by Festive advertising used to be simple: a celebrity in ethnic wear, a slow-motion diya lighting shot, and a full-page print ad.
But in 2025, that formula doesn’t cut it anymore. Today’s consumers want stories that reflect their lives, not glossy versions of them. New-Age Brands Festive Advertising India: Modern Approaches.
Read further if you’re planning your festive campaigns right now!
1. Platform-First Approach
Modern festive campaigns are built for where people actually are—Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Moj—not just prime-time TV & print.
Look at boAt’s #CelebrateWithboAt (Diwali 2023) was all about creator collabs, trending music, and bite-sized content. With over 100M views across platforms, it turned their audience into co-creators of the brand experience.
OPPO India’s “#VishwasKaDeep” (Diwali 2024) celebrated regional traditions from Rajasthan to Goa via short videos and an interactive AI-powered microsite. It ran across YouTube, Instagram, OTT platforms, and even cinemas. It was all about telling regional stories in digital-first formats.
2. Real Stories > Perfect Families
Relatability is in and how!
Not everyone’s having a movie-style Diwali. And that’s okay.
OnePlus’s “#MakeItSpecial for Everyone” (Diwali 2024) featured a family dog delivering gifts to strays—subverting expectations and celebrating compassion.
OkCupid’s “Match Your Vibe this Diwali” (2022) ditched couple clichés and highlighted modern relationships—roommates, solo dwellers, long-distance partners. It celebrated connection in all its forms.
3. Purpose Over Product
Brands today are choosing meaning over merchandise—and it’s working.
Wakefit’s Home Is Where the Light Is (2023) spotlighted migrant workers celebrating Diwali away from home. The emotional storytelling struck a chord, even though their products barely made an appearance.
4. The Power of Integration
Successful festive marketing now means pulling off a seamless story across digital, OOH, content, and influencer-led assets.
CRED’s 2021 festive campaign nailed this. From quirky billboards to influencer memes to surreal YouTube ads—it was the same story told 10 different ways.
What should you keep in mind for Festive Campaign 2025?
Be bold. Be unexpected. Be deeply human.
You won’t win by being the loudest—you have to feel the most relevant. And to make that happen, you need a partner who gets both—culture and conversion.
At Clevertize, we help brands show up differently during festivals—and it’s working. Ready to move past the clichés? Let’s talk.
Write to us/call us at 9880896097 or saumya@clevertize.com
