
Sony Music India, The Hello Group form JV to expand global touring for Indian artists
has entered into a joint venture with Los Angeles-based
The Hello Group
(THG) to launch
THG India
, a new entity aimed at supporting
Indian artists
in the
global live music
sector.
The venture combines Sony Music India's understanding of the local market with THG's international network in live touring and artist development. THG India will offer end-to-end services including
artist management
, event booking, and publishing support.
"This is a great moment for the Indian music industry and its vibrant creative community," said Vinit Thakkar, Managing Director, Sony Music India. "THG India marks our first international collaboration of this scale right here in India, and it serves as a critical bridge. By combining THG's strength in global live touring and their international network with our deep local expertise, we are strategically empowering Indian artists with the resources, seasoned management, and global network essential to truly accelerate their careers and resonate on the international stage."
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
default
, selected
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Taylor Jones, CEO of The Hello Group, added, "The Indian music scene boasts an incredible wealth of talent, and its global influence is undeniable. THG India reinforces our deep commitment to building a robust platform for these artists, underpinned by our extensive experience in live touring, artist development and publishing. With our dedicated team in Mumbai and our proven track record of orchestrating worldwide tours for top-tier artists, we are uniquely poised to amplify India's voices like never before."
THG India aims to address gaps in artist management and live touring infrastructure within India, offering new opportunities to artists. Sony Music India will provide investment and access to its creative and commercial platforms.
THG's publishing division, administered by Sony Music Publishing, has contributed to over 50 Billboard #1 chart entries and numerous platinum singles and albums for artists including BTS, NCT 127, ITZY, IVE, and others. THG's booking agency has organized tours for artists such as Jeff Satur, Mark Ambor, I.M (of MONSTA X), and Kang Daniel.
Hashtags

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


The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
After Prada controversy, LIDCOM and LIDKAR reaffirm ownership of Kolhapuri Chappal GI Tag
Days after the Prada controversy about Kolhapuri chappals, and after a business body from Maharashtra engaged in discussion with Prada, Maharashtra-based LIDCOM and Karnataka-based LIDKAR have reaffirmed their ownership of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kolhapuri chappals. 'No individual or organization other than us is authorized to engage in any discussion, negotiation, or representation with Prada or similar international entities,' a press release issued jointly on Friday (August 1, 2025) by LIDCOM Managing Director Prerna Deshbhratar and LIDKAR Managing Director K.M. Vasundhara stated. 'The traditional and historic Kolhapuri chappal, originating from Maharashtra and Karnataka, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The officially registered ownership of this GI tag rests solely with two corporations—Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation Limited (LIDCOM) and Dr. Babu Jagjivanram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited (LIDKAR)—as clarified by the Managing Directors of both entities,' it stated. Kolhapuri chappals, which received royal patronage in the 20th century under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, were made in the erstwhile province under the king. Today, these parts of the earlier province are spread across eight districts. Four of them are in Maharashtra, and four in Karnataka. The tradition of the chappals dates back to the 12th century saint tradition. In June 2025, the renowned Italian fashion brand Prada presented its Spring/Summer 2026 men's collection. 'Observers noted that the leather sandals worn by a model in this show bore a striking resemblance to the GI-tagged traditional Kolhapuri chappals from Maharashtra. This resemblance sparked strong reactions on social media platforms and among traditional artisan communities. Following the incident, a group of lawyers filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court, alleging that Prada's use of a design protected under GI registration constituted a violation of intellectual property laws. On July 16, 2025, the court dismissed the PIL, stating that in such matters, only the registered GI holders—namely, the leather industry development corporations of Maharashtra and Karnataka—are the legitimate stakeholders and hence, solely entitled to initiate any civil legal proceedings,' the press release said. They said that their collective mission goes beyond protecting the geographical indication. 'It is also aimed at safeguarding the rights of thousands of local leather artisans and firmly establishing this heritage on national and international platforms.'

The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Trump welcomes reports India may halt Russian oil imports, calls it a 'good step'
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (August 1, 2025) expressed cautious optimism over reports that India may be ending its purchases of Russian oil, calling it a 'good step' while addressing reporters before departing the White House. 'I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step,' Mr. Trump said during an impromptu press gaggle on the South Lawn. His remarks come amid growing American scrutiny of India's continued energy and defence ties with Russia, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader U.S. efforts to isolate the Kremlin economically. While there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi regarding such a move, Mr. Trump's comments mark the first public acknowledgement from the U.S. administration of a potential policy shift by India. Mr. Trump has maintained a firm stance against countries maintaining close commercial ties with Moscow. His administration has already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing both trade imbalances and India's longstanding energy relationship with Russia. In his remarks, Mr. Trump did not elaborate on whether the reported change in India's oil policy would impact those tariffs or future negotiations. 'We'll see what happens,' he said. The issue of India's energy imports from Russia has been a point of contention between Washington and New Delhi, with previous administrations urging India to reduce its reliance on Russian crude in the wake of the Ukraine conflict. India has so far defended its purchases as essential for energy security and economic stability. Mr. Trump's tone on Friday, however, suggested an openness to engage with India if the reported shift holds. 'That's a good step,' he repeated, signalling potential diplomatic movement should the reports prove accurate. Officials in New Delhi have historically avoided commenting on energy policy decisions until after implementation. Mr. Trump's brief but pointed remarks come as part of a broader foreign policy strategy to pressure both adversaries and allies into realigning their global partnerships in accordance with US strategic interests. Russia remains under sweeping U.S. sanctions, and energy exports have been a critical lifeline for the Kremlin amid ongoing war-related expenditures. (This article is published in an arrangement with 5WH.)


News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians
Last Updated: The new rules will make Schengen visa process fully digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in passports and no more long queues at consulates to submit paper forms For millions of Indians, the process of securing a Schengen visa has long been a necessary — but often tedious — part of planning a European holiday or business trip. But that's about to change. The European Union has officially announced that the Schengen visa system will go fully digital, making visa applications easier, faster, and more secure. Here's everything you need to know about the digital Schengen visa rollout, how it works, and what it means for Indian travellers heading to Europe. What Is A Schengen Visa? The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EU nationals to travel across 29 European countries (as of 2024) without needing separate visas for each. This includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In 2023 alone, Indians filed over 600,000 applications for Schengen visas, with the highest number going to countries like France and Germany. What's Changing? Under the new rules approved by the European Council and set to be implemented by 2026, the Schengen visa process will become completely digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in your passport and no more long queues at consulates just to submit paper forms. The only exception will be first-time applicants or those with expired biometric data (more than five years old). They will still need to visit a consulate or visa application centre to submit fingerprints and get their photo taken. For repeat travellers, the entire process could become 100% virtual. Why Is The EU Going Digital? There are several reasons behind this major shift: Efficiency: The new system will drastically cut down processing times and reduce errors caused by manual handling. Security: A digital system helps prevent fraud and misuse of visa stickers, which can be forged or altered. Convenience: Travellers can apply from anywhere, eliminating the need to visit embassies or third-party visa centres for every trip. Cost Savings: Governments and applicants alike will benefit from streamlined operations and fewer administrative bottlenecks. How Will The New Digital Schengen Visa Work? Once the platform is live, Indian applicants will go through the following steps: Create an Account on the EU Visa Portal: Enter personal details, travel history, and upload necessary documents (passport, itinerary, proof of accommodation, insurance, etc.) Select The Destination Country: If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, you must apply to the one where you'll spend the most time. Pay the Visa Fee Online: Currently, the Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for minors. The amount remains unchanged for now. Submit Biometric Data (If Required): First-timers must still visit the visa application centre for fingerprints and a photograph. Once submitted, the biometrics remain valid for five years. What This Means For Indian Travellers For Indian citizens — especially frequent flyers, business professionals, and holidaymakers — this is welcome news. Last year, nearly 3 crore Indian nationals went to foreign countries, an 8% increase from 2023 that saw a 29% year-on-year jump to 2.79 crore, crossing the pre-pandemic peak of 2.69 crore that was achieved in 2019, as per Ministry of Tourism data. In the first two months of 2025, 50.9 lakh Indians travelled abroad, up 6% from the corresponding period last year, tourism ministry data showed. Europe continues to be the top travel destination for Indians, with Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany leading the pack, and Eastern European countries like Czech Republic, Hungary, and Croatia gaining popularity, the report said. Currently, the visa process involves collecting multiple documents, physically submitting them to VFS or consular offices, and waiting weeks for updates. The digitisation will: Avoid issues like misplaced passports or delayed courier returns However, Indian travellers must still meet all the existing requirements: sufficient financial proof, confirmed return tickets, travel insurance, and a genuine purpose of travel. Will Visa Rejections Still Happen? Yes. A digital system does not mean relaxed rules. Visa officers will still assess the credibility of each application. Currently, Indian applicants face rejection rates between 15% and 25%, depending on the country. Strong documentation and financial clarity will still be critical. That said, digital processing could help avoid rejections caused by administrative errors or missing forms — a common complaint with physical submissions. When Will This Be Implemented? The European Commission has stated that the digital Schengen visa platform will be ready for rollout by 2026. This gives time for IT infrastructure to be built, personnel to be trained, and countries to harmonise their visa policies on the new platform. Some pilot programmes may begin as early as late 2025, particularly in high-volume countries like India, China, and Turkey. Could This Mean Easier Visas In The Future? Digitisation could open the door to multi-entry and longer-validity visas for travellers from trusted countries like India. Already, several EU nations are pushing for 'trusted traveller" programmes that would offer 3- or 5-year visas to applicants with a clean travel history. A digital system makes it easier to track, monitor, and reward such applicants. There is also potential for integration with India's own digital platforms (like DigiLocker) to allow for faster documentation verification. The move to a fully digital Schengen visa system marks a major shift in how Europe manages its borders — and how Indian travellers plan their trips. While challenges remain around biometric verification and high rejection rates, the digitalisation promises faster service, greater transparency, and fewer logistical headaches. For Indian students, professionals, and families dreaming of strolling through Paris, skiing in the Alps, or closing deals in Berlin, the future just got a little easier — and more digital. top videos View all About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her More tags : Europe Indian Passport Schengen Visa view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 01, 2025, 12:32 IST News zip Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.