iWorld
IndiaCast partners JKN Media to bring Indian content to Thailand
MUMBAI: In a bid to strengthen its international foothold and provide unparalleled entertainment to the transnational viewers, IndiaCast Media Distribution – the domestic and international distribution arm of Viacom18 and TV18, has partnered JKN Media, Thailand to bring content from the network’s Indian repository through an exclusive soon-to-be-launched digital channel on JKN’s OTT Platform titled 'Bflix' for Thai viewers in 2019. The channel will showcase exclusive content from the vast Viacom18 library, dubbed in Thai, that will be available in Thailand and key South East Asia markets. The deal was signed-off at the recently held Asia Television Forum (ATF) in Singapore.
IndiaCast and JKN Media together have successfully syndicated shows from COLORS for over five years in Thailand. This customized and exclusively packaged digital channel will bring specially curated content from the youngest and fastest growing media and entertainment company in India to the digital savvy viewers in Thailand.
Speaking about the association, Viacom18 Group CEO and MD Sudhanshu Vats said, “With an increasing number of viewers graduating towards the digital mode of entertainment worldwide, we are continually evaluating our play in the international digital distribution space. This symbiotic partnership with JKN Media will further strengthen our equation with the country’s viewers who have enjoyed and appreciated our shows from COLORS over the years. There are many cultural similarities between India and Thailand, and hence the strong resonance with our offerings. This endeavor is another step towards providing seamless and individualized Indian-origin entertainment to Thai viewers.”
On this strategic alliance IndiaCast Group CEO Anuj Gandhi said “We want to reach to audiences who want to experience contemporary, imaginative and high-quality relevant entertainment. It gives us immense pleasure to partner with JKN, to now take Viacom18 content to Thai viewers in their local language. We are confident that this will be a whole new exciting experience for the audiences. We would also like to thank JKN Media for their continuous partnership in scaling new heights in Thai market.”
Adding to further, JKN CEO Anne Jakrajutatip said, “At JKN, we constantly strive to partner with brands that share our sensibilities towards great storytelling and the emotions that high-quality content can evoke. Over the past five years, we have formed a strong association with IndiaCast, which has seen us exclusively acquiring almost all the drama series from ‘COLORS’ for Thailand. Shows like Madhubala, Balika Vadhu, Chakravarti Ashoka Samrat, Chandrakanta, Udann, Naagin, Shakti, Shani, Mahakali, Ishq Mein Marjawan, Bepannah and many more have been hugely loved by all audiences in Thailand. I am glad that we have now extended our association with IndiaCast through this digital channel which will enable us to distribute all their content on our OTT platform in Thailand and across distribution platforms in Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong.”
iWorld
Uber spotlights Rs 25 bike rides with music led IPL campaign
Uber uses 15 second music films with Divine and Roll Rida to push Rs 25 rides
MUMBAI: In a season where ads usually swing for sixes with celebrity spectacle, Uber has chosen to play a clever single sharp, fast, and straight to the point. Uber has rolled out a distinctly stripped-down IPL campaign, putting its product Uber Bike rides starting at Rs 25 for up to 3 km front and centre, rather than leaning on big-budget storytelling. The campaign features hip-hop artist Divine in Mumbai and Roll Rida in southern markets, using music as the primary vehicle for recall.
IPL advertising has long been dominated by high-production narratives packed with cricketers and film stars. Uber’s approach flips that playbook. Instead of elaborate storytelling, the brand opts for 15-second music-led films quick, rhythmic bursts designed to mirror the pace of urban mobility itself.
The message is deliberately simple, affordable, fast rides that cut through city traffic. No layered plots, no extended build-up just a functional promise delivered with cultural flair.
In the Mumbai-led film, Divine zips through traffic on an Uber Bike, turning the Rs 25 price point into a hook with his signature wordplay around “pachisi”. The campaign cleverly reframes affordability as a moment of delight, the kind that leaves commuters with a “32-teeth smile” after beating traffic at minimal cost.
Meanwhile, Roll Rida’s version leans into southern sensibilities, blending Telugu and Tamil influences with high-energy visuals. Set to the beat of tape drums, the film celebrates how low-cost rides can unlock a more connected and vibrant city experience. Together, the films reflect a conscious push towards regional authenticity, rather than a one-size-fits-all national narrative.
The campaign also signals Uber’s sharper focus on India’s growing bike taxi segment. While the company offers multi-modal services spanning cars, autos, metro integrations and intercity travel, this push zeroes in on two-wheelers as a key growth lever in dense urban markets.
By anchoring the campaign around a Rs 25 entry price for short distances, Uber is targeting everyday commuters, particularly younger users navigating congested cities where speed and cost matter more than comfort.
With IPL advertising clutter at its peak, even the most straightforward message risks getting lost. Uber’s answer is to embed the proposition within culture using music, regional nuance and repeat-friendly short formats to drive recall. The creative team has also layered subtle visual cues including multiple references to “25” within frames encouraging repeat viewing and reinforcing the core message without over-explaining it.
The campaign reflects a broader shift in advertising priorities. As attention spans shrink and media environments get noisier, brands are increasingly favouring clarity over complexity and speed over scale.
Uber’s IPL play may not shout the loudest, but it lands where it matters in the everyday commute. Because sometimes, in a marketplace full of grand narratives, a Rs 25 ride is story enough.
