MAM
Gruner + Jahr’s Networkplay buys out Seventynine
MUMBAI: Gruner + Jahr‘s Indian entity Networkplay has bought out Smile Vun Group‘s mobile ad network Seventynine.
Seventynine is G+J‘s second digital acquisition in India after Networkplay, which was acquired by G+J earlier this year.
According to the company, Gruner + Jahr intends to strengthen its digital presence in the Indian market. This new acquisition will help G+J and Networkplay fortify their competence and position in the mobile space.
Seventynine will be an independent business unit under the Networkplay umbrella, with its management reporting directly into the board.
The co-founders of Seventynine, Chirag Shah and Deven Dharamdasani will continue to lead the business post the buy-out.
Smile Vun Group founder Manish Vij said, “Seventynine has great potential as a business and we are certain that its association with Gruner+Jahr will provide a global platform for the business to grow further.This alliance is the beginning of our relationship with Gruner+Jahr.”
Gruner+Jahr International president Torsten-Jörn Klein said, “The expansion of Networkplay in the mobile space through the acquisition of Seventynine is clearly following our strategic commitment to grow our mobile business in the Indian market. G+J believes that in the Indian market, one of the fastest growing digital markets, the mobile segment will gain increasing importance. G+J is looking forward to further expand in that area together with Networkplay and the Seventynine team.”
In the new group, Seventynine‘s immediate focus would be technology, product and expansion in South East Asia and Middle East.
Seventynine was launched in April 2012 by Smile Vun Group with focus on rich media inventory especially videos and HTML5 to enrich user experience. The mobile ad-network recorded its first milestone in July 2012 when it clocked record growth by serving 700 Mn ad requests within three months of operation.
Seventynine also possesses Seventynine App Analytics Service and Predictive Analytics Engine.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
