As Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal Faces Heat, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal Praised for ‘PR Masterclass’
Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, founders of high-profile Indian startups and graduates of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), are currently being perceived in starkly different lights due to their contrasting public personas.
A Study in Contrast
The difference between the two tech leaders became a talking point on social media over the weekend. Bhavish Aggarwal, 39, faced criticism for engaging in a public spat with comedian Kunal Kamra, who had posted a picture of Ola Electric scooters gathering at a service center, questioning Ola's service quality. Aggarwal responded with harsh words, accusing Kamra of tweeting for payment and mocking his comedy career.
This outburst resulted in a public backlash. Many users on X (formerly Twitter) accused Aggarwal of arrogance, with some pointing out that customer complaints about Ola scooters had reached 80,000 per month. Critics suggested that instead of engaging in a war of words, Aggarwal should focus on addressing customer concerns. Comparisons were drawn to seasoned business figures like Anand Mahindra, who are known for handling social media with tact and diplomacy.
On the other hand, 41-year-old Deepinder Goyal was praised for his empathetic approach. Over the weekend, Goyal, along with his wife Grecia Munoz, took on the role of a Zomato delivery partner to better understand the challenges faced by delivery executives. His hands-on experience highlighted issues like access restrictions for delivery personnel in malls, which Goyal later shared on X, calling for more humane treatment of delivery partners.
Deepinder Goyal’s Positive PR Masterclass
While Aggarwal’s public spat led to more complaints about Ola scooters, Goyal’s act of working alongside Zomato delivery partners was lauded as a “PR masterclass.” His proactive approach to understanding the on-ground challenges faced by delivery partners resonated with customers and social media users alike.
Over the years, Goyal has cultivated an image as a soft-spoken leader open to feedback, and not afraid of self-deprecating humor. He has also garnered positive publicity through various charitable initiatives, such as Zomato’s Feeding India program, and by participating in events like a charity concert featuring Dua Lipa.
In July, during Zomato’s 16th anniversary celebrations, Goyal was part of a "roast" event where comedians were invited to poke fun at the company and its leadership. This move was widely praised on social media as an example of Goyal’s ability to laugh at himself and maintain humility despite his success.
Conclusion
While Bhavish Aggarwal faces criticism for his combative social media presence, Deepinder Goyal has won admiration for his empathetic leadership style and focus on improving working conditions for Zomato’s delivery partners. As the two CEOs continue to navigate public opinion, their contrasting approaches offer lessons in the power of PR and customer engagement.
Reference From: www.hindustantimes.com