IPL 17 ads on TV up 15 percent as new categories and brands join the game

Sachin Tendulkar and Ageas Federal Life Insurance challenge conventional notions of financial planning

Swiggy Instamart to sell Star Wars and Harry Potter merchandise; Brings movie merch to quick commerce

Head-to-head: Caresmith takes a jab at Bombay Shaving Company's viral campaign

Raymond re-appoints Gautam Singhania as MD amidst high-profile divorce fight

Paytm's president and COO Bhavesh Gupta steps down

Representational image via Unsplash

Zee-Sony merger saga ends: Timeline of the failed merger

Why are Indian brands advertising in NYC's Times Square?

What Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick teaches us about leadership

Advertising is in the position where tobacco was: IPG's Arun Kumar 

Biz Moves: Interactive Avenues, Verve Media, Foxymoron and Grapes

There is an opportunity for building a better agency, not just a different one: Manja's Prajato Guha

Is LinkedIn emerging as a bigger threat than Threads for X?

Total broadband subscribers increase from 916.77 to 924.07 million in a month

Total broadband subscribers in India increase from 916.77 to 924.07 million in a month

Indian market has unexplored opportunities: Warren Buffett

CXO Moves: Exec movements across WPP, Ola Cabs, Havas India, Unilever and others

Piyush Pandey

Adtech regulation a priority for Modi govt in third term: MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Credibility of news and platforms are as important as monetisation challenges: Anurag Thakur

HUL: Meet the leaders who have emerged from "The CEO Factory"

Punit Goenka addresses Zee employees; ensures no layoffs due to failed merger

Disney's strategic sale to Viacom18 set to boost market share to 40 percent

The Leader's Edge: Storyboard18 in conversation with leaders, decision makers and disruptors

Nobody’s Perfect Retro Porsche Ad

In Conversation With Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard

Shahid Kapoor And Varun Ganjoo Speaks On PokerBaazi's Campaign

In conversation with IHCL’s Puneet Chhatwal & GroupM’s Kate Scott-Dawkins

Why are brands including e-sports in their sports marketing itinerary?

Storyboard18 x The English Nut: How to pronounce these 10 brand names

Experts' Take On Reinvention Of Ad Campaigns Through Technology

Experts Speak On Key Emerging Trends In Cannes Lions Entries

Leaders of the future have to be outstanding human beings: Nestle MD

In conversation with VMLY&R’s Hari Ramanathan

Games24x7 announced the elevation of Tridib Mukherjee to the position of Chief Data Science & AI Officer. In his new role, Tridib will continue to drive Games24x7's data-centric approach, leveraging his extensive expertise in data science and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and enhance user experiences.

Having served as the Vice President of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Games24x7 for over six years, Tridib played a pivotal role in implementing cutting-edge algorithms and AI-driven solutions that propelled Games24x7 to the forefront of the online gaming industry. Tridib will continue to spearhead data science & AI teams and enable product teams to create personalized and engaging experiences for players.

Commenting on the announcement, Bhavin Pandya, Co-CEO and Co-founder, Games24x7 said, “Our scientific approach to running business really goes all the way back to our inception and has been the primary force behind our success. We are delighted to announce Tridib's promotion to Chief Data Science & AI Officer. With his expertise and the exceptional talent of our AI and data science team, which has grown significantly over the past five years, we've continuously raised the bar when it comes to offering personalised gameplay experiences including responsible gaming.  We are confident that the organization will continue this tradition of innovation under his leadership, and we wish him the very best as he spearheads our data-driven journey to new heights.”

Tridib Mukherjee, now the Chief Data Science & AI Officer, Games24x7 said, “At Games24x7, we have always worked for the players and our operating ethos of 'Science of Gaming' has been the guiding principle behind every decision we make. Over the past six years, I've had the privilege of working alongside an incredibly talented team dedicated to advancing the frontiers of gaming through the lens of data science. And I look forward to many more years of collaboration and innovation as we continue our mission of leveraging technology to create even more engaging and enjoyable gaming experiences for our users.”

With over two decades of experience and a distinguished academic background, including a PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from Arizona State University, Tridib Mukherjee is uniquely positioned to lead Games24x7's data science initiatives to new heights. His prolific record as an author of over 70 research papers and multiple patents in AI and data sciences reflects his deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and more. The talented team at Games24x7, along with Tridib's leadership and award-winning contributions, positions the organization to shape the future direction of the industry and deliver unparalleled gaming experiences to its users.

Games24x7 elevates Tridib Mukherjee as Chief Data Science & AI Officer

Unilever's Chief People and Transformation Officer, Nitin Paranjpe, took to LinkedIn to share a story about defying self-doubt and finding unexpected joys in embracing a personal challenge, even if the results are... well, let's just say entertaining.


“I am musically challenged. I struggle with rhythm; I don’t have any natural talent. Around twenty years ago, I decided to test this. I wanted to see, if you are challenged in a particular field, what can you do with effort and discipline,” he said in his post.


<iframe src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:7191801373401792512" height="747" width="504" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Embedded post"></iframe>


Almost 20 years ago Paranjpe found someone to teach him the keyboard. “If you want to know the outcome of that study, I still play badly. That’s how I challenged I am,” he said.


But then it was still a win for him because he always thought he wouldn't be able to string together a tune even if he was given the notes. Paranjpe goes on about his tryst with music. 


He didn’t find a lot of success in his learning story but definitely found joy. “Anyone who listens to me today could well say-My god! After so many years you still suck,” he said.


And to that he’d say, “Yeah, and that's okay. You have no idea where I was compared to where I am now.” Paranjpe ended the note with a profound thought. He said, “What started off purely as a challenge has turned out to be a lot of fun.”


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hul-appoints-vipul-mathur-as-executive-director-personal-care-takes-over-from-madhusudhan-rao-30619.htm">HUL appoints Vipul Mathur as Executive Director, Personal Care</a>

Unilever’s Nitin Paranjpe shares an endearing story about his lack of musical talent

The marketing industry plays a dynamic role in influencing consumer behaviour and fostering economic growth. After the grand success of the first two editions of Storyboard18 Visionaries, held in Gurugram and Bengaluru, the program is now gearing up to be in the city of marketing and creative excellence, Mumbai. 


The third edition of Visionaries to be held on Friday, April 26th will witness some of the biggest names in brand marketing come together to celebrate the brilliance of marketing mavens.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/sustainability-at-heart-and-purpose-defines-the-path-diageos-hina-nagarajan-24779.htm">Sustainability at heart and purpose defines the path: Diageo India's Hina Nagarajan</a> 


Storyboard18 Visionaries celebrates luminaries from the world of brands and marketing who have disrupted and revolutionised the way we approach media and advertising. The Visionaries is a one of its kind platform that presents opportunities for the sharpest minds in the business to convene, celebrate excellence and exchange ideas that power growth. It is a night of gala celebration shaping the future of marketing in India.


The city chapters of Visionaries aim to bring together meaningful conversations, spotlighting path-breaking achievements and future gazing strategies.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/storyboard18-visionaries-britannias-varun-berry-shares-leadership-lessons-24840.htm">Storyboard18 Visionaries: Britannia's Varun Berry shares leadership lessons</a> 


The Mumbai event promises to be an evening to remember, with the coming together of iconic leaders and new-age marketers. The event will feature a keynote address by Bharat Puri, CEO, Pidilite Industries and a special address by Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd. The evening will spotlight leading marketers from a wide-range of brands including HDFC Bank, P&G, Mercedes, Hindustan Unilever, Visa, L'Oreal, Mondelez, Spotify, UltraTech and Mahindra Group, among others. It will also feature engaging conversations with Nishant Kalra, Country Vice President, Salesforce, and MVS Murthy, CMO, Federal Bank, among others. The Visionaries programme for CXOs and executives brings a ringside view into ways of shaping consumer behaviour.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/quantum-brief/storyboard18-visionaries-bengaluru-chapter-blockbuster-celebration-of-marketing-brilliance-24771.htm">Storyboard18 Visionaries - Bengaluru chapter: Blockbuster celebration of marketing brilliance</a> 


The Visionaries programme for CXOs and executives provides unparalleled insights of how the best and brightest function in complex times. So, meet us at the point where cutting-edge ideas and visionary leaders who are changing our approach to media, marketing and advertising, converge to power transformation.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/the-visionaries">The Visionaries</a>

Storyboard18 Visionaries Mumbai Edition is here!: Join the celebration of marketing mavens

The Derma Co., an active ingredient backed skincare brand from Honasa Consumer Limited, marked a milestone of achieving an annual revenue rate of INR 500 crore. "This achievement underscores Honasa Consumers’ capabilities to craft and scale new brands with strategic innovations, delivering exceptional skincare solutions to consumers across India," Honasa Consumer said in a statement. The milestone demonstrate the strength of the brand's on-trend, data-based innovation strategy, the company stated. 

Its focus on leveraging data for product innovation and responding swiftly to emerging trends continues to be a cornerstone of the strategy, the company added. 

Commenting on this milestone, Varun Alagh, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honasa Consumer Limited, says “The Derma Co.'s remarkable achievement of INR 500 crore annual run rate is a strong testament to our strategic brand-building approach at Honasa Consumer Limited. Our success is an output of in-depth consumer study of the evolving consumer demands and being able to innovate swiftly to deliver differentiated propositions to our consumers. This focus on excellence has helped us set new benchmarks across the active ingredient-based skincare segment. At Honasa, we are committed to continue our quest towards fueling our innovations and offer brands that serve the evolving consumer demands.”

Last month, Honasa Consumer Limited, the parent of Mamaearth, also launched ‘Staze’, a colour cosmetic line in a bid to enter the segment currently dominated by the likes of L'Oreal, Lakme, Sugar. “Staze is poised to carve its niche with a distinct emphasis on performance and innovation. We firmly believe that Gen Z consumers, who are seeking value and innovation, and Staze is uniquely positioned to meet and exceed their expectations", said Ghazal Alagh, Chief Innovation Officer, Honasa Consumer Ltd.

Varun Alagh added, “Honasa has always been at the forefront of innovation and being the pioneers in the BPC industry, we recognised a vital opportunity to address the burgeoning demand for innovative yet accessible colour cosmetics. And with the colour cosmetics segment boasting a remarkable CAGR of 12 percent and a substantial size of Rs 15,000 crore, it became evident that there was a gap in the market. These factors paved the way for Staze…”



Mamaearth-maker Honasa Consumer's second brand, The Derma Co., enters the Rs 500 crore ARR club

For Nidhi Mehta, director - finance, GOZOOP Group, Chief Financial Officers’ role extends beyond traditional finance boundaries. They are responsible for the finance and accounting professionals who perform operational functions and services in a strategic advisory role to the CEO and the rest of the C-suite peers. 


In a conversation with Storyboard18, she added, “A CFO's role commands a lot of respect in the ad agency as they advise other department heads, assist them in maximising revenues and controlling expenses without sacrificing customer needs and the agency's reputation.”


Edited Excerpts


Tell us about your career trajectory and journey. Where and how you started and what got you here.


I am a chartered accountant by profession. Post my three-year article ship, this is my first corporate job at GOZOOP Group. Years back I had not heard of GOZOOP but there was definitely a vibe when I entered the office for an interview. 


Digital Marketing was a thriving industry then and the core management at GOZOOP was impressive. The job profile offered was perfect and hence, there were no second thoughts. It's been years since that decision and since then there has been no looking back. 


What led you to join the advertising agency ecosystem in finance? What were your initial impressions and thoughts of the ad agency business? 


Advertising is always an exciting industry. In this new emerging era, where there is a wave of entrepreneurship and brand building, marketing today plays the most pivotal role for any new business start-up. Digital marketing helps thousands of new business entrepreneurs push boundaries and drive impact. 


How has the role of a CFO in an ad agency changed over the years? What does the job entail today? Where have you seen the biggest changes in what the role and function mean to the business? 


The CFO's role is extending beyond traditional finance boundaries and an increasing number of finance leaders view it as a pathway to the CEO position. The modern CFO is aspirational. 


Once mere observers in the boardroom, they are now crafting long-term strategies that ensure organisational stability. They are integral members of the top executive team, possessing a profound understanding of the company's vision. 


How do other departments and functions in the agency view the role of the CFO and the finance function? 


A CFO's and finance team's role in an ad agency is viewed as the most challenging role as they oversee the company's financial activities. This includes being responsible for the finance and accounting professionals who perform operational functions and services in a strategic advisory role to the CEO and the rest of the C-suite peers. 


A CFO's role commands a lot of respect in the ad agency as they advise other department heads, assist them in maximising revenues and controlling expenses without sacrificing customer needs and the agency's reputation.


How has the agency business model evolved? What have been the key changes and disruptions according to you and the impact of these shifts on the ad agency business model? 


Advertising agencies have evolved by leaps and bounds. It began with a simple printed ad in a newspaper and evolved into radio and television, commercials, billboards and digital advertising in the modern era. Advertising techniques have also become more sophisticated, incorporating psychology and consumer behaviour studies to create persuasive and effective campaigns.

 
Agencies are facing threats from all places. Is the business model future-ready? 


It is definitely future-ready as today the focus has shifted from the product to address consumer needs. With the emergence of new technologies and data-driven approaches, agencies can remain indispensable by tapping into this potential. 


However, with the pace of changes happening across the industry, agencies that do not develop a framework and plan for modernising their operational model that's inclusive of AI and technology will likely encounter increased challenges with both client and talent retention. 


From your observation, do you see any gender inequality or disparity in the finance function across levels? Agency leadership has traditionally been male dominated and advertising was seen as a boys club. Does that hold true for finance as well and the CFOs in advertising?


Not at all. The finance department at GOZOOP was and is always driven by women leadership. As far as the industry is concerned, there are several factors that lead to one's leadership goal.


What are the steps ad agencies must take to advance CFOs' role in advertising?


Agencies should enhance better communication between CFOs and other departmental heads. Regular meetings between them are needed to negotiate and discuss expenses and budgets that are aligned to the company's goals. 


A CFO should be made an integral part of all important decision-making of the agency as finance and marketers think and behave very differently. A combination of their brainstorming where marketers are driven by creativity and finance is driven by numbers and budgets could lead to some amazing outcomes for both the client and the agency.


What according to you are the biggest threats facing the advertising agency business today?

In-housing and talent retention are two of the biggest pressures that agencies face today. The threat remains that a brand will bring certain functions in-house, leaving agencies without that business. Brands are in-house because they believe they can do better work in a cheaper, faster and more transparent way. The other big issue is around both recruitment and retention of talent. There has always been volatility for agencies around talent. 


What are the trends you are currently witnessing in advertising, and what is the role of a CFO in such a scenario?


The rapid emergence of AI and the increasing role of technology within business operations is the current trend. CFOs should follow a test-and-learn approach where with their ability they are ready to take a smart risk and foresee how certain trends will impact their business. 


They should encourage the team to begin taking steps now to experiment with AI, explore how technology can drive operational value for the business, and help them understand how internal talent is spending their time and how to maximise their value for the business. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/managing-your-mind-at-work-and-beyond-isnt-easy-it-takes-a-lot-of-maturity-and-wisdom-says-bajaj-autos-deepika-warrier-16913.htm">Managing your mind at work and beyond isn't easy; it takes a lot of maturity and wisdom, says Bajaj Auto’s Deepika Warrier</a>

CFOs breaking boundaries, crafting long-term strategies for organisational stability: Nidhi Mehta, GOZOOP Group

Anupam Mittal, the founder and CEO of People Group and Shaadi.com, and a prominent investor on Shark Tank India, is widely recognized for his strategic investments in renowned startups and unicorn companies such as Ola Cabs, BigBasket, Druva, among others. Mittal is also one of the leading voices to take on big tech firms like Google and Meta, slamming them for their "unfair" monopolistic practices in markets like India. 

On April 9, Meta "arbitrarily" disabled his company's account, prompting Mittal to call out the Mark Zuckerberg-led company on social media. Mittal also tagged Meta's India operations' head Sandhya Devanathan in the post. 

A frustrated Mittal said, "So, shockingly our Meta account was arbitrarily disabled this morning with nobody in the know or able to help, even at our scale. This is the dysfunction of Big Tech & monopolies, something hashtag#cci must take note of. Sandhya Devanathan" 

Netizens chimed in with sympathies and suggestions. Relating to Mittal's frustration users said Meta is "only sale no support" while some urged Mittal to assemble all the Sharks and create their own Made-in-India social media platform like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. 

When Mittal took on Google 

On March 1, Google announced it would remove apps from 10 Indian developers, including Shaadi.com, Naukri.com, jeevansathi.com, and Bharat Matrimony, from its Play Store in India for non-compliance with its billing policies. Among the most prominent voices that spoke out against Google's practices, was Anupam Mittal. 

“Today is a dark day for India Internet,” Mittal said as he came out hitting hard against Google’s action of delisting Indian apps. 

Mittal wrote on X, “Google has delisted major apps from its app store even though legal hearings are underway @CCI_India & @indSupremeCourt Their false narratives & audacity show they have little regard for India. Make no mistake - this is the new Digital East India Co and this #Lagaan must be stopped! Pls RT and #SaveOurStartups”.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/anupam-mittal-asks-is-google-evil-as-the-battle-between-google-and-indian-app-developers-rages-on-25363.htm">Read more: Anupam Mittal asks, "Is Google evil?", as the battle between Google and Indian app developers rages on</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/interactive-avenues-anupam-mittals-first-investment-as-an-angel-investor-25997.htm">Read more: Interactive Avenues: Anupam Mittal’s first investment as an angel investor</a>

Angry Mittal?: Anupam Mittal "shocked" after Meta disables his company's account

DTDC Express Ltd., a leading express logistics provider in India has elevated Abhishek Chakraborty as its Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Chakraborty will continue to propel DTDC forward, solidifying its position as a front-runner in the logistics industry with the aim to drive substantial growth and innovation for the company.

Chakraborty said: “Encapsulating our direction of “Building a NextGen DTDC for GenNext DTDCians”,... together we will continue to foster a culture of shared success and excellence.”

Before assuming the role of CEO, Chakraborty led DTDC as Executive Director for 15 years. He played a pivotal role in establishing a strategic partnership between DTDC and Geopost (owned by La Poste). He also spearheaded the DTDC and Amarex partnership and introduced many initiatives like launching the MyDTDC app and introducing DTDCShipAssure™, DTDC’s 100 percent money-back guarantee service that enabled the company to achieve new heights. His strategic leadership expanded the company’s network to 16,000+ partners, serving 96 percent of India’s population and the larger South Asian diaspora globally.

DTDC operates India’s largest physically accessible express logistics Network and has over 16,000+ exclusive channel partners that contribute to its sales and service capabilities.

DTDC Express promotes Abhishek Chakraborty to the CEO position

MakeMyTrip has achieved a significant milestone in its two-decade-long journey by becoming accessible worldwide, the company said in an announcement this week. 

MakeMyTrip has now expanded its reach to over 150 countries, including major travel markets such as the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, and others, besides the US and the UAE. 

“The rigorous standards of compliance and commitment to data protection we have in place for our Indian business helped us transition smoothly towards stringent international compliances,” said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and chief executive officer of MakeMyTrip.

“We are indebted to the trust and affection that we have received from Indian travelers for over two decades and continue to hold ourselves to higher standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) on a regular basis. Our decision to make MakeMyTrip accessible globally is a result of this very goal – testing our processes against rigorous protocols across the world to enable our travelers to book or modify their travel purchases on the platform without any roadblocks wherever they are geographically,” he said.

MakeMyTrip said the platform has also ensured compliance with various international regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), to accomplish this expansion.

Magow added, “Our global accessibility will help us reach the vast Indian diaspora. Importantly, this expansion will enable us to cater to a broader audience, fostering increased inbound travel to India. Our extensive coverage, offering accommodations in more than 2,000 cities, will assist international tourists in discovering the hidden gems of India.”




MakeMyTrip CEO on expansion in 150 countries: Global accessibility will help MMT reach Indian diaspora

When Storyboard18 asked Maruti Suzuki's Shashank Srivastava what interests him outside of work, he said, "My hobby is chess, and I make it a point to keep up with the latest trends in the game." He told us, "It not only helps me focus on something other than work, but also, chess is a great game which involves a lot of planning. It involves a lot of discipline." Discipline and planning are what he seems to have perfected at Maruti Suzuki India, a firm known for its meticulous planning and emphasis on discipline given the brand's Japanese lineage and influence. 

 
On March 27, the auto major elevated Shashank Srivastava from the position of Head – Marketing and Sales to ‘Member Executive Committee’. In many ways, it's an end of an era in the marketing world, as Srivastava moves on from his current role and into an advisory one as part of a core leadership group. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/watch-listen/media-dialogues-with-storyboard18-maintaining-continuity-in-change-maruti-suzuki-mindshare-drive-ahead-19528.htm">Media Dialogues with Storyboard18: Maintaining continuity In change, Maruti-Suzuki & Mindshare drive ahead</a>


A Maruti lifer, Srivastava is a leading figure in the Indian business and marketing world, having led the country's top carmaker as its sales and marketing boss for several years. Srivastava started his career at the automotive company in 1989. It was his first job after graduating from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Holding a bachelor's degree in telecommunication and electronics engineering from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Bhopal, he joined IIM-A in 1987. Despite having offers from the Asian Paints and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Srivastava was very clear that his path lay in the automotive industry and with Maruti Suzuki. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/maruti-suzukis-shashank-srivastava-it-is-crucial-to-celebrate-achievements-to-foster-a-positive-work-environment-15928.htm">Maruti Suzuki’s Shashank Srivastava: It is crucial to celebrate achievements to foster a positive work environment</a> 


Srivastava, the marketing maven who is an avid reader of books on science and especially quantum physics, has been a strong proponent for constant learning and adapting with the times. He emphasised empowering his team members through collaboration and communication. “My intention is to help others succeed and become leaders in their own right. True leadership is, therefore, not about being in charge but inspiring and guiding others to achieve their full potential,” he said. It is about creating a culture of continuous learning and development; “When we invest in our colleagues’ growth and development, we develop better leaders and build a more substantial organisation.” 


In a previous conversation with Storyboard18, when asked about a work and life hack he swears by, Srivastava had said,"Time boxing is a very powerful productive technique. What you do is you schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks. That's something which optimises efficiency. For a life hack, I would say, practice gratitude. It significantly improves one's overall well-being. If one is grateful for what you have, big or small, it helps you appreciate the good things, and makes you feel better." 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/marutis-shashank-srivastava-on-why-indians-no-longer-need-to-kick-tyres-or-smell-leather-to-buy-cars-4932.htm">Maruti’s Shashank Srivastava on why Indians no longer need to kick tyres or smell leather to buy cars</a>

Maruti's former marketing boss Shashank Srivastava keeps this quote in his diary

Gangu Ramsay, cinematographer, filmmaker, and one of the seven Ramsay Brothers has passed away at the age of 83. Ramsay was known for producing horror films like ‘Purani Haveli’ and ‘Tehkhana’. 


In the 1970s and 1980s, Ramsay Brothers—originally known as Ramsinghani—began to make a string of B-grade films in the horror genre. The films, which highlighted vampires, werewolves, zombies, etc became popular for showcasing a mix of horror and erotica.


Gangu had also worked in television, with shows such as "The Zee Horror Show", "Saturday Suspense", "X Zone" and "Nagin" to his credit, as stated by a CNBC-TV18 report.


Some of his other films that he produced include Veerana, Bandh Darwaza, Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche.


In the book ‘In A Cult of Their Own: Bollywood Beyond Box Office’, writer Amborish Roychoudhury explained how each and every aspect of filmmaking was handled by the Ramsay brothers, highlighted an ET report.


Kumar penned scripts, Kiran composed sounds, Gangu was the cameraman, Keshu assisted with cinematography, and Arjun took care of post-production and editing. Direction was handled by Tulsi and Shyam, the report further stated.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/unacademys-former-cmo-karan-shroff-joins-lightfury-games-as-ceo-28509.htm">Unacademy’s former CMO Karan Shroff sets up LightFury Games</a>

Gangu Ramsay, one of the seven Ramsay Brothers passes away at 83

Maushumi Chakravarty assumed charge as Director General of Akashvani News on May 1. A 1991 batch IIS  officer, Chakravarty has vast experience having served in various capacities under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, including its media organizations the Press Information Bureau and Central Bureau of Communication.

In her career spanning over three decades, she has also worked on deputation basis in the National Human Rights Commission and as P.S. to Cabinet Minister. Chakravarty assumed the charge after superannuation of Vasudha Gupta as Principal DG.





Maushumi Chakravarty assumes charge as director general of Akashvani News

Maushumi Chakravarty assumed the charge after superannuation of Vasudha Gupta as Principal DG.

The Delhi High Court has pulled up Wikimedia Foundation Inc., the organization behind Wikipedia for failing to disclose information regarding the edits made on the Wikipedia page of the Indian news agency, Asian News International (ANI).

Justice Navin Chawla on Thursday gave a stern warning to the US-based organization saying, "If you don't like India, don't work here", Live Law reported.

Justice Chawla issued a contempt notice to Wikimedia, and said, "We will ask the government to block Wikipedia".

The Indian news agency has filed a defamation case against Wikimedia over allegedly defamatory content on its Wikipedia page this year.

Following this, the high court issued a summon to Wikimedia on 9 July. Wikimedia appeared before the court on 20 August. As per the ANI's case, Wikipedia did not dispute that three individuals, who were made defendants in the defamation suit, were not administered on the platform, Live Law reported.

Considering the said submission, the court directed Wikipedia to disclose the ANI subscriber details of the three individuals available within two weeks.

ANI filed a contempt plea against Wikimedia for not complying with the order. The news agency has also sought Rs 2 crore as damages from the company.

The court has asked an authorized representative of Wikipedia to remain present before the court on the next day of the hearing.

Wikipedia page mentioned that ANI has been "criticized for having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent central government, distributing materials from a vast network of fake news websites and misreporting events".

ANI in its suit added that the Wikimedia Foundation has allegedly published false and defamatory content with the malicious intent of tarnishing the image of the news agency.

The next hearing of the case is on 25 October.

'Will ask govt to block Wikipedia': Delhi HC pulls up Wikimedia

Amidst the growing mixed reaction from the broadcasting industry, Prasar Bharati is most likely to launch its over-the-top (OTT) platform on September 15, sources close to the development revealed to Storyboard18.

The much-awaited family-friendly OTT platform was first announced in 2023. In September last year, Prasar Bharati introduced a draft tender to design, develop, commission, operate and maintain their OTT platform for “content available and for the reach of all the citizens in India, even remotest villages as well as global audience”.

It is said the platform is likely be free for the first year or so.

Prasar Bharati's plan to foray into the OTT space, despite the presence of several international private OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Netflix in the country, stemmed from the need to showcase clear and family content. One of the government officials was reported saying, "Currently, some of the content on OTT platforms are bordering on vulgar, abusive language. It becomes embarrassing to watch it with your family. We want to offer a platform which is decent and promotes India’s culture and nationalist values," last year.

It is to be noted that the BJP manifesto also promised a plan to launch an OTT platform as part of its 100-day agenda if it returns to power for the third term. 

The OTT was first speculated to be launched in July this year, which got pushed to August. As per sources, September 15 is the date the government has decided on, now - unless some challenges impede the plan.


Read more:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/television/prasar-bharatis-ott-plans-likely-to-push-dd-kids-launch-further-exclusive-40920.htm"> Prasar Bharati's OTT plans likely to push DD Kids launch further: Exclusive</a>


While most broadcasters and industry stakeholders have largely applauded the public broadcaster's plan to enter into the digital streaming space, top broadcasters of the country have largely remained tight-lipped, withholding apprehensions.

In its letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, dated September 2, All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has in fact urged the Ministry to withdraw Prasar Bharati's notice inviting TV broadcasters for its soon-to-be-launched OTT platform, as it believes the same disrupts uplinking and downlinking guidelines, and also disrupts the traditional TV distribution. 

DTH operators too, reportedly are planning to write a similar letter to the information and broadcasting ministry on the placement of linear TV channels on Prasar Bharati's OTT platform.

As per the notice issued by Prasar Bharati on August 5, the pubcaster invited TV broadcasters to place their channels on the public broadcaster’s upcoming over-the-top (OTT) platform. 

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/ott-news/prasar-bharatis-ott-platform-pubcaster-to-onboard-linear-satellite-tv-channels-invites-applications-38938.htm">Prasar Bharati's OTT platform: Pubcaster to onboard linear satellite TV channels, invites applications</a>

Some TV broadcasters, however, contend that Prasar Bharati does not come under the purview of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India regulations or the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act and Rules and hence are in a position to offer their satellite TV channels on Prasar Bharti OTT.

"I welcome the proposed launch of Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform as it could be a potential game-changer and a disruptive force in the OTT space due to its reach and humongous distribution potential. I am all for free markets and competition within the established guidelines. Having said that, all players have to play by the rules of the land and a level playing field has to be provided to everyone. Perhaps there is more clarity needed on whether TRAI’s regulations are applicable to Prasar Bharati or not," said Sanjay Trehan, Digital & New Media Advisor.

"Competition is the order of the day. Whether it upsets the traditional linear television distribution system is to be seen through the prism of customer good. If there’s customer acceptance and there’s an extension of reach, so be it," he added.

Kailashnath Adhikari, Managing Director, Governance Now, told Storyboard18 that the company has already offered its live linear stream.

"If you consider the FTA package, we have already offered our live linear stream of our channels namely Mastiii, Dabangg and Maiboli to Prasar Bharati's OTT. We have all grown up watching Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati has been the epicenter of entertainment in this country, this move could have been done earlier as well. Prasar Bharati, coming out with its own OTT is an excellent step. How it created a revolution with DD Free Dish is a great example of it’s unwavering strength. India is the only market where free-to-air homes are growing, no other country is experiencing this, and Prasar Bharati has been the catalysing factor," he added.

Last month, the public service broadcaster invited submissions for the integration of various applications, including gaming, OTT, and educational apps, into its platform and also sought onboarding linear satellite TV channels.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/prasar-bharati-releases-content-sourcing-policy-for-linear-channels-digital-platforms-including-ott-39345.htm">Exclusive: Prasar Bharati releases Content Sourcing Policy; reveals policies for upcoming OTT</a>

The channels will be incorporated for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of future modifications based on user feedback and market dynamics, it was said. 

Additionally, the channels will include national news and current affairs, general entertainment in both national and regional languages, as well as other genres.

In its 'Content Sourcing Policy', released on August 9, Prasar Bharati outlined procedures for sourcing and acquiring content for both linear channels and digital platforms. Further, it established a Sports Rights Negotiation Committee (SRNC) to bid for and negotiate the rights to major sporting events, such as cricket, hockey, and kabaddi.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/prasar-bharati-to-form-sports-rights-committee-for-its-soon-to-be-launched-ott-platform-39507.htm">Prasar Bharati to form 'sports rights' committee for its upcoming OTT platform</a>

The OTT platform will be operating on a revenue-sharing basis, with content providers receiving 65% of the net revenue from subscription or transaction-backed content, while Prasar Bharati will retain 35%. The same revenue-sharing model will apply to the satellite channels onboarded to the platform. 

Advertisements on the OTT platform will be managed by Prasar Bharati, with any unsold ad inventory shared between Prasar Bharati and the broadcaster in a 65:35 ratio.

Prasar Bharati OTT likely to be launched on September 15: EXCLUSIVE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day speech, urged India's youth to focus on creating world-class products, including semiconductors and gaming experiences. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has now reached out to several central government departments seeking clarity on the definitions of skill-based and chance-based games. DPIIT is accelerating the process of drafting a 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for online gaming.

The letter, addressed to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Niti Aayog, seeks clarity on the definition of online gaming. Sources say that Niti Aayog, India's premier policy-making institution, is working on distinguishing the online gaming industry between games of skill and games of chance which would help build robust long term policy for the gaming ecosystem.

The proposed policy would permit full FDI in online real-money gaming, provided that the investments do not involve betting or gambling activities.

A source from the online gaming industry stated, "Following PM Modi’s speech addressing online gaming sector, DPIIT has now accelerated the process of drafting an FDI policy for online gaming. DPIIT aims to attract foreign investments into the gaming sector. This will benefit the online gaming ecosystem, but more importantly, it will bring much-needed clarity to the industry regarding the definition of online gaming."

Skill gaming platforms earlier paid 18 percent GST on the platform fees, also known as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). The new rules, which came into effect on October 1, 2023, does not make a distinction between games of skill or chance. The Real Money Gaming (RMG) industry, which is currently burdened by high taxes and is suffering due to infiltration of illegal offshore betting and gambling apps is expected to benefit significantly from the government's distinction between games of skill and chance further clarifying RMG players, lotteries and notorious offshore betting and gambling operators. Most importantly, the policy is expected to formalize 100 percent FDI in the online gaming sector.

It should be noted that while 100 percent FDI in online gaming is not explicitly prohibited, existing regulatory ambiguities have made it difficult for companies to secure banking and government clearances, deterring potential investors.

Another source from the RMG sector said, "The government should also consult with RMG stakeholders before finalizing the policy. The efforts of the government and the RMG industry should not be in vain but should benefit the entire RMG ecosystem."

However, it remains unclear whether this FDI policy will apply only to Real Money Gaming players or extend to other stakeholders, including casual gaming industry players, video game developers, and others.

In the Union Budget presented on July 23, 2024, the government committed to simplifying FDI rules and encouraging foreign investments, including promoting the use of the rupee in international transactions.

According to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), there are 442 million gamers, India is the second-largest gaming market in the world behind China. Over the last five years, the Indian gaming sector has raised a total of $2.8 billion from domestic and global investors, with the real money gaming (RMG) segment being one of the chief revenue drivers. The RMG sector continues to account for 83-84 percent of the revenue, with approximately 100 million online gamers daily, including 90 million paying to play.

PM Modi's I-Day speech spurs DPIIT to fast-track FDI policy for online gaming: EXCLUSIVE

Almost half of (47%) Indian consumers are being influenced by short-form videos while making their purchases, according to a report by ShareChat and Moj. 

The report 'Short Form Big Impact: Festive Blueprint' highlights that short-form videos have become a staple in the daily lives of Indian consumers as 81% of the consumers actively watch bite-sized form of content.

Also, increasingly influential among consumers aged 25-44, almost 50% of them base their purchase decisions on the content they consume on short video platforms.

Nearly 50% of Indians watch short-form videos for more than 30 minutes a day, with 29% spending more than 60 minutes a day, with women for both. The more time India spends on these videos, the more they shape decisions—showing the unexplored potential of short-form content. 

Additionally, short-form videos are not just a metro or Tier 1 phenomenon—they have a widespread influence across all regions. Moreover, purchase decisions in Tier 3 cities are more influenced by short-form videos, with 49% making decisions based on them, compared to an average of 45.7% in other regions.

Gaurav Jain, Chief Business Officer, ShareChat and Moj said, "We are living in a transformative era where short videos are driving purchase decisions for most of the Indians. By leveraging the power of short-form content, regional language preferences, and trusted creators, brands can optimise their impact and drive significant sales.”
 
As India gears up for the festive season, the report aims to highlight how platforms like ShareChat and Moj offer brands a unique opportunity to engage with consumers in a meaningful way and drive authentic connections. 

“In this new shopping landscape, that has shifted majorly from traditional means to the consumers' fingertips, we are proud to be acting as a bridge between consumers and brands. Brands have continued to receive returns through platforms such as ours, with a deep understanding of culture and language, fueled by creativity and strong strategic solutions adapting to evolving needs of today’s consumer," he added.

The survey encompassed insights from 6,000 users and 100 creators on ShareChat and Moj platforms, aiming to comprehend their festive activities, language preferences, and relationships with regional creators.

Key highlights:


 
Influence of short videos: The more India watches short-form videos, the more its purchase decisions are influenced by them. 59% of those who watch more than 60 minutes make purchase decisions based on short-form videos.

Native language supremacy: 86% of India wants content in their regional language, with 84% finding content in their regional languages more relatable and trustworthy. 45% of India makes purchases based on videos from creators in their native language.

Rise of micro influencers: In Tier 3 cities, purchase decisions are most influenced by creator-led videos. 70% of creators create more content around and during festivals, with 79% of them garnering an increase in user engagement on creator-led content.

Festive must-haves: The top trending choices for consumers are clothing, home decor and gifts, followed by beauty, food and electronics.

Brand affinity: Around 34% of shoppers are open to exploring new brands, making this a key moment for brands to shine. In the West, 39% of Indians are ready to experiment with new brands, showing a strong sense of curiosity. On the other hand, the South showcases brand loyalty, with 68% preferring their trusted favourites.

47% Indian consumers influenced by short-form videos while making purchases

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting criticising Prasar Bharati for inviting private sector satellite TV channels to onboard its upcoming OTT platform.

The industry body for multiple system operators (MSOs), which has member companies including DEN Network, Hathway, and Hinduja Global Solutions, has said that the move is against its own uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

“Prasar Bharati vide its letter dated August 5, 2024, has issued a NIA (Notice Inviting Application) to all the linear satellite TV channels for on-boarding on their OTT platform. The above NIA by Prasar Bharati is promoting broadcasters to violate clause 11(3) (f) of the Uplinking & Downlinking guidelines dated November 9, 2022 and its subsequent amendment dated March 24, 2023,” the AIDCF said in the letter.

According to an ET report, the letter was addressed to Secretary Sanjay Jaju and urged the Ministry to provide clear directions to broadcasters to provide satellite TV channels only to licensed service providers including MSOs, DTH services, internet protocol television providers and headend in the sky operators.

The AIDCF also accused the broadcasters of misinterpreting existing regulations by stating that national broadcaster Prasar Bharati was outside the purview of regulator TRAI regulations and the federal law, Cable TV Act.

AIDCF alleged that as per law satellite TV channels cannot be part of Prasar Bharati’s proposed OTT platform and can only provide their channels’ signals to registered DPOs.

It further highlighted that many streaming applications were mushrooming due to absence of any regulation or guidelines and will, thus, escape any regulatory vigilance as they were neither registered with MIB nor are reporting their server details/subscriber details to the government.

In its Content Sourcing Policy, released on August 9, the pubcaster said, "Prasar Bharati may explore the possibilities of on-boarding the Linear Satellite Channels and FAST Channel (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) for the OTT Platform. The initial period of such on-boarding will be One year and Prasar Bharati reserves the right to modify It based on the learning and market feedback."

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/prasar-bharati-releases-content-sourcing-policy-for-linear-channels-digital-platforms-including-ott-39345.htm">Exclusive: Prasar Bharati releases Content Sourcing Policy; reveals policies for upcoming OTT</a>


AIDCF also noted that if private broadcasters were allowed to join Prasar Bharati’s upcoming OTT platform it would kill the distribution platform operators completely and urged the Ministry to direct the pubcaster to withdraw the office memo on onboarding satellite TV channels.

AIDCF criticises Prasar Bharati for onboarding private TV channels for its OTT; writes to MIB

The advertising volume on the movie TV channels has decreased by 4% in the first half of 2024 (i.e January to June) as compared to the first half of 2023, according to the TAM Adex report.

Both H1 of 2024 and 2023 had a total share of 21% for the ad volumes in the movie TV channels. 

In terms of the sub-genres of the movie channels, Hindi movies had the highest share of ad volumes in H1 2024 at 41%, followed by Bhojpuri movies at 10%, Kannada and Tamil movies at 9% and Bengali movies at 8%.

The top two subgenres retained their respective positions during H1'24 compared to H1'23. Meanwhile, the top five subgenres accounted for more than 75% share of ad volumes during both periods.

In terms of leading sectors, food and beverages led the list with a 28% share, followed by personal care/personal hygiene with 21%, personal healthcare at 8%, household products at 8%, services at 8%, hair care with 7%, laundry with 6%, BFSI and auto a 2% each.

The report added that the top 10 sectors together added 94% share of ad volumes during the H12024.

In terms of the advertisers, HUL was the leading advertiser with a 20% share of ad volumes, followed by Reckitt Benckiser with a 12% share.

The report also noted that prime time was the most preferred time band in the movie genre followed by afternoon and morning time bands.

Also, ad commercials of 20-40 seconds were preferred for advertising on movie channels during both periods. 

The report noted that in H1'24, the < 20-second ad size in the movie genre witnessed a 3% growth in share compared to H1'23.

Ad volumes on movie TV channels down by 4% in H1 2024

Artificial intelligence has now become a mainstay for marketers, with AI-powered tools driving various marketing and advertising functions. Furthermore, AI is empowering businesses to boost their e-commerce capabilities and online retail presence.

For instance, Luminous Power Technologies is building an in-house conversational AI to build its inverter battery category online, reveals its chief strategy and transformation officer, Neelima Burra.

It is also piloting an AI tool for pricing management- which has always remained a manual process. 

“With the help of AI, it makes it easier to drive better profitability. As marketing moves towards marketing-technology (martech), it is going to be far more beneficial for running a sustainable, profitable business model,” she adds.

In this interview, Burra further talks about the company’s growth plans, marketing strategy, summer growth, and how the ‘Make in India’ proposition is helping it build a stronger brand.

Edited excerpts:

What remains the major focus area for Luminous in 2024?

In 2024 there have been clear milestones on the growth and expansion plans we have. For the last 35 years, we have been known to be an inverter battery company but as part of our 5-year strategy and growth plan, we are strengthening towards repositioning ourselves as a leading global consumer technology company.

 
So, the focus area this year involves strengthening newer capabilities including solar, technology, alternate chemistry, power electronics, and digital engineering. For this change in brand positioning, we are investing in brand building, retail, and introducing local partnerships, while also getting into battery manufacturing locally.

 
Overall, more than 25% of business is coming from solar today, which will continue to be our growth driver going forward. Also, nearly 15% of business is international and continues to be our priority and focus.

Talk to us more about the brand-building activities.

We have invested heavily in brand-building and channel engagement programs for this year. As part of those investments, the India Premier League (IPL) has been one of the biggest brand investments and channel engagements for us. Channel engagement has always been our strength in the growth and expansion story.

 
This year's partnership with Rajasthan Royals provided us with the opportunity to reach out to millions of cricket fans and create a substantial impact on our current and prospective customers. Our values are deeply aligned and the social impact that we intend to create through effectively activating solar energy and enriching livelihoods in communities across Rajasthan. Brand preference and awareness were at their best during this time more than 96% as per the Brand Track report conducted by a third-party agency.

And, what is your media plan?

Being a legacy brand, we have brand awareness of close to 95%, so it becomes important for us to choose a medium that reaches this 95%, therefore, we have Sachin Tendulkar as the brand ambassador; and utilise media vehicles like the IPL.
 
We generally do a mix of digital and offline marketing that includes TV, print, and OOH to reach our target audience. Digital media offers many options to advertise, especially with connected TV homes, and is very visible, engaging, and informative. TV has been one of the highest-reached media and has been an integral part of Luminous’ growth journey. 

However, there has been a recent consumer shift to digital-led marketing activations. So, I would say that we are focusing on a mix of both TV and digital.

 
To what extent ‘Make in India’ proposition helps strengthen the brand?


We are a 100% 'Make in India' company and it is one of our selling and value propositions, globally. It also helps strengthen the brand— all our inverters, batteries, and now even panels, are being manufactured in India, in the seven manufacturing units we have. The newer expansion is planned in Odisha to strengthen our position in the East market. 
 

As a marketer, how do you look at the ad tech trends this year?


I would say marketing is at a pivotal stage in the industry at this point, where technology is at the forefront. I would say it's no longer marketing; it is ‘martech’.
 
As more and more marketing move towards marketing technology, it is going to be far more beneficial for running a sustainable, profitable business model. Also, with AI coming into the content development, content management, personalisation, and mapping the consumer data towards personalisation has become far easier, sequential, and scientific- which is a boon to the industry. It is overall, a great tool for marketers, provided they can segment their market well, understand their consumer segmentation well, and then observe the big data to relate to the trend.

I am currently piloting an AI tool on pricing. Pricing management has always such a manual process, but today with the help of AI it makes it easier to drive better profitability by doing competitive pricing well.

Take us through the retail strategy and expansion plans.

At present, we have close to one lakh plus retail points, and we continue to grow there. E-commerce arm has two kinds of businesses: our brand shop and then we also retail through Amazon and Flipkart and Jio and ONDC. The latter continues to grow, the searches online are continuing to grow, and I see this business will gain momentum. However, purchases remain both online and offline for us.

Inverter battery category has a lot to address as this category is yet getting built online. There's lot of education and simplification which is happening to communicate to the consumer. It's a complex technical category, but as a company, we are trying to build it as fast-moving energy good.

Further, we are building in-house conversational AI to build the inverter battery category online. AI/ML is the way of life when it comes to marketing.

Overall, the omni-channel strategy will continue to help us with premiumisation and bring more advanced technologies.

How was the summer season for the company? 

2024 is a big year for Luminous Power Technologies as we aim to establish ourselves as a complete energy management solutions provider, beyond just being an inverter battery company. It has been a great year so far and we have seen a growth of 30% Y-o-Y (January – June) in our sales.

Last year was washed out with unexpected rains, and a lack of predictability in business.

Martech tools enable sustainable, profitable business models, says Neelima Burra of Luminous Power Technologies

It was described as the Global Media Pitch of the Decade. Amazon's mammoth global media planning and buying account went up for review in late 2023 and finally the winners have emerged. WPP and Omnicom Media Group (OMG) have bagged the media business, edging out the incumbent - IPG's Initiative. WPP will handle Amazon's media business in APAC and EMEA. Omnicom gets the Americas. 

Sources tell Storyboard18 the agencies' global teams have informed their regional offices, including India. 

Amazon had shortlisted IPG Mediabrands, WPP's GroupM and Omnicom Media Group for the pitch, as previously reported. Local briefs went out earlier this year for key global markets including India. The process took over six months.

IPG Mediabrands’ initiative is the incumbent agency, after it won the Amazon media account in 2013 and defended it in 2017. IPG will continue to service Amazon Web Services, Amazon Business and Amazon Ads as the global media partner. 

Prior to 2013, Publicis Groupe handled Amazon’s media account. Amazon’s annual advertising and promotion spends in 2022 were around $20.6 billion, which is more than the $16.9 billion it spent in 2021 and $10.9 billion it spent in 2020.

As is the case with a raft of new big global wins this year, firms have proposed a bespoke solution comprising teams across a group or the establishment of a bespoke global team. 

WPP's bespoke solution OpenMind won Nestle’s media business in EMEA earlier this year. Publicis Groupe created a bespoke unit called OneVibe for Spotify's global media business, which it won earlier this year. Storyboard18 broke the global exclusive story and was the first to report on the pitch's conclusion, the winning ad firm and details of the pitch finalists on February 1.

Amazon last reviewed its global media account in 2017.

The e-commerce-to-streaming conglomerate ad revenue was up by 20% in Q2 of 2024. Amazon reported ad sales of $12.77 billion. Overall, the global e-commerce giant revenue was up by 10% to $148 billion in the second quarter compared with $134.4 billion in Q2 2023. International segment sales increased 7% year-over-year to $31.7 billion, while the AWS segment sales increased 19% year-over-year to $26.3 billion.

In 2023, Amazon's worldwide advertising and promotional expenses stood at over $20 billion. 

WPP and Omnicom bag Amazon's media account after marathon global review

The Indian Premier League (IPL) ecosystem valuation has decreased by 10.6 % - from Rs 92,500 crore last year to Rs 82,700 crore in 2024, following the major developments that impacted the market dynamics, according to the 'Beyond 22 Yards' report by D&P Advisory consulting firm.

In 2022, the valuation stood at Rs 87,00 crore and Rs 45,800 crore in 2020.

"This downturn comes despite the league's unyielding allure, which continues to attract audiences across TV and digital platforms. We anticipate certain demand-side constraints in the next IPL media rights cycle auction due to a decrease in competition. Several significant developments from the past year have led us to revise our media rights value estimates," the report said.

The developments that led to the revision in the media rights estimation includes the failed merger between Zee and Sony. Additionally, the merger of Reliance owned Viacom18 and Disney-owned Star India has created monopolistic control over television and digital broadcasting. Further, the delay in the entry of major tech players such as Amazon, Meta and Apple into the IPL media rights arena exacerbates the situation. 

Looking forward, the report added that the potential dearth of vigorous competition could lead to a more conservative approach in the bidding for IPL media rights. 

"The days of escalating bid prices driven by fierce competition may be behind, casting a shadow over the future growth trajectory of IPL's media rights valuation," it added.

It is to be noted that Star India and Viacom18 purchased the IPL media rights for Rs 48,390 crore from 2023-27-- marking an increase from the Rs 16,347 crore for the 2018-22 cycle. Apart from these two companies, Sony and Zee were the other bidders for the auction held in June 2022. 

It is said that the combined entity between Viacom18 and Star India will create a monopoly in sports broadcasting, as it will have all the major cricket rights- from IPL to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The report further highlighted the changing dynamics in the viewing habits. 

Free streaming of IPL and other cricket content indicated a trends where cricket broadcasters may struggle to revert to a monetisation model to retain consumer loyalty on their platforms, it warned. 


IPL valuation down to Rs 82,700 crore amid media rights uncertainty

With over more than 7.9 lakh complaints reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) in the first half of the year 2024 (January to June), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken stringent measures to combat the pesky callers and spammers.

Following its stringent directives to all Access Providers, issued on August 13, telecos have blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/mobile numbers/telecom resources.

In its directive, TRAI mandated telcos to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources. 

The directives to curb pesky telemarketers issued by TRAI including telecom service providers blocking messages with unapproved URLs, OTT links, or callback numbers, starting September 1, 2024. From November 1, message traceability will be required, with messages lacking a clear sender chain being rejected.

"Any UTM found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting," it said.

The recent steps by telcos and TRAI are expected to have a significant impact on reducing spam calls and providing relief to consumers. 

Last week, TRAI also had convened a meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR) on August 27, to discuss measures for protecting consumers from harms of spam and fraud.

Its Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti has stressed the need for a joint effort to tackle the problem of spam messages and calls.

He urged the regulators to discuss and enable implementation of whitelisting of URLs, APKs, OTT links and call back numbers to be sent in SMS. Additionally, he urged for the migration of existing telemarketers making promotional calls to 140 series on DLT platform and declaration of entire chain of telemarketers engaged by them for PE-TM chain binding.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/trai-urges-telcos-to-take-immediate-action-to-curb-pesky-calls-38967.htm">TRAI urges telcos to take immediate action to curb pesky calls</a>

In another meeting, held on August 6, TRAI sought proactive action from all the stakeholders. The immediate action sought includes implementing technical solutions for traceability and preventing bulk calling by enterprise customers using 10-digit numbers.

TRAI also hosted meetings with the regulators including RBI, SEBI, and government departments--the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and DoT to address the issue of pesky communications and online financial fraud. It further discussed tightening KYC rules, improving information sharing among stakeholders, and enhancing consent mechanisms.

Maushumi Chakravarty assumes charge as director general of Akashvani News

Maushumi Chakravarty assumed the charge after superannuation of Vasudha Gupta as Principal DG.

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