iWorld
The Foundry inks a multi-project narrative deal with Audible
Mumbai: The Foundry, a premiere IP content development studio & production company, has signed a deal with Audible, a leading global provider of original spoken-word entertainment and audiobooks. The Foundry will produce over 60 hours of content, licensed to Audible. The licenced content comprises original scripted multicast fictions as well as adapted and dramatised classic stories in the audio format.
An initial slate of titles from this deal that have been created by The Foundry’s dedicated audio division have premiered on Audible’s service and their rollout continues in the months ahead. Debuted audiobooks include the robust Hindi adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” (Sherlock Holmes Ki Romanchak Kahaniyan) and Munshi Premchand’s masterfully distinct literary classic “Karmabhoomi”; about turmoil in common colonial living. In the pipeline, is the delightful multicast Hindi adaptation production of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”
The Foundry will licence to Audible original series created by their creator-in-chief Vekeana Dhillon from their in-house development catalogue of over 90 audio IPs as part of this deal. This includes one of India’s first disaster audio series, Trapped, a powerhouse drama in which residents and rescuers grapple in the ruins of an urban high-rise building collapse; and a mind-bender of deception and suspense involving a coma patient in the mystery thriller The Woman in Bed#3.
The Foundry has previously produced the popular audio show on Audible titled Uncovidable which showcases the journey of a woman caught in the whirlwind of the nationwide lockdown during the covid 19 pandemic. It is written by Vekeana Dhillon and voiced by Mahira Kakkar in English and Bollywood celebrity Rasika Duggal in Hindi.
Audible director of content – India Ridhima Thakral commented, “We are delighted to have stories produced by The Foundry, one of the country’s premiere content development studios, on our service. With stories produced across genres, including classics, mysteries, dramas, and many more debuting on our service, we are excited about the incredible entertainment in store for Audible members.”
The Foundry head of production and business Vikram Dhillon said, “We’re fully committed to heightening the ‘cinematic’ experience of our handpicked stories. As it is, we’re thriving in our storytelling offerings of rich narratives and complex characters across mediums in series, feature films, and animation. Audio emboldens us to construct a next-generation entertainment experience, and we do so, proudly, in presenting our never-heard-before slate of content for our listeners.”
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
