ITV

Tag: Global expansion

  • Bite-sized and booming: how FareFlow’s microdramas are conquering the world

    Bite-sized and booming: how FareFlow’s microdramas are conquering the world

    MUMBAI: Three weeks. That’s all it took for FlareFlow to vault from newcomer to number one on America’s free entertainment app charts, on both iOS and Android. The microdrama platform—brief, serialised stories designed for mobile screens—has cracked a formula that’s reshaping how millions consume entertainment. And it’s not stopping at American shores.

    Col group’s international platform hit a new single-day revenue record just three weeks after breaking into America’s top five on Google Play. The surge signals something bigger than a viral moment: audiences worldwide are abandoning hourlong episodes for stories that fit between tube stops.

    According to Sensor Tower data from 22 August to 20 September 2025, FlareFlow now ranks third in Germany, fourth in Australia and fifth in Canada among short-drama and entertainment apps. The momentum reflects a fundamental shift in viewing patterns. Where audiences once defaulted to traditional series or films, they’re increasingly choosing bite-sized narratives that slot seamlessly into daily routines.

    China offers a glimpse of what’s coming. Microdrama revenues there have already overtaken the traditional box office, according to Media Partners Asia, with Col’s intellectual property portfolio driving much of that growth. FlareFlow is now exporting this model globally, adapting genres to local tastes: revenge plots, flash marriages and family conflict dominate in Southeast Asia, whilst young adult fiction, werewolves and CEO-driven dramas resonate in Western markets.

    “This is not a passing trend in China or America—it’s a global shift in storytelling,” said Col group chief executive Ray Tong. “People have consumed vertical content since Instagram Stories and TikTok, but what’s evolving is the storytelling itself. FlareFlow is shaping that evolution for audiences everywhere.”

    To sustain this growth, Col is investing heavily in infrastructure and partnerships. The company has established more than 30 international production teams across Los Angeles, New York, Canada, London and southeast Asia, supported by dual post-production centres in Beijing and Los Angeles. By year-end 2025, it plans to open the industry’s first purpose-built microdrama production studio in Hengqin, Greater Bay Area—a 10,000-square-metre facility with 30 soundstages tailored specifically for short-form content.

    With a pipeline of 280 dramas, FlareFlow is scaling aggressively. Since launching in April 2025, the platform has surpassed 15 million downloads across 177 regions, with monthly user spending increasing more than 500 per cent.

    “What excites us most is that it isn’t just about FlareFlow’s growth—it’s about investing in an ecosystem,” added at Col group general manager for international press and southeast Asia Timothy Oh. “Our investments worldwide are helping the industry adapt and thrive as microdramas become part of everyday viewing.”
    The question now isn’t whether microdramas will succeed, but how quickly they’ll reshape the global entertainment landscape.

  • One Life Studios brings in syndication veteran Govind Shahi as strategic advisor to sharpen global playbook

    One Life Studios brings in syndication veteran Govind Shahi as strategic advisor to sharpen global playbook

    MUMBAI: In a plot twist worthy of its own primetime drama, One Life Studios has just cast a syndication superstar in a key behind-the-scenes role. The content licensing and syndication powerhouse has brought on board industry heavyweight Govind Shahi as strategic advisor. And no, this isn’t just another boardroom shuffle—it’s a strategic power move with its eyes on the global prize.

    Announced on 24 March 2025, the appointment comes as One Life Studios doubles down on its mission to take Indian storytelling to far-flung corners of the globe. With a legacy of distributing epic serials like Mahabharat, Porus and RadhaKrishn, the company is already India’s leading ambassador of mythological multiverses.

    Shahi, previously international business head at Viacom18’s Indiacast, knows the international syndication game like the back of his remote control. Under his watch. And now, with Shahi in the driver’s seat, One Life Studios plans to fast-track its global conquest.

    “At One Life Studios, our mission has always been to take powerful Indian stories to the world while curating exceptional global content for Indian audiences. Govind’s deep understanding of international markets and his strategic expertise make him the perfect partner to help us accelerate this vision. We are excited to have him join us as we continue to push boundaries and bring great stories to viewers everywhere,” said One Life Studios CEO & founder Siddharth Kumar Tewary.

    Clearly, the company isn’t looking to paint by numbers. With a robust content library featuring short films, infotainment, movies, digital and television shows, One Life Studios has been building a content arsenal since 2017 that could rival any OTT behemoth.

    Shahi, in his new role, stated: “I am excited to collaborate with the team at One Life Studios. As the company expands its boundaries and enters a further growth phase, my focus will be on leveraging my experience to elevate its global presence and accelerate expansion into emerging markets, forging key partnerships. I look forward to bringing the studio’s creative vision to international audiences and pioneering new standards in the industry.”

    If the strategy pans out, this won’t just be a boost for One Life Studios—it’ll be a win for Indian storytelling across continents. With the global content bazaar more crowded than a Mumbai local, this is a well-timed wicket.

    With Shahi’s appointment, One Life Studios is eyeing expansion with a sharper, savvier playbook. Acquiring, licensing, and distributing premium content isn’t just their business model—it’s their battleground. And now, with a seasoned general on board, they’re ready to win the next global content war.

  • Pocket FM’s Rs 1,000 crore revenue milestone: Growth soars 500 per cent YoY

    Pocket FM’s Rs 1,000 crore revenue milestone: Growth soars 500 per cent YoY

    Mumbai: Imagine a world where your favorite stories come alive—not on screens, but in your ears, whispering adventures and drama as you multitask through life. When binge-watching wasn’t an option, Pocket FM became your storytelling savior, transforming mundane chores and long commutes into thrilling escapades. Today, the platform that brought you gripping audio series at the tap of a finger is basking in the spotlight, shattering records with its meteoric rise.

    In an extraordinary leap, Pocket FM has surged past the Rs 1,000 crore revenue milestone in FY 2024, marking an awe-inspiring 496 per cent year-on-year growth from Rs 176.36 crore in FY 2023. This groundbreaking success cements the company’s status as a trailblazer, combining innovative storytelling, microtransactions, and global ambition to rewrite the rules of entertainment. As it inches closer to profitability, Pocket FM’s journey serves as an inspiring masterclass in turning sound waves into success stories.

    Pocket FM reported a global revenue of Rs 1,051.97 crore, bolstered by significant growth in subscription and advertising revenue. This rapid expansion comes alongside a 21 per cent reduction in global losses, from Rs 208 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 165 crore in FY 2024, highlighting its strategic push towards operational efficiency.

    Financial highlights: A year of remarkable transformation

    Subscription Revenue Growth:
    The platform’s subscription revenue skyrocketed, increasing nearly sixfold from Rs 160.05 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 934.73 crore in FY 2024. This growth reflects the platform’s ability to build a thriving community of paid users, largely driven by its innovative microtransaction model.

    Advertising Revenue Expansion:
    Advertising revenue increased over seven times, from Rs 12.5 crore to Rs 89.34 crore, underscoring the platform’s growing attractiveness for advertisers.

    Enhanced Operational Efficiency:
    Pocket FM’s expense-to-earnings ratio improved significantly, from 2.18 in FY 2023 to 1.16 in FY 2024, illustrating the company’s disciplined approach to cost optimisation.

    Loss Reduction:
    Losses decreased by Rs 43 crore, down from Rs 208 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 165 crore in FY 2024, reinforcing the company’s commitment to profitability.

    Pocket FM

    Pocket FM has reshaped entertainment through its serialised audio storytelling model. Over 30 audio series have each surpassed the Rs 10 crore revenue milestone, with seven series crossing Rs 100 crore—a testament to the platform’s robust content pipeline. Additionally, the platform leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to produce over 40,000 audio series, contributing Rs 25 crore to its revenue.

    With over 100 billion minutes of streaming powered by its 200-million-strong listener community, the platform has also recorded 45 million transactions through its microtransactions model.

    While India remains a core market, Pocket FM is making aggressive strides in global markets like the United States, Europe, and Latin America. The company’s investments in localised content, advanced technology, and strategic user acquisition have bolstered its international footprint, positioning it as a global leader in entertainment innovation.

    “This growth reflects our relentless efforts to redefine the entertainment landscape. With a sharp focus on leveraging AI, we are not only enhancing operational efficiency but also creating smarter processes that optimise content delivery and monetisation. Our vision remains clear: to establish Pocket FM as a global entertainment platform that consistently pushes the boundaries of content experiences.” said Pocket FM, CFO, Anurag Sharma.

    Anurag sharma

    Pocket FM’s success is an inspiring example of a tech-driven company prioritising scalability while staying on the path to profitability. As it continues to redefine the entertainment landscape, the company’s disciplined growth strategy, innovative storytelling approach, and global ambitions place it on an upward trajectory in the ever-evolving world of digital content.

  • Neysa appoints Sujit Janardanan as CMO

    Neysa appoints Sujit Janardanan as CMO

    Mumbai: Neysa appoints Sujit Janardanan as its chief marketing officer (CMO). With over 24 years of experience in strategic B2B marketing, Sujit is set to expand Neysa’s global reach and enhance its position as a trusted AI partner for businesses worldwide.

    As Neysa continues to democratize AI adoption across industries, Sujit’s appointment arrives at a pivotal moment. He brings a deep understanding of the AI landscape and a proven ability to build strong brands, which will be key to communicating Neysa’s unique value proposition to global customers.

    In his new role, Sujit oversees Neysa’s global marketing strategy, focusing on brand development, customer engagement, and strategic partnerships. His expertise in AI and cloud technologies aligns with Neysa’s mission to provide secure, scalable, and cost-effective AI solutions. He will lead initiatives in product marketing, branding, and go-to-market strategies as the company expands into new regions.

    Before Neysa, Sujit served as Cropin Technology’s CMO where he led AI-powered digital transformation in the agriculture sector. His previous role at Google Cloud India showcased his ability to navigate competitive environments and position companies like Google Cloud against major players such as AWS and Microsoft.

    Neysa’s CEO and co-founder, Sharad Sanghi said, “Sujit brings a unique blend of experience in building and executing marketing strategies for cutting-edge technologies and building brands that resonate with customers across sectors and markets. His vision and leadership will be critical in enabling Neysa to fulfill its commitment to democratize AI adoption globally. We are excited to have Sujit lead our marketing efforts as we continue expanding into new markets and sectors.”

    Sujit expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am excited to join Neysa at a time when AI is reshaping industries and redefining how businesses operate. Neysa’s commitment to making AI accessible and scalable for organizations of all sizes resonates with my own passion for leveraging technology to drive growth and innovation. At Neysa, we are trying to build a home for AI, so ensuring that the world learns about Neysa and its unique approach to enabling AI adoption is what I look forward to the most.”

  • DashLoc appoints Ashish Tiwari as co-founder & CSO for global expansion

    DashLoc appoints Ashish Tiwari as co-founder & CSO for global expansion

    Mumbai:  DashLoc, a leading hyperlocal MarTech discovery platform in India, appoints Ashish Tiwari as co-founder and chief strategy officer (CSO), focusing on Product and Partnerships. This move marks a new phase of global expansion for DashLoc, with Ashish leading the charge.

    Ashish, an IIT Kharagpur graduate, brings extensive entrepreneurial experience, having founded and scaled three startups, including Hair Originals, which gained national attention on SharkTank India. After successfully securing funding, his recent startup Hair Forever was acquired in July 2024, solidifying his reputation in the industry. He has also held leadership roles at CISCO, AIG, and unicorn startup Droom.

    Ashish has mentored DashLoc’s partnership and product teams for the past year, contributing to the platform’s growth. As CSO, he will drive product strategy and build strong partnerships to enhance DashLoc’s offerings.

    DashLoc’s co-founder & CSO, Ashish Tiwari commented, “I am thrilled to officially join DashLoc at such a pivotal time. Having been involved in mentoring the team over the past year, I have seen firsthand the immense potential of our platform. I look forward to working closely with the visionary CEO Sumit Singh our tech maverick Gaurav, and the entire DashLoc family to drive our mission of revolutionising hyperlocal discovery.”

    DashLoc’s CEO, Sumit Singh, “We are delighted to welcome Ashish onboard as Co-Founder and CSO. His entrepreneurial experience, coupled with his strategic acumen, will be invaluable as we continue to scale our operations and innovate within the MarTech space. With Ashish on board, we certainly foresee an accelerated growth pace, gearing up to dominate the industry in India and across the globe.”

    With Ashish’s leadership, DashLoc aims to accelerate its growth and dominate the hyperlocal MarTech industry.

  • Pocket FM surpasses $25 mn ARR

    Pocket FM surpasses $25 mn ARR

    Mumbai: The audio series platform Pocket FM has announced its entry into the US market and international development.

    The company published a performance update for the period October 2021–September 2022 after finishing its fourth year of operations in September 2022.

    Due to the launch of the micropayment model and advertising solutions, the company’s ARR (annualised revenue run rate), as recorded through October 2022, has surpassed $25 million.

    In its fourth year of operation, the platform has seen a 10X increase in revenue thanks to the addition of micropayments, with 500,000+ weekly transactions.

    Commenting on its fourth-year performance update, Pocket FM co-founder & CEO Rohan Nayak said, “We started with a vision to redefine the audio entertainment space, reviving it as a mainstream entertainment form with audio series, and unearthing unique and unheard stories for our listeners worldwide. As we scale up to emerge as the global audio series platform, we will continue to strengthen our content library and nurture and grow our creator community across the world to keep our listeners entertained.” 

    He further added, “We are glad to have led this category creation with sustainable and profitable growth. As we successfully discovered the content monetisation model in the audio space, our revenue has grown 10X to $25 million ARR in just 12 months. With the continued momentum and expected growth targets, we foresee another 4X growth in our revenue during our fifth year of operations, thus entering the $100 million ARR club within five years of our operations.”

    Content, creators, and consumption

    With 733 audio series, the audio series platform has expanded its selection of content. As a result, audio series, a fictional long-form audio storytelling genre developed and pioneered by Pocket FM, have increased by 270 per cent. With over 90 per cent  of all time spent on the platform, this category has dominated consumption.

    The company’s creator community has grown to over 500,000 people worldwide, and its listener community has increased to over 80 million people. In its fourth year, streaming on Pocket FM has increased by 75 per cent and surpassed 40 billion minutes.

    The age range of its listeners, which makes up more than 80 per cent , is 15 to 35. The majority of people in this category enjoy family drama, romantic suspense, and thrillers. In addition to these well-liked genres, Pocket FM has observed a positive pattern of consumption in the fantasy segment, which has seen a 4X increase in listening minutes. 

    User insights 

    With a median age of only 28.4 years, India is a young country, and younger people have found Pocket FM’s storytelling to be engaging. 85 per cent of all Pocket FM listeners are younger than 35, with 68 per cent falling under the age of 25. Due to its extensive library of content, Pocket FM is incredibly well-liked in rural areas as well as small towns, but among the top five cities on the platform are Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad.

    Over 50 million people listen to audio series, a long-form storytelling genre that Pocket FM developed and promotes. Of these listeners, 26 per cent  are romance junkies, and 20 per cent  are thriller fans. On average, its audience listens for more than 100 minutes every day.

    31 per cent  of Pocket FM listeners tune in to their preferred programming while in motion, primarily during their commute to and from work between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. It’s interesting to note that listeners are more attentive to the platform before bed or when they are unwinding. During the hours of 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight, about 45 per cent of listeners tune into Pocket FM.

    Pocket Novels

    In addition to its audio programming, Pocket FM launched its online reading service, “Pocket Novel,” in October 2021. More than 100,000 novels have been uploaded by the writer community to Pocket Novel in the past year or so.

    Similar to Pocket FM, Pocket Novel has seen a daily average user time of 100+ minutes. During that time, it has recorded well over 400 million reads. Additionally, the company has begun turning the best-selling novels into audio series and has added a robust pipeline across genres.

    Tech and Product

    To increase user engagement and retention, Pocket FM is doubling its investments in its AI and ML capabilities and focusing on developing a sophisticated, personalised content recommendation engine. Additionally, it is developing cutting-edge text-to-speech, image, and NLP generative AI capabilities, which will accelerate content testing and production.

    Additionally, it is enhancing its AI capabilities for content moderation and quality testing that are automated.

    Funding

    With two rounds of capital injections in its fourth year, Pocket FM is in a strong financial position. In December 2021, the company raised $22.4 million in Series B funding, and in March 2022, it raised $65 million in Series C funding.

    The company has raised $93.5 million in total.

  • Mercer | Mettl appoints Vineet Singh as CMO to lead its global expansion

    Mercer | Mettl appoints Vineet Singh as CMO to lead its global expansion

    Mumbai: Mercer|Mettl, the global leader in talent acquisition and skill assessment has appointed Vineet Singh as chief marketing officer (CMO) to lead its marketing and customer engagement functions, along with strengthening its global footprint.

    In this role, Vineet intends to deliver innovative marketing process automation and omnichannel digital marketing strategies for the product-led-growth. He will work closely with sales, products, and operations to achieve marketing growth objectives.

    Vineet comes with two decades of global experience in building highly functional marketing teams. He has led teams of more than 450+ across geographies and industries such as automobile, retail, health, education, and BFSI and FMCG sectors.         

    Commenting on Vineet’s appointment, Mercer | Mettl CEO Siddhartha Gupta said, “I am delighted to welcome Vineet onboard. His high-performance record, combined with his in-depth expertise and strategic acumen, will play a vital role for us as we take our brand to the next level. I cannot think of a better fit than Vineet to lead us as we further advance our market position.”

    Prior to joining Mercer | Mettl, he was the co-founder and CMO of CopperBridge Media and Appylika. In addition, he has led renowned business teams at Ford, Whirlpool, and Hudson.

    On his appointment, Vineet Singh said, “It is rare to find a company with great people, culture, and opportunity that Mercer | Mettl currently has. I aim to provide value beyond the mandate as it allows growth not only personally, but also helps the organisation grow exponentially. I look forward to working with all internal and global stakeholders to develop a robust growth story.”

    An alumni of IIT Kharagpur and Cornell University, Vineet is an aspiring chef, wildlife hiker, and bike enthusiast.

  • BYJU’S taps Rachna Bahadur to lead global expansion

    BYJU’S taps Rachna Bahadur to lead global expansion

    Mumbai: Edtech company BYJU’S on Friday announced the appointment of Rachna Bahadur as the senior vice president to lead its global expansion plans.

    In her new role, Bahadur will lead the overall planning, strategy, and roadmap for BYJU’S expansion in new and existing markets. In addition to designing BYJU’S next growth phase, creating new partnerships, reinforcing sales, and solidifying the company’s market positioning across the globe, she will also be responsible for strengthening the footprint of BYJU’S recent acquisition of Epic in the US market, said the company in a statement.

    According to a statement, this appointment is a step towards strengthening BYJU’S leadership across verticals as the company aims to further build world-class products, teams, and partnerships. “Rachna is a leader with a proven track record. Her extensive knowledge, depth of experience, and core background in consumer product practice will prove a key asset to us,” stated BYJU’S chief people officer Pravin Prakash. “She will play a vital role in charting a high impact and high growth network for BYJU’S,  and we are pleased to welcome her on board and look forward to supporting her in this journey.”

    With over 15 years of experience, before joining BYJU’S, Bahadur was a partner at Bain & Company where she was a leader in the consumer product practice. She also co-led the ‘Women @ Bain’ India chapter which aims at creating an inclusive and gender non-conforming (GNC) environment for women to thrive in. At Bain, she has advised top Indian and MNC FMCGs on topics ranging across market entry, growth strategy, marketing, sales, M&A, and organisation design.

    “For a decade, BYJU’S has been at the helm of creating value in a student’s life, and I am thrilled to be a part of the team that is at the forefront of redefining the way education is delivered across the world. From building new partnerships to expanding existing ones, I look forward to crafting new strategies to take BYJU’S into its next phase of growth,” said Rachna Bahadur on her new assignment.