Tag: Amazon Music

  • Divya Chadha returns as head of marketing for Amazon Music India

    Divya Chadha returns as head of marketing for Amazon Music India

    MUMBAI: Divya Chadha, one of India’s most dynamic marketing minds, has struck a new chord—this time with Amazon Music. After a six-year symphony at Spotify India where she scaled listener love and podcast adoption, Chadha has returned to the Amazon fold as head of marketing, based out of Mumbai.

    With stints at eBay, Amazon.in and Spotify already under her belt, Chadha brings a treasure trove of brand-building battle scars and a marketing mindset that’s as sharp as it is strategic. From powering up Amazon Great Indian Sale and Mr & Mrs Verma to orchestrating Spotify’s rise in India’s music and podcasting game, she’s played it all—mass media, user acquisition, podcast evangelism, trust-building, and category creation.

    Her Spotify run was marked by memorable campaigns driving both free and premium user base growth, top-of-mind brand recall, and a noticeable uptick in subscriptions and podcast listenership. At Amazon, she had earlier shaped India-first brand narratives like Adjust No More, Apni Dukaan, and Try Toh Kar, and even led Amazon Fashion’s #MustHave push.

    Before she turned into a full-blown marketing maestro, Chadha was also part of the merchandising and campaign ecosystem at eBay, where she helped scale direct marketing to over 20 per cent of revenue and crafted category-level storytelling across fashion, home and lifestyle.

    Now back in Amazon, this time with rhythm and reach in mind, she’s all set to amplify Amazon Music’s voice in a noisy, competitive Indian streaming market.

    Let the music—and marketing—begin.

  • Sony Sports Network launches new Tamil Cricket Podcast – ‘Cricket Petta’

    Sony Sports Network launches new Tamil Cricket Podcast – ‘Cricket Petta’

    Mumbai: Sony Sports Network  announced its latest initiative, Cricket Petta, a Tamil podcast dedicated to cricket fans, a first by a sports broadcaster in India. “Cricket Petta” – translating to Cricket Locality, aims to engage Tamil-speaking cricket enthusiasts by providing entertaining and insightful discussions on various aspects of the game with a local touch. Hosted by the versatile Tamil multi-sports commentator, Arun Venugopal, the five-episode podcast offers a refreshing take on cricket’s rich legacy and beyond.

    The first episode will be released on 30 October 2024, with new episodes airing every Wednesday until 27 November 2024. The podcast will be available on all leading Podcast platforms including YouTube, JioSaavan, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and Hungama.

    The inaugural episode, titled “Is Ashwin the Greatest Player from Tamil Nadu to Represent India?”, features a lively discussion with former India Women’s Coach as well as India and Tamil Nadu player W.V. Raman, alongside current Puducherry and Tamil Nadu cricketer Arun Karthik. They share hilarious anecdotes and insider stories from their time with Ashwin, offering fans rare glimpses into dressing room dynamics.

    Each episode will spotlight expert discussions on trending cricket topics, bringing the sport’s greatest moments and personalities to life. For instance, L. Sivaramakrishnan will compare the captaincy styles of M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in one episode. Another will feature R. Sridhar and Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan debating iconic cricket venues such as Eden Gardens versus Wankhede Stadium.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul said, “We are proud to launch Cricket Petta, marking our first Tamil- language podcast aimed at bringing the local flavour and rich cricketing narratives to regional audiences. Tamil Nadu has a rich cricketing history and at Sony Sports Networks we are constantly looking to bring out the stories sporting heroes to the Indian sports fans and the five-part series will only serve in fulfilling our objective of bringing communities closer through innovative sports programming. This is the first of many podcasts we intent to roll out, across sports and multiple languages in our ongoing endeavour to bring more stories to sports fans across India and the globe.”

    Venugopal said, “With Cricket Petta, we’re offering an authentic look into Tamil Nadu’s cricket culture. Each episode explores unique perspectives, fascinating stories, and deep insights into the game we all love. Whether it’s discussing Ashwin’s remarkable journey or revisiting classic cricket moments, this podcast will resonate with fans who are passionate about the sport. I’m thrilled to be a part of this initiative and bring these conversations to the Tamil-speaking audience.”

  • Amazon Music set for Valentine’s Day with shades of love playlists

    Amazon Music set for Valentine’s Day with shades of love playlists

    Mumbai: It’s the season of love, and Amazon Music just knows exactly how to kickstart Valentine’s month. Being one of India’s leading music streaming services, Amazon Music is all set to share a few shades of love with its listeners. From old-school Bollywood to contemporary Hip-Hop, Amazon Music’s Valentine’s playlists cover all moods and genres that you could ask for with the following playlists.

    Ultimate Love Songs Playlists

    For all the die-hard romantics and the hopelessly new-in-love, this playlist is a perfect mix of all things you loved in the past and now. From your favorite International Pop hits to regional duets, this playlist is being offered in a variety of languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Kannada, Marathi and Bengali.

    100 Greatest Love Songs

    Enjoy the finest love songs ever created with this perfectly crafted Valentine’s playlist featuring the top 100 romance tracks in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

    Indie Love

    This one is for all the indie lovers. You  can now groove to your favorite love tunes from Independent artists you love, follow or discovered,   with this Valentine’s special edition of the Indie Love playlist, featuring some of the best romance music from Independent artists across regions .

    Senti Wala Pyaar

    The Senti Wala Pyaar playlist makes for the perfect pick for all the emotional ones there who like to feel those intense emotions through music.  Snuggle up with your partner or unwind with your headphones  and embark on this emotional journey of love.

    New in Love

    The New in Love playlist, available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, features the newest love tunes that you can groove to, listen to on a date night or unwind with, this Valentine’s month.

    Here are 10 chart-topping romantic songs recommended by Amazon Music Experts that you can listen to with your loved one this Valentine’s Day.

    1.    Chaleya – Jawan
    2.    Heeriye – Arijit Singh/Jasleen Royal
    3.    O Maahi – Dunki
    4.    Tum Kya Mile – Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani
    5.    Satranga – Animal
    6.    Lover (Remix) – Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes
    7.    Standing Next to You – Jung Kook
    8.    Apa Fer Milaange – Savi Kalhon
    9.    Kinni Kinni – Diljit Dosanjh
    10.    Anbenum – Leo

    You can listen to these playlists with your bae/ loved one this valentine’s day here.

  • Film Companion & Amazon Music join forces for its Music Adda

    Film Companion & Amazon Music join forces for its Music Adda

    Mumbai: Film Companion, the leading platform for insightful film and entertainment content, is thrilled to announce a harmonious collaboration with Amazon Music for a special Music Adda in their yearly round-up Addas. This unique partnership promises a diverse array of artists, including renowned playback singers Sunidhi Chauhan and Shilpa Rao, dynamic music duo Sachin Jigar, celebrated lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, and accomplished music producer Achint Thakkar to come together on one platform and hold meaningful conversations.

    Film Companion’s Adda is an annual tradition that brings together influential figures from the world of music, film, and entertainment for engaging conversations about the year’s noteworthy achievements, challenges, and trends. This year’s lineup is set to captivate audiences with the insights and experiences shared by some of the most distinguished personalities in the industry.

    Film Companion founder & editor Anupama Chopra expresses her thoughts about this collaboration:

    “The Film Companion Music Adda 2023, powered by Amazon Music, is a captivating journey where cinema and music entwine to create an enchanting narrative. This collaboration is a celebration of the artists from the music industry and it represents a commitment to exploring the profound impact of music within the cinematic and OTT sphere.”

    Film Companion’s forthcoming video, “FC Music Adda powered by Amazon Music,” will feature insightful dialogues with industry luminaries such as Sunidhi Chauhan, Shilpa Rao, Sachin Jigar, Amitabh Bhattacharya, and Achint Thakkar. Join in on this exciting venture, where “Music Adda” is set to premiere soon on Film Companion’s YouTube channel.

  • Amazon Music presents India Pod Day, hosted by IVM Podcasts and Westland Books

    Amazon Music presents India Pod Day, hosted by IVM Podcasts and Westland Books

    Mumbai: Amazon Music presents an extraordinary live podcast event ‘India Pod Day’ hosted by India’s premiere podcast network ‘IVM Podcasts’ and an award-winning Indian publisher ‘Westland Books’. The event will take place on 17 October 2023 at St. Andrews Auditorium, Mumbai.

    Highlighting the event’s star-studded lineup, ‘India Pod Day’ will feature renowned figures like Javed Akhtar, the prolific lyricist, poet, screenplay writer and author joining live with Cyrus Broacha on his popular podcast, ‘Cyrus Says’ where he will talk about his recent released book ‘Talking Life’. Additionally, Hussain Zaidi, will go live on the podcast ‘Has It Aged Well’. Hussian is a prominent journalist and author, who is known for his bestselling books like Dongri To Dubai, Mafia Queens Of Mumbai and Black Friday.

    India Pod Day is set to bring together IVM Podcasts hosts and renowned authors for a day of insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops, and captivating live podcast experience.  The event will be specially dedicated to and shine the spotlight on IVM Podcast hosts.

    Designed to welcome both seasoned podcast aficionados and newcomers, India Pod Day will celebrate the dynamic medium of podcasting and its rapidly growing audience. It offers a unique opportunity to foster a community centred around smart listeners, and intelligent content and encourages the cross-pollination of diverse audiences.

    IVM Podcasts- Pratilipi head Amit Doshi said “India Pod Day is a milestone in the world of podcasting. We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon Music to create an unforgettable experience for podcast enthusiasts. We cannot wait to see the connections and conversations that will emerge.”

    IVM Podcasts- Pratilipi co-founder Kavita Rajwade commented “India Pod Day will see innovation and creativity converge to showcase the incredible potential of the podcast medium. We will see voices meet stories, and stories create connections.”

    Westland Books business head Gautam Padmanabhan said, “We are delighted to be partnering with IVM and Amazon Music to foreground the conversation about new narratives and collaborative formats. Taking our books and writers to listeners and viewers as well as readers is an exciting prospect and an event like this allows us to explore the possibilities with a live audience.”

    India Pod Day promises an unforgettable day of inspiration, knowledge, and entertainment.

  • Motivational cricket anthem ‘Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ on Ultra Music for cricket lovers

    Motivational cricket anthem ‘Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ on Ultra Music for cricket lovers

    Mumbai: The anthem aims to infuse immense enthusiasm among Indian cricket lovers & citizens. It will be available in Hindi in both video & audio formats from 6 October 2023. This anthem is to invigorate the spirits of every Indian & instil a sense of excitement & pride in our Indian Cricket team.

    The anthem will showcase the Cricket fever in India in its complete frenzy. It will have crowds cheering & praying for their team, fans hysteria in the stadium, Players celebrating each other & many more enchanting moments. The motivating lyrics for this anthem are penned by Deepak Chauhan & the resounding music has been composed by the dynamic duo Neel & Nataraj. Neel is also the lead vocalist for the same.

    The music video will be streamed on the Ultra Music YouTube channel and will also be simultaneously streamed on: Gaana, Spotify, JioSaavn, Amazon Music, iTunes, Wynk Music  & other leading music streaming platforms.

    This anthem of pride & glory is an ode to our nation. It’s a call for unity & a reminder of the unified strength that lies in our diversity. It will resonate deeply with every Indian & invigorate their love & trust in our Indian Cricketers & fuel the sportsman spirit of our Indian cricket team as they embark on their journey to conquer the world.

    This Anthem also goes beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch, it infuses an unparalleled sense of excitement and can be proudly watched & played at any patriotic events & celebrations. All thanks to the energy and positivity it exudes.

    Ultra Media and Entertainment Group director Rajat Agrawal said: “India has performed phenomenally both in Cricket & Asian games recently. We all are just waiting for them to bring in the most coveted title in International Cricket & close this year with a bang. “Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai” is a drive to awaken every Indian to the promise that lies in our cricketers & give them the needed boost to put India on the world map & bring in the biggest accolades to our nation in this World Cup”

  • Shemaroo Entertainment revives 90s Bollywood music with new-age singers

    Shemaroo Entertainment revives 90s Bollywood music with new-age singers

    Mumbai: The 90s era of Bollywood music holds a special place in the hearts of millions, evoking cherished memories and a warm sense of nostalgia. These unforgettable songs became anthems for a whole generation, resonating with listeners of all ages. Now, Shemaroo Entertainment has taken these timeless melodies and given them a new lease of life with a modern twist.

    Unlike simply repackaging classics, Shemaroo Entertainment has breathed fresh energy into these evergreen tracks by collaborating with talented new-age singers. The aim is to create a seamless blend of nostalgia and modernity, preserving the essence of the original melodies while appealing to today’s discerning youth. While some songs have already been released, new ones will be unveiled every week, allowing music enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the golden era of Bollywood.

    To kickstart this extraordinary project, Shemaroo Entertainment has meticulously chosen these iconic songs from Bollywood’s rich repertoire, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the era’s musical brilliance. These tracks have been beautifully recreated by aspiring singer Arunati Roy from Durgapur (Paschim Bardhaman), West Bengal, supported by Hiranmoy Mandal, R3ZR and Sunny Karmakar who has helped in the execution of the project.

    The recreated masterpieces will be showcased to a global audience through Shemaroo’s extensive distribution across platforms like YouTube channels – Filmi Gaane, Indipop, Romantic Hindi Songs, 90s Hindi Songs, and across more than 150 global online music streaming platforms like Resso, Spotify, Apple Music, Wynk Music, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, etc along with Telco-CRBT and radio.

    Expressing her excitement of recreating songs for Shemaroo Entertainment, Arunati Roy said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of this extraordinary musical journey with Shemaroo Entertainment in Association with Hindi Unplugged World. Recreating these iconic Bollywood songs is a dream come true for me as a budding artist. It’s an incredible opportunity to infuse these timeless melodies with a fresh new-age touch and bring joy to the hearts of the younger audience. This project is a true celebration of music. It is a great opportunity created by Shemaroo to promote young artists, providing them with a platform to showcase their exceptional talent.”

    This initiative marks the beginning of Shemaroo’s efforts to discover and nurture fresh voices, offering a chance for aspiring artists to join hands with Shemaroo and reach a wider audience. Through this Shemaroo is creating opportunities for emerging talents to make their mark in the music industry and contribute to the vibrant musical landscape. In line with their commitment to enhance the listening experience for GenZ and Gen Alpha audiences who have a fondness for 90s songs, the company is actively seeking similar budding artists to recreate and sing these timeless melodies.

    This unique initiative promises to be a grand celebration of Bollywood’s rich musical heritage, infused with the fresh energy of contemporary talent. Get ready to relive the magic of 90s Bollywood music like never before!

  • greytHR launches greytFM podcast series for the HR fraternity

    greytHR launches greytFM podcast series for the HR fraternity

    Mumbai: GreytHR, the human resources and payroll cloud platform, has launched greytFM. For the HR community, in this podcast series, greytFM highlights debates and discussions focused on current issues, mostly in the human resources sector.

    Listeners may tune in to hear industry leaders and speakers discussing various subjects ranging from workplace diversity and HR IT trends to people analytics and the great resignation, to name a few.  Listen to the podcasts on //www.greythr.com/greytfm-podcast/

    The podcast is accessible on 49 platforms, including Audioboom, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, JioSaavn, Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, iHeart, Listen Notes, Cast Box, etc.

    Various speakers who have been featured on greytFM include AECOM Enterprise Capabilities global HR head Sameer Mathur; Voltas Beko head of HR Colin Mendes; Fiserv director HRMegha Gupta; DB Schenker CHRO Renu Bohra; Berger Paints India ex-Group head-HR Samar Banerjee; and Infogain CVP and CPO Rajiv Naithani.

    greytHR co-founder and CEO Girish Rowjee said, “With greytFM, we intend to create awareness amongst the HR fraternity on numerous themes and concerns. We look forward to reaching out to various industries through this channel by providing expert domain-specific information.”

    greytHR co-founder and CTO Sayeed Anjum said, “Through greytFM, we monitor global trends that could have an impact on society. Through this series, we will be spotlighting interesting dialogues and conversations around trending themes from the world of human resources.”

  • Sahas Malhotra named as CEO of JioSaavn

    Sahas Malhotra named as CEO of JioSaavn

    Mumbai: JioSaavn has appointed entertainment industry veteran Sahas Malhotra as its new CEO. With his appointment, the music company aims to continue providing enhanced holistic audio experience to consumers, it said.

    “In this role, Malhotra will be based out of the company’s headquarters in Mumbai and lead its endeavors in a constantly evolving and exciting Indian market,” said the statement.

    Before joining JioSaavn, he was associated with Amazon Music as a director. He brings on board an experience of twenty four years in the entertainment industry, in building teams, film marketing, music P&L management, licensing, media planning, music publishing and product management.

    Over the years, Malhotra has also worked with renowned industry players like Sony Music India and Tips Industries. At Tips Industries, Sahas was leading the business at Tips Music and marketing for Tips Film production, in addition to leading extensive marketing verticals for the business.

    As the director of digital and new business at Sony Music India for  over 12 years, he successfully led his team to achieve revenue targets in the fast-changing entertainment industry. In addition, Malhotra also led Sony Music India’s digital P&L and mentored teams across media planning, media buying, promotions, marketing alliances and new business development departments.

    His impressive track record also includes extensive understanding of mobile value-added services, online music, online video marketing, syndication, media planning & buying, music publishing, TV, print & radio marketing, social media marketing, online advertising and film marketing.

  • Amazon all set to acquire podcast studio Wondery

    Amazon all set to acquire podcast studio Wondery

    MUMBAI: Amazon has inked a deal to acquire four-year-old podcast producer Wondery, in a bid to diversify its offerings on the Amazon Music app.

    However, terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal learned that Amazon was in talks to buy Wondery in a deal worth over $300 million.

    “We’re pleased to announce that Wondery — an innovative podcast publisher with a track record of creating and producing top-rated podcasts — has signed an agreement to join Amazon Music,” the e-commerce giant said. “With Amazon Music, Wondery will be able to provide even more high-quality, innovative content and continue their mission of bringing a world of entertainment and knowledge to their audiences, wherever they listen.”

    The deal has yet to close, pending usual closing conditions. According to Amazon, “When the deal closes, nothing will change for listeners, and they’ll continue to be able to access Wondery podcasts through a variety of providers.”

    After Amazon’s deal for Wondery closes, Henry Lopez will step down as CEO to focus on his recently announced Hernan Lopez Family Foundation, and Wondery COO Jen Sargent will take over the operations, Amazon said.

    The acquisition of Wondery is part of Amazon’s long term strategy to monetise the podcast gold rush — and keep pace with streaming giant Spotify’s push into podcasting.

    “This is a pivotal moment to expand the Amazon Music offering beyond music as listener habits evolve. Wondery is already delighting listeners with its collection of immersive podcasts, and the company is evolving this entertainment medium into a truly new and exciting experience,” Amazon said while announcing the Wondery pact.

    Wondery’s original shows include Dr. Death, Tides of History, Bad Batch, Joe Exotic: Tiger King, American History Tellers, The Shrink Next Door, Business Wars, The Daily Smile and Imagined Life.