MAM
Vivel TVC uses MMA fighter Bharti to prove a point
MUMBAI: An impactful TVC integrates the brand’s point of view with Ab Samjhauta Nahin. It introduces a fresh and a more meaningful understanding of confidence that is aimed to make a positive and an emotional connection and resonates with the modern day consumers with a new TV commercial.
Vivel prides itself on being a true Indian brand created to international standards, catering to the modern Indian woman’s growing aspirations. To raise its voice Vivel’s brand’s message #AbSamjhautaNahin aims to inspire women to change the mindset and inspire ‘unconditioning’. Click here to watch the film.
ITC’s leading personal care brand, Vivel, launched the Lotus Oil variant of soap recently. Lotus Oil is widely regarded for its skin care benefits. In the beauty and the wellness space, Lotus is well known for moisturisation, restoration of skin radiance and improving skin texture.
The genesis of Vivel’s Lotus Oil variant is entrenched in the brand’s core philosophy of Ab Samjhauta Nahin. Vivel’s Ab Samjhauta Nahin inspires women to challenge status quo, question timeworn mind-sets that tend to stereotype and live a life without compromising on her own choices. The Lotus Oil variant combines Vivel’s functional and the emotional promise.
The Vivel Lotus Oil TVC, portrays women from varied professions who have chosen to unshackle themselves from the stereotypes that impede choices. The film narrative opens with girls’ voices defining the way they must live their lives to conform to the accepted behavioral norm in society; a lesson that is taught to most girls at a very young age. It showcases an empowering journey of a woman’s grit, determination and struggle to break social barriers and continue to conquer and rise above it all in her own unique way. Click here to watch the film.
Bharti Dhoundiyal, a promising Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter in India and one of the protagonists of the film reflects, “MMA is a difficult sport. It is a full-contact combat sport and not many women in India have taken this up as a career option. I come from a humble background and live in the northern outskirts of New Delhi where there is little respect for a girl’s own choice. Women’s MMA is a fairly new sport in India. Hence many people do not understand the nuances nor the efforts and the rigorous practice hours required. Neighbours have often gossiped about my odd choice of profession. I have been told by people that this is not a sport for women. I have been questioned about my training methods as they involve physical combat with men. I have been looked down upon for choosing to break away from traditional gender stereotypes.”
“With the release of the TV commercial, the same people who had cast aspersions on my character and choice are now lauding me for my efforts,” she added.
ITC Limited CEO – personal care products business Sameer Satpathy adds, “The Lotus flower, is a symbol of strength and beauty. Much of its symbolism evolves from the way the lotus blooms in spite of its environment and adversities.”
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.
