MUMBAI: Celebrity endorsements remained the lifeblood of India's advertising world in 2024, proving once again that a star-studded ad is worth its weight in gold. While brands pull every trick in the book to grab eyeballs, Indian cinema icons, cricketing heroes, and TV stars effortlessly steal the show. Because let's face it—if Shah Rukh Khan tells you to buy a biscuit, you probably will.
The latest TAM AdEx-Rewinding year 2024 for Celebrity Endorsement spills the tea: celebrities shone in 30 per cent of all TV ads, with male film actors leading at 42 per cent. Star power isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s the secret sauce to making brands unforgettable. From daredevil action heroes to six-hitting cricketers, these celebs know how to work their magic.
The numbers tell an interesting story. Celebrity-led ad volume grew three per cent in 2024, though overall, the past three years saw some dips—down eight per cent in 2023 and six per cent in 2024 compared to 2022. Yet, brands are still betting big on famous faces.
The IPL season acted as a turbo boost, making April–June the golden quarter for ad volumes. If you watched TV, you likely saw Akshay Kumar’s megawatt grin or Shah Rukh Khan’s signature charm pushing a product your way. Resistance was futile.
What’s hot? Over the 50 per cent of celebrity-endorsed ads that belonged to three dominant sectors:
. Food & Beverages (24 per cent) – Because who can resist a snack endorsed by Indian cinema royalty?
. Personal Care & Hygiene (17 per cent) – Grooming advice from a glamorous star? Say no more.
. Household Products (11 per cent) – Even A-listers appreciate a squeaky-clean home.
Well who ruled the ad space? Some faces were simply everywhere. Akshay Kumar clocked in a mind-blowing 20 hours per day of ad visibility—essentially living in commercial breaks. Meanwhile, M.S. Dhoni played a different kind of innings, endorsing a whopping 52 brands like a true business strategist. And in the product category race, E-commerce Gaming emerged as the big winner, attracting the highest number of celebrity endorsements. Looks like stars aren’t just playing games on screen—they’re cashing in on them, too.
Brands love a power couple, and 2024 was the year they proved their worth. Leading the romance-meets-commerce charge were Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, holding a 17 per cent share of celebrity couple endorsements. Not far behind were Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt (14 per cent), followed by the ever-charming Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli (13 per cent).
Together, these dynamic duos helped drive 50 per cent of all celebrity-led ads, proving that love might be priceless, but in the advertising world, it’s an absolute goldmine. When an Indian cinema star and a cricketing legend sell you something together, how can you possibly say no?
Also, It turns out, men and women have their own advertising niches. Male celebrities dominated Food & Beverage ads (59 per cent), while female stars ruled Personal Care & Hygiene (67 per cent)—because let’s face it, no one wants beard oil tips from Kiara Advani, and Alia Bhatt recommending a spicy chicken burger might feel oddly suspicious.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture, Telecom, and Media sectors remained a male-only club, as if female celebrities don’t know how to answer a phone or grow crops. Maybe it's time to shake things up and give the audience a little variety. Just imagine Deepika Padukone selling tractor insurance—now that’s a campaign we’d love to see! Just a thought.
Final takeaway? Celebrities still rule! No matter how much the ad world changes, one thing stays constant—celebrities run the show. Whether it’s an Indian cinema megastar, a cricketing legend, or a TV heartthrob, brands will always bank on their charm. Love them or roll your eyes, celebrity ads are here to stay—because let’s be honest, they work.
