GECs
Tom Keaveny is Discovery Asia MD
MUMBAI: Discovery Asia has appointed Tom Keaveny as its new executive VP and MD.
He takes on the job from next month.
He succeeds Neville Meijers, who becomes Discovery US executive VP for strategy.
Keaveny will oversee seven networks that reach 23 countries and 280 million cumulative subscribers. He was most recently the senior VP of sales and revenue for Discovery Networks Latin America, based in Miami. Prior to that he was at Discovery Networks Asia as senior VP of sales and revenue. Keaveny was also VP of affiliate sales and marketing for Discovery Networks Europe from January 2000 to June 2001, a position he assumed after several years at Eurosport.
Discovery Networks International president Dawn L. McCall said, Toms knowledge of the advertising community and multi-channel pay television market in Asia and the Pacific Rim enables him to readily step to the helm while his personal contacts in the region provide continuity to our clients and employees.
The Asia Pacific Rim business is an important component of Discovery Networks growth strategy and Toms experience working in our other regions and senior stature in the division make him uniquely suited to assume this important leadership position.
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.
