Mumbai: Move over, crossover sequels—this is the corporate blockbuster nobody saw coming. Asia’s fast-growing media-tech powerhouse Connekkt Media has acquired Tom Grane and Brian Daly’s Mob Scene, the Hollywood marketing maestros behind Barbie’s pink frenzy and Dune’s sand-swept hype. The deal, announced on 25 February 2025, pairs Mumbai’s cinematic swagger with Los Angeles’ glitter, blending AI-driven tech with trailers that make audiences weep into their popcorn.
Who needs superheroes when you’ve got boardroom drama this juicy? Mob Scene, founded in 2006 by Grane and Daly, boasts a client roster including Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros., with campaigns for Avatar, Jurassic World, Dune, Barbie, Fast & Furious, Stranger Things, Kung Fu Panda, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cementing its reputation as Tinseltown’s secret weapon. Connekkt, meanwhile, flexes its muscles with Indian megahits like Vrusshabha and an AI-powered content marketplace.
Together, they’re plotting global domination-one viral trailer at a time.
The acquisition positions Connekkt as a rare hybrid: part Hindi cinema hitmaker, part Silicon Valley disruptor. Its studios are already prepping biopics (see: Dhanush as music legend Ilaiyaraaja) and action flicks, while Mob Scene’s team swaps Oscar parties for Mumbai’s dabbawalas. Greg Bedrosian and Mohit Pareek of Drake Star brokered the deal—presumably over chai and green smoothies.
Grane celebrated the acquisition, saying, “Joining forces with Connekkt Media marks an exciting new chapter for Mob Scene. Their cutting-edge media technology and deep understanding of global entertainment align perfectly with our creative vision. This partnership allows us to push the boundaries of storytelling, expand into dynamic new markets, and continue delivering emotionally compelling campaigns that resonate worldwide.”
Connekkt Media co-founder Varun Mathur shared his enthusiasm about the deal, “Mob Scene is the gold standard in Hollywood film marketing, and we are beyond thrilled to bring their creative expertise to partners across the UK, Europe, the middle east, India, and the rest of Asia. As a global media company with origins in India, this acquisition marks a strategic expansion into the US and North America. Combining Mob Scene’s industry-leading creative marketing with our cutting-edge technology will enable us to drive targeted, measurable marketing impact across multiple platforms and regions.”
But let’s address the elephant in the boardroom: Can a firm rooted in Indian cinema decode Hollywood’s mystique? Connekkt bets yes. With Mob Scene’s storytelling chops and its own data-crunching prowess, the duo aims to turn marketing into a “measured, multi-continent emotion factory”. Translation: More tears, more memes, more money.
