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The Weinstein Company in deal with Korean govt for animation films production
MUMBAI: The Weinstein Company (TWC), The Gotham Group, and the Chungcheongnam-do government of South Korea have joined forces as part of an extensive strategic relationship to produce, and distribute animated feature films. As part of this relationship, TWC has also entered into a multi-year first look deal with The Gotham Group a management firm representing animation and family entertainment talent and content. The projects produced by the venture will be based on work from The Gotham Group‘s clients, in addition to outside sources. The Weinstein Company, the Media Center of Chungcheongnam-do, and The Gotham Group will serve as producers on all films in the venture. The animated features will be principally co-produced in the Chungcheongnam-do Province of South Korea, including at the state-of-the-art animation facilities at The Media Center of Chungcheongnam-do. TWC will handle worldwide distribution on all titles produced pursuant to this relationship, with the Chungcheongnam-do government of South Korea providing support in certain Asian markets. TWC co-chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein says, “This is an innovative and exciting deal to be a part of and we are glad to be working with some of the best animators and animation companies in the business. The beauty of animated film is that it speaks to all audiences around the world and transcends language, age and cultural barriers.” Chungcheongnam-do chief manager of media center Hee Sup Kim said, “Korea and its animation production companies have been at the center of the television animation business for years but have outsourced jobs only to this point. Now we want to extend further to the animated theatrical film business by being co-producer with prominent partners in the US. Ensuring our access to the best content and talent from the East and West, as well as the best marketing and distribution will provide a solid foundation to make Chungcheongnam-do‘s animation studios a world class source of animated content.” Clemensen Capital CEO, Mariel Clemensen says, “We believe this deal is a milestone for Korean animation studios. We are thrilled to extend our expertise to support cross-border feature animation through this partnership with The Gotham Group, The Weinstein Company, and the Chungcheongnam-do government.”
The Gotham Group CEO Ellen Goldsmith-Vein says, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with great storytellers, and to be in business with powerful and innovative partners. Animated family fare has proven to be a driving force in the entertainment business and we are committed to telling great stories for the entire family.”
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
