Brands
Bigg Boss in Southern India boosts brand metrics, reveals new research
Mumbai: Bigg Boss, is a cultural phenomenon in India and even more so in the Southern states. A recent study by Unomer Technologies has reinforced the reality of “All ad impressions aren’t equal” with the extraordinary jump witnessed in brand outcomes with exposure on Bigg Boss Tamil and Malayalam. The research examined brands across 19 different categories associated with the show, revealing a disproportionate elevation in top-of-mind awareness (57 per cent), consideration (26 per cent), and purchase intent (33 per cent) among core viewers compared to light viewers and non-viewers. The show continues to be a game-changer for brands, significantly enhancing brand disposition across sectors such as auto, BFSI, consumer durables, real estate, telecom, local retail, and the three major FMCG segments of food, home care, and personal care
Bigg Boss in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam remains an exclusive marquee content that delivers an immersive and attentive ad experience to a vast and diverse audience. The show attracted over 50 sponsors and 200+ advertisers, and garnered an impressive 150 billion minutes of consumption, reaching a total audience of 170 million.
Unomer Technologies CEO Vinay Bapna weighed in on the research insights “Brands must seek ways to remain relevant to consumers, hence the choice of content they align with is crucial. The Tamil and Malayalam editions of Bigg Boss foster a deep emotional connection and empathy with the audience in their markets, which is maintained over time, offering brands a unique opportunity. Our data reveals significant improvements not only in brand awareness but also in down-the-funnel metrics like consideration and purchase intent among viewers, compared to those who didn’t watch the show.”
1.2 per cent lift in purchase intent towards brands among Bigg Boss viewer vs non-viewer.
The new season of Bigg Boss Telugu and Tamil commences from September 2024 on Star Maa and Star Vijay respectively. Disney Star head, entertainment ad sales & strategy Dev Shenoy stated, “Bigg Boss in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam has demonstrated itself to be an exceptional content association for advertisers. Apart from large national brands, it is exciting to see regional brands experiencing remarkable growth in metrics across the funnel. We look forward to collaborating with brands across the spectrum for the upcoming season.”
Brands associated with Bigg Boss have echoed the show’s positive impact on their business. While commenting on the multi-year collaboration with Bigg Boss, Haier Appliances India president NS Satish said “Bigg Boss continues to be the most popular and captivating entertainment among Telugu and Tamil-speaking audiences. Its ability to attract millions of homes to watch together and a loyal fan base has great synergy with our target audience. For any brand looking to make a significant impact in AP & Telangana and Tamil Nadu, Bigg Boss is not just an advertising opportunity—it’s a catalyst for growth. We’ve found that leveraging Bigg Boss as a launch platform accelerates market penetration and consumer acceptance in multiple ways.”
Jos Alukkas MD John Alukka shared his experience, “We’re thrilled with our association on Telugu TV’s biggest reality show, which has significantly boosted our brand’s presence and reputation. The increased footfall in our stores underscores the show’s wide popularity among our audience, contributing to our sales growth and brand recognition.”
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
