Branded content is not ‘sprint’, but ‘marathon’, says Ashiish V Patil

Branded content is not ‘sprint’, but ‘marathon’, says Ashiish V Patil

Delhi: The three errors manufacturers make whereas pursuing the content route, as highlighted by Ashiish V Patil in an interview with BuzzInContent.com, embody hiring a content knowledgeable after which dictating to him/her what to do, measuring branded content with the identical conventional promoting metrics, and anticipating instant outcomes from branded content whereas dropping some reality bombs.
Patil, a author, producer, director, writer, and proud autism dad, at the moment heads ‘Isspeshal’, a Content Hotshop, leveraging his in depth 30 years of expertise in Media & Entertainment. Previously, he served because the CEO of MTV India and Head of Youth Films, Talent Management, Brand Partnerships, and Digital Originals at Yash Raj Films.
During the interview, he emphasised the significance of bringing authenticity, function, humour, and know-how to content, whereas criticising random moments and influencer advertising and marketing techniques adopted by manufacturers.
Patil was a part of the staff that produced India’s 1st Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion for India’s ‘6-Pack Band’ and performed a key function in creating India’s 1st Branded Feature Film, ‘Mere Dad ki Maruti’, together with campaigns akin to ‘Roadies, Splitsvilla, Bakra, the MTV Style Awards, and the Ranveer Ching Desi Chinese’.
Recently, Patil authored a e-book titled ‘Branded Content Boss’, which distils his profession expertise within the realm of branded content. The e-book gives simplified steps for producing branded content, options efficient case research, and gives insights from thought leaders on branded content. 
This is half one of many interview. Part two of the interview will likely be revealed on Friday. 
Excerpts from the half one of many interview:
You have carefully noticed the evolution of branded content in India. What’s your tackle its evolution?
India has come a great distance from the place it was when it comes to branded content. We’re all conversant in classics like Binaca Geetmala, the Bournvita Quiz Contest, and the enduring Amul hoardings which were round for many years. We simply did not have a selected label for it. This phenomenon is not very previous globally, both. In 2001, BMW determined to create 5 mini-feature movies with the world’s high administrators. At that point, Cannes launched a brand new class known as branded leisure as a result of they did not know tips on how to classify it—it wasn’t a typical advert. This was when the idea started to take form. YouTube was additionally launched later in 2005.
Similar to the rise of social media, which has now develop into commonplace for manufacturers, content advertising and marketing has develop into important. More superior manufacturers have already got well-developed content advertising and marketing and branded content practices. The codecs and genres of branded content have additionally advanced considerably. Additionally, I see variety in content resulting from India’s nature. Every three kilometres, the dialect and delicacies change, including to the richness of content variety.
Do you consider that Indian-branded content is on par with world markets?
India harbours distinctive expertise that wishes to enterprise past conventional 30-second ads. They at the moment are exploring long-format content, music, and integrating know-how into their work. However, advertisers have not totally embraced this shift but.
I might argue that branded content in India is not on par with world markets for a number of causes. Firstly, it lacks scale in comparison with world examples like Mattel, which produced a movie for Barbie, and Louis Vuitton, which established a manufacturing home targeted on trend. Secondly, the quantity of branded content generated globally far exceeds that of India. Companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Red Bull are prolific creators of content. Thirdly, the manufacturing high quality in India typically falls wanting world requirements. There is a bent to anticipate viral content at minimal price. Conversely, some world manufacturers have realised they’re not simply competing with different manufacturers but additionally with the high-quality content produced by Amazon and Netflix. Lastly, India nonetheless has progress to make in utilising know-how for content creation in comparison with world requirements.
Which developments do you assume could have a long-lasting affect on the branded content ecosystem, and which developments do you see as fleeting?
The most elementary development that is right here to remain is authenticity. A model will likely be uncovered if it’s dishonest, significantly amongst Gen Z and millennials, who’re fast to name out greenwashing or tokenism.
While it’s a much-used time period, the second elementary facet impacting the branded content ecosystem is function. According to a Wunderman Thompson report, 71% of Gen Z and millennials consider that manufacturers with out constructive or inclusive portrayals will develop into irrelevant. Therefore, it’s vital to include larger function and which means into your content.
Another fascinating development that manufacturers ought to capitalise on is humour. Especially after the pandemic, there is a number of ache and stress amongst folks, making humour in content interesting to many. It’s not simply cola and chewing gum manufacturers creating humorous content; even unlikely manufacturers like BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) are resorting to humour of their content.Fourthly, using AI, whether or not it is for utilising knowledge to achieve deeper shopper insights or offering customised content.
One of the fleeting developments, for my part, is participating in second advertising and marketing only for the sake of it. The second fleeting development in content advertising and marketing is generic influencer advertising and marketing. For instance, manufacturers typically have interaction 50 influencers to take part in problem movies, no matter whether or not there is a significant reference to the model. 
However, I don’t discredit genuine second advertising and marketing and real influencer collaborations.
Do you assume the longer term is all about branded leisure? 
The reply is each sure and no. The reality is that relying solely on promoting to achieve folks is turning into more and more difficult. Approximately 70% of all Gen Z and Millennials use advert blockers, whereas older generations typically go for premium subscriptions that remove advertisements. Those in between, who do not use advert blockers or have premium subscriptions, can simply skip advertisements with the contact of a button. Even when promoting does attain people, many are sceptical of it as consciousness grows concerning paid endorsements by model ambassadors.
Entertainment involves the rescue by breaking firewalls. People usually tend to have interaction with manufacturers’ content if it is entertaining. Branded leisure will play a big function in capturing consideration, which is more and more tough in right this moment’s cluttered setting. However, it can not change promoting but complement it. Even main branded leisure producers like Red Bull proceed to make use of promoting. Brands that rely solely on promoting danger shedding the sport; integrating each branded content and promoting is important for efficient advertising and marketing methods.
What are the commonest errors manufacturers make when creating branded content?
The largest mistake manufacturers make is once they rent an knowledgeable after which dictate precisely what the latter ought to do. It’s like elevating a canine but barking your self. For instance, in lots of influencer collaborations, manufacturers work with influencers who excel in storytelling, know their viewers properly, and have nice comedic abilities. However, these influencers are sometimes directed to carry a can in a sure approach or put on particular clothes, which might be absurd. For occasion, it is acceptable in an commercial for Ranveer Singh to carry a Pepsi can in a specific method, but for others, it might appear unnatural and compelled. Similarly, instructing influencers to put on a selected color and carry out sure actions can come throughout as foolish. It’s important to permit specialists some artistic freedom. Hiring an knowledgeable after which micromanaging them by offering a script and instructing them on tips on how to promote the model can undermine their talents and creativity. This strategy represents a elementary mistake in influencer advertising and marketing.
The second mistake manufacturers make of their branded content journey is anticipating instantaneous outcomes. Branded content is not a dash; it is a marathon. The journey of branded content is prolonged. If folks don’t like your content, strive one thing new. If they take pleasure in it, produce extra of it. By constantly delivering high quality content over time, you’ll be able to construct a bond or relationship with customers. When they want a product in your class, they are going to keep in mind your model. If the patron’s product expertise is constructive and gratifying, they are going to proceed participating together with your model over time, doubtlessly resulting in ‘paison ka nanga naach’.
The third mistake manufacturers make is making use of the identical metrics as conventional promoting to branded content. Of course, they will incorporate varied model metrics, enterprise metrics, and content metrics, but they should not restrict analysis to simply conventional promoting metrics like gross sales and footfalls. Brands want to incorporate extra engagement-driven metrics that assess long-term impacts akin to belief, model affinity, and likability. 

https://www.buzzincontent.com/interviews/branded-content-is-not-sprint-but-marathon-says-ashiish-v-patil-4548163

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