iWorld
Shivani Thussu joins JioHotstar as VP, creative & content for digital and streaming Hindi specials
MUMBAI: JioHotstar has strengthened its creative lineup with the appointment of Shivani Thussu as vice president – creative & content for digital and streaming Hindi specials. In her new role, Thussu will shape the creative vision for the platform’s Hindi Originals, specials, new formats, and talent partnerships.
Sharing her excitement, Thussu said, “A new episode begins. I’m thrilled to move from a consulting role into a full-time position, and I look forward to creating ambitious, meaningful stories with incredible people.”
With over two decades of experience in Indian television and digital content, Thussu has played a key role in some of the country’s most successful projects. Before joining JioHotstar, she led original content strategy at Viacom18 Digital Ventures, overseeing hits like Candy, which won Best Web Series at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival. She also drove record viewership for Bigg Boss OTT and steered multiple long-form series and originals across Svod and Avod platforms.
Thussu’s earlier stints include shaping Indian adaptations of The Office and Criminal Justice for BBC Studios, and delivering iconic shows for Colors TV including India’s Got Talent, 24, and Khatron Ke Khiladi. Her career spans creative leadership, content strategy, and nurturing talent across TV and digital.
At JioHotstar, she is set to combine her knack for storytelling with audience insights, bringing fresh, high-impact Hindi content to the streaming stage. Fans of bold, original programming can expect some exciting chapters ahead.
e-commerce
ITC Sunfeast, Zepto host mango-themed experiential ‘Paglu Party’
Event blends Alphonso desserts, DIY sessions and interactive formats
MUMBAI: When mango season peaks, some savour it others go full ‘paglu’. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations, in collaboration with Zepto, turned summer indulgence into an immersive brand experience with its ‘Mango Paglu Party’, a high-energy, mango-themed event designed to blur the line between dessert and discovery. Built around the brand’s ‘Mad Over Mangoes’ universe, the space leaned into a sensory overload bright, playful and unapologetically mango-drenched. From curated installations to social-first corners, every element was designed to be as shareable as it was experiential.
At the centre of the celebration was the fruit itself, elevated into a menu crafted using fresh, carbide-free Alphonso mangoes sourced by Zepto. The spread ranged from a flaky Mango Pista Kouign Aman to Mango Coconut Serradura Pudding and a Mango Mascarpone Cake, balancing indulgence with seasonal freshness.
But this was not a passive tasting affair. Guests were drawn into the experience through interactive formats, including a DIY dessert session led by the brand’s chef, where attendees created classics like Mango Tres Leches. Zepto chief business officer Chandan Mehndiratta also joined the session, adding a touch of brand personality to the proceedings.
A quirky highlight came in the form of the ‘Aam Paglu Prescription’, a playful, doctor-themed concept that positioned mango indulgence as the only “treatment” worth taking, turning a simple insight into a memorable activation.
The event built up to a theatrical finale, with the crowning of the ‘Aam Paglu of the Day’ followed by the cutting of an oversized mango-shaped Mango Mascarpone Cake, closing the experience on a high note.
More than just a seasonal showcase, the Mango Paglu Party reflects a broader shift in brand storytelling, where products are no longer just consumed, but experienced. For ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and Zepto, mango season was not just about flavour, it was about creating a moment that audiences could step into, engage with and, quite literally, devour.
