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Tag: Rohit Bansal

  • What initiatives can fantasy gaming platforms take to promote inclusivity and diversity within their fan communities?

    What initiatives can fantasy gaming platforms take to promote inclusivity and diversity within their fan communities?

    Mumbai: Diversity and inclusion are not merely catchphrases in the vast virtual world of games; they are key factors influencing it. Diversity encompasses a range of human experiences that include gender, colour, culture, and other aspects beyond narratives and characters. Furthermore, by ensuring inclusivity, gaming spaces are made accessible and open to everyone. Thus, the substantial impact of diversity and inclusion on gaming extends to improving game quality and originality while also increasing player pleasure, engagement, and loyalty.

    The goal of creating immersive environments that honour diversity becomes increasingly important as we venture deeper into the domain of fantasy games. Thus, in order to develop immersive worlds that embrace diversity and inclusivity as well as enhance both the gaming experience and the lively communities that inhabit these digital domains, exploring initiatives becomes imperative. According to Mordor Intelligence, with a projected size of $32.75 billion in 2024 and a projected growth rate of 13.83% during the forecast period (2024–2029), the fantasy sports market is predicted to reach $62.58 billion by 2029.

    Here’s a look at the initiatives that can be undertaken to promote inclusivity and diversity within these virtual worlds-

    Know your audience: Finding out who your audience is and what they want is the first step towards promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming sector. The gaming industry is a complex and dynamic sector that attracts gamers of all ages, genders, races, cultures, talents, tastes, and expectations. You can learn a lot about the requirements, goals, and challenges of your audience by using analytics, feedback, surveys, and research. Equipped with this understanding, you can tailor your games to suit their tastes. Furthermore, you can employ this data as a tool to find and address any biases or gaps in the accessibility, representation, and involvement of your diverse audience.

    Engage and retain a diverse workforce: Seeking and retaining a diverse workforce is the second essential step in improving diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. The majority of professionals in the field today are white, male, and cisgender, which unintentionally limits the range of viewpoints, creativity, and innovation. Thus, prioritizing the hiring and retention of diverse talent allows for access to a wealth of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences from people with different backgrounds, identities, and specializations. This strategic approach not only benefits the sector but also fosters a more welcoming and encouraging workplace where each team member truly feels appreciated and empowered. Achieving this requires creating transparent and fair recruitment, promotion, and remuneration rules, as well as providing important training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for the diverse members of the staff.

    Collaborate and co-create: In order to promote diversity and inclusion in the game industry, co-creation and cooperation are the third and most important stages. Understanding how the gaming industry interacts with other industries, communities, and sectors is essential given how interconnected the industry is. Through proactive involvement with various stakeholders, including academics, media, civil society, and government, one can effectively leverage a wide array of resources, knowledge, and power to advance the cause of diversity and inclusion in the game industry. In addition, including your audience in the stages of game design, development, and testing guarantees that your creations are in line with their tastes and demands. It also fosters a collaborative environment where their input is respected and taken into consideration.

    Educate and advocate: The fourth integral measure to advance diversity and inclusion in the game industry entails an active commitment to education and advocacy. Recognising that the gaming industry is not a passive entity but a potent force shaping and being shaped by culture, society, and politics, it becomes imperative to champion diversity and inclusion. Through robust education and advocacy efforts within the industry, one can elevate awareness, challenge prevailing stereotypes, and instigate transformative change among peers, partners, and consumers. Additionally, there is an opportunity to champion and amplify the voices and narratives of marginalized groups within the game industry, including women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, and individuals hailing from low-income or underrepresented regions.

    Embracing Diversity for a Brighter Future!

    In the ever-expanding landscape of fantasy gaming, the journey towards inclusivity and diversity is a collective effort. By implementing these initiatives, fantasy gaming platforms can transcend virtual boundaries and create communities that are reflective of the diverse world we inhabit. Together, developers, players, and enthusiasts can build a gaming ecosystem that embraces everyone, ensuring that the magic of fantasy gaming is truly for all.

    The author of the article is Super4 founder Rohit Bansal.

  • Prana Air launches Pocket Monitor for real time PM2.5 levels

    Prana Air launches Pocket Monitor for real time PM2.5 levels

    Mumbai: Purelogic Labs India, an initiative to increase awareness about air pollution in India, is now launching India’s most accurate and affordable pocket monitor for PM2.5 levels. Prana Air Pocket Monitor is a one of its kind monitors, allowing the user to measure air pollution values on the go (indoor or outdoor). The smallest PM2.5 monitor has the WiFi connectivity feature to analyze the data on mobile app also android TV and web-dashboard.With a 400 mAh lithium battery which will last for up to 3-4 hours without a charge, it lets the user check the air anywhere and anytime.

    Prana Air Pocket Monitor has a built-in, high-quality sensor to check PM2.5 values, meaning particles with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. These particles are dangerous to inhale, and the Pocket Monitor ensures that the user knows right away when the levels are too high.

    One can easily download the AQI app on any ios & android smartphones, from the app store. Then go to “My Device” & select Pocket PM2.5 Monitor.The monitor can be simply turned on by long pressing the on-button until a QR code appears on the screen. Scan the QR code or Enter the device ID displayed on your device screen, fill in your Wi-Fi details. , allowing the monitor to boot and begin measuring the air. The PM2.5 values will show to the left while a category for the safety level will be showed on the right, ranging from Good to Hazardous. With the high sensitivity of the sensor, it can detect particles count levels up to 999 µg/m3. To calculate the particle count, the device uses a sophisticated laser sensor with an additional algorithm to give PM2.5 into ug/m3

    The monitor comes with a 5V DC/Type-C USB cable for charging, where a full charge takes no more than one hour. The portable device can be used in any indoor or outdoor environment, such as in the home, in the office, or in the car. The sensor measures in real-time which means it can move from place to place and constantly check the air quality levels.

    Purelogic Labs founder Rohit Bansal stated, “Air pollution is a worldwide problem where instant knowledge and awareness of the issue is needed. The Pocket Monitor allows any user from a novice to experienced level to quickly and in real-time check how the PM2.5 values are in their surroundings. Based on that, they can take action to protect themselves. The Pocket Monitor PM2.5 is a big step toward creating cleaner, safer, and healthier spaces for all of us.”

  • Media Mantra wins the PR mandate for Super4

    Media Mantra wins the PR mandate for Super4

    Mumbai: Gaming app Super4 has announced Media Mantra as their official PR partner for their communications strategy across India.

    As the app’s strategic PR partner, Media Mantra is set to take the responsibility of aligning regional as well as national communications and positioning Super4 as a market leader in the fantasy gaming sector in India.

    The agency will be seen working on Super4’s corporate reputation, brand awareness, amplifying its visibility, media campaigns, strategic communication counsel, and overall public relations and media relations.

    Media Mantra will also be integral in developing effective stakeholder engagement strategies, the brand’s positioning and managing its external communication.

    The Super4 application allows cricket fans and enthusiasts across India to create teams prior to the start of a match. But unlike other apps, Super4 provides fans with India’s first-ever cricket scorecard, empowering fans to create fantasy scoreboards of the first innings after a progressive self-study of the pitch and the match conditions.

    The users can gather maximum points from both innings to increase their tally on the leaderboard, create a team and win prizes. The Super4 application allows fans and enthusiasts to also play different games like cricket, quiz, etc. while the match is on to make the entire fantasy experience more interesting and engaging.

    The Super4 app also cuts down the challenges of creating and editing teams in the shortest span of time for the ease and convenience of fans and enthusiasts.

    Media Mantra founder and director Udit Pathak said, “It’s a matter of great pride for Media Mantra to partner with Super4 and add yet another interesting sports account. Acting on our role as strategic advisers and brand communicators, we intend to apply our vast knowledge and expertise to execute innovative, disruptive, and high-impact PR campaigns that will create a positive impact for Super4 and their business in India alongside creating awareness about the startup app and its features.”

    “With our 10th year in the industry, Media Mantra has carved its own niche as a leading multi-practice and full-service PR and digital media agency across sectors. Gaming is one of our strong practice areas, and the current mandate will help consolidate this practice even further. We are excited to assist Super4 in its bid to enhance its visibility, credibility, and prominence in the media ecosystem at large, and amongst their target audience in particular.”

    Super4 founder and director Rohit Bansal said, “We are excited to have Media Mantra on board as our official PR partner across India. As a brand aiming to disrupt the fantasy gaming market, our visions align with Media Mantra, and we believe that their services will help us position our brand and amplify our presence in the country. We look forward to a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with them.”

  • Snapdeal brings in Housing.com exec as strategy officer

    Snapdeal brings in Housing.com exec as strategy officer

    MUMBAI: Snapdeal has announced the appointment of Housing.com’s CEO Jason Kothari as its chief strategy and investment officer.

    He will work alongside co-founders, Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, in this key leadership role and will be joining Snapdeal on 16 January. As chief strategy and investment officer for Snapdeal, Kothari’s responsibilities will include leading strategy; corporate development, including all investments and strategic partnerships; raising new capital for the Company; and portfolio management, overseeing companies Snapdeal wholly owns or has invested in.

    Most recently, Kothari was the CEO of Softbank-backed online real estate company Housing.com, where he led the successful turnaround of the Company from a position of distress to a market leader in one and a half years using organic and inorganic growth.

    Under his stewardship, Housing.com changed its business strategy and plan, hired a new experienced management team, restructured and reduced operating costs by 70 per cent going from 2,500 to 900 employees, raised an additional $20 million from lead investor Softbank, and achieved key operating results, such as increasing revenue by 400 per cent, customer visits by 200 per cent to 4.1 million per month and homes listed by 450% to 630,000 homes, becoming the most popular platform for buying and selling homes in the country.

    Prior to joining Housing.com, Kothari was the CEO and vice chairman of character-based entertainment company Valiant Entertainment, where he led the successful acquisition out of bankruptcy, and turnaround of the Company resulting in a record return in the industry and media recognition calling the Company “Marvel 2.0”.

    Snapdeal co-founder and CEO said, “Jason is a strong business leader & entrepreneur who has already been the CEO of two successful companies. Rohit and I warmly welcome Jason to the Snapdeal family and believe we will achieve even greater heights with his addition.”

    Kothari said, “I’m excited to join Snapdeal which is on its way to building one of India’s best companies, and I look forward to helping in making that potential a reality.”

  • Snapdeal brings in Housing.com exec as strategy officer

    Snapdeal brings in Housing.com exec as strategy officer

    MUMBAI: Snapdeal has announced the appointment of Housing.com’s CEO Jason Kothari as its chief strategy and investment officer.

    He will work alongside co-founders, Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, in this key leadership role and will be joining Snapdeal on 16 January. As chief strategy and investment officer for Snapdeal, Kothari’s responsibilities will include leading strategy; corporate development, including all investments and strategic partnerships; raising new capital for the Company; and portfolio management, overseeing companies Snapdeal wholly owns or has invested in.

    Most recently, Kothari was the CEO of Softbank-backed online real estate company Housing.com, where he led the successful turnaround of the Company from a position of distress to a market leader in one and a half years using organic and inorganic growth.

    Under his stewardship, Housing.com changed its business strategy and plan, hired a new experienced management team, restructured and reduced operating costs by 70 per cent going from 2,500 to 900 employees, raised an additional $20 million from lead investor Softbank, and achieved key operating results, such as increasing revenue by 400 per cent, customer visits by 200 per cent to 4.1 million per month and homes listed by 450% to 630,000 homes, becoming the most popular platform for buying and selling homes in the country.

    Prior to joining Housing.com, Kothari was the CEO and vice chairman of character-based entertainment company Valiant Entertainment, where he led the successful acquisition out of bankruptcy, and turnaround of the Company resulting in a record return in the industry and media recognition calling the Company “Marvel 2.0”.

    Snapdeal co-founder and CEO said, “Jason is a strong business leader & entrepreneur who has already been the CEO of two successful companies. Rohit and I warmly welcome Jason to the Snapdeal family and believe we will achieve even greater heights with his addition.”

    Kothari said, “I’m excited to join Snapdeal which is on its way to building one of India’s best companies, and I look forward to helping in making that potential a reality.”

  • DEN Networks takes control of Snapdeal home shopping JV

    DEN Networks takes control of Snapdeal home shopping JV

    MUMBAI: Jasper Infotech CEOs Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal are working on getting their ecommerce platform Snapdeal in ship shape by focusing on customer satisfaction and net revenues instead of gross merchandise value (GMV). This follows the march that rivals such as Flipkart and Amazon have stolen from it.

    Getting rid of any diversifications and other assets that are not scaling up is probably part of the fitness plan. And that explains why the company has decided to divest its equity stake in Macro Commerce Private Ltd, which operates the DEN-Snapdeal home shopping channel.

    When it was launched as a 50:50 joint venture with cable TV MSO DEN Networks with much hype last year, Bahl had stated that he was targeting Rs 500 crore in revenues from TV commerce in year one.
    The numbers did not stack up and Snapdeal TV did a turnover of Rs 3.17 crore in 2015 and Rs 28 crore in 2017.

    DEN Network promoter Sameer Manchanda probably has more faith in the home shopping television initiative than Bahl. Hence, late last week DEN informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that it was buying an additional 32.87 per cent stake in the company from Jasper Infotech at a cost of Rs 60 million. Rs 10 million is for purchase of existing shares and Rs 50 million is through a rights issue, which will lead to an infusion of funds into Macro Commerce.

    Post the acquisition, DEN Networks’ shareholding will rise to 82.87 per cent in Macro from the 50 per cent currently.

    The purpose of the deal, the cable MSO says, is to take a controlling stake in the venture, expand the business and effectively manage the operations of the TV channel.

    The market responded well to DEN Networks’ announcement: its shares rose to Rs 94.70 in early morning trades, then dropped to Rs 89.90 – a rise of 0.35 paise over its previous close by day’s end.

  • DEN Networks takes control of Snapdeal home shopping JV

    DEN Networks takes control of Snapdeal home shopping JV

    MUMBAI: Jasper Infotech CEOs Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal are working on getting their ecommerce platform Snapdeal in ship shape by focusing on customer satisfaction and net revenues instead of gross merchandise value (GMV). This follows the march that rivals such as Flipkart and Amazon have stolen from it.

    Getting rid of any diversifications and other assets that are not scaling up is probably part of the fitness plan. And that explains why the company has decided to divest its equity stake in Macro Commerce Private Ltd, which operates the DEN-Snapdeal home shopping channel.

    When it was launched as a 50:50 joint venture with cable TV MSO DEN Networks with much hype last year, Bahl had stated that he was targeting Rs 500 crore in revenues from TV commerce in year one.
    The numbers did not stack up and Snapdeal TV did a turnover of Rs 3.17 crore in 2015 and Rs 28 crore in 2017.

    DEN Network promoter Sameer Manchanda probably has more faith in the home shopping television initiative than Bahl. Hence, late last week DEN informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that it was buying an additional 32.87 per cent stake in the company from Jasper Infotech at a cost of Rs 60 million. Rs 10 million is for purchase of existing shares and Rs 50 million is through a rights issue, which will lead to an infusion of funds into Macro Commerce.

    Post the acquisition, DEN Networks’ shareholding will rise to 82.87 per cent in Macro from the 50 per cent currently.

    The purpose of the deal, the cable MSO says, is to take a controlling stake in the venture, expand the business and effectively manage the operations of the TV channel.

    The market responded well to DEN Networks’ announcement: its shares rose to Rs 94.70 in early morning trades, then dropped to Rs 89.90 – a rise of 0.35 paise over its previous close by day’s end.

  • Snapdeal appoints Saurabh Bansal to head Category Management

    Snapdeal appoints Saurabh Bansal to head Category Management

    MUMBAI  Snapdeal has announced that Saurabh Bansal will take on a new role as Vice President and Head of Category Management. In his earlier role as VP – Merchandising Strategy, Bansal lead Analytics and Merchandize Planning at Snapdeal.

    In his new role, Bansal will be responsible for end to end category management and would focus on the continued expansion of product and brand assortment on Snapdeal through strategic partnerships.

    Congratulating Bansal on the role,  Snapdeal co founder Rohit Bansal  said, “Over the last two years of his tenure, Bansal has played a key role in strengthening product planning and merchandizing pipelines, immensely growing Snapdeal’s consumer reach and resonance. I am confident that in this elevated role, he will bring a sharper focus to Snapdeal’s vision of bringing 20 million daily transacting users to our platform by 2020.”

    Speaking about his appointment, Bansal said, “At Snapdeal, we are on an exciting mission together to build India’s most reliable and frictionless commerce ecosystem. I look forward to this new chapter in my Snapdeal journey. Along with my dedicated team, I am committed to making Snapdeal a part of India’s everyday life, by offering the widest assortment of products to our consumers across the country.”

    Prior to joining Snapdeal in March 2014, Bansal led strategy and new business initiatives at Jubilant Enpro and was responsible for many bottom line impacting innovations at leading retailers like Metro Cash & Carry and Spencer’s Retail Limited. Bansal holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and an MBA from the SP Jain Institute of Management.

  • Snapdeal appoints Saurabh Bansal to head Category Management

    Snapdeal appoints Saurabh Bansal to head Category Management

    MUMBAI  Snapdeal has announced that Saurabh Bansal will take on a new role as Vice President and Head of Category Management. In his earlier role as VP – Merchandising Strategy, Bansal lead Analytics and Merchandize Planning at Snapdeal.

    In his new role, Bansal will be responsible for end to end category management and would focus on the continued expansion of product and brand assortment on Snapdeal through strategic partnerships.

    Congratulating Bansal on the role,  Snapdeal co founder Rohit Bansal  said, “Over the last two years of his tenure, Bansal has played a key role in strengthening product planning and merchandizing pipelines, immensely growing Snapdeal’s consumer reach and resonance. I am confident that in this elevated role, he will bring a sharper focus to Snapdeal’s vision of bringing 20 million daily transacting users to our platform by 2020.”

    Speaking about his appointment, Bansal said, “At Snapdeal, we are on an exciting mission together to build India’s most reliable and frictionless commerce ecosystem. I look forward to this new chapter in my Snapdeal journey. Along with my dedicated team, I am committed to making Snapdeal a part of India’s everyday life, by offering the widest assortment of products to our consumers across the country.”

    Prior to joining Snapdeal in March 2014, Bansal led strategy and new business initiatives at Jubilant Enpro and was responsible for many bottom line impacting innovations at leading retailers like Metro Cash & Carry and Spencer’s Retail Limited. Bansal holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and an MBA from the SP Jain Institute of Management.

  • Rohit Bansal exits TV18 board of directors

    Rohit Bansal exits TV18 board of directors

    MUMBAI: Rohit Bansal, one of the board of directors from the TV18 Broadcast Ltd has expressed his inability to continue with the company due to other commitments with effect from 1 May 2016. Bansal along with founder Raghav Bahl and others was appointed on board as an additional non-executive director on 14 January 2015.

    Bansal was the managing director at India TV and has also been a part of The Times Of India as a senior business correspondent. Prior to that, he worked with Zee News as business editor. He has also worked at TV18 as special correspondent earlier, and has been a columnist at The Pioneer, Governance Now, DNA and IANS.

    Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), which controls Network18 Media and Investments Ltd also has ownership on channels like CNBC-TV18, CNN-News18, IBN7 and websites like Moneycontrol.com,  firstpost.com, etc.