Brands that swept the country

• Vodafone Zoozoos • Pepsi Youngistan • IPL • Honda City • Hyundai i-10

When Vodafone signed up for the sponsorship of the second edition of IPL, the telecom company decided that it needed another pug-like mascot push to rise above the clutter. The idea of Zoozoos with 30 different stories came up during a joint client-agency briefing session. The accompanying PR exercise pushed the brand to a cult like following, far surpassing even the much talked about pug craze.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

The Sunday Indian:- B-SCHOOL RANKING SCAMSTERS EXPOSED!

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Screening sunscreens

Sunscreens protect and damage your body... Here’s how chemicals like oxybenzone are turning sunscreens into one big oxymoron!

I don’t clearly remember since when I got habituated to using sunscreen, but I also can’t remember a time when I stepped out of home without applying a sunscreen lotion. I’m positive that there would be many like me who follow this routine. With the rate at which cosmetic brands, beauty experts and enthusiastic customers are increasing, it is no wonder that the present times is being referred to as the boom era of cosmetics. And amidst all these products that help one to glam-up from head to toe, one product which has won patronage from people around the world is the sunscreen. But beneath the heap of advantages offered by this product, is a word of caution recently planted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This watchdog organisation has brought to notice that some of the popular brands that make sunscreens contain hazardous chemicals, and at times do not provide the level of sun protection that they claim.

Oxybenzone is a commonly known culprit, and its traces have been found in the urine samples of 97% of Americans over the age of six by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The chemicals in sunscreens penetrate the skin and make their way into a person’s bloodstream. Oxybenzone particularly has been found to cause allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage. Lax safety standards implemented by the FDA to determine UVA protection have triggered the EWG to tag the products as unsafe to use. Defying this research, Dr. Kandhari, a dermatologist, explains, “Ultra-violet rays are very harmful for the skin and can cause damage as grave as skin cancer. Many of the world’s renowned brands manufacture sunscreens and they definitely wouldn’t risk being sued because of failing quality checks and damaging the skin of its users.” On enquiring if sunscreens contain chemicals which can be harmful, Dr. Kandhari mentioned, “Yes, there are chemicals present to protect the skin and not to harm. Good brands are trustworthy and those who are exposed to the sun for long hours must protect their skin by applying sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection.” It is best to check and make sure that your sunscreen doesn’t contain more than 0.5% oxybenzone, since the chemical can be harmful to your body. Remember to also check your lip balms, moisturisers and lipsticks that provide SPF protection for your safety.

Over the years, with growing consciousness about beauty and skin-care, different varieties of sunscreens have been introduced. What initially was a jelly-like substance is now available as a spray-on, disappearing coloured sunblock for kids, and has a waterproof range too. With regular researches keeping a check on the cosmetic companies and helping us choose the right products, Baz Luhrman’s popular song still stands true... ‘If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it…’

Spriha Srivastava

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Follow Arindam Chaudhuri on Twitter
1 lakh copies sold in less than 10 days of Arindam Chaudhuri’s “Discover The Diamond In you”
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LIFE AFTER CANNES

Management guru Arindam Chaudhuri’s latest blockbuster book, Discover The Diamond In You

Indian ad-land’s tryst with Cannes is relatively new. A few Indian agencies did feature during the 1990s, but couldn’t make it big. The turning point came in 2003, when India bagged six lions. Good news is that for the last couple of years, India has been bringing home more than 20 metals from Cannes annually. The bad news (well, sort of!), say Neha Saraiya & Surbhi Chawla, is that winning a Cannes metal is now no more a career defining moment. Doing great work for big brands is the only career clincher that matters, at least in the cat-eat-cat world of Indian advertising!

Before they started Good Morning Films in 2004, Vikram Kalra (38) & Shashanka Chaturvedi (35) had tried their hand at a host of things, among them working for various agencies and ad film production shops. It was while working on a film for Hutch once (then with Adfilm-Valas) that the duo decided to go in alone. They cobbled together Rs.25,000 and launched their own film production house, bringing in Hutch as their first account. Their client list grew gradually to include Vodafone (Irfan Khan series), Limca and RCOM’s Muft ki Advice commercial. But even then, Kalra reminisces, “Good Morning Films had still not become a name to reckon within the industry.”

The year 2009 however came with its unique bag of goodies for them or what Vikram and Shashanka refer to as their “career defining moment.” The goodie bag brought with it two Gold Lions for them from the prestigious Cannes advertising festival for their ‘A day in the life of Chennai – Nakka Mukka’ commercial for The Times of India. The campaign, which won accolades for media & publication category along with the best use of music category, is the first Indian ad film ever to bring home a Gold at Cannes. Vikram can’t stop grinning, as with the trophy has come, instant fame and recognition. “Lot of friends are still dropping in to congratulate us. Accolades at Cannes have added value to our work and people take us more seriously,” he explains. Work is also pouring in. Post-Cannes, their film production outfit has also bagged some prestigious accounts, including that of Sony and Samsung. In fact, they’ve even got an offer from JWT China and negotiations are in final stages. So if Vikram & Shashank’s expectations, after the win at Cannes, are touching the skies, guess they have ample reason for it. Still gushing, Vikram exuberates, “Our next stop is Bollywood. We want to produce and direct a movie and are already scouting for the right script.”

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM fights meltdown, places 2300 students By Education Mail Bureau
Delhi/ NCR B- Schools get better By Swati Sharma
Events at IIPM
Detail of all IIPM branches
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IIPM, GURGAON

HITTING THE RIGHT CHORD...

Even as Indian two-wheeler makers like TVS Motors and Bajaj Auto were registering falling sales month after month during the last financial year, Hero Honda was busy strengthening its base in the Indian market. The slowdown period has been the most lucrative one for the company. It even crossed the landmark of selling 25 million units (cumulative) in the last fiscal taking its market leadership to around 57% (60% currently). Moreover, Hero Honda’s bottom-line grew by 33% to Rs.12.8 billion during the financial year. But how did they manage it, when the whole industry was struggling, is definitely a big question.

Well, a right product at a right time is the trick that has clicked. In addition Hero Honda has also utilised the last fiscal to get closer to consumers. The company has built an extensive network of over 3,500 touch-points across the country, selling and servicing its two-wheelers. The company’s rural initiatives too have played a role in strengthening its presence in Tier-II & Tier-III markets, which contribute almost 40% of total sales. Explains Pawan Munjal, MD, Hero Honda, “An unprecedented share of 57% in the domestic market, when the industry has been witnessing a slowdown, is reflective of the strong fundamentals.”

Though auto experts like Murad Ali Baig say that “Hero Honda as a company is known for its continuity and stable approach,” they also accept that when it comes to the premium segment Bajaj Auto rules the roost. And that’s not baseless either. While Hero Honda sold about 185,000 units in the segment during the last fiscal, Bajaj sold 840,000 units. But then, the pace at which Hero Honda is catching up is noteworthy. What is more inspiring is its strong association with the youth and its effective campaigns in the rural markets. However, as Bajaj Auto plans to stage a big show in the executive segment, the days ahead may soon throw up more challenges for Hero Honda.

Pawan Chabra

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
1 lakh copies sold in less than 10 days of Arindam Chaudhuri’s “Discover The Diamond In you”
IIPM fights meltdown, places 2300 students By Education Mail Bureau
Delhi/ NCR B- Schools get better By Swati Sharma
Event at IIPM
Detail of all IIPM branches
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON