Category: Resources

  • Amagi to showcase AI-powered cloud broadcast innovations at NAB 2025

    Amagi to showcase AI-powered cloud broadcast innovations at NAB 2025

    MUMBAI: Amagi, will showcase its latest cloud broadcast solutions at NAB 2025. From April 6 to 9 at booth [W1721], Amagi will unveil key innovations designed to enhance operational efficiency, monetisation, and AI-driven automation in the media and entertainment industry.

    Amagi’s smart scheduler harnesses AI and machine learning to automate scheduling, minimising manual workload and boosting efficiency. By analysing historical viewing patterns and audience engagement, the system enables Fast channel owners to make data-driven programming decisions and optimise content scheduling.

    To cater to increasing demand for master control operations in the United States, Amagi has expanded its Network Operations Centre (NOC) with a new facility in New Jersey. This addition will provide hands-on support for live sports and news broadcasts, complementing Amagi’s existing NOCs in Bengaluru, London, and New Delhi.

    “Broadcasters and content owners need agile, AI-driven solutions to streamline operations, enhance monetisation, and deliver seamless viewing experiences,” said Amagi co-founder & chief revenue officer Srinivasan KA. “With our expanded NOC in New Jersey and advancements in cloud-based automation, Amagi is empowering customers to optimise workflows, maximise ad revenue, and scale their streaming businesses.”

    Amagi continues to innovate with solutions that enhance content distribution and maximise advertising revenue,

    The upgraded Amagi Dynamic for single live events now features Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) integrations, advanced ad insertion via Amagi Thunderstrom, and comprehensive recording options to ensure seamless audience experiences.

    Amagi Analytics offers deep performance insights, enabling content owners to refine ad strategies and improve viewer engagement, ultimately driving higher returns on investment.

  • Salt just got tastier as Sudeep Puthyathaya steps in as executive creative director

    Salt just got tastier as Sudeep Puthyathaya steps in as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought salt was merely seasoning your fries, along comes Salt Brand Solutions, sprinkling some creative magic into its leadership pot. Picture this: seasoned storyteller Sudeep Puthyathaya struts into Salt’s Mumbai office, bringing with him over 23 years of crafting iconic brand stories and enough creative spice to make even a bland briefing taste delicious. Could this be the recipe for ‘Salt 2.0’ we’ve all been waiting for?

    On 11 March 2025, Salt Brand Solutions announced the hiring of Puthyathaya as its new executive creative director, joining the existing duo—executive director Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar and director Mahesh Chauhan (Mash)—who’ve been shaking things up for quite some time.

    Welcoming the newest spice in Salt’s creative curry, Mash said, “This is a significant step towards further strengthening Salt’s creative leadership.” He further added, “with Sagar, Sudeep, and me coming together, it definitely will add great value to our clients, and this makes me truly excited for Salt 2.0.” Indeed, what good is curry without the right spices?

    Echoing his sentiments, Mahabaleshwarkar remarked, “Sudeep brings a deep understanding of storytelling that connects with real people. His craft in creating human insight-led narratives perfectly complements the creative force we are building at Salt.” Translation? Expect ads that tug at your heartstrings—or at least your purse strings.

    Puthyathaya isn’t exactly new to the storytelling circus. Having juggled creative campaigns for bigwigs like Mercedes-Benz India, Taj Hotels, Royal Enfield, J&J, and Citibank, he’s now ready to spice things up at Salt. With a passion for ‘human-centred narratives’, his style is less boardroom monotony and more Netflix binge-worthy storytelling.

    “I’ve always believed that the most powerful brands are built on stories that resonate at a human level,” Puthyathaya said. “Salt’s culture of bold, insight-driven thinking is a perfect fit for the kind of work I want to create. I’m excited to collaborate with Mash and Sagar to craft narratives that strengthens brand narratives and leave a lasting impact.” Forget salt bae; it’s story bae season now.

    Adding credibility to his creative cooking skills, Puthyathaya has judged the prestigious New York Festivals and Abby’s, proving he’s not just here to cook up stories—he knows how to taste-test them too.

    Founded in 2011 by Mash, Salt Brand Solutions prides itself on being the invisible yet indispensable seasoning of the branding world. With Sudeep now joining Mash and Sagar, expect the creativity (and the seasoning) to be dialled up to eleven, turning more heads, breaking more norms, and making brand storytelling anything but bland.

  • Ogilvy elevates Sujoy Roy & Nitin Srivastava as Gurugram CCOs

    Ogilvy elevates Sujoy Roy & Nitin Srivastava as Gurugram CCOs

    MUMBAI: Ogilvy has turned up the creative heat in Gurugram with the appointment of Sujoy Roy and Nitin Srivastava as its new chief creative officers. The duo—both longtime Ogilvy stalwarts—has a track record of crafting bold, award-winning campaigns that not only rake in metal but also leave an imprint on culture.

    Kainaz Karmakar, Harshad Rajadhyaksha, and Sukesh Nayak, chief creative officers of Ogilvy India, cheered on the promotion, “Sujoy and Nitin are Ogilvy stalwarts. Over the years both have created a stellar body of brave work that has helped grow business and reputation for their partners. Their benchmark-setting work across mediums has created impact and earned numerous recognitions locally and globally. But more importantly, it has also earned the love and admiration of our consumers and clients. We are thrilled to see our people step up and take on senior leadership roles. We believe the two of them, along with their partners, will push the boundaries of work. Their individual love for design and ideas will come together to write a new chapter for Ogilvy Gurugram.”

    Roy is as Ogilvy as it gets. Fresh out of college two decades ago, he walked into the agency wide-eyed and hungry—and never left. Over the years, he has hopped between Ogilvy’s Mumbai, Kolkata, and Colombo offices, leaving a creative footprint wherever he went.

    Despite his official title as ‘copywriter,’ Roy has never been boxed in. With a diploma in fine arts, he moves seamlessly between the worlds of art and copy, proving that great ideas don’t care about job descriptions. Seven years ago, he launched Ogilvy Design Cell, which he now leads across Ogilvy India, reinforcing his knack for blending design and storytelling.

    Roy’s work has left audiences and juries dazzled at Cannes, Clio, One Show, the London International Festival, Adfest Asia Pacific, and Young Guns. But he isn’t just here for the trophies—he’s here to make ads that stick. His roster of brands reads like a who’s who of business titans: Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Unilever, Marico, ITC, Asian Paints, Zandu, M P Birla, Pantaloons, and Eveready.

    Beyond national campaigns, Roy has been instrumental in shaping Ogilvy East, bringing Bengali-language advertising to new creative heights. His deep cultural insight has made his campaigns not just memorable but also wildly effective.

    Srivastava’s journey to the top is as colourful as his art. A painter-turned-designer-turned-art-director, Nitin has spent over 25 years proving that creativity has no boundaries. An alumnus of Delhi College of Art, with additional training at Central Saint Martins, London, he currently spearheads Ogilvy north’s luxury and beauty vertical.

    From Coca-Cola to Absolut, Chivas to MINI, and Incredible India to WWF, Srivastava has shaped some of the most iconic brand narratives. His work in the alcobev space for Pernod Ricard is legendary, helping shape brand identities that have stood the test of time.

    With over 100 awards—Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clio, London International, Adfest—Srivastava’s creative arsenal is stacked. His work has been featured in Communication Arts multiple times, and he has even made it to the publication’s list of the world’s most prominent art directors.

    When he’s not conjuring up bold brand campaigns, Srivastava balances his high-energy career with a laid-back personal life in Delhi, where he spends time with his dog, February—because of course, even his pet’s name has an artistic flair.

    With Roy and Srivastava at the creative helm, expect a whirlwind of bold ideas, groundbreaking design, and campaigns that push the envelope. Whether it’s a sharp one-liner, an immersive brand experience, or an out-of-the-box visual, Ogilvy Gurugram’s creative future looks bolder than ever.

  • PhysicsWallah strengthens PR with Alifiya Nalwala’s appointment

    PhysicsWallah strengthens PR with Alifiya Nalwala’s appointment

    Mumbai: PhysicsWallah Limited (PW), the education company, has appointed Alifiya Nalwala as its group head of corporate communications and public relations. With over 19 years of journalism experience, much of it focused on the education sector, Nalwala will handle PW’s communications strategy, crafting cohesive messaging and enhancing audience engagement.

    PW, CEO & founder, Alakh Pandey stated, “PW has expanded across multiple segments in recent years. Alifiya’s expertise in editorial and strategic communication will help streamline our messaging across both internal and external channels.”

    Nalwala stated, “As a journalist, I have closely followed India’s evolving education landscape, a sector that has always been close to my heart. PW’s journey has been truly inspiring, and it is an honour to join a company dedicated to putting students first and shaping the future of education.”

    Nalwala holds a bachelor’s degree in mass media and a master’s in political science. She was awarded the prestigious Anupama Jayaraman Memorial Award for young reporters at 24 and has since gained multiple accolades and industry recognition.

    Prior to joining PW, she was a senior writer at The Ken. She also spent over eight years at The Indian Express, serving as assistant editor and special correspondent. Her career includes key roles at DNA (as chief reporter and principal correspondent), Mid Day, and HT Media. Over the years, she has developed extensive expertise in media studies, business strategy, and in-depth subject reporting.

  • MSEED takes root in Mumbai as Bhavan’s College launches creative institute

    MSEED takes root in Mumbai as Bhavan’s College launches creative institute

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s academic landscape just got a creative boost with the launch of Bhavan’s College Management School of Events, Entertainment & Design (MSEED) in Andheri west. Aimed at redefining industry-led education, this powerhouse institute is helmed by some of the most influential names in events, media, and education, promising a hands-on, experiential approach to learning.

    Led by Deepak Chaudhary, a pioneer in events education and the force behind EVA Live MSEED boasts an elite leadership team, including Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury as director general, Vinod Janardhan (joint MD, founder of Team Rustic), Jimmy Choudhary (director, Eventfaqs and WOW Awards), and Jateen Rajput (executive director, event management academic expert). Media entrepreneurs Chirag Shah and Mustafa Rangoonwala round out this stellar lineup, bringing real-world industry insights into the classroom.

    The launch event was nothing short of spectacular, drawing an elite gathering of industry stalwarts from media, design, and entertainment. Zarine Bathena, Principal of Bhavan’s College, welcomed the new entrant into the Bhavan’s ecosystem, setting the stage for a groundbreaking academic journey. The event saw participation from FICCI AVGC Forum chairman Ashish Kulkarni, filmmaker Ketan Anand, Laqshya Media Group chairman Alok Jalan, Times of India HR head Amit Das, Shamiana Short Films founder Cyrus Dastoor, and communication expert Amitesh Banerjee.

    MSEED is set to offer Mumbai University-approved Bachelors and Masters degrees in events, media, and design, along with advanced PG Diplomas in entertainment, communication, and fashion business management. Additionally, postgraduate students can opt for a dual MBA degree in partnership with UniMarconi University of Rome, Italy, making this an institution with global aspirations.

    “A good institute needs a great infrastructure provided to MSEED by Bhavan’s College, a good recognition which is from Mumbai University in this case, and a powerful eco-system which is provided with the industry led learning at MSEED. We are hopeful of making a marked contribution to India’s creative soft power,” noted EVA Live, MD and founder, MD Deepak Chaudhary.

    “MSEED brings in the collective wisdom of a few eminent educational institution-builders and creative business entrepreneurs, and promises a hospital-medical college model of learning where education and its application through live projects shall go hand in hand,” noted director general prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury.

    “Events and experiential marketing in India might actually have a turnover perhaps more than that of TV and cinema industries if calculated factually. Together with animation & gaming-based entertainment, events industry is poised to make a huge economic and employment impact in India of tomorrow,” opined the AVGC evangelist and government’s animation-gaming policy-adviser, Ashish Kulkarni.

    India’s events and experiential marketing industry may already be bigger than TV and cinema combined, according to Ashish Kulkarni, an AVGC policy expert. He highlighted the vast employment and economic potential of this sector, especially when combined with gaming and animation.

    Meanwhile, legendary filmmaker Ketan Anand reflected on Indian cinema’s evolution, while Amit Das of TOI emphasised the need for creative talent that merges storytelling with emerging technology for innovative media outreach.

    MSEED is already planning a nationwide campaign to promote careers in events, media, and design, bridging the gap between education and industry. With its first batch commencing in July 2025, this institution is set to shape the future of India’s creative landscape, one innovative mind at a time.

  • Sony Pictures Networks taps Hitesh Sood to spearhead B2B partnerships

    Sony Pictures Networks taps Hitesh Sood to spearhead B2B partnerships

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has made a strategic move by appointing Hitesh Sood as vice president & head of B2B subscription and partnerships (digital business). Effective February 2025, Sood has already rolled up his sleeves to drive global expansion for Sonyliv and forge partnerships that will redefine digital content distribution.

    With a resume that reads like a thriller, Sood brings two decades of experience spanning telecom, media, and digital services. He has honed his expertise across continents, cracking tough negotiations and spearheading revenue-driven partnerships. From launching industry-first telco content bundles to scaling up OTT distribution, his track record is as impressive as a blockbuster’s opening weekend.

    In his new role, Sood will focus on taking Sonyliv beyond borders—literally. He aims to propel its reach to global audiences while working with telcos, banks, and content aggregators to make digital entertainment more engaging. With streaming services in an all-out war for eyeballs, this move signals Sony’s intent to stay ahead of the game.

    Before joining Sony, Sood made his mark at Renna Mobile, Grameenphone, Vodafone Idea, and Globacom, where he led marketing, partnerships, and product strategies. He played a key role in expanding digital content services and optimising customer engagement strategies. At Grameenphone, for instance, he quadrupled monthly active users (MAUs) in just two years—no small feat in a competitive streaming market.

    Sony Pictures Networks is banking on Sood’s knack for innovation to boost its B2B partnerships and subscriptions. With digital entertainment evolving at breakneck speed, Sony’s latest hire suggests the company is gearing up for a bigger, bolder future in the streaming industry.

  • Social Panga brings out ‘The Viral Union’ to power influencer marketing

    Social Panga brings out ‘The Viral Union’ to power influencer marketing

    MUMBAI: Social Panga is stepping up its game in the creator economy. The integrated creative and digital marketing agency has launched The Viral Union (TVU)—a dedicated influencer marketing vertical designed to bridge the gap between brands and content creators.

    Led by Sudarshan Kailash, TVU will offer brands 360-degree influencer solutions, spanning nano, micro, and macro influencers, talent partnerships, and performance-driven campaigns. With influencer marketing expected to grow at 25 per cent annually, reaching Rs 10,500 crore by 2027, Social Panga is seizing the opportunity to provide data-backed, scalable, and high-impact influencer marketing strategies.

    Social Panga co-founder Himanshu Arora underscored the significance of this move, “Influencer marketing is no longer an add-on—it’s a core strategy for brands looking to engage audiences authentically. The Viral Union is designed to bridge the gap between content creators and brand narratives, ensuring campaigns that not only drive visibility but also deliver tangible business impact. With TVU, we are doubling down on our commitment to data-backed, creative-first storytelling that truly resonates.”

    Social Panga co-founder Gaurav Arora echoed the sentiment, “We have always believed in deep vertical expertise and evolving with market dynamics. The Viral Union is a natural extension of this philosophy, bringing together data, creativity, and authenticity to drive meaningful engagement for brands. With TVU, we are strengthening our integrated ecosystem—complementing the production excellence of The Yellow Shutter and the creative ingenuity of Social Panga—to elevate brand storytelling and campaign impact.”

    Kailash emphasised the evolving nature of influencer marketing, “Influencer marketing is no longer just about visibility; it’s about delivering real impact. At The Viral Union, we are committed to building campaigns rooted in authenticity, backed by data, and driven by creativity. Our goal is to set new benchmarks in the industry, helping brands connect with audiences in more meaningful and effective ways.”

    TVU is already working with major brands such as Domino’s, AMD, Kit Kat, Bumble, Swiggy, Tata Motors, Pepperfry, and 3M. With plans to scale influencer-driven strategies across multiple platforms, industries, and audience segments, the vertical is set to redefine how brands leverage the power of digital storytelling.

    Social Panga, a part of LS Digital, also operates a production house called The Yellow Shutter, further enhancing its creative capabilities.

     

  • Connekkt Media snaps up Grane & Daly’s Mob Scene in strategic play

    Connekkt Media snaps up Grane & Daly’s Mob Scene in strategic play

    Mumbai: Move over, crossover sequels—this is the corporate blockbuster nobody saw coming. Asia’s fast-growing media-tech powerhouse Connekkt Media has acquired Tom Grane and Brian Daly’s Mob Scene, the Hollywood marketing maestros behind Barbie’s pink frenzy and Dune’s sand-swept hype. The deal, announced on 25 February 2025, pairs Mumbai’s cinematic swagger with Los Angeles’ glitter, blending AI-driven tech with trailers that make audiences weep into their popcorn.  

    Connekkt Media

    Who needs superheroes when you’ve got boardroom drama this juicy? Mob Scene, founded in 2006 by Grane and Daly, boasts a client roster including Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros., with campaigns for Avatar, Jurassic World, Dune, Barbie, Fast & Furious, Stranger Things, Kung Fu Panda, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cementing its reputation as Tinseltown’s secret weapon. Connekkt, meanwhile, flexes its muscles with Indian megahits like Vrusshabha and an AI-powered content marketplace. 

    Together, they’re plotting global domination-one viral trailer at a time.

    The acquisition positions Connekkt as a rare hybrid: part Hindi cinema hitmaker, part Silicon Valley disruptor. Its studios are already prepping biopics (see: Dhanush as music legend Ilaiyaraaja) and action flicks, while Mob Scene’s team swaps Oscar parties for Mumbai’s dabbawalas. Greg Bedrosian and Mohit Pareek of Drake Star brokered the deal—presumably over chai and green smoothies.

    Grane celebrated the acquisition, saying, “Joining forces with Connekkt Media marks an exciting new chapter for Mob Scene. Their cutting-edge media technology and deep understanding of global entertainment align perfectly with our creative vision. This partnership allows us to push the boundaries of storytelling, expand into dynamic new markets, and continue delivering emotionally compelling campaigns that resonate worldwide.”    

    Connekkt Media co-founder Varun Mathur shared his enthusiasm about the deal, “Mob Scene is the gold standard in Hollywood film marketing, and we are beyond thrilled to bring their creative expertise to partners across the UK, Europe, the middle east, India, and the rest of Asia. As a global media company with origins in India, this acquisition marks a strategic expansion into the US and North America. Combining Mob Scene’s industry-leading creative marketing with our cutting-edge technology will enable us to drive targeted, measurable marketing impact across multiple platforms and regions.”

    But let’s address the elephant in the boardroom: Can a firm rooted in Indian cinema decode Hollywood’s mystique? Connekkt bets yes. With Mob Scene’s storytelling chops and its own data-crunching prowess, the duo aims to turn marketing into a “measured, multi-continent emotion factory”. Translation: More tears, more memes, more money.  

  • Sankranthi boosts box office to Rs 1,013 crore as Telugu films dominate the month

    Sankranthi boosts box office to Rs 1,013 crore as Telugu films dominate the month

    MUMBAI: January 2025 kicked off with a bang for the Indian box office, fuelled by blockbuster Telugu festival releases. According to Ormax Media’s latest report – The India Box Office Report: January 2025, films released this month grossed a staggering Rs 1,013 crore domestically, proving that Sankranthi remains one of the most lucrative periods for cinema. With three major Telugu releases driving the momentum, the industry witnessed a stellar start to the year.

    Telugu cinema stole the show, contributing Rs 480 crore to the month’s total. Sankranthiki Vasthunam emerged as the undisputed box office king, grossing over Rs 200 crore, cementing its place as January’s highest-grossing film. The festive fever didn’t stop there—Game Changer and Daaku Maharaaj also capitalised on the Sankranthi rush, ensuring Telugu cinema’s 44 per cent language share.

    Top performers of January 2025

    Despite its dominance, Telugu cinema wasn’t alone in the limelight. The Hindi film Sky Force, the only significant Hindi cinema release of the month, crossed the Rs 100 crore mark, though it wasn’t enough to push Hindi’s overall share past 30 per cent. Tamil cinema also made its presence felt with Madha Gaja Raja, which managed to cross Rs 50 crore, securing its spot among the top earners.

    Here’s how the top five films fared:

    1.   Sankranthiki Vasthunam – Rs 200 crore+

    2.   Sky Force – Rs 100 crore+

    3.  Game Changer – Rs 100 crore+

    4.   Daaku Maharaaj – Rs 100 crore+

    5.   Madha Gaja Raja – Rs 50 crore+

     Box Office Report

    While Hindi cinema had a relatively muted start to 2025, the industry is expected to rebound with upcoming big-ticket releases. With only Sky Force in contention, Hindi films struggled to maintain their traditional dominance. However, with several high-profile movies slated for February and beyond, the playing field may soon level out.

    Ormax tracks gross box office (GBO) for consistency across industries. Films releasing in multiple languages have their collections assigned accordingly. Figures are credited to the month of release, even if business spills into subsequent months. For instance, Kalki 2898 AD (released 27 June 2024) saw significant earnings in July but was reported under June’s total.

    Some films remain in theatres at the time of reporting. Their projected collections are included, with final numbers updated in subsequent editions.

    As February approaches, industry watchers are keenly observing how upcoming films will shape the box office landscape. With Sankranthi delivering fireworks, all eyes are now on Hindi cinema’s next move. Will Hindi cinema reclaim its dominance, or will Telugu films continue their reign?

     

  • Manish Kumar reveals V4B.ai: The future of AI-powered content creation

    Manish Kumar reveals V4B.ai: The future of AI-powered content creation

    MUMBAI: Digital visionary and entrepreneur Manish Kumar, the brains behind the SS Yoga App by Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Digi-Osmosis, has launched his latest venture: V4B.ai, an AI-powered content agency revolutionising branded content creation. With sales offices in the UK, UAE, and USA, V4B.ai aims to redefine how businesses produce content—efficiently, affordably, and at scale.

    V4B.ai eliminates the need for traditional actors and video shoots by leveraging a cutting-edge blend of AI platforms, CGI, Unreal Engine, and motion capture technology. The agency delivers high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective business content solutions that cater to an ever-demanding digital audience.

    At its core, V4B.ai transforms communication with its AI-powered, multi-lingual audio-video-chatbot. This smart digital assistant replaces outdated text-based chatbots, customer service centres, and FAQ pages, acting as a 24/7 sales and training tool that offers seamless, human-like interactions.

    The agency boasts an extensive library of 75 exclusive AI actors, ranging from hyper-real meta-humans and CGI-powered 3D characters to nostalgic toon mascots. These AI-driven avatars enable businesses to create engaging content at unprecedented speeds.

    V4B.ai also provides a groundbreaking service—AI cloning. Individuals and brands that struggle with time and financial cManish Kumaronstraints can now create content effortlessly using their AI avatars, allowing them to communicate in multiple languages without ever stepping in front of a camera.

    Speaking on the launch, Kumar shared his vision, “India has long held a leadership position in business process outsourcing (BPO). Now, we have the opportunity to dominate a new industry—business content outsourcing (BCO).”

    He further explained, “Marketing and branding have always been vital for businesses, but in today’s fast-moving digital world, video content has become non-negotiable. With shrinking attention spans and skyrocketing content consumption, our goal is to make video creation affordable for SMEs and scalable for large enterprises.”

    The AI-driven agency provides businesses with an innovative way to produce diverse content, including training videos, sales pitches, service guides, product showcases, social media clips, educational materials, and even fashion and e-commerce visuals—all without the need for physical shoots.

    With a presence in multiple countries and an expanding client base across India, Europe, and the Middle East, V4B.ai has already begun making an impact. Multi-ethnic AI actors speaking various languages ensure that brands can localise their messaging at scale.

    The company has set an ambitious target: securing one per cent of the global branded AI-content market, which is projected to reach US$ 5.2 billion by 2026. With its unique production model and cutting-edge AI integration, V4B.ai is well on its way to becoming a leader in the AI-powered content revolution.

    Before launching V4B.ai, Kumar held key leadership positions in major entertainment and digital firms, including Red Chillies Entertainment and Kolkata Knight Riders, where he served as chief marketing & digital officer. His career spans over two decades, starting as the brand custodian at TVS Motors and Kinetic Honda, before becoming head of content marketing at Hungama Digital.

    With V4B.ai, Kumar has once again positioned himself at the forefront of digital transformation, setting new benchmarks in AI-driven content creation.