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Aviva introduces SME assist tool
MUMBAI: Aviva Life Insurance announced the launch of Aviva SME Assist, a first-of-its-kind digital tool for business owners. Further strengthening the company’s digital portfolio, Aviva aims to educate business owners about the importance of good financial planning to secure not just their business, but also their family.
Aviva SME Assist involves a simple three-step process that provides business owners with a comprehensive online report within 10 minutes that showcases their risk profile, evaluates their financial needs while also providing recommendations on the best-suited solutions for their financial requirement depending on their current financial planning.
Commenting on the launch customer, marketing, digital & IT officer Anjali Malhotra said, “The MSMEs sector contributes as much as 40 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India. The lower penetration of insurance in the sector creates the need to offer a customized and transparent solution to cater to the needs of the SMEs. Business Owners wear 3 different hats: apart from being the Owner of the business, they are an Employer and also Head of the family. Each of these roles require specialized solutions to help them protect their business as well as ensure a secured future for their family. We are delighted to launch Aviva SME Assist, a customised tool that helps them assess the financial planning gaps in just a few minutes”.
Because a business owner has primarily three roles to play as an individual, they need different insurance solutions for different financial needs, which can include business expansion and protection, employee retention through gratuity and other solutions, keyman cover, and loan protection. Additionally, these individuals also need a solution to secure their child, health, and prepare a savings plans for their family, including those covered under MWPA Act.
With this digital business tool, Aviva provides a one-stop solution to the Next Gen Business Owners. It performs a complete need assessment of the modern business owner through 3 simple steps, and gives them an instant customised Financial Needs Report that is emailed directly to them. It helps business owners understand their financial gaps, thus equipping them with the much needed information to help them secure their key assets. The specially curated tool helps them access to tailor-made solutions and propositions to meet their unique and diverse needs with regard to their vulnerability to different risk aspects.
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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”.
