Consumer products giant Reckitt is set to move its account out of dentsu. Sources have confirmed the development to exchange4media.

e4m reached out to dentsu for a confirmation on the same but is yet to receive a response. The brand has already shortlisted Wavemaker of GroupM and Initiative of IPG. A final decision on the same is expected this week.

The FMCG multinational has marquee brands like Dettol, Mortein, Strepsils, Harpic, etc., in its portfolio and has operations spanning more than 60 countries.

NeuralGarage’s ‘VisualDub^TM’, a generative AI technology, has helped Amazon create native, authentic visual dubbing for their Amazon Daily and Amazon Fresh advertising creatives that recently went live on TV and digital platforms.

NeuralGarage, a deep tech startup from Bengaluru, has leveraged generative AI technology, VisualDub^TM, that helps with multilingual lipsync in content & media. Advertising creatives and other marketing content in India are usually produced and shot in one language (usually Hindi) and then dubbed into several different languages, making them look inauthentic to regional viewers. NeuralGarage helps repurpose those creatives by making them look native and local for regional consumers through its proprietary technology, VisualDub^TM.

The NeuralGarage team has collaborated with Amazon India for their Amazon Daily (Agency: Ogilvy) and Amazon Fresh (Agency: Media.Monks) ad campaigns that went live across TV and digital platforms. Its collaboration with the e-commerce giant represents a global first-use case of integrating generative AI technology in multilingual lipsync. VisualDub^TM, being language agnostic, makes dubbed content look natural and syncs the lips and jaw movements of the actors within the video to make it more visually authentic. It helped Amazon India with visually dubbing its ad creatives into seven different regional languages.

Mandar Natekar, Co-founder, and CEO NeuralGarage said “There is a lot of news around what is possible with generative AI technology, but it takes a client like Amazon to back new tech into its business, actually walk the talk, and show the world what is possible. We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon on these campaigns and showcase the power of our tech. It has always been our vision at NeuralGarage to harness the true potential of generative AI to make communication seamless & make dubbed content look visually authentic. I am thankful to Amazon India who gave a budding Indian startup like ours a chance to demonstrate the scope of ‘VisualDub^TM’. We are committed to pushing the boundaries in advertising and marketing further with our proprietary tech and this is just the start!” 

WebEngage, the leading full-stack retention operating system launched their annual trends report titled “State of Retention Marketing 2023: Global Trends & Benchmarks in Customer Engagement - Spring Edition”. Drawing on WebEngage’s extensive expertise in customer engagement, this report aims to offer a comprehensive view of industry wise customer engagement strategies across channels and tools in 2022. The data has been culled out through an analysis of 1000+ brands like CueMath, Juicy Chemistry, Alt Balaji, Acko, among others, capturing 992 billion events, ranging across 8+ industries and 6+ geographies, including India & APAC, European Union, Latin America, Middle east & Africa, North America, and Southeast Asia. 

In the current macroeconomic scenario, brands today are forced to relook at costs and seek sustainable growth strategies that offer longevity to the businesses and limit cashburn. Customer retention has proven to be an effective strategy in this regard, wherein if done right, it is possible to generate 80% profits from a mere 20% of your customers. During economic downturns, consumers become conservative with spending, but their expectations from brands remain intact, even if the form it takes varies. It is brands that have been able to provide the best engagement even through the toughest of times, that have withstood these downturns and come out the other side successful. 

Avlesh Singh, Co-founder and CEO, WebEngage said, “In the face of uncertainty and challenges, resilience and consistency become our greatest assets. Retention Marketing enables brands to navigate stormy seas and connect with customers in a meaningful manner. In fact, we have come to believe firmly that legacy enterprises today must also think about engagement and retention strategies so as not to be rendered irrelevant by the fierce competition in the market today. By investing in data and technology, brands are delivering personalised experiences that help them thrive in complex economic landscapes of 2023 and beyond”.

“We are thrilled to release the State of Retention Marketing 2023 Report report, which we believe will be a valuable resource for brands and other industry stakeholders alike,” he further added. 

Chirag Parmar, Lead - Customer Growth & Strategy, WebEngage said, “When everybody changes, change becomes mainstream. With the marketing world bracing for a cookie-less future, zero-party and  first-party data become the backbone of user engagement and retention. Brands have not only started building data models, but have also started gaining substantial fruits out of these concerted omnichannel user engagement efforts. While problems with big data continue to persist, brands are moving forward and solving for these challenges - one experiment at a time.”

WebEngage’s report provides a guide for omnichannel marketers and leaders to grasp the current trends in customer engagement across various channels, industries, and markets. Some key highlights of the report include:

Time & place are the key to win customers’ undivided attention

The report highlights that contextual and personalised campaigns are more effective than blast promotional campaigns in building stronger relationships with customers, increasing engagement and conversion rates, and driving business growth. Targeting specific segments of the audience based on their interests, behaviour, and preferences helps brands deliver highly relevant content, resulting in higher conversion rates. The study found that different time bands across geographic regions are best suited for user engagement. In India & APAC regions, the peak conversion times for various channels are as follows:

• Emails: 12 pm to 4 pm (30% conversions)
• WhatsApp Messages: 4 pm to 8 pm (28% conversions)
• Push Notifications: 8 am to 12 pm (34% conversions)    

Generic messages are like lullabies - Get straight to the heart of the matter with personalised messaging

Generalised communications by brands regardless of channel can only take brands so far. A deeper look into the performance of personalised messaging across different channels revealed: 

• Blast emails yield only 1.24% conversion rate, whereas contextual campaigns tailored according to user behaviour were found to be 2.4x more effective. It led to a significant uplift in conversations of 2.98% 
• Promotional SMSs have a low conversion rate of only 0.17%. However, lifestyle-influenced SMSs have shown a conversion rate of 0.46%. Contextual and personalized SMSes instead led to 2.71X growth in conversion rates
• Promotional WhatsApp campaigns have a conversion rate of 0.25%. But by sending personalised and contextual WhatsApp campaigns businesses experienced a significant increase in conversion rate, up to 3.79 times higher; recorded at 0.96% in the report
• Sending intrusive and irrelevant app push notifications can cause users to uninstall an app and result in a low conversion rate of 0.15%. Whereas, personalising app push notifications with context and relevance, has resulted in a substantial 7.39 times increase in conversion rate; recorded at 1.12% in the report.
• Generic Web push campaigns can yield a conversion rate as low as 0.01%. By sending contextual and personalised web push notifications instead, businesses saw an impressive 34 times increase in conversion rates 
• In-app push campaigns that take into account factors like previous response rates and past transactions resulted in a high conversion rate of 26.52%. Businesses that opted for personalised in-app push notifications saw a 2.2 times increase in conversion rates.  

From B2B to Entertainment: different sectors, different strokes:

The WhatsApp Revolution: How B2B Companies are Transforming the way they communicate with customers-

In 2022, B2B companies sent 1 billion messages and continued to invest heavily in push notifications, but have also started using channels like email and SMS more frequently. WhatsApp remains an important focus area for B2B companies and message volumes have steadily increased. Across all channels, the industry had an average open rate of 41%, click-through rate of 0.7%, and conversion rate of 0.4%. The report analysed Sulekha, a prominent online platform in India that connects local service businesses with users in over 40 cities. By leveraging retention marketing strategies, Sulekha experienced significant growth in revenue, saw an increase in services by 7%, and won back 4% of its lost users.  

Edtech Giants Prioritise Email and WhatsApp in 2022 Messaging Strategy, Achieve 24% Average Open Rate- 

The Ed-Tech industry sent over 12 billion messages, with email and app push notifications comprising 93% of all messages sent by Ed-Tech giants. They have shifted their strategy to focus more on email and WhatsApp, with increasing volumes of messages being sent through these channels. Across all channels, the sector saw an average open rate of 24%, click-through rate of 0.4%, and conversion rate of 0.6%. Shaw Academy, an online education platform was able to catalyse a 100% increase in class attendance, decrease membership cancellations by 20%, and generate a 25% revenue boost through personalisation and elevated customer engagement.

Media & Entertainment industry sends over 62B messages in 2022, with focus on App and Web Push Notifications-

In 2022, the Media & Entertainment industry sent over 62 billion messages, with App & Web Push Notifications being the primary channels, accounting for 99% of all messages sent. Media & Entertainment companies have been increasing their focus on Web Personalization. On average, these companies experienced an Open Rate of 22%, a Click Through Rate of 0.07%, and a Conversion Rate of 0.02% across all channels. ALTBalaji, a leading player in the Indian OTT media market, saw a 30% boost in user retention, a 75% increase in day 7 retention, and a 9.5% uplift in conversions. 

WebEngage is committed to providing innovative solutions and thought leadership to its clients and the industry as a whole. The release of the State of Retention Marketing 2023  is just one example of its dedication to advancing the marketing industry’s knowledge and driving positive change through actionable insights on customer engagement. To read more about the report, click here. 

Budweiser Beats has two powerful brand attributes of inclusivity and high energy, which has helped the energy drink make a mark on its Indian audience, says Vineet Sharma, Vice President of Marketing, South Asia, and AB InBev. In a chat with exchange4media, Sharma spoke about the company's strategic plans to expand across India, its ad campaigns and associations with sporting events globally.

Excerpts 

Budweiser launched ‘Budweiser Beats' almost two years back. How has the brand performed in the Indian market in the last couple of years?

When we launched in 2021, we wanted our product to take centre stage, allowing consumers to try our offering without overwhelming them with a creative narrative. We focused on distribution and retail access, unlocking a route to market distinct from our familiar beer channels, and truly understanding the energy drinks segment in India. Over time, we have built a loyal and growing consumer base. Driven by data, and consumer insights; today, we’re able to create a relevant, authentic brand world for Budweiser Beats energy drink that resonates with the lifestyle and interests of our target audience.   

Furthermore, our campaign, ‘Get Your Beats On’, reflects the shared values of creativity and inclusivity championed by our core consumers. Beyond the campaign, Budweiser Beats energy drink, also wants to be where our consumers are, and our multi-pronged strategy is designed to fulfill this endeavor - enabling us to stay top-of-mind for the hyper-connected target group (dynamic Gen Zs and younger millennials). From partnering with leading and iconic festivals, tapping into passion points that our audience resonates with, to driving a relatable dialogue with emerging creators on cognitive energy- the brand aims to build a strong community and loyal following among the new generation of energy drink consumers.   

What’s your quarterly advertising budget and how do you plan advertising and marketing across the Indian market? Which categories are you investing your budget in?  

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When it comes to advertising an energy drink, some endless opportunities and channels help drive engagement and deliver the overall brand narrative. Generation Z is the first 100% digitally native generation. Younger millennials too, show a preference for digital content formats and mediums. They are appreciative of brands that provide them with authentic, shareable content. 

At Budweiser, we curate content in line with the consumption patterns of this hyper-aware consumer group across short- and long formats for effective engagement. Real, raw, and relevant content draws attention. With rapidly changing algorithms and popular formats, we are dedicated to pre-empting trends and working proactively with our insights & social listening teams to be ahead of the curve. Our primary focus in advertising is digital platforms. India has one of the world’s largest sports viewing audiences and so, we’ve partnered with both Star Sports and JioCinema for IPL.  

We are also collaborating with OTT and video streaming platforms like Voot and Disney+ Hotstar to air our brand film. While digital is a dominant force, tech cannot match human nuances. The power of emotional connections should not be underestimated. Therefore, we make it a point to activate across touchpoints, connecting with consumers in moments that matter, or when they are creating/ making “core memories”. For example, we have partnered with iconic and culture-shaping festivals including Lollapalooza, Magnetic Fields, and Supersonic to create unparalleled, customised experiences.  

Recognizing the significance of gaming as a passion point for our target audience, we will also maintain a strong presence across gaming platforms. Looking beyond Budweiser Beats energy drink and at the mother brand, Budweiser- India is now among the top 5 markets for the world’s most-loved beer brand. As a growing beverage brand in India, with offerings ranging from beer, and whiskey to non-alcoholic products including an energy drink and 0.0 beer, we are optimistic about our growth in the country and are accordingly investing in advertising, PR, and media incrementally. Even beyond Budweiser, as the leader in the premium and super premium beer categories, we are seeing much enthusiasm for our Hoegaarden portfolio and Corona beer. Localised in 2021, these super premium brands are increasingly becoming a favourite among Gen Zs above LDA and younger millennials in urban centers.  

Do you have any market expansion plans in the coming months? Are you planning to expand the market across India?  

With a negligible penetration of 4-5% in India, the energy drinks category presents a lucrative opportunity for the recruitment of consumers by tapping into new occasions and need states. We are already available in pan India through modern trade and e-commerce. Accessibility and affordability are drivers of category penetration for any product. And, while Budweiser Beats energy drink may not be competing in the affordability segment, we are very confident about using distribution and innovative, disruptive marketing to drive growth for both the brand as well as the larger category by unlocking occasions and thereby unearthing its vast potential in India. To drive accessibility, we are developing comprehensive route-to-market strategies and building partnerships with key retailers, e-commerce platforms pan India.  

We are investing in building a strong distribution network as well as in standing out from the competition by offering a superior product with natural caffeine, differentiated trade visibility and disruptive positioning. Leveraging our existing relationships in the beer business, we are also making inroads into the on-trade channels. This includes not only bars and pubs but also airports, HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, and catering), and QSR (Quick-Service Restaurants). 

AB InBev entered the energy drink market with the launch of Budweiser Beats in the year 2021. Do you have more plans to invest in energy drink categories in the coming months? 

The energy drinks segment presents an incredible opportunity within the larger beverage industry. With only 4-5% penetration in the country and the growth trajectory of this segment witnessed in geographies world over, we believe, the category is set to grow at an exponential rate in India, over the next decade. The energy drinks market in India is divided into two segments: basic pricing. 50% (value market share) of the market belongs to the premium segment which houses three brands: Budweiser Beats, Red Bull, and Monster. Approximately 35% (value market share) of the energy drinks market falls under the value segment, comprising brands such as Sting and Charged. 

The core segment which includes brands like Hell, and Predator and also features our in-house offering, introduced in 2022, Hurricane, comprises 15% (value market share) of the energy drinks market. So, we’re straddling both – the premium and core segments – reaching a much broader base of consumers.  

Which events and sports is the brand associated with, to boost the overall revenue coming from Budweiser beats? 

 For Budweiser Beats energy drink, we want to be where our new-age consumers are, so we’ve partnered with leading festivals in the country- Echoes of Earth, Magnetic Fields, Lollapalooza, HG Street, VH1 Supersonic, Road to Ultra amongst others. We used these events to create unparalleled experiences for our audiences to increase brand recall and build positive associations, becoming an integral part of memory structures.  

We aim to go beyond the adventure-focused narrative promoted by competitors in the space and instead focus on cognitive and creative energy levers. Hence, we are tapping into culture north stars across art, design, photography, gaming, and comedy that interest the younger target group.  

What's your audience in India and what kind of campaigns are you focusing on to boost the overall Budweiser market in the country?  

Our TG is millennials and Gen Zs, above LDA, and within that group, Budweiser Beats energy drink is focused on emerging, creative professionals and hustlers who are seeking refreshing beverage options to help them power through their day and unlock their creative best. While we are looking at India as a whole, tier 1 cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore witness higher consumption and are, therefore, a priority for our marketing efforts. Our recent campaign, ‘Get Your Beats On’, will help us increase product adoption and establish resonance with our target audience.  

According to company officials, the company aimed to corner a 10 percent market share after the pandemic. Have you achieved the estimated numbers in the last couple of years?  

While we cannot provide precise figures or percentages at this moment, we have been working diligently to build our brand presence and capture a share of the market. With Hurricane also joining the mix in our energy drinks portfolio, we are making steady progress toward achieving our ambitious goal. The global pandemic undoubtedly impacted consumer behaviors and market dynamics across industries. As a young and agile brand, we have been quick to pivot and adapt our approach to navigate these challenging times and remain committed to our long-term growth plans. 

YES BANK today unveiled its refreshed brand identity, a visual transformation relevant to the changing times. The Bank's dynamic new identity is designed to resonate with the evolving needs and aspirations of customers, while reflecting its intent of going beyond just ticking the boxes and enabling people to live each day to the fullest. This fresh narrative echoes the values of the YES BANK of today that resonates with the Bank’s commitment to empower customers to focus on their priorities while the Bank takes care of their financial needs. 

As part of its refreshed identity, YES BANK has launched a vibrant new logo which carries forward the visual DNA of the Bank and builds on it. The design language is digital friendly and reflects a brand which believes in being fluid. It depicts the Bank's progressive spirit while staying true to its core values. The tick has been transformed into a soaring bird, which represents the Bank’s current position of ‘soaring’. Moreover, the smoothened out corners and fluid shapes have replaced the angular edges of the older identity, along with a more emphatic typography. The familiar blue and red colours that have been associated with YES BANK logo have got a makeover as well; the red and blue have an electric tone, representing high energy and innovation that the YES BANK of today stands for. 

In line with its refreshed identity, the Bank is set to roll out an integrated campaign with the tagline – ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’ - which represents the Bank’s core focus of being a complete solution provider and taking ahead the baton of being recognized as a brand that walks the extra mile to cater to the needs of all its customers. 

Commenting on the launch of the refreshed brand identity, Nipun Kaushal, Chief Marketing Officer and Head CSR, YES BANK, said, “Over the last three years, YES BANK has been through a transformational journey and has since then, progressed on several strategic objectives to position itself as a strong customer centric franchise. As brand custodians of the Bank, it was imperative to represent the extent of our transformation in the best possible manner. I am delighted to present to you a refreshed identity of YES BANK, which resonates the ethos and values we uphold, the emotional connection we have with our customers, and our motivation to provide them with a rewarding banking experience. Our campaign tagline ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’, reflects our objective to encourage customers to spend time and make memories with their loved ones, and leave their banking needs to us.” 

The revitalized identity extends across all customer touchpoints, such as the Bank's headquarters, branches, products, digital platforms and communication materials. The campaign will underline the theme of ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’ and will be promoted across social and digital media, OTT networks and television. 

GroupM along with MMA today has launched Modern Marketers Guide titled “Transform to Thrive”. With insights from industry leaders and practical advice for implementation, this compilation serves as a valuable resource for organizations striving to achieve transformational success.

Amidst these uncertain times, marketers also need to expand their focus on protecting their advertising spends from the rising threat of sophisticated fraud. A critical component in achieving this is ensuring safe inventory to engage the "right audience" with advertising campaigns. Brands must adopt a customer-centric advertising approach, prioritizing the protection and acknowledgement of their consumers' interests.

The landscape of customization has extended beyond media, with innovative strategies such as QR scans on products to build "always on" engagement, exclusive product bundles for omnichannel, and leveraging the strength of online marketplaces for key occasions. Marketers are urged to embrace dynamic marketing strategies that cater to individual customer preferences and preferences for communication channels.

Furthermore, building flexible distribution networks that can quickly adapt to changing customer preferences is crucial. Organizations must pace up technological innovation to foster omnichannel growth and digitize supply chains, enabling real-time inventory management and delivery.

"A Marketer's dashboard is spruced with business numbers, social numbers, service/outages, and innovation, all tied to delivering a superlative experience. This holistic approach ensures that marketing strategies are aligned with business goals, social engagement, service reliability, and innovation, all contributing to an exceptional customer experience. We embrace these trends and strive to provide innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers", said Prasanth Kumar, CEO – GroupM South Asia.

Moneka Khurana, Country Head & Board Member, MMA Global – India said "MMR’23 is a must-read for every marketer looking to thrive in the face of unprecedented change. It provides a roadmap for building a future-proof marketing organization, one that is agile, consumer-centric, and data-driven, and leverages relevant tools and technologies to power it. At the MMA, we believe that the future belongs to those who embrace 2023 as the year with change being front and centre and are willing to challenge the status quo. This report brings perspectives from 25+ experts from across the ecosystem offering the needed understanding. Grab the MMR – Modern Marketing Reckoner to start your Transform to Thrive journey "

Amit Jain, MMA India Board Chair; Chairman- L'Oréal India said “The Modern Marketing Reckoner 2023 offers a rich perspective on future-proofing marketing and being agile in the current times. It also drives perspectives on the power of AI, data, tech, and new media to accelerate business growth. We at MMA strongly believe that digital maturity must be measured in the context of key growth drivers to measure success and progress year on year. As the Chairperson of MMA India and L’Oreal India, I am excited to see the influence and shift in mindset this report will have on the marketing community."

Nimbooz has launched a fun and engaging social media challenge titled #ChatakNimboozChallenge with brand ambassador Mithila Palkar.

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A post shared by Mithila Palkar (@mipalkarofficial)

In the challenge, participants are encouraged to repeat the tongue-twisting words Chatak Nimbooz Gatak Nimbooz 10 times without fail. The first to go live and kickstart the challenge, Mithila took to Instagram to share her cheeky attempt on Instagram, instantly captivating the audience.

The #ChatakNimboozchallenge quickly gained momentum as users enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to showcase their creativity with the tongue-twister. Celebrities and influencers, including Instagram creator Zaid Darbar, actress Barkha Singh, and Sanya Malhotra, jumped on board to share their own renditions of the viral challenge.

Speaking about the new summer campaign, Anuj Goyal, Associate Director, Juices, PepsiCo India, "With this social media campaign, our intention was to bring joy and excitement among our consumers during summers through a tongue-twister challenge that the nation is well versed with. We are thrilled to witness the extraordinary response from netizens, celebrities, and influencers, which has propelled this challenge into a true viral sensation across Instagram.”