MAM
Xbox 360 to unleash ‘Good Luck India’ campaign
MUMBAI: With the World Cup around the corner, Microsoft Xbox 360 will roll out its signature campaign ‘Good Luck India’ to wish the Indian cricket team all the luck they need. Slated to kick off on 23 February, it will span across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune.
To get the public involved, a larger than life Xbox 360 console will be taken across the country for cricket fans and enthusiasts to sign their good luck messages.
This campaign is a critical element of run-up to the soon-to-be launched Xbox 360 exclusive gaming title for India, ‘Yuvraj Singh International Cricket 2007,’ informs an official release.
Microsoft India marketing head, entertainment and devices division Ashim Mathur said, “For a country like India which is so passionate about cricket, the ‘Good Luck India’ campaign will serve as an ideal opportunity for cricket lovers to wish the Indian team for the world cup. These signed Xbox 360 consoles will be handed over to the Indian cricket team in West Indies before the start of the tournament.”
The gaming title ‘Yuvraj Singh International Cricket 2007’ mega console would cover historical landmarks like Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, Necklace in Hyderabad, Palace Grounds in Bangalore, Marina Beach in Chennai, India gate in Delhi, Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gateway of India in Mumbai and Shanivar Peth in Pune.
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.
