NODWIN & Exceed Partner for NH7 Weekender
NODWIN Gaming Taps Exceed Entertainment to Boost Festival Revenue
NODWIN Gaming partners with Exceed Entertainment to manage sponsorship monetization for NH7 Weekender. The deal aims to unlock new revenue for the iconic festival.
Highlights
- NODWIN Gaming has partnered with Exceed Entertainment to drive sponsorship monetization.
- The deal keeps creative control with NODWIN while Exceed manages commercial expansion.
- This strategic move targets new revenue streams without altering the festival's core identity.
NODWIN Gaming, the esports and youth entertainment company, has struck a partnership with Exceed Entertainment to manage commercial operations for NH7 Weekender, splitting responsibilities between creative programming and revenue generation.
The deal assigns sponsorship sales, brand partnerships, and commercial expansion to Exceed Entertainment, while NODWIN Gaming retains control over festival programming, production, and long-term brand development.
A Strategic Move for Live Entertainment Dominance
The partnership comes more than three years after NODWIN Gaming purchased NH7 Weekender and other properties from OML Entertainment in September 2021. The company has since integrated the festival into a portfolio of youth-focused events, including Comic Con India and DreamHack.
By outsourcing sponsorship operations to Exceed Entertainment, which specializes in celebrity management and influencer programming, NODWIN Gaming is attempting to increase brand-driven revenue without compromising the festival's appeal to its core audience, a balance that has proven difficult for independent music festivals globally.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said the arrangement allows the company to focus resources on content while expanding commercial partnerships. "NH7 Weekender has always been about music, culture, and the joy of shared experiences. With Exceed Entertainment managing sponsorship monetization, we look forward to unlocking new brand partnerships while we continue to build the authentic, high-energy festival experience our fans love," Rathee stated.
Testing New Revenue Models
Afsar Zaidi, Founder of Exceed Entertainment, described the partnership as an opportunity to develop new monetization frameworks for India's live entertainment sector. "At Exceed, we don't just follow the curve, we chart the course. Partnering with NODWIN Gaming on NH7 Weekender is not about another transaction; it's about pioneering the next evolution of India's live experience economy. The aim is to be laser-focused on bringing unprecedented brand partnerships and unique commercial monetization blueprints to this iconic IP. We will join the dots and unlock revenue streams for Weekender like we always do," said Zaidi.
The move reflects broader pressure on India's live entertainment industry to demonstrate sustainable business models beyond ticket sales, with promoters increasingly dependent on corporate sponsorships to offset rising production costs.
Author
Krishna Goswami is a content writer at Outlook India, where she delves into the vibrant worlds of pop culture, gaming, and esports. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) with a PG Diploma in English Journalism, she brings a strong journalistic foundation to her work. Her prior newsroom experience equips her to deliver sharp, insightful, and engaging content on the latest trends in the digital world.
Krishna Goswami is a content writer at Outlook India, where she delves into the vibrant worlds of pop culture, gaming, and esports. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) with a PG Diploma in English Journalism, she brings a strong journalistic foundation to her work. Her prior newsroom experience equips her to deliver sharp, insightful, and engaging content on the latest trends in the digital world.
