eNews
Digital, sports & events co GSC to make Aus, NZ buys, receives funds
MUMBAI: Global Sports Commerce (GSC) and its affiliate Techfront International, a supplier of in-stadium LED screens, as well as integrated sponsorship and digital solutions for sports and media events, has received funding to support acquisitions of Screencorp in Australia and Oled & Carniegie in New Zealand.
BlackRock’s Private Credit team arranged sole financing for the combined transaction.
The intended acquisitions will enable GSC to deepen penetration of the Australian and New Zealand digital sporting solutions markets, while entering the fast-growing digital billboard sector. Techfront Australia, a subsidiary of Techfront International, enjoys market leadership in Australia and New Zealand as partner to the AFL, All Blacks, NZ Cricket and in association with MKTG for Cricket Australia & Big Bash League.
GSC CEO M S Muralidharan said, “These acquisitions will facilitate deep engagement with sports for GSC and Techfront and amounts to a template for replicating a successful model throughout Europe and North America. BlackRock’s support provides Techfront with greater impetus, and contributes to the consolidation of sports commerce worldwide via use of technology such as Commerce Optimiser.”
Techfront Australia CEO Neil Maxwell said, “The addition of these companies provides TFA with an unparalleled scale in the Australian and New Zealand markets. We are now able to cater to an increased number of sports and in the process, provide broader offerings along with an enhanced level of service.”
BlackRock head of Asian credit Neeraj Seth commented, “GSC and Techfront’s dominant position in key cricket markets, plus growing involvement in football, rugby, tennis and other sports, make it an attractive investment opportunity. Private credit has become an important source of flexible capital for mid-market companies at a time when banks are being constrained from providing financing to Asian companies.”
He added, “BlackRock is well-positioned to provide companies such as GSC and Techfront with capital throughout multiple Asian jurisdictions. This enables such organizations to expand at the same time as allowing us to equip our investors with diverse sources of investment return.”
GSC provides dynamic solutions, along with sponsorship & commercial management and premier consultancy. It’s affiliated units work with sports organisations such as FIFA, ICC, BBCI, UEFA, IAAF, EPL, IPL, Bundesliga, IPL and AFL, all via various subsidiaries and partners.
Techfront continues to be at the forefront of LED innovation, by developing the proprietary Go-Green Technology, the world’s first Ultra High-definition 4K HD and being the first globally compliant LED technology company as certified by FIFA and the UEFA.
BlackRock, a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services with AUM US$5.1 trillion, helps with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
