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  • Creators boost Mipcom 2025 as television’s old guard opens the door

    Creators boost Mipcom 2025 as television’s old guard opens the door

    CANNES: The suits and the streamers are finally doing business. Mipcom 2024 pulled in 10,600 delegates—a modest uptick from last year’s 10,500—but the real story wasn’t in the numbers. It was in who showed up and what they were selling.

    Buyers rose to 3,340, up 100 from 2023, with Britain leading the pack, followed by the US , France, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Yet the buzz on the Cannes market floor centred on a new breed of attendee: the creator economy, which Lucy Smith, RX France’s Mipcom and Mip London boss, called “the biggest shift in a generation for Mipcom.”

    YouTube planted its flag with a prominent presence, including a packed keynote featuring Pedro Pina, the platform’s EMEA chief, media cartographer Evan Shapiro and BBC Studios’ Jasmine Dawson. The session offered what Smith described as the “definitive playbook on partnerships,” demonstrating how traditional media can tap new audiences and build fandoms through collaboration.

    The convergence went beyond talk. Deals between legacy players and digital creators flowed throughout the week. “It feels like a tipping point for the industry,” Smith told reporters at a wrap press conference. “The relationship between the creator and mainstream economies isn’t binary. The opportunities come from collaboration, not from working in isolation.”

    Mipcom’s pitch to creators was simple: meet everyone worth meeting in one place, at one time, and figure out who can help build new business models. The market staged its first brand-funded content summit, BrandStorytelling, bringing agencies and brands face-to-face with the global production and distribution world. Early feedback suggests it’s here to stay.

    Traditional sales and distribution—”the engine of MIPCOM,” as Smith put it—roared back to life. Every major American studio turned up. Three big international advance screenings drew talent from around the world. Rights deals showed fresh flexibility, with windowing making a comeback, albeit in more complex forms than before.

    The market floor hosted 350 exhibitors, including 88 newcomers such as YouTube. Yet not everything pointed upward: MIPJunior attendance slipped to 940 from 1,000, reflecting ongoing headwinds in children’s programming.

    Smith struck a bullish note. “From change comes opportunity. The industry is resilient, it regenerates. The fact that this definitive global market has been held here every year for the past four decades is testament to that.”

    Next year’s edition runs from 12 to 15  October. The creators will be back. So will everyone else.

  • Ceuticoz promotes Arvin Mondal to head of marketing as global push accelerates

    Ceuticoz promotes Arvin Mondal to head of marketing as global push accelerates

    MUMBAI: Ceuticoz is gearing up for a growth spurt. The medical-grade skincare brand has promoted Arvin Mondal to head of marketing, tasking him with building a global footprint as the company chases revenues of Rs 150-200 crore by financial year 2029-30—a compound annual growth rate of 30-35 per cent.

    Mondal, who previously steered the brand’s international expansion, will oversee marketing across retail and e-commerce whilst leading regional campaigns in Britain, the European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council states and south-east Asia. His brief: turn a dermatologist-trusted label into a household name.

    Ceuticoz projects revenues of Rs 50 crore in FY 2025-26, up from a record monthly turnover of Rs 4 crore in November-December 2024. The brand already operates in over 10 countries, including Canada, Kenya and South Africa. America, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are next on the list, with a target of 25-plus markets by 2030.

    “Arvin has played a vital role in the company’s international expansion,” says managing director Sukhbir Singh Chimni. “His new role allows him to craft our brand’s story as we move towards becoming a globally acclaimed skincare brand, driven by science and authenticity.”

    Founded in 2005, Ceuticoz positions itself as evidence-based and clinically proven—skincare that doctors recommend rather than influencers hawk.

    Whether that pitch resonates beyond dermatology clinics will determine if Mondal’s targets are ambitious or merely optimistic. Either way, he’s got skin in the game.

  • Yu-Gi-Oh deals its hand to gen alpha readers

    Yu-Gi-Oh deals its hand to gen alpha readers

    MUMBAI: Talk about a power play, Yu-Gi-Oh is turning the page. Konami Cross Media NY has struck two heavyweight publishing deals to draw in gen alpha readers, proving that the 25-year-old anime juggernaut isn’t ready to fold any time soon.

    Announced at the Brand Licensing Europe show in London, the agreements bring Random House Children’s Books and Panini Group into the fold, giving Yu-Gi-Oh a shiny new shelf life in classrooms, kiosks and bookfairs worldwide.

    “As the largest publisher in the world, Random House Children’s Books is leading the charge by expanding its anime portfolio with Yu-Gi-Oh,” said Konami’s SVP of marketing and licensing Jennifer Coleman. Expect child-friendly titles, activity formats, and collectables that will pop up across the US, Canada and even military bases overseas.

    Panini, meanwhile, is rolling out Yu-Gi-Oh sticker and activity books in France and French-speaking Belgium, with ambitions stretching into Latin America and across Europe. Known for its sticker albums and unmatched distribution network, Panini sees Yu-Gi-Oh as a perfect fit for younger fans who want to “play, peel and collect” before diving into the trading card game or anime.

    “Gen alpha is the first generation raised on tech from day one,” noted Panini’s senior licensing manager Licia Dallolio. “We’re excited to create experiences that feel natural to their world.”

    It’s all part of Konami’s long game: hook the kids early, then let them graduate into the anime, trading card battles and digital titles that keep the franchise booming. With over 1,000 anime episodes, countless card sets, and fans spanning three decades, Yu-Gi-Oh isn’t just shuffling the deck, it’s stacking it for the future.

  • Havas gets a CX glow-up with Enverta Digital acquisition

    Havas gets a CX glow-up with Enverta Digital acquisition

    MUMBAI: Havas is flexing its customer experience (CX) muscle in North America with the acquisition of Toronto-based Enverta Digital, a boutique CRM and digital transformation outfit known for its tech-savvy mojo and smooth client integration model.

    With operations across Canada and Poland, Enverta brings a potent mix of Salesforce, Adobe, Microsoft, and Braze expertise to the table—making it the perfect fit for Havas’ converged strategy, which blends creativity and tech to craft personalised, data-led brand journeys.

    ““I’m delighted to welcome Jacob and the entire Enverta Digital team into the Havas family. This addition represents a meaningful step forward in our ongoing mission to  redefine and elevate customer experience. By placing CX at the core of our Converged strategy, this move underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and strengthens our ability to lead in the CX space with transformative, tech-enabled solutions that are fully integrated across our service offerings,” shared Havas CEO & chairman Yannick Bolloré.

    The move sees Enverta absorbed into Havas CX Canada, adding serious firepower to the agency’s North America operations—particularly its growing US client base. Enverta’s offshore setup in Poland will also give Havas added scale and cost efficiencies, with its recurring revenue model sweetening the deal.

    Havas CX Canada president Alex Chepovetsky summed it up neatly: “With Enverta’s CRM game and our creative chops, we’re now better placed than ever to deliver end-to-end brand experiences that move the needle.”

    “Our focus on CRM and digital enablement aligns seamlessly with Havas’ commitment to delivering holistic, customer-centric solutions. This partnership will allow us to combine Havas’ global resources and creative expertise with our strengths to deliver a full service digital offering, centered on driving highly-personalised consumer experiences across all touchpoints and channels,” shared Enverta Digital founder & CEO Jacob Ciesielski.

    It’s a win-win deal wrapped in customer-first thinking—just the way modern marketing likes it.

  • JSW Indian Open serves up a smash as India’s first PSA Copper event

    JSW Indian Open serves up a smash as India’s first PSA Copper event

    MUMBAI: Squash fever is set to grip Mumbai as JSW Sports announces the JSW Indian Open, India’s first PSA Squash Copper event, scheduled to take place from 24-28 March at Bombay Gymkhana. This landmark event will bring together India’s top squash players, including Ramit Tandon, Velavan Senthilkumar, Veer Chotrani, Anahat Singh, and Akanksha Salunkhe, alongside global talent from Egypt, Canada, Malaysia, and Japan.

    With squash making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, JSW Sports is making a bold statement with this tournament. Parth Jindal, Founder, JSW Sports, highlighted the event’s significance:
    Speaking on the tournament JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, “With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, now is as good a time as any to give the sport the fillip it needs. The JSW Indian Open is a statement of intent from Indian squash, and we are excited to give some of the best Indian and global talent a platform through this tournament.”

    India No.1 Ramit Tandon, who is also represented by JSW Sports, said, “It’s always special to compete at home, and having a PSA event like the JSW Indian Open in India is a huge boost for the sport. The level of competition is right up there, and it’s a great opportunity for Indian players to test themselves against the best. With squash making its Olympic debut at LA28, events like these are crucial in building momentum and inspiring the next generation.”

    PSA CEO Alex Gough welcomed the return of a PSA tournament to India, calling it a significant step for the sport’s growth. “Hosting world-class events on home soil not only helps Indian players compete at the highest level but also strengthens the squash ecosystem,” he said. He also emphasized the role of such tournaments in expanding the sport’s reach. “By bringing elite competitions to India, we are creating a pathway for young players to develop, grow the fan base, and ensure the sport continues to thrive.”

    India’s women number 2, Anahat Singh also shared her excitement about the tournament, saying, “Bringing a top-tier PSA event to India is a game-changer for players and fans alike. Competing against top international players pushes us to be better, and it’s an amazing opportunity to grow. With squash making its Olympic debut at LA28, events like these are key to building excitement and inspiring young players to dream big.”

    With a prize purse of 40,000 dollars the JSW Indian Open marks the return of a major squash tournament to India after a six-year hiatus, the last being the CCI International in 2018. The competition will unfold across Bombay Gymkhana’s indoor courts, with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final set to be played on a full-glass outdoor court, offering fans a thrilling spectacle. As the countdown begins, Mumbai is set to witness a squash showdown like never before, with India stepping up to the global stage in style.
     

  • Roku reports strong growth in 2024, surpassing $4bn revenue

    Roku reports strong growth in 2024, surpassing $4bn revenue

    MUMBAI: Streaming platform specialist Roku has announced robust financial results for 2024, with total net revenue reaching $4.1 billion (£3.2bn), marking an 18 per cent year-over-year increase. Platform revenue grew to $3.5 billion, up 18 per cent year-over-year, or 15 per cent excluding political advertising spend. Gross profit rose 19 per cent to $1.8 billion.

    The company reported significant growth in its user base, with streaming households reaching 89.8 million, representing a net increase of 9.8 million from 2023. Streaming hours climbed by 21.1 billion to 127.1 billion hours, whilst average revenue per user reached $41.49 on a trailing 12-month basis, up 4 per cent.

    In a letter to shareholders, Roku highlighted its fourth quarter achievement of surpassing $1 billion in platform revenue, a 25 per cent year-over-year increase. The company noted that its US market penetration has exceeded half of all broadband households.

    Device Business Performance:  The company maintained its position as the leading TV operating system in the US, Canada and Mexico. Device revenue rose 20 per cent to $590.1 million in 2024, with fourth-quarter revenue of $165.7 million, up 7 per cent. However, increased seasonal discounts affected fourth-quarter device gross margins, which stood at negative 29 per cent.

    Content Platform Growth:  The Roku Channel, the company’s content platform, reached approximately 145 million people in US households during the fourth quarter, maintaining its position as the third most popular app on the platform. Streaming hours on the channel increased by 82 per cent year-over-year, with more than 80 per cent of streaming hours originating from the Roku Experience in December.

    Future Outlook:  For the first quarter of 2025, Roku forecasts total net revenue of $1.005 billion, a 14 per cent increase year-over-year. The company projects platform revenue growth of 16 per cent, whilst device revenue is expected to remain flat due to elevated inventory levels following the holiday period.

    For the full year 2025, Roku anticipates total net revenue of $4.61 billion, with platform revenue reaching $3.95 billion, representing 12 per cent growth. The company expects to achieve positive operating income by 2026.
    The company will discontinue quarterly reporting of streaming households and average revenue per user metrics from the first quarter of 2025.

  • Canada-based Format Factory becomes first global studio to avail incentive scheme by MIB

    Canada-based Format Factory becomes first global studio to avail incentive scheme by MIB

    Mumbai: Canada-based production company Format Factory is the first global studio to avail the incentive scheme for the audio-visual co-production & shooting of foreign films in India in record time. The scheme was announced by union minister of information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur in May 2022 during his visit at the 75th Cannes film festival.

    As per the scheme, any foreign studio that takes up production work in India can avail a cash incentive of up to 30 per cent of the production cost, capped at Rs 2 crore or $250,000. An additional bonus of Rs 50 lakhs, or $62,527, is available if the production house employs 15 per cent or more of its workforce in India.

    Format Factory worked with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Film Facilitation Office (FFO) to obtain permission, and will apply for the incentive scheme.

    Raising fund

    In October 2021, Format Factory raised $50 million in a funding round led by First Fund with plans to create high-end global content, focusing on South Asian originals. It will operate under a studio-model, where it will put up the initial investment to create content, mostly outside of India, and then look for buyers, mainly over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

    The studio was not only eligible for the 30 per cent incentive scheme, but also for the five per cent bonus because it employs more than 15 per cent of its workforce in India. It will begin filming its first show on 21 July. It will be an improvised comedy series with popular comedian Suresh Menon.

    Format Factory business head Subhadarshi Tripathy said, “It is fantastic how quickly the government worked to facilitate the process to avail the incentive scheme. I would like to thank the ministry of information and broadcasting and the government of India for their endeavour to create an enabling ecosystem for both domestic and international filmmakers. At Format Factory, we are completely focusing on South Asian content and distributing it globally. The content will be made in India with a global lens. There are so many stories in India that can be told.”

    First Fund founder Samarth Chandola said, “I am really happy about the leaps Format Factory has taken from its inception last year to actually being on the floor now. India is an important market for us given the explosion in content demand that has happened recently. We are happy and thankful to the I&B ministry and the government for the encouragement and all the help through FFO. I am looking forward to a long and entertaining production in India.”

  • BBC Studios to launch ad-free streamer BBC Select

    BBC Studios to launch ad-free streamer BBC Select

    MUMBAI: BBC Studios is foraying into the global streaming market with BBC Select, an ad-free subscription channel launching in early 2021 in the US and Canada.

    BBC Select will be available on Amazon Prime Video and the Apple TV app and offer a diverse range of programs about culture, politics and ideas. Most of the shows will be exclusive premieres for audiences in the US and Canada.

    “For nearly a century, the BBC has been synonymous with extraordinary television programs – full stop. Name any genre, the BBC is best in class at identifying talent and providing them a platform for expression,” said Americas BBC Studios president Rebecca Glashow. “As we shift our business focus to engaging our fans direct, the digital space offers us the opportunity to bring audiences a portfolio of shows that bring new ideas and perspectives into the conversation. Our research has shown that audiences are looking for an alternative to what is already out there. BBC Select is it.” 

    “BBC Select is for those who crave knowledge, new perspectives, and programs that are not your standard fare,” added general manager and launch director Louise la Grange. “BBC Select will combine a rich line up of never-before-seen shows in the US and Canada with a prized portfolio of thought-provoking, eye-opening programmes that provide context and colour to the world we all share – all in one place.”

    Some of programmes being shown exclusively on BBC Select are:

    Shock of the Nude, hosted by professor of classics Mary Beard, gives a personal take on the nude in western art, right from ancient Greece to the present, and asks why artists seem so obsessed by nudity; 

    Reggie Yates in China sees actor, DJ, and presenter Reggie Yates travel to four very different cities in China to discover the new fault-lines in society and how they affect a generation who have grown up with seemingly more freedom than that of any other in the last 70 years; 

    In Search of Frida Kahlo follows musician Emeli Sandé – who was inspired by the paintings of Kahlo when writing her album – as she visits Mexico City to tell the story of one of Mexico’s most famous artists.

    Fall of an Icon explores the life of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, who after 15 years of house arrest was celebrated as an icon of democracy. But years on, she is now seen by many as an international pariah.

    Mystery of the Missing Princess tells the story of Princess Latifa, the daughter of Dubai’s ruler, who attempted to escape from torture and imprisonment at the hands of her father.

    Putin – A Russian Spy Story is the portrait of a politician who modelled himself on the Russian James Bond and whose presidency reads like a spy thriller.

    The Last Igloo follows a lone Inuit as he hunts, fishes, and constructs an igloo. It tells the story of skills that are disappearing and of how climate change is affecting the lives of Greenland's indigenous people.

  • ISRO sees rise in third party satellite launches

    ISRO sees rise in third party satellite launches

    MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is slowly but surely making its mark as far as its satellite launch services are concerned. Consider: in 2018-19 it pocketed Rs 324.19 crore courtesy its launch capabilities as against Rs 232.56 crore in the year before. That’s a decent 35 per cent plus growth in income from launches.

    This information was given out in a reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha to union minister for atomic energy and space Jitendra Singh late last week.

    Singh further disclosed that ISRO earned Rs 1,245.17 crore during the last five years by launching satellites from 26 countries. Additionally, it has signed contracts with 10 countries –  the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, Singapore, Netherlands, Japan, Malaysia, Algeria, and France  over the same period under commercial arrangements.

    India has till date put into orbit 319 foreign satellites.

  • Times Network to launch ET NOW in Canada

    Times Network to launch ET NOW in Canada

    MUMBAI: Times Network, India’s premium broadcast network announced the launch of ET NOW in Canada after successfully locking a distribution deal with Ethnic Channels Group (ECG), world's largest ethnic broadcaster that operates 100+ television channels across the globe. The partnership was concretized during MIPCOM 2019 at Cannes, France.

    A purpose driven leader in its category, ET NOW is the first Indian English business news channel that will be available in Canada, offering South Asian viewers a wide spectrum of business news. With the brand ethos, Rise with India, ET NOW focuses on matters that affects India’s inclusive development and empowers the discerning Indian diasporic viewers to take part in India’s growth story. Significantly expanding its foot print in North America, ET NOW offers curated content such as India Development Debate, Start Up Central, The Money Show, India Tonight and more with a holistic deliberation on the Indian financial markets, global and local trends impacting the economy.

    Commenting on the partnership, Times Network COO & Executive President Jagdish Mulchandani said, “We are excited to bring ET NOW in Canada through our partnership with ECG, the foremost broadcast leader in the region. ET NOW has raised the bar for the English business news category in India and I am confident this launch will further enrich our offering for the South Asian viewers in the region.”

    “In today's global market, consumption of business news and information will only continue to increase. As a company that understands both content and technology, ECG is very proud to partner with the Times Group to launch ET Now in Canada", said ECG Co-Founder and CEO Slava Levin.

    Times Network has presence in over 100 countries and is an expert curator of segmented and differentiated content across genres.