iWorld
Snap to it IAA and Snapchat set the vibe for Gen Z creators
If creativity had a frequency, Mumbai is about to tune into a brand-new one because THE VIBE is set to hit the city with enough AR sparkle and AI swagger to make even Gen Z pause mid-scroll. The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter, in partnership with Snapchat India, is rolling out this immersive creative showcase on 20 November, kicking off at 5 pm.
Designed as a high-energy playground for young talent, THE VIBE promises more than just presentations; it is built as an experience that lets participants touch, tweak, and test the future of storytelling. Snapchat’s experts will decode how augmented reality and artificial intelligence are rewriting the rulebook for brands, creators, and anyone looking to stay relevant in the 2025 content economy.
Across the evening, attendees can dive into hands-on immersion sessions, explore interactive demos, and study breakthrough case-based learning, all shaped around three central themes:
AR, AI & Creators redefining how stories are told; Fresh Formats designed to truly speak to Gen Z; and Making Real Impact through campaigns that have broken clutter and sparked conversations.
IAA President Abhishek Karnani said the collaboration stands firmly in the association’s mission to nurture the country’s next wave of creative leaders. “Our collaboration with Snapchat reflects IAA’s commitment to nurturing young talent and embracing innovation. These immersive sessions, centred on Gen Z and the evolving art of AR storytelling, align seamlessly with our vision for impactful industry engagement,” he said.
Snapchat, meanwhile, is bringing its tech muscle to the table. Snap Inc. India director, content & AR partnerships Saket Jha Saurabh emphasised that the platform has always believed in creativity amplified by technology. “Through THE VIBE, we’re excited to collaborate with IAA to inspire India’s emerging creative community and demonstrate how AR and AI can help brands tell stories that are not just seen, but truly experienced,” he said.
The event is open to professionals across creative, marketing, and media functions and in a refreshing twist for industry events there is no registration fee. The only requirement is curiosity and a willingness to explore what brand storytelling looks like when imagination meets immersive tech.
Participants can secure their spot through the RSVP link provided by the organisers and gear up for an evening that blends learning, play, and the new language of digital creativity.
To register, RSVP here: https://forms.gle/fmNCp2E66o9dccFJA
Gaming
Nodwin Gaming partners with Runestone for esports data and integrity solutions
South Asian esports leader joins forces with Czech tech firm to enhance tournament operations.
MUMBAI: Nodwin Gaming has just levelled up its game by bringing in a specialist to keep the scoreboard honest and the fans fully engaged. The leading South Asian esports and gaming company has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology firm specialising in real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organisers and publishers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive integrity, improve operational oversight, and deliver more interactive viewing experiences across Nodwin’s properties. It will initially focus on the Nodwin Clutch Series for Counter-Strike 2, a Tier 2 tournament that provides emerging teams with consistent competitive opportunities and helps build the talent pipeline.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with Big defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 online event.
Nodwin Gaming chief business officer at MENA and global head of data monetization Teemu Koski said, “Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs.”
Runestone head of partnerships Michael Schwartz added, “Nodwin Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets. We’re thrilled to collaborate on supporting tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable tools.”
Both companies are exploring opportunities to extend the partnership across additional titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems, and to develop new products for publishers, tournament operators, and event promoters.
In the rapidly growing world of esports, where fair play and fan excitement are equally crucial, Nodwin Gaming and Runestone are teaming up to ensure every match is not only competitive but also transparent and engaging. This alliance could well become a game-changer for Tier 2 tournaments across South Asia and beyond.
