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Tag: Anushka Sharma

  • Star power dominates ads: Celebrity endorsements surge in 2024

    Star power dominates ads: Celebrity endorsements surge in 2024

    MUMBAI: Celebrity endorsements remained the lifeblood of India’s advertising world in 2024, proving once again that a star-studded ad is worth its weight in gold. While brands pull every trick in the book to grab eyeballs, Indian cinema icons, cricketing heroes, and TV stars effortlessly steal the show. Because let’s face it—if Shah Rukh Khan tells you to buy a biscuit, you probably will.

    The latest TAM AdEx-Rewinding year 2024 for Celebrity Endorsement spills the tea: celebrities shone in 30 per cent of all TV ads, with male film actors leading at 42 per cent. Star power isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s the secret sauce to making brands unforgettable. From daredevil action heroes to six-hitting cricketers, these celebs know how to work their magic.

    The numbers tell an interesting story. Celebrity-led ad volume grew three per cent in 2024, though overall, the past three years saw some dips—down eight per cent in 2023 and six per cent in 2024 compared to 2022. Yet, brands are still betting big on famous faces.

    The IPL season acted as a turbo boost, making April–June the golden quarter for ad volumes. If you watched TV, you likely saw Akshay Kumar’s megawatt grin or Shah Rukh Khan’s signature charm pushing a product your way. Resistance was futile.

    What’s hot? Over the 50 per cent of celebrity-endorsed ads that belonged to three dominant sectors:

    . Food & Beverages (24 per cent) – Because who can resist a snack endorsed by Indian cinema royalty?

    .   Personal Care & Hygiene (17 per cent) – Grooming advice from a glamorous star? Say no more.

     .  Household Products (11 per cent) – Even A-listers appreciate a squeaky-clean home.

    Well who ruled the ad space? Some faces were simply everywhere. Akshay Kumar clocked in a mind-blowing 20 hours per day of ad visibility—essentially living in commercial breaks. Meanwhile, M.S. Dhoni played a different kind of innings, endorsing a whopping 52 brands like a true business strategist. And in the product category race, E-commerce Gaming emerged as the big winner, attracting the highest number of celebrity endorsements. Looks like stars aren’t just playing games on screen—they’re cashing in on them, too.

    Brands love a power couple, and 2024 was the year they proved their worth. Leading the romance-meets-commerce charge were Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, holding a 17 per cent share of celebrity couple endorsements. Not far behind were Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt (14 per cent), followed by the ever-charming Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli (13 per cent).

    Together, these dynamic duos helped drive 50 per cent of all celebrity-led ads, proving that love might be priceless, but in the advertising world, it’s an absolute goldmine. When an Indian cinema star and a cricketing legend sell you something together, how can you possibly say no?

    Also, It turns out, men and women have their own advertising niches. Male celebrities dominated Food & Beverage ads (59 per cent), while female stars ruled Personal Care & Hygiene (67 per cent)—because let’s face it, no one wants beard oil tips from Kiara Advani, and Alia Bhatt recommending a spicy chicken burger might feel oddly suspicious.

    Meanwhile, the Agriculture, Telecom, and Media sectors remained a male-only club, as if female celebrities don’t know how to answer a phone or grow crops. Maybe it’s time to shake things up and give the audience a little variety. Just imagine Deepika Padukone selling tractor insurance—now that’s a campaign we’d love to see! Just a thought.

    Final takeaway? Celebrities still rule! No matter how much the ad world changes, one thing stays constant—celebrities run the show. Whether it’s an Indian cinema megastar, a cricketing legend, or a TV heartthrob, brands will always bank on their charm. Love them or roll your eyes, celebrity ads are here to stay—because let’s be honest, they work.

  • YRF Talent appoints Kanupriya as head of talent film strategy

    YRF Talent appoints Kanupriya as head of talent film strategy

    Mumbai: YRF Talent, the boutique talent management firm that currently represents celebrities like Rani Mukerji, Anushka Sharma, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sharvari, Sonam Kapoor, Ahaan Panday and Vaani Kapoor to name a few, has appointed Kanupriya as head – talent film strategy.

    Kanupriya, ex-CEO of Colour Yellow Productions, has been a producer working in the Indian film industry for over 15 years. She is recognised for her notable contributions in producing films like Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Tumbbad, Manmarziyaan, Newton and many more. She has shown a strong interest in bringing unique and disruptive stories to life throughout her career.

    In this new role, Kanupriya will be heading the films division within YRF Talent and leading strategic relationships between artists and studios, producers, and platforms for the actors represented by YRF Talent.

  • Blue Tribe unveils its latest ad campaign

    Blue Tribe unveils its latest ad campaign

    Mumbai: Blue Tribe, a plant-based food innovation brand, has launched a new ad campaign featuring Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli. The couple, known for their commitment to sustainability, represents Blue Tribe’s goal of mainstreaming plant-based eating.

    The campaign promotes the benefits of plant-based options, focusing on the brand’s latest product — no maida Soya Chaap. Made from soy flour and wheat flour, this ready-to-eat product offers a protein source that can be used in various Indian dishes like curries, biryanis, and kebabs. After six months of trials, Blue Tribe has introduced flavors such as achari, tandoori, and afghani, which are precooked and can be quickly heated in a microwave.

    The ad highlights Blue Tribe’s dedication to offering tasty, nutritious, and eco-friendly plant-based alternatives.

    Speaking about the campaign, Virat Kohli shared, “We are thrilled to present this plant-based food innovation that helps bring a crowd favourite like soya chaap in a high protein, hygienic form that is also affordable and convenient.”

    Anushka Sharma added, “We are happy to see Blue Tribe begin this new chapter where they have come up with tasty and familiar plant-based products like soya chaap with better nutritional profiles and in affordable and convenient packs.”

    Blue Tribe founder Sandeep Singh said, “We are thrilled to launch Soya Chaap, we have already started getting positive response to these products which underscores the market’s need for a trustworthy and hygienic alternative.”

    The campaign has been rolled out across multiple platforms, including YouTube ads and social media, on 27 August, 2024.

    With this campaign, Blue Tribe aims to reach a wider audience and reinforce its position as a leader in the plant-based food industry.

  • KITKAT launches new premium range with three rich and indulgent variants

    KITKAT launches new premium range with three rich and indulgent variants

    Mumbai: KITKAT has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new premium range of three rich and indulgent variants. The three variants – rich, dark and caramel-coated wafers offer delicious chocolate coating on layers of crispy cocoa wafers.

    To celebrate the launch, the brand has developed a new campaign featuring actor Anushka Sharma. Conceptualised by Wunderman Thompson, the new campaign will go live on TV and digital, along with an outdoor plan.

    Commenting on the launch of the new range, Nestlé India director, confectionery business Rupali Rattan said “This is an important foray of KITKAT into the premium segment as we constantly try to innovate and bring joy to our consumers. The new range comes in three delicious variants which will provide variety and multiple offerings to choose from. We are delighted to have Anushka Sharma as the ambassador of our new premium range. We feel her persona reflects the brand and is a perfect fit to launch our new premium offerings.”

    The new ambassador for KITKAT’s premium range, actor Anushka Sharma, said, “I am happy to be associated with an iconic brand like KITKAT. This new premium range offers a truly indulgent experience. I am confident that everyone will love the rich and delicious breaks with this new KitKat range.”

    This new range of KITKAT premium will be available pan-India, with prices ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 180 in three delectable variants of Rich, Dark & caramel-coated wafers.

  • Bagzone Lifestyles, parent of Lavie secures $ nine million investment

    Bagzone Lifestyles, parent of Lavie secures $ nine million investment

    Mumbai: Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd., the owner of India’s leading fashion accessories brand, Lavie, is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a household name. The company has successfully secured a substantial $ nine million investment from the esteemed First Bridge India Growth Fund. This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment in Bagzone’s evolution, propelling its ambitious growth plans and reinforcing its position as a market leader in the fashion accessories industry.

    With this new capital infusion, Bagzone is set to fortify its internal manufacturing capabilities by establishing a state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot factory. Additionally, the company is embarking on an ambitious plan to expand its offline presence with the opening of 300 exclusive brand outlets. These investments will further enhance the brand’s recognition and reputation through captivating marketing campaigns featuring their brand ambassadors, the dynamic Ranveer Singh for Lavie Sport and the charismatic Anushka Sharma for Lavie.

    Over the next five years, Bagzone is dedicated to achieving tenfold growth, transforming into a diversified, multi-brand corporation spanning multiple product categories. Simultaneously, the company aims to achieve a 70 per cent localisation rate in its sourcing efforts while expanding its brick-and-mortar presence. This rapid expansion strategy is expected to create employment opportunities for 1,000 individuals nationwide, directly contributing to the nation’s economic growth. The company also aims to penetrate Tier Two and Tier Three markets to meet the evolving demands of its customers.

    Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd CEO  Ayush Tainwala, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are very excited to partner with First Bridge. They come with a long track record of building many successful consumer businesses. We hope to grow ten times in the next few years and become a multi-category, multi-brand business. We will use the funds raised to enhance our in-house manufacturing capability, deepen our offline presence, and grow our brand’s stature and recall.”

    First Bridge managing partner Vishal Kumar Gupta, said, “First Bridge is delighted to partner with Bagzone, with the maiden investment from its new fund. Lavie is already the clear market leader. They operate in a market that will benefit from the shift to organised and an exponential increase in women’s consumption in the next few years. In Ayush, we see a young and energetic founder who has a deep understanding of the accessories market in India. We are confident of a successful journey of hyper-growth with team Lavie.”

    According to a recent survey by Statista, ‘the handbags segment in India is projected to reach a revenue of US$4.19 billion in 2023, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 6.14 per cent from 2023 to 2026 (CAGR 2023-2026)’. Moreover, the parent company has observed consistent growth in customers as well as an increase in the demand for the newly launched products. The funds raised will be used to further bolster this growth and establish a stronger foothold in the industry.

  • Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma roped in by India’s women’s fashion brand W as a ‘W Woman’

    Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma roped in by India’s women’s fashion brand W as a ‘W Woman’

    Mumbai: W – India’s leading women’s fashion brand, has onboarded Bollywood actress and entrepreneur Anushka Sharma as its brand ambassador. With this partnership the brand prepares to launch its high-decibel festive campaign that beautifully merges the warmth of festivities with the spirit of modernity. The campaign talks about every festival having a story that is synonymous to the story of women. It captures the essence of women being the centre of every celebration, thereby urging women to cherish their individuality and ‘Celebrate your story’.

    Speaking about the association, Sharma said, “I am happy to be a part of the W for Woman family as a brand ambassador. The brand’s ideology resonates with my beliefs and values. The brand celebrates the essence of every woman, her unique story, her convictions, her beliefs, her challenges and her wins. To me, W for Woman is the embodiment of a thinking woman’s brand, reflecting the modern woman who embraces her roots- a woman who is truly Indian at heart and global in her outlook.”

    TCNS Clothing Co Ltd. managing director Anant Daga said, “Anushka’s vibrant persona and strong individuality perfectly complement the essence of the brand. Anushka epitomises the inspiring and accomplished modern woman, seamlessly transitioning through diverse roles, embodying the true spirit of the W woman. Our festive range, unveiled alongside this campaign, takes on a fresh identity- an all-new avatar. We are excited to have Anushka on board as the W woman.”

    The specially curated Festive Collection by W includes its widest range of Anarkalis, Festive sets, dresses and lots more. It boasts of an exquisite array of fabrics, carefully selected to enhance the festive experience. From cotton lurex sets adorned with metallic gota trims to velvety textures with matte sequins, the collection offers a tactile journey through the opulence of the festive season. The incorporation of coloured zari weaves, mirror work, and intricate dori work with sequin highlights bring a rich and diverse palette of textures and embellishments.

  • An overview of WhatsApp’s safety and privacy campaigns this year

    An overview of WhatsApp’s safety and privacy campaigns this year

    Mumbai: In an age where privacy and online security have become paramount, WhatsApp is at the forefront of innovating features that continually help enhance the safety and privacy for users globally. From  chat lock to disappearing messages, silence unknown callers to privacy checkup, every new feature adds to WhatsApp’s multiple layers of protection.

    Understanding that launching innovative features alone is not enough, WhatsApp has invested time and effort to educate users and drive awareness around some of its key safety and privacy features. This strategic effort involves multiple safety and privacy campaigns designed to empower users to take control of their online safety and privacy.

    Stay safe with WhatsApp campaign:

    • On 12 April, WhatsApp rolled out their three-month ‘Stay safe with WhatsApp’ that focused on  creating user awareness around safer digital practices, highlighting product features that empower users to take control of their online safety and ensure a safer messaging  experience.  

    • WhatsApp collaborated with influential figures such as Rajiv Makhni, Manoj Chugh, Jaspreet  Bindra, Akancha Shrivastava, Pankaj Gupta, and Deepak Maheshwari to amplify awareness  of WhatsApp’s safety and privacy features.  

    • As part of this campaign, WhatsApp released educational user guides highlighting safety tools and product features to secure users’ WhatsApp accounts. Additionally, it offered  insights on how to stay protected from scams using WhatsApp’s safety features.

    Privacy campaign highlighting WhatsApp’s “Multiple layers of protection”

    • WhatsApp launched a global campaign focused on the importance of secure communication  and WhatsApp’s multiple layers of privacy. The campaign shows how a private conversation  with a friend or loved one on WhatsApp creates a safe space for people to communicate  with one another.

    • Mirrors Activation and partnership with Anushka Sharma to highlight the power of private  messaging. WhatsApp partnered with actor Anushka Sharma to launch a series of mirrored  messages appearing in private spaces – women’s restrooms – in malls across Delhi. Mirrored  messages with QR codes appeared in women’s restrooms in Delhi malls, offering suggestions  for checking in via a private WhatsApp message. These messages disappeared afterward,  similar to the Disappearing Messages feature on WhatsApp.

    • 3D Anamorphic installations at the Gateway of India: WhatsApp hosted an immersive  storytelling experience at Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India, where anamorphic privacy  installations and projection mapping on the monument facade vividly showcased the layers  of privacy WhatsApp offers:

    For the final leg of the privacy campaign, on 4 September, WhatsApp will announce a partnership with Ranveer Singh to promote message privacy where he talks about how WhatsApp’s multiple layers of protection give him control over his most private conversations.

    In a candid conversation the actor opens up about what’s in his phone and how he protects his most  private conversations on WhatsApp. The entertaining video almost has Ranveer spilling the beans but instead educates people on the importance of private and secure messaging with simple privacy  features like end-to-end encryption, chat lock, screenshot blocking for view once messages on WhatsApp.

    Talking about the collaboration with WhatsApp, Ranveer Singh, said, “With more and more private  conversations happening online, our privacy needs are also evolving. From sharing my most private  thoughts with my friends and family to discussing work, my WhatsApp has private information like  film scripts, my financial details. The cool thing about WhatsApp is that with its layers of privacy I  know my conversations are always secure and with features like chat lock, I can password protect my  most private and important chats so that even though my phone changes hands, my chats don’t.”

    Meta director, consumer marketing Vyom Prashant said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Ranveer to bring alive the multiple ways in which WhatsApp protects our users’ privacy, in an  entertaining, informative, and relatable manner. We believe this partnership along with our  campaign on privacy, demonstrates to our users that they always have a safe and private space on  WhatsApp for their conversations.”

  • Celebrity-owned beauty brands trump endorsements by celebrities

    Celebrity-owned beauty brands trump endorsements by celebrities

    Mumbai: Latest data from YouGov shows that celebrity beauty brands are popular among people and more than three in five urban Indian consumers (62 per cent) say they have ever tried a beauty brand (skin, hair, nail, or makeup) owned by a celebrity.

    Among the various generations, millennials were most likely to say they have ever tried celebrity beauty brands (69 per cent).

    When it comes to trust, slightly over a fifth of urban Indians (22 per cent) said they trust celebrities with beauty brand endorsements, while a slightly higher percentage (28 per cent) trust them with advocacy of beauty brands owned by them. However, a large proportion (45 per cent) does not trust them with any kind of beauty endorsements- for self-owned or other brands.

    The data shows that consumers seem divided on their opinion of a celebrity’s influence on their purchase decision. A third say they are more likely to buy from a beauty brand endorsed by a celebrity (32 per cent), and another third disagree with this view (33 per cent). But when a brand is owned by a celebrity, they are more likely than unlikely to buy it.

    Interestingly, when it comes to comparison with influencers, consumers are more likely to say they trust influencers over celebrities for product recommendations (38 per cent vs 27 per cent). However, when the comparison is with Hollywood celebrities, urban Indians are more likely to trust Indian celebrities.

    Among those who have tried celebrity-owned beauty brands, 27 per cent claim they have had a bad experience but 45 per cent have not. The high price of products was the biggest reason for a sour experience with celeb brands (68 per cent), followed by poor quality products (38 per cent) and misleading information or false claims (28 per cent).

    When it comes to awareness of celebrities that own beauty brands, Deepika Padukone leads the table, with over a third of urban Indians (34 per cent) saying they are aware of her owning a beauty brand.

    Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra follow in second (at 32 per cent) and third (30 per cent).

    On the trust barometer, Katrina Kaif comes on top, with almost a quarter saying they trust her (23 per cent). Deepika Padukone is a close second (at 22 per cent). One in five trust Hritik Roshan (20 per cent), and just as many (19 per cent) claim they trust Priyanka Chopra.

    It is interesting to see Hritik Roshan score high on awareness and trust in an industry dominated by women.

    Even though Alia Bhatt and Anushka Sharma do not own any beauty brands, people associate them with this category and a sizeable proportion trusts them with recommendations, a great advantage should they want to start their own line.

    Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This data is based on a survey of adults aged above 18 years in India with a sample size of 1005 respondents. The survey was conducted online in August 2023.

  • Shyam Steel ropes in Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma for its new TVC launch

    Shyam Steel ropes in Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma for its new TVC launch

    Mumbai: Producers and manufacturers of primary TMT Bars, Shyam Steel launched its new TVC campaign featuring former captain of India national cricket team Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma. The new TVC is the extension of Shyam Steel’s ‘Hamesha Ke Liye Strong’ campaign.  

    The campaign aims to send across the brand message that a strong bond of relationship is achieved through a perfect balance of strength and flexibility just like Shyam Steel Flexi Strong TMT Bars. The TVC has been created by Rediffusion Brand Solutions and the production house is Cornerstone. The TVC is directed by Abhishek Burman.

    The balance of strength and flexibility keeps the foundation of the relationship strong which is also affiliated with Shyam Steel’s core brand philosophy. The TVC reflects on this thought process that when your dream home is built with Shyam Steel flexi-strong TMT Bars they represent a correct balance of strength and flexibility which keeps your home strong forever.

    The TVC Campaign showcases Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma sitting near the dining table and their uncle joins them for dinner. While Virat and Anushka start eating with their spoon and fork their uncle starts eating with hand. Seeing his uncle, Anushka and Virat also start having their dinner with hands and they both look at each other smiling. When one has a correct balance of strength and flexibility, the relationship is built upon a strong foundation like steel, thus sustaining for a long-long time. Similarly, when houses are built with Shyam Steel flexi-strong TMT Bars, such houses are more sustainable.

    Speaking on the TVC campaign launch, Shyam Steel director Lalit Beriwala said “Sometimes small gestures can make a big difference in our relationships. The relationship we share with family at home forms the crux of the strong foundation. The campaign narrative embodies the principle of what Shyam Steel stands as a brand with strength and flexibility at its core. The star power of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma will help the brand to establish a deeper connection with our target audience, especially in the regional markets.”

    Rediffusion Brand Solutions’ Sreeparna Gupta said, “The film narrates the story of simple everyday situations to highlight how flexibility in relationships keeps the bond strong over years. Just like the perfect balance of flexibility and strength present in Shyam Steel, TMT Bars keep the structure strong for years. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma add their own charm and star power that helps to connect with the audience till the last mile.”

    Shyam Steel will launch two more TVC films with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in the month of August and September 2022, respectively. The TVC campaign will be promoted through a 360-degree approach. The TVC will be showcased in digital platforms along with news, sports, entertainment and GEC channels in TV and cinema halls. This will be followed by outdoor and print campaigns to sustain the communication until the current financial year.

    Shyam Steel with an annual turnover of Rs 4,500 crores is now on a steady expansion mode braving the disruptions caused by Covid-19 pandemic. The company, an integral partner of building new India, is committed to meaningfully contribute to the realisation of the target of 300 million tonnes steel production by 2030-31. Shyam Steel have also signed Olympic medallists Lovlina Borgohain and Manpreet Singh as their Build India brand ambassadors, in addition to Sonu Sood. The brand is also associated with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma as the face of the company.

  • Bollywood Stars Get On a 50cc Moped

    Bollywood Stars Get On a 50cc Moped

    Did you know that scooters and mopeds are the most affordable form of transportation for most families in India? For the majority of Indian families, normal cars are just too expensive, which leads many of them to ride only mopeds when they need to go somewhere.

    In an effort to portray some realism and connect with the everyday person, many Bollywood stars have got a 50cc moped and ditched their expensive cars. So, which members of Bollywood’s star-studded cast have taken to riding cheaper vehicles? Keep reading now to find out more.

    • Amitabh Bachchan

    First up, we have Amitabh Bachchan.  Even though he’s very famous Bollywood star, he was spotted riding a moped in normal street clothes, something an everyday man might wear.
    It was later learned that he was portraying a man of meager means looking for a job in an upcoming film. However, it seems that Amitabh has taken a liking to riding 50cc mopeds and continues to do so even in his time off from filming.

    • Shah Rukh Khan

    Another one of Bollywood’s most famous stars, Shah was also recently seen riding his own 50cc moped. In his most recent film, he was shown riding a 50cc moped down the street. He portrayed an average man, with his wife riding along behind him.

    Shah also rode a moped in another film he starred in, titled Chak De! India. The film was very popular, allowing its audience to feel more connected with Shah as a main character while watching him do some of the things that many of them do daily.

    • Dhanush

    Yet another Bollywood star has been shown riding a 50cc moped on the film sets of Raanjhanaa. He was riding a gray Bajaj Chetak, attempting to keep out of a rainstorm that had blown into the set.

    For the same film, Dhanush is shown riding a bright yellow moped with costar Sonam Kapoor, smiling wide for the audience. There were a lot of scenes in this particular film of the Bollywood star riding a moped.

    • Anushka Sharma

    And finally, Anushka is another star that has been seen riding a 50cc moped recently. Anushka initially had a terrible time learning to ride a moped, ending up on the news for how bad she was while filming Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl.

    However, since then, Anushka has taken a liking to riding on two wheels. She has her own moped and has starred in other films where she was shown riding 50cc mopeds in various scenes.

    It’s clear to see that the 50cc moped isn’t just for the average person but can also be enjoyed by even the wealthiest people across India and the world. Truly, these little scooters are great vehicles for those who are on a tight budget. Their reliability also makes them great for anyone with greater means, too. They are very safe and always remember you need moped insurance always to be legal on the road.