iWorld
Warner Music India names Ashok Parwani head of music for South India
CHENNAI: Warner Music India has roped in Ashok Parwani as head of music for its South Indian markets, signalling an aggressive push into Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam territories. The appointment comes on the heels of Warner’s majority acquisition of Divo, a leading South Indian digital media and music company.
Parwani, a four-decade veteran across India, Sri Lanka and the UAE, helped build Sony Music South over 20 years, acquiring key catalogues and forging strong ties with producers, filmmakers and artists. At Warner, he will spearhead catalogue expansion, strengthen creator relationships and drive growth across South India’s booming music ecosystem.
Divo, now fully integrated with Warner Music India, manages a rapidly growing catalogue, digital distribution, publishing and influencer marketing. Its artist-first label, Loopd, and collaborations with Sri Lanka’s M-Entertainments are already opening global pathways for regional talent.
Managing director of Warner Music India & SAARC, Jay Mehta, said: “Ashok brings unmatched regional insight and industry relationships. South India is a high-growth pillar, and his leadership will help local artists reach national and global audiences.”
Co-founder and director of Divo, Shahir Muneer, added: “Ashok’s track record will strengthen Warner Music India’s South strategy and unlock new commercial opportunities for artists.”
Parwani said: “South India is a powerhouse of creativity. Together with Divo, we can take this music to wider audiences across India and globally, creating new pathways for artists to thrive.”
With Parwani at the helm, Warner Music India is turning up the volume on South Indian music—scaling catalogues, amplifying talent and taking local sounds to the global stage faster than ever.
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.
