Category: Event Coverage

  • The Indian M&E sector anticipated to achieve Rs 3.1 trillion by 2026: FICCI-EY report

    The Indian M&E sector anticipated to achieve Rs 3.1 trillion by 2026: FICCI-EY report

    Mumbai: The latest FICCI-EY report titled ‘#Reinvent: India’s media & entertainment sector is innovating for the future’, launched at the FICCI FRAMES 2024 in Mumbai, revealed that the Indian M&E sector grew by eight per cent in 2023, reaching Rs 2.3 trillion (US$27.9 billion), 21 per cent above its pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

    New media, comprising digital and online gaming, emerged as the frontrunner in growth, contributing Rs 122 billion of the overall increase of Rs 173 billion, and consequently, increased its contribution to the M&E sector from 20 per cent in 2019 to 38 per cent in 2023.

    Experiential (outside the home and interactive) segments continued their strong growth in 2023, and consequently, online gaming, filmed entertainment, live events, and OOH media segments grew at a combined 18 per cent, contributing 48 per cent of the total growth. With the exception of television, which experienced a marginal decline of 2 per cent, all other segments experienced positive growth in 2023.

    FICCI Media and Entertainment committee chairman and Viacom 18 chief executive officer – broadcast entertainment Kevin Vaz said, “India is a unique market where the M&E sector distinguishes itself through a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation. Here, technology-enhanced entertainment channels, OTT platforms, AI-powered newsreaders, traditional print media, flagship films, and short-form content not only coexist but thrive together, showcasing the vibrant diversity and dynamic growth of our industry. The Government of India’s thrust on improving digital infrastructure in the country combined with our ambition to be at the forefront of the next big technological thrust in media and entertainment, our sector is primed for a massive transformation.”

    EY India partner and media & entertainment leader Ashish Pherwani said, “I believe the M&E sector is at the “inflection point” we foresaw in 2018, with the dominance of digital channels over traditional media. In 2023, new media comprised 52 per cent of total advertising revenues, yet, unlike in many other countries, Indian traditional media also grew. This underscores the unique Indian market where while we are witnessing a seismic shift towards digital consumption, there is still adequate headroom for traditional media to grow.”

    Key highlights:

    Indian advertising reached Rs1.1 trillion:

    Digital advertising grew 15 per cent in 2023 and surpassed traditional advertising for the first time. Social, sports, e-commerce and SME advertisers will continue to drive growth in the sector moving forward.

    A billion screens by 2030:

    India is expected to have almost a billion active screens by 2030. Of these, around 240 million will be large (TV, laptop, PC), while the remaining will be small (mobile phones, phablets). pay TV, free TV, and connected TV are expected to emerge as significant markets, each comprising between 60 to 80 million homes. The 3:1 ratio in favour of mobile phones will sustain the demand for short videos and social commerce.

    Online gaming is expected to reach Rs 388 billion by 2026:

    The segment will see growth across all its verticals, including esports, fantasy sports, casual gaming, and other games of skill to reach an estimated 150 million daily users. Revenue growth will be led by mobile-based real-money gaming and casual gaming.

    Segmental performance in 2023

      . Television: Linear viewership increased by two per cent over 2022, the number of smart TVs connected to the internet each week rose to 19 to 20 million, up from around 10 million in 2022. Television advertising declined by 6.5 per cent due to a slowdown in spending by gaming and D2C brands, impacting revenues for premium properties. The Hindi-speaking market (HSM) experienced softness, resulting in a three per cent overall ad volume de-growth. However, subscription revenue saw growth after three years of decline, driven by price increases, despite a decrease of two million pay TV homes.

     .  Digital advertising: Digital advertising grew 15 per cent to reach Rs 576 billion, constituting 51 per cent of total advertising revenues. This figure includes advertising by SME and long-tail advertisers totalling over Rs 200 billion, and advertising earned by e-commerce platforms amounting to Rs 86 billion.

     .  Digital subscription: Digital subscription grew 9 per cent to reach Rs 78 billion accounting for a third of 2022’s 27 per cent growth, as premium cricket properties were moved in front of paywalls. Paid video subscriptions decreased by two million in 2023 to 97 million, across 43 million households in India. However, paid music subscriptions grew from five million to eight million, generating Rs 3 billion, while online news subscriptions generated Rs 2 billion.

     .  Print: Contrary to the global trend, print media continued to thrive in India, with advertising revenues growing by four per cent in 2023. Notably, there was significant growth in premium ad formats, as print remained a preferred medium for affluent metro and non-metro audiences. Subscription revenues also grew by three per cent due to rising cover prices.

     .  Online gaming: The segment’s growth slowed to 22 per cent in 2023, reaching Rs 220 billion. It surpassed filmed entertainment to become the fourth largest segment. India saw over 450 million online gamers, with approximately 100 million playing daily. Over 90 million gamers paid to play, with real money gaming comprising 83 per cent of segment revenues. Larger players absorbed the impact of a higher GST levy, hurting their margins but safeguarding growth.

     .  Film: The segment grew 14 per cent to reach Rs 197 billion in 2023. Over 1,796 films were released in 2023, and theatrical revenues reached an all-time high of Rs 120 billion. The number of screens grew four per cent. 339 Indian films were released overseas.

     .  Animation and VFX: The Hollywood writers’ strike impacted global supply chains, and consequently, the segment grew just six per cent in 2023. Potential mergers and falling ad revenues also reduced the slate of animated content produced for broadcast in India. A revival in demand in the second half of the year led to growth, boosted by the trend of using more VFX in Indian content.

     .  Live events: The organized segment grew 20 per cent exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Growth was driven by government events, personal events, weddings, and ticketed events, including several international formats and acts that came to India.

     .  OOH: OOH media grew by 13 per cent in 2023, surpassing its 2019 levels. Growth was led by premium properties and locations. Active digital OOH screens crossed 1,00,000 contributing nine per cent of total segment revenues.

      . Music: The Indian music segment grew by 10 per cent to reach Rs 24 billion in 2023, slower than previous years as certain music OTT platforms went pay and stopped or reduced their free services. 87 per cent of revenues were earned through digital means, though most of it was advertising led on YouTube, there being around only eight million paying subscribers despite music streaming’s reach of 185 million.

     .  Radio: Radio segment revenues grew by 10 per cent in 2023 reaching Rs 23 billion. This growth was driven by increased retail and local advertising, as well as alternate revenue streams. Ad volumes increased by 19 per cent in 2023 as compared to the previous year, although ad rates remained below their 2019 levels.

  • Shiprocket launches Aarambh 2024 to empower women-led SMEs

    Shiprocket launches Aarambh 2024 to empower women-led SMEs

    Mumbai: Shiprocket, an e-commerce enablement platform, announced the fifth edition of ‘Aarambh,’ its flagship initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Aligned with Shiprocket’s vision to redefine India’s e-commerce landscape, Aarambh 2024 seeks to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs by providing a platform to pitch their innovative business ideas to a distinguished panel of investors and venture capitalists.

    Commencing on 26 February 2024, Aarambh 2024 extends a warm invitation to women entrepreneurs nationwide, encouraging them to register and nominate themselves for an opportunity to present their ideas before the esteemed jury. In India, women constitute just 14 per cent of entrepreneurs, overseeing 20 per cent of MSMEs among 58.5 million enterprises. In line with this year’s theme of “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”, Shiprocket’s primary focus is to create a platform for women-led SMEs in India to showcase their entrepreneurial brilliance, catalyzing the growth of dynamic enterprises.

    Beyond the competitive aspect, Aarambh 2024 offers participants a unique chance to network with experienced professionals, investors, and potential business partners. In addition to coveted cash prizes, participants also have the opportunity to receive Shiprocket shipping credits, providing valuable support on their journey to business success.

    Shiprocket MD & CEO Saahil Goel expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Aarambh initiative has been a resounding success over the years, and it is heartening to witness the impactful contributions of women entrepreneurs to the growth of India’s commerce. Our nation’s women have extraordinary potential, and we are excited to see what new and disruptive ideas will be presented during Aarambh 2024.”

    Entries for the Aarambh 2024 edition are now open, and Indian shepreneurs can apply for the shortlisting process on the Shiprocket website the link is down below. Shortlisted pitches will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to the jury panel in a virtual event. The best business idea will have the opportunity to earn up to 2 lakh Shiprocket credits from a total pool of 4 lakh Shiprocket credits for winners along with additional benefits from Shiprocket and other sister concern companies. With Aarambh 2024, participants will also get an opportunity to network with industry leaders, access capital for building their businesses (opportunity to get flexible capital up to INR 5 Crores through Shiprocket Capital), and garner visibility for their brands through the Shiprocket platform. The jury for this year consists of three seasoned business leaders- Trisha Vaidya, Angel Investor & Ex-COO Dr Vaidya, Malika Sadani,  founder and CEO, of The Moms Co. and Divyanshi Chowdhary, Investment Professional, DeVC India.

    Last year’s winners were: Rashi Bahel Mehra, founder & CEO, Alanna, Oshi Kumari, COO, Inside FPV (1st Runner up),  and Nisha Ramasamy, Co-Founder, Ariro Toys (2nd Runner up)

    https://www.shiprocket.in/aarambh/ 

  • Spotlight Game-Changing Companies in the Video, Broadband & Distribution Industry in VBS2024

    Spotlight Game-Changing Companies in the Video, Broadband & Distribution Industry in VBS2024

    Mumbai: The Indiantelevision.com group celebrated its 25 Anniversary in 2024, the Indiantelevision.com group proudly presents the 20th edition of the Video & Broadband Summit 2024.  

    As the OTT industry gains prominence in mainstream entertainment, broadcasters must adapt to meet evolving consumer expectations. Against all odds, a growing breed of game-changers is shaping India’s fast-progressing video landscape.

    Indiantelevision.com Group is set to appreciate, honour, and felicitate The “Game Changing Companies” in the Video, Broadband & Distribution industry during this momentous occasion.

    The  Video & Broadband Summit Felicitation winner list 

    NAME
    ACT FIBERNET
    Airtel Digital TV
    Amagi Media Labs
    Asianet Digital Network
    Dish TV
    Disney Star (Distribution)
    Fastway Transmissions
    GTPL Hathway Ltd.
    Harmonic
    Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited
    India Cast Media
    JIO Fiber Broadband
    Kerala Communications Cable Ltd
    Nagravision
    NXT Digital
    Planetcast
    Shemaroo Entertainment
    SITI Networks Limited
    Sony Pictures Networks India
    Synamedia
    Tata Play
    The Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF)
    UCN Cable Network PVT. LTD.
    VK Digital Network
    Warner Bros. Discovery
    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited
  • Hyundai Motor India showcases ‘Mobility for All’ at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024

    Hyundai Motor India showcases ‘Mobility for All’ at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024

    Mumbai: Hyundai Motor India Ltd. showcased its technologically advanced products at the first ever Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024. Based on the theme “Mobility for All”, the Hyundai Motor India Pavilion at Hall 6, Pragati Maidan presented the company’s vision for India and highlighted its commitment to India.

    Commenting on Hyundai Motor India’s participation at Bharat Global Mobility Expo 2024, Hyundai Motor India, AVP & vertical head, corporate affairs, Puneet Anand, said,” We would like to congratulate Government of India and ministry of commerce & industries for envisioning this unique Bharat Global Mobility Expo 2024. It gave us an opportunity to showcase our products & technologies to the audience. As Hyundai Motor India, we take pride in our journey of localisation, epitomising the ‘ Made in India, for the World ‘ spirit. Our commitment goes beyond cars; it’s a commitment to India’s engineering prowess and growth. Achieving 100 per cent localization in vital components reflects our dedication to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Our state-of-the-art facilities across the nation, coupled with ongoing investments, underscore our vision for excellence. Hyundai’s journey in India is more than just automobiles; it’s a narrative of progress, community development, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, reflecting our enduring commitment to India’s future.”

    Key Highlights at Hyundai Motor India Pavilion:

    Localisation Zone

    Localisation has been pivotal in Hyundai Motor India’s journey since its inception. As the foremost exporter of “Made in India” cars globally, Hyundai’s specialised localisation zone exemplifies the extensive utilisation of parts from Indian manufacturers, showcasing the nation’s engineering prowess. In its ongoing commitment to enhancing localisation, Hyundai has achieved 100 per cent localisation in key components such as tires, panoramic sunroof, alloy wheel, and more. The company is also working towards enhancing localisation ratio for manufacturing vehicles in India, including key car components, ECM based inside rear view monitor (IRVM), higher grade AGM technology battery, and a wide range of other components. Reinforcing its commitment towards localisation, a dedicated team has been established to intensify its efforts, particularly for high-volume models, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” initiative. The zone not only highlights Hyundai’s advanced manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur but also showcases the R&D facility in Hyderabad, corporate office in Gurugram, and the recently acquired Maharashtra facility, firmly establishing Hyundai’s presence on the Indian map. The comprehensive zone is complemented by a film illustrating Hyundai’s manufacturing excellence, emphasizing the company’s dedication to delivering the highest quality vehicles globally.

    Commitment to India

    Since its inception in 1996, Hyundai Motor India has consistently demonstrated a commitment to India, becoming the first OEM to export “Made in India” vehicles worldwide and holding the position of the largest passenger vehicle exporter from India. Hyundai has been a pioneer in the Indian automobile industry, introducing global technologies and features, and standardising 6 airbags and 3-point seatbelts across its entire range.

    Aligned with Hyundai’s global CSR guideline of ‘Continue,’ the Hyundai Motor India Foundation, initiated in 2006, has undertaken various social initiatives, including Art for Hope, telemedicine clinics, sports labs, dhyan-Do, drive for progress, BeTheBetterGuy, and more, focusing on community development, healthcare, education, vocational training, and promoting safe mobility practices.

    In 2023, Hyundai Motor India signed a MoU with the government of Tamil Nadu, committing Rs 20,000 Crore over next 10 years for capacity expansion, new products, establishing a battery pack assembly facility, and improving charging infrastructure. In 2024, an additional commitment of Rs 6,180 Crore was declared by the company including Rs 180 crore towards ‘Hydrogen Valley Innovation Hub’ in collaboration with IIT Madras. Additionally, the company has signed a MoU with the state of Maharashtra for a long-term investment of Rs 6,000 crore for infrastructure upgradation and capacity expansion for its 1 million capacity goal. These endeavours underscore Hyundai Motor India’s enduring commitment to India, paving the way for its sustained success in the country.

  • Indian innovator Chandramouli Samatham shortlisted for the Underdog Tech Award 2024

    Indian innovator Chandramouli Samatham shortlisted for the Underdog Tech Award 2024

    Mumbai: Caare founder and CEO, Visakhapatnam based start-up, Chandramouli Samatham has been shortlisted among 20 finalists from around the world for the Underdog Tech Awards 2024. Being selected from 294 applicants and representing India on a global level is an incredible achievement.

    The Underdog Tech Award is a new international prize for founders of the best tech startups located outside of major tech hubs and startup communities. The award has been established to support successful technology startups that are thriving despite facing challenges such as limited resources, lack of access to funding, as well as inability to attend important industry events due to their location.

    The Underdog Tech Award head Ekaterina Smirnova, says: “ The Underdog Tech Award is a business award for the ‘underdogs’ of the tech startup world, which is what inDrive once was. All too often we hear about companies from the same global capital hubs and their founders, who have graduated from the same Ivy League universities. With this award we want to support companies from other regions and for their founders, who might not have graduated from Harvard, to believe in themselves and to know that they too can change the world.  Together we are building a more diverse and inclusive world, which takes into account the interests of many different communities and people, including those living in some of the world’s most remote places.”

    The Underdog Tech Award has a total prize fund of Rs 60,000 and recognises the winners with a monetary reward and other assistance, including training from industry experts and PR support.

    The winners of the 2024 Underdog Tech Award will be announced on 1 April 2024 at https://underdogtechaward.com/.

    The panel of judges will include prominent tech entrepreneurs, members of academia and industry experts. Members of the jury include Fatma Nasujo, global head of corporate operations at Wasoko; Sean Kim, president and chief product officer at Kajabi; Charles Eesley, associate professor and W.M. Keck Foundation faculty scholar in the department of management science and engineering at Stanford University; Daniel Gándara, vice president at MercadoLibre; Damla Buyuktaskin, senior regional livelihoods and economic inclusion officer for Asia Pacific countries in the United Nations high commissioner for Refugees; and Arsen Tomsky, founder and CEO of inDrive.

    The Underdog Tech Award 2024 shortlist –

    1. Victor Juarez from Guatemala: Founder of TuConsejeria, a startup focused on providing comprehensive psychological and mental health support to the Hispanic community, and specifically women, youth, and young adults, tackling issues such as socialization, family, citizenship training, sexual education, prevention of violence (bullying), gender equality, and education, as well as helping users to open up about their mental health issues.

    2. Basima Abdulrahman from Iraq: founder and CEO of Kesk, a startup building the first green energy platform in Iraq. KESK synergises solar power and cloud computing technologies to build alternative energy projects and generate new revenues.

    3. Elmira Safarova from Chile: founder and CEO of Rarus Health, a digital ecosystem that helps to improve diagnostics, assist the families of children with rare genetic diseases and generate data to accelerate the development of drug and gene therapies.

    4. Omar Ahmed Abdelwahed and Ibrahim Karim Eid from Egypt: co-founders of Valify Solutions, an Egypt-based RegTech company specialising in digital identity infrastructure technology. Currently the market leader in Egypt, Valify offers its services to financial institutions, telecos, e-commerce platforms, as well as many others in various sectors.

    5. Carlos Andrés García Iguarán from Colombia: co-founder of Numera, a platform enabling companies to automate their accounting processes, making everyday tasks like sending and receiving invoices, settling taxes and payroll, and generating timely and reliable managerial reports from centralized data, simple.

    6. Amos Muthoni Kimani, from Kenya: founder and CEO of TausiApp, an application providing on-demand beauty services to customers who don’t have time to visit a salon or spa. With TausiApp, beauty professionals go directly to the customer’s location of choice, be that at home, work, or elsewhere.

    7. Mostafa Dawoud from Egypt: co-founder and CEO of Dentolize, a fully-customisable dental practice management solution that  scales with clients’ needs and enables dentists to streamline their financial, clinical, and operational processes. Dentolize can also be used for managing patients, employees, other associates including insurance companies and suppliers, inventory and much more, without the need for additional software.

    8. Roikhanatun Nafi’ah from Indonesia: founder and CEO of Crustea, a startup leveraging eco-friendly aeration technology with smart IoT to support advanced aquaculture ecosystems, helping increase pond farmers’ productivity and reduce operational costs.

    9. Chandramouli Samatham from India: founder and CEO of Caare, a company on a mission to make basic healthcare accessible to rural and senior communities by offering a full spectrum of healthcare services via its online platform.

    10. Ashraf Bacheet from Egypt: founder of O7 Therapy, a startup revolutionising access to mental health services through its digital platform and mobile app. O7 Therapy offers online therapy, corporate wellness programs, and psycho-educational resources, empowering Arabic-speaking people by building the Middle East’s largest mental health institution.

    11. Royford Mutegi from Kenya: co-founder and head of programs at Vermi-Farm Initiative, which aims to empower smallholder farmers with sustainable and innovative agri-tech solutions that increase crop yields and reduce water usage, while creating market linkages for their surplus produce.

    12. Sadman Sadek from Bangladesh: founder of digital innovation for Impact, a startup empowering smallholder farmers by providing them with valuable meteorological, agricultural, and technological insights that help them mitigate their exposure to climate risks. The team specialises in cutting-edge climate modeling, assessing agriculture vulnerabilities and anticipating long-term impacts, providing stakeholders with the foresight they need to make informed decisions. .

    13. Akhlad Mohamed Alabhar from Egypt: founder and CEO of Egrobots, an agritech platform that enables farmers to produce more with fewer resources. Through data and analytics, their solution improves farm sustainability, reduces costs, and addresses food security challenges. Egrobots minimises resource wastage, optimises water and pesticide usage, and reduces chemical runoff.

    14. Julian Garcia from Argentina: founder of Wiolit, a company working to reduce food waste in institutional canteens by providing companies with a platform through which they can monitor their consumption and adjust production accordingly, empowering them to meet their CSR objectives.

    15. Biplab Karki from USA: founder of Hyperce, a startup providing innovative and personalised e-commerce solutions to businesses of all sizes, with a mission to address the challenges of traditional e-commerce technology by offering scalable, cost-effective, and highly customizable modern suite solutions that are easy to manage.

    16. Mohamed Tarek Mohamed Abdelzaher from Egypt: co-founder of P-vita, an innovative startup recycling agricultural waste to produce raw material for the cosmetics and food industry.

    17. Felipe Castañeda from Chile: CEO and founder of Gliber, a fintech company providing gig economy workers with access to a range of financial services, helping them to reach their financial goals and their employers to reduce turnover.

    18. Constantine Fedosev, based in the USA:  founder of Visionary, an energy storage plus cloud service for power grid companies that operate low-voltage distribution power grids. Visionary’s solution helps companies reduce their capital and operational expenses by as much as 2-7 times, increasing the effectiveness of local renewables by up to 8 times and helping to manage distributed energy assets.

    19. Abdelrahman Rashwan from Egypt: founder of Credify, a startup empowering digital lenders with alternative data insights, optimising creditworthiness assessments at the point of application and driving hyper-personalized marketing post-on boarding.

    20. Saúl Paniagua-Lapenta from Bolivia: co-founder and CCO of Vaka, a platform that connects farmers with investors, helping the latter more easily finance agricultural projects and the former to boost their production capacity through increased funding and technical advice.

    The winners will be announced on 1 April 2024.

     

  • The International Radio Festival participates at FOMEX’24, Riyadh, KSA

    The International Radio Festival participates at FOMEX’24, Riyadh, KSA

    Mumbai: By invitation of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, the International Radio Festival eagerly anticipates its participation in this year’s FOMEX, the Future of Media Exhibition, set to take place in Riyadh, within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from the 19 to the 21 of February 2024.

    FOMEX, now in its second edition, is proudly presented by the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and represents an integral part of the Saudi Arabia Media Forum. The IRF is honoured to be actively involved in supporting this exhibition and conference initiative, which will feature a distinguished line-up of IRF speakers delivering insightful keynotes all around the media.

    The IRF keynotes will delve into topics such as achieving excellence in radio broadcasting both on and off the air, with a special appearance by superstar radio jockey Malishka from India’s leading prime-time radio station RedFM. Furthermore, how to prepare and embrace the five upcoming disruptions facing the media industry by 2030 will be revealed by award-winning futurist Nils Müller from TrendOne.

    Additionally, the intricacies of 360º Content Management across all media channels will be laid open, with valuable insights from tech guru Julian Schweizer of Swiss Online Publishing. And to round off the IRF talks, Darryl von Däniken, founder of the International Radio Festival, will hold a masterclass, sharing his radio journey and insights into the heartbeat of this powerful medium to inspire and empower the next generation of media professionals attending the FOMEX exhibition and Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh.

    Stay tuned for more updates and information on this exciting exhibition and conference summit here https://fomexsa.com/en

    #irf #media #radio #audio #broadcasting #excellence #nextgen #sba #saudimf #ksa #vision2030 

  • Six edition of the Krazy Kids Karnival wraps up with 15,000 visitors

    Six edition of the Krazy Kids Karnival wraps up with 15,000 visitors

    Mumbai: – The six edition of The Krazy Kids Karnival, held at the NESCO Grounds in Mumbai from 26 to 28 January 2024, concluded with a resounding reception from over 15,000 attendees. This event was initiated by NESCO Events and Meltwater Events for families, which exceeded all expectations by promising and delivering an immersive experience for children aged 1 to 14 and their parents.

    NESCO events in partnership with Meltwater Events hosted The Krazy Kids Karnival with more than 100 activities. This year an exclusive meet and greet was hosted with Motu and Patlu, giving children the opportunity to engage with their beloved characters. In addition to being accessible to the general public, the Krazy Kids Karnival welcomed kids from Inseed and Montfort NGOs to take part in the inaugural ceremony, exemplifying the principles of unity and camaraderie.

    Creating an unforgettable atmosphere of joy and entertainment. Families and children revealed in the diverse range of activities, including interactive games, captivating live performances, and engaging workshops along with  thrilling rides like the roller coaster, adventures in wall climbing and zip line zones, live experiments in the science zone, automation insights in the robotics zone, celestial wonders in the sky gazing zone, and a dedicated safe haven for toddlers in the toddler zone. Here, kids not only had fun but also picked up new skills. Youngsters from all over Mumbai came and took part in the events.

    NESCO Events VP, Kumar Razdan, said, “Witnessing the remarkable success of The Krazy Kids Karnival and the joy it has brought to the children and families of Mumbai has been genuinely heartening. This event serves as a testament to NESCO’s commitment to accommodating diverse events and audiences. Observing families come together to forge lasting memories and experience the enchantment we aimed to create is truly encouraging.”

    The Krazy Kids Karnival founders Navin Todi & Niphul Jain, said, “A big thanks to our participants, sponsors, and the wonderful families who made this edition a memorable triumph. The success of Edition 6 at NESCO Grounds fuels our enthusiasm for future editions, and we’re committed to creating more magical moments for families.”

  • Spoken Fest attracts Indian and global brands to harness storytelling and content marketing

    Spoken Fest attracts Indian and global brands to harness storytelling and content marketing

    Mumbai: Kommune India to unveil the grandeur of SpokenFest’24, slated for the 3, 4 February at JIO World Garden BKC, Mumbai. This festival is a celebration of words, weaving together various forms such as stories, music, poetry, Shayari, comedy, and art installations, creating an inclusive space for fans of all kinds. This year’s extravaganza is fueled by the dynamic partnership of leading real estate giant Arkade House, the title sponsor, and global beauty powerhouse, L’Oreal Paris.

    In a symphony of words, music, and dazzling experiences, SpokenFest’24 guarantees an immersive journey for all. As the title sponsor, Arkade House’s three decade legacy in Mumbai’s real estate is set to unveil the ‘Arkade House’ area – a vibrant space pulsating with activities that echo Arkade’s family-first philosophy. From personalised name plate crafting to a community wall envisioning dream homes, instant photo ops, and exclusive fan meet-ups with celebrities like Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Slow Cheetah, Abish Mathew, Ahsaas Channa, and Sriti Jha, Arkade House promises an extravaganza for all ages. The Kid’s Corner hosts the ‘Budding Stars’ competition, aligning with Arkade’s commitment to community building and the family-first ethos. Additionally, Arkade is offering the family-first ticket providing a cost-effective option for a family of four to enjoy the festival experience together.

    Alongside, L’Oreal Paris, the epitome of global beauty, is partnering with SpokenFest’24 to support words, voices, and stories because “we’re all worth it!” L’Oreal Paris aims to infuse glamour with experiences like a conversation with Mallika Dua and Chitrangda Singh celebrating choices and empowerment, a storytelling performance by Mithila Palkar, and the ‘Get Ready with L’Oreal’ zone offering festival-goers glamorous makeovers.

    Furthermore, SpokenFest’24 takes immense pride in its collaboration with a major lineup of sponsors, each deeply committed to the profound impact of words, voices, and stories. These partners play pivotal roles in enhancing the festival experience.

    DBS Bank takes the stage as the sustainability Partner, aligning with SpokenFest’s commitment to environmental consciousness. Fratelli Wines joins in as the celebration partner, adding a touch of festivity to the event. Black & White contributes to the vibrant atmosphere as the festivity partner, creating an ambience of shared joy and openness. Bira steps in as the merchandise partner, bringing a unique flair to the festival’s merchandise offerings. Nandan Coffee, the coffee partner, ensures attendees stay energised and engaged throughout the event. Paytm Insider seamlessly manages the ticketing experience as the dedicated ticketing partner. Together, these sponsors not only add significant value to the festival but also exemplify a shared belief in the transformative power of storytelling and collective experiences.

    Sharing its enthusiasm Arkade Developers states, “In joining hands with SpokenFest’24, Arkade proudly embraces a celebration of storytelling, poetry, music, and comedy. At Arkade, we’re more than builders; we’re creators of feel-good spaces for families. And Spoken Fest is not just an event; it’s a platform for shared experiences, echoing the values we hold dear at Arkade. This sponsorship aligns seamlessly with our ethos, and we’re thrilled to introduce the ‘Arkade House’ at Spoken Fest – a dedicated space resonating with our family-first philosophy. Through engaging activities like name plate making and a message wall we aim to foster the spirit of community. Together, let’s build memories, laughter, and a sense of home for all ages.”

    Grateful for sponsors contributing to the festival’s magic, Kommune co founder Ankur Tewari expresses, “Spoken is a melting pot of people, who get together, as a family, to celebrate each other’s stories. The purpose is to build a safe space for people, to come and share their life experiences through poems, stories and songs. Every verse, plot, and note of their narration is hand-crafted to make everyone feel the togetherness. Arkade fits the spoken philosophy like a glove. With Arkade’s commitment to building spaces for families, there couldn’t be a better match for the title sponsor. L’Oréal’s support as our powered-by sponsor helps us support the storytellers who are bringing forward their experiences that enabled them to feel worth it and empowered them to move ahead in life. I’m looking forward to experiencing two wonderful days with our partners who are helping us in connecting hearts.”

    With over 75 artists set to grace the stage over two enriching days, SpokenFest’24 promises to be a treat for the ears and a soothing balm for the soul. Join them at Jio Garden BKC Mumbai on the 3,4 February for an extraordinary celebration of words, voices, and stories where every word, every note, and every story will find its perfect rhythm.

     

  • Pidilite Ventures hosts ‘Building Bonds 2024’, community building event

    Pidilite Ventures hosts ‘Building Bonds 2024’, community building event

    Mumbai: Pidilite Ventures, the venture capital arm of Pidilite Industries launched its community-building event in Bengaluru titled ‘Building Bonds 2024,’ with support from their partners, 100X.VC. The event gathered trailblazers from the venture capital, start up, and corporate realms, all sharing synergies with Pidilite’s core and adjacent businesses.

    The platform featured over thirty industry experts across seven engaging sessions. The event garnered an overwhelming response, with over 300 participants attending the first edition of ‘Building Bonds 2024.’ The event focused on the following key areas that also form Pidilite Ventures’ core investment thesis:

    Home care & maintenance: Businesses that simplify the process of caring for and maintaining people’s most cherished possession-their homes.

    Contractor as a customer: Solutions and services that cater to contractors in the building and interior space.Home improvement & renovation: Products, solutions & services leading to an improved home; be it aesthetics or utility.

    Arts & craft: New-age and differentiated solutions within the arts and crafts space.

    Smart/Green building materials: Innovators involved in revolutionary building material that are both environmentally friendly and intelligent.

    Pidilite Ventures director Sanket Parekh said, “At Pidilite Ventures, our mission is to invest in fast-growing and innovative companies that have synergies with Pidilite’s core and adjacent businesses. The construction and home improvement categories are usually not associated with tech innovation, and with ‘Building Bonds 2024’ we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the innovators working in this space and bring more attention to their work. We look forward to seeing the next generation of entrepreneurs creating sustainable innovations, and adding value to their growth journeys, through our experience and expertise.”

    100X.VC founder & CFO Yagnesh Sanghrajka said, “100X.VC strongly believes that innovation thrives with collaboration and is focused on discovering category-defining businesses for Pidilite Ventures. ‘Building Bonds 2024’ has set the stage for the road ahead, and we are very excited about the new possibilities. The platform witnessed some of the best minds from across industries engaging in vibrant discussions, uncovering trends, sharing investment-worthy insights, and exploring innovative sectoral opportunities.”

    Visionaries like, Karan Virwani (CEO, WeWork), Anand Lunia (founding partner, IndiaQuotient)| Arindam Paul (founding member & CBO, Atomberg Technologies), Bhavna Suresh (founder & CEO, 10Club), Ramakant Sharma (founder & COO, Livspace), Tanuj Choudhry (founder & COO, HomeLane), Siddharth Pai (founder, 3one4 Capital), Parag Dhol (general partner, Athera Ventures) Srikanth Iyer (founder & CEO, Homelane), Rajkamal Agarwal (head- L&T Innovation Fund) and Sagar Gandhi (head of strategy and business excellence at Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Pvt Ltd), and many more shared valuable insights.

  • Corporate Connections Surat excels with CC KLT 2024

    Corporate Connections Surat excels with CC KLT 2024

    Mumbai: Corporate Connections Surat has announced the successful conclusion of its annual regional event, CC KLT (Know Like Trust) held on 20 January 2024, at Amore Banquets. This year’s event is bigger than ever, showcasing a unique theme, “Transitioning from Traditional to New Age Business.”

    The national director of corporate connections India | Srilanka | Nepal Gaurav VK Singhvi, expressed the event’s objective, emphasising its role as a foundation in the regional business landscape. The event brought together top industry leaders, prominent business tycoons, and big professionals for a transformative networking experience, Idea exchange, collaboration opportunities and Innovation.

    The event commenced with an impactful keynote address by  Luthra Group MD Girish Luthra shared his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. The audience was treated to enlightening panel discussions featuring industry experts: Smit Patel (Greenlab Diamonds), Aliasgar Hajoori (Sosyo Hajoori Beverages Pvt. Ltd.), Nilesh Kanadia (Kanadia Fyr Fyter Pvt. Ltd.), and Krunal Vasoya (Sahajanand Technologies Pvt Ltd.) Moderated by Mukul Goyal (senior chapter director of CC Surat), the discussions provided valuable insights on transitioning from traditional to new-age business strategies.

    The event’s grand finale featured Kamdehnu Ltd founder Satish Kumar Agarwal offering insights into the future of business trends. The event attracted a remarkable turnout, with over 250 elite entrepreneurs gathering to celebrate the community achievements, milestones and the remarkable individuals contributing to the thriving business community.

    Corporate Connections Surat thanks all attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making CC KLT 2024 a resounding success. The event’s success underscores Corporate Connections’ commitment to level up the regional business ecosystem eventually uplifting the economy of Surat City.