iWorld
Twitter names American Express’ Leslie Berland as CMO
MUMBAI: Social networking site Twitter has named American Express EVP – global advertising, marketing & digital partnerships Leslie Berland as its chief marketing officer (CMO).
On her appointment, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted, “Welcoming @leslieberland to Twitter! She will join as our CMO to help tell the stories of our iconic product!”
To which, Berland replied, “Thanks @Jack! Excited to join you and the amazing teams to bring to life the power, uniqueness and magic of Twitter!”
On joining the company, Berland said, “Twitter is a service like no other. It has and continues to change the world, shaping how we communicate and connect, how we’re entertained, informed and inspired. It represents everything that’s relevant at each and every moment – to me, there’s nothing more powerful. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jack and the Twitter teams to bring the magic of Twitter to life, broaden its reach, and deepen its impact as the company enters this incredibly exciting new chapter.”
Berland will be responsible for the company’s global consumer, product, and sales marketing.
Having worked at American Express since 2005, she led a global team responsible for creating marketplace demand and driving commerce through differentiated and innovative products, marketing and customer experiences globally.
As a member of the company’s global management team, Berland oversaw advertising, media, sponsorships, content, brand identity and digital partnerships for the enterprise. Under Berland’s leadership, American Express forged relationships and created first-ever marketing and digital experiences with partners like Apple, McDonald’s, Uber, TripAdvisor, VeriFone, Twitter, Samsung, Foursquare, Facebook, Jawbone and Google.
During her tenure at American Express, Berland played a critical role in creating the company’s first social media strategies and presences, and led the social media partnerships and strategy for the first Small Business Saturday.
A two-time recipient of the American Express Chairman’s Award for Innovation, Berland also provided strategic guidance to the American Express executive team and was a trusted advisor to numerous corporate partners of American Express on their brand, social media and digital endeavors.
Prior to American Express, Berland led PR and online communications strategies for global brands on the agency side.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
