Brands
“The future of feature phones and smartwatches appears promising”: Kannav Thukral
Mumbai: BlackZone Mobiles stands as a prominent mobile phone brand in India, marking its inception in 2001 with a mission to introduce technologically superior products to the Indian market, all at affordable prices. Over the years, the company has not only diversified its offerings but has also ventured into the realm of smartphones, smartwatches, and an array of mobile accessories such as TWS, earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, and neckbands.
Operating from its state-of-the-art plant in Sonipat, Haryana, India, BlackZone Mobiles ensures nationwide distribution, with a robust network of over 400 distributors spanning the entire country. The brand’s remarkable journey since its inception attests to its multifaceted growth, solidifying its position as a market leader.
Recently, the brand has announced its strategic alliance with Bollywood actress, Mouni Roy, who will represent –Blackzone’s feature phones and smartwatches categories as its distinguished brand ambassador. This partnership aims to enhance BlackZone’s market presence, celebrated for its innovative designs, cutting-edge technology, and strategic pricing.
Roy will play a pivotal role in BlackZone’s advertising campaigns, branding endeavours, and social media activities over the coming year.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with BlackZone Mobiles managing director Kannav Thukral where he shared insights on the brand’s collaboration with Roy, navigating the ever-evolving competitive landscape of smartphones and watches, and much more.
Edited excerpts
On Mouni Roy’s association as brand ambassador
Mouni Roy embodies not only extraordinary talent as an actress but also radiates a relatable charm that resonates across diverse demographics. Her portrayal as both a star and the ‘girl next door’ renders her immensely appealing to the masses. Leveraging her widespread appeal, we anticipate that her partnership with BlackZone Mobiles will significantly amplify our brand’s reach, tapping into a broader audience base. Our range of feature phones offers a compelling array of options, blending affordability with captivating features, while our smartwatches boast versatile functionalities at accessible price points. With Mouni Roy on board, we are poised to ascend to new heights, challenging prevailing perceptions that feature phones are outdated and smartwatches are exclusively high-end. Through this collaboration, we aim to underscore the affordability and accessibility of our smartwatches, emphasizing their ‘Make in India’ origin to foster greater acceptance among consumers.
On the company’s commitment to the “Make in India” initiative aligning with their overall brand ethos and strategic goals for manufacturing feature phones and smartwatches
From inception, our vision has been to bring affordable luxury into the hands of the people of India through a brand owned and produced by an Indian company. With this ethos, BlackZone was launched. As staunch proponents of local manufacturing, we prioritize empowering indigenous talent and resources, fostering economic growth, and nurturing technological self-reliance. Our factories, built from scratch, provide employment opportunities to locals, support local distributors, and offer products utilized by the people of India, thereby resonating with our ethos of Make in India, for India, by India. By producing our devices domestically, we not only contribute to the nation’s economic development but also ensure stringent quality control and adherence to impeccable standards.
On your products in terms of design, technology, and pricing, and communicating these unique selling points to the consumers
BlackZone Mobiles and smartwatches distinguish themselves through a fusion of cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and competitive pricing across their product range. Our products stand out for their ergonomic designs, seamless user experience, and affordability. To effectively communicate these unique selling points, our brand employs a multifaceted approach encompassing targeted marketing campaigns, a robust social media strategy, and a wide distributor network, ensuring that our products reach a vast audience. With over 400 distributors spread across all corners of the country, we ensure widespread availability and accessibility.
On the current competitive market as smartphones are easily available and have tons of advantage as compared to feature phones
In today’s dynamic market landscape, competition is undeniably fierce. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that feature phones continue to hold relevance, particularly among segments seeking affordability, simplicity, and durability. While smartphones offer unparalleled connectivity and functionality, feature phones cater to a distinct consumer segment prioritizing reliability, extended battery life, and ease of use. Similarly, in the smartwatch segment, although numerous players exist, we stand firm in our commitment to innovation, affordability, and reliability, positioning us as a prominent brand in the market.
How do you see the future of feature phones and smartwatches
The future of feature phones and smartwatches appears promising, marked by ongoing technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. There remains significant demand for feature phones, particularly in emerging economies and among demographics seeking basic communication solutions. Moreover, the growing emphasis on fitness tracking, health monitoring, and connected living augurs well for the continued growth of smartwatches. As technology evolves, we anticipate greater convergence between feature phones and smartwatches, offering consumers versatile devices that seamlessly integrate essential functionalities. At BlackZone Mobiles, we remain at the forefront of this technological evolution, poised to deliver innovative solutions that anticipate and exceed consumer expectations.
Brands
UK’s OnlyFans seeks US investor at $3bn valuation after owner’s death
The adult video platform is seeking stability after the death of its billionaire owner
LONDON: OnlyFans is looking for a new partner. The London-based adult video platform is in advanced talks to sell a minority stake of less than 20 per cent to Architect Capital, a San Francisco-based investment firm, in a deal that would value the business at more than $3bn (£2.2bn).
The move is driven by an urgent need for stability. Leonid Radvinsky, the Ukrainian-American billionaire who owned OnlyFans, died of cancer last month at the age of 43, leaving the future of one of Britain’s most profitable privately held businesses suddenly uncertain.
The choice of Architect Capital is not arbitrary. The firm has deep expertise in financial services, which aligns neatly with OnlyFans’ ambitions to offer banking products to its creators, many of whom have long struggled to access basic financial services because of the nature of their work.
The numbers behind OnlyFans are, by any measure, staggering. The platform posted revenues of $1.4bn in the year to 30th November 2024, with a pre-tax profit of $684m, up four per cent on the prior year. Payments to creators totalled $7.2bn over the same period, a rise of nearly ten per cent. Radvinsky personally collected $701m in dividends from the business in 2024 alone, on top of more than $1bn in such payments he had already received. The platform, run through its parent company Felix International, hosts 4.6m creator accounts, with performers keeping 80 per cent of subscription proceeds and the platform pocketing the remaining 20 per cent. It has 377m fan accounts in total.
The current minority stake talks represent a notable scaling back of ambitions. In January, OnlyFans was reported to be in discussions with Architect about selling a majority stake of 60 per cent. Before that, the company had explored a sale to a consortium led by Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based investment firm. Neither deal materialised.
OnlyFans has built an enormously lucrative business on content that mainstream finance has long refused to touch. Now, with its owner gone and a $3bn valuation on the table, it is looking for the kind of respectable institutional backing that might finally persuade the banks to take its calls.
