For the last few months, Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, has been in the spotlight in India.
This time, it’s not for a major business move or donation, but for his son’s extravagant wedding that has captured the attention of the nation and the world.
The wedding celebrations for Anant Ambani and his long-time girlfriend Radhika Merchant began in March and culminated in a grand ceremony in Mumbai on Friday.
The lavish parties, filled with Bollywood stars, global pop icons like Rihanna and Justin Bieber, and many high-profile guests, have been a hot topic of conversation.
The guest list included big names like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Samsung CEO Han-Jong Hee, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, former UK prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and the Kardashian sisters.
According to James Crabtree, author of “The Billionaire Raj,” these high-profile guests reflect the Ambanis’ strategic importance and India’s growing market.
Mukesh Ambani’s family, often described as India’s most prominent business family, runs Reliance Industries.
This company, founded by Mukesh’s father Dhirubhai Ambani, started in oil and expanded into telecoms, retail, and more.
After Dhirubhai’s death in 2002, Mukesh and his brother Anil split the empire, with Mukesh’s business thriving while Anil’s faced bankruptcy.
Reliance has brought many luxury brands to India and owns a team in the IPL cricket tournament. They recently merged their entertainment platforms with Disney, making them a major player in digital streaming.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reliance attracted billions in investments from global giants like Meta and Google.
For the Ambanis, this wedding is more than just a family event. It’s a display of their influence and a way to connect personally with the world, including the consumers of their many products and services.
Brand strategy specialist Harish Bijoor sees it as a way to make the Ambani brand even more prominent among India’s growing consumer class.
Mukesh Ambani’s strategy involves creating numerous touchpoints between his businesses and Indian consumers.
From the shows people watch to the clothes they wear, and even how they transact, much of it is influenced by the Ambani family.
The grand wedding has successfully marketed the Ambani brand, captivating audiences in India and beyond. (BBC)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51yp353g0ro