Rural consumers fast embracing digital payments & ecommerce
Digital platforms for payments, e-commerce and gaming are gaining traction in rural India, while genres like fashion, travel and fitness are popular among rural online users in line with their evolving aspirations. “There has been a significant shift in rural India towards digital payments, which now reaches 42 per cent of active internet users and e-commerce, representing 23 per cent of active internet users indicating growing financial and digital inclusion,” the report added. Digital payments usage was seen higher in States such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha.
Ajay Mehta, Managing Director, GroupM OOH Solutions in India said, “The rural landscape is no longer just a geographical space; it’s a digital frontier ripe with opportunities. As rural consumers embrace online platforms, brands must adapt their strategies to meet them where they are. By investing in digital initiatives that resonate with rural India’s aspirations, brands can tap into a burgeoning market that promises substantial growth.”
This is the fifth edition of the Rural Barometer report and the findings are based on a sample of 4,376 rural adults (18+ year olds) surveyed across 20 Indian States.
78% of marketers prioritise improving brand awareness and reputation as their top marketing goal
81% of marketers prioritise brand awareness and long-term growth in 2024, reveals CNNIC-MTM study
The research, involving 1,090 senior marketing leaders across 12 global markets, delves into the essential ingredients for successful long-term brand building amid evolving technological challenges and economic uncertainty.
A striking 78% of marketers prioritise improving brand awareness and reputation as their top marketing goal, according to a new study by CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) and data consultancy MTM. The research, involving 1,090 senior marketing leaders across 12 global markets, delves into the essential ingredients for successful long-term brand building amid evolving technological challenges and economic uncertainty. The white paper titled ‘Brand Power: Strategies for Instant Impact and Future Growth’ highlights the growing importance of consistent brand investment and compelling storytelling in today’s competitive marketing landscape.
“Marketers often hold one of the most innovative and challenging roles in business today and this study navigates some of the complexities of the industry. The findings from this study reveal that brand-building is recognised as an essential long-term goal for companies worldwide, with leaders increasingly aware of the need to embrace continuous, purpose-driven storytelling that genuinely engages consumers. It’s also clear that international news providers continue to play a crucial role in building trust and credibility for brands in today’s information-saturated landscape,” Jo Tenzer, director of audience insight, CNNIC, said.
Scored a Legal Win Over Progressive Publishers
OpenAI has notched a victory in its ongoing legal fight against publishers over how its AI tools use creative work. On November 7, a judge dismissed a copyright case against the startup brought by independent publishers Alternet and Raw Story.
While several publishers have lined up content deals with OpenAI—including WIRED parent company Condé Nast—dozens of copyright lawsuits against AI startups are winding their way through the US court system. Many of these complaints allege direct copyright infringement, arguing that it’s illegal for AI companies to train their tools on news articles, books, paintings, and other copyrighted materials without permission. Some also include other claims ranging from trademark law violation to violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a copyright law intended as an anti-piracy statute that is now broadly deployed by intellectual property rights holders.
Google Maps to get an AI upgrade
Google is readying an infusion of artificial intelligence into one of its most popular and longstanding products: the company’s flagship navigation app, Google Maps. The company’s generative AI chatbot, Gemini, will soon be a ubiquitous part of Maps; the rollout appears to be part of a larger effort to combat recent AI advances made by one of Google’s largest competitors, Apple.
Google is “transforming Maps with the power of Gemini models, helping you get answers to complex questions about the world,” Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced in an Oct. 31 press release. AI has already “helped us build new experiences for over a decade,” but will now be a part of Maps in a largely new way, according to the company.
The biggest change is people will be able to use Gemini’s chatbot features to communicate with Maps. This means users will be able to “converse with Google Maps to ask for tips on things to do around specific spots in a neighborhood or city and receive lists of restaurants, bars and other nearby attractions that include reviews that have been compiled through the years,” said The Associated Press.
Signal calls now work a lot more like Meet and Zoom
Signal is making a bunch of improvements to calls so they are more competitive with Zoom and Google Meet, including the ability to share a link to a call.
Previously, you could only initiate a call from a Signal group chat, so this new feature should make it much easier to hop on the phone with a friend or co-worker by sending them a link inside or outside of Signal. You can also re-use call links, which could be handy for recurring work meetings or a weekly chat you have with your family.
India’s games spending is expected to reach $9.2bn in five years
India’s gaming revenues rose 23% in the last fiscal year to $3.8 billion – and are expected to nearly triple in the next five years.
That’s according to a new report by India-based venture capital firm Lumikai, created in collaboration with Google and Deloitte. Some of the report’s consumer data was based on a survey of 2,269 India smartphone users.
According to this year’s ‘State of India Interactive Media and Gaming Research’ report, mobile games accounted for 30% of the nation’s $12.5 billion new media market in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. New media also encompasses video content, animation and VFX, audio streaming and social media.
In fact, games revenues were nearly level with the $3.9 billion from video content, the largest new media segment.
And games are projected to reach $9.2 billion in revenue by the end of the 2029 fiscal year.
BC Web Wise unveils TVC for Sugar Cosmetics featuring Kriti Sanon
To capture the attention of Gen Z, Sugar Cosmetics collaborated with BC Web Wise to release a new TV commercial for its Sugar Pop – ultrastay transferproof lipstick. Starring brand ambassador Kriti Sanon, the ad highlights the lipstick’s standout feature: high-impact, transfer-proof color, designed for those with active, on-the-go lifestyles.
In the film, created by BC Web Wise, Kriti appears in everyday scenarios, like grabbing coffee or hanging out with friends, where the lipstick’s smudge-free, vibrant color stays intact, reinforcing the product’s tagline, “Colour Sahi, Transfer Nahi!”
Contact Today and Maximise your Business Potential!
Want an award winning website or a celebrity film for your brand? Click here to send us your interest and we will reach out to you asap.