iWorld
Blackcab Agency Network wins Avion India digital mandate
Creative agency to lead social strategy, content and performance marketing for aviation training centre.
MUMBAI: Blackcab just took off with a high-flying client because when your brand needs altitude in digital skies, you don’t wing it, you hire the jet fuel. Blackcab Agency Network has been appointed as the digital strategy and brand building partner for Avion India, Mumbai’s first DGCA-approved full flight training simulator facility located at Juhu Airport.
The mandate sees Blackcab handling Avion India’s end-to-end digital presence, including social media strategy (Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube), content creation, performance marketing and campaign execution. The agency will produce on-site content showcasing simulator sessions, student journeys and behind-the-scenes glimpses of pilot training.
The partnership arrives as India’s aviation sector experiences robust growth, with rising demand for skilled pilots and aviation professionals. Blackcab’s role will be to translate Avion’s technical training environment into compelling, aspirational digital narratives that connect with students exploring careers in aviation.
Blackcab Agency Network co-founder Aayush Bansal said, “Our role with Avion India is not just to tell a story, but to build a structured digital ecosystem that drives measurable results. From managing social platforms to creating performance-led campaigns, we are ensuring every touchpoint builds awareness, engages aspiring pilots, and supports student intake.”
Avion India director Parth Mulay added, “We started Avion with a simple vision, to build a training environment where pilots truly feel prepared for real airline operations. Blackcab has helped us present our simulators, infrastructure, and the real pilot journey in a way that feels authentic and inspiring for aspiring pilots.”
The appointment marks Blackcab’s expansion into the aviation training sector while strengthening its portfolio across diverse industries.
In a sky where ambition needs clear runway signals, Blackcab isn’t just flying the brand, it’s giving future pilots the digital navigation they need to soar.
iWorld
YouTube rolls out 30-second unskippable ads on smart TVs worldwide
New connected TV format and pause ads push viewers towards longer ad breaks
MUMBAI: Your trusty skip ad button may soon become a rare sight, at least when you are watching YouTube on the big screen. As of March 2026, the platform has completed the global rollout of 30-second non-skippable advertisements for connected TV apps.
The move affects viewers watching YouTube on smart TVs, gaming consoles and streaming devices such as Roku or Apple TV. Instead of seeing two separate 15-second ads that could sometimes be skipped after a few seconds, users are increasingly being served a single uninterrupted 30-second advertising block.
The change is primarily tied to YouTube Select, the company’s premium advertising inventory that features the top 5 per cent of most-watched content on the platform. For advertisers, it offers a more predictable and television-like experience. For viewers, it means settling in for the full half-minute.
Behind the scenes, artificial intelligence is also taking on a larger role. Google’s ad systems now dynamically decide which format works best for each viewer. The rotation may include quick 6-second bumper ads, traditional 15-second spots, or the new 30-second connected TV format depending on the content and audience.
Even pressing pause is no longer an escape from advertising. YouTube has started rolling out so-called pause ads, where the video shrinks on the screen and a static or interactive advertisement appears alongside it when a viewer stops playback.
The strategy reflects how YouTube’s viewing habits are changing. Television screens have become the platform’s fastest-growing viewing surface, and in the United States it now ranks as the leading streaming service by watch time, ahead of major subscription platforms.
There is also a practical reason. Ad-blocking software is far less common on smart TVs than on browsers or mobile devices. By shifting more advertising to the living room screen, YouTube is protecting a crucial source of revenue.
At the same time, the company appears keen to nudge more viewers towards its paid offerings. Longer unskippable ads on the free tier make services such as YouTube Premium and the lower-priced Premium Lite subscription more appealing.
For now, mobile and desktop viewers can breathe a small sigh of relief. The 30-second unskippable format is currently limited to connected TVs, while phones and computers still mostly cap non-skippable ads at around 15 seconds.
So the next time you lean back on the sofa to watch a video on YouTube, be prepared. The ads might just be settling in for the full half-minute as well.
