Brands
Mastercard enables priceless experiences: Manasi Narasimhan
MUMBAI: There are certain experiences that money cannot buy and Mastercard truly believes that. With a Mastercard credit card, consumers can book enticing offers and life experiences through the Priceless programme. From a ballet session to experiencing fine dining with your favourite chef, Mastercard provides accessibility to unique experiences that cannot be found elsewhere, hence the name Priceless.
On the launch of Priceless Cities in South Asia for Colombo, Mastercard vice president & head, marketing & communications South Asia Manasi Narasimhan speaking exclusively to indiantelevision.com said, “There is enough resource worldwide to show that consumers value great experiences like a moment spent with their loved ones and time pursuing their passion. These are the things that money can’t buy so, therefore, our entire grand campaign has been built on the concept of priceless. We give the exclusivity to people who are passionate about it and who will absolutely love talking about it and will cherish it for a lifetime.”
Introduced for the first time in New York in the year 2011, the program rejoices by connecting consumers’ passions to derive unique experiences, privileged access, and attractive programs. It has been planned in such a way that consumers feel closer to their passions like sports, dining, shopping, arts and entertainment through once in a lifetime experience and exclusive access in more than 40 places.
While commenting about the marketing strategy of the program, Narasimhan said, “Being a global network, Mastercard wants to popularise it not just in one country or market but throughout the world. Now that we are launching Priceless Srilanka, we send circulars directly through digital marketing agencies. Banks play a major role in our sector so I want banks across the world to recognise the value that these experiences provide to high-end cardholders. In India, cardholders are travelling like never before, and they want to have local experiences so when they go with this kind of bank they are more than happy to share details with their cardholder base and that is how we end up promoting it.”
Customer experiences have now become a top priority for brands and businesses this year will be no different. Customers no longer base their loyalty on price or product. Instead, they stay loyal to companies due to the experience they receive. A survey conducted by Walker Study stated that by the end of 2020, 86 per cent of buyers will pay more for better experiences.
More than a campaign Narasimhan views this as a property that she is proud to launch for the first time in Sri Lanka. Commenting on the same she said, “It is more about telling consumers that Mastercard really values you and understands your passion. Some of the things that they have are spectacular Wildlife sanctuary where you can go with the forest rangers and experience the wildlife and have a lifetime photography session.”
Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
