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Tag: Sanujeet Bhujabal

  • UMI strikes the right chord with Maddock Films in global music alliance

    UMI strikes the right chord with Maddock Films in global music alliance

    MUMBAI: The movie business just got a new soundtrack partner and this time, it’s playing to a global beat. Universal Music India (UMI), the Indian arm of Universal Music Group, has inked a strategic tie-up with Maddock Films and its new music label, Mad For Mussic, founded by producer-director Dinesh Vijan. The deal will see UMI serve as Maddock’s worldwide strategic partner for future film soundtracks and allied offerings.

    For UMI, it’s more than just a duet, it’s a full-blown re-entry into India’s most dominant music category: film soundtracks. With UMG’s global network as its amplifier, Maddock’s repertoire will now find international stages, while UMI cements its foothold in a market where movies and music are inseparable.

    Maddock Films, which has carved its niche with hits like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and the upcoming Thama, has long treated music as central to its storytelling. Its chartbuster “Pardesiya” from Param Sundari is a case in point, having ruled social media and streaming platforms alike. “Our cinema is the cinema of real India,” said Vijan. “Music has always been one of its pillars. With UMG, we’re ready to scale that ambition.”

    Universal, of course, is no stranger to Hindi film soundtracks. Its catalogue has spanned classics from Sholay and Deewar to Devdas and Bombay. But this partnership marks a sharp pivot to contemporary hindi film industry, with an eye on both local dominance and global resonance.

    Calling the deal “a crucial step forward,” UMG’s Adam Granite hailed Vijan as “a first-class storyteller with an unparalleled ear for music.” UMI’s India MD Sanujeet Bhujabal called Maddock’s output “fearless, forward-thinking storytelling,” while India SA chairman & CEO Devraj Sanyal noted that the move comes at “the perfect time” for UMI to re-enter the Indian film music market.

    With Maddock’s track record of genre-defining cinema from horror-comedies to mainstream hits and UMI’s global muscle, the stage is set for Hindi soundtracks to travel farther and louder than ever. Call it a match made in musical heaven, with India’s stories and songs primed for a world tour.

  • Universal Music Group felicitates partner brands amidst India’s largest Artist showcase in Delhi

    Universal Music Group felicitates partner brands amidst India’s largest Artist showcase in Delhi

    Mumbai: The Universal Music Group in India recently announced big growth moves including upping of its regional leadership during the visit of Adam Granite – CEO Africa, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) – to Mumbai & the Capital last week.

    Chairman CEO Devraj Sanyal, along with Sanujeet Bhujabal, MD Universal Music India & South Asia & Preeti Nayyar, SVP & Business Head UMG for Brands, India & South Asia hosted two big celebrations in both cities in honour of Adam’s visit, which saw the who’s who of the artist, composer, producer, singer writer community in attendance, in respect to Universal Music’s always-on, artist- first way of life.

    Badshah, Neha & Tony Kakkar, Harrdy Sandhu, Divine, Jaani, Kanika Kapoor, MC Stan, Kanishk & Kavita Seth, Dino James, Dhanda Nyoliwala (who flew in special from Australia), MC Square, Paradox, DG Immortals, Raga, Gulzar Cheniwala, Vilen were some of the stars that showed up and discussed the future of an artist-centric economy to come.

    Amidst the performances from some of the most promising emerging stars of tomorrow, UMG for Brands felicitated three of their partners – also some of the biggest global majors in their respective categories – Hyundai, Coca Cola, Pernod Ricard.

    Team UMGB along with Adam & Devraj celebrated these special partnerships for taking the lead in enabling cultural change through music & music-led IPs in partnership with Universal Music Group.

    In an increasingly cluttered environment of consumers’ mind-space that exists today, brands across categories are resorting to differentiated thinking and marketing vehicles to capture share-of-voice.

    Music has always been at the heart of engaging the consumer with the brand’s narrative. But the trio of brands: Hyundai, Coca Cola, Pernod Ricard – as diverse as automobile, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages – are taking this several steps further, by using the undeniable power of music and artistry as a focal point in their marketing strategy. These three brands have consistently collaborated with UMG for Brands over the last few years, to produce some incredible and distinctive music led IPs and getting together artists across a wide spectrum and languages. Thus, they have been at the forefront of effecting a cultural paradigm shift through music, with UMG for Brands being a solid partner all through.

    Through Hyundai’s Spotlight, Coca Cola’s Coke Studio Bharat (Season 1 and 2) and Pernod Ricard’s “Royal Stag Boombox” (Season 2) – some of the most sought-after names in the music and entertainment business have churned out some chartbuster tracks. These brands have effectively used music to communicate their core messaging, bring fans closer to the artists and drive brand love. UMG for Brands appreciates their association and the evening that was to bring all these entities together to formally recognise their contribution.

    Sanyal said, “Globally our Music & Brands business is the biggest & the most recognised because we partner with some of the smartest & most innovative CXOs in the world over & even here it’s really no different. My friends Tarun from Hyundai, Arnab from Coke & Karthik from PR are the best-in-class marketeers in their categories, willing to push the envelope every day to be better, ahead of the curve & absolutely world class and I couldn’t be more honoured to celebrate that especially in the presence of my boss & partner Adam.

    Hyundai Motor India Ltd COO Tarun Garg said :  Hyundai Spotlight is our one-of-a-kind enabler platform, that aims to discover, incubate, and promote emerging musical talent in India. Through Hyundai Spotlight, we are connecting with the young aspirational generation of India that wants authentic brand experiences. Collaborating with UMG India has been an incredible journey, where both brands have come together to blend their passion for innovation in musical heritage. Together, Hyundai Motor India and UMG India are harmonizing technology and artistry to create unforgettable experiences for the audiences, ensuring that each interaction leaves a lasting impression. This initiative not only uplifts young artists but also enhances the overall customer experience by providing exclusive, high-quality musical content. We are glad to be associated with UMG India and we are always looking to motivate young artists to blossom and come forward to showcase their talent.

    Roy said : It has been a fantastic journey with UMG on Coke Studio Bharat – our number one vehicle to build the cultural connect  in an authentic way . UMG has been helping us with powerful insights on the musical front that helped deliver super hits like Khalasi, Holi Re Rasiya amongst many other songs.

    Mohindra said, “Boombox is a critical part of our youth outreach for Royal Stag #Liveitlarge and we’re super pleased that our partnership with UMGB has helped evolve this incredibly important property in a holistic and future forward manner setting it up for the next few years to become the most valuable and exciting music led IP, not just for India but for Bharat.”

    Nayyar said: It’s encouraging and reassuring to see our partners and our artists coming together for both of our showcase events . We thank them all for trusting us over the years with their precious brands.

  • Universal Music India’s Revibe presents “#BreakoutStar”

    Universal Music India’s Revibe presents “#BreakoutStar”

    Mumbai: Universal Music India proudly announces the launch of “#BreakoutStar,” a brand-new talent hunt to discover India’s next singing sensation. This talent hunt will offer aspiring artists a global stage to shine.

    With a rich catalogue spanning chart-toppers, classics, and contemporary hits that resonate across generations, UMG India has always been at the forefront of honing new talent. Now, with a sponsorship from YouTube Shorts UMG India is set to propel the stars of tomorrow into a much-deserved limelight.

    Renowned music stars Amit Trivedi and Aastha Gill will headline the panel of judges for “#BreakoutStar,” adding their valuable expertise and insight to the whole initiative. The talent hunt will span over 3 months, promising an exciting journey spanning various stages. The winner of #BreakoutStar will receive a slew of prizes – namely a one-year contract with Universal Music India, a music video opportunity, and a home studio setup!

    In a subtle nod to the partnership, Fever FM, the radio partner for “#BreakoutStar,” will showcase the top five contestants on their show Soundbox, amplifying their reach and exposure across their listeners.

    Speaking about the initiative, Universal Music India & South Asia EVP & head of content Sanujeet Bhujabal commented, “The Breakout Star property in partnership with Universal Music India and YouTube Shorts is an exciting initiative to find the next singing star using the power of catalog.  This initiative is a part of the catalog re-surfacing exercise under the REVIBE brand of Universal Music. UMI has always been about keeping the artists front and centre – and the next big artist can be found anywhere – from the biggest of metros to the smallest of towns. Youtube Shorts, which averages over 70 billion daily views globally, has fast emerged as a key short video tool for artists to express themselves and connect with fans. The collaboration of both these entities is a natural fit, as we leverage off each other in fashioning a narrative that enables budding artistes from absolutely anywhere in the world, to get a well-deserved platform to showcase their talent.”

    Additionally, YouTube director, music partnerships (India, South Asia & SEA) Pawan Agarwal expressed excitement, stating, “At YouTube Shorts, we’re committed to empowering emerging artists and creators by offering them a stage to exhibit their unique talent and creativity to audiences across the world. By supporting UMG India with ‘#BreakoutStar’, we not only want to help breakthrough exceptional musical talent but also celebrate creativity in India’s vibrant digital landscape. “

    Talking about #BreakoutStar, judge Amit Trivedi shared, “We have talent in every corner of our country. With #BreakoutStar, we aim to discover such unexplored singing talents from the comfort of their own places. There have been numerous talent hunts over the years, but #BreakoutStar stands out uniquely as it offers an opportunity for literally anyone to participate ! Aastha and I are extremely excited to chair the judging panel for this unique show and can’t wait to hear the entries!”

    Expressing her excitement, Aastha Gill added, “#BreakoutStar is an incredible platform for artists to shine and showcase their talent as many of them go undiscovered due to the unavailability of resources. #BreakoutStar is one such opportunity for those dreams to come true at their own convenience. We are super thrilled to see what India has in store for us!”

    “#BreakoutStar” is poised to redefine the music landscape, ushering in a new era of talent and creativity.

    Mark your calendars for this groundbreaking initiative, as India’s brightest stars prepare to take center stage.

  • Lionsgate Play partners with Sony Music for ‘Jugaadistan’

    Lionsgate Play partners with Sony Music for ‘Jugaadistan’

    Mumbai: Lionsgate Play has partnered with Sony Music for their upcoming Indian original series “Jugaadistan.”

    Sony Music has picked a diverse album that reflects the theme of the show and brought homegrown music band Indian Ocean and have songs by Akasa, Mika Singh and The Yellow Diary amongst others. They will be promoting it under their banner.

    The show’s stellar background music complements and completes the vast narrative with ease. Put together by Anurag Saikia, Khamosh Shah, Prabhdeep Taba Chake, Traffic Jam and Moussak – the songs blend mainstream voices with the music of celebrated underground artists. The

    “Right from the word go, we paid a lot of attention to the music of the show,” said Lionsgate managing director South Asia and networks – emerging markets Asia Rohit Jain. “It is a campus drama, and we didn’t want the usual run-of-the mill songs for it. Each track has been crafted with attention to detail and reflects the theme and mood of our story. We are glad that so many artists agreed to come and do the music for the show. We tried to keep the album’s vibe very diverse so that the songs appeal to college goers across the country. And for those who’ve passed out and adulted, it’s a trip back to good times!”

    “There is novelty in this album and that was our biggest draw,” said Sony Music India executive director Sanujeet Bhujabal. “We were mesmerised by the use of the sounds by artists who come from such different worlds and yet fit in so beautifully with the album. It was a delight hearing the beats of Indian Ocean, the Yellow Diary and Akasa in a mainstream show, though they are well known for their pop tracks. And yet, the show has found such talented indie artists to score their background music. This is an eclectic album that is bound to strike a chord with everyone.”

    “In today’s dynamic global music ecosystem, we at Lionsgate want to give our audience a holistic experience which includes music by the finest,” said Lionsgate vice president licensing and content partnerships Gayathiri Guliani. “The music created for ‘Jugaadistan’ is created with the best of singers, composers and artists that give a desi yet urban vibe. ‘Jugaadistan’s’ music connects instantly to all age groups. We couldn’t have looked for a better partner than Sony Music for ‘Jugaadistan’s’ music to reach new heights.”

  • Sony Music acquires the music rights for 2018’s much awaited sports drama film ‘SOORMA’

    Sony Music acquires the music rights for 2018’s much awaited sports drama film ‘SOORMA’

    MUMBAI: Global music giant, Sony Music has acquired the music rights for Soorma – the greatest comeback story of the hockey legend Sandeep Singh.

    Directed by Shaad Ali and produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions, Chitrangda Singh & Deepak Singh, the music has been composed by the hit trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with lyrics by the celebrated and multi-talented Gulzar. 

    Commenting on the association, Sony Music India, Marketing Director,  Sanujeet Bhujabal says, “Soorma is a story that everyone needs to know and the movie is a real-life drama that unfolds for its viewers. It is one of the biggest comeback stories that will stay with you for long.  The magic of Gulzar Saab and the uber talented Shankar -Ehsaan-Loy have created melodies that are lyrically rich and fit perfectly with the story line and infact enhances it further. We released the first song last week and it has seen massive response and prior to the release we will have 3 more singles releasing.”

    Sneha Rajani, Head, Sony Pictures Networks Productions, “The songs in Soorma, have shades of romance, inspiration, sadness and hope which perfectly resonates with the film and its powerful story. We are extremely lucky to have a magical team put together the music of this film. To work with the legendary Gulzar saab and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has been an amazing journey in itself. We are delighted to have Sony Music on board, because we believe the music of this film will reach the hearts of millions of people worldwide.”

    The theatrical release of the film is scheduled for 13th July 2018. The first song, ‘Ishq Di Baajiyaan’ sung by Diljit Dosanjh is available on Sony Music’s YouTube channel and across all audio platforms for streaming and download. In total, Soorma will have 5 songs.

  • Sony Music acquires music rights for ‘Brothers’

    Sony Music acquires music rights for ‘Brothers’

    MUMBAI: Sony Music Entertainment has acquired the music rights of Dharma Productions’ action – drama film Brothers. Directed by Karan Malhotra, the film is an official remake of the 2011 Hollywood film Warrior.

     

    After Ageneepath, this is the second time the successful team of Dharma Productions, Sony Music, Karan Malhotra, Ajay-Atul and Amitabh Bhattacharya will be working together.

     

    Sony Music India marketing director Sanujeet Bhujabal said, “Dharma and Sony Music have always created great musical milestones and the music of this film will be another such. Composed by the multi award winning duo Ajay -Atul’s who will weave in magic with their melodies and the lyrics penned by Bhattacharya, this album will a worthy follow up to the smashing soundtrack of Agneepath.”

     

    Produced by Dharma Productions, Lionsgate Films and Endemol India, the film is set to release on 14 August 2015.

  • Sony Music Entertainment brings on board iContract

    Sony Music Entertainment brings on board iContract

    MUMBAI: iContract, the digital agency offering from Contract Advertising, has been awarded the digital duties by Sony Music Entertainment India. The agency won the business following a multi-agency pitch. Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars.

     

    Sony Music Entertainment India marketing director Sanujeet Bhujabal said, “Sony Music has been extremely aggressive in the digital space as it forms an integral part of our media mix across all repertoires. iContract brings with them a rich experience and we look forward to working with them. ” 

     

    A wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Sony Music Entertainment India, boasts of an extensive catalogue and is home to renowned and celebrated artists and several iconic Bollywood Film soundtracks.

     

    iContract senior VP and digital head Prashanth Challapalli said,  “Sony Music is a pioneer in the global music arena and is one of the leading entertainment brands in India. There are some exciting new plans and innovations on the anvil and we are hugely thrilled to partner their evolution in the digital space.”

     

    Contract India CEO Rana Barua said, “Sony Music Entertainment India is a tremendous win for us. We look forward to them in their digital evolution in India, given the fact that digital is going to be the future of the music business”.

     

    iContract also handles the digital mandate for several leading brands such as Shoppers Stop, UTI Mutual Funds, Acer, PepsiCo Slice, Wills Lifestyle as well as the BTL duties of Tata DoCoMo amongst other brands.

  • Sony Music Entertainment announces digital deal with Zee Music Company

    Sony Music Entertainment announces digital deal with Zee Music Company

    MUMBAI: Global music giant, Sony Music Entertainment India and Zee Music Company today announced a strategic world-wide digital deal where in Sony Music will manage all digital assets for Zee Music’s upcoming Bollywood releases. The tie up further extends to exploring Publishing for Zee Music’s assets for the rest of the world through Sony/ATV. Apart from the Zee Music releases, Sony Music will also be working on also other tent pole films with leading production houses including Vishesh Films, Dharma Production and Fox Star Studios. This deal will cumulatively grow Sony Music’s digital market share by 15%.

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited had recently announced its foray into the music label space with its venture, ‘Zee Music Company’ and acquired the music rights of over 20 major motion pictures. With this announcement Sony Music will have access to all of Zee Music’s releases including Holiday, Bang Bang, Bombay Velvet, Humshakal, Hawa Hawaii to name few.

     

    Commenting on the same, Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Director Sony Music India said, “In the past we have worked with leading content creators like YRF and Disney.  This strategic association will provide a global foot print to all the prestigious releases. This is a huge opportunity and together we believe we will be able to provide the best of music entertainment to fans.”

     

    Further adding on Anurag Bedi , Head Zee Music Company said, “We’ve had a great relationship with Sony Music in the past, and are excited to have them as the digital partner for some of our forthcoming films. Partnering with Sony Music will be mutually beneficial as we have a robust slate for this year which includes about 20-25 films, all of which are produced by leading production houses.”

    The soundtrack of Holiday featuring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha will see Pritam collaborate for the first time with A. R. Murugadoss ad the songs are already creating ripples! Humshakals with  Saif Ali Khan, Ram Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh who will be seen in a triple role Sajid Khan promises to be a laugh riot with some crazy music by the effervescent Himesh Reshammiya. While Bang Bang the action thriller film directed by Siddharth Raj Anand and featuring nations heartthrob Hritik Roshan and Katrina Kaif will have music by the magical duo Vishal –Shekhar. The much talked about Bombay Velvet feature Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma in lead roles while Karan Johar  plays the primary antagonist features Music director Amit Trivedi who began working on the soundtrack after the release of Dev D and adds that the music of the film reflects the age of 1960s Jazz era of Bollywood. The lyrics are being written by Amitabh Bhattacharya.

  • Sony Music gets the fastest 1 million subscribers on Line

    Sony Music gets the fastest 1 million subscribers on Line

    MUMBAI: Sony Music Entertainment’s exclusive tie-up with Line has garnered a massive response by crossing a subscription of 1 million users.

    It has earned the fastest million subscriptions on the application by providing the latest music information in India.

    The official account of Sony Music EWntertainment caters to fans of major genres of music including Bollywood, Indipop, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi and International music with a catalogue of over a million songs.

    Commenting on the same, Sony Music Entertainment India marketing director Sanujeet Bhujabal said, “We are extremely thrilled with the response of 1 million users on LINE. We are the only Music Label actively engaging with the Social platform and it has helped us to move a step further and directly engage with consumers With this tie-up, we are very sure that LINE will secure its position as a favourite app for music in the near future.’ 

    Line, the free messenger application, broke the 200-million download mark worldwide. Since the initial launch, the company has expanded the service to roughly 230 countries in 11 languages, including Chinese, Spanish and Indonesian.

  • Sony Music carries out marketing innovation for Gori Tere Pyaar Mein

    Sony Music carries out marketing innovation for Gori Tere Pyaar Mein

    Known for its marketing innovations with every release, Sony Music introduced a first of its kind concept for Dharma Productions’ Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. A special video teaser featuring Kareena Kapoor who will be introducing the brand new song Tooh will be launched on Gaana.com on 8 October where in every time a user logs on to the website, they will get to listen and view the teaser.

     

    Commenting on the same, Sony Music India marketing director Sanujeet Bhujabal said, “The film and its music has huge anticipation in the minds of the fans and they are waiting for the songs and the look of the film with bated breath. Keeping the same in mind, we decided to create a special unit where in we release a song and video teaser on Gaana.com prior to the release of the song. We are confident this build will be appreciated by the fans across the globe.”

     

    In the past Sony Music had created multimedia roadblocks for Student of the Year, Jannat 2, Shootout at Wadala, Raanjhaana, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, across all the digital and music platforms.

    Composed by the multi-talented music director duo, Vishal-Shekhar – who has also worked on Punit Malhotra’s I Hate Luv Story – have created a truly memorable music that merges with the theme of the film.