MAM
Indians are spending more time on smartphones since lockdown: Vivo report
NEW DELHI: Mobile manufacturer Vivo has shared the findings of the second edition of ‘Smartphones and their impact on human relationships 2020’, a study that showcases the impact of mobile devices on consumers in this year of social distancing.
As the smartphone becomes the centre of universe in our lives, its impact on society, on behaviours and every day human connections is significant. The study evaluates and sheds light on the various dimensions of increasing smartphone usage – extent of usage, impact of lockdown on usage patterns, impact on personal health and social relationships.
The study revealed that 66 per cent Indians believe that their smartphone improves their quality of life. Still, a shocking 70 per cent feel that if their smartphone usage continues increasing, it is likely to impact their mental/physical health. Additionally, 74 per cent of respondents said that periodically switching off their mobile phone can help them spend more time with family. However, only 18 per cent of users have actually switched off their phone on their own.
Vivo India director – brand strategy Nipun Marya said, “The year 2020 was unusual – a year that nobody had imagined. Amidst the socially distant lives that the pandemic pushed us to lead, the smartphone emerged as the central nervous system for everything – be it working or learning from home or staying connected with friends and family. However, while smartphones have given much-needed flexibility to people, its excessive use has led to addiction among users, and that in turn is impacting human relationships and behaviour.”
Here are the key takeaways from the report on smartphone usage and the impact of Covid2019 on it:
• 25 per cent increase in average daily time spent on smartphone has increased in the post-Covid era
• Indians are spending more time on smartphone since lockdown (April 2020) – OTT (59 per cent), social media (55 per cent) and gaming (45 per cent)
• The smartphone is the central nervous system for everything that consumers do.
o 79 per cent users agree that a smartphone helps them stay connected with their loved ones
o 66 per cent users agree that smartphones improve overall quality of life
Addiction – While smartphone emerged as a necessity and had given much-needed flexibility to people, its excessive usage has triggered addiction:
• 88 per cent users said that people point them out for using the phone when they are with them
• 46 per cent people pick up the phone at least five times in an hour-long conversation
• 70 per cent users feel excessive use of smartphones is impacting their mental and physical health
• 84 per cent users check their phones within 15 minutes of waking up
Relationships – The smartphone addiction resulting from excessive usage of smartphone is impacting human behaviour and relationships:
• 89 per cent respondents agree that excessive use of smartphone is having an impact on the quality of time spent with their loved ones
• 74 per cent said that it is important to have a life separate from your smartphones
• 70 per cent users feel that mindless usage of smartphones is adversely impacting their relationships
Empathy – Let’s #SwitchOff for a while for a healthy mind and a healthier life
• 73 per cent would be happier if they spent less time on smartphones
• 74 per cent of respondents feel that periodically switching off their mobile phone can actually help one spend more time with family
The study was commissioned by Vivo and executed by CyberMedia Research (CMR), conducted across top eight cities in India – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune. The report cuts across age-groups and demographics: youth, working professionals and housewives spanning the age groups of 15 to 45. The total number of respondents were 2,000 out of which 30 per cent were females and 70 per cent were males.
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.
