MAM
Detective Dotson cracks the big screen case at Animela 2025
MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness a thrilling cinematic investigation as Detective Dotson: The Movie, the animated companion to the highly anticipated cosy mystery game Detective Dotson makes its grand premiere at AniMela 2025. Marking a first-of-its-kind moment, the film will be the inaugural video game adaptation to be showcased at India’s International Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics & XR Festival.
The screening is set for March 8, 2025, at 6 pm at P.C. Saxena Lecture Theatre, IDC, IIT Mumbai campus. Following the premiere, Masala Games’ CEO and co-founder, Shalin Shodhan, will take centre stage for an exclusive Q&A session, offering insights into the game’s world and its transition into film.
Crafted in Unreal Engine 5, Detective Dotson: The Movie takes audiences deep into the gripping tale of Dotson, an amateur detective grappling with personal loss while uncovering a sinister corporate conspiracy, a mysterious assassin, and a hidden family truth. As chaos unfolds amidst a high-stakes cricket match, Dotson must piece together clues before catastrophe strikes.
Bringing a fresh visual identity, the film blends stylised 2D-meets-3D animation, mirroring the game’s modern Indian aesthetic. The experience is further enriched by an evocative original soundtrack created in collaboration with Nikhil Rao of Indian Ocean, pioneers of Indian rock.
“This film offers an in-depth look into Detective Dotson’s world, setting the stage for the game’s official launch on April 3,” said Shodhan. “AniMela is the perfect platform to debut this project, celebrating the confluence of gaming and cinema.”
AniMela’s artistic director, Anne Doshi stated, “We are thrilled to feature Detective Dotson: The Movie as the first-ever game-to-movie adaptation at the festival. It exemplifies the kind of passion projects that showcase India’s growing influence in the gaming and animation industry.”
The film serves as a prequel to Detective Dotson, the mystery-adventure game that picks up where the movie leaves off. Set in a vividly realised contemporary India, the game puts players in the role of Dotson, challenging them to solve puzzles, crack cases, and uncover the hidden truths lurking beneath the surface.
As AniMela 2025 returns to Mumbai for its second year from 7-9 March at IDC, IIT Bombay, Detective Dotson: The Movie promises to be a standout feature, merging gripping storytelling with cutting-edge animation and gaming. Whether you’re a film buff, a gaming enthusiast, or a mystery lover, Dotson’s world is one you won’t want to miss.
MAM
Dentsu revamps global leadership, names Takeshi Sano global CEO
New structure aims to sharpen execution, accelerate transformation and drive client growth
Tokyo: Dentsu Group has unveiled a sweeping global management shake-up, appointing Takeshi Sano as president & global ceo, effective March 27, 2026. The move is aimed at supercharging execution, driving client growth and accelerating the group’s transformation across 120 countries.
Sano, who currently serves as ceo, dentsu Japan and deputy global coo, has transformed Dentsu Inc. into an integrated growth partner, delivering 11 straight quarters of revenue growth and strong profits for two consecutive years. Since 2023, he has steered dentsu’s business transformation globally as BX ceo, dentsu, and strengthened Japanese client expansion overseas.
“To support the pace of our transformation and strengthen execution, dentsu will sharpen the distinctive value that sets us apart, positioning ourselves as a true growth partner from strategy through execution,” Sano said. “By creating momentum for clients, partners, people and society, we will reinforce trust and steadily enhance corporate value.”
Under the new management, the global coo and global president roles are being removed. Regional CEOs and practice presidents will now report directly to Sano, enabling faster decisions and tighter client alignment. A new global chief transformation officer and global chief corporate affairs officer have been appointed to accelerate enterprise initiatives and reinforce governance.
Yoshimasa Watahiki, currently Coo, dentsu Japan, steps up as director, representative executive officer, executive vice president and global chief corporate affairs officer. Shigeki Endo remains global cfo, bringing over 30 years of global finance expertise to the fore. Both, along with Sano, are slated for approval as directors at the March 27 shareholders’ meeting.
Other key appointments include: Beth Ann Kaminkow as ceo, dentsu Americas & chief global client officer; Andre Andrade, ceo, dentsu EMEA; Yuichi Toyoda, ceo, dentsu APAC; Will Swayne, global practice president – media & integrated solution; Pete Stein, global practice president – CXM; Yasuharu Sasaki, global chief creative officer; Miho Tanimoto, global chief HR officer; Noritaka Omi, global chief transformation officer; Jean Lin, global chief brand officer; Yoshiki Ishihara, global new ventures officer; Manus Wheeler, chief of staff; Jeremy Miller, global chief communications officer; Shirli Zelcer, chief data & technology officer.
Additionally, Toby Benjamin has been appointed as chief media officer at dentsu UK.
The shake-up comes as dentsu looks to accelerate its transformation, strengthen governance, and deliver measurable growth for clients worldwide. “By eliminating redundant layers and empowering leaders closest to clients, we can act faster, execute better and generate sustainable value,” Sano added.
Hiroshi Igarashi, Arinobu Soga and Giulio Malegori will step down from the global management team and take on advisory roles, marking a clean slate for the new executive leadership.
With a sharpened management engine, Dentsu is betting on speed, unity and client-centric execution to drive its next chapter of global growth.
