World Podcast Day
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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.

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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.

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Instagram saves are the super likes

Over the years, Instagram’s algorithm has undergone several changes to give its users the best user experience while using the app. It has stopped showing posts on the feed in chronological order, offering only the content they think users will love the most on their feeds. For brands and content creators relying on organic interactions, it has become a challenge to gauge the kind of content their users want. However, there are certain elements of the Instagram algorithms that help brands to determine their success in engagement. One such metric is the Instagram ‘saves’.

Saves was given the super-like term by James Nord— Fohr CEO. He says, “Saves has become an incredibly powerful way to see how engaged an influencer’s audience actually is.” Instagram saves are a key signal for knowing how the Instagram algorithm works – the more the saves on your post, the more people it will be shown to. That’s why focusing on getting more saves is a great way to grow your Instagram account. 

What are we talking about? 

Instagram changed for a whole lot of people a while ago! But not for all, as most of us are not even aware of this new algorithm. What are we referring to?

It’s the SAVE feature a.k.a super LIKES!

Let us dig deeper!

Instagram ‘saves’ have been around for a while, helping us save posts for revisiting later. They are no more just a bookmark icon below your posts. Instagram has promoted ‘saves’ to a new; very important position. 

In our last blog, we spoke about the 6 key factors Instagram algorithm uses to rank posts on feed. Although not one of the key factors yet, ‘saves’ is said to be the 7th one soon.

Currently, according to the algorithm ranking, the more saves your post gets, the more likely it is to be shown on the explore tab and higher on your audience’s feed. 

Why are ‘Saves’ bumped up to a higher position?

Saves are a strong indicator that your content is relatable to your audience. So much that they find it valuable enough to save it. When someone saves your content, it tells Instagram that it’s high-quality content and that it should probably be sharing it with more people so everyone can benefit from it.

Along with that, Instagram is experimenting with removing likes on posts in many countries. As this new change is being considered, other engagement metrics like comments, shares and saves are gaining more focus.

The new engagement rate calculation has also changed.

= (Likes + Comments + Saves) / Impressions x 100 

Let’s get to the “How to” factor.

Are you looking for ways to get more saves on your post and save it from falling prey to low ranking? Our research says that these are the following reasons audiences are currently saving posts.

  • IGTV videos, long-form video content they want to watch later
  • Reel challenges, to hop onto the trending challenges
  • New/Creative post types
  • Review/Recommendation posts to remember 
  • Inspirational/Motivational quotes

How to tap on these reasons and gain ‘saves’?

#Tip1: Infographics

If you have information that sparks people’s curiosity, they may want to save it for later viewing. Thus infographics! Heavy on information, infographics make it to the ‘saves’ list as users want to check back on it or save it for later use.

#Tip2: Captions

When you’ve got the image right, it’s time to get the caption right. The best thing to do is to write a long-form caption that truly encapsulates the spirit of the post whilst giving out genuine information. Writing a caption with new and valuable information gets you ‘Saves’ from your audience.

#Tip3: Quotes

You can easily turn quotes into visually compelling content that gets saved again and again. Make sure you choose quotes that are relevant to your business and industry. Don’t go crazy with your content strategy, consider mixing it up so your feed looks intentionally curated. Instagram is a great place to find inspiration.

#Tip4: Videos

Long IGTV videos with a product review or a movie recommendation will definitely make it to the save list. You can repurpose videos you’ve posted on YouTube and Facebook into IGTV videos. Short tips and listicles are always great for sharing, so share your blog posts into the video as well and let your audience save them.

#Tip5: Reminders

Sometimes, your users may forget to save the posts they like. Simply add a reminder on your image/video or in your caption reminding them to save the post for future reference. If you’re not sure what to do with the likes and comments, include a call to action in your post caption. It serves as a pleasant reminder to your viewers that your information is worth saving when done right.

Track your Saves!

You obviously want to know whether your efforts have reaped the benefits. Won’t you?

Saves are not reflected on the post. However, there is a way to check them – The page insights!

Follow these steps:

Insights > Content tab > Feed Posts > See All > Filter option > Saves.

There! You have it.

The secret to getting more saves, among other things like replying to your posts’ comments or building a relationship with your users, is to create content worth revisiting and convincing your users that it would be useful in the future.

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Top 5 Video Editing Apps for Instagram Reels

Short videos have become a rage in recent years. With Instagram Reels becoming popular, the demand for video editing tools is more than ever before. So, if you are a budding Reels creator looking to crack the code, here’s our pick for the best video editing tools to create those crisp and engaging videos.

  1.  Inshot   

First on our list is Inshot. It’s among the most popular Reels video editors out there. The ability to have custom ratios, variety of fonts, effects and music, makes it a must-have tool to create those perfect, vertical Reels. 

What we like

  • It has a huge list of video editing features like creating a slow-motion video, time-lapse or flipping videos. 
  • The drafts can be saved. This means you can pick from where you left without the hassle of starting all over again. 
  •  You can add animated stickers, emojis and custom images to your reels. 

 What we don’t like 

  • You need to get a paid version to remove watermarks from your videos. 

2.     Adobe Premiere Rush

It’s another popular choice for creating Instagram Reel or any other short videos.

Why we like it

  • The app has standard video editing tools like trimming, shadow, adjusting exposure.
  • The app has an intuitive UI, options for video aspect ratio, motion graphic templates and many more useful features.

What we don’t like

  • The free version allows you to export only three videos in a month, which can be a bummer if you’re someone who uploads regularly. 

 3.       FilmoraGo

FilmoraGo is another popular video editor app for creating Instagram Reels available on Android and iOS both. It supports various aspect ratios and has all standard video editing features to make your Instagram Reels look professional. 

What we like  

  • It has some great video effects that you’ll not find on other editors.
  • It will give a professional look to your videos.
  • It has pretty good fonts and overlays.  
  • It supports voice-overs. 

What we don’t like

  • It puts watermarks on videos, so you’ll need to subscribe to the premium version if you want to remove the watermarks.

4.       YouCut

If you hate watermarks just like us, YouCut is the app for you. It’s a free editing app that brings you features like multiple custom ratios, fonts, cool video effects – all important for creating high-quality Reels. Additionally, it also allows you to import your own music, or you can pick from their library, which is a bonus. 

What we like 

  • It adds no watermark to the videos, which is a big yay!
  • The app has a library of royalty-free music.
  • It allows you to change the background, play with different fonts and also lets you choose the aspect ratio. 

What we don’t like

  • This app is only available for Android and not iOS.

5.       KineMaster

KineMaster is our final editor on this list. It comes with all the amazing video editing functions you need in an app to make your videos stand out.  

What we like 

  • It allows you to apply filters, add music, voice-overs, transitions, and custom fonts. 
  • It allows you to combine multiple videos, images, and texts. 

What we don’t like

  • You will have to buy the premium version if you don’t want watermarks on your videos. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

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How to effectively market on Instagram with a constantly changing algorithm

2021 has brought in a new change in the Instagram algorithm and marketeers are all looking for ways to crack the magical code to still be able to market effectively.

Well, here’s the good news, you can actually use it to your advantage!

Figuring out how the algorithm works will help you find ways to get the best out of your campaigns. So let’s start by understanding what this change entails and how it can be used for your brand’s benefit. 

The Change

Instagram is very closely reviewing our content and controlling the organic reach on our accounts. It takes help from the past behaviour of our followers, audience and our own activities to do this.

It is primarily controlling the following features with the latest algorithm:

  • The Audience (Who will see your post)
  • The Reach (How many will see your post and which posts will make it to the explore tab)
  • The Priority (Which post will make it to feed and in which order)

Basically, creating a scenario where the best content wins!

Factors that influence the change

Here is a quick breakdown of the 6 key factors that influence the algorithm on feed posts. 

                   Sources: Hootsuite, Later, Buffer and Sprout Social

An easier way to explain this is, Instagram is controlling audience behaviour on two feeds, one being the timeline where people see posts from their followers and the second being the explore tabs where they see posts from people they don’t follow. Along with this, audiences’ behaviour on these feeds, such as comments, likes, saves, shares and the time they spend on a post is also tracked. 

Therefore, the posts we create have to show content that is engaging, relatable, and high quality.

By considering these factors, our campaigns and marketing strategies can stay far from becoming prey to the algorithm.

Instagram’s response to audience’s reaction on the change

Instagram stated that what shows up first in your feed is primarily based on your own activity.

However, this is perhaps Instagram’s way to gain more screen time from its audience. If you are active and people tend to spend a lot of time engaging with your posts, Instagram rewards you with the ‘Explored Trophy’.

Rising above the change 

The new algorithm has left people with questions on how to maximize engagement taking the change into account. Not just that, but also on how to create a campaign that works wonders despite the frequently occuring algorithm changes.

However, an additional point to be considered is that a drop in engagement is not always due to the change in algorithm.

Here are some strategies that give the Instagram algorithm exactly what it wants.

  • Embrace the latest features
    Instagram will always reward the accounts supporting their new features. So do not hesitate in trying them all out.

  • Post Consistently
    Instagram does not check whether accounts are posting consistently before ranking your posting. However, a consistent presences helps build a good connection with your audience.
  • Post when you’re audience is online
  • Post good quality, aesthetically pleasing photographs
    It’s an established fact that good content ranks high on your audience’s feed. And you may have experienced this yourself, that visually striking content attracts your audiences’ eye and makes them hit like.

  • Post hashtags effectively, stop using old hashtags
    Include hashtags on your posts that ensure your posts are searchable. The more eyes on your posts, the better it is.
  • Go live more often
    Instagram Live generates a notification to your followers and puts itself ahead of your followers’ story feed which gives you good visibility.

  • Cross-Promote on Instagram
    To help increase your algorithm ranking, cross-posting on Instagram is a quick and easy hack. You can strategically cross-post your IGTV on your reel or your feed post on your story to get better reach.

The ever changing algorithm is easy to tackle when you adapt, strengthen your campaign strategy and of course, remember that quality content always wins.

While you get to experimenting with the new algorithm, here’s a small takeaway, ‘save is the new like’. We will be showcasing a comprehensive research on this metric in our next blog, stay tuned!

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Digital Marketing During COVID-19

Brands across the globe are slowly coming to terms with the power of digital marketing with the effects of Covid-19. Whether your brand has temporarily frozen on-ground activities or implemented remote working, adapting to digital platforms can be an optimal way to connect with your consumers in the times ahead. Here are some ways in which brands can leverage Digital Marketing during this pandemic.

  1. Enhance visibility

The Internet is the only place not quarantined for consumers. Brands should explore the realms of Social Media to build awareness, generate leads, determine how the market feels about you, and much more.

Source: Social Pilot 

  1. Connect with your customers

Always create an emotional connection with your customers. Creating content that interacts with consumers and makes them feel good is crucial in these challenging times. 

Source: Social Pilot

  1. Engage on Social Media

59% of consumers started spending more time on Social Media platforms during the pandemic to keep them entertained, connected, and informed. Assess this opportunity to double down on Social Media. Build trust with your existing and new customers. 

Source: ClickZ

  1. Be future-ready

Many companies that have transitioned online recently will remain online in the future. The relationships you build with consumers now will only strengthen your brand in a post-pandemic world.  

 Source: Hubspot

  1. Be Proactive

Companies in India, Italy, and Spain are leading the way with 73%, 71%, and 66% of their respondents making purchases through social ads. Consider investing in content warehousing and building strong SEO for your domains. 

 Source: ClickZ

  1. Bonus Benefit!

To add a little more something to your Social Media strategy contact us and let us help you make your mark!

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Featured Interview

This interview was part of the CallumConnects series featured in The Asian Entrepreneur.

What’s your story?
I am an accidental entrepreneur with a fascination for human behavior.

I studied Psychology and was working as a school counselor, when I began accepting writing projects in my free time. What began as an extracurricular interest soon became a full-time occupation. Before I knew it, I had transitioned into a content writing role at a digital communications agency. Over the next few years, I worked with a number of exciting brands across various industries.

In early 2017, while talking with a friend, who was also an ex-colleague, we realised that our creative aspirations were aligned and that our skill sets were complementary — basically, we saw an opportunity for collaboration. The decision to set up a company came with apprehensions, but 3 years and 25 clients later, I can safely say that I’m on a journey I am happy to have chosen.

“As an agency, we cater to brands from multiple sectors, so no two days are ever the same.”

What excites you most about your industry?
This industry relies on vibrant talent from different walks of life — from strategists and developers to stylists and visual artists. It is exhilarating to witness the processes of these varied professions as they bring an idea to life.

As an agency, we cater to brands from multiple sectors, so no two days are ever the same. Besides, the digital medium is so dynamic, with channels, trends, and audiences evolving at an astonishing rate, the demand for fresh ideas and new perspectives is extremely high. While meeting this demand can be challenging, it also keeps the adrenaline pumping.

What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born and raised in India. I spent most of my student and professional life in Pune and Mumbai, respectively, before moving to Singapore in 2017.

Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore, for its impeccable work ethic and Mumbai, for its charged pace and bustling energy.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“A job well done is a reward in it’s own right.”
This is a quote from one of my favourite books, “A Man Called Ove,” by Fredrik Backman, but I think the articulation resonates with me because it echoes what my parents have always tried to drive home.

Who inspires you?
I am inspired by a number of people, particularly the women in my family. I have had the privilege of growing up around courageous, resilient, supportive and independent minded women. It is from their lives that I continue to draw strength.

I also find inspiration in the books I read. I think books provide a vantage point that widens the range and depth of one’s observations and enables one to engage with unfamiliar viewpoints. This is not just true of factual narratives. A lot of fiction, too, is rooted in human experiences that are insightful and inspiring. Even the simplest stories are sometimes a testament to the endless potential of the human spirit.

What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
That friends make amazing business partners! I can’t say if this is the exception or the rule, but I derive great motivation and confidence from the camaraderie I share with my co-founder. 

Another thing that has blown my mind, more recently, and almost literally, is the power of daily meditation. I used to be a “need-based” meditator, but meditating everyday over the last few weeks has made me realize the remarkable impact mindfulness can have, not only on one’s mental faculties but also on the experiences one attracts.

If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would trust my intuition and abilities more. I stuck to what I thought were my strengths and was hesitant to challenge myself for far too many years of my life.

How do you unwind?
I enjoy dancing. I am part of a dance team that trains every week and performs at local and international dance events. I also love reading books and find yoga very relaxing.

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Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Kovalam for its pristine beaches and delightful coastal food, and Koh Samui for its idyllic vibe and because it is a foot spa heaven! 

Everyone in business should read this book:
“Thinking, Fast & Slow,” by Daniel Kahneman.

Shameless plug for your business:
Postcard Media is a Digital Marketing and Creative Communication agency. We partner with brands to develop and sustain their digital marketing, corporate marketing and employer branding initiatives through our innovative solutions. Our services include:
– Social Media Marketing
– Digital Advertising 
– Content Strategy and Creation
– Branding 
– Website Development 

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5 Swiggy Campaigns We Absolutely Love!

Started in 2014, the food ordering and delivery startup Swiggy has emerged to become India’s most valuable food delivery platform within just 6 years from its inception. Starting out as a late entrant in an overcrowded market, the brand has carved a niche for itself by becoming a dynamic brand that connects with their consumers through short, relatable stories rooted in real consumer behaviour.

Speaking of the brand’s creative success, here are 5 Swiggy campaigns we absolutely love:

  1. #WhatsInAName

In a heart-warming video that struck a chord with millions of Indians, Swiggy’s #WhatsInAName campaign urged their users to acknowledge the unique identity of their delivery partners and to address them by their names. The video showcases an intriguing flashback about the delivery partner’s past and blends it in with the present day, wherein it has become a practice to address them simply as “Swiggy”. The video conveys a powerful message that these hunger warriors – like each one of us – have a name that they would like everybody to acknowledge.

 

  1. Voice Of Hunger

Swiggy’s innovative campaigns have proved to be a gamechanger in the brand’s onward success and boosted its following on the digital platforms. Through an indigenous Voice Of Hunger campaign using Instagram’s audio note feature, they challenged the users to create sound waveforms in the shape of different food items and send them via direct messenger to the brand’s Instagram. As a reward to their consumers, the brand handed out a year’s worth of food vouchers to the users completing the five-day challenge. The challenge received more than 10,000 entries a day during its run, making it one of their most well-received campaigns till date.

 

  1. Swiggy Karo, Phir Jo Chahe Karo!

Some of Swiggy’s best work came in during IPL 2018. The platform’s witty campaigns with simple storylines and minimum dialogues became a rage. A 20-second spot highlighting the brand’s ‘Swiggy Karo, Phir Jo Chahe Karo’ campaign was one of the best from the series. A middle-aged man orders just one piece of gulab jamun from Swiggy and pops it in his mouth without his wife getting to know about it. The ad has no dialogue between the characters but with endearing expressions from the actors and running commentary on TV during a cricket match, it sends across the brand’s promise to deliver even the smallest order to their customers. The narrative focusing on how Swiggy brings convenience in the lives of the consumers reigned over the hearts of people.

 

  1. Swiggy Stores

Continuing its creative spell, Swiggy unveiled its latest venture – Swiggy Stores, a delivery system designed to instantly deliver anything you need from any store across your city. The brand promoted this service through a series of campaigns that portray relatable situations when you really need something but just can’t leave your home to get it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noZFkJFJgsA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M-8CUKFu7k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZwv7EHXKtg

 

 

  1. Changing the Way India Eats

Back in 2018 when Swiggy was emerging as one of India’s popular online food delivery services, they rolled out one of their first TV campaigns to strengthen their presence beyond the digital platforms. As part of the campaign, Swiggy came up with five spots showcasing different occasions like a house party, cooking gone wrong, parents out of town, unexpected guests and game nights, when people order food.

 

So, that was our take on some of the most loved Swiggy campaigns of all time. Tell us about your favourite Swiggy campaign in the comments below.

– Chirag Shetty

Content, Postcard Media, Social Media, TopicalLeave a comment

5 Bang on Diwali Campaigns

Ah! Diwali…the festival of lights, sweets and awesome brand campaigns! That’s right; Diwali hits the motherload when it comes to creative communication. Brand creativity is really pushed to its finest limits – All those hours spent ideating for a creative brand-centric campaign do pay off, as you can see with the five campaigns we’ve chosen from last year.

  1. Canon

Reminding us to shift the focus of our Diwali celebrations from ‘me’ to ‘we’ is this ingenious campaign conceived by Canon.

The festive season is always looked at as a time of happiness and enjoyment, Canon encourages its customers to magnify their Diwali celebrations by focusing more on giving rather than receiving.

Posted across all social media platforms with the hashtags #ShiftYourFocus and #SpreadTheFestivity Canon’s campaign takes us through a number of causes one can give to, to spread the festivity.

  1. Coca Cola

Trust Coca Cola to always deliver a heart-warming connect to their campaigns. Their campaign ‘Iss Diwali, Har Dil Bola Tere Naam Ki Coca-Cola’ aims to connect cultures in this time of festivity, through a heart-warming one-minute video. Coca-cola’s approach to Diwali as being a time for cultural harmony is what gives this message an edge and makes it memorable for many.

  1. Oppo F9 Pro

Oppo integrates their brand message into their campaign with subtlety, reminding us that the best Diwali gifts are the ones that keep us connected. In four and a half minutes, Oppo manages to weave a touching tale about a mother and her adoptive daughter. We loved the positive way in which Oppo has approached the discourse around adoption, giving us a message that families are not made by blood, but by bond and acceptance.

  1. Saregama

Saregama’s #ShorYaSangeet Diwali campaign shows us how a social message coupled with ingeniously understated product promotion makes for a great campaign. This campaign urges people to be considerate of the safety of not just aged people, but also of animals, bringing a humane touch to Saregama’s product.

The ad’s use of an old couple’s home, an Indian dog-breed and old Hindi songs brilliantly brings a little nostalgia and an Indian cultural connect to their brand.

  1. Vodafone

A simple message reminding us to take our Diwali celebrations from the mobile screens to experiencing it ourselves is Vodafone’s #LookUp campaign. This video underlines how technology has gripped us and distanced us from the true warmth and essence of Diwali, but finally ends on a happy, positive note.

Turns out some of the best Diwali brand campaigns are not only ones that are brand centric but also ones that help us attain a new perspective on how we celebrate our Diwali, which is exactly why this campaign makes it to our list of 5 best Diwali Campaigns of last year.

 

– Donna Amo