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Category: News Headline

  • Mihir Rale plugs into Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, electrifying its digital practice

    Mihir Rale plugs into Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, electrifying its digital practice

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s legal landscape just got a jolt. Mihir Rale, a seasoned legal wire with over two decades of experience spanning technology, data, telecoms, and media, has plugged into Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) as a partner and co-head of its shiny new digital+ practice.

    Based in the firm’s bustling Mumbai office, Rale’s arrival is set to amplify CAM’s capabilities in the ever-evolving digital ecosystem.

    Until 2024, Rale was the general counsel for Star and Disney India, completing a remarkable 15-year tenure that saw him tackle industry challenges where tech, regulation, competition, and intellectual property frequently short-circuited. He has also co-chaired the Ficci, Ipr committee and the CII digital media committee, clearly no stranger to policy and regulatory currents.

  • Kitkat gives genZ a break from decision-making with ‘Snap to Decide’ campaign

    Kitkat gives genZ a break from decision-making with ‘Snap to Decide’ campaign

    MUMBAI: A simple snap. That’s all it took to turn a viral trend into Kitkat’s next campaign.  In a recent internet trend, young users were seen making choices by snapping a Kitkat and letting the longer piece decide. Leveraging this trend, Nestlé Kitkat launched its latest quirky and relatable campaign, ‘Kitkat Snap to Decide’ with Jackie Shroff.

    While life continues to be all about choices, from trivial to significant – especially for the gen Z- this campaign transforms everyday dilemmas into light-hearted, ‘no-pressure’ moments. From choosing playlists to picking meals – even the smallest of choices can feel exhausting in today’s always-on world. With Snap to Decide, Kitkat offers a playful way to take a break from overthinking—just snap and go with the flow.

    Nestlé India head, confectionery business, Gopichandar Jagatheesan said, “We observed that today’s generation is constantly juggling choices—big and small. With ‘Snap to Decide’, we’ve taken a familiar brand ritual and turned it into a fun, relatable tool that gives them a much-needed break from decision-making.”

    The rollout continues with a range of digital creators who are bringing the idea to life: sometimes, the best way to decide is with the snap of a Kitkat.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by KITKATINDIA (@kitkatindia)

     

  • Amazon MX Player drops trailer for esports dramedy ‘Gamerlog’

    Amazon MX Player drops trailer for esports dramedy ‘Gamerlog’

    MUMBAI: Amazon MX Player is leveling up its content game with Gamerlog, a slick new comedy-drama set in India’s turbo-charged esports universe. Produced by Abhinay Deo and Neeta Shah under RDP Pulp Fiction Entertainment and helmed by debutant director Arya Deo, the series is set to stream free from 12 June.

    The trailer introduces Raghu aka Maverick, a small-town genius with mad gaming chops who defies his parents to chase glory in Mumbai’s cutthroat gaming scene. What follows is a no-holds-barred adventure as he joins Team Gamerlog, a motley crew led by the feisty Joanna. Cue epic virtual battles, squad drama, and an emotional loot box of love, betrayal and brotherhood — all building to the grand prize: India’s biggest esports face-off, The Tournament of Champions.

    Frontlining the cast is Taare Zameen Par alumnus Darsheel Safary, flanked by Anjali Sivaraman, Chinmay Chandraunshuh, Kunal Bhan, Chetan Dhawan, Shubroy Chowdhury and Akash Menon.

    Reflecting on his character, Raghu, in the series, Safary shared, “Gamerlog is a world I could instantly relate to. While it’s rooted in gaming, the story goes much deeper, capturing the emotional highs and lows young people experience. It’s a show that’s fun, relatable, and something that not just avid gamers but families can enjoy together. It was an amazing experience to work with Abhinay, Neeta and the very talented debutant director Arya.”

    Deo added, “When my producing partner Neeta and I first heard this story, we were immediately struck by how compelling and layered the world of gaming could be. With Gamerlog, our goal was to tell a story that reflects the high-stakes world of E-sports while exploring the emotional realities young people face today. The show is fast paced, energetic and fun, but at its core, it’s about vulnerability, loyalty and grit. Arya, who assisted me for a long time and knows this world intimately, was the perfect choice to bring our vision to life. We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon MX Player in bringing Gamerlog to life and can’t wait for audiences to meet these characters and step into their unpredictable world.”

    With Gamerlog, Amazon MX Player is clearly betting big on the joystick generation—and it might just be the underdog story we didn’t know we needed. Game on.

  • Health check for the future as DHN puts digital care on the diagnosis table

    Health check for the future as DHN puts digital care on the diagnosis table

    MUMBAI: It wasn’t just another forum, it was a prescription for the future. The third edition of the DHN Forum wrapped up in Delhi with a potent dose of insight, intent, and innovation, positioning itself firmly as a vanguard of India’s digital healthcare transformation. From cutting-edge tech talk to policy powwows, the Forum proved there’s no better medicine than collaboration.

    Held in association with Chime India, the event saw the unveiling of the Annual Digital Health Trends and Outlook 2025, a landmark report offering the clearest diagnosis yet of the health tech pulse in India. Packed with survey inputs from healthcare IT decision-makers across regions and hierarchies, the report identified six symptoms (or should we say signals) defining the sector’s digital evolution.

    At the top of the chart: AI. A whopping 54 per cent of respondents picked artificial intelligence as the most transformative technology in healthcare for the next two to three years, with clinical decision support set to headline 2025. But while the tech prognosis looks strong, it’s not without complications 46 per cent cited budgets as the biggest barrier to adoption, while cybersecurity still faces growing pains despite better threat detection.

    Over 200 delegates from hospital CIOs and pharma heads to US-based strategy experts attended keynotes and policy roundtables under the theme “Empowering Health, Advancing Equity, Transforming Care.” Big names included Uma Nambiar (IISc Medical School Foundation), Divleen Jeji (Google Health), Feby Abraham (Memorial Hermann, Houston), and Alka Goel (Alkemi Growth Capital).

    Patient experience is the new pulse rate: over 51 per cent of respondents defined digital transformation by its impact on engagement. Meanwhile, nearly 60 per cent rated tech partnerships as more valuable than internal R&D, a clear sign that healthcare is teaming up for better health outcomes.

    “It’s not just a report, it’s a call to action,” said ScalehealthTech founder and CEO of DHN Vishnu Saxena. “From funding gaps to AI integration, this blueprint helps healthcare players plan better, innovate responsibly, and centre care around real people.”

    Chime India chairperson Girish Kulkarni echoed the sentiment, stressing the role of CIOs and chief digital officers in steering the healthcare ship. “Strategic foresight and bold thinking are no longer optional, they are critical,” he said.

    The Forum also celebrated the Top 10 Healthcare CIOs of the Year, selected from 70-plus nominations by a global jury, acknowledging leaders who’ve pushed boundaries in hospitals, insurance, and pharma.

    Looking ahead, DHN is doubling down on momentum. Its new Digital Health Marketplace (DHP) will act as a curated matchmaking platform for hospitals and startups, while partnerships with IIT Delhi, IIITs and AHPI aim to stitch research more tightly into practice. The upcoming HealthTech Innovation Challenge will also put promising solutions in front of VCs, policymakers, and institutional leaders.

    For a sector often tangled in red tape, DHN’s efforts are a breath of fresh (digital) air. With its latest report, cross-sector forums, and academic push, the platform isn’t just talking transformation, it’s prescribing it.

  • EY-AIDCF report: Indian cable TV faces dire times unless government and regulator step in with regulatory reforms

    EY-AIDCF report: Indian cable TV faces dire times unless government and regulator step in with regulatory reforms

    NEW DELHI: India’s cable TV industry is on the ropes, reeling from a perfect storm of digital disruption, regulatory overkill, and changing viewer habits. A blistering new report by EY and the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) reveals a 40 million plunge in pay TV homes since 2018—down from 151 million to just 111 million in 2024—and warns that the bleeding isn’t over yet.

    By 2030, the figure could drop to as low as 71 million, as Indians flock to OTT, Free Dish, and smart TVs offering slicker content, better tech, and zero monthly bills. The fallout? A staggering 31 per cent collapse in employment across the Local Cable Operator (LCO) network, with up to 1.95 lakh jobs on the chopping block.
    The pay TV playbook, once defined by “kam daam, zyada samaan,” is now buckling under rising channel rates, bundling woes, and what LCOs call a “regulatory regime rigged for broadcasters.”

    A whopping 93 per cent of LCOs surveyed reported a drop in take-home income, with 79 per cent saying their earnings have nosedived by over 20 per cent since 2018.

    * Revenue for major distribution platform operators (DPOs) has shrunk by over 16 per cent since 2018, while EBITDA margins have plunged by 29 per cent.

    * Cable TV subscriptions have halved to 60 million, while smart TVs connected to the internet hit 50 million monthly active sets in 2024.
    * Pay TV now makes up just 58 per cent of the TV pie, down from 81 per cent in 2018, even as India’s TV household base touched 190 million.

    Despite being the backbone of India’s broadcast reach—physically connecting over 500 million people—LCOs remain the industry’s ignored foot soldiers, calling out a “top-heavy system” that allegedly favours deep-pocketed broadcasters and digital players.

    AIDCF proposes radical surgery: from activating over 20 million inactive set-top boxes and offering subsidies in “TV dark” zones, to limiting near-simultaneous OTT releases of pay TV content, and ensuring a level playing field between cable, OTT, Free TV and FAST channels.

    But with TRAI’s piecemeal tariff reforms (NTO 1.0 to 4.0) fuelling more legal duels than industry stability, stakeholders are demanding a full-blown reset. As OTT juggernauts steam ahead and content increasingly lives in the cloud, the cable industry’s survival may hinge not just on policy support but on reinventing itself as a digital services hub, not just a pipe.

    As the report bluntly puts it: without immediate intervention, the sun may set on the 30-year reign of India’s cable TV kings.

  • Butt out and breathe easy as Big FM helps smokers take a big step

    Butt out and breathe easy as Big FM helps smokers take a big step

    MUMBAI: Smoking out the habit, one laugh, dance, and Zumba session at a time Big FM’s third season of Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar wrapped up with a breath of fresh air. With a mission as clear as its lungs aim to be, the award-winning anti-tobacco campaign returned this year with a therapeutic twist Quitsvilla, a wellness retreat designed to help smokers kick the butt, quite literally. Hosted at The Fern Shelter Resort in Palghar, and powered by Dewon Electric, the three-day immersive was part support group, part spa day, and all heart.

    Led by popular RJs like RJ Vrajesh, RJ Rani, RJ Abhilash, and RJ Dilip, the retreat was no boring rehab. It featured sound therapy by Sarita Pataodia, dance movement therapy by Ang Tarang’s Shruti duo, laughter yoga by the ever-joyful Kishore Kuvavala, motivational illusions by Mangesh Desai, and a whole lot of rhythm, sweat and soul. The Zumba sessions by celebrity coach Aishwarya were as energetic as the stories shared, and the message was crystal clear: quitting smoking doesn’t have to be a lonely grind, it can be joyful and healing too.

    The retreat was just the tip of the iceberg. The campaign extended into the digital realm with a gripping podcast hosted by RJ Sahil and RJ Dilip. The series featured first-person journeys of those who had successfully stubbed out their addictions, as well as expert insights on CBT, NLP, and habit formation from voices like Ashdin Doctor (The Habit Coach) and Rajyogi BK Nikunj.

    Bollywood lent its lungs too, with stars like Tusshar Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi, Shankar Mahadevan, Sulaiman Merchant, and Papon urging fans to quit through messages across platforms. The campaign’s viral jingle, quirky reels, and heartfelt storytelling ensured that the message didn’t just travel, it stuck.

    And it wasn’t all talk either. The campaign logged hundreds of pledges, saw a visible shift in participant behaviour, and strengthened BIG FM’s mission of sparking real change through real stories.

    “This isn’t just about saying no to a cigarette,” said Big FM COO, Sunil Kumaran. “It’s about saying yes to life, to resilience, and to transformation. Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar Season 3 gave people the tools and the belief to make that change.”

    With a soulful mix of science, storytelling and support, BIG FM’s campaign has evolved from a public service message into a full-blown movement, one breath at a time.

  • Zee brings the ‘saath’ factor back to screens with ‘Aapka Apna Zee’

    Zee brings the ‘saath’ factor back to screens with ‘Aapka Apna Zee’

    MUMBAI: Zee has dropped a fresh new identity – Aapka Apna Zee – with a campaign that’s equal parts emotion and impact. Ditching the glitz for grit and heart, the network’s latest rebrand leans into community spirit with the tagline Saath aane se baat banti hai – because let’s face it, everything’s better when done together.

    The new campaign isn’t just a slick TV spot—it’s a full-blown cinematic hug. A series of multilingual films in seven Indian languages bring alive hyperlocal stories with familiar faces, real textures, and regional quirks. From the monsoon playing co-star in Kerala to a proud military village in Telangana, each story hits home—and hard.

    The hero of the brand film is an army dad called to duty days before his daughter’s wedding. In his absence, the mohalla rises like one big Indian joint family, pulling off the shaadi with flair. When he returns to find everything flawlessly done, his wife smiles and says Itna bada parivaar hai, aaram se ho gaya. Pass the tissues, please.

    But the kicker? Zee’s most loved fictional characters—yes, Angoori Bhabi, Devansh, Shravani, Durga, and more—step out of their shows and into this narrative, not as stars, but as apne log. It’s meta, emotional, and frankly, brilliant.

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    Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd (Zeel) CMO Kartik Mahadev said, “Aapka Apna Zee is a powerful multilingual brand film series that brings alive the essence of the many Indians that live in one country.It is a mirror to how India shows up for each other. Each of the seven films is deeply rooted in the cultural milieu of its region— capturing its rhythm, rituals, landscapes, and the authenticity of its people. From the rains becoming a character in Kerala, to a village in Telangana known for its legacy of army service, every story reflects the cultural richness and emotional truths of real India. This campaign is a reaffirmation of Zee’s role as a trusted companion in the daily lives of millions. Saath Hai Toh Baat Hai is a sentiment that links to the heartbeat of millions of homes, where Zee isn’t just watched, but welcomed every day.”

    The campaign made its grand debut during the 23rd Zee Cine Awards 2025, with all seven films premiering simultaneously across the network’s TV and digital platforms. One idea, seven voices, all heart.

  • Gaming giant Nazara acquires Smaaash in a smashing Rs 126 crore deal

    Gaming giant Nazara acquires Smaaash in a smashing Rs 126 crore deal

    Mumbai, India – Nazara Technologies Limited has hit the jackpot, completing the acquisition of Smaaash Entertainment Pvt Ltd,  making the gaming and entertainment company a wholly-owned subsidiary.  The deal, valued at a whopping Rs 126 crores, sees Nazara solidify its position in the gaming sector, proving it is not just playing games when it comes to expansion. 

    On 6 June 2025, Nazara announced the successful completion of the resolution plan, previously approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench. This means Nazara has acquired 100 per cent of Smaaash’s share capital by subscribing to 1,00,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each, costing the company Rs 10 crores. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Nazara also extended an inter-corporate loan of Rs 116 crores to Smaaash to settle its creditors’ dues, showing it is all about clearing the board for future success. 

    Smaaash, incorporated on 30 November 2009, is no stranger to the entertainment scene, operating gaming and entertainment centres across 11 Indian cities under the ‘Smaash  brand. Its  business spans gaming, food and beverages, events, and sponsorships, bringing in a turnover of Rs 112.34 crores as of 31 March 2024. 

    While Smaaash’s turnover did see a slight dip from Rs 120.88 crores in 2023, this acquisition is a clear sign that Nazara is ready to power up its inorganic growth in the gaming sector.

  • Brand new day as Epic Brand Map goes global with India as launchpad

    Brand new day as Epic Brand Map goes global with India as launchpad

     MUMBAI: What’s in a brand? Quite a lot, if you ask the folks at the newly minted Epic Brand Institute. The Epic Brand Institute (EBI) has officially stepped onto the global stage with the public launch of its flagship framework the Epic Brand Map (EBM), a system designed to bring Evocativeness, Precision, Insight and Clarity (yes, that’s EPIC) to the chaotic world of brand-building.

    Already battle-tested by corporate heavyweights like the Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group, Reliance, Mahindra, HCL, and international giants like Coca-cola, Medtronic, Sun Life Financial, Mars, Walmart and Nokia, the framework is finally being made available to the wider world of founders, marketers, consultants and creatives.

    Created by global brand strategist Saurabh Uboweja, also the founder of BOD Consulting, the EBM will now form the core of EBI’s in-person training cohorts. The first will be hosted in New Delhi from 9–11 June 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, and a second will follow in Dubai from 19–21 September 2025.

    “We’re launching not just a course, but a global movement,” said Uboweja. “After years of working behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in business, we’re now opening the EPIC Brand Map to a new generation of brand-led business builders.”

    The inaugural Delhi edition will be an intimate affair, limited to 30 handpicked founders and practitioners looking to sharpen their brand-building acumen. Dubai, meanwhile, is set to attract a mix of Middle East and South Asian brand professionals hoping to join the ranks of EPIC strategists.

    With storytelling getting louder, attention spans shrinking, and differentiation harder than ever, EBI’s pitch is simple stop winging it and start mapping it. The message is clear: if your brand strategy feels like a game of darts in the dark, it might be time to go EPIC.