iWorld
Twitter gives power to woman
MUMBAI: In the last two years, Twitter has just seen a rise in the number of users. It has become a phenomenon. But the microblogging site was criticised time and again for gender imbalance in the top ranks. However, the social media platform seems to have rectified it by bringing on to board executive Marjorie Scardino to its director ranks.
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Scardino is not just Twitter’s first female director; she’s also one of the first person with an experience in old media. Scardino with whom the Twitter board to expand to eight members, is a former chief executive of publishing company Pearson and has served as an editor for the Associated Press, a publisher of a Georgia Gazette newspaper and is also the former CEO of The Economist Group and a former board member of phone maker Nokia.
In a regulatory filing, Twitter said that Scardino will replace David Rosenblatt on Twitter’s audit committee. However, Rosenblatt will continue to be on the compensation committee.
iWorld
Frodoh, Chaupal introduce non-intrusive first-screen ads for OTT platforms
New ad-tech layer unlocks revenue without interrupting OTT viewing
MUMBAI: Frodoh has partnered with regional OTT platform Chaupal to roll out what it calls an industry-first “first-screen” monetisation framework, aimed at helping subscription-led streaming services generate additional revenue without interrupting content viewing.
The new model focuses on connected TV home screens, introducing ad formats that sit within the discovery layer rather than the content itself. In simple terms, viewers may notice subtle brand placements while browsing, but once they hit play, the experience remains ad-free.
The technology is designed to tap into high-attention areas such as session depth, viewing intent and discovery behaviour, turning previously unused interface space into monetisable real estate. For OTT platforms, this opens up a fresh revenue stream without diluting the premium experience that subscribers expect.
Chaupal chief executive officer Sandeep Bansal said the move balances growth with user trust. “By partnering with Frodoh, we are introducing a sophisticated ‘first-screen’ monetisation layer that integrates seamlessly into our UI, ensuring discovery remains native and non-intrusive while keeping content consumption ad-free.”
From Frodoh’s side, the pitch is clear: expand the ad pie without cluttering the screen. Frodoh founder and chief executive officer Russhabh R Thakkar said the framework creates a new category of advertising by unlocking high-visibility home screen inventory that was previously untapped.
Industry watchers see this as part of a broader shift in OTT monetisation strategies, especially as subscription platforms look to diversify revenue without risking churn. With connected TV usage rising steadily, the home screen is quickly becoming the next battleground for attention.
If the model scales, this partnership could signal a subtle but significant shift in how OTT platforms monetise, proving that sometimes, the most valuable ad space is the one you see before the show even begins.
