MAM
OPPO ropes in famous youth icons – Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Badshah for its Reno Series Campaign
MUMBAI: Adding to its already rich creative spirit of Reno Series, OPPO India today announced leading Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor as the “Brand Icon” for its Reno series. OPPO India also roped in Katrina Kaif and Badshah as the ‘Brand Friends’ for its creatively designed Reno series. With these talented powerhouses on board, OPPO seeks to touch hearts of their millennial and Gen Z consumers in India. The association aims to reinforce OPPO’s consistent efforts in not only bringing meaningful innovation but also taking the right marketing initiatives that will help them in further strengthening their bond with the consumers.
Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, and Badshah will serve as the catalyst of the OPPO Reno series in the Indian market. With OPPO’s omni-channel marketing strategy, the integrated campaign is already live across TV and digital platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Speaking on the association, Mr. Sumit Walia, VP, Product and Marketing, OPPO India said, “At OPPO, we have always aspired to bring distinctive and innovative offerings for our customers. With the Reno series, we have taken our innovations a notch above with a brand-new product concept, design philosophy, and a communication model which is tailor-made for youthful consumers. We are extremely happy to associate with such talented actors, who perfectly portray a blend of talent, class and popularity that compliments with OPPO’s legacy and brand ethos. Just like OPPO, these celebrities too have pushed their creative realms to delight and surprise their audience. As we pave the future growth strategy of OPPO in India, we are confident that this association will further help us strengthen the positioning of the Reno series in the Indian smartphone market.”
Revered for his remarkable performance, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor said, “I am excited to be the Brand Icon for OPPO’s creative Reno series. I have a philosophy of partnering with brands that I believe in and OPPO’s youthful approach resonates with qualities that are meaningful to me. OPPO inspires the power of creativity through their smartphones, encouraging users to think outside the box – a trait that is the very soul of my craft and helps me evolve and grow as an actor.”
Speaking on the association with OPPO, Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif said,” I am extremely pleased to be associated with OPPO for their exciting Reno series. OPPO is a brand that strikes a chord with the youth of the country for the cutting-edge smartphones. Their products are unique & creative, which is exactly what today’s generation looks for and stands true for me as well. Just how OPPO has been pushing boundaries in bringing the latest technology is something that I relate to- I too look for roles and opportunities that enables me to surprise and delight my audience. I believe in associating with brands with whom I share the same synergy. A brand that resonates my style, has unique traits and stands out amongst others.”
Sharing the excitement for his association with OPPO India, popular Music Producer and Performing Artist, Badshah said, “Being an artist, I understand the importance of continuously creating and innovating to keep up with the evolving trends and my partnership with OPPO is a testament to this. OPPO’s quest for uniqueness and spirit of exploration is something that I find truly commendable and believe in.”
OPPO recently launched the Reno2 series which also marked its global debut in India. Engineered for creativity, the Reno2 is OPPO’s latest iteration to the popular Reno series and is packed with photography-enhancing features ideal to redraw the boundaries of users’ creativity. As per a recent report by IDC, OPPO registered a healthy growth of 41% in Q2, 2019. It has also been adjudged as the number one smartphone brand for after sales services in India as per Counterpoint Research.
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
