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  • Brands miss a trick with gTLDs as Icann opens digital land grab

    Brands miss a trick with gTLDs as Icann opens digital land grab

    MUMBAI: A fresh survey from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) reveals that 52 per cent of marketing leaders see serious brand-boosting potential in owning a bespoke top-level domain—but a third haven’t the faintest clue what a gTLD actually is.

    Top-level domains (the bit after the dot, like .london, .tech or .love) are about to hit the market again, with Icann gearing up to open its first application window in over a decade come April 2026. But despite the looming gold rush, many brands are snoozing through the starter gun.

    Of the 2,000-plus marketers surveyed across eight countries—including the UK, US, China and India—only 19 per cent had ever worked at a firm that applied for a gTLD. Yet once they were told what a gTLD is, a staggering 92 per cent could see the upside. Chief attractions? Brand differentiation (46 per cent), improved trust (45 per cent), tighter online control (44 per cent), and better SEO (44 per cent). In short, more power behind the dot.

    Still, roadblocks remain. Cost (31 per cent), ignorance (27 per cent), and tight resources (24 per cent) are keeping the gTLD dream on ice for many. Regional views are anything but uniform: Nigeria (74 per cent) and India (61 per cent) are bullish on the potential, while China is more split—half the marketers there think gTLDs are worth it, the other half call them a waste of money.

    This matters. Marketers say standing out online is their top challenge (53 per cent), followed by grabbing the right audience (52 per cent) and keeping up with digital trends (47 per cent). A gTLD—essentially your own walled garden on the Internet—could be a game-changer. Think trust, exclusivity, and a domain that actually means something.

    Icann SVP of global domains & strategy Theresa Swinehart says: “The New gTLD Program: Next Round presents an opportunity for businesses, communities, governments, and others to apply to operate their own secure space online, tailored to fit their organization, community, culture, language, and customer interests. Now is also the moment for brands to consider applying for a gTLD, and this research tells us there is still a lack of awareness. Icann can help provide information and raise awareness of the Next Round and the opportunity it presents for global communities, organizations, and businesses, including brands.”

    For brands looking to own their digital patch—whether it’s .coffee, .africa or .you—the clock is ticking. And with consumers more sceptical than ever online, trust might just come in three characters or more.

    Read the full report: Understanding the gTLD Opportunity for Brands

  • Havas’ Prose on Pixels lands Joris Knetsch to lead APAC charge

    Havas’ Prose on Pixels lands Joris Knetsch to lead APAC charge

    MUMBAI: Havas’ AI-fuelled content-at-scale agency Prose on Pixels is ready to switch on the afterburners in Asia Pacific, appointing Joris Knetsch as executive vice-president for the region, effective May 2025.

    Based in Singapore, Joris brings over a decade of experience in creative production and digital scaling—including an eight-year stint building Media Monks’ footprint in APAC. His hiring signals a sharp push by Havas to deepen its converged strategy, which unites media, creativity and content under one turbocharged roof.

    “With close to a decade of experience in the APAC region, Joris brings invaluable market knowledge and established relationships that will help us accelerate our growth.  His deep expertise in technology-driven production makes him the ideal person to lead Prose on Pixels in Asia Pacific,” said Prose on Pixels global CEO Steve Netzley. 

    The agency—relaunched globally in June 2023—is stitching together Havas’ production capabilities into a single AI-powered powerhouse, already making waves with tech-led hiring and global expansion. Joris will now spearhead the Asian playbook alongside regional leaders including Rowena Bhagchandani, CEO, BLKJ Havas and Pankaj Nayak, CEO, Havas Media Network Singapore.

    “Bringing Joris on board helps our business in two ways”, said Havas India group CEO Havas India, south east & north Asia Rana Barua. “First, to officially launch and scale Prose on Pixels in Asia with the right leadership in place. Second, it reinforces our Converged strategy across the region – anchored in media, creative and production – by fostering collaboration and empowering our teams to elevate the value we deliver to our clients.”

    “I’m thrilled to be joining Prose on Pixels at such an exciting time,” said Joris Knetsch.  “It was immediately clear that the global Prose on Pixels team sees things the same way I do—great content production isn’t just a support act, it’s central to bringing bold creativity and smart media to life in today’s marketing landscape. While many claim to be integrated, with Prose on Pixels launching in Asia, Havas is actually doing it: activating its converged strategy and bringing creative, media, and production together to truly work as one across the region. Asia Pacific is an incredibly dynamic region, and I look forward to helping brands transform how they create and distribute content with speed, efficiency, and impact.”

    With its creative-meets-code model, Havas is betting big on Asia—and Joris Knetsch is now in the pilot’s seat.

  • Sujay Ray rises up the ranks at L’Oréal India as CX champ with content crown

    Sujay Ray rises up the ranks at L’Oréal India as CX champ with content crown

    MUMBAI: From spritzing Axe campaigns in Manila to stirring up Mauka Mauka magic back home, Sujay Ray’s marketing playbook has always mixed brains, buzz and bold moves. Now, the man with the digital Midas touch has levelled up at L’Oréal India.

    After a high-glam 3.5-year stint as chief digital officer for the Professional Products Division (PPD), Sujay has been handpicked to lead consumer experience, content and advocacy across L’Oréal’s multi-division powerhouse under the CDMO team.

    In May 2021, when the opportunity first came knocking, Sujay famously joked about being the “devil in beauty land.” 

    But that devil’s now wearing Prada —and steering everything from D2C & B2B strategies to DDX, CARE and CX. He credits the rise to strong leadership, a rockstar team, and partners who brought the glow-up.

    Before the world of shampoos and serums, Sujay was media royalty—scripting iconic digital runs at Star Sports (remember #LePanga?), AB InBev, Airtel and Mindshare. He’s sold sports, beer, bandwidth and even deodorants. And let’s not forget his early innings at ET and TimesJobs.com, where the pixels were as powerful as the prose.

    With this new move, Sujay’s mission is simple: craft experiences that don’t just sell beauty, but feel beautiful. 

    As L’Oréal doubles down on consumer-first innovation, expect Ray’s roadmap to deliver more punch than a Pro-Kabaddi slam. #OnwardsAndUpwards indeed.

  • Deepak Chaurasia plugs into Live Times: The original of Hindi TV news joins as director news

    Deepak Chaurasia plugs into Live Times: The original of Hindi TV news joins as director news

    MUMBAI:  In a move that’s making noise for all the right reasons, Live Times—the  “Global Multicast News Hub”—has roped in Hindi TV’s firebrand journo Deepak Chaurasia as director news. Known for his bulletproof journalism and gritty reportage over three decades, Chaurasia is set to add some serious muscle to the channel’s editorial engine.

    The man who’s covered everything from battlefields and bomb blasts to political fireworks and street protests is now bringing his fearless firepower to Live Times. With a career that spans war zones, natural disasters, the 26/11 terror attacks and the CAA storm, Chaurasia promises to turbocharge the channel’s motto of “Complete Truth, Whatever It Takes.”

    “Deepak becoming part of Live Times means more fire to Live Times’ core value of Satyam Shivam Sundaram. At a time when TRP has overtaken truth, and noise has overtaken news, Deepak with Live Times would contribute towards reversing the trend of TRP over truth and fakes over facts,” said Live Times founder, CEO and editor in chief Dilip Kumar Singh. “With Deepak’s journalistic gravitas and ground-level connect with the viewers and users, Live Times is not just building a newsroom but, building a movement for truth-first journalism.” 

    “I have always believed in journalism that serves people, not agendas,” said Deepak Chaurasia. He further added, “Live Times is that rare newsroom today that prioritizes authentic, verified reporting over virality. I am thrilled to be part of a mission that champions factual storytelling, asks uncomfortable questions, and puts viewers and users at the center of news & information.”

    In his new role, Chaurasia will helm a soon-to-launch primetime show that puts verified news and deep-dive investigations front and centre. Expect fewer shouting matches and more substance—with boots-on-the-ground reports, spine-straight journalism, and just enough spice to keep eyeballs glued.

    Reporting directly to Dilip Kumar Singh, Chaurasia’s arrival signals a sharp pivot for Live Times—one that blends tech, talent and truth to create content that travels across borders and platforms.

    From Bharat to beyond, Live Times wants to own the narrative. And with Chaurasia now in the front seat, the channel’s news caravan just got a serious upgrade.

  • Continental Coffee brews a summer twist with lemon iced tea debut

    Continental Coffee brews a summer twist with lemon iced tea debut

    MUMBAI: Continental Coffee, best known for its hot brews, is diving headfirst into chilled territory with the launch of Continental This lemon iced tea premix—marking its first consumer-facing foray into tea.

    Part of the CCL Products (India) Ltd portfolio, the new iced tea aims to tap into India’s rising thirst for at-home refreshment. While Continental’s tea blends were earlier reserved for institutional buyers under the Continental Chaay banner, this lemony twist is now hitting shelves nationwide in two formats: a 400g pouch and a handy 140g stick pack (10g x 14).

    The product will brew its presence across general trade, modern retail and e-commerce players like Big Basket, Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto and Amazon—serving up café vibes straight from the kitchen counter.

    Continental Coffee chief marketing officer Raja Chakraborty said: “Today’s generation is exploring a wide range of beverage options when they step out—seeking variety, refreshment, and new experiences. Naturally, they want to recreate that same excitement and convenience when they’re back home. With our Lemon Iced Tea premix, we’re bringing that out-of-home experience indoors—offering a refreshing, easy-to-make option that’s both familiar and contemporary. Perfect for the Indian summer, this launch reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting evolving consumer needs with locally inspired innovations.”

    Head of marketing Preetam Patnaik added: “Today’s generation is exploring a wide range of beverage options when they step out—seeking variety, refreshment, and new experiences. Naturally, they want to recreate that same excitement and convenience when they’re back home. With our Lemon Iced Tea premix, we’re bringing that out-of-home experience indoors—offering a refreshing, easy-to-make option that’s both familiar and contemporary. Perfect for the Indian summer, this launch reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting evolving consumer needs with locally inspired innovations.”

    With Indian summers stretching longer and hotter, Continental’s pivot to iced tea could be just the cool-headed move it needs to expand beyond its coffee comfort zone.

  • Maruti Suzuki hits the gas on financing with SMFG India Credit tieup

    Maruti Suzuki hits the gas on financing with SMFG India Credit tieup

    MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) has inked a new deal that could supercharge its light commercial vehicle sales. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SMFG India Credit (SMICC) to provide tailored auto retail finance options for buyers of its Super Carry and Eeco Cargo models.

    This new alliance is designed to give a leg-up to fleet owners and small businesses by offering flexible, tech-savvy financing solutions. With SMICC’s reach and Maruti’s dealer network firing on all cylinders, customers can now expect an end-to-end credit experience that’s fast, fuss-free and fully digital.

    Present at the signing were MSIL senior executive officers for marketing and sales, Partho Banerjee and Nobutaka Suzuki, along with vice-president Vishal Sharma. SMICC was represented by chief operating officer Swaminathan Subramanian, chief business officer Ajay Pareek, and Takamitsu Kajii, head of planning and alignment.

    “At Maruti Suzuki, customer delight remains to be our top priority. Our partnership with SMFG India Credit adds to our continuous efforts in aiding customers with easy, flexible, and personalised financing options for Super Carry and Eeco Cargo. The Super Carry has a special place in the hearts of fleet owners and drivers with its exceptional load carrying capacity & power, while the Eeco Cargo’s versatile combination of comfort and utility makes it a preferred choice. By leveraging SMFG India’s robust and wide network, customers can expect seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end financing experiences,” said Partho Banerjee. 

    Ajay Pareek added, “We are excited to offer top-class credit solutions to Maruti Suzuki customers as one of their retail vehicle financing partners. This collaboration aligns with our aim of becoming the preferred lending partner of choice for millions of Indians. Our tailor-made product offerings extend beyond auto retail financing and we are well poised to empower every Indian to achieve financial freedom, through easy and accessible loans. Keeping this as one of the cornerstones for progress, we are focused on partnering with top OEMs across key sectors. We are thrilled to ink this partnership with Maruti Suzuki and look forward to jointly serving their customers across the country.”

    With the commercial vehicle market picking up pace, this move could help Maruti Suzuki stay ahead of the curve and load up on volumes—one financed vehicle at a time.

  • The Sleep Co names Alpesh Jain CTO to power tech dreams

    The Sleep Co names Alpesh Jain CTO to power tech dreams

    MUMBAI: India’s comfort-tech trailblazer, The Sleep Co, has roped in Alpesh Jain as its new chief technology officer (CTO), as it gears up for its next growth sprint. With over 16 years of experience across ecommerce, automotive, and hospitality tech, Jain is now all set to turbocharge the brand’s digital backbone — and maybe even help the nation sleep smarter.

    Jain was previously vice president (VP) of technology at The Good Glamm group, where he scaled platforms, engineered robust systems, and delivered tech that reached millions. Now, he’s trading beauty for bedtime, with a mission to bring seamless, data-led solutions to customers’ fingertips — or rather, mattresses.

    “Tech should be invisible — it should just make your life better,” said Jain. “And what better way than helping people sleep better?”

    Welcoming him on board, The Sleep Co co-founder Priyanka Salot added: “His vast experience and innovative mindset align perfectly with our mission to redefine comfort through technology. Alpesh will play a key role as we continue to expand our footprint and deepen our connection with consumers.”

    The appointment comes at a time when The Sleep Co  — known for its patented SmartGrid  tech — is widening its footprint across India and beyond.

    With smart chairs, mattresses, and now a tech czar at the helm, the brand is on a mission to make every snooze and sit smarter.

  • Bhanushali Studios and Aaz Films roll camera on new alliance

    Bhanushali Studios and Aaz Films roll camera on new alliance

    MUMBAI: It’s lights, camera, collaboration! Bhanushali Studios Ltd. and Aaz Films have inked a strategic partnership to co-produce a fresh slate of mainstream films designed to woo cinephiles from the heartland to the high-rises. The new banner promises everything from soulful romances to edge-of-your-seat dramas — all with box-office buzz in mind.

    At the helm are Bhanushali Studios Ltd  chairman & MD Vinod Bhanushali, and of Aaz Films’ Himanshu Mehra, with filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar jumping aboard as creative producer.

    The first project under the pact is set to roll in June 2025, with more titles and starry cast details to be revealed soon.

    “Ali, Himanshu and I have always admired each other’s work. When the opportunity to collaborate came up, it felt like the perfect time. These films will tell compelling stories and create a strong connect between heartland and urban audiences,” said Bhanushali. 

    Mehra echoed the excitement: ““We are excited about this strategic collaboration focused on heartland cinema. This partnership opens doors for young, fresh storytellers to bring their vision to the big screen.”

    Ali Abbas Zafar, known for his masala-meets-mettle filmmaking style, added, “Bhanushali Studios Ltd. and Aaz Films share the same passion for telling impactful, mainstream stories. This collaboration aims to deliver content that resonates deeply with today’s audience.”

    With the creative dream team in place and the first shoot just around the corner, this partnership is set to script a blockbuster chapter in Indian mainstream cinema.

  • Level up: Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming partner to power up India’s youthverse

    Level up: Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming partner to power up India’s youthverse

    MUMBAI: In a match made in gamer heaven, Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming have teamed up to turbocharge India’s youth entertainment and gaming landscape. The two powerhouses have inked a strategic partnership that will see Banijay Asia take the reins of Playground — Nodwin’s flagship gaming reality show — and co-create a slew of fresh, disruptive content across gaming, esports, and influencer-led formats.

    With gaming now a full-blown lifestyle, this collaboration aims to tap into India’s ever-evolving Gen Z mindspace by fusing Banijay’s storytelling muscle with Nodwin’s pulse on the gaming community. And they’re not stopping at one franchise — the duo plans to unleash an entire ecosystem of new scripted and reality IPs.

    “This collaboration with Nodwin Gaming is an exciting extension of our vision to create content that resonates with evolving youth audiences. Gaming is not just a sport; it’s a culture, a lifestyle, and a massive content opportunity. With Playground and our upcoming IPs, we aim to redefine engagement and storytelling in this space. I look forward to the creative collaboration with Akshat Rathee, and Joost Roset who we previously worked with, in bringing iconic global IPs to India. This is an invaluable opportunity to create clutter-breaking formats in the youth and gaming space,” said Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India founder & group CEO Deepak Dhar. 

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee added, “”Youth entertainment is evolving rapidly, and our partnership with Banijay Asia positions us perfectly to lead that change. With Playground, we’ve just begun to explore what’s possible. Backed by Banijay’s global expertise, we’re now set to scale the IP across multiple languages and markets, with the ambition of building an international format. At the heart of our approach is our philosophy of ‘timeshare of mindshare.’ We’re not just creating content, we’re creating cultural moments. This is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in gaming and youth content.”

    The Rusk Media creative team — original minds behind Playground — will stay involved as the format evolves from a single show into an annual line-up of five to 10 marquee IPs. Expect more drama, more battles, and more screen time as the series expands.

    Backed by its success with Comic Con India, BGMI Masters Series, and NH7 Weekender, Nodwin Gaming is already a big player in the youth space. Now with Banijay — whose global playbook includes brands like MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, and Black Mirror — the stage is set for a full-blown format revolution in Indian gaming content.

    From stream to scream, it’s into the playground for the two. At least for now!

    (Deepak Dhar – left – and Akshat Rathee -right- pictured above. source: Banijay Asia)

  • FanCode aces it: Roland Garros streams every court, every smash, every stat

    FanCode aces it: Roland Garros streams every court, every smash, every stat

    MUMBAI: Tennis fans, rejoice! FanCode is swinging into the grand slam game, teaming up with Sony LIV to stream every single rally from Roland Garros 2025. From 25 May to 8 June, viewers can follow the drama across all courts — live, on demand, and on their own terms.

    Marking its smashing debut into tennis, FanCode is now letting fans pick and pay: fancy just Djokovic vs Alcaraz? You got it. Want the whole clay court carnival? That’s in play too. No bundles. No fluff. Just pure, uncut tennis.

    But it’s not just video. Real-time stats will now pop up mid-stream on the FanCode app — think rally lengths, break point conversion, and more geeky-goodness — offering die-hards a courtside analyst’s view from their couch.

    “At FanCode, we take great pride in building a product purely for sports fans. With tennis entering a new era and a strong fan base in India, we are reimagining how the sport is viewed. Our fan-first approach lets viewers engage with the game on their terms — whether it’s following a favourite player or tuning into a specific match.”
    said FanCode co-founder Prasana Krishnan., 

    Sony LIV’s head of growth and monetisation Manish Aggarwal added, “Sony LIV has consistently been the go-to destination for premium global sports leagues in India. We’re thrilled to partner with FanCode to bring the excitement of the Roland Garros 2025 to an even wider audience across the country. This collaboration not only amplifies the reach of one of tennis’ most iconic Grand Slams but also ensures that fans across India can seamlessly follow their favourite players and catch every match live or on demand with greater ease and flexibility than ever before.”
     

    FanCode’s Roland Garros coverage will be available via its mobile apps (iOS & Android), smart TVs and www.fancode.com.

    Whether you’re backing Sinner or Swiatek, Sabalenka or Osaka — it’s game, set, match for streaming tennis in India.