MAM

“Influencer marketing is a powerful complement to traditional advertising methods”: Vinay Singh

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

In the dynamic landscape of the Indian television industry, the evolution of influencer marketing stands as a testament to its transformative power. From its nascent stages of brand endorsements to its current role as a driving force behind performance marketing strategies, influencer collaborations have reshaped how television networks and production houses engage with audiences. In this era of digital connectivity and evolving consumer behaviours, the synergy between influencers and television programming has become indispensable.

Digixpressions, a digital advertising and marketing solution. With a dynamic approach fueled by a vision for business growth, Digixpressions offers a comprehensive suite of services ranging from digital intelligence to branding assistance, MarTech, and hyperlocal solutions. Specializing in Fintech, E-commerce, banking, and Edtech, Digixpressions boasts an impressive clientele including RBL Bank, Shrekhan, ICICI Bank, UpGrad, Angel Broking, and Kotak Securities. Founded by Vinay Singh and Saqib Khan, Digixpressions has rapidly grown in less than five years, with a team of over 100 professionals serving more than 50 clients across 10 sectors. Their pragmatic approach focuses on tailored solutions, leveraging years of expertise to deliver measurable results and build digital prominence for partners.

Indiantelevision caught up with Digixpressions co-founder Vinay Singh to talk about the intricacies of this symbiotic relationship, exploring trends, successes, challenges, future prospects and much more…

Edited excerpts

On influencer marketing has evolving within the Indian television industry, particularly in the context of performance marketing strategies

Influencer marketing has evolved significantly in the Indian television industry, especially performance marketing. Initially, influencer collaborations were primarily focused on brand endorsements and product placements. As the industry became more data-driven, influencers played a pivotal role in driving specific performance metrics such as viewership ratings, engagement rates, and digital subscriptions. Television networks and production houses now strategically partner with influencers to amplify promotional campaigns, boost audience engagement, and ultimately enhance the performance of their shows or channels.

On the trends that you have observed regarding integrating influencer marketing into performance marketing campaigns in the Indian television landscape

One prominent trend is the shift towards micro-influencers with a more targeted and engaged audience base. Television networks are increasingly collaborating with niche influencers who cater to specific demographics or genres relevant to their content. Additionally, we have seen a rise in influencer-led content initiatives where influencers create exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews, or interactive experiences to drive viewer engagement and tune-in. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on data-driven influencer selection and campaign optimization to ensure maximum impact on performance metrics.

On digital assistance platforms shaping the future of influencer marketing in the Indian television sector

Digital assistance platforms are poised to revolutionize influencer marketing in the Indian television sector by providing new avenues for content distribution, discovery, and engagement. Influencers have unique opportunities to reach audiences innovatively with the increasing adoption of voice assistants, smart devices, and interactive TV platforms. We anticipate collaborations between influencers and digital assistance platforms to facilitate personalized content recommendations, interactive viewing experiences, and seamless branded content integration within entertainment ecosystems.

Can you share examples of successful influencer marketing campaigns in Indian television that have effectively boosted performance metrics such as viewership, engagement, or brand awareness

Amazon India has collaborated with various influencers, including actors and YouTubers, to promote their products and services, boosting sales and brand visibility. Myntra, a leading fashion retailer, has partnered with influencers to create engaging content, enhancing brand engagement and awareness. Flipkart, another major e-commerce platform, has utilized influencers to promote its products, strengthening its brand presence.

At Digixpressions, we have multiple eCommerce,BFSI brands, which have achieved performance from influencer marketing. We have set up the right KPI, delivering both around brand visibility and driving a relevant set of traffic, which has been helping in end-funnel clients directly with the brand.

On influencer marketing complementing traditional advertising methods in the Indian television industry

Influencer marketing is a powerful complement to traditional advertising methods, which adds a layer of authenticity, relatability, and personalization to promotional efforts. While traditional ads convey brand messages to a broader audience, influencer collaborations enable brands to connect with consumers more personally and hence increase the chances of achieving sales.

On the challenges that you foresee in implementing influencer marketing strategies within performance marketing campaigns for Indian television shows or channels

To maintain authenticity and credibility, one challenge is ensuring alignment amongst brand values, content tone, and influencer persona. Additionally, measuring the direct impact of influencer marketing on performance metrics such as viewership or subscription rates can be challenging due to the complex nature of audience behaviour and consumption patterns. As the influencer landscape becomes more saturated, identifying the right influencers who resonate with the target audience and deliver tangible results poses another hurdle.

On the importance of data-driven decision-making in influencer marketing initiatives within the Indian television space

Data-driven decision-making is significant in influencer marketing initiatives within the Indian television space as it enables television networks and production houses to identify the most relevant influencers, optimize campaign strategies, and measure performance accurately. By leveraging data analytics tools and audience insights, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding influencer selection, content optimization, and resource allocation to maximize ROI (return on investment) and achieve campaign objectives.

On the role of AI and automation in optimizing influencer marketing efforts for Indian television programs or channels

AI and automation can potentially revolutionize influencer marketing efforts by streamlining campaign management, content creation, and performance-tracking processes. AI-powered algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data to identify high-potential influencers, predict audience preferences, and optimize content strategies in real-time. Automation tools can facilitate seamless collaboration, content distribution, and campaign monitoring, thereby enhancing influencer marketing initiatives’ efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.

On Indian television networks or production houses measuring the success of influencer marketing campaigns in terms of performance metrics and ROI

Indian television networks or production houses typically measure the success of influencer marketing campaigns by tracking key performance metrics such as viewership ratings, audience engagement, social media impressions, website traffic, and conversion rates. ROI is evaluated based on the incremental impact of influencer collaborations on these metrics compared to baseline performance or benchmarks. Advanced attribution models, tracking pixels, and analytics platforms often attribute conversions or actions directly to influencer-driven touchpoints and calculate the return on investment.

On anticipating influencer marketing strategies evolving to adapt to the changing dynamics of digital assistance platforms and emerging technologies in the Indian television industry

We anticipate influencer marketing strategies to evolve, by prioritizing personalized, interactive, and immersive experiences for viewers. Influencers may leverage voice-enabled content formats, augmented reality experiences, and AI-powered chatbots to seamlessly engage with audiences across digital assistance platforms. Additionally, we expect deeper integrations between influencer-driven content and smart TV ecosystems, enabling viewers to interact with branded content, make purchases, or access exclusive experiences directly through their devices.

Up Next

Content, technology and relevance – What it means for BIG FM in 2024

Don't Miss

Savsol Lubricants announces Sidharth Malhotra as brand ambassador in major brand revamp

Click to comment

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

3 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

3 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

3 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.