iWorld
AVIA announces new members
MUMBAI: The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) today announced that Netflix has joined as a Patron member, alongside Globe Telecom as a Corporate member, strengthening the mandate of the Association to represent the interests of companies across the broader video industry in Asia.
Additionally, in joining AVIA, Netflix has increased their role in supporting the industry by committing to becoming a Steering Committee member for the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP); piracy being one of the central pillars of the newly refocused Association.
CAP is at the forefront of fighting piracy through enforcement, disruption of intermediaries in the piracy chain, along with government and consumer outreach. AVIA is also a supporter of Globe’s ‘Play it Right’ campaign to discourage video piracy.
“As we create new forms of content, this is an opportunity for Globe to enhance synergy with other key stakeholders in the global entertainment industry”, said Globe President and CEO, Ernest Cu. “Through AVIA we will ensure that our customers get the full benefit of our partnerships. In addition, this will help strengthen our advocacy of protecting original content providers against piracy.”
Louis Bowell, AVIA CEO, further stated that “It is clear that whatever part of the video industry you come from, there are concerns about the growing threat from video piracy and there is a need to have farsighted policies to foster growth. I am delighted that we will be able to work together with Netflix and Globe Telecom on these crucial issues for our industry”.
AVIA is open to companies who care about the future of the video industry in Asia Pacific and want to be part of a community of like-minded, responsible companies who work to make it stronger and healthier. Please visit www.asiavia.org for information on how to join.
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.
