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Tag: Dhruv Chitgopekar

  • Collective Artists Network launches Not Funny brand solutions agency

    Collective Artists Network launches Not Funny brand solutions agency

    MUMBAI: Being funny can be big business. At least that’s the hope that Collective Artists Network founders  Sudeep Subhash and Dhruv Chitgopekar are nurturing. The new age agency has got into bed with comedy duo Funcho—comprising Dhruv Shah and Shyam Sharma— to launch a new creative brand solutions company, strangely called, Not Funny.  Dhruv and Shyam  have built a fanbase of 39.7 lakh YouTube subscribers and over 2.8 million Instagram followers.

    The company will specialise in content-first solutions, focusing on scripting, talent representation, and consultation for brands. Led by CEO Mihir Surana, Not Funny aims to tell brand stories through the lens of comedy, with a strong focus on both fictional and non-fictional content.

    “We have been razor sharp focused on blending technology, entertainment, and strategy seamlessly across all our various ventures, including recent acquisitions like Galleri5, Under 25, and Terribly Tiny Tales.  Funcho’s relatable humour and genuine connection with their audience make them the perfect partners to lead this venture. Not Funny represents our collective ambition to blend creativity, humour, and strategic brand solutions that speak directly to modern consumers,” said Subhash. “

    Big Bang Social, Collective Artists Network’s creator marketplace, played a pivotal role in facilitating this new venture. Through its platform, Not Funny will leverage the vast ecosystem of creators, brands, and storytellers that the former has curated over the years. 

    “We have always strived to be at the forefront of connecting creators and brands in innovative ways. With Not Funny, we’re pushing the envelope even further, creating a space where humour becomes a powerful tool for brand storytelling and audience engagement,” added  Dhruv. 

    Not Funny will cater to brands looking for innovative content strategies by leveraging Funcho’s expertise in real-life inspired comedy and applying it to brand storytelling. The company’s mission is to infuse humour into brand communications, creating highly engaging and relatable campaigns. From scripting to creative consultation and talent suggestions, Not Funny aims to redefine how comedy can be integrated into both digital and traditional media strategies.

    Added Funcho co-founders Dhruv Shah and Shyam Sharma: “Not Funny is dedicated to closing the gap between brands and their audiences. By creating captivating, humorous content, we make branded messaging enjoyable and relatable, ensuring meaningful connections.”

    Simply put, they are not joking! 

  • Big Bang Social partners with Rob & NOOE

    Big Bang Social partners with Rob & NOOE

    Mumbai: Collective Artists Network’s Big Bang Social (BBS) has announced a partnership between artist Harun Robert (a.k.a. Rob) and NOOE, a premium design brand specialising in desk essentials, stationery, and everyday carry products. This collaboration marks a shift in creator-brand engagement, where creators act not only as content creators but also as investors and strategic partners.

    Rob, who is also an investor and NOOE’s new chief community officer, will lead the brand’s community and content strategy for the next five years. Rob said: “NOOE’s dedication to both quality and creativity really resonates with me. This isn’t just about creating content; it’s about being involved at a deeper level, helping shape the brand’s story and building a community that shares our love for thoughtful design. I’m looking forward to working with the team at NOOE and exploring how we can bring something special to people who value creativity as much as we do.”

    Known for his award-winning TV show and innovative DIY projects, Rob’s design expertise and broad appeal make him an ideal partner for NOOE. NOOE, founded by Piyush Suri and Neetica Pande, is a RED DOT Design Award-winning brand available in over nine countries, including in premier outlets like Harrods. This partnership redefines creator-brand collaborations, delivering long-term value.

    NOOE co-founder & CEO Piyush Suri added: “Having Rob join us feels like the perfect match. His vision, combined with his passion for art and design, aligns seamlessly with what we stand for at NOOE. We’re excited about the potential of this partnership to elevate our brand and create a stronger, more personal connection with our customers.”

    Collective Artists Network co-founder Dhruv Chitgopekar commented: “Facilitating a collaboration like this, where a creator takes on such a meaningful marketing and community-building role, is exactly what we strive for at Big Bang Social. Rob’s partnership with NOOE is an exciting step in reimagining how creators and brands work together. We believe this collaboration will grow Rob’s engagement with his community and NOOE’s growth on all relevant brand metrics. This sets the stage for more cutting-edge collaborations that push growth for forward-thinking D2C brands.”

    This strategy sets a new precedent, encouraging startups and investors to think outside the box, empowering creators to take on dual roles as both investors and ambassadors. Big Bang Social is leading the way for innovative collaborations in the industry.

  • SOCIAL partners with Big Bang Social

    SOCIAL partners with Big Bang Social

    Mumbai: Collective Artists Network’s Big Bang Social and India’s leading casual dining restaurant company, Impresario, behind iconic brands like SOCIAL, antiSOCIAL, and Smoke House Deli, have joined forces to form a unique partnership. SOCIAL provides a natural space for creators to come together, offering a platform where they can collaborate and share their work. By fostering these connections, SOCIAL plays an important role in enabling local communities, creating a vibrant environment where creativity and community spirit thrive.

    The essence of this partnership lies in its mission to empower creators across multiple cities to curate compelling narratives that celebrate the essence of their local neighborhoods. From the bustling streets of Hauz Khas to the charm of bylanes of Khar, from the vibrant spirit of Church Street to the yet-to-be-discovered gems, this collaboration brings in a new era of discovery and celebration of local culture.

    Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd chief growth officer Divya Aggarwal commented, “With the creative prowess of creators like comedians, writers, dancers, podcasters, visual design artists, poets, and more, we aim to showcase rich narratives that flaunt different aspects of neighborhoods and bring together local communities in the pincode. This partnership is a milestone development in discovery and celebration of local talents, paving the way for new initiatives in the F&B industry.”

    Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Big Bang Social’s Dhruv Chitgopekar said, “At Big Bang Social, we are committed to providing creators with a platform to amplify their voices and showcase their unique perspectives. In this partnership, we seek to bring in a creative renaissance, where creators are empowered to weave narratives that align with the soul of neighborhoods, giving birth to a sense of exploration and pride in the local culture among patrons of SOCIAL.”

  • Big Bang Social signs Zomaland by Zomato as the creator experience partner

    Big Bang Social signs Zomaland by Zomato as the creator experience partner

    Mumbai: Creator marketplace Big Bang Social has tied up with Zomaland, one of India’s grandest food and entertainment carnivals, by Zomato, which is spread over the weekend across seven cities in 2022-2023 with incredible food, entertainment, carnival games, and attractions all under one roof.

    Big Bang Social has been brought on board as a creator experience partner to activate its vast network of creators that are social storytellers and pop-culture custodians, in their own right.

    As Zomaland makes its place among India’s most iconic live experiences, the country’s thriving creator community will be made part of the legacy being built. Big Bang Social will cater to creators providing them with unforgettable Zomaland experiences.

    The collaboration will include over 300 creators across seven cities where the event is scheduled to take place. Creators will be capturing the best of culinary delights, carnival games, music, and comedy performances at the festival through mini-vlogs and engaging content. Attendees will get a chance to interact with their favourite creators as they attend the spectacular festival.

    “CreatorXP is our way of bringing the world’s best experiences to India’s creator universe. Creators are constantly looking for unique spaces to create content, and IP owners find mutual benefit in their unique story-telling and digital distribution expertise. We’re delighted to be partnering with Zomaland by Zomato to enable this very idea. Creators are gaining a fantastic opportunity to showcase their stories at Zomaland in this amazing confluence of food, music, and community,” says Big Bang Social co-founder Dhruv Chitgopekar.

    “Zomaland is an experience-led food carnival that brings every aspect of Zomato to life. After a two-year hiatus, we are back—bigger, better, and grander—to celebrate and create immersive experiences for our attendees. We’re excited to partner with Big Bang Social and invite key trendsetters to become part of our community while indulging in great food, music, and entertainment at the carnival,” says Zomato Live global head Chaitanya Mathur.

    With over 1,20,000 “curated” influencers and growing on the platform, which has a cumulative reach of over 250 million, Big Bang Social strives to bring true creative and commercial value to the creator market by driving advertising & commerce revenues and creating opportunities across blockchain, metaverse, etc. This backed with the legacy and strength of Collective Artists’ premium celebrity network, makes this ecosystem a one-stop shop for the creator economy.

  • Sports platform Rooter raises funds from Kwan Entertainment, Prantik Dasgupta & Boman Irani

    Sports platform Rooter raises funds from Kwan Entertainment, Prantik Dasgupta & Boman Irani

    MUMBAI: Rooter, a sports social platform that connects sports fans and engages them during live sporting events, has announced the successful completion of a part of its angel investment round. Enabled by Kwan Entertainment, the round was led by Bollywood star Boman Irani and saw participation from Kwan Entertainment partner Dhruv Chitgopekar and corporate professional and avid sports enthusiast Prantik Dasgupta.

    The funds secured will be used to strengthen the technology team at Rooter as well as to create strategic partnerships with various sports platforms, teams, fan clubs and associations.

    “Rooter is based on the inherent need of sports fans to connect and interact with one another across the real and the digital worlds. The idea behind Rooter was unique and interesting, which is why we have been able to raise funds from investors such as Boman, Dhruv and Prantik. This comes as a major shot in the arm for us, and encourages us to push on and use technology to make the sports consumption experience even better and more enjoyable,” said Rooter founder and CEO Piyush.

    Offering a chance for sports fans to connect with one another across real and virtual worlds, the mobile-based platform helps users engage with others sharing their passion. With its focus on smart technology, Rooter takes sporting interactions beyond generic social media platforms by allowing fans to connect through pre-match quizzes and chat forums, unique live match prediction games and post-match interactions in order to share their insights, predictions, analysis and opinions of the game.

    The involvement of Kwan Entertainment underlines the potential of Rooter in the Indian as well as the global sports market. The investment also marks the Irani’s investment in the growing start-up landscape.

    Irani added, “I am proud to be part of the world’s first platform that connects sports fans and engages them to discuss, predict, quiz and even meet offline during the world’s most exciting sporting events. With Rooter’s unique approach, likeminded sporting buddies around the world are now one.”

    Initially focussing on the Indian market, Rooter’s primary emphasis will be on football events such as European club football seasons and Indian Super League (ISL). The platform will also be offering engagement opportunities to cricket fans across India ahead of the ongoing cricket season. Other niche sports, such as F1 and NBA, will also be covered, providing Indian sports enthusiasts a chance to interact with their peers and revel in their passion for their preferred sports.

  • Sports platform Rooter raises funds from Kwan Entertainment, Prantik Dasgupta & Boman Irani

    Sports platform Rooter raises funds from Kwan Entertainment, Prantik Dasgupta & Boman Irani

    MUMBAI: Rooter, a sports social platform that connects sports fans and engages them during live sporting events, has announced the successful completion of a part of its angel investment round. Enabled by Kwan Entertainment, the round was led by Bollywood star Boman Irani and saw participation from Kwan Entertainment partner Dhruv Chitgopekar and corporate professional and avid sports enthusiast Prantik Dasgupta.

    The funds secured will be used to strengthen the technology team at Rooter as well as to create strategic partnerships with various sports platforms, teams, fan clubs and associations.

    “Rooter is based on the inherent need of sports fans to connect and interact with one another across the real and the digital worlds. The idea behind Rooter was unique and interesting, which is why we have been able to raise funds from investors such as Boman, Dhruv and Prantik. This comes as a major shot in the arm for us, and encourages us to push on and use technology to make the sports consumption experience even better and more enjoyable,” said Rooter founder and CEO Piyush.

    Offering a chance for sports fans to connect with one another across real and virtual worlds, the mobile-based platform helps users engage with others sharing their passion. With its focus on smart technology, Rooter takes sporting interactions beyond generic social media platforms by allowing fans to connect through pre-match quizzes and chat forums, unique live match prediction games and post-match interactions in order to share their insights, predictions, analysis and opinions of the game.

    The involvement of Kwan Entertainment underlines the potential of Rooter in the Indian as well as the global sports market. The investment also marks the Irani’s investment in the growing start-up landscape.

    Irani added, “I am proud to be part of the world’s first platform that connects sports fans and engages them to discuss, predict, quiz and even meet offline during the world’s most exciting sporting events. With Rooter’s unique approach, likeminded sporting buddies around the world are now one.”

    Initially focussing on the Indian market, Rooter’s primary emphasis will be on football events such as European club football seasons and Indian Super League (ISL). The platform will also be offering engagement opportunities to cricket fans across India ahead of the ongoing cricket season. Other niche sports, such as F1 and NBA, will also be covered, providing Indian sports enthusiasts a chance to interact with their peers and revel in their passion for their preferred sports.