iWorld
Hoichoi launches early OOH campaign for higher recall
KOLKATA: OTT players heavily rely on OOH media to promote their shows and the pandemic brought that to a screeching halt. West Bengal is one of the first states to get back on track after the lockdown was lifted and Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi recently launched an outdoor campaign for its new original.
The OOH campaign is to drive up the anticipation level for its recently-launched show Tansener Tanpura. Even though not everyone is venturing out, Hoichoi co-founder Vishnu Mohta says that it is not early to resume OOH campaigns. Despite having faced a cyclone during lockdown, the city’s residents have bucked up and are stepping out more than other cities.
The timing is efficient since there aren’t other ongoing campaigns to clutter. It also works as a break for commuters.
“We always think of outdoor as an awareness medium. We have come out with one of our biggest shows and have communicated the show and its great cast. I think even this much information is a good distraction for them. Now, what we can do is entertain people while they are at home by showing new content,” Mohta shares.
Hoichoi’s in-house team ideated the campaign. It has taken up 15 billboard spots across the city in prominent locations where people travel a lot through like Maa Flyover, UltadangaXing and Acropolis Mall. The team also partnered with outdoor companies with whom it has previously worked. The goal is to start the work of putting out messages.
“There are people stepping out. Malls have opened up in West Bengal and now there is a fair amount of traffic on roads. Even when you step out, it is not only about the number of people and the number of times, it is about the impact that your campaign has on people. Since we don't have too many campaigns around, so the recall value is great,” he shares.
With Hoichoi taking the first step, others are likely to follow suit in the coming time.
iWorld
Govt pushes live events sector to Rs 196 billion by 2028
LEDC roadmap targets 15–20 million jobs and global hub status by 2030
MUMBAI: India’s live events story is getting louder and this time, it’s policy turning up the volume. The fourth meeting of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC), chaired by Chanchal Kumar, was held on 30 April 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, bringing together representatives from nine Central Ministries, six States and 12 industry stakeholders to chart the sector’s next phase of growth. The numbers already tell a compelling story. India’s organised live events industry was valued at Rs 145 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at 10 per cent to Rs 196 billion by 2028 making it one of the fastest-expanding segments within the media and entertainment ecosystem.
Set up in July 2025 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the LEDC is tasked with turning that momentum into a structured growth engine. Its long-term ambition is ambitious, position India as a global live events hub by 2030 while generating an additional 15–20 million jobs.
At the meeting, officials emphasised the sector’s multiplier effect spanning tourism, employment and allied industries while underlining the need for coordinated execution. A key update was the rollout of a single-window clearance system for live event permissions via the India Cine Hub portal, aimed at simplifying approvals and improving transparency.
States have been urged to adopt the system, alongside implementing the “Model Executive Order for Streamlining Licensing and Permissions for Live Events in India, 2026” by 31 May 2026. The framework seeks to standardise what has long been a fragmented and time-consuming regulatory process.
Beyond permissions, the discussion also turned to infrastructure and talent. A draft concept for greenfield venue development was tabled, alongside plans to build a skilled workforce. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, in collaboration with industry bodies MESC and EEMA, is set to introduce certificate courses tailored to the live events sector.
Chanchal Kumar stressed that alignment across stakeholders is already in place, with the next challenge being execution at scale. The government, he noted, remains committed to creating a facilitative and transparent ecosystem for organisers.
For an industry once seen as fragmented and event-driven, the message is clear, India’s live events business is no longer just about the show, it’s about building an entire stage for growth.
