iWorld
CloudTV plugs in Harshad Wadivkar as new business head for monetisation
MUMBAI: CloudTV, India’s first certified Smart TV operating system, is switching to a higher gear on its monetisation plans with the appointment of Harshad Wadivkar as business head – monetisation. The move signals CloudTV’s growing ambitions to cash in on India’s fast-expanding connected TV (CTV) advertising wave.
In his new role, Wadivkar will lead revenue strategies, forge fresh media partnerships, and unlock new monetisation channels across CloudTV’s platform, which today reaches more than 12 million viewers in regional markets across the country.
A digital sales veteran with over 15 years under his belt, Wadivkar has previously clocked stints at Adscholars, Xapads Media, and Mediascope. His client roster reads like a brand who’s who — from DSP Mutual Fund and ESPN to Mahindra Auto and Jaguar Land Rover — and his agency links span GroupM, Madison, IPG, and Publicis. His knack for scaling revenues and building lasting partnerships makes him a prized recruit for CloudTV’s next growth lap.
CloudTV COO and co-founder Abhijeet Rajpurohit said: “We are delighted to welcome Harshad aboard. His deep digital expertise and sharp monetisation focus will be pivotal as we strengthen our footprint in India’s rapidly evolving connected TV landscape.”
With the CTV market shifting into overdrive, CloudTV is betting big on seasoned hands like Wadivkar to drive its revenue engine and bolster its standing as an indispensable advertising enabler for smart TV audiences.
e-commerce
Google rolls out new AI shopping tools for Indian users
Gemini, AI Mode in Search, and Circle to Search get smarter upgrades to simplify online buying.
MUMBAI: Google is making online shopping in India a lot less “add to cart” and a lot more “ask and discover”. The tech giant has announced a fresh set of artificial intelligence-powered updates designed to make finding and buying products more intuitive and efficient. By integrating its Gemini models with the Shopping Graph, a massive dataset of over 50 billion product listings that sees nearly 2 billion updates every hour, Google is bringing smarter, more conversational shopping experiences across its platforms.
Users can now move seamlessly from idea generation to product discovery within the Gemini app. Whether planning a festive outfit or building a gift list, shoppers can receive product listings, comparison tables, pricing from across the web, and direct purchase links, all through natural conversation. The feature is currently available in English and Hindi.
Google has upgraded its AI Mode in Search, turning it into a more natural shopping assistant. Instead of relying on traditional filters and keywords, users can ask questions in plain language and receive structured responses with visuals, pricing, reviews, and inventory details. Comparison tables highlighting key differences are also included. While currently available in English, a Hindi version is expected soon.
The popular Circle to Search feature has been enhanced on devices such as the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series. Users can now identify and explore multiple objects in a single image at once. In fashion-related queries, the tool can break down entire outfits and suggest similar products, making style replication or discovery much easier.
Google stated that these updates build on last year’s successful rollout of the Virtual Try-On tool in India, which helped users visualise apparel before purchase.
In a market where shopping decisions often happen in seconds, Google is betting that smarter AI will turn casual browsing into confident buying. From festive shopping lists to spotting the perfect outfit in a photo, these new tools aim to make every scroll feel a little more rewarding and a lot less overwhelming.
