MAM
Hitwicket appoints Anand Ramachandran as creative director
Mumbai: Gaming startup Hitwicket has announced the appointment of Anand Ramachandran as its new creative director. Anand, ex-creative director at Disney Byju’s Early Learn app, brings with him over two decades of experience in game development, interactive entertainment and storytelling. His strategic vision and expertise are set to drive Hitwicket’s global engagement and expand its user base.
Over the past year, Hitwicket has experienced significant growth, exceeding 10 million downloads and targeting a 5X increase within the next two years. With Anand onboard, the company aims to strengthen its position as a global leader in the gaming industry. Anand will play a key role in enhancing the user journey for both current and new players, shaping game design, product roadmap, and ensuring ongoing evolution. He will work closely with the team to improve the overall user experience.
Anand Ramachandran expressed his enthusiasm about joining Hitwicket, stating, “I am thrilled to become a part of India’s leading cricket gaming franchise. As a kid, I was always creating cricket games—with dice, playing cards, and pen and paper—but my rough designs and prototypes rarely saw the light of day. Now, with Hitwicket, I get the chance to bring those childhood actions to life. My goal is to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cricket gaming, infuse new creative ideas to gameplay, and ensure that every player, whether a seasoned pro or a newcomer, finds something exciting and engaging. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Hitwicket along with the founders Keerti Singh and Kashyap Reddy, to explore new avenues of creativity, innovation, and user experience, and to make this game a global phenomenon.”
A gaming industry veteran, Anand Ramachandran has been a driving force behind some of the most popular games on the market that has shaped the landscape of interactive entertainment. With a remarkable career that includes pivotal roles such as creative director for the Disney Byju’s Early Learn app, director of design at Hike Messenger, and lead designer for Zynga’s first India-launched game, Hidden Shadows, Anand has consistently pushed the boundaries of game design. His impressive portfolio boasts contributions to iconic titles like Mafia Wars, Hidden Chronicles, and Yoville, showcasing his knack for creating engaging experiences that resonate with millions of gamers
Co-founders Kashyap Reddy and Keerti Singh shared their thoughts on Anand’s appointment saying, “We are delighted to welcome Anand to the Hitwicket team. His wealth of experience and creative vision will undoubtedly open new horizons for us in game creativity and design. Having an industry veteran like Anand, who has been instrumental in shaping some of the most engaging and popular games, choose Hitwicket as his next venture gives us the confidence to further solidify our brand’s position in the gaming industry and continue our journey to becoming a global leader in cricket games. We believe Anand’s addition to our team will propel Hitwicket to new heights, enabling us to innovate not just gameplay but also player engagement and community building. Together we are set to explore new creative possibilities and push the boundaries of what a cricket game can achieve.”
Joining Hitwicket, Anand is set to leverage his extensive experience and creative vision to elevate the gaming experience to new heights. As Hitwicket progresses on its journey, the company remains focused on shaping the future of mobile gaming, aiming to be a leading brand from India with global appeal, competing with top gaming brands. With Anand’s arrival, players can expect exciting developments in the game that will engage current fans and attract new gamers to cricket. His appointment is a significant milestone for Hitwicket, bringing innovations and a promising future in the gaming industry. Anand’s expertise will be vital in enhancing the gaming experience for millions worldwide, ensuring that Hitwicket remains distinctive in a market dominated by international titles.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
