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Tag: Uday Sodhi

  • Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit has been named Vice Chairman, succeeding Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner, Kurate Digital Consulting

    Tarun Katial to chair IAMAI’s Digital Entertainment Committee

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 India CEO Tarun Katial has been appointed chairman of Digital Entertainment Committee of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). He takes over from Ajit Mohan, Managing Director, Facebook India. Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit has been named Vice Chairman, succeeding Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner, Kurate Digital Consulting.

     

    The Digital Entertainment Committee at IAMAI represents all prominent members of the video on demand and audio-on-demand companies such as Netflix, Zee5, Prime Video, Hotstar, Sony Liv, Viacom18, RJio Studios, MX Player, Hungama, Discovery, Hoichoi, Arre, Hooq, Gaana, Saavn, Flickstree among others.

     

    On his appointment, Katial said: “The Digital Entertainment sector, similar to the rest of the economy, is going through challenging times due to COVID-19. At IAMAI, our immediate task at hand would be to seek support from the Government, policymakers, local authorities to resume production activities at the earliest. This would go a long way in supporting various supply chain linkages, citizen’s livelihood, and contribution to the national exchequer.”

     

  • The mantle of SonyLIV will now be shouldered by Danish Khan

    Uday Sodhi quits SonyLIV to pursue entrepreneurial dreams

    By A Correspondent

     

    Uday Sodhi

    Earlier this month, longstanding Sony Pictures biggie Sneha Rajani announced her exit from the entertainment network. Now, Uday Sodhi, Business Head of SonyLIV, has decided to move on and, according to a commuique, will now pursue his entrepreneurial passion in the start-up space. The mantle of SonyLIV will now be shouldered by Danish Khan as the newly appointed business head of SPN’s digital business. This will be in addition to Danish’s responsibilities as Business Head of Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Studio Next.

     

    During his stint, Sodhi was responsible for the introduction of its subscription model, SonyLIV’s relaunch and the international launch of SonyLIV subscriptions, among many others.

     

    Both, Danish and Uday will work on a transition plan over the next month, in consultation and partnership with relevant stakeholders. Sodhi’s last working day at SPN will be November 15, 2019.

     

     

  • Multiplayer Video Quiz, Augmented Reality and 100+ Show based games

    SonyLIV to launch OTT gaming destination with AR and show-based games

    By A Correspondent

     

    SonyLIV announced the launch of India’s first OTT gaming destination with over 100 exclusive show-based games, to be launched in a phased manner. With this move, SonyLIV aims to reach out to 50 million new users offering them a one-stop gaming destination. These games are curated around some of Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) biggest IPs across channels like KBC, CID, Crime Patrol, The Kapil Sharma Show, Patiala Babes, Baalveer, Kicko & Super Speedo, amongst others.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, Business Head – Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India said: “India houses 10 per cent of the world’s gamers and this number is slated to rise exponentially. With the launch of our OTT gaming platform, we intend to trigger this target segment and capture the market to an extent of 50 million users. This falls in line with India’s OTT market share predictions, which is expected to triple its size in the next four years. Our database of 100+ games will cater to every generation of gamers that we aim to engage with through a plethora of events to capture their attention.”

     

    Added Amogh Dusad, Head – Content, Partnerships & New Initiatives, Sony Pictures Networks: “At SonyLIV, we always try to push the envelope in user engagement by diversifying our offerings. The launch of our OTT gaming destination with absolute in-house expertise is a leap ahead in content innovations and ushering in an experience unexplored before on OTT. The Multi-player Video Quiz and Augmented Reality format Games also give our audience a chance to reconnect with their favourite shows and characters in a completely different and engaging context.”

     

     

  • SonyLIV deploys Amagi Thunderstorm OTT Dynamic ad insertion platform for mid-roll ads

    SonyLIV partners Amagi to grow OTT revenues

    By A Correspondent

     

    Amagi has announced that SonyLIV is using its Thunderstorm cloud-based platform for targeted OTT dynamic ad insertion. As part of the deal, Amagi will monetise premium GEC and movie channels on SonyLIV OTT platform, generating additional ad revenues for the hugely popular on-demand and linear OTT service.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, Business Head, Digital at Sony Pictures Networks India:“SonyLIV is growing its subscriber-base at an impressive rate, making it an ideal digital platform for advertisers to target clearly defined audience segments. We are continuously looking to enhance value for our advertisers. Amagi is a pioneer in the targeted advertising space and this technology partnership provides additional options for advertisers to work with us.”

     

    Added Deepakjit Singh, CEO, Amagi: “We are delighted to partner with SonyLIV, and deploy our next-generation ad tech solutions that create new revenue opportunities,”. “The Thunderstorm platform is designed for high concurrency, and to deliver frame-accurate ad insertions at scale. These capabilities become vital for SonyLIV, especially since many of its premium channels have high number of concurrent users.”

     

     

  • The film is a humorous take on life after death and how the protagonist makes sure he protects his family’s future

    Sony LIV crafts a short film in association with IndiaFirst Life Insurance

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony LIV has crafted a new short film for India First Life Insurance. The promotional film titled ‘Tera Mera Pyaar Amar’ is said to be a humorous take on life after death and how the protagonist makes sure he protects his family’s future in his absence.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head-Digital Business, Sony Pictures Networks (SPN): “At SonyLIV we strive to tell compelling stories that mirror society’s trends. We are very happy to partner with IndiaFirst Life Insurance and help them take their brand message to the masses. We are humbled that brands believe in us and we will continue to create content which will resonate with the new age digital consumer.”

     

    Added Rushabh Gandhi, Director- Sales & Marketing, IndiaFirst Life Insurance: “The exponential growth of digital media has changed the way our audience consumes content. Earlier the shelf life of short films was limited to tele-films and film festivals but now smartphones and apps have revolutionised our lives, giving us access to a plethora of content on-the-go. Players like SonyLIV, create path-breaking content that helps reach a wider target audience and we are delighted to be associated with this interesting short film – Tera Mera Pyar Amar. This association is close to our heart as the storyline is in-line with IndiaFirst Life brand messaging.”

     

     

  • Publicis communications has crafted the campaign around the line 'Jahaan Fan Dikhe, bol do"

    Publicis Communications conceptualises Sony LIV’s sports campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sonyliv, the OTT platform from Sony Pictures Network has released a 360-degree campaign for the upcoming cricket series of India.

     

    Publicis Communications has crafted the campaign around the line ‘Jahaan Fan Dikhe, Bol Do’. The thought behind the campaign comes from the fact that a fan of the game cannot but help share with his fan friends, any piece of news concerning the sport they love and the team they love.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head – Digital Business, SonyLIV said: “By making India’s international cricket tour available to SonyLIV audiences we intend to reinforce our credentials as the online destination for fans to enjoy an ultimate cricketing experience. ‘Jahaan Fan Dikhe Bol Do’ fuels the passion that rages within each fan while celebrating this sport. The campaign urges cricket fans to spread the cheer and unite in the rallying cry of superior sporting action.”

     

    Added Paritosh Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Publicis Communications: “Indian cricket being available on SonyLiv is a huge opportunity. The idea is to maximise this in terms of attracting fans to our platform. Tough part was to come up with an idea on cricket that is fresh and unseen. We believe that ‘Jahan fan dikhe bol do’ captures the true spirit of the Indian fan and does justice to the religion cricket is on our country. The idea has the potential to make the fans the evangelists of the brand.”

     

    Said Jigar Fernandes, Head of Creative, Publicis Communications: “The insight here is that when a fan gets any news about his team, he cannot help but share it with his gang. For Indian cricket fans, the news that cricket is now on SonyLiv is big. All this campaign does is nudge these fans to go out and spread the word.”

     

  • Seven original web series, including popular shows like CM CM Hota Hai and Maid in India to now be available on SonyLIV

    SonyLIV inks a strategic tie-up with Web Talkies

     

     

    SonyLIV has announced a strategic partnership with Web Talkies. Under the association, seven original web series from Web Talkies, including popular shows like CM CM Hota Hai and Maid in India (Season 1 and 2), will now be available on SonyLIV’s web and mobile platforms.

     

    Uday Sodhi

    This association follows close on heels of SonyLIV’s recent partnerships with many original content creators in the country. Said Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head – Digital Business, SonyLIV: “Having pioneered and popularised the concept of original entertainment in India, we wanted to go a step further and curate the best of original content from across the country on our platform. Our partnership with Web Talkies is yet another step in that direction to offer high-quality entertainment to our esteemed viewers. Through our strategic partnerships as well as our own offerings, we have created the biggest repository of premium original content in the country. Complete entertainment offerings across genres of content is our intent and this partnership is a progression in that direction.”

     

    Added Virendra Shahaney, Chairman and Managing Director, Web Talkies: “Our partnership with SonyLIV gives our content a great platform and we are sure that this milestone will be crucial in making Web Talkies content the most watched digital content in India.”

     

  • Adds another regional language to its content catalogue

    SonyLIV launches Gujarati rom-com web series

    By A Correspondent

     

    The dilemmas of an average, middle-class joint Gujarati family define the flavour of India’s first Gujarati rom-com web series ‘Kacho Papad Pako Papad’ on SonyLIV. With this show SonyLIV, the digital platform of Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) marks yet another addition to its regional content catalogue since it introduced the Marathi web series Yolo earlier this year.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head – Digital Business, Sony Pictures Network India: “Regional content consumption is growing rapidly and with access to faster internet speeds, this growth will only amplify further. To cater to this emerging demand, we at SonyLIV decided to launch India’s first-ever rom-com Gujarati web-series ‘Kacho Papad Pako Papad’. The show underlines our brand promise of providing the best in entertainment to our viewers, with engaging and relatable content tailor-made to suit their entertainment and language preferences. We hope our viewers enjoy the series, one of the many firsts in our business.”

     

    Starting tomorrow (May 19), the Gujarati web-series will be available on SonyLIV’s web and mobile platforms. Spread across a 12 week duration, with each episode spanning 6 to 8 minutes, a new episode will release every Friday. SonyLIV users also have the option to subscribe to the entire web series, if they want to binge-watch the show.

     

  • Ropes in Suniel Shetty and other fitness trainers such as Mickey Mehta, YasimKarachiwala, Ramona Braganza, Shivoham and others to share their fitness secrets

    SonyLIV unveils health & wellness content platform, LIV FIT

     

     

    SonyLIV has announced the launch of LIV FIT, a health and wellness segment on its OTT platform. From Suniel Shetty and his team of trainers to Mickey Mehta, Nawaz Modi Singhania, Yasim Karachiwala, Ramona Braganza and Satya, the attempt will be to ensure enhanced engagement with viewers that is also likely to augment and sustain their interest in meeting their diet and exercise goals.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head – Digital Business, Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd: “With a keen understanding on the health situation and the need for it and health and wellness having emerged as  the most sought-after subjects for content consumption in India, we at SonyLIV decided to introduce  LIV FIT, to fill the gap with content that comes from the most reliable sources.With the best of health and fitness gurus on board, we are certain that LIV FIT will be a great hit with our users and will make a tangible impact on their lives.”

     

  • The brand reinforces its impetus to be the ultimate provider of relevant and evocative entertainment across varied genres

    SonyLIV undergoes revamp, unveils new logo & positioning

    By A Correspondent

     

    SonyLIV, the digital entertainment platform with content for audiences across genres has unveiled a refreshed brand identity. The renewed brand ethos “We LIV to Entertain” endeavours to make SonyLIV the “ultimate destination” for rich entertainment across genres, screen types and audience preferences. With its new positioning, the brand underlines its commitment to fulfilling the most basic and pressing of human needs – that for robust, high-quality entertainment.

     

    To complement its brand ethos, SonyLIV has also rolled out a new logo which encompasses a full spectrum of colours with a young, energetic and self-effacing approach. The logo represents the brand’s intent on filling the lives of viewers with vivid entertainment that covers the key aspects of variety, depth, novelty, relevance and popularity.

     

    SonyLIV has also launched a brand film which has been shot in Romania. At the heart of the film is the figure of the eternal entertainer, the clown and the message is driven home with the refrain ‘Kamaaldikhaana, Kamaalkakaamhai’ (It’s no mean feat to keep everyone entertained). Through the film, SonyLIV has positioned itself as the theatre of emotions which has the ability to amplify every feeling and thought of the viewer with engaging and evocative content.

     

    Uday Sodhi

    Said Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head – Digital Business, Sony LIV: “For the last four years, SonyLIV has enjoyed a pioneering and undisputed leadership position in India’s digital entertainment industry. As OTT content becomes more ubiquitous, it is time for us to renew our brand focus and differentiate ourselves on the key facets our viewers identify us by; that of providing them rich, stimulating and thought-provoking entertainment.”

     

  • The brand will be handled by the agency's Mumbai office

    Publicis Worldwide wins SonyLIV’s creative mandate

    By A Correspondent

     

    SonyLIV from Sony Pictures Networks has assigned its creative mandate to Publicis Worldwide. The account was won following a multi-agency pitch. The brand will be handled by the agency’s Mumbai office.

     

    Sony LIV is a premium video-on-demand (VOD) service by Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) providing multi-screen engagement to users across platforms. Launched in January 2013, SonyLIV enables users to discover 21 years of rich archival and original content from the network channels of SPN.

     

    Uday Sodhi
    Paritosh Srivastava

    Commenting on Publicis winning the SonyLIV creative mandate, Uday Sodhi, Executive Vice-President and Head, Digital Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “During the last three years, a lot of effort has gone behind building brand SonyLIV. In Publicis we saw the right creative partner who could help us with their strategic insights. With their expertise we hope to drive impactful campaigns and create meaningful conversations around our brand.”

     

    Expressing their view on the account win, Paritosh Srivastava, COO, Publicis Ambience said, “We are excited and proud to be associated with a brand like SonyLIV. In this digital era, with the growing audience, video-on-demand is the future of entertainment. SonyLIV has been one of the early entrants in the OTT space and we aim to cohesively work with the brand team to realize the grand ambitions.”

     

     

  • Latest step in the collaboration between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and ESPN across both TV and digital

    ESPN unveils local multi-sport digital products for India

    By A Correspondent

     

    In line with its long-term collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), ESPN has introduced an exciting new mobile-first multi-sport digital offering in India with the launch of the ESPN.in website and the ESPN app.

     

    With an emerging multi-sport landscape in India, the new site and app will further reinforce ESPN’s market leadership, authority and expertise in digital media, bringing an elegant, lively and more personal sports experience to Indian and subcontinent fans across mobiles, tablets and computers. ESPN.in site and app will also be carrying rights video content for sporting events from SONY LIV, SPN’s digital streaming platform, and SPN’s new SONY ESPN sports channels. India is the first market outside the United States to see the launch of a localized edition of ESPN’s signature app.

     

    From mainstream sports in India and the subcontinent, to the best of ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of global sports that interest South Asian fans, ESPN.in and the ESPN app will bring fans closer to the games, leagues and athletes they love via world-class digital products.

     

    Both the site and app will offer the best cricket coverage (powered by ESPNcricinfo), but also give fans a one-stop destination for world-class news, features and videos across sports currently underserved by any digital offering in the region, such as football, hockey, badminton, tennis, Formula 1, kabaddi and more.

     

    The new ESPN.in and ESPN app brings Indian and subcontinent fans a clean, dynamic presentation for ESPN’s content and storytelling, including scores, news, video, features, stats and more. Additionally, they will feature LIVE streaming video content of select sporting events in collaboration with SONY LIV.

     

    Ramesh Kumar, Vice President, Head of ESPN India and South Asia said: “ESPN has a strong connection with fans in India and around the world because we are fans ourselves, driven by a similar obsession for sports. The launch of our multi-sport products showcases our digital leadership and offers sports fans outstanding news, features and video experiences around top sports of interest to Indian fans. They also provide the perfect complement to our television collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India as well as reinforce ESPN’s signature ‘Game around the Game’ analysis across platforms.”

     

    Uday Sodhi, Executive Vice President & Head, Digital Business, Sony Pictures Networks India said: “Sony LIV has been instrumental in bringing the best of entertainment to the digital millennials. Sports is an integral part of our offering. Together with ESPN, we are geared to increase our offering manifold.”