MAM
Fox makes first anti piracy film PSA in US
LOS ANGELES: Hollywood may have broken box office records last year by raking up over nine billion dollars in terms of revenues but the pirates continue to have a field day.
Not only are films aired in theatres being shot by the pirates with digital cameras but it has now come to light that DVDs are being copied. It is also not uncommon to hear of instances where the latest releases are being illegally downloaded on the Net. To spread awareness about the deadly beast, 20th Century Fox has unveiled a one minute 12 second Public Service Announcement.
It is the motion picture industry’s first anti-piracy theatrical PSA and brings people from the different strands of the industry together. Besides stars like Ben Affleck, the film also features concession-stand workers, security guards, and animal wranglers. The mesage being put forth is that piracy threatens the bread and butter of ordinary decent people.
Fox has reached agreements with major motion picture exhibitors to play the PSA in theatres across the US, including the world’s largest, the Regal Entertainment Group.
20th Century Fox chairman Jim Gianopulos said, “Piracy is the single most critical issue facing our industry today. A generation of kids that would never steal a DVD from a store feels no compunction about downloading illegal copies from the internet. Our industry must bear some of the responsibility for educating people that stealing is stealing – regardless of the form.”
The PSA has generated support from all the studios of the Motion Picture Association of America and will become an important element of the MPAA’s comprehensive piracy education campaign. It is the first in a series of anti-piracy messages that will be produced for use in theaters; on TV and cable networks; on DVDs and VHS; at industry screenings and premieres; in the classroom; and at many other venues.
In India the issue will be dealt with at next weeks FICCI FRAMES Convention in Mumbai. VP, Motion Picture Association Intl Michael Ellis will talk on IPR & Legal: Giving the Owner his Due.
Brands
Magellanic Cloud names Syed Ameeruddin CEO of e-surveillance arm
Keeping a sharper eye on the future, Magellanic Cloud is putting a seasoned watcher in charge.
MUMBAI – Magellanic Cloud Ltd. has elevated Syed Ameeruddin as Chief Executive Officer of its e-surveillance business, bringing its iVIS and Provigil operations under a unified leadership to accelerate growth in intelligent monitoring and infrastructure solutions.
Ameeruddin, a nearly two-decade veteran of the company, steps into the role after leading the e-surveillance vertical. His career trajectory—from Business Development Manager to the top of the vertical—reflects a steady climb built on operational depth, client engagement, and strategic execution across multiple subsidiaries.
Over the years, he has played a central role in expanding the company’s footprint, strengthening client relationships, and streamlining operations. He has also been instrumental in integrating acquisitions, helping align new businesses with Magellanic Cloud’s long-term strategy while stabilising performance across diverse domains.
More recently, Ameeruddin has contributed to securing key mandates spanning railways, the National Highways Authority of India, and the BFSI sector—wins that have bolstered the company’s order book and deepened its presence in critical infrastructure.
Commenting on the move, Joseph Sudheer Thumma said Ameeruddin’s leadership has been “pivotal in shaping the e-surveillance business,” citing his ability to drive growth, build teams, and deliver strategic wins as key to the company’s journey. His elevation, Thumma added, is expected to further accelerate expansion in AI-driven surveillance and infrastructure solutions.
The transition comes as demand surges for AI-enabled monitoring, centralised command systems, and large-scale deployments across mission-critical environments. Magellanic Cloud’s e-surveillance segment—anchored by iVIS and Provigil—has emerged as a significant growth engine, delivering projects across banking, transport, highways, and public infrastructure.
In his new role, Ameeruddin will focus on scaling platform capabilities, expanding deployments in complex environments, and developing integrated solutions that enhance real-time intelligence and operational resilience. He will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer of the company alongside his new responsibilities.
With this leadership shift, Magellanic Cloud is doubling down on its ambition to stay ahead in India’s rapidly evolving surveillance ecosystem—where seeing, increasingly, is not just believing, but predicting.
