MAM
Comic Con India’s Free Comic Book Weekend to be held in June
NEW DELHI: Enthusiasts and fans can download a host of Indian comic book titles for free straight on their desktop during the third edition of Free Comic Book Weekend in India.
Presented by Comic Con India, the weekend will be held on 6 and 7 June. The comics will be available on phone or Tablet (iOs, Android & Windows Store) across the country.
The main publishers participating in the third edition of Free Comic Book Weekend are Amar Chitra Katha, Campfire Graphic Novels, Pop Culture Publishing, Sufi Comics, Diamond Comics and Meta Desi amongst others.
Free Comic Book Weekend was initiated in India by Comic Con India in 2013, with an aim to expand the scope and access of comics across India. Online digital content marketplace Readwhere.com has been partnering with Comic Con India since the very beginning to promote this initiative and allow comics enthusiasts download Indian comics for free. This year also, Readwhere.com will be providing the platform to serve free digital comics to fans across India.
Comic Con India founder Jatin Varma said, “Over 15,000 comic book fans joined the event last year. Comic Con India has plans to make this event grow bigger and better. With an ambition to triple the number, we plan to have a wider outreach and more publishers joining hands.”
Readwhere would be offering more than 1000 titles, from over 50 comic book publishers. Users will have the option of choosing any five for free. The rest will be available at a nominal price as a bundle. Purchases via the Comic Book Store will receive a cashback of maximum Rs 100 in the Readwhere wallet.
Readwhere.com co-founder and director Manish Dhingra said, “Through Free Comic Book Weekend, 2015, we hope to reach audiences in all corners of India, to get addicted to comics and relive their childhood, or buy comics for their Kids. Digital presents the best medium to read and share comics.”
The titles featured this year will be a mix of iconic and latest. This year’s spectrum of comic books includes Stan Lee’s Chakra Boy, Sab Ke Comics, Vrika- Dawn of the Wolf and Angry Maushi by Abhijeet Kini. Besides this the other publishers including Pran’s Features, Campfire Graphic Novels, Pop Culture Publishing and Amar Chitra Katha, who have always been around with their classics and the contemporary.
Fans can download, purchase the comics via web (http://www.readwhere.com) or the Readwhere app on Android (http://rdwh.re/androidapp) and iOS (http://rdwh.re/iosapp).
MAM
Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
