Category: Regulators

Mumbai: Bharti Airtel managing director Gopal Vittal said that Indus Towers is a strategically critical asset for Airtel. During Airtel’s fiscal fourth quarter earnings call, Vittal also said that Airtel — the largest stakeholder of Indus Towers — is committed to ensuring the tower company remains strong, and that it won’t hesitate to take over the reins to prevent any instability caused by  key customer’s  continuing financial challenges.

Airtel has a 47.95 per cent stake in Indus, in which UK’s Vodafone Plc holds 21.05 per cent.

Vittal’s comments came a day after UK’s Vodafone Group Plc flagged uncertainties about cash-strapped Vi’s ability to meet its payment dues to Indus, saying that it purely hinges on its Indian telecom joint venture’s ability to close its long pending fundraise. Vi is estimated to still owe around Rs 7,000 crore to Indus although it’s reckoned to be paying around 90-100 per cent of its current monthly dues.

Mumbai: Kranti Gada, who held the position of president at Shemaroo Entertainment has put in her papers. She has set off on her own, with her new venture, ‘neOwn’. She had been with Shemaroo Entertainment for more than 17 years and had also held the role of COO prior to this, for more than four years.

Gada spoke about her new venture on LinkedIn. She wrote, “It is finally time to unveil ‘neOwn’, my new (ad)venture. Any new journey brings its share of doubts and challenges, but in the end, it’s reaching the destination that matters! Developing a fresh idea and creating a unique brand around it is a feeling like no other!

neOwn is built on deep consumer insights I have gained over the years as well as personal experiences which makes it very close to my heart. It is being built keeping future generations in mind. While a lot is still in the works, I will keep sharing updates here and seeking your support.”

Gada is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Before this, Gada worked with Pepsico as assistant brand manager on Kurkure for around two years.

Mumbai: Lytus Technologies Holdings PTV Ltd., a global technology-driven services company, has announced its acquisition of Sri Sai Cable and Broadband Private Ltd., a regional Multi Service Operator (MSO) based in Telangana, India. This strategic move signifies Lytus Technologies’ commitment to establishing a strong presence in the Indian market. By acquiring a 51 per cent stake in Sri Sai Cable and Broadband Private Limited, which boasts a subscriber base of over one million, Lytus Technologies aims to expand its footprint in India in line with its strategic growth plans.

Lytus Technologies, established in 2017 by a visionary team of technology entrepreneurs, is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “LYT”. The acquisition of Sri Sai Cable is expected to significantly bolster Lytus Technologies’ reach in the Telangana region with a customer base extending into Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala. With more than 40 per cent market share in their dedicated network area, Sri Sai Cable and Broadband Pvt Ltd. boasts a flourishing network of over 6,500 local cable operators. As a result of Lytus Technologies’ acquisition of a majority stake in the company, current consumers of Sri Sai Cable will benefit from enhanced technology, resulting in a better viewing experience.

Specializing in Telecast & Multicast services, Lytus Technologies offers monthly subscription-based linear television and Internet services to both retail and business clients. The company’s network infrastructure spans over a 5,000-kilometer deployed network, providing fiber and broadband services. Since its inception, Lytus Technologies has expanded its presence in India through its Telecast & Multicast (IPTV) services.

Commenting on the acquisition of Sri Sai Cable and Broadband Pvt Ltd., Lytus Technologies CEO Dharmesh Pandya said, “Since our inception, Lytus Technologies has been committed to providing diverse entertainment options to the Indian audience. The recent acquisition of Sri Sai Cable and Broadband Private Limited enables us to expand our reach by offering cable and internet services not only to consumers in Telangana but also to their extended subscriber base in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala. Through collaborative efforts, we will develop new technologies aimed at better serving our customer base. India is our primary market for IPTV services, and this year, we are launching IPTV and Internet services, positioning ourselves for revenue growth. Additionally, we are in the process of revising rates in accordance with the New Tariff Order, further enhancing our offerings and providing value to our customers.”

Sri Sai Cable and Broadband Pvt Ltd. CEO Srinivas Palle said, “Indian customers are now evolving and are keen to receive high-quality services. Being one of Telangana’s major Multi Service Operators, we strive to cater to ever-changing consumer behavior. With our partnership with Lytus Technologies, we will continue to focus on client needs and expand our footprint in larger parts of India. We intend to maintain and improve our technology in order to gain a larger market share in our network locations.”

Mumbai: Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who is now a TATA IPL expert with JioCinema’s insiders feed that brings an insider’s perspective on the game with cricketing legends and TATA IPL champions, is mesmerised with the Bhojpuri commentary feed that’s taken fans by storm over the past six weeks of the tournament. The former left-handed opening batsman, who at the age of 22, was appointed SA’s youngest-ever captain and held the position of test captain till his retirement in 2014, said he’s become a huge fan of the word Bhojpuri. 

Speaking about why he thinks JioCinema’s 12-language commentary feeds, especially Bhojpuri and Punjabi, have become such huge hits, Smith exclaimed: “I love the word Bhojpuri. I love it. I think I might use that often. I was actually chatting with Anil Kumble last night; I think it’s just the ability to connect with people on a level that feels like home. It’s their language, so they can relate to it; it makes sense to them, and the same with Punjabi. You’re creating content now that speaks directly to the fan. They’re loving the cricket on the field, but the information they are receiving around it is something they can connect with”. 

Smith also spoke on what would be tougher chasing twenty runs in the final over of a T20 match or figuring out all the in-match features on the JioCinema app. “Probably easier for me to chase twenty; I’m still trying to get to terms with the JioCinema app and all the content. I’m trying to find languages that I can understand as well, but I think certainly on my phone when I play with the JioCinema app, it’s fantastic to have all those options available. And chasing twenty was a long time ago, so bring on the app!” 

Mumbai: As Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) makes its final moves towards the merger with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, there have been speculations galore about what’s taking place at the former. Seems like some of it has been put to rest. Danish Khan and Neeraj Vyas have been handed over a fresh set of responsibilities and designations.

Under the new structure, Danish Khan will serve as Business Head for Sony LIV and Studio NEXT, exclusively focusing on digital offerings. Meanwhile, Neeraj Vyas will oversee SPNI’s Hindi language entertainment as Business Head for SET, SAB, PAL, and Hindi Movies.

SPNI has announced these strategic leadership changes to align with its vision for the future. The goal is to enhance focus on priorities and ensure success in the rapidly evolving M&E industry.

Khan and Vyas will report to SPNI MD & CEO NP Singh, and an effective transition plan is currently in progress. These leadership changes will take effect on 1 June.

Khan, has had two stints with SPNI, totaling almost eighteen years of experience. In his current term, he has been the business head for Channel SET for seven years and has spearheaded Studio NEXT and Sony LIV since 2019.

Khan has achieved remarkable success in the digital business over the last three years following the launch of Sony LIV 2.0. Under his leadership, the top line has grown by more than 300 per cent, and the monthly active users have increased fourfold, making it one of the most impressive turnaround stories in the industry. He aims to expand the digital business’s footprint in domestic and international markets to ensure long-term sustainable growth for the network.

Vyas, a seasoned veteran of SPNI for over twenty-seven years. With this new responsibility, Vyas will lead SET’s overall business strategy and collaborate with the team to fortify its brand and market presence.

Vyas has been instrumental in heading SAB, PAL, and Hindi Movies for the past six years, guiding the movie cluster to maintain a dominant position in the market while driving SAB’s exceptional growth with over 200 per cent EBIT and close to 300 per cent topline growth. With his impeccable leadership, SAB has consistently remained among the top three channels in its genre and underwent a remarkable brand reorientation, making it one of the most successful brand transformations in recent times.

Singh said, “As we increase our focus on digital and prioritise our DTC (direct-to-consumer) services, I’m excited to share that Khan will lead Sony LIV’s growth and oversee Studio NEXT’s expansion. Moreover, Vyas will enhance the value proposition of SPNI’s Hindi General Entertainment channels, including Sony Entertainment Television (SET), to drive growth and momentum in Hindi language entertainment. I wish them the best in their endeavours.

Mumbai: Persistent Systems has announced the appointment of Gurvinder Sahni as chief marketing officer. In this role, he will be responsible for leading and setting the strategic vision for Persistent’s global marketing team.

Gurvinder joins Persistent with extensive experience in global enterprise marketing transformation. He joins the company after 20 years at Wipro Ltd., spanning various leadership roles, including chief of staff for the chairman’s office, strategic advisor to the chief growth officer and chief marketing officer, among others. Gurvinder has several certifications, including Black Belt Leadership and Green Belt Six Sigma and is ranked as one of the top 15 marketers on Twitter by Bloggers Alliance. He brings a passion for results-driven marketing, collaboration, client-centricity and influencer marketing. Gurvinder will be a member of Persistent’s executive leadership team and is based out of New Jersey, USA.

Persistent chief executive officer and executive director Sandeep Kalra said, “We are thrilled to welcome Gurvinder to the Persistent team as we continue our accelerated growth journey. With our recent announcement of one billion dollars in annual revenue, it’s clear that our mission to help clients achieve sustainable growth through digital engineering and enterprise modernisation is resonating across industries. As we focus on our next phase of growth, Gurvinder’s extensive marketing experience and transformation expertise will allow us to expand our dominant market position and reach new clients around the world.”

Persistent chief marketing officer Gurvinder Sahni said, “I am truly honored to join this exceptional team as the chief marketing officer. As someone who is passionate about achieving excellence in marketing, I look forward to leveraging my experience and diverse skill set to drive growth and enhance the brand value. Together with the team, I am committed to delivering exceptional results and creating lasting value for our clients, team members, and stakeholders.”

Mumbai: As a trailblazer in the fiercely competitive world of OTT platforms, aha, the fastest growing 100 per cent local OTT platform is committed to providing its viewers with top-notch and diverse content that is both engaging and memorable. With a commitment to tell stories of the land, aha is gearing up to release an exciting original programming lineup in May 2023. The eagerly anticipated non-fiction series Sarkar season 3, two web series titled Geetha Subramanyam season 3 and Newsense season 1, and an original film called Sathi Gani Rendu Ekuralu, promises to offer a unique and captivating viewing experience. In line with these plans, aha has announced changes in its marketing leadership.

aha has announced the elevation of Rajshekhar Baddam to the role of marketing head. Rajshekhar is a seasoned marketing professional with over 13 years of experience and has been with aha since its inception. He was most recently heading content marketing and was responsible for creating innovative campaigns around aha’s biggest shows, including Unstoppable, Telugu Indian Idol, and Sam Jam. In his new role, Baddam will spearhead aha’s efforts to bring in new audiences. This is a testament to aha’s unwavering commitment to building top talent from within and fostering a culture of excellence.

Commenting on Baddam’s elevation to the role of marketing head, aha’s CEO Ravikant Sabnavis CEO  said, “We are elated to elevate Rajshekhar to this crucial role. He has been instrumental in building our brand and connecting with our audience through shows like Color Photo, Bhamakalapam, Kudi Yedamaithe, 3 Roses, Unstoppable with NBK, Telugu Indian Idol, and Sam Jam, among others. We are confident that Rajshekhar’s creative thinking and passion for marketing are valuable assets that will help aha grow and be part of every household.”

Speaking on his vision for aha as a marketing head, Baddam said, “I’m honored to take on this new role at aha, and I am excited to work towards building a strong brand identity for aha while also focusing on strategic growth and expansion. We aim to deeply engage with consumers and provide them with an unforgettable experience that they can return to time and again.”

As the industry continues to evolve and grow, aha remains steadfast in its mission to offer cutting-edge and high-quality content to its viewers. With an unparalleled commitment to innovation and an unrelenting focus on quality, aha is poised to continue its meteoric rise as a leader in the local OTT space. aha boasts 2000+ hours of content, including 350+ hours of exclusive and original content and 32 million app downloads. Furthermore, it has 12 million monthly active users.

With its launch in Telugu and Tamil, the overseas network has now spread across the US, UK and Australia, as well as Southeast Asia, which includes Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd., one of India’s leading media and entertainment players, has bolstered its senior leadership team with the appointment of Anuja Trivedi as its chief marketing officer (CMO). Anuja will lead the company’s overall marketing strategy and will be responsible for driving business growth, leading strategic initiatives and strengthening consumer engagement. With her extensive experience in pricing, revenue and content strategy, Anuja will be an important and key addition to the Shemaroo senior leadership team. She will be reporting to Shemaroo COO Arghya Chakravarty and will be a part of the executive committee.  

Anuja brings over 15 years of rich experience in Media and Entertainment & Strategy, having held senior leadership roles in reputed organisations such as Disney Star, World Gold Council, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley and PwC. As executive director at Disney Star India, she led the content studio strategy across TV and digital, maximising subscriber growth on Disney+Hotstar and growing Star’s network market share on TV.

Shemaroo CEO Hiren Gada commented, “We are pleased to welcome Anuja to Shemaroo as our new CMO. Her expertise in analysing market trends and identifying growth opportunities will be instrumental to our expansion plans as we continue to navigate the ever-changing media landscape. Anuja will play a critical role in furthering our B2C journey and will add to the experienced professional expertise of our leadership team.”

Shemaroo COO Arghya Chakravarty added, “Anuja’s impressive track record, diverse experience and strategic approach to business and content development makes her a perfect fit to lead our marketing efforts. With her leadership, we look forward to further strengthening our position in the industry and delivering engaging and meaningful content experiences to audiences across India and beyond. I wish her all the very best for her new role as the CMO at Shemaroo.”

Anuja is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a PGDM degree from IIM Ahmedabad.