iWorld
Warner Bros. Discovery dominates ContentAsia Awards 2023 with sweeping wins
Mumbai: In a remarkable stride forward, Warner Bros. Discovery proudly announces its distinguished accomplishments at the esteemed ContentAsia Awards 2023 held in Thailand. The spotlight shone brightly on the Warner Bros. Discovery original series “Legends of the Ramayana with Amish,” securing the prestigious gold award for ‘Best Factual Programme’ in a single market within Asia. Sharing the limelight in this coveted category was “Secrets of the Kohinoor,” featuring the esteemed Manoj Bajpayee.
Further solidifying its prowess in the realm of factual entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery also secured the silver award for “Hunt for the Indian Mujahideen” and the bronze award for “Expedition Borderlands with Levison Wood and Ash Bharadwaj” in the ‘Best Factual Entertainment Programme’ section. Moreover, Warner Bros. Discovery’s dedication to engaging and informative content was reinforced with the silver award for “Ganganyaan – Bharat Ki Antariksh Udaan” in the ‘Best Current Affairs’ category. These accolades underscore the network’s steadfast commitment to delivering captivating and informative content.
Discovery, South Asia head of factual and lifestyle cluster Sai Abishek shared, “We are deeply humbled and thrilled by the recognition our Indian originals have received from the esteemed ContentAsia Awards. From ‘Legends of The Ramayana’ to ‘Secrets of The Kohinoor,’ our narratives captivate viewers while unearthing unexplored dimensions of treasured tales. We remain unwavering in our commitment to create compelling and authentic stories that transcend borders and resonate globally.”
The ContentAsia Summit was held between 21 August 2023 to 24 August 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand and culminated with the ContentAsia Awards 2023. This momentous occasion celebrates exceptional content and industry excellence, reiterating Warner Bros. Discovery’s position as a frontrunner in the realm of captivating storytelling.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
