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Tag: web3

  • Shemaroo aims to set up metaverse and blockchain offshoot in Dubai

    Shemaroo aims to set up metaverse and blockchain offshoot in Dubai

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment is spreading its wings. The emerging media and entertainment giant is planning to set up a 100 per cent offshoot in Dubai called ShemarooVerse Digital. 

    The company got a go-ahead  from its board for this proposal and informed the Bombay stock exchange about its intent over the weekend.

    Shemaroo said it is taking this step to innovate and stay ahead in the evolving digital entertainment landscape. Shemarooverse will focus on creating immersive experiences and leveraging block chain technology to redefine ownership and interaction in the entertainment ecosystem.  

    Dubai, according to the company is welcoming web3 ventures and it has a very friendly web3 regulatory environment, which is critical for token-based transactions  and block chain integration. Talent too is available aplenty aside from cutting edge tech to support the development of a globally competitive product.

    The company added that the objective is to position Shemaroo as a leader in the web3 and metaverse space, ensuring scalability, innovation, and long-term growth. It aligns with Shemaroo’s vision of creating transformative consumer experiences and strengthening its position in the next era of entertainment. 

  • Shemaroo Entertainment launches a metaverse revolution – ShemarooVerse on NEAR Protocol

    Shemaroo Entertainment launches a metaverse revolution – ShemarooVerse on NEAR Protocol

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd, India’s leading media and entertainment conglomerate, proudly introduces ShemarooVerse, an innovative and groundbreaking public metaverse poised to redefine the landscape of digital entertainment and social interaction.

    ShemarooVerse emerges as a digital universe where entertainment seamlessly integrates with Web3 and AI. Built on the secure and efficient NEAR protocol, with an expansive content library, engaging interactive games, Bollywood avatars, live concerts and events in vast expanse spaces, immersive VR cinema, wellness zone, devotional zone, dynamic workspaces, vibrant social spaces, and storefronts, ShemarooVerse boasts a diverse range of offerings, ensuring there is something for every user’s taste.

    This marks the beginning for ShemarooVerse, which has a continuous journey ahead, as it unlocks novel spaces and experiences. As the metaverse opportunity unfolds and consumers increasingly embrace new technologies, ShemarooVerse aspires to become the preferred destination for immersive entertainment.

    On the launch of ShemarooVerse, Shemaroo Entertainment COO Arghya Chakravarty said, “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with the launch of ShemarooVerse, a digital universe where entertainment seamlessly merges with Web3 technology. It is a transformative experience that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the digital realm. We believe ShemarooVerse will revolutionise the way users engage with content, and we are confident that the audience will embrace and enjoy the new platform that Shemaroo, a legacy brand, is bringing to them.”

    The creation of ShermarooVerse was made possible in part by a strategic partnership with the NEAR Foundation,  a non-profit organisation that focuses on supporting sustainable, community driven innovation to benefit people around the world.  One of its core areas of focus is the NEAR ecosystem, which includes a NEAR protocol, a fully operational decentralized blockchain-based platform for building decentralised applications.

    NEAR Foundation’s MD India, Asia, and Middle East, Arpit Sharma said, “NEAR is thrilled about this collaboration with Shemaroo. Users can expect a unique and enjoyable experience as entertainment meets the blockchain. This marks an exciting chapter in the evolution of Indian entertainment on the blockchain.”

    ShemarooVerse aims to become a central hub for digital enthusiasts, content creators, and socializers, setting a new standard for the future of entertainment in the digital age. It will be accessible on Web, mobile, and on JioDive VR headsets.

    ShemarooVerse’s dynamic metaverse is powered by a key partnership with Seracle, a leading Web3 full- stack infrastructure company. Leveraging Seracle’s Web3 expertise, ShemarooVerse has become a hub of innovation on blockchain, offering users a cutting-edge digital experience.

    Shemaroo Entertainment invites users to explore the limitless possibilities that ShemarooVerse offers, as the metaverse is set to become a hub for digital enthusiasts, content creators, and socializers.

  • OKX’s Crypto Cricket Cup offers $200k prizes for fans

    OKX’s Crypto Cricket Cup offers $200k prizes for fans

    Mumbai: OKX, a leading Web3 technology company, today launched the OKX Crypto Cricket Cup, an interactive competition that runs from 5 October to 5 November alongside the 2023 international cricket championship in India, and encourages eligible participants to learn about Web3, capture exclusive, cricket-themed NFTs and compete for a share of a prize pool worth over USD200,000.

    Participants in the competition will complete tasks, refer friends and learn about OKX’s Web3 products. In return, they will receive prizes, including airdrops of commemorative NFTs representing real cricket teams competing in the international cricket championship.

    Holders of the NFTs representing the champion, runner-up, and third-place team in the real-life tournament will be eligible to split prize pool winnings of 50,000 USDC, 30,000 USDC and 20,000 USDC respectively. Throughout the campaign, other prizes including token giveaways will also be awarded to participants.

    Users who want to collect more team NFTs to have a better chance of landing a champion, runner-up or third-place team can complete more Web3 challenges or explore the OKX NFT Marketplace.

    In the initial phase of the competition, starting 5 October, eligible participants can spread the word about the campaign on social media for the chance to receive an NFT. In the second phase of the competition, starting on October 9, participants can complete Web3 quests on the Polygon chain through OKX Wallet. Starting on 16 October, users can get rewards by referring friends to the competition.

    OKX chief marketing officer Haider Rafique said: “Cricket as a sport is prime for a Web3 transformation. There is a ton of entertainment utility waiting to be unlocked on top of GameFi and Web3. We are keen to partner with local ecosystem players and bring some of these experiences to cricket fans, including in India, soon.”

    The OKX Crypto Cricket Cup runs from 5 October to 5 November and features cricket-themed NFTs relating to the following cricket teams: India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Afghanistan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The final prize-giving will take place after 27 November. To enter and to read more about eligibility and requirements, click here. 

  • Dentsu and Microsoft come together to build a path to the metaverse for brands and business

    Dentsu and Microsoft come together to build a path to the metaverse for brands and business

    Mumbai: dentsu International has announced its collaboration with Microsoft to build a unique collaboration space in the metaverse, designed to excite and inspire brands to innovate and experiment with web3 technologies. Using their combined expertise, the firms have partnered to showcase a range of real-world use-cases that have been reimagined in a virtual setting to drive greater engagement, productivity, and accessibility for business.

    With many brands and businesses still assessing how to take advantage of the huge opportunities presented by web3, dentsu and Microsoft have come together to showcase what can be achieved in critical business areas such as customer service, retail, and learning and development.

    The initiative is underpinned by dentsu’s recently announced Web3 Center of Excellence, which falls within the Creative pillar. This is where clients and dentsu teams have the chance to innovate, test ideas, experiment with hypotheses, and learn how evolving technologies and platforms could be used within integrated campaigns or future business models.

    The new dimension, created by a move into the virtual world, brings a wealth of exciting and engaging opportunities to transform important touch points with customers and employees. The newly built dentsu and Microsoft spaces are located on the dentsu campus, in “Moon Valley,” a digital twin of the moon created by HeadOffice.Space, the metaverse for productivity. The space was designed specifically to be more accessible by more people and through any web-enabled device, as well as VR and mobile.

    Developing a space in the metaverse required the application of some unique technologies, brought together for the very first time by the teams at dentsu and Microsoft:

        Dentsu Metaversity for Microsoft Power Skills: Powerup Power Skills with new starter inductions and employee training, enabling teams anywhere to upskill and gain new competencies through the full suite of Microsoft 365 products, text-to-speech capabilities, and forthcoming Microsoft Designer capabilities.

        Microsoft Retail Education: a space for retailers and brands to learn more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 and dentsu’s ShopNXT retail innovations.

        Lounge: A virtual “room” where brands can connect through their professional LinkedIn identities to recruit, network, and engage with prospective buyers and customers.

        Ecosia Forest: Provides overall education on Ecosia, the search engine that plants trees where they are needed most, with over 160 million trees planted to date, powered by Microsoft.

        AI-Powered Virtual Human: Our full experience will be guided by ‘Neva,’ an AI-powered virtual human created in collaboration with HeadOffice.space. Neva combines the power of Unreal Engine’s MetaHumancreator framework and Microsoft AI-powered text-to-speech, a capability within Azure Cognitive Services, part of the Azure AI platform, that converts text to lifelike speech across 400 neural voices across 140 languages and variants.

        Additional spaces on the dentsu campus include the ShopNXT Showroom, Merkle Virtual Retail Lab, and Intelligence Center.

        The co-space is built on Unreal Engine 5, the world’s most open and advanced real-time 3D creation tool, and features full-body 3D avatars with Ready Player Me Integration.

    dentsu vice president of solutions and innovation Val Vacante said, “We’ve seen a lot of activity around the Metaverse, with some businesses jumping in simply to grab headlines rather than figure out how Web3 can really change perspective on existing business challenges. At dentsu we’d say it’s ‘near but not here’ and that is exactly why we wanted to work with Microsoft to show the world how today’s business problems can be solved in the Metaverse tomorrow. Whether it is overcoming the skills-gap by making accessible and engaging training programs, or building multi-channel customer loyalty solutions using NFTs, or mapping innovation explorations through our NXT Intelligence platform, the opportunities are truly endless!”

    dentsu group vice president of growth & enablement Paul Veltman said, “Microsoft and dentsu have been partners for many years, working hard to push the boundaries of where technology, creativity, and productivity meet brands and the customers we serve. When we come together, though, we always want to do so with a clear focus – whatever we create must help our clients solve problems and stand out, but it also has to drive tangible and sustainable growth. By developing this incredible new virtual space, we’re inviting clients, their people, and partners to discover, experiment, and co-create. From connected e-commerce opportunities to engaging talent solutions and integrated CRM capabilities, we have an exciting new space to partner with you on your journey in the metaverse.”

    Microsoft managing director media & entertainment Simon Crownshaw said, “The media and advertising industries continue to be transformed by digital technology, which now includes the Metaverse. These transformations will continue to require that brands adapt their business models and strategies in real time to take advantage of new creative opportunities. As our collaboration with dentsu evolves, we’re continuing to elevate creativity with the power of the Microsoft Cloud, enabling the future of content creation and collaboration from anywhere in the world.”

  • Soclly looks to raise $3 million at a valuation of $30 million

    Soclly looks to raise $3 million at a valuation of $30 million

    Mumbai: Soclly, a decentralised social network powered by LensProtocol for web3.0 influencers, educators, and artists, is looking to raise $3 million at a valuation of $30 million. The co-founders, Prayag Singh, Naresh Katta, and Charan Kumar Borra, have created a platform that allows web3 creators to interact with their audience in a more meaningful way. Soclly currently includes more than 15 web3 creators from different streams.

    It will shortly release a brand-new edition of the product called Soclly V0.2. Creators will be able to post and monetize their content. Soclly is extending the capabilities of LensProtocol, built by Aave. LensProtocol enables users to create decentralised and composable social graphs using Polygon Blockchain. In Soclly V0.2, creators can mint their profiles, follow other users, and make and gather any publication entirely on-chain. As a result, it enables creators to control their data, social graph, and content. According to the company’s business model, the platform levies a five per cent commission fee. The fee does, however, go down if the content creator has a significant enough volume and popularity on the platform.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Singh said that the company has been bootstrapped so far. “We have invested nearly $650,000. At a $30 million valuation, we intend to raise three million dollars. Initially, we are focusing on web3 users, and in parallel, we have begun working to streamline the user onboarding process so that web2 users will also enjoy a seamless onboarding experience like they do in web2.”

    He asserted that widespread web3 adoption has already occurred. Aave, Biconomy, and Polygon Blockchain were used by JP Morgan to accomplish its first decentralised finance (DeFi) transaction recently. In addition, Meta began testing a method for minting and selling NFTs on Instagram, powered by Polygon Blockchain.

    Singh also underlined the importance of the regulatory structure, noting that there are approximately 1.3 billion people in India and that appropriate regulations are necessary to protect both small and large investors. Because there is currently no regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, web3 companies are moving their headquarters to Dubai or Singapore. With the proper regulatory framework, India may become a leader in web3 technology.

    The concept of Soclly was first established in 2021. The co-founders got in touch with the creators and voiced their worries. It has become apparent that authors frequently receive spam and trolls in their direct messages, and the majority of users submit fillers in the DMs, which increases noise. There was no way to select users based on the quality of their queries.

    The creators were unable to establish a personal connection with their audience. After having a discussion with a creator, the audience hardly ever posts anything on social media about how great the interaction was. This is a problem that Soclly has attempted to address through its platform.

    Singh further explained the difference between web2 and web3. Web2 refers to the version of the internet most of us know today. The internet is dominated by companies that provide services in exchange for your personal data, while web3 allows complete control and ownership of your data. Soclly’s goal is to reach every corner of India, as platforms such as Meta, Instagram, and Paytm have done. The goal is to teach people about web3. “They should use the web3 platform the same way they use the web2 platforms,” he says.

    A significant amount of education will be required. It is the most important consideration here. Singh emphasises, “Our primary goal is to educate people about blockchain and how it works. People are currently investing in cryptocurrencies to make quick money without understanding the underlying technology. This must be addressed as soon as possible.”

    According to him, the growth opportunity is that, while there are 207 million content creators worldwide, only 10 per cent earn $1,00,000 or more annually. 26 per cent earn between $10 and $1,000. There are numerous gaps to be filled. “Our attention is focused on this gap. We want to help web3 creators monetise better. They can start making money right away. That is the power of web3. For instance, in web2, YouTube takes 45 per cent of a creator’s ad revenue. In web3, you keep the majority of the revenue.”

    In 2023, the emphasis will be on bringing on more web3 content creators, improving marketing, and increasing team size.

  • Zoo Media joins Dawn; announces the launch of global office in New York

    Zoo Media joins Dawn; announces the launch of global office in New York

    Mumbai: Independent agency network Zoo Media Network has announced the launch of its first global office in New York, in partnership with independent agency collective Dawn.

    The Zoo Media network is a multi-specialty, integrated media network. It consists of 11 agency brands, including the flagship full-funnel creative and performance digital agency, FoxyMoron, and web3 rights and services company, Metaform, amongst other prominent agencies.

    Founded by Pratik Gupta and Suveer Bajaj, the network comprises homegrown, acquired, and  joint venture agencies across content, media, data, and technology. Zoo Media houses a team of over 600+ specialists servicing both domestic and international clients, including Netflix, YouTube, Tinder, Kellogg’s, P&G, and Unilever.

    Dawn is the portfolio of 15+ independent, specialist marketing services agencies with a focus on centralised data science, advanced analytics, and econometric measurement. The collective includes renowned agencies like Barkley, Crossmedia, Definition 6, Co: Collective, and Rethink, amongst other illustrious agencies.

    Speaking on the partnership and the foray into global expansion, Zoo Media co-founder Suveer Bajaj said, “After having consolidated a stronghold position for ourselves in India and the Middle East as a leading integrated marketing technology network, expanding our offices into North America was the natural next step. Our prowess in the North American market lies in the range of integrated services that include our best-in-class web3.0, metaverse, and blockchain offerings. In light of this vision, we are happy to have partnered with Dawn and find ourselves among the leading independent agencies in and outside the US to bring our best-in-class marketing technology services to the shores of the US.”

    Zoo Media co-founder Pratik Gupta said, “We’re well on our way to globalising our ambition of taking Indian creativity and technology to the world. We’re excited to work with the agencies within Dawn and bring them the scale of offshore Indian talent.”

    Dawn CEO Bob Kantor said, “Zoo Media has industry-leading technology and development expertise critical to today’s marketers and the modern marketing model. Our agency partners and clients recognise that modern marketing includes the complementary combination of brilliant strategy and creativity with marketing technology.”

    Crossmedia CEO Kamran Asghar said, “We have been collaborating with the Zoo Media team to integrate proprietary technology to accelerate our global expansion. We’re excited to have Zoo Media join Dawn and continue to integrate advanced technology to deliver superior business results for our clients.”

  • Ekalavya Bhattacharya appointed Offbeet Media Group’s chief digital officer

    Ekalavya Bhattacharya appointed Offbeet Media Group’s chief digital officer

    Mumbai: After successfully launching and running the OTT platform of Balaji – ALT Balaji, Ekalavya Bhattacharya has joined the new age media and content company, Offbeet Media group to set up and lead the esports and web3 verticals for the group. With this move, FusedBulb, a creative-tech company started by Bhattacharya that offers web3 and blockchain strategy, would also be merging into Offbeet Media.

    He joins Offbeet Media after a stint at Alt Balaji as chief strategy officer & creative director. Prior to that, as MTV India digital head, he was also instrumental in charting the map for the digital and social growth for MTV India with many award winning campaigns and properties to his credit.

    “The gaming industry today, globally, is bigger than movie + sports combined. It’s growing rapidly across mobile, PC and console markets in India as well. Within gaming, esports is capturing the imagination of everyone in the media industry and is the most attractive route to connect with GenZ and millennials today. With streaming and game-casting audiences growing month-on-month, this is a super exciting space to be in! We want to set up India’s most definitive Esports Academy and be the leaders in the event space for competitive gaming!” he said.

    He will also be setting up the web3 vertical for the group. “Web3 is the natural progression for the evolution of the web. The opportunities in the Metaverse, decentralised eco-systems, NFTs and blockchain tech is endless. Right from consumer engagement, immersive experiences, efficiency in supply chains, Web3 is the way to go and we are excited to be the go-to guys for brands in this space,” he said.

    Offbeet Media Group founder & CEO Jaideep Singh said “At Offbeet we have been continuously evolving and expanding, entering into new streams of business lines in sync with our vision of being a New Age media and content company and we are super excited to have Bhattacharya joining us. He will bolster our business offering and overall capabilities in the digital footprint across all our rapidly growing business lines.”

  • In collaboration with HeyHey, Gajendra Verma launches ‘Maar Sutteya’ NFTs

    In collaboration with HeyHey, Gajendra Verma launches ‘Maar Sutteya’ NFTs

    Mumbai: Singer Gajendra Verma has teamed up with HeyHey to enter the web3 arena. HeyHey is an online platform that powers immersive connections between celebrities, influencers, creators, and businesses globally, using technology.

    Verma launched his new song, Maar Sutteya, featuring American hip-hop band Flipsyde,. The song, which was released on 10 October, has received major traction all over social media. As for the second part, the song was released alongside an industry-first NFT collection. The Maar Sutteya NFT collection was released on 18 October on HeyHey’s NFT marketplace. This is also the first of many NFT projects that Verma will be launching in the near future. The collaboration will further enable the fan following of Verma to get exclusive perks upon getting their NFTs.

    To add to it, the Maar Sutteya NFT collection is offered in three categories. Maar Sutteya Genesis NFTs, the first category, are a collection of unique posters for the song that are available to everyone as a free souvenir. The second category, “Maar Sutteya Alpha NFTs,” includes some memorable parts of the song that have been recorded and converted to GIF format. The third category, Maar Sutteya Supreme NFTs, consists of a selection of behind-the-scenes footage from the recording of the song that is available only to those who buy the NFTs.

    “We are delighted to collaborate with the well-known singer and performer Gajendra Verma and are happy to make a difference in the web3 community space. The web3 world evolves every day with news of innovation, development, updates, or new artists entering the space. Gajendra Verma is famously known for being the voice of unforgettable songs like Mann Mera and Tera Ghata, amongst many other hits. And we are extremely delighted that we could make a difference to his recent hit Maar Sutteya and showcase a different dynamic in the NFT space,” said HeyHey CEO and founder Caleb Franklin.

    Nonetheless, Maar Sutteya NFTs come with access passes and prospects for everyone who claims them. One of these is having special access to the Gajendra Verma fan community on Discord, and in addition to many other benefits, NFT holders stand the chance to win one-on-one conversations with him and appear on his social media broadcasts.

    Fans can find out more about the perks and pricing of Gajendra Verma’s Maar Sutteya NFTs on HeyHey’s marketplace, www.heylabs.io.

  • Taki launches staking feature & advanced creator benefits to its over 650K users

    Taki launches staking feature & advanced creator benefits to its over 650K users

    Mumbai: Taki, the global web3 social media network, has launched its staking feature after surpassing a milestone of over 6,50,000 users. Built on the Solana blockchain, Taki will now enable all of its users to earn rewards by locking up some of the tokens they own for a set amount of time. Furthermore, the platform is preparing to introduce new features that will allow creators to earn exclusive sign-up benefits that will boost their earning potential.

    As a significant advancement, Taki now allows its users to stake using the $TAKI token. To begin staking, users need to have the tokens in their Taki wallet. People will be able to choose how long they want to stake their tokens from a list of predefined time periods. Users can redeem the stake of both the original tokens and additional earned rewards once the staking period is complete. Taki users will initially have one active stake per token. The platform is working on future plans to build even more rewarding staking opportunities that will be available to the most active users.

    Taki co-founder Sakina Arsiwala said, “We are witnessing an active rise in the demand for Taki tokens in web3. In support of the growing number of content creators on the platform, we are constantly adding utility and value-driven features for participants. With this staking feature, we are working towards supporting monetisation opportunities and bringing higher value benefits to the users.”

    A global token-powered social network, Taki is a platform where everyone can earn a daily income by simply posting content and chatting with others about things that interest them. As a part of its latest update, Taki will now allow users to earn a $TAKI token on every post, adding to their higher daily earning levels.

    SuperLayer venture partner Saad Rizvi said, “This is a very crucial update for all of us at Taki as it reflects our ultimate vision to build a creator-focused platform, where people posting content are financially rewarded without depending on advertisers. These new innovative platform features increase the value for users who are engaging with social media in a web3 environment.”

    Taki social network participants will also get a unique invite link, especially made for creators to bring their audiences to Taki, where everyone can earn. Creator accounts will receive higher visibility for their content by qualifying for the list of Taki’s top users on the leaderboard, including opportunities to be in the top feed. Anyone who wants to start their own creator account can fill out the form here.

  • Taki introduces official app on Google Play Store to improve user experience

    Taki introduces official app on Google Play Store to improve user experience

    Mumbai: Global web3 social networking platform Taki has announced the launch of its Android app to further boost its expansion. This development comes at a time when Taki claims to have surpassed the milestone of having half a million users globally. Taki is aiming to further increase its audience by making its services more accessible and user-friendly. With the launch of its Android app, users can access their Taki account on Android smartphones. As part of this, Taki has released important features to improve the user experience. These features strengthen the platform’s security and make it simple to follow the movement of user coins, known as $UCOIN.

    Taki co-founder Sakina Arsiwala said, “Our constant endeavour to make our platform more user-friendly motivated us to introduce an Android app for Taki. We aim to provide our users with a platform that offers a streamlined user interface, a fast load time and the ability to customise the content.”

    Taki has introduced coin profile pages to track any user’s coin performance under multiple metrics such as the share of owners, annual percentage rate (APR), coins in circulation, the total number of supporters, etc. Another key addition is the new interface on Taki, which showcases a top coin leaderboard. It highlights the top 10 users who are holding the coins with the highest value against $TAKI over the previous seven days. Fellow community members and creators on the platform can now reward both a content creator’s post and the related comments with a gold Taki. Overall, it enhances the engagement level on the platform and provides additional motivation for community members to demonstrate appreciation for their favorite content creators’ posts.

    Taki is offering the opportunity for people to own their unique and desired $UCOIN (usercoin). They can now access Taki without delay to register before anyone else takes their desired name. A $USERCOIN will be created once a particular individual completes verification on the platform. The company claims over 4,68,541 unique user coins have been generated so far with an active user base of 5,59,705 active users.

    “Seeing such a positive response from the community has been rewarding. The user experience drives us to keep improving the product. We believe that Taki will be the first-of-its-kind in bridging the gap between the everyday internet user and Web3, especially with India’s ever-growing potential in the crypto ecosystem,” said SuperLayer Venture Partner Saad Rizvi.