Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Brands May Shift Focus to Physical Experiences
Varun Alagh, the co-founder of Mamaearth, thinks that brands might start focusing more on real-life experiences instead of just digital ads.
He says that people, especially younger ones, are getting tired of online content and are starting to trust it less.
Alagh believes that brands should create real-world interactions that people can touch, feel, and remember.
For example, at a big music festival in Mumbai, Mamaearth's brands offered haircuts and free water, which Alagh says worked better than online ads.
He thinks this is the future of branding, where companies should balance digital and physical experiences to connect better with people.
Varun Alagh suggests brands may shift focus from digital to physical experiences due to growing digital fatigue.
Gen Z audiences are increasingly wary of algorithm-driven content and 'rage bait'.
Emerging trends like 'Not made with AI' content and no-phone policies indicate a move towards offline engagement.
Mamaearth's brands BBLUNT and Aqualogic tested offline engagement at the Rolling Loud music festival in Mumbai.
Alagh argues that physical interactions build trust, stronger memories, and higher audience quality compared to digital campaigns.
- Who
- Varun Alagh, Co-founder of Mamaearth, and brands under Honasa Consumer
- What
- A shift in brand strategy towards physical, real-world experiences due to digital fatigue
- When
- The trend is currently emerging, with recent experiments at events like the Rolling Loud music festival
- Where
- Globally, with specific examples from India, such as the Rolling Loud music festival in Mumbai
- Why
- Consumers are experiencing digital fatigue and distrust in algorithm-driven content, leading to a preference for real-world connections
- Key Figure
- Varun Alagh, Co-founder of Mamaearth
- Emerging Trend
- Rise of 'Not made with AI' content
- Event
- Rolling Loud music festival in Mumbai
- Brands Involved
- BBLUNT, Aqualogic
- Consumer Behavior
- Growing digital fatigue and distrust in algorithm-driven content
- Strategic Shift
- Rebalancing focus toward tangible, sensory experiences