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  • Yu-Gi-Oh! levels up your wardrobe with a fashion fusion power play

    Yu-Gi-Oh! levels up your wardrobe with a fashion fusion power play

    MUMBAI: Get ready to summon some serious style, Yu-Gi-Oh! is no longer just for the duel arena. It’s coming for your closet. Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has inked fresh global licensing deals that bring the iconic anime franchise to life through streetwear, activewear and knitwear. With new collaborations spanning Vanquish Fitness, Creating Fun, and Steady Hands, Yu-Gi-Oh! is entering the lifestyle fashion chat, one duel disc at a time.

    “Each of our new partners is looking to expand their Anime presence in the marketplace and Yu-Gi-Oh! is their top choice,” said Konami Cross Media VP of licensing and marketing Jennifer Coleman. “These agreements will bring new lines of athletic wear, high-end jackets and bespoke knitwear, a new apparel offering for the Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandising business.”

    Vanquish Fitness, the London-based athleisure brand started in 2015 by school friends Oliver Maloney and Ruben O’Brien, will launch a line of Yu-Gi-Oh! themed fitness wear including joggers, hoodies, and track suits. The partnership gives fans an excuse to flex both muscles and nostalgia, all under the banner of the brand’s community-driven platform #VQFIT.

    Boutique online label Creating Fun brings premium streetwear into the duel. Known for its “if you know, you know” drops and a knack for merging bespoke tailoring with modern style, the US-based brand is crafting exclusive pieces for the fandom with a heavy dose of anime affection stitched into every seam.

    Meanwhile, Steady Hands, a Gen Z favourite known for its viral knitwear drops, will stitch together Yu-Gi-Oh!’s first official knitwear line. The collection includes bespoke sweaters, tees, button-ups and even a themed blanket upping the snuggle stakes for fans. This follows their previously successful accessories capsule inspired by the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.

    The deals were born out of connections made at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, where Konami Cross Media first met with Steady Hands, leading to a deeper collaboration.

    For fans, it’s a win-win: nostalgic references, bold design, and wearable art that lets you rep your duel spirit without the cosplay. Whether you’re bench pressing or binge-watching, the new Yu-Gi-Oh! collections are set to be both fashion-forward and fandom-first.

    Now that’s a turn worth drawing.

  • Newsroom Gets a Newsmaker as Rahul Kanwal Takes Charge at NDTV

    Newsroom Gets a Newsmaker as Rahul Kanwal Takes Charge at NDTV

    MUMBAI: From breaking headlines to making one Rahul Kanwal has officially taken the hot seat at NDTV. India’s most trusted news network, New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV), has named Rahul Kanwal as its new chief executive officer and editor-in-chief, signalling a high-octane chapter in the brand’s storied legacy. In this dual role, Kanwal will steer both editorial and business operations at NDTV, an institution that has long been the gold standard in Indian journalism.

    With over 25 years of newsroom muscle, Kanwal brings a potent mix of prime-time credibility, investigative grit, and election coverage flair. His previous innings at India Today, Aaj Tak, Business Today, Headlines Today, and Zee News saw him rise through the ranks as news director, executive director, and senior editorial leader.

    An alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s General Management Program, and a Chevening Scholar trained in international broadcast journalism at Cardiff University, Kanwal also holds a journalism degree from Delhi University. His mantle includes accolades like the Roy Peck Trust Grant for Hostile Environment Journalism, among other awards for excellence in the field.

    Welcoming the appointment AMG Media Networks CEO Sanjay Pugalia said, “NDTV is a news super-brand that has stood for credibility and trust for nearly four decades through path-breaking journalism across television and digital platforms. With five new product launches over the past two years, NDTV continues to expand its footprint while remaining steadfast in its founding ethos. Rahul brings deep editorial insight, a passion for journalism, and proven leadership qualities that will be instrumental as we scale our presence across products and platforms.”

    Rahul Kanwal said, “Like many in my generation, I grew up watching NDTV. I am super charged about the prospect of infusing new life and energy into this marquee news brand. For years, NDTV has been the go-to brand for election coverage and big breaking news. I consider it a great honour to lead this storied media brand, and I am confident that NDTV will continue to rise to great heights of journalistic and business excellence. I look forward to working with the stellar teams at NDTV as we build on the extraordinary legacy of this great institution.”

    The NDTV Board also took a moment to commend Sanjay Pugalia for steering the ship through a crucial phase of transformation and reaffirmed their intent to tap into his strategic vision going forward.

    With five new product launches in the last two years and a growing digital footprint, NDTV isn’t just reporting the future, it’s writing it. And with Kanwal at the helm, it seems the best scoops may still be ahead.

  • Finale Countdown Hits a High Note with Zee5’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Live

    Finale Countdown Hits a High Note with Zee5’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Live

    MUMBAI: Cue the drumroll, Karnataka, your favourite musical face-off is tuning into the digital age like never before. Zee5 is turning up the volume with a first-of-its-kind exclusive livestream of the Zee Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma Pa grand finale, streaming before TV on 5 June 2025. One of the biggest digital leaps in Indian reality television, this grand event marks the platform’s most ambitious live telecast yet, and it’s pulling out all the stops from fan-voting rewards to legendary judges and Rs 99 subscriptions that come with a side of surprises.

    Hosted by fan-favourite Anushree, the finale brings together a power-packed panel of judges Vijay Prakash, Rajesh Krishnan, and Arjun Janya who’ve helped shape Karnataka’s contemporary music scene and mentored countless rising stars along the way.

    What’s more, viewers are now part of the action like never before. From 14 May till two days before the finale, fans can log into the Zee5 app and vote for their favourite singer to win the title of “Most Popular Singer.” One lucky superfan might even be crowned the “Most Favourite Voter”, unlocking exclusive goodies.

    Zee5 and Zee Kannada business head Deepak Sriramulu stated, “Regional content continues to be a key pillar of our growth at Zee5, along with music playing a powerful role in connecting communities. The Grand Finale of Zee Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a celebration of Karnataka’s rich musical legacy, and we are proud to bring this iconic cultural experience live to audiences across the globe. With exclusive digital-first access on Zee5, we’re taking regional entertainment to the next level, making it more immersive, interactive, and accessible than ever before. This marks the first time such a landmark event is being brought to life in the digital space, and it sets the stage for many exciting opportunities in the future as we continue to redefine how audiences engage with regional culture and music.”

    With its growing emphasis on regional-first entertainment, Zee5 continues to hit the high notes when it comes to local engagement. The platform’s Rs 99 subscription offer not only gets users early access to the musical finale but also puts them in the running for rewards making bingeing both emotional and rewarding.

    So whether you’re team high-octane vocals or rooting for that soulful crooner, this June 5th, your living room becomes the front row of Karnataka’s biggest musical celebration streaming exclusively, only on Zee5.

  • Punit Thakkar brushes off the sugar for colgate’s digital strategy

    Punit Thakkar brushes off the sugar for colgate’s digital strategy

    MUMBAI: Talk about brushing up your portfolio, literally. After over three years of crafting digital strategies for chocolates, biscuits and beverages at Mondelez, Punit Thakkar has made a minty-fresh move. He now steps into the role of business director for Digital (Colgate-Palmolive) at Wavemaker India, leading full-funnel digital media planning for one of the country’s most iconic personal care brands.

    Having officially taken the reins in November 2024, Thakkar is now going public with the news classic digital marketer style, a few months fashionably late. “From chocolates to toothpaste, same performance mindset, just fewer cavities,” he quipped in his announcement.

    In this role, Thakkar oversees the digital planning team handling brand and commerce campaigns across Colgate verticals. His key focus? Using first-party data from CRM, sampling, and website engagement to build precise audience frameworks and drive sharper ROI. With strategies including lookalike modelling, exclusions, and sequencing, the goal is to optimise both awareness and performance campaigns through smarter targeting and media mix alignment.

    Before this, Thakkar led digital for Mondelez India, managing a glittering portfolio that included Cadbury Dairy Milk, Oreo, 5 Star, Silk, and Bournvita. He championed 1P data integration into festive, IPL, and seasonal campaigns, setting benchmarks for eCommerce alignment and funnel mapping across consumer journeys. Prior stints include leading digital for Vodafone Idea and driving performance marketing during his early years at Wavemaker.

    With a decade-long track record, Thakkar brings sharp thinking and full-funnel finesse to the oral care giant’s digital playbook now armed with the morning routine of an entire nation. Whether it’s a 7am swish or a late-night scroll, you can bet Punit Thakkar’s campaigns are ready to pop up on your screen, toothbrush in hand.

  • Broadcast Asia 2025 brings the heat to Singapore with AI, cloud and channel chaos control

    Broadcast Asia 2025 brings the heat to Singapore with AI, cloud and channel chaos control

    SINGAPORE: The lights are on, the mics are hot, and the future of broadcasting is rolling live from the Singapore Expo as Broadcast Asia 2025 kicks off from 27–29 May. Touted as Asia’s answer to IBC and NAB, the event expects close to 10,000 visitors and will be the centre stage for the latest in AI-driven tech, streaming disruption, and next-gen media delivery.

    Topping the charts is PlayBox Neo, making noise at booth 5A2-5 with its award-winning PlayBox Neo Suite. The modular solution bundles AirBox, Ingest, Media Gateway and the flagship Channel-in-a-Box, offering seamless playout, scheduling, graphics, and centralised control.

     “We’re redefining what ‘channel-ready’ means,” said Desmon Goh, md Asia-Pacific.
     CEO Pavlin Rahnev added, “From terrestrial to OTT, we power it all — stable, scalable, and smart.”

    Not far behind is Veset, the cloud playout powerhouse. Its Nimbus platform is currently being used to migrate ten channels of Telekom Malaysia to AWS. Meanwhile, its JPEG XS + Multicast integration and the AdWise contextual ad solution are pushing the envelope for live TV workflows and viewer-friendly monetisation.

    Bitmovin is bringing developer cred to the floor with fresh insights from its 8th Annual Video Developer Report. Expect new features like SSAI Analytics and Real-Time Observability, plus a tie-up with Ad Insertion Platform. It’s already powering Japan’s public sector via Akamai Cloud and partnering with 24i to serve Revry’s advanced ad formats.

    Accedo is flexing its streaming smarts with the newly minted One Design Studio, XR consultancy upgrades, and a new partnership with FloSports. With clients from Paramount to Tata Play, it’s all about boosting UX across screens.

    CDNetworks is delivering the goods at booth 5J3-1, offering media delivery that’s fast, secure, and globally scalable. Neighbouring partner The Northern Alliance is showcasing everything from Ecreso FM AiO Series transmitters to the Audemat MC6 — the Swiss Army knife for FM & DAB measurement.

    Meanwhile, TSL (on booth 5D1-1) is serving serious control-room swagger: think software-driven control, market-leading audio monitoring units, and intelligent power distribution. Their recent role in helping Sony Pictures Networks India nab Tier 4 certification is earning applause.

    Strawberry (yes, that’s the name) is sweetening post-production with its Skies platform. Real-time teamwork, cloud-on-prem integration, and an exclusive €100/month pilot offer make it a tempting pick for creative teams tired of workflow gridlock.

    Broadpeak is serving adtech with bite — personalised SSAI, Click2® formats, and mABR-powered EdgePeak™ to scale streaming without breaking the bank. MediaPrima and K+ are already on board.

    SES is taking it to the skies at booth 4B3-1 with demos on multi-orbit orchestration, satellite case studies, and a clear mission: deliver performance and reliability, wherever your broadcast ambitions lie.

    Elsewhere, Actus Digital is showcasing its all-in-one Intelligent Monitoring Platform, Cobalt Digital is flaunting IPMX-compliant gear at booth 5F1-1, AxelTech is revealing updates to its XRadio automation system, and Magna Systems is hosting a flurry of action with its stacked stand.

    Broadcast Asia 2025, part of Asia Tech x Singapore, remains the crown jewel for broadcasters, creators, and tech providers across the region. Whether it’s cloud-native control, AI in playout, or rethinking ad delivery, Singapore is where the future of media gets its next big upgrade — no buffering required.

  • Bold move Arshdeep joins boldfit in pace perfect brand play

    Bold move Arshdeep joins boldfit in pace perfect brand play

    MUMBAI: He bowls fast and now, he’s making fitness moves just as bold. India’s speedster Arshdeep Singh has officially joined Boldfit as a brand athlete, bringing fresh firepower to the fitness gear company’s athlete-first vision. The collaboration isn’t just another star-studded endorsement, it’s a stride towards making Boldfit a brand truly built by athletes, for athletes.

    The 25-year-old pacer, known for his toe-crushing yorkers and chilled-out charisma, was revealed as the newest face of Boldfit in a cheeky social media campaign that mirrored a locker room chat with KL Rahul, Boldfit’s first investor and long-time brand face. The rollout, heavy on Gen Z energy and casual flex, saw Arshdeep sporting Boldfit merch and fans were instantly bowled over.

    Arshdeep Singh, speaking about the partnership said, “I have always believed in doing things with full power, on and off the field. Boldfit gets that vibe. It’s not just good looking gear, it’s made for how athletes actually train, recover and live. Really excited to build this.”

    Boldfit founder Pallav Bihani shared his vision, “We started Boldfit to create a brand rooted in real athletic journeys. KL Rahul gave us that foundation. With Arshdeep coming on board, we’re doubling down on our mission to make Boldfit an athlete-first, performance-led brand. We are excited to co-create products with Arshdeep, tailored for the Indian fitness consumer.”

    KL Rahul, cricketer and also an investor in Boldfit added, “Boldfit has always been about more than merch or gear. It’s about creating something from within the sports ecosystem. Seeing Arshdeep come on board is a proud moment the movement is only getting bolder.”

    The Chandigarh-born cricketer joins Boldfit at a time when it’s already one of India’s fastest-growing fitness brands, riding the wave of a Rs 7,000 crore plus sports and wellness industry. With athletes like Arshdeep on board, the brand is moving beyond protein shakers and joggers aiming to rewrite what Indian fitness looks like from the inside out.

    And with that, Boldfit isn’t just selling lifestyle, it’s helping script one. One pacer, one product, one power move at a time.

  • Logituit boards a new streamline strategy with Abhijit Kabra

    Logituit boards a new streamline strategy with Abhijit Kabra

    MUMBAI: Call it a stream-savvy power play. Logituit, the media technology innovator best known for its AI-driven video streaming solutions, has welcomed seasoned digital leader Abhijit Kabra to its board of directors, a move aimed at bolstering its global ambitions and future-forward playbook.

    Kabra’s resume reads like a crash course in digital transformation. The former CEO of Sasken Technologies and ex-MD at Accenture Digital and Barclays Digital has helmed billion-dollar businesses, navigated M&A waters, and driven transformation across telecom, semiconductors, fintech, and Industry 4.0. Now, he’s plugging into Logituit’s boardroom just as the media-tech sector hits high velocity.

    “We are delighted to welcome Abhijit to our Board,” said Logituit CEO and co-founder Sandeep Chandak. “His strategic vision and extensive experience in technology-driven business growth will be instrumental as we strengthen our AI-driven video streaming and media technology solutions.”

    Currently a non-executive director and investor in several tech ventures, Kabra’s addition reflects Logituit’s larger goal not just to stream faster, but smarter. With the media landscape increasingly shaped by automation, intelligence, and platform convergence, Kabra’s experience in navigating disruption could help Logituit leap from agile player to global leader.

    His appointment also underscores a growing trend among forward-looking tech companies pairing deep tech with deep talent, right at the top. For Logituit, that strategy now has a new face and one with serious bandwidth.

     

  • Old shows new highs as Sony PAL tops FTA charts with 109 million viewers

    Old shows new highs as Sony PAL tops FTA charts with 109 million viewers

    MUMBAI: Who says old favourites can’t cause new waves? Sony PAL, the Free-to-Air (FTA) Hindi general entertainment channel from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), is proving that prime-time nostalgia can power modern ratings. The channel has clocked a sharp surge in viewership, becoming the fastest-growing FTA GEC in Hindi-speaking markets (HSM), and is now the undisputed leader in reach and resonance.

    According to BARC (Week 19, 2025), Sony PAL now reaches 109 million viewers that’s 17 per cent weekly reach, the highest among FTA Hindi GECs. And it’s not just mass appeal the channel’s got serious metro cred too. Among urban Hindi-speaking audiences aged 15 plus, Sony PAL pulled in a robust 41 GRPs, outperforming FTA peers. Even more striking? Urban male viewers gave it 63 GRPs, confirming that Sony PAL isn’t just a family favourite, it’s also prime time for the bros.

    What’s fuelling this FTA frenzy? Familiar faces and full-fat entertainment. Iconic shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and The Kapil Sharma Show have migrated to free-to-air for the first time, a strategic play that’s expanded their fan base and made quality content accessible without a paywall.

    By combining smart content curation with a no-subscription model, Sony PAL has tapped into India’s deep appetite for nostalgic, family-friendly storytelling all while scooping up serious ratings gold.

    In a landscape where eyeballs are fickle and attention spans fleeting, Sony PAL has managed to hit the sweet spot comfort viewing with mass reach, delivered for free. Now that’s what you call a PAL for the people.
     

  • Streaming queen climbs the ladder at Zee5

    Streaming queen climbs the ladder at Zee5

    MUMBAI:  In the dog-eat-dog world of Indian streaming, few have climbed the corporate ladder with quite the same gusto as Kaveri Das. The business head of Zee5 Hindi has turned customer retention into an art form, wielding micro-cohort strategies like a digital Michelangelo.

    Das’s journey reads like a clever roster in strategic positioning. After cutting her teeth as a software engineer at Mahindra Satyam back in 2006, she pivoted to the telco trenches at Idea Cellular, where she spent four years mastering the dark arts of customer lifecycle management. A brief stint at Tata Sky as senior manager of subscriber marketing followed, before she landed at Zee5 in 2015 – just as India’s streaming wars were heating up.

    Her ascent at the Zee Entertainment subsidiary has been nothing short of spectacular. From customer lifecycle management head in 2015, Das clawed her way to corporate strategy lead by 2019, before a curious 18-month detour to Onnivation as vice-president of growth and strategy. But like a boomerang with ambition, she returned to Zee5 in late 2022 with grander titles and weightier responsibilities.

    The timing couldn’t be more crucial. India’s over-the-top video market is experiencing growing pains, with players from Netflix to JioHotstar locked in an expensive game of content chicken. Das’s expertise in building “robust processes” and converting casual viewers into loyal subscribers could prove the difference between streaming success and digital oblivion.

    Her latest promotion to Zee5 Hindi business head in April suggests the company is doubling down on her proven formula of strategic thinking meets operational excellence. In an industry where customer acquisition costs are soaring and attention spans are shrinking, Das appears to have cracked the code on keeping viewers hooked.

    Not bad for someone who started her career debugging code rather than decoding consumer behaviour.

  • Sip happens Ayodhya gets its first taste of smart water access

    Sip happens Ayodhya gets its first taste of smart water access

    MUMBAI: Why carry a bottle when Ayodhya now pours clean, cold water on tap? In a move that’s part hydration, part transformation, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with SM Sehgal Foundation and Ayodhya Nagar Nigam, has turned up the public health dial with the installation of community water ATMs across key areas of the city. The initiative puts reliable, RO-purified drinking water at the fingertips of residents and pilgrims alike no app required.

    Each ATM is connected to the Nagar Nigam’s municipal supply and backed by overhead storage tanks. The water is filtered through a Reverse Osmosis system, stored in stainless steel chilled tanks, and dispensed via hygienic external taps. The result? Round-the-clock, walk-up access to clean, cool water in one of India’s most spiritual and frequently visited cities.

    The Coca-Cola India Foundation director Rajiv Gupta said, “Access to drinking water is a fundamental pillar of public health and community well-being. Our partnership with Ayodhya Nagar Nigam and the SM Sehgal Foundation is a strategic initiative that demonstrates our commitment to help improving water accessibility in the region through better infrastructure and local collaboration.”

    S M Sehgal Foundation trustee and CEO Anjali Makhija said, “Water is vital, and through our collaboration with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we help create solutions for communities. The installation of water ATMs in Ayodhya marks a significant step towards ensuring access to hydration, especially in a city that welcomes millions of pilgrims and visitors each year.”

    Ayodhya Nagar Nigam Municipal commissioner Santosh Sharma said, “This initiative underscores the positive role of public-private partnerships in enhancing urban infrastructure. Together with Coca-Cola India Foundation, we’re addressing the need for reliable drinking water across key areas in Ayodhya, benefiting both residents and visitors. By strengthening the city’s water access, this effort is a crucial part of our broader commitment to improving civic amenities and ensuring a sustainable, community-centered development.”

    The effort is part of a broader Coca-Cola India Foundation strategy that’s already impacted over one million lives. Through Project Jaldhara, the Foundation in collaboration with SM Sehgal Foundation has led water conservation efforts across Kolar (Karnataka), Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), and Aurangabad (Maharashtra). Their interventions range from check dam construction and tank desilting to decentralised water systems, designed to fight water stress from the grassroots up.

    Ayodhya now becomes the next ripple in that wave. As India heats up and demand for public hydration rises, these ATMs offer more than a moment of relief, they’re a blueprint for civic innovation.

    Because in today’s world, a sip well-served is a civic duty well done.