Comments on: Saleem Mobhani To Join Airtel As Mobile Entertainment Head

By: vassimplified

vassimplified — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:05:20 +0000

interesting take. World will be very different for hungama from april 2011.
Also be prepared to see a lot of fashion tv like content on airtel portal.

Not sure for what skills airtel has brought in Saleem. He has many skills and many connections. And not sure why nikhil brought the concern for options buyout. Saleem had actual stake in the company (thanks to indiafm sale to hungama). I don't think neeraj should even entertain this question.

By: utvnewmedia

utvnewmedia — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:15:26 +0000

Don't agree. Saleem brings an unmatched survival instinct. With NEeraj travelling all over the world, he managed an operation and made money. Agreed he took short cuts but I don't think airtel or reliance are any saints.
I think its an excellent opportunity for saleem to prove his mattel at the most entreprenurial operator. His deal making (and breaking for competition) skills, flexibility, tenacity and hunger will bring a fresh air to the entire vas economy.

By: INXS7

INXS7 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:50:05 +0000

In all the chaos, whatever happened to – " Good luck with the new & challenging role?" Looking forward to seeing things stirred up in an industry that is getting too jaded, perhaps?

Here's to one of the most interesting moves this industry will see! Fly high my friend!

By: MoByte

MoByte — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:06:58 +0000

Well.. if this is true.. first and foremost congratulations to Saleem!! Secondly.. be very careful.. it is a political organisation… professionally family run. They reshuffle structures every year so you better be sure where you are going to end up every year. Also, make sure you have commercial decision making power not just selecting good content but also the ability to close the deal without passing people off to the commercial department.

Since you know how content is traded, use your knowledge to close up direct deals with music companies… wait for the T series renewal in 2011 but clean up the rest .. that should reduce the number of resellers in the market and force people to look at other areas outside of ringtones and RBTS.

Im not too excited for the valuations of tech and aggregator community.. They know as much of not more about our end of the business now…

By: VAS strategist

VAS strategist — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:19:39 +0000

"Dominance of Hungama">>> let us also evaluate and entity which is Hungama-T series. Any guess where do they stand.?

By: Hephail

Hephail — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:53 +0000

Lots of truth in "Is this the end of unparallelled ruthless dominance hungama in the mobile vas akin to indiatimes in 2005?"
Driving innovation in an operator is a lot tougher, add to that mix, the hierarchy!
If only Bharti would create an SBU for Mobile Entertainment….

By: VasGuyIndia

VasGuyIndia — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:09:43 +0000

Is this the end of unparallelled ruthless dominance hungama in the mobile vas akin to indiatimes in 2005? Like when TN Prabhu left Indiatimes, 8888 was the topmost VAS provider …almost untouchable …. he went to rediff but not much happened. Saleem also created hungama mobile with so much of passion (not trivialising the rest of hungama team and neeraj roy but the man was something) . Not sure if Hemant, siddhartha or Neeraj can fill the void.

By: VasGuyIndia

VasGuyIndia — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:09:34 +0000

that sounds interesting … I had another thought to the whole stuff … now if neeraj joins vodafone then both the largest operator can be ruled by hungama … :)

Only if hte wishes were horses …

By: VasGuyIndia

VasGuyIndia — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:01:42 +0000

Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost ::) Phir milenge chalte chalte ….

By: Sunny M.

Sunny M. — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:41:27 +0000

It seems this is a strategic move towards Airtel buying Hungama and then spining off Airtel Entertainment Unit.