GECs
Bollywood Awards get a Hollywood ambassador
MUMBAI: Los Angeles-based media mogul and Hollywood.tv CEO and founder Sheeraz Hasan has been named ‘Hollywood Ambassador to Bollywood’ by the Bollywood Group.
The Bollywood Group is the presenter of the annual Bollywood Awards, which are scheduled to be held on 30 April at the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
Hasan’s appointment will be formally presented at the awards.
Hasan is no stranger to such accolades, having founded his company – Tinseltown Entertainment, Inc – on the premise of building a bridge between Hollywood and Bollywood, the two largest film industries in the world.
Last year, at the 2004 Bollywood Awards, his efforts were rewarded when he was given the prestigious ‘American Dream’ Award, in recognition of his accomplishments in the entertainment industry.
Since then, his journey has brought him full circle, from reporting on the headlines to making them himself. He has bagged scores of awards for his successful media ventures, and his highly anticipated autobiography will be released this summer.
His appointment as ambassador illustrates just how far he has come, from arriving in America two years ago with nothing to becoming one of the shining stars of the international entertainment industry.
“Being appointed ambassador is not something I take lightly. I am, of course, honoured and grateful that I was chosen. I think I am in a unique position to represent Hollywood in Bollywood and elsewhere in South Asia, being myself a South-Asian who has achieved success here.
“This is the most competitive business environment in the world, by any measure, and I think both industries could learn a great deal from each other. The opportunities for artistic and business growth are very exciting,” said Hasan.
The Bollywood Awards will be telecast to an audience of over 250 million people worldwide.
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
