Brands
JioStar appoints Stephan Bugaj to power AI push in entertainment
MUMBAI: JioStar Group is doubling down on artificial intelligence as the next frontier of entertainment. The media and sports giant has appointed Emmy Award winner Stephan Bugaj as senior vice-president, genAI content and technology, tasking him with shaping AI-native experiences and next-generation storytelling for digital-first audiences .
The hire signals a sharper tilt towards intelligent content pipelines, interactive formats and scalable creative frameworks that allow faster experimentation and deeper audience engagement. JioStar wants AI not as garnish but as infrastructure.
Bugaj arrives from Genvid Entertainment, where as chief creative officer he co-developed the Massively Interactive Live Event format, a blend of streaming, gaming and live audience participation. He also built AI-native creative tools for filmmakers and, as creator-showrunner, led interactive productions mixing real-time engagement with premium narrative, pushing the boundaries of intelligent media.
With more than 30 years across technology and creative leadership, Bugaj has held senior roles at DJ2 Entertainment, Pixar Animation Studios, Telltale Games and Hanson Robotics. His work ranges from AI-driven content systems and adaptive narratives to digital production pipelines and immersive platforms, all geared towards expanding creative possibilities.
JioStar has already been seeding AI across its businesses through conversational interfaces, second-screen engagement layers and AI-assisted workflows. Bugaj’s arrival is expected to accelerate innovation in interactive formats built for scale. The company frames the move as part of a broader ambition to influence the future of global entertainment .
JioStar’s reach gives it a large canvas. Its television network and streaming service together touch more than 750 million viewers weekly across markets, making it one of the biggest distribution machines in media.
The bet is straightforward: as screens multiply and attention fragments, smarter content wins. In the race between algorithms and imagination, JioStar is wagering that the two, fused well, can turn viewers into participants and stories into living systems. The show, it seems, is learning to think.
Brands
Lotus Herbals unveils HydroActivated sunscreen with high-impact campaign
Harnaaz Sandhu fronts digital push spotlighting breakthrough sun care tech
MUMBAI: Lotus Herbals has rolled out a high-decibel marketing campaign to introduce what it calls India’s first hydro-activated sunscreen, aiming to reshape how consumers think about sun protection.
At the centre of the launch is the Safe Sun HydroActivated Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, a formulation built on a patent-pending Hydrosome Technology that activates on contact with moisture. Unlike conventional sunscreens that can weaken with sweat, this product is designed to do the opposite, boosting protection when the skin is exposed to water or perspiration.
The campaign is led by Harnaaz Sandhu and is being amplified across OTT platforms, social media and outdoor locations in key metro cities. The brand film takes a light, relatable approach to everyday sunscreen struggles such as uneven application and fading protection, while positioning the new product as a reliable, high-performance alternative for active lifestyles.
Beyond its core technology, the sunscreen features next-generation UV filters and Edelweiss Flower Extract, offering hydration alongside protection. The formula claims up to 10 hours of water resistance and even, all-round defence against sun exposure and tanning, targeting consumers who want both skincare and performance in one product.
Speaking about the launch, Lotus Herbals chairman and managing director Nitin Passi said, “We are excited to launch India’s first sunscreen with hydroactivated technology which is our most innovative product launch. This isn’t just a sunscreen; it’s a technological breakthrough that utilises a novel manufacturing process. We’ve created a product that stays invisible on the skin yet becomes a performance powerhouse when the user is most active.”
Sharing her experience, Lotus Herbals brand ambassador Harnaaz Sandhu said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Lotus Herbals Safe Sun for their new sun protection campaign. In my world, there is no room for shortcuts, and I need functional and reliable products that work as hard as I do. The hydroactivated sunscreen is a game-changer because it blends with my skin and protects me better when I’m pushing my limits.”
The campaign is being distributed across platforms including JioStar connected TV integrations and ZEE5, along with television placements such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in West Bengal. A large influencer push involving over a thousand creators, along with in-store branding and retail activations, is also part of the rollout.
With a blend of science-led positioning and mass-market storytelling, Lotus Herbals is betting on innovation to stand out in the crowded sun care segment, hoping its moisture-powered promise strikes the right chord with today’s always-on consumers.
