Jinu Ben Joins CDA Academy to Lead New Creators & Marketers School in Calicut
In a major move towards shaping world-class creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs, Jinu Ben, former South Partnerships Lead at Meta, has joined CDA Academy's Creators & Marketers School as director and chief of strategic partnerships.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
With over 20 years of experience in the media industry and content creation, including 8.5 years of impactful work at Meta, Jinu brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. His move aligns with the mission to build a global talent hub for next-gen creators, marketers, and entrepreneurial strategists, right from the heart of India's first UNESCO City of Literature, Calicut.
Founded in 2019, CDA Academy began as an agency-based digital marketing academy in Kerala.
With six years of experience and over 2,500 trained learners, the academy is now taking its biggest leap yet with the launch of the Creators & Marketers School.
Backed by a strong legacy of excellence, the academy is recognised for its unique agency-oriented workplace training model, unmatched placement records, and alumni who have been placed across leading MNCs, advertising agencies, e-commerce, and EdTech companies.
Advanced Marketing Manager & Entrepreneurship (AMME)
The flagship programme, the Advanced Marketing Manager & Entrepreneurship (AMME) course, is a 10-month full-time, offline programme that promises an immersive learning experience, building real-world expertise. Learners will work directly with real brands and be mentored by industry leaders, founders, and seasoned professionals.
Learning by doing & earning while learning
The approach that makes the school unique is its emphasis on learning by doing.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Learners will not only gain practical experience by working on live, real-world projects but will also have opportunities to earn during the programme. This model ensures that learning remains active, industry-relevant, and financially rewarding, helping learners build both their skills and job readiness throughout the programme.
Jinu Ben brings industry expertise to Creators & Marketers School
Jinu Ben brings with him an impressive portfolio that spans roles as an entrepreneur, radio jockey, show producer, voice artist, anchor, and actor.
As a Meta alumnus, he led creator and media partnerships for Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, focusing on the southern states of India.
A first-rank holder from Madras University, his deep insights into the creator economy, platform behaviour, and content strategies have made him one of the most respected names in India's digital landscape. Now, he's bringing that knowledge to the next generation as he steps into a mentorship and strategic partnerships role at the school.
'After leaving Meta, I've been working on a new venture—establishing a world-class creators' and marketers' school in India. This initiative is my way of giving back to the community by sharing the exposure and experience I've gained over the years,' Jinu added.
Launching in Calicut – UNESCO's City of Literature
'Calicut isn't just a city with heritage—it's a place full of ideas,' said the directors, Nidasha Aslam, K T Dhanoop, N.V.
Aslam, and Mehar Mahmood. 'We wanted the Creators & Marketers School to be rooted in a place that understands creativity and culture, and Calicut felt like the perfect fit,' they added.
Shaping the future of creative talent in India
'Creators & Marketers School carries forward the same values that have made CDA Academy a trusted name in the industry,' said Director K.V. Hudaif.
To support the mission of shaping the future of creative talent in India, seasoned professionals from top agencies and global brands, including Brand Transformation & Growth Consultant Brandswamy, will also join the school.
This strong mentorship will make the school a space where learners grow into confident, world-class creators and strategic marketing leaders. With the school, the academy begins a new chapter—one that's all about shaping passionate, future-ready talent for a fast-changing world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Meta's first Oakley AI-powered glasses have 3K videos, longer battery life: Check launch date, price
Facebook parent company Meta Friday said it has teamed up with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, expanding its push into wearable tech after the success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses . This is Meta's first set of Oakley-branded smart glasses, touting upgraded camera and battery performance over its current crop of Ray-Bans. With Meta expected to face fierce competition in coming months from Google, Apple, smart glasses could be the next big platform for AI interaction. "Oakley Meta glasses are a new product line that will combine Oakley's signature design DNA with Meta's industry-leading technology to give you deeper insights into your physical capabilities and help you share your biggest wins—on and off the field. The line will launch in a new global campaign starring Team Oakley athletes: World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes," a statement from Meta read. ALSO READ: Amazon's 30-day deadline to employees amid mass layoff fear: Resign in 60 days or... Oakley Meta HSTN glasses: Launch date and price The new glasses, dubbed the Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn), come in a variety of lens and frame color combinations. The limited-edition product will be available for preorder starting July 11 at $499, with additional products starting at $399 launching later this summer. Though initial sales will be for a special-edition version that costs $499. It also carries an IPX4 water resistance rating, making it suitable for outdoor and active use. Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Meta said it is also working to bring Oakley Meta HSTN to Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later this year. Live Events Key features of Meta AI-powered glasses A fully charged pair of Oakley Meta HSTN glasses can last up to eight hours of typical use and up to 19 hours on standby, the company said. You can charge them up to 50% in just 20 minutes. The glasses also come with a charging case that can deliver up to 48 hours of charging on the go. Like the Ray-Bans, the glasses can take photos and videos, play audio and connect to Meta's AI assistant. The Oakley Meta glasses also increase the recording resolution from 1080p on the Ray-Ban model to 3K. The device retains the core features of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, such as integrated open-ear speakers, dual built-in microphones, and Meta AI for voice-activated assistance for tasks such as initiating video recording, streaming music, checking environmental conditions, and answering questions. The glasses are designed with sport and outdoor use in mind. They are rated IPX4 for water resistance, meaning they are protected against sweat and light splashes. Oakley's wraparound frame design is retained to provide a secure fit during physical activity. ALSO READ: 16 billion passwords leaked in largest data breach ever: Check tips to protect your Facebook, Instagram accounts Oakley Meta HSTN can capture the user's activity and share the achievements in Ultra HD (3K) video. The Oakley Meta HSTN will debut this month at several major sporting events including Fanatics Fest and UFC International Fight Week. Smaller rival Snap said earlier this month it would launch its smart glasses, called Specs, for consumers next year. Companies such as Google are also exploring similar investments. Meta has a broad partnership with Italian eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, which controls both the Oakley and Ray-Ban brands.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Meta partners with sports eyewear brand Oakley to launch AI-powered glasses
Meta said on Friday it has teamed up with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses , expanding its push into wearable tech after the success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses . The social media company is expanding its partnership with Oakley and Ray-Ban-parent EssilorLuxottica amid growing consumer interest in AI-powered wearable devices. Meta has sold millions of Ray-Ban Meta glasses since their launch and said its " Oakley Meta HSTN " will feature a hands-free high-resolution camera , open-ear speakers, water resistance and Meta AI capabilities. The limited-edition product will be available for preorder starting July 11 at $499, with additional products starting at $399 launching later this summer. Meta said the product line would roll out in North America, Australia and several European countries, with plans to expand to Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates by the year-end. Live Events The Oakley Meta HSTN will debut this month at several major sporting events including Fanatics Fest and UFC International Fight Week. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Smaller rival Snap said earlier this month it would launch its smart glasses, called Specs , for consumers next year. Companies such as Google are also exploring similar investments.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
AI needs to be open and inclusive like India Stack
Back in October 2024, I wrote on these pages of a group of 12-year-olds who had figured out an ingenious shortcut to finish their homework. Use 40% ChatGPT, 40% Google, and 20% of their own words. At first, it looked like cheating. But with the perspective of distance, I think it was something else entirely. Regulators in Europe are telling Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) not to use user data to train AI unless people clearly agree to it. (Shutterstock/ Representative photo) These children had understood a basic truth: in today's world, what matters most is the result. Not the process. Not the effort. Ask the right question and let the machine find the answer. Don't worry too much about what happens in between. This way of thinking isn't limited to schoolwork anymore, it's showing up in the way digital systems are being built world over—India included. Over the last few years, India has quietly built one of the most impressive pieces of technology. Between Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, CoWIN, Bhashini, and ONDC– collectively called IndiaStack– it is now used by millions of people. It helps people prove their identity, send money, download documents, get vaccinated, translate languages, and access other public services. But here's what makes India's system different from those in most other countries: it doesn't keep your data. In countries like the United States or across Europe, tech companies track what people do online. Every search, every click, every purchase is saved and studied. That information is then used to target ads, recommend content, and even train artificial intelligence systems. That is why The New York Times is now suing OpenAI (the builders of ChatGPT) — because its news articles were used to train a system without permission. This is why regulators in Europe are telling Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) not to use user data to train AI unless people clearly agree to it. In India, the rules—and the values—are different. The digital systems here were built with public money and designed to serve everyone. But they were not designed to spy on people. They were created to work quickly, fairly, and without remembering too much. Take Aadhaar. All it is built to do is prove a person is who the person claims to be. It cannot track where you go. Or DigiLocker. It doesn't keep copies of your CBSE marksheets, PAN cards, or insurance papers. It simply fetches these documents from the source when you ask. That's all. It's a messenger, not a filing cabinet. UPI moves money between people. But it doesn't remember what you spent it on. Long story short, these systems were built to function like light switches. They work when needed, and switch off when the job is done. The builders insisted it doesn't hold on to your personal information for longer than necessary. That's why India's digital model is being noticed around the world. It's open, fair, and inclusive. But now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, a new kind of problem is emerging. AI tools need a lot of data to learn how to speak, listen, write, or make decisions. In India, companies are beginning to train AI using public systems. Language tools learn from Bhashini. Health startups are using patterns from CoWIN to build diagnostic tools. Fintech firms are using transaction frameworks to refine how they give loans. This isn't illegal. It was even expected. These public systems were built to encourage innovation. But here's the problem: the public helped create these systems, and now private companies are using them to build powerful new tools—and may be making money from them. Yet the public might not see any of that value coming back. This is where the story of the 12-year-olds we started with, becomes relevant again. Just like those students who used machines to do most of the work, there's now a larger system that is also skipping the middle part. People provide the inputs—documents, payments, identities. The machines learn from them. And then private players build services or products that benefit from all that learning. The people who made it possible? They are left out of the conversation. In other countries, the debate is about privacy. In India, the debate must now shift to fairness. It's not about stopping AI. It's not about banning companies from using public tools. It's about asking for transparency and accountability. If a company is using data or tools from public systems to train its AI, it should say so clearly. If it benefits from public data, it should give something back—like sharing improved datasets, or allowing its models to be audited. If it's building a commercial product on public infrastructure, it should explain how it used that infrastructure in the first place. This is not regulation for the sake of it. It's basic respect for the public that made the system possible in the first place. India's digital platforms were built to serve everyone. They were not designed to store people's information, and that's what makes them special. But that openness can be misused if those who build on top of it forget where their foundations came from. It's easy to be dazzled by AI. But intelligence—human or machine—shouldn't come without responsibility. So here's the question worth asking: If the public built the digital tools, used them, trusted them, and helped them grow—why aren't they part of the rewards that artificial intelligence is now creating?
