MAM
IMD acquires eBus, forms strategic tie-up with Aidem
MUMBAI: London headquartered media logistics firm IMD has acquired eBus Media Network to create a substantial worldwide footprint for digital TV ad delivery, with a local presence across major countries in Europe and Asia-Pacific and a regional HQ in Singapore.
eBus has a presence in Singapore, Australia, and in India through joint-venture with media consulting, marketing and ad sales company.
The acquisition will also strengthen IMD‘s reach of digital TV ad delivery in the Asia-Pacific market, where eBus has established a reputation as a reliable and fast TV ad delivery provider in the region.
IMD has also formed a strategic partnership with Aidem which will enhance the way the latter works with eBus and allowing IMD and Aidem to work together, more broadly.
“The management and stakeholders of all three companies support these new arrangements and are excited about their prospects and all the parties are committed to work together for the long term,” Aidem Ventures EVP Kaushal Dalal.
The new combined IMD and eBus entity will bring a faster and more efficient digital delivery solution from a single provider to the increasing number of customers that have interests in Global delivery solutions, according to a statement from Aidem.
IMD CEO Simon Cox said, “eBus fits amazingly well with IMD in so many ways; it‘s territorially complementary, it‘s very focused on TV ad delivery just like IMD and we have the same cultural and customer-service driven values. On top of that, eBus has a brilliant technology platform created by an exceptionally talented team.”
For its India activities, eBus has been in a joint venture with Aidem since 2010, and has built a network of broadcasters for digital delivery and distribution of television commercials. It is a Cloud Computing technology company providing HDTV commercial distribution to TV, IPTV, Web and Mobile providers across Asia Pacific.
eBus CEO Carmine Masiello said, “IMD‘s investment in eBus will speed up our expansion in the Asia Pacific region. We look forward to being supported by a shareholder that combines financial strength with an intimate understanding of what we do and who we are.”
Aidem Ventures director Vikas Khanchandani said, “eBus already has a Pan-India presence with over 250 channels as destinations and around 200 advertisers using the service. With IMD‘s support this coverage is set to grow wider and faster. This acquisition of eBus by IMD will help us scale up our operations in accordance with this dynamic broadcast industry and constantly innovate to keep pace with the same.”
MAM
Star Sports under fire for ‘cringe’ India–SA Super 8 promo
Broadcaster accused of arrogance and disrespect as fans slam Super 8 promotion
AHMEDABAD: Star Sports is facing a wave of criticism after its latest promotional campaign for the India–South Africa T20 World Cup Super 8 match triggered a fierce social media backlash, quickly dubbed “Cupcakegate”.
The advertisement, released this week, hinges on a cupcake metaphor that many viewers have condemned as patronising and disrespectful. In the clip, an Indian supporter mockingly offers a pink cupcake to a South African fan, a visual jibe widely interpreted as portraying the Proteas as a soft, easily beaten opponent.
The backlash has been swift across platforms such as X and Reddit, with fans and commentators accusing the broadcaster of tone-deaf bravado at a crucial stage of the tournament. The criticism is sharpened by the context: both India and South Africa arrive in the Super 8s unbeaten, undermining any suggestion of a one-sided contest.
Online, the cupcake symbol has been read as carrying multiple barbs. Some users argue it alludes to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s domestic nickname, while others see it as recycling the long-running “chokers” trope associated with South Africa in ICC tournaments. The casting choice has also drawn scrutiny, with viewers noting the physical disparity between the actors playing the two fans, which critics described as a cheap attempt to belittle the opposition.
Even Indian supporters have joined the pile-on. Many warned that such chest-thumping marketing risks “jinxing” the team, pointing to past tournaments where aggressive campaigns preceded unexpected defeats.
Star Sports is no stranger to rivalry-led advertising, having struck gold with its earlier “Mauka Mauka” series. But analysts say the cupcake campaign misreads a fanbase that has grown less tolerant of overtly mocking narratives and more attuned to sporting parity and respect.
India and South Africa meet on Sunday, 22 February, at the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium. With South Africa securing their Super 8 berth through a commanding win over the UAE, the fixture is widely billed as a heavyweight clash, not the walkover the ad appears to suggest.
