From the desk of Strategic Resources For any query, discussion or feedback, please contact Pavan Chandra, Head of Strategic Resources at pchandra@zenithoptimediaindia.com, +91-124-4195100. Office Address : 10th Floor, Vatika Tower, Block-B, Sector 54 Gurgaon -122002, Haryana, India.

Volume: IX

December, 2007

 

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Airlines

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

01. Good Times For Kingfisher, SpiceJet & IndiGo – December 14

Domestic air traffic grows to 39.23 million during January-November 2007

According to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the peak season, coupled with attractive fares, helped Kingfisher, SpiceJet and IndiGo to gain market share in November 2007. The seat factor of almost all the airlines improved in November 2007 compared to that in October, 2007. Domestic air traffic grew at 35% to 39.23 million during January-November 2007. While Indian saw its market share declining sharply during November 2007, to 15.6% from 17.6% in October 2007, Kingfisher, which had increased its fleet size, reported a growth in market share. In November, Air Deccan and Paramount Airways’s market share fell to 15.2% and 0.8% from 15.7% and 1.6%, respectively, compared to October 2007.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

02. Jet Airways Ties Up With Marriott For Rewards – November 28

Jet Airways ties up with international hotel chain Marriott

Jet Airways has tied up with international hotel chain Marriott to allow its privilege members to earn miles at over 2,700 properties across 65 countries. The Marriott rewards programme includes 10 participating brands catering to every travel purpose and budget; these brands range from resorts to mega city-hotels in major metropolises.

 

Source: DNA

 

 

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Alcohol

 

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor Report- Alcoholic Drinks- India- June 2007

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

03. Kyndal To Manufacture Own Liquor Brands – November 22

Kyndal India to foray into liquor manufacturing

Kyndal India, the independent distributor of foreign liquor brands in the country, including the Absolut Vodka brand, has decided to manufacture its own liquor brands. It plans to float joint ventures with companies for setting up distilleries and have its own brands for whisky, gin, vodka and brandy. The company plans to begin manufacturing and marketing operations by April-June 2008.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

04. Mallya Launches New Zealand Wines – November 20

On 20 November, 2007, United Spirits launched New Zealand wines in the Indian market.

The portfolio of launched wines includes Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. 

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

05. Radico Khaitan’s 8 PM Seeks To Up The Fun Factor ‘After 8 Pm’ – November 17

Radico Khaitan launches new TVC for 8 PM Club Music CD

Based on the premise of music helping to unwind and relax, liquor brand 8 PM from Radico Khaitan launched a new TVC for the 8 PM Club Music CD.

 

The communication for 8 PM Music CD is based on the observation that people are constantly harried by the several tensions that beset them, and by day-end, everyone desires a break from these responsibilities, at least for a couple of hours.

 

The film begins with the shot of a young man sipping tea in his house. As the frame zooms out, it is seen that another man is sitting on his shoulders and is throwing files all around; he resembles the young man’s boss.

 

These and other situations are meant to convey the fact people literally carry the burden of their tensions on their shoulders. In the next shot, a man in a crowded bus notices a huge billboard with the visual of a man with a globe on his shoulders. Among other instances, a young executive is shown carrying his boss, who is chatting on his mobile phone, on his shoulders.

He sees the 8 PM Club Music signage and moves into the building. As he moves in, his boss hits the roof and falls off. As the young executive walks inside the club, he sees a group of people having a good time.

 

The 8 PM Club Music CD logo then appears on the screen, followed by a voiceover, ‘Aath ke thaat’. The communication was released on 19 November, 2007 on entertainment and movies channels.

  

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

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Cars

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..

 

 

06. Passenger Vehicle Sales Continue To Lead Growth – December 12

Passenger vehicles register a 17.14% growth in sales

According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, passenger vehicle sales in November 2007 grew at 17.14%. While Maruti Suzuki led the growth in the passenger vehicles by selling 57,554 units, a 27.37% increase over the November 2006 figure, Hyundai sold 19,041 units, recording a 15.46% growth. General Motors sold 3,653 units, compared to 903 units in November 2006.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

07. Chevrolet Models Rank Highest In Three Of Seven Vehicle Segments In Automotive Initial Quality In India – November 28

Spark, Aveo and Optra ranked highest in their respective segments by J.D. Power Asia Pacific

According to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 India Initial Quality Study SM (IQS), released on 28 November, 2007, three Chevrolet models (Spark, Aveo and Optra) ranked highest in their respective segments. While the new Chevrolet Spark leads the compact car segment with a score of 127 PP100, Honda City and Chevrolet Aveo tied for the top rank position in the midsize segment with a score of 109 PP100 each. The Chevrolet Optra (97 PP100) ranked highest in the premium midsize segment. In the premium compact segment, the Maruti Swift (116 PP100) ranked highest, while the new Honda CR-V (50 PP100) topped the SUV segment. In the entry midsize segment, the Mahindra-Renault Logan ranked highest with 65 PP100, while in the MUV/MPV segment, the Toyota Innova (111 PP100) ranked highest for a third consecutive year. The study also stated that initial quality of new vehicles in India averages 173 PP100 in 2007, with more than one-half (54%) of new-vehicle owners reporting at least one problem within the first six months of ownership.

 

Source: J.D. Power and Associates

 

 

 

08. ‘Status’ Symbol Dominates Car Buyers’ Choice – November 16

Status symbol is one of the prominent factors in car purchase

Nearly 19% buyers purchase cars as status symbols, according to a study conducted by TNS Automotive based on the consumer psychology of 2,500 customers. The study divided consumer psychology into six categories – potency, status, control, security, comfort and liberation. Approximately 14% respondents buy cars for their security features and 18% based their choice on inherent comfort features. Further, the study states that approximately 19% buyers in the ‘potency’ category choose a product due to its attractiveness and style. Another 18% consumers in the ‘control’ category use the risk averse and protection parameters for their choice.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

09. Tata-ISRO Team Up To Launch Hydrogen-powered Vehicle – November 22

Tata Motors and ISRO join hands to develop the world's cleanest vehicle

Automobile maker Tata Motors and space agency ISRO have joined hands to develop and launch the prototype of the world's cleanest vehicle by 2008. The proposed vehicle, which will use hydrogen as fuel, would use ISRO's rocket technology and would be completely electric-driven. The vehicle would also feature hydrogen storage and regulatory and control systems, apart from utilising electricity generated from fuel cells. These vehicles would emit only water vapours.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

10. Hyundai’s Contest For i10 Car – December 14

Hyundai Motors launch ‘Chipak Ke Jeeto’ contest

Hyundai Motors, in alliance with Adlabs’ radio channel Big FM, announced a five-city contest, ‘Chipak Ke Jeeto’, across the metros and Hyderabad. The contest will allow the contestant who manages to stay in physical touch with Hyundai’s i10 compact car for the longest time to take it home.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

11. Alfa Romeo, Hummer & Lexus To Hit Indian Roads – December 04

Fiat, General Motors and Toyota plan to test-market their high-end luxury cars in India

Rising consumer spends and the rapidly growing premium car market has led global car manufactures such as Fiat, General Motors and Toyota to plan the test-marketing of their high-end luxury cars – the Alfa Romeo, Hummer and Lexus, respectively – in the next 12-15 months in India. Currently, these companies are conducting feasibility studies and are working to make the products suitable for the Indian market. According to industry sources, these luxury brands are expected to be premium-priced as they would be brought in through the CBU (completely built unit) model.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

12. Hot Wheels Zoom Past Old Faithfuls – December 09

Small car segment dominates Indian auto industry

The Indian auto industry is currently being dominated by small cars such as Swift, Getz, Zen Estilo, Wagon R, Spark, Chevy UV-A, Fusion, I10, and Palio, which account for more than 60% of the market.  To take on new competitors, car manufacturers are launching new models, and revamping the older ones to increase sales volumes. While the automobile industry is showing signs of a de-growth, the small car segment has been growing at an average of 14% with six lakh units sold for the first eight months of FY 2007-08.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

13. New Four-door Electric Car To Hit Indian Roads – December 07

Bavina Industries to launch four-door electric car in India

Chennai-based Bavina Industries plans to launch a four-door steel-bodied hatchback electric car resembling Hyundai Santro and Daewoo Matiz by April 2007. The car will be priced at Rs.2.5 lakh and will feature facilities such as AC, power window, and centralized locking.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

14. New Version Of Bolero Launched – December 15

On 15 December, 2007, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) launched the Bolero Camper DX, which is priced at Rs. 5.43 lakhs (ex-showroom Ahmedabad).

 

 

 

15. Suzuki Unveils Global Car ‘A-Star’ – December 12

On 11 December, 2007, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) launched A-Star, a five-door hatchback car, which would be showcased at the 2008 Auto Expo. The new car will have a newly developed Euro V-compliant 1.0 litre petrol engine to be produced by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL).

 

 

 

16. Mahindra & Mahindra Unveils New Scorpio – December 04

On 4 December, 2007, Mahindra & Mahindra launched a new version of its Scorpio V-series in Chandigarh.

 

 

 

17. Rolls-Royce Unveils Phantom Drophead Coupe – December 01

On 30 November, 2007, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars launched its Phantom Drophead Coupe, priced at Rs 3.10 crore, in Mumbai. This luxury segment car has been targeted at high-net-worth individuals.

 

 

 

18. M&M Launches Customised Version Of Scorpio – November 22

On 22 November, 2007, Mahindra & Mahindra launched Scorpio First, a customised version of its utility vehicle Scorpio at the Autocar Performance Show in Mumbai.

 

 

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Computers

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: IDC's India Quarterly PC Tracker, Q2 2007 Release (Efytimes)

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

19. H-P Prints Aggressive Spread – December 14

Hewlett-Packard targets the Internet-printing market

In an attempt to evolve from merely being a printer manufacturer to offering printing solutions that turn printers into web tools, Hewlett-Packard (HP) is targeting the Internet-printing market, which includes home consumers, small and medium businesses, and graphic arts enterprises. HP, through its sales force and aggressive expansion plans, will target 60 cities in the first half of 2008 and up-country locations. The company has unveiled a slew of printers that are enhanced with its “Print 2.0 strategy”. Apart from eyeing the home and office segment, HP is also targeting key verticals such as tourism and jewellery. According to the third quarter (Q3) International Data Corp (IDC) report, HP has a market share of 75% in the overall inkjet printer market. 

 

Source: DNA

 

 

 

20. Canon Launches ‘Hamari Delhi’ Campaign For Its First Black Printer – November 19

Two-month campaign aimed at increasing Canon’s presence in Delhi

In a bid to increase its presence in Delhi, Canon India Pvt. Ltd. launched a two-month long Delhi-specific marketing campaign, ‘Hamaari Delhi’, on 19 November. The initiative will include advertising, promotions, and below-the-line activities in Delhi and NCR. This campaign is in line with the launch of Canon’s first black printer and has been poised on the company’s six key pillars – premium partner engagement; increased thrust on corporate business; engagement with Canon-empowered partners; improved and increased level of service support; customer engagement through experiential marketing; and increased and consistent brand visibility through various advertising and marketing initiatives.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

21. Microsoft Launches Next Generation Of Windows Live Services For India – November 17

Microsoft India launches Get.live.com

Microsoft India has launched the next-generation Windows Live tools and services, Get.live.com, for users in India. The tools and services, available as one single download, enable consumers to choose any or all of the Windows Live applications and keep their software and services up to date. The Windows Live set of services comprises several free PC applications connected to services delivered over the Internet. This new generation of Windows Live is an all-in-one package that the company claims would simplify users’ lives significantly.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

22. Dell, Microsoft To Provide Integrated Technology Solutions – December 05

Dell and Microsoft enter into ‘Large Account Reseller Agreement'

Global PC maker Dell has entered into a 'Large Account Reseller Agreement' with Software Company Microsoft Corporation India. As part of the agreement, companies would offer core infrastructure and business productivity solutions with a focus on banking and financial services, government, ITeS and manufacturing verticals.

 

Source: DNA

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

23. Dell Launches 15.4-Inch Notebook – November 29

On 29 November, 2007, Global PC maker Dell launched a 15.4-inch notebook, XPS M1530, at an introductory price of Rs 53,000.

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

24. Microsoft Takes On The Fight Against Pirated Software With A Touch Of Humour – November 22

Microsoft launches new TVC

Microsoft has launched a new TVC to increase awareness about the rampant use of pirated software. Created by ad agency McCann Erickson and targeted at corporate, as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the TVC shows a horse race with a white steed leading the race. Even as the crowd roars, the white horse comes to a sudden halt and refuses to budge. The jockey gets off the horse and starts humming the popular wedding song ‘Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai’. Upon hearing the song, the starts racing again, quickly overtaking the other horses and emerging the race leader once more. However, it again comes to a halt and the jockey once again dismounts and flashes a few rupees in front of the horse while humming the same song.  The crowd realises that it is not a race horse after all but a mare used in weddings and breaks into laughter. A voiceover says, ‘Shaadi ki ghodi se race nahin jeeti jaati’ (One cannot win a horse race using a wedding mare). The accompanying visual shows a Microsoft logo with a line stating ‘Ask for original Microsoft software’. The voiceover continues, ‘Business ke race mein bhi aage badhne ke liye chahiye sahi standard. Jaise original Microsoft software.’ (To be a leader in business too one needs the correct standard such as the original Microsoft software). The 45-second TVC is currently being aired in six languages – Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

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Consumer Durables

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

25. Fedders Lloyd To Market JVC Audio And Video Brands In India – December 04

FLCL ties up with JVC

Victor Company of Japan Ltd (JVC), an electronic goods manufacturer, entered into a partnership with air-conditioner maker Fedders Lloyd Corporation Ltd (FLCL) to bring top-of-the-line JVC consumer electronic products into the Indian market, whereby JVC will market its audio and video brands through FLCL across India. 

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

26. LG Repositions Brand On Aspiration Plank – November 15

LG Electronics India to focus on product features rather than pricing

LG Electronics India plans to reposition itself as a premium and desirable brand, with marketing focusing on products’ features, quality and after-sales service support rather than the present ‘value-for-money’ positioning. Towards this end, the company will also offer a range of ‘differentiated’ products.

 

Source: Domain-B

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

27. Videocon, SRK And Dhoni Exude Essence Of New India In TVC – November 30

Videocon launches TVC titled ‘Whatever role life gives you, play it big’

Videocon has launched a new TVC titled ‘Whatever role life gives you, play it big’, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and MS Dhoni.

 

Based on the concept of role reversals, the TVC shows two brothers, separated at a local fair, being adopted by two different families.

  

While one brother’s family has a passion for cricket, the other brother lives with a Bollywood-obsessed family.

 

Gradually, the two are shown to grow up as stars in their own right, but with role reversals – Khan playing Dhoni’s role, and vice versa.

 

In pure Bollywood fashion, the brothers are then shown to reunite through a ‘V’ locket that represents Videocon. The entire nation is then shown to rejoice at the reunion and adopts the ‘V’ locket as a token of their identification with the duo.

 

Videocon has an intrinsic role in the story as it is the locket that brings the brothers together in the film. The TVC is an attempt to give a larger-than-life image to Videocon. In addition to TV, the company plans to use print, radio and outdoor media for this campaign.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

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Financial Services

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Sales and Market Share

Banks

 

 

Source: Indian Banks’ Association

 

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

 

 

 

Source: Association of Mutual Funds of India

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

Banks

 

 

 

28. SBI Salute To Indian Womanhood – December 12

SBI to launch an exclusive branch for women

As an acknowledgement to the rise of women, the State Bank of India will offer 'gen next' banking solutions, an exclusive branch for women inside a mall. Tentatively named Her Lucknow Banking Studio, the branch will be opened at the Wave multiplex in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. Along with getting their financial needs attended to, this tailor-made exclusive branch for women will allow them to enjoy Internet browsing, a change room, a reading corner, an in-house café, piped music, a huge TV screen, home service, etc.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

29. ING Vysya Bank Signs Anil Kumble As Brand Associate – December 07

Anil Kumble is the brand ambassador for ING Vysya Bank

Anil Kumble, India’s Test captain of the Indian cricket team, has been signed on as the brand ambassador by ING Vysya Bank. ING Vysya Bank is involved in retail, private and wholesale banking.

  

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

30. HDFC Bank Plans To Offer Mobile Wallets – December 05

HDFC Bank plans to foray into mobile wallets

In a move to do away with credit and debit cards, private sector bank HDFC Bank is contemplating an entry into the mobile wallets segments. Mobile wallets are expected to allow customers to use their mobile phones for purchases by clicking through the options on their mobile phone, instead of having to swipe their cards for undertaking transactions.

 

Source: DNA

 

 

 

Insurance

 

 

 

31. "Getting Through" – December 01-15

Aviva India devises innovative marketing technique to reach its target segment

Aviva India has devised an innovative marketing technique to reach its core target segment – parents – by targeting their children. The company, in association with Disney’s popular show Power Rangers, has launched a contest wherein a TV commercial with a simple question related to Power Rangers will be aired on two kids’ channels, Disney and Jetix. Kids need to answer this question by asking their parents to send an SMS on their behalf. Alternatively, parents can also fill up a contest form, which is available at all Centurion Bank of Punjab branches (Aviva’s on-ground partner bank) and online on www.avivaindia.com. The first 20,000 correct entries will receive Power Ranger Stamped Certificates and win assured prizes such as a Mystic Watch or a Power Ranger Walkie Talkie. The mobile-phone details collected through the incoming SMSes become leads for Aviva.

 

Source: The Brand Reporter

 

 

 

32. Insurers Plan Products For Rural Areas – December 13

Insurance companies identify opportunity in rural areas

Insurance companies such as ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company and SBI Life have identified rural areas as the next big opportunity. Though IRDA norms have made it mandatory that insurers underwrite a percentage of the total policies from rural areas, this sector is being considered as an attractive business destination. While ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company launched operations in rural areas in February 2007, SBI Life announced its entry into micro-insurance with the launch of Grameen Shakti in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

 

33. US-based Prudential Eyes Micro-Finance Business In India – December 02

Prudential Financial considers entry into micro-finance in India

US-based insurance company Prudential Financial seeks to enter the micro-finance business in India and is searching for potential partners. The company has already announced its entry into the insurance sector by announcing a joint venture – DLF Pramerica Life Insurance – with the country's real estate firm DLF Company in February 2007. On 4 December, 2007, Prudential Financial Inc also, announced an asset management joint venture, DLF Pramerica Asset Managers Pvt. Ltd., with DLF Ltd.

 

Source: The Economic Times, DNA

 

 

 

Others

 

 

 

34. Credit Card Complaints On The Rise – November 27

One-fifth banking services-related complaints come from credit card customers

One-fifth of the banking services-related complaints come from credit card customers; of these, the maximum number of complaints pertain to public sector banks (PSBs), states Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Usha Thorat. In the case of PSBs, the number of complaints per 1,000 customers is 0.79, while for foreign banks and private banks the figures are 0.26 and 0.20, respectively. Currently, there are over 40 million credit card customers in the country and the industry has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 35-40% for the past few years.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

35. Times Financial, RCom Arm Tie Up For Mobile Money Transfer – December 06

TFS and RCII to offer mobile-based money transfers

Times Financial Services (TFS) has entered into a strategic tie-up with Reliance Communications International (RCII), the US subsidiary of Reliance Communications (RCOM), to offer mobile-based money transfers. The partnership will enable NRIs in the US to send money to India while being on the move through their registered mobile and fixed phones. It will also allow them to register over an interactive voice-response menu and initiate bank-to-bank account transfers.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Product Launches

Banks

 

 

 

36. ICICI Bank Launch Green Channel Process For PSL In Andhra – December 13

ICICI Bank has launched project Green Channel Process for providing exclusive services to its 'Privilege Service Clients' (PSL) in Andhra Pradesh.

 

 

 

37. PNB Introduces Its First Biometric ATM – November 26

On 26 November, 2007, Punjab National Bank (PNB) installed its first biometric ATM at a village in Gautam Budh Nagar (UP). Illiterate customers can use the finger print facility in the biometric ATM to withdraw money, make balance enquiry and obtain a mini statement through voice guidance.

 

 

Insurance

 

 

38. SBI Life Ltd Enters Micro Insurance – December 13

On 12 December, 2007, SBI Life forayed into micro-insurance sector with the launch of 'Grameen Shakti' for self help groups (SHGs) in Orissa.

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

 

 

 

39. Fidelity Is Now Everywhere With Fidelity Anywhere – December 04

On 4 December, 2007, Fidelity Fund Management launched Fidelity Anywhere, a mobile-friendly website, whereby anyone with a handheld device or a mobile phone with an Internet browser and GPRS connectivity can access Fidelity Anywhere (www.fidelityanywhere.co.in). It provides the latest NAVs for Fidelity’s funds in India and allows its customers to submit requests for application forms and investor guides, which are then delivered via e-mail.

 

 

 

40. Franklin Templeton Launch Franklin Asian Equity Fund – November 20

Franklin Templeton Investments (India) has launched a new open-end equity fund called Franklin Asian Equity Fund (FAEF), which would invest in companies in the Asian region (except Japan) and Asia-related companies across market capitalization ranges. The fund’s offer period started from 19 November, 2007, and ended on 18 December, 2007.

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

Insurance

 

 

 

41. Time To Wake Up To The Call Of Health – November 26

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launches new TVC for its health plans
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched a new TVC for its health plans, based on its corporate theme ‘Jeetey Raho’. The company aims to convince people to not remain in denial about their health.

The ad, created by ad agency Lowe, shows a couple watching a soap opera in which a woman is pleading with her husband's boss for a loan for a health-related emergency in her family.

 

Watching this, the wife remarks that had the television character had health insurance, she would not have had to face such problems.

 

As the husband looks at her thoughtfully, the wife teases him that it’s only a TV show. The husband then presents his wife with ICICI Prudential’s Health Insurance Policy (with a health-care guarantee of 20 years) and the wife becomes misty eyed.

 

When her husband asks her the reason for her emotional display, she blames it on the onions that she has been chopping.

  

Just then, the woman sneezes and her husband blesses her, saying “Jeetey Raho (May you live long)”. In turn, she blesses him back.

 

This target audience for this TVC is males in the 35-45 age group who do not have health insurance.
 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

Others

 

 

42. ASK Group’s New TVC Stresses On ‘Asking The Right Person’ – November 26

ASK Group unveils new TVC for its financial planning and wealth advisory business

ASK Group, which produces software for use in business settings, unveiled a new TVC for its financial planning and wealth advisory business – ASK Wealth Advisors.  The objective of this TVC is to establish ASK Wealth Advisors as a brand in the financial planning space that understands customers’ needs.

 

Created by adverting agency Purple Spinach, the TVC shows a man visiting a salon.

 

As soon as he enters the saloon and sits down on a chair, the barber begins offering him all kinds of hair care products, from styling gels to lotions.

 

Each time the man declines a product, the barber whisks out a new one. Finally, the frustrated customer pulls off his wig, revealing that he is bald.

 

The barber then understands that the man has come only for a shave. Targeted at high net-worth individuals, the campaign was backed by outdoor advertising in the metros.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

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Food and Beverages

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Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

43. Indian Tea Needs Wine-like Branding: YES Bank Study – November 26

Branding and international marketing are crucial for the Indian tea industry

According to a study by YES Bank and the Indian Tea Association (ITA), Indian tea growers need to brand their produce on the lines of premium wines and chocolate if they want to make a mark in the international market. The study involved 92 tea gardens in the country and identified branding and international marketing as the two most crucial factors for the Indian tea industry. Only 40% of the tea being sold in India is branded, and branding is now considered imperative for achieving success internationally. The study proposes that all major varieties should be branded separately, with a good brand premium to ensure robust margins.

 

Source: The Financial Express   

 

 

 

44. Bisleri To Back Water Sports – December 14

Bisleri to sponsor India’s RS X class windsurfer Ashutosh Tripathi

Mineral water company Bisleri plans to use water sports as a new vehicle to build its brand value. The company is set to sponsor India’s RS X class windsurfer Ashutosh Tripathi on his maiden voyage to New Zealand for the 2008 Olympics qualification rounds.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

45. Domino's Streamlines Marketing Aiming Bigger Pie Of Pizza Mkt – November 21

Domino's to restructure its marketing initiatives

Domino's is restructuring its marketing initiatives and expanding its product portfolio to achieve a double-digit growth. Apart from the '30 minute or free' campaign, the company plans to focus on its three key areas – enhanced retail presence, product quality, and delivery competency. The company has allocated Rs 20 crore as the marketing budget till March 2008, a 70% increase from 2007. To cater to increasing demand for different flavours, the company plans to launch three to four new products in 2008-09.

 

Source: The Economic Times   

 

 

 

46. Bru Your Koffee With Karan – November 26

HUL signs Karan Johar as the official brand ambassador for Bru Cappuccino

Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s coffee brand, Bru, has signed Karan Johar as the official brand ambassador for Bru Cappuccino. Johar, who is the host of celebrity chat show ‘Koffee with Karan’, initiated this association by inaugurating Bru Cappuccino’s ‘One is Not Enough Festival’ in Delhi.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

47. Mother Dairy Plans ‘Fresh’ Launch – November 19

Mother Dairy to launch products under its 'Fresh Dairy' portfolio in eastern India

The Mother Dairy group is planning to launch its 'Fresh Dairy' portfolio of products in eastern India. Presently available in Delhi, the 'Fresh Dairy' portfolio includes three variants of lassi, three variants of curd and four variants of flavoured milk. 

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

 

48. Coca-Cola To Make Fizzy Entry Into Sparkling Drink, Juice Sector – December 11

Coca-Cola India plans portfolio expansion

Coca-Cola India plans to launch new products in the sparkling drinks, juice and drinking water segments. The company, which launched its global juice brand Minute Maid in India, is looking at launching new products in early 2008.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

49. US-based Gloria Jean’s To Open Coffee Chains – December 11

Gloria Jean’s Coffees ties up with Citymax India to launch a chain of coffee houses

On 11 December, 2007, US-based coffee retail chain Gloria Jean’s Coffees announced its collaboration with Citymax India, the hospitality arm of Dubai-based retailer Landmark Group, to launch a chain of coffee houses in India. The company plans to open its first outlet in Mumbai by February 2008, followed by one in New Delhi in June 2008.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

50. Wagh Bakri Launches ‘Wagh Bakri Perfect Premium Leaf Tea’ in Mumbai – November 28

On 28 November, 2007, Wagh Bakri Tea Group launched its Wagh Bakri Perfect Premium Leaf Tea in 250 gm and 500 gm pouch formats.

 

 

 

51. Amul Launches Fresh Paneer – November 26

On 26 November, 2007, Amul launched Amul Fresh Paneer, which will be made available at all Milk outlets in Ahmedabad in 200g packs priced at Rs. 25 and 1kg packs priced at  Rs. 115.

 

 

 

52. Tetley Green Tea Leaf In Packets – November 17

On 16 November, 2007, Tata Tea Ltd announced the launch of Tetley green tea leaves for the domestic market.

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

53. And Now, Britannia To Go The ‘Taste And Health’ Way – December 06

Britannia’s new TVC for ‘NutriChoice’

Britannia introduced a revamped version of its digestive biscuit, Britannia NutriChoice, with a strategy to match Sunfeast: that of a healthy yet tasty biscuit. 

The communication, prepared by ad agency Lowe, works on the insight on the continuous battle people have with themselves on what they desire and what is good for them. Featuring Britannia’s brand ambassador Rahul Dravid, the TVC portrays a day in the life of a common man and how he keeps fighting with his conscience.

 

In the ad, a man is woken up by his alarm clock for his daily session of jogging.

 

Later, on reaching his office, he debates with himself whether to take the elevator or the stairs (to keep fit).

 

 

Passing a bakery shop, the man is tempted by tasty but unhealthy meals.

 

Standing nearby is Rahul Dravid, who puts him out of his misery by tossing a Britannia NutriChoice biscuit pack towards him, just as the voiceover talks of ‘sehat’ (health) meeting ‘chaahat’ (the craving for something tasty) in this hi-fibre biscuit.

 

As the man munches on, Dravid quips that this is one match where both teams end up winning (implying that both health and taste requirements are fulfilled here). The target audience for NutriChoice is essentially ‘passive seekers’, or those people who want to stay healthy but are tempted to stray.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

54. Mintrox: Love Story With A ‘Hard’ Twist – December 10

Parle Agro launches a new TVC for ‘Mintrox’

Parle Agro has launched a new TVC for its cinnamon mint product Mintrox, which is based on the basic insight: life is tough. Set in a train, the ad shows a young bride being taken by her relatives to her wedding venue. As they rejoice, she sobs quietly, implying that she is being married against her will.  In a flashback sequence, the bride remembers her lover telling her to get off at Bharoli station, where the train slows down. When station arrives, the bride leaps off the moving train; however, a train attendant, thinking she has fallen off, pulls her right back into the train. As she stares at him stunned (while the station passes by), he tells her cheekily, “Thank you to bolo, sister (At least say thank you)!” While the woman eats a Mintrox in a state of shock, the voiceover concludes, “Life eej hard. Mintrox. Hard Cinnamon Mint”.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

55. Cadbury Éclair Crunch: Slow And Steady Wins The Race – December 12

Cadbury Éclair Crunch’s new TVC based on Hindi cinema of the 1970s

Cadbury Éclair Crunch launched a new TVC based on the 1970s aesthetic of Hindi cinema, where the hero and heroine would run around trees and dally in flower gardens during a romantic sequence.

 

The ad shows a 1970s hero, Raja (Swapnil Joshi), calling out loudly to his girlfriend Priya in a field full of sunflowers.

 

Priya calls out to him just as loudly. Raja turns around and the two start running towards each other.  However, instead of falling into an embrace, the couple, having covered significant ground quite quickly, bump into each other.

 

On being questioned by the voiceover if they ‘enjoyed’ the experience, they reply grumpily that they did not. The voiceover becomes the voice of wisdom, offering them advice on how some things are best enjoyed slowly, such as the Cadbury Éclair Crunch.

 

As the two suck Éclair Crunches, they manage to embrace each other. The tagline goes, “Slow slow, mazein lo (Go slow and enjoy)”.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

56. The Child Within Every Adult Is The Crux Of New TVC For Domino’s New Stuffed Crunch Pizza – November 22

Tempting taste is the theme of Domino’s new TVC

Domino’s has launched a new TVC to promote the ‘irresistible’ taste of its new pizza. The TVC shows a conference room, where a boss and his two subordinates are working.  When a junior male employee receives the Domino’s pizza delivered by a Domino’s delivery boy, the boss (played by Arshad Warsi) looks longingly at the stuffed crunch pizza, but does not join his subordinates as they settle down to eat it. Suddenly, to everybody’s surprise, including the boss, an alter personality (depicting the child within every person), dressed like a child, emerges out of the boss. The adult-in-child-attire looks at the pizza and exults, “Wow mummy, kitna yummy!”  To the amazement of the subordinates and to the embarrassment of the boss, the ‘child’ then takes a slice and bites into it with delight. The voiceover than conveys that the taste of the stuffed crunch pizza exudes the child hidden within every adult. The company is targeting families and young adults in the 25-35 age group. The TVC is being aired on leading news and entertainment channels.

 

Source: Exchange4media 

 

 

 

57. Mom’s The Word In New Ad Campaign For Chyawanprash – November 29

Dabur launches a new advertising campaign featuring Amitabh Bachchan

Dabur India Limited, which markets the popular health supplement Chyawanprash, has launched a new advertising campaign featuring Amitabh Bachchan. Retaining its focus on the ‘homemaker’ campaign, which features the tagline ‘Zaroorat Hai’ (It’s necessary), a husband and son swap roles with the homemaker to bring out the stress the homemaker faces and the amount of energy she expends in her daily running of the house. The company also plans to take up consumer activation activity and contact 4-6 lakh consumers across the top 10-15 cities in the country through interactive events. In 2006, Dabur used the campaign to tell mothers that school exacted a lot from children and Chyawanprash would help revitalise them; in 2007, the company adopted the ‘role reversal’ strategy to show that homemakers too need Chyawanprash.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

 

 

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Hotels

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Source: Euromonitor Report- Travel and Tourism - India- September 2006

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

58. Five-star Hotels On The Signature Trail – November 19

Leading five-star hotels outline geographical expansion for their signature restaurants

The success and popularity of the signature restaurants (unique concept restaurants) of leading five-star hotels is driving them to take these to cities across the country. Signature restaurants contribute to nearly 40% of hotels’ total revenue. While Taj Hotels and Palaces in Mumbai plans to open its signature Japanese restaurant, Wasabi by Morimoto, in Delhi in 2008, ITC Welcomgroup plans to take its restaurant WG’s Kebabs and Kurries (present only in ITC Luxury Collection, Mumbai) to other cities. A Carlson Group of Hotels brand, Radisson Hotels, also aims to extend its restaurant brand The Great Kebab Factory to Nagpur, Indore and Kolkata.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

 

59. Ginger Changes Plan, Books Room In Malls – December 05

Ginger hotel to rework its business strategy for the Indian market

Real estate prices have forced Ginger, Tata's smart basics budget hotel, to rework its business strategy for the Indian market. The company, which was earlier setting up greenfield units, is now entering into management/lease contracts with malls, sprucing up existing hotel properties and talking to public utility services such as state governments, railways, tourism departments and public private partnerships (PPP) for possible alliances.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

60. Sarovar Group Plans To Set Up 3 Hotels In Punjab, Chandigarh – November 21

Sarovar Hotel Group to develop three new hotels in Punjab and Chandigarh

The Sarovar Hotel Group plans to develop three new hotels in Punjab and Chandigarh. The company will be developing two hotels in Chandigarh under the brand names of Park Plaza and Hometel. The group has nearly 30 properties across India under the Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico, Hometel, Park Plaza and Park Inn brands.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

61. JMJ Group To Foray Into Hotel, Retail Segments – December 05

JMJ Group to enter the hotel and retail segments

The JMJ Group, with perfumery blending and manufacturing of herbal extracts as its core businesses, plans to foray into the hotel and retail segments. The Mumbai-based company will construct 5-star hotels in New Delhi, Jaipur, Dehradun and Hyderabad, and 3-4 star hotels in Pune, Raipur and Udaipur.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

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62. Ansal Gets UP Govt Nod For Two Lucknow SEZs – December 11

Ansal API receives UP government’s approval for two SEZs in Lucknow

On 11 December, 2007, real estate developer Ansal API announced that it has received the Uttar Pradesh government's approval for establishing two Special Economic Zones (SEZ) for IT and biotech parks in Lucknow. The IT Park would be spread over 52 acres while the biotech park would be erected on 72 acres.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

63. Parsvnath To Invest Rs 1400 Crore In SEZ – December 05

Parsvnath signs an agreement to develop SEZ in Rajasthan

Parsvnath Developers Ltd. plans to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) in Rajasthan. The company has signed an agreement with the state government to invest Rs 1400 crore in developing 112 acres of land near Jaipur.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

64. DLF To Invest $2 Bn In Two Years For Infotech SEZs – December 04

DLF plans an additional $2 billion investment in infotech SEZs

On 3 December, 2007, real estate Company DLF Ltd announced its aim to invest an additional $2 billion by 2009 to develop information technology special economic zones (SEZ). The company, which has already invested $1 billion in such SEZs, was setting up over a dozen such zones in cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Nagpur.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

65. Saudi Realty Firm Plans $3 Bn Investment In India – November 25

Tanmiyat Investment Group plans township project in Bangalore

Saudi Arabia-based realty firm Tanmiyat Investment Group is planning an investment of nearly $3 billion in a township project in Bangalore. The project would be completed in phases by 2012-13.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

66. Unitech To Invest Rs 20,000 Cr To Develop 48 Malls In 6 Years – December 06

Unitech Ltd to develop 48 malls and shopping centres across the country by end of 2013

Real estate Company Unitech Ltd, which currently has two operational malls in Noida and Delhi, has announced Rs 20,000-crore investment to develop 48 malls and shopping centres across the country by 2013 end to expand its presence in the organised retail sector. The company, which is targeting metros and major state capitals, plans to develop over 60 million sq ft of retail space through these malls and shopping centres.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

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Retail

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Source: Euromonitor Report- Hypermarkets - India- June 2007

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor Report- Supermarkets - India- June 2007

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

67. Product Differentiation Is The Key To Success – December 09

Organised retail in India to cross the $21.5 billion mark by 2010 from $7.5 billion in 2007

According to consultancy TechnoPak, organised retailing in India would cross the $21.5 billion mark by 2010 from $7.5 billion in 2007. It also stated that India is currently the ninth-largest retail market in the world. Since 2000-01, there has been growth in the Indian retail industry due to the rise in shopping malls. However, mall management continues to be a challenge before the retail industry.  Planning and design are intrinsic elements and key differentiators defining the footfalls. In India, however, ‘product differentiation’ is a nascent concept and not sufficiently developed. According to TechnoPak, specialty malls based on different product categories will be introduced in future.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

68. Big Retail Chains Won’t Kill Small Shops: ICRIER – December 06

Kirana shops can be profitable in the vicinity of organised retail: Study

According to a nationwide study by ICRIER that was sponsored by the government to gauge the impact of big corporate houses entering retail segment, small shops in the vicinity of large retail chains can regain profitability even if they initially see a decline in business. The study also has found that organised retail does not negatively impact unorganised retail in the long-run on an ‘absolute basis’. 

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

69. Big Bazaar To Ask Card Holders To Migrate To Future Card – December 14

ICICI Big Bazaar Credit Card holders to migrate to Future Card

According to the draft prospectus filed by the Future Capital Holdings (FCH) for its upcoming initial public offer (IPO), over five lakh ICICI Big Bazaar Credit Card holders will be asked to migrate to the Future Card, which will be introduced by Future Capital Holdings (FCH), a financial arm of the Kishore Biyani-led Future Group.

 

Source: The Economic Times 

 

 

 

70. Parsvnath Developers Announce Retail Entry – November 26

Parsvnath Developers ventures into organised retail sector

On 26 November, 2007, real estate major Parsvnath Developers announced its foray into the organised retail sector with the launch of hypermarket format stores. The company has incorporated a subsidiary, Parsvnath Retail Limited, for its new venture. 

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

71. Indiabulls To Enter Retail – November 27

Indiabulls Group to foray in the retail business

The Indiabulls Group plans to foray in the retail business by setting up 30 hypermarkets across as many smaller cities in the country by 2008-09 with an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore. The first of these stores is expected to come up by March/April 2008.

 

Source: Business Standard 

 

 

 

72. Carrefour May Seal JV Deal In India Soon: Report – November 26

Carrefour plans to enter into a tie-up in India

French supermarket group Carrefour is set to sign a joint venture deal in India, according to Jose Luis Duran, chief executive, Carrefour.

  

Source: The Economic Times 

 

 

 

73. Reliance Brands To Form JV With Italy's Sixty Group – December 10

Reliance Brands Pvt Ltd to collaborate with Italian fashion house Sixty Group

Reliance Brands Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Reliance Retail, is entering into a joint venture with Italian fashion house Sixty Group to bring brands such as Miss Sixty, Energie, Killah and Murphy&Nye to the Indian market. The Renato Rossi-led design company will hold a 51% majority stake while the Reliance subsidiary will keep the remaining 49%.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

74. It’s A Woman’s World At Westside – December 15

Trent Ltd, a part of the Tata Group that operates Westside, opened its first specialty store targeted at women, in New Delhi. These stores will offer apparel for women, including youth wear, footwear and accessories.

 

 

 

75. Springfield Sets Up Shop – December 13

The Dubai-based retailer Landmark Group launched Springfield, a European casual wear brand, in Bangalore by opening an exclusive outlet in Indiranagar. The first outlet of Springfield opened in Mumbai in 2007.

 

 

 

76. Reliance Retail Forays Into Books And Music – December 11

On 10 December, 2007, Reliance Retail Ltd (RRL) announced the launch of a specialty store — Reliance TimeOut — which stocks books, music, stationery, toys and gifts.

 

 

 

77. HyperCity Launches Argos – December 09

On 9 December, 2007, HyperCity Argos commenced its catalogue shopping operations at Thane, a suburb of Mumbai.  This format of catalogue shopping suits metros such as Mumbai, where retail space is expensive and has been an obstacle for retailers to reach out to a larger consumer base in a cost-efficient manner.

 

 

 

78. Reliance Retail To Set Up Global Footwear Format – November 17

Reliance launched the footwear format, Reliance Footprint, in the first week of November 2007, in Bangalore and Hyderabad. This store is a one-stop-shop destination for men’s, women’s and children’s footwear.

 

 

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Telecom (Service Providers)

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Source: Cellular Operators Association of India

 

 

 

79. 5.8 Mn New GSM Users In November – December 11

GSM mobile operators register a 3.64% growth in November

According to the statistics released by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), GSM mobile operators added 5.8 million new subscribers in November 2007, taking the total user base to 165.8 million. Registering a 3.64% growth over the figure of 160 million in October 2007, operators added nearly about 6 million new users in November.  The subscriber base in Chennai grew by 3.87% in November 2007 over that in October with the addition of about 1.8 lakh subscribers. In Delhi, the subscriber base grew by 2.6%, while the growth was 2.8% and 2.5% for Kolkata and Mumbai, respectively. In terms of market share, Bharti Airtel led the market with a 31.94% share, followed by Vodafone Essar (23.25%) and BSNL (19.26%).

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

80. 7.89 Mn Phone Subscribers Added In Oct – November 30

Indian telecom operators add 7.89 million new subscribers in October

In October 2007, Indian telecom operators added a total of 7.89 million new subscribers, compared to 7.64 million in September 2007, thereby crossing the 250-million mark.  While the overall tele-density reached 22.52%, compared to 21.85% in September 2007, the gross number of telephone connections was 256.55 million at the end of October, against 248.66 million in September.  In the wireless segment, 8.05 million subscribers were added, compared to 7.80 million in September.  The total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA and WLL(F)) base reached 217.14 million, Bharti Airtel leading with more than 50 million subscribers. In the wireline segment, the subscriber base decreased to 39.41 million in October, compared to 39.58 million subscribers in September. The broadband subscriber base growth continues to be sluggish with 2.69 million users against 2.67 million in September.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

81. Indian Telecom Market To Be At Rs 344,921 Crore By 2012 – November 22

Indian telecom industry to be worth Rs 344,921 crore by 2012

According to a report by Frost and Sullivan, a growth consulting firm, the Indian telecom industry is expected to reach Rs 3,449,210 million by 2012 at a growth rate of over 26%, and generate employment opportunities for nearly 10 million people during the same period. The telecom industry had a market size of Rs 1,052,870 million in 2006. This growth will occur as a result of the addition of 400 million subscribers as well as by growth of average revenue per user (ARPU) from applications facilitated through VAS services. Currently, India has 250 million telephone subscribers and the numbers are expected to reach 500 million by 2010 and 650 million by 2012.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

82. Vodafone To Provide Agricultural Inputs Rates To Farmers – November 24

Vodafone to introduce new feature to provide rates of agricultural inputs to farmers

Vodafone Essar India, which was the chief sponsor of the Pushkar Mela, a cultural and trade-cum-religious fair held at Pushkar town (11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan) for twelve days annually, plans to introduce a new feature that will provide day-to-day rates of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, equipment to farmers across the country through SMS.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

83. BSNL Plans Four New Services For Its Mobile Subscribers – November 22

BSNL plans four new location-based services

Telephone operator BSNL is finalising four new location-based services as part of its strategy to offer new offerings to its mobile subscribers in Bangalore. The new services comprise Fleet Management Service, Track Your Buddy, Advertisement Services and Chatting. Under the Fleet Management Service, a logistics company would be able track all the vehicles deployed in a location, while the Advertisement Services would allow users to send out advertisement messages to subscribers in a limited area. Under the Track Your Buddy services, one would be able to keep track of the location of a friend and Chatting would enable interaction with a subscriber in a 10-km range.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

84. Spice Launches SMS Service In 12 Indian Languages – December 13

On 13 December, 2007, Spice Telecom announced the launch of 'Spice Local Lingo', a messaging service that enables consumers to send and receive short messages (SMS) in 12 Indian languages.

 

 

 

85. ‘Sambhav’ Card For Disabled – December 04

On 3 December, 2007, mobile services provider Vodafone Essar launched the ‘Sambhav’ prepaid card. Targeted at customers with hearing and speech disability, the card enables customers to use mobile phones primarily for sending SMS.

 

 

 

86. MTNL Launches Multilingual SMS – November 30

On 29 November, 2007, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), in collaboration with Geneva Software Technologies Ltd, launched multilingual short messaging service for its mobile users. The service enables customers to send SMS in 11 languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and Gujarati.

 

 

 

87. BSNL Launches New Global Calling Cards – November 24

On 23 November, 2007, BSNL launched the CallNow calling card, which allows its landline subscribers to make cheaper ISD calls to the US and Canada.  International calls to the US and Canada would now cost just Rs 1.75 per minute from BSNL and MTNL phones, compared to the earlier rate of Rs 7.20 a minute.

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

88. Reliance Mobile Taps The Cricket Fever With ‘India Ka Cricket’ Campaign – November 19

Reliance Mobile launches TVC titled ‘India Ka Cricket’

Reliance Mobile launched a new TVC titled ‘India Ka Cricket’, depicting the mindset of kids who dream and aspire to become future cricket stars. Created by advertising agency Leo Burnett, the commercial explores the various emotions that typical Indian cricket enthusiasts would go through as their team plays the game. The TVC seeks to capitalise on the cricket mania that exists in the country, and it aptly depicts Indians’ love for the game, which rises with the success and falls with every failure of the team.

 

Source: Exchange4media 

 

 

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Two-wheelers

 

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Source: Auto News Bulletin May 18 – May 24, 2007 by Murad Baig Associates

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89. Car Sales Up 16% In Nov, Two-wheelers Slip 2% – December 12

5,40,553 motorcycles sold in November

Motorcycle sales slowed by 2% year-on-year to 5,40,553 units in November 2007. While Bajaj sold 1,74,939 motorcycles in November 2007, almost 9% below those in November 2006,  TVS sales fell 22.5% to 48,345 units. Bikes with engine capacity between 125 cc and 250 cc saw a rise in sales in November 2007 to 1,55,780 from 1,19,480 in November 2006. Top motorcycle maker Hero Honda Motors Ltd, which held a market share of 46% in October 2006, grew by 3.5%, selling 2.88 lakh units.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

90. Kinetic SYM Flyte Launched – December 12

In an attempt to target women, scooter manufacturer Kinetic Motor, in collaboration with Taiwan's $1.1-billion automotive company SYM, launched the scooter Flyte on 12 December, 2007.

 

 

 

91. Yamaha Launches 2 High-End Models – December 05

Aiming to re-invent and reposition its brand in the market, Yamaha Motor India, on 5 December, 2007, launched two sport motorcycles, MT 01 and YZF R1, priced at Rs 10.5 lakh each (ex-showroom price).

 

 

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Skin Care

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Source: Euromonitor Report - June 2007

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

92. HUL Plays Safe With Pond's Age Miracle – November 25

HUL to build the premium skin care category

Pond’s Age Miracle day cream marks Hindustan Unilever’s entry into the premium skin care market in India; however, the company aims to build the category further. Priced at Rs 450 per 50 ml bottle, Pond’s Age Miracle day cream is strategically targeted at the higher middle class. The product, however, faces stiff competition from Procter & Gamble’s recently launched Olay, an anti-ageing cream priced at Rs 599 per 50 grams bottle. To build this category, HUL is investing in advertising and providing skin care consultancy at major retail outlets.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

93. Manipal Retail Unveils London’s Harley Street Skin Care Range – December 01

London’s Harley Street dermatologists’ formula of premium skin care range has been launched in India. On 30 November, 2007, Manipal Group’s wellness retail chain, Manipal Cure & Care (MCC), introduced 11 OTC and 3 clinical or prescription products of Living Proof Harley Street, which will be sold under the former’s label. 

 

 

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94. Reebok, Dhoni Pitch In For Nurturing Talent And Fulfilling Potential – November 20

Reebok and Dhoni felicitate kids in the Rbk Paint Your Tshirt Contest

On 20 November, 2007, Reebok and its brand ambassador Mahendra Singh Dhoni felicitated kids who showcased their creativity and the ‘I am What I am’ attitude in the Reebok Paint Your T-shirt Contest. In appreciation of the kids’ efforts, a sports scholarship was awarded by Reebok to endow the winners of the Paint your T-shirt contest with a pair of shoes every year till they complete school. Reebok also plans to create a complete line of t-shirts inspired by the designs created by these kids. The TV and retail media were used to promote this campaign.

 

Source: Businesswire India

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

95. Reebok Launches The GOAL Collection – December 03

On 3 December, 2007, Reebok unveiled its Goal Collection, which was showcased in the soccer-based movie Goal by John Abraham, Bipasha Basu and other stars. The new range consists of soccer apparel, footwear and accessories.