MAM
Hutch, Fastmobile bring ‘push2talk’ mobile service to India
MUMBAI: Reiterating its leadership in providing innovative services, Hutch has now launched ‘push2talk’ mobile service that combines a walkie-talkie experience with instant messaging, Short Messaging Service (SMS), Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS) and voice messaging.
The push2talk service was first introduced in the US last year, by Nextel Communications.
Hutch has partnered with international technology partner Fastmobile for the service and will be available to all Hutch and Orange users nationally.
Hutchison Essar director Asim Ghosh said, “Push2Talk further expands the utility of the mobile phone. It opens up a new channel of communication. Push2Talk benefits the value-conscious consumer as much as the enterprise user. It is unique since it uses existing infrastructure to deliver a unique, new user experience. “Over 150,000 Hutch and Orange users will be immediately able to use the service in India.
Fastmobile senior vice president Adam Sewall said, “Bringing fastchat to one of the world’s fastest growing mobile phone market represents a significant step for the company. We’re very pleased to achieve this milestone with our partner Hutchison Essar. Hutch is one of the leading brand names in India and also has the vision of expanded VAS to both its consumer and enterprise customers.”
Hutch has been running trials of this service over the last three months. The push2talk service will be available at a price of Rs 99 per month. Users will also be able to send unlimited push2talk messages.
MAM
Nikita Kandhari expands role at Prime Video India
Senior leader now heads content marketing for hindi slate while retaining principal position.
MUMBAI: Nikita Kandhari just levelled up her Prime Video game because when you’re already scripting hits, the next move is to own the whole Hindi storyline. Nikita Kandhari has taken on an expanded leadership role at Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, now heading content marketing for the Hindi slate covering original series, movies, and licensed titles while continuing as principal for content marketing.
Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Kandhari wrote, “I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into an expanded role, leading content marketing for the Hindi slate… The past year has been an intense period of learning across building new IPs, shaping campaigns, and working more closely than ever with cross-functional teams. I’m grateful for the trust, mentorship, and collaboration that made that growth possible.”
In her broader mandate, Kandhari will shape integrated, audience-first marketing strategies for Prime Video’s growing Hindi content portfolio, aiming to deepen engagement with India’s booming streaming viewers through thoughtful, culturally attuned campaigns.
Kandhari brings nearly two decades of experience across media, FMCG, and advertising. Before Amazon, she held key roles at Netflix, Hotstar, Unilever, Ogilvy & Mather, and began her career in 2008 as a Research Analyst at The Nielsen Company. She holds an MBA in Marketing and Strategy/Leadership from the Indian School of Business.
Her expanded remit arrives as Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios continue to scale their Hindi originals and licensed offerings in one of the world’s most competitive and fast-growing streaming markets. For a platform betting big on regional storytelling, placing someone with Kandhari’s blend of strategic depth, creative campaign experience, and cross-industry insight at the helm feels like the perfect plot twist to keep viewers hooked.
