowers creators to display their talents, make connections, and impact audiences worldwide. The success of this season’s contest underscores Hipi’s role as a transformative force in the digital entertainment landscape, making dreams a reality for countless creators.

  • Business Today’s G20 special issue: Exclusive interview with PM Modi

    Business Today’s G20 special issue: Exclusive interview with PM Modi

    Mumbai: Business Today’s G20 Special Issue is out! In this issue, find an exclusive interview with prime minister Narendra Modi who talks in detail about his hopes and vision for India’s G20 presidency, the areas in which he believes the country is making a difference, the impact of India’s G20 ecosystem, and more.  

    As the G20 president for the year, India has emerged as the driving force for a wide range of issues that need immediate attention from global leaders, who will converge in New Delhi to attend the G20 heads of state and government summit in September. At the summit, India will be looking to build a global consensus on a host of issues under the leadership of prime minister Modi. In that context, the prime minister said in the interview, “The G20 group is being looked at as a ray of hope by the world and the ground for this is being laid during India’s presidency of G20.” He goes on to add that India, by inviting the African Union to the G20 during its presidency, has laid the foundation for inclusivity. He also holds forth on the country’s digital public infrastructure, and that “Technology has helped India achieve targeted welfare delivery.”

    Apart from the prime minister’s interview, the special issue—centred on India’s G20 presidency—also has interviews with G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant and Harsh Vardhan Shringla, chief coordinator for India’s G20 presidency. Besides these, the issue includes stories on key takeaways for India Inc. from India’s G20 presidency; how the country is showcasing its digital prowess, such as its digital public infrastructure, to the world; and how India is aiming to foster a global start-up ecosystem, among others.  

    The issue also has columns by thought leaders such as K.V. Kamath, Janmejaya Sinha, Vinod Dham, Sangita Reddy, Ritesh Agarwal and Dilip Oommen on what the G20 presidency means and the road ahead.

  • Jio AirFiber set to be unveiled in September

    Jio AirFiber set to be unveiled in September

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani revealed in a virtual annual general meeting that Jio will launch Jio AirFiber, its fixed wireless access offering on 19 September. Jio, which has 50 million 5G users, shall have a pan- India coverage by December 2023. It will also be among the first globally to put 6G competencies in place, as per media reports.

    The launch of Jio AirFiber comes on the heels of its rival, Bharti Airtel launching its own device commercially, and is anticipated to swell the former’s addressable market to over 200 million high-paying homes and premises, over the next three years.

    Mukesh also brought out that “providing last-mile connectivity is a painstaking process in most parts of our country,” and that’s where the fixed-wireless broadband offering, Jio AirFiber, would play a role. Additionally, he pointed out that Jio has more than 450 million subscribers, say reports.

    As of now, the pricing of the new offering is under wraps. The new service is expected help the telco multiply its connected premises to 1,50,000 connections per day, which is a 10-fold growth from 15,000 premises a day that optical fibre would allow.

    Mukesh also underlined the in-house developed Jio 5G stack which possesses features like standalone 5G architecture, network slicing, carrier aggregation, and AI/ML capabilities.

    Jio’s 5G customer has reached 50 million since the October 2022 launch, and Jio 5G is already present in over 96 per cent of the census towns of the country.

    Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani also spoke about the telco building a ‘transformative platform’ which will alter the way Indian enterprises, small businesses, and tech start-ups work with the digital world.

    He also announced the Jio True5G Developer Platform – a comprehensive platform combining the 5G network, edge computing, and a spectrum of applications and services.

  • Kanika Mann highlights key aspects of Rakshak: India’s Braves

    Kanika Mann highlights key aspects of Rakshak: India’s Braves

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free streaming service, recently released its first patriotic movie, Rakshak: India’s Braves: Chapter 1, the first instalment of a three-part movie series. The film has garnered abundant acclaim and admiration from viewers across India. Rakshak – Indian’s Braves weaves a story of bravery and sacrifice, followed by Lieutenant Triveni Singh bravely preventing a terror attack at the Jammu Tawi railway station and saving the lives of innocent people.  Featuring Varun Mitra as the lead, the film also features Kanika Mann, essaying the character of Mala, who was slated to get married to Lt. Triveni Singh.

    Expressing her emotions on reading a script of historical importance and significance, Kanika stated, “It’s truly remarkable because this story isn’t a work of fiction; it’s rooted in the extraordinary efforts of our real-life heroes. As an actor, there’s always a desire to portray real-life characters on screen. So, when I was presented with this script, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. It shows the real-life story of Lt. Triveni Singh, a courageous army officer who selflessly saved numerous innocent individuals.  I played ‘Mala’ who is Triveni’s love interest and got a chance to display all the ups and downs a military family deals with.

    Furthermore, Kanika outlined the epoch-making elements of the patriotic film that would pique every viewer’s interest. “I feel the rawness of the film, the characters, the emotions shown, and of course, the incident which took place in 2004, will keep the people hooked to the screens.  I feel like us, so many people didn’t know about this incident, and it needs to be known,” she concluded.

    Unfold the heroic journey of Lt. Triveni Singh in Rakshak- India’s Braves, streaming live on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app and on Fire TV.  

  • JioCinema’s Taali is a resounding success with 25 million viewers in 2 weeks

    JioCinema’s Taali is a resounding success with 25 million viewers in 2 weeks

    Mumbai: Following the grand parade of hit shows including Asur 2, Kaalkoot, Bigg Boss OTT 2, amongst others, JioCinema has delivered yet another monumental success with its recently released series – Taali. With exceptional performances, the Sushmita Sen starrer biopic-drama on the life of transgender activist, Shreegauri Sawant, has struck a chord with audiences across the nation, within just two weeks of its release. With a staggering 25 million/2.5 crore viewers, Taali reaffirms JioCinema’s position as a clear frontrunner in the digital entertainment landscape.

    Boasting an impressive IMDb rating of 8.6, with a prominent position on the Ormax charts as one of the leading originals in the launch weeks, Taali continues to be hailed by the audience as one of the most loved series, since its launch. The show’s success is a testament to its quality and the positive reception it has received from both critics and viewers. Created by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar, directed by National award-winning director Ravi Jadhav, written by Kshitij Patwardhan, and produced by Arjun Singgh Baran, Kartk D Nishandar (GSEAMS Production) and Afeefa Nadiadwala, the empowering biopic-series unfolds over six episodes, showcasing the revolutionary story of Shreegauri Sawant, and her iconic fight for the recognition of the third gender in India.

    With a slew of successful shows under its belt and a growing viewer base, JioCinema continues to demonstrate its prowess in creating content that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact on its audience.

  • Reliance 46th AGM 2023: Latest updates & announcements

    Reliance 46th AGM 2023: Latest updates & announcements

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd. today in its 46th annual general meeting on 28 August 2023, just like in the previous AGMs, investors are anticipating significant revelations during this yearly event. This occasion holds added significance as it marks RIL’s inaugural AGM subsequent to the listing of Jio Financial Services (JFSL) shares on various stock exchanges.

    In latest updates from the AGM, Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani said, ”I represent the beating heart of Reliance, our beacon of empowerment and transformation – the Reliance Foundation. For us, business and philanthropy complement and reinforce each other as both are guided by same spirit of We Care.”

    “From Culture to Climate, Education and Sports to Women’s Empowerment, Healthcare to Livelihoods, Rural Transformation to Disaster Mgmt, we work in 54,000+ villages. We have so far touched lives of ~70 mn Indians,” she added.

    Speaking on accelerating to achieve net carbon zero by 2035, Mukesh Ambani said,” We have embarked transitioning O2C business into a sustainable and green business.” He added, “the key pillars of this transition are – One, we are accelerating our journey to achieve Net Zero by 2035 through renewables and bioenergy”.

    On collaborating with RIL at the AGM, business giant Bill Gates said, “I am delighted Reliance is collaborating with Gates Foundation and my climate organisation, Breakthrough Energy, on some of world’s toughest challenges – climate change, helping unlock economic power for women and improving health outcomes for poor”.

    Talking about Reliance’s cardinal principles, Mukesh Ambani said, “In pursuit of these dreams, RIL has scrupulously adhered to certain cardinal principles of value creation. These have ensured that your company becomes more valuable, year after year, decade after decade”

    The five cardinal principles are:

    1st, Growth driven by perpetual demand

    2nd, driven by superior customer experience and value

    3rd, Growth driven by the power of disruptive innovation

    4th, Growth driven by business discipline

    5th, Growth driven by global market potential

    Here are some more key highlights from the AGM:

    . Over the past decade, Reliance Industries Ltd has made a total investment of $150 billion, marking the largest investment by any Indian company during this period. During the annual general meeting, Ambani mentioned that Reliance has consistently led the way in shaping the landscape of India’s evolving economy.

    . Providing a status report to stakeholders about the latest developments in its new energy division, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, announced during the company’s 46th annual general meeting (AGM) that their immediate focus is on establishing a battery giga factory by the year 2026.

    . Ambani has unveiled an intriguing update – the launch of the Jio Bharat economical smartphone, available at a mere cost of Rs 999. This device is furnished with a variety of functions intended to address a diverse array of user requirements. Users have the opportunity to partake in live TV, seamlessly stream multimedia content, indulge in digital photography, and effortlessly conduct UPI transactions via JioPay.

    . Highlighting the continued attraction of international investors towards its retail enterprise, Mukesh Ambani, announced to shareholders on Monday that the valuation of Reliance Retail has surged to Rs 8.28 lakh crore at present, marking a significant increase from its 2020 valuation of Rs 4.28 lakh crore.

    . He further announced that Jio, the company’s telecommunications division, is set to deploy one million 5G cells by December 2023. This statement was made during Ambani’s speech at the 46th annual general meeting of Reliance Industries.

  • Reliance AGM 2023: Highlights key announcements at the 46th Annual General Meeting

    Reliance AGM 2023: Highlights key announcements at the 46th Annual General Meeting

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd. today in its 46th annual general meeting on 28 August 2023, just like in the previous AGMs, investors are anticipating significant revelations during this yearly event. This occasion holds added significance as it marks RIL’s inaugural AGM subsequent to the listing of Jio Financial Services (JFSL) shares on various stock exchanges.

    RIL chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani, made a series of announcements including the company’s plans to roll out 5G services by December 2023, high-profile partnerships with Meta and Google, and the AirFiber service.

    Ambani has announced that Jio AirFiber will be launched on Ganesh Chaturthi. Also Akash Ambani has introduced Jio Smart Home services. Over the past few years, major groundbreaking declarations from the Ambani conglomerate have consistently been unveiled during the RIL AGM. Consequently, this occasion has assumed a pivotal role on Dalal Street.

    Mukesh Ambani said, “Jio Platforms is already providing end-to-end professional and managed services for all businesses of RIL group, including Telecom, Retail, Media, and Fin Services. It is ideally placed to offer these services outside the RIL group.”

    He continued, “For the first time, IPL was streamed free on JioCinema. It created a global record with a staggering 45 cr viewers tuning in. More people watched IPL on digital devices than on linear television, marking a tectonic shift.”

    It is widely anticipated that Mukesh Ambani will present a strategic plan for the financial services sector, building upon the recent $300 million collaborative agreement with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm. This partnership is geared towards establishing a digital-centric approach, with the goal of making investment solutions accessible to a broader range of Indian investors.

    During the announcement of the financial results for the June quarter, Reliance Jio expressed its commitment to achieving a nationwide 5G rollout across India by the end of this year, as reiterated during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Moreover, shareholders are keen to gain insights into the company’s investment strategies for the present year and the specific areas of concentration for its expansion endeavors.

    Reliance AGM 2023- Key things to look for:

    Plans for Jio Financial

    5G Roadmap

    Reliance Retail IPO

    Reliance Jio IPO

    Renewable energy plans

    Reliance Jio Infocomm IPO

  • ShemarooMe OTT joins forces with global telcos for International content reach

    ShemarooMe OTT joins forces with global telcos for International content reach

    Mumbai: Continuing its dynamic expansion in the global telco, ISP (Internet Service Provider), and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) landscape, Shemaroo Entertainment, one of India’s leading media & entertainment conglomerates, has successfully extended its OTT arm, ShemarooMe, to six additional international telecom operators. The collaboration with STC, Zain and Batelco in Bahrain, Grameenphone in Bangladesh, XL Axiata in Indonesia and Ooredoo in Oman, facilitated through esteemed DCB (direct carrier billing) partners Timwetech, Boost Connect and SLA Digital, signifies yet another noteworthy achievement in Shemaroo’s steadfast dedication to providing seamless and diversified entertainment experiences to global audiences. This partnership will offer customers the option to pay for the subscription of ShemarooMe through their mobile operator’s payment gateway.

    This strategic initiative extends the reach of ShemarooMe OTT to a wider demographic, establishing accessibility through around 15 telecom providers spanning key regions such as Southeast Asia, SAARC, and the MENA region. This expansion aligns perfectly with Shemaroo’s overarching vision of transcending entertainment barriers, delivering premium content across borders, and catering to an assorted range of viewer preferences.

    “Expanding our content’s reach in the global market remains a point of pride for Shemaroo Entertainment, and our latest collaboration with these esteemed international telecom operators marks a significant stride in that direction,” remarked Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd chief operating officer Arghya Chakravarty. “We are dedicated to breaking down barriers and making our diverse content accessible to audiences worldwide. This association underscores our commitment to enhancing the entertainment experience of viewers across different geographies, bringing them closer to the rich tapestry of Indian content through ShemarooMe OTT. We look forward to forging more such partnerships and continuing our journey of global expansion.”

    With the current integration and plans to further integrate ShemarooMe OTT with around 15 more telecom operators within the current financial year, Shemaroo is poised to solidify its standing as a global entertainment leader, embracing technological advancements and delivering captivating content to audiences worldwide.

    ShemarooMe OTT app is available in more than 150 countries globally and offers an enormous library of 7000 hours of content across Bollywood, regional, devotional and kids genres in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and Punjabi languages.