iWorld
“National Startup Day 2024 signifies a game-changer for India’s digital journey”: Dot Media Base
Mumbai: Dot Media Base is a one-of-a-kind content-first talent marketing agency in India. Originating as a humble startup during the lockdown in Kanpur, it has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem boasting over 200 creators, 250+ distinctive clients including music labels, OTT platforms, FMCG, Beauty, and Fintech brands., 1000+ digital campaigns, a roster of 30 celebrities, and a dedicated team of 90+ professionals. With offices in Mumbai and Kanpur, the enterprise has also established an expansive modern production studio spanning 1,800 sq. ft
Shubham Singhal, Vaibhav Pathak, and Om Singh have nurtured successful IPs like TGB Troop, Dot Talents, Dot Studios, Dot Public Relations, and FinTroop. Their approach includes digital tools, artistic prowess, and innovative ideas to make engaging content and captivating visuals. They’re working towards making a dynamic digital realm that’s not just exhilarating but also addresses creators’ challenges.
Additionally, India celebrates National Startup Day today. This annual event serves as a testament to the nation’s commitment to creating a thriving ecosystem for startups, providing them with the necessary resources and encouragement to flourish.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with the founders Singhal, Pathak and Singh where they gave detailed explanations regarding their agency, also what preparations they are planning this day and how they are looking forward to curb challenges and many more…
Edited excerpts
On the journey since the inception of the agency
Since the inception of our agency, the journey has been nothing short of a remarkable adventure. Our story began during the challenging times of the lockdown, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of the global challenge, we found an incredible opportunity in the digital space, setting ourselves apart in a crowded industry. Relocating from Kanpur to Mumbai marked the start of our hustle.
Starting with a team of only 8 members, we have grown rapidly and now boast a team of over 70 dedicated individuals. Throughout our expansion, we have not only created a successful agency, but we have also cultivated a culture that values the well-being and growth of our team. Our commitment goes beyond just professional partnerships – we care for our team members, influencers and collaborators not just professionally but also personally. As we look back at our journey, we realise that it’s not just about reaching milestones and hitting targets, but more importantly, it’s about growing into a community that thrives on mutual support, resilience, and a shared passion for what we do.
On specific preparations that Dot Media Base is making for Startup Day
As we gear up for Startup Day on January 16th, Dot Media Base is not just preparing for a single day but sparking a year-long transformation. Our recent preparations involve a shift in how we work. We’re focusing on our team’s passions, letting them choose roles that excite them rather than sticking to predefined positions.
Our emphasis is on making this year not just about hitting goals but about team unity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Startup Day is not just a celebration but a platform for our team to come together, share success stories, and dive into the startup culture.
We’ve been restructuring, encouraging active participation, and fostering an environment where every team member plays a vital role. Dot Media Base is not just a company; it’s a joint effort. Startup Day is our way of creating a space for collaboration, connection, and content creation that reflects our dedication to excellence. We are ready for a year of innovation, growth, and shared success!
On the agency’s active engage with the startup ecosystem, and benefits derived from such involvement
We’re deeply plugged into the buzzing startup landscape, actively diving into events that spark knowledge and connections. Our team is out there, attending everything from conferences to meet-ups, soaking in insights and building relationships. These events aren’t just about business; they’re about learning and sharing with industry folks.
Networking is our game. We’re not just talking about partnerships; we’re talking about creating a community that fosters innovation. We learn from the best. Our commitment extends to mentorship programs, ensuring our team grows alongside industry leaders.
Every event is a goldmine of insights, not just from our peers but from everyone in the game. We, as founders, make sure our team is always hungry for learning, active in the networking game. It’s not just about growing in our bubble; it’s about making friends and allies in every corner. We’re always ready, always excited, seeking new connections and opportunities for collective success.
On any collaborations with other startups that you find particularly impactful
At Dot Media, collaboration isn’t just about transactions; it’s about shared values and mutual growth. Our partnership with WeDo Marketing, initiated when both our ventures were budding a few years ago, is a testament to this philosophy. We value collaborations that transcend the business realm and foster genuine friendships.
WeDo Marketing, specialising in impactful brand work, especially in fashion, lifestyle, and FMCG, has played a pivotal role in our journey. They’ve pushed us to excel in influencer management and campaign ideas, sparking innovation.
For us, collaboration is not merely about achieving success individually; it’s about lifting each other to new heights. Rooted in mutual respect, our partnership extends beyond professional deals to create an environment where collective growth thrives. This belief defines our approach to collaborations—a commitment to journeys that are not bound by limits but driven by shared aspirations and limitless possibilities.
On challenges that India need to overcome in the startup ecosystem
National Startup Day 2024 signifies a game-changer for India’s digital journey. Amidst the startup boom, a critical challenge revolves around job creation. While startups are vital for innovation, connecting them with individuals lacking educational access poses a hurdle. To truly thrive as the world’s largest startup ecosystem, we must address this literacy gap, ensuring everyone has a fair shot.
It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about empowering our workforce. As we pioneer the global startup scenario, the focus is on inclusivity and skill-building. We’re not just growing startups; we’re nurturing talents ready for the dynamic global stage. Our vision is a transformed India, where every aspiring mind, irrespective of background, contributes uniquely. In this digital evolution, let’s not just make history; let’s make opportunities, crafting a nation known not only for startup success but for offering meaningful work to every dreamer ready to shape their collective future. Our commitment is unwavering – driving a transformation that leaves no one behind.
On the long-term vision and mission of Dot Media Base, and its evolution since the company’s founding
At Dot Media Base, our big picture is about being the all-in-one destination for everything in the market. We’re dreaming of a place where we handle it all – from talent management to brand collaborations to creating blockbuster content and bringing to the bigger screen. Picture this: a hub where brands and creators find all their solutions under one roof, whether it’s casting stars or executing killer marketing strategies. We want to cover all the bases, working with creators and brands across the spectrum.
Since day one, our journey has been a ride of change and growth. It’s not just about running a company; it’s about growing as a tight-knit team. Our mission? To create that one campaign that shakes up how people see marketing, breaking the norm. We’re on a mission to build a creative space where ideas flow, campaigns connect, and success knows no limits. Together, we’re not just evolving; we’re setting new standards, making waves, and turning our vision into a reality. That’s the Dot Media Base journey – where every step is a leap toward something bigger and bolder.
iWorld
Netflix celebrates a decade in India with Shah Rukh Khan-narrated tribute film
MUMBAI: Netflix is celebrating ten years in India with a slick anniversary film voiced by Shah Rukh Khan, a nostalgic sprint through a decade that rewired how the country watches stories. The campaign doubles as both tribute and reminder: streaming did not just enter Indian homes, it quietly rearranged them.
Roll back to 2016 and television still dictated schedules. Viewers waited weeks, sometimes months, for favourite films to appear on prime time. Family-friendly filters narrowed options further, and piracy often filled the gaps. Then Netflix arrived, softly but decisively, carrying a catalogue of international titles rarely seen in Indian theatres and placing them a click away. Old blockbusters and new releases suddenly coexisted on the same digital shelf.
The platform’s real inflection point came in 2018 with Sacred Games, a breakout series that refused to dilute India’s grit for global comfort. Audiences embraced its unvarnished tone, signalling readiness for stories that did not need box-office validation or censorship compromises. What followed was a steady procession of relatable narratives. Competitive-exam anxiety fuelled Kota Factory. College relationships unfolded in Mismatched. Everyday pressures, not grand spectacle, proved bankable.
Language barriers thinned as foreign series arrived with Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubbing, expanding viewership beyond urban English-speaking pockets. Marketing mirrored the shift. For global releases such as Squid Game, Netflix leaned on regional creators and influencers to localise buzz and make international content feel native.
The library widened beyond fiction. Documentaries stepped out of festival circuits into living rooms. Stand-up comedians found scale. Established filmmakers, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Heeramandi, embraced the platform’s long-form canvas. Subscriber numbers swelled to 12.37 million in India, according to Demandsage, and behaviour followed suit. Late-night binges became routine. Friday release rituals loosened. Watch parties turned solitary screens into social events.
Economics demanded adjustment. Early subscription pricing carried a premium aura that deterred many households. Over time, Netflix recalibrated plans to align with Indian spending sensibilities, conceding that accessibility is as critical as content. To extend momentum around marquee titles, the platform also experimented with split-season releases, stretching anticipation and watch time.
The anniversary film, narrated by Shah Rukh Khan, captures the linguistic shift that mirrors the cultural one: from “Netflix pe kya dekha?” to “Netflix pe kya dekhein?” The question moved from recounting the past to planning the next binge. In ten years, Netflix morphed from foreign entrant to familiar fixture, exporting Indian stories abroad while importing global ones home. The remote no longer waits; it chooses, clicks and moves on. In the streaming age, patience is out, playlists are in, and the next episode is always one tap away.
e-commerce
Tulasi Mohan Padavala elevated to Associate Director at Blinkit
Gurugram: Blinkit has elevated Tulasi Mohan Padavala to associate director, capping a three-year climb inside the quick-commerce firm and signalling confidence in an executive steeped in ecommerce, category management and on-ground sales execution.
Padavala shared the update publicly, saying he was “happy to share” the promotion, a succinct announcement that nevertheless marks a notable step up within one of India’s fastest-moving delivery platforms. The new role follows nearly three years at Blinkit, where he most recently served as senior category manager from February 2023 to January 2026, focusing on strategic sourcing and assortment planning.
The promotion places Padavala in Blinkit’s mid-to-senior leadership tier at a time when the company continues to expand its rapid-delivery footprint and sharpen category economics. His brief tenure as associate director began in January 2026, with responsibilities expected to span category growth, supplier strategy and cross-functional execution.
Before Blinkit, Padavala spent a short but intensive stint as global ecommerce manager at Wholsum Foods, the parent of Slurrp Farm and Millé, between November 2022 and February 2023. There he worked on digital marketplace expansion and online retail operations, adding a direct-to-consumer and international ecommerce layer to his résumé.
A longer stretch at Amazon shaped much of his cross-border commerce experience. As business development manager for Amazon’s India Global Selling programme from February 2021 to October 2022, Padavala helped Indian D2C brands enter the North American market. His remit ranged from seller recruitment and category revenue management to coordination with industry bodies, regulators and logistics partners. Key outcomes included launching more than 50 D2C consumable brands in the United States, driving a cumulative gross merchandise sales figure of $1m in FY21-22, tripling sales for participating brands during Prime Day through marketing and visibility levers, growing the monthly recurring revenue of more than 10 newly launched sellers from zero to an average $20,000 each, and negotiating ecommerce partnerships that reduced initial launch costs by 20 per cent.
Padavala’s earlier career was forged in the field rather than the dashboard. At Coffee Day Group, he spent close to five years across multiple sales leadership roles. As sales manager in the Greater Delhi Area from July 2019 to January 2021, he led vending-machine and consumables sales for small and medium enterprises with a team of more than 15 assistant and territory sales managers, managed over 2,000 clients, drove upselling and cross-selling, maintained channel partnerships and ensured timely collections. Prior to that, he served as area sales manager in Delhi between May 2018 and June 2019, handling south and east Delhi markets, and earlier in Hyderabad from April 2016 to May 2018, where he led Andhra Pradesh sales for the vending division, supervised service and logistics functions and managed a base of more than 600 machines with a four-member team.
His professional arc began with internships that combined analytics and process improvement. At Boehringer Ingelheim in 2015, Padavala analysed the impact of brand extension on the drug Pradaxa, identified key performance indicators through market research and assessed sales forecasts, recommendations that drew positive responses in pilot studies. Earlier, at Genpact in 2014, he automated manual sales-order backlog reporting using VBA and Excel, increasing efficiency by 800 per cent, and worked on benchmarking metrics within supply-chain planning processes.
From automating spreadsheets to scaling cross-border ecommerce and now steering quick-commerce categories, Padavala’s trajectory tracks the evolution of India’s retail economy itself. Blinkit’s bet is clear: blend data, discipline and delivery speed. The promotion formalises what his career already suggests. In the race for instant commerce, experience that moves from warehouse floors to global dashboards is no longer optional. It is the engine.
e-commerce
Bharatpe plays a super over as Rohit Sharma fronts T20 push
MUMBAI: When the stakes rise and seconds matter, even payments need a match-winning finish. That’s the cue for Bharatpe, which has rolled out Super Over, a nationwide campaign led by Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, timed neatly ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The campaign draws a straight line between the pulse of cricket and the pace of everyday digital payments. A new brand film taps into India’s emotional bond with the game, while positioning UPI as the quiet hero that keeps daily transactions ticking along at match speed.
As part of Super Over, users making payments via Bharatpe UPI can bag daily rewards ranging from match tickets and signed merchandise to a chance to watch a T20 World Cup fixture alongside Rohit Sharma himself. Both consumers and merchants are also assured Zillion Coins on every eligible transaction, adding a little extra sparkle to routine payments.
Behind the scenes, Bharatpe is also batting for safety. The platform is backed by Bharatpe Shield, a fraud-protection layer designed to offer enhanced security, comprehensive coverage and dedicated support aimed at helping users transact with greater confidence as digital payments scale up.
Announcing the campaign, Bharatpe head of marketing Shilpi Kapoor said Super Over mirrors the aspirations of everyday Indians, combining speed, security and instant rewards to make UPI transactions feel both reliable and rewarding.
The campaign will play out across digital platforms, social media and on-ground activations nationwide, staying live through the T20 World Cup season proof that in cricket, as in payments, timing is everything.
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