A verified X user shared a video depicting the "female model" riding an upscale motorcycle, donning attire typically associated with Zomato's delivery partners
Goyal, however, made it clear that Zomato was not associated with this activity
He clarified on X that Zomato does not support helmet-less biking and emphasised that the company does not have an 'Indore Marketing Head.'
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Zomato founder and chief executive officer, Deepinder Goyal, has categorically denied any involvement in the viral video featuring a female model portraying a Zomato delivery executive as she rode through the streets of Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
A verified X user shared a video depicting the “female model” riding an upscale motorcycle, donning attire typically associated with Zomato’s delivery partners while carrying an empty Zomato bag.
“Indore Zomato marketing head had this idea. He hired a model to drive around with an empty zomato bag for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. Zomato is on a roll,” he said.
Goyal, however, made it clear that Zomato was not associated with this activity. He stated on X, “We don’t endorse helmet-less biking. Also, we don’t have an ‘Indore Marketing Head.’ This seems to be someone just ‘free-riding’ on our brand.”
Furthermore, Goyal emphasised, “There’s nothing wrong with women delivering food — we (Zomato) have hundreds of women who deliver food every day to earn a livelihood for their families, and we are proud of their work ethic.”
Since 2021, Zomato has been actively working to augment the representation of female delivery executives within its delivery workforce. Zomato started implementing four key initiatives to enhance safety and support for its female delivery partners including mandatory self-defense training, providing hygiene and safety kits, defaulting to contactless deliveries during late evening hours, among others.
Zomato has faced several controversies in the past on social media. Last year, an advertisement featuring Hrithik Roshan was removed due to allegations of it causing offense to religious sentiments.
Earlier this year, the foodtech giant found itself embroiled in a World Environment Day controversy surrounding an ad. Released on June 5th, the advertisement starred actor Aditya Lakhia, renowned for his role as ‘Kachra’ in the film ‘Lagaan.’ The ad’s focal point was a clever wordplay on ‘Kachra’ (trash), drawing connections between the character’s name in the movie and the issue of plastic waste.
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