MAM
Sikkim Super Lotto tickets now on SMS
MUMBAI: Online lottery Playwin has now turned its attention to the burgeoning mobile phone market in the country.
Escotel Mobile Communications, which provides services in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Haryana, has announced a facility that enables buying lottery tickets of Sikkim Super Lotto on SMS. Escotel is the first operator in Kerala to offer this facility, the technical support for which has been provided by Xius, says an official release.
Customers have to SMS “LT” followed by six numbers of his choice ranging between 1 to 49 and then SMS it to 7575. The customer will then get a message requesting confirmation of his participation. In the event the customer acknowledges his participation; he gets a confirmation receipt along with his 16-digit ticket number. For further queries the customer can SMS “Help” to 7575.
Escotel-Kerala COO V G Somasekhar says, “The mobile has already become an indispensable part of a subscriber’s life as a preferred communication medium. It is now fast extending its utility beyond just communications adding much more convenience in our day to day life. Our tie-up with Playwin exemplifies the increased convenience to the customer who can now buy a lottery ticket by pressing just a few buttons on his mobile. By becoming the first operator in Kerala to introduce this service, Escotel also underlines it’s commitment to harness cutting edge technology to provide useful and relevant services to its customers ahead of anyone else.”
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.
