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Tag: Arun Prakash

  • Brings diverse experience across internet and mobile commerce, film and TV digital distribution and consumer software to enhance product offerings

    Vuclip appoints Nish Bhutani as Global Product Head

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vuclip has announced the appointment of Nish Bhutani as its Global Product Head. The appointment comes at a time when Vuclip is scaling up operations and expanding its global footprint in India, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa.

     

    In his new role, Bhutani will lead product innovation and operations to grow the monthly subscriber base, increase user traffic and build engagement with all Vuclip’s product offerings — including the leading premium OTT video on demand service Viu and on-demand video sites run in partnership with mobile carriers.

     

    Welcoming Bhutani to the Vuclip family, Arun Prakash, President & COO Vuclip said, “We are very excited to bring on-board Nish. His rich diversity of experience and leadership will propel us rapidly towards achieving our mission of entertaining a billion consumers through our services.”

     

    Speaking on his appointment, Bhutani added, “I believe that a product or service is a manifestation of a company’s culture. Vuclip’s offerings have been devised keeping every stakeholder in mind, but with the user at the center, and with unique perspective on emerging markets. I look forward to working with the team at Vuclip to make our products more relevant and meaningful to consumers in these markets.”

     

  • To Leverage the Ex-Yahoo! India Director's Experience in Mobile Internet and Indian Consumer Engagement for the Launch of New OTT Video Streaming Service in India

    Vuclip appoints Vishal Maheshwari to head India ops

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vishal Maheshwari

    Vuclip has announced the appointment of Vishal Maheshwari as the Country Manager in India. This comes at a time when Vuclip is on course to launch its new Over-The-Top (OTT) video streaming service in India.

     

    Vishal’s core responsibilities will include driving consumer adoption, engagement and monetization for this service in India through strategic partnerships, service innovation and consumer insights. He joins Vuclip with over fifteen years of leadership experience in the telecom and mobile internet space with organizations such as Yahoo! India and BPL Mobile, and ten years of product and brand management experience at Parle, Warner Lambert and SBI Cards.

     

    “We are excited for Indian consumers in 2016 to experience a whole new way of entertainment on the go and pleased to have Vishal come on-board to lead our OTT service in India,” said Arun Prakash, COO, Vuclip. “With India in digital overdrive, creative thinking, fleet-footedness and focused execution are required to win over consumers’ hearts, minds and devices. Vishal’s leadership, consumer centric thought process, passion for product and brand, and value creation for partners will lead Vuclip and this entire industry in India.”

     

    Vuclip has a free user base of 20 million and a paying subscriber base in excess of 5 million people in India. The imminent launch of its OTT video on demand (VOD) service is aimed to redefine the way entertainment is consumed in the country.

     

  • Vuclip has announced the results of a study of Vuclip's user base conducted by leading global marketing and research firm

    Mobile phones a clear favourite for video consumption, notes Vuclip study

    By a correspondent

     

    Independent mobile video and media company Vuclip has announced the results of a study of Vuclip’s user base conducted by leading global marketing and research firm Millward Brown. The study revealed that Vuclip’s more than 20 million mobile video consumers in India are largely trending towards mobile devices as their go-to source for content with 81 per cent of metro and 87 per cent of non-metro survey participants identifying mobile phones as a preferred medium. Moreover, 80 per cent an overwhelming majority, of Vuclip’s consumers report watching videos on their mobile devices at least once every 2-3 days, with more than half opting to watch daily.

     

    The study polled over 500 respondents across numerous locales and demographics in India from the Vuclip user base. 58 per cent of the study participants were from metros; 42 per cent were from non-metros. The greatest number of respondents, 83 per cent came from the age group of 18-34, demonstrating tremendous affinity among youth audiences for the mobile medium.

     

    The mobile phone has emerged as a strong alternative to traditional entertainment media like television, as most of the Vuclip users surveyed regardless of region, watch videos from home (72 per cent). The most popular genres among participants were movies and music, though in non-metro areas, the popularity of TV shows and lifestyle entertainment videos spikes. It’s notable that there is a growing interest in longer videos on mobile, with most metro users (59 per cent) opting for videos over five minutes in length.

     

    The study notes that 2G internet connection is still the most widely used, making up 73 per cent of non-metro and 58 per cent of metro markets, although metro users report higher usage of 3G networks (24 per cent versus 19 per cent). Samsung and Nokia phones lead in both regions, with the former dominating metro areas and the latter favored among those polled in non-metro regions. In metros, 73 per cent of consumers spend over Rs. 4000 (approximately $65 US) for their device where-as in non-metro areas, 44 per cent of consumers favour phones priced less than Rs. 4000, explaining the dominance of Samsung and Nokia devices in metros and non-metros respectively.

     

    “The data speaks volumes for the fact that in a very short time, mobile phones have garnered undisputed dominance in terms of content consumption. For a majority of Indian consumers, it’s the only screen, and no doubt, the demand for mobile video will be pushed to new heights in the days to come,” said Vuclip COO Arun Prakash.

     

  • Mr Prakash will lead strategy and execution for Vuclip, as well as manage all aspects of consumer interactions

    Arun Prakash appointed EVP of Vuclip

    By A Correspondent

     

    Independent mobile video and media company Vuclip has announced the addition of Arun Prakash as the company’s new Executive Vice President of Products, Content and Marketing. Mr Prakash will lead strategy and execution for Vuclip, as well as manage all aspects of consumer interactions.

     

    “We are very excited to have Arun on board. His experience in leading startups to help shape industries, achieve market leadership and realize financial growth in dynamic markets is a terrific asset,” said Nickhil Jakatdar, CEO of Vuclip. “Given the tremendous growth Vuclip has experienced over the past year, Arun will help us further expand our role as pioneers in the mobile media industry,” he added further.

     

    Prior to this role, Mr Prakash led marketing and products at YouSendIt and helped pioneer the company’s freemium business model to deliver outstanding financial success and user growth. Prior to that, he was the head of product development at Ketera Technologies where he was instrumental in developing the world’s first on-demand spend management solution. Previously, Arun oversaw products at Aspect Development, Inc. resulting in its acquisition by i2 Technologies for more than $9 billion.  He also founded and acts as CEO for Spozzle, an online community for US high school sports.

     

    “It takes a lot of sweat, blood and sacrifice to translate an idea into a high growth company, and I have deep respect for what Nickhil and the rest of the Vuclip team have accomplished. I am thrilled to join Vuclip during this exciting time of mobile media evolution. Vuclip is well positioned to define and lead the industry,” said Mr Prakash.