Digital Marketing, Instagram, Postcard Media, Social Media, Technologies, TechnologyLeave a comment

Going Viral– Targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha the right way

The world of marketing is constantly evolving, making it essential for brands to stay on top of the latest trends that connect with their audience. It is critical to understand how to target Gen Z and Gen Alpha now, as they are the next large wave of customers that brands need to pay attention to.

Gen Zers are born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s and are characterised as a digitally native, socially conscious, and pragmatic group. While Gen Alpha, born after 2010, is the first generation of the 21st century and has grown up in an era where technology and social media have become ubiquitous. Both of these generations have unique perspectives on life and their expectations from it, so understanding what they relate to and why they engage with certain content could really broaden a brand’s reach.

Ways for you to consider when targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha:

Craft Compelling Content Strategies to Engage and Connect

 

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are connected through social media, so it is critical to have a strong, distinct, and creative content strategy. Because brands can interact with and engage their customers

Partnering with social media influencers can also influence these generations. However, it’s essential to cultivate emotional connections with customers through storytelling. 

Here’s how brands use storytelling to connect with customers:

  • Old Spice is an excellent example as it refocused its marketing strategy to target women, with an unconventional ad campaign called “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”.
  • Huggies’ “No Baby Unhugged” campaign promotes skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns and emotionally connects with moms. 
  • Pantaloons focused on the Durga Puja and Diwali fervour by releasing a video advertisement Pantaloons Festive Fashion, which captured the essence of first love and it doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

As times change and social consciousness grows, so must the inclusion of people of all genders and backgrounds. Brands’ content must be relatable and appealing to all segments of their target audience, including previously marginalised voices. 

It is critical to create content that represents a diverse range of communities and to engage with influencers from a variety of backgrounds. Brands that value diversity and inclusivity will not only appeal to Gen Z and Gen Alpha but will also have a positive social impact.

Here’s how brands include diversity and inclusion:

  • Microsoft’s “We All Win” Super Bowl ad showcased its Xbox Adaptive Controller for differently abled children, which won multiple Clio awards. 
  • Axe’s 2016 commercial argues that masculinity is about being confident in one’s own identity, rather than being a stereotypical buff athlete.

Provide a Seamless User Experience

Image source: apple.com

Growing up in the digital age, both generations expect more seamlessness in their user experiences. Develop anything that’s user-friendly and mobile-optimised, GenZ and Alpha are here for it.

Moreover, these generations prefer interactive content that provides value. Brands need to make sure their websites and applications are easy to navigate, offer relevant and informative content, and have a quick loading speed. (Extra wait time is so not cool.) This will help to retain their attention and build brand loyalty.

Here’s how some brands are providing smooth and engaging user experiences:

  • Apple’s website is easy to navigate and provides clear information on counterfeits and scams, making it a great resource for customers.
  • Nike’s website is well-designed and organised, allowing customers to view products and services that suit their needs.

Build Experiential Relationships

Image source: ikea.com

Exploring new technologies is a definitive trait among both generations. So, make sure to integrate augmented reality and virtual reality into your marketing strategies, to stay current and, more importantly, to make it experiential.

For instance, using virtual reality to showcase a product or service in a 3D environment can help these generations visualise it better. Similarly, augmented reality filters on Snapchat and Instagram can be an engaging way to connect with this audience.

Here’s how brands include augmented reality and virtual reality.

  • IKEA uses AR to help shoppers test and visualise products before making a purchase, offering tools like the IKEA Place app and IKEA Home planner to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Sephora offers an in-store virtual try-on kiosk for customers to test products on themselves before buying them, as it is difficult to know if they’ll like them online.

Offer Personalised Experiences

Image source: The Spotify Community

Gen Z and Gen Alpha have seen a surge in highly specific and niche content, embracing every personality and identity. = This has put the collection of data from consumers, analysis of their preferences, and purchasing behaviour on the map, to provide them with super personalised recommendations.

Here’s how brands offer personalised experiences.

  • Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” is a curated playlist of tracks based on a user’s “taste profile” and the most popular playlists.
  • Netflix’s content recommendations use machine learning algorithms to personalise content and keep subscribers paying for the service.

Successfully targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha calls for brands to step up their virtual presence through social media, embrace more diverse perspectives, provide a seamless user experience, experiment with new technology, and offer personalised experiences. These generations have unique perspectives and expectations, and by slipping into their shoes, brands can build a strong and lasting connection with them.

Digital Marketing, Postcard Media, Postcard TalkOver, Topical, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Talk Over – Aastrika and Philips

Every brand needs a story that strikes a chord with its audience. There are so many exciting marketing campaigns and commercials that not only help brands sell their products but also capture hearts through heartwarming stories. The TalkOver brings you some of our favorite campaigns of all time, told through our team members’ perspectives.

This TalkOver, we dive into Women’s Day campaigns, bringing in our top picks from Phillips and Aastrika Midwifery Centre created by yours truly! Get ready for an exciting breakdown of some inspiring campaigns.

Read on to uncover the heartwarming ways these two campaigns have promoted Women’s Day.

Let’s go!

Philips | #ExpressYourWay

Philips India launched a new campaign, #ExpressYourWay. The campaign is a special initiative to celebrate the multifaceted personality of a woman, especially her role as a mother. The aim is to inspire and encourage all mothers to embrace their transformation and continue to be strong and amazing women.

The quirky stand-up act featuring Neha Dhupia, in my opinion, delves into relatable anecdotes about motherhood, highlighting the challenges of the journey. The campaign’s main message is that there is no right or wrong way to parent; there is only one way– your way.

The campaign is a heartwarming tribute to the journey of motherhood, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections and unconditionally loving oneself. The advertisement is relatable, genuine, and empowering, making it an excellent initiative for International Women’s Day.

Aastrika Midwifery Centre | #LittleStepsOfChange  

As a marketing agency, we have had the pleasure of working with Aastrika Midwifery Centre. We recently launched a campaign that successfully establishes AMC as a significant contributor in the maternity care sector that is focusing on empowering women through their birthing journeys. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the many little decisions and actions that can impact a woman’s birth experience, including the use of birth plans, working with doulas, receiving respectful labor support, engaging in skin-to-skin contact, and accessing postnatal care.

It focuses on the importance of the little things that contribute to a positive birthing experience. It features clients talking about the little things that made a huge difference in their birthing journey, and a collaboration post with Aastrika Foundation highlighting the importance of the little steps.

Overall, I believe this campaign focuses on small but meaningful details, like a commitment to improving the holistic birthing experience and promoting a sense of calm and comfort for expectant mothers. The creative execution is engaging and interactive, and the client highlights add credibility to the campaign’s message.
Both campaigns hit home by amplifying important messages that need to be heard especially on International Women’s Day. What do you think? Feel free to tell us your thoughts! You can reach out to us on any of our social media handles, our DMs are always open. 😉

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Postcard MediaLeave a comment

Do we need to worry about ChatGPT? Diving into AI and technology

You might hear about new AI technologies every day and about how they might take your job away. Especially when it comes to inventions like ChatGPT, which have every sign of being a technological game-changer. But are AI technologies like ChatGPT really a threat to your job?

Yes and no; while AI might replace some manual jobs, it will also create new jobs. According to a World Economic Forum (WEF) report, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) will create 97 million new jobs by 2025. 

So, what exactly is ChatGPT? 

ChatGPT, fundamentally, is a chatbot powered by machine learning and lots and lots of data. It interacts with users in an incredibly realistic way that, we agree, can be borderline terrifying. But this OpenAI-created model does a lot more than just carry on virtual conversations. It can generate content like poems, blogs, articles, debug code, answer questions, and a lot more. 

This might seem like an exciting technology, but when you really think about it, it could sound like a threat to your work, especially if you work in a creative industry. But fret not, while this technology has it all together, it is still not as advanced as humans. Technology, when used correctly, can be an excellent assisting partner. For example, ChatGPT can help writers come up with ideas or get them started on projects that may be difficult to begin.

AI in healthcare

AI will also be a great help in the healthcare industry, it can help physicians make more accurate diagnoses, automate manual tasks in hospital administration, analyze large amounts of data, and create personalized healthcare plans. It can monitor patient health, predict diseases before symptoms appear, and provide personalized medication treatments tailored to a patient’s unique physiology. AI can also help streamline healthcare supply chain management, improve patient engagement, and make the healthcare system more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective. This advanced technology might replace certain jobs, but it will also create new jobs in the healthcare industry. Artificial intelligence will help save lives and do procedures we previously could not do. 

Okay, but should we be worried?

While AI might seem like this big threat, in reality, it is just beginning to scratch the surface. Technology will keep on advancing and evolving to make humans live better lives, creating new opportunities and fields for us to explore. AI may replace certain tasks by streamlining the function,  however, people will always need more people. AI gives you the opportunity to keep upskilling yourself and to keep growing and evolving along with technology. 

So, automation and AI may promise to change the way people work, but as long as you are committed to learning and upgrading yourself, you have no reason to worry!

References: 1, 2, 3

2023
Digital Marketing, Instagram, Postcard Media, Social MediaLeave a comment

Trends to look out for in 2023

2022—what a year it has been! From Twitter going through a management shift to Instagram trying features like notes to BeReal trying to redefine social media, it has been quite a journey.

With all of these swift changes, predicting trends for 2023 might be a task, but we will take our shot. So here are a few trends brands can leverage in 2023 to break through the clutter. 

  1. Social SEO will replace hashtags 

Over 40% of people between the age of 18-24 are now using Social Media as their primary search engine. This means instead of using Google Maps or Google search engines, users are using Instagram or TikTok to discover places. So, it’s time for brands to buckle up for 2023 by adding some keywords in copy rather than relying only on hashtags. 

  1. Increase in User Generated Content (UGC)

UGC is an organic marketing tool that helps to create a direct connection with the customers and in building a brand-customer relationship. This means that as a brand, you should create campaigns that motivate your customers to create content because people trust other people. So, take it one step further in 2023 with user-generated content.

  1. A rise in Nano and Micro-Influencers 

With higher engagement rates and more audience connections, micro and nano influencers are on the rise. Their average engagement rate is 7%, which is 2% more than the mega-influencers.

Follower count isn’t the most important factor a brand should look for when choosing an influencer. Nano and micro-influencers have a loyal follower base within a targeted niche that can help them reach a more relevant audience and prove more valuable to a brand. So, consider including more nano and micro-influencers in your brand promotion.

  1. Content goes Full Size

What do you do when a horizontal video pops up on your phone? Do you tilt your phone or scroll past the video? Well, if you scroll past it, you are not alone!  About 94% of smartphone users hold their phones vertically, which means vertical videos have a higher completion rate than horizontal videos. So, stick to more of 9:16 (full-screen vertical) content in 2023. 

  1. Gaming becomes the new playground for advertisers

With the gaming industry on the rise and estimated to be worth $200.8 billion, in-game advertising is estimated to reach $17.6 million by 2023. Advertising in gaming is still an untapped market, but you might see brands dabble with it together in 2023.

  1. Authenticity is the new cool! 

With the increasing popularity of photo dumps, unfiltered pictures, and the growth of apps like BeReal, 2023 would see users consuming more authentic real-time content. For example, Lush Cosmetics has a YouTube channel with a series named “Lush How It’s Made” in which their employees explain each step of the manufacturing process in a YouTube video. This creates two-fold authenticity for the brand, as on one hand, the videos help make the ingredients and products more transparent, and on the other,  employee inclusion makes the company look more accessible to the audience. These YouTube videos not only make customers trust Lush Cosmetics more but also show the company’s value both implicitly and explicitly. So, in 2023, start posting more authentic real-time content to connect with your audience. 

These are just a few of the trends that are slated to dominate the Social Media landscape in 2023. Brands can leverage these trends to stay ahead of their competitors. But remember that Social Media is constantly changing, and the only way to grow is by constantly evolving.

Reference: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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Digital Marketing, Postcard Media, Postcard TalkOver, Social Media, TopicalLeave a comment

The TalkOver: Nutella and Swiggy

Every advertisement campaign is designed to bring the audience closer to the brand, create a connection with them, and increase their recall value. 

We bring you The Talkover; this festive season, we’re talking about two Christmas campaigns that has really got us in the holiday mood.

Today, we are gushing over two of everyone’s favourite brands: Swiggy, known for its quirky, witty, and fun advertisements, and Nutella, known for its appetising, sweet, and warm content. 

Read on, and tell us which campaign is your favourite. 

Swiggy’s – Santa Open To Work Campaign

Swiggy has always created clever, humorous campaigns that struck a chord with people’s emotions. And their  #SantaOpenToWork campaign was precisely that. The campaign was a clever way of illustrating how gift-givers, like Santa, can outsource all of their delivery responsibilities to Swiggy Genie and start looking for other jobs.

It was a refreshing perspective on the holiday season. The main idea behind the campaign was to show how Swiggy Genie can take care of all deliverable orders, giving people time to do a lot of other things.

The advertisement showed Santa reaching out to thousands of potential employers via LinkedIn, internet ads, emails, business cards, posters, and even a video CV in order to find a new job. As part of the campaign, Swiggy made Santa’s fliers and business cards with a QR code with their Genie and Instamart orders. So, when someone scans the QR code, it will take them to a YouTube video of Santa discussing his resume like a pro. Swiggy also distributed unbranded tear-able posters across offices in order to target employers directly. They did this so that office workers could tear out the contact information and share it with each other and their HR departments to see Santa’s video CV online. They also made digital ads where people could view Santa’s video on different social media platforms. 

All of these small details made the campaign successful. While Santa is #OpenToWork and trying to find a job, Swiggy Genie is #OpenToDeliveries and spreading smiles! 

Nutella – Nutella With Love 

Nutella’s #NutellaWithLove campaign was launched to spread love and make the holidays more special. Nutella always tries to interact with consumers across India through their digital and traditional marketing techniques, bringing joy to the celebration.  

The advertisement, created for the Christmas campaign, focused on uniqueness and encouraged Nutella lovers to craft, share, and surprise their loved ones with personalised Nutella jars during the holiday season. 

The brand introduced energetic and loving Ranveer Singh as their Secret Santa, whose Nutella obsession is no secret to anyone. 

Through an exciting digital contest, the brand provided a platform for all Nutella enthusiasts to get their personalised wishes on Nutella jars and Christmas hampers. To do that, customers, had to visit the Nutella website, create a Nutella recipe, and share it on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #NutellaWithLove. A Nutella hamper was given to the top 25 most loved recipes.

Along with personalisation and consumer engagement, the brand also created a unique experience for Nutella fans by giving them access to limited-time collectible Christmas packs which were available in 350-gram variants with a QR code that redirected them to discover all the Nutella special content, like – DIY, Nutella recipes, and up-cycling tutorials, by simply scanning the QR code on the jar. Nutella lovers could choose their favourite Christmas dish with Nutella, bake it with love, and share it with their loved ones. 

In the end, both campaigns did an amazing job of leveraging social media platforms. While Swiggy took a witty turn to introduce its delivery services and made everyone smile with Santa’s wholesome video resume, Nutella went ahead and interacted with the customers by customising personalised Nutella jars for them. 

All in all, Christmas campaigns are known for spreading smiles and joy. So which Christmas campaign made you smile more: Swiggy or Nutella?

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Digital Marketing, Postcard Media, Postcard TalkOver, Social Media, TopicalLeave a comment

The TalkOver: Cadbury vs Coca-Cola

Every brand needs a story that strikes a chord with its audience. There are so many exciting marketing campaigns and commercials that not only help brands sell their products but also capture hearts through heartwarming stories. The TalkOver brings you some of our favorite campaigns of all time, told through our team members’ perspectives.

However, we’ll let YOU be the judge of it. Read on and tell us which is the better campaign according to you.

This time on the TalkOver, we’re gushing over these Diwali campaigns that have gotten everyone talking. On Team Cadbury is Jo, who picks Cadbury’s Diwali campaign while Kunika, on Team Coca-cola, picks Coca-cola’s Diwali campaign.

Let’s go!

Cadbury – Not just a Cadbury Ad

Cadbury Celebrations | Not Just A Cadbury Ad

Cadbury has always been a household name around the Diwali time and so have their ads. Their ads are relatable and connect with their audience instantly. This campaign however, connects with their audience on a whole other level! The Not just a Cadbury Ad campaign, starring the legendary actor– Shah Rukh Khan, (to me, that’s already a win) was released in Diwali, 2021 and conceptualized and executed in collaboration with Rephrase.ai, Ogilvy and Wavemaker.

The ad follows Shah Rukh Khan talking himself up with all the new things he’s bought for Diwali from the local shops around him and urging the audience to do the same. What’s special about this ad is that it was simply a template for any small business to use. With AI, businesses could have their products advertised by Shah Rukh Khan! Again, that’s a win in my books. But we have numbers to back this up!

The technology and thought behind this campaign was so unique and never done before, that these results seem inevitable–

  • 105k users logged on to the NotJustACadburyAd.com to create their own ads
  • 139k different versions of the ad were created and shared through social media

There isn’t a person in the country who wouldn’t have felt the repercussions of the pandemic. The Cadbury campaign resonates with its audience because of its honest intention to genuinely do some good. Be it the consumer or a business owner, the Cadbury campaign gives a glimmer of hope that drives a post-pandemic Diwali.

Not Just A Cadbury Ad, like its name, was aimed to look out not just for the identity of the brand but also for the many other businesses that went unidentified and unappreciated after the pandemic. The ads pushed for a good cause by helping lift up local shops, and is overall a well thought out campaign.

Coca-cola – Milke hi manegi Diwali

Coca-Cola | Follow the bottle

Coca-cola has always been synonymous with greeting guests in Indian households, more so on festive occasions like Diwali gettogethers, visits, parties, etc. (which usually happens when friends and family meet, in person). Coca-cola’s latest Diwali Campaign, ups this a notch by encouraging people to not just ‘greet’ but also ‘meet’ to celebrate Diwali. 

The best part of the campaign is the one-of-a-kind tech-driven packaging update which PROMISES/guarantees to bring people closer, much like depicted in the commercial! A special Bluetooth-enabled locked cap, that is programmed to open only in the presence of the sender’s mobile phone. A smart idea symbolizing an emotional promise made to meet in person.

The Campaign ad follows a young man working alone late at night, responding to various text greetings with happy emojis while looking pretty exhausted in reality. This is when he happens to see a Coca-Cola bottle attached to a red ribbon. He grabs a hold and follows the ribbon until he arrives at a Diwali party, reunited with his family to celebrate Diwali.

This is also specially impactful given this is the first Diwali after the pandemic when people can freely travel and meet their family without any fear of infection, breaking the two-year long period of ‘virtual greetings’. 

The campaign worked because it pulled on just the right strings of nostalgia and friendship. The audience feels the need to go a little over the top just to make meeting, after a whole pandemic, that much more special.

Overall, Coca-cola’s #MilkeManayengeDiwali 360-Campaign spoke for the whole Indian demographic celebrating Diwali this year in the physical presence of their families and loved ones. As promised by the creative masterminds behind the campaign, the ad provided a positive nudge for people to come closer together WITH a chilled coke, of course! 

In closing, both campaigns hit home in very different ways. While Coca-cola manages to rekindle friendships and bonds in the post-pandemic era, Cadbury manages to bring hope to businesses that struggled. Both campaigns brilliantly make use of tech in positive and innovative ways, pulling at your heartstrings. It’s tough to decide which brand did it better, so let’s just say Shah Rukh wins.

Which brand do you think aced their Diwali campaign? Are you on Team Coca-cola, Team Cadbury or Team Shah Rukh like us?

World Podcast Day
Podcasts, Postcard Media, Postcard TalkOver, Social Media, TopicalLeave a comment

4 Podcasts You Need to Listen to this World Podcast Day

Binge watching a show or doing a movie marathon may seem like good ways to wind down over the weekend. But, the winding down need not be saved just for the weekend. Podcasts are a great way to relax even when you’re on the go. Besides, podcasts can also be a valuable source of information.

Over the past couple of years, we aren’t the only ones who have absolutely enjoyed listening to podcasts. The podcast scene has been booming with so many new creators to choose from, especially in the Marketing and Media fields. So, this World Podcast Day, we’re celebrating some of our favorite episodes that could help you learn something new, motivate you to do more or maybe just help you calm yourself!

  1. Advertising is Dead.

Advertising is Dead is a weekly podcast hosted by Varun Duggirala. Varun delves into all things media, startups and brands with fresh insights and new takes. The podcast often brings on experts in the industry that make for riveting discussions.

Episodes we recommend:

In this episode, Varun speaks with Rishabh Sharma– Head at TwitterNext India. They discuss the India Twitter Trends report and highlights. Rishabh Sharma delves into the trends in detail and even takes you through the research process.

Here Advertising is Dead brings on Manish Pandey– Content Strategist, Photographer and Consultant to discuss the ever evolving creator/influencer scene. The episode discusses experimenting with content creators like Ranveer Allahbadia, Prajakta Koli, Bhuvan Bam, etc, optimizing content and many useful insights.

  1. Founder Thesis

Founder Thesis by ThePodium.in, is a podcast hosted by Akshay Datt. Akshay is a serial entrepreneur and a LinkedIn Micro-influencer with a fascination for people who disrupt the norm. The Founder Thesis podcast talks about just that. The podcast discusses the stories of many successes and failures, and of hardworking entrepreneurs who have made a mark.

Episodes we recommend:

The episode delves into a candid conversation with Malika Sadani and Mohit Sadani, the founders of The Moms Company– a Mom and Baby Care brand. They discuss the journey of building The Moms Company as well as the fundamentals of building a contemporary brand.

  1. The Seen and The Unseen.

Hosted by Amit Varma, The Seen and The Unseen gets its title from a popular essay written by Frédéric Bastiat. Much like the essay, the podcast discusses the intended and unintended consequences of public policies on society. Later the podcast delves into in depth interviews on philosophy and thought with multiple guests.

Episodes we recommend:

Though all of the episodes on the podcast have a lot to offer, we recommend this one. In the episode Amit interviews Nishant Jain, a.k.a Sneaky Artist on his journey as an artist. Nishant Jain also discusses his insights and thoughts on the current creator economy.

  1. The Social Pros.

The Social Pros Podcast is one of the most popular marketing podcasts in the world. Created by Jay Baer and Adam Brown, Social Pros gives you valuable insight into the marketing world by inviting real people in the social media world to give you the inside scoop.

Episodes we recommend:

In this episode, José Avila– Customer Engagement Transformation Lead at Sanofi, takes center stage to discuss breaking out of your comfort zone within Pharma. He talks of wanting to make the Pharma landscape more transparent and helpful to customers. This episode is packed with helpful tips and genuine advice that could help you with your own media strategy.

Taking the Road Less Travelled
Postcard Media, Topical, TravellingLeave a comment

Taking the Road Less Travelled

The world came to a complete standstill after the most unanticipated global pandemic. Since then, we’ve seen a myriad of changes in our last two trips around the sun. The pandemic has slowed down life, bringing a newfound sense of responsibility and love for our earth. The need for an adventure and to get lost in a strange, new place is urgent.  All we need are a couple of tour guides to help manifest our nomadic dreams. 

So, as a part two to our list of favourite bloggers, we’re sharing with you some more creators that have evolved with the times and celebrate their love for what the earth has to offer. Responsibly, of course.

  1. @honey.imm.home

Image by @honey.imm.home

If you haven’t heard of them already, ‘Honey I’m Home’, or @honey.imm.home on Instagram is a travel vlogging couple named Atulan and Divesh. Having met at dance class, their love for each other slowly grew to a point where finally they decided to pack their bags and take to the road. They created their travel vlogging adventures on their very first trip to Goa and have been doing it ever since. Honey I’m Home celebrates their love for travel and each other. As queer men in a country so hostile to the community, Honey I’m Home gives a sense of hope and safety to queer folk who wish to travel and live candidly.

  1. @travelpilgrimage (sustainable travel and living)

Image by @travelpilgrimage

Aishwarya a.k.a @travelpilgrimage on Instagram, is an Instagram travel influencer. Recently having moved to Toronto, Aishwarya identifies as an eco traveller. She takes her time as she goes through different cultures and landscapes and her Instagram is an archive of her memories. She believes in slowing down otherwise fast paced travelling, promoting the idea of a calm, relaxed way of living. Along with the breathtaking sights of the northern Indian mountains, @travelpilgrimage is also a writer and often posts the poetry she has written throughout her adventures.

  1. Workaway (volunteering, culture exchange, language exchange, work exchange tourism) @workawayinfo

Image source @workawayinfo

The idea of slowing down life, especially tourism, is one that is currently resonating with a lot of folk. WorkAway.info is a network that has been making this possible and creating attainable travel goals. WorkAway connects people who wish to travel and explore different cultures with hosts who need help building their businesses or simply just need a helping hand. With little to no money, travellers can learn languages, explore cultures in exchange for handy work or creating art and many other fun activities. @workawayinfo on Instagram, chronicles the adventures of many people as they work away from home, exploring paradise in every corner of the globe.

  1. @kipepeoindia (sustainable tourism)

Image source @kipepeoindia

@kipepeoindia is an Eco Tour Agency based in North East India. They help transport you into the very unexplored and underrepresented regions of Bhutan and The North East of India. Their Instagram takes you through the nooks and crannies of some of the most spectacular landscapes and cultures. Kipepeo creates unique experiences in socially responsible ways, educating explorers on the communities through immersive treks and camps. They celebrate adventure and exploration through means that are safe and protective of the environment and cultures. *aggressive starts packing*

  1. @thehottestmowgli (animal rehabilitation)

Image source @thehottestmowgli

Abhirup Kadam a.k.a @thehottestmowgli on Instagram, is a wildlife influencer. Like his username, Abhirup is truly a character taken right out of The Jungle Book. He is a wildlife enthusiast who travels the world looking for creepy crawlies all over. Closely working with reptilians and animal rehabilitation, @thehottestmowgli is also the CEO of MARA (Maharashtra Animal Rescue Association). Abhirup is as offbeat as it gets, showcasing his love for reptiles and travel. He also shares this love for animals by conducting immersive and informative experiences for people who want to know more. Abhirup is slowly helping people learn and develop empathy for the stereotypically antagonised species, one scaly friend at a time.

Embracing the road less travelled definitely makes for the best travel stories. This World Tourism Day, let these unique travel experiences inspire you to live your life on your own unique terms, and just have fun. Happy travels!

mustaladblog
Digital Marketing, Instagram, Interview, Interviews, Lifestyle, Postcard Media, Social MediaLeave a comment

What Women Don’t Want

Mukta Lad has over 13 years of experience in writing, with a special focus on advertising, marketing and media. She has extensively covered the Indian advertising and marketing communications industry as a trade media journalist and is currently the Assistant Editor at Brand Equity.

In a country that expects marriage and kids to be non-negotiable aspects of a woman’s life, you’ve chosen to go solo and live life on your own terms. What are the questions you get asked in this regard (and that you wish people would stop asking!) and how do you respond to these? 

Me choosing to walk out of my marriage and live independently has been a lot of privilege coming together – the privilege of being financially independent, having a well-paying job, no children, the agency to live by myself and have the lifestyle I want, supportive parents who’ve raised me in a progressive environment, and a now ex-partner who has been nothing but amicable and understanding throughout this process; not once has he tried to be difficult or delay any legalities. 

Any one of these privileges, if missing, would have made my life look completely different. I feel it’s important to acknowledge this at the outset. It’s much easier to chart the course of your own life when you have so much going for you. 

In terms of the questions I get asked, they are mostly a combination of the following and some random advice. I’ve taken the liberty to put together a bit of an advisory: 

“OMG are you okay?”

Yes, relax. I’m getting a divorce, not a death certificate. I understand people’s concern, and that it can get awkward when someone says “Oh, XYZ and I aren’t together anymore” but there’s no need to be this dramatic. 

“Are you happy?”

I genuinely love this question. It’s the perfect way for someone to gauge where someone is at mentally with their separation/divorce/break up and decide further course of conversation. 

“How much alimony are you getting?”

I’m not getting any alimony, thank you. And even if I were, why would I discuss the financial nuances with anyone and everyone? 

“Are you marrying again?”

Perhaps start with ‘have you gotten your divorce yet?’ If I marry right now I’ll also have to serve a prison sentence for having two husbands. Kindly stop springing this question. A person who’s getting out of a marriage or has just gotten out of one might not want to answer questions about returning to the very same institution. If you must know their thoughts on marriage, maybe an ‘Are you open to ever marrying again?’ might be a more sensitive variation. 

“Sign up on dating apps already!”

Finding yourself suddenly single can be disorienting. While some people may want to find a partner immediately, others might want nothing more than casual sex. And some others might just want to be alone for a while as they process the end of a long-term relationship. There’s no saying who’s ready when. Friends and well-wishers should stop pressurising people to date/hook up with people on apps. We know apps exist and we’ll do it when we’re ready.

“Don’t commit quickly!”

To me, this is really bizarre advice. When I met my now partner on a dating app six months ago, we decided to be together exclusively in about 2-3 weeks after we met. Questions from friends ranged from “Why did you commit so soon?” and “Keep swiping nevertheless” to “You should have played the field first for a while!” As if partners are refrigerators you might get a better deal on if you wait for a couple of months. Or is there a Big Billion Sale for boyfriends no one told me about? 

We know people mean well, but it’s also not our burden to think of everyone’s intent behind the unsolicited advice. And no one wants to feel judged – like it’s ‘uncool’ to commit but casual sex is ‘cool’. It’s all cool to whoever’s deciding, just stay out of it! 

What are your thoughts on the depiction of women in advertising today? In what way would you like to see it (the way women are depicted) change? 

I could write a book on this. I have been covering advertising for a while now and there’s so much that needs to change when it comes to depicting women. Having said that, advertising also reflects society and its mindsets, so well, it’s natural it’s not going to become ideal overnight. 

My biggest bone of contention with women’s portrayal in ads is the absolute lack of understanding of the everyday woman. She’s either a sanskaari mummy toiling for the well-being of her husband and children since dawn (wearing a full-sleeved salwar kameez) or she’s straddling a Bullet and going off on long bike rides. There seems to be no relatable in-between for the everyday woman – the one who manages her home, feeds her family but also holds a full-time job and looks after the elderly in her house. As if her routine struggles and rebellions aren’t ‘cool’ enough for TV.

I did a story recently for Women’s Day, where one advertising veteran I quoted said, “The worshipping of a woman’s many roops is a burden she carries. You can make lots of cute ads about lazy fathers but never an ad about a forgetful mom.” I think this sums this up very well. That it’s always nice to see women doing virtuous things on screen as far as possible. If she’s doing ‘rebellious’ things – the other end of this stereotype, it’s to make a statement, of course. And don’t forget to show she has coloured hair, tattoos, multiple piercings, a bike, a drum kit, and an electric guitar to complete the look.

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Leveling the Playing Field

Surabhi Date is a Strength and Conditioning Coach and the former captain of the India Women’s Rugby team. She has led the India Rugby team at the 16th Asian Games (Guangzhou), and at other prestigious tournaments like the Singapore Sevens and the Borneo Sevens. She has also represented Auckland Rugby for two seasons. She currently offers speed, strength and power training for elite and sub-elite tennis players preparing for national and international competitions.

As a professional sportsperson, what are some of the questions you’ve been asked that you think a male athlete would never be asked? How do you respond to these?

“How long will you play for? I was a mother already at 23! When do you plan to settle down?”

Good for you. I captained the India rugby team when I was already 19. I continued playing for the country till I was 23, played rugby for Auckland at 24 and now I am busy training athletes to win medals at the Olympics. Reckon my plans of when and where and how to settle down are clearly different than yours.

“You have such big thighs. Are you doing anything about them?” (They basically mean reducing!)

Yes, I squat a 100 kilos and sprint at 6.6 meters per second. I can probably save you when you’re in trouble. But I probably won’t. Joking. Maybe not! 😏 


“Playing sport especially when you’re on your period must be hard, no? Do you take days off on during such times?”

Have you ever heard of a world champion draw out of competition when she was on her period? What will you do when a female person from your circle wants to make a career in sport, or is already facing the same problem? Will you teach them to back off when things get hard (every month for her entire sports career), or will you help them to deal with it and get stronger?


“This is such a rough game for a woman. Why do you even play this game? Why didn’t you choose a gentler game?”

Because rugby chose me. I never went out of my way to get into the game. I was meant to be here. It just happened to me. FYI I did try other sports like football, athletics and tennis. I really wanted to make it big in tennis.  But somehow life just kept bringing me back to rugby, effortlessly.

Because I’m the most alive when I’m on the field. And I would do whatever it takes to feel alive again and again. I’d rather live a fearless life and enjoy it with all my heart than live it with the fear of being hurt and end up staying in a cocoon. Injuries are a part of every athlete’s life, every sport, every gender. Sport has and continues to shape my life in a better and more meaningful way, every day. All these scars I have were important for my growth and I am extremely proud of them. Also, when I turn 50 years old, I never want to say, “When I was young and able, I had a lot of opportunities to play, but I chose my job instead.” I don’t want to regret. Sporting career is short. I want to live it fully with no regret. Asking a sportsperson why they play is such a ridiculous question.

What has kept you going on tough days? What advice would you give aspiring female athletes?

My main pillars to keep me going on my tough days are discipline, self-belief, a good support system and developing endurance. 

Discipline
Nothing unique about what I say here. It is quite known that discipline is much more impactful than motivation. It is a constant choice between choosing what you want now, and what you want the most. You will get uncomfortable and you will get used to it over time and you will do what is supposed to be done every damn day, no matter what. That is discipline.

Unbelievable faith in myself and my dreams
 Self-belief is perhaps the most important aspect in an athlete’s life. When the going gets tough, my belief gives me hope and this hope keeps me going.  However bad it gets, there has to be something that you could do that’ll push you at least an inch closer to your goal. That push will only come when you have hope, which brings us back to— how much do you actually believe in yourself?

A good support system
No matter how strong you are, your family, mentors, friends are your pillars so don’t feel shy to reach out for help. Winning medals and in general succeeding in life is a team game. Although you are at the coalface, you win because of your support system. So, making sure you have your emergency dials and pin cushions and advisors ready is paramount.