Tag: NFT

“We envision entertainment and gaming industries complementing each other in the metaverse:” BharatBox’s Karan Keswani

Mumbai: The fusion of gaming, entertainment, and the metaverse is transforming how we engage with digital content. As virtual environments become more immersive and interactive, they offer unprecedented opportunities for users to interact with their favorite entertainment franchises and brands.

Leading this evolution is BharatBox, which pioneers the integration of Bollywood IPs and digital experiences into the metaverse. Through innovative partnerships and groundbreaking initiatives, BharatBox is redefining entertainment and gaming in India, creating a vibrant ecosystem where virtual and physical realities converge seamlessly.

Indiantelevision.com caught up with BharatBox CEO Karan Keswani to gain insights on their inception, their collaboration with Shemaroo and integration of Bollywood IPs into the metaverse, and much more…

Edited Excerpts:

On the inspiration behind the inception of BharatBox and the collaboration between Brinc and Sandbox

The inspiration behind BharatBox stems from India’s unique cultural landscape and its potential as a vast market. As the managing director of Brinc India, I recognised the opportunity to bring blockchain to the forefront of mass adoption in India.

This collaboration between Brinc and Sandbox leverages our shared vision. In fact, India is the only country where Sandbox has formed a joint venture, highlighting the immense scope and significance of the Indian market. We have already published 13 experiences from India, onboarded over 25 partners, and collaborated with five global IP brands, establishing ourselves as Sandbox’s largest market.

On the collaboration with Shemaroo shaping BharatBox’s integration of Bollywood IPs into the metaverse, and the unique entertainment experiences that can fans expect as a result; How do you see it reshaping the entertainment landscape in India?

Our collaboration with Shemaroo has been instrumental in integrating eminent Bollywood IPs into the metaverse and blockchain gaming. We’re starting with exciting games based on iconic films like “Jab We Met” featuring Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor, “The Great Gambler” with Amitabh Bachchan, and “Tango Charlie.”

But then you ask what’s the point of all this, right? So, Bollywood IPs traditionally have a shelf life limited to their movie releases, but our immersive games and experiences will keep these IPs relevant and growing. We envision the entertainment and gaming industries complementing each other, with all entertainment IPs eventually having gaming experiences in the metaverse. This will reshape the Indian entertainment landscape by blending traditional media with interactive, immersive content.

On the technology powering BharatBox’s NFT initiatives, especially regarding Ritviz’s concert and future events

BharatBox is pioneering fan engagement solutions for live events, starting with Ritviz’s concert. We developed a fan engagement platform that enhances brand loyalty through digital collectibles, such as VIP and Fan pit passes. These included meet-and-greet opportunities, signed merchandise, and of course, a tokenized collectible of your tickets.

This platform streamlines user touchpoints, delivering the best event experiences while helping brands achieve their KPIs and foster deeper connections with their audience.

The response for the product is quite positive. We are already in discussions with big brands like Kingfisher, Conde Nast, Ironman 70.3, and Hungama for future events, aiming to provide tangible value and enhanced fan experiences through NFTs.

On the partnership with KGeN contributing to building the Indian metaverse ecosystem, and the immediate goals for Hungama World and your insights into any future collaborations in this space

Our partnership with KGeN is pivotal in community building and user onboarding for immersive experiences and blockchain gaming. KGeN, as a land partner, has driven community participation in our quests and experiences. For Hungama World, launched last December, we achieved impressive metrics: over 33,000 visits, 22,800 unique users, and 1,358 NFTs sold. IndiGG’s quest campaigns have further amplified our reach, rewarding users for engaging with our metaverse experiences. Following this, future collaborations aim to replicate and build on this success, bringing more Bollywood IPs and brands into the metaverse, enriching the Indian digital ecosystem.

On the main goals and vision behind the Mahabharat project in the metaverse, and the collaboration with Mythoverse facilitating this vision

Our collaboration with Mythoverse Studios aims to bring the epic Mahabharata to life in the metaverse. The goal is to create a voxel version of the saga, featuring digital collectibles and environments inspired by the epic. This project will introduce Indian mythology to a global audience through immersive experiences, making it accessible, engaging, and rewarding.

Mythoverse is already developing IPs in games and comics, and the first experience will be launched in the Sandbox metaverse. This initiative will allow gamers worldwide to explore and learn about Mahabharata in an interactive, engaging, and most importantly – rewarding manner.

On some of the unique challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered while introducing Web3 and metaverse concepts to the Indian market and BharatBox addressing these challenges

India is a rapidly growing market for digital innovation, with the metaverse market expected to grow exponentially. However, transitioning users from Web2 to Web3 poses significant challenges, particularly in simplifying the onboarding process.

We have addressed this by integrating social logins for wallet creation, i.e., using your email address to sign up, making the process seamless.

Educating users about the value of digital collectibles and their utility is another hurdle. We run educational campaigns to highlight the tangible benefits and potential for user-generated content in The Sandbox.

By attaching phygital utilities to our offerings, we ensure they have real-world and digital value, enhancing user engagement and adoption.

On BharatBox measuring the success and impact of its metaverse projects and partnerships and are there specific metrics or indicators that are particularly meaningful to the company

Success for BharatBox is measured by user engagement, the number of experiences published, and the growth of our user base. We track metrics such as the number of users participating in our experiences, the time they spend, and their interactions with digital assets.

Additionally, we monitor how effectively these experiences help brands achieve their KPIs and foster community engagement. The completion rates of quests, the number of NFTs sold, and user feedback are also crucial indicators.

Our goal is to create user-friendly, engaging experiences that educate and entertain, building brand loyalty and community trust in the metaverse.

On your vision for the Indian metaverse ecosystem in the next five to ten years, and how does BharatBox plan to contribute to its growth and development

Our vision for the Indian metaverse ecosystem is to create a vibrant, interconnected space where digital and physical experiences converge. Over the next five to ten years, we aim to onboard more Web2 clients, facilitating their transition to Web3. By working closely with brands and IPs, we plan to develop immersive experiences that resonate with a broad audience.

BharatBox will continue to drive innovation, creating a robust infrastructure for the Indian metaverse. Our focus will be on enhancing user engagement, fostering community growth, and ensuring that digital experiences have tangible value.

June 25, 2024
Zebronics collaborates with artist Santanu Hazarika

Mumbai: Zebronics, an Indian brand in IT peripherals and audio systems with a vast catalog including lifestyle accessories, laptops and more, has collaborated with Santanu Hazarika, a multidisciplinary autodidact, a visual sorcerer and mysterious doodler. This collaboration is to introduce a capsule collection of doodle and abstract-art-covered products including audio, IT gadgets, smartwatches and more.

A self-taught artist with multidisciplinary creativity, Santanu Hazarika has ventured across the globe, curating and displaying his art, from Mumbai’s bustling streets to the remote corners of Siberia. Hazarika played a role in India’s NFT evolution with a collaborative NFT release alongside Ritviz by selling out in an astonishing 37 seconds, a testament to his enigmatic appeal. The 3-time TEDx Speaker has several awards and accolades to his name including the Government of Assam (award) for contributions to the field of art, the Red Bull Doodle Art World Champion 2014, GQ’s best-dressed, among others.

Speaking about the collaboration, Santanu Hazarika said, “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Zebronics, a brand that consistently pushes boundaries and embraces youthfulness, fun, and innovation. I believe that integrating the intricacy of doodle art aesthetics with Zebronics’ top-notch quality products will not only attract new consumers but also captivate existing ones with a range of trendy, fresh, and unconventional items. This collaboration is particularly special to me because it connects with my childhood memories of when I first got acquainted with the brand and developed a love for gadgets. Art is my passion, and by merging it with art-focused technology, we aim to transport people to an extraordinary world that I’m zealous to share.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Zebronics co – founder director Rajesh Doshi said, “We are thrilled to form a partnership with the internationally acclaimed self-taught artist and illustrator, Mr. Santanu Hazarika. I personally admire and greatly appreciate contemporary and abstract art & it felt like a natural step to merge his creative expertise with our products. The result is a captivating and unique fusion of art and technology. These designs boast intricate details within their vibrant and funky patterns, paying homage to the rapidly growing global trend of doodle art that Santanu has mastered. Beyond their finesse and meticulous attention to detail, we firmly believe that our consumers will find themselves genuinely inspired by the rejuvenating designs and aesthetics of our product range, perfectly in line with our motto to be ‘Always Ahead’.

The ‘Zebronics X Santanu’ collection, an eccentric new line, will debut on Flipkart, Amazon and shop.zebronics.com starting 13 Dec 2023. Zebronics commenced this launch with its flagship soundbar, the Zeb-Juke Bar 9400 Pro Dolby, along with a range of new gaming mousepads. Over the next six months, Zebronics can introduce products in various categories, including audio wearables, portable speakers, smartwatches, and IT & gaming products. These chosen products cater to a diverse, artistic, and fashion-forward audience of all ages. This collection seamlessly blends notable artistry with 21st-century tech, offering a fresh product lineup with inherent appeal.

The products will be available on Amazon, Flipkart, shop.zebronics.com starting 13 December 2023

December 16, 2023
Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tour enters the metaverse with borderless fashion & lifestyle experience

Mumbai: Powered by the Fashion Design Council of India, the 16th edition of the Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tour has reimagined its iconic legacy to bring a more youthful, inclusive, and innovative edition this year. In its cutting-edge new avatar, the fashion tour steps into the metaverse to create a first-of-its-kind amalgamation of fashion and technology for young audiences to experience like never before.

The fashion tour has launched ‘Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tour Park’ in decentraland, a global web3 platform where only renowned global brands have created an immersive metaverse experience for their fans. The fashion tour park features multiple interactive areas, gamified zones and showcase areas, with several engaging activities in store for users to interact with throughout the duration of the tour.

Users can start at the lounge, a zone that houses all the information about Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Park, where they can claim a free ‘Proof of Attendance NFT’ from the POAPBooth. Users can then head to the ramp, where they can strike a pose, walk like a showstopper, or watch the live streams of the ultra-glamorous fashion shows from the fashion tour itself. Then at the designer & trial zone, users can try on and buy wearable NFTs from renowned designers on the tour, including Shantanu and Nikhil, Amit Aggarwal, Falguni Shane Peacock, and Kunal Rawal. There are also numerous and one-of-a-kind selfie spots throughout the fashion tour park where users can take a selfie and share it on social media with the hashtags #BlendersPrideGlasswareFashionTour #MadeOfPride #MyLifeMyPride for a chance to win exclusive passes to the tour’s stellar shows.

And then, there’s the metaverse treasure hunt, an engaging activity where users must collect clues from across the fashion tour park arena to stand a chance to get their hands on an iPhone 13, stylish bluetooth earphones worth Rs 15,000 or online shopping vouchers worth Rs 5,000. The hunt begins on 1 December.

But the most exciting attraction is India’s first metaverse-exclusive fashion show, set to take place at the fashion tour park on 10 December. This metaverse fashion show will feature outfits from the ‘Style Gallery’ exhibit of the fashion tour called “This is not a t-shirt” project. These unique t-shirt outfits are designed by 60 designers & homegrown fashion labels, who have embellished or even deconstructed the basic t-shirt into a design celebrating their authentic interpretation of the four themes of the fashion tour.

Guests attending the exclusive shows of the fashion tour at the four city editions will also have the opportunity to step into the metaverse – an experience zone that extends various elements from the fashion tour park’s metaverse platform. Guests can interact with a smart mirror, where they can try on unique wearable NFTs designed by the fashion tour designers, take selfies in the outfits, and even get their hands on the outfits by buying these one-of-a-kind wearable NFTs—an incredibly new experience for the fashion & lifestyle elite.

Speaking about the exciting new metaverse experience, Pernod Ricard India chief marketing officer Kartik Mohindra said, “The 16th edition of Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tour will lay the foundation for a new era in fashion & lifestyle. The fashion world is ever evolving, and the fashion tour has always led this wave of evolution in India. Taking the fashion tour to the metaverse is not just a first-of-its-kind initiative for the industry; it’s also our interpretation of how to make the tour more inclusive, accessible, and futuristic by allowing young audiences to experience the fashion tour in an immersive way like they have never before. It is a part of our journey of celebrating the pride of today’s youth with newfound vigour and vision.”

November 21, 2022
How Influencing NFTs Are Modern Business

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have opened up many business opportunities, allowing them to create new markets and sell previously unavailable products. That’s why businessmen and crypto traders visit this website to learn more about the status of NFTs.

For this blog post, we’ll explore how NFTs influence modern business and how you can take advantage of their unique properties. We’ll also take a look at how NFTs can be used in various businesses and show you some of their benefits. So, if you want to stay ahead of the curve in today’s business world, read on!

What are NFTs?

NFTs, or “non-fungible tokens,” are a new type of cryptocurrency that allows for more complex and customizable transactions than traditional coins. They represent digital assets that can be traded, used in smart contracts, stored on a blockchain, or minted.

Non-fungible tokens have the potential to revolutionize modern business by making it easier to create and trade custom assets. For example, a company might create a tokenized version of its equity (an NFT) that allows investors to buy and sell shares without worrying about transfers between different currencies. This could make it easier for companies to raise money through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and trade their tokens on secondary markets.

NFTs could also be used in more innovative ways beyond finance. For example, a video game developer might create an NFT called “collectible” that allows players to collect unique items within the game. This could enable gamers to share data across different games using blockchain technology, increasing the incentive for players to engage with the ecosystem as a whole.

While some development is still required before NFTs become mainstream, their potential marks a significant shift in how cryptocurrencies are used today.

How NFTs are being Used in Modern Business

NFTs are quickly becoming a popular way to store and exchange data. They allow for more efficient and secure transactions than traditional methods, such as email and file sharing.

Today, they are being used in a variety of ways by businesses around the world. For example, Airbnb uses NFTs to manage bookings and payments. Meanwhile, Facebook users may share tokens by linking their cryptocurrency wallets to their accounts.

These applications demonstrate the many potential uses for NFTs. They can help businesses streamline their operations and make transactions more secure.

The Benefits of Using NFTs

NFTs have become increasingly popular in the modern business world to store and manage digital assets safely. Here are some of the benefits of using NFTs:
●They provide a secure way to store and manage digital assets.
●They allow for easy transactions between parties.
●They can be used to track ownership and activity over digital assets.
●They can help reduce costs associated with managing digital assets.

The Challenges of Using NFTs in Modern Business

Since the advent of blockchain technology, NFTs have been unique in representing any property, including physical items, securities, and intellectual property. Because these assets can be stored on a distributed ledger, they offer several advantages over traditional forms of business ownership.

Because they are rare, the value of NFT is hugely higher than most tokens. Its price is affected by its utility, link with renowned or famous figures, and optimistic price forecasts.

Despite that, NFTs have already begun to impact modern business practices. For example, one company is using them to create a decentralized marketplace for art. By creating a platform where artists can sell their work directly to buyers, this company is lowering the barriers to entry and eliminating intermediaries.

Another use case is insurance. A company is using NFTs to provide Proof-of-Existence for insurance contracts. This provides assurance that the agreement was executed and reduces the chances it will be disputed.

While there are many benefits to using NFTs in business, some challenges must be addressed. For example, how will companies implement trust mechanisms when dealing with assets that cannot be physically possessed? How will transactions be verified? And what legal issues will arise when using NFTs in commercial settings?

Despite these challenges, there is no doubt that NFTs significantly impact modern business practices. As companies begin to adopt them more widely, we may see even more innovative ways in which they are used to improve efficiency and transparency across industries.

Conclusion

NFTs are quickly becoming an essential part of modern business. They provide a secure way for companies to transfer and manage assets and offer the potential for new revenue streams. This article has explored how NFTs are used in industry today and discusses some potential benefits. So whether you’re looking to increase security and transparency within your business or tap into new revenue opportunities, learning about NFTs is essential.

November 17, 2022
In collaboration with HeyHey, Gajendra Verma launches ‘Maar Sutteya’ NFTs

Mumbai: Singer Gajendra Verma has teamed up with HeyHey to enter the web3 arena. HeyHey is an online platform that powers immersive connections between celebrities, influencers, creators, and businesses globally, using technology.

Verma launched his new song, Maar Sutteya, featuring American hip-hop band Flipsyde,. The song, which was released on 10 October, has received major traction all over social media. As for the second part, the song was released alongside an industry-first NFT collection. The Maar Sutteya NFT collection was released on 18 October on HeyHey’s NFT marketplace. This is also the first of many NFT projects that Verma will be launching in the near future. The collaboration will further enable the fan following of Verma to get exclusive perks upon getting their NFTs.

To add to it, the Maar Sutteya NFT collection is offered in three categories. Maar Sutteya Genesis NFTs, the first category, are a collection of unique posters for the song that are available to everyone as a free souvenir. The second category, “Maar Sutteya Alpha NFTs,” includes some memorable parts of the song that have been recorded and converted to GIF format. The third category, Maar Sutteya Supreme NFTs, consists of a selection of behind-the-scenes footage from the recording of the song that is available only to those who buy the NFTs.

“We are delighted to collaborate with the well-known singer and performer Gajendra Verma and are happy to make a difference in the web3 community space. The web3 world evolves every day with news of innovation, development, updates, or new artists entering the space. Gajendra Verma is famously known for being the voice of unforgettable songs like Mann Mera and Tera Ghata, amongst many other hits. And we are extremely delighted that we could make a difference to his recent hit Maar Sutteya and showcase a different dynamic in the NFT space,” said HeyHey CEO and founder Caleb Franklin.

Nonetheless, Maar Sutteya NFTs come with access passes and prospects for everyone who claims them. One of these is having special access to the Gajendra Verma fan community on Discord, and in addition to many other benefits, NFT holders stand the chance to win one-on-one conversations with him and appear on his social media broadcasts.

Fans can find out more about the perks and pricing of Gajendra Verma’s Maar Sutteya NFTs on HeyHey’s marketplace, www.heylabs.io.

October 25, 2022
Free Fire’s creator Total Gaming inks exclusive NFT partnership with Stan

Mumbai: Bengaluru-headquartered blockchain-based esports fan engagement platform Stan has announced entering into a strategic non-fungible token (NFT) partnership with the world’s most-followed and popular Garena Free Fire creator and Asian gaming creator – Total Gaming aka Ajju Bhai. The idea and objective behind this collaboration is to create an ecosystem for Total Gaming fans to engage with them optimally through the use of NFTs and other perks. As a part of this collaboration, Stan has now secured the exclusive rights to create and sell NFTs of Total Gaming. Furthermore, the partnership enables Stan users to get access to multiple interactions with Total Gaming, mainly through Instagram Shout-outs and Play-a-Match services curated by Stan.

Stan co-founder & COO Nauman Mulla said, “As a new-age fan engagement startup working with and for the gaming and esports community in India, Stan is committed to partner with the best talents in the industry, and also to empowering fans and bringing them closer to their favourite esports creators by using NFTs and the marvels of web3. And to that end, Total Gaming aka Ajju Bhai, being one of the most followed and popular esports creators in India and the world, was a must for us to tie-up with. We are delighted to announce that our engagement with Total Gaming going forward, shall enable Stan users over the short-term to get to interact and play with the creator, i.e., Total Gaming himself, whereas in the long run, we at Stan will be additionally hosting multiple mega fan fests and unlocking other valuable fan experiences for Total Gaming’s fans.”

Creator Ajay (Total Gaming) said, “I am excited to be a part of Stan’s journey. That will enable my audience to engage with me on a whole new level. With this collaboration, we are aiming to reach unprecedented and seamless levels of new-age engagement with my fans and followers.”

Notably, Total Gaming was started officially as a Youtube channel back in 2018 by Ajay (fondly known as Ajju Bhai), with the sole intent of entertaining and engaging with the gaming community on the Internet. Over the years, Total Gaming’s popularity and follower-base have skyrocketed exponentially, with its content entailing multiple games like Call of Duty Mobile, Minecraft, GTA5 and BGMI (formerly PUBG), apart from Free Fire content creation actively – which has been the major factor in driving the channel’s growth. As of date, Total Gaming has acquired over 42 million subscribers across multiple channels and has had over 6.5 billion collective views on Youtube, as well as over 3.4 million followers on Instagram.

On the other hand, Stan is a platform that allows fans to get a chance to collect, play, and trade the collectibles and NFTs of their favourite esports players and content creators, via which they will win various perks and rewards. Besides leading Indian Free Fire creators like Total Gaming, Stan has also already inked NFT-related partnerships with multiple leading Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) creators in the country.

September 22, 2022
Eros Investments and Xfinite partner with Calvin Cheng to launch XelebX

Mumbai: Eros Investments and Xfinite have partnered with veteran entertainment and tech entrepreneur Calvin Cheng to launch XelebX, a web 3.0 members-only celebrity fan club.

With the use of NFTs and fan tokens, the alliance will introduce over 200 million existing followers of global influencers and celebrities linked to the Eros ecosystem and its group companies to the new metaverse.

Only NFT members will be able to access XelebX. They will have access to a number of advantages, such as exclusive access to virtual meet-ups with influencers, exclusive material, virtual backstage passes, and celebrity NFT collectibles.

Speaking on this partnership, Eros Investments chairman Kishore Lulla said, “Over five decades, Eros has built one of the largest media and entertainment businesses, enthralling millions of fans and launching some of the biggest stars in India. One of the key reasons for our success is our ability to embrace change—from film to TV to the Internet and now web 3.0 and the readiness to lead it from the front. The metaverse and the immersive Internet are the technological tides that will carry us forward for the next 50 years. Eros is committed to being at the forefront of its adoption.”

Furthermore, XelebX will introduce fan tokens that measure an influencer’s popularity and can be traded on significant exchanges, enabling holders from various fandoms to freely trade and swap value. As a result, influencers and celebrities will be able to work together and expand their fan bases in a manner that is naturally compatible with web 3.0 interoperability and composability. Xfinite’s Mad Influence, a well-known influencer marketing business, has joined XelebX.

Xfinite CEO Swaneet Singh said, “With Xfinite, Eros has already gained invaluable experience in media built upon virtual assets and the blockchain. XelebX is the next natural innovation to bring the global community of entertainment fans into the metaverse and unlock immersive interaction with the influencers they follow.”

Calvin Cheng added, “Web 3 is all about community building. Other platforms have tried this in the past. They built the tech but struggled to build the community—the key to web 3’s success. We already have the tech expertise and an amazing community of hundreds of millions of fans. We will now onboard them into the metaverse using the latest digital asset and web 3 technologies.”

September 15, 2022
Metaverse ecosystem opening up new influencer opportunities for brands, creators, & consumers: FleishmanHillard report
Mumbai: FleishmanHillard and its research practice, True Global Intelligence, in partnership with Eleve Media, have released the ‘Web 3.0 Influencer and Intelligence Report 2022.’ It showcases the ways that conversation and influence are quickly changing in India around the rising evolution of the metasphere.

Both the creator economy and the topics driving discussion of web 3.0 on social media have sharply increased over the past 12 months. The report research included a survey of over 500 influencers, content creators and select web 3.0 players from March through April 2022, in addition to the analysis of more than 12 months of social conversations. The research confirms the massive excitement around web 3.0, as well as specific areas of interest, including education, regulation and the need for re-imagined communities.

“Our report confirms the rapidly growing appetite for news and views about the metaverse and web 3.0-related trends. These advancements are already setting a precedent for brands and content creators who can design highly engaging and differentiated campaigns that leverage this advantage. We hope this report will increase our understanding of the subject and contribute toward the adoption of Web 3.0 in a meaningful way for brands and creators,” said FleishmanHillard India MD and partner Munavar Attari.

The report also provides a detailed conversation analysis and an overview of the web 3.0 landscape in India.

“Our research inspected the developments in the web 3.0 space over the past year and highlights just how dynamic the topic is, and how much open territory still exists for brand communications that satisfy this hunger. As brands adopt new technologies in web 3.0, understanding the velocity and direction of the current conversation can be valuable to start from a place of intelligence and understanding in India,” said FleishmanHillard TRUE Global Intelligence, managing director of APAC and global head of analytics Michael Rinaman.

Major themes and findings are discussed in detail in the report, including how:
- The popularity of web 3.0 content reveals a dire need for a better understanding of the new generation of web technologies.
- The evolving landscape requires close attention to shifting conversations to understand emergent trends, nuances, and new risks.
- Most influencers want to create a community (web 3.0) over algorithms (web 2.0) in the metaverse.
- Influencers are on the lookout for next-gen tools to strengthen the creator economy.
- Creators and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have paved the way for the metaverse to become an accelerated reality.
- Creators vote for Discord, virtual influencers, and social interactions as key web 3.0 tools.
“Web 3.0 promises a more direct relationship between brands and consumers. And we would want brands to be equipped to experiment and explore web 3.0 platforms and opportunities. The ‘Web 3.0 Influencer & Intelligence Report 2022’ is a joint effort with FleishmanHillard in India to help brands strategically leverage this societal shift,” said Eleve Media CEO and founder Prince Khanna.

From the web 3.0 Influencer and Intelligence Report 2022, the research from FleishmanHillard in India and Eleve demonstrates a sense of urgency that brands need to start to develop web 3.0 strategies now while there is still room for differentiation and partnership. As audiences become more familiar with web 3.0 topics such as NFTs, cryptocurrencies, blockchains, and tokens, there will be fewer opportunities to differentiate.

Web 3.0 is set to change the influencer ecosystem and continue to drive conversation. In the report, brands can learn more about immediate opportunities to act – from embracing the key trio with creators (creation, consumption, and compensation) to crafting the right strategies and messaging to be considered relevant.
September 9, 2022
DS Group launches first NFT on 93rd Founders’ Day with Grapes

Mumbai: On its 93rd Founders’ Day, Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group) launched its first NFT in collaboration with the marketing firm Grapes.

The group, which was founded in 1929, is celebrating its 93rd Founders’ Day to commemorate an era of setting new standards and conquering new territories.

The DS Group launched its first NFT, honouring its founders, Lala Dharampal and Satyapal ‘Sugandhi’, for their visionary zeal and persevering ethos.

The masterpiece, titled “A Dream in a Million Metaphors,” was created collaboratively by the Grapes and DS group teams by leveraging web 3.0 to bring to life the historical moments in its expanse via an experiential microsite that portrays the group’s non-fungible story.

This unique mosaic pays homage to the founders with 93 images that each represent a tiny portion of their journey. The idea has been conceptualised by the Grapes .

DS group marketing vice president Rajeev Jain said, “NFTs have become synonymous with digital collectables. On our 93rd Founders’ Day, we wanted to create a memento of our founders in honour of what they have built. A truly non-fungible tribute to their legacy, and that is how we conceptualised this idea.”

Grapes CEO and co-founder Shradha Agarwal said, “The team at DS Group wanted to create memorabilia as a tribute to the Founders in a distinctive manner. After a lot of deliberation, we finally discovered an innovative idea that represents their values and beliefs. The mosaic is conceived using curated 93 images, each of them marking a distinct moment in the DS Group’s journey.”

August 17, 2022
PVR celebrates 25 years with a variety of initiatives

Mumbai: Multiplex operator PVR has completed 25 years in the country. To commemorate this milestone, the brand has rolled out a multi-media campaign with a film “Iss Andhere mein bahut Roshni hai” (There is light in this darkness) featuring Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. It has unveiled PVR’s 25th anniversary logo, along with PVR’s first NFT coin and an iconic ticket. PVR is also celebrating the occasion with contests.

The concept for the Khan film was derived from a consumer insight and the poem was written by Vineet KKN Panchhi, which was further evolved for the film. The film idea comes from the insight of all the emotions and experiences the audience goes through – the magic of movies, the bonding and escaping to a fantasy world when the lights go down. The film is a play of light and darkness, taking the viewer on a journey that is brought to life inside our cinemas, as that’s the only place where darkness plays that role. It reinforces the promise of “more magic,” “more memories,” “more adventures” and “more happiness” to moviegoers to remain relevant, both as a category as well as a brand.

PVR chairman and managing director Ajay Bijli said, “We take immense pride and feel extremely joyous on completing the 25-year milestone in India. The entertainment industry, the viewership patterns, as well as the audience have evolved over the years, and PVR has been able to live up to their expectations. As we continue to meaningfully engage consumers as well as introduce them to newer cinematic experiences, our focus will remain on bringing winning stories to the screen and adding joy and comfort to the life of our stakeholders.’’

PVR added that it was founded back in 1997 with one sole motive: to completely revolutionise the cinema experience for Indian audiences. Over the past 25 years, it has introduced the latest cinematic formats from across the world to the Indian audience. The brand has evolved with changing times with cutting edge technology through extra-large screens, Laser Projection Systems, and immersive sound to bring alive every little detail of the movie. Seats being pivotal to delivering the ultimate sensorial cinema experience, PVR has ensured an experience that befits a king. It has reimagined a cinema F&B offering curated by its chefs with concepts customised to cater to varied preferences and choices for its discerning customers. Through, PVR Privilege, India’s leading entertainment loyalty programme, it strives to deliver to its customers an experience which is specific to their consumption behavior.

PVR CEO Gautam Dutta commented, ‘’It’s been an eventful and phenomenal journey for PVR over the last 25 years and we are extremely excited and humbled as we celebrate this milestone. We would like to extend our gratitude to all our associates, partners, and especially movie enthusiasts, who have continued to have faith in us over these years. The enduring customer loyalty as well as enhanced brand recall and perception associated with our brand is an outcome of our customer obsession. Innovation has been our cornerstone to building a more delightful, cinematic atmosphere and delivering an exceptional experience to our patrons.’

“Of course, we couldn’t have achieved any of it without the hard work of our employees and the perseverance of our business partners, who are resolutely committed to building our brand and helping us redefine the entertainment experience all over the country.”

To commemorate its 25-year journey in India, PVR Cinemas has introduced a series of contests and offers to entice audiences and movie lovers across the country:

Short film contest: Participants need to make a two-minute film on the theme, “Iss Andhere mein bahut Roshni hai.” Content creators and independent film makers of the best entries judged by film critics will be able to showcase their creations on the big screens of PVR.

Social media engagements ‘filmy wishes contest’: Participants can use their favourite movie dialogues or song lyrics to create reels or stories and post them, tagging our official Instagram handle. The lucky 25 will get a chance to win free movie tickets for the entire year, invites to premieres, star meet and greets, and more.

#25yearsofPVR Instagram filter challenge: Every year of PVR’s existence, one iconic movie will appear as gibberish, and participants will have to guess which one it is. PVR will randomly gratify 25 participants who have answered correctly with exclusive merchandise.

Guest and privilege member offers: As a part of the 25th anniversary celebration, all guests who visit PVR in the celebration week get 25 per cent off on any of its food combos and unlimited Pepsi.

Earn 25 per cent points: During the celebration week, PVR privilege members can earn 25 per cent points instead of the usual five per cent earnings.

NFT collection: PVR also brings its heritage to life in the metaverse. Special edition NFT coins and tickets capture the story of its brand and its most iconic moment. To make it even more special, it is giving away movie vouchers and a chance to contribute towards its social cause.

August 11, 2022