MAM
Marketers eye India’s burgeoning youth population
MUMBAI: India‘s burgeoning youth population is the core attraction of every marketer. And reshaping the marketing industry is the fact that 65 per cent of the Indian population is youth, which is expected to grow by more than 47 million by 2020.
Uninor (Unitech Wireless) corporate affairs executive vice president Rajiv Bawa affirmed that despite his company being the 13th in the Indian telecommunications market, it did well by targeting the Indian youth population.
Uninor‘s slogan of “ab mera number hai” was conceived for the youth.
“Since inception, we have used every marketing tool and strategy to attract the youth,” said Bawa, while speaking at the third Global Youth Marketing Forum.
Future Media CEO and Future Group president – customer strategy Sandip Tarkas agreed that youth would dominate the economic scene in India for a very long time. He asserted that the youth in India is westernised but still respects Indian values.
“Though Indians just like their Western counterparts want to be part of the sub-culture, they still respect their parents and aren‘t really rebellious,” he averred.
Tarkas also said that many retail shops are today built for the youth – at least most of them have a section for the young ones. Latest technologies, fashion and music are a part of this offering.
Speaking on youth revolution in the mobile handset industry, BYOND Mobiles marketing and sales vice president Shripal Gandhi said the power of youth population has encouraged them to create handsets meant for the young. He said that his company‘s handsets have features like high-battery life, games and music, which is most desired by the young.
Gandhi also emphasised the importance of North-eastern part of the country, which he referred to as a “virgin” market with lot of opportunities.
BBDO / Proximity India chief executive officer Ajai Jhala explained the country‘s youth in a very philosophical manner. Before Independence Indian youth had the ambition of gaining independence for the country. Post Independence due to Socialist-styled economy, that motive was transformed into fighting the corrupt system and red tape.
After liberalisation, this was changed forever, Jhala said. “Today‘s youth is now more self-centred and wants to know ‘what in it for me‘. Indian youth has become more practical and materialistic,” he elaborated.
MAM
Ananta Das exits as head – brand PR for Prime Video India & APAC
Seasoned comms leader with nearly 20 years’ experience leaves after leading regional brand strategy.
MUMBAI: Ananta Das just hit the eject button on her Prime Video role because when you’ve scripted brand stories across continents, sometimes you need a scene change of your own. Ananta Das has stepped down from her position as head of brand PR for Prime Video India & APAC, marking a significant leadership transition in the streamer’s regional communications setup. Her replacement will be hired into a broader regional brand communications role reporting directly to APAC communications head Menon, indicating a restructuring of the hierarchy.
With nearly two decades in communications, Das brings a strong track record across major organisations. Before Prime Video, she handled brand and corporate mandates at Johnson & Johnson, Tata Global Beverages, and Colgate-Palmolive. At Prime Video she drove brand communications strategy across APAC markets, steering messaging for the platform’s expanding slate of originals, major content launches, and key industry initiatives.
The exit comes as Prime Video continues to scale its originals and regional presence in a competitive streaming landscape. Das’s departure opens the door for fresh leadership to shape the next phase of brand storytelling in one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment markets.
For a region where content is king and attention is currency, transitions like this aren’t endings, they’re plot twists that keep the narrative moving forward.
