ITV

Tag: MTV

  • Scara Live turns the spotlight on culture and connection in real time

    Scara Live turns the spotlight on culture and connection in real time

    MUMBAI: In a world where everything’s streamed, Scara Live wants you to feel it live. The new vertical from Scara Gaming is reimagining India’s entertainment landscape by bringing brands, creators, and audiences together in the real world where emotion meets experience.

    At the intersection of entertainment, sports, and culture, Scara Live isn’t just about events, it’s about cultural engineering. It crafts immersive, insight-led experiences that move beyond screens and algorithms to build real-world communities that pulse with creativity, connection, and conversation.

    Helmed by a powerhouse leadership team, Scara Live draws on a collective experience of over 60 years across gaming, tech, live events, and media. Manoj George, with 20-plus years in the gaming and cultural sectors, previously drove business and revenue at Nodwin Gaming, Cornerstone, and UTV Disney. Mazher Ramzanali, who has shaped brand narratives for Budweiser, MTV, OML, and Vice Media, brings his 15 years of expertise in sponsorship and culture programming. Santosh P, former marketing leader at Bookmyshow and OML, adds 16 years of live entertainment strategy, while Vikas Chand brings his operational prowess from marquee sports entities such as BCCI, IMG Reliance, and Delhi Capitals.

    Together, they aim to rewrite the live playbook turning brand engagement into shared memory. “Scara Live represents our belief that live experiences are where culture truly happens,” said Manoj George. “We’re combining the power of creativity with the discipline of data and delivery to help brands engage audiences in meaningful, lasting ways.”

    Mazher Ramzanali added, “The lines between digital and physical engagement are fading fast. Scara Live is built to help brands bridge that space, transforming entertainment, sport, and culture into living experiences that drive connection and community.”

    The company’s flagship properties, Pixel Pulse and Beyond the Game, anchor this philosophy. Pixel Pulse blends music, comedy, fashion, and gaming to create large-scale cultural moments, while Beyond the Game functions as a B2B thought-leadership and networking platform for sports, gaming, and innovation professionals.

    The first project under Scara Live’s belt, iPopstar, is already tuning in audiences. A weekly music reality series featuring King, Astha Gill, Aditya Rikhari, and Parmish Verma, it brings together 12 contestants battling it out over six weeks. The series streams on Amazon MX Player, with Spotify and Warner Music as music partners. Scara Live acts as the culture partner for the IP, owned by Rusk Media.

    As Santosh P put it, “India’s creator and live entertainment economy is on the rise. Scara Live is designed to meet the craving for authenticity and interaction, helping brands not just participate in culture but shape it.”

    With a bold vision and a multi-disciplinary team, Scara Live is poised to redefine how India experiences live entertainment not as an event, but as a living, breathing story. For those tired of watching from behind the screen, Scara Live promises to make life itself the stage.

  • Kunal Gaur takes the leap from JioStar to launch his own digital venture

    Kunal Gaur takes the leap from JioStar to launch his own digital venture

    MUMBAI: From streaming giants to star power, Kunal Gaur has played the numbers game across India’s biggest media houses – and now, he’s ready to bet on himself. The seasoned executive has stepped down from his role as Business Commercial Lead at JioStar to launch his own digital marketing enterprise.

    Armed with over 20 years of experience across media, entertainment, and finance, Gaur’s career reads like a who’s who of the industry. At Viacom18, he spent four years as Chief Commercial Officer, steering spends for channels like Colors, MTV, Sports18, Cineplex, and OTT platform JioCinema. Before that, he was Netflix India’s Director of Production Finance, working on 17 series, 14 films, and 20 development projects, from Sacred Games to Extraction.

    Nearly a decade at Star India and Hotstar saw him negotiating content deals, licensing formats, and even leading commercial talks for Star Sports’ sprawling 12-studio project. His early years at PwC sharpened the financial rigour that has since underpinned his media journey.

    At JioStar, Gaur oversaw commercials across Digital, Creator, Marketing, Talent, and Technology driving efficiencies and shaping strategic partnerships. Now, with his new venture, he’s blending that financial expertise with media know-how to build a future-focused digital marketing company designed for India’s evolving landscape.

    “Finance may have been my foundation, but creativity and innovation are my growth engines,” Gaur quipped while announcing his entrepreneurial leap.

    As the industry braces for another wave of digital disruption, all eyes will be on whether Gaur can turn his decades of boardroom wins into startup success.
     

  • Wit & Chai stirs up a creative storm, ropes in Saurabh S as chief creative head

    Wit & Chai stirs up a creative storm, ropes in Saurabh S as chief creative head

    MUMBAI:  Wit & Chai Group, the funky creative agency known for culture-fuelled campaigns, has brewed a strong cuppa by appointing Saurabh S as its chief creative head. With a rollicking two-decade run across big-name agencies and brands, Saurabh steps in to lead the creative charge—and shake things up.

    Having done the rounds at FCB, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB, Publicis and even Redder Vietnam, Saurabh  isn’t just another adland veteran. He’s the brain behind award-winning ideas for Volkswagen, MTV, Chupa Chups, Set Max and Virgin Mobile. Add stints at House of Anita Dongre and Nykaa, and you get a CV that blends sizzle with serious strategy.

    Saurabh’s remit at Wit & Chai? 
     

    To dream big, lead louder, and build a culture where risky ideas meet razor-sharp storytelling. He’ll work hand-in-hand with strategy and brand leads to ensure the creative spark translates into business firepower. From nurturing young guns to rolling out integrated campaigns, he’s set to steer the shop’s next big act.

    “As a chief creative head, I see Wit & Chai Group as more than just an agency—it’s a sandbox for fearless thinkers,” says Saurabh. “My vision is to turn up the volume on ideas that are disruptive yet deeply human. We’re building brands that resonate in the real world—work that gets people talking, sharing, and remembering.”

    The man isn’t afraid to take risks either—his creative playbook leans into experimentation, youth insights, and cultural resonance, all while keeping one eye on impact and scale. It’s a move that signals the agency’s intent to stay fresh, edgy, and unmistakably relevant.

    Wit & Chai group co-founder & partner Nihar Kolapkar  shared: “Saurabh’s track record of creative leadership and disruptive storytelling brings incredible value to our team. His ability to merge bold creativity with strategic clarity is exactly what we need to push the boundaries of what we deliver for our clients. We’re excited to see him shape a new era of work at Wit & Chai Group.”

    With Saurabh  now in the mix, Wit & Chai Group looks set to dial up the drama, crank the creativity, and cement its spot as a go-to name for bold, business-savvy storytelling.

  • Aman Rawat joins Creativeland Asia as executive creative director

    Aman Rawat joins Creativeland Asia as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: Creativeland Asia (CLA) has appointed Aman Rawat as its new executive creative director. Based in the Delhi office, Rawat brings extensive experience in brand storytelling, technology, and new-age media.

    “Rawat’s expertise in blending brand narratives with cutting-edge tech aligns perfectly with CLA’s vision,” said CLA group chief creative officer Azazul Haque. “His work at Mediamonks and beyond makes him a valuable addition to our leadership.”

    Rawat has worked with top agencies, including Grasshoppers, Digitas LBi, Cheil, Wunderman, and Repindia, and has led successful campaigns for brands like Booking.com, MTV, Tata Tea Gold, and Maruti. His portfolio spans major names such as Poco, Canon, Durex, Pringles, Tinder, and Amazon.

    Rawat said, “For me, creativity is more than a process it’s a way of being. I look forward to pushing boundaries and contributing to CLA’s legacy of excellence.”

    This appointment comes as CLA expands its presence in Delhi, focusing on AI, data analytics, and digital transformation to craft high-impact, result-driven campaigns.

  • Havas Creative signs on Tanisha Sharma as executive vice-president

    Havas Creative signs on Tanisha Sharma as executive vice-president

    MUMBAI: She’s got exposed to leading a channel, building a cult motorcycle brand, and she’s even turned entrepreneur before returning to the advertising world. The lady in question is Tanisha Sharma who has just moved to the Havas Creative Network as executive vice-president from FCB India where she was senior vice-president for nearly three years.

    A bachelor of arts degree in history followed by a post graduate diploma in marketing and advertising from Xavier Institute of Communication got Tanisha  her first ob at Rediffusion Y&R in 2005 as a senior account executive. From there, she moved to JWT into account management where she stayed for almost a couple of years. And then came a surprising and unexpected leap into the world of television with her being appointed a manager of MTV where she crafted out strategies for the youth-oriented service for two and a half years.

    With that experience behind her she was drafted as senior brand manager for Royal Enfield – a stint she kept for two years and some months after which she founded a card company which created bespoke invitations and stationery. That did not last for longer than two years and six months following which it was back to advertising with her joining Dentsu Impact as general manager in 2019. A gradual progression upwards saw her becoming associate vice-president – a position which she left to join FCB India. And now she is at Havas Creative. 

     

  • Media mogul Sumner Redstone passes away at 97

    Media mogul Sumner Redstone passes away at 97

    Mumbai: Sumner Redstone, the influential US media mogul who owned CBS and Viacom, passed away at the age of 97, as confirmed by his family on Tuesday. Redstone had been a central figure in the entertainment industry for decades, serving as chairman of the board of directors for both CBS and Viacom until stepping down in 2016 due to declining health. His resignation followed internal family disputes over the companies’ control, with his family maintaining a majority stake.

    In late 2019, CBS and Viacom were merged into one entity, managing some of the most well-known television networks and film studios in the world, including CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and Paramount Pictures. This consolidation placed the company in the same league as other major U.S. media corporations such as Disney, Time Warner, and 21st Century Fox.

    Born Sumner Murray Rothstein in Boston in 1923, Redstone changed his surname in 1940 to Redstone. He graduated from Harvard University and served in U.S. military intelligence during World War II. In 1954, he joined his father’s business, which he later transformed into National Amusements, one of the largest cinema operators in the United States.

    Redstone survived a near-fatal fire in 1979 and went on to play a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He fought fiercely to gain control of Paramount Pictures and later took over Viacom, which owned MTV and CBS. Viacom and CBS merged in 2000 but split again in 2006.

    Redstone’s remarkable career left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and his legacy continues through the companies he built and reshaped.Sumner Redstone

  • MTV Hustle season four is back with a bang

    MTV Hustle season four is back with a bang

    Mumbai: MTV, a youth entertainment brand, has announced the fourth season of its rap reality show, Royal Enfield Hunter MTV Hustle 4 – Hip Hop Don’t Stop. Co-powered by Wild Stone and Boat Lifestyle, with special partner Myntra FWD and associate sponsors Roulette Packaged Drinking Water and Olio Pizza, this highly anticipated season premieres on 19 October, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm on MTV and JioCinema.

    This season features 20 of the country’s most promising rappers competing for a coveted spot in the top 16. Each contestant has 90 seconds to impress the Squad Bosses and judges. The competition unfolds across four phases: Don’t Stop, Hustle Pro Max, Rap Royalty, and Legacy, culminating in milestone challenges that determine who advances to the next round.

    Leading this season are Raftaar and Ikka, iconic figures in Indian hip-hop known for their contributions to the genre. They bring energy and expertise to MTV Hustle four, guiding the next generation of rappers. Squad Bosses Dee MC, Dino James, EPR, and newcomer RAGA will mentor the contestants, helping them refine their craft and elevate their performances.

    MTV Hustle season four continues to build on the success of previous seasons, featuring rap battles, original music, and compelling narratives. The show has been a transformative force in the Indian music scene, nurturing a generation of rappers and empowering them to share their stories. From viral hits like ‘Ram Ram,’ ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun,’ and ‘Jaadugar’ to unforgettable performances, MTV Hustle remains the premier platform for emerging talent.

    Viacom18 head – youth, music, and English entertainment cluster, Anshul Ailawadi said, “While young consumers are unabashedly aspirational, they also have an informed opinion within their social context. Being the leading platform to showcase young India’s voice, MTV Hustle provides a great opportunity for brands to engage meaningfully with the youth. This season, we’re proud to partner with marquee brands like Royal Enfield, Wild Stone and Boat Lifestyle, as we jointly embark on building a deeper relationship with young minds.”

    Royal Enfield chief brand officer Mohit Dhar Jayal expressed, “The Royal Enfield community is all about self-expression and intense creative energy. Which is why our collaboration with MTV Hustle S4 is not a conventional sponsorship – it’s the perfect way for us to help amplify the voices of emerging artists and showcase the power of their awesome urban lyricism.”

    Since its inception, MTV Hustle has turned young rappers into national sensations, producing over 300 music videos and influencing the future of Desi hip-hop. The latest season promises new challenges, fresh talent, and engaging narratives, continuing the spirit of hustle that has made the show a cultural force.

    Catch the next chapter of India’s rap revolution with MTV Hustle 4, premiering on 19 October, every Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm on MTV and JioCinema.

  • MTV announces paranormal reality show ‘Dark Scroll – Muqabla Anjaan Se’

    MTV announces paranormal reality show ‘Dark Scroll – Muqabla Anjaan Se’

    Mumbai: MTV, a youth entertainment brand, announced the paranormal reality show, ‘MTV Dark Scroll – Muqabla Anjaan Se’. Pioneering a new avenue for youth entertainment, MTV’s new show hosted by actor Amit Sadh promises thrill-seeking young audiences a pathbreaking blend of horror and reality genres. MTV Dark Scroll in association with The Souled Store is set to premiere on 16 August, streaming every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 PM on JioCinema and airing at 10 PM on MTV.

    Set against the backdrop of Uttarakhand’s dense forests and misty mountains, MTV Dark Scroll, brings together 9 Seekers in 7 haunted locations. Guided by well-known paranormal investigator Sarbajeet Mohanty and psychic Pooja Vijay, the Seekers will investigate some chilling stories and face other-worldly challenges. The seekers will be tasked with a series of activities inside each haunted location using advanced entity-detection devices like Infrared Cameras, Electromagnetic Field Measures and Paranormal Investigation methods like the Estes Method.

    Reinforcing MTV India as an innovative and groundbreaking youth brand, the show gives today’s Gen-Z and Millennials adrenaline-pumping and immersive content that offers a break from the ordinary. Featuring innovative storytelling and compelling viewer experiences, MTV Dark Scroll once again underscores the brand’s commitment to edgy, forward-thinking, and trendsetting content.

    Horror content attracts 298 Mn viewers on TV annually, with 82 Mn tuning in every month, demonstrating the genre’s widespread and consistent appeal. Of these viewers, 55% are youth, equally split between males and females, according to BARC India (April’23-March’24, Horror genre on Hindi GEC & Hindi Movies). This makes ‘MTV Dark Scroll’ a significant addition to the genre, promising to captivate a substantial and engaged audience.

    Speaking on the launch of Dark Scroll, Viacom18 business head, youth, music, and English entertainment cluster Anshul Ailawadi said, “With MTV Dark Scroll – Muqabla Anjaan Se, we’re bolstering our non-fiction content offerings in a big way. Horror has a substantial following across the world, with reports suggesting that its consumption is connected to emotional stimulation and stress release. Additionally, our research showed that the pandemic only heightened the exploration of the paranormal for GenZ and Millennials. As a premier youth entertainment brand, tapping into this space gives a new avenue for brands to reach out to a young audience, at an unexplored intersection of horror and reality genres. We’re excited to bring a multi-dimensional entertainment experience through MTV Dark Scroll, combining interactive elements, gaming, and user-first tech innovations on JioCinema. This multi-platform approach ensures that our viewers can engage with the show in new and immersive ways.””

    Enhancing the viewer experience, JioCinema will introduce its first-ever immersive tech experiences for audiences –

    Launching JioCinema’s First Ever Immersive 360 Gaming Experience:

    JioCinema debuts its immersive 360 gaming experience with the MTV Dark Scroll game. Viewers can unlock haunted locations as the show progresses, making the viewing experience interactive and engaging. With opportunities to win phones and heart rate monitors, this initiative showcases JioCinema’s commitment to innovation and multi-dimensional entertainment.

    JioCinema’s Heart Rate Monitor App Integration:

    JioCinema introduces a proprietary heart rate monitor app for MTV Dark Scroll. This app displays contestants’ real-time fear levels during paranormal encounters, adding immersion and authenticity. Viewers can witness contestants’ physiological responses, enhancing their connection to the show.

    Thermal Experience Shooting for Enhanced Viewer Interaction:

    MTV Dark Scroll uses thermal imaging technology, allowing viewers to switch between standard and thermal feeds. This enables exploration of temperature fluctuations and spotting paranormal entities alongside contestants. JioCinema’s use of thermal technology exemplifies its commitment to cutting-edge, interactive viewing experiences.

    UGC Contest: “Spooky Stories in 60 Seconds”:

    JioCinema invites viewers to participate in the “Spooky Stories in 60 Seconds” contest. Fans can submit their own short horror stories, with winners receiving prizes and their stories featured on JioCinema. This contest promotes creative engagement and enhances the interactive viewing experience.

    ‘MTV Dark Scroll – Muqabla Anjaan Se’ is all set to take viewers on an unforgettable investigation of the paranormal, premiering on August 16. Each episode promises suspense, thrills, and a deeper look into the unknown!

    Catch the show every Fri, Sat, and Sun at 7 PM on JioCinema and 10 PM on MTV

  • MTV Original ‘Moving Mountains Within’ to premiere on 7 August

    MTV Original ‘Moving Mountains Within’ to premiere on 7 August

    Mumbai: MTV has announced the release of its latest documentary, ‘Moving Mountains Within’, premiering on 7 August 2024 on JioCinema Premium. Directed by Abhishek Kumawat and produced by Dr Rajat Chauhan and Abhishek Kumawat, this captivating documentary takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through the plateau of Ladakh. It captures awe-inspiring challenges and victories that the ultra-runners go through in one of the world’s toughest and craziest races – La Ultra – The High.

    This documentary isn’t just about race; it’s a testament to human passion and resilience. The 60-minute film showcases ultra-runners achieving the tough task of running at Ladakh’s 17,582 ft while battling rapidly changing weather, in August 2019.

    Moving Mountains Within, includes distances of 55, 111, 222, 333, and an astounding 555 km. In this desert-like terrain, where ordinary people struggle to breathe and risk dying from altitude sickness, some runners attempted to complete 555 km in 132 hours for the first time, making it one of the toughest races in the world. The runners include Mathew Maday (555 km participant) and Cassendra Turner (222 km), a couple from the US who are successful entrepreneurs; Jason Reardon (555 km), an ex-military man from Australia; Ashish Kasodekar (555 km), a 40-year-old runner from India who previously completed 333 km in La Ultra 2018; Shikha Pahwa (222 km), a restaurant owner from Delhi; and Lukasz Sagan, who left his job to train for La Ultra.

    What makes the race unique is that there is no prize money or reward – the runners are driven to achieve the impossible feat, purely out of their passion for running. The documentary beautifully captures the camaraderie and smiles among the runners while also portraying how they brave heavy snowfall, physical breakdowns, and mental challenges to power on triumphantly.

    Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd business head – youth & English cluster, Anshul Ailawadi said, “We are incredibly excited to bring ‘Moving Mountains Within’ to our JioCinema Premium users. The ultra-runners are a living example of what the human mind and body can achieve. As a premier youth entertainment brand, we’re proud to diversify our non-fiction content offerings with authentic stories that provide a deeper connect to GenZ and Millennials, who are searching for purpose and meaning.”

  • Viacom18 Consumer Products celebrates 25 years of SpongeBob SquarePants

    Viacom18 Consumer Products celebrates 25 years of SpongeBob SquarePants

    Mumbai: To mark the 25th anniversary of the critically acclaimed Nickelodeon animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants, Viacom18 Consumer Products is all set for a yearlong celebration featuring exciting new collaborations and exclusive merchandise. The licensing and merchandising arm of Viacom 18 has partnered with several major artists, such as Raul Urias and Jisu Choi, Daniel Mackey and Berthet One, and Dennis Gabbana and Tik Ka from East. Additionally, the celebration brings fans closer to their favourite character with an exclusive collection of swimwear, rainwear, bucket hats, tote bags, and more.

    Viacom18 Consumer Products Head Sachin Puntambekar said, “SpongeBob SquarePants is an iconic global franchise that has captured the imagination of fans for 25 years. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re excited to tap into the creator and artist economy for unique designs and exclusive merchandise. This campaign is a testament to our commitment towards immersive experiences that extend beyond the screen, transcending into the lives of our audiences.”

    Leaving no stone unturned for the SpongeBob SquarePants fandom, Viacom18 Consumer Products has planned an extensive marketing campaign spanning TV, retail, and digital activations. This includes SpongeBob and Patrick figurines at retail stores, takeovers, and dedicated character pages on D2C partner websites, collaborations with influencers, and promotional campaigns on popular channels such as Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, and JioCinema.

    Celebrate the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants with exclusive merch available offline and online platforms like Reliance, Flipkart, Lifestyle, Amazon India, and Myntra.