Google is eager to see Google+ succeed in India and Bollywood actor and producer Shah Rukh Khan wants to market his upcoming movieRa.Oneto the large Indian online audience. The result:a partnership announced on Mondaythat is intended to be of mutual benefit to both parties.
Google India head Rajan Anandan announced in a conference with Shah Rukh Khan today that the Bollywood actor will be participating in live chats with fanson Google+as part of an agreement which will see Google promotingthe movie’s channel on YouTube.Ra.Oneis also currently being heavily advertised on Google’s AdWords channels.
Shah Rukh Khan, arguably the most popular actor India has ever produced, is keen to use every promotional tool in his arsenal to promote his upcoming sci-fi superhero movieRa.One. It already has a presence on practically every single social network out there—from Facebook and Twitter to Blogger, Linkedin, Orkut and Picasa—and hasan official website, movie merchandise being sold on its own online store, a graphic novel and online games.
It’s an interesting announcement, both from Google’s perspective and from Bollywood’s. It is the first time that an Indian movie has so thoroughly embraced online advertising and engagement with fans. Couple that with theincrease in online distribution of Bollywood movieson Yahoo! and YouTube and it signals that the industry is making a concerted effort to tap into the online market.
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This move also shines a light on Google’s continuing efforts to popularise its products and services in India. The company has revealed in the past that it lays great importance inthe booming online industryin the country and moves like these are an indication that it has a finger on the pulse of the Indian audience. The best way to gain attention in India is to associate yourself with either Bollywood or cricket, andGoogle has been doing bothwith aplomb.
Story byAayush Arya
Aayush is the India Editor & Apps Co-Editor at The Next Web. When not writing, he enjoys spending his time bungling about on Twitter or(show all)Aayush is the India Editor & Apps Co-Editor at The Next Web. When not writing, he enjoys spending his time bungling about onTwitterorGoogle+, and answeringemail.
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