ITV

Category: Social Media

  • ShareChat ropes in Neha Markanda as chief business officer

    ShareChat ropes in Neha Markanda as chief business officer

    MUMBAI: Homegrown social media firm ShareChat (Mohalla Tech) has named Neha Markanda as its new chief business officer, handing her the mandate to scale revenues and deepen advertiser engagement across its flagship ShareChat app and short-video platform Moj.

    Markanda joins from Google, where she spent over three years as head of industry for e-commerce. She earlier led business marketing at Facebook India, and held senior roles at GSK Consumer Healthcare, where she steered brand strategy for Horlicks and family nutrition.

    Her two-decade career spans consumer goods and technology, including stints at HCL Technologies, PepsiCo—where she managed Tropicana, Pepsi Max and Gatorade—and ITC.

    At ShareChat, she will be tasked with sharpening revenue strategy, strengthening advertiser partnerships and pushing growth in a market where short-video and vernacular social platforms are battling for both user attention and ad dollars.

  • India’s ad watchdog cracks down on stealth marketing by media companies

    India’s ad watchdog cracks down on stealth marketing by media companies

    MUMBAI: India’s advertising watchdog has tightened the screws on media companies that blur the lines between editorial content and paid promotions on social media. The Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci) has introduced tough new disclosure rules aimed at stopping advertisements masquerading as news.

    Under the updated code, media outlets must now slap clear labels on any sponsored content right at the top of social media posts. Acceptable tags include “advertisement,” “partnership,” “ad,” “sponsored,” and “collaboration”—no hiding behind fine print or vague disclaimers.

    The crackdown follows a surge in consumer complaints about misleading promotions on platforms where editorial credibility runs high. With digital media increasingly serving as Indians’ primary news source, regulators are worried that undisclosed advertising is eroding public trust.

    “Several media outlets regularly post editorial content on their social media handles,” said Asci  chief executive & secretary general Manisha Kapoor. “Increasingly, we see advertisements with no or poorly visible disclosures making their way to such posts.”

    The new Clause 1.8, tucked into the “Truthful and Honest Representation” chapter of Asci’s self-regulation code, reflects growing global concern about native advertising and influencer marketing. Consumer protection authorities worldwide are grappling with how to police content that deliberately mimics editorial material.

    For media companies, the rules represent both a burden and an opportunity. Clearer labelling may initially dent engagement rates, but could ultimately protect valuable editorial brands from advertiser influence. The regulations also level the playing field with international platforms, which already require similar disclosures under local laws.

    Asci, established in 1985, monitors advertising across all media and has worked closely with government bodies including the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The council’s updated code can be found at ascionline.in.

  • BGFA unveils world’s first video based Bhagavad Gita with actor Suniel Shetty

    BGFA unveils world’s first video based Bhagavad Gita with actor Suniel Shetty

    MUMBAI: Bhagavad Gita For All (BGFA), a unique initiative founded by 29-year-old entrepreneur, CEO Prithviraaj Shetty, is blending Bhagavad Gita with modern digital tools to help them discover their path to true success in their personal, family and professional lives.

    BGFA is a faith-tech platform that combines a beautifully illustrated book with QR codes leading to an immersive app experience. The app contains detailed videos for all Bhagavad Gita slokas along with video lessons for how to apply the teachings for your personal, family & professional life. Developed alongside CMO Siddhanth Shetty, the platform is designed to make Shri Krishna’s wisdom relatable for today’s generation.

    Founder & CEO Prithviraaj Shetty says. “I’ve always felt there’s a quiet kind of suffering in the world. People feel lost, and inherently know that there’s something missing. I’m building this to help people in their daily life and to take important life decisions – nudging them everyday towards a solution that isn’t temporary. A spiritual system for achievement and meaning in life.”

    As part of its launch, BGFA is proud to announce its collaboration with actor Suniel Shetty. Known for his longstanding commitment to holistic health, Shetty introduces BGFA as a tool for mental strength with a powerful quote from Chapter 6, “The mind is the best friend of the one who has conquered it, but the greatest enemy of one who has failed to conquer it.”

     

  • CoinSwitch unveils Creator Labs

    CoinSwitch unveils Creator Labs

    MUMBAI: CoinSwitch announced the launch of Creator Labs, the country’s first accelerator program for crypto content creators. The initiative aims to nurture a new wave of trustworthy, insightful, and consumer-first voices in the crypto space.

    India leads the world in grassroots crypto adoption, but credible content remains scarce. Only a few credible creators exist in space while misinformation thrives. Creator Labs is CoinSwitch’s answer to this gap: an intensive accelerator designed to equip aspiring creators with the tools, skills, and mindset to succeed, responsibly.

    “Creator Labs is our commitment to building a responsible crypto creator ecosystem in India. We are starting small but ambitious about where this can go,” said CoinSwitch co-founder Ashish Singhal.

  • CoinSwitch Launches ‘Block by Block’

    CoinSwitch Launches ‘Block by Block’

    MUMBAI: CoinSwitch has announced the launch of ‘Block by Block’, a national-level paper presentation competition focused on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs). The initiative, launched in partnership with India’s leading law firm Trilegal, and The Centre for Technology, Entertainment and Sports Law at NUJS Kolkata, aims to engage law and public policy students in shaping India’s future regulatory landscape for VDAs.

    The competition challenges students to develop innovative, practical policy proposals on the regulation of VDAs in India. Participants are invited to submit papers on the theme: “A Policy Approach for Regulation of Virtual Digital Assets/Crypto assets to Foster the Growth of a New Asset Class in India.”

    “At CoinSwitch, we believe that responsible innovation requires collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers. ‘Block by Block’ is our effort to create a platform where the next generation of legal and policy minds can contribute meaningfully to India’s growing ecosystem. As Web3 continues to evolve, it’s crucial that we build the ecosystem thoughtfully and we believe students have a big role to play in that journey,” said CoinSwitch co-founder Ashish Singhal.

    The competition provides a rare opportunity for students to work on real-world policy challenges in collaboration with leading industry and legal experts. Unlike most academic competitions, ‘Block by Block’ is backed by active industry participation offering both credibility and visibility to participants.  

    “As a centre committed to the study of law and emerging technologies, we’re proud to collaborate on ‘Block by Block’ a platform that gives students the chance to work on real-world challenges related to digital asset regulation. Initiatives like this not only promote academic rigour but also prepare our students to become active contributors to the future of tech policy in India,” added Dr. Shameek Sen, Professor, The Centre for Technology, Entertainment and Sports Law at NUJS Kolkata.

    “We believe in contributing to the development of progressive legal thought-leadership on emerging technologies including digital assets. We are excited to partner with CoinSwitch for this initiative that encourages future lawyers and policymakers to engage and help shape the legal discourse around this evolving asset class,” said Trilegal partner Jaideep Reddy.

    The competition officially launched on July 25, 2025, with entries open for 6 weeks until September 10, 2025. Submissions, limited to a maximum of 5,000 words (excluding footnotes), will be evaluated on key parameters including originality and novelty, research and evidence, analytical rigor, clarity of structure, and adherence to formatting guidelines. The competition also allows for co-authorship, with up to two individuals permitted per entry.

  • Humans of Bombay blossoms into full-stack media powerhouse

    Humans of Bombay blossoms into full-stack media powerhouse

    MUMBAI: Humans of Bombay (HOB), the platform that’s touched millions with its poignant tales, is no longer just telling stories; it’s now poised to write its own, transforming into a full-stack digital media company. Having spun over 6,500 narratives and built a community of more than 7M, HOB is branching out to become a veritable media tree.

    With a belief that real human stories can, in fact, change the world, HOB is now taking that power to the next level. Expect a bumper crop of original IPs, bold new partnerships, and immersive formats that aim not just to recount lives, but to shape the very culture of a New India. It’s a bit like turning a heart-warming anecdote into a blockbuster franchise.

    “Stories change people. And people change the world. We’re building storytelling ecosystems—formats and IPs designed to inspire, influence, and push India forward.” said Humans of Bombay founder & CEO, Karishma Mehta

    Every grand transformation needs the right hands to steer the plough, and HOB is no exception. They’ve brought in some serious talent to cultivate this new growth.

    Amit Sobti is joining HOB as its new president. With two decades of experience in building and scaling media companies, including a dozen years spent nurturing Fork Media into one of India’s leading digital media powerhouses—Sobti will be driving operations, revenue, and partnerships to new heights. He’s clearly got a knack for turning narratives into net profits.

    “This move just felt right,” Humans of Bombay president, Amit Sobti. “I’ve spent years building brands and businesses, but HOB is different. It’s honest. It’s human. And in a world full of noise, that really matters. I’m excited to help shape what comes next—thoughtfully, and with purpose.”  

    And because creativity is the very soil in which HOB thrives, Jasleen Kaur Gupta is stepping in as vice president, creatives & delivery. Armed with a decade of experience in shaping content, marketing, and talent IPs at big names like Myntra, 120 Media Collective, and Fork Media, gupta will lead the creative vision, bringing bold, fresh storytelling formats to vivid life.

    Much before joining HOB, I was a fan of their content. To now actually be here and have the opportunity to make an impact with life changing storytelling and creative experiments is a chance to do what I do best. Build. Bigger, better and be disruptive,” says Jasleen Kaur.  

    “At our core, we’ll always stand for real, empathy-driven stories. But the future we’re building is about going beyond content—into culture, influence, and impact at scale,” adds Karishma Mehta.  
     

  • Aamir Khan takes ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ straight to YouTube in a first-of-its-kind digital premiere

    Aamir Khan takes ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ straight to YouTube in a first-of-its-kind digital premiere

    MUMBAI: Aamir Khan is ripping up the rulebook. In a landmark move, the actor-producer is releasing his blockbuster Sitaare Zameen Par directly on YouTube Movies-on-Demand from 1 August 2025, bypassing traditional OTT platforms and putting premium cinema within reach of every household.

    Actor-producer Aamir Khan stated, “For the past 15 years I have been struggling with the challenge of how to reach audiences who do not have geographical access to theatres, or those who are unable to make it to theatres for various reasons. Finally the time for the perfect storm has come. With our government bringing in UPI and India becoming no 1 in the world in electronic payments, with internet penetration in India having grown dramatically and growing everyday, and with YouTube being on most devices, we can finally reach vast sections of people in India, and a significant part of the world. My dream is that Cinema should reach everyone at a reasonable and affordable price. I want people to have the ease of watching Cinema when they want, where they want. If this idea works, Creative voices can tell different stories breaking geographical and other barriers. This will also be a great opportunity for younger creative people entering the field of Cinema. If this idea works, then I see this as a win-win for all.”

    YouTube India country managing director, Gunjan Soni highlighted the strategic significance of this partnership. “The digital launch of Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively on YouTube underscores a significant step towards democratizing Indian film distribution at a global scale. YouTube is already a key digital destination for premium content, and we’re excited to offer filmmakers and content owners not only our unparalleled digital reach but also the control and flexibility to meet their audiences where they are. Today’s launch is far more than a release – YouTube is laying out the red carpet for Indian cinema to stride onto the global stage.”

    The film, which has already grossed over Rs 250 crore worldwide, will be available in India for Rs 100 and in 38 international markets including the US, UK, Australia, Germany and Singapore, with localised pricing and subtitles.

    A spiritual successor to his 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par, the heartwarming drama stars Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh and ten actors with intellectual disabilities, making inclusivity its emotional core.

    This YouTube-first strategy is a radical experiment that not only turns every screen into a theatre but also cements YouTube’s growing clout in post-theatrical film distribution. With YouTube already reaching 4 out of 5 internet users in India, this could reshape how films find their audiences.

    Directed by RS Prasanna and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma, the film will also be available in dubbed and subtitled versions for global audiences. Next up for Aamir Khan Productions: Lahore 1947 starring Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta, and Ek Din featuring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi.

    Cinema, it seems, just found its biggest digital stage.

  • Idiotic Media’s micro-influencer blitz sells out POCO F7 on day one

    Idiotic Media’s micro-influencer blitz sells out POCO F7 on day one

    MUMBAI: Idiotic Media has turned micro-influence into macro impact. Its high-octane campaign for Poco’s F7 5G smartphone has rewritten the rulebook for digital launches, enlisting 250 niche tech creators across Instagram and YouTube to craft content that clicks.

    Fronted by a high-energy launch film starring Akshay Kumar, the campaign turbocharged engagement with 15.15m Instagram Reels views and a flood of gaming-focused content that spoke directly to Poco’s core audiences. From reverse-charging demos to all-day battery bragging rights, micro-creators delivered credibility that no big-budget ad could buy.

    “Our focus on tech micro influencers for the Poco F7 5G campaign allowed us to craft platform-native stories that connected deeply with audiences, proving that relatability and precision drive unparalleled results,” said Idiotic Media CEO and co-founder Himanshu Singla. Adding to this, Idiotic Media co-founder Sankalp Samant said, “Micro-influencers bring authenticity that resonates deeply with today’s audiences, turning product features into relatable stories that drive real engagement.”

    Expressing his excitement, Poco Smartphones brand marketing head, Varun V Nair said, “We’re thrilled to see such incredible growth and engagement in India through tech micro-influencers, thanks to our innovative strategies and passionate community.”

  • Under 25 crosses 1m downloads, pays out six crore to students

    Under 25 crosses 1m downloads, pays out six crore to students

    MUMBAI : Under 25, the flagship youth platform from Collective Artists Network, has hit one million downloads, cementing its status as one of India’s fastest-growing student-first communities.

    With over 4 lakh monthly active users, the app has become a digital playground where students create, connect and cash in. In just 18 months, it has paid out more than Rs 6 crore to 1.5 lakh students, hosted 600+ events across 25 cities, and powered the creation of 2.5 million pieces of content.

    “This is the largest youth cohort India has ever seen — they are digitally native, culturally aware, and deeply expressive,” said Collective Artists Network founder & group Vijay Subramaniam.“Under 25 has done what few platforms have managed to do: bring this generation together in one place, on their terms. It’s not just an app, it’s a cultural engine built for the future of India.”

    “What excites me most is how quickly this has grown, not just in numbers, but in energy,” said Under 25 CEO Jeel Gandhi. “From students discovering new interests to finding their voice through content or showing up to events across the country, this isn’t just user growth, it’s real community. We’ve built something that belongs to them, and they’re building it with us.”

    Having collaborated with 350+ brands, the platform is now set to supercharge engagement with Season 2 of its in-app campaign, Joyride Through the Universe, offering Rs 10 lakh in rewards.

    For India’s Gen Z, it seems, Under 25 has become the ultimate extracurricular activity.

  • Cloudnine shows IVF takes a team with #StrongerTogether campaign

    Cloudnine shows IVF takes a team with #StrongerTogether campaign

    MUMBAI: Forget the lone test tube cliché, Cloudnine’s latest IVF campaign reminds us that making a baby today is very much a team sport. Launched ahead of World IVF Day (July 25, 2025), the “#StrongerTogether” initiative by Cloudnine Group of Hospitals reframes fertility not as a solo struggle, but as a shared journey backed by science, support and solidarity.

    At the heart of the campaign is the concept of a “Circle of Care”, a multi-specialist approach that brings together fertility experts, obstetricians, neonatologists and paediatricians each stepping in at just the right moment to support families from conception to postnatal care. From the first consultation to the baby’s first cry, the message is clear: nobody walks this road alone.

    “Fertility is never a solo act. IVF can feel lonely and overwhelming. But at Cloudnine, no parent walks alone,” said Cloudnine Group of Hospitals chief operating officer Suresh Pandiyan. The campaign highlights real stories that capture the emotional highs and lows of IVF journeys, and how professional care coupled with empathy can make all the difference.

    More than a sentimental nod to the emotional side of treatment, the campaign also underscores Cloudnine’s commitment to holistic care. Its IVF centres are designed as one-stop solutions where each specialist is part of a tightly coordinated ecosystem streamlining the process, reducing patient stress, and improving outcomes.

    With IVF cases continuing to rise in India, recent estimates suggest a 15–20 per cent annual increase in demand, especially in urban centres Cloudnine’s campaign hits a timely note. The #StrongerTogether tagline becomes more than a social media slogan; it’s a call to normalise the conversation around fertility, break stigma, and celebrate the quiet resilience of IVF families.

    In an era where medical treatment is often seen as transactional, Cloudnine’s campaign dares to focus on the human connection. It reminds us that while technology may spark new life, it’s compassion and community that help it grow.