MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • As Brand & Communication AoR

    TVS Eurogrip tilts towards Vector Brand Sol

    By Our Staff

     

    TVS Eurogrip, manufacturers and exporters of two and three-wheeler tyres, has awarded its Brand & Communications mandate to Mumbai based Brand & Communications consultancy, Vector Brand Solutions.

     

    Said Madhavan P, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing TVS Srichakra: “The journey since the launch of our brand TVS Eurogrip has been an exciting one. On the distribution front, we have been steadily penetrating and growing market share. In collaboration with our Europe product development centre, we now have best-in-category range of quality tyres that cater to the needs of the new age millennial rider. We have already successfully worked with the team at Vector to create a differentiated brand communication and we are excited to turn this into a long-term partnership. Team Vector’s all-round capabilities fit well with our value of delivering consistent high performance. With our new partnership with IPL champions Chennai Super Kings in place to catapult our brand salience, we look forward to partner with Vector on strengthening brand.”

     

    Added Joseph (Joe) George, Founder & CMD, Vector Brand Solutions: “Our working relationship with the team at TVS Eurogrip has been spectacular and we are thrilled to now work with them long term – building the brand, and growing the business.  We passionately believe in TVS Eurogrip’s desire to become the market leader in terms of both performance and experience; and we will bring to bear all that we have, to fulfil their rightful ambition, which hereon is ours too.”

     

  • AIM collaborates with Indian Post to launch ‘Magazine Post’

    By Our Staff

     

    The Association of India Magazines (AIM) in collaboration with the Indian Post, the Government of India’s postal service, has launched the Magazine Post, specifically tailored to bring greater efficiencies for magazine deliveries.

     

    Speaking about the launch, B Srinivasan, President of AIM and MD of Vikatan Group said: “For years magazines in India have faced chronic problems in subscription deliveries as copies were either late or in many cases undelivered. We are immensely thankful to Indian Post for introducing this new tech enabled product to resolve all our delivery problems, and with a promise to ensure near 100% success rate.”

     

    Added Anant Nath, General Secretary of AIM and Executive publisher of Delhi Press: “In most evolved magazine markets, subscriptions account for upto 80% of magazine sales, whereas in India it has been other way round. The subscription ecosystem in India has been historically underserviced on account of lack of trust amongst readers with respect to deliveries. We feel that there is a scope of at least ten-fold increase in subscription numbers if we are able to guarantee delivery. We are confident that with the launch of this new product, publishers can realise the untapped potential of subscriptions.”

     

    Said Manoj Sharma, CEO of India Today and AIM treasurer: “Multiple reader surveys have highlighted that there is immense appetite for reading print copies if deliveries are guaranteed. With the launch of Magazine Post, which offers superfast deliveries at economical rate, we hope to fulfil much of this underlying reader demand.”

     

    Added DVS Rama Rao, General Manager of AIM and a circulation veteran: “Over the past year and half, we at AIM have put in motion multiple initiatives to improve magazine sales and to even cross pre-pandemic numbers. These include creating a WhatsApp platform for joint subscription marketing, a common accredited agency network, and a tech enabled platform for subscription sales through morning centre vendors. With the launch of Magazine Post, we have confidence that we will be able to fulfil all the subscription orders with great efficiency and thereby bring about a paradigm shift in magazine publishing.”

     

  • To bring scale for the digital measurement of the open web

    Nielsen enhances Identity System for Digital Ad Ratings in India

    By Our Staff

     

    On April 1, Nielsen enhanced its open web methodology in India for Digital Ad Ratings through the Nielsen Identity System, alongside seven other markets: Germany, Australia, Japan, Spain, Indonesia, Canada and Brazil.

     

    Said Dolly Jha, Nielsen India Managing Director: “We’re leading the way in tackling digital consumer behaviour fragmentation. From granularity, to large-scale measurement, we’re delivering actionable insights to help advertisers measure, manage and optimise their campaign budgets and results.”

     

    According to a communique, the Nielsen Identity System powering Digital Ad Ratings advertisers and publishers can measure reach and frequency of their audiences with confidence knowing that when a digital ad is viewed, demographics are deduplicated across mobile and PC platforms to get to true people-based metrics.

     

    Added Sarah Miller, SVP, Product Management at Nielsen: “With this enhancement to our Identity System we are taking another step to assure the continuity of ad measurement amidst the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. Because of Nielsen’s unique data assets, we are not only able to adjust and correct licensed third party demographic data using panels, we have also developed sophisticated machine learning algorithms to cluster digital identifiers into people and correct for any possible imbalances from the market’s universe of users. It is this advanced data science methodology fueled by the sheer volume of Nielsen Identities that will empower the digital ad measurement into the future.”

     

  • To President & Head of Office, Ogilvy Gurugram

    Ogilvy promotes Prakash Nair

    By Our Staff

     

    Ogilvy India has announced the promotion of Prakash Nair to President and Head of Office, Ogilvy Gurugram. Nair has been with Ogilvy for 19 years. Prior to his move to lead Ogilvy Gurugram, Nair was Associate President at Ogilvy Mumbai, leading stellar, new age work across a large portfolio of clients including all of Mondelez, Tata Motors and BP Castrol.

     

    Said Nair: “After having lead some big brands, the opportunity to be part of Ogilvy Gurugram and drive the growth story for Ogilvy India presents a new challenge. Also, personally to me, Ogilvy Gurugram has been the benchmark for great craft. I’m extremely excited to start my new chapter at Ogilvy here.”

     

    Added Kunal Jeswani, CEO, Ogilvy India: “One of the great things about Ogilvy is the wealth of talent in the company. It’s been wonderful to have had Shouvik’s energy in Ogilvy over the last few years and we are deeply grateful to him for his time with us. As Shouvik moves on, Prakash Nair will take on the role of President and Head of Office, Ogilvy Gurugram. Prakash is a champion of great creative work and has been instrumental in driving some of our most modern, integrated and award winning work over the past few years. Loved by his clients and colleagues, I’m sure Prakash will bring his own distinct leadership style to the role and bring the full impact of Ogilvy to our clients in Delhi.”

     

  • As Director Marketing & Communications

    Havas appoints Samarpita Banerjee

    By Our Staff

     

    Havas Creative Group India has appointed Samarpita Banerjee as Director Marketing & Communications. She will report to Pritha Dasgupta, Chief Marketing Officer, Havas Group India, and will be based out of Mumbai.

     

    Samarpita will work across all agencies of Havas Creative Group India, including Havas Worldwide, Havas CX, Think Design, Conran Design Group Mumbai, and Shobiz Havas Experiential. Sneha Pillai Ahuja, Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications, will continue to lead corporate communications of Havas Media Group India.

     

    Said Dasgupta on the appointment: “The current momentum of Havas Group India is unparalleled. The complete transformation that the network has witnessed is not just on the back of outstanding business growth but also a result of several industry-first initiatives, like Havas Spark, UN Unstereotype Alliance, Women Who Inspire, Women Bounce Back programme, etc. This undoubtedly makes Havas Group India, perhaps the most progressive agency network in India that is deeply invested in making a meaningful difference to the industry and the community at large. With Samarpita coming on board, we will be able to build stronger, more meaningful chronicles around the legacy and the future we are building.”

     

  • This as per data thrown up by Axis My India March CSI Survey

    41% trust TV as a medium, 60% seek new info on internet

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    Axis My India, a leading consumer data intelligence company, released its latest findings of the India Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI), a monthly analysis of consumer perception on a wide range of issues. The month of March highlights that a combined 43% prefer Television and Digital mediums for watching IPL this season. In addition, 60% seek out new information on the internet while 41% consider television as the most trusted medium, digital is second in terms of trust at 33%. 55% of families mentioned their media consumption has remained the same as last month. At an overall level, the Consumer sentiment is at the highest in last one year.

     

    The April net CSI score, calculated by percentage increase minus percentage decrease in sentiment, was up/down to +19, from +9 last month and reflecting the highest increase in last one year.

     

    The sentiment analysis delves into five relevant sub-indices – Overall household spending, spending on essential and non-essential items, spending on healthcare, media consumption habits & mobility trends.

     

    This month, Axis My India’s Sentiment Index delved deeper to comprehend consumer’s behaviour with regard to current world affairs, IPL consumption and information- seeking motivations. The survey further revealed summer- specific holiday/leisure plans and product preferences of consumers.

     

    The surveys were carried out via Computer Aided Telephonic Interviews with a sample size of 10086 people across 36 states. 67% belonged from Rural India while 33% belonged from urban counterparts. In addition, 63% of the respondents were male while 37% of the respondents were female. In terms of regional spread, 24% and 21% belonged to the Northern and Southern parts of India while 25% and 30% belonged to Eastern and Western parts of India. In terms of the two majority sample groups, 31% reflects the age group of 36YO to 50YO and 27% reflect the age group of 26YO to 35YO.

     

    Commenting on the CSI report, Pradeep Gupta, CMD, Axis My India, said: “With mounting geo-politics tensions, opening up of economies and diminishing fear of Covid-19, Indian consumers are showcasing confidence and overall sentiment is at the highest in last one year. While they are seeking out every new information with the help of the ever increasing penetration of internet, a majority of the population still relies on traditional media such as television to seek accuracy of this information. Even the government’s decision to abstain from voting resonated with the country’s sentiment basis welfare and security concerns of the Indian community in Ukraine and awareness of long standing political and strategic ties with Russia. Increasing expenditures across categories, domestic travels and coming together for IPL further captures the sentiment of an optimistic consumer. It reflects their intent for an improved life and lifestyle.

     

    Key findings:

    • Consumption of media has increased for 22% of the families reflecting the same as last month. Consumption remains the same for a majority of 55% of families. The overall, net score which was at +1 in the last month is -1 this month

    • Overall household spending has increased for 62% of families which reflects an 8% increase from the last month. The net score which was at +43 last month as increased by +10 to +53 this month.

    • Spending on essentials like personal care & household items has increased for 48% of the families which reflects an increase by +5 as compared to last month. Spends however remain the same for 33% of the families, reduced by -5 from last month. The net score which was +24 last month has increased to +29 this month.

    • Spends on non-essential & discretionary products like AC, Car, Refrigerator has increased for 13% of families reflecting an increase of 5% from last month. Spending nevertheless remains the same for 82% of the families. The net score has improved to +8 this month as compared to +3 in the previous month.

    • 89% of families said that they are going out the same for short vacations, malls and restaurants. Increased travel is reflected only among 6% of families, an increase by +1 from last month. The overall mobility net score is at 0

    • Consumption of health-related items more or less remains the same for 46% of the families, while decreased consumption is witnessed among 16%. The health score which has a negative connotation i.e., the lesser the spends on health items the better the sentiments, has a net score value of -22 this month.

     

    On topics of current national interest:

    • In an attempt to understand consumer’s behaviour on information seeking, Axis My India discovered that 60% depend on the internet while seeking new information. However, 41% reports Television as the most trusted source of information followed by digital medium– the view of 33% and print – the view of 22%. This draws an interesting co-relation between the nature of the medium and the kind of need it fulfils of a consumers. While Digital caters to urgency, television caters to accuracy and honesty needs of the consumer seeking information.

    • Catching the excitement and thrill around the IPL, the survey discovered that a huge 33% will be watching the season on television at home or outside (mall/pub/friends’ place) while 10% showed interest in digital viewing. Only 2% reported enjoying the match live from the stadium. Marketers are thus expected to park a huge percentage of their ads on Television and Digital platforms being the most preferred medium as per the survey.

    • Axis My India further evaluated consumers’ views on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the crisis that followed. Gauging consumers’ view on India’s stand, the survey discovered that 55% believe that India was right in not criticising Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. This reflects the countrymen’s confidence in the governments to take decisions based on national and strategic interest

    • Assessing consumers’ views on buying non-essential summer- related products, Axis My India’s survey found out that 18% are planning to buy air-conditioners/fridge or replace an old one this summer season. However, 65% are still maintaining caution

    • The CSI – Survey furthermore captured consumer’s views on summer vacation/holiday plans. 13% are considering domestic travel while only 1% is looking to go for an international trip. A majority of 84% is still averse of major traveling for leisure.

     

  • Many alumni have changed logos in their professional life, so why the fuss about the IIMA logo, asks Sanjeev Kotnala

    Being Emotionally Stupid about Logos & Structures

     

     

     

    By Sanjeev Kotnala

     

    Sanjeev KotnalaIt is a late realisation. I have been stupid and emotionally biased like a classical armchair activist while commenting on IIMA’s attempt to redevelop old structures. How silly and self-centred I was! My alma mater, ‘The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad’, planned demolishing or replacing old Loui Khan-designed dorms with a new structure. At that time, it was painful for me to think of the campus without those beauties. But have they not outlived their extended life and could no longer be restrengthened? In fact, they were safety hazards.

     

    There was a suggestion, and I endorsed it. Why not make the new structure keeping the old façade. Simple solution. Quite stupid, really. The old dorms were designed in a different era, when student’s and institute’s needs, desires and ambitions were different. The students and faculty were happy walking on Stanford Ramp, climbing Harvard Steps or crisscrossing the Loui Khan Plaza. With time, the new campus developed. It was a concrete structure. It used the current technology and newly defined dreams, aspirations, and needs of the students, faculty, and the institute.

     

    The alumni and faculty lobby were against the change. For the alumni, it is the famed pallu of Indian mothers. They deservingly draw much strength from the established imagery of IIMA and thus change is simply unacceptable.  Why get emotional about such things. Why can’t we accept that things will not be the same?

     

     

    The story is repeating itself with a proposed logo change. Most brands have undergone logo changes to revitalise and contemporarise and to reflect the changing world culture. Many of the alumni who are raising their voice against the IIMA logo change have changed logos across products and services in their professional life. But the IIMA logo is the Holy Cow! It has a different emotional connection and recognised worldwide. In truth, the association is with IIMA, the name. and outside academics, the jaali and the Sanskrit words under the current logo may not be well-established.

     

    The voices are questioning a lack of inclusiveness and transparency. How can they forget that management and marketing by nature is non-democratic? Someone must stick the neck out, take a call and move on. Logo and identity change need not be an all-inclusive process, and every stakeholder need not be engaged and involved.

     

    I would like to think that IIMA Board has followed the process. And if that is right, the rest of us should live with the decision and move-on. The institute for long has been in the news for unwanted reasons.

     

    Management, including marketing, is all about taking an open-eyed conscious decision with the available information and moving on. No one knows if the decision will be right or wrong.  And the voices can also not guarantee that their decision would be the right one.

     

    Some stakeholders are hell bent on stopping institute from taking decisions and I find no difference between them and the opposition in national politics or the farmers at the Delhi border. The agenda is simple, oppose whatever is done.

     

    Change is a constant, biases are permanent, and evolution is part of the process. But no, the voices forget it all. They show great lapse of rational and logical thinking the institute is known for.

     

    I suggest let’s move on. If there is a constructive, positive suggestion or recommendation, table it at the proper forum but be willing to accept the decision, even if it goes against them.

    I, for one, refuse to continue evaluating with emotional bias.  I realise I am not even a close stakeholder. After commenting the last time, I have not even tried to find out the status.

     

    The realisation was complete last Saturday. The class of ’87, IIM Ahmedabad, met online to discuss 35th reunion at the alma mater. I realised,the reunion is about memories and meeting friends. The institute is a small but integral part of it. It does not matter where the reunion happens if the batchmates enjoy their togetherness. There is nothing great about reunion at the institute. Why get emotionally drained at the not-so-well-kept dorms? Why experience the alienating concrete campus at IIMA? Why wander around like in an open zoo with hardly anyone knowing you?

     

    The truth is, we stick to groups made of memories. The institute is just the foundation of such groups.  If you understand ‘Na mano Toh Pathar – Mano Toh Bhagwan’, you will understand the utter nuisance and emotional stupidity in case of the Loui Khan designed dorms and the logo.

    ………………………………..

     

    Personally speaking– I find there is no need to change the logo. The new proposed one (as shared in WhatsApp group) are chunkier and lack the grace. There is no need to have different logo for national and international markets.

     

     

  • When you have a seasoned academic and thinker and veteran industryperson rolled into one, there is reason to get a tad philosophical. Here's Dr Bhaskar Das in the April 6 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

    Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | A headline of a comment we were reading said: Data doesn’t dictate trends, humans do. Your thoughts?

    Bhaskar DasWhen you have a seasoned academic and thinker and veteran industryperson rolled into one, there is reason to get a tad philosophical. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the April 6 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

     

    If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar.

     

    Q. A headline of a comment we were reading said: Data doesn’t dictate trends, humans do. Your thoughts?

     

    A. I loved the comment due to its insightfulness.  The key role of data is to reflect empiricism about the targetted information. If one wants to seek meaning out of the data, the same should be complemented with real-life human data. In fact I feel data on its own is a commodity unless actionable insights are injected outside the Excel sheet. Human beings are not an algorithm. For example, this pandemic has changed the way consumers have been behaving and they haven’t always followed a predictive path, across product categories. Hence, the relevance of the comment.

     

  • To help scale up the media presence for the institute across the country

    NMIMS names Madison Media as AoR

    By Our Staff

     

    The Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) has appointed Madison Media as its media agency on record, to help scale up the media presence and generate higher reach for the institute across the country. As part of the mandate, Madison Media will handle traditional and digital media services including visibility in print media and radio for NMIMS.

     

    Said Burzeen Bhathena, Director Marketing & PR, NMIMS: “From very humble beginnings in 1981, NMIMS is today recognised as a globally reputed multi-disciplinary, multi-campus University consisting of 17 specialised schools, eight campuses, 17,000+ students, and 800+ full-time faculty members. NMIMS is well known for its consistent academic quality and research-focused approach along with developing a sense of community among students, to achieve holistic education. I’m confident that Madison Media will help us establish an impactful media presence and build a strong brand with its innovative approach. I look forward to working with them.”

     

    Added Chintan Soni, Vice President, Madison Digital: “We are looking forward to this exciting opportunity with NMIMS, which is one of the few universities in the country to have established a global footprint. NMIMS’ continuous endeavour to develop and achieve new education and research milestones is in line with the radically changing landscape of the education sector. By leveraging our digital-first and outcome-driven approach, we are confident that NMIMS will achieve its goals and surpass industry expectations. Madison is committed to further NMIMS media presence with strategic planning at all levels.”

     

  • To bring addressable TV advertising to advertisers

    GroupM launches Finecast

    By Our Staff

     

    GroupM, the media investment group of WPP, has announced the launch of Finecast in India, a first-to-market addressable TV service that enables advertisers to target households with relevant TV ads across multiple TV channels, pay-TV platforms and set-top boxes, a range of video on demand (VOD) services, over-the-top (OTT) providers, and game consoles.

     

    Said Prasanth Kumar, CEO, South Asia, GroupM: “As the largest media advertising company in the world, GroupM is able to create the scale of partnerships required to find relevant audiences in the fragmented TV landscape. With Finecast, we have partnered the top content providers, broadcasters, platforms and data providers in India to build this market that will inevitably add more value to GroupM’s clients in India.”

     

  • Consumer marketing efforts for Indian growth strategy

    Vicky Kaushal to promote Pearson Education

    By Our Staff

     

    Pearson, a British multinational publishing and education company, has amped up its consumer marketing as part of the India growth strategy. It unveiled its first and all-new digital brand film on the core theme of Preparation. Actor Vicky Kaushal has been roped in as its brand ambassador. The brand film is conceptualised by creative agency Bang In the Middle (BITM).

     

    Said Siddharth Banerjee, Managing Director- India & Asia, Pearson: “Today, Pearson is in the middle of significant business transformation with a vision to become a digital first, direct-to-consumer brand and build a holistic education ecosystem in India. As we evolve our growth strategy to further sharpen our focus as a consumer-centric company, we want to build more meaningful and personal brand relationships with our audiences. We are working to ensure that consumers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether they’re aiming for higher studies or better careers in the future, we know that Indian learners today demand a world-class learning experience to accelerate their career pathways. Therefore, through our rich, credible, and personalized content, we are fueling their dreams and helping them #PrepareWell at every learning touchpoint throughout their lives.”

     

  • Celebrates the idea of preparing scrumptious food

    Tilt creates campaign for Licious

    By Our Staff

     

    Licious, the online seafood and meat shop, rolls out its latest brand campaign. Developed by Tilt Brand Solutions, the ad celebrates the idea of being a good host and preparing scrumptious food.

     

    Notes a communique: “The brand campaign celebrates the idea of being a good host and preparing scrumptious food for your friends than using ‘convenience’ as an excuse to order from outside.”