MAM
Audi partners Academy 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards
MUMBAI: US luxury car manufacturer Audi will serve as the official automotive partner of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as well as of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards on 18 September in Los Angeles.
The show will air on Fox.
This multi-year partnership will take place across numerous platforms, expanding upon the brand‘s continuous support of the entertainment industry.
Audi will participate in select Television Academy events celebrating this year‘s Primetime Emmy Award nominees, including the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on 10 September, the red-carpet rollout for the Primetime Emmy telecast and Governors Ball preview on 14 September and the Performers‘ Nominee Reception on 16 September.
The Primetime Emmy Awards honour excellence in all aspects of national television programming – from such categories as writing, directing and performance, to costume design, cinematography, lighting and music. The winners are selected annually by 15,000 industry professionals who are voting members of the Television Academy.
Audi of America CMO Scott Keogh said, “Audi is honored to support the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in recognizing exceptional talent in television. The brand has become a key player within the entertainment industry and has a longstanding history as a friend of the arts, making this partnership a perfect fit. What better way to celebrate some of the greatest talent in the television industry than with a car company that produces only the very best automobiles that truly epitomise the luxury and glamour of Hollywood.”
MAM
Sameer Nair steps down as CEO of Applause Entertainment
Veteran media executive exits after a decade at the Aditya Birla Group-backed studio.
MUMBAI: After a decade of calling the shots, Sameer Nair is taking a bow from Applause Entertainment. The veteran industry leader and CEO of the prominent content studio is stepping down from his role, according to sources familiar with the development. This marks a significant leadership transition at one of India’s key players in the television and digital content space.
Applause Entertainment, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has built a strong reputation under Nair’s leadership for its high-quality adaptations of international formats and a slate of original series across OTT platforms. Nair, who joined the company a decade ago, was instrumental in shaping its growth and positioning it as a notable force in India’s evolving streaming landscape.
Prior to Applause, he held senior roles at major media organisations, including Star India, where he played a pivotal part in the launch of the iconic show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. He also worked with Balaji Telefilms and NDTV Imagine.
It remains unclear who will succeed Nair or what his next professional move will be. Queries sent to Nair did not receive a response, and Applause Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
His exit comes at a time when the Indian content ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes, with streaming platforms recalibrating investments, focusing on profitability, and adjusting content strategies amid shifting viewer preferences and increasing competition.
Industry insiders suggest the transition could signal a strategic reset for Applause as it navigates the next phase of growth.
In the fast-paced world of Indian entertainment, where hits can fade as quickly as they rise, Sameer Nair has enjoyed a remarkably steady and influential run. As he steps off the stage at Applause, the spotlight now turns to what comes next for both the executive and the studio he helped build.
