Society Tea has brewed a new film taking a trip down the memory lane with its latest campaign, ‘Yaadon Bhari Pyaali’. Conceptualised by Black Swan Life, the film aims to remind people that some bonds cannot be broken.
Said Karan Shah, Director, Society Tea: “The task was to create a regional communication that tugs at the heartstrings of the small towns (and the big cities) of Maharashtra. We wanted to create a communication that talks about the legacy of the brand – its strong bond with its customers over the last 30 years. We wanted to do so through a relatable story, a strong insight…where the brand is not a force-fit but is naturally weaved into the story.”
Added Sukumar Menon, Creative Head, Black Swan Life: “Something very familiar from an old time, when it interacts with you in a present and relevant context, it can suddenly fill your mind with long-forgotten memories. A familiar smell…a familiar taste can do that.”
The Nation was celebrating its 72nd Republic day. Dressed in a kesariakurta, I had returned from a drive to Bandra Band Stand. The taste of Jalebi-Dhokla-Vada Pav from Punjab Sweets at Pali Hill was still fresh. It was slowly getting subdued with the fresh cup of Society Masala chai. A heavy dose of customary patriotic songs over the radio stations during the drive had charged me. On return to my society, I had even stopped and shot the typical picture, saluting the National Flag. And I had just watched the Republic Day communication developed by Manish Bhatt and the team at Scarecrow M&C Saatchi for the client Ambuja Cement.
For a change, the TV set tuned to NDTV I was watching the live parade telecast. In such a pleasant situation, dulled with everything will be right. The NCC cadets marching on Rajpath, the helicopters flying over the parade.
I was jolted to reality.
In between the parade coverage, the channel kept the viewers updated with visuals from the three alternate parades happening in the capital—the tractor rally of so-called protesting farmers.
What one saw was disappointing. One felt ashamed for the fellow countrymen taking this solemn moment to act in the way they did. They have been playing cat and mouse game with the government for long. January 26 was just a culmination of ill intension most likely supported by outsiders. This time it was not as bad as the riots of 2020.
One wished we were not a democracy. That the protesters had some fear of the law-and-order machinery. That the machinery was allowed a free hand to do what they are meant to do- maintain law and order. Hoped that they were amply supported with right weapons and intelligence. And when one saw the visuals from Lal Qila, one wished they allowed to shoot at sight, instead of allowing the hooligans to keep the city terrorised.
The law-and-order machinery was never in the game. The Government was put into catch 22 situations. The Government was anyway getting called for not acting. And would be called if they did act. Charged with this confidence, the patriotic farmers were busy challenging the Government.
The WhatsApp groups were full of typical armchair analyses if the situation. I was one of the vociferous participants. Whatever may be the Rajneeti, the politics of protest. Whoever may be supporting such a protest and gundagardi. If they were Nihangs or Jats. If they were on tractors or on foot. If they agreed or were protesting against a law that the elected representatives have crafted. And one that a large part if the country finds no problem with. None had the right to act the way they did. I go a step ahead; none should dare to act the way they did.
There is an urgent need in this country to bring new laws and take hard actions. Bring the destructors and penalise them. And if that calls for an emergency type of situation, so be it. The Nation has a responsibility. The Government has responsibility and accountability. What about the citizens of the country? What should the country expect from them?
I don’t know how, but we cannot afford such destructive protests. The Nation cannot be held to ransom. The laws are enacted by the elected representatives, and any question must be raised in the parliament. In my view, they should not even be challenged in the supreme court. At the worst case just like the president, the court can ask the Government to reconsider – but not force to amend a law duly enacted by an elected government. The battle has to be fought inside the parliament. If the regulations are anti-people, the people have the opportunity in the next election to reject the appeal.
When one sees the Rajpath Parade, and the Protestors violent parade side by side on the TV screen one gets disoriented. When one views a highly emotive campaign by brands on such occasions, one tends to get disoriented. When one listens to those songs that charge you up, one is unsure which country they refer to.
I know advertising cannot reflect this violent mood of the Nation. It will still continue to play on the emotions that you hold so dear. The campaigns will remain idealistic and the brands purpose-led. I am sure no brand will comment on what happened on January 26, 2021. Not sure, if they should. The taste has soured. The Ambuja Cement commercial was no longer making sense. What made sense is the MTV and GoldMedal electricals ad.
https://youtu.be/yMd29gMcJXQ
What I am sure is that we, hopefully, feel the need to wake up and take a stance. Tell the government we are with them. The citizens do not need to be threatened and terrorized of such gundas. We have elected a Government to keep order. As citizens, we just want to go about our business in peace and have a good night sleep. The citizen wants no more such incidents.
That the citizens feel about the Nation. They are patriotic enough not to raise questions if the Government acts decisively. The citizens feel charged when they see the patriotic campaigns not because it is not real-life. But because it is the Nation, they want to live in. And for it to happen, the citizens look at their elected government and the whole opposition to be constructive and decisive in action. Otherwise, none will be spared, and that is not being said figuratively.
So, if you are still not up. Here is another to close the argument- this time from Adani. And I am happy to note that instead of mussy-mussy all for the Nation- Tera Hai Par Mera Hai feeling- some are raising the questions.
Society Tea has come up with a film celebrating the iconic ‘Chai Chai’ phraseology employed by chaiwallas at railway stations.
Said Karan Shah, Director, Society Tea: “Tea to Indians is not just a beverage, it is a habit embedded into life. Most of us want to have our special chai in a moment’s notice but usually that’s not possible. One Minute Tea is an outcome of this need for a special cup of chai that anyone can make. And what better way to convey this than juxtapose the very memorable call for chai at train and bus stations against people of all ages.”
Society Tea has launched its #StayAtHome campaign, to encourage safety, remembering the beautiful memories around tea that one collectively spends as a community.
Commenting on the occasion, Karan Shah, Director, Society Tea said: “Society Tea has always been subtly invested in its duty towards society. With the inspiration to brew delightful experiences and conversations over chai, we at Society Tea have recently incorporated the visually appealing #StayAtHome campaign, to portray simple and small memories during the day, when we come together as a community to enjoy our tea together. Until such a time is back, let’s not only stay safe, but also look forward to enjoying these moments with our friends, family and close ones.”
Society Tea has launched its latest ad film for its masala tea offering. The film revolves around the union of two shared experiences in India – love for cinema and tea.
Commenting on the occasion, Karan Shah, Director, Society Tea said: “With our latest Masala Tea TVC, we at Society Tea wanted to brew a campaign that reflects a beautifully balanced emotion between our country’s two favourites – Cinema and Chai. And what better way to do it than our quintessential ‘Dadi Ma Ki Masala Chai’. Society Tea’s Masala Tea is all about the highest quality, the traditional taste which is fortified with spices, an original masala recipe that is an excellent elixir and we definitely recommend you to try our grandmothers’ personal recipe blend. Titled ‘Masala Nahi Toh Mazaa Nahi’, the TVC has beautifully captured a perfect blend of human emotions and an all-season National favourite beverage- Masala Tea.â€
The ad campaign has been conceptualised by Black Swan Life and is produced by Skylark Productions.
Fruitbowl Digital has acquired digital and social duties of the Society Tea from the Hasmukhrai & Co consortium. The account was acquired by Fruitbowl Digital following a multi-agency pitch.
Commenting on the win, Dedeepya Reddy, Co-Founder, Fruitbowl Digital, said: “Tea is the life and soul of every creative agency and my team runs on a minimum of three cups a day. Being associated with one of the biggest names in the business, has thus been incredibly exciting. A day in every Indian household begins with the aroma of a beautiful pot of tea and almost any situation calls for a cup. It is this connect the Indian society has with tea that we wish to extend through the digital space. Keeping the consumer at the centerof it all, just as Society Tea has done through the years, the challenge for us now is to humanize the brand and have their social media pages reflect who they are.”
Said Karan Shah, Director – Business Development, Society Tea: “Today’s audience is a tough cookie to crack; not everything is talked about or remembered. Engaging content only works if you’ve created a strong consumer connect. Fruitbowl has shown that they can work in these grey areas and give us the ‘different’ we are looking for. The aim now is to be digitally as impactful as the brand has been in this incredible country over the years.â€
Society Tea has launched its brand campaign that celebrates the tea drinking culture in our country.
The Tea Society Called India campaign depicts the brand thought when one interchangeably cites ‘Society Tea’, it reads ‘Tea Society’- the ultimate societal truth that defines India and Indian-ness.
Commenting on launch of the campaign, Karan Shah, Director – Business Development, Society Tea said:  “The idea of this passionate campaign- The Tea Society Called India, emerged serendipitously from the brand name itself, Society Tea. The intent with this campaign is to celebrate the tea drinking culture across the length and breadth of India. Society Tea has always strived to maintain a consistent quality with infallible taste. Our travels whilst executing this campaign across several regions in India is testimony to our passion for quality. The campaign is a perfect amalgamation of people who are unique and diverse as it perfectly captures our brand footprint across incredible India.â€
The Nation was celebrating its 72nd Republic day. Dressed in a kesaria kurta, I had returned from a drive to Bandra Band Stand. The taste of Jalebi-Dhokla-Vada Pav from Punjab Sweets at Pali Hill was still fresh. It was slowly getting subdued with the fresh cup of Society Masala chai. A heavy dose of customary patriotic songs over the radio stations during the drive had charged me. On return to my society, I had even stopped and shot the typical picture, saluting the National Flag. And I had just watched the Republic Day communication developed by Manish Bhatt and the team at Scarecrow M&C Saatchi for the client Ambuja Cement.