The role of the brand ambassador is to transcend all aspects of the brand: Abhishek Bachchan
Besides his movies, actor Abhishek Bachchan has also found quite a fan following for the brands that he endorses. Befitting his role as a brand ambassador, Bachchan Jr was recently announced the ‘Best Brand Ambassador of the Year’ at the NDTV Techlife Awards 2009. In an exclusive Q&A with exchange4media, Bachchan Jr shares his views on brand endorsement and celebrity endorsement.

Besides his movies, actor Abhishek Bachchan has also found quite a fan following for the brands that he endorses. There are many who swear by his endearing and convincing persona that he has donned for the Idea and Motorola campaigns. Befitting his role as a brand ambassador, Bachchan Jr was recently announced the ‘Best Brand Ambassador of the Year’ at the NDTV Techlife Awards 2009.
Nominations were called from all brands across various categories like Mobile Phone of the Year, Gadget Eye Candy Award for Best Style and Design, and Best Celebrity Endorsement – Brand Ambassador of the Year, among others. The Awards acknowledge lifestyle products, gadgets and best technologies that have made a difference in India today and change the world.
Abhishek Bachchan shares his views on brand endorsement and celebrity endorsement in an exclusive Q&A with exchange4media.
As a brand ambassador, what’s the relationship that you share with the brand you endorse?
The relationship I have is that of a deep bond with the brands I endorse. I don’t readily associate with any brand, as it is never just a commercial transaction. When I choose to associate with a brand, I look at several aspects. First and foremost, I must relate to what the brand stands for, both creatively in terms of style as well as commercially in terms of its proposition. Also, I must, as an individual, believe in the product values of the brand and its personality. I do not believe in just lending my name to a brand. I wholeheartedly support all brands that I endorse and use them regularly.
When you agree to endorse a brand, what are the few things that you consider before signing?
As I mentioned earlier, I must relate to all the values and personality of the brand. I will associate my name to a brand that I truly believe in and that is what I have always maintained; it is never a commercial decision for me. If the brand in discussion is suitable to my nature and I see synergy in the character, I will consider endorsing the brand.
Would you agree that the role of a brand ambassador goes beyond featuring in a TVC, doing some photo shoots or press appearances?
Most definitely. The role of the brand ambassador is to transcend all aspects of the brand. You have to embody the brand you are endorsing, the give and take is very important. Just like the brand endorser has to embody the product values, the product, too, must reflect elements of the brand ambassador’s personality. In a sense, the brand personality and the endorser must hold the same morals and principles, style and appeal.
The Idea commercials have a social message that has kind of heralded the way for many brands to be socially relevant. Was it a different experience for you too while filming the TVC?
It was a conscious decision to do something different that stands out. When we first sat down with Balki, Head of Lowe, and discussed the concept, we were clear about using a message that spreads social awareness. The social message that the Idea Cellular campaign champions is something that the brand also stands for, apart from its commercial service. The whole approach of promoting the idea in a unique way and not hard sell the product/ service is what attracted me to the campaign in the first place. The three commercials of the campaign beautifully narrate the social message and highlight the brand service in a round-about way. The sheer impact of this campaign shows that it has clearly pioneered the wave of delivering a social message in the most effective manner.
Please share some fond memories of your association with both the brands.
Earlier this year in January 2009, we were shooting for Mani Ratnam’s film ‘Ravan’ in Orcha, Madhya Pradesh. And all the people who had gathered around that day to witness the shoot kept calling out to me as “Sirjee!” – that was most heartwarming. The entire incident clearly shows how this campaign has touched many lives, especially in the interiors of the country. I still remember being referred to as ‘Guru’ or ‘Guruji’ during some of my outdoors in the past, but today it’s clearly “Sirjee!”
Do you think that the celebrity association with any brand in India still takes the formula route and doesn’t do anything innovative?
Yes, I do. I think a lot of commercials are only adopting the route of a celebrity presence. Most brands just rely on the star power of the chosen celebrity. I personally, never subscribe to that. For any brand endorsement, the pitch has to be unique. It cannot depend on the face value of the celebrity alone.
With the Best Brand Ambassador of the Year Award, will we see you endorsing more brands in the future? Any brands you would like to be associated with (doesn’t have to be an FMCG or the regular existing brands)?
I am open to it. As I have said before, there are a few parameters that I look at while choosing to associate with the brand. All brands that I endorse are extremely close to my heart and I enjoy my role as the brand ambassador. It is a fantastic feeling to endorse American Express, Omega Watches, Motorola and Idea Cellular, and I would love to do more work, provided all my requirements are satisfied.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
E4M Our strategy is to target younger audiences through Sports: Rajiv Dubey, Dabur
The Head of Media at Dabur India spoke exclusively to exchange4media on the World Cup, associating with Indian Idol, the company’s digital spending and much more
With quirky campaigns, memes and moment marketing, timed with the ongoing World Cup and particularly the India-Pakistan matches, Dabur India has got considerable consumer attention for its popular brands – Red Paste, Cool King Hair Oil, Chyawanprash, Dabur Vita and the recently launched Bae Fresh Gel toothpaste.
The 140-year-old company is going big on key sporting events, World Television Premiere (WTP) movies and reality shows. It is now gearing up to become the title sponsor of popular talent show ‘Indian Idol’ on Sony TV for the first time, shared Rajiv Dubey, who leads the media strategy at Dabur.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Swapan Seth's new book 'COOL' is out
The book is a reflection of the author's 'eclectic taste across categories'
Advertising professional and art collector Swapan Seth has announced the launch of his new book COOL. The book is described as "a ready reckoner to the hip and the happening, of the known and the very unknown."
The book is a reflection of the author's "eclectic taste across categories: from boltholes to exotic hideaways."
COOL has been published by Simon & Schuster India and is available on Amazon.
Seth is an ad veteran with a long and illustrious career in the industry. He became the youngest-ever Creative Director at Clarion at age 24. He was VP at 26 at Trikaya Grey. Two years later, he started his agency Equus.
He writes for publications such as The Economic Times, Hindustan Times and India Today. This is his second book and he has previously published THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Disney Star signs 9 sponsors for Asia Cup PAK
Charged by Thums Up, Nerolac Paint+, Amazon Pay, Jindal Panther, My11Circle, MRF, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, Wild Stone and Thums Up come on board
e4m Staff Disney Star has signed nine broadcast and digital streaming sponsors for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Charged by Thums Up, Nerolac Paint+, Amazon Pay, Jindal Panther, My11Circle, MRF, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, Wild Stone and Thums Up have come on board for the upcoming tournament.
As reported earlier by exchange4media, Disney Star has sought Rs 26 crore for the co-presenting sponsorship on TV and Rs 30 crore for Disney+ Hotstar.
According to industry sources, the associate sponsorship on Star Sports has been priced at Rs 19.66 crore, whereas for the ‘powered by’ sponsorship on Disney+ Hotstar, the broadcaster is seeking Rs 18 crore.
As per the information available with exchange4media, Disney+ Hotstar has three sponsorship tiers-- co-presenting (Rs 30 crore), powered by (Rs 18 crore) and associate sponsorship (Rs 12 crore). The broadcaster is offering an estimated reach of 120-140 million for co-presenting sponsors, 90-100 million for powered by and 60-70 million for associate sponsorship.
A spot buy for 10 seconds has been priced at Rs 25 lakh for the India vs Pakistan matches, while for the non-India matches, the ad rate for 10 second is Rs 2.3 lakh. The India matches plus the final for ODIs has been priced at Rs 17 lakh per 10 seconds.
Asia Cup is scheduled to be held from 30 August, 2023, to September 17, 2023.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Sorted 360 wins creative & social media mandate of Reliance Mall
The agency will manage offline and online campaigns for Reliance Mall
Sorted 360, an integrated creative and social media agency, has won the mandate to providing brand solutions for Reliance Malls across India.
“Sorted 360 is set to enhance Reliance Malls' market presence with their unparalleled creative prowess and strategic thinking,” read a press release.
“Sorted 360's commitment to pushing the boundaries of creative communication aligns perfectly with Reliance Malls' ethos. With a pan-India presence spanning across 19 cities and growing, Reliance Malls has consistently captivated customers by offering an array of Reliance brands and third-party fashion & lifestyle brands. The mall has established an unparalleled connection with its patrons through superior quality, a remarkable value proposition, and an unmatched shopping experience,” it read further.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sorted 360 as our trusted partner in advancing our brand presence across the nation," said the Head of Marketing at Relaice Malls. "Their proven expertise in retail, shopping center management, and innovative creative strategies make them the perfect fit for our vision."
"Partnering with Reliance Malls is a testament to our commitment to shaping extraordinary brand experiences," remarked Prerana Anatharam, Co-founder of Sorted 360. "We are excited to leverage our strategic and creative acumen to further elevate Reliance Malls as the epitome of convenience, choice, and excellence."
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
test
test
test
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
test
test
test
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
KlugKlug onboards Hemang Mehta as Country Manager for Indias
Mehta was most recently Head of Agency Relationships at Network 18 Media & Investments
KlugKlug has appointed Hemang Mehta as its Country Manager for India.
Mehta will play a pivotal role in driving KlugKlug's growth and expansion within the Indian market and be responsible for Sales & GTM Strategy
Prior to that, he has also represented organisations like Exponential (now VDX.tv), India Today Digital and Rediff.com. His expertise spans various domains including digital media sales, mobile marketing, media planning, and buying, social media marketing, and more.
Hemang Mehta expressed his enthusiasm about joining KlugKlug, saying, "I am thrilled to be a part of KlugKlug, a forward-thinking platform that is reshaping the influencer marketing landscape. As much as I look forward to collaborating with the exuberant team at KlugKlug, I am super excited to interact with the brands to deliver powerful data-backed Influencer solutions that will guarantee business outcomes."
Commenting on the appointment, Kalyan Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of KlugKlug, stated, "We are excited to welcome Hemang Mehta to our team as the Country Manager for India. His extensive experience in digital media sales and marketing will be instrumental in driving our efforts to provide influencer marketing solutions to our clients. We believe Hemang's leadership will be key in scaling our operations and expanding our reach within the Indian market."
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp