ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Cred and T Rajendar show Chennai the rewards of paying bills on time

    Cred and T Rajendar show Chennai the rewards of paying bills on time

    MUMBAI: Cred invoked the iconic T Rajendar to spotlight the rewards of good financial behaviour in its new, quintessentially ‘TR’ brand film.

    Speaking directly to ‘TR Nation’, the campaign celebrates the legendary performer’s unmistakable delivery and presence as a multi-hyphenate actor, director, producer, lyricist, composer, and singer. Now, he dons one more hat: that of an explainer,  where he transforms creditworthiness from a concept to a conversation – a rewarding one.

    The campaign comes at a time when Chennai is emerging as one of India’s most financially aware cities. In a recent Cred–YouGov survey:

    ●     65 per cent of respondents in Chennai know their exact credit score, the highest among all Indian metros

    ●     52 per cent report credit adoption, indicating deeper engagement with formal credit systems

    ●     Nearly 1 in 2 residents (46 per cent) rely on personal finance apps to manage their money

    With the film, Cred and TR show this financially progressive community that creditworthiness can be rewarding too. In a few seconds, a late-night doomscroll turns into a walk through the rewards that Cred members earn by paying their bills on the app – jewellery, vacations, gadgets, makeovers, and other experiences.

    Launched yesterday, the film will run for six weeks across Tamil Nadu. The campaign continues on the app as well, with curated offers on brands like Butterheads, VS Mani, Bodycraft, Sangeetha Veg, Cha Republic, Giva, A2B, Lakme and many more. CRED members in Tamil Nadu can also access limited-edition TR merchandise on CRED Store.

  • Plane unveils new identity and AI powered product suite

    Plane unveils new identity and AI powered product suite

    MUMBAI — Plane, the open-source project management workbench trusted by over a million users globally, has announced a major rebrand and the launch of an expanded, AI-powered product suite. While the rebrand includes a new visual logo, it more significantly reflects Plane’s evolution from a developer-focused tool to a scalable platform built for cross-functional teams and modern enterprises.

    Plane’s growth over the past year has been rapid and far-reaching. What began as a lightweight, self-hosted project management alternative has evolved into a unified operating system for work—used by Fortune 500 companies, private defence contractors, government departments in over 20 countries, and high-growth companies across AI, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance.

    “Project management should feel light, adaptable, and transparent,” said Vamsi Kurama, founder of Plane. “This rebrand brings that belief to larger organisations—combining simplicity with the performance, extensibility, and security they demand.”

    At the heart of the rebrand is the introduction of Plane’s unified product suite: a seamless interface that combines project tracking, knowledge management, and AI-driven automation. This evolution is guided by Plane’s core product philosophy, Planes of Work—a flexible model that reflects how real-world teams operate across disciplines and changing priorities. Unlike legacy platforms that enforce rigid workflows or bundled features, Plane lets teams adopt only what they need—without unnecessary upsells or vendor lock-in.

    As part of this transformation, Plane is also introducing Plane Intelligence (Pi)—a suite of AI features currently in beta with select design partners. Pi helps teams query unstructured knowledge across tools, interact with Plane data using models like ChatGPT and Claude, and deploy AI teammates that automate time-consuming workflows. The result is faster decision-making, fewer blockers, and more empowered teams.

    While the open-source Community Edition—with over 37,000 GitHub stars—remains a core part of the company’s DNA, enterprise adoption is accelerating. Plane’s self-hosted and airgapped editions, which offer full feature parity with the cloud version, have gained traction in regulated sectors where control and compliance are critical. Enterprise-grade features such as SAML, RBAC, audit logs, and dedicated implementation services ensure a smooth transition from legacy systems like Jira Server.

    “We didn’t just redesign our logo. We rebuilt Plane to meet the complexity and ambition of modern work,” added Kurama. “And we’ve done it while preserving the clarity and openness of our community values.”

    Plane Intelligence is in beta, available to Business and Enterprise plan users on request.

  • CNN-News18 rules prime time with 72.5 per cent market share lead

    CNN-News18 rules prime time with 72.5 per cent market share lead

    MUMBAI: When the nation tunes in, it’s clear who’s holding the mic. CNN-News18 has tightened its grip on the English news throne, bagging a staggering 72.5 per cent market share during peak news hours, a figure bigger than all its competitors combined.

    According to BARC data (Mkt: 10L+ | TG: 22–40 Male | Wk 27–30’25, 19:00–24:00 Hrs), Times Now managed 17.9 per cent, NDTV 24×7 clocked 7.4 per cent, Republic TV scraped 1.5 per cent, and India Today Television trailed with just 0.7 per cent. The result? A prime-time rout that leaves no doubt who’s setting the national news agenda.

    The dominance isn’t just in the evening spotlight. CNN-News18’s overall share in the English news genre remains formidable 60 per cent ahead of Times Now and a jaw-dropping 102 per cent ahead of NDTV (Source: BARC India | All India (U+R) 15+ | AVG Week 30’25). The channel has held its No. 1 spot for over three years, a testament to its mix of accuracy, clarity, and a citizen-first approach.

    Recent upgrades from a cleaner, more visual-heavy design to tighter storytelling have only sharpened its edge. With top anchors like Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar, and Shivani Gupta, plus a robust nationwide reporting network, CNN-News18 delivers not just breaking headlines but context-rich coverage with data-driven explainers.

    By blending editorial heft with tech innovation, the channel is making sure that when the story matters, India knows exactly where to turn and in peak hours, it’s turning to CNN-News18 in overwhelming numbers.

  • Big FM names Sunil Kumaran chief executive post-Abe Thomas departure

    Big FM names Sunil Kumaran chief executive post-Abe Thomas departure

    MUMBAI: Big FM has handed the reins to Sunil Kumaran, elevating the long-time chief operating officer to chief executive after the exit of Abe Thomas, who has helmed the station since 2018. Kumaran, a 14-year veteran of the network and with over 25 years in media and communications, has been tasked with driving the Sapphire Media-owned broadcaster’s next phase of growth.

    Chairman Sahil Mangla hailed Thomas’s “visionary leadership” and called Kumaran the “ideal choice” to steer the brand forward. Kumaran said his mission was to reimagine radio as a “true multimedia force,” blending content, data and tech-led storytelling to create a “future-ready” brand that connects with audiences, shapes culture and delivers for partners.

    The appointment underscores Big FM’s ambition to stay ahead in India’s fast-evolving audio entertainment market.

  • Mohit Joshi named media agency head of the year at IAA Leadership Awards 2025

    Mohit Joshi named media agency head of the year at IAA Leadership Awards 2025

    MUMBAI:  Havas Media Network India  chief executive Mohit Joshi has been awarded media agency head of the year at the International Advertising Association (IAA) Leadership Awards 2025, held in Mumbai on 7 August. The honour caps a stellar run for Joshi, whose leadership has propelled Havas into the top tier of India’s media and advertising ecosystem.

    With nearly three decades in the industry, Joshi took charge at Havas in November 2020 and has since driven a transformation built on digital scale, data-led strategy, and deep integration. His efforts have not only expanded the network’s client portfolio but also embedded its global converged philosophy across teams, operations, and disciplines.

    ‘Mohit has evolved Havas into an integrated powerhouse, aligning media, digital, data, tech, and content into a unified strategic vision,’ said Havas India, Southeast & North Asia  group CEO Rana Barua. ”His leadership, focus on collaboration, and purpose-driven culture make this recognition richly deserved.”

    The IAA, a global body celebrating excellence in marketing and communications, lauded Joshi’s contributions to the industry. ‘Mohit’s track record speaks for itself. He is respected not just for results, but for his collaborative, warm, and helpful approach,’ said IAA India chapter & The Free Press Journal group president Abhishek Karnani.

    ‘This award is a collective win for all of us at Havas Media Network India,’ said Joshi.” It reflects our relentless drive to build an intelligent, impact-driven ecosystem. I’m grateful to my colleagues, clients, and partners for their trust and belief.”

     

  • Prasar Bharati and AEx Sport partner to launch India’s first pro-wrestling league

    Prasar Bharati and AEx Sport partner to launch India’s first pro-wrestling league

    NEW DELHI:   Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has inked a strategic memorandum of understanding with AEx Sport the sports innovation arm of UK-based AdiGroupe, to launch  the Global League Wrestling (GLW) — the first professional wrestling league of its kind in India and the Asia-Pacific.

    The collaboration combines Prasar Bharati’s national reach across DD Sports, All India Radio and digital platform Waves, with AEx Sport’s global firepower in production, IP, and marketing. GLW is set to be unveiled on 17 September and will hit the screens from 4 October 2025, airing weekly over a 40-week season of high-octane, family-friendly programming.

    “This marks a new era for Indian pro-wrestling,” said Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal. “GLW reinforces our vision of taking Indian sport to global heights and giving our youth a credible platform to shine.”

    Positioned as a cultural milestone in Indian sport, GLW will blend traditional Indian storytelling with world-class wrestling theatrics, introducing original characters, cinematic plots, and a production style aimed at mass appeal. It is also seen as part of the government’s broader push to promote youth engagement through sport.

    “GLW brings a new genre of content that’s rooted in our culture but built for the world,” said Prasar Bharati CEO  Gaurav Dwivedi. “We’re creating something truly unique for Indian audiences.”

    Backing the league’s ambitions is AdiGroupe and AEx Sport chairman Sanjay Viswanathan, who described GLW as “an immersive, youth-led cultural experience that puts Indian talent centre stage”. He added: “We’re dedicating GLW to India to inspire pride, competitiveness and global ambition among Indian youth.”

    Wrestling icon The Great Khali joins as GLW’s brand ambassador and talent commissioner, bringing star power and mentorship to the ring. “GLW offers a serious and structured path for Indian athletes to shine — on our terms,” said Khali.

    With the inaugural season already generating buzz, the tie-up between India’s national broadcaster and a global sports IP developer signals a watershed moment for homegrown sports entertainment.

  • Applause Entertainment’s & Hansal Mehta’s Gandhi to world premiere at TIFF 2025

    Applause Entertainment’s & Hansal Mehta’s Gandhi to world premiere at TIFF 2025

    MUMBAI: In a landmark moment for Indian storytelling, Gandhi, the sweeping international series by Applause Entertainment and filmmaker Hansal Mehta, is set to make its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Selected as part of TIFF’s prestigious primetime programme, it is the first Indian series ever to feature in the festival’s showcase of auteur-driven episodic storytelling.

    Starring Pratik Gandhi in the titular role, Gandhi is adapted from historian Ramachandra Guha’s definitive biographies and charts the early, lesser-known years of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The first season, titled An Untold Story of Becoming (1888–1915), traces his formative years from a curious teen in colonial India to a struggling law student in London and a young barrister in South Africa—long before the Mahatma was born.

    Sameer Nair“To have Gandhi selected for TIFF’s Primetime showcase is both an honour and a moment of immense pride; not just for Applause, but for Indian storytelling. Taking you up close and personal to the young Mohan way before he became the man history knows, this series is the culmination of deep research, creative development, and unwavering belief in the human story we wanted to tell,” said Applause Entertainment managing director Sameer Nair.  “TIFF will be the first time our Gandhi will be seen by audiences. To begin that journey on a global platform of such import, is the perfect start and we can’t wait for the world to discover him.”

    For Hansal Mehta, the director and showrunner, TIFF holds special significance. “Gandhi has been the most creatively challenging and soul-stirring journey of my career. It’s not just a story from our past—it’s a meditation on conscience, a portrait of a man in constant conflict with himself and his times,” explained Mehta. ”TIFF has previously been home to some of my most precious pieces of work, and to have perhaps the most ambitious story of my career premiering there is doubly special—particularly in TIFF’s 50th year. To share this journey at a festival that has embraced me over the years is both humbling and surreal. I hope it opens the door for more Indian series to find their place on the world stage.”

    Hansal MehtaThe Gandhi premiere will see key cast and crew in attendance, including Sameer Nair, Hansal Mehta, Pratik Gandhi, Tom Felton, Kabir Bedi and Siddharth Khaitan. The series boasts a powerhouse creative team with music by A.R. Rahman and writing by Vaibhav Vishal, Karan Vyas, Felix von Stumm, Hema Gopinathan, Sehaj Kaur Maini and Yashna Malhotra. Script development was supported by Siddhartha Basu and Ramachandra Guha, with casting by Mukesh Chhabra (India) and Shakyra Dowling (International).

    TIFF’s primetime section has previously hosted series by the likes of Alfonso Cuarón, Shawn Levy and Steven Knight. With Gandhi entering this rarefied space, Indian long-form storytelling may have finally arrived on the world stage.

  • Alap Ghosh named first India CEO of Assembly

    Alap Ghosh named first India CEO of Assembly

    MUMBAI:  Global omnichannel agency Assembly has appointed Alap Ghosh as its first-ever chief executive officer for India, effective 1 August. Based in Mumbai, Ghosh will report to matt adams, global chief operating officer, and lead the integration of Assembly’s media, tech, creative and commerce arms across India.

    A digital veteran with over 25 years under his belt, Ghosh joins from Google India where he helmed data and technology partnerships, driving innovation for enterprise clients. His earlier stints include leadership roles at Jellyfish and founding a data consultancy, equipping him with deep experience across adtech, martech, programmatic platforms and commercial strategy.

    “India is a critical growth market for Assembly and many of our global clients,” said Assembly global CEO Rick Acampora. “Alap brings the right mix of vision, scale and execution to help us build something truly distinct in the region.”

    Ghosh will be tasked with unifying Assembly’s footprint across Mumbai and Bangalore into a single offering that delivers connected omnichannel experiences. His remit includes accelerating growth, building talent depth and pushing innovation across data, media and creative.

    “India is moving at breakneck speed—creatively, digitally, and culturally,” said Ghosh. “By bringing our teams under one vision and one voice, we can build a next-gen agency model designed for where this market is headed.”

  • Yezdi Nagporewalla to lead KPMG India for second term

    Yezdi Nagporewalla to lead KPMG India for second term

    MUMBAI: : KPMG in India has reappointed Yezdi Nagporewalla as chief executive officer for a second three-year term starting February 2027, signalling the firm’s commitment to strategic continuity and aggressive market focus.

    The extension comes on the back of a strong growth run under Nagporewalla’s leadership, marked by robust client engagement, sharper governance, and a culture of integrity-driven performance. His current term, which ends in early 2027, will be followed immediately by the renewed stint.

    “It’s been our privilege to have Yezdi lead the India firm over the past three years,” said KPMG India  non-executive chairman Ajay Mehra,. “His ability to build trust and strengthen relationships with clients and people has been crucial. His insights will help scale the firm to a brighter future.”

    “It is both my honour and privilege to have been re-appointed as the CEO, and I look forward to inspiring confidence and empowering change among our clients and colleagues,” Nagporewalla said. “My focus will be to continue sharpening the firm’s client focus, integrating innovative approaches, deepening expertise and enhancing our culture to unlock value for our clients. Over the past years, we have built trust among our stakeholders with a clear emphasis on ethics and quality which will remain our core. As a firm, we aim to realise the vision of being the ‘clear choice’ and ‘making the difference’ for our clients, people and public at large. We will double down on our focus towards both – nation building and our firm’s growth.”

    Under his stewardship, the firm has significantly expanded its partner and director base, attracted top talent from rivals, and clocked strong performance metrics. With the India market evolving at pace, the decision underscores the board’s confidence in Nagporewalla’s vision to make KPMG the “clear choice” for clients and stakeholders.

  • TRAI warns public against scam calls misusing its name and authority

    TRAI warns public against scam calls misusing its name and authority

    MUMBAI: Dial M for Misuse: TRAI sounds alarm over scamsters impersonating its name. If you’ve recently received a call threatening “digital arrest” over telecom violations, don’t panic just hang up. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a stern advisory warning the public against a spate of frauds misusing its name to scare, swindle, and scam.

    From SIM deactivation threats to bogus mobile tower offers, the fraudsters’ bag of tricks is as diverse as it is devious. The latest wave includes impersonators posing as TRAI or law enforcement officials, accusing victims of alleged telecom or financial offences. Victims are shown forged legal notices or fake identity documents and are often pressured into transferring money under the pretext of bail or verification fees.

    TRAI has clarified that it does not send messages threatening mobile number disconnection, nor does it authorise any third-party to do so. It certainly does not carry out investigations or collect payments through phone calls, Whatsapp, or video conferencing.

    Among the common scams flagged:

    . Digital Arrest: Calls threatening legal action or arrest unless payment is made

      .  SIM Deactivation: Fake alerts over KYC issues asking for urgent user verification

      .  Tower Installation Scams: Offers promising high rent for tower installation in exchange for upfront fees, falsely backed by forged TRAI approvals

      . Fake Letters and Emails: Scammers use doctored TRAI letterheads or logos to push fraudulent investment or compliance schemes

    TRAI has reiterated its role as an independent regulator, created under the TRAI Act of 1997, with no involvement in individual consumer disputes or investigations. It neither seeks Aadhaar, OTPs, nor banking credentials—and certainly doesn’t threaten arrests.

    The regulator has urged citizens, especially senior citizens and digitally less-savvy users, to stay alert. In case of suspicious communication:

      .  Disconnect immediately

       .  Never share personal or financial information

       .  Do not transfer money

       . Verify via official government websites or helplines

       . Report incidents at www.cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930

       .  Use the Chakshu feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal or the TRAI DND app to flag scam calls

    As digital scams become more sophisticated, TRAI’s message is clear: stay sceptical, stay safe.