iWorld
Warner Bros Discovery puts HBO Max launch in India on hold
Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery has put the launch of HBO Max in India on hold. According to a major business publication, the company is considering cost-cutting measures around the world and is working on integrating discovery+ and HBO Max in existing markets.
The company announced plans to launch a combined streaming service with discovery+ and HBO Max.
In an official statement from Warner Bros. Discovery Company, the company said, “The intent is to launch a combined streaming service, including in key Asia-Pacific territories in 2024.”
It further added, “The existing licensing agreement with Disney+ Hotstar includes a selection of HBO Originals and other content from Warner Bros. Discovery.”
Also read: HBO Max and Discovery+ to merge into single streaming platform by 2023
The company also confirmed the news of HBO Max India head of content Saugata Mukherjee’s departure. The statement said, “Saugata Mukherjee decided to leave the company. He is an incredibly talented leader, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
The company further informed Indiantelevision.com that Arjun Nohwar has been appointed as general manager, Warner Bros. Discovery for South Asia and Jason Monteiro is heading streaming for the APAC region, in addition to leading integrated marketing for the India, South East Asia, and Korea markets.
Earlier, Warner Bros. Discovery had planned to launch American subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service HBO Max in India, and Saugata Mukherjee was appointed as head of content for HBO Max India. After news of Saugata quitting, speculation was made that Warner Bros. Discovery had delayed HBO Max’s launch in India. Mukherjee is expected to go back to SonyLIV.
e-commerce
ITC Sunfeast, Zepto host mango-themed experiential ‘Paglu Party’
Event blends Alphonso desserts, DIY sessions and interactive formats
MUMBAI: When mango season peaks, some savour it others go full ‘paglu’. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations, in collaboration with Zepto, turned summer indulgence into an immersive brand experience with its ‘Mango Paglu Party’, a high-energy, mango-themed event designed to blur the line between dessert and discovery. Built around the brand’s ‘Mad Over Mangoes’ universe, the space leaned into a sensory overload bright, playful and unapologetically mango-drenched. From curated installations to social-first corners, every element was designed to be as shareable as it was experiential.
At the centre of the celebration was the fruit itself, elevated into a menu crafted using fresh, carbide-free Alphonso mangoes sourced by Zepto. The spread ranged from a flaky Mango Pista Kouign Aman to Mango Coconut Serradura Pudding and a Mango Mascarpone Cake, balancing indulgence with seasonal freshness.
But this was not a passive tasting affair. Guests were drawn into the experience through interactive formats, including a DIY dessert session led by the brand’s chef, where attendees created classics like Mango Tres Leches. Zepto chief business officer Chandan Mehndiratta also joined the session, adding a touch of brand personality to the proceedings.
A quirky highlight came in the form of the ‘Aam Paglu Prescription’, a playful, doctor-themed concept that positioned mango indulgence as the only “treatment” worth taking, turning a simple insight into a memorable activation.
The event built up to a theatrical finale, with the crowning of the ‘Aam Paglu of the Day’ followed by the cutting of an oversized mango-shaped Mango Mascarpone Cake, closing the experience on a high note.
More than just a seasonal showcase, the Mango Paglu Party reflects a broader shift in brand storytelling, where products are no longer just consumed, but experienced. For ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and Zepto, mango season was not just about flavour, it was about creating a moment that audiences could step into, engage with and, quite literally, devour.
