MAM
Abhinay Singh’s Adgcraft welcomes Hassan Faridi as account director
MUMBAI: In a world where communication shapes destinies and drives success, Adgcraft is turning the spotlight on innovation and leadership with a stellar appointment.
With the dynamic energy of reinvention coursing through its veins, one of India’s most trusted PR agencies has announced the 10 year veteran in the industry – Hassan Faridi as its new account director. This landmark addition comes as a resounding affirmation of Adgcraft’s unwavering commitment to crafting strategic and impactful communication solutions. With over a decade of cross-industry expertise, Faridi’s entry heralds a new era of creative brilliance and strategic precision, poised to elevate the agency to unparalleled heights.
As account director, Faridi will take charge of key client accounts, spearheading strategic communication plans and overseeing seamless execution of PR campaigns. His role will also include mentoring team members and maintaining robust client relationships. Drawing on his extensive experience, he aims to enhance client satisfaction, expand Adgcraft’s portfolio, and align communication strategies with measurable business outcomes.
Adgcraft, founder & MD, Abhinay Kumar Singh shared his enthusiasm for the appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Hassan Faridi to the Adgcraft family. His extensive experience, strategic acumen, and passion for communication align perfectly with our vision to deliver exceptional results for our clients. Faridi’s leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our team and elevate our service offerings.”
Faridi expressed his excitement about joining Adgcraft, stating, “Joining Adgcraft represents an exciting chapter in my professional journey. The agency’s commitment to delivering meaningful and impactful communication solutions resonates deeply with my approach to public relations. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team here to craft strategies that address client needs while pushing boundaries in how PR drives value for businesses. My goal is to contribute to the agency’s continued growth by delivering consistent, high-quality results for our clients.”
Faridi brings a wealth of expertise in managing high-impact PR campaigns, nurturing client relationships, and driving strategic initiatives across industries such as Corporate, Technology, Automobile, Finance, FMCG, Retail, CSR, Hospitality, Startups, Education, and Health. His strong team management skills and innovative approach make him a valuable asset in steering Adgcraft towards greater success.
MAM
Deepfakes target women in 93 per cent of cases, report finds
Pi-labs study shows 900 per cent rise in female-focused synthetic media; India sees 60 per cent jump in cybercrime complaints.
MUMBAI: Deepfakes aren’t just fooling cameras, they’re hitting women hardest, turning pixels into a new kind of weapon. A new report from creator intelligence platform Pi-labs has revealed that nearly 93 per cent of deepfake victims are women, with deepfake content targeting females surging 900% in recent years. The findings paint synthetic media as a fast-escalating digital threat with a stark gendered impact.
In India, cybercrime complaints involving women rose from about 50,000 in 2024 to nearly 80,000 by 2026, an increase of roughly 60 per cent in just two years. Almost 98 per cent of deepfake pornography is aimed at women, often powered by face-swapping apps and bot networks that disproportionately target females, including school-age girls. Victims typically fall in the 18–30 age group, with Bengaluru reporting a growing share of cases.
Globally, 62 per cent of deepfake abuse cases involving women go unreported due to stigma, in India, over one-third of women facing online harassment take no action, and many reduce their digital presence after abuse. Close to 33 per cent of women remain unaware of protective laws.
City-level trends show Bengaluru leading with nearly 30 per cent of complaints, followed by Hyderabad (14 per cent), Mumbai (13 per cent), Chennai and Kolkata (5 per cent each), and Delhi (3 per cent).
Pi-labs, CEO and founder Anukush Tiwari said, “AI is one of the most powerful technologies of our time, but like every powerful tool, it reflects the intent of those who use it. We are witnessing a growing trust deficit in digital spaces, where identity can be manipulated within minutes and reputations can be damaged overnight.”
Image morphing and deepfake videos remain the most common forms of misuse. The report also notes a new trend: fully AI-generated female personas (not based on real individuals) gaining high engagement on social platforms, raising questions about digital credibility.
Detection remains challenging due to widespread generative tools and rogue creators. Industry estimates suggest over 5,000 face-swap tools and more than 1,000 voice-cloning applications are accessible online.
pi-labs offers pi-authentify, an AI-driven detection system that scans media for generative markers and provides authenticity scores, as well as Namokavach, a verification portal delivering confidential assessments within two working days. The Payal gaming case was resolved using pi-authentify’s forensic analysis.
The report urges minimising digital footprints and adopting detection tools to limit replication risks. It frames the gendered impact of synthetic media as an urgent digital safety issue requiring coordinated action from individuals, platforms and technology providers.
In a world where faces can be borrowed in seconds, the real crime isn’t just creation, it’s the silence that follows, and women are paying the heaviest price.
