Latest news with #ArunSrinivas
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Counter-intuitive insights from GWI-Meta's India Retail study
Retail consumer behaviour has shifted considerably, yet advertising spend in the retail industry has not kept pace. A recent GWI- Meta study highlighted that eight out of ten shoppers today are discovering products and brands via social media, and that 96% do so via Meta channels. Yet, according to the dentsu digital advertising report 2025, the retail sector continues to spend the majority of its advertising budgets (Rs 3,225 crore) on print media (52%), followed by digital media (23%). How can retailers leverage growing digital media consumption? Arun Srinivas , managing director and head, Meta India (former director and head of ads business, India, Meta), observed, 'This shift means that social media is now acting as the new storefront, especially for offline retailers. We're seeing a significant rise in retailers leveraging our platforms to drive footfall and interest in physical stores. Two major trends are fuelling this transformation: short-form content like Reels, which is driving consumer engagement and influencing purchase intent, and influencer marketing , with six in ten users taking action after seeing content from creators. Influencers today don't just shape online trends, they directly impact real-world buying behaviour.' A nonlinear commerce journey For select categories such as large electronics, consumers are more likely to lean towards webrooming i.e., researching the product online before buying it in-store. However, for categories like luxury jewellery, the trend leans towards showrooming i.e., researching the product in-store before buying it online. Srinivas noted, 'We're definitely seeing this behaviour emerge in certain categories, and context plays a big role. Take a category like jewellery, for instance, it's not something you purchase casually or frequently like jeans or a T-shirt. It's a higher-ticket item, and consumers often want to explore more before making a decision. What's interesting is that while the discovery may start online, the consumer might visit a store, not find the exact design or collection they're looking for, and then continue their journey online. That need for extended discovery is very real, especially when not all designs are available in every store. So, a customer may visit a physical outlet, feel underwhelmed, and later see a more appealing option while casually browsing Instagram or Facebook. This ongoing cycle of discovery online to offline and back online is especially evident in categories where the purchase decision takes time and is driven by personal taste and variety. Essentially, we're now operating in a truly omnichannel world, where the consumer journey isn't linear. Instead, it flexes based on the product category, context, and the convenience and content being served across touchpoints.' Imagine a consumer walking into a store with a clear idea of the product they want to purchase. Unfortunately, the product is out of stock, and the consumer leaves the store within five minutes. This is a missed opportunity for retailers who want to capitalise on online behaviour trends. Furthermore, the study highlighted that consumers are more likely to research the product in-store on their smartphone rather than asking a sales representative for help. The biggest reason in-store shopping continues to dominate purchase volumes is due to the touch-and-feel experience that consumers get, especially for higher-end products. But what are the implications for advertising? According to the study, six out of ten content viewers follow national influencers who have the biggest impact on discovery and purchase. A third of influencer viewers said that seeing an influencer visiting and rating the store experience or trying on products in-store would compel them to do it themselves. Srinivas stated, 'We're truly operating in an omnichannel world, and our focus is on delivering seamless omnichannel advertising solutions. Whether a brand's goal is to drive sales offline or online, it doesn't matter if our campaigns are designed to measure impact across all touchpoints. We can track how many people saw an ad, made online purchases, browsed a website, or even visited a physical store.' He added, 'For some retailers, we integrate encrypted backend data to provide precise metrics, enabling marketers to view results holistically rather than in silos. This means advertisers can see how a specific creative drives foot traffic in targeted geographies, down to the PIN code level, depending on the brand's scale. This comprehensive measurement approach helps brands optimise campaigns effectively across the entire customer journey.' Occasion-led retail and hyper-personalised messaging It's no secret that occasion buying is a major trend in retail and drives significant volumes. However, the Meta study highlights an interesting nuance: consumers demonstrate varying preferences for online or in-store shopping based on the occasion. For example, they are more than twice as likely to buy large electronics online during Diwali, but four times more likely to buy them in-store during Valentine's Day. This behaviour allows retailers to choose between broad-based targeting strategies and more personalised, one-on-one approaches depending on purchase context. Srinivas highlighted, 'Large retailers like Croma have run campaigns using QR codes that open WhatsApp chatbots with personalised offers to encourage store visits. This approach helps brands deliver highly relevant messages and drive foot traffic, resulting in measurable ROI improvements. Essentially, WhatsApp is becoming a powerful tool for marketers to engage customers directly and personally.' He added, 'Croma has successfully used WhatsApp to communicate with customers in local languages, like Malayalam, which led to some of their highest engagement lifts. This approach allows brands to run broad campaigns but then have personalised, one-on-one conversations, sending tailored offers based on customer interests, say, only AC deals if that's what you want, making the experience much more relevant and effective. It's a powerful way to connect directly with customers and boost in-store visits.' Consumers today are no longer drawing clear distinctions between online and offline journeys across product categories. Rather than shopping exclusively through one channel, they are moving fluidly between both worlds. What is becoming increasingly evident, however, is that online platforms are emerging as the first port of call for discovery and research, shaping preferences and influencing decisions well before a purchase is made, whether in-store or online. For retailers, this underscores the need to create integrated, omnichannel strategies that meet consumers where they are and guide them seamlessly through every stage of the purchase journey.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Empowering budding developers
New Delhi: To help unlock the next chapter of growth for gaming in India, Meta launched Meta Gaming Accelerator, an incubator to empower small and medium gaming developers across the country. India's gaming sector has been experiencing a meteoric rise driven by mobile-first usage, a thriving creator economy, and innovative technologies such as AI. 'India's gaming community is a hotbed of creativity and innovation, but to unlock its full potential, we need to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity,' said Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head, Meta (India). 'That's why we're launching the Meta Gaming Accelerator – to provide Indian gaming developers with access to cutting-edge ad tools, expert mentorship, and critical guidance that they need to scale their businesses and take on the world,' he added. The Accelerator is being launched in partnership with four leading venture capital funds — Bitkraft Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Elevation Capital. In its launch phase, the programme is designed to empower 20–30 emerging Indian developers and studios through a structured curriculum. It will offer strategic guidance across monetisation, user acquisition, cross-border scaling, and AI-led game development, with a special focus on how developers can integrate Meta's AI tools, including Llama, into their game creation and optimisation processes. The programme will conclude in a high-stakes Demo Day, where participating developers will demonstrate how they've leveraged Meta's ecosystem to solve real-world growth challenges. The event will be attended by investors, Meta leadership, and industry stakeholders, with top-performing studios receiving platform-level amplification and potential funding for driving acquisitions leveraging Meta solution. 'By combining expert sessions from Meta with structured guidance from the country's top Venture Capital firms, we hope to not just empower local success stories but also create a launchpad for Indian gaming companies to scale globally,' said Srinivas.
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Meta launches new gaming accelerator in India with top VC firms to mentor developers
Meta has officially launched the Meta Gaming Accelerator, a three-month incubator programme aimed at nurturing small and medium game developers and gaming studios across India. The programme is being launched in collaboration with four venture capital (VC) firms, namely Elevation Capital, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Bitkraft Ventures. The announcement was made at Meta's Marketing Summit (Gaming Edition) that was held recently with participation from top brands, gaming studios, developers, and investors. The initiative comes at a time when India's gaming sector is witnessing rapid growth, fueled by mobile-first users, a vibrant creator economy, and emerging technologies like AI. The three-month programme will combine strategic support from Meta with structured mentoring from investors at the VC firms. Developers chosen for the programme will participate in specialised training that includes: -Ad monetisation and platform integration using Meta Ads and the Meta Audience Network. -Campaign optimisation and user acquisition strategies tailored for mobile gaming. -Workshops on Llama and AI-powered tools for storytelling, personalisation, and game design. -Business and funding mentorship, led by VC partners and industry experts. -Cross-border scaling guidance, helping Indian studios prepare for global market entry. The programme will culminate in a high-stakes Demo Day, where participants will present their progress to a panel of investors, Meta executives, and other gaming industry stakeholders. Top-performing studios may receive additional support, including platform-level amplification and potential funding to help scale user acquisition strategies through Meta's ecosystem. Arun Srinivas, managing director and head of Meta in India, emphasised the importance of closing the talent-opportunity gap. 'India's gaming community is a hotbed of creativity and innovation, but to unlock its full potential, we need to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. That's why we're launching the Meta Gaming Accelerator – to provide Indian gaming developers with access to cutting-edge ad tools, expert mentorship, and critical guidance that they need to scale their businesses and take on the world,' Srinivas said. 'By combining expert sessions from Meta with structured guidance from the country's top Venture Capital firms, we hope to not just empower local success stories but also create a launchpad for Indian gaming companies to scale globally,' he added. The Meta Gaming Accelerator marks a strategic investment in India's digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem. It aim to empower the next generation of game developers by fueling innovation, job creation, and global competitiveness.
India Today
17-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Meta launches India-first gaming accelerator to power next-gen game studios with AI and VC muscle
Meta Platforms, the parent company behind Facebook, WhatsApp and more, has announced its maiden accelerator program in India to help developers create their next breakthrough game title. The Meta Gaming Accelerator aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by identifying, training, and mentoring small and medium game developers, studios and businesses so they can build world-class games at scale and at par with their global a release shared with the media, Meta said it plans to pick 20-30 emerging Indian developers and studios in its launch phase, without mentioning the criteria of selection. Once picked, these developers and studios will have access to a structured curriculum, over a period of three months wherein they will be offered strategic guidance across 'monetisation, user acquisition, cross-border scaling, and AI-led game development,' with a special focus on how they can integrate Meta's AI tools, including Llama, into game creation and optimisation AI has touched almost every aspect of our lives today. Gaming is also benefiting from some of this capability, reducing turn-around time while enhancing mechanics, whether it be through seamless character development or changing the way some of these games have traditionally been sold and played. Meta including AI in its course for developers isn't surprising. But at the same time, initiatives like the Meta Gaming Accelerator are the need of the hour since they can help dispel fears and concerns that AI will spike unemployment by giving deserving people the tools and opportunity to sharpen their skills and, basically, be The program is being launched in partnership with four leading Venture Capital Funds: Bitkraft Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Elevation Capital. Towards the end, Meta will host a demo day where participating developers will demonstrate how they leveraged its ecosystem to solve real-world growth challenges. Meta says the event will be attended by investors, Meta leadership, and industry stakeholders, providing a platform to not just showcase but also open avenues for potential funding and acquisition.'India's gaming community is a hotbed of creativity and innovation, but to unlock its full potential, we need to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. That's why we're launching the Meta Gaming Accelerator – to provide Indian gaming developers with access to cutting-edge ad tools, expert mentorship, and critical guidance that they need to scale their businesses and take on the world,' Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head, Meta (India) said in a prepared statement. 'By combining expert sessions from Meta with structured guidance from the country's top Venture Capital firms, we hope to not just empower local success stories but also create a launchpad for Indian gaming companies to scale globally.'
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
All about Meta's new India head Arun Srinivas: Where all he worked, education and more …
Arun Srinivas Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has appointed Arun Srinivas as its new managing director and head for India, effective July 1, 2025. A marketing veteran Srinivas will succeed Sandhya Devanathan, who has taken on an expanded role overseeing both India and Southeast Asia. Srinivas will continue to report directly to Devanathan in his new capacity. Commenting on Srinivas's elevation, Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President (India and South East Asia), Meta, said, 'As India continues to be at the forefront of economic growth and innovation, we are excited to have Arun at the helm of our efforts in this critical market. Meta in India is leading the way in AI adoption, WhatsApp, and Reels, and Arun's impressive track record of building high-performing teams, driving product innovation, and fostering strong partnerships makes him the ideal leader to drive Meta's continued investment in the country. He will continue to work closely with me as we scale the business in India.' Arun Srinivas started his career with Reebok in 1996, 15 years at HUL and more … Srinivas currently serves as Director and Head of Ads Business for Meta India, where he has led strategic initiatives across AI, Reels, and Messaging, working closely with top advertisers and agency partners. He joined Meta in September 2020, initially heading the Global Business Group in India. Under his leadership, Meta India's advertising revenue reportedly saw a significant increase in the last fiscal year. Arun Srinivas has nearly three decades of extensive experience across diverse sectors, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), technology, mobility, and private equity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Srinivas started his career as a product manager at Reebok in 1996. He then spent over 15 years at Hindustan Unilever, joining in 2001 as a Branch Sales Manager and rising through the ranks to become Vice President of Foods South Asia, overseeing businesses across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Following his long stint at Hindustan Unilever, Srinivas transitioned into the investment world serving as an Operating Advisor for WestBridge Capital for two and a half years. In 2019, he started working at Ola as chief operating officer and global chief marketing officer. At Ola he managed India P&L and also worked on the company's expansion. Then in 2020 he joined Meta as Director and Head of Meta's Global Business Group. Arun Srinivas is a Science graduate from University of Madras He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Madras (1993), a PGDM in Marketing from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta (1996), and completed executive education in Strategic Customer Management from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management (2007). Arun Srinivas responsibilities as Meta's India head In his new role, Srinivas will be responsible for bringing together Meta's business, innovation, and revenue priorities in India. His mandate includes strengthening relationships with India's largest advertisers, brands, developers, and partners to drive sustained business growth across the region. What makes Arun Srinivas' appointment crucial His appointment comes at a crucial time for Meta in India, a market that represents the company's largest user base across its platforms. The region is also at the forefront of AI adoption and innovation, particularly concerning short-form video content like Reels and business messaging solutions on WhatsApp. Srinivas has previously emphasised AI as the "backbone of everything we do" at Meta, indicating that his leadership will likely intensify the focus on AI integration across the company's offerings in India. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
