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Tag: Manish Aggarwal

  • FanCode aces it: Roland Garros streams every court, every smash, every stat

    FanCode aces it: Roland Garros streams every court, every smash, every stat

    MUMBAI: Tennis fans, rejoice! FanCode is swinging into the grand slam game, teaming up with Sony LIV to stream every single rally from Roland Garros 2025. From 25 May to 8 June, viewers can follow the drama across all courts — live, on demand, and on their own terms.

    Marking its smashing debut into tennis, FanCode is now letting fans pick and pay: fancy just Djokovic vs Alcaraz? You got it. Want the whole clay court carnival? That’s in play too. No bundles. No fluff. Just pure, uncut tennis.

    But it’s not just video. Real-time stats will now pop up mid-stream on the FanCode app — think rally lengths, break point conversion, and more geeky-goodness — offering die-hards a courtside analyst’s view from their couch.

    “At FanCode, we take great pride in building a product purely for sports fans. With tennis entering a new era and a strong fan base in India, we are reimagining how the sport is viewed. Our fan-first approach lets viewers engage with the game on their terms — whether it’s following a favourite player or tuning into a specific match.”
    said FanCode co-founder Prasana Krishnan., 

    Sony LIV’s head of growth and monetisation Manish Aggarwal added, “Sony LIV has consistently been the go-to destination for premium global sports leagues in India. We’re thrilled to partner with FanCode to bring the excitement of the Roland Garros 2025 to an even wider audience across the country. This collaboration not only amplifies the reach of one of tennis’ most iconic Grand Slams but also ensures that fans across India can seamlessly follow their favourite players and catch every match live or on demand with greater ease and flexibility than ever before.”
     

    FanCode’s Roland Garros coverage will be available via its mobile apps (iOS & Android), smart TVs and www.fancode.com.

    Whether you’re backing Sinner or Swiatek, Sabalenka or Osaka — it’s game, set, match for streaming tennis in India.

  • Sony LIV expands global presence and announces foray in Africa and the Caribbean region

    Sony LIV expands global presence and announces foray in Africa and the Caribbean region

    Mumbai: Sony LIV, a video-on-demand (VOD) service, is proud to announce its strategic expansion into select countries in Africa and the Caribbean region. This move underscores Sony LIV’s commitment to providing indigenous entertainment to a global audience and delivering high-quality content to viewers worldwide. Sony LIV’s extensive library boasts over 40,000 hours of content across multiple languages. Users of South Africa, Mauritius, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago can now access this rich content catalogue, catering to their diverse tastes and preferences.

    The users will have access to an impressive lineup of content that ranges from gripping original series such as Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, Rocket Boys, Maharani, and Gullak to 18,000 hours of high-octane TV shows to select sporting events. The platform is also home to acclaimed regional and Hollywood films such as Gargi, 2018, Por Thozhil, and Saudi Vellakka among others.

    Users can visit sonyliv.com or download the app from Google Playstore, Apple Appstore, or AFS store. The app is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, including Android Mobile/Tab, Android TV, iPad, and Apple TV, ensuring that viewers can enjoy their favourite content anytime, anywhere.

    This expansion is a pivotal step in Sony LIV’s mission to connect with the Indian community globally while also reaching out to new audiences and enriching the entertainment experiences of viewers in Africa and the Caribbean.

    Sony LIV head – growth and monetization Manish Aggarwal We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our services in South Africa, Mauritius, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago. These continents are home to a significant population of the Indian diaspora and with an accelerated digital adoption amongst consumers in the market, there is an increasing appetite for digital entertainment that is both culturally rich and has a wide appeal. Leveraging this, Sony LIV aims to offer an inclusive and seamless viewing experience to the users. 

  • Bikano announces #PyarKaMeethaBandhan campaign

    Bikano announces #PyarKaMeethaBandhan campaign

    Mumbai: As the festive fervor of Raksha Bandhan envelops the nation, Bikano has unveiled an emotionally stirring campaign aimed at fostering the spirit of love, bonding, and compassion. This unique initiative, an extension of the much-loved “#PyarKaMeethaBandhan campaign,” not only celebrates the festival but also raises awareness about adoption and the power of sibling relationships.

    In continuation of the remarkable #PyarKaMeethaBandhan campaign launched last year, Bikano embarks on an inspiring journey to touch hearts and create meaningful connections. This year’s campaign delves into the profound emotion of sibling love while simultaneously encouraging adoption as a beautiful way to expand families. The heartwarming television commercial depicts a poignant scene where a young boy yearns for a sister to tie him a rakhi. His wish is fulfilled when his parents surprise him with a newly adopted sister, reinforcing the belief that love knows no boundaries.

    Bikanervala Foods Pvt Ltd & Bikano director Manish Aggarwal emphasised, “This Raksha Bandhan, we’re thrilled to unveil a campaign that not only honors the timeless bond between siblings but also underscores the importance of adoption in nurturing new relationships. Our society has more than 2 crore orphans, and the adoption rate is decreasing. Through our campaign, we aim to raise awareness about adoption and inspire people to consider embracing a new member into their families. By sharing your support for adoption, you can be a part of this noble cause.”

    Bikano marketing head Kush Aggarwal has expressed, “Festivals are moments of unity, joy, and heartfelt connections. Through our #PyarKaMeethaBandhan campaign, our goal is to etch an unforgettable Raksha Bandhan in the hearts of all. Whether it’s via our vibrant social media presence, resonating across the radio-waves, or collaboratively crafting emotional connections with select societies and NGOs, Bikano aspires to weave a rich tapestry of emotions. This campaign stands as a testament to the enduring power of sibling bonds and the warmth of adoption.”

  • Bikano launches new TVC positioning itself as ‘bhujia expert’

    Bikano launches new TVC positioning itself as ‘bhujia expert’

    Mumbai: Snack and packaged food manufacturer Bikano has launched a new TVC highlighting the difference between any plain bhujia and Bikano’s bhujia.

    The new ad spot conveys the brand’s message in a fun and lively way. A man wheelchair-bound man with a plastered leg is seen coming out of the society elevator and quickly getting to the store to slam Babu Lal for sending him an ordinary pack of bhujia. When he specifically demands Bikano from him, the Bikano mascot appears in the scene to remind Babu Lal that Bikano is the only bhujia. The commercial ends with the tagline ‘Hum Se Behtar Bhujia Ko Jaane Kaun.’

    “Bhujia is not just a snack for Indians, it is a food mood, a winner on the leader board of Indian namkeen,” commented Bikano director Manish Aggarwal. “At Bikano, we understand and appreciate that fact, hence we only use the finest quality of ingredients to produce the world-famous Bikano Bhujia, and the same goes for all our products. Our bhujia TVC reiterates why Bikano is a preferred brand in the category.” 

  • Airtel launches Xstream Premium aggregator service, onboards 15 OTT brands

    Airtel launches Xstream Premium aggregator service, onboards 15 OTT brands

    Mumbai: Further democratising the growing digital entertainment ecosystem in India, Bharti Airtel (Airtel), on Thursday announced the launch of its new video streaming aggregator service – Airtel Xstream Premium. The company is targeting 20 million subscriptions through the new offering.

    Aggregating content from 15 Indian and global OTT platforms in one app, Airtel Xstream Premium will give customers access to Live channels and a catalogue of over 10,500 films and shows from SonyLIV, ErosNow, Lionsgate Play, Hoichoi, ManoramaMax, Shemaroo, Ultra, HungamaPlay, EPICon, Docubay, DivoTV, Klikk, Nammaflix, Dollywood, and Shorts TV. More OTT players will be onboarded going ahead, said the statement.

    Airtel Xstream Premium offers its service with a single app, single subscription, single sign-in, unified content search and AI-driven personalised curation for each user. It can be accessed across mobile devices through the web, and on TV through the Xstream set-top-box. The service will be available exclusively to Airtel customers at Rs 149 per month.

    “Airtel Xstream Premium is a game-changing innovation to democratise OTT content in India by solving the key challenges of content discovery, affordability and distribution,” said Airtel digital CEO Adarsh Nair. “As a unified digital platform, it’s a win-win proposition for customers and OTT players alike as we begin an exciting journey to make digital entertainment mainstream in India.” 

    SonyLIV’s growth and monetisation head Manish Aggarwal added, “Our partnership with Airtel Xstream will bring premium content – from originals, movies, sports and Sony India network content in all the leading languages, along with top shows from Hollywood to over 340 million Airtel customers. SonyLIV’s rich content library coupled with Airtel Xstream’s deep distribution reach and massive scale capabilities make it for a perfect partnership for both sides and we look forward to a long and successful association.”

    “Hoichoi has always been committed to making its content available to a wider audience base. Airtel, being one of the most widely used network, with a similar aim of serving people from all corners of the country, makes this partnership a truly dynamic one. This will enable Hoichoi to penetrate deeper into the Tier – II and Tier – III cities by providing Airtel users with a Hoichoi subscription bundled with an attractive Airtel recharge pack,” remarked Hoichoi CEO Soumya Mukherjee.

    “Eros Now is a mass-market consumer proposition with thousands of movies, original series, music videos, short-form content and more in multiple languages,” stated Eros Now CEO Ali Hussein. “This symbiotic partnership with Airtel Xstream will further accelerate Eros Now’s adoption in India and allow an even larger number of video users to access our popular and engaging content. I am confident that consumers will enjoy the experience of accessing the best of entertainment and internet on a single platform.”

  • Bikano expands its western snacks category with three new products

    Bikano expands its western snacks category with three new products

    Mumbai: Snacks major Bikano has announced the launch of three new products ‘Mexican Crunch’ and ‘Fun Sticks’ (two variants) to increase its market share and revenue stream in the western snacks category. Available at different price points, the new products are aimed at solidifying the brand’s presence in the western snacks market.

    All three new launches will be promoted across channels like digital, retail and print media.

    “The new launches provide us a means to target new markets and customers, increase market share, sell more and eventually increase our revenue streams,” stated Bikano director Manish Aggarwal. “A wide range of products portfolio also gives confidence to the retailer and provides an opportunity to infuse new energy into the channel, thus increasing sales revenue. Treatos Mexican Crunch and Chatax Fun sticks are definitely going to work as fuel for growth.”

    “The new work-from-home culture post lockdowns has grown the munching habit among people. Observing these trends, we believe that the snacks market is going to get even bigger. For the initial six months, we are expecting sales revenue of Rs 25 lakhs per month and will gradually attempt to achieve Rs one crore sales per month from these three products,” he further said.

    Gen-Z and the millennial population are considered a big market by FMCG companies for the snacks segment. With snacking brands focusing more on products with low-calorie count and less oil, they are able to encourage the younger generation towards healthier snacking choices, said the brand.

    “Indians are experimenting, seeking variety and are open to trying new products and experiences. Businesses need to be quick to tap into the fast-growing and profitable categories. Diversifying the portfolio makes sense as it helps mitigate risk and is not necessarily a costly affair. Most product changes are consumer-led, and this is to cater to their explicit and implicit needs,” said Bikano’s head of marketing Dawinder Pal.

    “In Mexican Crunch, peri-peri is the most popular flavour. Also, it is 100 per cent corn-based which gives a crunchy bite. On the other hand, the USP of Chatax Fun Stick is the taste and flavour which differentiates it from competitors. The product is very tasty and light to eat. For the Treatos Mexican Crunch we are targeting the age group of 10-30 years, while for the Chatax Fun Sticks, our target group is five years to 18 years,” added Pal.

  • Bikano positions itself as ‘bhujia specialist’ in new campaign

    Bikano positions itself as ‘bhujia specialist’ in new campaign

    Mumbai: Snacks and packaged foods brand Bikano has launched a new campaign ‘Hum Se Behtar Bhujia Ko Jaane Kaun’ to strengthen its position in the market as ‘bhujia specialist’. The brand had recently launched a new product variant – ‘Aloo Bhujia Lemon Chaska’ – to expand the portfolio and to differentiate its products in the bhujia category.

    The namkeen and snacks market in India is valued at about Rs 35,000 crore and over the recent past, it has been witnessing healthy growth. The increased sale of traditional snacks like bhujia, sev, and mixtures has significantly contributed to the industry’s expansion. Capitalising on the same, Bikano’s objective is to penetrate the market further by foraying into newer distribution channels and strengthening their existing channels of distribution, said the brand in a statement.

    “Leveraging this authenticity of original Bikaneri bhujia, we are aiming to expand the realm of our offerings by channeling energies towards entering newer sales and distribution channels,” said Bikano director, Manish Aggarwal. “We will also be maximising the potential of digital and other relevant promotional mediums to ensure seamless presence and capture market share. Bhujia is one of the products which have been part of Bikano’s culinary legacy since the beginning. The market share of the Bhujia & Sev category is 25 per cent of the traditional snacks market in India and we are expecting a considerable sales surge in this category,” he added.

    Aggarwal further said that the product also sees robust demand from several international markets such as the US, Canada, Europe, Gulf countries, Australia and New Zealand.

    “At Bikano, we imbibe the spirit of Bikaner that reflects the true taste of Indian culture. Crunchy, rich tangy flavours merged with spices make our Bikaneri and Aloo Bhujia a mouth-watering snack,” said Bikano, head of marketing, Dawinder Pal. “With the tagline –‘Humse Behtar Bhujia ko Jaane Kaun’, we want to establish Bikano’s authority in bhujia manufacturing and take the position as Bhujia specialists in the market.”

    “The campaign will be rolled out across channels including ATL and BTL. Aloo Bhujia and Bikaneri Bhujia are among the substantial contributors in the namkeen segment for us. Also, looking at the current situation, we as a brand are solely focused on value creation that will help us thrive in the market,” he added.

    Bikano said it has stocked Bikaneri bhujia and aloo bhujia across the company’s general and modern trade network. These products are available in a various range of packaging and price points.

  • Bikano ropes in Chhota Bheem for launch of new snack range

    Bikano ropes in Chhota Bheem for launch of new snack range

    Mumbai: Snacks major Bikano has taken the license for one of India’s most popular kids-show characters Chhota Bheem for the launch of its extruded products range under the sub-brand ‘Fatax’. The new offerings include Ringz (masala and tomato flavour), Puffeez, Cheese Balls, Pasta Crunch, and Jungle Safari.

    The launch is aimed at augmenting Bikano’s presence in the rapidly growing ‘western snacks’ market (valued at RS 16000 crore) within which extrudes have witnessed significant growth and continue to expand at 23-25 per cent. In India, the extrude snacks market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 20 per cent by 2024, the company said in a statement.

    Major factors driving increased consumption in this category are growing young population, rising per capita income, and competitive pricing as well as the introduction of smaller packs, it added.

    In order to penetrate this growing market, Bikano has targeted its revamped extrude range at children aged three to ten years. The company will be running a digital campaign and TVC to promote the new offerings and its association with Chhota Bheem.

    “With its unique and message-driven content, Chhota Bheem has been consistently capturing the hearts of kids in India and globally all these years,” said Bikano, director, Manish Aggarwal. “This collaboration will not only attract kids to our offerings but will also drive them towards more diversified snacking options. Western snacks as a category is currently led by chips, with extrude being a small part of it. We want to drive growth in this segment as the market is ever-expanding. With our new sub-brand ‘Fatax’, we aim to deliver the best products and further develop the category in our portfolio. Offering new products on a regular basis has been our prime focus. Apart from that, the new range is expected to give us a sales surge of up to Rs 15 crore in this fiscal.”

    Speaking on looping Chhota Bheem for the launch, Bikano, head of marketing, Dawinder Pal, stated, “Puffed and extruded snacks are a major trend nowadays, as they provide numerous options with plenty of interesting combinations of flavours. However, along with taste and flavour, we also need a compelling product story and visual appeal to target kids and youngsters. Chhota Bheem has a high recall among our TG. This association will enable us to get an edge over our rivals and drive sales for the category.”

    The new products are available across Bikano’s general and modern trade network.

  • OTT aggregator PlayboxTV onboards ZEE5 and SonyLIV

    OTT aggregator PlayboxTV onboards ZEE5 and SonyLIV

    Mumbai: OTT aggregator app PlayboxTV which allows viewers to watch multiple OTT platforms and Live TV under one roof has brought onboard ZEE5 and SonyLIV to enhance its proposition.

    A collaborative effort between Next Trillion Technologies and Microscan Infocommtech, PlayboxTV positions itself as a one-stop destination for wholesome entertainment, bundled up in subscriptions starting at Rs 129. It is accessible on TV as well as on mobile devices. In the absence of a Smart TV, PlayboxTV set-top box can be used to avail the same services on television sets. It customises content recommendations based viewers’ viewers’ interests and choices. Playbox TV has a collection of 100,000 movies, over 350 live TV channels, multiple originals and popular shows, according to the official statement.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Playbox TV founder and CEO, Aamir Mulani said, “I am truly excited about these collaborations that aim to revolutionise the OTT space. We are trying to adapt and evolve according to the rapidly changing needs of the consumers, who are now in search of a single OTT aggregator to consolidate and bundle their favourite OTT platforms into a simple yet accessible application. We at PlayboxTV believe that connecting movie lovers to their favourite content is of utmost significance and that is how we will be able to stand out in the fast-progressing OTT industry. The ecosystem is evolving, and hence consolidating and bundling is the way forward for an affordable viewing experience.”

    ZEE5 head of alliance and partnerships, Vivek Arora, added, “ZEE5 is excited to partner with PlayboxTV and unlock a completely new audience demographic who can now enjoy our best-in-class stories. Value-driven partnerships have always been important to us and this association with PlayboxTV aligns with our larger goal of harnessing the power of ISPs hyper-local presence with ZEE5’s diverse content library to democratise entertainment for millions of individuals across the country.”

     “At SonyLIV, we are consistently making efforts and committing resources to build a great personalised experience for our users. This partnership with PlayboxTV enables us to further expand our consumer footprint to wider pop-strata and bring millions of new users onto the digital content platforms. The audience is always on the lookout for good and wholesome entertainment and this association will enable them to consume a wide range of SPNI content in a familiar environment,” remarked SonyLIV, head – growth & monetisation, digital business, Manish Aggarwal.

  • Bikano launches new range of evening snacks targeting northern HSM

    Bikano launches new range of evening snacks targeting northern HSM

    Mumbai: Packaged snacks brand Bikano has launched a new range of maida-based tea-time snacks targeting the northern Hindi-speaking market. With this move the company seeks to boost revenues, and further organise the segment while cementing its position as a key player.

    Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, MP and Chhattisgarh are the main target markets for the initial phase of the launch. Each of the seven products including Bhakar Badi, Tikoni Mathi, Gol Mathi, Matar Para, Methi Mathi, Mini Samosa and Chai Puri will be available in packs of 200g and 400g so as to appeal to both value and premium consumers.

    The range focuses on hygiene and taste.

    “With these items, we not only wish to help patrons relive the tradition involving regular savouries that accompany their chai-drinking, but also expand the range of snack options that they often combine with their beverages,” said Bikano director Manish Aggarwal. “Apart from satisfying mid-meal cravings and filling the void in snacking routines, these snacks can also serve as a substitute for regular meals when one is travelling, or is stationed in a remote place. Suitably filled in 200 gm convenience packs, they are easy to carry and consume anywhere, anytime.”

    Sharing the business objective behind the launch of the new range, Bikano’s head of marketing, Dawinder Pal added, “Even during the tough pandemic time Bikano has continued to carry out market due diligence, maintain the spotlight on distribution and undertake brand- building through focused product campaigns with an eye on improving revenue growth. With COVID-19 showing no signs of relenting plus the fear of the incoming third wave, normalcy is unlikely to return in this quarter too. With all that in mind, we have started to build our innovation funnel slowly and this new range of chai-time snacks is one step towards it. With Bikano’s core competency being in the snacking segment, the launch of these products will give a further competitive advantage to the brand.”