ITV

Tag: Nitesh Kripalani

  • On a roll, Amazon sells brands and showcases content

    MUMBAI: Amazon is on a roll. Both, its digital and e-commerce platform have signed deals with three well-established companies. A studio ChuChu, a global online marketplace M&S and a popular brand YepMe.

    Amazon India and Chennai based ChuChu TV Studios have announced a long-term deal. With this partnership, the video-on-demand (VOD) platform will become the subscription streaming home for all ChuChu TV’s existing and future videos ad free.

    “ChuChu TV is one of India’s top animators and their series of upbeat songs and colorful animationsis much-loved by kids worldwide,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “We are very happy to partner with ChuChu TV to add to our existing bouquet of kids’ content for ad-free entertainment.”

    ChuChu TV is one of India’s top content creators for kids animation and its TV channel, ChuChu TV Nursery Rhymes is the third most subscribed channel in India with over eight million subscribers and over 7.5 billion video views.

    ChuChu TV Studios CEO and creative director Vinoth Chandar added, “We understand the need for quality storytelling and safe viewing especially for children. We hope that children and their parents alike, enjoy and appreciate the content line-up that we have to offer especially since it is an ad-free environment.”

    Yepme meantime has announced its collaboration with Amazon for selling its merchandise in key markets worldwide under the Amazon Global Selling Program. Yepme’s wide array of fashion products will be available across key European markets like UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain via Amazon’s platform by 5 March with a portfolio of over 2700 products in Prime across categories such as apparels, footwear and accessories.

    The merchandise will also be available in the US market through the program by March 2017.

    “The Amazon Global Selling Program and this partnership can be game changing as Amazon providesglobal platform for Indian brands to service a multi-billion-dollar opportunity. Such partnerships can be truly disruptive as speed to market, customer service, latest trends on fashion will not be incrementally better than brick and mortar value fast fashion brand but would be a quantum leap in Value Fast Fashion Space” said Yepme CEO Vivek Gaur.

    Amazon’s Global Selling Program facilitates easy, simple and convenient access for all Indian sellers- including entrepreneurs, SMEs, manufacturers as well as large brands – to sell their Make in India products to consumers across the globe. Through this program, the ‘Unreasonably Fashionable’ brand will transcend geographical boundaries and take its offerings overseas to delight international customers.

    “We look forward to helping Yepme navigate through the process of selling globally seamlessly, taking advantage of our services such as Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and leveraging the enormous demand for Indian fashion products across the globe,” added Amazon India director and GM Seller Services Gopal Pillai.

    Additionally, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has also launched on Amazon.in, making it even more convenient for customers across India to shop its quality clothing and beauty ranges.

    From today, Indian customers can now shop circa 1,000 Marks & Spencer products across Womenswear, Lingerie, Menswear, Kidswear and Beauty via www.amazon.in/marks&spencer. Customers will also be able to shop Marks & Spencer cosmetics online, with 220 lines available.

    Amazon India head of fashion Arun Sirdeshmukh said, “Marks & Spencer is one of the leading and most loved brands and our endeavour has always been to offer the best brands with the most curated selection of products to our discerning customers across the country. Offering Marks & Spencer merchandise on Amazon is another step in that direction and will be an extension of the portfolio of global brands that our customers can enjoy through our platform.”

    In women’s wear, customers can choose from key pieces from the spring range including stylish floral dresses with feminine detailing; authentic, fitted denim; and that must-have soft-touch trench coat. Marks & Spencer’s renowned quality and innovative lingerie including bras, knickers, shape wear and sleepwear in delicate and feminine colours and prints will also be available. In menswear, the range contains all the must-have pieces across casual and formal wear, whilst in kids wear, Marks & Spencer is a one-stop shop for high quality, on-trend baby and kids clothing for girls and boys including day wear, accessories, nightwear and essentials. An edited beauty offer will be available including skincare, body care, cosmetics and fragrance.

    Marks & Spencer Reliance India MD Venu Nair added, “Whether choosing a classic white shirt, that special occasion dress or the ultimate feminine sleepwear, online shopping continues to grow in popularity in India as customers look for more choice and greater convenience. We’re delighted to launch today on Amazon.in, India’s largest online store, making it even easier for our customers to shop with us. Our range of 1000 quality, stylish products, combined with Amazon’s reach and fast delivery, means our customers can order something truly special online, wherever and whenever suits them.”

  • Amazon Prime Video India ties up with OML

    Amazon Prime Video India ties up with OML

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video India has entered into a partnership with OML (Only Much Louder) to release 14 comedy specials exclusively for Amazon. The shows are set to launch in May.

    “Each of the hour long specials will debut on the platform exclusively in May. OML best comedy talent will available to prime members exclusively and on demand,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani.

    Recently, Zodiak Kids had announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

    Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of the popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centres on a boy who constantly feels like life just is not fair. He is only a kid, but with a perfect little brother like Peter, a Mum and Dad who would love him dearly if only he starts behaving, well like a kid, and a moody girl next door who is on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

    Talking about the partnership, Only Much Louder COO Ajay Nair adds “We are very excited to partner with Amazon Prime Video on this series of stand-up specials. Stand-up comedy in India has become massive over the last few years with a huge fan base across the country and the comics have worked tremendously hard to create and perform the funniest material for their fans. Amazon Prime Video is a great destination for fans to watch full hour-long sets of their favourite comics in one go.”

    The comedians whose specials will be released as part of this partnership include:

    • Sapan Verma (Obsessive Comedic Disorder has already launched on Amazon Prime Video in December 2016 to rave reviews)
    • Sorabh Pant (My dad thinks he’s funny has already launched on Amazon Prime Video)
    • Kanan Gill
    • Kenny Sebastian (Don’t be that guy)
    • Zakir Khan, (Single magar haq se)
    • Biswa Kalyan Rath
    • Naveen Richard (Don’t make that face)
    • Anuvab Pal (Alive at 40)
    • Varun Thakur (Vicky this side, Varun that side
    • Azeem Banatwalla (Cometh the hour)
    • Neville Shah
    •  Aadar Malik (Stand up – The Musical)
    •  S Aravind (Madrasi Da)
    • EIC Outrage special, a live show based on EIC’s immensely popular EIC Outrage series will be part of the series.

    These specials will be shot at iconic venues across the country in the first half of 2017 and two to three specials will be released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video every month.

  • Amazon Prime Video India ties up with OML

    Amazon Prime Video India ties up with OML

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video India has entered into a partnership with OML (Only Much Louder) to release 14 comedy specials exclusively for Amazon. The shows are set to launch in May.

    “Each of the hour long specials will debut on the platform exclusively in May. OML best comedy talent will available to prime members exclusively and on demand,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani.

    Recently, Zodiak Kids had announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

    Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of the popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centres on a boy who constantly feels like life just is not fair. He is only a kid, but with a perfect little brother like Peter, a Mum and Dad who would love him dearly if only he starts behaving, well like a kid, and a moody girl next door who is on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

    Talking about the partnership, Only Much Louder COO Ajay Nair adds “We are very excited to partner with Amazon Prime Video on this series of stand-up specials. Stand-up comedy in India has become massive over the last few years with a huge fan base across the country and the comics have worked tremendously hard to create and perform the funniest material for their fans. Amazon Prime Video is a great destination for fans to watch full hour-long sets of their favourite comics in one go.”

    The comedians whose specials will be released as part of this partnership include:

    • Sapan Verma (Obsessive Comedic Disorder has already launched on Amazon Prime Video in December 2016 to rave reviews)
    • Sorabh Pant (My dad thinks he’s funny has already launched on Amazon Prime Video)
    • Kanan Gill
    • Kenny Sebastian (Don’t be that guy)
    • Zakir Khan, (Single magar haq se)
    • Biswa Kalyan Rath
    • Naveen Richard (Don’t make that face)
    • Anuvab Pal (Alive at 40)
    • Varun Thakur (Vicky this side, Varun that side
    • Azeem Banatwalla (Cometh the hour)
    • Neville Shah
    •  Aadar Malik (Stand up – The Musical)
    •  S Aravind (Madrasi Da)
    • EIC Outrage special, a live show based on EIC’s immensely popular EIC Outrage series will be part of the series.

    These specials will be shot at iconic venues across the country in the first half of 2017 and two to three specials will be released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video every month.

  • Zodiak shows to be on Amazon Prime in early ’17

    Zodiak shows to be on Amazon Prime in early ’17

    MUMBAI: Zodiak Kids has announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

    Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centers on a boy who constantly feels like life just isn’t fair. Of course he’s only a kid, but with a perfect little brother called Peter, a Mum and Dad who’d love him dearly if only he’d stop behaving, well, like a kid, and a moody girl next door who’s on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

    Henry’s looking at life from the bottom up, and from where he stands it’s him against the rest of the world. So if that means getting out of swimming class by pretending there’s a shark in the pool, organizing an anti-school uniform campaign with his friends or setting up a pet sitting business in his bedroom to supplement his measly allowance, then that’s all part of life as Henry knows it. Horrid Henry is produced by Novel Entertainment Ltd for CiTV.

    Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani said, “We are extremely happy to announce our collaboration with Zodiak Kids by bringing immensely popular characters like Horrid Henry to India. This alliance adds further volume to our existing bouquet of great kids’ programming, thus paving the way for us to have the largest exclusive selection of kids’ entertainment in India.”

    Amazon India has also picked up animation series’ Extreme Football, Street Football and Sally Bollywood the Bollywood tastic mystery solving show. All series are produced by Zodiak Kids Studios.

  • Zodiak shows to be on Amazon Prime in early ’17

    Zodiak shows to be on Amazon Prime in early ’17

    MUMBAI: Zodiak Kids has announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

    Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centers on a boy who constantly feels like life just isn’t fair. Of course he’s only a kid, but with a perfect little brother called Peter, a Mum and Dad who’d love him dearly if only he’d stop behaving, well, like a kid, and a moody girl next door who’s on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

    Henry’s looking at life from the bottom up, and from where he stands it’s him against the rest of the world. So if that means getting out of swimming class by pretending there’s a shark in the pool, organizing an anti-school uniform campaign with his friends or setting up a pet sitting business in his bedroom to supplement his measly allowance, then that’s all part of life as Henry knows it. Horrid Henry is produced by Novel Entertainment Ltd for CiTV.

    Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani said, “We are extremely happy to announce our collaboration with Zodiak Kids by bringing immensely popular characters like Horrid Henry to India. This alliance adds further volume to our existing bouquet of great kids’ programming, thus paving the way for us to have the largest exclusive selection of kids’ entertainment in India.”

    Amazon India has also picked up animation series’ Extreme Football, Street Football and Sally Bollywood the Bollywood tastic mystery solving show. All series are produced by Zodiak Kids Studios.

  • Amazon gets ‘Oggy & Cockroaches’, ‘Zig & Sharko’ streaming rights in multi-year deal with Xilam

    Amazon gets ‘Oggy & Cockroaches’, ‘Zig & Sharko’ streaming rights in multi-year deal with Xilam

    MUMBAI: Amazon and Xilam Animation have announced a multi-year content deal that makes Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive subscription streaming home of all four existing and three upcoming seasons of the popular animated series ‘Oggy & the Cockroaches’ and ‘Zig & Sharko’.

    Prime members in India now also have access to Xilam Animation’s vast library of top-rated shows like ‘Floopaloo Where Are You’, ‘A Kind of Magic’, ‘If I Were An Animal’, ‘Paprika’ and ‘The Daltons’.

    “Amazon Prime Video India is delighted to partner with Xilam Animation, creators of the world-famous animated series, ‘Oggy & the Cockroaches’ that continues to entertain kids for nearly 20 years”, said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “This is an important milestone in the journey to offering the best kids’ entertainment to our prime members.”

    “Xilam is proud of the growing success of its animated characters in India, with Oggy leading the pack for many years now. As we prepare for the future, and the new ways content is used within the family, it is essential that we find the right partners to facilitate our expansion into the digital world. That’s why we are so thrilled to be entering into this agreement with Amazon Prime Video since we value so highly their expertise in subscription streaming. As a multi-year deal this is a great step for Xilam as we look forward to watching the special bonds that our characters have developed in the hearts of millions of Indian kids, grow bigger and stronger,” said Xilam Animation Marc du Pontavice.

    First aired in 1998, ‘Oggy & the Cockroaches’ is a French animated comedy series tracking the prankish misadventures and confrontations between a chubby cat named Oggy and three pesky roaches: Joey, Dee Dee and Marky. The fifth season will explore the ongoing rivalry in a new way by tracking Oggy through the ages for historical hilarity. Seasons 6 and 7 will comprise a mix of brand new episodes along with full remakes of classic stories from Seasons 1 and 2.

    ‘Zig & Sharko’ is about a hyena named Zig who lives on a volcano island with his crab pal, Bernie, and plots against a beautiful mermaid, Marina, whom he wants to eat. Sharko is a shark with a lot of muscle and who loves to sabotage the hyena’s every move.

  • Amazon gets ‘Oggy & Cockroaches’, ‘Zig & Sharko’ streaming rights in multi-year deal with Xilam

    Amazon gets ‘Oggy & Cockroaches’, ‘Zig & Sharko’ streaming rights in multi-year deal with Xilam

    MUMBAI: Amazon and Xilam Animation have announced a multi-year content deal that makes Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive subscription streaming home of all four existing and three upcoming seasons of the popular animated series ‘Oggy & the Cockroaches’ and ‘Zig & Sharko’.

    Prime members in India now also have access to Xilam Animation’s vast library of top-rated shows like ‘Floopaloo Where Are You’, ‘A Kind of Magic’, ‘If I Were An Animal’, ‘Paprika’ and ‘The Daltons’.

    “Amazon Prime Video India is delighted to partner with Xilam Animation, creators of the world-famous animated series, ‘Oggy & the Cockroaches’ that continues to entertain kids for nearly 20 years”, said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “This is an important milestone in the journey to offering the best kids’ entertainment to our prime members.”

    “Xilam is proud of the growing success of its animated characters in India, with Oggy leading the pack for many years now. As we prepare for the future, and the new ways content is used within the family, it is essential that we find the right partners to facilitate our expansion into the digital world. That’s why we are so thrilled to be entering into this agreement with Amazon Prime Video since we value so highly their expertise in subscription streaming. As a multi-year deal this is a great step for Xilam as we look forward to watching the special bonds that our characters have developed in the hearts of millions of Indian kids, grow bigger and stronger,” said Xilam Animation Marc du Pontavice.

    First aired in 1998, ‘Oggy & the Cockroaches’ is a French animated comedy series tracking the prankish misadventures and confrontations between a chubby cat named Oggy and three pesky roaches: Joey, Dee Dee and Marky. The fifth season will explore the ongoing rivalry in a new way by tracking Oggy through the ages for historical hilarity. Seasons 6 and 7 will comprise a mix of brand new episodes along with full remakes of classic stories from Seasons 1 and 2.

    ‘Zig & Sharko’ is about a hyena named Zig who lives on a volcano island with his crab pal, Bernie, and plots against a beautiful mermaid, Marina, whom he wants to eat. Sharko is a shark with a lot of muscle and who loves to sabotage the hyena’s every move.

  • Timesaverz.com raises a seed round from leading angel and seed investors

    Timesaverz.com raises a seed round from leading angel and seed investors

    MUMBAI: Timesaverz, a GSF Accelerator company, is a “mobile first” marketplace that connects home service seekers with home service providers. It has secured a seed round of financing from a group of leading angel investors led Neville Taraporewalla, Senior Industry Leader in Consumer Internet, and by Rajesh Sawhney, Founder of GSF Accelerator and the GSF Superangels platform. The other investors include AshishJhalani (Founder at eTailing India), Nitesh Kripalani (ex-Digital Business Head at Sony Entertainment) and leading GSF Superangels like Dinesh Agarwal, Founder of Indiamart and Nish Bhutani, COO of Saffronart.

     

    Co-Founded by Debadutta Upadhyaya & Lovnish Bhatia in April 2013, the Timesaverz.com platform has built a strong network of 500 plus service partners over the last 15 months of operations.Each service partnergoes through a rigorous process before enlisting with the Timesaverz network, this includes – a thorough background check, verification of skill-sets and polishing of soft-skills. This network of skilled agents across Mumbai helps time-stressed Mumbaikars outsource their home service requirements in the area of cleaning tasks, handymen jobs, appliances repairs and errands coordination.

     

    It’s a very simple process.All the user has to do is – visit www.timesaverz.com online or through a mobile device, choose the task that needs to get done, select the date and time they want the job to be completed and pay up. Timesaverz then uses its proprietaryalgorithms to assign the right service partner to complete the job. Quality service delivery on time is ensured through LIVE tracking of the entire process from job request to job completion and feedback gathering through mobility solutions.

     

    Says Rajesh Sawhney, Founder of GSF Accelerator and GSF Superangels, “Timesaverz is a mobile first company. It is a unique mobile marketplace which combines “uberification of services” with a deep understanding of the needs and dynamics of Indian household. The seasoned leadership team of Timesaverz has curated a strong network of service partners and have built a scalable model of service delivery.

     

    Says Debadutta Upadhyaya (Nominated as one of the top 30 women entrepreneurs in the country by sumHR),  “Over the last 15 months, the Timesaverzteam has established a business around organizing a disorganized home services market through mobile technology intervention.At 33% repeat customers month on month and 10x revenue growth trend vis-?-vis’ last year, the business is now poised for ahuge growth. Not only that, the social impact of this model has seen job creation and supplementary income for individual skilled workers. The current fundraising will be used to expand into other cities and strengthen our mobile-first vision.”

     

    Although a new concept in Indian context, this genre of business has seen some robust funding in the developed markets in the likes of Thumbtack, Handy (previously Handybook) and Taskrabbit

  • Now Challenge your friends and Play “Kaun Banega Crorepati” LIVE!

    Now Challenge your friends and Play “Kaun Banega Crorepati” LIVE!

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) Pvt. Ltd. today launched the digital destinations for this season’s KBC – the new look for the KBC website – www.KBCSony.com, the Official KBC App and the KBC Play Along Application. Both, the official App and the Play Along app are available on iTunes (iOS), Android and Windows.

     

     

    The KBC Official App

     

    The KBC Official App has 3 key features – the KBC Official Game, the Globe Quiz and Registrations for Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot (GBJJ).

     

    The KBC Official Game gives users an opportunity to play his favourite game any time, from any location across devices. The easy to navigate user interface is similar to the experience of playing KBC on the ‘Hot Seat’. Users have access to the same lifelines as on TV. Cross-devices common social leaderboard will keep users engaged and keep it competitive. The KBC Official game will also be available on Facebook for users to play.

     

    Users can also win by participating in Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot via the KBC App. Previously, the only way to play was to either send SMS or call in. Now, one can play multiple times via the official App.

     

    To download the app, SMS KBCAPP to 52525, or download the app from the iTunes, Google Play and Windows App Stores.

     

    The ‘KBC Play Along’ mobile application

     

    For the 1st time in India, every single TV viewer can play along with the KBC show on-air during its prime-time telecast. This unique and interactive application allows users to participate either via the App or the via the website, and respond to Mr. Bachchan’s questions on-air. Users can also challenge and compete with their friends on social media.

     

    To download the KBC Play Along app, SMS PLAY to 52525. Or download the app from the iTunes, Google Play and Windows App Stores Speaking on the launch, Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network commented “This year, we have embraced the mobile Internet user and enabled them to participate, engage and be rewarded… users can play-along with the hot-seat participant on-air and be rewarded. We have enabled a true second-screen engagement for the viewer. The idea is to bring the KBC experience up close and personal, across multiple mediums, be it mobile, tablet or online”.

     

    The “Upload Your Family Photograph” feature allows users to become a part of the KBC family. They can upload their family photographs accompanied by a brief anecdote; some of the best photographs and stories will be shared by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan during the show.

  • MSM and Blogmint felicitate the winners of the LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup

    MSM and Blogmint felicitate the winners of the LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup

    LIV Sportsand Blogminttodaycrowned Nekib Ahmed as the winner of the first LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup at a grand event in Gurgaon.The Bloggers world cup was a unique Influencer Marketing initiative from LIV Sports and Blogmint that allowed bloggers to blog about their favorite team and compete on a real time basis. The LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup was hosted on the Blogmint platform, a leading Bloggers Marketplace, managed by Tangerine Digital.

     

    The LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup was launched to kindle the football passion in social media savvy youth of India received over 10,000 entries from football bloggers across the Indian sub-continent. Top 32 bloggers were selected to participate based on their social influence, Sports relevancy and passion for innovative Digital Marketing. They followed the similar format as the 2014 FIFA World Cup, from the qualifying rounds, to knockout stages. The top two bloggers from each group were further shortlisted to the quarterfinals on the basis their Blog Score – a measure of their influence.

     

    The awards were given by Mr.Nitesh Kripalani, Executive Vice-President – New Media, Business Development and Digital/Syndication at Sony Entertainment Network.Launched in June this year, LIV Sportsis the Official Mobile and Internet Broadcaster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. LIV Sports offers both LIVE and Video-on-demand match content, with rich and informative statistics and analysis

     

    Nekib Ahmedwon the month-long competition with a whooping number of views; he had stiff competition from Faisal Haq and Jatin, they finished second and third respectively.“I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be part of this exciting LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup. The entire journey has been a learning experience and every challenge has helped me discover my strength.” said, Nekib Ahmed.

     

    The innovative Influencer Marketing initiativereceived a phenomenal response on the digital platforms with an organic reach of 3 Mn on Social media based on the 151 blogs written by the contestants.

     

    Commenting on behalf of Blogmint, Kesavan Kanchi Kandadai, Chief Executive Officer, Tangerine Digital stated, “We are delighted with the response and interest that the LIV Sports Bloggers World Cup has received on the digital platform. We would like to congratulate the winners and assure that similar properties, across Sports will be launched in the near future.”