MAM
Pocket Entertainment names Umesh Bude as CTO to lead AI-powered storytelling revolution
MUMBAI: In the world of audio-led content, Pocket Entertainment just rewrote the tech playbook. The company has elevated Umesh Bude to chief technology officer (CTO), tasking him with steering its ambitious journey into the future of AI-powered storytelling.
The move places Bude at the helm of the company’s end-to-end technology strategy across all platforms—Pocket FM, Pocket Toons, and Pocket Novel. As CTO, he will lead efforts to craft intelligent, emotionally attuned user experiences by blending generative AI with scalable product design.
“It’s a privilege to take on this responsibility at such an exciting time for Pocket Entertainment. I look forward to driving the next wave of innovation, where technology and AI are not just enablers, but storytellers in their own right”, said Bude.
With nearly 20 years of experience across engineering, platform security, and data science, Bude has played a key role in scaling Pocket Entertainment’s tech infrastructure from scratch. His elevation underscores the company’s ambition to lead at the intersection of entertainment and machine intelligence.
“We are at a pivotal moment in our journey where technology and creativity are deeply intertwined. As we reimagine storytelling for the AI era, technology is the foundation”, said Pocket Entertainment co-founder Prateek Dixit. “Umesh’s elevation is a reflection of our ambition to lead this transformation from the front. His leadership will be central to creating intelligent, emotionally aware experiences that push the boundaries of what storytelling can be”.
Bude will continue reporting to Dixit as he leads initiatives to strengthen the company’s generative AI muscle, ensure seamless cross-platform integration, and pioneer tools that empower storytellers and users alike. With this shift, Pocket Entertainment reaffirms its commitment to turning code into creativity—one line, one story at a time.
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
