Tag: James

  • Xapads Launches in The UK With Appointment of James Eppinger as Country Head

    Xapads Launches in The UK With Appointment of James Eppinger as Country Head

    Mumbai: Xapads, the leader in advanced programmatic and innovative AdTech solutions, expands its operations into the UK market with the appointment of James Eppinger as Country Head.  As Country Head, James will be responsible for building a specialist team to roadmap innovation requirements for local demand, while securing partnerships with technology and supply partners.

    On his appointment, Nitin Gupta, CEO of Xapads, says: “It’s fantastic to have James on board as his years of experience and expertise will help us shape our business in the region. As a company, we have always focused our efforts on data and performance-driven AI capabilities and with him in our team, we aim to redefine industry standards and solidify our position as leaders in harnessing cutting-edge technology for market advantage.

    James has a history of specializing and driving growth for businesses during pivotal points of development, including a number of local market launches. Most recently, he held the position of Country Head UK & EMEA at Datawrkz and prior to that,  Regional Director of EMEA at Connatix, where he continued to make substantial contributions to the field.

    Ramneek Chadha, Chief Operating Officer at Xapads further adds : “James’s leadership is expected to be a solid asset in reaching our business goals. He will play a significant role in helping us cultivate strong, positive relationships and maintain our commitment to high-quality service. As we begin to offer our specialized innovations to local markets throughout EMEA, James’s guidance will be valuable”.

    Xapads is a fast-growing programmatic ad-tech firm, specializing in cross-device insights and intelligent AI that ensures guaranteed outcomes across the entire user journey.

    On joining Xapads, James, Country Head, UK of Xapads, comments:  “I’m excited to be part of a team that leads the way in innovation and creativity within the digital advertising sector. I’m eager to mirror Xapads’ success in the region, and to introduce their top-tier market offerings to independent media agencies, brands and partners across the UK and EU. I look forward to contributing to the delivery of impactful solutions that meet our clients’ needs”.
     

  • Prime Video celebrates James Bond’s 60th anniversary by streaming 25 007 films

    Prime Video celebrates James Bond’s 60th anniversary by streaming 25 007 films

    Mumbai: Amazon’s streaming platform Prime Video has announced that 25 James Bond films will be available to stream in India, the US, the UK and other key territories as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the film franchise. Prime Video also unveiled the official posters and trailers for the 60th anniversary celebration and for “The Sound of 007.” This is a Mat Whitecross-helmed feature documentary about the history of six decades of James Bond music that will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in 240 countries and territories worldwide. All 25 of the Bond franchise films and “The Sound of 007” will be available on 5 October.

    Additionally, following the live 4 October EON Productions and David Arnold-created charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Prime Video will globally stream an exclusive recording of the show, The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall. At the event, guest vocalists and a host of stars will perform Bond themes.

    The 25 films coming to Prime Video in India, the US, U.K., Australia, Italy, Japan, Mexico/Latin America (excluding Brazil), Spain, and Southeast Asia for a limited time are “Dr. No, From Russia with Love,” “Goldfinger,” “Thunderball,” “You Only Live Twice,” “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Live and Let Die,” “The Man with the Golden Gun,” “The Spy Who Loved Me,” “Moonraker,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Octopussy,” “A View to a Kill,” “The Living Daylights,” “Licence to Kill,” “GoldenEye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World Is Not Enough,” “Die Another Day,” “Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Skyfall,” “Spectre,” and “No Time To Die.” With the exception of “No Time To Die,” the 24 films will be available for a limited time in territories including Germany, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Brazil.

    “The Sound of 007” was directed by Bifa and Bafta-nominee Mat Whitecross (“The Kings,” “Oasis: Supersonic,” “The Road to Guantánamo”) for Prime Video and MGM. The feature documentary pulls back the curtain on the history of six decades of James Bond music, taking viewers on a journey from Sean Connery’s “Dr. No” through to Daniel Craig’s final outing in “No Time To Die.” Produced by John Battsek at Ventureland, MGM, and EON Productions, the film charts the history of the music, true tales behind the tunes, and famous faces who have recorded soundtracks for the james Bond movies.

    The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall is an exclusive recording of the official charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 4 October. Guest vocalists will join a line up curated by five-time Bond composer David Arnold. The concert marks 60 years since the world premiere of “Dr. No,” the first 007 film, on 5 October 5 1962. Honoring the franchise’s long tradition of supporting charitable causes, the proceeds of The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall will benefit two music charities: Nordoff Robbins and The BRIT Trust. Following the concert, a custom Duesenberg guitar signed by Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, David Arnold, and the artists will be auctioned online at Christie’s to raise additional funds for the music charities.

    Additional Amazon activations in celebration of the franchise’s 60th include a [RE]DISCOVER: James Bond playlist. Amazon Music customers will be able to listen to the playlist, which will spotlight the songs that have defined the Bond franchise. Amazon Music’s [RE]DISCOVER series showcases playlists across various genres and takes listeners on a career-spanning journey of discovery, or re-discovery, through an entire body of musical work.

  • What to stream this weekend? Top 8 releases you should look out for

    What to stream this weekend? Top 8 releases you should look out for

    Mumbai: Weekend is here but the increasing temperature is not letting you out to have fun, right? Don’t worry! OTT platforms are all up to help you with a fresh content line up for this weekend.

    With OTT players sorting out your weekend with exciting new titles, you can actually have a good time at home with family and friends. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other OTT platforms have new shows and films that you can hook up to right away.

    What makes this weekend special is that platforms have something to offer from all genres including a Hindi thriller “Bachchan Pandey,” the international show “The Kardashians,” a criminal suspense drama “Mai” and many more.

    IndianTelevision.com has jotted down a list of fresh content to watch on different streaming platforms.

    Take a look!

    “The Kardashians” (Disney+ Hotstar)

    If you’re a Kardashian fan and want to peek into their life, “The Kardashians” will be a perfect watch for you this weekend. The show was released on 14 April and you can watch it out on Disney+ Hotstar. The high-profile entertainment series brings on screen some glimpse of the life of Kardhasian sisters- Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé Kardashian, their half-sisters- Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and their mother, Kris Jenner and some of their partners including Travis Barker, Scott Disick, and others. The Kardashians was released on 14 April.

    “Choose or Die” (Netflix)

    “Choose or Die” is a horror thriller starring Asa Butterfield, Iola Evans, Eddie Marsan, and Robert Englund. It is an overwhelming British movie directed by Toby Meakins.

    “Mai” (Netflix)

    “Mai” is one of the most awaited web-series on Netflix. Featuring the popular Indian television actress Sakshi Tawar, the series brings on screen the story of a mother who turns merciless to find her daughter’s killer. “Mai” brings a perfect amalgamation of various emotions for the Indian viewers.

    “Anatomy of a Scandal” (Netflix)

    This anthology drama miniseries developed by David E is a story of a parliamentary minister James Whitehouse is a happily married man with a loving family home, then a scandalous secret comes to light. “Anatomy of a Scandal” is full of drama and suspense to keep you entertained this weekend.

    “Bachchan Pandey” (Amazon Prime Video)

    If you’re a fan of Bollywood, “Bachchan Pandey” will be your perfect resort for this weekend. Starring Akshay Kumar and Kriti Sanon, this film released on 18 March on big screen and is now available on Amazon Prime Video too. It is a story of a budding director trying to research a merciless gangster to make a film on gangster life.

    “Not So Pretty” (HBO Max)

    “Not So Pretty” is a mini TV documentary now available on HBO Max. If you’re looking for a light entertainment option for the weekend, you should definitely watch it. It features an investigation into the trillion-dollar cosmetics, beauty, and personal care industry.

    “Heirs to the Land” (Netflix)

    If you’re a fan of Spanish TV shows you can watch “Heirs to the Land,” which reads as Los herederos de la tierra in Spanish. The series is based on a novel of the same name. It is a well shot Spanish period drama following in the vein of its prequel series, Cathedral of the Sea.

    “Outer Range” (Amazon Prime Video)

    Most awaited American thriller is now live for the audience on Amazon Prime Video. “Outer Range” presents a western family saga with hints of wry humor and supernatural mystery. The first season has a total of 8 episodes, two have released this week. Remaining six episodes will be released in coming weeks, with two each week.

  • SonyLIV acquires streaming rights to Puneeth Rajkumar’s ‘James’

    SonyLIV acquires streaming rights to Puneeth Rajkumar’s ‘James’

    Mumbai: SonyLIV has acquired rights to late actor Puneeth Rajkumar’s last film “James” which will begin streaming 14 April onwards. Apart from Kannada, the film will be streaming in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.

    The film will fortify SonyLIV’s regional library with the addition of Kannada language content.

    Puneeth Rajkumar was a prolific Kannada actor who enjoyed a pan-India appeal and was known for his films “Power” and “Yuvarathnaa”.

    Helmed and written by Chethan Kumar and produced by Kishore Pathikonda, James pairs Puneeth opposite Priya Anand. The film also stars Srikanth, Nawab Shah, Sarath Kumar, Tarak Ponnappa, John Kokken, Chikkanna, Shine Shetty, and Tilak, among others, with Puneeth’s brothers Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar appearing in cameos. Shivarajkumar also did the dubbing for his brother as he died before the commencement of the movie’s post-production.

    “It is an honour to be associated with James, which not only has gripping performances but is also a testament to the outstanding and multifaceted journey of Puneeth Rajkumar on celluloid,” said Sony Pictures Networks India head of content SonyLIV and SET Ashish Golwalkar.

    “He was a true genius, and we are proud to be able to bring his last feature film to his fans everywhere and help them connect with their beloved superstar. It will also boost our regional library, adding to our aim of bringing quality content that resonates with people from all parts of the country,” he added.

    “Directing Puneeth is a dream that only the fortunate can turn into a reality,” said director Chethan Kumar. “I consider myself extremely privileged to have gotten this opportunity. I had envisioned the film with Puneeth in mind, and it was an absolute honour to have him play James. By bringing the movie on SonyLIV, the platform is paying fitting tribute to the legendary personality that he was,” he added.

  • Fox reorganises international division, CEO Hernan Lopez to quit

    Fox reorganises international division, CEO Hernan Lopez to quit

    MUMBAI: In a major restructuring exercise, Fox Networks Group is reorganising its international television unit, consolidating its international channels under regional hubs in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

     

    With this development, Fox International Channels CEO Hernan Lopez will leave the company.

     

    Under the new structure, FIC banner will be discontinued. Additionally, Zubin Gandevia will become president of Fox Networks Group Asia, while Jan Koeppen and Carlos Martinez will hold the same position Europe and Latin America respectively.

     

    All three will report to Fox Networks Group CEO and chairman Peter Rice and Fox Networks Group president and COO Randy Freer.

     

    “As our television business expands globally, the success and scale of our entertainment and sports brands in these fast-growing regions demand that they stand independently. Jan, Carlos and Zubin are extremely talented executives with a sharp understanding of the opportunities for new content and programming in their regions,” Rice said.

     

    “At Fox, I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most talented and creative people in media. I want to thank the several thousand employees and alumni of FIC, as well as Peter Rice, Chase Carey, James, Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch. I’ve been inspired by them and many colleagues throughout Fox, News Corp and Sky, and look forward to future collaborations as I embark on this next stage of my career,” Lopez added.

     

    Gandevia, Koeppen and Martinez will oversee Fox Network Groups’ 350-plus international entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels.

  • Power to surge at MIPTV

    Power to surge at MIPTV

    Paris, Tuesday 21 January 2014 – MIPTV announces the exclusive preview of the upcoming Starz original drama series, Power, as the MIPTV 2014 World Premiere TV Screening.

    The eight-episode first season was created by showrunner Courtney Kemp Agboh (“The Good Wife”) with Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, on board as Executive Producer and part of a stellar cast.

    Power tells the story of wealthy New York City nightclub owner, James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick, who caters to the city’s elite.  He wants to build an empire, turning the club into a Fortune 500 business, but there’s just one problem: he is living a double life.  When he is not in the nightclub, he is the kingpin of the most lucrative drug network in New York for a very high-level clientele.  His marriage, family and business all become unknowingly threatened as he is tempted to leave his criminal life behind and become the rags-to-riches businessman he has always dreamed of.  Set in modern day New York, the series will film in and around the city’s five boroughs, making New York a major character throughout the season.

    “I am excited to host the World Premiere TV Screening of Power at MIPTV with Starz.  We are looking forward to bringing this story to audiences around the world,” said Executive Producer Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson.

    “Starz is thrilled to premiere Power at MIPTV 2014,” said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.  “It’s a universal story of power, seduction and the desire for redemption, all set against one of the most striking and glamorous backdrops in the world – New York City.  We believe world-wide audiences will be swept up in the storytelling, the city and the music.  MIPTV is the perfect setting to premiere Power.”

    “We are honoured that Starz has chosen to showcase its latest major new series as a World Premiere TV Screening at MIPTV.  This underlines the impact of the event, which is ideally suited to a show like Power that is bound to have wide appeal to the numerous international buyers and media present in Cannes,” said Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division.

    The cast is led by Omari Hardwick (Sparkle, For Colored Girls, Kick Ass) who is joined by Lela Loren (Snitch, Gang Related), Naturi Naughton (Fame, The Client List, Mad Men) and Joseph Sikora (Jack Reacher, Safe, Boardwalk Empire).  Hardwick stars as main character James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick; Loren plays Angela Valdes, an old flame of James’ who unexpectedly reenters his life; Naughton will play Tasha St. Patrick, wife, confidant and willing accomplice to James and Sikora plays Tommy Egan, childhood best friend and business partner to Ghost.

    Mark Canton (300, Immortals, 300: Rise of an Empire), Randall Emmett (End of Watch, 2 Guns, Lone Survivor) and David Knoller (Big Love, Carniv?le) also serve as Executive Producers.  The series is being produced in association with CBS Television Studios.  Filmed on location in and around New York, the city itself is also a major player in the series, which is being produced in association with CBS Television Studios.  Starz retains all global distribution and home entertainment rights to the series.

    Executive Producers, alongside Kemp Agboh and Jackson, include Mark Canton, (300, Immortals), Randall Emmett (End of Watch) and David Knoller (Big Love, Carniv?le).

    The MIPTV World Premiere TV Screening takes place on Monday 7 April in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals. The screening of Power will be followed by an on-stage conversation with Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, along with the series’ lead actor Omari Harwick and creator Courtney Kemp Agboh.  The talent will later walk the red carpet to attend the MIPTV Opening Night Party.

    Organised by Reed MIDEM, the MIPTV entertainment market takes place in Cannes from 7-10 April.

  • Murdoch-Wendi get divorced

    Murdoch-Wendi get divorced

    MUMBAI: It’s done and over with. Media baron Rupert Murdoch and his third wife Wendi Deng got divorced on Wednesday. And there was none of the drama that is normally associated with the end of celebrity marriages. The duo –first Murdoch and then Wendi – arrived quietly in the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan and agreed to the terms of the divorce before Judge Ellen Gesmer, and the hearing was over in just about 15 minutes.

     

    The couple had signed one prenuptial and two postnuptial agreements delineating the division of assets in the event of a divorce. As part of the final terms, Wendi will continue to keep the couple’s apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan valued at $44 million and their home in Beijing.

     

    Murdoch and Wendi have two daughters 12 year old Grace Helen, and 10 year old Chloe. The octogenarian has four other children from his two earlier marriages – Prudence, James, Lachlan and Elisabeth.

     

    Murdoch’s personal fortune which was estimated in excess of $13 billion is held in a family trust in which all this six children have an equal economic interest though his two youngest daughters have no voting interest.  The trust owns about 40 per cent stock News Corp and Twenty First Century Fox. News Corp is the owner of India’s $1billion plus turnover Star India network which runs India’s No 1 Hindi GEC Star Plus and also India’s leading sports television network.

     

    Married for 14 years, the couple decided to part ways when Murdoch said he wanted a divorce in June this year as the marriage had irretrievably broken down.  They later issued a joint statement which said: “We are pleased to announce that we have reached an amicable settlement of all matters relating to our divorce. We move forward with mutual respect and a shared interest in the health and happiness of our two daughters. We will not comment on this any further.”