Brands
6Degree and ABFRL partner to redefine lifestyle e-commerce
Mumbai: 6Degree, a prominent platform in the fashion and lifestyle industry, has announced a partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL), a leading fashion and retail conglomerate and part of the Aditya Birla Group, to enhance its e-commerce and digital experiences across its portfolio of brands.
This association aims to leverage 6Degree’s expertise in the digital fashion space to enhance ABFRL’s digital presence and create a more integrated and personalised shopping experience for customers. The initiative is part of ABFRL’s ongoing digital transformation efforts to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving fashion industry and meet the changing preferences of consumers.
6Degree co-founders Nikhil Hegde and Amit Bhardwaj shared their vision for the partnership, “ABFRL is a powerhouse in the Indian fashion and retail sector, and we are elated to collaborate with them to redefine the e-commerce customer experience. Our mission at 6Degree is to empower fashion & lifestyle brands with robust digital solutions that drive growth and innovation.”
ABFRL chief digital and information officer Praveen Shrikhande at commented about the partnership, stating, “We look forward to working with 6Degree to enhance our e-commerce journey, improve customer engagement, and drive digital growth across brands.”
As ABFRL continues to expand its brand portfolio and explore new market segments, this partnership between ABFRL and 6Degree represents a significant step forward in its ambition to become a leader in the digital fashion realm, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of the industry’s digital evolution.
Brands
JioHotstar EVP, head subscriptions (SVOD) and media Piyush Kothari exits
Streaming executive signs off after 6.5-year run across DisneyStar and JioStar
MUMBAI: Piyush Kothari, EVP and head subscriptions (SVOD) and media at JioHotstar, has stepped down from his role, bringing the curtain down on a 6.5-year stint spanning the DisneyStar and JioStar eras.
Kothari shared the update in a note reflecting on what he called a “transformative” phase for the media industry and a personal journey through the fast-evolving world of streaming and sports entertainment.
“The last few years have been transformative for the media industry and experiencing this journey up close over the past 6.5 years with DisneyStar and now JioStar has been a thriller,” he wrote, thanking colleagues and collaborators who shaped his time in the business.
Kothari joined JioHotstar in November 2024 as EVP, head subscriptions (svod) and media, where he oversaw subscription revenues and subscriber growth for the platform’s svod business.
Before that, he spent over five years at The Walt Disney Company in a series of leadership roles. His last position there was head of product, growth, partnerships and international expansion for Disney+ Hotstar, where he led efforts to scale subscription revenues across direct to consumer and partnership channels. The role also involved overseeing the service’s standalone businesses in markets such as Singapore, Canada and the UK.
Earlier, he served as lead, corporate office and strategic projects, working across the company’s entertainment, sports and streaming businesses. He also headed business operations at Mashal Sports, the entity behind the Pro Kabaddi League, where he helped steer the league through key commercial milestones including a five year broadcast and streaming media rights deal.
Alongside his operational roles, Kothari also served as nominee director on the board of Mashal Sports and was a director on the board of Novi Digital, the company that operates Hotstar.
Before entering the media and entertainment space, Kothari held senior roles across consulting, fintech and conglomerates. He worked with Welspun Group as head, group executive office, with Aditya Birla Group as joint president and business head, digital, analytics and strategy at Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank, and earlier served as vice president in the chairman’s office at the group.
His career also includes stints at Accenture as principal, Accenture Strategy, and earlier at Shell in channel development and sales.
Reflecting on his time in the media sector, Kothari said he leaves with a lasting belief in India’s subscription economy. He also joked about picking up a new affection along the way.
“Carrying with me love for kabaddi, a deep belief in the potential of the subscriptions business in India, and fond memories and friendships,” he wrote, adding that he is now “onward to the next chapter”.
