MAM

Eggfirst revolutionising rural marketing with cultural insights

Published

3 years ago

August 31, 2023

Mumbai: Eggfirst Advertising and Digital Advertising is a pioneering force in the marketing realm, specialising in Rural Ad campaigns that combine mainstream advertising and digital strategies. With an in-depth grasp of rural dynamics, Eggfirst excels in tailoring campaigns to resonate with rural consumers, employing cultural sensitivity and empathy. Leveraging innovative ideas and robust data analytics, Eggfirst bridges the urban-rural gap through technology, fostering growth and prosperity. Notably, they host events like the ‘Chalo Rural Conclave’ and ‘Chalo Rural Awards’ to connect, recognize, and empower rural India.

Indiantelevision.com caught up with Eggfirst Advertising and Digital Advertising founder & MD Ravikant Banka, where he shares more information regarding rural marketing.

Edited excerpts

On Eggfirst Advertising establishing itself as a trailblazer in marketing and communications

Eggfirst advertising has carved a niche as a rural marketing trailblazer by effectively connecting with rural audiences. Leveraging deep cultural insights, it tailors campaigns that resonate with local sensibilities. By embracing innovative strategies like experiential activations and localised content, Eggfirst bridges the urban-rural divide. Its track record of successful campaigns in challenging rural terrains underscores its prowess in delivering impactful messages and fostering brand engagement within rural communities.

On driving force behind Eggfirst’s success in launching products and services in rural markets

Eggfirst’s success in rural market launches stems from a fusion of strategic understanding and a localised approach. The agency comprehends the unique dynamics of rural communities, allowing them to tailor offerings that align with local aspirations and preferences. By tapping into the emotional and cultural fabric of these markets, Eggfirst crafts compelling narratives that resonate deeply. Their adeptness at leveraging both traditional and digital channels ensures wide reach. This, coupled with their commitment to fostering trust through consistent engagement, empowers Eggfirst to seamlessly introduce products and services, forging lasting connections and yielding remarkable results in the dynamic landscape of rural marketing.

On Eggfirst Advertising utilising technology and innovation to bridge the gap between urban and rural markets

Eggfirst advertising employs technology and innovation to bridge the urban-rural gap by strategically integrating digital tools and localised insights. Through mobile outreach, social media campaigns, and interactive content, they reach remote audiences effectively. Leveraging data analytics, Eggfirst tailors messages to resonate with rural sentiments. This seamless fusion of technology and cultural understanding enhances brand visibility and engagement in rural markets, fostering a connection that transcends geographical boundaries.

On Eggfirst Advertising approach the task of crafting effective communication strategies tailored for rural consumers

Eggfirst advertising adopts a multifaceted approach when crafting effective communication strategies for rural audiences. They begin by conducting in-depth research to grasp local values, customs, and aspirations. This insight informs the creation of relatable content and narratives that resonate deeply. Eggfirst’s strategy involves employing vernacular languages, culturally relevant visuals, and relatable scenarios to establish an authentic connection. Utilizing a mix of traditional media, community events, and digital platforms, they ensure wide-reaching engagement. This holistic approach, rooted in cultural empathy and strategic versatility, enables Eggfirst to deliver communication strategies that genuinely connect, captivate, and drive meaningful impact in rural settings

On strategies does Eggfirst Advertising employ to tap into the potential of rural markets successfully

Eggfirst Advertising taps into rural market potential through a blend of strategic localization and innovative engagement. They deploy thorough market research to grasp local nuances and preferences, enabling them to tailor offerings and messages effectively. Leveraging traditional media, community outreach, and digital platforms, they create a seamless blend of communication channels that resonate with rural audiences. Eggfirst also embraces experiential activations, allowing firsthand interactions with products and services. This amalgamation of cultural understanding, strategic targeting, and experiential approach enables them to tap into the vast potential of rural markets, driving engagement and fostering lasting brand connections.

On the key understanding Eggfirst possess about rural markets, and why is it crucial for effective marketing

Eggfirst possesses a deep understanding of rural markets’ cultural intricacies, values, and aspirations. This knowledge is crucial for effective marketing as it enables them to create resonant messages and offerings. By tailoring campaigns that align with local sentiments, Eggfirst establishes a genuine connection, building trust and credibility. This understanding ensures that marketing efforts aren’t perceived as intrusive or irrelevant but rather as relevant solutions, fostering lasting brand loyalty within rural communities.

On Eggfirst ensuring its communication strategies are both effective and relatable to rural consumers

Eggfirst ensures effective and relatable communication strategies for rural consumers by delving into thorough research to comprehend local values, behaviours, and preferences. They craft messages using vernacular languages, culturally relevant visuals, and relatable scenarios. By weaving authentic narratives that align with rural life, Eggfirst establishes an emotional connection. Regular feedback and engagement with rural communities enable them to refine their strategies continuously. This commitment to cultural empathy and ongoing refinement ensures that their communication resonates, effectively conveying brand messages and fostering meaningful relationships with rural consumers.

On making Eggfirst’s approach to rural advertising unique and innovative compared to traditional methods

Eggfirst’s approach to rural advertising stands out due to its fusion of cultural insights and modern techniques. Unlike traditional methods, which might overlook local nuances, Eggfirst combines traditional media and experiential activations with digital platforms, ensuring comprehensive reach. By embracing localized content, they create relatable messages that resonate deeply. This innovative blend of cultural empathy, technology, and strategic versatility enables Eggfirst to connect authentically with rural audiences, forging a unique path in the world of rural advertising.

On Eggfirst leveraging technology and digital platforms to bridge the gap between urban and rural markets

Eggfirst leverages technology and digital platforms adeptly to bridge the urban-rural gap. They harness the power of mobile connectivity to reach remote areas, ensuring a wider audience reach. By tailoring content to vernacular languages and local sensibilities, they create relatable narratives that resonate. Interactive social media campaigns, webinars, and virtual experiences engage rural audiences, breaking down geographical barriers. Eggfirst also employs data analytics to refine strategies, ensuring relevance. This seamless blend of technology and cultural understanding enables them to establish a virtual bridge, effectively connecting urban and rural markets, fostering engagement, and propelling brand messaging that transcends physical boundaries.

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Brands

Netflix India names Rekha Rane director of films and series marketing

Streaming giant bets on a seasoned marketer who helped build Amazon and Netflix into household names

Published

4 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Netflix has put a proven brand builder at the helm of its films and series marketing in India, naming Rekha Rane as director in a move that signals sharper focus on audience growth and cultural cut-through in one of its most hotly contested markets.

Rane steps into the role after seven years at Netflix, where she has quietly shaped how the platform sells stories to India. Her latest promotion, effective February 2026, crowns a run that spans brand, slate and product marketing across originals, licensed content and new verticals such as games.

A strategic marketing and communications professional with roughly 15 years’ experience, Rane has spent much of her career building technology-led consumer businesses and new categories, notably e-commerce and subscription video on demand. She was part of the early push that introduced Amazon.in, Prime Video and Netflix to Indian homes, then helped turn them into everyday brands.

At Netflix, she most recently served as head of brand and slate marketing for India from March 2024 to February 2026, leading teams across media and marketing for global and local content portfolios. Before that, as manager for original films and series marketing, she led IP creation and go-to-market strategy for titles including Guns and Gulaabs, Kaala Paani, The Railway Men* and The Great Indian Kapil Show, spanning both binge and weekly-release formats.

Her earlier Netflix roles covered product discovery and promotion in India and integrated campaign strategy to drive conversations around the content slate, product awareness and brand-equity metrics.

Before Netflix, Rane logged more than three years at Amazon in brand marketing roles in Bengaluru. There she handled national and regional campaigns for Amazon.in, worked on customer assistance programmes in growth geographies and contributed to the go-to-market strategy for the launch of Prime Video India.

Her career began well away from streaming. At Reliance Brands in Mumbai, she worked on retail marketing for Diesel and Superdry. A stint at Leo Burnett saw her work on primary research for P&G Tide, mapping Indian shoppers’ paths to purchase. Earlier still, at Orange in the United Kingdom, she rose from sales assistant to store manager, running a team and owning monthly P&L for a retail outlet.

The arc is telling. As global streamers fight for attention in a crowded Indian market, executives who understand both mass retail behaviour and digital habit-building are prized. Rane’s career sits at that intersection.

For Netflix, the bet is simple: in a market spoilt for choice, sharp marketing can still tilt the screen. And with Rane now leading the charge, the streamer is signalling it wants not just viewers, but fandom.

Brands

Orient Beverages pops the fizz with steady Q3 gains and rising profits

Kolkata-based beverage maker reports stronger revenues and profits for December quarter.

Published

4 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: A fizzy quarter with a steady aftertaste that’s how Orient Beverages Limited, the company that manufactures and distributes packaged drinking water under the brand name Bisleri closed the December 2025 period, as the Kolkata-based drinks maker reported improved revenues and a healthy rise in profits, signalling operational stability in a competitive beverage market.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Orient Beverages posted standalone revenue from operations of Rs 39.98 crore, up from Rs 36.42 crore in the previous quarter and Rs 33.53 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 42.24 crore, reflecting consistent demand and stable pricing across its beverage portfolio.

Profit before tax for the quarter came in at Rs 3.47 crore, a sharp improvement from Rs 1.31 crore in the September quarter and Rs 0.39 crore a year ago. After accounting for tax expenses of Rs 0.79 crore, the company reported a net profit of Rs 2.68 crore, nearly three times the Rs 0.99 crore recorded in the preceding quarter.

On a nine-month basis, the momentum remained intact. Revenue from operations for the period ended December 31, 2025 rose to Rs 117.66 crore, compared with Rs 106.95 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net profit for the nine months climbed to Rs 5.51 crore, more than double the Rs 2.18 crore reported in the same period of the previous financial year.

The consolidated numbers told a similar story. For the December quarter, consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 45.06 crore, while profit after tax came in at Rs 2.06 crore. For the nine-month period, consolidated revenue touched Rs 133.57 crore, with net profit of Rs 4.49 crore, underscoring the group’s improving profitability trajectory.

Operating expenses remained largely controlled, with cost of materials, employee benefits and other expenses broadly aligned with revenue growth. The company continued to operate within a single reportable segment beverages simplifying its cost structure and reporting framework.

The unaudited financial results were reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 7 February 2026. Statutory auditors carried out a limited review and reported no material misstatements in the results.

In a market where margins are often squeezed by input costs and competition, Orient Beverages’ latest numbers suggest the company has found a reliable rhythm not explosive, but steady enough to keep the fizz alive.

MAM

Washington Post CEO exits abruptly after newsroom cuts spark backlash

Leadership change follows layoffs, protests and a bruising battle over trust.

Published

4 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When the presses are rolling but patience runs out, even the editor’s chair isn’t safe. The Washington Post announced on Saturday that its chief executive and publisher Will Lewis is stepping down with immediate effect, bringing a sudden end to a turbulent two-year tenure marked by financial strain, newsroom unrest and public backlash.

Lewis’s exit comes just days after the Bezos-owned newspaper announced sweeping job cuts that triggered protests outside its Washington headquarters and a wave of anger from readers and staff. While newspapers across the US are grappling with shrinking revenues and digital disruption, Lewis’s leadership had increasingly come under fire for how those pressures were handled.

The Post confirmed that Jeff D’Onofrio, a former Tumblr CEO who joined the organisation last year as chief financial officer, has taken over as CEO and publisher, effective immediately. In an email to staff, later shared by reporters on social media, Lewis said it was “the right time for me to step aside.”

The leadership change follows the announcement of large-scale redundancies earlier this week. While the Post did not officially confirm numbers, The New York Times reported that around 300 of the paper’s roughly 800 journalists were laid off. Entire teams were dismantled, including the Post’s Middle East bureau and its Kyiv-based correspondent covering the war in Ukraine.

Sports, graphics and local reporting were sharply reduced, and the paper’s daily podcast, Post Reports, was suspended. On Thursday, hundreds of journalists and supporters gathered outside the Post’s downtown office in protest, calling the cuts a blow to public-interest journalism.

Former executive editor Marty Baron described the moment as “among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organisations.”

Lewis defended his record in his farewell note, saying “difficult decisions” were taken to secure the paper’s long-term future and protect its ability to publish “high-quality nonpartisan news”. But his tenure coincided with growing scrutiny of editorial independence at the Post.

Owner Jeff Bezos faced criticism for reining in the paper’s traditionally liberal editorial page and blocking an endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 US election. The move was widely seen as breaking the long-standing firewall between ownership and editorial decision-making.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, around 250,000 digital subscribers cancelled their subscriptions after the paper declined to endorse Harris. The Post reportedly lost about $100 million in 2024 as advertising and subscription revenues slid.

While the wider newspaper industry continues to battle declining print advertising and the pull of social media, some national titles have stabilised. Rivals such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have managed to build sustainable digital businesses, a turnaround that has so far eluded the Post despite its billionaire backing.

As Jeff D’Onofrio steps into the role, the challenge is stark, restore confidence inside the newsroom, win back readers who walked away, and prove that one of America’s most storied newspapers can still find its footing in a brutally competitive media landscape.