GECs
SPE appoints three vice chairmen
CALIFORNIA: In a move geared to solidify and streamline operations and further a collaborative management process at the company, a new management structure has been announced by Chairman and CEO Sony Pictures Entertainment John Calley,
Chairman, Columbia Pictures, Amy Pascal, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group Jeff Blake and President, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment Yair Landau have been promoted to Vice Chairmen, Sony Pictures Entertainment. As Vice-Chairmen of SPE, they share all day-to-day responsibilities formerly reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, while retaining their current roles and titles within their divisions. All three report to Calley.
Calley said, ” Amy’s motion picture slate is the strongest in industry history. Jeff is widely regarded as the best there is in the distribution business and he’s turned around our marketing operation. Yair is successfully leading our way into the digital future. My goal is to let the division heads flourish with the degree of autonomy they deserve while establishing an atmosphere where there is a constant flow of information between the various parts of our massive operation.”
Pascal, a 13-year veteran of Columbia Pictures, has held the post of Chairman since December 1999. Under Pascal’s guidance, Columbia Pictures has enjoyed record-breaking success with such films as Spider-Man (biggest opening weekend ever and 5th largest domestic grossing film of all time), Men in Black II,, the Adam Sandler comedy Mr. Deeds and Panic Room..
Yair Landau is President of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE) which combines SPE’s digital production with its online content and game services to deliver the next generation of entertainment, including the development and production of original computer-generated (CG) animated feature films. Landau, a 10 year veteran of SPE, previously served as Executive VP Corporate Development and Strategic Planning.
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
