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Tag: Zomato

  • Udit Sharma gets back to sports at JioStar

    Udit Sharma gets back to sports at JioStar

    MUMBAI: He left Hotstar as head of ad sales in June 2022 after working there for more than five years. Udit Sharma then joined Sharechat as chief revenue officer for less than two years, and One Impression as chief business officer for around a year.

    Now the hardcore sales professional is back with his old colleagues at JioStar as executive vice-president, business head – for premium sports and agency relationships. Announcing his joining the firm on linkedin, Udit said: “’India should not and will not be a one-sports country’ – With this conviction, I am super excited to be joining Ishan Chatterjee, Kiran Mani and Sanjog Gupta to lead with the premium sports business at Jiostar.”

    The Singapore (Masters in Engineering  in microelectronics from Nanyang Technological University)-educated Udit, completed his MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 2010.  After his bachelors in engineering, he was placed at ST Microelectronics as an IC design engineer where he worked for four years and even completed his master’s degree. He was then hired by Samsung Electronics as a global strategist in the chairman’s office in Seoul before being promoted to business development manager -Samsung Pay in 2013.

    Returning to India (Gurugram), he had a short stint with Zomato as vice-president global business head -cashless, after which he joined Freecharge where stayed for a year and quit as assistant vice-president – head category management & business development to join Hotstar.

  • Shreyas Srinivasan resigns post Zomato acquisition

    Shreyas Srinivasan resigns post Zomato acquisition

    Mumbai: In a significant leadership transition, Shreyas Srinivasan, chief product officer (CPO) of Paytm and founder of Paytm Insider, has resigned following Zomato’s acquisition of the ticketing platform. This move marks a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of India’s digital entertainment and fintech sectors.

    Srinivasan, who co-founded Insider.in in 2014, played a crucial role in shaping India’s live entertainment ticketing industry. Under his leadership, the platform expanded its offerings to include a diverse range of events, from stand-up comedy shows to adventure treks, catering to a broad audience base. In 2017, Paytm acquired a majority stake in Insider.in, integrating it into its ecosystem and rebranding it as Paytm Insider.

    The recent acquisition of Paytm Insider by Zomato signifies the food delivery giant’s strategic entry into the live events and entertainment sector. This move aligns with Zomato’s broader vision to diversify its services and enhance user engagement beyond food delivery.

    Srinivasan’s departure raises questions about the future direction of Paytm’s product development and its strategy in the entertainment domain. His resignation follows a series of leadership changes within Paytm, including the exit of president and COO Bhavesh Gupta earlier this year.

  • Zomato hires live events pro Kunal Khambhati from Bookmyshow

    Zomato hires live events pro Kunal Khambhati from Bookmyshow

    MUMBAI: That the food delivery and tech megacorp Zomato has big ambitions in the live space became apparent when it acquired PayTM’s Insider ticketing business for Rs 20,480 million. It That move  gave it instant access to a platform as well as data around a few million customers who were using it which would make it easier for it provide them further services, including live events and going out experiences.

    Now the company has hired Kunal Khambhati, the former head of live events and intellectual property at BookMyShow. The recruitment has happened just as Zomato is gearing up to launch its long-talked-about going out app, District, that will serve users looking for restaurant bookings, payments, live performances, sports events, staycations and holiday rentals. Khambhati’s role will be to look after the live entertainment vertical of the app. 

    He has oodles of experience under his belt: he played a big hand in live events and IP for nearly eight years, across India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Before this, he had held the position of associate vice-president – marketing strategy & sales at Percept for nearly 10 years.  He is a 2006 graduate of the Indian Institute of Planning and Management. 

    At Zomato, Khambhati is most likely expected to work alongside former Twitter exec Rahul Ganjoo and Pradyot Ghate (spent several years in Zomato across product, tech and growth) who will lead the District app. 

    Zomato  had hired Zeenah Vilcassim as CEO of its live entertainment division last year from Bacardi where she  was the marketing director of  India. 

    When District launches, Zomato will have three apps – Zomato, (food delivery), Blinkit (grocery delivery ) and District (going out).

    That’s not all:  Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal wants to take Zomato live into the stadium space as well, partnering with those who are willing and upgrading the infrastructure. 

    The execs at Zomato live are sure going to have their hands full. 

     

  • Zomato pays tribute to Kolkata’s street food vendors during Durga Puja

    Zomato pays tribute to Kolkata’s street food vendors during Durga Puja

    Mumbai: To celebrate India’s vibrant food tradition during the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, Zomato has launched a campaign to pay homage to Kolkata’s street food vendors. This campaign aims to honor the unsung culinary heroes behind Kolkata’s beloved street food, especially during Durga Puja, when the city streets come alive with flavors that embody the spirit of community and celebration.

    Recognising that many beloved local food vendors remain undiscovered on delivery platforms like Zomato, the brand has taken a creative approach to spotlight them. At Street Number 104, Action Area 1B, Newtown, Kolkata (700156), Zomato has unveiled a 300-meter-long Alpana—a traditional Bengali folk art form. This grand artwork reflects the region’s cultural identity and highlights the importance of celebrating the city’s cherished culinary delights, even those not yet on delivery platforms. Co-created with local artisans, the meticulously and thoughtfully crafted artwork showcases the names and locations of some of the city’s most iconic street food vendors, making it easier than ever for food enthusiasts to seek out and savor their delectable offerings.

    “This campaign is our tribute to Kolkata’s iconic street vendors who are not necessarily on Zomato platform at the moment but are a key part of the city’s cultural fabric.” said Zomato marketing head Sahibjeet Singh.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Zomato (@zomato)

     

  • Zomato co-founder & CPO Akriti Chopra resigns after 13 years

    Zomato co-founder & CPO Akriti Chopra resigns after 13 years

    Mumbai: Akriti Chopra has resigned from her position as co-founder and chief people officer of Zomato, effective 27 September 2024, after a 13-year tenure. She was instrumental in establishing and scaling the company’s legal and finance teams during her previous role as CFO. Before joining Zomato, Chopra spent three years at PwC in the tax and regulatory practice.

    Chopra’s resignation follows a series of departures from Zomato’s leadership; Gunjan Patidar, the former chief technology officer, left in January 2023, and co-founder Mohit Gupta resigned in November 2022 after being promoted to co-founder in 2020 from CEO of the food delivery business. Zomato stated that Chopra is stepping down “to pursue other interests”.

    In her exit email, which was uploaded on the stock exchange, Chopra wrote, “Deepi, as discussed, I am formally submitting my resignation effective today, September 27, 2024. It’s been an incredibly enriching journey over the past 13 years. Thank you for everything. I’m always a call away. Wishing you and Eternal the very best.”

    In a series of departures, Chopra becomes the fifth co-founder to leave the company in about two years, following Patidar, Pankaj Chaddhah, Gaurav Gupta, and Mohit Gupta. Chaddhah exited in 2018, while Gaurav Gupta left in 2021.

  • Entourage Films brings Zomato Dining Carnival back with a playful campaign

    Entourage Films brings Zomato Dining Carnival back with a playful campaign

    Mumbai – Entourage Films has announced another collaboration with Zomato for the launch of the Zomato Dining Carnival. This campaign, featuring Ahsaas Channa and Adarsh Gourav, brings the joy of dining out to life in a series of playful, food-centric films.

    Directed by Sharat Katariya, famed for his work – Dum Laga Ke Haisha, the campaign creatively links everyday moments with fun food experience. From a football game morphing into a ‘pasta ball’ toss, to gym noises inspiring a sushi craving, each film adds a quirky spin to ordinary activities, turning them into opportunities to indulge in delicious meals. In one of the films, two bodybuilders are lifting weights and making exaggerated sounds like “Shuuuuu” and “Sheeee,” which leads Ahsaas and Adarsh to exchange a knowing glance and shout “Sushi!” The scene then humorously shifts to a restaurant where the duo enjoys sushi, this playful transition highlights how everyday moments can lead to impromptu food experiences.

    Sharat Katariya quoted, “The film beautifully reflects the joy and spontaneity that the Zomato Dining Carnival is all about, bringing the essence of the campaign to life. Ahsaas and Adarsh were the perfect fit to bring that quirk to life, their individual performances brought an extra layer of charm to the campaign. They fully embraced the playful nature we intended to capture and delivered it with exceptional flair.”

    The mind behind this quirky campaign, Zomato’s creative head Harshil Dhawan quoted, “When dining deals are so irresistible, every moment feels like a cue to make a plan! With the Zomato Dining Carnival in full swing, featuring over 8,000 restaurants and up to 50 per cent off, we’ve turned spontaneous cravings into spontaneous plans. Our films hilariously capture how an epic dining deal can make you drop everything and head out for a feast, no matter where you are or what you are doing.”

    “Working with Zomato, Harshil and team is always a pleasure, and collaborating with Ahsaas and Adarsh was an absolute joy. Sharat’s vision, approach and the team’s collective effort towards this campaign made it a true delight to produce,” executive producer – Garima Arora added.

     

  • Zomato partners with Paralympic Council of India

    Zomato partners with Paralympic Council of India

    Mumbai: Zomato has partnered with the Paralympic Council of India, shining a spotlight on the incredible athletes representing India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Through impactful social media campaigns, print ads, and hoardings across the country, Zomato is committed to celebrating and supporting these remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence.

    One of the standout stories is that of Sandip Sargar, a former Zomato delivery partner, who has transitioned from delivering meals on the bustling streets to competing on the world stage in the javelin throw. Sandip’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination, proving that no dream is too big. His inspiring story, captured in a moving video, showcases the dedication and hard work that have propelled him from a life of everyday challenges to representing India at the Paralympics.

  • “Our focus is razor-sharp: to drive tangible business outcomes for our clients, not just deliver services:” Saket Vaidya

    “Our focus is razor-sharp: to drive tangible business outcomes for our clients, not just deliver services:” Saket Vaidya

    Mumbai: Korra Worldwide Advertising, a standout name in digital marketing since 2016, is redefining how brands connect with their audiences. Based in Gurgaon, this innovative agency offers a full spectrum of services—from web development to cutting-edge video production and strategic marketing automation. With a client roster including names like Bata and Mamaearth, Korra’s approach is all about fresh perspectives and breaking free from traditional moulds.

    As Korra transitions into its next growth phase under the leadership of its new CEO, the company is set to expand its global footprint and introduce groundbreaking technologies. Their vision includes embracing AI, exploring immersive experiences with AR and VR, and committing to sustainable practices.

    Indiantelevision caught up with Korra India CEO Saket Vaidya talking about  Korra’s evolution, its unique approach to digital marketing, and how they are navigating the competitive landscape with a focus on innovation and client success etc….

    Edited Excerpt

    On the Korra Worldwide Advertising founding and the inspiration behind its inception

    Korra Worldwide Advertising was founded in 2016. The inspiration behind Korra’s establishment was to provide a fresh perspective to brands, free from constraints and baggage. Korra was founded at a time when organizations were trying to fit themselves into rigid molds constrained by the medium they operated in. The name “Korra,” derived from the colloquial term “Korra Kagaz,” signifies a blank slate or “tabula rasa,” where the agency aims to write a new story of success with its clients.

    On the recent elevation from COO to CEO envision your leadership contributing to the company’s expansion into global markets and its next phase of growth

    At Korra, our focus is razor-sharp: to drive tangible business outcomes for our clients, not just deliver services. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity, fostering strategic partnerships, and deepening our client relationships. This isn’t just about growth – it’s about setting new industry standards and becoming an indispensable force in our clients’ success stories.

    As CEO, I envision Korra as a global marketing organization by 2025, unbounded by medium and expertise. This promotion aligns with Korra’s recent business transformation, which includes the establishment of a Center of Excellence (COE) and the onboarding of a new leadership team focused on Revenue and Operations, Growth and Partnerships, Strategy and Service Excellence, and Analytics and Data Sciences.

    On the brief overview of Korra Worldwide Advertising and the range of services you offer

    Korra Worldwide Advertising is a new-age marketing organization blurring the boundaries of an integrated advertising agency, content development hub, devops centre, and production company geared towards new-age brands. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including digital marketing, traditional advertising, brand strategy, content creation, social media management, influencer marketing, public relations, and data analytics. Our 360-degree approach ensures that we provide end-to-end solutions, helping brands achieve their marketing objectives through integrated and cohesive strategies.

    On setting Korra apart from other digital marketing agencies in India

    Korra stands out as a medium-agnostic agency, centered around the message rather than the medium. We provide fresh perspectives to brands, free from baggage and preconceptions, and together with them, we write a new story of success. Our innovative market strategies, medium-agnostic approach, and cutting-edge technologies revolutionize the way businesses connect with their target audience in the digital space. By addressing business problems directly, our scope of work becomes a by-product of our commitment to driving real results.

    On Korra’s planning for the next five years, and any new services or technologies you planning to introduce

    In the next five years, Korra aims to expand and become 500 members strong, achieving a bottom-line revenue of over Rs 150 crore and a top-line revenue of around Rs 500 crore. We plan to scale our operations with offices across Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bangalore, and remotely service markets such as North America and Asia Pacific. We aim to gain more recognition and awards across Cannes, Abbys, Goafest, etc.

    We are also expanding our service verticals into physical branding and packaging, media, events, and experiences. Our investment in AI and machine learning will enhance our data analytics and customer insights capabilities, and we are exploring immersive technologies like AR and VR to create more engaging and interactive experiences for our clients. Our focus will also be on sustainable marketing practices, ensuring that our strategies not only drive growth but also promote social and environmental responsibility.

    On Korra Worldwide Advertising navigating the competitive landscape of the digital marketing industry in India, and strategies used to maintain a leading position

    Navigating the competitive landscape involves staying ahead of industry trends and continuously innovating our service offerings. We prioritize building strong relationships with our clients, understanding their unique needs, and delivering customized solutions that drive tangible results. Our investment in technology and talent ensures that we remain agile and adaptive to market changes. Furthermore, our emphasis on continuous learning and development helps us maintain a leading position by fostering a culture of creativity and excellence.

    On the current trends in digital marketing that brands should be aware of, and Korra adapting to these trends to benefit its clients

    1) Quick Commerce goes big

       India’s quick commerce market has been growing year-on-year at 77 per cent to reach $2.8 billion in GMV (gross merchandise value). With instant deliveries of products and groceries in 10-20 minutes, the face of e-commerce and retail has changed. Companies like Zepto and Blinkit threaten traditional retail in ways big players never could.

    2) Content as advertising

       The focus is shifting towards voice and video-based discovery, interactive brand experiences, gamification, and a focused influencer strategy. The Indian influencer market is growing rapidly, with content creation becoming critical to appeal to the informed and educated digital audience.

    3) Personalisation, intimacy, and efficacy

       AI integration in content creation is evolving, with real-time signal-based creative versioning across text, image, and video to create meaningful personalized messages at scale. AI also powers media measurement and optimization, enhancing predictive capabilities and everyday workflows.

    Korra is adapting to these trends by:

    1    Marketing automation: Utilizing CRM and remarketing tools to furnish comprehensive and clear information, maintaining brand recall.

    2    Communicating product expertise: Innovating continuously to stay ahead of competition and meet evolving customer needs, maintaining consistent branding and messaging.

    3    Building resonance: Humanizing brands for audience connection, tailoring content to match target interests and behaviours.

    4    Driving advocacy the right way: Encouraging user-generated content to establish relatable connections, and partnering with influencers to build trust and visibility.

    On the brand that has made the best use of digital marketing in the past year and the strategies they used

    Campaigns:

    Harpic launched an app-based solution called the ‘Harpic Loocator’ to empower women with access to public toilets on the go. Their ‘#BeFreeToPee’ campaign highlighted the lifestyle compromises women make due to the lack of knowledge and accessibility of public toilets. This campaign was based on the insight of the underlying problem of finding public toilets in India. By addressing a significant social issue through innovative digital solutions, Harpic successfully initiated important conversations and engaged a broad audience.

    Barbie Movie executed one of the most extensive and innovative marketing campaigns with an estimated $150 million budget. The campaign transformed the movie into an experience that everyone wanted to be part of. From scented candles, merchandise, Xbox controllers, to an Airbnb Dreamhouse, the Barbie movie’s marketing strategy created massive excitement. The campaign also included influencer and brand collaborations across industries, Instagram filters, and various interactive elements, ensuring widespread engagement and anticipation for the movie’s release.

    Brand

    Zomato effectively utilized strategic social media engagement to connect with its audience on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Zomato’s Instagram account, for instance, is a vibrant gallery of enticing food images and user-generated content. Their posts feature everything from mouthwatering dishes to behind-the-scenes glimpses of restaurant kitchens, sparking conversations and attracting users. Additionally, Zomato’s personalized marketing campaigns, data-driven decision-making, innovative app features, strategic partnerships, and localized marketing strategies have all contributed to its success. By fostering a community of food enthusiasts and encouraging user-generated content, Zomato has built trust and credibility, making it a leader in the digital food service sector.

  • Nomad Pizza’s CEO Amit Ajwani reveals brand secrets on Zomato’s “Breaking Bread” podcast

    Nomad Pizza’s CEO Amit Ajwani reveals brand secrets on Zomato’s “Breaking Bread” podcast

    Mumbai: Nomad Pizza founder and CEO Amit Ajwani was recently featured in an engaging conversation with Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal in the podcast ‘Breaking Bread.’ Titled “How to Build a Brand for the Premium Market?”, the episode explores strategies and insights for creating and sustaining a premium brand in today’s competitive landscape.

    Amit Ajwani kicks off the conversation with the inspiring story of Nomad Pizza’s humble beginnings during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malviya Nagar, Delhi. Fast forward to today, Nomad Pizza has expanded to over 10 cities with five stylish dine-in outlets in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Ajwani reveals exciting plans for pan-India expansion and teases the introduction of mouth-watering burgers to their already beloved menu.

    In this fun and engaging episode, Ajwani delves into how Nomad Pizza has been a profit-making powerhouse since day one and its ambitious goal of becoming a 100 crore company. With a menu that boasts pizzas from around the globe, Ajwani proudly shares that their Naples Pizza reigns supreme, closely followed by fan-favorite New York-style pizzas.

    The podcast takes a delightful turn when Deepinder Goyal quizzes Ajwani on how Zomato can enhance its partnership with restaurants. Ajwani’s candid feedback and collaborative spirit promise an even brighter future for food lovers everywhere.

    The episode of “Breaking Bread” featuring Amit Ajwani is now available on YouTube, offering listeners a delightful blend of insights and inspiration on how to build a brand for the premium market.

  • Zomato unveils a new brand film building on its ‘Match Ho Toh Zomato’ campaign

    Zomato unveils a new brand film building on its ‘Match Ho Toh Zomato’ campaign

    Mumbai: In a bid to create excitement around the upcoming Cricket World Cup, Zomato, India’s food ordering and delivery platform, has unveiled yet another captivating ad film as part of its ongoing ‘Match Ho Toh Zomato’ campaign. Featuring brand ambassador Ranveer Singh and the beloved Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the film aims to strike a chord with young Indians through its relatable and upbeat narrative. It celebrates India’s twin passions—cricket and food—while positioning Zomato as the go-to platform for deliveries to make the most of the cricket season.

    Directed by Bollywood director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, the film opens with Ranveer Singh and Samantha Ruth Prabhu reflecting on the importance of India winning the Cricket World Cup. The essence behind the film is that one might miss out on ‘n’ number of things in life, but for now the only thing that matters is India winning the World Cup. It captures India’s love for food and cricket as a group of friends, including Ranveer Singh and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, gather around, eyes glued to the screens, engrossed in the cricket season with boxes of food ordered from Zomato. The camaraderie and shared excitement build up to a conclusion with everyone cheering, ‘Indiaaa-India’.

    Speaking about the campaign, brand ambassador Ranveer Singh said, “It was great collaborating with Raj and Dk and Samantha on this campaign. We had fun shooting and I believe that fun has translated in what we created. The campaign is really cute. The best thing to do during World Cup matches is to order from Zomato. This messaging is captured in a novel and innovative way by the creative team. I’m sure the viewers will have a smile on their face when they watch it.”

    Speaking about the campaign Samantha Prabhu said: “I loved every moment of shooting this ad film. Cricket unites us all, and Zomato’s concept has been beautifully showcased by Raj and DK Sir. I am proud to be a part of this ‘Match Ho Toh Zomato’ campaign and I will be cheering ‘Indiaaa-India’ out loud.”