MAM
GCMA strives to increase export sales of content in Thailand, Indonesia by 20% in three years
18th October 2016 – Global Creative and Media Agency (GCMA), Southeast Asia’s leading private media agency championing the creative industry’s trade export, continues to grow its presence in Southeast Asia the appointment of Ms. Nathamon Singhathewakul as a country manager in Thailand. Mr. Hendy Lim (former Vice President of Contents and Events at MNC Group) has also been confirmed as their partner in Indonesia.
Through the expansion, GCMA strives to increase the export sales of content in Thailand and Indonesia by 20 percent within three years. To foster the region’s trade economy in the entertainment industry to greater heights, both Ms. Singhathewakul and Mr. Lim are to act as an intermediary for GCMA; to assist in elevating the quality of content development with the possibility for co-production between Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other global players. With Ms. Singhathewakul and Mr. Lim’s vast experience, GCMA will work closely with private and government bodies as well as media players in both countries by providing an advisory role in relation to ne strategy in content, trends, and world-class markets in the region.
“As the official Southeast Asia representative of Reed Midem, the world’s leading organiser of media entertainment global markets; GCMA has successfully nurtured Malaysia’s creative industry in the past six years through the promotion of content at world-class festivals, trade events, and business-to-business engagements. In addition, GCMA has increased the participation of Southeast Asian creative companies to Mipcom 2016, especially from Thailand and Indonesia to further promote their content to the world stage,” said Adam Ham, CEO of GCMA, who also revealed that the agency seeks to expand its presence in Vietnam and the Philippines next year.
Furthermore, the expansion is in tandem with GCMA’s 10-year plan since its establishment in 2011; to assist in developing the potential of ASEAN’s creative economy and trade, particularly in content development and co-productions. Over the years, GCMA have successfully facilitate the local industry leaders such as the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM) and others to promote Malaysian content to the world in areas such as television, film, animation, music, licensing and merchandising.
In addition, GCMA has built up its clientele base with local media players in both Thailand and Indonesia, namely MNC Media, RCTI, SCTV, Workpoint, M-COT, Thai-PBS, and government institutes, such as Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) and Department of Industry Trade and Promotion (DITP) of Thailand as well as Indonesia’s Badan Ekonomi Kreatif (BEKRAF) and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
