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Tag: FilterCopy

  • Saregama and Filtercopy strike a new note with love, drama and music

    Saregama and Filtercopy strike a new note with love, drama and music

    MUMBAI: When love hits the right note, even a classroom can turn into a concert. Saregama and Filtercopy are tuning into a new frequency of music promotion with Ishq At Campus, a micro drama that doubles as a music launchpad. The project reimagines how India discovers songs, blending heart-fluttering storytelling with the rhythm of melody.

    In what’s being called an industry-first, Saregama has teamed up with Filtercopy to build a short-format narrative series around an EP marking a bold step away from traditional music videos. The collaboration spotlights Saregama’s exclusive artist Maahi and his debut EP Talab, transforming the release into a cinematic slice of college romance.

    Across 1–2 minute episodes, Ishq At Campus follows two students navigating the innocent chaos of first love as they prepare for their college fest. But this isn’t just another campus story, each episode weaves in one of the four songs from Talab (Talab, Dildaari, Rahein, and Vaari Vaari), turning everyday moments into lyrical discoveries.

    Released on October 14, 2025, Talab marks Maahi’s first foray as an EP artist under the Saregama Music label. Instead of relying on the usual promotional playbook, Saregama has chosen to embed the music into a story world where songs aren’t simply played, they’re felt.

    The concept borrows from Filtercopy’s growing expertise in micro dramas, short, binge-worthy narratives tailored for the scroll-happy attention spans of today’s audiences. Known for blending relatability with emotion, Filtercopy’s content naturally complements the breezy beats and youthful spirit of Talab.

    Together, the two powerhouses are rewriting the rules of music marketing, creating a new template for content-driven song discovery. By merging the pace of social media with the pull of storytelling, they’re turning passive listeners into engaged viewers and perhaps even hopeless romantics.

    Available now on Filtercopy’s Instagram and Youtube channels, Ishq At Campus is more than a music promo, it’s a feeling set to a soundtrack. Because in this classroom of content, every chord tells a story, and every scene hums with Talab.

     

  • Saregama snaps up more of Pocket Aces, goes all in on youth initiative

    Saregama snaps up more of Pocket Aces, goes all in on youth initiative

    MUMBAI: Saregama has snapped up a further 36.63 per cent of Pocket Aces for a cool Rs 127.47 crore. This latest splurge, a second tranche if you will, pushes Saregama’s ownership to a dominant 90.37 per cent, leaving little room for anyone else at the digital buffet.

    The deal, finalised on 29 March  2025, sees Saregama hoovering up a veritable smorgasbord of shares, from equity to an array of convertible preference shares. Pocket Aces, boasting a digital empire of 175 million followers across its FilterCopy, Dice Media, Nutshell and Gobble channels, and a talent roster of over 215 influencers via Clout, is now firmly under Saregama’s wing. The company declared this to the BSE through a regulatory filing on Saturday. 

    Pocket Aces, with a back catalogue of over 35,000 content pieces, from digital originals  to those ubiquitous reels, is a digital goldmine for Saregama, keen to woo the 18-35 demographic.

    Pocket Aces’ financials reveal a turnover of Rs 8859.17 lakhs for FY 24, a slight dip from the previous year’s Rs 10267.93 lakhs, but Saregama is betting on synergies, not just spreadsheets. The acquisition, which includes a related party transaction with a Pocket Aces director – all done “at arm’s length”, naturally – is being touted as a strategic masterstroke.

    “This isn’t just about owning content; it’s about owning the conversation,” an industry observer chirped, with the knowledge that  Pocket Aces’ vast network can be used by Saregama to turbocharge its music library.

    With influencers, long-form content, and snackable reels all under one roof, Saregama is clearly aiming to be the king of the digital jungle.

  • Saregama partners with MTV Hustle 4 to elevate India’s rap game

    Saregama partners with MTV Hustle 4 to elevate India’s rap game

    Mumbai: MTV Hustle is teaming up with Saregama to elevate Indian hip-hop and provide emerging artists the spotlight they deserve. As per the press release music label gains exclusive audio-video rights to all music from MTV Hustle Season 4: Hip Hop Don’t Stop and the first opportunity to sign any of the 15 talented contestants. This strategic alliance marks a key moment in the evolution of Indian hip-hop, pushing rap culture into the mainstream while offering a powerful platform for artists to break into the music industry.

    A press release states that with this partnership, MTV Hustle 4: Hip Hop Don’t Stop is set to elevate Indian rap to new heights, ensuring wider visibility for contestants across major platforms. It further strengthens MTV Hustle’s reputation for nurturing fresh talent and expanding the boundaries of Indian rap within a rapidly evolving musical landscape.

    FilterCopy, a sister concern of Saregama, joins as an Associate Sponsor for MTV Hustle Season 4: Hip Hop Don’t Stop. As part of this collaboration, FilterCopy will feature a segment, ‘FilterCopy Freshly Brewed Bangers’, showcasing standout rap performances from each episode. Popular FilterCopy talent will collaborate with contestants to create engaging content, leveraging the platform’s audience to amplify the rap movement. Fans can also contribute lyrics through user-generated content (UGC), fostering a community-driven celebration of rap culture.

    Anshul Ailawadi business head of youth, music & English, said, “MTV has a rich legacy of producing culture-shaping music. Over the years, MTV Hustle has grown to become the definitive melting pot of desi hip hop music, as extremely talented rap artists vie for glory in each edition. As we strive to build these young artists, Saregama makes for a great partner, to take this modern music format to new audiences. Personally, I am thrilled to see the Saregama team share our vision of building new talent and showcasing fresh music globally.”

    FilterCopy D2C business head Vishwanath Shetty commented, “As one of the first pop culture creators on digital, FilterCopy has always championed fresh talent and created content that resonates deeply with India’s youth. Our partnership with MTV Hustle, the biggest talent discovery platform for hip hop in India, reflects this ethos, enabling us to celebrate the dynamic art of rap while crafting immersive experiences for young audiences.”

    Season 4 of MTV Hustle Hip Hop Don’t Stop promises to be an unforgettable ride, with Saregama and FilterCopy’s collaboration setting the stage for unparalleled entertainment and showcasing the country’s best rap talent. Tune in and catch the latest in India’s rap revolution!

  • FilterCopy and Maruti Suzuki WagonR present ‘Bada Sheher Choti Family’

    FilterCopy and Maruti Suzuki WagonR present ‘Bada Sheher Choti Family’

    Mumbai: Pocket Aces, a leading digital entertainment media company, announced a fresh new mini-series, “Bada Sheher Choti Family,” under their creative studio, FilterCopy in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki WagonR. The three-episode series, with each episode ranging from 8 to 10 minutes, offers a delightful and relatable portrayal of a middle-class family embarking on a life-changing journey.

    “Bada Sheher Choti Family“, starring Nakuul Mehta and Erica Fernandes, unfolds the charming tale of Shruti, Kartik, and their adorable daughter, Navya (Navu), as they transition from their quaint hometown of Indore to the vibrant metropolis of Mumbai. Through their eyes, viewers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, experiencing the thrills and challenges of adapting to a new city, the quest for belonging, and the comforting embrace of unwavering family love.

    Maruti Suzuki WagonR emerges as a star in this series, epitomising the quintessential family car with its roomy design and outstanding mileage. As Kartik and his family navigate their new life in Mumbai, the car becomes a sanctuary of comfort and dependability, seamlessly integrating into their daily adventures and reinforcing the pivotal role of family values. Each episode draws perfect parallels between life and the car’s features, like the spacious seating that embraces the entire family, the intuitive auto gear shift that mirrors the evolving dynamics of family life, and the smartphone navigation system that guides them through the unfamiliar streets of Mumbai, ensuring they always find their way home.

    This collaboration between FilterCopy and Maruti Suzuki masterfully intertwines storytelling with brand synergy, crafting a heartwarming narrative that highlights the power of family and resilience. Maruti Suzuki WagonR enriches the storyline, presenting itself as the ultimate companion for families embracing the challenges of a new city.

    Pocket Aces D2C head Vishwanath Shetty expresses, “We are incredibly excited to present ‘Bada Sheher Choti Family’ on FilterCopy. Pocket Aces has always been at the forefront when it comes to D2C content, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. As part of our strategy this year, we are focused on creating more fiction mini-series on FilterCopy, and this association with Maruti Suzuki WagonR is a significant step in that direction. This mini-series has been carefully crafted to showcase how Maruti Suzuki WagonR is the perfect fit for a family car. With its spacious design and impressive features, it complements the journey of our characters as they navigate life in a big city. We hope to continue this association with Maruti Suzuki and bring you more heartfelt stories in the future.”

    “Maruti Suzuki India Limited is proud to partner with Pocket Aces for ‘Bada Sheher Choti Family.’ This mini-series aligns perfectly with the values that Maruti Suzuki stands for – family, reliability, and resilience. Maruti Suzuki WagonR is more than just a car; it’s a trusted companion for families navigating the journey of life. We hope this series resonates with audiences and reinforces the importance of family bonds,” says Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

  • Saregama acquires majority stake in Pocket Aces

    Saregama acquires majority stake in Pocket Aces

    Mumbai: A new chapter in Saregama’s growth story commences with a majority acquisition in a fast-growing digital entertainment company Pocket Aces Pictures Pvt Ltd, that owns direct relationships with over 95M younger digital-first customers across Instagram, YouTube, etc. Saregama will acquire 51.8 per cent shares for Rs  174 crores with a clear path to further acquire another 41 per cent stake in the next 15 months at pre-agreed multiples. The transaction is an all-cash deal.

    This acquisition will further strengthen Saregama’s strategic ambiton to take leadership position in new music across all Indian languages.  

    Pocket Aces, a youth-focussed digital content creator and publisher, boasts of an IP catalog of over 3000  content pieces ranging across web series, sketches, music videos and reels on its channels FilterCopy, Nutshell and Gobble, and releases over 30 new pieces of content every day. The company’s talent management arm, Clout, manages over 100 digital influencers, and its long-form studio, Dice Media, has created relatable youth-centric web series across OTT platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon.

    Pocket Aces’ revenue from operations was Rs 104 cr in FY23. Revenue has grown by 34 per cent CAGR over the last 4 years and is expected to grow even faster in future.

    Acquiring Pocket Aces will add on a whole new dimension of IP and a distribution network of over 95 million followers, which Saregama will leverage to further popularize its music library among the 18-35 audience segment. It will also create synergies across the artiste & influencer management and long-format video creation businesses of the two companies.

    Saregama vice chairperson Avarna Jain said, “This acquisition signifies the confluence of tradition and innovation. While we have always been leaders in the realm of music and media, this partnership with Pocket  Aces will add new dimensions to our business as we tap into the burgeoning young digital audiences.”

     

  • Cipla’s #BerokZindagi ushers in a new era of storytelling with digital content platform FilterCopy

    Cipla’s #BerokZindagi ushers in a new era of storytelling with digital content platform FilterCopy

    Mumbai: Cipla Ltd.’s #BerokZindagi, partners with one of India’s leading digital entertainment companies, Pocket Aces, to create multiple sketches for the platform’s leading short-form content channel – FilterCopy. By harnessing Pocket Aces’ expertise in crafting and amplifying unique stories, Cipla hopes to further the mission of its largest public and patient awareness campaign – dispelling asthma myths, improving inhaler acceptance, and inspiring asthmatics to live a Berok Zindagi (unstoppable life). This partnership marks the pharmaceutical company’s entry into alternative content formats, that uses relatable storytelling to convey and subtly reinforce an important message. The first video, ‘A Monsoon Romance: When Opposites Attract’, premiered on FilterCopy’s YouTube channel on 7 September.

    Created in easy-to-consume, snackable and shareable formats, each video will tell a heartwarming ‘Slice-of-life’ story scripted by the creative team at FilterCopy in collaboration with Cipla. The first premiere is a captivating love story set against the backdrop of the romanticized Mumbai monsoons. It will not only endear audiences but will also shed light on the fact that monsoons can be triggers for asthmatics. However, through subtle character integrations, the film emphasizes that with proper doctor-prescribed treatment, even those with asthma can enjoy the rainy season to the fullest. All films will be cross amplified through FilterCopy’s social media channels, reaching out to the ‘Digital GECs’ 22+ million audience and will be available in six languages – Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

    Cipla Ltd. CEO – One India business Achin Gupta said, “With India contributing almost 42% of global asthma deaths despite accounting for only 13% of the cases worldwide, Asthma continues to be a high burden disease in India affecting both adults and children.  Misconceptions about asthma and inhalers contribute to the imbalance in its prevalence and outcomes, but correcting these can significantly improve patients’ lives. Over the years Cipla has pushed the boundaries with #BerokZindagi, employing a multitude of creative mediums to help combat misinformation, stigmas, and myths about asthma as well as inhalers and connect with today’s audiences.

    By exploring various content formats that touch upon diverse themes our aim is to integrate our message of awareness and inspiration into the cultural fabric of the country, enabling us to reach and resonate with a wide-ranging audience. With this partnership, Berok Zindagi moves beyond being just an awareness campaign, but to a movement that aims to transform perceptions and improve the lives of those living with asthma.”

    Pocket Aces co-founder & CEO Aditi Shrivastava said, “The Cipla partnership is very special especially since it aligns perfectly with our renewed mission of positive content at Pocket Aces. Storytelling can have a profound impact on dispelling misconceptions, as the Cipla team has already proved with innovative initiatives on their #BerokZindagi campaign. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at Cipla to design content pieces that will address different communities and distinct use cases that will reach a massive audience. Via this campaign, we are looking forward to leveraging our channel FilterCopy to educate, break myths, and empower our audiences to live #BerokZindagi.”

    Using ‘common sense’ as a tool to convey its message, Asthma Ke Liye Inhalers Hain Sahi, Cipla also released an ad film that follows the story of a young schoolboy living with asthma. After being underestimated by the rival cricket team because of his condition, the young boy shows them up and defies expectations, showcasing his talent and determination in the sport, while also highlighting the importance of sticking to his treatment. With a digital first approach, the film features a new rendition of the popular #InhalersHainSahi song. 

  • Semi-urban connect helps FilterCopy attain top slot on Facebook

    Semi-urban connect helps FilterCopy attain top slot on Facebook

    MUMBAI: It’s time to pour a nice cup of filter coffee because it’s no small feat to beat a giant like Buzzfeed. According to a report by Vidooly, FilterCopy page ranked top on Facebook with more than 71 million (71,128,760) views in new age entertainment category with 27.4 million (2,743,641) lifetime followers.

    It has taken over the place of BuzzFeed which reserved the second position with 68.7 million (68,765,209) video viewership. The Glitch co-founder and content chief of the creative Varun Duggirala feels that what may have given FilterCopy an edge was its all-encompassing narrative that cuts across urban and semi-urban people while BuzzFeed is purely urban.

    FilterCopy’s relatable entertainment and humour content is what makes it touch emotions, says iProspect India strategist – content marketing Shipra Tandon. She adds: “FilterCopy is creating connecting and customised content that is tuned to the current generation. Brands are connecting with the audiences in the same language and tonality in which they talk which makes people relate the content to their situations and the way they are.”

    Duggirala adds, “When we scroll down our feeds only two things make us stop and watch- something our mindset relates to and something that sparks our curiosity. In both cases, the right dash of universal humour or tight-knit narrative is what makes all the difference to grab Indian eyeballs, because we innately relate to anything that sparks an emotional response from us.”

    For December, Pocket Aces, which runs the tending content site FilterCopy, will be launching 20 new pieces a day. Over the month there will be six short videos, 300 articles and 20 memes. Two videos have been released as is a new format called FilterCopy Practicals. Plans are underway to launch exciting formats and target the creation of over 500 short videos and over 3000 articles. The team creates everything from scratch. They conceptualise, script, produce, release, and market the whole content.

    But the big question is that, is the revenue pouring in? Duggirala feels gaining substantial viewership will enable signing up in-show advertisers as well as building inventory for when Facebook launches a monetisation model.

    Pocket Aces co-founder Aditi Shrivastava attributes the success to content that people not only love but also share by tagging others. Innovative content and the audience’s favourite FilterCopy faces like Dhruv Sehgal, Veer Rajwant Singh, Aisha Ahmed, Mithila Palkar, AkashDeep Arora, Kriti Vij, Apoorva Arora and many more, catch more eyeballs on social media.

    Currently, Pocket Aces is very much active on its own website, YouTube channel and Facebook. It does not have any plans to launch an OTT platform in the near future. It reaches 40 million unique viewers a week through its channels on social media. Content is also syndicated via Ola Play, Sony Liv, Dainik Bhaskar, Youku Toudo (China) and airlines like Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Etihad.

    Started in 2013, FilterCopy is mixed-media offering from Pocket Aces for shareable written and video content includes articles, relatable videos, funny memes and much more. Pocket Aces is a tech-driven digital media entertainment company of India, focused on creating and distributing highly engaging original content for millennial audiences via its channels Dice Media (premium digital web series), FilterCopy (shareable written and video content), and Gobble (all things food).

    In the past two years, the company has worked with over 40 advertisers including PepsiCo, Flipkart, Landmark Group, T Series, Marico, Kingfisher, Oyo Rooms, Swiggy, etc. Pocket Aces has a wide range of investors that include Sequoia Capital, Aarin Capital, Axilor Ventures, and North Base Media.

    The audience can be assured of new content in the last week but the company is giving a whole week off for its employees to usher in the new year.

  • Dekkho expands regional language content offering

    MUMBAI: Dekkho has partnered with some of the top online content creators in the country such as ScoopWhoop, Pinkvilla, 9X Media, Put Chutney, Being Indian and East India Comedy. In a bid to create an entirely alternate destination and divergence from YouTube and Facebook, and to increase its reach in tier II and III cities, Dekkho will expand its regional language content offerings through these collaborations in addition to mainstream content in English and Hindi.

    Through a long-term content strategy, Dekkho aims to reach 100 million users over the next five years, focussing on the vernacular segment of viewers who do not consume videos on Facebook or YouTube. It will also venture into content translation, dubbing, and voiceover of content for this segment, creating a new, non-overlapping market for creators. Additionally, Dekkho will localise its UI for different markets as well as the newsfeed for regional content.

    Commenting on its strategy, Tanay Desai, co-founder, said, “Dekkho’s initial strategy, which focussed on young urban viewers, has helped us carve a niche in the online entertainment market. Our next phase of expansion is targetted at a much larger viewer base that resides in the smaller towns, highlighting our larger focus at becoming a default social video network for the masses. Unlike incumbent platforms like Facebook and YouTube, which are highly fragmented in terms of content, we want to position Dekkho as a hyper-local, curated video platform. This will be supplemented by an engaging social layer aiming to represent India’s first large-scale video network. To effect, the platform will have a unique, localised avatar for each region and leverage the rising digital penetration across tier II and III towns in India.”

    Around 65 per cent of users on Dekkho belong to tier II and III cities. Around 30 per cent of these users have been acquired through focused regional marketing and do not consume videos on YouTube. As part of its marketing strategy, Dekkho has tied up with leading telecom operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to offer greater exposure to content developed by independent creators. Users streaming videos through Jio Internet subscriptions constitute nearly 30% of the total video consumption on the platform, contributing significantly to the growth among this demographic.

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