Zomato’s founder and CEO, Deepinder Goyal, has ignited a fresh wave of discussions within India’s entrepreneurial landscape, thanks to a humorous observation regarding Zepto’s marketing.
This comment surfaced during his recent conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, where the 42-year-old executive delved into themes like quick-commerce, 10-minute deliveries, gig workforce dynamics, and the development of his enterprises, Zomato and Blinkit.
Amidst this broad discourse, his light-hearted yet incisive critique of Zepto’s branding garnered significant attention, rapidly evolving into a focal point of interest, particularly after snippets circulated on social media.
Audience reactions highlighted Goyal’s ability to intertwine humor, acknowledgment, and rivalry into a single, well-timed statement, transforming an offhand remark into a viral sensation.
The backdrop to Goyal’s remarks holds considerable significance. Blinkit, a subsidiary of Zomato, stands as one of the nation’s preeminent quick-commerce players, vying directly with Zepto and Swiggy Instamart in the pursuit of delivering “everything in minutes.”
Swiggy, Zomato’s primary competitor in food delivery, situates these three brands in a closely monitored triangle within India’s urban consumption sphere.
Given this context, any frank observation from a founder regarding a peer’s venture tends to capture attention, and Goyal’s playful commentary about Zepto’s marketing team was no different.
‘Hum Nahi Karte Hain’: Goyal on Tracking Competition
During the podcast, the host Raj Shamani inquired about Goyal’s level of scrutiny over his competitors, specifically whether he analyzes their offerings. Initially, Goyal sought to minimize the inquiry, asserting that he does not monitor rivals as one might expect.
“Hum nahi karte hain (We don’t do it),” he remarked, clarifying that he refrains from ordering from Swiggy or Zepto to gauge their operations or customer experience. This response painted a portrait of a founder invested in his unique vision rather than merely emulating competitors.
When pressed for further insights, Goyal conceded that Swiggy remains a “formidable” adversary for Zomato in the food delivery domain.
He illustrated the intensity of their competition, acknowledging that there lies hardly “ek inch extra room” within this rivalry, underscoring his respect for Swiggy’s operational execution and market presence.
However, he refrained from extending similar accolades to Zepto, opting instead to steer the conversation towards Zepto’s marketing, which led to the now-famous line that followed.
‘Hum Se Hi Seekh Ke Gaye Hain’: The Zepto Marketing Punchline
When asked to identify strengths in Zepto’s and Swiggy’s operations, Goyal reaffirmed his earlier assertion about the challenges posed by Swiggy in food delivery.
As for Zepto, he praised their marketing efforts as “quirky and nice,” recognizing the emerging quick-commerce brand’s ability to distinguish itself through innovative campaigns.
At this juncture, Goyal’s tone turned mischievous as he remarked that Zepto’s marketing team primarily comprises former Zomato employees, referring to them as “ex Zomato log.”
The punchline that ensued captivated audiences across platforms. “Hum se hi seekh ke gaye hain sab. Good for them (They learned it from us),” Goyal remarked, infused with a sense of mirth.
This statement, straddling pride and playful rivalry, implied that the appeal of Zepto’s marketing today could be traced back to the culture and insights acquired by those executives during their tenure at Zomato.
For many, this quip framed Zepto’s influential marketing strategy as an indirect testament to Zomato’s own brand-building heritage.
Respect for Aadit Palicha Keeps Tone Light
Later in the interview, Shamani shifted the focus towards personalities, querying Goyal about his thoughts on Zepto’s co-founder and CEO, Aadit Palicha. Goyal took a noticeable moment of reflection before responding, heightening the suspense.
Eventually, he conveyed his fondness for Palicha, referencing their past interactions and refraining from escalating any rivalry narrative.
He characterized Palicha as “smart,” “articulate,” and “earnest,” a selection of descriptors that underscored his admiration for the younger entrepreneur, despite the competitive landscape between Blinkit and Zepto.
Overall, the tone of the discussion remained congenial rather than adversarial, as Goyal deftly balanced light-hearted criticism of Zepto’s marketing with genuine praise for its CEO.
This discourse exemplified how prominent figures in India’s startup ecosystem can artfully blend humor, a competitive spirit, and mutual respect within a single exchange, especially in a format likely to be condensed and amplified in digital discussions.
Source link: Techstory.in.
