MAM
MS Dhoni’s heartwarming father-daughter bonding in Zed Black TVC: ‘Mann Ki Shanti'”
Mumbai: Zed Black, a leading incense sticks brand, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest TVC campaign for Zed Black 3-in-1 premium incense sticks featuring the cricketing legend and former captain of the Indian cricket team, MS Dhoni. The campaign aims to emphasize the importance of incorporating daily prayers into one’s routine for a balanced and fulfilled life.
In today’s fast-paced world, where individuals often find themselves consumed by various commitments and responsibilities, the act of taking a moment to connect with oneself through prayer can be immensely grounding. Zed Black’s continued collaboration with MS Dhoni as a brand ambassador for the last six years seeks to encourage people to pause, reflect, and engage in a practice that fosters inner peace and spiritual well-being.
“Mann Ki Shanti” is not just a TVC campaign; it’s a heartfelt endeavour to bring attention to the value of daily prayers in maintaining mental and emotional equilibrium. Dhoni, known for his exceptional leadership and unshakeable composure, resonates with the campaign’s message on multiple levels”, shared Mysore Deep Perfumery House & Zed Black director Ankit Agrawal.
The TVC showcases Zed Black and MS Dhoni sharing a timeless message for all. In the latest TVC, the cricketing legend assumes the role of a doting father sitting for prayers as his playful daughter comes running. Dhoni emphasizes with a smile the importance of a regular prayer for ‘Mann Ki Shanti’. Dhoni, besides being a cricket legend, is also a complete family man. He does a perfect job of conveying the sentiment for all households. Add to this his legendary cool vibes and a relaxed smile, the message hits home!
Zed Black TVC campaigns have always struck a chord with the masses & netizens. Be it the gamechanger commercial where the captain cool was spotted sporting a retro jersey look on the field for its flagship campaign ‘Prarthna Hogi Sweekar’ or MS Dhoni sharing the importance of viral prayers in a guruji avatar last festive season. Likewise, through this latest campaign, Zed Black aims to spark conversations around the benefits of incorporating daily prayers as a means to achieve balance and mental clarity.
“We are honored to collaborate with MS Dhoni yet again, a true icon who embodies resilience and strength,” said Mysore Deep Perfumery House & Zed Black director Anshul Agrawal. “As a brand, we are committed to promoting holistic well-being, and we believe that this campaign will inspire individuals to carve out time for daily prayers, nurturing their spiritual growth.”
The hallmark of Zed Black’s success lies in its commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices. Zed Black’s manufacturing unit, based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh has made history by becoming the world’s largest solar-powered raw agarbatti production facility. The company has successfully scaled its production capacity to an astounding 3.5 crore incense sticks per day, positioning itself as a major player in the global market. The company is today amongst the top three agarbatti manufacturers in the country.
Conceptualised by Oberoi IBC the TVC will be promoted through a 360-degree approach across news & GEC channels for the festive season and will be accompanied by a robust social media and online engagement strategy, encouraging viewers to share their own experiences with daily prayers using the hashtag #MannKiShanti.
MDPH has a plethora of top-notch quality products under its own household brands in categories such as agarbatti, essential oils, hand sanitizers, packaged tea, dhoop batti, confectionery, and more under its premium bestseller flagship labels Zed Black, Manthan, Samarpan, Orva and Din Din.
Founded in 1992, at the heart of MDPH is its 4,000-plus workforce, of which 80 per cent are women who are involved in all aspects of incense sticks manufacturing–from perfume making to packaging. The company processes over three crore incense sticks every day at its 9,40,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh, comprising of four factories. It has in its kitty over 1,200+ products that are exported to over 40+ countries across six continents and 15 lakh packs of Zed Black incense sticks are sold daily.
MAM
India’s experience economy grows as live events market hits Rs 17,000 crore
EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow report finds 78 per cent Indians prefer experiences over products
MUMBAI: India’s live entertainment scene is no longer just about music, comedy or festivals. It is increasingly becoming a powerful stage for brands seeking deeper connections with consumers.
A new report titled Beyond Attention, Into Immersion by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow suggests that India’s experience economy is entering a strong growth phase, driven by consumers who are choosing memorable moments over material purchases.
According to the study, the country’s live events ecosystem, which includes concerts, comedy tours, festivals and immersive exhibitions, is estimated to reach around Rs 17,000 crore in 2025. The growth reflects a broader cultural shift in how Indians spend their time and money.
The report finds that 78 per cent of Indian consumers now prefer spending on experiences rather than physical products. From attending concerts and festivals to participating in interactive brand installations, audiences are increasingly seeking engagement, community and shareable moments.
This change in consumer behaviour is particularly evident among younger audiences who want to participate rather than simply watch. Instead of passively consuming entertainment, many now look for experiences that allow them to interact, express themselves and connect with like minded communities.
For marketers, this shift has turned experiential marketing into a strategic priority rather than a promotional add on. Brands are moving away from interruption driven advertising and towards immersive formats that allow consumers to discover, test and emotionally connect with products.
The report suggests that experiential marketing now plays a role across the entire consumer journey. It can spark brand discovery, strengthen storytelling, encourage product trials and ultimately influence purchase decisions and loyalty.
The impact is already visible. Post event surveys conducted among 7,450 attendees at major events including Lollapalooza India and concerts by Ed Sheeran and Guns N’ Roses highlight the effectiveness of these experiences.
Around 59 per cent of attendees recalled brands they interacted with during the events, while 55 per cent said those interactions increased their likelihood of purchasing from the brand. A further 63 per cent reported that brand activations actually enhanced their event experience rather than distracting from it. Nearly 29 per cent also said the interaction improved their perception of the brand.
Brands are also changing the way they approach events. Instead of simply putting logos on stages or banners, companies are building experiences into the fabric of the event itself.
Financial services brands, for example, are offering early ticket access, exclusive lounges and curated event experiences for cardholders. Fashion and beauty companies are using festivals to showcase products through pop ups, interactive installations and social media friendly spaces that encourage visitors to share their experiences online.
The scope of experiential marketing now stretches far beyond live entertainment. Retailers are designing experiential stores where customers can explore products in lifelike environments. Entertainment platforms are extending popular intellectual properties into immersive exhibitions and fan events. Technology is also playing a growing role through augmented reality and virtual try on tools that blend digital discovery with physical interaction.
Cultural festivals remain one of the most powerful platforms for such engagement in India. Celebrations such as Navratri and Holi bring together large communities, emotional participation and heightened consumer spending. For brands, these moments offer an opportunity to become part of the celebration rather than simply advertise around it.
Despite the momentum, the report notes that some companies still hesitate to adopt experiential marketing at scale. Budget constraints, limited expertise and uncertainty around measuring return on investment remain common concerns.
However, the growing body of data around consumer engagement and brand impact is gradually addressing these challenges. More marketers are expected to allocate a larger share of their budgets to experiential formats over the coming years.
Taken together, the findings point to a clear trend. As consumers seek meaning, memories and moments worth sharing, live experiences are emerging as one of the most powerful ways for brands to stay relevant in a crowded media landscape.
