MAM
Tom Hanks to get Imax treatment with Warner’s ‘Polar Express’
MUMBAI: Encouraged by the success of converting The Matrix Revolutions into the Imax format last year Warner Bros. has announced that it will release Tom Hanks’ upcoming film The Polar Express both in Imax and in standard definition in November.
The film will be released simultaneously in key markets across the world on 19 November.
The film reunites Hanks with his Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis. Both won Oscars for that project. The new family movie has been timed for the Thanksgiving holiday period.
It has used computer graphics imagery and stop-motion photography in order to blend realism and fantasy. It tells the tale of a doubting young boy who takes a train ride to the North Pole. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Zemeckis added, “When I saw the tests for The Polar Express in Imax 3D, I was excited that audiences would be able to experience the film this way. The 3D adds incredible depth and allows the viewers to experience the visual splendor and amazing adventure of this classic story in a way which should create a really memorable experience, not only this holiday season but for many years to come.”
Delights that await viewers include catching snowflakes falling off screens that are up to eight stories tall. Viewers will experience the art of dodging the train’s arrival as the whistle blows in 12,000 watts of digital surround sound.
Before that on 4 June Warner Bros. plans to release Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Imax and conventional theatres in the US, Canada and selected international territories. This will be followed by Catwoman with Halle Berry in July.
MAM
Huella Services appoints Pankajj Rai as vice president – Ad sales
Media veteran with 18 years experience to lead monetisation and partnerships.
MUMBAI: When the ad game gets smarter, companies often look for someone who knows how to sell the story behind the screen. Huella Services has appointed Pankajj Rai as vice president for Ad sales, a move aimed at strengthening the company’s advertising and monetisation strategy as it expands its technology-led media offerings.
Rai brings over 18 years of experience across broadcast and digital media and will oversee monetisation initiatives for Newsroom AI, while also helping shape Huella’s next phase of development in interactive and AI-led advertising solutions.
Based in Delhi NCR, he will work closely with the founders and leadership team to align product capabilities with market needs, while driving partner development and go-to-market strategies for the company’s advertising platforms.
Rai’s career spans senior roles across some of India’s prominent media organisations. Before joining Huella, he served as business head for Wion and Zee Business at Zee Media Corporation. Earlier, he was national sales head at QYOU Media, where he led commercial partnerships and advertising growth.
His experience also includes managing commercial operations for major television brands such as Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zee Bollywood, with responsibilities spanning North and East India.
Commenting on the appointment, Huella, co-founder and CEO Prrincey Roy said the company is strengthening its leadership team as it prepares for the next phase of growth.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Pankajj at a time when Huella is expanding both its portfolio and ambition. His depth of experience and strategic lens make him an invaluable addition as we build not just better products, but better outcomes for our partners and brands,” Roy said.
Huella Services is currently building technology driven advertising platforms that integrate AI powered content ecosystems with brand engagement, reflecting a broader shift in the media industry towards data driven and interactive advertising formats.
With Rai now leading ad sales and monetisation, the company aims to deepen relationships with advertisers while scaling its AI driven media products in an increasingly competitive digital advertising landscape.
