e-commerce
Phonepe launches ‘Meri Team Hai Na’ campaign for Mutual Funds
Ogilvy India film uses humour to make investing approachable with expert guidance.
MUMBAI: Phonepe just turned investing into a tag-team match because when the market throws a curveball, even wrestlers know “Meri Team Hai Na” means the experts have your back. Phonepe has rolled out a fresh, humour-packed campaign for its Mutual Funds business, conceptualised by Ogilvy India, aimed at simplifying investing and building confidence among new-age Indians. The campaign revolves around the reassuring line “Meri Team Hai Na,” tapping into the cultural belief that a strong team behind you makes any challenge feel conquerable.
The lead films are set in familiar Indian settings, an akhada (wrestling arena) and a nukkad natak (street play) where a victorious wrestler and a performer confidently declare “Meri Team Hai Na” when advised to invest wisely. The advisor’s imagination spirals into hilarious chaos: wrestlers fumbling through stock charts or actors in bear-and-bull masks giving financial advice. The punchline reveals the “team” is actually Phonepe’s expert advisors, backed by the proprietary CRISP Scorecard that analyses and recommends top funds.
Two additional short films spotlight the Daily Mutual Funds SIP feature, allowing investments starting at just Rs 10 a day. One draws parallels between disciplined training and consistent investing, while the other uses folklore-inspired visuals to show that steady contributions win over market volatility.
Ogilvy India chief creative officer Sukesh Nayak said, “In India, we grow up believing that when you have a good team behind you, you’re never alone. That cultural truth shaped this campaign. ‘Meri Team Hai Na’ is a line we’ve all used, and we brought that reassurance into the world of investing with humour and exaggeration.”
Phonepe chief marketing officer Amit Doshi added, “Many new-age investors hold back not because of lack of ambition but owing to confusion and hesitation. By combining our proprietary CRISP methodology with simple tools like Daily Mutual Funds SIP starting at just Rs 10, we are addressing both decision paralysis and inertia.”
In a country where investing still feels like stepping into an akhada without a coach, Phonepe isn’t just offering funds, it’s handing over a reliable tag-team partner, proving that even small daily steps can pin down financial freedom.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
