India’s Information and Broadcasting sector attracted Rs 4,786 crore in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first nine months of 2024-25, according to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. According to an Economic Times article, in the third quarter of this financial year, the sector received Rs 1,264 crore, with Walt Disney's Rs 1,008 crore infusion into Star India being the largest under the Reserve Bank of India's automatic route. Other key investments included Rs 177 crore from UAE-based IVY Entertainment Holdings into IVY Entertainment in the third quarter, while Prime Focus Technologies and Pocket FM secured Rs 1,100 crore in the second quarter. Prime Focus Technologies received Rs 742 crore from Luxembourg-based DNEG S.a.r.l., and Pocket FM raised Rs 387 crore from its US-based parent company. In the first quarter, Warner Music India secured Rs 136 crore from WEA International Inc., and Irelia Company invested Rs 287 crore in Irelia

The podcast with MIT research scientist Lex Friedman has not been the first time PM Modi has openly expressed admiration for US President Donald Trump and his "America First" policy which aligns with Modi's "Nation First" approach in dedicating themselves to the service of the nation. “Even after being shot (July 2024), he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. Trump’s will to live and fight for the US even after being shot appeals to me because this showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in Nation First. I stand for India First and that’s why I connect so well (with Trump),” the PM said, according to a report in The Times of India. Modi’s emphatic endorsement of Trump in a podcast with the popular podcaster and research scientist comes at a time US allies, particularly Europe and Canada, are taking a heavy battering from the president who has been accused by some of dragging America into isolationism with his policies.

The relationship between journalists and PR professionals has shifted from targeted outreach to blind pitching, with journalists increasingly frustrated by irrelevant pitches flooding their inboxes. What was once a symbiotic exchange of information has now become a game of mass emailing, often without research or relevance. Influencing India spoke with journalists and PR professionals to examine how their relationship has evolved--from strategic collaboration to a game of hit-or-miss pitches. While some find common ground, others are stuck in a loop of mismatched emails and missed opportunities. Deepika KC, city editor at The Hindu, Bengaluru, described how the once “mutual and connected” relationship has become “distant and disconnected.” She noted that PR executives often fail to research the journalists they pitch to, leading to irrelevant outreach. Niveditha Kalyanaraman, senior associate editor at LBB, shared a similar experience, stating that despite moving from bu

Luke Bona has landed a new role at 2GB following his recent departure from Triple M, RadioToday reported.  Ben Fordham announced the move on his 2GB Breakfast show, revealing that Bona will fill in for Clinton Maynard on the Drive show over Easter and secure a regular spot on Phil O’Neil’s new overnight program airing on 2GB and 4BC.  Additionally, starting this week, Bona will present The Bona Report live every Thursday from 4 am to 5 am. Bona’s exit from Triple M last month was part of SCA's latest round of cost-cutting measures under CEO John Kelly.  His producer, Tom Denham, admitted the news came as a shock but said they chose to approach it with a positive mindset, with Bona especially grateful for the chance to bid farewell to his audience. His arrival at 2GB comes amid several programming shifts. Greg Byrnes, head of content at Nine Radio, highlighted recent additions, including Mark Geyer joining Maynard on weekdays and Sarah McDonald and Lucy Zelich taking on

Del Fordham has departed Nine Entertainment to take on the role of associate director of Audible Originals for the APAC region, Mumbrella reported.  After 18 months as Nine’s head of podcasts and previous stints as content director and head of audio at News Corp Australia, Fordham started his new position at Amazon today. In his new role, he will oversee the production and commissioning of Audible Originals across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and India. He will also be working closely with content programming, creative development, production, legal and finance teams. Before he departed from Nine, Fordham helped launch the lifestyle podcast The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys, rounding out his tenure with the network on a high note.  

Airalo, a leading global eSIM provider, has appointed SourceCode Communications as its agency of record following a competitive review. Shelly Pearce, Chief Growth Officer at Airalo stated in a release, “SourceCode’s strategic storytelling and industry expertise make them the right partner as we expand our reach.” With no prior incumbent, SourceCode will drive media relations and thought leadership to strengthen Airalo’s global presence.   

  Dentsu has renewed its global media partnership with Heineken, extending their eight-year collaboration for another two years. The agency will continue managing Heineken’s media investments across 100 markets, including Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Germany, India and more. The extended partnership will focus on leveraging data, technology and innovative strategies to enhance consumer engagement in the algorithmic era.