MAM
Parle Agro launches ‘Smoodh Hazelnut Chocolate’ campaign; provides rich taste to consumers
Mumbai: Beverage giant Parle Agro has introduced a delicious new variant to their disruptive flavoured milk portfolio – Smoodh Hazelnut Chocolate. The new offering is the fourth addition to their widely loved dairy beverage range.
Parle Agro has also introduced a high-intensity campaign for the new offering targeting consumers across India. This includes visibility in 90+ channels, digital platforms as well as across one-third of cinemas across India.
Crafted by combining the irresistible taste of top-quality hazelnuts and chocolate and blended with the goodness of milk, the new Smoodh Hazelnut Chocolate is a wholesome, energy-boosting, and nourishing drink. Its creamy and silky texture coupled with the rich taste of hazelnut chocolate is a complete delight to the taste buds and will light up your day in a healthy way.
Smoodh Hazelnut Chocolate is available in Parle Agro’s classic and convenient, single serve Tetra Pak at the price of Rs 10 for an 85 ml pack. Hazelnut-based offerings are typically priced higher than others. Driven by their resolute mission to bring best-in-class products to consumers across India, Parle Agro has been able to once again, draw on their innovative and technology-driven approach to offer a hazelnut flavoured chocolate milk drink at the incredible value of Rs 10, a price dominated by Parle Agro in the beverage category.
Commenting on the launch of the new flavour, Parle Agro joint managing director & CMO Nadia Chauhan said, “We are delighted to introduce Smoodh Hazelnut Chocolate and bring the rich taste of hazelnut and chocolate to consumers across India. This offering is another unique innovation from Parle Agro and we are confident it’ll see much love and acceptance from consumers.”
Apart from Hazelnut Chocolate, the other three flavours that Smoodh is available in are ‘Chocolate Milk’, ‘Toffee Caramel’ and ‘Coffee Frappe’.
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.
