How Realme's Celebrity Endorsers are Shaping Consumer Trust in India

Realme’s celebrity endorsers, including Shah Rukh Khan, KL Rahul, and Shahid Kapoor, play a crucial role in strengthening the brand’s trust and appeal in India. Their wide influence across diverse audiences has helped Realme connect with consumers, ensuring credibility and driving brand loyalty across the nation.

Realme has made a significant mark in the Indian smartphone market, and a big part of that success comes from its engaging endorsements. The brand has teamed up with a variety of popular figures to connect with its audience and create a buzz around its products. 

In India, realme's endorsers include well-known cricketers, actors, and social media influencers. These personalities not only represent the brand but also embody the dynamic lifestyle that Realme promotes. For instance, cricketers like K L Rahul have been seen promoting Realme's latest smartphones, appealing to the vast cricket-loving audience in the country. Their association adds a sense of credibility and excitement.

Additionally, realme collaborates with popular actors and influencers who resonate with young consumers. By leveraging its star power, realme effectively reaches a broader audience, showcasing how its products fit into everyday life. This strategy not only boosts brand recognition but also helps establish a strong emotional connection with fans.

Overall, realme's approach to endorsements reflects its commitment to innovation and connecting with the youth, making the brand a household name in India.

History Of Realme In India

Realme, established on May 4, 2018, by Sky Li, a former vice president of Oppo, entered the Indian market with the launch of the Realme 1 smartphone in May 2018.  Initially a sub-brand of Oppo, Realme quickly gained popularity among Indian consumers by offering smartphones that combined strong performance with trendy designs at competitive prices.  By November 2018, Realme had become an emerging brand in the Indian market, with sales surpassing those of Oppo.  Under the leadership of Madhav Sheth, co-founder and CEO of Realme India and Europe, the company expanded its product line to include wearables and accessories, further solidifying its presence in the Indian market.  Realme's commitment to understanding and catering to the needs of Indian consumers has been instrumental in its rapid growth and success in the region. 

Celebrities Promoting Realme

1. Salman Khan

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In February 2020, Realme appointed Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as its brand ambassador to promote the Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro smartphones.  This collaboration aimed to leverage Khan's widespread popularity across diverse regions and demographics in India, aligning with Realme's goal of making cutting-edge technology accessible to all. Khan expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, resonating with Realme's "Dare to Leap" ethos.  The association was expected to enhance Realme's brand visibility and appeal among Indian consumers. However, some Realme fans expressed reservations about the choice of brand ambassador.  

2. Shraddha Kapoor

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In March 2020, realme appointed Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor as its Chief Lifestyle Officer and brand ambassador for its AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) products. This collaboration aimed to enhance Realme's positioning as a "Tech Trendsetter" among its target audience. As the face of Realme's smart product lineup, Kapoor endorsed various devices, including smartwatches, fitness bands, and audio accessories. Her association with the brand was intended to resonate with young consumers, reflecting Realme's "Dare to Leap" philosophy. 

This collaboration was part of Realme's broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Indian market by connecting with the youth through innovative products and relatable brand ambassadors. These strategic endorsements have played a significant role in establishing Realme as a prominent player in India's competitive tech market.

3. Ayushmann Khurrana

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In September 2019, Realme appointed Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana as its brand ambassador in India to promote the brand's "Dare to Leap" identity. Khurrana featured in integrated marketing campaigns, including the promotion of the Realme XT, India's first 64MP quad-camera smartphone. He also collaborated with the brand team to enhance image tuning and software optimization for the device. His association with Realme aimed to resonate with the youth, reflecting the brand's commitment to innovation and quality.

4. KL Rahul

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In October 2021, realme appointed Indian cricketer KL Rahul as the brand ambassador for its smartphone category. Known for his dynamic performance and style, Rahul embodies realme's 'Dare to Leap' ethos. As 'Captain realme,' he has featured in campaigns like the realme 9 Pro Series 5G, promoting its flagship Sony IMX766 OIS camera with the tagline #CaptureTheLight. This collaboration has strengthened realme's brand presence in India, leveraging Rahul's popularity to connect with a broader audience. His association with realme has enhanced the brand's image, aligning it with youthfulness and innovation. The partnership has been well-received, contributing to increased consumer engagement and reinforcing realme's position in the competitive smartphone market.

5. Shah Rukh Khan

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6. Shahid Kapoor

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Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor has been appointed as the product ambassador for realme's NARZO series, specifically promoting the NARZO 70 Pro 5G smartphone.  This collaboration is part of realme's strategy to enhance its brand presence and appeal to millennial and Gen Z consumers. The NARZO 70 Pro 5G was launched in India on March 19, 2024, with Shahid Kapoor featured prominently in its marketing campaigns. In these promotions, Kapoor highlights the smartphone's advanced camera capabilities, aligning with realme's focus on delivering innovative technology to a young audience.

Favourite Marketing Campaigns of Realme

1. Dare to Leap

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Realme's "Dare to Leap" campaign, introduced in 2019, embodies the brand's commitment to innovation and its focus on the youth market. This initiative encourages young individuals to embrace their true selves and emerge as significant forces of change.  By promoting a leap-forward experience across product quality and after-sale services, Realme has positioned itself as a trendsetting technology brand.  The campaign has significantly contributed to Realme's rapid growth, making it the world's fastest-growing smartphone brand and the only new brand to enter the Top 10 in nearly a decade.  By resonating with the aspirations of young consumers, "Dare to Leap" has established Realme as a formidable competitor in the global smartphone market. 

2. #BeatThatChallenge

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Realme's #BeatThatChallenge was a dynamic marketing campaign launched in 2022 to promote the Narzo 50 smartphone, aiming to engage Gen Z consumers through culturally resonant content. The campaign featured a rap music video with artists Arivu and Raga, blending northern and southern musical styles to reflect India's diverse youth culture. This approach effectively captured the target audience's attention by aligning with their musical preferences. To amplify the engagement, Realme introduced the #BeatThatChallenge on social media, encouraging users to participate in rap and dance challenges inspired by the music video. This user-generated content strategy fostered a sense of community and increased brand interaction. The campaign achieved significant results, garnering over 53 million impressions and reaching 26.5 million individuals. Notably, there was a 302% increase in sales of Narzo 50 variants following the music video's release, with over 881,000 clicks directed to the Amazon product page. This success underscores the campaign's effectiveness in resonating with the youth demographic and driving substantial consumer engagement and sales growth.

3. #CurveIntoTheNext

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Realme's #CurveIntoTheNext campaign, launched in July 2023, introduced the narzo 60 Series 5G smartphones, emphasizing their futuristic design and advanced features. The campaign featured Bollywood actors Vaani Kapoor and Rohit Saraf, who showcased the device's capabilities in a fast-paced lifestyle, highlighting its appeal to the next generation. The narzo 60 Series 5G boasts a luxurious vegan leather design inspired by the Martian Horizon, a curved vision display for an immersive experience, and up to 1TB storage capacity, catering to the demands of Indian consumers in the mid-premium segment. 

The digital campaign resonated with consumers, garnering over 20 million views across YouTube and Instagram. Additionally, Realme collaborated with Kyra, India's first Meta-Influencer, to connect with next-gen consumers, further amplifying the campaign's reach. This strategic approach not only enhanced brand visibility but also reinforced Realme's commitment to delivering innovative technology tailored to the evolving needs of young, tech-savvy users.

4. Dare to Shine

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Realme's "Dare to Shine" campaign, launched during Diwali 2023, featured actor Shah Rukh Khan and celebrated the human spirit's resilience and self-belief. The campaign encouraged individuals to kindle their inner light, inspiring positivity beyond the festive season. The campaign's impact was significant, resonating with audiences and enhancing Realme's brand image. By associating with Shah Rukh Khan, the campaign leveraged his widespread appeal to connect with a broad demographic, reinforcing Realme's position in the competitive smartphone market. The message of inner strength and positivity aligned well with the festive spirit, fostering a deeper emotional connection with consumers.

5. Narzo 70 Pro 5G Launch

Realme launched the Narzo 70 Pro 5G smartphone in India on March 19, 2024, positioning it as a feature-rich device in the mid-range segment.  The smartphone boasts a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals.  It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB.  A standout feature is its 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), enhancing photography capabilities.  The device also includes a 5,000mAh battery supporting 67W fast charging, providing substantial battery life with quick recharge times.  Priced starting at ₹19,999, the Narzo 70 Pro 5G offers a compelling value proposition. Its launch has strengthened Realme's presence in the competitive Indian smartphone market, appealing to consumers seeking high-end features at an accessible price point.