Movies
Chalkboard Entertainments announces a strategic partnership with media veteran Sandeep Bhargava
Mumbai: Chalkboard Entertainment, a content company dedicated to producing compelling narratives, has announced a strategic partnership with media veteran Sandeep Bhargava to strengthen their business and content strategy. As a part of his role as a partner, Bhargava will be responsible for taking the organisation to its next phase of growth.
An industry veteran, with an exemplary career spanning over 33 years, Bhargava has an extensive track record of transforming companies into highly successful businesses. From collaborating with internationally acclaimed directors and producers to playing a pivotal role in establishing India’s largest film studios – UTV, Sahara One, Viacom18 (Studio18), and The Indian Film Company (One of the first media companies to be listed on the AIM Exchange in London), Sandeep has been a valuable partner to some of the industry’s biggest names for over three decades.
On this collaboration, Bhargava said, “I am thrilled to be working with Chalkboard Entertainment at such a dynamic time in the Indian content landscape. Chalkboard has perfectly captured the pulse of evolving narratives and is creating stories in line with that. Our shared vision is to develop an innovative and successful ecosystem that amplifies the impact and extends the reach of their exceptional content. I look forward to building and innovating with the talented team at Chalkboard Entertainment.”
Speaking about the new addition to the team, Chalkboard Entertainment said co-founder Vikesh Bhutani said, “We are thrilled to welcome Sandeep to the leadership team at Chalkboard as we now gear up for our next phase of growth collectively. The rapidly evolving content industry demands a forward-thinking approach centered on innovation and creation and we are confident that his commitment and experience will add immense value to our future endeavors”
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
