MAM
Firework rope in former 9GAG, Taboola, Tout, Evolve Media senior management to power innovations on the open web
Silicon Valley based short video platform Firework have roped in 9GAG’s Senior Vice President and GM Russel Schneider as the Head of Digital Strategy. Former head of Taboola News in the US, Anand Vijayanand, Bill Jennings, former Chief Digital Officer at Patientpoint in New York and Former Global COO of Evolve Media, Jason Holland have joined Firework’s leadership team in Redwood City, California. In addition to that, former Chief Revenue Officer of Tout, David Parsons has also joined Firework as its Head of Strategy and Business Development.
While Jason Holland will lead as the President of Global Business for Firework, Anand Vijayanand will spearhead the mobile division of Firework. Bill Jennings has been appointed as the President of Firework Network. David Parsons on the other hand, will be responsible for business strategy in the brands global expansion.
With more than 100 years of cumulative experience among them, this team has been entrusted with Firework’s open web initiatives globally.
At Evolve Media, Jason was pivotal in leading expansion into emerging markets and managing global business and strategy. At 9GAG, Russel Schneider developed a new blueprint to help brands integrate with social communities, MEME culture, and social creators. With over 15 years in leading digital businesses, Russel has partnered with Netflix, Paramount Pictures, EA Games, Dunkin' Donuts, Tencent Games and many more that made 9GAG one of world’s most followed entertainment brands.
Anand Vijayanand, an Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu and Stanford Graduate was the VP and GM at Celltick in Silicon Valley before joining Taboola, heading their News division. Anand’s decades of experience in growth and business strategy and his experience with OEMs will drive Firework’s mobile application and product evolution and key partnerships.
Deborah Vue, Global Head of Business and People Operation at Firework Headquarters in Redwood City, California said “Anand, Bill, Jason, Russel and David will be part of the leadership team at Firework. Our rapid growth and expansion around the globe are a validation of the compelling product that the team have put together and the journey that lies ahead of us. The experience that this team brings is diverse and rich and will add to the speed and agility with which Firework will build value in people’s digital journey”
Jason Holland, President of Global Business at Firework said, “Firework is the world’s fastest growing short video platform and we are only getting started. I anticipate an extremely exciting journey at Firework, driving growth and strategy globally to enter the next stage of internet’s evolution. Firework is well poised be a game changer and it will be a delight to work with such inspired teams across the globe”
Firework’s progress in the short video space on the open web have been rapid with their commitment to innovation and radical approach to offer business solutions for publisher partners. Firework has emerged as the largest short video operator on the open web, that is poised to transform social media, empower creators and create a shift in the way internet operates.
This dream team will develop a fruitful journey for publishers, creators, brands to derive optimal value from the unrestrictive nature of the open web.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
