MAM
Schbang announces key appointments to senior leadership team
Mumbai: In announcement of two key appointments, marketing solutions agency Schbang on Friday introduced Amisha Gulati as vice president – integrated solutions, and Sharmeen Indorewala as head of new business, especially for its technology transformation service.
Gulati was previously associated with Zee5 as the marketing manager. At Schbang, she will report to co-founder and CEO Akshay Gurnani. She comes with ten years of industry experience with stints at organisations such as The Glitch, Spark Eighteen Lifestyle, and Vyas Gianetti Creative.
Gulati said, “Schbang has done a fantastic job in the short six years and I am very excited to be part of its trailblazing journey. Work doesn’t feel like work when you are living your passion. Fueled by such passion, I aim to bring about Impact in society – through the company, its clients and my team. Hence, it’s my endeavour to build teams and work that deliver value and that we are proud of, at Schbang,”
Indorewala will report to Schbang’s co-founder and chief technology officer Sohil Karia. She joins from Proof Analytics (a Schbang partnership) where she was the head of business. Prior to that, she was also the founder and CEO at The Parfait Co. At Schbang, she will responsible for growth strategy and new business development for the technology vertical.
Indorewala said, “My prior business experience working with startups like The Parfait Co. and Proof Analytics has enabled me to work towards the company goal of building out the technology transformation division while showcasing our deep research and consultancy capabilities, our consumer-centricity focused skills, with a keen eye on brand meditation as well as our established and rapidly growing tech department under Sohil’s leadership.”
Speaking on the new development, Schbang founder Harshil Karia, said, “It is great to see our leadership team strengthen with both Sharmeen and Amisha, extremely strong women with varied and diverse experience. They are bringing in with them an entirely new perspective to the leadership at Schbang. Sharmeen growing our technology transformation and Amisha to bring in depth of strategy to our work, both will act as pillars for Schbang as we grow. Both of them will help in strengthening our offering to companies and groom our strong talent pool of over 600 Schbangers.”
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.
