Tag: Thought Blurb Communications

  • Parle-G celebrates the evolution of motherhood into friendship

    Parle-G celebrates the evolution of motherhood into friendship

    MUMBAI: This Friendship Day, Parle-G has released its deeply moving Mother-Daughter film, a tribute to the beautiful evolution of one of life’s most powerful relationships. Through the story of a mother and her daughter, the film gently reminds us that sometimes our oldest relationships become our strongest friendships.

    Parle-G’s campaign this year is a call to pause and reflect on the unsung friendships in our lives, the bonds that weren’t chosen, but were always there.

    “Friendship isn’t just about who we laugh with, it’s also about those who quietly stand by us through every step of life,” said Mayank Shah, Vice President at Parle Products. “Through this film, we honour not just our bonds with friends, but the deeper bonds of companionship with those who are our silent pillars of support—our mothers, sisters, mentors—who’ve moulded us with love and care. Parle-G has always celebrated core emotions, which is the brand’s strength. The fact that we understand and empathise with our near and dear ones comes through naturally in this well-crafted film.”

    “This film reflects a generational shift in parenting. When we were growing up, parents were stern, often authoritarian figures. Their word was law. You listened, obeyed, and rarely questioned. But today’s parents are different. There’s a softer, more empathetic approach. They make the effort to understand their children’s world, to meet them where they are, and to build trust through friendship. That change in perspective lies at the heart of our film.”, said Thought Blurb Communications founder & chief creative officer, Vinod Kunj.

    When we are young, mothers are our first teachers, protectors, and disciplinarians. They make the rules, guide us, feed us, and with every Parle-G dunked in milk, they pass on tiny bits of wisdom. But with time, some things change.

    This film captures that emotional journey with incredible simplicity and honesty. Of going from dependency to deep connection, from mother and daughter to lifelong confidantes. “Today’s mother isn’t just parenting, she’s growing with her teen. She’s evolving, unlearning, listening, and effortlessly stepping into the role of a friend. And what’s beautiful is, it’s mutual. It’s a relationship I know intimately – as a daughter and as the mother of a teen. This film is a celebration of the quiet, unspoken friendship that so many mothers and daughters share today.”, said Thought Blurb Communications national creative director, Renu Somani.

    This Friendship Day, join Parle-G in celebrating the friendships that don’t begin in a playground, but in a kitchen, at a dining table, or in the quiet corners of a busy home. Because the journey from “Ma” to “best friend” is one of life’s most beautiful transitions. And like Parle-G, it’s a bond of a lifetime.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Parle-G (@officialparleg)

     

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  • Runwal Realty lays the foundation for legacy with Sonam Kapoor as brand face

    Runwal Realty lays the foundation for legacy with Sonam Kapoor as brand face

    MUMBAI: Hindi cinema meets blueprint as Runwal Realty rolled out its latest brand campaign, roping in actor and style icon Sonam Kapoor as its ambassador. With the tagline ‘Building for generations to come’, the campaign, executed by Thought Blurb Communications, aims to etch legacy into luxury real estate and shift focus from square footage to storytelling.

    Taking over Mumbai’s skyline via hoardings, print ads and digital banners, the campaign marks a strategic inflection point for the developer, known for upscale properties in high-value locations. It will soon extend into film and experiential formats, designed to resonate with a clientele that prefers purpose over pomp.

    “‘Building for Generations to Come’ is not just a brand philosophy—it’s our compass,” said Runwal Realty director – retail Sanya Runwal. “Sonam Kapoor brings that same timeless elegance and depth… Her understanding of personal space and design mirrors our own vision.”

    Kapoor’s selection as brand ambassador reflects Runwal’s intent to blend aesthetic refinement with cultural resonance. The company isn’t just selling homes—it’s selling heritage.

    Thought Blurb Communications MD & CCO Vinod Kunj unpacked the brand’s tonal shift, “Luxury cannot be sold too stentoriously. It has to be understated and nuanced… At this level, the need for meaning and creating a legacy is of much greater importance.”

    At the heart of the campaign lies the idea that real estate is more than a transaction—it’s a long-term emotional investment. In a sector often defined by noise, Runwal’s subtle messaging intends to cut through the clutter by appealing to values that last longer than granite countertops.

    As Runwal Realty positions itself for the long haul, its branding suggests it is no longer just constructing buildings but crafting relationships built on legacy, taste, and trust.
     

  • Parle-G’s Diwali campaign revives the joy of simple celebrations

    Parle-G’s Diwali campaign revives the joy of simple celebrations

    Mumbai: Thought Blurb Communications has released a new three-minute Parle-G Diwali film, highlighting concerns about the erosion of tradition and the tokenism gradually seeping into this grand festival. This is the third film created by Thought Blurb Communications for Parle-G in the last 40 days, following films for Ganpati and Teacher’s Day.

    The narrative centers on a grandmother who feels despondent and alienated by a changing world and her grandson, who begins to understand the world that existed before his time. This realisation leads to significant decisions on the grandson’s part. The film explores various aspects of both characters, emphasising the need to preserve a way of life and the joy of working together as a family during celebrations, traditions that are fading as commercialisation takes over.

    The grandmother shares her memories of the joy that Diwali once brought, imparting a lesson that the grandson implicitly learns, compelling him to revive these customs. This moment isn’t framed as a teaching moment but as a transfer of joy, which aligns with the brand’s message: ‘Genius wohi, jo auron ke khushi mein paye apni khushi’.

    As Parle Products VP Mayank Shah puts it, “At every point of the spectrum, Parle-G films hope to evoke a certain amount of emotion. This has been a cornerstone of our past work. This Diwali, we decided to highlight our Diwali traditions in a unique way that has so far been unexplored.”

    Thought Blurb Communications founder & chief creative officer Vinod Kunj sums it up. “Diwali ads pose a certain difficulty. The scope has been defined over and over, and a lot has been created on the subject. I am proud of the team who stepped across the boundaries of thought and brought this concept to light.”

    Sometimes an idea comes from weeding away the chaff from the wheat. Thought Blurb Communications national creative director Renu Somani said, “We went through the Diwali ads of many brands from the past, and realized that this thought had not been explored, and not articulated as such. This concept had promise and we went for it.”

    Returning to basics is not a popular concept that resonates with younger people. However, seeing family members in a whole new light certainly is. When that perception sets in, the impulse to renew the relationship becomes imperative. By all accounts, Parle-G’s new Diwali film will make us look at or family in a whole new light. And with it, our relationship to Diwali.

  • Parle G’s releases its latest campaign to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi

    Parle G’s releases its latest campaign to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi

    Mumbai: We often take established traditions for granted because they are familiar. However, the younger generation sometimes questions these norms and offers a new perspective. Parle-G’s Ganesh Chaturthi film celebrates the spirit and joy that Lord Ganesha brings to homes during the festival.

    The film is created as a timeless discourse about tradition and gender. It refrains from preaching or instructing the audience. Instead, the audience is drawn in as part of the story. Parle-G’s brand becomes part of the storyline, with a nod to the broader message.

    The long-format film conceptualised and created by Thought Blurb Communications captures the mood and spirit of the festival. The film has been conceptualised in Marathi, since the festival holds more relevance in the Maharashtrian community and to reach a wider audience, it has been released in four more languages, as Ganeshotsav is now a pan-Indian festival.

    Released in a total of five regional languages, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and Gujarati the film aims to connect with the HSM market and build a stronger connection and recall value.

    The story revolves around the protagonist who is charmed by the hubbub of activity in the house in the days preceding the coming home of Lord Ganesha. While the rest of the household is caught up in the buoyant mood of bringing Ganpati home, we see a little girl ask an innocent question. She is not quite satisfied with the response. This is noticed by our protagonist. In the course of the film, the question is resolutely answered, and the family, including the young girl, walks away happy.

    The theme is explained succinctly by Parle Products VP Mayank Shah, “Parle-G is usually a participant in every festival and celebration in virtually every household in the country. The idea is powerful enough to merit its own expression. The storyline steers it to the brand’s purpose and delivers its message. The underlying Brand message “Genius is the one, who believes that in the Joy of Others lies our own” is delivered beautifully with emotions that leave most viewers moist-eyed.”

    Thought Blurb Communications chief creative officer Vinod Kunj added, “This is the third in a series of long format films we have created for Parle-G that touch upon cultural and social occasions that bring us together. The brief for the strategy and creative team was to shine the light upon an aspect of the event that hasn’t been dwelt on before and deliver the ‘genius’ thinking that is the soul of the brand’s communication.”

    National creative director of the agency Renu Somani said, “While every nuance of Ganesh Chaturthi has been covered extensively across every aspect of the communication spectrum, there are some facets that are still not explored. Traditions have always existed, and we all follow them to tell our stories. The way the story unfolds, it carries the brand message of true genius being about using one’s imagination to bring happiness to others.”

    The tagline, ‘Genius wohi, jo auron ke khushi mein paye apni khushi’, completes the brand’s message and rounds up the communication. Quite importantly, without expressing any social or moral overtones.

    Parle-G’s Ganesh Chaturthi film can be watched across social media and YouTube.

  • Parle’s 20-20 cookies new campaign gives us a ‘genuine’ reason to smile

    Parle’s 20-20 cookies new campaign gives us a ‘genuine’ reason to smile

    Mumbai: Parle Products has launched its latest campaign for Parle 20-20 cookies. The brand’s past campaign thrilled us with a quirky set of situations that one has to smile through. This year, the brand has a three-film campaign that ups the ante on the same underlying theme. The cookie market in India has matured quite a bit. Parle 20-20 cookies have kept the mood light and are back to entertain us once again.

    The earlier campaign had the main character smiling through the situation they are in. Whether it’s the air hostess putting on a plastic smile, or a bride going through the motions of greeting every relative with a forced smile. This campaign pushes the humour further by putting the protagonist in an unexpected situation where they have to grin and bear it.

    The campaign has been created and executed by the Mumbai team of Thought Blurb Communications.

    In each film, there’s a seemingly ordinary situation that turns on its head and snaps the viewer around. The last scene is nothing that the audience expects. The grin that the viewer sees is the grin of confusion or consternation, or just plain resignation. And yet, it’s a smile. The message, ‘Yunhi smile mat karo, dil se khush ho jao’ just got a fresh new makeover.

    Speaking on the campaign, Parle Products vice president Mayank Shah says he is confident in the route. “We tried this new brand message last year and tested it out. The market response was positive, so we decided to put our full effort behind it. All marketing initiatives were directed towards supporting the brand message”, he said. “Still, no caution has been thrown to the wind and everybody knows that a brand message needs to grow in stages.”

    Thought Blurb Communications’ national creative director Renu Somani explains the creative aspect of the project. “It was interesting looking for an alternate take on the tagline. Last year, we were trying to establish the idea and needed the films to simply explain the direction of the messaging. We now have the confidence to push the envelope outward.”

    Adding to her statement, Though Blurb Communications chief creative officer Vinod Kunj asserts the importance of the team coming together. “The Parle team and our agency worked together to bring this multi-language campaign together. It was important to monitor how every market was reacting to the message. Broadcast, digital and social platforms were kept in check. We are all excited to see this campaign go further along the way in building the brand’s equity.”

  • Parle-G’s latest ‘G Mane Genius’ TV campaign harps on inculcating values in children

    Parle-G’s latest ‘G Mane Genius’ TV campaign harps on inculcating values in children

    Mumbai: Parle Products, one of the leading biscuit brands in India has released its latest TV Campaign for its flagship product – Parle G. This TV Campaign is part of their brand’s G Maane Genius positioning. In 2022, Parle-G revealed an innovative version of its ‘G Maane Genius’ campaign. The proposition was elevated by touching upon the emotional quotient in children. The innate empathy of young children, devoid of personal benefit was the lynchpin of the campaign.

    Riding on the back of that campaign’s success, Parle has come out with a series of bite-sized films with the same messaging. The new set of five films created by Thought Blurb Communications has been carefully created to evoke the same emotion without the luxury of elaborate storytelling. The new 15-second format manages to balance the emotion elicited by the proposition with daily situations with children at home and play. The emphasis is on their interaction with parents, loved ones and friends.

    1. Dadaji:

    2. Musical Chairs:

    3. Puppet Show:

    4. Science Project:

    5. Toy Store:

    The series of films takes simple uncomplicated scenarios to demonstrate a child’s compassion. These are situations that a child may easily find themselves. The intuitive need to help others is encompassed in the signature thought, ‘Genius wohi, jo auron ke khushi mein paye apni khushi’.

    The simplicity of the films is key to the campaign’s effectiveness. These are situations that every child would have faced. The portrayal of sensitivity in the protagonist child is not shown as a moral lesson or a teachable moment. In fact, the protagonists are neither good, nor bad. The statement ‘Genius wohi, jo auron ke khushi mein paye apni khushi’ clearly defines the brand’s definition of a genius, in any child. These are the values that the ads seek to inculcate in children without speaking from a pulpit.

    For the parent in the room, the message is clear. Parle-G stands for a feeling of empathy and sacrifice in children. These attributes are the sublimation of uncorrupted compassion and the need to protect, help and make others happy. The shorter version of the campaign brings a new dimension to the concept of ‘genius’ and makes it an everyday demonstration of emotion in its purest form.

    “The core values expressed in this campaign are quite strong. Young children around the world have an effortless capacity for empathy, which gives them a facility for goodness born out of innocence. We equate this to a higher intelligence relatable to genius,” said Parle marketing – VP Mayank Shah. “We needed to see if the idea had legs to travel through different formats and media.” It was a challenge thrown to the advertising agency which Thought Blurb gladly accepted.

    Thought Blurb Communications founder & CCO Vinod Kunj spoke about his team’s approach to the campaign. “We immediately realized that we needed to throw out all our pre-conceived notions of scripting. The short format gave us little time to establish relationships and situations. The establishing shots would have to portray the conflict and solutions presented simply. Nothing overly convoluted would work.”

    Thought Blurb Communications national creative director Renu Somani explained, “Emotions are not slaves to duration. We rejected the concept of shorter edits of the master films and created fresh masters in the short format. Each story is born from the need for 15-second stories and not pared down versions of the longer ones.”

  • Thought Blurb Communications launches brand Playseum

    Thought Blurb Communications launches brand Playseum

    Mumbai: Thought Blurb Communications, a Mumbai headquartered, full-function advertising and design agency has successfully completed the branding and designing activities for the launch of Playseum. Playseum is a new age kids play area, launched in Mumbai.

    In the world of children’s imaginative and interactive play, there are very few players in India, and Playseum has dramatically changed it. Since its inception in June 2023, the venture is billed as an interactive playhouse for children where they can learn as they play.

    Thought Blurb Communications has been involved in the entire branding and designing activities. The key challenge was to come up with a brand name. The naming strategy was devised by the agency keeping in mind to combine a place of play and a place to learn. There was conscious efforts to eliminate various words like ‘school’, ‘library’ and ‘academy’, for being too trite or cumbersome, and thus the word ‘museum’ was chosen.

    The core idea formed from there – that the place was to be a museum where the exhibits were playable. That had some legs. It also had the advantage of sounding like an immersive experience. For parents, it would manifest as a place of education and worthwhile of a child spending their time there. For the child, it was a place of play, entertainment, and happiness. Thus, the name was formed: Playseum.

    The idea of interactivity and imagination comes alive in the space graphics by the design team. The logo, identity and overall design theme had to be warm, friendly, and comforting. The logo typography was designed as a series of curves, symbolizing smiles, carefully placed throughout the letters. The letters were intentionally shaped into soft curves to denote safety and comfort. The colour palette chosen also followed a similar thinking. The soft pastels of the logo were punctuated by complementary colours like yellow. Large fields and backgrounds were kept neutral with white, grey, light blue, and purple.

    Every element of the interior has been treated with the same brush as it was with the collaterals, employee uniforms, printed materials and every other customer facing communication.

    Playseum founder Meera Sheth noted, “Branding and designing in today’s times plays an highly important role in any business and specially in anything where kids are involved. Kids love colours and visuals which helps calm them and bring our joy and fun. With Thought Blurb onboard we were able to find a way to build the right strategy. Children can learn from a very early age. But structured education fails to provide this. I have always involved myself with my children’s playtime. You learn a lot by being with them and observing them pick up basic knowledge and skills, as long as they are all part of playtime.”

    Thought Blurb founder & CCO Vinod Kunj added, “This is a unique brand in a unique space. There were really no precedents or examples leading us where we wanted to go. At Thought Blurb, we have made it a point to use our experience in launching new brands into the market to extensive use on this one. We had to establish guide-rails for the entire team to follow as we went about the task. We are proud to have been part of this brand and happy for another successful launch by our agency.”

    The 6,000 sq. ft. facility has over 14 exhibits, and more than 50 activities that help children learn, observe, experience and feel as they absorb the meaning of what their actions are producing.

  • India’s Meta moment: Ad-free subscriptions coming soon?

    India’s Meta moment: Ad-free subscriptions coming soon?

    Mumbai: In the ever-evolving landscape of social media and tech giants, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, known for its flagship platforms Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is charting a new course. As the digital world seeks a balance between advertising revenue and user experience, Meta is considering a significant move that could reshape the way Indians interact with their beloved social networks. The company is exploring the possibility of introducing an ad-free subscription plan tailored for the Indian audience by 2024. This potential shift in strategy promises to offer users a new level of control over their online experience, while raising intriguing questions about the future of digital advertising and its impact on the social media landscape.

    Here’s what industry experts have to say about the same:

    5W1h co-founder and chief business officer Kunal Luhar

    Meta’s decision to launch an ad-free subscription model is a smart move that tackles the changing digital world. It provides a different revenue stream, appealing to users who are increasingly concerned about data privacy and the intrusiveness of digital advertising. However, the success of this venture is dependent on a well-thought-out price strategy that strikes a balance between drawing a large user base willing to pay for an ad-free experience and not reducing ad revenue. Meta might cater to diverse user preferences and finances through segmentation, in which different subscription levels are offered. It is critical to effectively communicate the value proposition, emphasising a better user experience, increased privacy, and even exclusive services. Meta should also be prepared to iterate and update the model in response to user feedback and performance indicators.

    Social Panga director – strategy & growth Manan Malik

    India, at large, has always been a price-sensitive market. The adoption of new products and services have always been a result of changing trends, total disposal income, social status or perception, and lifestyle conveniences. One such example is how Spotify entered and penetrated India with their freemium model.

    There’s no doubt that we are living in the age of information & content outburst, which impacts a user’s life at various stages and in various degrees, so there is definitely an opportunity for Meta in a mass market like India to test its ad-free subscription plan for its social media platforms. The user experience has been and will be of paramount importance to businesses, and there’s a good chance that Meta gains success with this new model, as decluttering one’s social space is the need of the hour.

    However, it is also important to note that it will take time to gain momentum as users are used to an entirely free experience ever since the inception of these platforms.

    Another important aspect to note is that how marketing strategy changes for advertisers on these platforms. In this regard, nothing much changes in the short-term and it also largely depends on platform to platform. For example, Facebook and Instagram have two very different sets of active user bases. But, in the long-run, advertisers would have to rethink their marketing strategies and make them razor-sharp in order to be present on the right channels for the right audiences.

    While Meta, and other tech companies are making shifts to comply with regulatory and privacy policies, starting with European Union’s Digital Service Act, which is a good change in this dynamic and sensitive world of aggressive AI evolution, it is also important that such business models make users comfortable with their pricing strategies.

    Thought Blurb Communications chief creative officer and managing director Vinod Kunj

    The issue needs to be seen from two aspects. The consumer’s perspective, and the advertiser’s to understand the combined effect it has on the business. The stated purpose, of course, is to improve security for customer data and to verify accounts for brands and celebrities. Other entities like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) have also launched variations on the same theme. All are experimenting with degrees of closure, pricing and algorithms.

    For the consumer, it is quite simple. If you don’t like ads interrupting your viewing, by all means, buy a subscription. But as we have seen with the Internet before, that rarely works. When a dominant majority of consumers used to a free system are baited with a subscription, they rarely bite. Also, there is always a way to block ads that the consumer sees to train the algorithms into tighter and tighter nooses. I suspect the same will happen to Meta.

    On the marketing side, there are three positive aspects. To begin with, customer data and its security are now entirely Meta’s problem. In case of a data breach, they can easily point the finger at Meta. Of course, that also makes them beholden to Meta to access their customers.

    The second issue is verification. In the past, online troublemakers have been know to fake brand accounts and undermine the brand value and consumer confidence in a brand. I would highly recommend that a brand or celebrity invest in the blue tick mark to ensure their respectability. Also, it creates a legal framework in case of disinformation and other mischief that malcontents may attempt. This is doubly true for major celebrities who may want to protect themselves from identity theft and PR disasters.

    Finally, I see very few problems for marketing in this new regime. Subscriptions will be bought by a slim section of the user base. The largest section of customers will still be available to target. It’s entirely up to Meta to ensure that the interfaces are designed well enough not to irritate non-subscribers off their platforms.

    Pulp Strategy founder and MD Ambika Sharma

    Meta’s decision to introduce an ad-free subscription plan in India by 2024 is a positive move with the potential to create new revenue streams, attract fresh users, and enhance the overall user experience. The current success of Meta’s paid verification feature is notable, drawing in a substantial number of users, including businesses, celebrities, and influencers, thereby bolstering the authenticity and credibility of its platforms.

    The success of the upcoming subscription model hinges on factors such as pricing, offered features, and an effective marketing strategy. Meta must meticulously address these elements to craft a subscription plan that resonates with Indian users. The recently launched paid communities and channels could significantly contribute to the subscription model’s success by offering users a more personalised and engaging experience, while also aiding Meta in understanding user needs for future product development.

    The impact of the ad-free subscription plan on Meta’s advertising model is contingent on its success. Given that Meta presently derives the majority of its revenue from advertising, a successful subscription uptake may prompt the need for new revenue generation avenues. This could involve charging advertisers higher fees for more targeted advertising or innovating new advertising formats.

    The acceptance of a paid, ad-free version by Indian users is uncertain, but several factors may contribute to its success. There is a growing demand for ad-free experiences, driven by concerns about data privacy and the proliferation of ads on social media platforms. Additionally, with the rising disposable incomes in India and Meta’s strong brand recognition, there is a likelihood that users may be willing to pay for a premium, ad-free experience.

    It’s important to note that Meta is not the first to venture into ad-free subscriptions; Twitter and Reddit have long offered such plans. However, the success of these plans remains to be fully assessed. As Meta’s ad-free subscription plan is still in the early stages, details regarding cost and features are awaited. With further information, a more accurate evaluation of its potential success in India will be possible. Nevertheless, considering the outlined factors, the subscription plan holds promise for success in the Indian market.

    ChtrSocial director Darshil Shah

    India as a country is very subscription averse. Hence, it’s very less likely to bring a massive impact on the overall usage of the platform. We don’t expect more than 1% of the users to shift to the paid offering similar to what we saw on its competitor platforms like YouTube Premium.

    That said, brands and businesses that depend highly on inorganic reach through Meta should definitely start thinking of the following to hedge their risk:

    1. Organic Content Strategy: Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp offer an enormous opportunity to brands for reaching their customers and other masses through the power of content. With reels that can be viewed by millions organically, it’s imperative that brands start leveraging the power of organic social.

    2. Diversify their platform strategy: At the end of the day, social platforms are nothing but borrowed real estate for brands. One should always be cautious and not over-rely on any. It’s a wake-up call for such brands to diversify their online identity to more social platforms and some owned channels like email lists and private communities.

    3. Influencer marketing: With the platform becoming more and more favorable to creators, the need to capitalise and innovate on influencer marketing will only increase.

    Conclusion: At the end of the day India is a country that thrives on Jugaad. So whatever the result of Meta’s ad-free offering, it’ll be exciting to see how brands and marketers find innovative ways around it.

    TheSmallBigIdea lead- performance marketing Sharath Madhavan

    The introduction of an ad-free subscription plan by Meta for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in India could be a strategic move to cater to users who prefer an ad-free experience in exchange for a subscription fee. It may also be a response to user concerns about privacy and data usage, but the success of such a plan would depend on pricing, features, and how well it aligns with the preferences of Indian users. Diversifying revenue streams beyond advertising is a prudent move, and providing an ad-free experience allows the company to cater to users who prefer a cleaner interface without ads. Additionally, this move could address privacy concerns and monetize the preferences of users who value data privacy.

    The Starter Labs (Zoo Media) co-founder Rehan Dadachanji

    Meta’s contemplation of introducing an ad-free subscription plan for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in India by 2024 raises significant questions. While the concept of an ad-free experience has gained traction in Western markets, the dynamics in India are distinct. The market is witnessing a rapid surge in Meta’s ad revenues, and users in India have shown a higher tolerance for Meta’s ads compared to YouTube’s more intrusive advertising model.

    Learning from YouTube’s experience, it’s evident that the Indian audience may be less inclined to subscribe for an ad-free experience, especially given the abundance of free services in the market. This resistance to additional subscriptions poses a unique challenge for Meta.

    The move’s potential impact on advertisers is twofold. Advertisers might divert more spending towards other platforms, such as Google and emerging social networks.

    In a bold prediction, Meta may reconsider its plans for ad-free platforms in India for 2024, as the market’s dynamics and user expectations present a complex landscape to navigate.

  • Weekend Unwind with: Thought Blurb Communications’  Israa Khan

    Weekend Unwind with: Thought Blurb Communications’ Israa Khan

    Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind – a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.

    In this week’s session, we have Thought Blurb Communications associate vice president – brand solutions Israa Khan.

    Israa embarked on her professional journey as a trainee at Thought Blurb Communications in Mumbai, and her passion and dedication have propelled her to the role of associate vice president. Over a period of 10 years with Thought Blurb Communications, Israa has worked on key accounts of industry giants like Reliance Digital and Parle Products.

    She holds a keen interest in audio-visual communication and her forte lies in crafting highly successful TV and digital campaigns for these esteemed brands. She also specialises in translating candid slice-of-life insights into compelling and effective propositions and ideas. Her approach is rooted in creativity and strategy, delivering results that leave a lasting impact.

    Beyond the boardroom, she thrives as a team player and an avid sports lover. You might catch her engaging in lively debates about the finer nuances of Beckham’s free-kicks or Kohli’s straight drive when she is not brainstorming creative strategies with her dynamic team.

    So, without further ado, here it goes…

    Your mantra for Life

    In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

    A Book you are currently reading/plan to read

    I plan to read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. His interesting definition of hard work caught my attention; ‘Hard work is a prison sentence only if it does not have meaning. Once it does, it becomes the kind of thing that makes you grab your wife around the waist and dance a jig.’

    Your Fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic

    Go easy, but do it.

    Your comfort food

    French Fries with a chilled glass of Coke.

    When the chips are down a quote/ philosophy that keeps you going

    It’s all part of the plan.

    Your guilty pleasure

    Binge-watching while I’m all cooped up in bed in my most comfy pajamas.

    A Life lesson you learnt the hard way

    It’s not always about you. Sometimes you can take a backseat and see life drive you.

    What gets you excited about life

    Meeting new people, knowing them, the similarities, the differences and exchanging life experiences. There is so much to learn there.

    What’s on top of your bucket list

    I have been an avid sports lover and a David Beckham fan since I was little. On top of my list is to interview David Beckham and take a sneak peek into his sports life surrounding all the controversies, his freekicks and his unbeatable hairstyles while revealing the secret behind being one of the most popular faces amongst advertisers.

    If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be

    Travel. You can earn your money back but not your time.

    One thing you would most like to change about the world

    Focus on appreciation over flaws.

    An activity that keeps you motivated/charged during tough times

    Retail therapy. Reward yourself, pamper yourself, treat yourself and there’s nothing you can’t overcome.

    What lifts your spirits when life gets you down

    A drive all by myself in search for an unexplored café.

    Your go-to stress buster

    An episode of Friends, The Office or Schitt’s Creek.

  • Parle Krackjack launches TV campaign with new sweet and salty avatars

    Parle Krackjack launches TV campaign with new sweet and salty avatars

    Mumbai: Parle Products, the largest selling biscuit brand has released its latest campaign for KrackJack. This latest iteration of the Parle Krackjack campaign adds to the legacy of a brand that has been loved by the nation for over half a century. It carries forward the same set of delightfully whacky ideas to a new generation of Krackjack connoisseurs.

    The three-film campaign created by Thought Blurb Communications tells stories of conundrums that are solved in hilarious ways by the two protagonists, Krack (played by Dharmesh Yelande) and Jack (played by Raghav Juyal). They have different sweet and salty perspectives, that brings alive the idea- “Sweet and Salty saath jab aaye, baat ban jaaye”.

    The over-the-top style of humour follows a legacy that was started in the 90s with Boman Irani and Vijay Patkar playing the titular roles. The torch then passed on to Swapnil Joshi and Gaurav Gera in the noughties, and after a decade, Krackjack has now found renewed vigour with Raghav Juyal and Dharmesh Yelande.

    Parle Products senior category head Mayank Shah has spoken about Krackjack and the direction it has taken over the years, “Krackjack is the first biscuit in India to find that magical spot in the consumer’s palate with a flavour that tickles sweet and salty taste buds. When the flavour is so out-of-the ordinary, how can its communication not be unusual? Over the years, the characters Krack & Jack, have endeared themselves to audiences across the country. Every new generation resonates with these sweet and salty characters. Dharmesh and Raghav are new age celebrities with a wide fan following among the youth. More importantly, we chose them because we felt they have a spontaneity in their repartee, which is key to the brand’s communication.”

    Thought Blurb Communications CCO & founder Vinod Kunj has echoed the sentiment and explained the challenges, “It’s a big challenge to work on a legacy brand like Krackjack with a high decibel legacy communication. When we got the brief we were clear that we have to carry forward the torch to the next generation of audiences across India. Not only do we have to appeal to a wide section of audiences across socio economic segments, we also had to touch their funny bone. Evidenced by the viewer responses we have received, the execution seems to have hit the bull’s eye. The dash of rollicking humour coating the films make them entirely enjoyable.”

    Joining in with her perspective on the creative execution, Thought Blurb national creative director Renu Somani added, “We started off with a product that is sweet but also has salty overtones. That kind of dictated the tone and tenor of the campaign. In one of the brain storming sessions when the strategy team came up with the idea of ‘contrarian views working towards a common goal’ we knew we had our campaign. This in turn finds resonance in the claim – ‘sweet aur salty saath jab aaye, baat ban jaaye’. The fun part was working with the film crew to get Dharmesh and Raghav to work in tandem to translate this strange combination of diametrically opposite views. We wanted the viewers to have fun, and I think that has come out quite well.”

    The campaign is released in 12 languages across mediums.