iWorld
Httpool India onboards Simran Bedi as partner director
India: Httpool, an Aleph Holding company and global partner of major media platforms, on Thursday announced the appointment of Simran Bedi as partner director for India operations. She will report to Httpool India, managing director, Amit Gupta.
Bedi has over 18 years of experience in the media industry, including revenue generation, digital shopping and commerce, business development, branding, and experience with core branding solutions. Before joining Httpool, she worked at Publicis Media, responsible for leading buying and trading for the supply-side and leading affiliate business.
“As we prepare to exponentially scale the Httpool India business for the past one decade, one of our key areas of focus has been securing the right talent. Simran comes with a wide-ranging and in-depth experience of proven success across geographies, including India,” said Amit Gupta. “Her hands-on approach and wealth of experience in trade and agency partnerships and media planning will allow us to continue delivering demonstrable value to our partners both on the platform and demand side. We are looking forward to the next stage of our journey together with Simran.”
Speaking on her new role, Bedi said, “Httpool represents some leading media platforms, each having a distinct value proposition to meet advertiser demands and KPIs. Responsible for revenue growth across multi-platforms in the Indian market along with trade partnerships in the Asia Pacific region carries the highest responsibility, and I am determined to exceed the expectations.
iWorld
Mastercard expands concert series with comedy and music format
Vir Das, Zakir Khan and Papon headline multi-city shows across India.
MUMBAI: From punchlines to power chords, the stage is getting a genre upgrade. Mastercard has unveiled the next phase of its multi-city concert series in India, blending stand-up comedy with live music in a format that mirrors the country’s evolving entertainment tastes. The new line-up brings together a diverse mix of performers, including comedians Vir Das and Zakir Khan, alongside singer Papon. The shift marks a departure from earlier editions that were primarily music-led, featuring global and Indian acts such as Enrique Iglesias, A. R. Rahman and Sunidhi Chauhan.
Curated in collaboration with Tribe Vibe and EVA Live, the expanded series is designed to create a broader cultural platform that brings humour, storytelling and music into a single live experience.
Vir Das will kick off the comedy segment in New Delhi with four shows across two days at Yashobhoomi on 9 and 10 May. Meanwhile, Zakir Khan is set for an extended run in Mumbai, with nine shows scheduled at Dome SVP Stadium across 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 June, with additional dates expected.
On the music front, Papon will headline a six-city tour, beginning in Chandigarh on 16 May, followed by Ahmedabad on 29 May and Lucknow on 30 May. The tour will then move to Bengaluru on 6 June, Hyderabad on 7 June, and conclude in Indore on 14 June.
The series continues to offer exclusive benefits for Mastercard cardholders, including priority ticket access and premium lounge experiences at venues positioning the platform as both an entertainment and lifestyle proposition.
Beyond the spotlight, the initiative carries a social dimension. Through its partnership with Learning Links Foundation, Mastercard has enabled nearly 90 students from underserved communities across cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh to experience live events often for the first time aiming to spark interest in careers within the experience economy.
As live entertainment becomes increasingly hybrid and experiential, Mastercard’s latest move signals a simple insight: today’s audience doesn’t just want a show, they want a story, a laugh and a memory, all rolled into one.
