ITV

Tag: UAE

  • From cradle to kitchen Foodxp serves up postpartum comfort on a plate

    From cradle to kitchen Foodxp serves up postpartum comfort on a plate

    MUMBAI: Move over fancy plating and fast food postpartum plates are having a moment. Foodxp, the food and lifestyle entertainment channel, is set to debut a refreshingly grounded culinary series titled Diapers to Delight, spotlighting the often-overlooked world of postpartum nourishment. Premiering 26 May at 9:00 PM IST, the show will air across India, Bangladesh, the US, and the UAE, bringing heartfelt recipes and ancient Ayurvedic wisdom to modern screens.

    Hosted by chef Deepa Chauhan, the series features 15 plus carefully curated dishes designed to nurture new mothers from the protein-packed Gond ke laddoo to warming Raab and Moringa soup. The recipes are as practical as they are healing, tapping into traditional Indian kitchens to serve dishes that comfort both body and spirit.

    “Diapers to Delight isn’t your typical food show. While most focus on street snacks or fancy plating, this one asks a question we often forget: what should a new mom eat after childbirth? With warmth, wisdom, and a dash of spice, it serves up answers rooted in care and tradition,” says Foodxp creative director Geetika Jain.

    At a time when fast-paced living has edged out age-old practices, the show aims to reclaim the kitchen as a space of support, healing, and family wisdom not just for Indian audiences, but also for diaspora families seeking cultural reconnection through food.

    To take its mission further, Foodxp is launching a free digital companion recipe book, featuring all the dishes from the show. It’s a small but meaningful step in helping new mothers and caregivers whip up recovery-friendly meals with ease.

    “When I had my children, I wish I had access to something like this. Through this show, I hope to make that journey easier for other women,” shares chef Deepa Chauhan.

    So whether you’re a first-time parent, a curious caregiver, or someone who just loves a good bowl of warm, healing food mark your calendars. Diapers to Delight is not just cooking; it’s caring served hot.

  • Double act as Verma and Barjatya take charge in exhibition industry

    Double act as Verma and Barjatya take charge in exhibition industry

    MUMBAI: In a week that felt more like a blockbuster premiere than a boardroom shuffle, the exhibition industry welcomed two new leading men to its executive cast. Gautam Verma announced his new role as chief digital officer at a prominent exhibition firm, bringing with him a wealth of experience in digital transformation and strategic planning. Verma’s appointment signals a push towards integrating cutting-edge technology into exhibition experiences, aiming to enhance engagement and reach.

    Meanwhile, Sanjay Barjatya has been promoted to chief executive officer at Roongta Cinemas, a division of Roongta Entertainment Limited. With over 19 years in the entertainment sector, Barjatya’s ascent reflects his deep understanding of cinema operations and audience preferences. His leadership is expected to drive Roongta Cinemas into a new era of innovation and expansion.

    For Verma, who officially assumed his new role in May 2025, this marks a sharp pivot from healthtech to travel. Prior to joining Travelwings, he was a founding member and marketing lead at Eka.care, where he spent over four years building integrated marketing strategies in the healthcare space. Before that, he co-founded Adapts Media and held marketing roles at DAMAC Properties in the UAE, gaining strong experience in business strategy, SEO, and international campaigns.

    Meanwhile, Barjatya’s journey through the exhibition sector reads like a manual in operations mastery. Starting out at PVR in 2004, he steadily climbed the industry ladder with stints at M2K Cinemas, Cinemax India, OSR Cinemas, Miraj Entertainment, and now Roongta. From managing two-screen properties to overseeing regional operations and business development across India, his portfolio boasts multi-theatre P&L management, developer relations, and expansion strategy. He served as VP of Roongta before being named CEO in September 2024.

    In an industry where the spotlight is often on the show, it’s the strategic minds behind the scenes that set the stage for success.

  • ting ropes in industry veteran Govind Shahi to supercharge global expansion

    ting ropes in industry veteran Govind Shahi to supercharge global expansion

    MUMBAI: ting, the India-based advertising agency known for its bold, data-driven marketing, is going global – and it’s bringing in the big guns. The agency has appointed industry veteran Govind Shahi as an advisor and consultant, a strategic move designed to turbocharge its international ambitions in the UK and UAE.

    Govind Shahi, a seasoned leader with a stellar record of scaling businesses worldwide, will steer ting’s global expansion, leveraging his expertise in cross-border growth and strategic alliances. 

    “I’m thrilled to join ting at this pivotal moment,” said Govind. “The agency’s strong foundation in creativity and performance-driven marketing presents an exciting opportunity to introduce its services to global brands. I look forward to working with the talented team at ting to craft expansion strategies that align with market needs and drive sustainable success.”

    Already known for its high-impact campaigns that blend creativity, technology, and data analytics, ting is set to build on its existing international footprint. Business heads Anirudh Ramanathan and Dhawal Shah will lead the UK and UAE markets, while Govind’s strategic guidance is expected to open new doors and deepen ting’s international influence.

    “Govind’s joining marks a bold step forward in our ambition to take ting global. His deep understanding of international markets paired with our creative and performance DNA sets the stage for meaningful global impact,” said ting partner Sudharshan Anandkumar.

    “We’re excited to partner with Govind Shahi to lead ting’s international business across the UK and UAE. With his depth of experience and proven track record, we’re confident he will add considerable value to our growing global ambitions,” added another ting partner Manan Vora.

    Third ting partner Aadil Mehta said, “This is a significant step forward for Ting as we continue to expand into global markets. Mr. Govind, a true veteran in our industry, brings invaluable experience and expertise to the table. We are both delighted and excited about this development, as it marks a new chapter in Ting’s growth and opportunities on the global stage.”

    As ting takes its signature blend of innovation and strategy to the world, brands can expect a bold new player on the global advertising stage.

  • Driving Ad-Vantage, Adcounty and Auto Group shift gears in Asia

    Driving Ad-Vantage, Adcounty and Auto Group shift gears in Asia

    MUMBAI: It’s not every day that adtech and the auto world go full throttle together but this partnership is clearly built for speed. Adcounty Media has teamed up with The Automobile Group in a high-octane alliance aimed at turbocharging automotive advertising across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

    Targeting high-growth markets like Indonesia, the Philippines, and the UAE, the duo is set to bring a digital pitstop to brands chasing performance-first strategies. Armed with AI-assisted precision and a keen understanding of local market dynamics, they’re not just selling ads they’re rewriting the playbook for how car brands reach revved-up digital consumers.

    “This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering hyper-targeted, brand-safe, and performance-driven solutions specifically designed for the modern automotive consumer,” said Adcounty Media co-founder & chief revenue officer Delphin Varghese.

    The Automobile Group co-founder Yash Vardhan added, “Our vision with The Automobile Group is to build Asia’s most powerful auto-centric performance network. The partnership with AdCounty is a strategic step toward expanding our footprint in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and the Philippines markets with immense potential.”

    “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Adcounty, whose expertise and reach will be instrumental in scaling our delivery capabilities in new markets. Together, we aim to redefine how automotive brands connect with their audiences in this region,” said The Automobile Group co-founder, Shwetank Pandit.

    The blueprint? A blend of AdCounty’s programmatic prowess DSPs, contextual targeting, and real-time optimisation with The Automobile Group’s deep-rooted auto domain know-how. Together, they plan to dominate dashboards in high-intent markets where digital media spend is shifting into the fast lane.

    From luxury-obsessed Gulf buyers to EV-curious Southeast Asians, the collaboration promises campaigns that speak the local lingo, respect brand safety lanes, and keep performance metrics in pole position. And as more brands drift toward platforms like Meta, Tiktok and CTV to fuel test drives and showroom visits, this partnership might just be the engine that powers the next era of automotive marketing.

    If digital disruption had a fast car, this duo would be behind the wheel.

  • OneClickDrive- UAE’s Top Platform for Used Car Sales & Rental Offers Exclusive Deals.

    OneClickDrive- UAE’s Top Platform for Used Car Sales & Rental Offers Exclusive Deals.

    Dubai, with its iconic luxurious lifestyle and automobile marketplace, has become a dream city for car enthusiasts and buyers willing to pay a fair price for luxury cars. Luxury cars in Dubai are now more affordable than ever, thanks to OneClickDrive, the top UAE platform for used cars and rentals. A platform that is changing the game when it comes to the buying and renting of luxury and premium cars in the UAE. OneClickDrive offers exclusive promotions on used luxury cars in Dubai sales.

    OneClickDrive has long been recognized as a platform for both car rentals and used car sales in the UAE. By connecting buyers with a variety of vehicle selection, it offers a smooth, transparent, and hassle-free experience. When looking for a luxury vehicle at reduced costs, OneClickDrive’s listings from local dealerships and sellers is the perfect stopover for buyers.

    The website offers customers to handpick vehicles from a range of luxury brands, whether it is a sporty automobile, an SUV with smoking tires, or a quiet gentleman sedan. From the household names of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Porsche to the more exotic names of Maserati and Lamborghini, the marketplace boasts of a large inventory of top-end vehicles.

    What distinguishes OneClickDrive from the rest of used car websites in Dubai is that it can provide customers with special discounts on luxury cars. With alliances with luxury dealerships and private individuals in the UAE, the platform provides clients with the lowest Ferrari price in Dubai and limited time offers. The discounts are being provided to make luxuries accessible to more clients at a considerable discount than purchasing brand-new models.

    OneClickDrive simplifies the process of finding a car that fits varied budgets and requirements. The ease of use of the platform makes it possible for prospective buyers to sort cars according to make, model, price, and features, making it easy for them to choose the car that meets their requirements.

    For prospective buyers of used luxury vehicles in Dubai, OneClickDrive offers an unparalleled combination of variety, affordability, and ease. Whether looking for a high-performance sports car or a sophisticated executive sedan, the sellers on the platform have something for everyone. With their commitment to customer satisfaction and exceptional service, OneClickDrive is the go-to platform for luxury car buyers in Dubai.

  • Megha Kotian Kataria joins AppLabs.ai in UAE, India sales head role

    Megha Kotian Kataria joins AppLabs.ai in UAE, India sales head role

    MUMBAI: Megha Kotian Kataria has joined adtech firm  AppLabs.ai as sales head for UAE and India. Kataria holds an MBA in marketing and has  over a decade of experience in the digital media adtech industry.

    Throughout her  career, she has worked with a wide range of brands, agencies, and networks across multiple regions, including India, the Asia-Pacific, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Among them: Apnext, Veve,Siteplug, Affinity Global, Buzz-Meter, Manhattan Communications and Ogilvy & Mather.

    Said Megha on linkedin: “The ad tech space is evolving rapidly, and I’m thrilled to be part of a team that’s shaping the future of how brands engage with consumers. This is an incredible opportunity to work at the intersection of innovation, data, and digital marketing, where I’ll be leading the sales strategy and helping brands harness the power of advertising solutions Looking forward to collaborating and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital advertising.”

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  • West Asia cinema market to get growth urge from Saudi Arabia

    West Asia cinema market to get growth urge from Saudi Arabia

    MUMBAI: For movie lovers in the middle east north Africa (Mena) region, this is great news. And for Indian movie producers and distributors it is probably even better news. Analysis by London-based research outfit Omdia has revealed that the Mena cinema market is poised to catapult to new heights with revenue growing from $900 million in 2024 to $1.5 billion by 2029. The main driver of this growth is going to be Saudi Arabia which will account for almost two-thirds of the region’s cinema revenue. 

    West Asia, according to Omdia, has emerged as the fastest cinema building market, adding 1,000 new screens, starting 2019 to reach 2.500 screens by end 2024. Saudi Arabia, which is on aggressive city and entertainment hub building spree is expected to lead the additions, reaching 803 screens by year end 2024. The UAE is expected to be next in the pecking order with 734 screens.

    To top that, OMDIA says that even though west Asia is focusing on local productions, expanding its theatre count, and spreading cinema culture there is still much work to be done to sustain interest in local films and broaden their appeal.

    Beyond cinema, the online video streaming market in Mena is also on a strong growth trajectory, projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2029. This reflects the region’s evolving entertainment landscape, where audiences are embracing both traditional cinema and digital streaming platforms, creating a diverse and dynamic entertainment ecosystem.

    Says Omdia senior  director of media & entertainment  Maria Rua Agute: “With films no longer made solely for cinema; streaming platforms play a major role in financing and offer audiences a great variety of films, including those that might not reach traditional cinemas due to cost or limited availability of screens. In a region with relatively few arthouse cinemas in the region, there is a growing need for more diverse venues and programming to reflect the evolving film culture and cater to different tastes and genres. Expanding the availability of diverse cinema will be key to meeting demand.

    “The growth of cinema in the Mena  region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, signals a major shift in both the regional entertainment landscape and global filmmaking. Investments in infrastructure, local film production, and streaming are helping diversify cinema offerings. As audiences embrace both traditional theater and digital platforms, the region’s film culture has immense potential to flourish and gain international recognition.”
     

  • Zee to go the whole hog with DP World ILT20 cricket league in 2025

    Zee to go the whole hog with DP World ILT20 cricket league in 2025

    MUMBAI: Sports is what it had let go of more than a decade or so ago. Now Zee Entertainment is making a big-bang entry back into it. The entertainment giant announced today that it will be telecasting the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) on 15 of its channels, on Zee5 and on its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks across the world from 11 January 2025 for the month long cricket fiesta. 

    Among the channels it will be telecasting the matches include: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD, &Flix HD. The DPL ILT20 tournament will also be free to view on one of India’s leading OTT platforms – Zee5. 

    A press release issued by the network states that the idea is to capture a viewership of 230 million just from India. What will help it get there is the fact that the tournament will be shown on its southern language channels as well, expanding its reach exponentially. 

    The matches will take place at three iconic UAE locations – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – starting from 11 January  to 9 February 2025.

    “Zee is delighted to present third season of DP World ILT20 to cricket fans in India and across the globe, offering an electrifying experience across our 15 linear TV channels and OTT platform, Zee5,” says Zee chief growth officer-digital & broadcast revenue. “With some of the finest players, iconic stadiums and top sporting franchises, we aim to elevate the cricket carnival experience, building on last year’s success and cementing the league’s status as the second most watched T20 cricket league globally.” 

    DP World ILT20, in its second season, drew 200,000 attendees over 34 games. The league is the second most-watched T20 cricket league globally, with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world, including a staggering 221 million viewers from India. With a notable 46 per cent share of female viewership and 55 per cent share of youth viewership, the league’s broad appeal in India underscores its status as household entertainment, says the press release.

    “The difference between DPL World ILT20 and IPLT20 is that each of the franchises can have more international players on the teams in our league. The IPL has by its construct more Indian players in each team,” Sehgal had told news channel Wion during an interview earlier this week. 

    The existing roster continues to be strong with the presence of players like David Warner, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga and Jake Fraser McGurk among others.

    The franchise-style tournament DP World ILT20 comprises six teams: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR Group), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriorz (Capri Global).

    The previous edition was won by MI Emirates.

  • WebEngage onboards three new strategic hires

    WebEngage onboards three new strategic hires

    Mumbai: B2B Saas company and a leading full-stack retention operating system, WebEngage, has announced the onboarding of three strategic hires to help the company catapult into its next phase of growth. Hetarth Patel comes in as vice president – MENA & managing director – UAE; Shreya Trivedi joins as WebEngage’s first-ever chief of staff, and Apurva Chawla has been roped in as associate director – product led growth in India.

    Having recently started operations across Indonesia, the company has also announced that it has opened up more than 100 positions across departments and geographies.

    MENA region is the second-largest market for WebEngage and Patel will helm the company’s growth vision in the Middle East & North Africa region by harnessing its award-winning CDP-powered marketing automation platform and building on its commendable track record in the region.

    With a distinguished career spanning about a decade, Trivedi, will play an instrumental role in supporting the founders and executive body in achieving strategic goals. Her job will also involve enabling the scale-up of the business and optimizing productivity across the teams. She will help keep every employee glued to the mothership and its mission.

    Chawla will be responsible for a zero-to-one journey for brands that hold the potential for generating new revenue streams for WebEngage. He will enable the process of making integration, onboarding, and adoption easier for clients by standardising events, metrics, and campaigns.

    Commenting on the announcement, WebEngage CEO & co-founder Avlesh Singh said, “As we continue to ride the wave of success, Patel, Trivedi and Chawla’s appointments come at a very opportune time. WebEngage is on a mission to revolutionize retention marketing through a full-stack solution, by enabling brands to maximize the utility of data and meaningfully engage customers. The appointment of these leaders will help us with this mission and fuel the company’s growth ambitions.”

    “As a philosophy, we have always maintained discipline in our growth and kept an eye on the long haul. This is the reason why WebEngage is considered one of the most enduring companies within the B2B SaaS ecosystem. In our 11 years journey, the company has never laid off a single employee and we will never have to do so in the future. In fact, we are looking to hire more than 100 folks for over 30 open positions currently across multiple locations in India, UAE and Indonesia. The ride has just begun and we have the tickets to the front row seats for anyone who wants to join our journey of simplifying retention for the world.” he added.

    For the record, WebEngage has been growing 100 per cent YoY and intends to maintain the momentum. It has also picked up $20 million in funding this August. WebEngage has showcased unusual frugality and resilience in an 11-year journey filled with ups and downs, burning only six million dollars in capital to reach a $20 million annual revenue run rate, an enviable position to be in. Peers in SaaS spend about 3 – 5x more to get to the same scale. The company works with 600+ clients, including new-economy and internet-first businesses, and propels the digital transformation journey for enterprise clients.

  • India TV expands its global footprint; enters in UAE on eLife

    India TV expands its global footprint; enters in UAE on eLife

    Mumbai: India TV has expanded its global footprint by launching itself on eLife, the UAE’s premium content platform from Etisalat. The channel is available on eLife Asiana packages: eLife Asiana, Asiana Lite, Asiana Lite, and Asiana Premium, both on IPTV and OTT platforms.

    India TV has appointed NKN Media FZC as its exclusive ad sales and distribution partner in the region. NKN Media will solicit brand partnerships and offer advertising solutions.

    After establishing a leadership position in the Indian television market, this launch in the UAE is a natural step for India TV to expand its international and digital footprint in that direction. The channel is already available in North America and will be soon launched across major other markets with significant diaspora audiences to keep them connected with news back home. The channel is looking to innovate with local content and launch major shows across local time zones to create better affinity for the brand.

    People of the Indian diaspora living in the UAE can watch India TV round the clock for news coverage on India and the rest of the world by connecting through eLife. India TV has shows like Aap Ki Adalat and Aaj Ki Baat, hosted by India TV editor-in-chief and chairman Rajat Sharma. With its nationwide network of journalists, India TV has been telecasting round-the-clock news bulletins, current affairs programmes, and talk shows for the last 18 years.

    Speaking of this initiative, India TV managing director Ritu Dhawan said, “India TV’s aim is to inform and empower global Indians with accurate, in-depth, unfiltered, fact-based journalism without any bias, outrage, or sensationalism, establishing India TV as the best and most trusted place for news. Making India TV available in the UAE is one more step towards our goal.”