MAM
Movie producers spend 35% of marketing budgets online
MUMBAI: Long gone are the days when people decided to go for the movies based on the life-size posters of their favourite ‘stars’ acting in them or watching 90-second long trailers on television. Today, the buzz around a movie starts even before it goes on the floor, all thanks to the ‘good friend’ social media, which allows the producers, directors, and actors to stay in constant touch with the fans through heightened social media activities. Starting from the photos of scripts on actor’s tables to snapshots from reading rooms, to release of the looks and names of the character, to teaser and trailers for not just the movie but individual songs as well, everything has found its way online, grabbing every eye that the movie can even before it goes off the floors.
Indiantelevision.com interacted with TheSmallBigIdea CEO and co-founder Harikrishnan Pillai, whose agency was associated with the digital promotions of National Award winning movie ‘Badhai Ho’ last year. More recently, it is making yet another Ayushmann Khurrana film—Bala—a talking point across every social gathering through amazing marketing activites.
Pillai says that the producers of today are very proactive when it comes to marketing their movies across all platforms, including digital. They are involved in every aspect of the movie promotions, beginning from the time their movie is announced.
“They are spending somewhere around 35 per cent on digital activities for promoting their movies, as digital gives them the opportunity of better mass targeting amongst a very interesting audience base. The activities online are interactive in nature and hence give them a better measurability of the ROI they get through marketing,” Pillai said.
On being questioned how controversies around such campaigns impact the execution online, as the audience reactions are real-time, Pillai said that the core strategies remains intact, while certain tactical moves maybe taken basis social sentiments.
TheSmallBigIdea has done promotional digital campaigns for a number of movies including Judgementall Hai Kya, Junglee, Jabariya Jodi, Dream Girl and is gearing up to take several more projects from big production houses.
Pillai belives that acumen around digital has also increased in the past few years and that gives the agencies to perform better online. “Earlier it was just a digital agency, that used to follow what the mainline agencies were doing, but today digital is leading. Also, brands are taking a leadership role. They are aware about the digital world and they know how it can help them,” he said.
Pillai is positive that marketing for movies on digital is going to only increase in the future with producers getting aware of the impact a strong social media strategy has on it.
He also added that the story is taking centre-stage in promotional campaigns than just the actors as production houses are now aware that the audience is willing to watch good stories and not just ‘stars’. According to him, the complete shift in focus from actor to story will still take some time, but a good start has been made in the industry.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
