MxMIndia

Category: MARKETING

  • It is the first ever Indian shopping portal to deliver mobile devices directly from manufacturers to users.

    Nokia, Indiatimes join to launch NokiaShop

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nokia India in association with Indiatimes Shopping announced the launch of Nokia’s online store- NokiaShop, the first online shopping portal in India to deliver mobile devices directly from the manufacturer to the users.

     

    Nokia Shop will offer the entire portfolio of Nokia devices as well as accessories to the consumers at the convenience of online shopping.

     

    The association between the two leading organizations will serve as a game-changer in the growing Indian e-commerce space as users can now buy handsets directly from the manufacturer, without needing any dealer or reseller in between. For the online space this is an unprecedented initiative and will bring about a major shift in consumer behaviour in the mobile phone category.

     

    According to Viral Oza, Director- Marketing, Nokia India: “At Nokia, we have always invested ahead of the curve in setting up a formidable retail network. Today, as online shopping gains momentum, we are the first mobile handset company to set up a branded online store. Through our association with Indiatimes Shopping, we are confident that we will be able to offer a superior online shopping experience to our consumer by giving them an opportunity to buy directly from Nokia.”

     

    “This partnership is a step further in our aim to bring more offline brands to the online space. With our brand strength, resources, knowledge and credibility in the e-commerce space, we are confident of providing Nokia the right platform to connect with its users,” says Rishi Khiani, CEO, Times Internet Ltd.

     

    Regarding the tie up, Gautam Sinha, Director Technology & e-commerce head, Times Internet Ltd said: “We are pleased to partner with a top brand like Nokia and help them reach their online customers. We hope to witness strong synergistic growth capturing majority of online mobile handset market in the next few months.”

     

    Consumers can make purchases from Nokia.indiatimes.com, and payment options are through credit card or cash on delivery. Customers can also convert their payment amount into interest-free EMIs.

     

    The Nokia Shop offers the entire range of Nokia devices, including smartphones, dual SIM phones, touch and type, Qwerty, touchphones and value phones. The prices offered on the online store are Best Buy prices.

     

    A recent report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) revealed that India’s e-commerce market is growing at an average rate of 70 per cent annually, and has grown over 500 per cent in the past three years alone. Given the potential of e-commerce industry, Indiatimes and Nokia are confident of high growth in the mobile phone category within the next two quarters.

     

  • The idea behind the campaign is to make the masses aware that their life, dreams and future are not necessarily in their control.

    Radio Mirchi and Birla Sun Life’s campaign to protect families

    By a Correspondent

     

    After a TVC and launch of an independent microsite, Birla Sun Life Insurance roped in Mindshare and Radio Mirchi to spread the message of their campaign, Protection Solutions. The idea behind the campaign is to make the masses aware that their life, dreams and future are not necessarily in their control. There is always an element of the unexpected – fate – and it is best that they don’t leave dreams to fate. The objective of the campaign is to inspire people to secure their families, and not to leave their dreams to fate.

     

    Mr. Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group, said: “As a brand, we believe in identifying unarticulated needs of our customers and contextualizing the role that we can play to meet these needs. It is important to play a role of a facilitator to sensitize the customer to the uncertainties of life and empower him with solutions that protect his priceless dreams. In order to communicate and effectively engage the customers, it was important for us to select an appropriate activation and media planning partner and our association with Mirchi and Mindshare best helped us to reach out to the masses.”

     

    The campaign is spread over three weeks, across eight markets and encompasses the theme of ‘safety, security and protection. Mindshare and Radio Mirchi urged people to come forward and share their stories of luck and survival.

     

    Abhishek Ray, of ‘Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster’ and ‘I am Kalam’ fame and Kavita Krishnamoorthi, the versatile singer and former actress, are said to have come together to create a song that will inspire the listeners to take the necessary steps and protect their families.

     

    Radio Mirchi also organized a massive on-ground activity in 64 housing societies across 8 metros. The activity, ‘Birla Sun Life Insurance presents My Family Day’, mixed a lot of fun activities while giving an opportunity for families to bond together. This gave most family members to display various strengths to protect their families.

     

    Birla Sun Life Insurance also gave away a maroon coloured band to individuals who pledged to protect their families. The idea behind the activities was to get the audiences to take a pledge to protect their families.

     

  • Lalit Choudary, MD, Performance Cars receives the award for the Sport Sedan of the Year

    Aston Martin Rapide wins ET Zig Wheels Award 2011

    By A Correspondent

     

    The ET Zig Wheels Awards 2011 have given the Indian automotive industry a solid platform and direction for growth. Over the years ET Zig Wheels has grown into an esteemed brand. As the journey continues, the organizers believeIndiacan be a global capital for the automotive industry.

     

    With a wealth of stunning small cars and affordable mid-size segment stunners to choose from, the special jury panel of the 2011 ET ZigWheels Awards 2011 awarded the Aston Martin Rapide as the Sport Sedan of the Year.

     

    For an international auto major just starting to find its feet in the country, being adjudged as the Sport Sedan of the Year (CBU), is a noteworthy accomplishment. It has just been a few months since Lalit Choudary, Managing Director of Performance Cars, introduced the coveted Aston Martin brand inIndia.

     

    Mr Choudary was confident of their partnership with Aston Martin. He said, “Partnering Aston Martin offers us a unique opportunity to bring one of the world’s iconic brands to one of the most discerning and fast growing markets.”

     

    The range of models, the comfortable ride quality the car offers on Indian roads and the exclusivity of Aston Martin has been identified worldwide. Now Mr Choudary is poised to position Aston Martin as the finest car in the luxury auto sector.

     

  • As a part of this arrangement, Reebok has designed a customized range of DID dance gear and will retail it in nearly 100 outlets across the country

    DID announces tie-up with Reebok

    By A Correspondent

     

    After nearly three months of anxiety and sleepless nights, the aspirants of Dance India Dance’s ‘Sunehri Taqdeer ki Topi’ have left the gruelling audition process behind.

    All those hours of sweating and stretching will be now rewarded with a chance to be on the coveted stage as a part of Dance India Dance’s (DID) Adbhut 18 and dazzle the viewers with breathtaking performances.

     

    The Masters, Remo D’Souza, Geeta Kapoor and Terence Lewis announced the names of Adbhut 18 inDelhi, who have secured their places in ‘Remo Ke Rangeeley’, ‘Geeta Ki Gang’ and ‘Terence Ki Toli’.

     

    Mr. Ashish Golwalkar, Non Fiction Head, Zee TV said: “This is a momentous occasion for us. After weeks of contemplation and deliberation, we have finally chosen our ‘Adbhut 18’contestants. The contestants were handpicked on the basis of their skill, innovative presentation, versatility and ‘never give up’ attitude. Zee, as a channel, takes immense pride in the fact that dance has boomed in popularity inIndiabecause of a show like Dance India Dance.”

     

    This moment is also significant as DID has announced its tie-up with sportswear giant Reebok. Over the years, Dance India Dance has become a trend setter in the genre. Continuing with the tradition of exploring differentiated marketing on DID; this season the channel has ventured into unexplored territory – a revenue sharing and licensing deal with Reebok.

     

    Regarding the licensing and merchandising deal with Reebok, Mr Akash Chawla, Head-Marketing, National Channels, ZEEL said: “DID stands for great quality of dancing and extreme rigor. DID has always been a progressive brand which has been an aspiration to many. Taking this forward, this season we have ventured into a licensing contract with Reebok. This is a first at Zee TV that a costume range will be unveiled. As a part of this arrangement, Reebok has designed a customized range of DID dance gear and will retail it in nearly 100 outlets across the country. This will help us to extend our brands into new product categories, and will also help increase the popularity of the brand.”

     

    Mr. Sajid Shamim, Brand Director, Reebok said: “At Reebok, we have always focused our efforts on creating products that bring elements of life, sport and style together. Through this association with ‘Dance India Dance’, we are celebrating fitness through the medium of dance, which at its core is fun and enjoyable. The Dance India Dance collection has taken its inspiration from the various forms of dance. Comprising of graphic t-shirts in vibrant and bright colours, this collection celebrates the spirit of dance.”

     

    The Reebok and Dance India Dance Apparel Collection brings together dance and fashion with daily wear, value-added design elements. Graphic T-shirts and hoodies for men, with ‘Born to Dance’ and ‘Live Love Dance’ written in bright neon colours have specially been made keeping in mind dance enthusiasts across the country. The women’s has a ‘DID – Born to Dance’ racer back and flick pant for all the hardcore dancers. Graphic t-shirts complete the “Fit for the street” Dance Inspired Streetwear collection.

     

    Both Zee and Reebok feel that this synergy between dance lovers and sports lovers will surely work wonders for both the brands.

  • The report has captured the gender and the age profiling of the remote in-charge for different one-hour slots, from 7pm to 11pm, on both weekdays and weekends.

    Who controls the remote? Ormax Media study released

    By A Correspondent

     

    Ormax Media has released a report on understanding the remote control dynamics in single TV households inIndiacalled ‘And The Remote Goes To…’

     

    This large scale syndicated study was conducted across 7 cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Indore, Lucknow, Jalandhar and Hyderabad – and with 5,547 regular prime time television viewers as respondents.

     

    The study aimed to answer the question that has obsessed the television industry: “Who controls the remote at different times?” The report has captured the gender and the age profiling of the remote in-charge for different one-hour slots, from 7pm to 11pm, on both weekdays and weekends. It has also captured the differences in the profile of the remote in-charge by markets, SEC and family size.

     

    Speaking about the study, Shailesh Kapoor, CEO, Ormax Media said: “One of the limitations of television ratings is that they don’t tell us who the decision maker is. Marketing is about talking to decision makers and influencers, not the actual consumers. In television, this reality is even more pertinent, given the nature of TV viewing inIndia– single TV households where the entire family watches TV together. In such a scenario, whom should you be talking to? A man or a woman or

    both? The youth, the newly married, the middle-aged, or all of them? What is the best time and day to attract each of these segments? This study has answered several such relevant but under-rated questions.”

     

    The report is available to broadcasters, media agencies and advertisers for a one-time subscription cost of Rs40,000. Mr Kapoor said: “This study was done to share useful data across the industry. Hence, we have priced it in a way that the entire television and media fraternity, including the smaller channels and advertisers, can use it for better understanding of their audiences.”

     

    Ormax Media isIndia’s first and only research and consulting firm specializing in the media & entertainment industry. It is also the owner of 19 proprietary research products that are being used widely across the media industry. Setup in 2008 by Vispy Doctor and Shailesh Kapoor, the company partners with 81 leading media brands, including Star India, Viacom 18, Multi Screen Media, Zee Network, Viacom 18, Times Television, Disney, Yash Raj Films, Group M, Radio City, Eros and many others.

     

  • Shahrukh Khan wins The Most Profitable Actor (Overseas), Kareena Kapoor is The Most Profitable Actress

    Salman Khan is ETC Most Profitable Actor (India)

    By A Correspondent

     

    The second ETC Bollywood Business Awards commemorated the dream merchants who minted highest amount of monies for Bollywood in 2011. The awards will be telecast on ETC76 on January 9, 2012 at 8:30pm.

     

    Of the approximate 120 films released in 2011, five films (Ready, Bodyguard, Singham, RA.One and Don2) saw domestic box office collections of more than Rs100 crore each; while some more, most notably The Dirty Picture (Rs80 cr), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Rs92 cr) and Rockstar (Rs67 cr) came close.

     

    Last year also included quite a few hits and successes that raked in the moolah. Bollywood collected a total of Rs1740 crore from the Indian box office (BO). If one adds the revenue garnered from overseas and satellite rights and the revenue goes up to Rs2590 crore.

     

    With movies which earned Rs200 crore plus at the domestic BO under her belt, Kareena Kapoor emerged as the unquestionable money spinner female actor in 2011. On being presented the ETC Most Profitable Actress Award, Kareena Kapoor said that a commercially successful movie is evidence to the fact that viewers loved watching your movie. “Receiving an award wherein you are being judged considering the economic quotient as a cornerstone for mapping the success gives you a sense of pride. I’ve always maintained that commercial success is as important as the critical success of a movie. I appreciate the initiative, ETC Bollywood Business Awards, which recognizes the awardees by evaluating BO performance. I thank my viewers, people who I have worked with and ETC for appreciating my work,” she added.

     

    While Salman Khan won the ETC Most Profitable Actor (India) Award, the King of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan won the ETC Most Profitable Actor (Overseas) Award.

     

    “Now I can safely say ‘har mulk ki public mujhe dhoondti hai’”, quipped the ‘Don’, on receiving the ETC Most Profitable Actor (Overseas) Award. On receiving the ETC Best Marketed Movie of the year Award and ETC Highest Single Day Collection Award, both for RA.One, Mr Khan said: “RA.One, Bollywood’s most expensive movie, was my dream project. It feels great that my long cherished dream has been applauded by the viewers and moreover acknowledged by ETC Bollywood Business Awards; which gives its verdict only on the basis of BO collections. These two awards are a reply to all the naysayers who tried to discredit my film. Allah has been very kind to me and helped me to entertain my audiences and it is quite literally my audience’s love that has fetched me these awards.”

     

    Speaking about this unique initiative, Anurag Bedi, Business Head, ETC, said: “We started ETC Bollywood Business Awards last year, after having identified the need to evaluate Bollywood on the basis of commerce. From the first look of a film to interacting with actors, directors, producers, marketers, musicians to bringing out BO reports -with every film we undertake a journey as intense as the filmmakers. This initiative is our way recognizing the various people and entities, associated with a film, which are equally as important as people visible on-screen.”

     

    And it is precisely for this reason that ETC Bollywood Business Awards have increased the number of categories from 13 in 2010 to 18 in 2011. Innovative categories include Most Popular Trailer, BO Surprise Hit of the Year, and Excellence in International Distribution.

     

    The success of 2011 augured well for Bollywood and the biggest winner was the Indian viewer. “This has been a fine year for Bollywood with five films earning upwards of Rs100 cr each and quite a number of hits and successes. This initiative is a recognition of Bollywood’s achievements and I hope our industry enjoys continued success in 2012,” summed up Komal Nahta, host, ETC Bollywood Business.

     

  • This partnership will focus on conducting specialized agent training workshops on Canada

    Thomas Cook India’s Centre of Learning tie up with Canadian Tourism Commission

    By A Correspondent

     

    With its aim of providing effective and exceptional educational programmes for the travel and tourism industry, Thomas Cook (India) Limited’s educational division, Centre of Learning, has announced an agreement with the Canadian Tourism Commission. This partnership will focus on conducting specialized agent training workshops onCanada.

     

    Canada, known for its incredible geographical diversity, historical sites and national parks, is best positioned to cater to the evolving needs of the Indian traveller.

     

    Centre of Learning is an initiative from Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. (TCIL) to develop talent for the organization as well as for the industry. TCIL is the largest integrated travel and travel-related financial services company in the country.

     

    Under the norms of this partnership, Centre of Learning has already trained travel agents from Ahmedabad and Pune. A series of workshops will also be conducted in Tier I and Tier II cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata on destination Canada by 2012.

     

    Commenting on this association, Dr D Prasanth Nair, President & Head, Human Resources and Financial Services, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said: “Thomas Cook (India) Limited’s Centre of Learning is an authority in tourism education today. Introducing Canada as a new destination to our training programmes reiterates our commitment towards travel agents and tour operators, ensuring that they are well informed and effectively equipped to manage today’s discerning customer expectations.”

     

    The Canadian Tourism Commission,Canada’s national tourism marketing organization with a vision to inspire the world to explore Canada, has been working very closely with the travel fraternity inIndiato promote the destination. Speaking on this initiative, Mr. Derek Galpin, Managing DirectorIndia & China, Canadian Tourism Commission said: “We are delighted to have Thomas Cook’s Centre of Learning as partner in our initiatives to create awareness of Canada as the premier destination inIndia. It is imperative that the selling teams have adequate and authentic knowledge on Canada. By giving them the confidence in selling the destination to their customers, Thomas Cook Centre of Learning’s initiative in supporting the travel trades’ efforts in selling Canada as a destination is most welcome and appreciated.”

     

  • This is the first time that Rajalakshmi Institutions will be partnering Aircel Chennai Open, and it has signed a two-year contract till 2013

    Rajalakshmi Institutions official knowledge partner for Aircel Chennai Open 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    Technical education group Rajalakshmi Institutions has announced its association with the upcoming Aircel Chennai Open as the “Official Knowledge Partner”.

     

    The 17th edition of the $450,000 Aircel Chennai Open, operated and organised by IMG Reliance and India’s only and South Asia’s premier ATP World Tour Open 250 event, will be held from January 2 to 8, 2012. The tournament will see in action a star-studded performance by Indian and international players.

     

    This is the first time that Rajalakshmi Institutions will be partnering Aircel Chennai Open and it has signed a two-year contract till 2013.

     

    Commenting on the association, M Abhay Shankar, chief operating officer, Rajalakshmi Institutions said: “We are very excited to associate with India’s prestigious ATP tournament and strongly believe that this association will add to our credibility and help us connect with our target audience. Rajalakshmi Institutions looks forward for a promising journey by associating with a tournament which has garnered tremendous interest in the country, especially among the youth.

     

    A representative from IMG Reliance said: “We are pleased to welcome on board, Rajalakshmi Institutions. Aircel Chennai Open has proven to be an ideal platform of executing a tournament which mutually maximises benefits and aides our partners to meet their goals.”

     

  • Smartphones shipments touch 7.9 million units in first nine months, growing from 2.3 million in 1Q 2011 to over 3 million in 3Q 2011

    Nokia leads at 30% of cellphone sales, Samsung at #2

    By A Correspondent

     

    The overall Indian  mobile handsets market recorded aggregated shipments of 47 million units during the second quarter in 2011, registering a 12.5% sequential growth on account of large number of new launches and higher than usual shipments by vendors, as reported in the  India  Monthly Mobile Handsets Market Review. The review was released on Wednesday by CyberMedia Research.

     

    The total mobile handset shipments during the first nine months of 2011 touched 135 million units, as the market first dipped during the first quarter and then recovered in the second.

     

    (%) by Device Type: July-August-September 2011*

    Monthly mobile handset shipments (millions of units) and Growth Trends (%) by Device Type

     

    August-September 2011*

    Number of New Models Launched in July-August-September 2011

     

    In the overall Indian mobile market, Nokia retained leadership position with 30% share in terms of sales, followed by Samsung at second position with 11.6%, during September 2011.

     

    On average the proportion of dual-SIM and multi-SIM handsets were 55.8% of total mobile handset shipments in the second quarter. Nokia, a late entrant to the multi-SIM device category, made up by having as many as five models on offer by September 2011.

     

    Smartphone shipments touched 7.9 million units in first nine months. During the month of September, smartphones sales crossed 1 million units.

     

    “Smartphones are witnessing an increased adoption in the Indian market; not only amongst business executives but also among the youth as such devices offer superior usability, entertainment and functional capabilities”, said Naveen Mishra, lead analyst, CyberMedia Research Telecoms Practice.

     

    “In the coming months the India smartphones market is expected to become even more crowded as more vendors, particularly those from India  and China, look to add these devices to their portfolio”, added Tarun Pathak, analyst, CyberMedia Research Telecoms Practice.

     

  • She will be responsible for ensuring product launches, channel strategy, marketing strategy, technical training and development

    Anku Sharma joins Milagrow TabTops as Product Marketing Manager

    By A Correspondent

     

    Ms Anku Sharma has been appointed as the Product Marketing Manager for Milagrow TabTops. As the Product Marketing Manager she will be responsible for ensuring product launches, channel strategy, marketing strategy, technical training and development.

     

    Milagrow offers support as a venture catalyst to fill the ‘management capital’ need gaps of growth seeking – micro, small and medium businesses. Under industry specific consulting practice, Milagrow has special focus on retail and consumer electronics.

     

    Ms Sharma joined Milagrow Business & Knowledge Solutions as a venture catalyst in the consulting division in 2009. She has successfully worked on clients across segments like white goods, electronics, tractors, kitchen & small appliances and lifestyle and modern retail.

     

    Some of the clients that she has managed include Arcelik (Turkey), Havells, Sonalika, Eurostar (Dubai), Jindal Arc, Biglife, Chhabra 555 and Electrospark.

     

    Talking about her new role at Milagrow, Ms Sharma said: “I am delighted to be a part of the Milagrow family. With our strong customer base, wide range of offerings, and strategic alliances, I believe that we are optimally positioned to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the Indian market. My immediate goal would be to position all our divisions equally and help them realize their fullest potential as the company moves to the next level.”

     

    Ms Sharma has graduated with B.Com & Economic Honours from Punjab Universityand is a post graduate from the Birla Institute of Management Technology in retail management.

  • Master Your Money – Tax Special is designed to offer an interpersonal plane to impart information and knowledge to the participants

    Online tax special programme from moneycontrol.com

    By A Correspondent

     

    Financial portal moneycontrol.com has unveiled Master Your Money -Tax Special, the first exclusive online event in a series of dedicated online investor camps. The month long event intends to get distinguished market experts to interact with and guide the users on their tax plans.

     

    The format-exclusive Master Your Money – Tax Special is designed to offer an interpersonal plane to impart information and knowledge, where participants can interact with market gurus who will decode the complexity of tax calculations and offer valuable tips.

     

    It is a platform where the users from different walks of life will get an opportunity to choose from a gamut of features and get their tax-related queries answered. Ranging from interactive sessions like income tax advice, FAQs and live chat with the experts to the application-based online Tax calculator, Income classifications, and a choice of tax saving instruments, Master Your Money – Tax special is all set to beat the income tax blues of all the users.

     

    “Master Your Money – Tax Special is our effort to reach out and provide feasible income tax solutions to the entire community of Indian investors,” said Joyson Thomas, COO, of Web 18, the company that owns moneycontrol.com.”

     

    He added that this is Master Your Money’s first in the series of dedicated online events and is attracting users from all over the country.

     

  • These benchmarks highlight the importance of optimizing web performance in driving business revenue.

    Compuware launches 14 new website performance benchmarks

    By A Correspondent

     

    Compuware Corporation (Nasdaq: CPWR), the technology performance company, recently announced the availability of new website performance benchmarks for eight industries inIndia. The new benchmarks provide companies with competitive and market-leader insight into the website performance.

     

    Compuware’s Gomez Benchmarks – recognized as the industry standard for measuring performance – provide a comprehensive set of global independent web and mobile performance metrics. This “real-world” view of performance helps companies understand the web or mobile experiences being delivered to customers.

     

    The new Indian benchmarks for Banking, Brokerage, eCommerce, Exchanges, Insurance, Media, Portals, Telecom and Travel measure the performance of the home page of the websites of selected companies in each industry. In select industries, Compuware also launched “Last Mile” benchmarks that measure website performance based on the end users’ experience at the desktop.

     

    In addition to these 14 new benchmarks that provide Indian companies with a robust web performance gauge across industries, Compuware will launch 12 more benchmarks in the coming months.

     

    “Because benchmarking helps companies to better understand the connection between website performance, business results, and improved process discipline, it has become a valuable tool in today’s competitive online marketplace. With competitive benchmarking, companies can improve web performance and better manage their customers’ online expectations and experiences,” said Neeraj Dotel, Managing Director, CompuwareIndia.