GECs
UTV launches India’s 1st flash animation series
MUMBAI: UTV Toons has ventured into animation in flash software with a television series called Daft Planet made with Cinegroupe in Canada.
Daft Planet , the 13-episode half hour TV series which was recently launched across Canada on the Teletoon network has been extremely well received by audiences there, says an official release.
The main advantage of developing animation in flash is that the process is economical and can be expedited more economically than other forms of traditional and digital animation, claims UTV Toons.
“Whereas flash is a popular software for the web and interactive platforms, conventional flash programmers are unable to create shows in flash which match the international broadcast animation standards. UTV Toons has therefore on purpose built a flash studio which seamlessly creates television series animation to international benchmarks,” says UTV COO Animation, Biren Ghose. “Not all characters and themes lend themselves to interpretation on flash and hence only certain types of themes, depending upon the ‘look and feel’ of the show can be executed in flash”, he adds.
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.
