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Tag: QYOU Media

  • Ex-Google exec Mohit Jagtiani launches branded content firm NEXT NARRATIVE with Simran Hoon

    Ex-Google exec Mohit Jagtiani launches branded content firm NEXT NARRATIVE with Simran Hoon

    Mumbai: With the increasing media clutter in the digital space, consumers have more media choices than ever. In such a competitive environment, it is vital for brands, creators and platforms, to keep their narrative fresh. Next Narrative is the new age Media Company that is committed to doing so by helping creators scale their reach and grow revenue while driving business outcomes for brands. Helmed by Mohit Jagtiani, award-winning brand storyteller, ex-Google (YouTube) and Viacom18, in partnership with Simran Hoon, ex-QYOU Media and Viacom18, the branded content company aims at solving these brand objectives with relevant and compelling long and short form branded content and IPs.

    Next Narrative touches on the ABCs of Digital Storytelling:

    1   Audience: Next Narrative understands consumer preferences and motivations, and aims to help brands as well as creators connect with them meaningfully.

    2   Brands: It serves brands seeking meaningful connections through storytelling.

    3   Creators: It aims to support authentic creators with a passion for crafting emotional narratives.

    Next Narrative founder and CEO Mohit Jagtiani said, “There are too many brands vying for the same audience. This has inadvertently led to an obsession with performance marketing and immediate outcomes. Very few are focussing on building brand loyalty. Next Narrative believes that in today’s cluttered environment, a compelling attraction to a brand, brand loyalty and consistent business outcomes has to be created with the right story, the right content and the right creator(s). With the 3Cs of creator, content and commerce converging, I could not have asked for a better time to take the entrepreneurial leap and add the 4th C of connection with Next Narrative.”

    About partnering with another industry veteran, Simran Hoon, Mohit added, “They say when you start on your own, you should tag team with someone who can complement your strengths and vision. I couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Simran who is also my ex-colleague from my time at Viacom18.”

    Next Narrative partner Simran Hoon added, “Storytelling has always been in my DNA. While working at Viacom18 together, Mohit and I experienced first-hand the impact of the right story, in the right hands, told to the right audience. With our industry knowledge and the right partnerships, we always knew we wanted to create something creative and drive impact. I have had a rewarding career spanning 30+ years working with the broadcast media in its golden age and with the digital media which is today a tour de force. What remains unchanged across the years and types of media is the ability of tell great stories to solve brand challenges. ”

    Whatever the medium- episodic series, creator collaboration campaigns or podcasts-Next Narrative aims to focus on building brand loyalty. Under Mohit and Simran’s leadership, the company will drive results for brands by developing compelling content. Today, creators are media powerhouses with loyal communities. Next Narrative aims to partner with these influencers and creators- niche, big and small, who can authentically bring brand stories to life. 

  • QYOU Media appoints Raj Mishra as India Group CEO

    QYOU Media appoints Raj Mishra as India Group CEO

    Mumbai: QYOU Media Inc., operating in India and the United States has announced the appointment of digital leader and strategist, Raj Mishra, as Group CEO of QYOU Media’s India operations overseeing all business units, with immediate effect. Mishra will focus on increasing operational and financial synergies and strengths among the three primary business units as the company further pivots in India into digital distribution and direct-to-consumer initiatives.

    Raj Mishra was appointed to QYOU’s board of directors on 30 May 2023 and brings a strong track record of driving business growth and profitability in the mobile, media, and entertainment sectors. With over 13 years of experience and a background that includes senior management roles in building some of the most successful app businesses in Indian market history, Mishra specializes in go-to-market strategies, sales, marketing, business growth, and profit and loss management in India’s evolving social media landscape.

    Mishra’s career highlights include his instrumental role as the first employee at Musical.ly in India (now TikTok), leading it to over 60 million monthly active users. As the country head for both Musical.ly and later for TikTok following their acquisition, he fostered growth for ByteDance in India, established local teams, cultivated business partnerships, and nurtured the creator community. Under his leadership, Musical.ly became the most downloaded app on Android and iOS app stores. He subsequently oversaw the rebranding transition from Musical.ly to TikTok after its acquisition in 2017 wherein it became quickly established among the most downloaded apps in India with 610 million downloads in India alone in less than three years representing over a quarter of all global downloads. In 2019, he took on a new challenge within ByteDance where he was spearheading strategy for their newly launched suite of products, including the app Helo while closely working with the core global teams at ByteDance to help further strengthen their overall go-to-market strategy. Following that experience, Mishra joined Triller as the country GM and India head, laying the foundation for its expansion in India and the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, Mishra was consulting for a number of digital and gaming companies including QYOU’s India business units, where he provides strategic and revenue generation strategies and tactics for growth.

    QYOU Media CEO and co-founder, Curt Marvis commented, “We are thrilled to have Raj on board to direct the next phase of growth for our businesses in India. Working with him as a consultant to QYOU India over the last several months, it became clear to me and the Board that his skill set and experience were directly applicable to our overall business objective to become a larger brand with more direct to consumer initiatives in India.  This includes our most recent launch of the new freemium version of Q GamesMela. In addition, Raj’s understanding and knowledge of how the creator economy works, as a result of his roles at both Musical.ly and TikTok are invaluable for us as we build a creator-centric brand and business.  His appointment to oversee our entire operation in India launches a very exciting new chapter in our history.”

    Speaking on the appointment, Raj Mishra added, “I joined the board of QYOU Media because I was excited about the size and scope of the opportunity for which they have already built the foundation. In working directly with the business since that time, I now know that the potential is even greater than I had first realized.  There is a tremendous amount of hard work, coordination and execution ahead and we have only scratched the surface of what is possible for QYOU. I have shared with Curt and the Board my thoughts on how I see the business unfolding and expanding in the coming years.  I can’t wait to get deeper into working with the executive management and employees at all the business units and to help QYOU raise the India business to a level of success we all know is possible.”

    QYOU Media business units in India include QYOU Media India which includes the broadcast and CTV channels, the influencer marketing business Chtrbox Technologies and Maxamtech Digital Ventures’ gaming  business.

  • Simran Hoon steps down as QYOU Media India CEO

    Simran Hoon steps down as QYOU Media India CEO

    Mumbai: QYOU Media India CEO Simran Hoon has decided to move on from her current role at the company. During her tenure, Hoon’s leadership as the company’s maiden CEO has been instrumental in scaling the company to new heights and spearheading its expansion. Her strategic insights and unwavering commitment have guided the growth for QYOU Media India into a dynamic brand that resonates with its audiences. Hoon’s guidance has played a significant role in shaping QYOU Media India as a brand known for its creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking approach in the media and entertainment landscape.

    Simran Hoon took the helm as CEO in 2021 and in a very short span of time, expanded QYOU Media India’s footprint across linear and digital business with the launch of channels and apps. She also oversaw the strategic acquisition of key media assets, forging partnerships that allowed QYOU Media India to reach new audiences and diversify its offerings.

    Speaking on the development, QYOU Media CEO and co-founder Curt Marvis said, “The Board of Directors and I want to thank Simran for all of her determined efforts and accomplishments on behalf of QYOU Media in India. During her time with us we have furthered the foundation and scale of our business across the board and we wish her the best in all of her new endeavors.”

    Looking back at her journey at QYOU Media India, Simran Hoon said, “It has been an incredible journey leading this company along with a team of talented professionals who are truly committed to pushing the boundaries of media and entertainment. I am grateful for this opportunity and shall cherish the learnings in leading India’s youngest and fastest-growing media and entertainment company.”

  • QYOU Media elevates Karan Pherwani & Mrunali Dedhia to vice president of Chtrbox

    QYOU Media elevates Karan Pherwani & Mrunali Dedhia to vice president of Chtrbox

    Mumbai: QYOU media subsidiary Chtrbox has announced the promotion of Mrunali Dedhia and Karan Pherwani to further strengthen its leadership team.

    Dedhia and Pherwani have both been crucial in building Chtrbox to its nationwide position as a leader in influencer marketing and creator talent management. In their new roles, they will further innovate and scale-up Chtrbox’s creator-powered marketing solutions across India while driving synergies with QYOU’s influencer marketing group in the US.

    Dedhia and Pherwani have been heading key growth and servicing divisions at Chtrbox, including managing a team of over 60 influencer marketing and creator content specialists. Their expertise in the domain has led to award-winning work and the successful execution of thousands of creator-led campaigns by Chtrbox over the past six years.

    Pherwani comes with over 10 years of strong experience in India’s new-age media and entertainment industry, including being the leader behind the 2021 launch of Chtrbox’s talent management unit, Chtrbox Represent.

    Dedhia was Chtrbox’s first team member in 2016, and through her six intrapreneurial years with Chtrbox, she has successfully grown multiple influencer marketing divisions, key partnerships, and responsibilities for the company.

    “I have had the fortune and freedom to grow with Chtrbox over the past four-plus years. With such talented creators and teams around us, we believe we’ve only scratched the surface of what lies ahead. I’m excited to co-lead the growth and create even far more compelling offerings for brands, creators, and audiences alike,” said Pherwani.

    While sharing her experience of working with Chtrbox, Dedhia shared, “It’s been a tremendous ride with Chtrbox, from helping build and grow the team from the ground up, to consistently working with some of the best creators and brands-P&G, Amazon, HP, Cred, etc. I am looking forward to this new role and scaling QYOU & Chtrbox’s great work further.”

    Chtrbox CEO & co-founder Pranay Swarup added, “We are ecstatic to elevate Karan and Mrunali to their new roles. As we grow towards increased international capabilities with the QYOU influencer marketing team in the US, they are perfect to lead synergies there as well as continue to grow depth with our India business. They are true influencer marketing experts and path-breaking leaders, and we believe they will thrive in their new roles.”

  • Q Marathi announces its new show ‘Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak’

    Q Marathi announces its new show ‘Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak’

    Mumbai : QYOU Media India’s channel Q Marathi has announced first-of-its-kind non-fiction programming initiative Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak.

    Mumbai: The maiden non-fiction offering will showcase more than 25 handpicked One Act Plays popularly known as Ekankika. Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak will premiere on 7 October and air daily at 7:30 p.m.

    The show is presented by Veet and co-presented by Lizol and Garnier along with the short-format app Chingari as a digital partner.

    In Maharashtra, theatre is a popular storytelling format, and this post-pandemic initiative is designed to encourage and provide a platform for emerging talent to present entertaining, relevant, and thought-provoking plays.

    Q Marathi conducted city-wise judging and screening of the semi-final rounds across key cities of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Aurangabad to bring the best of the plays and received a tremendous response of over 70+ entries across young theatre groups of multiple colleges and independent theatre groups. The handpicked plays will be judged by eminent marathi veteran actor Dr Girish Oak; Director, Writer, and Actor Chandrakant Kulkarni and renowned Marathi actress Aditi Sarangdhar, allowing the youth of Maharashtra to present their stories.

    Q Marathi will present awards in categories such as Best Ekankika, Best Actor Female and Male, Best Writer, Director, Light, Set Design, and Music to promote these Ekankikas and encourage young talent.

    Furthermore, to increase viewer engagement, the channel has launched ‘watch & vote,’ which will award one of the finalist’s plays as the ‘viewers’ choice winner.’

    Speaking on the launch of ‘Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak’, QYOU Media India’s CEO Simran Hoon said, “At Q Marathi, we have always innovated to launch new and meaningful ways of entertaining and engaging our viewers. Theatre takes one back to their culture and the Marathi theatre industry is rich in culture and storytelling. Through our first non-fiction show, Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak, we aim to empower the real storytellers and the youth creators of Maharashtra by creating a platform that sets benchmarks and captures the ethos and love for dramatics at its best. We are very happy to have already earned Veet as the presenting partner on this initiative along with Lizol and Garnier as co-presenting partners. True to our unique approach to engaging brands, this show will offer an integrated solution for advertisers to target youth on multiple platforms, be it television, digital, radio, on-ground, and curated branded content to leverage the power of upcoming digital creators in the Marathi space.”

    Q Marathi business head Neeta Thakare, said, “At Q Marathi, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to connect with our audiences across interesting and engaging initiatives. The launch of Q Marathi’s first non-fiction show, Q Marathi YouthFull Mahakarandak provides an opportunity and platform to the young creator economy, making it a notable value-driven property. Staying true to our core DNA, we are delighted to rope in Chingari as our digital partner for this show, as we look forward to leveraging the might of digital creators to further amplify and promote this initiative to take it to a wider base of youth audiences. With this launch, we are hopeful to create new benchmarks in entertaining and engaging our existing viewers as well as captivating new audiences.”

  • QYOU Media partners with OnePlus to be available on its smart TVs

    QYOU Media partners with OnePlus to be available on its smart TVs

    Mumbai: QYOU Media India has announced a partnership with OnePlus, giving OnePlus TV users access to its IP channels – The Q, Q Marathi, The Q Kahaniyan and The Q Comedistaan.

    The brand’s channels are available across 70+ smart TVs including Samsung TV Plus, Mi, TCL, Videocon, Haier, LLOYD, MarQ by Flipkart, Sansui, Hyundai, Daiwa, and Croma, among others.

    The company’s content is also available on platforms such as Jio, JioTV+, MX Player, Chingari, etc.

    “Connected TV platforms as a medium are witnessing explosive growth in India. As a young entertainment brand, making digital-native content available for viewers on linear TV provides us with an opportunity to open doors to millions of viewers and also give our content a place & platform of its own,” QYOU Media India chief operating officer Krishna Menon. “We believe that as a disruptive and differentiated brand, expanding our digital footprints with major Connected TV platforms such as OnePlus TV will further bring us one step closer to becoming a holistic entertainment brand in India.”

    “Providing a truly immersive and intelligent smart TV experience to our community, is the central focus of the OnePlus smart TV portfolio,” said OnePlus India CEO and head of India region Navnit Nakra. “We are thrilled to partner with QYOU Media, and this association will provide our community access to unique content curated by digital creators from across the region, further elevating the viewing experience for our users.”

  • Weekend Unwind with: QYOU Media’s chief executive officer Simran Hoon

    Weekend Unwind with: QYOU Media’s chief executive officer Simran Hoon

    Mumbai: In this week’s edition of ‘weekend unwind series’, we have QYOU Media chief executive officer Simran Hoon opening up her heart and mind to us, by sharing her nuggets on life and mantras to deal with the curveballs that life throws.

    Hoon leads one of the fastest-growing general entertainment networks and leverages her experience & insights to provide strategic direction to create new opportunities for the company as well as drive organisational growth. During her career, she has been associated with well-known media companies including Viacom18, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Star India, Sony Entertainment Television & Times of India group. Hoon has two and a half decades experience in the media industry and is one of the youngest women in a senior C-level leadership role in India.

    The lesser-known facets of her life include being a proud pet mom and member of pet & animal shelter forums. She is also a keen traveller and sportsperson with an interest in marathon-running & horse-riding. 

    Let us hear it from her: 

    -Your mantra for life
    Be grateful for all that you have.

    -A book you are currently reading/plan to read
    ’48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene.

    -Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
    Yoga and walks with my dog.

    -Your comfort food
    Rajma chawal.

    -When the chips are down a quote/ philosophy that keeps you going
    There is a God up there, watching over.

    -Your guilty pleasure
    Jalebi.

    -When was the last time you tried something new?
    Like most lockdown first-time chefs, I made my first dal ever and was pleasantly surprised!

    -A life lesson you learnt the hard way
    Never judge a book by its cover.

    -What gets you excited about life?
    The next travel plan.

    .-What’s on top of your bucket list?
    A trip to Japan.

    -If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
    Don’t be tough on yourself, life has its plans chalked out for you.

    -One thing you would most like to change about the world
    Fake people with big egos.

    -An activity that keeps you motivated / charged during tough times
    Music and meditation.

    -What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
    A cup of chai with close ones.

    -Your go-to stress buster
    My dog!

  • QYou Media India launches animation channel The Q Kahaniyan

    QYou Media India launches animation channel The Q Kahaniyan

    Mumbai: Following the launch of The Q and Q Marathi, global media company QYou Media India on Tuesday announced the setting up of its digital exclusive animation channel – The Q Kahaniyan. With the tagline ‘Hatke Kisse, Datke Masti,’ the animated content channel will target young viewers between age group of 13 to 35 years.

    “The Q Kahaniyan is a category creator that bridges the need gap for entertaining, relatable animated stories and content for young adults in India. Echoing the network’s core proposition, it will showcase differentiated and high-quality alternative animated content that will cut across genres,” said the media company in a statement. 

    The channel will curate and bring forward stories from leading Indian and global animation studios and creators such as PM Toons, Digimonks, Utkal Cartoon World and Core Infotech. Shows such as “Nattu,” “Bakaiti,” “Anokhi Kahaniya,” “Daravni Kahaniya,” “Dilchasp Kahaniya” are sure to strike a chord with viewers and create a niche for themselves as well for animated content in the growing general entertainment category, the statement added. 

    “Globally, the interest in animated content is astonishing; in India however, the category and format are indexed and typically viewed from a kid’s lens,” remarked QYou Media India’s chief operating officer Krishna Menon. “Having experienced success with animation on The Q, we believe that there exists a strong demand for such content and it is only apt for us as a disruptive and differentiated brand to take a step forward and give such content a place and platform of its own.”

    “With The Q Kahaniyan, we are curating stories that are relevant, relatable and different from what is already available. We are certain of the channel’s success and hope to give animated content the limelight it truly deserves,” he further added.

    The Q Kahaniyan is currently available on connected TV and video-on-demand platforms including Samsung TV Plus, Mi, TCL, Cloudwalker, Jio TV, Jio TV Plus, MX Player, and Snapchat, among others.

  • Q Marathi sets off with four top national advertisers, 17 digital creators

    Q Marathi sets off with four top national advertisers, 17 digital creators

    Mumbai: With the biggest national FMCG advertisers such as Himalaya, L’Oréal, Pepsi, and Reckitt, and 17 top Marathi digital creators on board, Canada-based QYOU Media’s regional foray Q Marathi is off to a good start.

    Starting 15 March, the free-to-air market of over 84 million Marathi audiences in Maharashtra will have access to ‘original-to-TV’ content from across genres including comedy, romance, horror, animation, drama, and religion and spirituality in the form of Q Marathi. Reinforcing the network’s core DNA, the channel will tap into the world of social video to feature content from Marathi digital creators and social media stars.

    Why Marathi

    Q Marathi channel head Neeta Thakare says that while the network plans to venture into a bunch of languages and genre niches going ahead, the decision to begin with Maharashtra was both natural and strategic. “The state being the company’s base and a top management that is strongly rooted in the Marathi cultural ethos, helped. Marathi being third-most spoken language, as well as Maharashtra’s high literacy rate, disposable income, and digital savvy youth make it an attractive market for content providers and advertisers alike,” Thakare shares.

    This is evinced by the coming on board of some of the biggest pan-India brands such as Himalaya, L’Oréal, Pepsi, and Reckitt as ‘founding sponsors’, along with several others. These are among the top advertisers, nationally.

    According to Q Marathi programming head Ashutosh Barve Marathi channels are generally driven by retail advertising by local stores and businesses. “Having four pan-India clients as ‘founding sponsors’ for a start-up channel is a significant achievement. It reflects the faith these diverse brands have in us and our content for being able to connect them to the right kind of audience.” he says.

    The content proposition

    Talking of content, uniquely positioned as the ‘Bhannat Aahe’ channel in a market dominated by pay channels Star Pravah, Zee Marathi, Colors Marathi, and Sony Marathi and the sole FTA brand Sun Marathi, Q Marathi promises to carve out a niche for itself as the “OTT of Marathi television through its edgy and exclusive programming,” asserts Barve.

    Elaborating on the channel’s unique proposition, he notes, “In recent times the Marathi audience has taken to digital and youth content in a big way in terms of both consumption and creation. There are so many brilliant creators from the small town and villages who are churning out videos in the long-form 10/15/20-minutes space on a regular basis. As a brand driven by the booming creator economy, the Q is bringing this content to the underserved youth that is currently limited to consuming mostly drama and mythology on television. In the future we may open to shorter content and social commerce, among other things.”

    All the talk about youth and youth/digital/edgy content aside, can the channel as a GEC afford to eliminate other section of audiences? Barve clarifies that Q Marathi is definitely a family-inclusive channel. “We are programming for the entire spectrum of the audience with shows that talk of diverse subjects like childhood memories of grandmother’s home and another one that is reminiscent of Malgudi days, and yet other which depicts live-in relationships. So, while our content is always very ‘young-at-heart’, it most definitely caters to the entire family.”

    Making it known

    The Q Marathi is being promoted through a phased 360-degrees campaign, with a focus on reaching out to interior regions of Maharashtra. Currently, in the awareness-building phase, the campaign is heavy on print, shares Thakare.

    Pointing out another unique feature of the Q’s promotional strategy on digital, Barve says, “it is for the first time a TV channel is using the social media might of its creator partners as a force multiplier to reach out to the ‘aam aadmi’ in a sustained manner.”  

  • QYOU Media forays into regional market with Q Marathi

    QYOU Media forays into regional market with Q Marathi

    Mumbai: In a bid to expand into the regional market, QYOU media is all set to launch a family-oriented Marathi GEC ‘Q Marathi’ on 15 March. In line with the network’s core DNA, the new free-to-air Marathi channel will curate to showcase a mix of content from leading Marathi digital creators on national television.

    “Q Marathi will serve fresh, unique and original-to-TV content to the FTA universe across genres including comedy, animation, drama, and more,” said the media company in a statement. “It will also innovate and curate to bring local influencers on TV, thus deepening synergies with the creator economy and generating opportunities for digital talent on television,” it added.

    Speaking on strengthening the networks offering in India with the launch of Q Marathi, QYOU Media CEO Simran Hoon said, “The Marathi market and audience is among the most evolved ones in India and is an attractive market to be a part of, especially for a young network brand like QYOU Media that is willing to experiment, innovate, and take risks.”

    “Our unique storytelling, programming and content strategy have set benchmarks in the industry. Q Marathi is a reflection and an extension of our DNA; it is our effort to bridge the existing content gap and provide viewers with a fresh and new consumption experience. We are sure the channel will have an immediate connect with viewers,” added Hoon.

    “Q Marathi is designed to redefine Marathi GEC Entertainment and usher in a ‘New Era’ in television. The channel has a robust programming line-up with content cutting across multiple genres like comedy, drama, romance, horror that young Maharashtra will connect with,” said Q Marathi channel head Neeta Thakare. “The channel will engage with leading digital influencers and create opportunities for them on mainstream television.  It is our endeavour to deliver a young fresh dynamic bouquet of truly disruptive and path-breaking content for our discerning Marathi viewers while building Q Marathi as a destination for wholesome family entertainment.”

    Q Marathi will be available across leading cable and DTH operators.