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: XI

February, 2008

 

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Airlines

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

01. Airlines Tie-up To Augment Their Frequent Flyer Programmes – February 05 & 06

Jet Airways and American Airlines to enhance passenger services through code-sharing partnership

On 6 February 2008, Jet Airways and American Airlines entered into a code-sharing partnership, under which the frequent flier members of both carriers can earn points as they travel on these code share flights. This partnership will enable Jet Airways and American Airlines to offer their passengers enhanced connectivity and seamless travel from key Indian cities to Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas (Fort Worth), Raleigh-Durham and Washington, and vice-versa.

  

Kingfisher Airlines and Emirates tie-up to connect their frequent flyer programmes

On 5 February 2008, Kingfisher Airlines and Dubai's Emirates collaborated to connect their frequent flyer programmes, enabling passengers of either carrier to earn points that will be redeemed on each other's network. The new alliance aims at expanding the benefits offered to passengers and capitalizing on mutually beneficial marketing opportunities.

 

Source: The Economic Times, The Economic Times

 

 

 

02. Fares May Dip As Air Passenger Numbers Grow Slow – February 12

Low growth of 14.8% in the number of domestic air travellers in December

According to industry estimates, the number of domestic air travellers in India has fallen significantly in the months of December 2007 and January 2008. While average growth in the past eight months has been over 30%, December recorded a 14.8% growth in year-on-year terms. This decline in growth has been attributed to rising fuel costs; according to analysts, the difference between fares in 2007 and 2008 are significant as the fuel surcharge was Rs 750 per ticket in February 2007 whereas it is Rs 1,800 in 2008.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

03. Air Traffic Likely To Be More Than Double By 2010 – January 24

Domestic air traffic to touch 86.1 million passengers by 2010

According to market research firm PhoCus, the number of domestic air passengers is likely to reach 86.1 million by 2010, up from 32.2 million in 2007. Increasing Internet penetration and air connectivity through low-cost carriers is expected to drive domestic air traffic in the next couple of years. The firm also predicted that a major boost in online travel reservations (including hotels, air and rail tickets) would result in the travel and tourism sector in India growing to 26.1 billion dollars by 2010.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

04. Air India To Offer Customised Holiday Packages – January 29

Air India to offer customised tour packages to passengers

National carrier Air India plans to start a specialised tour division by H2 2008 to offer customised tour packages to all classes of passengers. While emphasis will be laid on famous domestic tourist places in Goa, Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir, the airline will also offer tours to international locations.  The holiday packages are being worked out in conjunction with various tourism departments and hotel chains.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

05. Jet Airways Partners Launch Of The Lord Of The Rings Musical Album – February 14

Jet Airways passengers to enjoy music from the Lord of the Rings album

Jet Airways entered into a partnership with the production team of The Lord of the Rings to provide travellers flying to India on Jet Airways flights an opportunity to enjoy music from the show and watch an interview with Indian composer A.R. Rahman.  The Lord of the Rings album, which was launched at the Theatre Royal in London, features the cast and orchestra, and has lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus and music by A.R. Rahman, Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale.

 

Source: Asian News International

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

06. Jet Launches The 'Fly Free International' Scheme – February 01

On 1 February 2008, Jet Airways launched its 'Fly Free International' scheme, which offers free international travel to the airline's JetPrivilege members travelling on select domestic routes. These members need to board 20 domestic one-way flights on select sectors between 1 February 2008 and 30 April 2008 to win free return tickets to any of the airline's nine international destinations – Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka, Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Bangkok and Colombo.

 

 

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Alcohol

 

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

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

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

07. Budweiser Invites Indian Amateurs To Compete In ManU’s Old Trafford – February 14

Budweiser provides opportunity to Indian football fans to participate and compete in the Bud Cup

To increase brand equity among consumers, Budweiser, the lager beer brand owned by Anheuser-Busch, is providing an opportunity to Indian football fans to participate and compete in the Bud Cup for the first time. The Bud Cup is a 20 minute six-on-six (six players on each side) football tournament with 18 teams of amateur footballers from around the world. To be part of the tournament, fans can form a team of six players and register on www.livethedream.in between February 20 and March 14. The winning team from India will compete with 17 teams from around the world at the Manchester United stadium at Old Trafford in Manchester, UK. To promote this event, Budweiser has fabricated a special float-on-wheels, which enables fans to interact with the brand and the concept of the Bud Cup. The float will visit cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Manipal, Mangalore, Sakleshpur, Mysore, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

08. Diageo Radico Launches Safe Driving Campaign With Shah Rukh Khan – February 04

Shah Rukh Khan urges people “don’t drink and drive” in Diageo Radico’s new campaign

Spirits company Diageo Radico launched a responsible drinking campaign, ‘The Masterstroke ‘don’t drink and drive campaign’, featuring brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan. The aim of the television commercial (TVC) is to create awareness about the need for responsible drinking with the social message ‘never drink and drive’. The TVC, made by creative agency McCann Erickson, shows Shah Rukh in a party where a young guy approaches him for his autograph. Instead of giving an autograph he writes downs a telephone number. The guy asks whether it is his number, to which he replies that it is the number of a taxi stand and asks the guy to take a taxi back home after consuming drinks. The campaign is supplemented by various below-the-line activities such as car shades, sign-post at bar, clubs, etc, which involves direct contact with consumers at pubs and bars to educate them about the dangers of excessive drinking and driving.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

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Cars

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

..Source: Auto News Bulletin Dec 17- Dec 23, 2007 by Murad Baig Associates

 

 

09. January Proves A Good Start For Car Makers – February 02

Automobile companies register a growth of over 40% in January 2008

Year 2008 started with a positive note as most of the automobile companies registered a healthy growth of more than 40% over 2007, except Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. In January 2008, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd’s sales increased by 4.23% to 68,107 units, compared to 65,341 units in January 2007. Hyundai Motor India Ltd announced an overall growth of 41.4% in January 2008 by selling 37,701 units, whereas General Motors India registered a growth of 46% with 5,517 units sales from 3,776 units in January, 2007. Luxury carmaker Skoda India also reported a 47.87% rise in its domestic sales at 1,526 units.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

10. Toyota Rolls Out Used Car Business In Delhi – February 03

Toyota Kirloskar Motor launches its used car business ‘Toyota U Trust’ in Delhi

In February 2008, Toyota Kirloskar Motor launched its used car business – Toyota U Trust – in Delhi through its dealership Galaxy Toyota. Already launched in Chennai and Bangalore, Toyota U Trust caters to customers who want to exchange their cars for competitively priced used Toyota cars. In addition, customers would also be provided a wide range of value-added services, including financing options at Toyota U Trust outlets.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

11. Mercedes 'C' Class Launched In Chennai – January 30

On 30 January 2008, luxury car maker Mercedez Benz launched its new 'C-Class' cars. The C-class is priced in the range of Rs 26.5 lakh and Rs 31 lakh (ex-showroom).

 

 
 

12. BMW Launches New3 Series Model – February 15

On 14 February, 2008, BMW launched a new variant in the 3 series, 320d Highline, priced at Rs 30.70 lakh. The new model will have features such as xenon headlights, glass roof and light alloy wheel rims.

 

 

 

13. Ford Introduces New Fiesta Line-Up – February 13

Ford India, a unit of US-based Ford Motor Co, introduced a new line-up of its mid-size sedan Fiesta on 13 February 2008. The three variants – 1.4 EXI, 1.6 ZXI and 1.6 SXI –  have been priced at Rs 5.93 lakh, Rs 6.2 lakh and Rs 6.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), respectively. In addition, the company has also upgraded the variants of diesel Fiesta Duratorq, with its three variant priced at Rs 7.03 lakh, Rs 7.49 lakh and Rs 8.09 lakh.

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

14. Fiesta Promises The Thrill Of Power – January 30

Ford Fiesta’s new TVC highlights its performance

Ford Fiesta launched a new TVC, an extension of the earlier campaign, which carries forward the ‘5 Minutes Mein Fida’ thought. The TVC talks about the features of the car such as performance, drivability and handling, to entice viewers to test drive it. 

 

Conceptualised by ad agency JWT, the TVC shows a young urban man driving his Fiesta out on a wild and incredible adventure to the outskirts of the city.

 

Setting up a slalom course of torches, the driver uses his Ford Fiesta to light them at high speed, showcasing the manoeuvrability and exact precision of the vehicle, all the while listening to his favourite old Hindi song.

 

Targeted mainly at male audience in the age group of 25-35+ years, the TVC depicts vivacity and impulsive spontaneity.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

15. Maruti: Ask And You Shall Receive – January 15

Maruti Suzuki’s new TVC portrays the vast network of its service stations

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd launched a TVC which attempts to communicate the claim that the company has the largest service station network across India. The TVC talks about the presence of Maruti Suzuki service stations in the farthest and remotest corners of India.

 

The TVC’s opening shot shows four Rajasthani men sitting at a crossroad in a desert.

 

 

The next shot shows a man and his wife is driving a Maruti car, along a desert road.

 

 

The wife tells her husband to get the car checked as they have a long way to go.

 

 

 

Seeing the four men, the husband stops the car and asks hesitantly whether there is a Maruti service station close by.

 

 

To the couple’s surprise, the four men point in four different directions.

 

 

The voiceover concludes: “Jayenge aap jahan, payenge aap Maruti Suzuki service station wahan.”

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

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Computers

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

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

 

 

16. Notebooks Drive PC Market In H1 – February 06

MNCs garner 48% of the PC market in H1 of FY 2007-08: MAIT

According to the biannual report released by the IT hardware apex body, the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), PC sales registered 11% growth in H1 of FY 2007-08 at 3.28 million units, with notebook sales growing by 59% and desktops by 3%. The multinational companies acquired a 48% share of the Indian PC market, reporting a growth of 33% during April-September 2007, whereas domestic companies (whose share declined to 17% from 23%) registered a year-on-year decline of 24%. Similarly, the market share of assembled PCs, smaller and lesser known regional brands and unbranded systems also decreased from 40% to 35% of total desktop sales. The report stated that household consumption contributed to 38% of the total desktop market, registering a growth of 72% over H1 2006-07.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

17. Microsoft Hardware’s New Campaign – January 23

Microsoft Hardware launches ‘Microsoft Lao, Haath Bachao’ campaign

On 22 January, 2008, Microsoft Hardware, the computer gaming and peripheral subsidiary of Microsoft, announced the launch of ‘Microsoft Lao, Haath Bachao’ campaign. Launched across 12 cities in the country, the campaign aims to create awareness about the importance of using ergonomically designed products. As part of the campaign, Microsoft Hardware is staging plays in key commercial places to educate people about the importance of ergonomically designed products.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

18. 'MacBook Air' Notebook Unveiled In India – February 12

On 12 February 2008, Apple launched its new notebook – the 'MacBook Air'. Weighing 1.36 kg and cased in aluminium, the MacBook Air features a full-sized backlit keyboard, a multi-touch trackpad, and a 13.3-inch LED widescreen monitor.

 

 
 

19. Acer India Launches New PC Model – February 14

In February 2008, Acer India launched the Acer Aspire 3450, designed for home users and bundled with 19-inch wide TFT Display and multimedia features. The desktop is priced at Rs 24,999.

 

 
 

20. Hewlett Packard Launches Two Mono Lasers – February 12

On 11 February, 2008, Hewlett Packard (HP) launched two mono laser printers, HP LaserJet P1505 and HP LaserJet P1505N, and two multi-function laser printers, HP LaserJet M2727nf and HP LaserJet M2727nfs. Targeted at small and medium businesses and large environments, the products are priced between Rs 9,999 and Rs 55,000.

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

21. In Total Control – January 30

Lenovo launches TVC for its Y510 notebook featuring Saif and Soha Ali Khan

Lenovo has a new TVC for its new Y510 notebook, which has multimedia features. This TVC features bollywood actors Saif and Soha Ali Khan. Created by agency O&M Bangalore, the TVC revolves around Soha in a double role as ‘Rita aur Nita’.

 

The 45-second film shows a typical villain’s den from 1970s Hindi cinema, where sari-clad demure Nita (Soha) is tied to a pillar.  Her twin Rita, a tomboy, comes crashing through a window to rescue her on a bike. She suddenly goes in rewind mode, going back up the steps, only to come crashing back in fast-forward a few seconds later.

 

She starts beating up the goons in Bollywood style and as she jumps up, she pauses in mid-air. The camera moves out to reveal a control panel and the close-up of a finger on the ‘Pause’ symbol. The action is actually taking place on the screen of a Lenovo notebook, where Saif is controlling Rita through the ‘Touch Control’ panel. He presses ‘Play’ again and she falls from her mid-air position, only to get punched by a goon. Saif winces at this and the voiceover explains, ‘Control your entertainment with just a touch. Introducing Touch Control on the Lenovo Y510.’

 

This product-feature specific TVC aims to highlight the touch-sensitive panel of Lenovo Y510.

 

Source: The Brand Reporter

 

 

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Consumer Durables

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

22. Consumers Favour Net Research For Gadget Buys – February 03

Consumers in India prefer to buy electronics through internet: Survey

According to the Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions’ Consumer Electronics Survey, gadget buyers in India are increasingly moving online to research their next consumer electronic products purchase. Nearly 10,000 MSN/Windows Live service users were surveyed across 10 markets — Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand — in a poll conducted by Synovate during August to October 2007 for Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions. The survey revealed that Indian consumers prefer to buy electronic items through the internet, as they could find the latest available models (67%), compare product features (65%) and prices (62%), and could do this at their own ease (61%). Quality and price were the key criteria for purchasing consumer electronics, rather than the brand name. While laptops, mobile phones and MP3 players were among the top three preferred electronic products bought online, the purchase decisions for electronics most often appeared to be influenced by children in the family.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

 

 

23. Consumer Durables Cos See Rise In Demand After A Period Of Lull – February 11

Consumer durable companies report profits despite economic slowdown

In 2007, consumer durable companies in India witnessed an increase in demand despite persistent signs of an economic slowdown.  An analysis of nine listed companies – Videocon Appliances Ltd, Whirlpool of India Ltd, Voltas Ltd, Mirc Electronics Ltd, BPL Ltd, Blue Star Ltd, Hitachi Home and Life Solutions (India) Ltd, Lloyd Electric and Engineering Ltd and Sharp India Ltd – showed that an increase in the demand for high-end products and better cost management helped these companies boost sales as well as profitability. Adjusted profit after tax (PAT) of the nine companies cumulatively grew 55% year-on-year in 2007 as sales rose 19%. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry estimates the size of the consumer durables sector in India at an estimated Rs 35,000 crore, of which Samsung India Electronics Ltd and LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. account for almost 40%. Other factors that boosted growth include the use of technology to reduce costs as well as product prices, aggressive marketing, and expanding the sales and distribution network.

 

Source: Livemint

 

 
 

24. Shatrughan Sinha To Lend His Brand Appeal To Markson – January 21

Markson signs Shatrughan Sinha as brand ambassador

Markson, the stand-alone company of Delhi-based SNR Electronics Ltd, signed actor Shatrughan Sinha as its brand ambassador. The company recently launched a range of electronics and home appliances.

 

Source: Exchange4media 

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

25. Godrej Launches Navigator AC and A Range of Refrigerators – January 24 and February 07

On 6 February, 2008, Godrej & Boyce’s appliances division launched an energy-efficient range of refrigerators in Delhi.

On 23 January, 2008, Godrej Appliances launched a new range of ‘Navigator window air-conditioners’, equipped with ‘i-flow technology’.

 

 

 

26. HP-Based Electronics Firm Unveils LCD TVs, Laptops – January 21

On 20 January, 2008, Himachal Pradesh-based consumer electronics firm, Markson, unveiled a product range including LCD televisions, DVD players and laptops.

 

 

 

27. Lifestyle Home Theatre Systems From Bose – February 06

On 5 February 2008, US-based Bose Corporation launched two ‘Lifestyle’ home theatre systems. Aimed at the premium audio systems market, the two home theatre systems – V20 and V30 – are priced at Rs. 1.69 lakh and Rs. 1.14 lakh, respectively. 

 

 

home

Financial Services

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. United Bank Plans Financial Clinics In Metros – January 29

UBI to launch ‘financial clinics’ in the four metros

United Bank of India (UBI) plans to launch ‘financial clinics’ in the four metros of Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, to push its retail products, mutual funds, insurance policies as well as several other investment instruments. The clinics will mainly target the elite customers, who have at least Rs 1 lakh to invest.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

Mutual Funds

 

29. Fidelity’s Novel Investor Education Initiative – The Rs. 33,990* Tax Advantage Contest – February 07

Fidelity launches the ‘Rs.33,990* Tax Advantage Contest’ to promote ELSS

On 7 February 2008, Fidelity announced the ‘Rs.33,990* Tax Advantage Contest’ to increase awareness about the ELSS (equity-linked savings scheme) category of funds as a tax-saving tool. The contest requires participants to answer four questions about ELSS after reading information provided in the entry form and mention why ELSS is a good investing option. Given the low penetration of mutual funds in India, investor education plays a significant role in increasing investments into the mutual fund. The contest runs from 7 to 21 February 2008. The winner will get a Honda City car and other prizes include 180cc Bajaj Avenger DTS-i Cruisers, Nokia N-series mobile phones and iPod Shuffles.

 

Source: Businesswire India

 

 

Insurance

 

 

30. From Tax Saving Instruments To Complete Financial Solutions – Insurance Advertising Has Come A Long Way – February 05

Insurance companies attempting to create brand identities

Fierce competition among insurance companies, the onset of the fourth quarter of the financial year and the entry of new players have resulted in increased promotional and marketing activities in the insurance sector. In 2006-07, the overall advertising spends of insurance companies in India amounted to approximately Rs 400 crore. Companies are increasingly shifting from brand advertising to product advertising as  new private entrants are positioning insurance as a goal protecting investment rather than a mere tax saving tool. More and more companies are showcasing themselves as complete financial providers. In addition, companies are paying more attention to media selection, product innovation and development as well as consumer activation through direct marketing activities to create a distinct brand identity in the minds of target consumers. 

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

31. 81% Rural, 62% Urban Households Have No Risk Cover: Survey – February 11

Insurance sector: High awareness but low ownership among consumers

According to the survey by Max New York Life-NCAER (National Council for Applied Economic Research) – How India Earns, Spends and Saves – while awareness about insurance is quite high in India, the ownership of insurance products is low. The survey, which is based on 2004-05 figures, states that though about 90% of the urban households are aware of the life insurance policies and their benefits, only 38% of the urban households have purchased such products. A similar set of figures for rural areas indicates that about 73% of the households were aware of insurance but only 19% households actually purchased the policies. According to the survey, awareness of insurance was high among large-income households, and it declined with decreasing income. Awareness levels were 96% among regular salary earners, followed by non-agriculture and self-employed persons with 89%, agricultural households with 77%, and labour households with 63%.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

 

32. Insurers Want More Feet On The Ground – February 08

Life insurance companies keen on creating direct marketing teams

According to industry experts, direct marketing is fast emerging as a distribution channel for life insurance companies. Currently, agency and bancassurance models are considered the two most effective channels.  Life insurers such as Max New York Life, Bharti Axa Life, Birla SunLife, Reliance Life, Tata AIG Life, Kotak Insurance, are creating a direct marketing team force to deal with multiple issues of productivity, increased penetration, retention and instances of possible mis-selling.

 

Source: DNA

 

 

 

Product Launches

Mutual Funds

 

33. Morgan Launches Fund After 13 Years – February 08

On 7 February, 2008, Morgan Stanley Investment Managers launched its Morgan Stanley ACE (Across Capitalisations Equity) Fund, which will invest in a portfolio of equity and equity-related securities, including equity derivatives.

 

 

 

34. Mirae Asset India Launches Opportunities Fund – February 08

On 11 February, 2008, Mirae Asset Global Investment Management (India), a South Korean mutual fund firm, launched the Mirae Asset India Opportunities Fund, an open-ended diversified equity fund.

 
 

 

Insurance

 

 
 

35. Anil Ambani's Health + Wealth Plan – February 07

On 7 February, 2008, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's (ADAG) Reliance Life Insurance announced the launch of Reliance Wealth + Health Plan, which offers wealth creation and health protection in a single policy. With annual premium as low as Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per annum, the insured can get health and saving benefits, and protect themselves from unexpected medical bills.

 

 

 

36. LIC Forays into Health Insurance – February 05

On 4 February, 2008, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) launched its first health insurance product. The plan combines health insurance for the entire family (husband, wife and the children), and offers hospital cash benefit and major surgical benefit along with a Unit Linked Insurance Component.

 

 

Others

 

 

37. Rel Money Launches Portfolio Scheme – February 08

On 7 February, 2008, Reliance Money, the broking arm of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Capital, launched a portfolio management scheme (PMS) that allows investors to manage their funds through a group of expert advisers. The scheme targets people with an investment limit ranging between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 75 lakh.

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

Bank

 

 

38. Axis Bank Seeks A Humorous Connect – January 21

Axis Bank launches a set of TVCs highlighting their product offerings

Axis Bank has launched a set of television commercials (TVCs), with a humorous connect, highlighting the products offered by them. 

 

The personal loans ad shows a family standing against a backdrop of mountains, dressed in winter wear. They are actually posing for a photograph which will make them appear as if they were in Switzerland. The TVC ends with the voiceover: “If you have a desire to travel, we have personals loans to help you fulfil it.”

 

The second TVC for home loans shows a bride waiting for her husband. As her husband enters the room both of them steal glances at each other.

 

As is the custom, when the bride picks up a glass of milk to give to her husband a hand from below takes the glass and passes it to another hand that comes up just in time.

 

The glass is passed on by about 10 hands before it reaches the groom. When he finally takes a sip, about a dozen people are shown sleeping in the same room as the newly married couple. Here too, the voiceover ends the commercial saying: “If you desire your own space, we have home loans to help you build it.” 

 

The bank has used a humorous approach in its commercials to make it stand out from already cluttered financial advertising space.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

Insurance

 

 

 

39. Look At Life Through Clay Eyes – February 04

Tata AIG Life launches TVC highlighting the flexible nature of its “Invest Assure Flexi plan”

Tata AIG Life launched a television commercial (TVC) highlighting the flexible nature of its new insurance plan, Invest Assure Flexi, with a little child, his big dreams and lots of clay.

 

Created by agency Bates David Enterprise, the TVC starts with the shot of a small boy getting out his clay pot to play. He makes a red cycle first, followed by a motorbike, and a big wedding cake as the little boy talks about the wedding he will have one day. He also plans to have a big house with “two-two doggies”.

 

The boy makes an armchair of clay depicting that he will not do any work, but rest (‘aaram’. After ‘claying’ with his life, he goes to an armchair in his house and rests a while.

 

The TVC ends by depicting the flexibility that the Tata AIG Invest Assure Flexi plan offers. The voiceover says, “Whatever your dreams, you can now mould your insurance plan to realise them.”

 

The use of clay in the advertisement depicts flexibility. According to Rajeev

Raja, executive creative director, Bates, “Life is never fixed and needs to keep changing as one grows up. So, your insurance plan needs to offer you flexibility in a crisis moment. Since this product offered by Tata AIG Life considers these twists in life and is hence flexible, there seemed no better way than the malleability of clay to depict it”.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

40. MetLife:From Meeting Life To Celebrating Life, ‘Peace Of Mind Guaranteed’ – January 26

MetLife launches TVC communicating ‘Peace of mind guaranteed’ as the key proposition

On 25 January, 2008, MetLife launched a new ad campaign, which is based on the insight that if people have peace of mind they will be free of pressures and constraints. The new brand communication, designed by agency McCann Erickson, endeavours to Indianise MetLife’s brand positioning as a life insurance player that offers ‘Peace of mind guaranteed’ as the key proposition to its customers.

 

The film shows the head of a family being able to enjoy the little joys of life such as kicking around a football, or playfully imitating his wife’s sneeze, or horsing around with an ice-cream vendor’s cart, and even trying a sleight of hand at a game of chess.

 

All this is possible because of the insurance cover provided to him and his family by MetLife.

 

 

The film ends with the line stating: ‘Join the 70 million customers worldwide who trust MetLife Group for their peace of mind’. Targeted at men in their thirty’s, MetLife has adopted a 360-degree approach for this campaign that includes television, print, outdoor, internet and radio.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

41. ‘Chintamani’ Dons The Bat For ICICI Prudential’s 100% Premium Allocation Plan – January 31

ICICI Prudential shows new avatar of Chintamani in its new TVC

ICICI Prudential launched a new tax saving campaign  based on the insight that consumers prefer products that not only help them save tax, but also give them optimal investment options. The new tax saving campaign sees ICICI Prudential’s mascot Chintamani as a cricketer. ICICI Prudential’s ‘common man’ is shown coaxing himself to give his 100% on the field to promote a plan that not only helps save tax but also provides the benefit of 100% premium allocation. The creative is based on a thought that ‘when you give 100%, you get 100%’. The new Chintamani tax saving campaign is currently running across print, radio, outdoor and TV.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

Others

 

 

 

42. Barclaycard:Time To Let The Customer Grow Up – February 06

Barclaycard’s new TVC portrays its card holders as intelligent adults

Barclaycard has launched an advertisement with a premise that Barclay card holder is intelligent enough to manage and control his finances. The ad exhibits the credit card’s features such as credit limit, flexible billing cycles and repayment options.

 

The ad opens with the shot of a man walking into a bank, where he is treated like a child at every step.

 

 

 

When he makes an enquiry, he is shushed by the bank employees because another customer is sleeping nearby in his “cradle”. Another employee is cooing at adult customers in a playpen of sorts.

 

He then watches adult customers sporting party caps and whistles. Finally, an employee attends to him, but begins boring him with the terms of his credit card. In the middle of his monotonous chatter, he starts pinching the cheeks of the harassed customer.

 

A voiceover explains that with a Barclay’s card, no one will treat you like a child, and you will get to control your finances the way you want to. The tagline goes, “It’s your card. You know best.”

 

The approach in the ad uses the idea of communicating ‘adult to adult’, unlike other credit card companies which tend to offer irrelevant freebies to customers.

 

 Source: Agencyfaqs

 

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Food and Beverages

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor-Coffee-India-October 2007

 

 

Source: Euromonitor-Tea-India-October 2007

 

Source: Euromonitor-Bottled water company-India-July 2007

 

Source: Euromonitor- Sweet and Savoury Snacks Companies- India-October 2007

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

43. Juices, Flavoured Milk Edging Out Colas In Indian Supermarkets – February 05

Cola brands losing shelf space to juices and flavoured milk: Study

According to a study by FoodIndustryIndia.com – an Indian food industry portal for news and market research – Indian supermarkets are increasingly stocking juices and flavoured milk rather than colas.  While cola brands are known and no new cola brands have entered the market since 2007, the number of juices and milk-based drinks has proliferated several times, indicating a growing demand for them. According to the study, an increasing awareness of the health risks of cola consumption has led to this shift to fruit juices. Brands such as Real, Tropicana, Leh Berry, Amul and Mother Dairy are among those benefiting from this trend.

 

Source: Food Industry India   

 

 

 

44. Any Time Milk (ATM) From Amul Vending Booths – February 09

Amul Dairy initiates trials for the milk card on its milk vending machine

Amul Dairy, which had initiated trials for the milk card on its newly installed milk vending machine at its headquarters in Anand, intends to make the machine more user-friendly. Instead of cash, Amul is experimenting with special cards on the lines of debit cards. The card will have to be recharged periodically and could also be used for loyalty programmes.  The dairy also plans to install ATMs, which would prove beneficial for dual-income households where earners spend most of their daytime at work and find it difficult to buy milk at odd hours. In addition, technology that can accept currency and cards and eject pouches instead of loose milk will also be installed.

 

Source: Fnbnews   

 

 

 

45. Why Frito-Lay Converted Its Brand Ambassadors Into Sweepers – February 07

Frito-Lay launches ‘Chala Change ka Chakkar’ brand promotion

Frito-Lay India launched a brand promotion initiative titled ‘Chala Change ka Chakkar’, encompassing its five flagship brands – Lay’s, Kurkure, Cheetos, Uncle Chipps and Lehar. The promotion will be led by its brand ambassadors, Juhi Chawla (Kurkure) and Saif Ali Khan (Lay’s) and MS Dhoni. The promotion provides opportunity to regular consumers to swap places with their favourite celebrity (out of Frito-Lay’s trio) for one day. The promotion is supported through a television campaign, radio, print and online advertising. The ads, created by agency JWT, show these celebrities doing household chores such as buying groceries or sweeping floors (and making a mess of it), while regular consumers are seen having a blast in exchange, living the celeb’s life. Through this initiative, the company plans to bring its consumers closer to the brand endorser. In addition, the company has plans to develop the celebrity swapping into a television reality series later on.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs   

 

 

 

46. Tata Tea Enters Out-Of-Home (OOH) Beverage Segment – January 24

Tata Tea forays the OOH beverage market with its ‘Chai Unchai’ outlet Tata Tea forayed in the out-of-home (OOH) beverage market with its ‘Chai Unchai’ outlet at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Targeted mainly at youth, the outlet serves tea and other beverages in addition to light snacks and cakes. The Chai Unchai outlet is designed in the form of an informal ‘hang-out’ where the youth can ‘congregate and relax’. The company plans to open more outlets mainly in the large cities at several locations such as malls, colleges, university campuses, corporate campus, and public places.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line   

 

 

 

47. Mount Spring Beverages Plans Flavoured Sodas Foray – January 17

Mount Spring Beverages to re-launch water brand ‘Mountain Springs’

Mount Spring Beverages Pvt Ltd (MSBL) is all set to re-launch the mineral water brand, Mountain Springs, which it had acquired from Leh Berry’s in October 2007. This re-launch will take place in a phased manner starting from Delhi and NCR region, and later on to Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore. The company also plans to foray into the soda mineral water and flavoured soda mineral water segments throughout the country in 2008.

 

     Source: The Hindu Business Line   

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

48. Glaxo Launches New Horlicks For Women– January 28

On 28 January, 2008, healthcare products maker GlaxoSmithKline Consumer launched ‘Women's Horlicks’, a new supplement for women consumers. Priced at Rs 100 for a 200gm jar, the product is available in two flavours - chocolate and caramel.

 

 

 

49. Britannia Launches New Variant Of 'Tiger' Biscuit – February 06

On 6 February, 2008, Britannia launched a new variant of its Tiger biscuits, which is available in 30 gm, 65 gm and 169 gm packets.

 

 

 

50. Pizza Hut Announces The Ring O’ Garlic Range Of Pizzas – January 24

On 24 January, 2008, Pizza Hut launched the Ring O’ Garlic range of pizzas, which feature garlic and parsley on the base, and a ring of butter and garlic along with parsley on the crust. Available in medium and large sizes, it has been priced at Rs 125 for the vegetarian and Rs 180 for the non-vegetarian medium pizzas.

 

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

51. What Konkona Does Best: Women's Horlicks – February 07

GSKCH launches TVC for its Women's Horlicks featuring Konkona Sen

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) launched a TVC for its Women's Horlicks, featuring brand ambassador, actress, Konkona Sen Sharma, as the protagonist. The objective of the advertisement is to create product awareness among women by showcasing real life situations, something to which they can relate to and realize how important it is to value oneself amidst all the roles they play.

 

The TVC shows Konkona Sen Sharma beginning her day by preparing a list of things to do. She is shown taking up one task after another – from household chores to office responsibilities. As the day passes, she has a glimpse at the list and realises that she forgot about herself. A voice over plays, “Aaj is badi si list ne choti si baat ka ehsaas dilaya...apni hi list main apna naam nahi...” She is, then, shown holding a pack of Women's Horlicks in her hand, followed by a shot of her sipping a cup of the drink. The next shot shows her jogging on a track, then doing yoga and then talking into the camera she says, “Because your body needs you, too.” The film ends with a product shot, and the baseline- “Because your body needs you, too.” 

 

The company plans to spend about one third of the marketing budget on traditional media while rest two third on mix of emerging media such as digital and other below-the-line activities including direct marketing, doctor engagement programs and consumer activation.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 
 

52. McDonald’s Bridges The Generation Gap – January 28

McDonald’s launches new commercials of ‘Happy Price Menu’ featuring Bollywood’s famous father-son pairs

Continuing to advertise its Rs 20 menu, McDonald’s launched new commercials of “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign. The new commercials are based on slogan ‘Aap ke Zamane Mein Baap ke Zamane ke Daam’.

Created by agency Leo Burnett, the new happy price menu TVC starts with a Sunny Deol look-a-like at McDonald’s demanding a Mc Aloo tikki burger. The petrified manager tells him that it is for twenty rupees.

 

 

Hearing about the low prices, his father comes out of him (Dharmendra’s double) and says, “Maa kasam, yeh toh hamare zamane ke daam hain.”

 

As he starts dancing in joy, the voiceover plays, “Aapke zamaane mein baap ke zamaane ke daam. McDonald’s ka Happy Price Menu, Rs 20 only”. The ad ends as both of them declare, “I am loving it”.

 

 

The advertisements of ‘Happy Price Menu’ highlights McDonald’s affordability platform. The company also plans to launch a viral campaign on the same theme.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

53. The Pulp In Minute Maid Pulpy Orange Drink Ain’t No Fiction – February 01

Minute Maid Pulpy Orange’s new TVC titled “Where is the Pulp?”

Beverages company Coca-Cola India has rolled out a new campaign for its Minute Maid Pulpy Orange drink that stresses on its freshness appeal and real orange content. The new campaign is also based on the launch theme of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange “Where is the Pulp?” Conceptualised by agency Leo Burnett, the TVC shows that every time a consumer drinks a bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange, somewhere an orange loses its pulp. The ad shows a montage of situations in which people get surprised as they touch and see an orange deflate – be it in a mall, in a kitchen, at home and also while with friends. All of them are curious and have just one question, “Where is the Pulp?” At the end of the TVC it is revealed that for every deflated orange, there is a Minute Maid Pulpy Orange being consumed by someone, somewhere. Targeting young adults, the campaign will be supplemented by a 360-degree marketing communication plan that includes organizing road shows, extensive experiential sampling sessions in markets, offices, malls, and colleges.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

54. New Sprite Campaign Cuts Out The ‘Bakwaas’ And Gets Straight To The Point – February 09

 ‘Seedhi Baat, No Bakwaas’ is the theme of Sprite’s new TVC

Coca-Cola India launched the new campaign for its product Sprite, reiterating its original message of ‘Seedhi Baat, No Bakwaas’.  This campaign follows the premise that ‘brand Sprite is all about having a refreshingly honest and irreverent perspective on life’.

Conceptualised by agency O&M, the campaign depicts a young man who is romantically involved with two girls and unflinchingly tells the truth about each to the other; however, they refuse to believe him and think that he is joking. The TVC ends with the tag line ‘Seedhi Baat. No Bakwaas’.

The aim of this new campaign is to strengthen the brand’s connection with the youth by engaging them in a simple, honest and straightforward manner. Apart from television, this campaign will utilise print, radio, the Internet, OOH advertising.

 

Source: Exchange4media

 

 

 

55. ‘No Seed’ Maaza Readies For The Summer – February 14

Coca-Cola positions Maaza as a ‘Bina Gutli Wala Aam’ in a new TVC

Coca-Cola has positioned its mango drink, Maaza, as a ‘Bina Gutli Wala Aam’ (seedless mango) in the advertising initiative for summer 2008. 

Created by agency Leo Burnett, the TVC shows actor Satish Shah admiring mangoes in his role of a mango expert. When a child appears before him, Shah tries to lure him with different kinds of mangoes. Shah’s mouth falls open when the child asks instead for a seedless mango. In an effort to trace a seedless mango, he looks up books and travels to various places, but all in vain. Finally, he learns from the child that the ‘Bina Gutli Wala Aam’ is Maaza. The film ends with a product shot, with the voiceover talking about Maaza, the ‘Bina Gutli Wala Aam’.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

56. Mentos Makes A Monkey Of Darwin’s Theory – February 13

Perfetti Van Melle launches TVC for Mentos

Banking upon its ‘Dimaag ki Batti Jala De’ tagline, Perfetti Van Melle launched a new TVC that jokingly implies that Mentos that triggered the evolution of humankind from monkey to man.

 

The TVC starts with a donkey on a wooden plank and a monkey (its slave) pulling the donkey along. While resting on the journey, the monkey spots a Mentos mint on the ground.

 

Taking permission from the donkey, whom he calls Daddu, he pops the mint into his mouth.

 

On eating the mint, realisation dawns upon the monkey and he sets out on his own. During his travels, the monkey learns to make weapons, hunt, stitch hides into garments, make fire, create a wheel and finally evolve as a man.

 

Consequently, when man and Daddu meet again, Daddu pulls the man, while the man relaxes on a wheeled cart.

 

The TVC, which is in the form of an animated film, has been targeted at the youth and the college-going crowd.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

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Hotels

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

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

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

57. Parsvnath Ties Up With ITC Arm To Run 50 Hotels – February 05

Parsvnath Hotels enters into strategic tie-up with Fortune Park Hotels

On 4 February, 2008, Parsvnath Developers’ subsidiary Parsvnath Hotels Ltd, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Fortune Park Hotels Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, to manage 50 of hotels (20 five-stars, 20 four-stars and 10 three-stars and budget hotels) across India till 2011-13. Under the agreement, Parsvnath Hotels would own and develop the hotels, while Fortune Park Hotels would manage them. The hotels would be run under the brand names of Fortune Select, Fortune Park, Fortune Inn and Fortune Faith.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

58. Royal Orchid To Take Signature Restaurants, Pubs Across Hotel Brands – January 01

Royal Orchid to expand its signature restaurants across its hotel formats

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd (ROHL) plans to take its signature restaurants such as the Tiger Trail (Indian cuisine), Ginseng (Chinese), Paparazzi (roof-top restaurant) across its various hotel formats, and is set to unveil a new pub. Presently, the company has 10 properties in five categories of hotels —5-star Royal Orchid, 4-star Central, the deluxe 4-star Ramada, Resorts and Spa and Suites — and is set to double its room capacity by 2010.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

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Real Estate

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Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

59. Marg To Set Up Two SEZs Near Chennai – February 08

Marg Ltd launches its new project ‘Marg Swaranabhoomi’

On 7 February 2008, real estate and infrastructure company Marg Ltd announced the launch of its new project ‘Marg Swaranabhoomi’, which comprises two notified SEZs for multi-services and light engineering sectors. The SEZs will be developed as integrated townships with residential zones and other civil and social infrastructure.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

60. DB Realty, Hyatt Tie Up For 320-Room, 5-Star Goa Property – February 06

DB Realty and Hyatt International in a marketing tie-up

DB Realty, a domestic real estate fund, is setting up a 320-room 5-star property in Goa. The company has tied up with Hyatt International for managing and marketing the property; it is investing nearly $80 million in the venture, which is likely to be completed by Q2 2009. The company plans to focus on all main real estate verticals such as residential, commercial, retail and hospitality.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

61. Emaar MGF To Open Hotels Chain With Global Hyatt – January 21

Emaar MGF enters into a JV with Global Hyatt Corporation

Real estate and hospitality company Emaar MGF has entered into a joint venture with Global Hyatt Corporation (a premier hotel companies) of the US to set up a chain of business hotels in India under the brand name Hyatt Place. Emaar MGF will hold a 74% stake; Hyatt will own the remaining 26% and will also provide management and brand services, including marketing, reservations and global sales services. By 2018, the JV will develop 20 Hyatt Place hotels country-wide with a combined capacity of 3,000 rooms and a proposed investment of Rs 1,500 crore.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

Product Launches

 

62. Omaxe Launches Premium Residential Complex In Ludhiana – February 11

On 11 February 2008, realty developer Omaxe Ltd. announced the launch of a premium residential complex, Royal Residency, over an area of 36 acres in Ludhiana. The complex would comprise a spa village, shopping mall, hotel with office suites, multi-purpose court, climate control swimming pool, gymnasium and a business lounge.

 

 

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Retail

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor Report- Hypermarkets - India- June 2007

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor Report- Supermarkets - India- June 2007

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

63. Retailers Chant Wellness Mantra – February 08

Retailers launch wellness stores to tap the health and wellness trend in the country

Retailers are increasingly exploring the potential in the fast-spreading emphasis on health and wellness with more and more retail companies opening speciality retail stores in metros. In 2007, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail launched its first specialty wellness store in Hyderabad, which provides medicines, sports supplements, personal care and beauty products, cosmetics, opticals, OTC, health foods, and self-help medical and fitness equipment. In 2008, Reliance opened a store each in Bangalore and Mumbai. The company plans to open 150 stores in the next 15 months. Similarly, Himalaya Drugs also aims to expand its retail presence by opening some 300 stores by 2009. Dabur is also expected to roll out its health and beauty stores across the country. 

 

Source: DNA

 

 

64. Rel Retail To Sell Connected Homes Concept – February 11

Reliance Retail to launch ‘Connected Homes’ concept at its upcoming store in Gurgaon

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail has entered into an agreement with Microsoft to launch the ‘Connected Homes’ concept at its upcoming store in Gurgaon. This offers users the opportunity to connect their consumer durables at home, such as electronic and IT products, with their personal computer or laptops through Microsoft software such as Windows Vista and X Box, using wireless technology.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

65. Catalogue Retailing Is Picking Up Momentum, Slowly & Steadily – January 28

Catalogue retailing gains popularity in India

Catalogue retailing is gaining popularity in India. The retailer benefits from the format by saving on rental costs for big malls and store management costs, and having a wider reach.  Shoppers, on the other hand, can place the order over the phone with the payment made online. Globally, catalogue retailing is a much developed platform, preceding even Internet shopping. In India, HyperCITY, the K. Raheja Group-promoted hypermarket chain, is promoting the idea with five of its stores operating in Thane. Croma of Infiniti Retail Ltd is considering a similar alternative and has been offering catalogues to consumers since April 2007, informing them of the on-going promotions and discounts in the store.

 

Source: DNA

 

 
 

66. Landmark Group Launches First ‘Oasis Centre’ In India – January 31

Landmark Group launches the ‘Oasis Centre’ in India

On 31 January 2008, Landmark Group, a provider of real estate services, launched the Oasis Centre in India at Bangalore. It combines four levels of international shopping experience (Lifestyle and SPAR), including international brands, fine dining (Polynation) and an entertainment zone (Fun City). The company is planning to set up a total of 35 Lifestyle stores and 15 Home Centre stores in the next three years in India.

 

Source: Businesswire India

 

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Telecom (Service Providers)

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Sales and Market Share
 

   

 

Source: Cellular Operators Association of India

 

 

 

67. GSM Industry Adds 6.19 Mn Users In January – February 12

GSM-based mobile industry add 6.19 million users in January 2008

The GSM-based mobile industry’s total subscriber base touched 178.4 million with an addition of 6.19 million users in January 2008. While Bharti Airtel led with a market share of 32.18% and a total user base of 57.41 million, Vodafone-Essar captured a market share of 23.06% (41.14 million) and 41.14 million subscribers. BSNL added 10.36 lakh users in January 2008 and captured 18.92% of the market share. Idea Cellular added over 9 lakh users and had a total subscriber base of 21.95 million.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

68. 8.1 M New Phone Subscribers In Dec – January 24

Total number of telephone connections reached 272.88 million by December 2007

According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), a total of 8.11 million telephone connections were added during December 2007, and the number of connections in the country reached 272.88 million at the end of December 2007, compared to 264.77 million in November 2007. In the wireless segment, an addition of 8.17 million subscribers pushed the total subscriber base to 233.63 million in December 2007. The wire line segment recorded a decline in the subscriber base to 39.25 million in December (39.31 million). The total number of broadband subscribers reached 3.13 million (2.87 million).

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

69. Mobile Operators Use Lifetime Cards To Hook Users – February 05

Cellular operators capitalising on lifetime pre-paid cards to attract subscribers

With the entry of new cellular operators in the telecom market, existing service providers are depending on lifetime pre-paid cards to retain subscribers. After Bharti Airtel and other GSM operators lowered the tariff for lifetime pre-paid card users to Re 1 per minute for all local calls, Reliance Communications also lowered the cost of lifetime validity cards to Rs 199. More than 70% of the 200 million mobile subscribers use pre-paid cards and tend to change operators frequently. Lifetime validity cards were launched by all mobile operators in a bid to arrest the high churn rate (6%).

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

70. More People To Have Mobile Phone Than Those Without It – February 07

Global mobile penetration rate to reach 50% in early 2008

According to International Telecommunications Union, a United Nations agency, the global mobile penetration rate is set to reach 50% in early 2008 from about 12% in 2000. With its high economic growth and immense disposable income, India is expected to play a crucial role in global telecom expansion. The agency projects that the worldwide mobile subscriber base would cross 3.3 billion in 2008. This would amount to every tenth mobile user across the world being an Indian; consequently, the domestic industry is eyeing a total of more than 300 million subscribers in 2008.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

71. Airtel Launches iBox PCO – January 26

Bharti Airtel introduced an integrated coin box PCO called Airtel iBox, which includes the coin box instrument and a fixed wireless terminal in one box. It also has an internal battery, which gives up to 4-6 hours of talk time.

 

 

 

72. Vodafone Launches BlackBerry – February 15

On 15 February, 2008, telecom company Vodafone, in association with Research in Motion (a Canadian wireless device company), introduced a new BlackBerry model. The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone is priced at Rs 24,990.

 

 

 

73. BSNL Launches Mobile Handset – February 15

On 14 February, 2008, telecom Company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) launched its mobile handset in Mysore. The mobile handsets are SIM-locked and BSNL network-locked, and will be available to both pre-paid and post-paid GSM customers of BSNL.

 

 

 

74. Reliance Communications Introduces Multiplayer Mobile Games – February 14

On 14 February, 2008, telecom company Reliance Communications, in partnership with CanvasM (a joint venture between Motorola and Tech Mahindra), introduced multiplayer mobile games for its customers. CanvasM Technologies is a mobile value-added services (VAS) provider and has a global presence.

 

 

 

75. MTNL Launches Mobile TV Service In Capital – February 14

On 14 February, 2008, state-run telecom company MTNL announced the soft launch of its mobile TV service in Delhi, which would allow its users to watch live television on their handsets.  Initially, MTNL customers would be able to watch seven channels on their GPRS-enables mobile handsets.

 

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

 

76. Reliance Mblog Shrinks The World – January 22

Reliance Mobile Blog World’s TVC showcases product features 

‘Nobody’s a stranger in the Reliance Mobile Blog world’ is the theme of TVC of Reliance’s newly launched value added service, Mobile Blog. Targeted at young people who use Reliance Mobile phones, the ad promote the features of this value-added service as enhancing the user’s life.

Created by agency Mudra, the TVC shows a young girl, seated on a park bench, scribbling her thoughts in a diary.  A modified version of the jingle ‘He’s got the whole world in his hands’ plays in the background. While the young girl writes in her book, strangers from all walks of life – a teacher, an office goer, a jaywalker, school children, a monk, a scuba diver – are shown walking up to her and handing over scraps of paper with their stories on them.

 

The voiceover at the end proclaims, “I share my diary with the world on Reliance Mobile Blog. Because, in my world, there are no strangers. What’s your world?”

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

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Two-wheelers

 

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Sales and Market Share
 

 

 

 

 

 

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

..
 

 

77. Bike, Heavy Commercial Vehicle Sales Continue To Dip – February 09

January 2008 registered a 14% decline in the sales of motorcycles

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), motorcycles sales fell by 14% in January 2008, as compared to January 2007. While Hero Honda at 2,80,663 units posted a 2% decline in sales, Bajaj registered a 21% decline (1,34,704 units). TVS also witnessed a 56% decrease in domestic sales at 27,697 units. The decline in the motorcycle market has been attributed to banks’ reluctance to provide credit on account of high default rates and stricter guidelines on recovery imposed by the RBI. 

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

 

78. Motorbike Stores Plan Lifestyle Add-Ons To Boost Brand Value – January 19

Two-wheeler companies focus on the booming retail sector to target premium bike lovers

Two-wheeler companies are focusing on the booming retail sector and are planning to open company-owned stores in malls or upmarket shopping centres. In addition to bikes, the companies plan to offer apparel, gaming zones, Internet lounges and cafés through these stores. While Bajaj Auto has already launched its pro-biking showrooms, Yamaha Motor India opened its first lifestyle ‘Bike Station’. Bike makers such as Suzuki and Royal Enfield are also considering similar boutiques/branded stores to cater to premium bike lovers.

 

Source: The Financial Express

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

79. Yamaha Launches New 125cc Sports Bike and Lifestyle Store Bike Station – January-February  

On 14 February 2008, motorcycle company Yamaha unveiled its new sports bike ‘Gladiator’ Type SS and Type RS, priced at Rs 46,350 onwards (ex-showroom) in the 125 cc segment.

 

On 18 January 2008, Japanese company Yamaha has launched a company-owned lifestyle store, Bike Station, in New Delhi. The store will offer a ‘complete biking lifestyle’ experience. By the end of 2008, the company plans to open 10 such stores in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Lucknow.

 

 

 

80. Hyderabad Company Launches New Electric Two-wheeler – January 24

On 23 January, 2008, Hyderabad-based CAL-ON Motors launched a battery-powered two-wheeler, Elektra 2.5, in the sub-0.25 kw category. The bike would run with a maximum power of 240 watts on a 12vX 4 batteries that need recharging after every 70 km.

 

 

 

81. Global Automobiles Launches 150cc Scooter – January 31

On 31 January, 2008, Global Automobiles, a part of the Kolkata-based Xenitis group, launched a 150 cc scooter called UFO0150, priced at Rs 34,990. The company also announced the national launch of its 100 cc Rock100, which is priced at Rs 19,990 and has already been launched in Kolkata.

 

 

 

82. TVS Motor Launches Electric Scooter – February 14

On 13 February 2008, two-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motors (TVS-M) launched its electric scooter, Scooty Teenz Electric, in Ahmedabad. Priced at Rs 32,500 (ex-showroom), the electric scooter has been claimed to provide 15-20% savings compared to a petrol-run scooter.

 

 

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Skin Care

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor Report - June 2007

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

83. Hind Unilever, P&G Offer New Creams For Old – February 07

HUL and P&G launch schemes to lure consumers into sampling their brands

Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) and Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) have launched a similar scheme to lure consumers into sampling their brands, Pond’s Age Miracle and Olay Total Effects, respectively. P&G set up ‘Olay Effects Challenge’ zones at the Infiniti mall in Andheri and offered consumers to come and swap their current moisturisers for a new bottle of Olay Total Effects. The FMCG company also roped in Tisca Chopra (of Taare Zameen Par fame) to endorse the brand. On the other hand, HUL’s Ponds Age Miracle initiated a similar programme for women across the six metros (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai), where consumers may visit any Pond’s counter and exchange their old skin cream, used or unused, for a new Pond’s Age Miracle Day Cream worth Rs 400.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

 

84. Revlon Introduces New Products In India – February 07

In February 2008, Revlon introduced an oil-free range, New! Pure Skincare. While the Purifying Foam Wash for normal to oily skin is priced at Rs 195 for a 200 ml pack, the Oil-Free Moisture Cream for all skin types is priced at Rs 225 for a 100 g pack.

 

In addition, Revlon introduced Revlon Absolute White+, a complete whitening skincare line that whitens, protects, moisturises and revitalises the skin. The range comprises six products that are suitable for all skin types.

 

 

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Sports Apparel

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Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

Source: Euromonitor-Footwear-India-October 2007

 

 

 

Product Launches

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85. Landmark Unveils VNC Brand Here – January 30

On 25 January 2008, Landmark Group (Dubai), a retailer in West Asia and India, launched the international footwear and accessories brand VNC in Bangalore, India. The 1,400 sq. ft store caters exclusively to women and the product range includes footwear, handbags, wallets and accessories, priced between Rs 795 and Rs 2,995.