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Category: News Headline

  • Chirag Alawadhi takes the leap from agency life to advisory heights

    Chirag Alawadhi takes the leap from agency life to advisory heights

    MUMBAI: From pitch decks to knowledge stacks Chirag Alawadhi is switching gears, not goodbye notes. After nearly a decade in the trenches of digital marketing, Chirag Alawadhi has stepped down as co-founder and CEO of The Leapfrog Network, closing a chapter that began in December 2021. But don’t expect another agency launch. Instead, Alawadhi is taking a wider lens approach diving into content ecosystems, strategic consulting, and marketing tech for a new generation of brands and builders.

    Alawadhi announced his decision on LinkedIn, marking the end of a journey that started as a solo founder and scaled into a full-fledged creative agency. “After 9 years of building businesses, I’m now focused on building the infrastructure and knowledge systems that will empower the next generation of marketers and entrepreneurs,” he wrote.

    His résumé reads like a digital marketer’s highlight reel: 1,300 campaigns delivered, over 7 million dollars in revenue generated, and content networks reaching more than 10 million followers. Along the way, he’s partnered with marquee names like Emami, Lenskart, Airtel, Reliance, OTT Play, and Tata Motors.

    What started with basic tools and delayed wins evolved into an agency known for bold campaigns and real community engagement. “This isn’t goodbye to the industry that shaped me, it’s a shift toward deeper impact,” Alawadhi said, reflecting on his departure as a move away from operations and towards enabling transformation at scale.

    His exit also mirrors a growing trend among agency veterans: trading day-to-day grind for advisory and ecosystem-building roles. Alawadhi joins a cohort of leaders looking beyond billing cycles and into future-facing industry infrastructure.

    Under his leadership, The Leapfrog Network carved out a niche in storytelling and strategy. While Alawadhi steps away, the agency rooted in its founding mission to create meaningful brand connections is poised for its next phase under fresh leadership.

    As for Alawadhi? He’s taking the leap again only this time, it’s beyond the agency playbook.

  • OnePlus powers up Gods Reign for battle royale glory at BGMI Pro Series

    OnePlus powers up Gods Reign for battle royale glory at BGMI Pro Series

    MUMBAI: It’s game on as OnePlus teams up with Gods Reign, one of India’s top-tier BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) squads, in a turbo-charged partnership ahead of the BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2025, where 96 elite teams are slugging it out for a whopping Rs 2 crore prize pot.

    The tie-up, stitched together by Times One, a unit of Times OOH, blends speed, swagger, and silicon. At the heart of the deal is OnePlus’ mission to cement its gaming credentials by powering Gods Reign’s training grind and match-day performance with its flagship devices—built for buttery frame rates, rapid cooling and marathon battery life.

    Having already clinched Rs 50 lakh as ESL Snapdragon Pro Series Season 6 champs, Gods Reign is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Now, with OnePlus tech fuelling their BGMI charge, the team is ready to frag, flank and fire their way to the top once more.

    But it’s not just about hardware. The deal brings co-branded storytelling, real-world gamer feedback loops for OnePlus’ next-gen devices, and high-impact content that celebrates the grit behind the game. Think tech meets teamwork, with a generous dose of community buzz.

    “This partnership with OnePlus marks a significant milestone for our team. We’re proud to be aligned with a brand that not only understands elite performance but also shares our hunger for innovation and excellence. With Times One’s support, we look forward to creating impactful experiences for our fans and the gaming community,” said Gods Reign CEO & cofounder K R Rohith.

    Added Times One gaming business head Kanishka Singh: “At Times One, we believe in the transformative power of esports as the next big cultural movement. Facilitating this partnership between OnePlus and Gods Reign underscores our mission to bring together premium brands and elite gaming talent. We are thrilled to play a pivotal role in scripting this chapter of India’s gaming evolution.” 

    With Ficci-EY 2025 projecting brand participation in esports to rise from 68 to 75 and player involvement to hit 2.8 million this year, OnePlus’ power play is well-timed. It’s a high-stakes, high-speed partnership that’s already levelling up India’s esports narrative—one kill streak at a time.

  • SW Network Wins Integrated Digital Mandate for – Fujifilm India instant camera brand instax

    SW Network Wins Integrated Digital Mandate for – Fujifilm India instant camera brand instax

    MUMBAI:  SW Network has landed a picture-perfect win with Fujifilm India, snapping up the integrated digital marketing mandate for its cult instant camera brand, instax Following a multi-agency pitch, the agency will now helm everything from D2C performance marketing and media planning to influencer collaborations, SEO and scroll-stopping creative.

    Leading the charge will be SW Growth Labs, the growth vertical of the agency, alongside SW Creative, which will craft platform-first content and thumb-stopping narratives aimed at Gen Z and Millennial audiences hooked on vintage vibes and tangible memories.

    instax, already a darling of creators, collectors, and cool kids, is capitalising on the global revival of instant photography. With smartphones saturating digital memories, these pocket-sized snap-and-print gadgets have made a comeback—one polaroid at a time. From designer film cartridges to smartphone printers, instax has firmly positioned itself as the go-to for the #aesthetic generation.

    SW Network  cofounder Raghav Bagai shared his enthusiasm on  the partnership: “instax is more than just a camera brand. It is an experience that blends nostalgia with creativity, allowing people to capture and share moments in a tangible way. SW Growth Labs will lead performance marketing and SEO, while SW Creative will drive creative, influencer, creative, and social strategies. Together, we are building an integrated approach to accelerate the brand’s digital growth in India. At SW Network, we believe in the power of data-driven creativity to build meaningful brand connections. We look forward to strengthening brand presence and engagement in the market.”

    Fujifilm India instax division digital marketing manager Shaiphali Galhotra  added, “Our partnership with SW Network is a key step in strengthening the brand’s digital-first approach. By integrating media, social, and performance marketing strategies, we aim to build a stronger, more engaging brand presence while enhancing our D2C experience. We are confident that SW Network’s expertise will drive meaningful results and solidify the brand’s market leadership in India’s instant photography market.”

    With this win, SW Network adds yet another feather to its cap, proving that when strategy meets sentiment, you get more than just clicks—you get keepsakes.

  • Nicole Clemens makes the prime time move to Amazon’s streaming empire

    Nicole Clemens makes the prime time move to Amazon’s streaming empire

    MUMBAI: Nicole Clemens has swapped Paramount’s fading star for Amazon’s prime position, landing the plum role of vice-president and head of international originals for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. The appointment, effective 7 July, sees her trading one streaming giant’s troubles for another’s triumphs.

    Fresh from her stint as president of the now-defunct Paramount Television Studios—where she presided over hits like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Reacher, and Cross that ironically ended up on Prime Video—Clemens will now orchestrate Amazon’s content conquest across more than 20 territories. Rather like poacher turned gamekeeper, but with better streaming numbers.

    Prime Video International, vice-president Kelly Day  clearly couldn’t contain her glee: “Nicole is a highly respected and experienced media executive who will guide our future international originals slate as we invest for the long term.” Translation: she knows how to make shows that people actually watch.

    The timing couldn’t be more fortuitous. Prime Video’s international division has been on a right tear, churning out more than 140 original series and films across two dozen territories last year—their biggest haul yet. With over 200 million Prime members globally, there’s clearly an appetite for content that doesn’t involve subtitles reading “Netflix Original.”

    Clemens brings serious pedigree to the role. During her Paramount tenure, she shepherded everything from the Emmy-nominated Station Eleven to George Clooney’s Catch-22, plus the entire Star Trek universe for Paramount+. Before that, she spent five years as executive vice-president at FX Networks, overseeing crowd-pleasers like Atlanta and Snowfall.

    Her new empire will span teams across Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, with regional heads including Javiera Balmaceda (Latin America, Canada, and Australia), Tara Erer (Northern Europe), and Nicole Morganti (Southern Europe) all reporting directly to her.

    Additionally, Nikhil Madhok, head of international originals for India, will continue reporting to Gaurav Gandhi, VP of Prime Video APAC and Mena, but will remain a part of Clemens’s leadership team. 

    Supporting the division are Marc Hausmaninger, head of content strategy for international originals, and Sam Semon, responsible for international business affairs. This expanded team underscores Prime Video’s commitment to tailoring content across regions, with Clemens at the helm steering the international creative and strategic direction.

    She’ll initially set up shop at Amazon MGM Studios’ Culver City headquarters before decamping to Prime Video’s London office—presumably for the superior biscuit selection.

    The appointment signals Amazon’s serious intent to challenge Netflix’s global dominance. With international hits like Germany’s Maxton Hall and Spain’s Red Queen already in the pipeline, Clemens will be tasked with ensuring Prime Video’s international slate remains anything but secondary viewing.

  • Havas gets a CX glow-up with Enverta Digital acquisition

    Havas gets a CX glow-up with Enverta Digital acquisition

    MUMBAI: Havas is flexing its customer experience (CX) muscle in North America with the acquisition of Toronto-based Enverta Digital, a boutique CRM and digital transformation outfit known for its tech-savvy mojo and smooth client integration model.

    With operations across Canada and Poland, Enverta brings a potent mix of Salesforce, Adobe, Microsoft, and Braze expertise to the table—making it the perfect fit for Havas’ converged strategy, which blends creativity and tech to craft personalised, data-led brand journeys.

    ““I’m delighted to welcome Jacob and the entire Enverta Digital team into the Havas family. This addition represents a meaningful step forward in our ongoing mission to  redefine and elevate customer experience. By placing CX at the core of our Converged strategy, this move underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and strengthens our ability to lead in the CX space with transformative, tech-enabled solutions that are fully integrated across our service offerings,” shared Havas CEO & chairman Yannick Bolloré.

    The move sees Enverta absorbed into Havas CX Canada, adding serious firepower to the agency’s North America operations—particularly its growing US client base. Enverta’s offshore setup in Poland will also give Havas added scale and cost efficiencies, with its recurring revenue model sweetening the deal.

    Havas CX Canada president Alex Chepovetsky summed it up neatly: “With Enverta’s CRM game and our creative chops, we’re now better placed than ever to deliver end-to-end brand experiences that move the needle.”

    “Our focus on CRM and digital enablement aligns seamlessly with Havas’ commitment to delivering holistic, customer-centric solutions. This partnership will allow us to combine Havas’ global resources and creative expertise with our strengths to deliver a full service digital offering, centered on driving highly-personalised consumer experiences across all touchpoints and channels,” shared Enverta Digital founder & CEO Jacob Ciesielski.

    It’s a win-win deal wrapped in customer-first thinking—just the way modern marketing likes it.

  • Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    MUMBAI: Marco Bassetti, the no-nonsense chief of Banijay, is set to receive the prestigious Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes this October. Known for helming global smashes like Survivor and Peaky Blinders, Bassetti will be honoured on 13 October during a keynote conversation at the Palais des Festivals.

    The award—jointly presented by Variety and Mipcom—recognises television titans who’ve reshaped the global entertainment business. And few have done it with as much panache (and profit) as Bassetti.

    “Marco Bassetti is one of the most entrepreneurial, visionary and impactful television executives of our era who has led Banijay Entertainment to be the world’s largest production and distribution group through his championing of creativity, independence, and innovation,” said Mipcom Cannes & Mipcom Junior director Lucy Smith. “It is our privilege to partner with Variety to recognize his achievements in front of the global TV industry at Mipcom Cannes and to hear his insights on wider opportunities, developments and trends globally, which as a true vanguard, are always invaluable.”

    Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton said “Banijay has proven to be one of the most dynamic of the super indie content groups to emerge on the global stage.” She added: “Under Marco Bassetti’s leadership the company has delivered strong results and ambitious slates. We are happy to present him with the Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom 2025 for his contributions to this ever-growing industry.” 

    Strong and ambitious are understatements. In 2024, Banijay racked up a staggering €3.3 billion in content business and posted an EBITDA margin of 15.8 per cent. While already ruling the unscripted kingdom, Bassetti now has scripted squarely in his sights—with the company eyeing €1 billion in scripted revenues for 2025. The pipeline includes Carême (Shine Fiction for Apple TV+), Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, and a much-hyped Peaky Blinders film for Netflix.

    If that wasn’t enough, Bassetti’s been on a shopping spree: acquiring Caryn Mandabach Productions (home of Peaky), Fábrica, The Forge, and Balich Wonder Studios (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022), plus stakes in Hyphenate Media Group, Conker Pictures, Rabbit Track Pictures, and Lenny Henry’s Esmerelda.

    The award will be the crowning moment of C-Suite Conversations—a Mipcom-Variety initiative helping top execs decode the chaos of today’s content world.

    Mipcom Cannes runs 13–16 October. And with Bassetti centre stage, the festival’s finale promises to be nothing short of blinding.

  • Stage gets Clear on PFT’s AI-powered content management solution

    Stage gets Clear on PFT’s AI-powered content management solution

    MUMBAI:  Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the muscle behind indigenous tech Clear and a global maven in AI-led media solutions, has inked a long-term pact with Stage —the homegrown OTT star championing regional India. The goal? To supercharge Stage’s content operations and serve up smart entertainment with a tech twist.

    With this tie-up, Stage will plug into PFT’s Clear media asset management (Mam) and Clear AI suite. Expect an overhaul of workflows, from AI-assisted post-production to intelligent tagging, slick compliance, natural language search, and turbo-charged team collaboration. In short: more brains, less brawn.

    “As our content library continues to grow, adopting a forward-looking Mam platform became crucial,” said  Stage co-founder Shashank Vaishnav. “With Clear and its integrated AI features, we gain the scalability and intelligence to enhance operational efficiency, improve metadata quality, and ensure quick access to the right content. We’re looking forward to the innovation and impact this partnership will bring.”

    PFT SVP & head of APAC Anupam Sharma added: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Stage on this transformative journey/This agreement underscores the increasing demand for intelligent Mam systems that go beyond asset management—unlocking insights, accelerating workflows, and driving monetization through AI.”

    This alliance marks another feather in PFT’s APAC cap and underscores its growing grip on the media-tech landscape across borders.

    (Featured in the picture above Stage co-founder Shashank Vaishnav)

  • Alia Bhatt turns up the gloss with L’Oréal Paris’ bold new hair colour drop

    Alia Bhatt turns up the gloss with L’Oréal Paris’ bold new hair colour drop

    MUMBAI: L’Oréal Paris has turned up the shine dial with its latest campaign featuring global ambassador Alia Bhatt, who’s riding high on her Cannes red carpet glow. The new launch? A revamped Casting Crème Gloss range, now supercharged with glycolic gloss complex and promising 5X glossier hair — minus the ammonia.

    The tagline says it all: “My Time To Shine… Is Now.” 

    And Alia Bhatt, in full glossy glory, is living proof. Flaunting her vibrant locks on-screen, she spells out why this latest innovation is more than just hair colour — it’s a confidence coat.

    The new formula offers visible grey coverage, healthier hair, and a commitment to self-expression. Hair, as the campaign argues, is more than strands — it’s a symbol of transformation, bold choices, and personal reinvention.

    L’Oréal Paris India  general manager Dario Zizzi said:  “Alia has brought incredible energy to the L’Oréal Paris family, and we’re delighted to see her light up the screen in this new campaign with us. With this campaign, we’re celebrating powerful milestones, and the role of beautifully glossy hair in helping women feel confident, proud, and ready to shine. At L’Oréal Paris, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge innovations that not only elevate hair color but also resonate with our consumers’ evolving aspirations.”

    This drop reaffirms L’Oréal Paris’ spot at the top of the global beauty leaderboard, combining science-backed formulations with empowering messaging. With 40 years of research heritage and a mission to inspire women everywhere, the brand is more than make-up — it’s a movement.

    So whether it’s covering greys or making a glossy statement, L’Oréal’s message is crystal clear: when it comes to self-expression, you’re worth it.

  • Ad-scrollers welcome VDO.AI’s new format puts static in motion

    Ad-scrollers welcome VDO.AI’s new format puts static in motion

    MUMBAI: Scrolling just got a serious glow-up. In a bid to rewire how static ads grab attention, advertising tech innovator VDO.AI has unveiled a first-of-its-kind In-Scroll Display Ad Format, breathing 3D motion and interactivity into the previously one-dimensional world of banner ads. This dynamic new format features a slick 50-50 split-screen design half static brand imagery, half immersive product storytelling. But the real twist? As users scroll through content, the ad responds with subtle 3D transitions and interactivity, making viewers stop mid-scroll and engage.

    The result? A 25 per cent uplift in engagement rates, proving that the future of display isn’t just visible, it’s scroll-activated.

    VDO.AI co-founder and CEO Amitt Sharma said, “This format infuses static creatives with vitality and dimension. As consumers grow more selective in their digital interactions, ads must not only be seen they must be felt. This format helps brands do both.”

    Designed to work across desktop and mobile, the ad unit marks a step-change for marketers aiming to break the banner-blindness curse. The format brings storytelling to the scroll, letting users explore USPs, features, and even animations within the ad frame without clicking away.

    VDO.AI, CTO Co-founder Arjit Sachdeva, added, “This is more than just a format, it’s a reimagination of what static ads can be in a performance-first world. We’re constantly evolving our ad tech stack to keep brands a step ahead in crowded digital spaces.”

    As attention spans shrink and scroll speeds soar, VDO.AI’s latest innovation gives brands a tactile edge proof that in today’s digital game, motion may just be the new emotion.
     

  • Colors Kannada turns 10: Dashakada Mahotsava promises stars, sparkle and Shivanna nostalgia

    Colors Kannada turns 10: Dashakada Mahotsava promises stars, sparkle and Shivanna nostalgia

    MUMBAI: Colors Kannada is rolling out the red carpet for a full-blown birthday bash — and it’s bringing the who’s who of Sandalwood along for the ride. The channel is celebrating its 10-year milestone with Colors Kannada Dashakada Mahotsava, a two-day televised gala airing on 7th and 8th June at 7:00 PM.

    Presented in association with Sunpure (special partner) and Dazzler Cosmetics (beauty partner), the primetime celebration will see the Kannada entertainment fraternity light up the screen with nostalgia, spectacle and a salute to the channel’s legacy.

    Leading the charge? None other than Karunada Chakravarthy Dr. Shivrajkumar, whose own cinematic milestone — 40 years in the industry — will be honoured in a specially curated segment titled Shivanna 40. Expect emotional throwbacks, on-stage surprises, and a starry-eyed salute from industry stalwarts and family alike.
    From screen legends like Geetha Shivarajkumar, Sri Murali, Vijaya Raghavendra, Dr. Tara Anuradha, and Mukhya Mantri Chandru, to small-screen sweethearts like Shwetha Prasad, Ranjini Raghavan, Dhanush, and Sushma Nanaiah, the Mahotsava promises a parade of familiar faces and fan-favourite moments.

    Themed Ade Beru, Hosa Chiguru (Same Roots, New Shoots), the celebration honours a decade of cultural storytelling while teasing a bold new era with the launch of fresh shows and formats.

    “For over a decade, Colors Kannada has been more than just a channel — it has been a true companion to every Kannadiga. We’ve strived to reflect the lives of our viewers, celebrate their spirit, and tell stories that echo the heart and soul of Karnataka. As we mark this remarkable milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude to every viewer who welcomed us into their homes and hearts. This celebration is as much theirs as it is ours — a tribute to the journey we’ve shared and the promise of many more stories to come. A heartfelt thank you to Shivanna for being part of this momentous occasion and leading us forward into a bright and inspiring new chapter for Kannada entertainment.” said JioStar head of cluster entertainment -south Krishnan Kutty.

    From Puttagowri Madhuve to Bigg Boss Kannada, the channel has been at the forefront of fiction and non-fiction storytelling in Karnataka, shaping viewing habits and setting new benchmarks.

    For fans, this weekend is more than just a celebration — it’s a love letter to 10 years of prime-time magic. Don’t miss the Mahotsava on Colors Kannada, 7 and 8 June, 7:00 PM sharp.Colors