ITV

Category: Television

  • Punjab Kings joins hands with Moengage to elevate fan experience

    Punjab Kings joins hands with Moengage to elevate fan experience

    MUMBAI: Punjab Kings has announced a dynamic collaboration with customer engagement platform Moengage, aiming to take fan experience to the next level with data-driven personalisation and omnichannel automation.

    The cricket club is set to harness Moengage’s analytics capabilities to refine digital interactions, automate fan journeys, and run targeted merchandise campaigns all tailored to fan behaviour and preferences. This move is part of the team’s wider ambition to foster lasting fan relationships and drive meaningful engagement across platforms.

    Punjab Kings will also use the platform to track website activity, collect feedback and referrals, and personalise user experiences based on retention cohorts.

    “We’re thrilled to work with Moengage as we aim to build stronger connections with our fans,” said Punjab Kings chief commercial officer Saurabh Arora. “Their advanced tools now allow us to craft experiences that truly resonate—something we couldn’t achieve without a unified engagement system.”

    Moengage vice president of sales – India Shivangi Boghani added, “This partnership is a fantastic step for sports engagement. With our tech, Punjab Kings can connect with fans more intelligently and meaningfully setting a fresh benchmark in fan-centric strategy.”

    With the cricket season in full swing, this collaboration is set to redefine how franchises interact with their supporters creating richer, more relevant experiences that last well beyond match days.

  • Abby Awards 2025 unveils power-packed jury chairs across key categories

    Abby Awards 2025 unveils power-packed jury chairs across key categories

    MUMBAI: The Ad Club has revealed the first set of jury chairs for The Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show, ahead of the grand showcase at Goafest 2025, taking place on 21–23 May at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon.

    Stepping into key jury roles this year are four of the most dynamic minds in Indian advertising: Rajdeepak Das, Senthil Kumar, Chandni Shah, and Anupama Ramaswamy.

    Das to chair video film (under one minute) category

    Publicis Groupe south Asia and Leo Burnett south Asia chief creative officer & chairman, Das is known for redefining creativity with a human-first lens. His award-winning campaigns from Whisper’s ‘The Missing Chapter’ (Grand Prix, SDG – Cannes Lions 2022) to Pepsico Lays Smart Farms (Grand Prix, Spikes Asia 2024) underline his commitment to impactful innovation. At Leo Burnett, he launched Apollo 11, a futuristic division powered by mutant creatives including aerospace engineers and data scientists.

    Kumar to chair video film (over one minute) category

    VML India chief creative officer, dubbed a ‘Lion Hunter’ by The Economic Times, Kumar is one of the most decorated creative minds in the country. With 27 Cannes Lions, 24 D&AD Pencils, and numerous other global honours, his vision has fuelled campaigns for brands like Wipro, Hero Motors, Tata Steel, and The Times of India. His storytelling extends to award-winning short films and documentaries, including A Salaam To Kalam and Save Our Sentinels.

    Shah to chair mobile category

    FCB Kinnect founder & COO, from child model to digital powerhouse, Shah has consistently broken moulds. At 32, she co-founded one of India’s most impactful digital agencies with over 600 Kinnectors. She’s been honoured by Campaign Asia-Pacific, Impact’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Agency Reporter’s SHE Awards. Her jury experience and global award-winning campaigns (Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio) make her a force to reckon with.

    Ramaswamy to chair diversity, equality & inclusion category

    Havas Worldwide joint MD & chief creative officer, With over 25 years in advertising, Ramaswamy is known for campaigns that resonate with both purpose and power. From launching Ikea in India to winning Gold at Cannes, Clio, LIA, and Spikes, she’s delivered some of India’s most memorable brand moments. Her impact-driven campaigns for Reckitt, Fortis, Suzuki, and Maruti continue to set benchmarks.

  • Eurosport India kicks off exclusive MLS Sundays with Messi magic

    Eurosport India kicks off exclusive MLS Sundays with Messi magic

    MUMBAI: Indian football fans, buckle up your boots and clear your Sunday night schedule—Lionel Messi is now part of your weekly primetime ritual. Warner Bros. Discovery just pulled off a neat bit of transfer business of its own, handing Eurosport India the exclusive broadcast rights to Major League Soccer’s (MLS) new crown jewel: Sunday Night Soccer.

    Announced on 8 April 2025, the deal ensures that Indian audiences can now catch some of the world’s biggest football names—Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Alba and more—every Sunday, live and exclusive on Eurosport and Eurosport HD.

    The MLS Sunday Night Soccer initiative is the league’s glitzy new primetime spectacle, pitting top-tier clubs and fierce rivals against each other in weekly headline fixtures. Expect fireworks from marquee matchups like El Tráfico (LA Galaxy vs LAFC), the Hudson River Derby (Red Bulls vs NYCFC), and the Cascadia Cup (Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps).

    The 2025 season builds on a blockbuster 2024 campaign where LA Galaxy snatched their sixth MLS Cup, while Inter Miami CF, co-owned by David Beckham and stacked with Barcelona alumni, topped the regular season to win their maiden Supporters’ Shield.

    Sunday Night Soccer is Major League Soccer’s new prime-time initiative for 2025 season, showcasing the most high-stakes and headline-worthy match of the week. It also aims to become MLS’s marquee viewing event, drawing fans together across time zones.

    With this high-profile addition, Eurosport India continues to flex its muscle as a destination for premium global sport, already home to world-class content across cycling, motorsport, wrestling and more. Now, with Messi’s left foot gracing Indian screens every Sunday, they’ve added a golden boot to the lineup.

  • Grit, grooves and growing stars take centre stage as Spotlight hits season three

    Grit, grooves and growing stars take centre stage as Spotlight hits season three

    MUMBAI: From showroom floor to streaming charts, Hyundai is back to tuning India into fresh sounds. On 8 April 2025, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) rolled out season three of Hyundai Spotlight, its buzzing artist-first music platform powered in partnership with Universal Music Group for Brands (UMGB).

    The goal? Take rising artists from playlists to primetime.

    After clocking over 150 million YouTube views and delivering 12 original tracks in its first two seasons, the platform now welcomes a brand-new wave of sonic storytellers. This time, expect a six-track series featuring dynamic collabs between big-ticket names and breakout stars. Think Javed Ali, Aditya Rikhari, Gajendra Verma, Wazir Patar, DigV and more jamming with exciting young voices like Vidhya Gopal, Jeona Sandhu, and Ravator. The first drop, Koyal, is already out and turning ears.

    “At Hyundai, innovation and customer experience are at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai Spotlight embodies this vision, creating a platform that blends talent with innovation to deliver unparalleled entertainment. More than just a stage, it is a movement that nurtures and empowers young Indian artists to express themselves through music. Hyundai Spotlight deeply resonates with our aspirational customer base, offering an unforgettable experience and fueling the dreams of an enthusiastic audience. Our collaboration with UMGB over the past two years has been incredibly rewarding, built on a shared commitment to excellence. As we launch the third edition, I am confident that this year will be an even greater success, driven by the energy and artistry of exceptional musicians across our great country,” said Hyundai Motor India Ltd whole-time director & COO Tarun Garg.

    Since its launch in December 2021, Hyundai Spotlight has pushed boundaries by pairing emerging talent with industry icons for collaborative originals. What began as an auto brand’s foray into culture has become a legit launchpad for the country’s next musical legends.

    “Artist-first is a motto that we at UMG have ingrained within our very fabric. It’s at the core of our business and with Hyundai, we have found the perfect partner to take this forward into the consumer space. The very thought of giving new emerging music talent a chance to collaborate with some of the most established names in the business, in order to create music that is at once relevant and resonates, is an exciting one. We have worked on this dream painstakingly now for over three years, spanning two seasons, and created an enabling platform for artists of all ages to express themselves. We applaud and we stand as proud collaborators with Hyundai on this journey, as we enter Season 3. I hope we continue on this path for many seasons to come,” said Universal Music India and south Asia chairman & CEO Devraj Sanyal.

    The launch event in Mumbai didn’t shy away from star power either. Artists, creators, and fans showed up in full throttle, proving that Spotlight isn’t just a campaign — it’s a scene. With AI-generated acoustics, acoustic remixes, and genre-bending collabs promised, this season isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about playing it loud, proud, and unapologetically different.

    What next? Five more original tracks, genre mashups, and possibly the next viral voice. Hyundai Spotlight isn’t just hitting play. It’s rewiring how brands, beats, and dreams collide.

  • Fremantle launches Fremantle Sports, a dedicated sports content unit

    Fremantle launches Fremantle Sports, a dedicated sports content unit

    MUMBAI:  Content production and format powerhouse Fremantle has established Fremantle Sports, a new division dedicated to the creation of sports-related content. The unit will focus on unscripted and scripted projects, including factual documentaries and digital formats, leveraging the expertise of Fremantle’s existing entertainment, documentary, drama, and film teams.

    Owain Walbyoff has been appointed director of sports, and will lead the strategy to expand Fremantle’s global sports content portfolio. He will focus on partnerships with rights holders, brands, and co-production deals.
    Fremantle Sports will support the company’s network of labels, including 72 Films, UFA, and TalkbackThames, in the development of sports-themed entertainment, scripted, and factual content. The unit will also explore the creation of new cross-platform sports formats for global distribution.

    “This expansion into sports content aligns with our broader growth strategy, building on the success of our drama, film, and documentary divisions,” stated Fremantle  global CEO Jennifer Mullin. “We aim to deliver compelling sports stories and formats to audiences worldwide.”

    Fremantle Sports will build upon the company’s existing sports content portfolio, which includes productions such as All or Nothin and Matildas: The World At Our Feet.

     The unit will focus on producing content that highlights the human stories behind athletes, teams, and sports organisations.

  • Women cricket anchors dazzle this IPL season with diamond flair

    Women cricket anchors dazzle this IPL season with diamond flair

    MUMBAI: Cricket may be about bat, ball, and brilliance but this IPL season, there’s another element lighting up screens: bling. As the Tata IPL 2025 sets stadiums ablaze, India’s top women cricket anchors are stepping into the spotlight with more than just stats and sharp commentary they’re shimmering in natural diamonds.

    In a first-of-its-kind partnership, De Beers Group has joined forces with Star Sports and JioHotstar to add sparkle to the studio. Eleven celebrated presenters from across feeds are donning exquisite diamond jewellery during match broadcasts proving that cricket and couture can go hand-in-hand.

    From layered bangles to cocktail rings and statement neckpieces, the diamonds are not just accessories, they’re part of the performance. Whether delivering power plays or pre-match predictions, the anchors are bringing glam to the game, fusing cricket’s high energy with the poise of polished elegance.

    But the shine doesn’t stop there. The partnership has also rolled out a new segment, Real Diamonds of the Week, spotlighting cricketers whose on-field feats echo the qualities of a diamond resilience, brilliance, and timeless appeal. It’s a sparkling tribute that swaps the traditional ‘player of the match’ with something a little more radiant.

    De Beers Group SVP Shweta Harit said, “Cricket and natural diamonds both embody authenticity, excellence and a lasting legacy. Just as the game unites fans across regions and generations, natural diamonds symbolize connections that stand the test of time. This collaboration brings the brilliance of the sport and the timeless allure of diamonds together, making every moment on screen even more memorable.”

    JioStar chief business officer for sports revenue and SMB & creator Ishan Chatterjee,  said, “With record-breaking viewership marking the opening weekend of Tata IPL 2025, cricket continues to unite audiences like never before. This collaboration between De Beers Group and India’s leading women anchors adds brilliance to the game, blending its precision and passion with the timeless elegance of natural diamonds. Just as cricketing icons leave an indelible mark on the field, these presenters shape the narrative with confidence and style, making every moment even more unforgettable.”

    It’s a rare match where sport and sparkle share the screen but one that’s clearly hitting it out of the park. In a league obsessed with sixes, this glittering collaboration is a stylish seventh.

  • Sony Pictures snags Levine, Hartbeat’s Ex-CEO, for strategic push

    Sony Pictures snags Levine, Hartbeat’s Ex-CEO, for strategic push

    MUMBAI:  Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has recruited  Jay Levine, former CEO of Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat media company, to serve as executive vice president, chief strategy officer and business operations. Levine will report directly to SPE president and CEO, Ravi Ahuja, and will spearhead the company’s strategic growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions.

    Levine, who joined Hartbeat in early 2024, made a splash by producing the Emmy-nominated Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady for Netflix and “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” for Peacock. He also renegotiated key partnerships with industry giants like Netflix, NBCUniversal, and Sirius XM.

    Prior to Hartbeat, Levine spent over a decade at Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia, where he held various senior leadership roles, including leading business operations and strategy for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks group. His extensive background also includes stints at Disney and ESPN.

    Ahuja lauded Levine’s “deep expertise and great reputation,” adding that his “collaborative spirit” would be invaluable for Sony’s growth. Levine, in response, expressed his eagerness to “advance the company’s opportunities for expansion and growth given the evolving media landscape.”

    This move signals Sony Pictures’ aggressive pursuit of growth and innovation in the increasingly competitive entertainment industry.

  • PM Modi headlines News18 Rising Bharat Summit to fire up Gen Z India

    PM Modi headlines News18 Rising Bharat Summit to fire up Gen Z India

    MUMBAI: Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam is about to go from red tape to red carpet as PM Narendra Modi steps in as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, happening on 8-9 April. And no, it’s not your average panel snooze-fest — it’s a political-meets-pop-culture juggernaut that wants to turbocharge India’s youth ahead of Viksit Bharat 2047.

    The theme? “Youthful Aspirations: Dream Big, Achieve More, Rise Together”. And with 420 million young minds in the mix, organisers aren’t playing small.

    Featuring 100+ speakers and 75 sessions, the summit pulls in a dizzying array of names. Political heavyweights like Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, S. Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal, and Ashwini Vaishnaw will trade notes with startup honchos, global thinkers, memory champs, astronauts, actors, and even violin prodigies.

    “Under the spotlight will be India’s youth, as they architect the nation’s journey to 2047…” organisers announced, hinting at the star-studded guestlist.

    Among the blockbuster names? Jeffrey D. Sachs, Børge Brende, Avi Dichter, Scott Kelly, and Namal Rajapaksa will bring in the global heat. On the home turf, corporate firepower arrives via Irina Ghose (Microsoft), Jay Kotak (Kotak Mahindra Bank), Ashish Chauhan (NSE) and Sindhu Gangadharan (SAP Labs).

    And it’s not just thought leadership. From Vijay Amritraj to Abhinav Bindra, Kajol to Sunny Deol, Raj Shamani to Shveta Salve, the summit promises a gen-z meets gen-x cocktail of brains, beauty and brawn.

    But what makes this event tick isn’t just the headliners — it’s the students. Through a unique initiative called ‘Samadhan’, select faculty and students from top institutes tackled India’s messiest problems — from urban congestion and air pollution to education reform and river rejuvenation. PM Modi will unveil these policy blueprints, fuelling conversations with the changemakers of tomorrow.

    “What emerged were five ground-breaking proposals… that are visionary, pragmatic, and future-ready,” said organisers.

    Hosted by Network18, Rising Bharat is not just a talking shop. It’s India’s big, bold platform for shaping real action and real outcomes — with a few selfies and song sets on the side. Expect performances from Esther Hnamte, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Ambi and L. Subramaniam, and even a mind-bending moment with mentalist Suhani Shah.

    This year, Rising Bharat might just do what Parliament often can’t: get India’s brightest minds across age, industry, and ideology in one room — and get them to agree on something.

    Tune in, take notes and maybe even take charge.

    https://www.news18features.com/risingbharatsummit/

  • Fantasy sport brands clean bowl the recall game as fitness fizzles out

    Fantasy sport brands clean bowl the recall game as fitness fizzles out

    MUMBAI: In the battle of brands, fantasy leagues take the trophy while fitness flops.

    As the IPL 2025 roars on with sixes, super overs and stumping drama, it’s not just cricketers battling it out on the field. Brands, too, are jostling for mind space. But according to a fresh report by Crispinsight and Kadence International, some are swinging big while others barely make the scoreboard.

    The study, called eDART-IPL25, tracked day-after recall among IPL viewers. And here’s the curveball: two in three viewers recalled a fantasy sports brand, making it the MVP of brand recall this season. Tyre brands followed at a steady pace, with one in three fans remembering them. Meanwhile, sports and fitness brands barely broke a sweat, with a miserable one per cent recall despite being very much in the game.

    “Sponsorship-driven visibility and strategic placements are proving to be just as powerful if not more than traditional ad slots in IPL,” said Crispinsight partner Ritesh Ghosal. “While fantasy sports brands dominate recall, many high-spending brands are strug gling to break through the clutter, reinforcing the need for smarter, recall-focused marketing strategies.”

    Big bucks, low bounce?

    Despite ad spends soaring higher than Shubman Gill’s batting average, the findings call bluff on the idea that more money guarantees more memory. It’s the in-game sponsorships, stadium banners, and on-screen moments that’re stealing the limelight—and with it, consumer attention.

    “IPL this year sees a larger number of brands advertising but with lesser depth, making standing out that much tougher,” added Kadence International Aman Makkar. “Our findings highlight the growing importance of sponsorship-led brand placements, which deliver sustained visibility in the live telecast and deeper connection with fans.”

    While traditional advertising has its place, non-FCT (non-film commercial time) methods are now the hot ticket. Think jerseys, LED boards, dugout logos, and anywhere else the camera lingers for more than five seconds. The study indicates that these lower-cost yet high-exposure strategies are proving to be a smarter play.

    As the IPL season barrels forward, Crispinsight and Kadence International plan to publish weekly updates from their eDART tracker, helping brands tweak their campaigns before the final overs run out.

    So, if your brand’s not in the highlights, maybe it’s time to switch the pitch. Because in today’s IPL, if you’re not integrated, you’re invisible.

  • Aaj Tak stirs the pot with ‘Bahas Baazigar’ debate show launch

    Aaj Tak stirs the pot with ‘Bahas Baazigar’ debate show launch

    MUMBAI: If you’ve ever yelled at your TV during a news debate, Aaj Tak now wants you to do more than just scream into the void. The channel just launched Bahas Baazigar, India’s first interactive ‘debate-along’ show, where the audience doesn’t just watch—they weigh in.

    Debuting on 7 April 2025, the show airs every Saturday at 8 pm and is hosted by firebrand anchor Anjana Om Kashyap. The format splits political representatives into two groups—for and against the motion—and lets them spar in front of a live audience. Think of it as Prime Time Parliament minus the chairs being thrown.

    But here’s the real game-changer: the audience gets to vote in real-time. Not just those clapping in the studio, but you—yes, you sitting at home with snacks and sarcasm. All it takes is a scan of an on-screen QR code via the Aaj Tak app. Votes roll in live, shaping the outcome while the debate unfolds.

    Each participant gets a set time to lay down their logic, so it’s less about volume and more about value. A panel of judges offers their take, but the final word lies with the audience, turning political debate into democratic sport.

    Bahas Baazigar is Aaj Tak’s latest flex in reinventing television news, aiming to ditch the noise and bring structure, substance, and a splash of style. The show is designed to be the antithesis of screech-fests that masquerade as dialogue.

    Whether you’re a policy nerd, a passive scroller, or a chai-fuelled uncle with opinions, this is your moment. Grab your phone, tune in, and take sides—because the revolution will be debated.