Marketing lessons from religious festivals
In a world where one of the oft-repeated tagline of an upcoming online brand is "Yahaan sab kuch bikta hai", religion is often marketed and sold as product. Take the case of Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal - What was earlier revered as community gathering meant for joyous and pious bonding of para-people, has now been invaded by corporate pujas that flaunt budgets in millions of Indian currency.
Sample this - you walk into a Puja pandal which is tagged with "majbooti ki guarantee" of a leading cement brand. While you rustle past the pandal line and make inside the pandal structure you might be inundated with ads like the bright lighting of the pandal brought to you by - "Fair n light - creating a brighter you" or the decoration of the idol shall be adorned with a jewellery brand's ad - "Divinity - that's you". The time is not far, when perhaps all the aspects of religious activities shall be sponsored by various marketers.
Religion is the new drive for consumerism
When the consumers are looking for a reason to splurge their income on latest trends, the idea of religion takes a new turn where consumerism becomes the new religion. Care should be given to protect the place of religious beliefs in the coming times!! And that shall depend on you.
