MAM
Mumbaikars unlocked their inner-power at the Duracell Durathon 2018!
Mumbai, November 25th, 2018: Today, Duracell, the iconic consumer battery company and the leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries worldwide launched the second edition of Duracell Durathon 2018 in Mumbai. The actress, anchor and fitness enthusiast, Mandira Bedi, flagged-off the family run and took part in the run along with her son, Vir. The event saw more than 200 families come together to run stronger for longer on a Sunday morning. The Durathon gave parents an opportunity to run for 2 KM and 5 KM marathon with their kids at Jio Garden, BKC.
Getting the perfect start to a beautiful Sunday morning, the families warmed up with an energetic Zumba session and lined up at the starting point of the Duracell Durathon. The upbeat and enthusiastic kids and parents ran alongside the famous running Duracell Bunny as they unlocked their inner power when finishing the run together. To keep the energy of the families going, the event saw various photobooths and stalls to engage with the parents and their kids.
Over the course of the last few months, Duracell drove targeted communication to their core audiences using a combination of programmatic and social platforms. Mini runs at schools, programme for jogger’s, flash mob at R-City Mall and retail activations at Shoppers Stop & Hypercity outlets in Mumbai were a few of the on-ground touchpoints done by Duracell to build awareness about the Durathon. Along with this, they also tied up with Radio city and PVR cinemas to reach out to as many families as possible.
David Abraham, Duracell Marketing Director for Middle East and India said, “Just like the promise of longevity that Duracell represents, the Durathon also provided a great opportunity for families to unlock their inner-power and bond even more closely while running. We are also thankful to Mandira Bedi for participating again to run the Durathon with her son along with all the families who participated in the event. Our running Duracell Bunny who is featured in our advertising across the globe always outlasts its opponents and always wins graciously. That’s why running comes natural to us, as it has been a common theme all throughout our brand communication. We intend to roll this property out to other countries too, based on our success in India.”
Mandira Bedi, actress, anchor and fitness enthusiast initiated the run with her son, Vir. She said, “This will be the third time that I associate with the Durathon and it’s my second run for the Mumbai Durathon. It is such a wonderful feeling, spending that one Sunday with my son and seeing so many families out and about, running, bonding and having a purpose, that is staying healthy together. The beautiful thing about the Durathon is that it invites families to a healthy pursuit. I am so happy to see such an amazing turnout this year and hope next year would be even bigger”.
The Durathon saw 15 Mumbai-based families across different age groups take away big prizes.
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.
