iWorld
Sony’s ‘We Liv to Entertain’ gets 10 million views in a week
MUMBAI: When it comes to delivering unparalleled experiences to viewers, SonyLiv, the complete digital entertainment platform with content for audiences across genres has never ceased to surprise and delight its users. Its recently-released brand film,‘We Liv to Entertain’ – the renewed brand ethos has struck a chord with viewers and is receiving widespread appreciation for its perfect positioning. SonyLiv aired the brand film across its network and digital platforms on 12 December, 2016.
Within a period of a week, the brand film has set up a mark for itself by delivering 10 million+ views across platforms. The one-of-its-kind brand film is being highly appreciated for its unique approach and narrative technique. The renewed positioning ‘We Liv to Entertain’ has appealed to a lot of viewers and has enhanced their loyalty and affinity towards brand SonyLiv.
“The idea of the brand film was to support our refreshed identity as the theatre of emotions which has the ability to amplify every feeling and thought. We are delighted that viewers are enjoying this film and are being able to relate to it and to the core idea it drives home. The tremendous response that we have received underlines our status as the premium and widely preferred entertainment destination in India. We will be looking forward to building on this impressive user response by churning out more engaging and appealing content that delights all our viewers to be true to our core brand promise- We LIV to Entertain,” said SonyLiv EVP and head digital business Uday Sodhi.
The one-minute film shot in Romania, which is widely known for its larger-than-life image and for being the birthplace of the circus, captures how entertainment is one such thing that can hold on to the emotions of people. It beautifully depicts how a clown puts his heart and soul to entertain viewers constantly. It highlights the amount of effort that goes into making people laugh, cry, dance and jump out of their seats with excitement. The brand film was conceptualized as an ode to all the entertainers of SonyLiv, including those behind the camera who have dedicated their lives to entertaining viewers. It also firmly reinforces SonyLiv’s brand identity as the ultimate provider of relevant and evocative entertainment across varied genres.
For the successful execution of the film, team SonyLiv found the right creative partner in Publicis Ambience whose team helped with compelling and strategic insights.It was awarded the creative mandate by SonyLiv as a creative AOR and the outcome of the brand film is something that has been highly appreciated.
“We had a clear mandate from SonyLiv, to create a film that perfectly encapsulates its uplifted brand ethos and underlines its renewed focus on being the ultimate entertainer for one and all. Romania, therefore, was the perfect setting and the clown, the ideal protagonist. We are thrilled at the way the film has turned out and how it complements SonyLiv’s value proposition. The consumer response is truly heartening and speaks volumes about how well-thought-out communication strategies can go a long way in fostering consumer affinity towards the brand,” added Publicis Ambience COO Paritosh Srivastava.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
