Times Internet, the digital venture from the Times of India group, has inked a strategic partnership with the US digital media company Ziff Davis to launch Indian editions of Ziff Davis's gaming site IGN and men's lifestyle site AskMen. Times Internet told this deal is part of its Times Local Partners (TLP) initiative, through which the company partners with global digital companies to build and launch their Indian editions. Earlier this year, Times Internet had partnered with Gawker Media to launch Indian versions of Gawker's technology focused sites Gizmodo and Lifehacker. It had also partnered with US business and technology news publication Business Insider to launch Business Insider India last month. Similar to the Gawker and Business Insider deals, Times Internet will have exclusive rights to IGN and AskMen brands and their content in India and the company intends to use The Times Group's multimedia resources to help develop these brand locally. Its not clear as to when the company plans to roll out these properties, although these sites will probably be launched on their respective '.in' domains and redirect visitors from India to these Indian editions, similar to how Gizmodo India, Lifehacker India and Business Insider India works. IGN will be key here for Times Internet since the gaming segment is still relatively less explored in India, as compared to other segments like Technology, Gadgets, Health, Lifestyle and others, but it brings in a significant advertising potential for Times Internet. Avinash Bali To Head IGN India: Times Internet has also appointed Avinash Bali to head IGN India (Hat tip - @MCVIndia). The company has confirmed…
