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Institute of Mass Media

Institute of Mass Media

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Advisory Board

MET Institute of Mass Media's Advisory Board is made up of eminent thought leaders and industry mavens who direct the curriculum, connect academia with practical application, and motivate the next generation of media professionals.

Piyush Pandey
In Memoriam

Late Padma Shri Piyush Pandey
(1955–2025)

Former CCO, Worldwide, And Former Executive Chairman, India (Ogilvy)

The MET Institute of Mass Media fondly remembers Late Piyush Pandey, whose visionary guidance and creative philosophy profoundly shaped our approach to media education.

As a pioneering force in Indian advertising and one of the key influences behind the evolution of our curriculum, his insights continue to inspire our students and faculty alike.

We proudly honour his enduring legacy as an Advisory Inspiration whose work and wisdom remain integral to the spirit of MET IMM.
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KV Sridhar
KV Sridhar (Pops)
Global Chief Creative Officer, Nihilent Technologies
KV Sridhar, fondly known as Pops, is one of India’s most respected creative leaders and a pioneer of purpose-driven advertising. With a career spanning over four decades, he has shaped some of the country’s most iconic campaigns at agencies like Leo Burnett and Hyper Collective. Known for his human-centric approach to creativity, Pops has consistently used storytelling to bridge emotion, culture, and brand purpose. A mentor, author, and thought leader, he continues to inspire the next generation to craft ideas that don’t just sell — but also make society think, feel, and change.
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Prahlad Kakar
Prahlad Kakar
Founder, Genesis Film Productions
India’s legendary ad filmmaker and brand storyteller is celebrated for revolutionizing Indian advertising with his bold creativity and unforgettable narratives. Founder of Genesis Film Productions, he has crafted iconic campaigns for brands like Pepsi, Britannia, and Maggi, blending wit, emotion, and social relevance. Beyond advertising, Prahlad is a mentor, scuba diving enthusiast, and outspoken advocate for creativity with conscience — inspiring generations to think fearlessly and tell stories that spark change.
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Bharat Dabholkar
Bharat Dabholkar
Creative Maverick, Actor & Director
Bharat Dabholkar is one of India’s most original creative minds — an adman, actor, and director who redefined the language of modern Indian advertising. Renowned for infusing wit, satire, and cultural flair into every campaign, he has crafted unforgettable work for brands like Amul, shaping its iconic, tongue-in-cheek voice. With a career that bridges theatre, film, and communication, Bharat brings a rare blend of humor, intelligence, and insight to storytelling. A true maverick and mentor, he continues to inspire creators to break conventions, think fearlessly, and connect with audiences through authenticity and laughter.
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Hephzibah Pathak
Hephzibah Pathak
Executive Chairperson, India
Hephzibah Pathak is the Executive Chairperson of Ogilvy India (since 1 January 2024), making her the first woman to lead the agency in India in its nearly 95-year history.

Highlights:
  • She began her advertising career in 1997 (at Ogilvy Chennai) and moved to Mumbai in 1999.
  • Over the years, she has taken on many key roles — from Client Business Leader to heading the Mumbai office, Chief Client Officer, then Vice-Chairperson, and now Executive Chairperson.
  • As Executive Chairperson, she leads the strategic direction, growth, and transformation agenda of Ogilvy India — focusing on creativity, culture, client-centric work, and nurturing talent.
  • She champions inclusion and diversity internally — for example, she has driven the “JUNO” program to nurture future women leaders within the organization.
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Prathap Suthan
Prathap Suthan
Managing Partner & Chief Creative Officer, Bang In The Middle
Prathap Suthan is one of India’s most influential creative minds — a writer, thinker, and strategist who has redefined how brands tell their stories. As Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Bang In The Middle, and former National Creative Director at Grey Worldwide, he has shaped landmark campaigns for brands like Incredible India, Bharti Airtel, and Raymond. Known for blending strategic depth with lyrical storytelling, Prathap’s work celebrates culture, emotion, and purpose. A mentor and visionary, he continues to inspire the industry to craft communication that moves people — and moves nations.
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Bobby Pawar
Bobby Pawar
Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, Havas India
With a career spanning over three decades, Bobby Pawar has been one of India’s most impactful creative minds in advertising. He has held senior creative roles at leading agencies such as JWT India, DDB Mudra Group, and Publicis India, and in 2019 became Chairman & Chief Creative Officer of Havas Group India, where he oversaw the transformation of the agency into a brand-led, digital-first creative powerhouse.

Known for blending strategic insight with strong storytelling and creative craftsmanship, Bobby has created award-winning campaigns for major brands across India and internationally. His work has earned hundreds of local and global accolades
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Mahesh Chauhan
Mahesh Chauhan
Founder & Partner, Salt Brand Solutions
A visionary brand strategist and creative leader, Mahesh Chauhan (popularly known as Mach) brings soul and substance to branding. As Founder of Salt Brand Solutions, he champions ideas that are honest, human, and built to last — blending intuition, strategy, and storytelling to create brands that truly connect
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Tista Sen
Tista Sen
Former Regional Creative Director, Wunderman Thompson
Tista Sen is one of India’s most respected creative leaders, with over two decades in advertising and storytelling. She began her career at Whitelight Productions, assisting on 60+ commercials before moving to Lowe Lintas as a writer for brands like Johnson & Johnson, Cadbury’s, and Unilever.

She spent 22 years at J. Walter Thompson (now Wunderman Thompson), shaping some of India’s most memorable campaigns across categories—from beauty and fashion to finance and healthcare—for marquee brands such as Unilever, ITC, Godrej, and Sony.

Ranked among the 20 most creative people in Asia, Tista’s work has won at Cannes, D&AD, Clio, Spikes Asia, and AdFest, including a Grand Prix and Gold for “Lost Daughters” (2022). She has also served on juries at major international festivals, including Cannes, Clio, LIA, and Gerety Awards, and was the only Asian on the inaugural Cannes Glass Lions Jury.

A passionate advocate for gender equality, Tista co-founded The Collective, an agency-agnostic platform championing women’s voices in advertising. An English Literature graduate and published writer in The New York Times’ Modern Love column, she continues to blend insight, authenticity, and emotion to craft communication that connects deeply with people.
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Santosh “Paddy” Padhi
Santosh “Paddy” Padhi
Founder, Chairman & CCO, INTO
Popularly known as “Paddy”, Santosh Padhi is one of India’s most influential and awarded creative leaders — an entrepreneur who has shaped the country’s modern advertising and design narrative. With over 25 years in the industry, he is the Founder, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer of INTO, a new-age independent agency born to reignite originality and creative courage in Indian advertising.

Paddy first made history as Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Taproot India, the iconic agency behind campaigns like Pepsi’s “Change the Game”, Airtel’s “Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai”, Mumbai Mirror’s “Hated by Some”, Adidas “Odds”, and Amazon India’s launch — work that continues to define Indian pop culture. He later served as CCO of Wieden+Kennedy India, bringing his blend of purpose-driven storytelling and bold design thinking to global brands.

Over his career, Paddy has created award-winning work for Pepsi, Airtel, Facebook, Amazon, Mahindra, Jio, McDonald’s, Times of India, Myntra, and Adidas, among others. With over 500 awards — including two dozen Cannes Lions and numerous Grand Prix titles — he remains one of the most celebrated creative minds from India.

He has served as a jury member and chair at Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio, Adfest Pattaya, and London International Awards, representing Indian creativity on the global stage.

Beyond the accolades, Paddy is driven by passion, purpose, and discipline — believing that creativity, like fitness, demands consistency and heart. His journey continues to inspire a generation of storytellers to craft work that’s not just effective, but truly extraordinary.
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Anupama Mandloi
Anupama Mandloi
Impact producer
Anupama Mandloi is a seasoned media professional with over two decades of leadership experience across India’s top television networks, including Sony, SAB, and STAR. As the former Managing Director of Fremantle India, she was instrumental in establishing the company’s reputation for integrity, creative excellence, and impactful storytelling.

Anupama later transitioned to independent content consulting, working with platforms like Zee5 and serving as a script analyst for international film festivals. She made her debut as a producer with the acclaimed documentary Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha and continues to champion purpose-driven storytelling.

Over the years, Anupama has shaped some of India’s most iconic shows — from Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and Indian Idol to Nach Baliye and Sach Ka Saamna — pioneering large-scale entertainment formats that blended emotion, authenticity, and innovation.

Her journey from an aspiring creative to a respected industry leader has been defined by mentorship, collaboration, and a deep belief in the power of storytelling. Today, she continues to champion purposeful and sustainable media through initiatives like India GreenSet and the India Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, while mentoring emerging voices to build a more conscious and inclusive creative future.
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Thampoo Jacob
Thampoo Jacob
Chairman & Chief Brand Custodian, Thampoo Jacob Associates
Thampoo Jacob, Chairman and Chief Brand Custodian of Thampoo Jacob Associates, is a rare creative force who bridges the worlds of art and advertising with equal mastery. Over four decades, he has launched and shaped some of India’s most memorable brands, blending visual artistry with persuasive storytelling that has earned him accolades including the prestigious Abby Gold.

Discovered early as a prodigy in art, Thampoo was mentored by eminent fine artists and went on to win multiple youth festival awards for drawing and painting. Today, he continues to embody the perfect fusion of artistic imagination and strategic brand thinking — a visionary whose work inspires both emotion and impact.
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Roopak Saluja
Roopak Saluja
Founder & Executive Chairman, Bang Bang Mediacorp
Roopak Saluja is the Founder and Executive Chairman of BANG BANG Mediacorp, India’s international storytelling company with bases in Mumbai and Los Angeles. Guided by the belief that “great stories can come from anywhere and find audiences everywhere,” Roopak has built Bang Bang into one of South Asia’s foremost producers of commercials, branded content, and premium global entertainment projects.

A serial entrepreneur in media and content, he is also the Founder & Non-Executive Chairman of The 120 Media Collective, home to leading brands such as Sniper, Jack in the Box Worldwide, and Sooperfly — companies that have defined India’s modern digital and advertising landscape. Under his leadership, these ventures have partnered with global icons like Netflix, Coldplay, RSA, Somesuch, Partizan, and AOI-Pro, delivering world-class storytelling and production excellence.

An Aspen Global Leadership Fellow, Roopak is part of an international network of purpose-driven innovators shaping a more sustainable and inclusive creative economy. His career spans global markets and disciplines — from leading Motorola’s EMEA communications at Ogilvy Paris, to business development at Young & Rubicam in Budapest, to producing chart-topping music at Procyon Records.

Today, Roopak continues to champion stories that transcend boundaries, building creative ecosystems that connect culture, commerce, and communities across the world.
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Adi Pocha
Adi Pocha
Writer, Filmmaker & Advertising Veteran
Adi Pocha is a writer-filmmaker with over 38 years of experience across advertising, communications, and entertainment. He heads a full-service film production company that specialises in outcome-based business and digital videos, blending strategic thinking with cinematic storytelling.

A pioneer in Indian advertising and television, his creative credits include the launch campaign for Kamasutra Condoms, the cult show “Saanp Seedi”, and India’s first daily soap, “Shanti.”

Expanding his storytelling canvas, Adi recently launched his debut novel, “Behram’s Boat,” further reaffirming his reputation as a creator driven by insight, craft, and imagination.
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Sneha Iype
Sneha Iype
Executive Producer and Partner at Nirvana Films
Sneha Iype is the Executive Producer and Partner at Nirvana Films, one of India’s most respected production houses, renowned for its craft, creativity, and storytelling excellence. With over two decades of experience in advertising and film production, Sneha has been instrumental in shaping some of the most memorable campaigns and brand stories in the country.

Known for her sharp production insight and creative empathy, she has collaborated with leading directors, agencies, and global brands to deliver work that balances artistry with precision. At Nirvana, she continues to nurture an ecosystem where bold ideas meet seamless execution — and stories find their truest form on screen.
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Swadha Shetty
Swadha Shetty
Executive Producer at Breathless Films
With over 18 years of experience in film and content production, Swadha has been at the heart of bringing powerful stories to life — from conception to screen. As Executive Producer at Breathless Films, she has overseen a wide range of acclaimed projects, known for combining creative excellence with production precision.

Before founding Breathless, she spent eight years with Footcandles Films, producing advertising and branded content for leading agencies and global brands. Passionate about collaboration, craft, and storytelling that connects, Swadha continues to shape films and ideas that balance vision with execution.
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Dipankar, Rishabh and Joel
Dipankar, Rishabh and Joel
Founders, STUDIO BLO
STUDIO BLO is an AI-native filmmaking lab and studio — born in Mumbai and represented in London, Dubai, and New York — founded by Dipankar, Rishabh Suri, and Joel James, three innovators shaping the future of creative technology.

Dipankar, Creative Futurist & Co-Founder, is a creator of films, brands, and experiences who blends storytelling, technology, and design to move culture and imagination forward. With over two decades in advertising and entrepreneurship, he has led global creative ventures and helped launch Jio, the world’s largest mobile data network.

Rishabh Suri, COO & Co-Founder, is a creative entrepreneur and innovation strategist who builds systems, teams, and AI-led workflows that power ideas with global ambition. He has worked with brands such as Emirates, FILA, Warner Music, YRF, Sun TV, and Footlocker, and previously drove innovation for clients like FIBA, MLB, and India Today.

Joel James, CTO & Co-Founder, is a self-taught deep-tech entrepreneur whose work bridges AI and creativity. A hands-on technologist, he designs intelligent systems that merge engineering precision with imagination — redefining how technology can power human expression.

Since 2024, STUDIO BLO has been redefining visual storytelling through its enterprise-grade AI product suite and ethically produced AI-driven cinematography, VFX, and pre-visualization. Together, the founders are pioneering a new era of filmmaking — where human creativity and machine intelligence come together to imagine and produce the future of cinema.
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Ranjit Phatak
Ranjit Phatak
National Programming & Digital Head, Red FM 93.5
Ranjit Phatak, National Programming Head and Digital Head at Red FM 93.5, is a dynamic media leader known for blending creativity with digital innovation. With an illustrious career spanning Viacom18, MTV, UTV, and Disney India, he has shaped some of India’s most impactful youth and entertainment content. At MTV, Ranjit led the strategic and creative vision for programming that defined a generation’s pop culture. His storytelling excellence has earned multiple accolades, including an Abby Bronze for short-format news content. A true innovator, Ranjit continues to push creative boundaries, inspiring teams to craft content that entertains, engages, and evolves with India’s digital audience.
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Timmy Verghese
Timmy Verghese
Independent Director & Creative Consultant
ATimmy Verghese is an accomplished advertising and film professional with two decades of experience leading creative storytelling across some of India’s most respected agencies. Currently an Independent Consultant and Director, Timmy brings together deep strategic insight, cinematic craft, and a passion for innovation.

Over the years, he has shaped campaigns and brand narratives at leading agencies including Lowe Lintas, Madison World, StrawberryFrog, TBWA\Worldwide, Ogilvy, and Grey Group. At Lowe Lintas, where he served as Group Creative Director, he led the Mumbai creative team, integrating technology, content, and mainline strategy to craft culturally resonant ideas that connect with audiences.

An Ad-Film Director by calling and a creative thinker by nature, Timmy’s work reflects his ability to merge human insight with visual storytelling — bringing brands to life through emotion, humor, and originality. With a career defined by creative excellence and collaboration, he continues to inspire teams and clients alike to see advertising as art with purpose.
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Manisha Kapoor
Manisha Kapoor
CEO & Secretary General, ASCI
Manisha Kapoor is the CEO and Secretary General of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). With over 25 years of experience across brand strategy, marketing, and advertising ethics, she leads ASCI’s mission to ensure responsible and transparent advertising in India.

A former marketing leader with Hindustan Unilever and Johnson & Johnson, Manisha has been instrumental in shaping India’s self-regulatory framework for advertising—especially in the era of digital and influencer-led communication. She also serves as Vice President on the Executive Committee of the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS), advocating for global best practices in truthful and inclusive communication.
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Partha Sengupta
Partha Sengupta
National Creative Head The Times of India
Partha Sengupta, National Creative Head at The Times of India, is a visionary communicator who bridges journalism, design, and storytelling with cultural intelligence. With decades of experience in shaping the creative language of one of India’s most influential media brands, he has redefined how stories are told across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Known for his innovative approach and deep understanding of audience insight, Partha blends creativity with purpose, ensuring every message informs, inspires, and ignites conversation. A mentor and modern thinker, he continues to lead by example — where creativity meets conscience in the evolving world of media.
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Mandar Natekar
Mandar Natekar
CEO & Co-founder, Neural Garage (Visual Dub AI)
Mandar Natekar is an entrepreneur and media innovator, currently serving as the CEO and Co-founder of Neural Garage (Visual Dub AI) — a groundbreaking venture that fuses creativity with artificial intelligence to revolutionize visual storytelling. Over his distinguished career, he has held leadership roles at Viacom18 (MTV), KidZania, Bigadda, Movies Now, HBO, Sony etc where he built powerful content and brand ecosystems that redefined audience engagement. Known for his forward-thinking vision and passion for technology-led creativity, Mandar embodies the new generation of media entrepreneurs — driven to make storytelling more intelligent, inclusive, and impactful.
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Karl Gomes
Karl Gomes
Founder Fanatics
Karl Gomes is a creative visionary whose work over the past 25+ years has helped shape some of India’s most innovative and purpose-led brands. From leading digital transformation and customer experience as Partner at DAN Consult, to driving creative excellence at Rediffusion Y&R, Leo Burnett / Arc Worldwide, and Tribal DDB, Karl has consistently stayed ahead of the curve — blending strategy, storytelling, and technology to build meaningful connections between brands and people.

A Cannes Lions, One Show, and Webby Award-winning creator, Karl has been a juror, mentor, and speaker at global creative festivals, inspiring new generations to use creativity as a force for growth and good. Known for his philosophy of purposeful living, Karl brings the same passion he has for yoga, biohacking, and mindful minimalism into his creative process — reminding the industry that true innovation begins with authenticity and human insight.
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Ashish Patil
Ashish Patil
Writer, Producer, Director
Former Head of Youth Films, Talent Management, Brand Partnerships & Digital Originals at Yash Raj Films, where he created breakthrough content like Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Bank Chor, and award-winning digital hits including 6-Pack Band (Cannes Grand Prix, Webby winner), Bang Baaja Baaraat, Man’s World and Sex Chat with Pappu & Papa.

Featured in Ad Age’s “Creativity 50” (2016) among the world’s top creative minds alongside Prince, David Bowie, JJ Abrams & Elon Musk.

At YRF, led talent management for stars like Ranveer Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana & Anushka Sharma, and drove iconic brand partnerships across blockbusters (Dhoom, Tiger, Sultan).

Previously CEO, MTV India, credited with transforming the channel into a vibrant youth brand—doubling topline, ratings & profits while launching cult properties like Roadies, Splitsvilla & Fully Faltoo.

Earlier roles include Strategy & Account Planning at SSC&B Lintas and Copywriting at Contract Advertising.
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Bugs Bhargava Krishna
Bugs Bhargava Krishna
Writer, Director, Actor & Advertising Veteran
Bugs Bhargava Krishna is an advertising man, actor, writer, and film director whose work spans three decades across media. He created iconic campaigns like Thums Up – Taste the Thunder, Kingfisher – The King of Good Times, Kerala – God’s Own Country, and Incredible India. A passionate theatre performer, he has acted across London, New York, and Asia, winning the META Award for his role in Jazz, and performing in musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Beauty and the Beast. On screen, he’s appeared in Taare Zameen Par, Kaminey, Delhi Belly, and A Suitable Boy. As a filmmaker, he directed Barot House and Nail Polish, continuing his pursuit of powerful, human-centred storytelling.
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Mithila Saraf
Mithila Saraf
CEO, Famous Innovations
Mithila Saraf is the Chief Executive Officer of Famous Innovations, an independent creative agency founded in 2013. A graduate of New York University with degrees in Media, Culture & Communication and Economics, she began her career at CNN-IBN, later working with Washington Square News and NBC before joining Famous Innovations in 2012.

Over the years, Mithila has grown through multiple roles—Brand Planner, Business Head, and now CEO—shaping the agency’s voice as one that champions creativity with conscience. Known for her sharp perspective on culture, gender, and modern storytelling, she has led work for brands such as Raymond, Mahindra, Titan, Van Heusen, Budweiser, Unilever, Zivame, and Swiggy, including celebrated campaigns like Raymond ‘The Complete Man | Being There’, Burger King #WrapsWithoutGaps, and Haier #SilentPerformers.

Under her leadership, Famous Innovations has earned Agency of the Year at Campaign South Asia for 10 consecutive years (2015–2024) and won global honours at Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, and Spikes Asia.

A Cannes Young Lions representative for India (2016, 2017), Campaign South Asia Young Achiever nominee, and IMPACT 30 Under 30 and AdAge Rising Star winner, Mithila continues to shape the future of Indian advertising with her blend of purpose, innovation, and cultural insight.
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Shirsha Guha Thakurta
Shirsha Guha Thakurta
Founder & Director, Oink Films
Shirsha is the founder and director of Oink Films. Her work is known for its distinct, new-age identity that is stirring and memorable. Her showreel is a testament to her ability to capture the heart of the film, to achieve the right tonality, and to get nuanced performances out of her actors. An alumnus of the reputed Maine Media Workshops, U.S., she has been directing commercials for over a decade now, and her vast canvas includes work for brands like Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Reebok, Times Of India, Tanishq, Titan, Vogue, P&G, GSK, World Gold Council, Cadbury and Johnson & Johnson among others. Along the way, her work has picked up a host of awards, both on the national as well as the international stage. She directed her first feature length film Do Aur Do Pyaar which released in 2024 amidst massive critical acclaim.
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