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<keyword id="19895282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai" source="keywords">Mumbai</keyword>, As many as 86 per cent of Internet users enjoy OTT (Over The Top) audio and video services, more than half of them from the hinterlands, making it the top use-case for Internet in the country, according to an industry report. The rise of digital entertainment services have been bolstered by the rise of smart TV, smart speakers, firesticks, chromecasts, growing at 58 per cent from 2021 to 2023 as more people are accessing video content over Internet-only devices (208 million) than conventional linear TV (181 million), said a report by the <keyword id="20749434" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-and-mobile-association" source="keywords">Internet and Mobile Association</keyword> and the marketing data and analytics company <keyword id="20200137" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kantar" source="keywords">Kantar</keyword>. The report also finds that rural users are driving all these use-cases, accounting for more than 50 percent of the user base. The report, based on the inputs from over 90,000 households across all the states and Union Territories, barring <keyword id="20039270" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lakshadweep" source="keywords">Lakshadweep</keyword>, was released at the ongoing India Digital Summit 2024. The second and third most popular use-cases of the Internet are communications with 621 million users, and social media with 575 million users. There were over 823 million active Internet users in the country as of 2023, meaning more than 55 per cent of people in the country have used the Internet last year, which is a modest 8 per cent growth over the previous year. At 442 million, rural users are in a majority, accounting for over 53 per cent of the total user base. From a gender perspective, the male-female ratio of Internet users rose from 71:29 in 2015 to 54:46 in 2023, which is almost at par with the overall sex ratio of the addressable population in the country, says the report. However, the report finds that net adoption growth rate has been decelerating with rural market, which has been driving Internet growth rates for the past many years, slowing down by 11 per cent in 2023 over 2022, pulling down the overall growth rate to 8 per cent. The report further said 57 per cent users prefer to access content in their local languages, with Tamil, Telegu, and <keyword id="19901815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="malayalam" source="keywords">Malayalam</keyword> having the strongest language preference for content. States with the lowest Internet user base have the fastest growth rates now with Jharkhand (46 per cent penetration) and Bihar (37 per cent penetration) showing above average growth rates of 12 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.

Most Internet users avail of OTT services; 53% of them from rural areas: Report

A <keyword id="19925751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-app" source="keywords">mobile app</keyword> could help predict if a pregnant woman will develop depression in the latter stages of pregnancy, according to new <keyword id="19913261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="research" source="keywords">research</keyword>. By asking women to respond to surveys during their first trimester, researchers identified various risk factors, including <keyword id="20015710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sleep-quality" source="keywords">sleep quality</keyword> and <keyword id="20406931" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-insecurity" source="keywords">food insecurity</keyword>, for developing depression. "We can ask people a small set of questions and get a good sense of whether they'll become depressed," said lead author Tamar Krishnamurti, an associate professor of general internal medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, US. "Strikingly, a lot of risk factors for future depression are things that are modifiable -- such as sleep quality, concerns about labour and delivery and, importantly, access to food -- meaning that we can and should do something about them," said Krishnamurti. Identifying women vulnerable to developing depression in the earlier stages of pregnancy could help tailor preventive care and offer support to address underlying causes, the researchers said. For the study, the researchers analysed the survey responses of 944 <keyword id="19905236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pregnant-women" source="keywords">pregnant women</keyword> who used the app as part of a larger study and did not have a history of depression. In their first trimester of pregnancy, the women responded to questions about demographics and their medical history, along with those on stress and feelings of sadness. Some of the 944 women also responded to optional questions on social factors related to their health, such as food insecurity. All women were screened for depression once every trimester. The researchers developed six machine-learning models using all the data. The best one was found to be 89 per cent accurate in predicting depression in a pregnant woman. A machine learning algorithm is a form of artificial intelligence that learns from past data to make predictions. The accuracy of the model rose to 93 per cent when the researchers included the responses to optional questions on health-related social factors. They found that food insecurity, or access to food, emerged as an important risk factor for pregnant women to develop depression in the latter stages of pregnancy. The researchers are now developing methods to integrate these survey questions into clinical settings and identifying how clinicians could have these conversations with patients about the risk of depression. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-altroz-racer-hatchback-launched-in-india-starting-at-9-49-lakh/articleshow/110798203.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-altroz-racer-hatchback-launched-in-india-starting-at-9-49-lakh/articleshow/110798203.cms" target="_blank">Tata Altroz Racer hatchback launched in India starting at ₹9.49 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/webstories/nvidia-beats-apple-becomes-second-most-valuable-company-top-10-companies-by-market-cap/slidelist/110793951.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/webstories/nvidia-beats-apple-becomes-second-most-valuable-company-top-10-companies-by-market-cap/slidelist/110793951.cms" target="_blank">Nvidia beats Apple, becomes second most valuable company: Top 10 companies by market cap</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-smartwatch-shipments-remain-flat-in-q1-2024-the-year-expected-to-end-in-a-decline/articleshow/110789121.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-smartwatch-shipments-remain-flat-in-q1-2024-the-year-expected-to-end-in-a-decline/articleshow/110789121.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartwatch shipments remain flat in Q1 2024, annual shipments expected to end in a decline</a>

Mobile app may predict depression in pregnant women

New Delhi, In a fillip to 'Make in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>' initiative, India saw mobile phones exports worth $5.5 billion (over Rs 45,000 crore) in the April-August period in the ongoing fiscal year (FY24), government and industry data showed on Wednesday. As per the estimates by the Department of Commerce and the <keyword id="7825659" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india-cellular-and-electronics-association" source="Orion">India Cellular and Electronics Association</keyword> (<keyword id="6816005" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="icea" source="Orion">ICEA</keyword>), accessed by IANS, the April-August period saw mobile phone exports worth $5.5 billion, against $3 billion (about Rs 25,000 crore) in the same period in FY22-23. According to industry sources, <keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword> led the India-made phone exports in the April-August period, surpassing more than 50 per cent of the total estimated figure for the first time, followed by <keyword id="10591" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="samsung" source="Orion">Samsung</keyword>. In the June quarter, Apple shipped nearly 50 per cent of the country's total 12 million smartphone shipments, as compared to Samsung's 45 per cent export, sources told IANS. This is the first time Apple has surpassed its South Korean counterpart Samsung in smartphone export volumes from the country, as it saw robust iPhone 15 series sales and demand which was over 100 per cent (or 2 times) as compared to last year. India is set to cross Rs 1,20,000 crore in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year, with Apple leading the market with more than 50 per cent in FY24. Driven by domestic manufacturing, Apple iPhones are also set to garner 7 per cent market share in the Android-dominated smartphone market this year, according to latest data. Apple iPhone shipments grew 68 per cent (year-on-year) in the first half of this year in the country. In the first half, Apple secured a 6 per cent market share in the Indian smartphone market and dominated the super-premium smartphone segment (priced between Rs 50,000-Rs 100,000) with a robust 63 per cent market share, according to market research firm CyberMedia Research (CMR). For the first time, Apple sold India-made iPhone 15 and 15 Plus on the first day of its global sales, with exporting those units to a few other markets as well. There are estimates that the iPhone 15 shipments in the launch quarter, which heralds the massive festive season in India, will hover around 65 per cent, driven by an increased 'Make in India' initiative. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/bajaj-pulsar-n150-vs-yamaha-fz-s-v3-bikes-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/103985134.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/bajaj-pulsar-n150-vs-yamaha-fz-s-v3-bikes-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/103985134.cms" target="_blank">Bajaj Pulsar N150 vs Yamaha FZ-S V3 – The bike to consider under ₹1.25 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/bentley-flying-spur-hybrid-hits-indian-roads-in-bid-to-go-greener/slidelist/103979187.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/bentley-flying-spur-hybrid-hits-indian-roads-in-bid-to-go-greener/slidelist/103979187.cms" target="_blank">Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid hits Indian roads in bid to go greener</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-8-launch-on-oct-4-from-camera-to-design-specifications-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/103924696.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-8-launch-on-oct-4-from-camera-to-design-specifications-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/103924696.cms" target="_blank">Pixel 8 launch on Oct 4 – From camera to design specifications, what we know so far</a>

Mobile phone exports from India cross Rs 45,000 cr in April-Aug period, Apple leads

Led by <keyword id="6354947" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="bitcoin">Bitcoin</keyword>, the global <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=r[…]nnel=Business%20Insider&amp;af_adset=article&amp;af_force_deeplink=true" data-type="tilCustomLink">cryptocurrency</a> market has zoomed past $2 trillion in market capitalisation amid a surge in institutional demand. <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=r[…]nnel=Business%20Insider&amp;af_adset=article&amp;af_force_deeplink=true" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bitcoin</a> alone has contributed more than $1 trillion after its price more than doubled in 2021 and is currently hovering around $57,000 per digital coin. The other key <keyword id="2420795" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="cryptocurrencies">cryptocurrencies</keyword> -- Ethereum, Binance Coin, Polkadot, Tether and Cardano -- have a combined value of about $422 billion. The electric car company Tesla has announced to start accepting Bitcoin as payment. Tesla has already invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoins. Tesla CEO <keyword id="6355315" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk">Elon Musk</keyword> said late last month that people in the US can now buy a Tesla with Bitcoins, and the option to pay with the popular <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=r[…]nnel=Business%20Insider&amp;af_adset=article&amp;af_force_deeplink=true" data-type="tilCustomLink">cryptocurrency</a> will be available to <keyword id="2386915" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="other-countries">other countries</keyword> later this year. According to Shivam Thakral, CEO, BuyUcoin, the digital assets have beaten every other asset class as Bitcoin and Ethereum have grown 100 per cent and 190 per cent this year, respectively. "The growing global support for crypto industry is not surprising as think tanks/institutions across the globe have realised the importance of digital assets and want to take first mover advantage. There is no other asset class in the world which can provide such a strong hedge against inflation," Thakral said in a statement on Wednesday. In <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying that all windows on cryptocurrencies will not be closed down, industry stakeholders last month said that a positive move at this point can unleash a host of opportunities for the country. India's leading cryptocurrency players, represented by IAMAI (Internet and <keyword id="592650" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mobile-Association-of-India">Mobile Association of India</keyword>) have appealed to the government of India not to ban cryptocurrency, saying that a robust mechanism to regulate the ecosystem is needed. The government has listed the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 for introduction, consideration and passing in the current session of Parliament. Reports indicate that India probably aims to launch its own digital currency i.e. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This measure will be in line with many central banks which have begun planning to issue their own digital currencies. <a href="https://forum.businessinsider.in/">For a more in-depth discussion, come on over to Business Insider Cryptosphere</a> — a forum where users can deep dive into all things crypto, engage in interesting discussions and stay ahead of the curve. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/one-third-of-indians-hold-cryptocurrencies-and-youngsters-are-leading-the-charge/articleshow/85364856.cms">One third of Indians hold cryptocurrencies and youngsters are leading the charge, according to a new report</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/cricket-is-jumping-on-the-nft-bandwagon-heres-how-fans-can-splurge-on-digital-collectibles-in-the-sporting-world/slidelist/85302503.cms#slideid=85302611">Cricket is jumping on the NFT bandwagon — here’s how fans can splurge on digital collectibles in the sporting world</a>

Global crypto market crosses $2 trillion, bitcoin accounts for over 50% of the market cap

The last 9-10 years have seen tremendous growth across four major consumer <keyword id="6380512" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electronics" source="Orion">electronics</keyword> segments -- <keyword id="38260" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-phones" source="Orion">mobile phones</keyword>, consumer electronics, <keyword id="189485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="it-hardware" source="Orion">IT hardware</keyword> and electronic components -- that account for over 70 per cent of India's domestic manufacturing profile. The pace is such that tech giants are now lining up investments worth billions of dollars in the country. The country is rapidly becoming an electronics manufacturing hub, with the sector expected to rise to $300 billion by 2025-26. From <keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword> to Foxconn and US-based Micron Technologies to domestic major Tata Group, the companies are aiming to leverage domestic capabilities to achieve supply chain diversification and scale up production by manufacturing in the country. Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn has received approval to invest at least $1 billion more in a plant in India that will manufacture Apple products. The fresh investment is on top of the $1.6 billion it earlier set aside for the 300-acre site close to the Bengaluru airport. Meanwhile, the Tata Group is planning to build one of India's largest iPhone assembly plants in Tamil Nadu's Hosur. According to media reports, the facility is expected to feature around 20 assembly lines and employ 50,000 workers within two years. The site is expected to be operational within 12 to 18 months. With Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Wistron selling its India operations to the Tata Group for $125 million, Tata Electronics is going to become the first Indian company to manufacture new Apple iPhones in the country, which is a major fillip to the government's 'Make in India' initiative. According to reports, Apple plans to expand its investment in the country to approximately $40 billion over the next four to five years. Apple has already crossed the $7 billion production milestone during the previous fiscal year. Apple is aiming to manufacture more than 50 million iPhones in India per year, as it aims to shift some of the production out from China. The tech giant aims to achieve the target within the next two to three years, with additional tens of millions of units planned after that, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to government and industry data, India saw mobile phones exports worth $5.5 billion (over Rs 45,000 crore) in the April-August period in the ongoing fiscal year (FY24). As per estimates by the Department of Commerce and the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), accessed by IANS, the April-August period saw mobile phone exports worth $5.5 billion, against $3 billion (about Rs 25,000 crore) in the same period in FY22-23. India is set to cross Rs 1,20,000 crore in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year. The country is now the second-biggest manufacturing hub for mobile phones due to heavy investment from original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers and companies dealing in components and parts. India is expected to export about 22 per cent of its total assembled mobile phones in 2023, according to Counterpoint Research. However, "China's manufacturing and supply chain will still maintain its essential role in the longer run," says senior research analyst Ivan Lam. According to Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR, India's domestic consumer electronics manufacturing sector has soared, propelled by a mix of strong tailwinds. "A conducive policy environment is attracting strong investments, while a burgeoning R&amp;D pool in areas like chip design and AI is fostering innovation. Domestic champions are leading the charge, prioritizing IP-driven value creation and localisation," Ram told IANS. India's electronics sector is set to harness $7 billion untapped revenue by 2035 via circular business model and policy pathways, say industry stakeholders. Current commitments and targets set the projected market size for these circular models at $13 billion in 2035. Yet, the total addressable market, achievable through the right public and private actions, can reach an astounding $20 billion, revealing an untapped potential of 35 per cent, according to the ICEA. Three core business models -- Repair, Resell, and Recycling -- are already thriving in India, predominantly driven by the informal sector. Around 90 per cent of collection and 70 per cent of recycling are handled by this competitive sector. However, only 22 per cent of the collected e-waste is managed by the formal sector, revealing room for improvement. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA, highlighted the future potential of India's electronics sector as a global manufacturing hub. "I am confident that the electronics industry would facilitate sustainable circular economy practices to ensure a sustainable green future for the generations to come," Mohindroo said. Meanwhile, the ICEA is also setting up a task-force to ensure that the current electronics trade between India and the US goes up from an estimated $8 billion to $100 billion in a decade. "We are setting up a task-force to ensure that the current electronics trade between the two countries goes up from an estimated $8 billion to $100 billion in a decade. The role of lead firms of global value chains (GVCs) will be crucial but, at the same time, new jobs and opportunities for Indian businesses and startups will be created," Mohindroo informed. In September, US-based Micron Technology started the construction of a Rs 22,500 crore facility in Sanand, Gujarat, that will set a benchmark for India's semiconductor journey. "This plant sets a major milestone for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a semiconductor hub - the way the country has achieved in sectors like mobile, electronics, defense, railways, aviation and multiple other areas where progress is visible," Union IT MInister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told IANS. The engineering major Larsen &amp; Toubro (L&amp;T) has also announced to invest up to Rs 830 crore to build a fabless semiconductor chip design subsidiary which will ramp up the country's plan to become a semiconductor hub. In just 15-16 months' time, India has seen the construction of its first-ever semiconductor plant in Gujarat, received more manufacturing proposals along with several chip-designing startups now operational in the country. "This momentum is expected to continue in 2024, with India poised to become a major hub for consumer electronics manufacturing and a formidable export powerhouse," said Ram.

Phones to chips, electronics sector buoyed by strong tailwinds

Save the whales. Stop the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-to-issue-executive-order-against-keystone-pipeline-permit-report-says-2021-1">Keystone XL pipeline</a>. Ban Arctic drilling.Slogans like these have been plastered on bumper stickers and chanted at marches for years. But despite being succinct earworms, they've all failed to address one key question: Why? Why should the typical American — worried about holding on to their job, providing for their family, and a million mundane challenges — get invested in protecting the environment? To prevent a climate catastrophe, activists say. Because it's our moral responsibility as stewards of the planet, environmentalists argue. But those reasons typically fall flat with the general public. Too often, issues that are critical to maintaining life on this planet, such as saving endangered species from extinction and blocking fossil-fuel development, get framed solely as ethical matters. Or worse, they get lost in a haze of confusing scientific jargon or grandiose calls to action. Even after decades of scientific reports and widespread activism, nearly half of Americans in a <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/09/what-the-data-says-about-americans-views-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pew Research</a> poll said they didn't view climate change as a major threat. And 56% said they thought that they, as individuals, were already doing enough — or even too much — to reduce the effects of climate change. It's that profound disconnect between perception and reality that's preventing us from taking the kind of urgent and sustained action necessary to prevent a planetwide <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-effects-adapt-or-die-un-ipcc-report-2022-3">catastrophe</a>. The problem isn't that there's a lack of scientific information or moral reasons to act. The problem comes down to ineffective marketing. To connect with the average person, environmental campaigns need to focus more on how helping the environment helps individuals.Marketing, at its core, is about shaping perception. And while the complexity and scale of the climate crisis can be difficult to capture in a tagline, we need to draw on the profession's proven expertise at persuasion to help raise awareness, mobilize the public, and shift our national priorities. It's not enough, marketing experts say, to emphasize that an issue is important. "Even great and important things don't often get the attention they need," Jonah Berger, an associate professor of marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, said. "There are lots of things competing for people's attention. That's why we need to think about messaging." Translating the climate crisis into an effective marketing campaign, he said, means focusing not on the abstract importance of the issue but on the concrete needs of the audience. Climate issues are often framed as a choice between selfishness and selflessness: Either you care about your money and your job, or you care about helping the planet. In this false dichotomy, it's clear where most people come down: In a recent <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/1675/most-important-problem.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gallup poll</a> of Americans, only 3% of respondents ranked the environment as the most important issue facing the country today, versus 34% who said the economy was most important. Average people, this seems to suggest, are more concerned about whether they will be able to afford a good life for their children than whether certain animals will be around in 30 years.In reality, though, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-climate-crisis-can-change-make-economy-better-resilient-2023-9">the economy and environment</a> are intricately intertwined. Increasing the energy efficiency of your home, for example, is a clear way to reduce your utility bills. But that's not how environmental issues are usually marketed. Consider the Keystone XL pipeline, which was designed to bring oil sands from Canada into the US. The political left opposed the pipeline on environmental grounds, including its perpetuation of fossil-fuel reliance and the potential for oil spills. The right supported the pipeline on economic grounds, claiming that its construction would generate <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/poll-public-says-keystone-xl-a-jobs-win-072199" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over 100,000 jobs</a>.<div type="image" title="Keystone" height="533" width="800" msid="104554070" hostid="261"></div>But the battle over the pipeline should never have been framed as a choice between the environment and the economy. Better marketing would have emphasized the very real and immediate <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-climate-change-crisis-extreme-weather-is-costing-you-2023-9">cost of climate change</a> — which the pipeline may have exacerbated — as well as all the jobs that could be created by focusing on clean energy, not just fossil fuels. (That's the message the Biden administration adopted to promote the Inflation Reduction Act, touting the more than <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/16/fact-sheet-one-year-in-president-bidens-inflation-reduction-act-is-driving-historic-climate-action-and-investing-in-america-to-create-good-paying-jobs-and-reduce-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">170,000 estimated jobs</a> it created in one year.) Environmental advocates still struggle to make seemingly far-off issues a kitchen-table concern for Americans. Take oil drilling in Alaska, for example. When campaigns to ban Arctic drilling focus on protecting local ecosystems, that can leave people who live far from the Arctic wondering why the issue matters to them. Fortunately, that messaging is starting to change.Earlier this year, the Biden administration approved the Willow project for oil drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which drew significant backlash from environmental advocates. Attempts to reframe the discussion to talk about the global effects of the drilling, such as more extreme weather, have had more success, Jenna DiPaolo, the chief communications officer of Greenpeace USA, said."While there were images of the pristine wilderness, there was also a lot of messaging about the impact this project would have on our global climate — and, consequently, on our ability to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and not suffer ever-worsening hurricanes, floods, and fires," DiPaolo said.The more human-centric messaging had a somewhat positive impact. In September, the Biden administration<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/climate/biden-drilling-alaska-wildlife-refuge.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> expanded environmental protections in the petroleum reserve and canceled</a> oil- and gas-lease sales in the nearby Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Still, a new administration could easily switch back to more fossil-fuel-friendly policies. And while some environmental groups try to bring the issues home, too much marketing still focuses on morality.In recent years, many companies have tried to market their products by presenting them as climate-friendly. But those campaigns have produced some notable missteps. A good example of bad climate marketing comes from the Irish budget airline Ryanair. Since air travel blasts a lot of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, hastening the effects of climate change, airlines such as Ryanair have started offering flyers ways to "offset" the emissions caused by their travel. Carbon offsets involve contributing money to a project that will help avoid, reduce, or remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or building wind farms.In 2018, Ryanair started offering customers the option to pay an additional fee to offset the carbon footprint of their flights. One offsetting project the airline chose tracked whales in Ireland to help preserve the species. The selection left many people feeling confused. What does saving the whales have to do with offsetting carbon emissions from jet fuel? The comedian John Oliver even mocked Ryanair during a 2022 segment of his show "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p8zAbFKpW0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Last Week Tonight</a>" for putting carbon-offset funds toward the whale project. "It's not that people would object to that. Of course, people love whales and dolphins," Oliver said. "But protecting them isn't the thing that you promised."However, whale preservation does, in fact, have a lot to do with combating the climate crisis. Whales fertilize oceans, creating conditions for the growth of microscopic algae, which can capture carbon. And when whales die, <a href="https://marinesanctuary.org/blog/whale-fall-101/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most fall to the ocean floor</a>, carrying carbon in their bodies that will stay out of the atmosphere for hundreds of years. "When it comes to saving the planet, one whale is worth thousands of trees," a <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2019/12/natures-solution-to-climate-change-chami" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> by the International Monetary Fund said.Aside from the bigger <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/crypto-climate-scheme-carbon-credits-offsets-market-flowcarbon-2022-7">problems with carbon offsets</a>, the key mistake Ryanair made was that it didn't explain why saving the whales was critical to reducing carbon emissions, which ultimately helps people enjoy life on this planet. Companies trying to present themselves as climate-friendly typically fail to make that link, leading people to dismiss their environmental efforts as corporate eyewash. Considering that only <a href="https://corporate.ryanair.com/sustainability/customer-carbon-offsetting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3% of Ryanair passengers participate</a> in its carbon-offsetting program, the airline's marketing efforts clearly did not work.Some of the most successful corporate efforts at climate marketing place more emphasis on consumers' personal concerns. Ben Forman, the CEO of the marketing agency Wrestler, has worked on campaigns for the sustainable-shoe company Allbirds. While being good for the environment is a key part of the brand, that's not the sole focus of how Allbirds markets the shoes. For example, Forman said, the company emphasizes how its use of sustainable materials, such as merino wool, improves the quality of the shoe. Businesses can get lost talking about sustainability by putting it at the forefront of their messaging, when instead the focus should be on the product first, he said. "We are intrinsically selfish beings," Forman added. "We want to know what it means for us."Tesla is another example of a popular brand that's sustainability-adjacent and has successfully marketed itself without getting bogged down in the environmental details. "They've done a really neat job of realizing that part of the reason that people buy a car is not just because they care about the environment but because they care about looking good to their peers," Berger, the marketing professor, said.But not enough organizations are taking this approach and moving the needle toward a more sustainable world. According to the <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Energy Agency</a>, global carbon emissions reached a record high last year. It's clear that the current marketing approach to the climate crisis isn't cutting it. Sounding the alarm bells isn't enough. People need to see what's in it for them.Instead of talking about emissions levels, talk about how the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-report-showing-health-impacts-climate-change-children-united-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate crisis could increase</a> childhood asthma rates and incidences of Lyme disease. Instead of talking about why sharks are awe-inspiring creatures, talk about how keeping them alive provides more <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2011/05/02/wanted-dead-or-alive-the-relative-value-of-reef-sharks-as-a-fishery-and-an-ecotourism-asset-in-palau" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economic benefits</a> through tourism. And instead of reiterating incremental degrees of planetary warming, talk about how a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/half-phoenix-arizona-er-city-blackout-heat-wave-study-2023-5">single blackout</a> during the summer could send half of Phoenix to the emergency room. The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-effects-adapt-or-die-un-ipcc-report-2022-3">United Nations</a>, in its annual climate report last year, coined what is perhaps the sharpest and most compelling slogan on the climate emergency yet: "Delay means death." The more you focus on what everyday people care about, Berger said, the more effective your marketing campaign will be. "They don't care about us. They care about themselves," he said."The more we can show them why doing what we would like them to do is beneficial for them — not just for the world but beneficial for them — the more likely they'll be to want to do it."<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jake-safane">Jake Safane</a> is a freelance writer specializing in finance and sustainability. He has investments in sustainability-related companies, including some involved in renewable energy. He also works with sustainability-related businesses, including some involved with carbon offsets.

The marketing failure that's going to kill us all

<ul><li>With <keyword id="6354312" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ipl" source="Orion">IPL</keyword> just around the corner, brands cannot afford to stay away from making the most of the tournament. At the same time, they must be mindful of the disproportionate investments and costs required via sponsorships, TV airtime, or digital live-match ads. </li><li>For brands on a strict budget, Mobile-based Audience Buys is the answer, writes <keyword id="3633879" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vasuta-agarwal" source="Orion">Vasuta Agarwal</keyword>, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, at <keyword id="164941" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inmobi" source="Orion">InMobi</keyword>. </li></ul>The year 2022 will most likely determine how brands in India bounce back to achieve or sustain growth in the wake of the pandemic. While macro-economic trends such as rising input costs, supply-chain constraints, and inflationary concerns are already forcing brands to pass on the cost to consumers, brands are also playing catch up with the ever-evolving connected consumer’s behavior and expectations in the next normal. This makes owning share of voice to drive awareness and growth critical – be it for legacy or digital-first brands. IPL – The First Big Marketing Opportunity of the Year The first big marketing opportunity of the year – the Indian Premier League (IPL), is set to arrive. Given the passion cricket ignites, the viewership it attracts, and the varied conversations it generates across the country, IPL will own individual and household attention this summer. But what’s important to note is that the IPL-consumer relationship extends way beyond the live matches as viewers partake in fantasy and in-app cricket gaming, watch informational videos, participate in polls and quizzes, and so much more during matches and outside of them. Needless to say, as IPL captures eyeballs and conversations, brands cannot afford to stay away. At the same time, they must be mindful of the disproportionate investments and costs required via sponsorships, TV airtime, or digital live-match ads. So, how do brands on a strict budget continue to own the share of voice and associate themselves with the conversations around IPL? The answer is Mobile-based Audience Buys. The Smart <keyword id="564900" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-advertising" source="Orion">Mobile Advertising</keyword> Strategy: Audience Buys While most brands have either developed <keyword id="691908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-marketing" source="Orion">Mobile Marketing</keyword> Maturity or are in the process of developing it, the key competitive edge this IPL season will be the mobile-advertising strategy they choose for each campaign. In today’s hyper-connected and digitally active world, audiences are present on multiple channels as they navigate and switch between a myriad of apps and content in real-time. Given the breadth and depth of <keyword id="6354485" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mobile" source="Orion">mobile</keyword> signals, adopting an audience-based mobile advertising strategy can help brands tap into “always-on” segments that are unique to their products and use case. Brands can also amplify their reach via household graphs to identify and target IPL viewing households. By engaging intelligently with audiences “when” and “where” they are most likely to engage, brands can increase the value of impressions delivered; increasing SOV, and as a result, increasing share of wallet. Deploying a Mobile Audience Strategy Sprite, a world-leading soft drink, initiated an innovative activation last IPL with mobile audiences and the result was record breaking engagement within just five days of the “Din Bhaari, Life Jaari” campaign going live; Sprite helped Young India hit “Refresh” and get on with life with a fresh perspective. By identifying cricket enthusiasts, the brand engaged them with the Sprite Cricket Premier League (CPL) – a virtual cricket tournament. Closely reflecting the IPL format, it allowed users to choose and play for a city of their choice. A heightened stadium experience was brought to life while tactfully using the platform in innovative ways to create brand associations. The signature green color of Sprite, the bottle, and the logo were strategically integrated as native elements within the game, maximizing the impact for the brand. Moreover, high-intent users were directed to instantly buy the product from e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Big Basket, Flipkart and <keyword id="12724311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blinkit" source="Orion">BlinkIt</keyword>. As brands witness pressure to balance risings costs with the need to engage with consumers in moments that matter, devising a smart mobile audience strategy is one of the most impactful ways for brands to better their return on ad spends. IPL being the first big marketing opportunity of the year, brands can build readiness and efficiency for the remainder of the cricket season and other seasonal marketing opportunities this year.

Why mobile-based audience buys could be a game changer for advertisers in the 2022 cricket season

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12395930" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="exxon-mobil" source="Orion">Exxon Mobil</keyword>'s CEO predicted <keyword id="11896879" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="oil" source="Orion">oil</keyword> <keyword id="11894552" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="prices" source="Orion">prices</keyword> will climb even higher and lead to more investment.</li><li>"They always say the cure to high prices is high prices," <keyword id="14313736" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="darren-woods" source="Orion">Darren Woods</keyword> told the Financial Times.</li></ul>Exxon Mobil's CEO thinks oil prices have room to climb higher before they push companies to invest more on increased production. Brent crude rose 1.2% to $116.42 a barrel on Tuesday and has soared nearly 50% so far this year amid resurgent demand, limited growth in output, and <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s war on <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword>."They always say the cure to high prices is high prices. And that's exactly what I think we'll see," <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/a99918de-35dc-4be5-8a91-1763ee681c6b">Darren Woods told the Financial Times</a>. "So it's a question of how high prices eventually rise."For its part, the energy giant plans to spend $20 billion to $25 billion a year through 2027 on oil and <keyword id="11955852" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gas" source="Orion">gas</keyword> projects.While that is down from its pre-COVID forecast of $30 billion or more of annual investments, Exxon Mobil has resisted calls to reduce its oil production like competitors Shell and BP, and even plans large oil projects in the US and Brazil.But the rush to clean energy, Woods said, is what left the market ill-prepared to meet the current landscape of exceptional demand. Even if world powers want to move to cut ties with oil, "you need a fairly robust set of alternative solutions if you're going to reliably and affordably meet the needs of the people," he added.And the flow of new oil projects is slower than the past, Woods said, due in large part to companies worrying about the long-term ramifications of a renewed commitment to fossil fuels amid the shift toward renewables and clean energy. "These are multibillion-dollars investments with long time horizons," he said. "How do you think about that with the uncertainty associated with the transition? That is a difficult balance to strike."

Exxon Mobil CEO sees oil climbing further: 'They always say that the cure to high prices is high prices'

<ul><li><keyword id="2440542" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="esports" source="Orion">Esports</keyword> has witnessed a massive growth in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> over a short span of time. A recent EY report stated that the esports industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46% to touch ₹11 billion by 2025. </li><li>Rajan Navani, Vice Chairman &amp; Managing Director, JetSynthesys writes on the state of esports in India and what opportunities lie ahead.</li></ul>Young 23-year-old <keyword id="8670455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tirth-mehta" source="Orion">Tirth Mehta</keyword> picked up his bags and flew to Jakarta back in 2018. Just another passenger, not a lot of people recognized the new athlete the <keyword id="84384" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="asian-games" source="Orion">Asian Games</keyword> was going to see that year. His homecoming however was an elaborate celebration filled with politicians, prominent personalities, citizens, friends, and family congratulating him on winning the bronze in Hearthstone, the esports demonstration event at the Asian Games 2018, becoming India’s first esports medallist at the global tournament. Cut to 2021, the gaming industry cheered for yet another win as esports would finally debut as an official medal sport at the 19th Asian Games 2022, a landmark event in the history of the gaming industry. Probably on the path to being recognized at the <keyword id="6360967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="olympics" source="Orion">Olympics</keyword> as well, the category has witnessed a massive growth over a short span of time. Even though a nascent industry, it is already pulling in the big bucks and contributing to India’s economy; something which especially came handy at a time when the world was hit with the biggest black swan event of the decade, the Covid-19 pandemic. A recent EY report stated that the esports industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46% to touch ₹11 billion by 2025. With the country's esports industry growing at a faster pace than the global esports industry, India is also concentrating on growing its prize pool which is expected to grow at 66% CAGR to reach ₹1 billion by 2025. One of the major factors for this is that esports is no longer a metro phenomenon. In fact, for the first time in history, rural India has a higher internet penetration than metros with 227 million active internet users, which is 10% higher than urban India at 205 million, as per the <keyword id="128625" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Internet-and-Mobile-Association-of-India" source="Orion">Internet and Mobile Association of India</keyword> (IAMAI). This internet and mobile penetration helps bring a fragmented market together, making esports a major driving force for the gaming industry in India. Needless to say, it is up to the many stakeholders of the sector to ensure its bright future materialises so let’s promptly deep dive into the potential growth areas and the next steps for each. First up are the players and the companies who make up the core ecosystem. The aforementioned EY report states that India has 1,50,000 players and around 60,000 teams currently and the number is expected to grow at 78% CAGR by 2025 to reach 1.5 million players and 250,000 teams. As esports becomes a viable profession, especially for the youth, brands operating in the space have their job cut out too – 1. make next-gen, compelling games which can engage Indian-origin sensibilities and sensitivities, and 2. motivate players through monetary incentives, recognition, and awards to train and play better. A special shoutout to Real Cricket here - the first Indian esports game the world will play and compete in! Also, with esports cutting across borders, it has paved the way for vernacular content creators to connect with their community easily, and for gamers across the board to come to the centre-stage. In fact, esports competitions in India and internationally are now broadcasted in many Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Punjabi apart from English to make the sport further accessible and inclusive across the length and breadth of the country. This growth will be further propelled by the increase in prize money, more games, localization, regional adaptation and growth of smartphone, laptop, and broadband infrastructure. Government bodies will also play an instrumental role in taking esports in India to the next level by setting the right framework to promote participation. All of this and more will help people understand the depth behind this form of gaming, and also help sensitize parents about the virtues of esports as a viable career option. After all, it’s not just about those who actively play the sport but also about the trainers, coaches, casters, commentators, and many others who make up the support ecosystem. As a country, we are also steadily building the infrastructure for this industry with gaming houses and esports academies being created where players can train and spend time honing their skills. Brands and companies are pumping in financial investments, and ramping up sponsorships, contributing to the largeness of the sport. Globally, Europe, USA and Korea are the leading market for esports, but India, with its huge player base and enthusiasm is catching up fast with the global biggies, carving out its own coveted niche. Few months back, India saw the third edition of the Skyesports Championship record a concurrent viewership of 227K and 5 million one-day views, breaking viewership records and acting as a fantastic proof point for the high traction esports content generates already. Next year, as we compete in the Asian Games, one hopes this number will skyrocket even further, and more Tirth Mehtas will celebrate their moment under the sun.

Why esports is the latest gaming frontier to conquer

<ul><li>With consumer interest at the core of the consortium, the <keyword id="1464841" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="edtech" source="Orion">EdTech</keyword> companies have committed to observe and adhere to a common ‘Code of Conduct.’</li><li>It would establish a Two-tier Grievance Redressal Mechanism to ensure that the positive impact of the industry reaches every deserving consumer while protecting their interests and promoting their rights.</li></ul> Leading EdTech companies under the aegis of <keyword id="128625" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Internet-and-Mobile-Association-of-India" source="Orion">Internet and Mobile Association of India</keyword> (<keyword id="149966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAMAI" source="Orion">IAMAI</keyword>) today announced the formation of the India <keyword id="12934640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EdTech-Consortium" source="Orion">EdTech Consortium</keyword> (IEC). Aligned with the Government’s recent advisory, the IEC will ensure that every learner shall have access to quality and affordable education, which not only improves their academic performance but also makes them future-ready. With consumer interest at the core of the consortium, the EdTech companies have committed to observe and adhere to a common ‘Code of Conduct’ and establish a Two-tier Grievance Redressal Mechanism to ensure that the positive impact of the industry reaches every deserving consumer while protecting their interests and promoting their rights. Several EdTech entities have joined the IEC such as such as Byju’s, Careers 360,Classplus, Doubtnut, Great Learning, Harappa, Times Edutech &amp; Events Ltd, Scaler, Simplilearn, Toppr, Unacademy, upGrad, UNext Learning, Vedantu &amp; WhiteHat Jr. The move to set up IEC comes at a time when Indian EdTech players are creating immense value for the global audience. The disruptions led by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns compelled both parents and educational institutions to implement tech-enabled learning solutions, thereby accelerating the growth of the EdTech sector. Indian EdTech operators have been solving for accessibility and affordability through quality courses from best teachers, instructors and faculty members, to ensure that students across all age groups are benefiting from the innovation in the education sector. This has elevated India’s position on the global map as an education hub. The overall Indian EdTech ecosystem impacts over 500M+ school students, college students and working professionals across India. At this scale, it is critical that the ecosystem follows a framework that will protect the rights of our learners and all EdTech companies are committed to this. Subho Ray, President, Internet and Mobile Association of India, said: “IAMAI and members of the India EdTech Consortium (IEC) are deeply committed to ensuring ethical standards to protect learners on online educational platforms. IEC seeks to empower the learners by not just helping them make informed decisions but by also having their grievances redressed timely. The formation of this self-regulatory body is an important step towards protecting learners as more and more students, teachers and stakeholders are becoming a part of the online education ecosystem.” Commenting on the formation of the IEC, Divya Gokulnath, Co- founder of Byju’s said, “We are completely aligned with the Government's principles on safeguarding consumer interests and welcome the creation of guidelines that help students reach their learning goals in a manner that makes them future ready and conceptually strong. We have always believed that the student should be at the center of the education system and as educators we must do everything possible to create the right set of processes and methods to empower and enhance their learning." Vamsi Krishna, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Vedantu, said, “The Indian EdTech sector has grown considerably over the last two years with funding and consolidations strengthening the ecosystem. However, while business growth is critical, so is consumer protection since this will allow students and parents to make more informed decisions about the future. Therefore, as part of the newly institutionalized IEC, we will build a sounder and more ethical ecosystem for students so that we can ensure their safety and mitigate any risks they may encounter in their journey to be future-ready.” Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder &amp; MD upGrad and Co-Chairperson, IAMAI EdTech Committee, said, “We are honored to be a part of the IEC at a time when the EdTech sector is accelerating its growth momentum. The last two years have witnessed the rise of online education as a connecting bridge to access flexible and quality education for students as well as working professionals. With the sole purpose of improving the delivery of education services, it is now crucial for us to foster and sustain stakeholder trust by safeguarding their interest as a practice. This initiative will go a long way in strengthening the EdTech sector and establishing India as the Teaching capital of the world.” In the recent past, the education sector has undergone significant transformation and EdTech has supplemented in driving new-age academic excellence. Having created a significant impact by offering quality and affordable education services, EdTech entities have also improved learnability &amp; employability for users to address the evolving needs of the job market. The adaptive learning solutions have ensured that learners are not merely ‘knowledge receivers’ but ‘knowledge creators’ as well. The sector has also created large number of employment opportunities. However, as the sector and end users grow at a fast pace, it is critical to establish a standard code of conduct for all Indian EdTech entities to adhere to and ensure that ‘learners’ remain at the core of all the business practices.

IAMAI establishes India EdTech Consortium to uphold Code of Conduct by  EdTech Platforms

<ul><li><keyword id="1388371" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mobile-Marketing-Association">Mobile Marketing Association</keyword>'s ‘Ad Fraud Benchmark Report' reveals interesting facts about the level of fraud, and its awareness in the country and aims to help marketers benchmark their exposure to various kinds of fraud.</li><li>The report revealed that 90% of businesses are using or planning to use anti-fraud solutions.</li><li>Only 37% respondents are familiar with Blockchain. </li></ul><keyword id="691908" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-marketing">Mobile Marketing</keyword> Association, a global non-profit organization, has released an ‘Ad Fraud Benchmark Report' that gives a perspective into the state of mobile ad fraud in India. The report reveals some interesting facts about the level of fraud, and its awareness in the country and aims to help marketers benchmark their exposure to various kinds of fraud. The report has been published in collaboration with a research firm -- Decision Lab, with the objective of understanding the current industry practices around ad fraud and the methods adopted by marketers. It also highlights the rising and prevalent issues such as adware traffic, ad stacking, domain spoofing, that will help marketers understand organizational challenges and combination of various measures to tackle the problems effectively. Highlighting why we need more awareness around <keyword id="7600374" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ad-frauds">ad frauds</keyword>, <keyword id="6812225" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Moneka-Khurana">Moneka Khurana</keyword>, Country Head, MMA India, said, “In India, the awareness on ad fraud risks is very low with almost a fifth of the marketers being unclear of their ad fraud budget and majority of them believing that fraudulent activities will only increase. Brand safety on mobile is the biggest concern today and this benchmark report clearly demonstrates that this needs immediate addressal. Marketers will need to be extra cautious to attacks such as ad injections, data fraud, cookie stuffing, etc. Marketers must understand the potential of technologies such as Blockchain that can help solve issues related to fraud and create security and transparency in mobile marketing ecosystem.” Key highlights from the report: <ul><li>With a rate of 62%, mobile ad fraud remains as one of the biggest challenges in India </li><li>Indian marketers spend nearly 20% of their advertising budget on ad fraud </li><li>9/10 marketers feel there is scope for improvement in ad fraud prevention methods </li><li>95% respondents feel that lack of penalties and transparency in industry regulations give rise to ad fraud </li><li>95% respondents agreed that lack of data sharing and large number of middlemen are also a cause to ad fraud risks </li><li>Major types of ad fraud – Cookie Stuffing (74%), Adware Traffic (65%), Data Fraud (61%), Ad Injection (54%) </li><li>Only 37% respondents are aware of Blockchain and its application to fraud prevention </li></ul>

Indian marketers spend nearly 20% of their advertising budget on tackling ad fraud: MMA's Ad Fraud Benchmark Report

As <keyword id="1574002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-gaming-market" source="Orion">Indian gaming market</keyword> is poised to hit $3.9 billion (in value) by 2025, over 40 per cent of hardcore gamers are paying for their games with an average spend of ₹230 per month, a new report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) showed on Tuesday. The pandemic has accelerated the organic growth of digital games as mobile app downloads grew by 50 per cent and user engagement went up by 20 per cent. The increased gaming time has spurred the growth of hardcore gamers in India, even as casual games remain the most popular genre in India, said the report, prepared in collaboration with smartphone brand OnePlus and Bengaluru-based market research firm RedSeer. "We are at the cusp of a gaming revolution and the gaming ecosystem is working towards user-friendly smartphones and leveraging 5G technologies," Telangana's Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, and IT, Jayesh Ranjan, said. "The gaming sector has underlined the significance of affordable smartphones with capable hardware," he said while launching the report. India is currently home to over 430 million mobile gamers and the number is estimated to grow to 650 million by 2025. Currently, mobile gaming dominates the sector, contributing more than 90 per cent to the current $1.6 billion gaming market in the country. "The (global] gaming industry can be matched with electronics, and consoles could be manufactured in India, Joint Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology, Saurabh Gaur said, voicing support for creating games for the domestic audience based on the Indian culture. <keyword id="2600446" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-gaming" source="Orion">Indian gaming</keyword> has joined the mobile gaming bandwagon due to the rapid increase in smartphone penetration in the country, with large console and PC games now being curated for mobile platforms. The sector is also attracting investments, with nearly $1 billion being invested in the sector in the last six months. "Over the past few years, the e-gaming industry in India has grown tremendously, driven by the rising avenues for digitisation and improved accessibility centered around innovation and affordability by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers," OnePlus India Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of India Sales Navnit Nakra said. Smartphones have become more affordable and pack strong hardware that is equipped to run games which may require medium to high specifications. This has opened accessibility to more immersive gaming for the masses. "In the last 12 years, we had to update our GPUs (graphics processing units) over 700 times, that's the demand coming in from the consumers," Qualcomm Vice President and President, Rajen Vagadia said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-is-bringing-ray-tracing-to-smartphones-with-exynos-2200/articleshow/86775687.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Samsung is bringing ray tracing to smartphones with Exynos 2200 chipset</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/oneplus-10-pro-is-rumoured-to-get-5x-optical-zoom-in-addition-to-a-periscope-lens/articleshow/86775266.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">OnePlus 10 Pro is rumoured to get 5x optical zoom in addition to a periscope lens</a>

Over 40% of Indian gamers are spending an average of ₹230 per month on mobile games: IAMAI report

<keyword id="6358777" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword>, The <keyword id="128625" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Internet-and-Mobile-Association-of-India">Internet and Mobile Association of India</keyword> (IAMAI) on Thursday said that its has appealed to the government to reduce TDS on e-commerce platforms to 0.25 per cent from 1 per cent to give a much-needed relief to small sellers in the <keyword id="8445197" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget-2020-21">Union Budget 2020-21</keyword>. The uniform TDS on e-commerce transactions is creating major challenges for the small sellers who are conducting <keyword id="6355515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="business">business</keyword> via e-commerce platforms. "Reducing TDS will help achieve the tax trail without creating the unintended cash-flow concerns," the IAMAI said in a statement. "While it understands that it was an important move on part of the government for better monitoring and realisation of taxation, it has led to unforeseen consequences hurting SME sellers". IAMAI had earlier shared with the authorities an illustration that suggested for merchants who have a turnover of up to Rs 1.25 crore, 1 per cent TDS under the new provisions would exceed their total tax liability, resulting in an unnecessary refund position. "Or, in other words, create cash flow and working capital concerns for small businesses," said the IAMAI which has now appealed to the authorities in its pre-budget memorandums to reduce the rate of TDS. Given the Covid-related economic slowdown, e-commerce platforms have proven to be a crucial lifeline for small scale and MSME sellers, who do not have the marketing or logistics bandwidth for wider outreach and are now using ecommerce platforms to sell across the country. "Unfortunately, the TDS, over and above the pre-existing TCS under GST, now means that such sellers conducting business over e-commerce platforms have a considerable amount of their total revenues locked up under <keyword id="516033" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-claims">tax claims</keyword>," the association argued. Forcing small businesses into prolonged tax refund claims for release of critical revenues is perhaps unwarranted under the present circumstances, it added. --IANS na/

You Searched For "Mobile Marketing Association" and got 13 results

Most Internet users avail of OTT services; 53% of them from rural areas: Report

PTI

Mobile app may predict depression in pregnant women

PTI

Mobile phone exports from India cross Rs 45,000 cr in April-Aug period, Apple leads

IANS

Global crypto market crosses $2 trillion, bitcoin accounts for over 50% of the market cap

IANS

Phones to chips, electronics sector buoyed by strong tailwinds

IANS

The marketing failure that's going to kill us all

Jake Safane

Why mobile-based audience buys could be a game changer for advertisers in the 2022 cricket season

Guest Author

Exxon Mobil CEO sees oil climbing further: 'They always say that the cure to high prices is high prices'

Brian Evans

Why esports is the latest gaming frontier to conquer

Guest Author

IAMAI establishes India EdTech Consortium to uphold Code of Conduct by EdTech Platforms

BI India Partner

Indian marketers spend nearly 20% of their advertising budget on tackling ad fraud: MMA's Ad Fraud Benchmark Report

BI India Partner

Over 40% of Indian gamers are spending an average of ₹230 per month on mobile games: IAMAI report

IANS

Budget 2021: Industry body seeks tax relief for small sellers on e-commerce platforms

IANS

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