MAM
Asian entertainment companies merge to form Catlyst/TV
MUMBAI: Asian media and entertainment companies The Lumenere Group and BlinkAsia have inked a merger agreement to form a new entertainment and media development agency called Catlyst/TV.
The Lumenere Group and BlinkAsia have a complementary portfolio that includes international and regional projects such as Asia’s Got Talent, Supermodel Me and Tiger Twist with DJ Virman (Far East Movement). This strategic merger is aimed at combining the core skills of both companies – in connecting content with brands, platforms and talent through entertainment in more dynamic ways than traditional media advertising can.
BlinkAsia managing director and former CNN International SEA director Shamila Gopalan said, “The pace of change of the media industry has reached unprecedented levels and consumers can no longer be persuaded. Their attention must be earned by gifting them with entertainment, and Catlyst/TV is primed to help brands, agencies, creators, distributors and technology platform providers make deeper connections through branded storytelling.”
Throwing light on the shifting media and entertainment business environment, she said, “The nature of doing business today is and continues to rapidly evolve, Catlyst/TV’s unique proposition to clients’ is that we bring ‘skin to the game’ with our accountability model, creating win-win partnerships.”
The Lumenere Group executive business strategy director Kevin Ou added, “The entire broadcasting value chain is transitioning at lightning speed, alternative platforms are emerging; more than six in 10 digital consumers in Southeast Asia report watching TV content and movies via online sources such as video-on-demand, and YouTube is also increasingly acknowledged as a ‘TV channel’ or platform. This revolution is creating a rich mix of opportunities and challenges for content producers. By combining our resources, the new entity will be better positioned to meet the growing needs of our clients in an era of incredible transformation and disruption within the industry.”
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
