Content and technology investments are going to be MX Media's priority: Nikhil Gandhi
MX Media COO Gandhi shared that one of his key priorities is to drive investments in technology to enhance the user experience on both MX Player and MX TakaTak

Nikhil Gandhi is a seasoned media professional with over 1.5 decades of experience in both traditional and digital mediums. He was recently roped in by Times Internet-backed MX Media as COO to drive growth for the company in India and globally. In an interaction with exchange4media, Nikhil said that his three key priorities as COO are to grow the reach of MX Player and MX TakaTak, drive investments in technology to enhance the user experience on both the platforms, and grow the scale and scope of revenue streams beyond AVOD and SVOD.
Excerpts:
What are your key priorities as the COO of MX Media?
Our business has grown leaps and bounds in the last 2.5 years and given the scale that MX Media has reached there are three or four factors that I am going to be driving. 1) Expanding the geographical reach not just in India where we have a large base but also some of the global markets where we are present and want to grow our user base. 2) We want to enhance our entire data-driven as well as tech innovations that we are currently investing in, and 3) At a business level, we want to grow the scale and scope of our revenue streams that go beyond AVOD and SVOD.
Can you elaborate more on each of these three points?
The second lever that we are very strongly poised with is engagement. Now, engagement is driven in three or four ways. One is content consumption engagement which is our online streaming business in MX Player which has originals, movies, and acquired content across multiple languages. We are looking at ways to improve the user engagement in terms of billion minutes of watch time that we garner. Within engagement, the second lever of growth is to improve interactivity through our gaming and short-video business.
The third level is influence. Given that our app has this kind of massive reach and technology, how can we build our business. On the streaming service, we have some of the biggest talent and on the other hand we have creators and influencers on our short-video service. We want to increase that pie which is sitting at 150,000 creators. We are looking to create grassroot level UGC creators who are showing great talent signs of success.
So our three growth levers are expanding reach in India and global markets, increasing engagement through interactive as well as content buckets and building influence through our talent on OTT streaming as well as influencers on our short-video platform.
How do you plan to scale-up MX Player and MX TakaTak further?
MX Player is second only to YouTube in the AVOD market for a while now. We have reached that scale in a short period of time. We have developed a very sharp sense of user acquisition as well as growing our content buckets. That journey will continue. We will venture into various user as well as language segments that we got on the app which will drive our growth to the next level.
On MX TakaTak, we have reached a certain level of user base. Now it's time to mobilise it. We are at an inflection point where we are looking to drive aggressive growth over the next 2 to 3 years. We are excited about the journey that creators have had especially with the new-age creators that we have been able to discover on the short-video service.
Content and technology investments are going to be our priority going forward.
What are your content plans for MX Player?
Our investments in original content continues to be at the forefront. We will launch more and more new shows on the app. Currently, we have one or two new show launches on a monthly basis. We plan to launch 4 or 5 shows every month going forward. The aim is to have a constant supply of originals as well as new acquired genres that have not been explored as much in India. That will drive a certain level of content consumption and watch time. We will be designing our content buckets across multiple genres as well as languages that drive our growth numbers to the next level. We will be launching an original show 'Matsya Kaand' on 18th November.
How are you building the creator economy on MX TakaTak?
We are going to be driving our business through multiple revenue streams. If we have a sizeable user base and advertisers are attracted by our combination of reach, engagement, interactivity, and influence then advertising will be one of monetisation opportunities that we will certainly look at. If you look at the short-video space, there are maximum two players who have achieved scale. The ones who have not been able to achieve scale are pivoting to different areas. We will certainly have a combination of a lot of things in the future.
What is the progress on the Rs 100 crore creator fund that was launched by MX TakaTak?
Creator fund is an ongoing process. The overall perspective is to build and drive the creator economy. If you look at short-video creator base, it is a 1 to 2-year phenomenon. It's at a very nascent stage and at an inflection point where we are trialling the growth of creator economy. We are developing the creator economy so that they will not just have a presence on our platform but across social media business. This goes beyond the sophisticated creators. Our AI and ML technology is able to identify grassroot level UGC creators across the length and breadth of the country. This fund is fundamentally to drive and fan their ambitions.
How has the advertising growth been for MX Player and MX TakaTak considering both platforms have a significant presence in Tier 2, 3 and rural markets?
We are present in all sections of the market whether it is urban or rural. We have a diverse set of audiences on our apps which attract a lot of advertisers to the platform. We enable sharper targeting of different user base in terms of age, gender, and profile. We have collected a lot of deep data in the last two years. Our analytics provide far sharper targeting compared to other platforms. MX Player is a long-form video format platform and MX TakaTak is short-form video platform. More than short-video it is also vertical consumption. Advertisers find different kinds of audience set on both the platforms. Our advertising has seen phenomenal growth in the last 18 months. We are happy with the progress that we have been able to make through our data analytics and ad tech.
What was the idea behind launching SVOD service MX Gold?
Most of the SVOD players are going after top end of the funnel. In my opinion, that universe is not more than 5-10 million. It is growing and showing great success but for us, it is more about experience and about the service. Users who are loyally invested in spending hours together will have an option of enjoying an ad-free service on one side and getting early access to content on the other side. It is a layered level of monetisation that is purely consumer driven and not market driven.
Since MX Player also hosts multiple services like gaming and music. Do you plan to convert them into separate apps sometime in the future?
We will look at launching a gaming service because gaming in India has reached a mass scale and causal gaming within that is a large consumer category. The potential of that business is quite good and the early signals of success we have seen are very encouraging. On the music front, we will wait and see how the music streaming market evolves. Music streaming in India is yet to achieve mass scale and given where MX Player/MX TakaTak are, our benchmarks of mass is very different from other players in the market.
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Bobble AI launches new platform - Bobble Super
The application allows users to purchase directly from an AI-based keyboard
By exchange4media Staff | Mar 29, 2023 11:53 AM | 1 min read
Bobble AI has launched a new platform - Bobble Super that allows users to purchase directly from AI-based keyboard, media networks have reported.
The platform allows access to a gamut of services like food ordering, ticket booking and gifting.
The application employs intent detection technology that maps user intents across their smartphone usage. This allows personalisation of product offerings and service recommendations.
As per Ankit Prasad, Co-founder & CEO of Bobble AI, the platform allows swift transactions for brands and business partners through non-intrusive prompts on the keyboard, similar to word suggestions.
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CTV is future-ready for a cookieless future: Prabhvir Sahmey, Samsung Ads
Sahmey, Senior Director, Samsung Ads India lead, shares with e4m insights into Samsung’s content recognition tool, the advent of CTV and its potential for advertisers
By Shantanu David | Mar 29, 2023 9:19 AM | 3 min read
Prabhvir Sahmey, Senior Director, Samsung Ads and India lead for the company, is confident that the company is future-ready for the cookie-less future.
When the first cookies were developed for browsers, users still had to prove their credentials through passwords and had to keep doing so even as ‘sessions’ saved the user’s information on the internet server. Cookies essentially allowed you to save that information.
“Service providers realized they were sitting on this goldmine of information, which would be very valuable to advertisers and consumer goods companies and that’s when the whole business started. So, you no longer have to log into your devices every time, but they also correspondingly have your information which can be sold to third parties and vendors,” he explained.
However, this is a phenomenon that is restricted to browsers, whether on PCs, phones or tablets. “TVs, even CTVs can’t store cookies and will therefore seamlessly transition into anonymization, a data processing technique that removes or modifies personally identifiable information, as the CTV is an individual device, meaning we are prepared for when cookies are off the table,” said Sahmey.
Besides, he noted, Samsung has ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) - a tool that can take images of what a consumer is watching at any given time and these content preferences can give insights into various metrics.
“Earlier, media plans had to be made a month in advance, but today, with addressable CTV, these can happen within 24-72 hour cycles. And we can provide data and media insights to our clients almost in real time, with data on reactions and to measure how well a piece of content or campaign is performing,” he says.
“The future of marketing is automated and our Samsung DSP will allow our clients to seamlessly manage reach and frequency of their video campaigns across linear TV, CTV, and other devices,” says Sahmey, adding, “We are helping platforms and vendors to automatize their data processes, even as we’re laying a foundational layer and selling the technology to digital buyers and marketers.”
And while Sahmey is more than enthusiastic about the future of Connected Television in India, he notes there’s still time before it becomes mainstream.
“Today we are at an inflection point in the adoption of Connected TV as consumers look to upgrade or switch their home TV devices to ones that can be connected to the internet. There used to be a time when people would buy a new phone every year, but now that has dropped to two-three years. Inversely, TVs used to be a long-time purchase, but now with cheaper screens, devices and data, consumers are looking to upgrade and will upgrade,” he pointed out.
“I look at this as Year Zero for CTV, as more and more consumers and advertisers get access to, explore, and settle on CTVs, with things beginning to massively scale up in 2024. Back in 2005, there were only 20 million people online, and that number rose to 100 million people only by 2015,” he says, continuing, “Today, the internet is ubiquitous with almost everyone at least having access to it. It’s the same with CTV except, because of the ubiquity of the internet, it’s going to take place at an accelerated rate.”
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TRAI tells telecom service providers to inform it about any major network outage
Major network outages in the country for prolonged duration, especially in border and hilly areas, adversely affect the availability or quality of service in affected areas, said TRAI
By exchange4media Staff | Mar 28, 2023 6:19 PM | 1 min read
Releasing a statement, the authority said, “It has been observed that incidences of major network outage of telecom networks occurring due to technical reasons or due to natural calamities are not reported by the Telecom Service Providers (TSP) to TRAI. These major network outages in the country for prolonged duration, especially in border and hilly areas, adversely affect the availability or quality of service in affected areas.
To understand the root cause of major network outages and get relevant support from local authorities extended to the service providers, if needed, the Authority has decided to collect the information about any such outage at the district level.”
TRAI further added, “In view of the above, the Access Service Providers have been directed to report the following:
- all incidences of major network outages affecting the telecom services to the entire consumers of a district (revenue district as defined by the Union/State Government) continuously for a period of more than four hours, within twenty-four hours of their occurrence, in the format specified in the Direction.
- the root cause of such major network outage and corrective actions taken thereof, within seventy-two hours of restoration of services, in the format specified in the Direction.
The direction shall come into force with immediate effect, stated TRAI.
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PubMatic announces strategic partnership with Silverpush
The alliance will enhance digital advertising in Indonesia, enabling brands and advertisers to better connect with their target audiences through data-driven advertising.
By exchange4media Staff | Mar 28, 2023 4:49 PM | 2 min read
PubMatic,(Nasdaq: PUBM), an independent technology company delivering digital advertising’s supply chain of the future, and Silverpush, a leading AI-powered advertising solutions provider, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership that will enable brands and advertisers across APAC to better connect with their target audiences through data-driven advertising.
The partnership will allow advertisers to leverage Silverpush’s AI-powered contextual data programmatically through Connect, PubMatic's audience solution. Connect allows advertisers to engage audiences through privacy-compliant solutions that perform — without relying on third-party cookies or outdated strategies. Advertisers will now have access to valuable audience data, that can be applied on the sell side to bring greater efficiency to their campaigns.
Silverpush is an advanced advertising technology solution provider powered by artificial intelligence, offering its flagship products Mirrors and Parallels. Its contextual video ad placement targeting ensures the most relevant audience is reached in a brand-safe environment. With a mission to solve complex client problems using data-driven solutions and cutting-edge technology, Silverpush continues to drive innovation in the digital advertising industry.
Through Connect, advertisers will be able to access PubMatic's premium inventory and use Silverpush's hyper-contextual targeting capabilities to reach their targeted audience in the right context at the right moment which drives engagement and conversions.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with Silverpush - together, PubMatic and Silverpush will provide advertisers with a powerful suite of data-driven tools to help them optimize their campaigns and achieve their marketing objectives," said Brandon Lee, Director Audience Solutions, APAC at PubMatic. "Bringing targeting to the sell-side, via Connect, means buyers can gain greater control over how inventory and data are packaged and transacted to drive the best performance for their campaigns."
"We are excited to partner with PubMatic to provide our AI-powered contextual advertising solutions for a wider reach of audience. This partnership will enable advertisers to create highly targeted campaigns that are based on real-time consumer contexts, delivering better campaign results and ROAS." said Raushida Vasaiwala, VP-APAC at Silverpush.
The partnership is set to take effect immediately, with both companies working closely together to deliver their shared vision.
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e4m & Lodestar UM podcast: GenZs want to start businesses that make a difference
Aditi Mishra, CEO, Lodestar UM, and Kulanath Kaushik from Lodestar UM’s strategy team discuss how GenZs strive for balance even as they push for sustainable choices
By exchange4media Staff | Mar 28, 2023 7:59 AM | 1 min read
exchange4media has collaborated with Lodestar UM, one of India’s leading media agencies and a part of the Mediabrands India network, to create “Generational Zeitgeist” – a six-part Podcast Series that peaks into Indian Gen Zers’ mindset.
Based on multiple sources of learning including a three-part pan-India study with 1100+ GenZ respondents, Generational Zeitgeist covers a wide range of topics.
Each episode is a conversation between Aditi Mishra, CEO, Lodestar UM, and Kulanath Kaushik, one of the contributors to the study from Lodestar UM’s strategy team.
About the fifth episode
Mishra and Kaushik did some crystal gazing into how GenZs are shaping the future. They discuss that GenZ is a generation of critical thinkers who prioritize self-development and rational decision-making, which will continue to shape their choices in the future.
While they hold strong ideals, they strive for balance and consider practicality, as seen in their adoption of EVs, where they support sustainability but also weigh infrastructural support. This generation is characterized by their action-oriented mindset, big ambitions, and entrepreneurial spirit, always looking to experiment and try new things, including their career.
Many GenZ participants express a desire to start a purposeful business that makes a difference.
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EORTV partners with ITC Engage for campaign
The campaign played out digitally on EORTV the streaming platform and its social media properties for a little more than two weeks
By exchange4media Staff | Mar 27, 2023 3:30 PM | 2 min read
EORTV partners with ITC Engage for campaign
The campaign played out digitally on EORTV the streaming platform and its social media properties for a little more than two weeks
LGBTQ-focussed OTT platform EORTV has tied up with ‘Engage’, a body fragrance brand from ITC, for a promotional campaign. The campaign played out digitally on EORTV the streaming platform and its social media properties for a little more than two weeks.
As a part of the campaign, the brand’s banner advertisements were put on EORTV’s website and streaming app for 15 days. A substantial brand exposure was given on the platform’s YouTube channel and other social media handles. A 15-second pre-roll of Engage perfume’s audio-visual creative was attached to EORTV’s driver property, I Love Us 3. On screen-logo pop up in each episode of the show, I love Us 3 was also integrated into the campaign.
A subsequent contest was also run where gift hampers of Engage were shared with early bird subscribers and winners to encourage them to subscribe and view the platform.
Speaking about the collaboration, Falguni Shah, COO, EORTV, said, “We are really thrilled to have Engage- ITC on board. When a mainstream brand associates with EORTV it is very reassuring. Right from the outset our mission has been to integrate the LGBTQ community into mainstream society. Any effort or association in that direction is always very heartening. A widely used brand like Engage associating with us is a proof of inclusion. It sets a precedent and helps in paving the way for a much-needed change”.
Speaking about the campaign Deepak Pandey, CEO, EORTV said, “Engage is a very powerful brand and this association shows that the brand is connecting with the audiences in a meaningful way. EORTV has a very strong niche and we feel this collaboration is a step in the right direction towards inclusivity ''.
EORTV is a video streaming app that offers thousands of hours of premium, exclusive and original content. The main mission of EORTV is to create a number of diverse and inclusive stories of the LGBTQ + community, thereby eliminating any kinds of biases based on gender stereotypes and sexual orientation(s).
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PubMatic joins hands with Comscore's Proximic for offering ID-less targeting solutions
Data from Proximic by Comscore is now available to media buyers via PubMatic’s Connect platform
By exchange4media Staff | Mar 27, 2023 12:25 PM | 2 min read
PubMatic, an independent technology company delivering digital advertising’s supply chain of the future, and Proximic by Comscore, a division of Comscore, has announced the integration of Proximic by Comscore’s Predictive Audiences and Content Targeting solutions into the PubMatic platform.
Proximic by Comscore’s solutions are contextually driven alternatives to ID-based targeting. They are powered by Proximic’s industry-leading contextual natural language processing engine and intelligent categorization technology, allowing marketers and media companies to drive incremental reach and performance at scale without IDs.
Data from Proximic by Comscore is now available to media buyers via PubMatic’s Connect platform which provides privacy-first access to market-leading data and insights to enhance how inventory and data are packaged and transacted. The integration enables PubMatic’s clients to leverage new targeting options to reach key audiences in premium, brand safe environments across desktop, mobile, and connected TV (CTV).
“We are excited to partner with PubMatic to make our Predictive Audiences easily accessible for targeting on the sell-side,” said Jessica Trainor, Head of Partnerships, Proximic by Comscore. “This partnership offers buyers access to ID-less audiences that can be applied to private marketplaces to help close the addressability gap left by the many compounding factors driving signal loss in our industry.”
“PubMatic is committed to providing advertising solutions that deliver results. This partnership with Proximic by Comscore enables us to offer addressable audiences, incremental reach and performance to our clients,” said Brandon Lee, Director, Addressability, APAC at PubMatic. “Digital advertising industry is shifting from buy-side to sell-side targeting, a strategy that delivers superior addressability and performance for both publishers and advertisers in a privacy-centric matter.”
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