iWorld
Clean OTT to launch world’s first female-focused global streaming platform
Mumbai: Entertainment entrepreneur Karnesh Ssharma on Tuesday announced the launch of Clean OTT, the world’s only female oriented original-content streaming platform scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.
India based Karnesh, who recently announced a $54 million content deal with Amazon Prime and Netflix for his production company Clean Slate Filmz, will set new benchmark in the Indian entertainment industry by providing a roster of cut-through content placing female actors, directors and producers at its heart and givingIndia, the world’s largest film export, a central role to play in challenging global gender stereotypes, said the statement.
Clean OTT will be driven by an annual subscription SVOD model and will initially launch in India before expanding to markets such as the UK, USA, Canada, and the UAE – all of which celebrate a significant diaspora community. The content, though frequently localised in its production, is strategically chosen to have a resonance with worldwide audiences,demonstrating the popularity of local stories internationally and how such narratives are transient in nature, it added.
“i have always believed in the power of storytelling to move hearts and minds and I am conscious of the responsibility that entertainment platforms have in producing and promoting stories that do not endorse bias,” said Karnesh Ssharma. “For centuries patriarchy has governed storytelling, and as a man, I have always felt men play an equal part in shifting the narrative, conversation, and power shifts. When the voices of women are heard it teaches us new perspectives which, as an audience and filmmaker, are just as compelling and interesting.”
Speaking about the importance of market segmentation for its content strategy, Karnesh added, “We believe there is a unique opportunity to expand content. For example, women make up 50% of viewership in India yet most of the content is male focused or represents women in a secondary fashion. We are confident the Clean OTT narratives will appeal to everyone as we provide a platform free of prejudice. This will give women a voice that can be enjoyed by any demographic around the world and for those who are part of our productions, a path for career progression.”
The Clean OTT content will comprise international and regional projects across films, web series, and docu-series. The company will include originally curated and produced works by Clean and pre-selected projects that meet the Clean OTT messaging framework by other producers from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The library will showcase the credentials of an experienced team of directors, scriptwriters, actors, and producers associated with Clean Slate Filmz, as well as giving rise to emerging talent, the statement said.
Clean OTT will be available across web platforms, mobile apps, subscription platforms and other content aggregators around the world.
iWorld
Snap names Doug Hott CFO as Derek Andersen exits amid restructuring
Leadership shift and layoffs signal sharper focus on costs and growth path
NEW YORK: Snap Inc. is reshuffling its top leadership, appointing Doug Hott as chief financial officer as longtime finance chief Derek Andersen prepares to step down next month.
In an internal note, Snap chief executive officer Evan Spiegel said Andersen will leave after nearly eight years with the company, with his final earnings call set for May 6 and last working day on May 8. Andersen is departing for a new opportunity, closing a chapter that saw him guide the company through the pandemic, major shifts in digital advertising, and broader economic turbulence.
Reflecting on his tenure, Snap chief executive officer Evan Spiegel said Derek Andersen had been “a great partner” who helped steer the business through some of its most challenging periods while keeping a steady focus on long-term growth and profitability.
Taking over is Doug Hott, currently vice president of finance, strategy and corporate development, who has worked closely with leadership on capital allocation and restructuring. Snap chief executive officer Evan Spiegel described Doug Hott as a long-time partner with a strong commitment to cost discipline and doing more with less, signalling continuity at a time when efficiency is front and centre.
The leadership transition comes alongside a broader organisational reset. The workplace experience team will now report to Scott Withycombe, while the content team will move under the product organisation led by Ceci Mourkogiannis. Partnerships executives Anne and Craig will report to Zach Kahn as Snap aims to streamline operations.
The changes follow a recent round of layoffs that saw the company cut around 1,000 roles, or roughly 16 per cent of its workforce, reflecting a wider industry push towards leaner structures and tighter cost controls.
Investors are now turning their attention to Snap’s upcoming quarterly results in early May, which are expected to offer clearer signals on the company’s financial trajectory and the impact of its restructuring efforts.
With a new finance chief in place and a sharper organisational focus, Snap appears to be tightening its belt while keeping an eye on long-term growth in an increasingly competitive digital advertising market.
