MAM
GUEST ARTICLE: Why advertising industry is the best tool to fight against raging inflation?
Mumbai: Everyone is talking about inflation these days. The cost of living is rising, and people are struggling to make ends meet. In such an unstable economic climate, it’s more important than ever for businesses to stay afloat. And one of the best ways to do that is through advertising.
Advertising helps businesses by creating demand for their products and services. It also educates consumers about what’s available on the market and how to make informed purchase decisions.
Inflation can be a daunting challenge, but with the right advertising strategy, your business can weather the storm. Advertising plays a key role in fighting inflation by creating demand for goods and services. When people are aware of new products and services, they are more likely to purchase them, which increases demand and ultimately helps to keep prices stable.
Advertising also helps businesses promote special sales or discounts that can help reduce the cost of goods and services.
How does advertising help fight inflation?
Advertising is not just a powerful tool to sell products and services; it is also an effective weapon to fight inflation. By keeping demand high and stimulating competition, advertising can help keep prices in check and prevent them from spiralling out of control.
When inflation is high, advertising can encourage people to shop around for the best deals on items they need. This helps keep overall prices down as businesses compete for customers. Advertising can also help businesses keep their prices in check. By publicising special offers and discounts, businesses can entice customers without having to raise their prices. It can also inform consumers about special offers and discounts that may be available, helping them to save money on purchase prices.
Advertising can also help bring new products and services to market quickly, which can help break the cycle of inflation by offering consumers more choices and driving down prices.
Ultimately, advertising is a key part of any economy and plays an important role in keeping inflation under control. When used correctly, it can be a powerful tool for businesses and consumers alike.
What are some examples of successful advertising campaigns that fought inflation?
Inflation is a major problem in many countries around the world, and advertising can be an effective tool to help fight it. There are a number of successful advertising campaigns that have been used to fight inflation, and here are just a few examples:
The “I Defy Inflation” campaign by Coca-Cola in 1974 was a very successful way to fight against rising prices. The company placed ads featuring a can of Coke with the words “I Defy Inflation” printed on them, and this helped to increase sales and combat inflationary pressures.
Another great example is Procter & Gamble’s “P&G Cares” campaign from 1985. This campaign featured ads that showed how P&G products were helping families save money on their grocery bills. The campaign was very effective in combating inflationary pressures and helping people save money.
A third example is Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign from 1988. This famous slogan helped inspire people to get up and take action, even in the face of adversity or tough economic times. The slogan was very effective in combating inflationary pressures and helping people stay positive during tough economic times.
These are just a few examples of successful advertising campaigns that have been used to fight against inflation. Advertising can be a powerful tool to help combat this problem, and there are many more examples out there of companies and brands that have used it effectively.
Conclusion
In the current day and age, inflation is a huge problem that many countries face. Advertising can be used as a powerful tool to help fight inflation. By using advertising, businesses can increase consumer demand, which in turn will help stabilise prices.
Additionally, advertising can help promote products and services that are new or on sale, which can encourage people to spend more money. Overall, the advertising industry is a great way to help combat inflation and should be used more often.
The author of this article is Wing Communications CEO & founder Shiva Bhavani.
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.
