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Tag: Wizcraft International

  • Brand new innings! Abhik Chakraborti joins Ileseum as marketing head

    Brand new innings! Abhik Chakraborti joins Ileseum as marketing head

     MUMBAI: From Hungama to Ileseum marketing maverick Abhik Chakraborti is back in the spotlight, this time with a brand playbook that’s as bold as it is brilliant. Ileseum Clubs has roped in seasoned marketing strategist Abhik Chakraborti as its new head of marketing, signalling a high-impact move as the lifestyle and leisure brand gears up for its next growth sprint. With a career spanning over 19 years, Abhik brings to the table a powerful blend of branding finesse, content vision, and campaign muscle.

    From orchestrating big-ticket IPs like IIFA at Wizcraft International to crafting luxury narratives at Shazé, his stints read like a marketing masterclass. He’s also held top roles at Percept Ltd, Rhiti Group, Hungama, and even steered digital-first strategies as CMO at Bedbathmore making him well-versed in the art of blending entertainment with enterprise.

    At Ileseum, his mandate is clear: supercharge brand visibility, build cultural capital, and drive marketing innovation across physical and digital touchpoints.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Abhik to the Ileseum family,” the team announced, describing his arrival as pivotal to the brand’s journey into uncharted territories of consumer experience and storytelling.

    A Mumbai native and marketer by instinct, Abhik is known for balancing the boardroom and the backstage building brands that not only perform but perform with flair. Whether it’s managing strategic alliances at Promo Sapiens or crafting content ecosystems, his career is a showcase in adaptability and narrative-driven growth.

    As Ileseum Clubs expands its footprint, expect Abhik to spin more than just campaigns, this one’s all set to script a brand renaissance.

  • Sabbas Joseph, co-founder and director of Wizcraft International joins the global advisory board of the prestigious IMWF – international mice & wedding forum

    Sabbas Joseph, co-founder and director of Wizcraft International joins the global advisory board of the prestigious IMWF – international mice & wedding forum

    MUMBAI: IMWF, the International MICE and Wedding Forum, is all set for a big bang 4th edition in 2019 following the roaring success of the last edition in 2018, IMWF is all set for a big bang this 2019.  IMWF, an annual platform powered by Inventum Global, will be held from 12th to 16th May  2019 in Antalya at the Rixos Premium Belek- which is one of the most sought after properties in Antalya for MICE & Weddings.

    On 13th Feb 2019, IMWF announced renowned industry visionary, Wiz Sabbas Joseph, Co-founder and Director of Wizcraft International as the only India member of the Global Advisory Board of IMWF, which comprises visionaries and leaders from across key global geographies.

    IMWF is a prestigious platform where leaders meet, a forum wherein aficionados of the MICE and the Wedding industry come together bringing in their expert knowledge. With the IMWF Global Advisory Board bringing together key industry leaders, IMWF is only set to be bigger and better.

  • Dubai’s ‘Rajmahal’ to witness broadway-style ‘Jaan-e-Jigar’

    Dubai’s ‘Rajmahal’ to witness broadway-style ‘Jaan-e-Jigar’

    MUMBAI: The only Bollywood theatre at Bollywood Parks Dubai, Rajmahal Theatre, has announced the release of a musical. Called Jaan-e-Jigar, the 120-minute extravaganza will be set in a broadway-style show with a unique twist.

    The musical is a fantasy tale of two brothers named Jaan and Jigar, in a classic story of good vs evil. The story explores a larger than life world, full of magic, drama, music, dance, color and all things Bollywood. It is strung together with Bollywood hits, including an original soundtrack created for the show.

    It is created in collaboration with Wizcraft International Private through which several actors, dancers, singers and acrobats were auditioned from across India to be a part of the musical. The versatile entertainers were hand-picked to showcase their talent to the millions of visitors who will attend the shows at the Rajmahal Theatre.

    Bollywood Parks Dubai general manager Thomas Jellum showed his excitement and pride with the first broadway-style Bollywood musical to the Middle East, and the decision to showcase it at the Rajmahal Theatre.

    The region’s first musical will have all the makings of a Bollywood blockbuster, with romance, drama, action, magic and brilliant performances with foot tapping music that promises to captivate audiences like never before.

    Taking its inspiration from the beautiful palaces and intricate architectural designs in India, the Rajmahal Theatre, is a stunning 850-seater arena that will play the separately ticketed musical several times a week.

    Jellum added, “As the region’s first resident show, we have partnered with the best in Bollywood show business, to ensure every element seen on stage embodies the cinematic experience. I am looking forward to see you all at the show very soon.” The ticket details will be announced soon.

    Scheduled to open this year, Bollywood Parks Dubai is part of Dubai Parks and Resorts which will also feature Motiongate Dubai, a unique theme park showcasing some of Hollywood’s most beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate as well as the region’s first Legoland Park and a Legoland Water Park.

    The entire destination will be connected by Riverland Dubai – a retail and dining destination at the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and guests can stay at the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

    Expected to open in late 2019, Six Flags Dubai will be destination’s fourth theme park and the region’s first Six Flags theme park.

  • Dubai’s ‘Rajmahal’ to witness broadway-style ‘Jaan-e-Jigar’

    Dubai’s ‘Rajmahal’ to witness broadway-style ‘Jaan-e-Jigar’

    MUMBAI: The only Bollywood theatre at Bollywood Parks Dubai, Rajmahal Theatre, has announced the release of a musical. Called Jaan-e-Jigar, the 120-minute extravaganza will be set in a broadway-style show with a unique twist.

    The musical is a fantasy tale of two brothers named Jaan and Jigar, in a classic story of good vs evil. The story explores a larger than life world, full of magic, drama, music, dance, color and all things Bollywood. It is strung together with Bollywood hits, including an original soundtrack created for the show.

    It is created in collaboration with Wizcraft International Private through which several actors, dancers, singers and acrobats were auditioned from across India to be a part of the musical. The versatile entertainers were hand-picked to showcase their talent to the millions of visitors who will attend the shows at the Rajmahal Theatre.

    Bollywood Parks Dubai general manager Thomas Jellum showed his excitement and pride with the first broadway-style Bollywood musical to the Middle East, and the decision to showcase it at the Rajmahal Theatre.

    The region’s first musical will have all the makings of a Bollywood blockbuster, with romance, drama, action, magic and brilliant performances with foot tapping music that promises to captivate audiences like never before.

    Taking its inspiration from the beautiful palaces and intricate architectural designs in India, the Rajmahal Theatre, is a stunning 850-seater arena that will play the separately ticketed musical several times a week.

    Jellum added, “As the region’s first resident show, we have partnered with the best in Bollywood show business, to ensure every element seen on stage embodies the cinematic experience. I am looking forward to see you all at the show very soon.” The ticket details will be announced soon.

    Scheduled to open this year, Bollywood Parks Dubai is part of Dubai Parks and Resorts which will also feature Motiongate Dubai, a unique theme park showcasing some of Hollywood’s most beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate as well as the region’s first Legoland Park and a Legoland Water Park.

    The entire destination will be connected by Riverland Dubai – a retail and dining destination at the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and guests can stay at the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

    Expected to open in late 2019, Six Flags Dubai will be destination’s fourth theme park and the region’s first Six Flags theme park.

  • Voot will exclusively stream IIFA 2016

    Voot will exclusively stream IIFA 2016

    MUMBAI: Riding on the back of an immensely successful launch and a high decibel marketing campaign, VOOT by Viacom18, today announced its partnership with India’s most awaited and celebrated film celebration – IIFA 2016. This strategic alliance with the International Indian Film Academy is in line with Voot’s promise of bringing differentiated and engaging content to its digital audience.

    With IIFA 2016 ready to take off later this month in Madrid, VOOT is gearing up to converge the younger generation who are getting their TV entertainment from Internet-connected devices with the razzmatazz of this Bollywood extravaganza.

    Speaking about the association, Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi said, “We are delighted to partner with IIFA to bring the biggest Bollywood Awards extravaganza to the digital audiences In India. Within a very short period, Voot has already emerged as a go-to online destination for the biggest TV shows, Kids content and Digital Originals (Voot Originals). With this association with IIFA, which already enjoys a massive fan following in India, we are further strengthening our Bollywood proposition as well. Viewers in India will now be able to stream all IIFA 2016 Awards, IIFA Rocks and related content on their mobile and computer screens on-demand and this will be available exclusively on Voot”

    Wizcraft International director Sabbas Joseph said, “IIFA is all about celebrating Indian Cinema and bringing a grand cinematic experience to fans in India and across the world. Within a short span of time Voot has forged its prominence in the digital entertainment world and we are delighted to be partnering with them for IIFA 2016. The partnership will not only magnify the IIFA experience for its Indian fans – with the content now being available on-demand across screens, but it will also increase IIFA’s overall reach to a newer audience base that prefers to consume content primarily on their digital devices.”

    IIFA 2016 hosts the most spectacular celebrity weekend where the stars and their fans converge together in Madrid, Spain. The highlights of the celebrations are the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend and the Nexa IIFA Awards powered by LeEco. The entire event is organized and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment.

    Hosted by Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar, the star-studded event will showcase scintillating performances by the country’s foremost heartthrobs Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, Tiger Shroff and many more. VOOT will help all Bollywood aficionados to watch them up close and personal on their preferred screens.

    Amongst all Indian OTT players, Voot, in a very short span, already has the most amount of original content.

    Voot is available for free on iOS, Android and web and delivered over mobile and WiFi networks. With a stellar line-up of content available across genres and languages, Voot assures to keep you definitely wanting for more!

  • Voot will exclusively stream IIFA 2016

    Voot will exclusively stream IIFA 2016

    MUMBAI: Riding on the back of an immensely successful launch and a high decibel marketing campaign, VOOT by Viacom18, today announced its partnership with India’s most awaited and celebrated film celebration – IIFA 2016. This strategic alliance with the International Indian Film Academy is in line with Voot’s promise of bringing differentiated and engaging content to its digital audience.

    With IIFA 2016 ready to take off later this month in Madrid, VOOT is gearing up to converge the younger generation who are getting their TV entertainment from Internet-connected devices with the razzmatazz of this Bollywood extravaganza.

    Speaking about the association, Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi said, “We are delighted to partner with IIFA to bring the biggest Bollywood Awards extravaganza to the digital audiences In India. Within a very short period, Voot has already emerged as a go-to online destination for the biggest TV shows, Kids content and Digital Originals (Voot Originals). With this association with IIFA, which already enjoys a massive fan following in India, we are further strengthening our Bollywood proposition as well. Viewers in India will now be able to stream all IIFA 2016 Awards, IIFA Rocks and related content on their mobile and computer screens on-demand and this will be available exclusively on Voot”

    Wizcraft International director Sabbas Joseph said, “IIFA is all about celebrating Indian Cinema and bringing a grand cinematic experience to fans in India and across the world. Within a short span of time Voot has forged its prominence in the digital entertainment world and we are delighted to be partnering with them for IIFA 2016. The partnership will not only magnify the IIFA experience for its Indian fans – with the content now being available on-demand across screens, but it will also increase IIFA’s overall reach to a newer audience base that prefers to consume content primarily on their digital devices.”

    IIFA 2016 hosts the most spectacular celebrity weekend where the stars and their fans converge together in Madrid, Spain. The highlights of the celebrations are the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend and the Nexa IIFA Awards powered by LeEco. The entire event is organized and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment.

    Hosted by Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar, the star-studded event will showcase scintillating performances by the country’s foremost heartthrobs Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, Tiger Shroff and many more. VOOT will help all Bollywood aficionados to watch them up close and personal on their preferred screens.

    Amongst all Indian OTT players, Voot, in a very short span, already has the most amount of original content.

    Voot is available for free on iOS, Android and web and delivered over mobile and WiFi networks. With a stellar line-up of content available across genres and languages, Voot assures to keep you definitely wanting for more!

  • Delhi govt approves online entertainment tax application for ticketed events

    Delhi govt approves online entertainment tax application for ticketed events

    MUMBAI: The Delhi Govt approved the first online application for Entertainment Tax on 23 September, 2015 based on a post-event settlement, which is a major breakthrough for the events and entertainment industry.

     

    The approval was done online in a record time of two hours, where previously the same could take several months.

     

    In August this year, The Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) in collaboration with the Govt. of Delhi and the Police department of Delhi took several steps to simplify licensing for events and eliminate red tape and touts. A process was put into place whereby EEMA member companies can do ticketed events in the national capital without paying entertainment tax before the event. The first achievement in this direction is the online approval for the soon-to-be-held Zubin Mehta concert in Delhi.

     

    The development entails a single-window approval system, which is online for all non-ticketed events. Large ticketed events are likely to make their way back to the capital as the partnership between EEMA and the Delhi government has led to an online approval system for ticketed events too with elimination of pre-payment of tax, pre-event stamping of tickets and blockage of funds for tax payments.

     

    EEMA president and Wizcraft International founder director Sabbas Joseph said, “We are delighted to see our enduring efforts come to life and turn into reality. This is just one door open and still a major step ahead. Alongside the path breaking steps by the Delhi government, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis too has announced that venues would have pre-approved licenses and a single–window clearance system would be implemented shortly. We hope that the efforts of the CMs  from Delhi and Maharashtra pave the way for similar moves across the country.”

     

    The first ticketed show under this new licensing regime would be a concert by maestro Zubin Mehta performing live in Delhi after 15 years. The approvals were given online in less than two hours on 23 September, 2015.

     

    The show will be produced by Showtime Events. “I could not have imagined this speed of action in my wildest dreams! It seems the Commissioner means business and is determined to change the face of entertainment in Delhi,” said Showtime Events managing director Michael Menezes. 

     

    Due to antiquated tax rules and strangulating licensing norms in Delhi, companies were loathe to hold events and shows in the city and instead preferred Gurgaon or Noida as locations for the event staging.

     

    Earlier this year, The Delhi Government was forthcoming and eager to make Delhi India’s event-friendly capital city. Following a detailed EEMA representation and persistent efforts, the Delhi government moved at a rapid pace in streamlining the licensing process in Delhi and yielding promising results for the event industry. The Delhi Govt. also appointed antiquated tax rules and strangulating licensing norms commissioner Sanjay Kumar as the nodal officer for creation of the single-window licensing process, with an eye on ease-of-doing-business.

     

    What’s more, the complimentary ticket scenario has also got a thumbs down. Leading the way, Kejriwal publicly declared that no minister or MLA of his party will ever ask for free tickets to any event or movie.

  • Ajay Bhalwankar quits ZEEL as Content Head

    Ajay Bhalwankar quits ZEEL as Content Head

    MUMABI: Almost three years ago in June 2011, Zee Entertainment Enterprises had brought back one of its most cherished employees – Ajay Bhalwankar as the programming head after his short eight-month stint with Multi Screen Media. The news now is that Bhalwankar, who was working as ZEEL’s Content Head (Hindi GECs), has decided to explore opportunities outside the group on his own accord. 

     

    Namit Sharma will be coming on board to join the Zee TV programming function as Programming Head.

     

    In the official announcement made by the channel, it is mentioned that Bhalwankar was instrumental in creating path breaking content on Zee TV and also spearheaded the launch of new free-to-air (FTA) channel, Zee Anmol. He has been with the organisation since 1994. Barring a stint with Multi Screen Media, he has been at ZEEL for over 17 years. 

     

    “Ajay’s support for ideas, creativity and innovation has been the real strength of his time as content head of Zee TV,” said ZEEL Chief Creative and Content Officer Bharat Ranga. “He gave the team strong creative leadership with the freedom to experiment and he’ll be hard to replace. With regret, we accept his decision and thank Ajay for his valued contribution to the organization. During his stint with the group, Ajay has achieved various milestones and strengthened the position of channel and built a great and dedicated team for the channel. Given his credentials, we are also sure that he will continue to achieve his aspirations and further strengthen his credential in his domain.”

     

    Confirming the news, Bhalwankar said, “It’s been a memorable journey.  There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. It’s a tough decision. The trust reposed in me by ZEEL MD & CEO, Punit Goenka will never be forgotten.  I leave ZEEL with renewed respect for television broadcasting and the talented producers of our programs, and with great pride to have worked with an exceptional team who will continue to see success.” 

     

    Bhalwankar will handhold Namit during the transition process – in settling down in the organisation and continue to take all programming related decisions as is currently being done. Sharma, with almost 15 years industry experience, was earlier with Wizcraft International as Business Head and Chief Creative Director – Wizcraft Television & Films. Prior to that he has worked as an executive producer with Yash Raj Films; as a creative director with Cinevistaas Ltd; and as a senior executive producer with Sony Entertainment Television.

  • Next IIFA awards, not at Vancouver

    Next IIFA awards, not at Vancouver

    MUMBAI: The 14th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards will not be held in Vancouver.

    The bid for the same by the British Columbia government on behalf of Vancouver was rejected for 2013, according to a statement by Wizcraft International, the organizers of IIFA.

    The bidding process for the awards is currently on with a number of countries from the Middle East, South America, Europe and Africa.

    “The decision is subject to many contributing factors that are required of a host destination in terms of support-initiatives for Hindi cinema production, funding and distribution; event-funding, support, facilitation, and infrastructure,” said IIFA and Wizcraft International director Sabbas Joseph. “We are committed to the film Industry and hosting an IIFA in any destination must meet the larger interests of Indian cinema and a spectacular-staging of the annual celebration,” he added.

    The dates and venue for the 2013 edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards will be formally announced soon.

    Over the years, IIFA has been to destinations like London, Yorkshire, Johannesburg, Dubai, Amsterdam, Singapore, Bangkok, Colombo and Macau among other.

  • South Indian film industry urged to create a global platform akin IIFA

    South Indian film industry urged to create a global platform akin IIFA

    MUMBAI: The two day conclave of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) concluded by welcoming the recommendation from Wizcraft International that the South Indian film industry should join hands to create a global platform that presents the South Indian film industry at key markets across the world.

    Sharing the IIFA success story wherein key global markets opened up for the Hindi film industry that led to a quantum growth, Wizcraft International founder-director Sabbas Joseph averred, “The talent in the South Indian film industry is enormous. We wanted to seize this opportunity to establish a platform for talent to be promoted and honoured on a national level and international level for South Indian films. Regional and Indian cinema have grown into a global phenomenon and we would surely look at promoting and leveraging them on a global platform through brand IIFA.”

    The IIFA story also demonstrated the attention that is being given to Indian culture and business by global counterparts. Akin to the Bollywood weekend, the weekend for the South Indian film industry would be a huge step towards recognizing the growing importance of South Indian cinema by celebrating it on a global platform, Joseph felt.

    Regional films have been well received at the Berlin film festival and have also won best film awards. With contemporary story lines, advanced technology and fresh talent in the regional entertainment world regional cinema is becoming popular. Films like Enthiran – Robot won the accolades of critics all over the globe.

    IIFA is one of the most respected South Asian film academies and its main highlight, the IIFA Weekend and Awards are India‘s biggest media event. In its 12 years around the globe, IIFA has forged relationships with countries, enabling the promotion of Indian cinema. IIFA has introduced multiple distributors and exhibitors such as Nu Metro, Ster Kinekor, Pathe in markets that IIFA has traveled to.