ITV News
Series Mania Forum adds Prime Video and HBO Max keynotes
Nicole Morganti, Thomas Dubois and Sarah Aubrey to speak on 24 March 2026.
MUMBAI: Series Mania just stacked its Forum deck with streaming royalty because when Prime Video and HBO Max share the stage, even the subtitles start feeling dramatic. Laurence Herszberg, founder and general director of Series Mania, today confirmed two major keynotes for the Series Mania Forum (March 24–26), the industry arm of the festival (March 20–27). Following earlier announcements with Disney+ EMEA, Skyshowtime and Fremantle, the new sessions feature senior programming executives from Prime Video and HBO Max.
On Tuesday 24 March at 15:00, Nicole Morganti (head of originals Southern Europe) and Thomas Dubois (Head of French Originals) from Prime Video will deliver “International Stories, Global Communities”. They will showcase the streamer’s 2026 non-English International Originals that are building passionate young adult fandoms across borders, share insights on creating global hits in 2026 and offer exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming European titles.
At 16:00 the same day, HBO Max head of original programming Sarah Aubrey for will present “Local Creators Are At The Heart”. Aubrey will explore how the platform partners with regional talent to develop bold, culturally specific series that reflect HBO’s storytelling legacy while giving creators freedom to take risks, and discuss what this means for the future of premium scripted content globally.
Herszberg said, “Sarah, Nicole and Thomas stand among the most influential voices driving the evolution of global television today. We are thrilled to host them in Lille, where they will present their strategic visions for HBO Max and Prime Video, respectively, offering invaluable perspective on the rapidly shifting international marketplace and what audiences worldwide can expect in 2026.”
The additions reinforce Series Mania Forum as a key platform for industry leaders to outline strategies amid evolving viewing habits and the rise of international originals. In a year where borders blur faster than plot twists, Lille isn’t just hosting talks, it’s hosting the conversation that decides what the next global binge will look like.
ITV News
Netflix initiates India media agency pitch process
Review covers digital and traditional media amid growth push in India
MUMBAI: The next big binge might not be a show, it could be a pitch deck. Netflix has reportedly kicked off a review of its India media mandate, setting the stage for a competitive agency pitch as it sharpens its playbook in one of its fastest-evolving markets. According to sources familiar with the development, the mandate spans both traditional and digital media planning and buying, reflecting Netflix’s continued focus on audience acquisition, engagement and subscription growth in India. The move signals a strategic reset rather than a routine shuffle, as the platform recalibrates how it reaches and retains viewers in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape.
The account is currently handled by Wavemaker, part of WPP, with multiple agencies now believed to be in contention as the pitch process gathers pace. While details remain under wraps, such reviews typically involve a close reassessment of media efficiency, data capabilities and cross-platform integration areas that have become central to streaming growth strategies.
India continues to be a critical market for Netflix, not just for subscriber expansion but also for content experimentation and pricing innovation. With competition intensifying across OTT platforms, the outcome of this pitch could shape how the brand navigates its next phase both in terms of visibility and value.
For agencies, it’s a high-stakes audition. For Netflix, it’s about ensuring the right partners are in place before the next season of growth begins.
