ZEE opens up opportunities for brands to forge lasting emotional connections, tapping into the trust and loyalty that its iconic characters command
Mumbai: As a pioneer in the Indian entertainment landscape, ZEE continues to set benchmarks in audience engagement, with eight of its shows reaching over 10 million viewers daily. With a legacy spanning over six decades, ZEE continues to captivate audiences throughout India with its vast portfolio and rich storytelling, reaching urban and rural houses alike. To celebrate this long-standing legacy, ZEE Network is set to announce the launch of their new campaign ‘Dilfluencers’.
ZEE’s latest campaign emphasizes that its most loved TV characters are far more than just social media stars but are a daily companion to the millions of viewers whose hearts they touch on a daily basis, therefore dubbing them as ‘Dilfluencers’. A campaign film featuring Jackie Shroff humorously shifts the focus from conventional social media shoutouts to the powerful everyday influence ZEE’s characters wield. The messaging for ‘Dilfluencers’ is rooted in #SachTohYehiHai, underscoring how ZEE’s characters have, since 1992, evolved into symbols of resilience and empowerment, producing over 5 lakh episodes and 3 lakh+ hours of content. Serving as a daily companion to 174 million people, ZEE’s characters capture the evolving aspirations of viewers, championing themes like equality, reverse parenting, and second chances. ‘Dilfluencers’ creates an opportunity for brands to leverage the authenticity and deep-rooted trust these characters command, making connections that extend beyond social media into the everyday lives of audiences across Bharat.
Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer, Digital & Broadcast Revenue, ZEE, said, “In a culturally diverse country like India, our ‘Dilfluencers’ resonate with viewers across multiple demographics. With a network reach of 859 million viewers, including 439 million females, ZEE connects with the key decision makers of every household. Our weekly organic cumulative reach on social is 960 million which makes ZEE’s characters indispensable for brands to influence household choices. These characters are more than on-screen personas—they are deeply relatable figures in viewers’ lives, offering brands a unique opportunity to tap into their trust and loyalty. Television has built these iconic characters, while digital media has amplified engagement, adding new dimensions. Branded content leveraging ZEE Influencers has already delivered impactful results, and with this launch, we aim to scale this success, offering partners an unmatched connection with households across India.”
Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, Content SBU, ZEE said: “At Zee, our storytelling is consumer inspired, it reflects the evolving aspirations of our audiences, feels authentic and creates emotional resonance required to propel change. Our characters today take on roles as bankers, bakers, entrepreneurs, and teachers, they spark cultural conversations and foster a deep sense of community. It isn’t enough for influencers to just wear a product. Through ‘Dilfluencers’ we are going further, enabling brands to harness the halo of our most trusted TV characters and their unique ability to shape life choices, coupled with a digital video delivery that feels personal. This initiative brings the best of two worlds, the equity building power of TV personas and the flexibility of digital delivery that can be targeted to hyperlocal audiences, creating empathy at scale.”
Aaj Likhenge Kal: Seizing Today, Shaping Tomorrow
At the heart of the ‘Dilfluencers’ campaign is the philosophy of Aaj Likhenge Kal, which champions the idea of taking control of your present to create a better tomorrow. ZEE’s protagonists embody this belief, inspiring audiences to seize control of their destiny. From caregivers to relatable every-woman figures and aspirational dreamers, each character brings unique qualities that resonate with viewers.
With a vast portfolio catering to diverse regions and languages, ZEE remains uniquely positioned to reach every corner of India. From Tier 1 metros to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, ZEE’s characters touch lives across the socio-cultural spectrum. The network’s ability to engage with audiences in their own languages and address their specific concerns, aspirations, and dreams makes its content far more impactful than transient social media trends.
A Platform for Brands to Build Deeper Connections
ZEE’s ‘Dilfluencers’ offer a rich avenue for brands across various sectors—from online education platforms and mental wellness initiatives to lifestyle brands—to engage with audiences in more meaningful ways. By leveraging these protagonists as brand ambassadors, businesses can tap into the deep emotional connection they share with viewers, ensuring higher engagement and lasting relationships.
As the television industry continues to evolve with the rise of connected TV and digital platforms, ZEE’s characters remain a powerful force in shaping not just the present but the future of entertainment and consumer engagement. Through its multi-faceted content strategy, ZEE is poised to continue leading the way in delivering stories that inspire, engage, and influence millions across the nation.
Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya alone captivates 15.7 million people, while Bhagya Lakshmi, Kumkum Bhagya, and Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye follow closely, each engaging between 13.7 and 14.0 million viewers. In the regional space, Zee Kannada’s Lakshmi Nivasa, Annayya, Puttakkana Makkalu, and Zee Telugu’s Padamati Sandhyaragam resonate across Kannada and Telugu households, collectively amassing millions more. With a monthly unique audience of 722 million (BARC 2+ India U+R) on TV Channels which is the highest among entertainment networks (excluding sports & news) and a weekly cumulative social reach of 960 million, ZEE’s influence extends well beyond traditional media touchpoints. The network’s 20+ channels in 10+ languages, 100+ top shows, and over 260 million social media followers, along with 3.6 billion monthly video views, (Source: Meta Business Suite) underscore ZEE’s unparalleled impact across both television and social media platforms.
Campaign film – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7264240473408479233/
