Mumbai: To elevate the gaming experience of players with professional-grade gaming products, Taiwan-based Vertux, a lifestyle gaming company has officially set foot in the Indian market. The company aims to revolutionise the gaming hardware sector by introducing gaming keyboards, headphones, mice, mousepads, and other accessories to combine top-notch performance, quality, and aesthetic design—all at budget friendly prices.
Vertux’s suite of gaming accessories will be available for purchase on Amazon starting 18 December 2023. Vertux’s entry into India will significantly boost the country’s thriving gaming community. With Gaming’s exponential growth in player engagement and revenue, Vertux’s cutting-edge products aim to offer gamers an enhanced experience refining their performance and unlocking their gaming prowess, both at home and in competitive tournaments.
Vertux Head of Sales India and SAARC Gopal Jeyaraj said, ‘By Promate Technologies, India is witnessing rapid growth in its gaming sector boasting nearly 500 million individual gamers. Vertux sees this as an opportune moment to enter the Indian market with its robust portfolio of gaming devices. What distinguishes Vertux Gaming is our diverse product range providing gamers the freedom to design their ideal gaming experience. Beyond seizing this growing market our objective is to redefine gaming experiences and offer Indian consumers direct access to our world-class gaming solutions. We aim to communicate that gaming isn’t just a hobby– it’s a lifestyle.”
Vertux has successfully sold more than 2 Million products across more than 50 countries. Boasting an extensive portfolio of more than 30 products spanning across over 5 categories, Vertux sets its sights on transforming India’s gaming market.
The ‘Gaming Accessories Market’ report by Allied Market Research projects that the global gaming accessories market valued at $6.1 billion in 2021, is set to reach $14.4 billion by 2030, with a 9.9 per cent CAGR from 2022 to 2030. The Asia-Pacific region, notably, is poised to maintain its status as the fastest growing segment throughout the forecast period.
Mumbai: Kudelski Group’s digital TV division, Nagra, has announced the return of Sumeer Raina as director of sales and marketing.
In his previous stint with Nagra, he was the marketing director for three years between 2016 and 2019. Raina was brought on board to increase Nagra’s market share at key operators in India and SAARC countries.
Before rejoining Nagra, Raina worked as director of sales and marketing-India & SAARC at SmarDTV Global, handling profit and loss management. His part involved tasks like strategic planning to drive the sales growth and profitability of new businesses; prospecting, qualifying, and generating new opportunities for new business generation; creating commercial proposals and doing contract negotiations; and contributing to building the company’s market plan for India and SAARC.
He also liaised with top management on account strategy and development plans—India and overseas—on issues of relevance for the Indian, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka markets.
His key achievements during his tenure at SmarDTV were setting up a broad organisation from scratch for software development, hardware development, project management, and manufacturing teams in India within a short span of one year.
During his tenure at Nagra, he received a Star Performer Award for winning the Airtel account for digital security for selling SaaS-based solutions on AWS. He also received the Star Performer Award for his contribution to reviving business in DEN.
In a quick span of nine months, he brought two new customers on board, DEN and YUPPTV, with substantial revenues in 2017.
Summer completed a senior executive leadership programme at Harvard Business School in 2018.
MUMBAI: SmarDTV Global, with more than 20 years’ experience and millions of devices successfully deployed across the globe, is a European leading company in designing, developing and delivering secure and reliable devices for the digital pay TV industry. The company has established longstanding partnerships with top key specialists in the overall pay tv ecosystem: system on chip (SoC), security providers, software, hardware, app creation and manufacturing, acquiring a deep understanding and knowledge of complex and constantly evolving ecosystems. Cumulating inhouse expertise in security data communication and access control, hardware design and software engineering in the video industry, SmarDTV Global is able to solve pay TV operators’ problems by overcoming new technology challenges and handling complex integration for them in an end-to-end solution.
The company is focusing on long-term and sustainable relationships with customers to create together durable successes, keeping up innovation, while minimizing investments. Today, SmarDTV Global can help and support them during the ongoing digital pay-tv transition, with a wide range of consumer devices from broadcast to hybrid solutions, on satellite, cable or terrestrial networks including new IP-based services.
With an international presence, the company is close to its customers to deliver tailored solutions and support. SmarDTV Global is innovating by co-defining with customers enriched TV viewing experiences and creative features for the best value to monetise.
The company provides worldwide operators with 100+ products including set-top-boxes and conditional access modules (CAM) for the consumer market and solutions for the professional and hospitality industry. The largest operators have selected its solutions in 100+ countries with a full presence in extended Europe.
Sumeer Raina – Sales & marketing
director
SmarDTV Global, as a key contributor to the worldwide pay tv industry, reinforces its position in Asia and mainly in India with SmarDTV Global Technology, its Bengaluru office focused on R&D development, customer delivery and support and an office in Noida to contribute to develop sales and marketing products, closely working on Indian market expectations and customers’ requests.
“SmarDTV Global can actively contribute in the Indian pay tv business, benefiting from a broad experience and knowhow in delivering accurate and cost-effective devices, supporting operators to cope with new technical, commercial and skills challenges as complexity constantly increases with growing and evolving ecosystems” said SmarDTB Global chief operating officer Hervé Mathieu. “To overcome such exciting challenges, we are extremely pleased to announce that business development veteran Sumeer Raina joins us as sales & marketing director to focus and strengthen SAARC business opportunities."
Sumeer’s responsibility encompasses business expansion plan in the SAARC region, contributing to SmarDTV Global marketing & business Sales strategies thus by acceleratingthe company’s growth and revenue.
Sumeer brings 20 years of rich broadcast & telecom experience in business development leadership. Prior to joining SmarDTV Global, Sumeer gained leadership momentum and expertise working with technology multinational companies like Huawei Technologies, Nagravision SA and STMicroelectronics. He has has worked on different products ranging from digital content security, semiconductors, telecom and pay TV. He has a strong understanding of the whole gamut of the value chain in technology business. He is a graduate of Pune University in electronics engineering and has honed his business management leadership being part of Harvard Business School Alumni.
SmarDTV global sales team is strengthened with Sumeer’s presence in India. He is excited to accelerate business plans in India and extended SAARC region to deliver high quality customized products with local technical and commercial support. The Product offering encompasses the video domain ranging from set top boxes, CAM and with any differentiator break through to come.
Sumeer believes being a global technology leader in CAM technology, SmarDTV Global can be an advisor and offer Indian customers help to migrate CI Plus 2.0 standard (USB CAM) for STB’s and TV in line with recent mandate from TRAI.
Please visit www.smardtv.com for more information.
March: Facebook today announced that it has recruited a new communications head to lead its growing corporate communications and public relations mandate in India. Bipasha Chakrabarti will take on the role of Communications Director at Facebook India, and will be a part of the India leadership team, reporting to Ajit Mohan.
Bipasha comes with eighteen years of experience working with leading tech brands and PR agencies. In her last assignment as the Head of Corporate Communications at Cisco India and SAARC, she not only led the entire gamut of communications, including analyst, technology, and corporate communications, but also managed leadership and executive communications for the office of APJC President. Prior to Cisco, Bipasha was with Sun Microsystems. As part of her new role, she will lead the communications charter for both Facebook and Instagram in India.
The announcement comes just a month after Facebook announced the hiring of Avinash Pant as the Marketing Director at Facebook India to drive the company’s consumer marketing efforts across the family of apps. Just a year ago, Facebook had also announced a new leadership structure in India bringing the company’s functions under Ajit Mohan, reporting directly to its headquarters in Menlo Park.
Said Ajit Mohan, VP and MD of Facebook India, “Communications is a critical function for us as we continue to build Facebook’s story in India. We are grateful for the trust that our users, advertisers, partners, and the government have placed in us, and are committed to communicating openly and transparently. Bipasha is among the most seasoned communication professionals in the country and I am very excited to have her join us and lead this charter.”
Over the course of last year, Facebook has spearheaded several India-focused initiatives with a strong focus on fueling entrepreneurship, boosting digital skilling, and breaking the gender imbalance on the Internet.
In the last few months, Facebook has recruited for key roles across multiple functions such as Marketing, Sales, Partnerships, and Policy. Consistent with the new organization structure, several of these roles have been spread across the Facebook family of apps.
Mumbai: One of India’s largest selling hair colour, Godrej Expert Rich Crème, from the house of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), has roped in Bollywood diva Anushka Sharma as the new face for the brand. This move is in line with making the brand more contemporary and relevant in consonance with today’s lifestyle while infusing a youthful appeal.
With $23.4 million brand value as per Celebrity Brand Valuation 2018 Rankings by Duff & Phelps (D&P), Anushka is one of the most celebrated actresses in the country. She is known not only known for her work but also as a trendsetter in the beauty and lifestyle space. Thus, coming together of Godrej Expert Rich Crème and Anushka is an ideal move as both complement each other. A multi-media campaign with Anushka is going live leveraging television, digital and social media to engage audiences on easy hair colour.
Commenting on this announcement, Mr. Sunil Kataria CEO – India and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said, “Godrej Expert Rich Crème has been an expert of accessible hair transformation. It is a revolutionary offering that has established a strong foothold across Indian households over the years. We are thrilled to partner with the country’s leading superstar Anushka Sharma to chart our future growth roadmap. She is a global icon, revered for her style and is regarded as one of the best actors of this generation. This strategic association will enable us to penetrate the younger target groups for crème hair colour while enhancing the loyalty of existing users. Thereby, reiterating dominance of Godrej Expert Rich Crème in the category.”
Speaking on the collaboration, Anushka Sharma, said, “Godrej has been a legacy brand that has pioneered hair colours in India. I am pleased to associate with Godrej Expert Rich Crème. I’m looking forward to building a strategic journey forward and furthering the company’s vision for India.”
As part of this association, the brand has released a new TVC with Anushka featuring the new Godrej Expert Rich Crème hair colour with 10X more aloe vera. This new offering comes in 5 beautiful colours Natural Black, Natural Brown, Dark Brown, Black Brown and Burgundy loaded with the goodness of 10X more aloe vera that makes the hair softer, shinier and gorgeous. The TVC highlights how one can shed their inhibitions to colour their hair and step out with confidence as Godrej Expert Rich Crème ensures rich colour backed by a formula enriched with the goodness of aloe vera making hair soft and shiny.
Conceptualized by Creativeland Asia, the TVC opens with Anushka entering her friend’s house as they are prepping to step out. On seeing her friend, Anushka instinctively compliments her pretty dress and asks her to wear her hair down instead of tying it up. Reluctant to do so, the friend points out to her white hair. Anushka hands her a packet of Godrej Expert Rich Crème hair colour, confident that the benefits of 10X more aloe vera will not just cover the greys but also takes care of the hair. She goes on to add how Godrej Expert Rich Crème contains no ammonia formulation that makes hair softer and shinier.
Commenting on the TVC, Anu Joseph, Chief Creative Officer, Creativeland Asia, said, “Godrej Expert is an iconic brand that has pretty much taught Indians to colour their hair with the care it deserves. With the new breakthrough of 10x aloe vera, the dekhbhaal goes up several notches higher. Putting all hair colour worries to rest, while also delivering gorgeous colour. In the TVC, we have Anushka Sharma asking her friend to colour her hair with the reassurance of a colour that cares like a friend would.”
Godrej Expert Rich Crème is India’s most trusted brand for hair colour with innovative product formulation that is specially curated for Indian hair. The special formulation is enriched with aloe vera conditioning formula that nourishes hair while ensuring the coverage of grey hair, thereby making the hair incredibly soft. Getting rid of the hassle, users simply have to mix, apply and rinse for complete coverage and nourished hair. Godrej Expert Rich Crème is affordable priced at INR 30 for a single sachet and INR 99 for multi-application pack.
MUMBAI: Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, a leading provider of cyber security solutions globally, announced today the appointment of Sundar N Balasubramanian as managing director for the India and SAARC region as Bhaskar Bakthavatsalu has been promoted to take on a global role. The changes are effective immediately.
As managing director for India and SAARC, Sundar will be responsible for Check Point’s continued growth in the region. He will report to Sharat Sinha, vice president (VP) / general manager (GM), Asia-Pacific & Japan. Sundar has over 25 years of experience in information technology and has held key positions with companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and EMC/VMware. He has a MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
On Sundar’s appointment, Sharat Sinha, VP/GM, Asia-Pacific & Japan said, “I am very excited to welcome to Check Point Sundar Balasubramanian, an industry veteran who has contributed to some of the world’s most established technology brands. I believe with Sundar’s leadership and experience, we will continue to drive success for Check Point, its partners and customers in India and SAARC.”
MUMBAI: After being allocated a transponder from the South Asia Satellite, Afghanistan has requested India for another one that it could use for direct-to-home (DTH) television services, the Press Trust of India quoted an official from the Department of Space anonymously.
However, unlike the South Asia Satellite or G SAT-9, which was a “gift” from India to its neighbours and one transponder was allocated to the participating SAARC countries for free, Afghanistan may have to pay for the services this time, the official said.
“They have asked for another transponder and we are looking into it. Unlike in the case of the South Asia Satellite, Afghanistan may be charged for the second transponder. However, no decision has been made in this regard,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
The second transponder may not be from the South Asia Satellite.
In 2014, Afghanistan had launched its satellite AFGHANSAT-1 for wide-ranging services including DTH, broadcasting and internet services. The satellite was launched by a French company. But as demand increases, it looks to augment its supply side.
During the 2014 SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India would be launching a satellite as a gift to its South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) neighbours. Pakistan did not join the project, stating it was working on its own satellite, but offered monetary and technical support, which was rejected by India.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the South Asia Satellite in 2017. The 2,230-kg communication spacecraft, with a mission life of 12 years, will support effective communication, broadcasting and internet services in a region that is geographically challenging, economically lagging and has limited technological resources.
The satellite provides significant capability to each of the participating countries in terms of DTH services, besides linking the countries for disaster information transfer.
The satellite has 12 Ku band transponders that the six nations—Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan—could utilise to enhance communications. Each South Asian country will get access to one transponder through which it will be able to beam its own programming.
As part of its commitment, India also assisted several countries to build ground stations and other infrastructure-related work to receive signals sent from transponders.
MUMBAI: Apalya Technologies, a video delivery company, has announced the appointment of Deepa Gupta Kulshrestha as vice president and head of sales and Bharat Prem as vice president of global sales.
Kulshreshtha will lead the business development efforts and set strategic direction for sales while Prem will drive global sales of its OTT platform myplex in the telco/ broadcast/ pay TV sections of the media spectrum.
Apalya CEO Vamshi Reddy said, “I am delighted to welcome Deepa and Bharat to Apalya. Both are highly effective, accomplished leaders with proven track records of growing a business into a global leading brand. Their end-to-end understanding of the media ecosystem and adaptive approach towards new businesses will help catalyse our goals of accelerated growth.”
Prior to joining Apalya, Deepa worked with Ericsson where she headed the media vertical & media delivery and also set up the Partner Program. Her 24 years of experience encompasses various roles such as sales lead in Redback, head of sales operations for SAARC in UTStarcom and project manager in Nokia.
In a career spanning 22 years in media and broadcast, Bharat has led various global sales functions. Bharat has worked in the media & broadcast industry with the likes of France Telecom (GlobeCast) & Ericsson in the last 14 years. Prior to this, he was working in the IT & e-commerce space with the likes of Wipro & Commerce One (US).
Global online TV episode and movie revenues for 138 countries is expected to touch $83 billion in 2022, more than double the $37 recorded billion in 2016. The global OTT TV & video forecasts report estimates that $9 billion will be added in 2017 alone.
MUMBAI: The countdown clock is ticking away. Come 5:30 pm IST, the evening of 5 May, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will have added another feather to its cap as its indigenously developed satellite GSAT-9 lifts off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota for its journey into geosynchronous orbit as a payload on the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk II (GSLV-F09).
The cost of the launch is estimated at around Rs 450 crore (USD 70 million)
Labeled South Asia Sat, the 2,230 kg weighing satellite boasts 12 Ku-band transponders that will result in a swelling of capacity for India’s DTH television operators and facilitate TV signal distribution for its neighbors Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal (members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation – SAARC).
The satellite also carries India’s fourth GPS aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload that delivers correction signals for aircraft navigation systems to increase navigation accuracy to three meters, assisting in air traffic management and landing in tough weather and challenging terrain.
GSAT 9 will be located at 48 degrees east and has a scheduled mission life of around 12 years.
MUMBAI: Keshet Asia, the Hong Kong-based subsidiary of Keshet International (KI), has expanded its footprint in India with two major hires and establishing an office in Mumbai.
Arpit Agarwal will lead the Indian operation on the ground as director, India and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) reporting to Gary Pudney, head of Asia. Mihir Karlekar joins Agarwal as the senior sales manager, India and SAARC.
Together, they will seek to increase the volume of KI’s scripted and non-scripted formats being adapted for the Indian audience, and uncover local IP for international distribution. They will also co-develop with Indian creators and begin to lay the foundations for an eventual local production business.
The Indian operation has been established following the launch of two flagship KI properties in the country; the epic 110-episode adaptation of ‘Prisoners of War’ (Bandi Yuddh Ke) which aired on Star Plus and was the no.1 trending topic on Twitter during its premiere; and the country’s first-ever live voting talent show ‘Rising Star’ which is airing on Viacom18’s Colors, and peaked with a rating of 2.4 in prime time. With live voting powered by the Screenz Platform, the Color’s app garnered 3.6 million downloads at launch, and is steadily rising as the format sets the bar for innovation in TV engagement.
Pudney said, “India is a vibrant market in which we see huge potential. The success of ‘Prisoners of War’ and ‘Rising Star’ has demonstrated our catalogue’s ability to resonate with local viewers, but as well as selling more content into the region, we are equally keen to begin producing and acquiring IP. With Arpit and Mihir on board, we feel we have the right people in place to capitalise on our success and drive the business forward.”
Agarwal said, “Keshet International has made rapid inroads into the Indian market in the last year and I’m hugely excited at the prospect of further expanding its footprint in the SAARC region – home to over a billion eager TV viewers.”
With more than 20 years’ experience, Agarwal joins Keshet Asia from Singaporean distribution and production company Bomanbridge Media where he was the director of business development & sales across south Asia and licensed more than 450 hours of finished tape and formats in the region. Prior to Bomanbridge Media, Agarwal was the business head at general entertainment channel Sahara One where he commissioned two major prime-time drama series. Agarwal also headed operations at FremantleMedia India, and was an intrinsic part of the launch of The X Factor India, and the roll-out of Indian Idol V and India’s Got Talent III among others.
Karlekar joins Keshet Asia from consumer electronics conglomerate LeEco where he was the senior manager – content business development and strategic alliances, a role which saw him closing partnership deals with leading domestic and international OTT platforms. Prior to this he was the commercial manager, acquisitions at Zee Entertainment, where he managed all linear/non-linear content acquisition for three OTT platforms, FTA and niche channel clusters and format licensing for GECs, before stepping up to head of commercial at Zee TV’s digital convergence arm.
