Sujatra, an apparel startup, raised an undisclosed amount of debt funding round from India’s largest revenue-based financier and Peter Thiel-backed Velocity as well. The funds will be used for research & development and for geographical expansion. The brand has recently announced its expansion into Canada, making its designer ethnic wear more accessible to customers worldwide. Additionally, the company aims to spread the idea of designer Indian ethnic wear inspired by traditional art forms in the North American market.
Specializing in designer ethnic wear, Sujatra offers a modern aesthetic in the women’s wear market. It was founded in 2016 by 69-year-old entrepreneur Chitralekha Das. Initially, the brand combined Indian art forms, paintings, and fabrics to create unique saree designs. Over time, the brand entered modern aesthetics in the women’s wear market. Now they have a wide product range comprising sarees, kurtis, dresses, tops, and blouses. The brand’s USP is its contemporary take on traditional Indian art forms, they believe innovation is the key to establishing India in the world apparel market.
The launch of international operations will assist in cutting down the excessive international shipping costs from India, and the order servicing time will also reduce drastically. This will increase the brand’s foothold in the Canadian market, where quality, delivery time, and flexibility are of prime importance.
Mr. Bedprakash Das, Chief Executive Officer, Shares, “This funding will help us with expansion and focus more on research and development. We are strengthening the quality checks and with the infusion of these funds, we will also implement new technologies. During our research, we found shopping for ethnic wear abroad can often turn into a disappointing experience due to limited design options, extended delivery time, exorbitant shipping costs, no provision for returns, and most importantly – no facility for size customization or proper fittings. We intend to change all this and offer a closer-to-home experience of shopping. We will offer a 7-day return window, size exchange facility & will also offer custom stitching options through our international operations hub located in Greater Toronto Area, Canada. “
It has become common to see top-of-the-line celebrities endorsing brands on-screen. The demand for the right brand ambassadors is so high that many brands even compete with each other for the right person that would fit in well with the brand’s ideology and its products. Choosing the face for the brand with qualities of social relevance, commercial appeal, and brand value is one of the most essential parts of marketing strategies in the 21st century.
One of the celebrities that are most in-demand for endorsements is Alia Bhatt, as she has all the criteria needed by the advertisers these days. Alia Bhatt is a British-born Indian actor and singer that works predominantly in the Bollywood industry.
The actress is known for her work in movies like Student Of The Year, Raazi, Highway, 2 States, Udta Punjab, Dear Zindagi, Gully Boy, etc. Alia is one of the most popular and the highest-paid actresses in the country and was also featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 and Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list of 2017.
Despite her acting career, Alia also launched her own line of clothing called Ed-A-Mamma, a production company Eternal Sunshine Productions, and is also a founder of ecological initiative CoExist.Alia Bhatt is known to charge over Rs. 1 to 2 crore per day for the endorsements she does. Alia Bhatt’s brand value surged to USD 102.9 million in 2022, a significant increase from USD 68.1 million in 2021, securing her position at the top of the list. In this blog, we will explore the impressive list of brands that Alia Bhatt has endorsed, highlighting her influence and impact in the advertising world.
Aurelia, the clothing brand announced its first campaign on February 16, 2022, which will be featuring Alia Bhatt. The maiden campaign of the TNCS Clothing’s ethnic apparel brand is termed “Be Compliment Ready” and will be a series of films with humorous undertones, which will be aiming to highlight the beauty of effortless styling. With the start of the new year 2022, this Aurelia ad will be among Alia Bhatt’s new ads.
Alia Bhatt’s brand endorsement with Aurelia has brought together the best of traditional Indian wear and contemporary fashion. With Alia’s magnetic personality and fashion-forward approach, Aurelia continues to thrive as a go-to brand for ethnic wear enthusiasts across the country.
On January 11, 2022, the announcement was made that Alia Bhatt would be the new face of Blenders Pride, a renowned premium whiskey brand in India. Owned by Pernod Ricard and launched in 1995, Blenders Pride has gained popularity for its unique blend of Indian grain spirit and imported Scotch malts, offering a distinct and refined taste without any artificial flavors.
The recent campaign film titled “Made of Pride” features Alia Bhatt, showcasing her remarkable journey to success. The advertisement captures Alia’s unwavering determination and showcases her “never give up” attitude, highlighting her pride in her accomplishments.
The collaboration between Alia Bhatt and Blenders Pride represents a synergy between the brand’s values and the actress’s persona.
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription-based video streaming service and production company that was launched in August 1997, and has grown to be one of the most liked OTT platforms among the world of platforms available today including Amazon Prime, Hotstar, ALTBalaji, Zee 5, Voot, SonyLIV, Hoichoi and more.
The popular on-demand video streaming platform collaborated with Alia Bhatt on December 14, 2021, to announce the slashing of its subscription prices in India.
Cadbury, a name that needs no introduction, has become synonymous with chocolate, especially in India. Originally known as Cadbury’s and Cadbury Schweppes, it is a British multinational confectionery company that is now fully owned by Mondelez International. With its headquarters located in Mumbai, India, Cadbury has established itself as a household name in the chocolate industry.
One of Cadbury’s popular chocolate wafer products in India is Cadbury Perk. In an exciting announcement, Alia Bhatt, a youth icon among Indian actresses, was revealed as the face of the Cadbury Perk brand. The association between Alia Bhatt and Cadbury Perk adds a touch of youthful exuberance and charm to the brand. In the Cadbury Perk ad that premiered on March 5, 2021, Alia Bhatt captured the hearts of audiences with her infectious energy and vibrant persona.
Cornetto is one of the well-known brands of frozen desserts in India. Cornetto or the “little horn”, as it is known in Italian, is originally an Italian brand of frozen dessert. The company first introduced Cornetto in 1959 and is manufactured and owned by the Anglo-Dutch company Unilever.
Alia Bhatt has been the brand ambassador of Cornetto, marketed as Kwality Walls Cornetto, and had collaborated on numerous occasions in “Do uh like Cornetto” and others, the latest one of which is in the form of the campaign titled “make the first move”, featuring Alia and Rohit Saraf.
Flipkart
Flipkartis one of the top e-commerce platforms with its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Flipkart held over 39.5% of the market share of the e-commerce industry and has acquired companies like Myntra and PhonePe over the years.
Flipkart made Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt its brand ambassadors in 2019 and launched the sixth edition of the “India Ka Fashion Capital” campaign, which was a success right away. The eCommerce giant had last launched the 9th edition of its campaign in November 2021, which had Alia in it and was an equal success!
In an interview, Vikas Gupta the Vice president and marketing head of Flipkart said that:
“They are not only fine actors but also hugely popular style icons. Through this latest campaign and our proposition of ‘Don’t stress, Karo impress,’ we are confident that we will help address consumer concerns and encourage them to interact with our platforms.”
Alia Bhatt’s association with Flipkart goes beyond being just a brand ambassador. She has actively participated in Flipkart’s initiatives and events, engaging directly with customers and fans. Her involvement has not only added star power to the brand but has also created a sense of trust and reliability among consumers.
Lays is one of the best potato chip brands from the United States. The company was initially called Frito lays with the Fritos and is currently owned by PepsiCo since 1965. Lays is called by different names across the world, for example, Walkers in the UK and Ireland, Smith’s in Australia, Chipsy in Egypt and the West Balkans, Tapuchips in Israel, Margarita in Colombia, Sabritas in Mexico, etc.
The company was launched in India in 1995 and has so far has had brand ambassadors like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Saif Ali Khan, etc. The company made Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor the brand ambassadors of Lays in October 2019. Both the actors have become part of the ‘Smile Deke Dekho’ campaign and have appeared in many commercials together. The secret behind the campaign is the new Lay’s packaging which showcases how a smile can universally connect and conveys a mood or emotion effortlessly.
Even for the latest Lays campaign, which the company launched in December 2021, Alia Bhatt was seen alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi to promote its thinnest wafers.
Garnier
Garnier is a cosmetics company that is a subsidiary of the French cosmetics company L’Oréal, designed as a mass market cosmetics brand. Garnier Skin Naturals first announced Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador in 2013. The popular cosmetics brand eventually announced Alia Bhatt as the new face of its hair care brand Garnier Fructis in June 2014. Since then Garnier has featured Alia Bhatt on many occasions after the partnership happened. Furthermore, it also takes credit for bringing Alia and her mother Soni Razdan on the screen for the first time in its Fructis ad in 2015.
The latest Garnier advertisement was that of Garnier Light, which was launched in June 2020 that had Alia Bhatt in it.
Manyavar was originally created by Ravi Modi in 1999, the brand is credited for reinventing the men’s ethnic wear category. The company is also known for wedding wear and is a one-stop-shop for grooms, brides, and the family providing a wide range of clothes for all the functions.
Manyavar now owns a retail space of 4,50,000 sq.ft with more than450 stores which include 60 flagships. It also has 12+ international stores across 173+ cities in countries like India, the USA, Bangladesh, Nepal, and UAE. Initially, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were the brand ambassador of Manvayar Mohey but the brand then replaced the power couple with Alia Bhatt in August 2019, which was later confirmed in September 2019.
Since then, actresses have been featured in many of its ads, the most recent commercial has Alia playing the role of a bride in the Manyavar Mohey range of clothes. In a statement, Alia said that she was extremely excited to work with the company and that looks forward to connecting with young women everywhere, through this campaign, which is all about a bride’s emotions on her special day.
Frooti is the second-largest mango-flavored drink sold in India. It is a flagship brand and one of the most successful drink products made by Parle Agro. The brand was originally launched in 1985 in the tetra pak packaging and now in PET bottles and rectangular tetra packs.
Frooti can be found in the countries such as the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Mozambique, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Japan, and Ireland. The drink has had many popular celebrities like Allu Arjun, Shah Rukh Khan endorsing the brad before.
The brand spent 40% more on its marketing in 2013 and made Alia Bhatt its brand ambassador in 2017. Nadia Chauhan, the Joint Managing Director at Parle Agro said that :
“The mango-based drinks control over 90% of the total market, which is why we need to re-invent ourselves within the segment. With the help of Alia, the new product will address different target consumers and will build the Frooti franchise further.”
The Frooti company roped in Ram Charan along with Alia Bhatt in its latest advertisement that was rolled out on April, 2023.
PhonePe
PhonePe is an Indian financial payment and e-wallet company based out of Bengaluru. Founded by Sameer Nigam, Rahul Chari, and Burzin Engineer, and launched in December 2015, PhonePe has been an industry leader in the digital payments sector in India.
The popular fintech company is another big name that one can recount while listing Alia Bhatt’s brand endorsements. The fintech giant roped in the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt in February 2020 along with Aamir Khan as the brand ambassadors. The first PhonePe advertisement with Alia Bhatt came out in the month of October in the same year. The newest PhonePe ad titled was rolled out on Oct 21, 2022, which featured Alia Bhatt.
Samsung Electronics is a South Korean electronics company founded on January 13, 1969, and headquartered in the Yeongtong District of Suwon. In 2019, Samsung became the world’s second largest technology company by revenue, which boasted a market capitalization of $520.65 billion.
Samsung India also roped in Alia Bhatt as the brand ambassador of the premium Galaxy range of smartphones on August 18, 2021. This eventually led Alia Bhatt to advertise its Galaxy Z foldable phones, the recent one of which advertises the Galaxy foldable phones along with featuring the Samsung Global Goals app. This app is integrated into all Galaxy smartphones and helps the users to contribute the causes that matter most to them in a simple manner.
Founded in 1963, Duroflex is a mattress and sleep solutions provider headquartered in Bengaluru that was started in Alleppey by the late PC Mathew. One of the trusted sleep solutions service providers, Duroflex had roped in Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador and has then featured Bhatt in some of its advertisements, the first of which was launched in August 2021. The latest one ad “Alia’s Secret is Out” was launched in Sep 16, 2022.
Philipsis one is the most trusted electronic multinational company that was originally founded by Gerard Philips in 1891.The company has its headquarters based in Amsterdam and was formally one of the largest electronics companies in the world.
The company is currently focused on the area of health technology and is branching into other sectors. Philips is known to have over 80,000 people in 100+ different countries. The company signed Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador for its beauty range.
The actress has done many ads for Philips endorsing its hair appliances from the range of Philips Kerashine and a variety of depilation devices. In a statement, the company said that the actress will help the company take the style revolution among the new age Indian women to the next level. The most recent advertisement of Philips where Alia Bhatt was featured was the Right Heat campaign where the electronics giant focused on bringing its innovative solution, Philips Hair Straightener, which was rolled out in Feb 15, 2023. This is one of Alia Bhatt’s new ads for electronics brands.
Tresemme is an American brand of haircare products the first product of which was manufactured in 1947 by the Godefroy Manufacturing Company in Manhattan, New York City.
The Indian subsidiary of the popular haircare brand, Tresemme India roped in Alia Bhatt as the new face of the brand in place of Jacqueline Fernandez on October 10, 2020.
Formerly known as Hero Honda, Hero MotoCorp is an Indian multinational scooter and motorcycle manufacturing company founded in January 1984 by Brijmohan Lall Munjal. With over 37% of the market share in the two-wheeler industry, the company is hailed as the largest manufacturer of two-wheelers in India and in the world.
Hero MotoCorp is another company that has rooted for Alia Bhatt when it announced its partnership on June 20, 2014. The latest Hero advertisement was to promote its Hero Pleasure scooter that was rolled out on January 10, 2022, was the last Alia Bhatt advertisement of the brand.
Maybelline
Maybelline, also known as Maybelline New York is an American multinational company that offers a wide range of cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and personal care products that are loved by women around the world. Maybelline was acquired by L’Oreal the French cosmetic conglomerate in 1996 and has its base or is headquartered in New York.
Maybelline New York is known to be the number one global cosmetics brand as it is available in over 129 countries worldwide, offering more than 200 products at affordable prices. Alia has been the face of Maybelline since 2013 and has appeared in many ad commercials endorsing its products.
In an interview, Satyaki Ghosh, Director, L’Oréal Consumer Products Division, said that:
“We are thrilled to have Alia as the ambassador on Maybelline because she represents the young, contemporary cosmopolitan girl who is attuned to fashion at all times and loves to wear make-up.” He also added that with the launch of the BabyLips Kiss Song, the company hopes to do something different for their consumers and engage with them as much as possible with the brand.
Sunsilk is a haircare brand owned by Unilever. The British haircare brand that was founded in 1954 and introduced in 1974 in the UK, is a haircare major in India as well. Alia Bhatt partnered with Sunsilk on several ads to date, the recent one of which came out in October 2018.
MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip is a popular online travel company from India, founded in 2000 by Deep Kalra.The company has its headquarters in Gurugram and is known to provide online travel services such as flight tickets, domestic and international holiday packages, hotel reservations, rail and bus tickets among others.
As of 2018, MakeMyTrip has more than 14 company-owned travel stores in 14+ cities, over 30 franchises owned stores in 28+ different cities, including counters at the 4 main airports of the country. The company has its presence in countries such as New York, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, and Dubai.
MakeMyTrip announced its brand ambassadors as Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh in 2016 and the duo has so far appeared in many television commercials and campaigns that have garnered high visibility and presence across different mediums.
The popular Indian travel-based company has last promoted its “FLAT 25% Off* on First Hotel booking” offer in Apr, 2023, when the Ranveer-Alia duo was seen again.
MakeMyTrip in a statement said that it choose the two actors in order to connect with the brand’s younger target audience and to strengthen the brand’s appeal, stature, and recall.
LUX
LUX is another Unilever-owned brand that is primarily marketed in India, Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa. LUX was introduced in 1925. Lux has a rich heritage of collaborating with leading celebrities from the film and fashion industry, and Alia Bhatt was chosen as the face of Lux, adding to the brand’s star-studded legacy.
Alia Bhatt’s association with Lux brings together her captivating beauty and charismatic persona with Lux’s commitment to providing indulgent and pampering experiences. Through her endorsement, Alia embodies the essence of Lux, which is all about embracing one’s beauty and feeling confident in one’s skin.
Uber Eats is an American food ordering and delivery platform, which was founded in 2014 by its parent companyUber. The company has its headquarters in San Francisco, California. UberEats operates in over 32 countries and has seen a rise of 30% during the Covid 19 Pandemic as people avoided social interaction for fear of contracting the virus in 2020.
In India however, Zomato acquired all of UberEats stock in January 2020. In exchange, Uber also got 10% stakes in Zomato and Zomato would gain all the users of UberEats in India. Uber Eats has so far gained popularity among consumers across 37 cities in India to order food of their choice at the click of a button.
Uber Eats made Alia Bhatt its brand ambassador in 2018, who has appeared in many of its commercials and campaigns. Commenting on why the company choose Alia Bhatt, the company said that the actress’s effortless performances in bringing out the essence of every character she plays, she has positioned herself as one of India’s most loved youth icons.
The Uber-owned food aggregating and delivery startup launched its latest advertisement in January 2019 titled “Everyday Moments” which featured Alia Bhatt.
Sunfeast Dark Fantasy is a popular snack brand that is owned by ITC Limited. The brand is known for its products such as premium chocolate crème flavored biscuits and cakes. The Dark Fantasy Choco Fills is one of the top biscuits found in the market as it has wowed the Indian consumer with its innovative centre-filled format and high-quality packaging.
In an interview, Swati Bhattacharya, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Ulka, said that:
“The story beautifully captures the idea of ‘Everyday Chocolate Cravings’, and also establishing Dark Fantasy as a superior and unique alternative during Meetha occasions. Alia plays a character of a girl addicted to chocolates and Dark Fantasy, which gives you an irresistible chocolate experience.”
The company made Alia Bhatt its brand ambassador in 2019 and the actress has appeared in many of its ads. Its commercial ad showcases how the brand aspires to position itself as the ‘New Meetha’, which people can take pride in serving their guests. The latest Sunfeast ad “New Dark Fantasy Coffee Fills” was launched in Mar 30, 2021.
Nokia
Nokia, a renowned Finnish brand in the telecommunication, information technology, and consumer electronics industry, has a rich history dating back to 1865. It is widely recognized as one of the most notable mobile manufacturers globally. In an effort to enhance its brand image and connect with a wider audience, Nokia appointed Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador on October 15, 2018. Since then, Alia has been featured in several captivating advertisements for Nokia, showcasing the brand’s innovative technology and its commitment to excellence.
Gionee, a prominent Chinese smartphone manufacturer, has its headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong. Established in 2002, the company has expanded its presence across various countries including India, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, and Algeria. In 2013, Gionee entered the Indian market, but due to financial difficulties, it was acquired by Karbonn Mobiles in 2018. During her association with the brand from 2016 to 2018, Alia Bhatt served as Gionee’s brand ambassador, adding to the company’s marketing endeavors and promoting its products.
According to the statement by Arvind Vohra’s, the CEO of Gionee India,
“Alia Bhatt is an actor filled with enthusiasm and zest, characteristics that reflects Gionee’s beliefs”
He also added that
“the actress adds freshness to the brand and associating with the actress will help bring the brand closer to the consumers and will make the brand more relatable.”
Caprese is a popular fashion brand known for its stylish and trendy handbags. The brand offers a wide range of handbags that combine fashion, functionality, and quality craftsmanship. Since 2014, Alia Bhatt has been the esteemed brand ambassador for Caprese. Building upon their successful partnership, Caprese has joined forces with Alia to introduce the captivating Caprese Alia limited edition collection.
Alia Bhatt’s collaboration with Caprese, a renowned handbag brand, exemplifies her impact in the fashion industry. With her role as the brand ambassador, Alia has effectively showcased and endorsed Caprese’s chic and trendy handbags, which resonate with her own impeccable sense of style.
Conclusion
Alia Bhatt’s association with various top brands has solidified her position as one of the most sought-after brand ambassadors in the industry. From renowned fashion labels to leading technology companies and beloved consumer brands, Alia has effortlessly showcased her versatility and influence across a wide range of sectors. Her charismatic presence, relatability, and exceptional talent have made her the perfect choice for these brands to connect with their target audience and enhance their brand value. With each endorsement, Alia has demonstrated her ability to bring authenticity and charm to every campaign, leaving a lasting impact on consumers. As Alia continues to soar in her career, we can expect to see more exciting brand collaborations and further expansion of her endorsement portfolio.
FAQs
Who is Alia Bhatt?
Alia Bhatt is a British-born Indian actor and singer that works predominantly in the Bollywood industry.
What is the brand value of Alia Bhatt?
Alia Bhatt’s brand value is estimated to be around $25 million in 2023, equivalent to 204 Crore in Indian rupees.
What are the top brands endorsed by Alia Bhatt?
The main brands endorsed by Alia Bhatt are Gionee India, Philips, Frooti, Sunfeast Dark Fantasy, Flipkart, Manyavar, Lays, Uber Eats, Make My Trip, Blenders Pride, and Aurelia.
What are the other brands endorsed by Alia Bhatt?
The other brands endorsed by Alia Bhattare Caprese, Bluestone, Standard Electricals, Fruity Fizz, Coca-Cola, Frankfinn, Nestle Fruita Vitals, Fuji Instax, LUX, among others.
How much does Alia Bhatt charge for brand endorsement?
Alia Bhatt is known to charge over Rs. 1 to 2 crore per day for endorsements.
What is the net worth of Alia Bhatt?
The net worth of Alia Bhatt is 299 Crore INR in 2023.
Has Alia Bhatt contributed to the success of the brands she endorses?
Alia Bhatt’s association with the endorsed brands has undoubtedly contributed to their success. Her popularity, acting skills, and relatability to the target audience have helped in increasing brand visibility, attracting customers, and creating a positive brand image.
How has Alia Bhatt’s brand endorsements impacted her fan base?
Alia Bhatt’s brand endorsements have played a significant role in expanding her fan base. Through her association with diverse brands, she reaches out to a wider audience, including fans of those brands.
This article has been contributed by Vishnu Sharma, CEO, Rannkly.
In the era of the digital world, where every business transaction and personal interaction occurs online, managing your online reputation has become an indispensable component of success.
With just a few keystrokes, potential customers can form an opinion about your brand. Therefore, the importance of implementing effective online reputation management strategies cannot be stressed enough.
The dominance of social media has made it easy for information to spread like wildfire. A single negative review, an ill-conceived tweet, or a misinterpreted post can potentially tarnish a hard-earned reputation. Therefore, a good online presence can be a catalyst for growth, enhancing your brand image and boosting trust among your target audience.
In this article, you will be equipped with knowledge of what online reputation management is and what strategies are effective for navigating the digital landscape with ease.
Online reputation management (ORM) is the process of monitoring and improving the image of your brand online. It involves checking online conversations about your brand, addressing negative feedback, and leveraging customer feedback to drive improvements and enhance customer satisfaction. ORM plays a vital role in maintaining a positive online presence and promoting a favorable perception of your brand among your target audience.
The goal of online reputation management is to ensure that the online perception of a brand or individual aligns with the desired reputation and to minimize the impact of negative or harmful content.
Managing your online reputation effectively can have a profound impact on your brand’s credibility, trust, and overall success. Recognizing this potential, it becomes important to prioritize and actively manage your online reputation.
Top Online Reputation Management Strategies
By proactively managing your online reputation, you can ensure that the information available about your brand accurately reflects its values, quality, and customer satisfaction. Here are the top strategies for effective online reputation management:
Monitor Your Online Presence
The first step in managing your online reputation is to monitor what is being said about your business online. This involves regularly checking your ratings, reviews, and mentions across different channels.
There are many tools available to help you through this process. Google Alerts is a useful tool that allows you to receive email notifications when your business name or relevant keywords are mentioned online.
Online reputation management tools can help you monitor and analyze your online reviews and customer sentiments. One important metric to track is the number of promoters and detractors of your business.
Promoters are customers who speak highly of your brand, while detractors express negative sentiments. By keeping a close eye on this metric, you can assess the overall sentiment surrounding your business and take appropriate actions to address any issues or concerns.
Respond to Negative Reviews
Negative reviews can have a big impact on your reputation if not handled properly. Ignoring them would make the situation worse.
If you receive negative reviews, it is important to respond in a timely and professional manner. Instead of deleting or disregarding the feedback, take your time to address their concerns and offer a resolution. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and shows that you value their opinion.
Here are some tips to address negative reviews:
Apologize: When responding to negative reviews, it’s important to remain calm and empathetic. Apologize for the inconvenience caused to the customer. This shows that you care about their feedback and are willing to take responsibility for their problems.
Explain: Take your chance to explain your side of the story if you believe that the customer’s review is unfair or there has been a misunderstanding. However, be sure to keep your cool and respond in a professional manner.
Offer Resolution: Offer a solution to address the problem. By showing that you understand their concern and are actively working to resolve the problem, you can turn a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one.
Encourage Positive Reviews
Encourage satisfied customers to leave a positive review on your website, review platforms, and social media sites. Consider offering incentives for customers who leave reviews, such as complimentary dishes, or discounts.
You can also showcase these positive reviews and customer testimonials on your website or social media platforms. This not only highlights positive feedback but also serves as social proof for potential customers.
Don’t forget to respond to positive reviews and show gratitude for their feedback. Responding to satisfied customers shows that you appreciate their support and encourages them to continue engaging with your business.
Create High-Quality Content
One of the best ways to improve your online presence is to post valuable and high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience. This includes posting blogs, infographics, videos, or social media posts.
By posting valuable content, you will position yourself as an expert in your industry and attract attention from potential customers. Also, consistency is key. Posting content on a regular basis will build trust with your audience and keep them engaged over time.
That’s why you should stay active on social media and regularly engage with your followers. Be consistent with your posts and share interesting content with your audience. Respond to comments and questions, and participate in conversations. Make use of social media features such as polls, surveys, live videos, etc. to gather customer feedback. These interactive elements can increase user engagement and create a sense of community.
Take Advantage of SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website to improve its ranking on search engines. Investing in SEO can help improve your website’s ranking in search results, which will make it more visible to potential customers.
In order to improve your website’s SEO, you can use a variety of methods, including good and relevant content, optimized title tags and meta descriptions, and links gathered from high-authority websites.
Utilize the Online Reputation Management Tools
If you are struggling to manage your online reputation, there are various tools available that can help you in the process. Tools like Rannkly, Birdeye, Locobuzz, Mention, and Hootsuite allow you to track the feedback of your customers or mentions of your business across the web.
These tools leverage advanced technology to provide detailed insight into your business, including the sentiments of customers, their concerns, the Net Promoter Score of your business, and much more.
By utilizing these tools, you can effectively track and analyze the online perception of your brand, allowing you to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to enhance your online reputation.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced digital world, maintaining a strong online reputation is critical to the success of any business. It is essential for businesses to actively manage their online presence and respond effectively to reviews and comments related to their business, products, or services. With the growing influence of the Internet, businesses must be proactive in maintaining a positive online reputation to build trust and credibility among their target audiences.
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Avant.
Over centuries, lending went from formal to informal sectors, but the loan application and obtaining process was still complex and time-consuming. However, with the overall banking industry, lending has also turned digital in the past decade.
In 2022 the digital lending industry’s global market size was estimated to be $12.6 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.4%, valuing $71.8 billion by 2032. With fintech companies offering digital lending platforms, people can now apply for loans and credit cards online following a simple and quick process.
One such fintech startup is Avant. This Illinois, United States-based online lending platform is recognized for offering safe financial products. Let’s dive in to uncover everything about Avant, its founders, its startup story, its business and revenue model, funding, growth, and more.
Avant is a credit-first financial technology company offering a full suite of digital financial solutions, including loans and credit cards, to meet customers’ needs, regardless of where they are on their financial journey.
Serving 49 states in the United States and the United Kingdom, the company has connected approximately 3 million customers to $9 billion in loans and 1 million credit cards.
Avant – Founders and Team
Al Goldstein, John Sun, and Paul Zhang are the founders of Avant.
AI Goldstein
Al Goldstein – Co-founder and Executive Chairman, Avant
Al Goldstein went to Gies College of Business (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) to study BS in Finance and Math. In addition to co-founding Avant, he is the co-founder at Enova International, Pangea Properties, Amount, and StoicLane. Moreover, Goldstein is the Executive Chairman at Avant, Pangea Properties, and Amount and CEO at Enova International and StoicLane.
John Sun
John Sun – Co-founder, Avant
John Sun studied BS in Finance at Gies College of Business (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). He founded SpringCoin and worked as CEO. Furthermore, Sun is the Co-founder of Avant and the Founder and CEO of Spring Labs.
Paul Zhang
Paul Zhang – Co-founder and CTO, Avant
Paul Zhang completed BS in Computational Bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is the ex-Senior Software Engineer of Enova Financial and the ex-Technical Founder of Debteye. Currently, Zhang is the co-founder and CTO at Avant. Moreover, he is the part-time Board Member at Champaign and Angel Investor at Hyde Park Angels.
With Matt Bochenek as the CEO and Margaret Hermes as the COO, Avant employs 650+ employees, of which 250 are local individuals.
Avant, also known as AvantCredit, was founded in 2012 to improve the borrowing experience for middle-income consumers. John Sun and Paul Zhang graduated from the Y Combinator startup program in 2012 and looked forward to building their business, Debteye, a platform to help people manage their debt with informed decision-making based on their unique financial situation.
Since Sun and Zhang had no income, they thought to apply for a personal loan at a traditional brick-and-mortar establishment. Sun found the loan application and obtaining process time-consuming and frustrating. Along with this, Sun and Zhang’s Y Combinator venture inspired them to establish Avant.
As former interns of AI Goldstein’s Enova, Sun and Zhan grabbed the opportunity of partnering with the Chicago entrepreneur in December 2012. It’s when they built a product to streamline the borrowing process.
The company issued its first loan in 2013; later, it expanded to the UK in the fall. In April 2015, Avant launched the Avant Institutional Marketplace, enabling institutional investors to buy loans originating from the Avant technology platform.
The company launched its credit card in 2107. In February 2020, Avant spun off its SaaS financial business unit as a new Amount company.
Avant – Mission and Vision
Avant’s mission is to empower its customers with innovative digital solutions designed to help them achieve their financial goals. The company honors its customer’s financial journey by serving their needs with integrity, trust, and transparency.
Avant – Business Model
Avant developed proprietary software that uses machine learning technology to mitigate default risk and fraud efficiently. The company provides a fully online experience, allowing customers to apply on Avant’s website and eliminating the need for physical branches.
Avant’s platform simplifies the borrowing process by conducting bulk employment verification and doing funding over the Internet. Its technology leverages algorithms, machine learning protocols, analytical tools, and standard consumer data to determine a customized rate, amount, and length at which an individual can borrow money.
Avant – Revenue Model
Avant offers personal loans ranging between $2,000 and $35,000 at lower possible interest rates. Moreover, it earns revenue by providing credit lines and online banking. The annual membership fee is $39, and the credit limit can range from $300 to $3,000.
Avant – Products and Services
Avant offers credit cards and several types of loans, including personal loans, adoption loans, emergency loans, home improvement loans, debt consolidation loans, wedding loans, IVF & fertility loans, and vacation loans.
Avant Website
Avant – Challenges Faced
Avant agreed to pay $3.85 million to settle the charges of the FTC on April 15, 2019. As per FTC’s (Federal Trade Commission) lawsuit, the company used deceptive loan servicing practices. In addition, Avant violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
Avant – Funding and Investors
With 13 funding rounds, Avant raised $2.1 billion. On December 7, 2022, the company conducted its latest funding round –Private Equity Round. 20 investors invested in Avant, of which 8 are the lead ones, including Ares Management, WebBank, Pamlico Capital, Balyasny Asset Management, and General Atlantic.
Date
Round
Number of Investors
Money Raised
Lead Investor
December 7, 2022
Private Equity
1
–
Ares Management
December 7, 2022
Debt Financing
1
$250 million
Ares Management
July 14, 2022
Debt Financing
1
$250 million
WebBank
October 22. 2021
Private Equity Round
1
–
Pamlico Capital
September 29, 2015
Series E
10
$325 million
General Atlantic
April 13, 2015
Debt Financing
2
$400 million
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
December 4, 2014
Series D
10
$225 million
Tiger Global Management
December 4, 2014
Debt Financing
$300 million
–
August 21, 2014
Debt Financing
1
$200 million
Jefferies
July 23, 2014
Series C
1
$75 million
Tiger Global Management
Avant – Mergers and Acquisitions
Avant acquired 2 companies, Level on April 7, 2021, and ReadyForZero on March 31, 2015.
Avant – Patents and Trademarks
Avant is registered with 4 trademarks, and ‘Insurance; Financial Affairs’ is the popular class.
Avant – Growth
In 2022, Avant’s annual revenue was estimated to be $134.8 million ($195,330 revenue per employee). Moreover, its credit card users grew by 170% over the past two years. The company was valued at $2 billion in 2022. In 2013, Avant had 90 employees, which increased to 680 in 2023, with 566.6% growth.
Avant – Partners
Avant collaborates with distribution, co-brand, funding, and product partners. Recently, the company partnered with Major League Soccer (MLS) and TreeQual.
Avant – Awards and Achievements
Avant has been featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, and Fortune. Moreover, the company received multiple honorable awards:
Named #6 to Forbes America’s Most Promising Companies list and Next Billion Dollar Startups list in 2015.
Inc. Magazine listed co-Founder and CTO Paul Zhang as 30 Under 30.
Executive Chairman AI Goldstein received EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest award.
In addition, the company received the Moxie Award for Breakthrough Digital Company of the Year and one of the Top Global Private Companies by AlwaysOn Global.
Avant CEO Al Goldstein: Big Data Lending | Mad Money | CNBC
Avant – Competitors
Some direct competitors of Avant are as follows:
Chime
OneMain Holdings
SoFi
Capital One
Applied Data Finance
The Social Loan Company
Prosper Marketplace
Lending Club
OnDeck
FAQs
What does Avant do?
Avant is a credit-first financial technology company offering a full suite of digital financial solutions, including loans and credit cards, to meet customers’ needs, regardless of where they are on their financial journey.
Who are the founders of Avant?
AI Goldstein, John Sun, and Paul Zhang are the founders of Avant.
How Avant earns revenue?
Avant earns revenue by providing credit lines and online banking. The annual membership fee is $39, and the credit limit can range from $300 to $3,000.
Monday, 19 June 2023, Dubai: Organised by Trescon, the 41st global edition of the World AI Show & Awards, held on June 7–8, 2023, at Jumeirah Emirates Tower in Dubai, concluded with a spectacular awards ceremony celebrating the outstanding innovations in artificial intelligence.
Held under the patronage of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, the event brought together top leaders and decision-makers who are using technology in innovative ways to drive businesses forward while delivering business value and enhancing the overall customer experience.
Following an insightful and engaging Day 1, the second day of the event was kicked off with a keynote by Dr. Fethi Felali on how homegrown AI solutions played a transformative role during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Another key session that caught everyone’s attention was the panel discussion on the rise of investments in AI. Moderated by Paul Dawalibi, CEO, Holodeck Ventures, the panel discussed at length how AI has accelerated the growth of economies. The panelists, Sonali Goila, General Manager and Head of Investment, Panthera Capital Investment; Andrea Danila, Founder and General Partner, Global Millennial Capital; Simon Sharp, Partner, Global Venture; Vianney Mathonne, Partner, Modus Capital; and Valerie Hawley, Affiliate Founding Partner, True Global Ventures, spoke in depth about the criteria for investments in AI and other innovative technologies.
Dr. Salim Al-Shuaili, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Development Program, Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology, praised the event as a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the vast potential of AI to disrupt industries and create new opportunities.
Appreciating the Awards initiative by Trescon, Dr Salim said, “World AI Awards, recognizes the most innovative and impactful AI solutions and implementations across various industries, highlighting the transformative potential of AI for businesses and society.”
During the World AI Awards, a special award, ‘AI leader of the year’, was awarded to Amith Ranjan, Executive Vice-President, Head Wholesale Digital, Data and Advanced Analytics, Finance Tech, Mashreq Bank.
The grand ceremony also featured the ‘Women in AI’ Award. This award is a tip of the hat to the impact women are making in the AI and related tech space by making it a level playing field. The recipients of the awards were:
Fatmah Alabdouli, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
Linoy Kidd, HSBC
Dr. Fatmah Baothman, AI Society
Dr. Christine Gulbranson, U+ Nova
Dr. Adhari Alzaab, Sultan Qaboos University
Debbie Botha, Women in AI
Dr. Eng. Suaad Alshamsi, Etihad Airways
The World AI Awards recognized the contributions of visionaries who have redefined the AI space in the MENA region and provided a testimony to their contributions and efforts in ushering in a new era for artificial intelligence.
Here is the list of award winners:
Best AI Use-Case Award – Public Sector
Infrastructure: Hussein Abdulmuttalib, GIS Centre of Dubai Municipality
Education: Dr. Mohammed Khursheed Akhtar, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA
Security & Law Enforcement: Dr. Ali Raza, Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai
Energy & Utilities: Awad Al Sidiq, ADNOC Distribution
Project Implementation of the Year: Tipusultan Abdulkhader, Expo 2020
Hospitality and Tourism: Vishal Anand, Jumeirah Group
E-Commerce: Namita Sharma, Mumzworld
MENA Digital Platform of the Year: Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Astratech
Best Project Implementation of the Year: Shahnawaz Ali, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Most Popular AI Proponent: Shameed Sait, GEMS Education
Youth Award: Dr. Humaid Alshamsi, Abu Dhabi Police
Special Mentions
Banking: Aslihan Demiral, Mashreq Bank
Financial Services: Sachin Chandna, Emirates NBD
Manufacturing:Wissam Al Adany, Ades Holding, KSA
Retail: Arvind Gapa, Sharaf DG
Retail: Basit Wani, Abdul Latif Jameel Company
Hospitality and Tourism: Mohammad Qattash, Fairmont The Palm
About Trescon
Trescon is a pioneering force in the global business events and services sector, driving the adoption of emerging technologies while promoting sustainability and inclusive leadership.
In line with this vision, you are invited to join these upcoming events:
World AI Show at Singapore and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
World Blockchain Summit in Singapore and Dubai
Trescon is glad to announce a new event, Digital Acceleration and Transformation Expo (DATE) scheduled to take place in Delhi in November 2023 and Jakarta in 2024. For more information, visit: www.tresconglobal.com.
Lionel Andres Messi, a name known by everyone! When it comes to football, there isn’t anyone who does not praise and admire Lionel Messi. Being one of the best footballers of all time, Lionel Messi has a massive fan following worldwide. And this fandom is what keeps the bank balance of Lionel Messi always high! Yes, because of this enormous popularity, Lionel Messi signed numerous endorsement deals.
According to Genuine Impact Newsletter’s compiled data, Lionel Messi, the football sensation from Argentina, emerged as the highest-paid athlete in the 2021-22 period, raking in a total of $130 million in earnings. This significant figure encompasses both his on-field income, comprising salary and competition winnings amounting to $75 million, as well as his off-field earnings of $55 million, which stem from lucrative sponsorships, endorsements, and various non-sporting ventures. Fascinating, right?
In this blog, we will explore some of the prominent brands that have been endorsed by Lionel Messi throughout his illustrious career.
In 2006, Lionel Messi, joined forces with Adidas, the highly popular German sportswear brand, as its brand ambassador. Since then, Messi has become synonymous with the brand, representing its values and image worldwide. Building upon Messi’s immense appeal, Adidas went on to sign a lifetime contract with him in 2017, further solidifying their partnership. Messi’s endorsement of Adidas includes promoting their football boots, apparel, and other sports equipment. This exclusive agreement ensures that Messi receives an impressive annual sum of approximately $25 million, adding to his already remarkable earnings.
Tata Motors
Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine footballer, has been chosen as the global brand ambassador for Tata Motors, a leading Indian automobile manufacturer. This strategic partnership aims to highlight Tata Motors’ vehicles, emphasizing their performance, reliability, and innovative features, while leveraging Messi’s worldwide popularity and influence. The association between these two influential entities symbolizes a shared commitment to excellence and pushing boundaries. Despite Messi’s temporary retirement from international football in 2016, Tata Motors reaffirmed their faith in him, stating that he will continue to serve as their esteemed global brand ambassador, endorsing Tata’s passenger vehicles.
Lionel Messi’s collaboration with Pepsi is a highly significant endorsement, as he has taken on the role of global ambassador for the renowned beverage brand. This partnership has seen Messi feature prominently in various commercials and marketing campaigns, showcasing the vibrant and energetic nature of both the player and the brand itself. With Messi’s long-standing association, Pepsi has experienced considerable success, and the football star has appeared alongside other notable players like Mo Salah, Jadon Sancho, and Paul Pogba in captivating television advertisements.
Messi’s collaboration with Huawei, a leading telecommunications company, has seen him endorse their smartphones and other technological products. As a brand ambassador, Messi’s image aligns with Huawei’s focus on innovation, performance, and global reach. The partnership highlights the shared values of excellence and breakthrough technology.
Gatorade, a popular sports drink brand, has also partnered with Lionel Messi. Through this endorsement, Messi promotes Gatorade’s products and features in their advertising campaigns. Gatorade’s association with Messi emphasizes the importance of hydration, performance, and recovery in sports, with Messi’s achievements serving as a testament to the brand’s effectiveness.
Lay’s
Lay’s, the popular snack brand, joined forces with Lionel Messi to capitalize on his widespread appeal and drive awareness of their products. Messi’s association with Lay’s embodies the brand’s values of pleasure, leisure, and enjoyment. Through engaging advertising campaigns, Lay’s showcases Messi as a symbol of indulgence and invites consumers to savor their snacks during moments of relaxation. Since their partnership in 2013, Lay’s has successfully utilized Messi’s star power in global marketing initiatives, further solidifying his role as a beloved ambassador for the brand.
Mastercard, a renowned financial services company, has joined forces with Lionel Messi to promote their payment solutions. The collaboration showcases Messi’s global appeal and Mastercard’s commitment to providing secure and convenient payment options. Messi’s association with Mastercard extends beyond traditional advertising, as he actively engages in promotional activities and initiatives with the brand.
Lionel Messi’s collaboration with luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton brought together two icons of their respective fields. In 2019, Messi was announced as the brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton’s men’s collections, marking his venture into the world of high-end fashion.
The partnership aimed to combine Messi’s global influence and style with Louis Vuitton’s legacy of craftsmanship and elegance. As a symbol of excellence and sophistication, Messi perfectly embodied the brand’s values and represented the modern, discerning man.
Budweiser
Messi’s influence extends beyond chips and soda as he has also forged a brand partnership with Budweiser, a renowned limited-edition beer company. Through this collaboration, Budweiser has achieved tremendous success, establishing a long-term relationship with soccer enthusiasts. Additionally, Messi has celebrated his significant victories with the company’s beer, cementing their shared passion for excellence and celebration.
Gillette, a prominent personal care brand, has enlisted Lionel Messi as a brand ambassador. Messi endorses Gillette’s grooming products and features in their advertising campaigns. This partnership emphasizes the values of precision, excellence, and professionalism that both Messi and Gillette represent.
In November 2021, the Scarborough-based fashion brand, SikSilk, unveiled an exciting partnership with Messi, introducing The Messi x SikSilk collection. Spearheaded by Maria Sol Messi, Lionel Messi’s younger sister, the collaboration brought forth a unique fusion of style and creativity.
Byju’s
The collaboration between Lionel Messi and Byju’s sparked excitement among fans and education enthusiasts alike. As one of the world’s most renowned footballers, Messi’s association with Byju’s brought attention to the importance of quality education and innovative learning methods.
Sirin Labs
Lionel Messi’s endorsement of Sirin Labs marked an exciting partnership between the renowned footballer and the innovative technology company. Sirin Labs, known for its focus on cybersecurity and blockchain solutions, found a fitting collaborator in Messi, who represents excellence, precision, and cutting-edge performance.
Air Europa
Lionel Messi’s influence extends to the airline industry, with Air Europa recognizing his global appeal and signing him as their brand ambassador. Since their initial partnership in 2007, Air Europa has experienced significant benefits from associating with Messi, elevating their brand name and solidifying their position in the market.
Pro Evolution Soccer
Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) has signed Lionel Messi as its brand ambassador in the year 2019. They launched a distinct Barcelona edition for smartphones of the PES 2020 in which Lionel Messi was also featured.
Jacob and Co.
In 2019, Jacob and Co., a renowned watch manufacturing company, proudly appointed Lionel Messi as its esteemed brand ambassador. Recognized as one of the finest and most prestigious watchmakers in the world, Jacob and Co. extended their reach to football enthusiasts through this partnership with Messi, resulting in substantial success and profitability for the brand.
OrCam
In a recent development, Lionel Messi has joined forces with OrCam, a cutting-edge brand in the field of eye care. In 2020, Messi signed a three-year contract with the Israeli-based company, known for its commitment to serving the needs of the blind and visually-impaired community. This partnership highlights Messi’s dedication to making a positive impact and supporting innovative solutions for those with visual impairments.
Mengniu
Lionel Messi has also reached the audience of China as one of a very popular Chinese brand, Mengniu signed Lionel Messi, as its brand ambassador. Mengniu is a Chinese dairy brand that launched various programs among which, Lionel Messi was also enrolled with some such as the “Born for Greatness” program.
Lionel Messi’s remarkable talent and global appeal have made him an incredibly sought-after figure for endorsements. The brands mentioned above are just a few examples of the many prestigious companies that have recognized Messi’s influence and have sought to associate their products and services with his name. These collaborations not only enhance brand visibility but also leverage Messi’s iconic status to create a strong emotional connection with consumers worldwide. As Messi’s career continues to unfold, it will be intriguing to see the new partnerships and endorsements that emerge, further solidifying his status as a global icon both on and off the football field.
FAQ
What is the net worth of Lionel Messi?
According to sources, Lionel Messi’s estimated net worth is projected to reach $660 million by the end of 2022, showcasing his incredible success both on and off the football field.
What is the age of Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 and is 35 years old.
What is Lionel Messi’s full name?
Lionel Messi’s full name is Lionel Andrés Messi.
Why is Messi so popular?
Lionel Messi’s immense popularity can be attributed to his exceptional talent, mesmerizing skills, and record-breaking performances in football, captivating fans with his unique playing style. Additionally, his humble demeanor and philanthropic efforts have further endeared him to a global audience, solidifying his status as an iconic and beloved figure in the world of sports.
Which brands has Lionel Messi endorsed?
Lionel Messi has endorsed several renowned brands including Adidas, Pepsi, Lay’s, Budweiser, Air Europa, Jacob and Co., and OrCam.
How long has Lionel Messi been associated with Adidas?
Messi has been a brand ambassador for Adidas since 2006 and signed a lifetime contract with the company in 2017.
What is Messi’s brand value?
Lionel Messi’s brand value is estimated to be in the range of 40-50 million USD, earned through lucrative advertising contracts and brand endorsements.
Who designed Messi logo?
The logo of Lionel Messi, was designed by the graphic design agency, Vaudeville. The logo features Messi’s initials “L” and “M” in a dynamic and stylized format, reflecting his agility and skill on the football field.
A website builder is a great tool to design and create a website from scratch, as it does not require you to have any coding knowledge or web development skills. If you are reading this blog, you have already come across the two leaders of the website-building industry, i.e., BigCommerce and Squarespace.
While BigCommerce was established in 2009 as a platform for creating online stores, Squarespace began in 2003 as a solution for creating and maintaining content-based websites. However, owing to several advancements made later, both of these platforms have evolved to become technically and functionally similar.
With their amazing features and services, they have made website building extremely convenient for their customers, gaining huge popularity amongst users who often get confused about which platform to use for building their websites.
If you, too, have been struggling with the same question, we are here to help. In this blog, we will discuss all the details about both of these platforms and assist you in choosing the most suitable option for you.
When comparing BigCommerce and Squarespace, one of the key factors to consider is their ease of use. Let’s explore how these platforms differ in terms of user-friendliness and intuitive design.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce Homepage
BigCommerce is one of the leading eCommerce platforms. It is NASDAQ-listed and provides SaaS services to retailers. It is a fully hosted platform, i.e., it completely runs on its servers, and the user does not have to purchase any other web hosting service or install any software.
Their website offers all the tools required for website building, including online store creation, hosting, search engine optimization, marketing, security, and payment options.
A few pros and cons of this platform are listed below:
Pros:
It offers real-time shipping quotes.
It is capable of handling large-scale inventories.
It does not charge any transaction fees for its plans.
It provides the option to sell in multiple currencies.
Suited for any eCommerce store, whether simple or sophisticated.
Their social media and online marketplace integrations help save time.
Cons:
A lot of features can only be added through the BigCommerce app store.
Templates are basic and not well designed.
The template editor is clunky, and the setup is confusing.
It is hard to find various sections to make changes in content.
Squarespace
Squarespace Homepage
Squarespace is a content management system that helps eCommerce merchants design their websites or online stores. It offers several features, especially for small business owners. It has features such as search engine optimization solutions, social media integrations, email marketing tools, etc.
It is also a fully hosted platform, so you don’t have to pay for any other services but their plan. The pros and cons of Squarespace are listed below:
Pros:
Squarespace has affordable plans rich in features.
In-built marketing features such as blog page creation, performance monitoring, etc.
Great template designs that are both professional and stunning.
It is difficult to undo a mistake; it requires a lot of work.
BigCommerce vs Squarespace – Payment Options & Transaction Fees
Both BigCommerce and Squarespace are popular eCommerce platforms that enable merchants to innovate and grow their online businesses. Even if you do not have any knowledge or experience in coding, these platforms provide you with the opportunity to build your websites from scratch.
Both of them allow multi-channel sales options for online stores and also integrate with several relevant software products in the field of eCommerce, making the work much easier for the user. They offer themes and templates to customize your online store as per your preferences. You can also add plugins or other applications as per your requirements.
However, there are several points at which these two platforms are quite different from each other. These include pricing, ease of use, apps and integrations, customer support, payment options, etc. In the next section, we will discuss all these points in detail.
Pricing: BigCommerce is more on the expensive side than Squarespace with a difference of $10 in their base price.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans
BigCommerce offers four different pricing plans which are as follows:
Pricing Plans
Pricing/Month (Billed Monthly)
Pricing/Month (Billed Annually)
Standard plan
$39
$29
Plus plan
$105
$79
Pro plan
$399
$299
Enterprise
Custom Pricing
Custom Pricing
Besides this, although BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees for its plans, it charges credit card fees, making plans more costly. This fee varies per plan as listed below:
Plan
Per transaction fee
Standard plan
2.59% + $0.49
Plus plan
2.35% + $0.49
Pro plan
2.05% + $0.49
Enterprise
2.05% + $0.49
Squarespace Pricing Plans
On the other hand, the plans and prices offered by Squarespace are more affordable:
Pricing Plans
Pricing/Month (Billed Monthly)
Pricing/Month (Billed Annually)
Personal plan
$23
$16
Business plan
$33
$23
Basic Commerce
$36
$27
Advanced Commerce
$65
$49
Ease of Use: Although both the platforms are fully hosted and are well equipped to provide a great experience to users, Squarespace editor provides easy interference to customize the webpage making it more convenient to use. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers advanced features that may be difficult to use for a newbie.
Moreover, Squarespace has a greater number of templates available in both stylish and professional designs, with 50+ free online store themes designed for categories like food, baby care, health & nutrition, etc. There are prebuilt sections that offer you the opportunity for sitewide styling by customizing fonts, styles, colors, etc.
BigCommerce also offers a variety of themes and templates available in different categories just like Squarespace. However, they only offer 12 free themes. Other than this, they have 100+ paid themes within a price range of $50 to $300. Also, the customization process is comparatively complicated.
Payment options: While there are only limited payment options available on Squarespace, i.e., PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and Afterpay (Afterpay is available in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), BigCommerce offers 65+ payment gateways, including Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, Paypal, Chase, etc. to choose from.
Moreover, Squarespace does not provide the option to display multi-currency at checkout, you are only allowed to add the option in the store. BigCommerce does not just offer multi-currency checkout but several other options like accelerated checkout, single click checkout, etc.
Furthermore, BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees on its plans while this option is only available on Squarespace if you are using their expensive plans i.e. basic and advanced. Apart from this, a 3% transaction fee is charged on every store transaction.
BigCommerce vs Squarespace – Help and Support
When it comes to seeking help and support for your eCommerce platform, both BigCommerce and Squarespace have got you covered. Let’s take a closer look at the available support options and resources provided by each platform to assist you in making an informed decision.
Customer support
Both platforms have an active forum and an excellent support system to help resolve the queries of their customers. They also provide their customers access to their knowledge base or help center which is loaded with useful guides and step-by-step video tutorials to answer common queries.
BigCommerce Help Center
However, BigCommerce has the upper hand in this section as they offer 24X7 phone, email, and live chat support for their customers while the customer support for Squarespace is only confined to email and live chat.
Marketing
Although both platforms have great marketing features still the difference is considerable. Below we have mentioned different categories of their marketing strategies and the significant difference between them:
1. Email:Squarespace has an inbuilt email automation software that comes with readymade templates to use from. Also, it allows you to send up to three trial blast campaigns. After you reach the maximum limit you can easily upgrade to the basic plan costing around $5 per month. Moreover, Squarespace has integrated with other email software like Mailchimp.
BigCommerce, on the contrary, does not have an inbuilt email automation software. However, they have integrations with 30+ email automation software such as Mailchimp, Privy, etc. that may be paid or unpaid depending on the plan.
2. SEO: Although both platforms can handle the SEO functionalities well, BigCommerce has a competitive edge. It makes page optimization easier with its search engine-friendly themes, automated sitemaps, sitewide HTTPS, and editable robot.txt. Moreover, you can also tweak elements like meta descriptions, headings, page title tags, etc. for on-page SEO.
Alternatively, Squarespace provides automated markups, robot.txt, and sitemaps through its inbuilt SEO tools. You can also import a search console, to improve your SEO, in Squarespace analytics.
3. Multichannel selling: BigCommerce has integrations with different social media as well as eCommerce channels like eBay, Facebook, TikTok, etc. through which it allows multichannel selling.
Squarespace, however, has fewer integrations but, it allows you to use an open patch for multichannel selling.
4. Blogging: Although BigCommerce has a blogger-friendly dashboard that allows SEO, commenting, assigning multiple authors, as well as mention tags, Squarespace has better-inbuilt features for blogging. It has a variety of templates, extensions, and covers. Also, it allows blog archives, commenting, assigning multiple authors, enabling RSS feed, etc.
5. Tools: Both platforms offer great inbuilt marketing tools. BigCommerce has features like stock recovery, gift wrapping, etc. with help available from more than 100 marketing apps. It also has integrations with POS systems like Square, vend, clover, etc. that facilitate offline selling.
Squarespace also has great in-built features such as stock alerts, custom checkout, gift cards, customer profiles, etc. However, its integrations are limited to nine marketing apps that are available to assist its customers and Square for in-store selling.
Moreover, BigCommerce has more than 1,500 apps in its store to facilitate all types of eCommerce features and an app store to add new marketing features. Hence, it is a better platform in terms of marketing.
BigCommerce vs Squarespace – Performance and Security
BigCommerce has good loading speed and uptime. It also has multi-secure hosting servers and advanced SSL security features. However, Squarespace has been observed to have comparatively better performance and security features.
Squarespace has a powerful CDN for data backup as well as DDOS security to protect against threats. Also, it has inbuilt SSL security and shared hosting features and provides unlimited storage and bandwidth for your website.
BigCommerce vs Squarespace – Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships
Squarespace has acquired Google Domains’ assets, valued at approximately $180 million. This strategic move involves the transfer of over 10 million domains hosted on Google Domains. Squarespace’s role as the trusted provider for these customers reinforces its commitment to offering a comprehensive solution for building and managing an online presence. This acquisition strengthens Squarespace’s position as a leading website-building platform, empowering businesses and individuals to effortlessly create stunning websites.
BigCommerce has made significant progress in the industry by acquiring BundleB2B in April 2022, strengthening its position as a leading B2B e-commerce platform. This acquisition enhances BigCommerce’s advanced B2B functionalities, including custom pricing and account management. In May 2023, they partnered with Oracle NetSuite to streamline operations and improve the customer experience. These strategic moves reflect BigCommerce’s commitment to growth and comprehensive business solutions.
Conclusion
Both BigCommerce and Squarespace are excellent website builders loaded with amazing features and services. While choosing one option out of these, you will have to keep your website requirements in mind.
BigCommerce is a better option for sellers with large inventories who are experienced in website building, especially if they are looking for automation to handle their business. Also, its multi-currency and business scalability features make it a great option if you are looking forward to extensively scaling your business globally.
Squarespace is a better option for sellers on a budget with smaller catalogs, as it has cheaper plans. Also, it is a better choice if you are planning to offer services alongside selling products, as it offers service features to aid your business.
FAQs
What are the pros of BigCommerce?
Some pros of BigCommerce are:
It offers real-time shipping quotes.
Capable of handling large-scale inventories.
It does not charge any transaction fees on its plans.
It provides the option to sell in multiple currencies.
Suited for any eCommerce store whether simple or sophisticated.
Their social media and online marketplace integrations help save time.
What are the cons of BigCommerce?
Some cons of BigCommerce are:
A lot of features can only be added through the BigCommerce app store.
Templates are basic and not well designed.
The template editor is clunky and the setup is confusing.
It is hard to find various sections to make changes in content.
What are the pros of Squarespace?
Some of the pros of Squarespace are:
They have affordable plans rich in features
In-built marketing features such as blog page creation, performance monitoring, etc.
Great template designs that are both professional and stunning.
Sorted and easy-to-use setup.
Brilliant customer care services even helping with requests like coded integrations.
What are the cons of Squarespace?
Some of the cons of Squarespace are:
A limited number of payment options.
Less suitable for large-scale businesses.
Small app store with a narrow range of features.
Difficult to undo a mistake – requires a lot of work.
Get ready to dive into the colorful and imaginative world of LEGO, where creativity reigns supreme and possibilities are limitless. For over eight decades, LEGO has captivated the hearts and minds of both young and old, becoming a household name and an iconic symbol of play and construction.
It all began in 1932 when Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen established the LEGO Group. Little did he know that his humble workshop in Billund, Denmark, would become the birthplace of a global phenomenon. The name “LEGO” is derived from the Danish words “leg godt”, which mean “play well”. And indeed, LEGO has lived up to its name by bringing joy and inspiration to millions worldwide.
Over the years, LEGO has evolved from simple wooden toys to the iconic interlocking plastic bricks that we know and love today. The introduction of the patented LEGO brick in 1958 revolutionized the toy industry, allowing children to build, dismantle, and rebuild their creations endlessly. This breakthrough innovation sparked the imagination of generations, empowering them to unleash their inner architects and engineers.
LEGO sets have become a staple in households worldwide, with billions of bricks sold each year. It’s no wonder that LEGO has secured a significant market share in the toy industry, cementing its position as a leading player.
LEGO’s accomplishments are as impressive as they are extensive. The company has received numerous accolades for its commitment to safety, sustainability, and educational value. It has fostered partnerships with beloved franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel, enabling fans to bring their favorite characters and stories to life. LEGO’s iconic minifigures have become cultural icons, adored by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
In a world where screens often dominate playtime, LEGO stands as a beacon of creativity, encouraging hands-on exploration and imagination. Its impact extends far beyond mere toys; it fosters problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and teamwork. As LEGO marches confidently into the future, it continues to inspire, educate, and empower, reminding us all that with a little imagination, we can build extraordinary things.
LEGO has mastered the art of captivating a diverse audience, transcending age, gender, and cultural boundaries. Its appeal knows no limits, enchanting both the young and the young-at-heart. Let’s unravel the intricate web of LEGO’s target audience that contributes to its worldwide success.
LEGO casts a wide net, catering to a broad range of age groups. Its colorful bricks and imaginative play appeal to children as young as toddlers, stimulating their curiosity and fine motor skills. As children grow older, LEGO adapts, offering more complex sets and themes that challenge their building abilities and foster creativity. Teenagers and adults, too, find solace in the endless possibilities of LEGO, immersing themselves in intricate models and architectural marvels.
LEGO’s reach is truly global. Its universal appeal transcends borders, making it a cherished brand in countless countries and cultures. From bustling cities to rural communities, LEGO finds its way into the hands of children and adults across the globe. Its presence in retail stores, online marketplaces, and dedicated LEGO stores ensures accessibility to enthusiasts in both urban centers and remote corners of the world.
LEGO’s target audience extends beyond individual consumers. Its educational value and team-building potential make it a favorite among schools, community centers, and even corporate training programs. LEGO fosters collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, making it a valuable tool for learning and development across all age groups.
In the vibrant world of LEGO, age is just a number, and imagination knows no bounds. It’s a brand that brings people together, uniting them under the banner of creativity and play. Whether you’re a child discovering the joy of LEGO for the first time or an adult rediscovering the magic, LEGO welcomes all who dare to build their own extraordinary worlds.
LEGO, the beloved toy brand that has captured the hearts and minds of millions, owes much of its success to a well-crafted and meticulously executed marketing mix. This powerful combination of elements ensures that LEGO remains at the forefront of the toy industry, captivating audiences young and old. Let’s delve into the world of LEGO’s marketing mix and explore how it has contributed to the brand’s enduring popularity.
Product
LEGO offers a vast range of products, from classic brick sets to licensed themes featuring popular franchises. The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in its durable and versatile bricks, enabling endless creative possibilities. By constantly introducing new sets, themes, and collaborations, LEGO keeps its product lineup fresh and appealing, ensuring there’s always something exciting for its audience to discover.
Price
LEGO’s pricing strategy strikes a balance between value and perceived quality. The brand positions itself as a premium toy, reflecting the craftsmanship and brand heritage associated with its products. While LEGO sets may come with a higher price tag compared to some competitors, customers are willing to pay for the exceptional quality, design, and play experience that LEGO consistently delivers.
LEGO’s distribution strategy ensures wide availability and accessibility to its products. The brand utilizes a multi-channel approach, with products being sold in various retail outlets, including toy stores, department stores, and online marketplaces. LEGO’s own retail stores provide an immersive brand experience, allowing customers to explore the full range of sets and engage with interactive displays.
Promotion
The brand leverages various channels to create a sense of excitement and engagement. Engaging television commercials, social media campaigns, and partnerships with influencers and content creators amplify LEGO’s message to a global audience. The brand’s online presence, interactive website, and user-generated content platforms encourage fans to share their creations and connect with like-minded enthusiasts.
LEGO’s marketing mix showcases a harmonious blend of product, price, promotion, and distribution strategies.
LEGO – Marketing Campaigns
LEGO has been the mastermind behind numerous captivating and memorable marketing campaigns, each designed to ignite imagination, capture attention, and inspire creativity. Let’s explore some of the top campaigns that have left a lasting impression on LEGO fans worldwide.
Rebuild the World
Launched in 2019, this campaign encouraged children and adults alike to break free from preconceived limitations and embrace their creative potential. Through vibrant commercials and social media activations, LEGO showcased the endless possibilities of its bricks, inviting people to build their own extraordinary worlds and unleash their imagination.
LEGO Rebuild The World
Build the Future
This campaign, launched in 2014, aimed to inspire the next generation of builders and innovators. LEGO partnered with various educational organizations and created initiatives like the “LEGO Ideas” platform, which allowed fans to submit their own designs for potential production. The campaign emphasized the importance of hands-on learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
LEGO Ideas Winnie the Pooh | 21326 Designer Video
Rebuild Your Memories
This emotional campaign, launched in 2017, tugged at the heartstrings of LEGO fans of all ages. LEGO invited individuals to share their cherished memories and stories connected to LEGO through social media using the hashtag #RebuildYourMemories. The campaign celebrated the nostalgia and enduring legacy of LEGO, highlighting the brand’s ability to create lasting bonds and treasured moments.
The LEGO Movie Partnership
The collaboration between LEGO and Warner Bros. for “The LEGO Movie” franchise was a groundbreaking marketing campaign. The movies themselves served as elaborate and entertaining commercials for LEGO, showcasing the brand’s creativity, humor, and universality. The partnership extended beyond the big screen, with LEGO sets and characters tied to the movies, creating an immersive brand experience.
The LEGO® Movie – Official Main Trailer [HD]
These marketing campaigns demonstrate LEGO’s commitment to storytelling, innovation, and building connections with its audience.
LEGO – Marketing Strategies
Behind the colorful bricks lies a powerhouse of marketing strategies that have propelled LEGO to its iconic status. From innovative collaborations to immersive experiences, LEGO has mastered the art of engaging its audience. Let’s uncover the top marketing strategies that have cemented LEGO’s position as a global leader in the toy industry.
Iconic Partnerships
LEGO has forged strategic partnerships with beloved franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel, leveraging the power of nostalgia and fandom. By combining their timeless brand with iconic characters and storylines, LEGO taps into existing fan bases, creating a compelling and irresistible product line.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – Launch Trailer
User-Generated Content
LEGO’s marketing strategy actively encourages its passionate fan community to generate content. Through initiatives like LEGO Ideas and social media campaigns, LEGO invites fans to submit their own designs, showcasing their creativity and engagement. This strategy not only fosters a sense of ownership and community but also serves as a valuable source of inspiration and product development.
Immersive Brand Experiences
LEGO’s retail stores and branded attractions like Legoland offer immersive experiences that captivate visitors of all ages. These physical spaces provide hands-on play, interactive displays, and opportunities to see awe-inspiring LEGO creations. By creating memorable experiences, LEGO deepens its emotional connection with customers and reinforces the joy of the LEGO brand.
Emotional Storytelling
LEGO’s marketing campaigns often tug at the heartstrings, weaving narratives that evoke emotions and capture the essence of play. Whether through heartwarming commercials or storytelling competitions, LEGO appeals to the emotional connection people have with their childhood memories, reminding them of the power of imagination and creativity.
Engaging Digital Campaigns
LEGO has embraced the digital age with engaging online campaigns, interactive websites, and social media activations. From building challenges to digital building instructions, LEGO leverages technology to enhance the play experience and connect with its tech-savvy audience.
LEGO Website
Education and Learning
LEGO’s marketing strategies highlight the educational value of its products, positioning LEGO as a tool for learning and development. By partnering with educators, introducing educational sets, and promoting STEAM concepts, LEGO appeals to parents and educational institutions, reinforcing the brand’s credibility and positioning it as a valuable educational resource.
LEGO Education
In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, LEGO stands as a shining example of creativity, innovation, and customer engagement. Marketers and startups can draw inspiration from LEGO’s iconic partnerships, user-generated content, immersive experiences, and emotional storytelling. These strategies remind us of the power of understanding our audience, harnessing the enthusiasm of our customers, and creating meaningful connections. So, let us embrace the lessons learned from LEGO’s marketing prowess and embark on our own journey of building brand success. The bricks of opportunity are waiting to be assembled by those bold enough to learn and apply these valuable marketing strategies.
FAQs
What is the target audience of LEGO?
LEGO is a brand that brings people together, uniting them under the banner of creativity and play. Whether you’re a child discovering the joy of LEGO for the first time or an adult rediscovering the magic, LEGO welcomes all who dare to build their own extraordinary worlds.
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Autograph.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) contain unique characteristics allowing the icons to monetize these global fan bases innovatively. A McKinsey survey of 2,500 U.S. consumers aged 18-65 in April 2021 states that 0.5% to 1% of U.S. adults purchased a sport NFT. Moreover, Dapper Labs, the official marketplace for NBA and NFL NFTs, has been reported to rake in $100 million.
With these statistics, it can be easily concluded that sports fans are highly interested in collectibles and look forward to investing in a purely digital collectible.
However, a poorly executed NFT can tarnish the reputation of celebrities, especially with the always-present moral question of urging their fans to make high-risk purchases. It’s when Autograph comes to the rescue. The company is an integral part of the ever-growing celebrity NFTs.
Read further to learn about Autograph, how it started, how it does the business, its founders, partners, funding, investors, and growth.
Autograph – Company Highlights
Company Name
Autograph
Headquarters
Santa Monica, California, United States
Sector
Non-Fungible Tokens
Founders
Tom Brady, Richard Rosenblatt, Josh Payne, and Dillon Rosenblatt
Autograph is an NFT platform headquartered in Santa Monica that brings together the most iconic brands and legendary celebrities in the entertainment, sports, and culture field to create unique digital collections and experiences. The company develops non-fungible tokens to connect celebrities with fans and communities in Web3.
Autograph – Founders and Team
Tom Brady, Richard Rosenblatt, Josh Payne, and Dillon Rosenblatt are the co-founders of Autograph.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady – Co-founder and Co-chairman, Autograph
He completed a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan; Tom Brady has been a professional athlete and Co-founded multiple companies. In addition to Autograph, he co-founded TB12, TB12 Foundation, and BRADY Brand. Moreover, he is the Co-chairman at Autograph and Partner at The Consello Group.
Richard Rosenblatt
Richard Rosenblatt – Co-founder and Co-chairman, Autograph
Richard Rosenblatt completed BSc in Political Science from UCLA in 1991. With his diverse business experience, he founded iMall, Inc and Demand Media. Moreover, he is the ex-Chairman of Intermix Media.
Currently, Richard is the co-founder of D’Amelio Brands LLC, Adim, Autograph, and Whip Media. In addition, he holds the position of Co-chairman at Autograph and CEO at Whip Media.
Josh Payne
Josh Payne – Co-founder, Autograph
Josh Payne went to Stanford University for B.Sc. with honors, Stanford University Graduate School of Business for an MBA, and Stanford University School of Engineering for an MS in Computer Science (AI).
He worked as an Engineer in the founding team of Marlin and at IBM’s Research Department. Payne has co-Founded AccessBell and Autograph.
Dillon Rosenblatt
Dillon Rosenblatt – Co-founder and CEO, Autograph
Dillon Rosenblatt attended USC Iovine & Young Academy. He interned at Bkstg and worked for Apple Music Business Development and Talent & Business Development team. Before co-founding Autograph, Dillon also founded Tutors. Now he is the co-founder and CEO at Autograph.
Currently, Autograph’s team involves 70+ legendary technology experts, athletes, entertainers, and artists.
Autograph – Startup Story
23-year-old Dillon Rosenblatt envisioned incorporating an Autograph in his bedroom as he collected football and basketball cards in middle school. His “affinity for collecting” resurged when the pandemic hit the world, and his interest in Web 3.0 encouraged him to go with sports NFTs. He got excited about the potential of digital assets. The sports cards he collected in the physical world are now available in digital form.
Dillon researched and presented the concept to his father, Richard Rosenblatt, CEO of Intermix, which Newcorp and family friend Tom Brady own. He told Tom Brady that this new technology could create a new era of collecting. Both Richard and Tom got excited and signed up as co-founders.
ESPN and Autograph launched the network’s first NFT collection in April 2022. A few months later, the company introduced a new interactive program named ‘Signature’ in September 2022.
Autograph’s mission is to connect fans with top celebrities, artists, and athletes through Web3. The company aims to develop an onramp to the space for A-listers to dip their toes into crypto influencing in a highly curated environment. It envisions building the future of fandom.
Autograph – Business Model
Autograph is involved in creating unique digital collections for users worldwide. These collections unlock a wide array of utility and rewards, from providing access to content and celebrity-signed merchandise to experiential invites and exclusive events, enabling fans (collectors) to come closer to their idols’ passions, from style to cars and shoes.
The unique selling point of Autograph is that its NFTs are individually signed. Dillon’s team FedExes iPads loaded with a proprietary app to the company’s celebrities called ‘icons’ or ‘partners,’ who then use the Apple pencil to scrawl their signature. Therefore, collectors receive a far more personalized trophy instead of a mass-produced signed poster.
Autograph – Revenue Model
Autograph generates revenue by selling celebrities, athletes, and artists’ NFTs to their fans. In 2021, the company sold 5,000 Tom Brady NFTs for $12 a pop.
Autograph – Products and Services
The main offerings of Autograph include non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The company’s first NFTs consisted of icons’ physical and digital collectibles. Its NFTs comprise Preseason Access Collection (Premier and Signed), Mystery Containers, Saw Chapter 1 Collection, and Signature Experiences.
Autograph – Challenges Faced
Autograph laid off 33% of its workforce in May 2023, just after letting go of a handful of employees in December 2022 due to market challenges.
Wayne Gretzky Gold On Ice NFT Collection
Autograph – Funding and Investors
Autograph has undertaken 3 funding rounds and raised a total amount of $205 million. The company conducted its latest funding round – Series B Round, on June 19, 2022, and secured $170 million. 9 investors fund Autograph, including Kathryn Haun, Andreessen Horowitz, Nicole Quinn, Balius Partners, and Kleiner Perkins.
Date
Round
Number of Investors
Money Raised
Lead Investor
Jan 19, 2022
Series B
5
$170 million
Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins
September 1, 2021
Venture Round
1
–
–
July 1, 2021
Series A
4
$35 million
01 Advisors, Velvet Sea Ventures
Autograph – Growth
In 2022, the estimated annual revenue of Autograph was $16 million ($136,667 revenue per employee). Moreover, its current valuation is $700 million. (January 2022)
Autograph’s workforce ballooned from 4 in 2021 to 60 people in 2022 and 107 in 2023, with 38% growth. In the first quarter of 2023, the company had 71 employees, resulting in -33% employee count growth. With 4,448 monthly web visits, the company’s web visits growth is -37.61%.
Autograph – Social Media Presence
Autograph is gaining much traction on multiple social media channels by selling unique digital memorabilia from celebrities and sports icons.
Autograph – Partners
Autograph has partnered with a handful of sports, culture, and entertainment industry partners. Some of these are as follows:
Autograph is an NFT platform headquartered in Santa Monica that brings together the most iconic brands and legendary celebrities in the entertainment, sports, and culture field to create unique digital collections and experiences. The company develops non-fungible tokens to connect celebrities with fans and communities in Web3.
Who are the founders of Autograph?
Tom Brady, Richard Rosenblatt, Josh Payne, and Dillon Rosenblatt are the co-founders of Autograph.
How does Autograph generate revenue?
Autograph generates revenue by selling celebrities, athletes, and artists’ NFTs to their fans. In 2021, the company sold 5,000 Tom Brady NFTs for $12 a pop.
The revenue of the beauty and personal care market in India in the current year is approximately USD 27.23 billion which is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.38% between 2023 and 2027. The growth is attributable to the rising and increasingly pivotal role beauty products play in daily life. It is noteworthy that Indian cosmetic brands have witnessed exponential growth on the global stage due to rapid developments in product lines.
Some of the top Indian brands include Lakme, VLCC, Forest Essentials, Shahnaz Husain, Jovees, Sugar Cosmetics, Himalaya Herbals, Khadi Naturals, Biotique, etc. The road that these brands have traveled to become global successes is interesting and inspiring. One brand, however, has a long and engaging history as well as the honor of being India’s first home-grown cosmetic brand. The name is, Lakme.
At the time when India won its independence from almost two centuries of British rule, its economy was extremely fragile with negligible national wealth. The newly fledgling country was finding its feet and attempting to self-govern its way to a healthy economy. Among the many products that the country was importing at the time, money flowing out of the country through the purchase of imported cosmetics and beauty products grabbed the concern of the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
He approached his friend and entrepreneur, J.R.D. Tata set up a cosmetics manufacturing company that catered to specific Indian climates and skin to engage the Indian audience and save precious foreign exchange from leaving the country. Thus began the motion wheel of what would become the first, and one of the largest, Indian cosmetics companies.
Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO) was a Tata group company established in present-day Kochi (erstwhile Cochin) in the year 1920. The company’s primary business was to crush Copra and produce coconut oil, primarily, for export. Of course, with time, the company grew and also diversified its product portfolio to manufacture soaps, cooking oils, detergents, shampoos, perfumed oils, eau de cologne, etc.
J.R.D. Tata, through TOMCO, capitalized on the opportunity and established an indigenous cosmetics company as a subsidiary company in collaboration with two reputed French firms – Robert Piguet and Renoir in the year 1953. It is noteworthy that this collaboration and any other future collaborations were only for knowledge contributions with no equity participation by such foreign collaborators.
The first challenge came in the form of assigning a name to the brand. The French collaborators were given a brief – a name that combined the Indian spirit and the French splendor. An extremely popular opera was playing in Paris at the time by the name of Lakme – a French connotation for the Indian Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and the epitome of beauty.
Lakme began its business operations in small hired premises in the city of Mumbai with an extensive product portfolio for personal care.
Market Size of Beauty and Personal Care Industry Across India From 2016 to 2020, With an Estimate for 2025
Business Growth Under Tata
Within a few years of beginning their business operations, Lakme grew rapidly adding more products to their brochure. The manufacturing operations expanded resulting in employee shifts. It was the year 1961, when Simone Tata, Naval Tata’s wife took over as the Managing Director that catapulted Lakme into a new era.
Under her business acumen, Lakme grew, as the brand began to identify with its Indian audience with a product range that covered make-up, skincare, and other toiletries for women. Its range of beauty products for men also witnessed significant success. The brand kept up with the changing consumer preferences through continuous research and an up-to-date development laboratory that enabled Lakme to innovate and continuously add newer and better products to its ever-increasing product repertoire.
The brand ventured into setting up its own branded beauty salons and opened the first one in the year 1980. The salons offered a wide range of beauty treatments that were administered by beauticians who were trained and qualified at their beauty schools. Simone Tata was appointed as the Chairperson for Lakme in the year 1982.
Under the Tata umbrella, the brand continued its growth trajectory to become one of India’s top players within the beauty and personal care industry. However, TOMCO, Lakme’s parent company, merged with Hindustan Unilever (erstwhile Hindustan Lever) in 1993. This resulted in Lakme forming a 50:50 partnership with Hindustan Unilever in 1996. Two years later, in the year 1998, Lakme sold all its brands to Hindustan Unilever, but, has continued to lead the cosmetics market in India with a major market share.
Success story of Lakme | How did Lakme become so successful?
Lakme Lever Pvt. Ltd. Under Hindustan Unilever
Lakme Lever Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) giant Hindustan Unilever since 1998, has continued its upward growth trajectory under the HUL umbrella. Lakme’s salon business has expanded its footprint to more than 450 owned, managed, and franchisee salons with a precision focus on safety, quality of operations, expert treatments, and prudent cost optimization.
The financial year 2022 saw Lakme Lever Pvt. Ltd. Reporting a revenue of INR 275 crore from the sale of its products and services. This revenue saw an increase of 19.3% in the financial year 2023 to reach INR 328 crore, primarily led by a strong recovery post the covid-19 pandemic.
As India’s first indigenous cosmetics brand, Lakme has proven its creativity and sustainability in the last seven decades. The brand grew exponentially and added many facets to its business under the Tata umbrella. It continued its successful journey increasing and strengthening its footprint under HUL. Today, the iconic brand has become a household name, claiming a lion’s share of the Indian market. Lakme is poised to take on any challenges that may arise in the future and continue to enjoy its unrivaled stature in the cosmetics and beauty market.
FAQs
Which are India’s top cosmetic brands?
Some of the top Indian cosmetic brands are Lakme, VLCC, Forest Essentials, Shahnaz Husain, Jovees, Sugar Cosmetics, Himalaya Herbals, Khadi Naturals, and Biotique.
How did Lakme get its name?
An extremely popular opera was playing in Paris by the name of Lakme – a French connotation for the Indian Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and the epitome of beauty. And in this way, Lakme got its name.
