
Skandha and EFC partner to expand Global Media Capability centres
Partnership with space-branded real estate expert delivers next-level offshoring agility for broadcasters, OTT platforms, and media tech firms by managing the entire content lifecycle.
Skandha Media Services, a specialist in broadcast and digital media technology powered by cloud, AI and automation, has announced a strategic partnership with EFC Limited, a leader in dynamic workspaces and physical infrastructure. This collaboration is set to enhance Skandha's ability to offer scalable, cost-effective solutions for global media and entertainment (M&E) companies looking to offshore operations through Media Capability Centers (MCCs).
EFC, which operates fully managed workspaces across key Indian cities including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Gurugram, is already supporting several Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India. The new alliance builds on that foundation, enabling Skandha to expand its infrastructure and deliver tailored services that support end-to-end media workflows, from broadcast playout and live event production to ad monetization and post-production.
India has emerged as a hub for GCCs, with over 1,580 such centres, according to a recent EY report. Of these, about 50 are focused specifically on media and entertainment, forming a niche category known as MCCs. These centres cater to the unique needs of the M&E sector, combining creative, technical, and operational expertise to centralise and scale media activities across sectors such as broadcasting, digital content, sports, gaming, and advertising.
MCCs streamline essential operations including localisation, regulatory compliance, VFX, programmatic media buying, news production, audience analytics and content creation. Major global media brands like Disney, ESPN, Bloomberg, Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery have already invested in such offshoring hubs in India.
As part of the collaboration, Skandha and EFC have worked on a high-impact space branding initiative to position Skandha's MCC offerings, showcasing their ability to execute large-scale rollouts with speed and precision.
Yogesh Salian, CEO & founder of Skandha Media Services, explained: 'EFC's experienced leadership in workspace and real estate, and its readily available capacity, can easily accommodate our MCC infrastructure. This means we can provide fully outsourced end-to-end services, along with the infra, processes and people to support the entire media workflow spectrum – from broadcast playout, live event support, ad insertion and ad monetisation, to content rights management, content services and post-production processes.
'This collaboration allows us to offer our domestic and international clients not only economies of scale in infrastructure but also highly efficient and scalable operations.'
Founder of EFC Ltd., Umesh Sahay said: 'Skandha has become a well-known brand in the region with a strategic vision that will benefit M&E customers worldwide. We're delighted they have chosen EFC to host their MCCs to bolster services and help their customers stay ahead in such a competitive landscape.'
The partnership is also strategically aligned with the growing industry trend of prioritizing profitability over expansion. By outsourcing infrastructure and technical operations to Skandha's MCCs, global broadcasters, OTT platforms, and sports media organisations can reduce capital and operational costs while maintaining performance and agility. These services are further enhanced by Skandha's AI-driven workflows, secure enablement, and automated quality control, enabling rapid deployment and execution.
With the alliance now in place, Skandha aims to rapidly scale its Global Media Capability Centres, delivering powerful support to M&E brands navigating increasing content demand, accelerated digital transformation, and tightening margins.
'We're confident that our expanded Global Media Capability Center will help amplify brand presence across diverse platforms and environments,' Salian added. 'This partnership will help us to rapidly scale operations and empower our customers to navigate rising content consumption, rapid digitalization and cost pressure with agility.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sharjah 24
4 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Saud bin Saqr receives Indian Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries
He was accompanied by Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, and Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul-General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. His Highness Sheikh Saud warmly welcomed the Indian Minister and the accompanying delegation, engaging in discussions on the strong and longstanding relations between the UAE and the Republic of India. Explored ways to further enhance and expand bilateral cooperation The talks explored ways to further enhance and expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in the industrial sector, reflecting the depth of the economic and trade ties between the two nations. The meeting highlighted the potential for joint collaboration between Ras Al Khaimah and India in the steel and heavy industries sector, emphasising the importance of building strategic partnerships that align with sustainable development goals and support industrial initiatives on both sides. Reiterated Ras Al Khaimah's commitment to strengthening ties with India His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi reiterated Ras Al Khaimah's commitment to strengthening ties with India, building on the robust bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between the UAE and India, which continues to offer promising opportunities for sustainable economic development. For his part, Kumaraswamy expressed his sincere appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah for the warm hospitality and gracious reception. He affirmed India's eagerness to expand its cooperation framework with the UAE and to establish new partnerships that contribute to progress and promote sustainable industrial growth. He also praised the remarkable development achieved by Ras Al Khaimah, especially in the areas of industry, investment, and tourism.


Arabian Post
5 hours ago
- Arabian Post
India Leads World in Generative AI Take‑Up
Over ninety per cent of employees in India use generative artificial intelligence tools at work, with 92 per cent logging daily use, according to a recent report by the Boston Consulting Group. This figure places India well above the global average of about 72 per cent. The BCG study, based on a survey of 10,600 workers across 11 countries, highlights India's prominence in integrating generative AI. Alongside this, some 17 per cent of workers report that their organisations have embedded AI agents into daily workflows, ranking India among the top three nations globally for such integration. High adoption has come with heightened concern. Nearly half of Indian employees—48 per cent—believe their roles are at risk of disappearing within the next decade due to AI, outpacing global levels at 41 per cent. Anxiety is compounded by low levels of understanding and guidance: only 33 per cent say they comprehend how AI agents function, while just 36 per cent feel they have received adequate training. ADVERTISEMENT Despite these concerns, AI is delivering tangible productivity benefits. Almost half of Indian users report saving more than an hour per day through AI assistance, yet only one‑third receive support in leveraging that time for strategic tasks. Workflow redesign is emergent as a key differentiator: companies that pivot beyond tool deployment to reengineer tasks, offer structured training, and secure leadership backing are achieving stronger outcomes. Experts cite several critical enablers for successful AI adoption. In‑person upskilling, access to approved AI platforms, and visible executive endorsement dramatically enhance uptake. In fact, where frontline workers report robust leadership support, regular usage jumps from 41 per cent to 82 per cent. Security and governance issues remain pressing. About 46 per cent of workers worry that AI decisions lack sufficient human oversight, 35 per cent fear bias or unfairness, and 32 per cent question accountability for errors. Parallel research highlights that 92 per cent of executives flag security vulnerabilities—ranging from cyber‑attacks to data privacy—as major hurdles in AI implementation. India's trajectory is supported by robust public and private investment. The UN Trade and Development's 2025 Technology and Innovation Report names India tenth globally in private‑sector AI investment. Infrastructure initiatives, such as the IndiaAI Mission's goal to build one of the world's largest AI compute networks by 2027, are bolstered by efforts from academia and industry. Centres of excellence at institutions like IIT Delhi and IIIT Hyderabad, alongside corporate alliances, are driving innovation and applied AI solutions. AI's impact is felt across sectors. In public services, digital infrastructure and chatbots are enhancing citizen access. In agriculture, finance and healthcare, predictive analytics and generative AI are reshaping service delivery. Private‑sector growth projections suggest India's AI services market could reach up to US $17 billion by 2027. Nonetheless, workforce readiness remains uneven. While 74 per cent of participants in a Microsoft‑sponsored skills programme hailed from smaller towns—and 65 per cent were women—skilling delivery is uneven, with many employees still left to self‑learn or rely on unauthorised tools. For companies seeking competitive edge, the insight is clear: widespread tool usage alone does not guarantee impact. Only by pairing AI with thoughtful workflow redesign, ethical governance and targeted training can businesses capture the full value of generative intelligence.


Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Sandal scandal: Prada credits new design's Indian legacy amid furore
Luxury fashion powerhouse Prada has acknowledged the ancient Indian roots of its new sandal design after the debut of the open-toe footwear sparked a furore among Indian artisans and politicians thousands of miles from the catwalk in Italy. Images from Prada's fashion show in Milan last weekend showed models wearing leather sandals with a braided design that resembled handmade Kolhapuri slippers with designs dating back to the 12th century. A wave of criticism in the media and from lawmakers followed over the Italian brand's lack of public acknowledgement of the Indian sandal design, which is named after a city in the western state of Maharashtra. Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners, responded to the sandal scandal in a letter to a trade group on Friday recognising their Indian heritage. "We acknowledge that the sandals... are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage," Bertelli, Prada's head of corporate social responsibility, wrote in the letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, seen by Reuters. A creation from Prada Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection during the Milan Fashion Week 2025. Reuters The sandals are at an early stage of design and it is not certain they will be commercialized, but Prada is open to a "dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans" and will arrange follow-up meetings, he wrote. A Prada spokesperson issued a statement acknowledging the sandal's inspiration from India, adding the company has "always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions". Prada products are beyond the reach of most Indians. Its men's leather sandals retail for $844 and up, while the Kolhapuri slippers, sold in Indian shops and street markets, start at about $12. India's luxury market is small but growing fast, with rising numbers of rich people buying Louis Vuitton bags, Lamborghini cars, luxury homes and watches. Conversely, Indian culture and crafts are increasingly finding their way into global brand designs. High-end jeweller Bulgari offers a $16,000 Mangalsutra necklace inspired by a chain traditionally worn by married women. Bertelli's homage to Indian design was sent in a response to a complaint from the head of the trade group that represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, as the online uproar gathered momentum. Customers shop for 'Kolhapuri' sandals, an Indian ethnic footwear, at a store in New Delhi, India. Reuters "From the dusty lanes of Kolhapur to the glitzy runways of Milan... will the world finally give credit where it's due?" India's DNA News posted on X. Sambhaji Chhatrapati from the Kolhapur Royal family told Reuters by phone he was upset that craftsmen had not been acknowledged for the "history and heritage of 150 years." Kolhapur-based businessman Dileep More, however, said images of the Prada sandal were bringing cheer to some artisans as they show their traditional product going global. "They are happy that someone is recognising their work," he said. Reuters