Brands
OPPO Initiates Rs 150 crore media pitch to reset strategy in Indian market
Smartphone giant seeks planning and buying partners for project-based campaigns
NEW DELHI: The Indian smartphone arena is about to get a little louder. OPPO has officially dialled into the market to find a new media partner, initiating a pitch for its India business valued at approximately Rs 150 crore.
According to media reports, the mandate is strictly focused on media planning and buying, leaving the creative side of the dial untouched. Interestingly, the brand seems to be moving away from the traditional long-term marriage of a retainer, opting instead for a project-based relationship. This “pay-as-you-go” model is becoming a popular ringtone for many smartphone manufacturers in India who prefer flexibility over long-term commitments.
This move comes as a bit of a surprise, arriving just over a year after OPPO India handed its integrated media keys to PHD India, an agency under the Omnicom Media Group umbrella. The decision to review so soon hints at a strategic reset, likely triggered by a fiercely competitive market where performance-driven marketing is now the name of the game.
While the media side is up for grabs, the creative department remains settled. OPPO recently chose RepIndia to spearhead its integrated creative mandate, tasking them with everything from social content to brand strategy.
The brand’s recent playbook has been heavy on celebrity shine and sporty flair. By leaning into digital platforms and collaborating with cricketers and content creators, OPPO has been working hard to capture the attention of Gen Z consumers.
The estimated Rs 150 crore budget is expected to be rolled out in strategic bursts. Rather than a steady stream of spending, the funds will likely be funnelled into high-impact television spots and digital blitzes during flagship launches and festive seasons. In the background, always-on influencer marketing will keep the brand humming.
As the pitch progresses, all eyes will be on which agency can offer the best reception for OPPO’s ambitious growth plans in one of the world’s most crowded mobile markets.
Brands
Hocco crosses Rs 530cr revenue in two years
Sauce.vc-led Rs 100cr raise values ice cream brand at Rs 2,500cr pre-money as quick commerce hits 20 per cent of sales.
MUMBAI: Hocco has just scooped a seriously sweet milestone crossing the Rs 530 crore revenue mark in just two full years of operations. The fast-growing Indian ice cream and indulgence brand announced it has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh capital led by Sauce.vc. The round values the company at Rs 2,500 crore pre-money and underscores investor confidence in its rapid scale and distinctive India-first approach.
Founder Ankit Chona said the brand’s success stems from solving real Indian challenges extreme summer heat, fragmented cold chains and culturally rooted tastes. “In India, product development doesn’t end in the lab. It only ends when it survives the street,” he noted. This philosophy has produced viral hits such as Aamchi mango ice cream, BIX cake-sponge sandwiches, the Oh cone and culturally relevant collaborations like Haldiram’s Barfi and festive Modak specials.
Hocco currently operates manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad and Panipat with a production capacity of approximately 3 lakh litres per day, running near full capacity in peak season. The fresh capital will help expand this to around 4.5 lakh litres per day.
Quick commerce has emerged as a major growth engine, now contributing ~20 per cent of overall business and growing nearly 2x year-on-year. The channel has boosted product discovery, increased consumption frequency and helped extend ice cream beyond its traditional seasonal limits.
Sauce.vc founder Manu Chandra said, “At Sauce, we believe that when you chance upon an outlier business, you double down with stronger conviction. We see Hocco as just that.”
With a strong innovation pipeline, deeper distribution and continued focus on cultural relevance, Hocco is entering its third year aiming to capture even more mind space and market share. In a category long dominated by legacy players, this young brand is proving that the coolest way to win is to build for India’s realities, one scoop, one street and one satisfied craving at a time.
