US-headquartered news portal, Mashable today announced its foray into the Indian market in partnership with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd's JV firm India.Com.
The company, which termed India as one of its top five global markets, said Mashable India will have an editorial team based in the country for localised content.
Commenting on its India foray, Mashable Founder and CEO Pete Cashmore said: "As Mashable continues to grow in parallel with the expansion of digital, entering India was an obvious next-step."
He further said: "We are extremely excited to be linking up with Penske Media and the team at India.Com, with their expertise in producing premium localised content, we feel they are the perfect partner to ensure that Mashable India will be an incredible success."
India.Com web portal is a JV between Penske Media Corporation (PMC) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
When asked about the investment Mashable will make in India, its India spokesperson said: "India is one of Mashable's top five global markets and we want to grow multi-fold from here... The two partners will invest substantially in the areas of local content, sales and marketing of Mashable India."
India.Com publishes content destinations, including BGR.In, CricketCountry.Com, BollywoodLife.Com, TheHealthSite.Com, Prepsure.Com, BrownPaperBag.In, and India.Com.
"We are thrilled to partner with Mashable as we continue to expand the PMC and ZEE alliance in the Indian digital industry. The company's phenomenal growth is a testament to the incredible team and leadership in India, and we are confident that Mashable's addition now quickens the ascendance of this enterprise," said PMC Chairman and CEO Jay Penske.
Mashable India will have an editorial team based in India for localised content. It will offer the best global coverage from Mashable.Com and augment it with extensive editorial coverage from India.
"We believe that the combination of Mashable and India.Com will provide a unique content destination curated for India's fast growing online generation," Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd MD & CEO Punit Goenka said.
On revenue model, Mashable spokesperson said: "The monetisation strategy for Mashable India will be similar for the global brand, which will target premium brand advertisers... Mashable India will offer brands and agencies a wide spectrum of offerings, including branded content, premium display advertising and content marketing solutions."
The addition of Mashable India will continue Mashable's global expansion, which began last year with the opening of a UK office, while also adding reporters in Australia and building a strong network of global journalists.
Approximately half of Mashable's 42 million monthly unique visitors come from outside the US, the company said.
