Pocket FM Appoints Lalit Gangwar as Chief Operating Officer

Pocket FM has promoted Lalit Gangwar to the position of chief operating officer. In this new capacity, he will lead the global audio operations, focusing on market management, growth strategies, monetisation, and execution. Pocket FM stated that Lalit Gangwar is a founding member who developed the growth strategy for India, successfully scaling the platform to 150 million users within its first year. Subsequently, he spearheaded the company’s expansion into the US, establishing teams and propelling growth.

Strengthening Global Operations

This strategic appointment is part of Pocket FM’s effort to enhance its operational framework, ensuring more predictable, long-term growth at scale, particularly in international markets like the US. Gangwar mentioned that the company intends to keep prioritising the scaling of global markets, investing in AI-driven storytelling, and bolstering monetisation strategies.

Growth and Revenue Highlights

Pocket FM boasts over 250 million listeners worldwide and has been diversifying its content formats while investing in AI-enabled storytelling tools. The company operates a significant creator ecosystem, featuring over 300,000 writers and more than 100,000 audio series available on its platform.

In terms of financial performance, Pocket FM reported a 68% surge in revenue, amounting to Rs 1,768 crore in FY25. The platform recently announced that it surpassed an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of Rs 4,167 crore, achieving EBITDA profitability. Comparatively, rival Kuku FM experienced a nearly three-fold increase in its revenue, reaching Rs 242 crore in FY25, although its losses rose by 60% to Rs 153 crore.