MAM
LG enters mobile handset fray in India
MUMBAI: Korean electronic major LG Electronics forayed into the GSM segment with the launch of two handset models in the high end category in Mumbai on Tuesday. The punchline for the advertisement of the handsets will be “Let’s Talk”.
The two models , the G5300 and the G7030 will be imported from Korea in a completely built unit (CBU) form, the company said at a press launch today. Both models come with 65K colour display and have a host of features like LMS (sms with 3200 characters), MMS and GPRS. The model G 5300 will be priced at Rs 13,490 while the G 7030 will be priced at Rs 18,990. It has a unique dual colour LCD and scrolling external screen that can be personalized, a first of its kind feature in any mobile handset, the company claims.
LG Electronics managing director K R Kim says the company aims at selling 4,00,000 handsets during the next calendar year. “LG will be present at every price point in this market segment as we will be introducing new models, which in addition to offering unique technology will also have superior designs,” he said.
LG Electronics will use the direct dealer channel, cutting across different layers like national and regional distributors. Initially, there will be about 500 dealers and the strength will be gradually expanded to 2000 dealers by the first quarter of 2004. The company will also set up over 250 service centres across India to be present in the interiors of the country.
LG will initially focus on the mid and premium segment of the market and provide the Indian consumers with various value-adds through its feature rich phones. The company aims to have models every price segment by January 2004, according to an official statement.
MAM
Sameer Nair steps down as CEO of Applause Entertainment
Veteran media executive exits after a decade at the Aditya Birla Group-backed studio.
MUMBAI: After a decade of calling the shots, Sameer Nair is taking a bow from Applause Entertainment. The veteran industry leader and CEO of the prominent content studio is stepping down from his role, according to sources familiar with the development. This marks a significant leadership transition at one of India’s key players in the television and digital content space.
Applause Entertainment, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has built a strong reputation under Nair’s leadership for its high-quality adaptations of international formats and a slate of original series across OTT platforms. Nair, who joined the company a decade ago, was instrumental in shaping its growth and positioning it as a notable force in India’s evolving streaming landscape.
Prior to Applause, he held senior roles at major media organisations, including Star India, where he played a pivotal part in the launch of the iconic show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. He also worked with Balaji Telefilms and NDTV Imagine.
It remains unclear who will succeed Nair or what his next professional move will be. Queries sent to Nair did not receive a response, and Applause Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
His exit comes at a time when the Indian content ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes, with streaming platforms recalibrating investments, focusing on profitability, and adjusting content strategies amid shifting viewer preferences and increasing competition.
Industry insiders suggest the transition could signal a strategic reset for Applause as it navigates the next phase of growth.
In the fast-paced world of Indian entertainment, where hits can fade as quickly as they rise, Sameer Nair has enjoyed a remarkably steady and influential run. As he steps off the stage at Applause, the spotlight now turns to what comes next for both the executive and the studio he helped build.
