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Tag: influencer marketing

  • Nikhil Kamath invests in One Hand Clap to support new-age brand storytelling in India

    Nikhil Kamath invests in One Hand Clap to support new-age brand storytelling in India

    MUMBAI: In a fresh twist to the Indian advertising playbook, Zerodha co-founder and a prominent investor Nikhil Kamath has put his weight behind One Hand Clap Media — a rising creative agency founded by former AIB heads Aakash Shah and Naveed Manakkodan.

    Kamath’s investment marks a vote of confidence in the agency’s mission to build content-first, digital-native storytelling that moves at the speed of the internet. In a marketplace where traditional campaigns are losing steam, One Hand Clap’s high-impact narratives and lightning-fast execution have made it a go-to name for Indian brands that want relevance and recall.

    Known for their campaigns for Swiggy, BGMI, Netflix India, Bumble, Cred, Ather, Emotorad, and Prime Video India, the agency has carved a reputation for weaving story with speed. From writing and producing ad films to running influencer and digital mandates, One Hand Clap offers end-to-end creative firepower.

    “Nikhil gets our DNA, and our visions align,” said One Hand Clap co-founder Shah. “We both never cared for the status quo; we have always aimed to disrupt it, defy the metrics and algorithms to tell stories, not just campaigns for our clients”.

    Co-founder Manakkodan added, “Nikhil’s investment validates our thesis that in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, speed and authentic storytelling are paramount. This partnership fuels our ambition to redefine the agency model, delivering impactful creative solutions with unparalleled agility”.

    For Kamath, the deal is part of a wider plan to back India’s rising creative and entrepreneurial talent. “Through this partnership, Kamath is betting not just on content but on the creators driving the next wave of Indian brand-building”, the company noted.

    The creative agency space is seeing a churn, with speed, relatability and innovation becoming non-negotiables. One Hand Clap’s sharp creative engine, coupled with Kamath’s entrepreneurial acumen, signals a new wave in adland where business meets culture, and memes could be just as powerful as media buys.
     

  • Nescafe brews a gamer buzz with Minecraft streamers for cold coffee range

    Nescafe brews a gamer buzz with Minecraft streamers for cold coffee range

    MUMBAI: Gaming and caffeine collided this April as Nestlé India took its Nescafe Ready-to-Drink Cold Coffee range to the nation’s screens via a uniquely caffeinated campaign. Tapping into India’s thriving online gaming community, Nestlé paired its café-style cold coffee with live Minecraft streams, turning digital battles into chill breaks.

    The initiative kicked off as part of the expansion of Nescafe’s cold coffee lineup, aimed at the ever-scrolling, on-the-go gen z crowd. To maximise impact, Nestlé activated 27 Minecraft livestreams around the release of the game’s movie adaptation, enlisting popular streamers including GamerFleet (Anshu Bisht).

    “Young India is gravitating towards gaming, and we wanted to leverage this content stream and position Nescafe’s new café style cold coffee range as the ideal partner for gaming. With this insight, we tried to build on the buzz in the Minecraft gaming community coinciding with the launch of the movie. We collaborated with some of the top game streamers through live streaming activations, with the aim of enhancing brand awareness and deepening our engagement with the youth,” said Nestlé India head, dairy business, Manav Sahni.

    The campaign brewed up numbers fast. GamerFleet’s launch stream alone clocked 6.6 million impressions and 1.2 million organic views in a single weekend. In total, the campaign tallied over 3.89 million organic views across 10 days.

    Streamo founder Tushaar Garg added, “Minecraft isn’t just a game-it’s a cultural phenomenon brewing for over 15 years on YouTube and has shaped digital communities, fuelled creativity, and provided a space for millions to hang out. Streamo is pleased to have aggregated, automated and activated the Minecraft community on YouTube for Nescafe’s new Cold Coffee range – keeping gamers refreshed over long hours of streaming.”

    The campaign was brought to life through a collaboration between Nestlé India, media agency Publicis, and Streamo, an ad-tech platform that connects brands with a creator network of over 20,000 gaming influencers. And the stream hasn’t dried up yet-an extended activation involving 50 streamers is set to unfold through April, brewing further excitement for the chilled coffee range.

  • Sudeep Subash named CEO of Big Bang Social

    Sudeep Subash named CEO of Big Bang Social

    MUMBAI: The creator economy in India has a new captain, and he’s no stranger to the high seas of digital marketing. Sudeep Subash has been appointed as the CEO of Big Bang Social, the country’s leading creator economy platform. But wait, there’s more! He will also continue steering the revenue juggernaut at Collective Artists Network as its chief revenue officer. That’s right—two titles, one powerhouse leader, and a whole lot of responsibility. No pressure, Sudeep!

    Collective Artists Network, the mothership behind Big Bang Social, made the announcement on 3 March 2024, marking a significant leadership move in the world of influencer marketing and content-driven commerce. Known for his razor-sharp revenue strategies and uncanny ability to make brand-creator collaborations flourish, Subash is all set to shake things up in a market that is already buzzing with potential.

    “Sudeep is one of those rare leaders who invests deeply in his teams,” said Collective Artists Network founder & group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. “His knack for scaling businesses, igniting innovation, and fostering collaboration makes him the perfect candidate to propel Big Bang Social to new heights. As brands and advertisers increasingly turn to creators for meaningful collaborations, his vision will be key in expanding our influence and unlocking fresh opportunities in the creator economy.”

    With a track record that speaks for itself, Subash isn’t just taking on this role for the business cards (though, let’s be honest, having two fancy job titles is a flex). He’s here to supercharge Big Bang Social’s growth by driving data-backed strategies, deepening brand partnerships, and delivering breakthrough influencer campaigns.

    “I am excited to take on this new challenge and further build on the incredible foundation of Big Bang Social,” said Subash, now Big Bang Social CEO and Collective Artists Network CRO. “We are at a pivotal moment where content, culture, and commerce are converging like never before. I look forward to working with our teams, creators, and brand partners to drive meaningful growth and shape the future of this dynamic ecosystem.”

    Under Subash’s leadership, Big Bang Social is expected to amplify its impact by fine-tuning brand-creator collaborations, harnessing data-driven insights, and crafting innovative campaigns that define the next frontier of influencer marketing. The Indian creator economy is growing at an explosive pace, and with Subash at the helm, it looks like things are about to get even bigger.

  • Social Panga brings out ‘The Viral Union’ to power influencer marketing

    Social Panga brings out ‘The Viral Union’ to power influencer marketing

    MUMBAI: Social Panga is stepping up its game in the creator economy. The integrated creative and digital marketing agency has launched The Viral Union (TVU)—a dedicated influencer marketing vertical designed to bridge the gap between brands and content creators.

    Led by Sudarshan Kailash, TVU will offer brands 360-degree influencer solutions, spanning nano, micro, and macro influencers, talent partnerships, and performance-driven campaigns. With influencer marketing expected to grow at 25 per cent annually, reaching Rs 10,500 crore by 2027, Social Panga is seizing the opportunity to provide data-backed, scalable, and high-impact influencer marketing strategies.

    Social Panga co-founder Himanshu Arora underscored the significance of this move, “Influencer marketing is no longer an add-on—it’s a core strategy for brands looking to engage audiences authentically. The Viral Union is designed to bridge the gap between content creators and brand narratives, ensuring campaigns that not only drive visibility but also deliver tangible business impact. With TVU, we are doubling down on our commitment to data-backed, creative-first storytelling that truly resonates.”

    Social Panga co-founder Gaurav Arora echoed the sentiment, “We have always believed in deep vertical expertise and evolving with market dynamics. The Viral Union is a natural extension of this philosophy, bringing together data, creativity, and authenticity to drive meaningful engagement for brands. With TVU, we are strengthening our integrated ecosystem—complementing the production excellence of The Yellow Shutter and the creative ingenuity of Social Panga—to elevate brand storytelling and campaign impact.”

    Kailash emphasised the evolving nature of influencer marketing, “Influencer marketing is no longer just about visibility; it’s about delivering real impact. At The Viral Union, we are committed to building campaigns rooted in authenticity, backed by data, and driven by creativity. Our goal is to set new benchmarks in the industry, helping brands connect with audiences in more meaningful and effective ways.”

    TVU is already working with major brands such as Domino’s, AMD, Kit Kat, Bumble, Swiggy, Tata Motors, Pepperfry, and 3M. With plans to scale influencer-driven strategies across multiple platforms, industries, and audience segments, the vertical is set to redefine how brands leverage the power of digital storytelling.

    Social Panga, a part of LS Digital, also operates a production house called The Yellow Shutter, further enhancing its creative capabilities.

     

  • Klugklug expands globally as demand for data-driven influencer marketing rises

    Klugklug expands globally as demand for data-driven influencer marketing rises

    MUMBAI : Influencer marketing is evolving fast, & data-driven strategies are leading the charge. Klugklug, a cutting-edge Saas platform, is scaling new heights globally to meet the surging demand. Now in its third year, it has already made waves across India, southeast Asia, & the middle east, redefining how brands connect with influencers.

    Klugklug’s platform analyses over 300 million influencers across 150+ countries and 160+ languages, covering Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok (outside India), Snapchat, & LinkedIn. The company has helped businesses cut marketing inefficiencies by providing insights into influencer credibility, engagement, & audience demographics.

    “Many brands have relied on superficial metrics for influencer selection, leading to wasted budgets. Our approach brings transparency & validation, enabling brands to make informed decisions,” said Klugklug co-founder & CEO Kalyan Kumar.

    As part of its expansion, Klugklug is focusing on growth in south Asia, southeast Asia, Mena, & Latin America, with key targets including Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

  • Hoopr-Budding Influencers ink partnership to ensure copyright-safe content

    Hoopr-Budding Influencers ink partnership to ensure copyright-safe content

    MUMBAI: India’s leading copyright-safe music platform, Hoopr, has partnered with Budding Influencers to address one of the most pressing challenges in content creation—copyright compliance. This strategic collaboration aims to provide creators with legal music solutions and educational resources, ensuring a seamless and ethical content production process.

    Many content creators unknowingly use copyrighted music, exposing themselves and their associated brands to legal risks. According to Hoopr’s research, 87 per cent of Indian influencers have used unlicensed music and faced copyright claims, leading to penalties, content takedowns, or strained brand relationships. A recent study by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) revealed that 69 per cent of the country’s top 100 digital influencers failed to meet disclosure guidelines, including those related to music usage. These figures highlight the urgent need for accessible and compliant music solutions.

    With social media marketing budgets surging and the Indian creator economy growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent year-on-year, the demand for copyright-safe music has never been greater. Through this collaboration, over 400,000 influencers from Budding Influencer’s network will gain access to Hoopr’s extensive library of copyright-safe music, allowing them to enhance their content without legal concerns. The partnership will also roll out educational initiatives to simplify copyright laws and promote the ethical use of music in digital content.

    Hoopr co-founder & CEO Gaurav Dagaonkar commented, “We are excited to join forces with Budding Influencers to tackle these critical issues in content creation. By offering premium copyright-safe music alongside valuable educational resources, we are fostering a safer and more innovative ecosystem for creators.”

    Budding Influencers co-founder & CMO Sanober Surani echoed this sentiment, “Copyright violations have long been a challenge for influencers and brands. I recall an instance where a creator unknowingly used copyrighted music in a campaign, leading to a legal notice for the brand. This highlighted the urgent need for accessible, compliant music solutions. We are thrilled to collaborate with Hoopr to equip our creators with high-quality, legally safe music.”

    This partnership underscores a shared commitment to democratising access to essential resources and fostering a sustainable creator economy. By tackling copyright-related challenges at their core, Hoopr and Budding Influencers are empowering creators to innovate freely, without the risk of legal repercussions.
     

  • “AI-powered influencers are reshaping brand engagement” – Vinit Karnik

    “AI-powered influencers are reshaping brand engagement” – Vinit Karnik

    MUMBAI: The advertising landscape in India is on the brink of its most transformative year yet. With AI taking over marketing workflows, quick commerce redefining e-commerce, and connected TV (CTV) gaining an unprecedented foothold, brands are scrambling to stay ahead. The latest forecast from GroupM’s TYNY report outlines the trends that will shape 2025, and let’s just say, if you’re not innovating, you’re falling behind.

    AI agents take the wheel

    The machines are here, and they’re not just running ads—they’re planning, activating, and measuring entire campaigns. The rise of sophisticated AI agents will automate scheduling, reporting, and even basic content creation, freeing up human marketers to focus on strategy. By late 2025, expect AI-powered agents to handle customer service, hyper-personalised advertising, real-time campaign optimisation, and even vernacular content creation at scale.

    GroupM south Asia CSO Parthasarathy Mandayam (Maps) stated, “As consumer behaviour grows more complex, marketing measurement is rapidly evolving. With data privacy driving change, traditional analytical models are integrating AI and real-time analytics for better accuracy. Brands are adopting unified measurement frameworks to make smarter decisions. In 2025 we also see a rapid adoption of AI agents, going beyond automation and productivity enhancement to transform areas like customer service, vernacular engagement and real-time campaign optimisation.”

    GroupM south Asia CSO Parthasarathy Mandayam

    Quick commerce rewrites the e-commerce playbook

    E-commerce in India is growing at breakneck speed, and quick commerce (Q-commerce) is its turbocharged engine. The online digital commerce market is projected to touch Rs 167,000 crore by 2028, making up 9-11 per cent of total retail GMV. India’s advertising industry is keeping up, with ad revenue expected to reach Rs 1,64,137 crore in 2025, growing by 7 per cent. Digital media alone will account for 60 per cent of all advertising, an 11.5 per cent jump from last year.

    GroupM India president – data, performance, and digital products, Atique Kazi explained, “The convergence of brand and retail media is rapidly shaping a unified ‘One Commerce’ ecosystem. Marketers are quickly pivoting to connected commerce outlook bridging multi-channel commerce approach and how media investments in one channel influence or cannibalise the other. As quick commerce promises instant delivery and purchase gratification, it has also pushed the marketers and agencies to be quicker, agile, nimble, and war-footed.”

    GroupM India president – data, performance, and digital products, Atique Kazi

    Q-commerce brands are also experimenting with time-based advertising. Morning ads for dairy, late-night campaigns for desserts, and weekend promotions for snacks are becoming the new norm. As for marketing costs? “CPMs on Q-commerce can rival IPL rates,” the report notes, urging brands to negotiate smarter and automate their ad buys.

    CTV’s big leap

    India’s CTV (Connected TV) market is exploding. By 2025, over 65 million households—or 30 per cent of India’s TV viewers—will be watching content via CTV, making it a goldmine for hyper-personalised and programmatic advertising.

    “CTV has got the eyeballs; however, advertising spends haven’t matched the viewership in comparison to the audience reach it holds. Live sports have been an exception. The unlock for 2025 is not to get caught in measurement; blending strategies that are device-agnostic is key,” said Kazi.

    Advertisers are also getting smarter with CTV ads. From leveraging advanced ACR (automatic content recognition) data to hyper-target users based on past viewing habits, to innovating with interactive ad formats, CTV is redefining TV advertising. However, measurement remains a pain point. “A dual measurement approach is necessary until we get a unified industry standard,” experts suggest.

    Data privacy

    With India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act coming into play, data clean rooms are becoming indispensable. These secure environments allow brands to collaborate on audience insights without directly sharing data. By integrating tools like Google’s audience data hub and Amazon marketing cloud, brands can now measure campaign effectiveness while keeping consumer privacy intact. Digital is expected to drive 60 per cent of India’s ad growth in 2025, accounting for Rs 10,225 crore of incremental advertising.

    GroupM Nexus president Priti Murthy highlighted, “With the rise of data clean rooms, marketers are now unlocking deeper audience insights while maintaining consumer trust—transforming data collaboration in a way we’ve never seen before. From enriched audience data and targeting to advanced analytics opportunities, we see DCR transforming marketing.”

    GroupM Nexus president Priti Murthy

    AI disrupts search

    Google searches as we know them are changing, thanks to generative AI. Instead of clicking through multiple links, users are getting AI-generated answers directly in search results. This is a game-changer for SEO, forcing brands to focus on structured content, semantic SEO, and featured snippets to stay visible.

    “Performance marketing will no longer be about driving clicks but about owning conversations, influencing AI-driven content discovery, and ensuring brands remain top of mind in a world where traditional SEO is being rewritten,” added Murthy.

    Influencers, but make them AI

    The influencer marketing game is getting a digital facelift. AI-powered influencers are gaining traction, offering consistent brand messaging, 24/7 availability, and endless scalability. Unlike human influencers, they don’t age, don’t demand higher pay, and don’t get involved in scandals (at least not yet).

    GroupM south Asia head of sports, esports, and live entertainment, Vinit Karnik noted, “The rise of AI-powered influencers is revolutionising how brands engage with audiences, blending technology and creativity to drive authentic, scalable interactions. As India’s 750 million smartphone users consume more immersive content, AR-driven campaigns are already delivering up to three times higher conversions for brands.”

    GroupM south Asia head of sports, esports, and live entertainment, Vinit Karnik

    With these seismic shifts in advertising, brands must embrace AI, double down on data privacy, and rethink their media strategies. The future belongs to those who can balance automation with creativity, scale personalisation without breaching privacy, and engage consumers across multiple channels.  

  • Vidunit & Duolingo’s ‘Vaati Coming’ smashes records with 150 million views

    Vidunit & Duolingo’s ‘Vaati Coming’ smashes records with 150 million views

    MUMBAI: When pop culture meets purpose, the internet takes notice. Vidunit just pulled off a marketing coup with Duolingo’s Tamil language launch campaign, “Vaati Coming”. In just four days, the campaign clocked 150 million views, skyrocketing app downloads and proving that hyper-localised content is the future of influencer marketing.

    Forget generic ads—Vidunit went all in. The campaign roped in 150 influencers across long- and short-format content, from daily vlogs and web series to fitness hacks, gaming marathons, cooking demos, and comedy sketches. The goal? Make learning Tamil as exciting as Pongal celebrations. And speaking of Pongal, the campaign was timed perfectly with the festival, injecting an authentic, festive vibe that made the message stick.

    Vidunit didn’t just pick creators at random. It used data-driven insights to onboard high-engagement influencers, ensuring content would go viral. The campaign’s success wasn’t just about numbers; it was about relevance. The strategy involved repurposing influencer videos into Instagram reels, Youtube stories, and community posts, giving the campaign an extended lifespan.

    The results? Over 20 creators hit one million views within 24 hours, proving that hyper-local, culturally rich storytelling resonates stronger than generic advertising.

    Duolingo India regional marketing director, Karandeep Singh Kapany praised the campaign’s ability to break barriers, “Duolingo has always believed in making language learning accessible and fun, and the Tamil launch campaign embodies that vision perfectly. Vidunit’s innovative approach ensured the campaign resonated with Tamil-speaking audiences and created an emotional connection through relatable and authentic content.”

    Vidunit founder & CEO Sourabh Kumar highlighted the power of pop culture in marketing, “At Vidunit, we take pride in our expertise in multi-language campaigns, and ‘Vaati Coming’ is a testament to our team’s dedication and precision. Our strong relationships with creators, deep understanding of Tamil content trends, and data-driven strategy helped us execute this massive campaign, boosting Duolingo’s reach while celebrating the essence of Tamil culture.”

    Vidunit and Duolingo just rewrote the rulebook on influencer marketing. If this campaign is any indication, the future of marketing is hyper-local, highly engaging, and irresistibly fun.

    Watch the campaign film here: 

  • Big Bang Social launches Auto Payouts to revolutionise creator payments

    Big Bang Social launches Auto Payouts to revolutionise creator payments

    MUMBAI: The sweetest six words in any professional’s life? “Your salary has been credited successfully.” For corporate warriors and government employees, it’s a monthly ritual backed by an entire accounts team.

    But for the creators—the modern-day artists of the internet—it’s a waiting game. Payments trickle in at their own pace, often delayed, tangled in red tape, and leaving creators juggling their passions with financial frustration.

    Enter Big Bang Social (BBS), the brainchild of Collective Artists Network, with its game-changing Auto Payouts feature—where payments hit creators’ accounts as early as six hours after content approval. No more chasing payments. No more awkward follow-ups. Just content, approved, paid, repeat.

    A revolution in the creator economy that’s setting new standards for speed, efficiency, and sheer satisfaction. The platform streamlines campaign execution, performance tracking, and talent discovery while addressing critical challenges such as payment delays.

    Collective Artists Network co-founder & chief revenue officer, Sudeep Subash highlighted the platform’s mission, “Our vision at Collective Artists Network has always been to empower creators and build a thriving ecosystem where collaboration between brands and creators is seamless and rewarding. By addressing the long-standing issue of payment delays, we’re not just enhancing operational efficiency but also reaffirming our commitment to the creators who are the heartbeat of this industry. This feature sets a new industry benchmark, showcasing how technology can create meaningful, creator-first solutions that benefit everyone involved.”

    Since its rollout, over 500 creators have already benefited from the Auto Payouts feature, with payments now processed within five days instead of the traditional 45-day cycle. By automating this process, BBS has effectively eliminated operational complexities.

    Creators have expressed their enthusiasm for this transformative feature.

    . A lifestyle & travel creator from Noida, Aman Chaudhary, shared: “The auto-payment feature on Big Bang Social is amazing. Now I get my payments on time without any delays. Great work, Big Bang Social team!”

    .  A fashion & beauty creator from Cuttack, Sweta Suman said: “Big Bang Social has made collaborations so enjoyable! The ease of tracking everything on their app, combined with their auto-payment system, makes me excited to keep working with them in the future.”

    With Auto Payouts, Big Bang Social reinforces its position as a leader in the creator economy, delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower creators and optimise brand partnerships. The feature is now live, ensuring creators receive timely payments and brands enjoy seamless collaborations in a tech-enabled marketplace.