MAM
Hans Mathews joins Havas Media India
MUMBAI: Havas Media India has appointed Hans Mathews as executive director for its west India operations. He will be based out of agency’s Mumbai office.
Mathew’s key mandate will be to drive growth for the group in the western region.
Mathews said, “I am delighted to be a part of the dynamic Havas Media team which has witnessed great momentum in the last few years. I find the agency’s positioning around Meaningful Brands engaging and think the framework offers brands tremendous opportunities to communicate effectively. I am looking forward to contributing to Havas Media’s western operations and taking the business to the next level.”
He joins with seventeen years of experience in the industry, having worked with international agencies in India, MENA and Malaysia. Most recently he was the chief client officer at Mindshare Malaysia where he led Ford’s regional APAC media team managing partnerships with digital and content partners. He was also responsible for managing brands like UL, Maxis, Kraft, Nestle and HSBC. Prior to this Mathews has held leadership roles at Mindshare India, Zenith Optimedia and other leading agencies.
Havas Media Group India and South Asia CEO Anita Nayyar said, “Hans has a rich industry experience working across multiple blue chip brands in different categories. He has been in many leadership positions and has managed critical client relationships. This along with his business development ability makes him ideal to head our Western operations. We are very happy to have him with us.”
“Mumbai and the Western region are at the core of Havas Media India’s operations. Our business in the region has grown tremendously over the years and today we are handling very prestigious clients in that market like Parle, Quikr and many others. Hans, with his astute leadership, will propel our operations further. We warmly welcome him”, added Havas Media India MD Mohit Joshi.
Brands
Netflix acquires Ben Affleck’s AI film-tech firm InterPositive
Streaming giant picks up production startup to streamline digital filmmaking
LOS ANGELES: Netflix has officially acquired InterPositive, an AI film-technology startup founded by actor and director Ben Affleck. The move marks a significant investment by the streaming service into assistive AI tools designed to support the technical side of movie production. While many AI companies focus on generating new images or scripts, InterPositive focuses on the logistical challenges of filmmaking. The firm’s technology is designed to handle technical tasks that often delay post-production, such as correcting lighting inconsistencies and ensuring visual continuity across different takes.
The acquisition is not about replacing human actors or writers. Instead, Netflix intends to use the technology as a digital assistant for directors. The software understands cinematic logic, meaning it can automatically adjust background elements or environmental effects to ensure a film looks polished and consistent without months of manual editing.
In a Netflix post on Thursday, Affleck emphasised that the project was born out of a desire to support the craft rather than automate it. “I knew I had a responsibility to my peers and our industry, to protect the power of human creativity and the people behind it. In creating InterPositive, I sought to do just that,” Affleck wrote. “From the invention of the moving image to the transition to digital, from motion capture to virtual production, technology has evolved alongside the artists who use it. Our shared commitment to continuing this legacy makes joining together a natural next step.”
Netflix chief product and technology officer Elizabeth Stone said, “Our approach to AI has always been focused on meaningfully serving the needs of the creative community. InterPositive’s technology is purpose-built for filmmakers and showrunners to naturally support their visions. We’re excited to welcome the team to Netflix and continue building a future where technology enhances storytelling, while people remain at the core.”
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria added, “New tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it. Ben and his team are part of a long tradition of artists leading innovation in storytelling. Their work gives filmmakers more choices, control, and protection for their vision.”
The deal coincides with a broader partnership between Netflix and Artists Equity, the production company led by Affleck and Matt Damon. Following the success of their recent projects on the platform, this acquisition cements Affleck’s role as both a creative and technical advisor to the streamer. Affleck noted that the partnership was a logical fit due to “Netflix’s decades of experience applying and scaling technology responsibly.” He will serve as a senioradvisor for the integration of the technology, ensuring the tools remain focused on helping filmmakers.
For the film industry, this acquisition signals a shift in strategy. Rather than just buying finished movies, Netflix is now owning the specialized technology used to build them. By bringing these tools in-house, the company aims to reduce the rising costs and lengthy timelines associated with high-budget original films while giving their productions a technical edge in speed and visual quality.
