iWorld
Crunchyroll joins forces with Comic Con India for an expanded anime experience!
Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the ultimate anime destination for global fans, is excited to announce an extensive partnership with Comic Con India for their next five highly anticipated events across India. Crunchyroll will be the ‘Powered By’ partner of the iconic pop culture events by Comic Con for the next six months.
As the ultimate anime destination in India, Crunchyroll boasts the most extensive and diverse library of anime titles. In parallel, Comic Con India celebrates the diverse realms of comics, anime, gaming, and pop culture through its exciting fan events. This partnership promises to create a synergy that will enhance the event experience for all attendees.
Partnership with Crunchyroll will kick off from their Bengaluru Comic Con event starting on 17 November at KTPO Whitefield. The partnership will extend to upcoming events in Delhi (8 December at NSIC Grounds, Okhla), Hyderabad (27 January at Hitex), Chennai (17 February at Chennai Trade Centre), and finally conclude in Mumbai (20 April at Jio World Centre, BKC).
“We are thrilled to announce a dynamic partnership with Crunchyroll, the premier destination for anime enthusiasts, for our upcoming five events as our ‘Powered by’ Partner,” said Comic Con India founder Jatin Varma. “We’ve witnessed a remarkable rise in cosplayers donning anime characters year after year at Comic Con, highlighting the growing love for anime in India. Having Crunchyroll on board is the perfect synergy, allowing us to further enrich fan experiences, create interactive engagements, and fostering connections among like-minded individuals. It’s a testament to our commitment to bringing fans closer to the heart of their favourite anime content and creating unforgettable moments at our events.”
Crunchyroll senior vice president of marketing Markus Gerdemann said, “Partnering with Comic Con India, which is at the forefront of fandom and pop culture, will allow us to immerse Indian fans into the mesmerizing world of anime. We are looking forward to celebrating anime together and delivering even more experiences to connect fans with their favourite series.”
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
