MAM
Madhavan is brand ambassador for Spark mobiles
MUMBAI: Film actor R Madhavan is the brand ambassador for the Dubai-manufactured Spark mobile phones which are aimed at being ‘fashion phones wrapped in toughness’.
Madhavan said he never agreed to endorse any product without first believing in it, and he had checked the mobiles himself before agreeing to be the brand ambassador.
Elaine Ester who is chairperson of the Spark Group of Companies based in the United Arab Emirates said five models of the phone priced between Rs 2,200 and Rs 10,000 would be out by the end of the year.
She said the entire manufacturing had been done in Dubai, though some parts had been imported from Korea and China. She also claimed that the entire research and development had been done in Dubai by her company.
She said Spark Mobiles had commenced finding distributors for the product in India and will supply the phones by December this year.
MAM
Sameer Nair steps down as CEO of Applause Entertainment
Veteran media executive exits after a decade at the Aditya Birla Group-backed studio.
MUMBAI: After a decade of calling the shots, Sameer Nair is taking a bow from Applause Entertainment. The veteran industry leader and CEO of the prominent content studio is stepping down from his role, according to sources familiar with the development. This marks a significant leadership transition at one of India’s key players in the television and digital content space.
Applause Entertainment, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has built a strong reputation under Nair’s leadership for its high-quality adaptations of international formats and a slate of original series across OTT platforms. Nair, who joined the company a decade ago, was instrumental in shaping its growth and positioning it as a notable force in India’s evolving streaming landscape.
Prior to Applause, he held senior roles at major media organisations, including Star India, where he played a pivotal part in the launch of the iconic show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. He also worked with Balaji Telefilms and NDTV Imagine.
It remains unclear who will succeed Nair or what his next professional move will be. Queries sent to Nair did not receive a response, and Applause Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
His exit comes at a time when the Indian content ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes, with streaming platforms recalibrating investments, focusing on profitability, and adjusting content strategies amid shifting viewer preferences and increasing competition.
Industry insiders suggest the transition could signal a strategic reset for Applause as it navigates the next phase of growth.
In the fast-paced world of Indian entertainment, where hits can fade as quickly as they rise, Sameer Nair has enjoyed a remarkably steady and influential run. As he steps off the stage at Applause, the spotlight now turns to what comes next for both the executive and the studio he helped build.
